Srinagar, Jul 4: The All India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament (Men) 2026 began on a positive and competitive note in Srinagar on Saturday, with the host institution NIT Srinagar setting a strong early benchmark in the five-day championship featuring 24 National Institutes of Technology from across the country.
The opening day featured several well-contested matches across multiple venues in the city, marked by dominant wins, individual performances, and one closely fought tie.
The results reflected the balanced competitive spirit of the tournament while also highlighting the growing standard of faculty and staff cricket within the NIT system.
Across the day’s fixtures, teams displayed encouraging performances with both bat and ball, setting the stage for an engaging league phase ahead. The mix of one-sided victories and tightly contested encounters underlined the camaraderie and sporting spirit that the tournament aims to promote among participating institutes.
The hosts NIT Srinagar made an emphatic statement in their opening clash against NIT Manipur, registering a commanding 10-wicket victory. After opting to field, NIT Srinagar’s bowling unit produced a disciplined performance to restrict Manipur to 121/8 in 20 overs.
Dr. Shakeel Waseem starred with an exceptional spell of 4/21, breaking the backbone of the opposition middle order, while Dr. Majid Hussain supported with 2/27.
Chasing a modest target, NIT Srinagar delivered a batting masterclass as Aaqib Sheikh smashed a breathtaking unbeaten 103 off just 33 balls, decorated with 17 boundaries and five sixes, powering the hosts to 124/0 in just 6.4 overs. Captain Faisal Irshad remained unbeaten on 10 as the hosts sealed victory with 80 balls to spare.
At another venue, NIT Jalandhar continued their strong start to the tournament, defeating NITK Surathkal by 23 runs. Batting first, Jalandhar posted 186/9 in 20 overs, powered by Amritpal Singh’s explosive 72 off 44 balls, supported by Ravinder’s quick 40 off 27 deliveries.
Surathkal responded with 163/7, with Shailendra scoring a fighting 47, but failed to maintain the required run rate despite a spirited effort.
In another high-impact contest, NIT Uttarakhand outclassed NIT Andhra Pradesh by 49 runs. Uttarakhand posted 143/8, largely due to Kuldeep Thakur’s explosive 90 off 53 balls.
In response, Andhra Pradesh collapsed for 94 in 15.1 overs, with Hitesh Sharma delivering a match-winning spell of 6/15. Romeo Meitei’s five-wicket haul for Andhra Pradesh was the lone bright spot in an otherwise one-sided encounter.
NIT Jamshedpur also began their campaign with a hard-fought five-wicket win over MNNIT Allahabad. Allahabad posted 152 all out, with Venkatesh scoring 51. Jamshedpur’s Sudhanshu Pati claimed 3/27, restricting the opposition effectively.
In reply, Sumit Sehgal anchored the chase with a composed 44, guiding his team to 155/5 in 19.4 overs.
One of the most thrilling encounters of the day came between NIT Puducherry and MANIT Bhopal, which ended in a rare tie as both teams scored 164 in their allotted 20 overs.
Alaguraja K’s 79 and C.K. Prakash’s 46 powered Puducherry, while Akash Mourya’s brilliant 82 ensured Bhopal stayed in the chase till the final ball, resulting in shared points.
In another one-sided contest played at Islamia College, NIT Calicut delivered a clinical performance to defeat NIT Delhi by nine wickets. Delhi were restricted to 115/10, with Dhanesh Rambeth taking 3/20. Calicut chased the target in 11.2 overs, led by Ranjith’s unbeaten 51 off 32 balls, sealing victory with ease.
NIT Hamirpur produced the most dominant bowling performance of the day against NIT Sikkim, restricting them to just 64/8 in 20 overs. Neeraj Dhiman’s extraordinary 2/2 in three overs set the tone, while Hemraj supported brilliantly.
Hamirpur chased the target in just six overs, finishing at 66/1 with Vivek Tiwari and Surender Soni leading the charge.
In a closely fought contest, VNIT Nagpur edged past NIT Silchar by three wickets. Silchar were bowled out for 79, with Dr. Ajit Rathod (3/18) and Vijendra Singh Thakur (2/5) starring with the ball. VNIT Nagpur, however, faced resistance during the chase but managed to reach 80/7 in 16.1 overs, securing a narrow win.
Wasim Arif stood out for Silchar with an all-round performance, scoring 28 and taking 3/14.
The five-day championship, hosted by NIT Srinagar, has brought together 24 NIT teams in a celebration of sportsmanship, teamwork, and national integration.
The tournament is being sponsored by DRS IT Consultancy, NorthCut Enterprises, Aisha Enterprises, Bombay Sports, Chemi Health, Speedway Printers, G Active, K.S. Enterprises, M/S Sharp, Ahmad Scientific, Alfa Office, Nescafé, New S5 Enterprise, IGENE, FOSROC, Lakshmi Chand, JK Bats, J&K Bank, Canara Bank, ICICI Bank, HIECO, JK Cement, Gasha Canteen, Ali Mohammad P&D, and Orbit Contractors P&D.
New Delhi, May 12: A massive protest organised by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) broke out near the Shastri Bhawan on Tuesday, against the alleged paper leak in NEET-UG this year. The exam was held on May 3, following which allegations of paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) and central agencies. Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, and said the examination will be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately. In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
Srinagar, Feb 12: Jammu and Kashmir recorded over 15.48 lakh traffic violation cases in 2025, with authorities collecting more than Rs 34.17 crore as penalty under the Motor Vehicles Act, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. The information was shared in the Lok Sabha in response to a question raised by MP Janardan Singh Sigriwal. According to the official data, 15,48,525 challans were issued across the Union Territory in 2025, while the penalty amount recovered stood at Rs 34,17,36,740. The figures further show that in 2024, a total of 15,44,105 violations were registered with a penalty collection of around Rs 43.40 crore, while in 2023, 12,38,584 challans were issued and Rs 34.56 crore was collected. For the current year, till February 8, 2026, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded 1,63,531 traffic violation cases, with revenue collection of about Rs 2.11 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways stated that stricter penalties under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 are aimed at ensuring better compliance and deterrence. It also said that traffic enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of States and Union Territories. The government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for electronic monitoring and is promoting technology-driven enforcement through Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras integrated with the VAHAN database. Awareness campaigns under the Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan are also being carried out to improve road safety.
New Delhi, Jan 25: The Dental Council of India (DCI) has directed all universities and dental colleges across the country to strictly ensure a minimum of 80 percent biometric attendance for Post Graduate students before allowing them to appear in examinations. The decision has been taken to curb absenteeism among postgraduate dental students. According to a circular issued by the Dental Council of India-a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the decision has been taken after multiple complaints were received from dental colleges in Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh regarding non-attendance of PG students. "The matter was examined by the Grievance Sub-Committee of the DCI in its meeting held on November 24, 2025," the circular reads. It reads that after detailed discussion and deliberation, the committee recommended that all universities and dental colleges must ensure compliance with Regulation 18(a)(i) of the DCI Master of Dental Surgery Course Regulations, 2017, which mandates at least 80 per cent attendance. "The recommendation of the Grievance Sub-Committee has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Dental Council of India through circulation and has now been formally communicated for information and necessary action," the circular reads. As per the circular, all the universities and dental colleges have been directed to ensure minimum 80 per cent biometric attendance of all PG students before permitting them to appear in examinations. The order, issued by Deputy Secretary Dental Council of India Mukesh Kumar, is expected to be implemented with immediate effect across the country.
Srinagar, Jan 8: Contractual faculty members working in government degree colleges of Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department (HED) have expressed strong resentment over what they term as a glaring disparity in salaries, demanding revision of their pay in line with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms and regularisation of their services. The faculty, many of whom hold PhDs and are qualified through NET, SET and JRF, said they have been denied UGC-recommended pay scales despite discharging academic responsibilities equivalent to their regular counterparts. “Hundreds of highly qualified scholars have been pushed into silent suffering. For years, we have been assured that our pay revision is under consideration, but nothing has materialised so far,” said Dr Ishfaq Gowhar, a contractual faculty member. Earlier, Director Colleges J&K had acknowledged the legitimacy of the faculty’s demand, stating that while the issue was genuine, its implementation involved significant financial implications due to the large number of contractual appointments. “We are aware that they deserve salary enhancement, but the number of contractual faculty is huge and it has financial implications,” he earlier said. Dr Gowhar pointed out that contractual lecturers, who form the backbone of the higher education system, continue to work on a fixed monthly honorarium of Rs 28,000, which has remained unchanged for nearly a decade. “The irony is that a Class IV employee with a Class 10 qualification draws a salary exceeding Rs 50,000, while doctorate-holding teachers engaged in teaching, mentoring and academic research are paid a fraction of that,” he said. He added that institutions such as SKUAST-K, University of Kashmir and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) have implemented revised UGC pay scales, but the Higher Education Department has failed to extend similar treatment to its contractual faculty. Dr Gowhar said the demand for “equal work, equal pay” gets prominently featured in election campaigns, raising hopes among contractual teachers. “Promises were made and slogans echoed during elections, but once the process ended, our voices were reduced to silence. Even meeting officials now feels impossible,” he said. He said contractual faculty were not seeking privileges but dignity, fairness and recognition for their service. The faculty appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Education Minister to intervene and take concrete steps towards addressing their long-pending demands. “This issue is not merely about salaries. It is about survival, justice and dignity in the classrooms of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Srinagar, March 6: Around 17 candidates from Jammu and Kashmir have qualified the Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2025, the result for which was declared by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Friday. The commission recommended a total of 958 candidates for appointment to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and various central services. Anuj Agnihotri, an MBBS graduate, has topped the civil services examination 2025, while Rajeshwari Suve M and Akansh Dhull have got the second and third ranks respectively. According to the official list released by the UPSC the 17 candidates from J&K who have figured in the final merit list include Suvan Sharma (Rank 148), Sugandha Gupta (207), Towseef Ganie (Rank 254), Ritika (Rank 456), Sooyash Shivam (Rank 572), Muneeb Parrah (Rank 581), Ghulam Din (Rank 683), Dwarka Gaadhi (Rank 721), Akash (Rank 747), Koh E Safa (Rank 763), Yasaar (Rank 811), Abhishek (Rank 820), Pankaj (Rank 856), Mohammad Ajaz (Rank 869), Azhar (Rank 886), Sarfraz (Rank 936), and Irfan (Rank 957). The results were declared after conducting the written examination in August 2025 followed by the personality tests (interviews) conducted between December 2025 and February 2026. As per the result notification issue by the UPSC, a total of 958 candidates have been recommended for appointment against 1087 vacancies reported by the government for the examination cycle. These include 180 vacancies in the IAS, 55 in the IFS, 150 in the IPS, 507 in Central Services Group A and 195 in Group B services. Of the total recommended candidates, 317 are from the general category, 104 from the economically weaker sections, 306 from other backward classes, 158 from scheduled castes and 73 from scheduled tribes. A consolidated reserve list of 258 candidates has also been published in accordance with the rules. The claims of recommended candidates regarding reservation categories will be subject to verification by the concerned authorities. The UPSC has stated that the candidature of 348 recommended candidates has been kept provisional, while the result of the two candidates has been kept withheld. The CSE is conducted annually in three stages- preliminary, Mains and interview by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. The civil services (preliminary) examination 2025 was conducted on May 25 of 2025. A total of 937876 candidates applied for this examination, out of which 5,76,793 actually appeared in the test. A total of 14,161 candidates qualified for appearance in the written (Main) examination which was held in August, 2025. Of these, 2736 candidates had qualified for the personality test (interview) of the examination. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the candidates who qualified the UPSC exam. "Congratulations to all those who have successfully cleared the Civil Services Examination, 2025. Their dedication, perseverance and hard work have led to this significant milestone. Wishing them the very best as they embark on a journey of serving the nation and fulfilling the aspirations of the people," PM Modi wrote on his official X handle. "To those who may not have secured the desired outcome in the Civil Services Examination, I understand that such moments can be difficult. However, this is only one step in a larger journey. Many opportunities lie ahead, both in future examinations and in the many avenues through which you can contribute to our nation. My best wishes for the road ahead," his post on X reads. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar announced the declaration of the result and congratulated the candidates who qualified the exam. "Congrats to all successful candidates as you begin a career of service to the nation. For those who did not make it-the learning from this journey will guide you in the paths ahead," UPSC Chairman wrote in a post on X. Among the 17 candidates from J&K who qualified UPSC exam inlcude a visually impaired candidate Irfan Ahmad Lone, a resident of Manzpora in the Naidkhai area of Bandipora.
Baramulla, Aug 19: Government Degree College (GDC) for Women Baramulla emerged champions in the Girls’ Volleyball Tournament 2026, defeating GDC (Boys) Sopore 2-1 in a closely fought three-set final. The girls' volleyball tournament was organised by 53 Battalion CRPF in collaboration with Government Degree College Baramulla (GDC) Baramulla at Indoor stadium Khoja Bagh. The final witnessed an intense contest, with both sides displaying determination, skill and sportsmanship. GDC Womens Baramulla held its nerve in the decisive stages to secure the title. The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 15,000 along with the winner’s trophy, medals and certificates, while the runners-up received cash prize of Rs 10,000, besides the runners-up trophy, medals and certificates. GDC Womens Baramulla had booked their place in the final after defeating Goverment College for Women (GCW) Sopore in a hard-fought semi-final that tested the players’ stamina and skills. GDC (Boys) Sopore also put up a spirited performance in the tournament, persisting despite injuries and displaying considerable grit and determination. Seven teams participated in the tournament, including GDC Baramulla, GDC Sopore Boys, GCW Baramulla, GCW Sopore, GDC Hadippora, GCW Nawakadal and GDC Pampore. Eight teams were invited to participate. All players from the participating teams were presented appreciation certificates at the closing ceremony. Vice Principal GDC Baramulla, Prof Tariq Ahmad Chalkooattended the closing ceremony in the presence of Indranil Dutta second in-charge of 53 Battalion CRPF, Omendra Singh Poonia, 2IC 53 Battalion, and other officers of the force. The tournament was organised as part of the 53 Battalion CRPF’s efforts to identify and promote local sporting talent and encourage greater participation of women in sports. The initiative also follows the force’s commitment made last year to continue providing local platforms for talent spotting and encouraging sportswomen. Several participating teams were competing at this level for the first time and appreciated the efforts of 53 Battalion CRPF in providing them an opportunity to showcase their talent. The organisers said the initiative was aimed at strengthening ties with the local community while creating opportunities for budding sportswomen to compete and develop their skills.
Srinagar, Jul 7: National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar stormed into the final of the All-India Inter-NIT Faculty & Staff Cricket Tournament 2026 with a convincing four-wicket victory over NIT Jalandhar in the first semifinal, while NIT Puducherry secured the second berth in the title clash after defeating NIT Hamirpur by six wickets in the second semifinal played at the Physical College, Ganderbal. The championship final will now be played between NIT Srinagar and NIT Puducherry on Wednesday, while NIT Hamirpur and NIT Jalandhar will face each other in the third-place playoff. In the first semifinal, NIT Jalandhar won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Nitin Sharma was dismissed off the very first ball of the innings. Ravinder, Avishek Singh and Amritpal Singh also fell cheaply, leaving NIT Jalandhar struggling at 14/4 inside the opening four overs. However, Saurabh Dinkar and Sourav Gupta staged an impressive recovery with a crucial partnership. Dinkar played a superb knock of 71 runs off 50 balls, hitting seven fours and three sixes, while Gupta contributed a well-compiled 56 off 44 deliveries with five boundaries. Their efforts helped NIT Jalandhar recover to a respectable total of 148/5 in 20 overs. NIT Srinagar's bowling attack remained disciplined throughout the innings. Dr. Mohsin starred with outstanding figures of 2 wickets for 15 runs in four overs. Mudasir Qadir and Dr. Majid Hussain claimed one wicket each, while Dr. Shakeel Waseem and Shahid Hamid bowled economical spells to keep the opposition under pressure. In reply, NIT Srinagar produced a composed batting display to chase down the target, with Dr. Majid Hussain top-scoring with a well-crafted 32 off 24 balls, laced with five boundaries. Wicketkeeper-batter Sohail Baba remained unbeaten on 25 off just 13 deliveries, smashing four fours and a six, while Shahid Hamid made an important 26 off 18 balls, including three boundaries, to keep the chase firmly on track. Earlier, Aaqib Sheikh provided NIT Srinagar with a blistering start, scoring 19 off 10 balls with the help of a four and a six. Dr. Pankaj Kumar remained unbeaten on 17, while captain Faisal Irshad contributed 12 runs. Dr. Ved Prakash (3) and Dr. Shakeel Waseem (2) also chipped in as NIT Srinagar reached 149/6 in 18.3 overs, sealing a convincing four-wicket victory with nine balls to spare and booking their place in the tournament final. For NIT Jalandhar, Kundan Kumar impressed with figures of 3/20, while Rakesh Kumar and Satyender Singh picked up one wicket each. In the second semifinal at the Physical College, Ganderbal, NIT Hamirpur posted 152/8 after being asked to bat. Neeraj Dhiman played a sensational innings of 80 runs off 46 balls, hammering seven fours and seven sixes, while Vivek Tiwari added a useful 31 to help Hamirpur cross the 150-run mark. NIT Puducherry's bowlers produced a disciplined effort, with Ismail M leading the attack by claiming 4 wickets for 20 runs, while Gowrishankar supported well with 2/16. Chasing 153, NIT Puducherry dominated the run chase from the outset. Alaguraja K anchored the innings with a magnificent 67 off 43 balls, striking eight fours and four sixes, as his team comfortably reached 156/4 in 16.4 overs, sealing victory by six wickets with 20 balls remaining. For NIT Hamirpur, Hemraj claimed 2 wickets for 26 runs, but his efforts were not enough to stop Puducherry's march into the final. Alaguraja K was named the Man of the Match for his match-winning knock of 67 off 43 balls, which guided NIT Puducherry to a comfortable six-wicket victory over NIT Hamirpur and secured their place in the tournament final. Before the final, NIT Hamirpur and NIT Jalandhar will compete in the third-place playoff, with both matches scheduled to be held at NIT Srinagar. Earlier in the day, NIT Puducherry booked their place in the semi-finals with a comprehensive 10-wicket victory over VNIT in the quarter-final. VNIT were restricted to 105/9 in 20 overs, with Ismail M claiming 3/15, while Sudhakar V (2/19) and C.K. Prakash (2/26) provided excellent support. In reply, openers Alaguraja K (71* off 38) and C.K. Prakash (26* off 23) stitched together an unbeaten 107-run stand as Puducherry chased down the target in just 10.1 overs.
Baramulla, June 29: In a major push to promote youth engagement, peace and community harmony through sports, the Dagger Division of the Indian Army on Monday inaugurated the third edition of Varmul Gindo 3.0, Baramulla's biggest multi-sport festival, at Prof. Shoukat Ali Stadium. The event is being organised in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council, the District Youth Services & Sports Department and the Baramulla Sports Association. The month-long sporting extravaganza aims to provide a competitive platform for young athletes while strengthening social cohesion across the district. The inaugural ceremony was attended by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), Dagger Division, who was the chief guest. Among others present were the MLAs of Baramulla and Gulmarg constituency, Commander TMG Brigade, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh, senior officials of the J&K Sports Council, civil administration, Army officers, sportspersons, students and members of the local community. Held under the theme "Tarjuman-e-Aman" (Messenger of Peace), the festival seeks to promote peace, unity, inclusivity and youth empowerment through the transformative power of sports. Nearly 3,000 boys and girls from all major tehsils of Baramulla district are expected to participate in this year's edition, competing in more than 20 sporting disciplines, including football, tennis ball cricket, volleyball, rugby, hockey, handball, kabaddi, basketball, kho-kho, athletics, karate, wushu, chess, table tennis, snooker and several other indoor and outdoor events. The competitions will be held at over 15 venues across the district, ensuring widespread participation and community involvement. The festival commenced with an exhibition rugby match, symbolising teamwork, resilience and determination while setting the stage for the month-long sporting celebration. Addressing the gathering, the GOC, Dagger Division, described Varmul Gindo 3.0 as more than just a sporting event. "It is a celebration of the aspirations, talent and resilience of the youth of Baramulla. Through sports, we aim to nurture discipline, teamwork, leadership and confidence while strengthening the bonds of peace, unity and national integration across the Valley," he said. The MLAs of Baramulla and Gulmarg lauded the initiative, describing it as an important platform for nurturing sporting talent and encouraging young people to adopt healthy lifestyles. They appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Indian Army, civil administration and sports bodies in creating meaningful opportunities for the youth. Interacting with the participants, Arjuna Awardee Rupali Patel Singh urged the young athletes to pursue excellence with dedication and perseverance. She said discipline, hard work and determination remain the key ingredients of success and encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunities offered by the festival. Officials said all competitions will be conducted under the supervision of recognised sports federations and qualified technical officials to ensure professional standards and fair play. Besides identifying emerging sporting talent, Varmul Gindo 3.0 aims to strengthen communal harmony and foster lasting bonds among the youth, reinforcing Baramulla's growing reputation as a hub for sports and positive youth engagement.
