Daily Excelsior

Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, Apr 18: The Government today took over the management of 57 schools associated with the banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) across Kashmir. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp An official said that the schools were directly or indirectly affiliated with the JeIs Falah-e-Aam Trust (FAT) and the Government took over their management. He said that the takeover followed Government order No. 149/Edu/JK dated 17.04.2026 issued to this effect yesterday. Click here to watch v

CM prays for successful completion Irfan Tramboo Srinagar, Apr 18: The annual Hajj pilgrimage from J&K commenced today with the departure of the first batch of 432 pilgrims for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, from Srinagar International Airport. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The pilgrims, who had assembled at Haj House Bemina earlier, were transported to the airport amid coordinated arrangements by authorities, marking the formal start of this years pilgrimage from the Union Territory.

Meetings to give nod to start shortly Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, Apr 18: The Government has given major weightage to the MLAs in finalization of district Capex (Capital Expenditure) Plans as they are now only elected representatives after the District Development Councils (DDCs) too ceased to exist in February this year while the Block Development Councils (BDCs), Panchayats and Municipalities have already been rendered non-functional due to no elections. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsAp

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 18: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha dedicated a Memorial, Museum, and Library in Rajouri to honor the lasting legacy of Martyr ADDC Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa. Dr. Raj Kumar Thapa attained martyrdom in unprovoked shelling by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to Dr. Thapa, recalling his selfless service and steadfast dedication to public welfare. This memorial will inspire generations to come, he said. The event also featured a d

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Flexible and transparent gold investment options are likely to remain popular alongside physical buying on this Akshaya Tritiya, to be celebrated on Sunday, as investors show a clear shift towards modern alternatives to the yellow metal, say analysts. With Akshaya Tritiya traditionally considered an auspicious occasion for gold purchases, analysts said investor participation is gradually evolving, with growing interest in financial investment avenues alongside traditional phys

Excelsior Correspondent POONCH, Apr 18: In a firm step towards strengthening administrative discipline and accountability, the Deputy Commissioner constituted dedicated teams to conduct surprise inspections across Government offices in the district. Acting on these directions, the teams carried out surprise visits across the entire district including the District Headquarters. During the inspections, 172 employees were found absent from duty without authorization. Consequently, show cause notice

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has constituted an advisory body to provide specialised technical, policy, and strategic expertise to support the functioning of the recently constituted AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG). As an advisory body for the AIGEG the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) will provide it expert inputs necessary to make well-informed decisions on policy design, regulatory measures and Indias engagements in A

Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Apr 18: State Election Commissioner, Jammu & Kashmir, Shantmanu today conducted an extensive tour of Udhampur and Jammu districts to review the ongoing progress of the revision of Panchayat Electoral Rolls-2026. He inspected special camps at Panchayat Ghar Tikri, Mand East and West and Panchayat Ghar Garnai in Udhampur district besides Panchayat Ghar Jhajhar Kotli, BDO offices Dansal and Nagrota in Jammu district. The State Election Commissioner inspected the on

When Mohammad Ashraf Mir, a Government employee in Jammu and Kashmir, learnt that his ten-year-old son was battling ependymoma a serious neurological tumour classified Grade II by the WHO the instinct of every parent took over. He moved the child first to SKIMS Soura, and when the gravity of the condition demanded more specialised intervention, he did what any father would: he spent the money and sought care wherever that care could be found. The bill came to [] The post Medical Reimbursement

* BJP deprived women of 33 % quota: Bhalla Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: JKPCC chief, Tariq Hameed Karra today said that Prime Minister Modi has no moral right to continue in the office and should step down following failure of his Government to get through the ill conceived constitutional amendment bill, aimed at delimitation through backdoor under the garb of women quota. Addressing a rally of party workers at Bahu in Jammu, JKPCC chief said that Modi Government failed [] The post Mod

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: In an effort to strengthen parent-school collaboration and provide insight into its unique teaching approach, Modern Montessori International (MMI) Preschool, Trikuta Nagar, conducted a warm and engaging Orientation Programme today. The session, led by Principal Poonam Sharma, aimed to familiarise parents with the Montessori method adopted by the school. All five key areas of Montessori education were clearly explained and thoughtfully demonstrated, enablin

Excelsior Correspondent YOL (Himachal Pradesh), Apr 18: Highlighting the indispensable importance of Yajna in human life, Swami Ramswarup Yogacharya, stated that Yajna is path to divine living. A 78-day Yajna based on the four Vedas is currently being conducted at the Veda Mandir, Yol under the leadership of Swami Ramswarup, Yogacharya. Addressing to the devotees, Swami Ji explained the origin and meaning of the word Yajna,. He said that it is derived from the Sanskrit root Yaj, which signifies

Excelsior Correspondent KISHTWAR, Apr 18: The District Administration Kishtwar, under the supervision of the Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and with execution led by the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, has announced comprehensive, technology-driven arrangements for the upcoming Shri Machail Mata Yatra, which commenced on the auspicious occasion of Vaisakhi on April 14. The yatra marks the ceremonial return of the revered deity from the winter abode at the house of

Excelsior Sports Correspondent REASI, Apr 18: Wrestler Nishant of Baba Fly Akhara, Punjab, clinched the title in the 44th International Salora Dangal 2026 by defeating Ishaq Ahmed (Lallu) of J&K Police, Jammu, in a hard-fought final bout held at Salora in District Jammu. Nishant, winner of the first mali bout, was awarded a cash prize of Rs 90,000 along with the prestigious Salora Kesari Patta, while runner-up Lallu received Rs 60,000. A total of 61 bouts were contested during the [] The post Pu

Excelsior Correspondent Srinagar, Apr 18: Transporters across Kashmir today called for a valley-wide chakka jam on Monday to protest the expansion of Smart City bus services into districts, warning of a complete halt of public transport. Click here to watch video The call was issued by Shabir Ahmad Matta, president of the All J&K Transporters Welfare Association, who said the agitation was triggered by the Governments plan to introduce 200 additional buses and extend services beyond Srinagar. A

Excelsior Correspondent SAMBA, Apr 18: The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samba, Anuj Kumar, visited Police Station (PS), Vijaypur to review its overall functioning. He was accompanied by SDPO Vijaypur. During the visit, SSP Samba held a detailed interaction with the Investigating Officers and others police personnel of PS Vijaypur emphasizing the importance of their role in maintaining law and order, preventing and detecting crime and ensuring public safety. He stressed the need for prom

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: Army Public School (APS) Ratnuchak organised a vibrant Orientation Programme for Classes I to XII at the Khetarpal Auditorium, bringing together students, parents, and faculty in a shared vision of holistic excellence. The initiative was designed to align the aspirations of learners and their families with the schools commitment to academic achievement and overall development. The programme began with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolising the pu

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 18: In a significant step towards strengthening public health awareness and preventive healthcare, a 100 days Tuberculosis (TB) Eradication Programme was conducted by the Health Department at the Home for the Aged & Infirm, Amphalla, Jammu. The programme was organized with the objective of promoting awareness about Tuberculosis (TB), its prevention, early detection, and complete treatment, in alignment with the Governments mission to eliminate TB. The programme

Excelsior Correpondent KATHUA, Apr 18: Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Rajesh Sharma today conducted a public outreach programme at Dhar Mahanpur and listened to a wide range of grievances and demands projected by the local residents. Public highlighted the damaged Kholi TalaiKatham road, pending land compensation and demanded a 6 km NailiKatham road. Residents of Dhar Korah Panchayat sought water supply renovation, veterinary and allopathic hospitals and restoration of the Zero MorhSanganghat road

KULGAM, Apr 18: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today laid foundation stones for several key developmental projects in Kulgam district and also dedicated vital infrastructure to the public. MLA, Kulgam, M.Y Tarigami; Mission Director ICDS, Director AYUSH, ADC Kulgam, senior officers of district administration, other sectoral officers and large number of locals were also present on the occasion. In line with the Governments sustained push for

Excelsior Correspondent RAMBAN, Apr 18: Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan, along with Senior Superintendent of Police Arun Gupta today held an interaction with prominent citizens and religious leaders of the district to discuss issues related to communal harmony, peace and social responsibility. The meeting was attended by ADC Varunjeet Singh Charak, Additional SP Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman, Dy. SP Hqr Waqar Bhat and other senior officers. During the interaction, the Deputy Commissioner and

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said opposition parties had mercilessly crushed the dreams of women by not allowing the womens reservation bill to pass in Parliament despite the governments best efforts. In an address to the nation, a day after a bill to implement womens reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha, Modi said the self-serving politics of parties like the Congress, the DMK, the TMC, and the Samajwadi Party has come at [] The post Oppositio

New Delhi, Apr 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday slammed the opposition parties for defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha to tweak womens reservation and apologised to the mothers and sisters in the country saying Womens Power Bill could not pass in Parliament. In Address to the Nation, PM Modi said crores of women across the country had their eyes on Parliament yesterday and noted that while naitons interest in paramount for BJP-led NDA, for some [] The post Womens P

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Opposition has committed a sin by opposing women reservation and they will be surely punished for this: PM Modi in address to nation The post Opposition has committed a sin by opposing women reservation and they will be surely punished for this: PM Modi in address to nation appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Opposition parties have insulted our Constitution by defeating bill for womens reservation in legislatures: PM Modi in address to nation The post Opposition parties have insulted our Constitution by defeating bill for womens reservation in legislatures: PM Modi in address to nation appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: India on Saturday summoned Iranian envoy Mohammad Fathali after two Indian vessels had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following an incident of firing by Irans Revolutionary Guards, authoritative sources said. A strong protest was lodged with the ambassador over the incident, they said. There is no official word yet on summoning Fathali to the external affairs ministry. Several commercial vessels tried to cross the Strait of Hormuz after Iran on Friday announced that

JAMMU, Apr 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has posted Ravi Kumar Sihag as Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rajouri in the interest of administration. He replaces Chander Parkash, who has been asked to await further orders in the General Administration Department. In addition to his new role, Sihag will also hold the charge of Registrar at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU). Meanwhile, Abhishek Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, has been relieved of the additional charge of Re

Srinagar, Apr 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Saturday assigned additional responsibilities to Dr Piyush Singla, IAS, Secretary to the Government, Information Technology Department, in the interest of administration. According to Government Order No. 806-JK(GAD) of 2026 dated April 18, Dr Singla, who is already holding additional charge of Administrative Secretary, Public Grievances Department, shall now also hold the charge of Administrative Secretary, Transport Department and Hospitali

BHADERWAH/JAMMU, Apr 18: After remaining closed to commuters for over three months owing to snowfall, the strategic 140-km BhaderwahChamba interstate road linking Jammu and Kashmir with Himachal Pradesh was reopened for vehicular traffic on Saturday, officials said. The road, a key link for interstate connectivity and the tourism sector, was closed after heavy snowfall in the Bhaderwah sector on December 31 last year. In recent weeks, the authorities began snow-clearing operations, which were ca

New Delhi, Apr 18: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the Centre of conspiring to change the federal structure of the country in the garb of womens reservation and asserted that the defeat of the bill to amend the womens quota law in the Lok Sabha was a victory of democracy and opposition unity. Addressing a press conference here, the Congress general secretary underlined that the opposition was not against reservation for women and would support the Womens [] The post Cen

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Congress and other parties will have to pay a price for not supporting the bill for the early implementation of the womens reservation and asked Union ministers to expose the oppositions anti-women mindset before the people, according to sources. At a Cabinet meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed his governments support and commitment to get the womens reservation implemented in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The sources also s

DUBAI, Apr 18: Two Indian vessels have had to reverse course in the Strait of Hormuz following reports of gunfire from Irans Revolutionary Guard, a vessel-tracker said. TankerTrackers.com said the vessels include an Indian-flagged super tanker, carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil. Earlier, Iranian gunboats fired on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (April 18, 2026), a British maritime security agency reported, after Irans military reversed a pledge to open the route to shipping. T

DE Web Desk JAMMU, Apr 18: The Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India, has ordered the transfer of 2023 batch AGMUT cadre IAS officer Pallavi Mishra from Jammu and Kashmir to Punjab Cadre on grounds of her marriage to the same batch Punjab Cadre IAS officer Dr Aditya Sharma. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rules (2) of Rule 5 of the Indian Administrative Service (Cadre) Rules 1954 and with the concurrence of the Ministry of Home [] The post IAS Pallavi Mishra Transfer

JAMMU, Apr 18: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has ordered the annual Darbar Move of its main wing from Jammu to Srinagar for the summer season of 2026. As per the order, several offices, including the main wing of the High Court, office of the Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice, Registrar Vigilance, Director of the J&K Judicial Academy, Registrar Rules, Registrar IT, and the Central Project Coordinator (e-Courts), will close in Jammu on April 30 [] The post Darbar Move: Hig

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Four Indian Forest Service officers of the AGMUT cadre in the rank of Deputy Conservator of Forests have been transferred to different segments. As per the order, Satyaprakash Singh and Atharva Tiwari have been posted to the Delhi segment, while Sandeep Divyajyoti Behera has been transferred to Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the tenure of Amit Gemawat in the Delhi segment on an SDR post has been extended for a period of one year. The post Four AGMUT Cadre IFS Officers Transfer

LEH, Apr 18: In a landmark initiative to preserve Ladakhs ancient heritage, Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Saturday laid the foundation stone for Indias first Petroglyph Conservation Park on the banks of the Indus River here on World Heritage Day. Petroglyphs are prehistoric images, symbols, or carvings etched, pecked, or engraved directly onto rock surfaces. The park aims to serve as a dedicated conservation space for centuries-old rock carvings (petroglyphs) that are increasingly under thre

JAMMU, Apr 18: Separatist leader Shabir Ahmad Shah was arrested by the NIA in connection with a three-decade-old terror case and remanded in the agencys custody for 10 days by a special court on Saturday, officials said. Shah was arrested by the Srinagar branch of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday in the 1996 case involving a terrorist attack on policemen during a militants funeral, and was produced before the Patiala House Court in Delhi which allowed a three-day [] The post Sep

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday termed the Congress anti-women for foiling the efforts to pass the womens reservation bill in Lok Sabha, and said the governments attempts to give women their rightful place in decision-making will continue. Addressing a press conference at the conclusion of the Budget session, the parliamentary affairs minister also said that while the government and the ruling alliance were sad that the womens reservation bill did not get the Lok Sabha

SRINAGAR, Apr 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inspected the ongoing construction of the Extension Block at Government Lalla Ded Hospital and conducted a comprehensive review of the projects progress, execution strategy and infrastructure development. The upcoming facility, being developed at the premier maternity care hospital, is designed as a dedicated Infertility and Gynaecological Oncology Centre and will significantly strengthen specialised maternal and neonatal healthcare services i

New Delhi, Apr 18: The government on Saturday approved a proposal to create a domestic insurance pool, Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI pool), with a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore to facilitate continuous maritime insurance coverage. The pool ensures that Indian trade continues to have access to affordable insurance for vessels carrying cargo from any international origin to Indian ports and vice versa, even when transiting volatile maritime corridors. This was informed by Informatio

MENDHAR/JAMMU, Apr 18: An army soldier was injured in a landmine explosion, while a rusted shell was safely defused in a forward village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said. The explosion occurred during an area domination patrol by an army column in the Balakot area, leaving an Agniveer injured, they said. The soldier was shifted to a hospital and his condition is stated to be stable, officials said. As [] The post Soldier Injured I

Leh, Apr 18: The Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, today chaired a high-level meeting to review preparations for the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathagata Buddha in Ladakh. In the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor directed all departments to expedite preparations, ensure the cleanliness of venues and surrounding areas, remove debris, and intensify drives to manage stray animals. He also reviewed infrastructure readiness, including sanitation, po

JAMMU, Apr 18: Police personnel in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district underwent specialised training in VIP security to enhance their professional capabilities and preparedness in handling sensitive security assignments, officials said. A felicitation ceremony was organised at the district police lines in Doda on Saturday to mark the successful completion of a two-day training programme on VIP security. The training was conducted as per modules devised by the Security Headquarters, J&K, with the o

MUMBAI, Apr 18: ICICI Banks consolidated net profit increased by 9.28 per cent to Rs 14,755 crore in the March quarter, according to an exchange filing on Saturday. It had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 13,502 crore in the year-ago period. On a standalone basis, the second-largest private sector lenders net profit rose 8.5 per cent to Rs 13,702 crore compared to Rs 12,630 crore in the year-ago period. For the recently ended fiscal year 2025-26, its post-tax [] The post ICICI Bank Q4 ne

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Ola Electric on Saturday announced Ola Sona Weekend to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, offering customers benefits worth up to Rs 50,000 across its electric vehicle portfolio. As part of the celebration of one of Indias most auspicious festivals, customers will also stand a chance to win the Ola Sona, a limited-edition scooter with real 24-karat gold-plated elements, the company said in a statement. Additionally, it is offering its Gen 3 S1 X (2kWh) [] Th

Cabinet approves creation of Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore: I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw The post Cabinet approves creation of Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee of Rs 12,980 crore: I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NEW DELHI, Apr 18: Delhi Police has arrested four radicalised men from Maharashtra, Odisha and Bihar who allegedly planned terror activities, carried out recce of sensitive locations to target them and attempted to recruit others through encrypted online platforms, officials said on Saturday. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and related material were seized during the operation, police said. Two of the accused were in the process of assembling a remote-controlled toy car fitted with an IED t

ISLAMABAD, Apr 18: Pakistans Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has concluded his three-day visit to Iran as part of Islamabads efforts to resolve the conflict between the US and Iran. Munir, who was heading a high-level delegation to Iran, landed in Tehran on Wednesday, becoming the first foreign military leader to visit the country since a two-week ceasefire was agreed between Iran and the US on April 8. During the visit, Munir held discussions with Iran [] The post Pak Army

LONDON, Apr 18:Traditional tribal spirit Mahua and Goan Feni are making their debut in the UK market as part of a new range of Indian heritage spirits from this week. Maharaja Drinks, a retailer focussed on introducing craft Indian beverages to Britain, has launched three Feni offerings and a Mahua spirit in celebration of indigenous spirits with centuries of distilling history rooted in India. The specialist retailer is geared towards organic certification, sustainable production methods and en