Daily Excelsior

KOLKATA, Mar 25: The Election Commission is examining the cause of a technical glitch that briefly showed all voters in West Bengal as under adjudication, an official said on Wednesday. The problem came to light on Tuesday night when voters attempting to access their details on the EC website using their EPIC numbers found their status marked as under adjudication, even in cases where names were already included in the final electoral rolls. The issue was noticed on Tuesday night [] The post EC

New Delhi, Mar 24: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging repeated targeted killings of Hindu civilians and other vulnerable communities in Jammu and Kashmir and the lack of transparency in investigation and prosecution of such cases. A Bench presided by NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo issued a notice to the J&K Director General of Police (DGP) directing that the allegations made in the complaint be enquired into and an Action Taken Report (ATR) be

JAMMU, Mar 25: A Pakistani intruder was detained by Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmirs Samba district on Wednesday, officials said. Alert BSF troops picked up the movement of an elderly Pakistani opposite Border Out Post Bhaller in Ramgarh sector and subsequently challenged him when he intruded into this side, the officials said. They said he surrendered on being challenged and preliminary questioning revealed that he had inadvertently crossed the bo

New Delhi, Mar 25: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has clarified on Wednesday that circulating news reports about a change in LPG refill booking timelines are false. The Ministry reiterated that the existing refill booking timelines remain unchanged and continue to be. It has come to the notice of the Government that certain news reports and social media posts are claiming revised LPG refill booking timelines45 days for PMUY connections, 25 days for non-PMUY single bottle connections, an

LONDON, Mar 25: A former cancer nurse who became a priest at the age of 40 will be installed as archbishop of Canterbury on Wednesday, publicly celebrating her election as the first woman to lead the Church of England. Although Sarah Mullally, 63, formally became the archbishop of Canterbury in January, Wednesdays event marks the beginning of her public ministry as both the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The communion is [] The post Cancer

ISLAMABAD, Mar 25: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday briefed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman about Islamabads diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the tenuous West Asia situation. The prime minister said in a statement on X that he spoke with the crown prince and discussed the regional situation in addition to exchanging traditional Eid greetings. The call comes a day after Sharif offered to host talks between the US and Iran for a comprehensive settlement of the ongoing co

COPENHAGEN, Mar 25: Denmarks election Tuesday ended in an inconclusive result that left the prime ministers future unclear, after a campaign that focused on bread-and-butter issues rather than her handling of the crisis over US President Donald Trumps ambitions toward Greenland. Official results showed that Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens centre-left Social Democrats lost ground compared with the last election in 2022, as did her two partners in the outgoing government. Neither left-leaning no

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Railway infrastructure and EPC services provider Laxyo Ltd has filed preliminary papers with markets regulator Sebi to raise Rs 150 crore through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO is entirely a fresh issue of equity shares with no Offer For Sale (OFS) component, according to the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed on Monday. The Indore-headquartered company intends to utilise the proceeds to the tune of Rs 70 crore for debt payment, Rs 9.75 crore [] The post Rail

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd on Wednesday said it plans to scale up rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 per cent by FY31, up from the current 26 per cent. The companys Manesar in-plant railway siding has reached 1 lakh vehicle dispatches since the start of operations in June 2025, the company said in a statement. It has resulted in an estimated avoidance of 16,800 metric tonnes CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent), it added. In CY 2025, the company [] The post Maruti Suzuki to scale up

Jammu, Mar 25: About a dozen universities in Jammu and Kashmir are grappling with a severe faculty shortage, with around 40 per cent teaching posts lying vacant, according to official data. Figures provided by the Higher Education Department show that more than 3,300 teaching posts are sanctioned across nine public universities and two central universities functioning under the aegis of Union Ministry of Education, while only around 1,900 are in position, leaving a large gap that has forced seve

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday raised Indias GDP growth forecast for the next fiscal to 7.1 per cent, with private consumption, investment and exports being key drivers, but said that the conflict in the Middle East could strain the fiscal position due to higher energy prices arising from the conflict. In its latest quarterly Asia-Pacific economic commentary, S&P Global Ratings said risks from renewed geopolitical tensions and persistent trade-related uncertainties could affe

CHENNAI, Mar 25: Sundaram Home Finance has targeted to set up five branches under its emerging business segment in south Tamil Nadu as it aims to garner Rs 200 crore disbursements next year in the region. The Chennai-headquartered company recently inaugurated two new branches in the emerging business segment in Sankaran Koil and Ambasamudram under the expansion plans. In a company statement on Wednesday, Sundaram Home Finance MD D Lakshminarayanan said, We had diversified into the Emerging Busin

Kolkata, Mar 25: Alleging that double standards were prevailing in West Bengal over permissions for religious activities, BJP chief Nitin Nabin on Wednesday claimed that while namaz can be offered freely in the state, court approval is needed to organise pujas or erect pandals. Speaking to reporters after offering prayers at the Dakshineswar Temple on the outskirts of Kolkata, Nabin said the situation was unfortunate. Here, there is permission to offer namaz, but to perform puja and erect pandal

New Delhi, Mar 25: Stating that the constitutional guarantee of just compensation cannot be diluted, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said solatium and interest in a land acquisition matter cannot be contingent on the magnitude of the financial burden. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan made the observation while disposing of the National Highway Authority of Indias (NHAI) plea seeking review of the apex courts February 4, 2025 verdict that the 2019 decision of [] The po

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: The Delhi Police on Wednesday said they have busted an arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, and arrested 10 people. A cache of sophisticated foreign-made weapons, including sub-machine guns and automatic pistols, along with 200 live cartridges, has been recovered from the accused, they said. According to police, a total of 21 firearms were seized during the operation, comprising high-end automatic weapons and pistols sourced from multiple countri

Katra, Mar 25: The holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi on Wednesday witnessed a huge rush of devotees, as the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival continues to attract devotees from across the country. According to official sources, 2.4 lakh devotees have already paid obeisance during the initial days of Navratri, and the inflow remains steady with a continuous movement of pilgrims along the track from Katra to the Bhawan. Authorities earlier had to regulate registrations due to the unprecedented

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Several Opposition MPs staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday over the reported LPG supply crunch. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP(SP)s Supriya Sule, SPs Dharmendra Yadav, CPI-MLs Sudama Prasad, DMKs T Sumathy, JMMS Mahua Maji, among others, participated in the protest near the Makar Dwar of Parliament. With a huge banner stating Empty Cylinders, Empty Promises, the MPs raised slogans against the government. The reported LPG crunch comes amid

NEW DELHI, Mar 25: Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Wednesday claimed that the U-turn Ustad now wants to implement the womens reservation law without completing the delimitation and census exercises by passing amendments at a special two-day session of Parliament in the next fortnight. The opposition party alleged that this was a weapon of mass diversion to change the narrative from the governments foreign policy failures and setbacks and from the LPG and energy []

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WASHINGTON, Mar 25: The US has sent Iran a 15-point plan and ceasefire proposal to end the war in the Middle East, multiple news outlets reported here. The peace plan was shared with Iranian officials Tuesday via Pakistan, according to the New York Times. ABC News quoted sources saying the plan addresses Irans ballistic missile and nuclear programs as well as maritime routes, but would not provide any other details including which Iranian officials were sent the proposal. It [] The post US Send

JAMMU, Mar 24: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday ordered a stop-gap arrangement in the Secretariat by placing two Section Officers as Under Secretaries in the Government. According to an order, sanction has been accorded to the placement of two officers as Under Secretaries in their own pay and grade, with charge allowance as admissible under rules. The order has been issued vide Government Order No. 470-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated March 23, 2026, and signed by Commissioner/Secretary to the

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