Daily Excelsior

UDHAMPUR, Apr 6 : Reviewing the status of the proposed airport at Udhampur for civilian operations, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh informed today that the process of land transfer has commenced with the concurrence of the UT government. He added that meanwhile, the tender for fabrication work has already been floated to start ATR flights from the existing premises in next few months. Highlighting the importance of accessible and quality healthcare, the Minister informed that the Army Command

JAMMU, Apr 6: Speaker Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly (JKLA), Abdul Rahim Rather, has created a remarkable milestone in the history of legislative proceedings by presiding over all 22 sittings of the recently concluded Budget Session. Demonstrating exceptional dedication and commitment towards parliamentary responsibilities, the Speaker personally chaired proceedings for an impressive 102.35 hours out of the total 110.36 hours of the session, while three members on the panel of Chairmen col

JAMMU, Apr 6: Jammu and Kashmir Anti Corruption Bureau (JKACB), Jammu registered a case FIR No. 03/2026 U/S 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against public servant, namely Des Raj, Junior Assistant posted at Social Welfare Department, Billawar, District Kathua, for demanding and accepting illegal gratification from the complainant. As per the statement issued, the said accused public servant, demanded the bribe amounting to Rs 10,000 from the complainant, for releasing of assistance under

New Delhi, Apr 6: The government has fixed a base construction period of 12 months for highway projects valued up to Rs 300 crore and 18 months for road construction projects costing between Rs 301 and 500 crore. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways(MoRTH) on Monday said the base construction period for National Highways projects in plain and rolling terrain should be on the basis of total civil cost, as a need was felt to revise the existing guidelines [] The post Govt Fixes 12-Month Cei

Jammu, Apr 6: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday refused to enter into the debate on whether a judicial or magisterial probe should be ordered into the Ganderbal encounter, and justified the probe ordered by the lieutenant governor, stating that a prompt inquiry was needed. The Army has claimed that the man killed in the encounter in Arhama forests on March 31 identified as Ganderbal resident Rashid Ahmad Mughal was a terrorist. However, his family [] The post Probe Order

JAMMU, Apr 6: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a review meeting to assess the roadmap for implementation of the ambitious Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) in the Union Territory. The presentation was made by the Housing & Urban Development Department, outlining a transformative approach to urban financing and infrastructure development. The meeting besides the concerned Administrative Secretaries was attended by Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD and other HoDs of the Department. The Chief Secre

Why the Right Stock Market Mentor Is Your Most Important Trading Decision Indias retail trading community has exploded in recent years. Crores of new Demat accounts have been opened, and millions of Indians are entering the stock market as a beginner. Still a significant number of new traders continue to face losses, not because they lack intelligence, but because they lack proper guidance. In this market, finding the right stock market mentor is not optional. It is the single most [] The post A

HOUSTON, Apr 6: With the moon looming ever larger, the Artemis II astronauts raced to set a new distance record Monday from Earth on a lunar fly-around, promising magnificent views of the far side never seen before by the eye. The six-hour flyby is the highlight of NASAs first return to the moon since the Apollo era, with three Americans and one Canadian a step toward landing boot prints near the moons south pole in just two years. A [] The post Artemis II astronauts race to set new distance re

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Beauty and fashion retailer Nykaa (FSN E-Commerce Ventures) on Monday said it expects its consolidated net revenue growth to be in the late twenties for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026, marking its highest growth in the last 12 quarters. The company said the Q4 performance will come on the back of a sharp acceleration in its fashion vertical, coupled with sustained robust performance in its core beauty business. Q4 FY2026 with Consolidated GMV growth [] The post Nykaa p

Jammu, Apr 6: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday handed over appointment orders to 124 candidates from Jammu division under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme and SRO-43, reaffirming the governments commitment to support families affected by loss. According to a post shared by the CMs office on X, the appointments were handed over in the presence of Advisor Nasir Sogami. The Chief Minister expressed solidarity with the families, stating that the appointments aim to provide dignity, stabili

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Private sector Yes Bank on Monday said Vinay Muralidhar Tonse has taken charge as MD and CEO of the bank for three years. Tonse, a former MD of State Bank of India, replaced Prashant Kumar who completed his extended term on April 5. Tonse has taken charge as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the bank with effect from April 6 on such terms and conditions, including remuneration, as approved by Reserve Bank of India [] The post Vinay Tonse takes charge as MD & CEO of

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: State-owned UCO Bank on Monday reported a 19 per cent credit growth at Rs 2.62 lakh crore in the January-March quarter of FY26. Total advances were at Rs 2.20 lakh crore in the year-ago quarter that ended in March 2025, UCO Bank said in a regulatory filing. The Kolkata-based lender reported an 11 per cent rise in total deposits at Rs 3.27 lakh crore during the reporting quarter, as against Rs 2.94 lakh crore registered at [] The post UCO Bank records 19 pc rise in loan growth i

MUMBAI, Apr 6: The rupee gained 14 paise to close at 93.04 (provisional) against the US dollar on Monday, following the Reserve Banks initiatives designed to curb speculative fervour and dampen volatility in the rupee. Forex traders said that though the RBI measures are rupee-positive, unabated withdrawal of foreign capital, a strengthening dollar, and rising crude oil prices amid a volatile geopolitical situation continue to put pressure on the rupee. The RBI tightened its rules to curb specula

LEH, Apr 6: The Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh has issued orders allocating departments to two IAS officers, Shurbir Singh and Nitish Rajora, with immediate effect. As per an order, Shurbir Singh, 2004 batch AGMUT Cadre IAS officer, has been assigned the Revenue Department, Public Health Engineering and Irrigation & Flood Control, and Housing & Urban Development Department. He has also been given the additional charge of Divisional Commissioner. Another order said that Nitish Ra

JAMMU, Apr 6: The BJP on Monday celebrated its 47th foundation day across Jammu and Kashmir, as party cadre organised rallies, hoisted flags and held programmes at multiple levels. The party units organised programmes from the booth to the district level to spread awareness among the public about its ideology and initiatives. As part of the celebrations, BJP workers hoisted party flags at the residence of Sat Sharma in Jammu, at the party headquarters, and took out rallies across the [] The post

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched a probe into the smuggling of arms and ammunition via drones across the India-Pakistan border, suspecting a larger conspiracy aimed at carrying out terror attacks in India, officials said on Monday. Acting on a directive from the Union home ministry, the anti-terror agency has registered a case to investigate the alleged role of a Pakistan-based terror operative, Jasvir Chaudhary, his Indian associate Shubham Kumar and other

Depression may not seem serious in the beginning. It often starts quietly low energy, lack of interest, disturbed sleep, or constant overthinking. Many people try to manage it at home with family support, positive thinking, or lifestyle changes. And while that works in some cases, there comes a point where these efforts are no longer enough. In a growing and high-pressure city like Pune, where students and professionals constantly juggle expectations, stress has become a daily reality. What star

SRINAGAR, Apr 6: The passage of Womens Reservation Act amendments would be an inspiring step and a dream come true for the womenfolk of the country, BJP leader and Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board chairperson Darakshan Andrabi sad here on Monday. This is an inspiring step for us and we welcome it. It will be a dream come true for the women to be partners in framing laws. We congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andrabi told reporters here on the [] The post Will Be A Dream Come True: J&K Waqf C

DUBAI, Apr 6: Israel said it killed the intelligence chief of Irans Revolutionary Guard on Monday. Defence Minister Israel Katz made the announcement. The Revolutionary Guard are shooting at civilians and we are eliminating the leaders of the terrorists, Katz said. Irans leaders live with a sense of being targeted. We will continue to hunt them down one by one. Katz added that Israel had severely damaged Irans steel and petrochemical industries as well. We will continue to crush the [] The post

ABUJA (Nigeria), Apr 6: At least 26 people have been killed in three separate Easter attacks in northern Nigeria, according to the Nigerian military and local officials. At least 17 were killed on Saturday when armed men attacked the Mbalom community in the Gwer West area of Nigerias north-central Benue State. Benue State Gov. Hyacinth Alia confirmed the attacks on Sunday, but did not specify how many people were killed in the attack. Residents gave the figure of 17. Attacks [] The post Nigerian

LAHORE, Apr 6: Pakistan has demanded that Afghanistan formally declare TTP as a terrorist organisation and dismantle its infrastructure as a precondition to resolve the ongoing border conflict between the two countries, local media reported on Monday. Islamabad put forward three core demands last week during a meeting between representatives of Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban in the Chinese city of Urumqi, The Express Tribune newspaper reported. The China-facilitated talks are the first major di

RAMPUR (UP), Apr 6: Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday took a swipe at the Congress and the Left, saying those who embrace each other in Delhi are busy strangling one another in poll-bound Kerala. Addressing a BJP Foundation Day programme here, Naqvi expressed confidence that the BJP would emerge victorious in the West Bengal Assembly polls and said that the state has put up a No Entry board on the re-entry of the TMC misrule. The TMCs [] The post Embracing in Delhi, strangling each

KANNUR (Kerala), Apr 6: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday alleged that the CPI(M)-led front has struck a deal with the BJP for April 9 Assembly polls in Kerala. She also accused the ruling LDF of compromising on ideology, accountability, and responsibility in order to remain in power for 10 years. The Wayanad MP was addressing a corner meeting in Peravoor in this northern district as part of the campaign for the Assembly polls. The LDF chose to make [] The post CPI(M) in deal with

SRINAGAR, Apr 6: The Meteorological Department has predicted another wet spell across Jammu and Kashmir, with intermittent light to moderate rain expected from Tuesday forenoon to Wednesday evening. Snowfall is also likely over the higher reaches during this period, officials said. According to the forecast, a few places in both Jammu division and Kashmir division may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while higher altitude areas are likely to witness light to moderate snowfall. The MeT also is

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday flagged the Uniform Civil Code and One Nation, One Election as two of the unfinished agendas of the BJP, and said serious and positive discussions are taking place on them. Addressing virtually an event on the BJPs foundation day, Modi also targeted the Congress and said BJP workers endured many hardships like Emergency and also oppression under the grand old party. He said many BJP workers have even sacrificed their [] The post Positive D

Tehran, Apr 6: Majid Khademi, the head of Iranian Revolutionary Guards intelligence organisation, has been killed in US-Israeli strikes on Monday, according to Iranian state media. Major General Majid Khademi, the powerful and educated head of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was martyred in the criminal terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy at dawn today, said the Guards in a post on their Telegram channel. It did not elaborate on where Kha

New Delhi, Apr 6: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the CBI to register a preliminary enquiry within two weeks into the award of contracts for public works in Arunachal Pradesh to firms allegedly owned by family members of Chief Minister Pema Khandu. A bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath said the enquiry and consequential investigation, if any, shall cover the award and execution of public works, contracts and work orders in the state for the period from January 1, [] The post SC Orders CBI E

BHABNIPUR-SORBHOG (ASSAM), Apr 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that while his government has carried out Operation Sindoor on terror camps in Pakistan, the Congress keeps on singing to the tune of the neighbouring country. On the development front, he alleged that the Congress had always taken a myopic view on the matter, while the BJP works towards ensuring long-term development of the nation. The party always took short-term measures so that they could indulge in corruption. But

TOKYO, Apr 6: Asian markets that were open for trading mostly rose Monday, as investors continued to closely watch the war in Iran, soaring oil prices and what President Donald Trump might say next. Japans benchmark Nikkei 225 rose nearly 1.1 per cent to 53,692.42 in morning trading. South Koreas Kospi gained 1.5 per cent to 5,460.24. Trading was closed in Australia for Easter, and in Hong Kong and Shanghai for a traditional Chinese holiday. The Tuesday deadline Trump has [] The post Asian share

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Retail sales of vehicles across categories in India in 2025-26 grew by 13.3 per cent at a record 2,96,71,064 units as compared to 2,61,87,255 units in the previous fiscal, with GST 2.0 helping overcome a subdued start to the year, Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations said on Monday. Passenger vehicle (PV) retail sales rose to 47,05,056 units in FY26, up 13 per cent from 41,63,927 units in FY25, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) said [] The post A

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) on Monday said it has registered a total credit growth of 22 per cent to Rs 2.92 lakh crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2026. The outstanding credit was Rs 2.40 lakh crore at the end of the January-March quarter of previous fiscal, BoM said in a regulatory filing. The total credit also includes Rs 1.12 lakh crore corporate credit while RAM advances of Rs 1.79 lakh crore during the quarter, [] The post Bank of Maharashtra logs 22pc loan growth in

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Jindal Steel on Monday said it has deployed syngas in galvanising and colour coating line furnaces to counter the shortage of natural gas, LPG and propane, enabling the company to sustain operations amid supply disruptions. Syngas, or synthesis gas, is a clean-burning fuel that offers a way to convert waste and biomass into valuable energy, acting as a circular energy source. The innovative switch to syngas produced through gasification of coal has allowed the [] The post Jin

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Food delivery and e-commerce platform magicpin on Monday announced the launch of AI Assistant Vera for restaurants and retailers to gain real-time order volume insights for planning operations. During the pre-launch trial phase, over 1,00,000 restaurants and retailers have already been on-boarded on Vera, magicpin stated. The launch was brought forward due to a severe LPG crisis hitting food delivery partner restaurants across India, whereby magicpin provided real-time, AI-enab

SINGAPORE/NEW DELHI, Apr 6:IT services firm Wipro has secured an eight-year transformation deal with Singapore-based food and agri-business major Olam Group, which is expected to exceed USD 1 billion (about Rs 9,314 crore) in contract value. As part of the broader engagement, Wipro said it will acquire Olam Groups IT and digital services business, Mindsprint Pte. Ltd., for USD 375 million (about Rs 3,494 crore). Wipro has secured a multi-year strategic transformation deal with Olam Group, a lead

NEW DELHI, Apr 6: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday raised concerns over Indias data sovereignty and asserted that the country should be leading the global tech race, but instead it is being kept in the dark about how its data will be protected. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said Indias data belongs to its people and in the AI economy, it can be one of its biggest strengths to build AI, grow companies, and create [] The post India Kept In Dark: Rahul Slams Govt On Data Sovereig

KOCHI (KERALA), Apr 6: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Monday said individual prosperity can be achieved only when the country is prosperous and secure. He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a two-day convention of Balagokulam, a cultural organisation for students affiliated with the RSS, here. Bhagwat said prosperity and security cannot be achieved in isolation. When the country is prosperous and safe, families too attain prosperity and security. When individuals work for the prosperity a

URGENT REQUIREMENT FIELD OFFICERS 24X7 VISION SECURITY SERVICES & ALLIED PVT. LTD. REQUIRES FIELD OFFICERS FOR: JAMMU-1 POSITION, SAMBA 1 POSITION, KATHUA-1 POSITION ELIGIBILITY: MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: GRADUATE FRESHERS CAN ALSO APPLY EXPERIENCED CANDIDATES WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: SUPERVISION OF SECURITY GUARDS FIELD VISITS & CLIENT COORDINATION MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE & SERVICE QUALITY REPORTING & RECORD MAINTENANCE REMUNERATION: ATTRACTIVE REMUNERATION, AMONG THE BEST IN

Kulgam, Apr 6: In a sustained and intensified drive against drug trafficking, Kulgam Police has registered 10 NDPS FIRs during the last 3 weeks According to the statement, 9 FIRs of PS Qazigund and 01 FIR of PS Devsar), leading to the arrest of 14 drug peddlers. During these operations, cumulative recoveries of 415.61 grams of Heroin, 1348 grams of Charas (including powder and charas-like substance), 1.5 kilograms of Bhang Patri and cash amounting to 1,37,990 have been effected. Investigations [

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 5: A free heart check-up camp was held here today at Gurdwara Bala Pritam Ji by Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Delhi. The camp was inaugurated by the office bearers of District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Jammu, Halqa Nanak Nagar. The camp was led by Dr. Swati Mahajan, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Fortis Escorts Heart Institute. During the camp, over 75 patients were screened for various heart-related ailments. As part of the initiative, patien

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 5:Resolution of public issues is my priority, and development is my agenda,said MLA Jammu WestArvind Guptawhile addressing a Public Darbar held at Ward No. 40, here at Vijay Nagar today. He assured residents that long-pending works related to basic infrastructure will be taken up on priority and completed in a time-bound manner. During the Public Darbar locals raised several long-pending civic issues before senior BJP leaders, including MPJugal Kishore Sharma.

Excelsior Correspondent NAGROTA, Apr 5: MLA Nagrota, Devyani Rana today launched the second edition of the Youth Training & Employment Drive aimed at equipping local youth with skills for careers in the hotel and hospitality sector. The programme commenced at TRT Community Hall, Nagrota, and has been organised in collaboration with ARC Hospitality as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen skill development and employment avenues for young people. The session witnessed participation from 100 aspir

DHAKA, April 5: Measles infections are rising rapidly across Bangladesh, placing growing pressure on paediatric wards in hospitals, media reports said on Sunday. Healthcare facilities are experiencing a concerning surge in children exhibiting symptoms such as fever, respiratory distress, and widespread rashes, the Dhaka Tribune reported. In many hospitals, isolation units have been opened to manage the increasing patient load and curb further transmission. To combat the outbreak, an emergency Me

Excelsior Correspondent SRINAGAR, Apr 5: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) today expressed concern over growing economic stress in Jammu and Kashmir due to the ongoing West Asian conflict, and called for immediate Government intervention to protect the regions industrial sector. Highlighting sector-specific impacts, An FCIK spokesperson said that the export sector, particularly Kashmirs handicrafts, has been severely affected, with consignments stalled at multiple stages an

COOCH BEHAR, Apr 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would start benefiting them from the 2029 parliamentary polls, as he sought to weaken West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees strongest electoral constituency. Addressing his first rally in north Bengal after the poll schedule was announced, Modi turned the sprawling ground in Cooch Behar into a direct appeal to Bengals women, invoking the states []

HYDERABAD, Apr 5: Mohammed Shami asked probing questions not only to Sunrisers Hyderabad batters but also to the national selection committee with an opening spell for ages while skipper Rishabh Pant upped his game when it mattered to headline Lucknow Super Giants thrilling five-wicket victory in an IPL match on Sunday. In a spell that oozed skill and class in equal measure, Shami bowled an astounding 18 dot balls to finish with 2 for 9 in four overs which largely [] The post Pant, Shami take LS

Sant Kumar Sharma The Jan Vishwas 2026 Bill is a part of the ongoing reform process initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modis government over a decade ago. Harassment of businessmen and common citizens due to regulatory provisions was fairly common in an era of `License Raj that earlier Congress-led governments fostered. Deregulation or lesser regulatory laws has always helped market sentiment and proved to be beneficial. The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which provide employment

Biju Dharmapalan bijudharmapalan@gmail.com More than half a century after humans last ventured beyond low Earth orbit, NASAs Artemis II mission marks a decisive turning point-not just in space exploration, but in the trajectory of human civilisation itself. This is not merely a return to the Moon; it is a rehearsal for humanitys expansion into deep space, a technological leap, and a philosophical shift in how we see our place in the universe. The mission, launched on 1 April 2026 at [] The post

Pinaki Bakshi pinakibakshi9@gmail.com One of the rampant issues academic domains are still dealing with is the theoretical vs. practical implementation of knowledge. The concern is about the typical academic dynamics and also academic underpinnings that prioritize conventional rote learning and securing higher grades, while shunning the contemplative planes of imagination, critical thinking, and the well-being of students themselves. This results in extreme psychological as well as societal pres

Meenu Gupta guptadps@gmail.com A quiet but powerful transformation is unfolding in Indias classrooms. Beginning the academic year 2025-26, the Central Board of Secondary Education has made Skill Education, titled Kaushal Bodh, compulsory for students of Classes VI to VIII across all affiliated schools. This is not a minor curricular adjustment. It is a decisive shift in how the nation understands learning itself. For decades, middle school education has largely revolved around textbooks, note ma

* Pledges time bound redressal of border area issues Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 5: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited the Bassali area of Doongi block in the border district of Rajouri where he convened an extensive public outreach programme. The high profile visit was aimed to assess and address the grassroots concerns, ensuring equitable development in remote and border regions. The tribal residents put forth a r