Daily Excelsior

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: A workshop organised by the RBI for Lead District Managers (LDMs), District Development Managers (DDMs) and Lead District Officers (LDOs) of the UTs was held here today. The event was graced by Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, as the chief guest and Shailendra Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, as guest of honour in the presence of Chandrashekhar Azad, Regional Director, RBI Jammu. It was attended by dignitaries inc

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: A seminar on Bank Branch Audit & LFAR including Risk Audit & System Audit organized by the Jammu & Kashmir Branch of the Northern India Regional Council (NIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was held here today. The programme commenced with an inaugural address by Amit Gupta, Chairman, J&K Branch of ICAI, who highlighted the critical role of Chartered Accountants in maintaining the integrity of the financial system. He encouraged

Adverse effects likely to persist for extended time *India for dialogue, diplomacy to restore peace NEW DELHI, Mar 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the constitution of seven empowered groups to deal with the potential long-term impacts of the West Asia war and urged states to work with the Centre in a Team India approach to ward off the crisis. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Observing that the situation is constantly changing in West Asia, he [] The post PM a

Mixed signals over talks to end war DUBAI, Mar 24: Airstrikes battered Iran and Iranian missiles, and drones targeted Israels Tel Aviv and sites across the Mideast on Tuesday, even as President Donald Trump said the United States was in talks with the Islamic Republic to end the war. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp With thousands more US Marines on their way to the Gulf, both sides firing barrages and Iran denying any negotiations are taking place, the [] The post Airstrikes hit I

Two officers retiring in April, May; Director this month *UPSC likely to convene meeting shortly Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Mar 24: Vacancies for induction of Jammu and Kashmir Police Services (JKPS) officers into Indian Police Services (IPS) are likely to go up to 10 as two IPS officers (State Police Services) are retiring in the months of April and May and these posts are likely to be added for inductions whenever the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) convenes a meeting with [] The post Vacan

Initiative part of broader effort to tap Jammus tourism potential Bivek Mathur JAMMU, Mar 24: The Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has proposed to develop a major tourism-centric project on a 95-Kanal (11.64 Acres) land parcel at Jagti in the Nagrota area, official sources said. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Planned near the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) campus, the project will be undertaken through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, based on a Design, Build, Fin

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: On World Tuberculosis Day, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called upon the Gealth Department, district administrations and citizens to ramp up testing, help in identifying TB-sensitive areas, and spread awareness door-to-door. He said every family must be informed that testing for TB symptoms and treatment are free, and full recovery is possible. Awareness, I believe, will be our most powerful medicine. Leave no patient behind. Detecting TB is only half

ISLAMABAD, Mar 24 : Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that Islamabad was ready and honoured to facilitate meaningful and conclusive talks between the US and Iran to end the ongoing conflict. The announcement came following media reports about backdoor efforts by Pakistan along with Egypt and Turkiye to broker peace in West Asia. Pakistan welcomes and fully supports ongoing efforts to pursue dialogue to end the war in the Middle East, in the interest of peace and [] The post

KOLKATA, Mar 24: Three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday appointed explosive batter Rinku Singh as their vice-captain for IPL 2026, underlining the franchises long-term leadership plans. Rinku will assist skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who has been retained as captain despite KKRs disappointing IPL 2025 campaign. Rinku Singh will work very closely with skipper Ajinkya Rahane as vice-captain, KKR CEO Venky Mysore said during the teams Knights Unplugged 3.0 event here. Backing the decision,

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana today called for collective and sustained efforts to protect forests across Jammu & Kashmir, underscoring their indispensable role in sustaining life, preserving biodiversity and ensuring a secure future. The Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a function held at the FRMC Building, Narwal, to mark the International Day of Forests. Commissioner Secretary Forests, Sheetal

NEW DELHI, Mar 24: India backs the swift restoration of peace in West Asia and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global shipping, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday when US President Donald Trump dialled him to discuss the crisis. It was the first conversation between the two leaders since the West Asia conflict began on February 28. In the conversation, PM Modi underlined the importance of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, secure and accessible, [] The post Trump di

MANILA, Mar 24: Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency to respond to the impact of the Middle East war, which his administration said posed an imminent danger of a critically low energy supply. Under the declaration, which will initially last for a year, Marcos will lead a contingency committee that will ensure the availability and orderly distribution of fuel, food, medicines, agricultural products and other basic goods. Authorities we

BENGALURU, Mar 24: A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) on Tuesday emerged the lead bidder to acquire IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping USD 1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,706 crore). Other parties involved in the group are Blackstone, an equity firm of which Viral Patel is the CEO, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India. The consortium has reached an agreement with United Spirits Limited (USL) to [] Th

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the availability and distribution of petroleum products across the districts of the Union of J&K. The meeting was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners; senior officers of the Legal Metrology and Food Supply Departments along with the representatives of Oil Marketing Comp

Voices concern over illegal immigration MATHURA (UP), Mar 24: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday raised concerns over illegal immigration in India, asking people to keep a close watch to identify intruders and report them to authorities. He also reiterated his push for a three-child policy, stressing the need for higher birth rates, while also discouraging forced religious conversions. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Speaking after inaugurating an ashram here, Bhagwat highlighted

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Mar 24: Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Choudhary, today inaugurated a series of developmental projects in Nowshera, reaffirming the Governments commitment towards strengthening the infrastructure and ensuring holistic development of the region. Upon his arrival in Nowshera, Deputy Chief Minister paid obeisance at Gari Mata Mandir and sought blessings for peace and prosperity of the Union Territory. He, later, inaugurated a Mega Job Fair at Dak Bungalow Nowshera,

Excelsior Correspondent DODA, Mar 24: MLA Doda West, Shakti Raj Parihar today urged the party workers to strengthen the organization at grassroot level. Parihar was chairing a meeting of BJP Karyakartas from the Doda West Assembly Constituency. The meeting was attended by district president BJP Babu Ram Sharma, along with other senior leaders and party functionaries. Speaking on the occasion, Shakti Raj Parihar urged the karyakartas to actively work towards taking the welfare schemes of the Cent

Lalit Gupta JAMMU, Mar 24: The first-ever Hindi play on the divine life of Maa Rupa Bhavani, staged at Abhinav Theatre here today, rose above the conventions of a typical theatrical presentation. With the main hall and galleries overflowing, the production proved to be a treat for both the mind and the eye. Written by Dr Agnishekhar, the play offers a contemporary reimagining of the spiritual legacy of the 17th-century saint Rupa Bhavani, while foregrounding Kashmirs rich socio-cultural heritage

Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Mar 24: As a part of the ongoing Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Mahabhiyan-2026, a Prashikshan Workshop organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was held here today. J&K BJP General Secretary Gopal Mahajan and All Cell Incharge Ved Sharma, chiefly addressed the workshop. Gopal Mahajan conducted a detailed review of the partys functioning at the district, mandal and booth levels. He emphasized that BJP, being a cadre-based organization, derives its str

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Mar 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Unaided Private Schools Association (JKUPS) today demanded greater autonomy for private schools, asserting that it does not seek Government subsidies but a regulatory framework that allows institutions to function with accountability. Click here to watch video Addressing a press conference here, Association president Showkat Choudhary said unaided private schools are facing multiple challenges within the existing education system an

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Mar 24: Former minister and working president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, Raman Bhalla, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the administration, accusing it of failing to address the pressing day-to-day issues faced by border dwellers in Jammu and Kashmir. Accompanied by former minister Yash Pal Kundal and several senior party leaders, Bhalla undertook an extensive tour of Ghagwal, Sanoora and Rajpura areas in Samba district. During the

Nine Nights of Transformation Niyati Chaitra Navratri is being celebrated with devotion and discipline in India. Temples adorned, homes illuminated with diyas, and fasting rituals observed with sincerity. Yet, beyond the visible devotion lies a quieter, more profound journey-one that unfolds within. In an age marked by restlessness, emotional fatigue, and constant motion, Chaitra Navratri offers something increasingly rare: a structured pause for inner transformation. These nine nights are not m

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: A highly engaging and intellectually stimulating quiz competition was successfully organized by Government Medical College Jammu in association with SMVD Institute of Medical Excellence, the AHA Jammu Chapter, and the J&K Nursing Council, Jammu. The Zone 2 event was held at the Auditorium of ASCOMS College of Nursing Education, Sidhra. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lamp lighting. The ceremony was led by Prof Dr Indra Moza, Principal of ASCOMS

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 25: The family members, political leaders and civil society activists today demanded an immediate CBI investigation into the circumstances of the custodial death of BSF constable Jaswinder Singh, while in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The demand was raised by Congress leader T S Tony in a press conference held here today. Addressing to the media persons, Tony criticized the NCB for negligence and alleged custodial misconduct and called for

Col Ajay K Raina ajaykrraina@gmail.com The role of universities in shaping a nations intellectual and moral architecture cannot be overstated. Institutions of higher learning are not merely spaces for academic inquiry; they are crucibles where young minds are exposed to ideas that inform their worldview, civic conduct, and national consciousness. It is precisely for this reason that any systematic ideological skew within such institutions warrants serious scrutiny. Increasingly, a pattern is eme

Excelsior Sports Correspondent KISHTWAR, Mar 24: The Taekwondo Association of District Kishtwar will organise the District Kishtwar Taekwondo Championships 2025-26 under the aegis of the J&K Taekwondo Association and J&K Sports Council. Scheduled from March 25 to 26 at Iqra International School, Kishtwar, the championship is being held under the My Youth My Pride initiative. The event will feature competitions across Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior categories, offering young athletes a pla

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, March 24: Vivek Chess Academy successfully concluded its five day coaching camp at VCA. On the final day, top performers in each category were awarded prizes, with a total of Rs 3,000 distributed among the winners. In the A category, Lakshya Chowdhary emerged as the winner, with Ishaan Chowdhary as runner-up. Prajanya won the B category, with Nitika as runner-up. Triyansh secured the C category title, and Gaurav was runner-up. In the Womens category, Avni Sh

JAMMU, Mar 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday registered an FIR against a former Tehsil Supply Officer (TSO) posted in Reasi district and other officials for allegedly misappropriating excess ration and siphoning off transportation funds, causing significant losses to the government exchequer, officials said here. A spokesperson said the Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered case FIR No.06/2026 under section 5(1) (c) (d) r/w Section 5 (2) of

Jammu, Mar 24: On World Tuberculosis Day, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called upon the health department, district administrations and citizens to ramp up testing, help in identifying TB-sensitive areas, and spread awareness door-to-door. He said every family must be informed that testing for TB symptoms and treatment are free, and full recovery is possible. Awareness, I believe, will be our most powerful medicine. Leave no patient behind. Detecting TB is only half the battle. Walking bes

Jammu, Mar 24 : The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Shiv Kumar Sharma, on Tuesday undertook a comprehensive visit to the border areas of Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua district and reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of police forces in the region. The DIG of Jammu-Samba-Kathua (JSK) range visited the sensitive areas in the region along with Senior Superintendent of Police Kathua Mohita Sharma, SP Operations of Kandi and Border Mukund and other officers, officials said. D

Jammu, March 24: The Indian Railways will soon operate the Vande Bharat Express train from Katra in J-K to Amritsar in Punjab via Gurdaspur and Batala instead of Jalandhar, officials said. The premium train will depart from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 6:40 am and reach Amritsar at 11:40 am the same day. On the return journey, it will leave Amritsar at 4:40 pm and arrive at Katra at 9:45 pm the same evening, officials in the Jammu [] The post Katra-Amritsar Vande Bharat Train To Now Run V

Jammu, Mar 24: Nearly 87 per cent of the funds allocated for tribal welfare schemes in Jammu and Kashmir during the current financial year remain unutilised, officials in the Tribal Affairs Department said. According to the official figures, an amount of Rs 135.33 crore were released under various centrally sponsored and UT sector schemes for the welfare of the tribals in 202526, out of which only Rs 17.63 crore have been utilised so far, leaving Rs 117.69 crore unspent. The [] The post About 87

Jammu, Mar 24 : The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board has postponed the OMR-based written examination for the post of Junior Assistant, which was earlier scheduled to be held on April 5, 2026. According to an official, the examination will now be conducted on April 19, 2026. The recruitment had been advertised vide Notification No. 08 of 2025 dated September 27, 2025. The Board further informed that admit cards for the examination will be released seven days prior to [] The post JKSSB J

Jammu, Mar 24: The Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) said the BSF jawan who died in its custody had two cardiac events that caused his death. His family has alleged that he had been brutally assaulted in the central agencys custody. The NCB said Border Security Force constable Jaswinder Singh was picked up from Jammu on March 3 for questioning in connection to a drug-related case and was arrested. He died of cardiac arrest on Friday and follow-up procedures prescribed under [] The post BSF Jawans De

NEW DELHI: (Mar 24) Harish Rana, the first person in India to be allowed passive euthanasia, passed away on Tuesday at AIIMS-Delhi after more than 13 years in coma, sources said. The 31-year-old, who has been in a coma since 2013, was shifted from his Ghaziabad home to the palliative care unit at Dr BR Ambedkar Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on March 14. Three days before that, the Supreme Court in a [] The post Harish Rana, Indias first person to

MUMBAI, Mar 24: Concerned over the slow pace of spending in the highways sector, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said the government can mobilize up to Rs 8 lakh crore per year for road projects. Highway building has a great relevance from a socio-economic perspective and higher spends can help push the economic growth of the country, Gadkari said, adding that every Re 1 spent on infrastructure drives Rs 3 worth of economic activity. Our problem is we are [] The post We can mobilize Rs 8

BENGALURU, Mar 24: E-commerce platform Meesho on Tuesday announced the launch of Vaani, a generative AI-powered conversational voice shopping assistant, as it looks to target what it estimates to be a market of 500 million potential users who currently do not shop online. Dubbed Vaani Your Meesho Dost, the assistant is aimed at users who find typing, filters, and structured keyword searches unintuitive. It allows shoppers to use natural language to discover products, ask follow-up questions, an

GENEVA, Mar 24: Scientists in Geneva are taking some antiprotons out for a spin a very delicate one in a truck, in a never-tried-before test drive. If this so-called antimatter comes into contact with actual matter, even for a fraction of an instant, it will be annihilated in a quick flash of energy. So experts at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, known as CERN, will, over the course of four hours on Tuesday, take about 100 antiprotons [] The post Scientists take antimatter on fi

LOS ANGELES, Mar 24:Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali has been cast in a major role in the second season of HBOs acclaimed crime drama Task. Ali will play Eddie Barnes, a seasoned and well-respected DEA agent in Philadelphia whose team comes into conflict with the unit led by Tom Brandis, the character played by returning star Mark Ruffalo, according to Variety. The official logline for the new season states that Brandis takes the helm of a new task force, but the [] The post Mahershala Ali to

SEOUL, Mar 24: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his countrys nuclear status is irreversible and vowed to permanently strengthen its arsenal, while warning South Korea of a merciless response to any provocation, according to state media KCNA. Addressing the Supreme Peoples Assembly on Monday, Kim underscored that Pyongyang would continue expanding its self-defensive nuclear deterrent, rejecting any possibility of trading disarmament for economic or security concessions. The curre

DUBAI, Mar 24: Long before he became Irans parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf went on a charm offensive for almost two decades, portraying himself as a hard-liner the West could do business with in the Islamic Republic. I would like the West to change its attitude to Iran and trust Iran, and rest assured that theres an attitude in Iran to advance issues through dialogue, he told The Times newspaper of London in 2008. With the US and Israels war [] The post Irans parliament speaker is fl

BERLIN, Mar 24: Rescue teams in northern Germany are working to refloat a humpback whale stranded in shallow water in the Baltic Sea. Experts gathered Tuesday morning on the Timmendorfer Strand beach to find a way to pull the 10-metre-long mammal off the ground after the high tide around midnight was not sufficient for the animal to swim free under its own power, German news agency dpa reported. Earlier rescue efforts on Monday afternoon with police boats, inflatable boats and [] The post Rescue

CANBERRA/BRUSSELS, Mar 24: Australia and the European union have concluded a landmark free trade agreement after nearly eight years of negotiations, significantly boosting market access, cutting tariffs, and deepening economic ties between the two sides. The deal was announced by Anthony Albanese and Ursula von der Leyen, who described it as a major step in strengthening a growing strategic relationship and reinforcing commitment to open and rules-based trade. Under the agreement, 98 per cent of

SRINAGAR: (Mar 24) A two-day Agro and Food Fest Buyer-Seller Meet started in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday with an aim to promote agri-products from the Union Territory and strengthen market linkages. The meet has been jointly organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) and the Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) at the SKICC here, officials said. They said the event would bring together key stakeholders from the agro and food industry under one roof. The post Two-da

NEW DELHI: (Mar 24) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the government has constituted seven empowered groups to evolve strategies on fuel, supply chains, and fertilisers, among others, to tackle the impact of the West Asia crisis. In a statement in the Rajya Sabha, he said the war has created a serious energy crisis globally. He also warned miscreants against taking advantage of crisis, and has asked state governments to check black marketing and hoarding. The post Govt forms 7 empower

NEW DELHI: (Mar 24) The Opposition on Tuesday accused the government of giving up its strategic autonomy to the United States, while the ruling alliance hailed the steps taken for the all-around development of the country and its people. Participating in the debate on the Finance Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Manish Tewari claimed there has been an exodus of foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign portfolio investment (FPI) from the country, and the economy is not kicking [] The post O

Poonch, March 24, 2026 In a significant operation against proclaimed offenders, Police Station Surankote, under the close supervision of SDPO Surankote, has successfully apprehended five absconders who had been evading arrest for a considerable period in connection with various criminal cases. The arrested individuals have been identified as: 1. Basharat Hussain S/O Mohd Bashir R/O Sangla, Surankote, involved in FIR No. 207/2018 U/S 452/382/148/324/325/147 RPC, declared absconder on 03.12.2024.

MATHURA (UP): (Mar 24) RSS chief Mohan Bhagwant on Tuesday raised concerns over illegal immigration in India, asking people to keep a close watch to identify intruders and report them to authorities. He also reiterated his push for a three-child policy, stressing the need for higher birth rates, while also discouraging forced religious conversions. Speaking after inaugurating an ashram here, Bhagwat highlighted the issue of illegal immigration and said, People need to keep a closer watch to iden

JAMMU: (Mar 24) Six alleged drug peddlers were arrested in Udhampur and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Tuesday. Mahandeep Singh, Suresh Kumar and Vikram Kumar were separately intercepted by police checking parties at Manwal Chowk in Majalta, Circular road near Devika and Gole Mela, leading to recovery of heroin from their possession, a police spokesperson said. While 10.27 grams of heroin was recovered from Singh, 1.54 grams from Suresh Kumar and 5.74 grams from Vikram K

NEW DELHI: (Mar 24) The Supreme Court on Tuesday said that no person professing a religion other than Hinduism, Sikhism or Buddhism can be regarded as a member of a Scheduled Caste. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and NV Anjaria, upholding an order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, said that a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste community loses his SC status immediately and completely upon conversion to another religion. No statutory benefit, protection or reservation or [] The post