The Times of India News

An official order in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district has cautioned private schools against compelling students to dress as Santa Claus for Christmas. The order cited the area's predominantly Sanatan population and the lack of justification for such programs, following a complaint from a Hindu nationalist group. The state education minister's office clarified the decision was local.

A retired Punjab IG, Amar Singh Chahal, attempted suicide after an alleged Rs 8 crore online fraud. Scammers posing as wealth managers lured him with fake investment returns via WhatsApp and Telegram. Chahal, who borrowed heavily, detailed his distress in a note to the DGP. Police have frozen 25 bank accounts and are investigating the digital trail.

Odisha's enhanced surrender package, offering nearly 20% higher rewards than Chhattisgarh, enticed 22 Maoist insurgents to lay down arms. This mass surrender, including 10 women and weapons valued over Rs 2 crore, marks a significant blow to the CPI (Maoist) ahead of the Centre's deadline to end left-wing extremism.

The BJP attacked Rahul Gandhi, citing comments from CPM MP John Brittas and Congress MP Imran Masood, to claim he is losing support within his party, allies, and even family. The party alleged that remarks from Robert Vadra and others signal a show of no-confidence in Rahul's leadership, prompting his foreign visit and anti-India remarks.

Congress MP Imran Masood clarified his remarks on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating Rahul Gandhi is the acknowledged leader of the party. Masood's initial comment, suggesting Hindus wouldn't face persecution in Bangladesh if Priyanka were PM, had sparked a row and was seized upon by the BJP. The party is wary of Rahul vs Priyanka headlines.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, replacing MGNREGA. This new law guarantees 125 days of work annually for labourers, excluding two months for agricultural needs, aiming to resolve farm labour shortages and boost farmer and labourer incomes.

Bangladesh expressed grave concern to India over vandalism at its diplomatic missions and visa center, while India summoned Bangladesh's high commissioner regarding incidents in Dhaka. Protests erupted in India against targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, leading to clashes with police and detentions.

The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal of targeting Hindus, drawing parallels with alleged attacks by Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the state police used force on protesters expressing concern over minority violence in Bangladesh, alleging the TMC is acting on an agenda to 'eradicate sanatan dharma'.

A liquor-laden truck overturned in Gujarat's Sanand, leading to a chaotic scene as locals looted spilled bottles before police arrived. The driver fled the accident, and authorities are now investigating the consignment's origin and destination while a significant amount of liquor was taken.

The National Medical Commission has revamped the NEET-PG 2025 counselling schedule, mandating states to synchronize their admission timelines with the All India Quota. This move aims to eliminate past confusion, seat blockages, and prolonged admission cycles, ensuring a smoother process for medical colleges and aspiring postgraduates. Strict adherence to the new calendar is now compulsory.

A Ludhiana man, Vijay Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly beating his eight-month pregnant wife, Pushpa, to death during a drunken rage. Her brother filed a complaint after Vijay attempted to claim she died of natural causes, despite visible injuries. Police suspect Pushpa fought back before succumbing to the assault.

To address doctor shortages, the National Medical Commission will continue relaxed MBBS intake norms for existing colleges for the 2026-27 academic year, allowing up to 250 seats. This move, alongside applications for new colleges, aims to boost doctor supply while maintaining quality standards. Colleges must meet strict faculty and infrastructure requirements.

From 2026, the NTA will implement facial recognition for NEET-UG and JEE-Main to combat impersonation, following a successful pilot with Aadhaar-based authentication. This, along with mandatory live photo capture during application, aims to bolster exam integrity amid recent leak concerns. These enhanced security measures were recommended by a government committee.

Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away at 88 after a lung ailment. The first Jnanpith awardee from Chhattisgarh, Shukla was known for his quiet grace and focus on ordinary people's inner worlds. He continued writing even in the ICU, leaving behind a legacy of profound literature.

A Delhi court has partially eased bail conditions for Christian Michel James in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The court allowed him to furnish a personal bond and cash surety instead of a surety bond, acknowledging his seven years in custody and the case's initial stage. Strict safeguards remain to prevent him from leaving the country.

Dense fog led to a massive pile-up on the Lucknow-Varanasi National Highway in Amethi, claiming the lives of two truck drivers and injuring at least 16 others. The accident involved multiple trucks, a bus, and a car, causing significant traffic disruption.

Two people died and dozens of police officers were injured in violent tribal protests in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district. Demonstrators, armed with bows and crude bombs, clashed with security forces over alleged illegal non-tribal settlements on protected lands. Internet services were suspended as authorities vowed legal action against those involved.

A UP-based YouTube influencer, Anurag Dwivedi, facing ED money-laundering probes for alleged ties to illegal betting, reportedly spent crores on a lavish Dubai destination wedding for over 130 guests. The lavish affair aboard a cruise ship, including flights and luxury stays, has drawn significant official scrutiny. The ED has seized assets worth an estimated Rs 20 crore.

Madhya Pradesh has removed 42.7 lakh voters, 7.4% of its electorate, in a massive electoral roll clean-up. This extensive revision, involving door-to-door verification, aimed to ensure accuracy by deleting deceased, shifted, and duplicate entries. The process also identified 'unmapped' voters requiring further documentation.

In a groundbreaking move, Indian Railways has rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to safeguard wildlife, especially elephants, lions and tigers, on railway tracks. The cutting-edge technology uses Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) to detect animal presence, alerting loco pilots and control rooms 0.5 kms in advance - a potential lifesaver.

The US embassy in India will be closed from December 24 to December 26 due to a Presidential Executive Order mandating federal government closures. Routine consular services will be suspended, with only emergency assistance available for US citizens. Normal operations are set to resume on December 29.

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A year after a special audit committee found AbbVie violated marketing practices by sponsoring luxury trips for doctors, no action has been taken. The National Medical Commission's ethics board, responsible for acting against the doctors, is largely vacant.

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BJP national working president Nitin Nabin led a roadshow in Patna during his first visit to Bihar after taking charge in New Delhi on December 15. Speaking at the event, he accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being a part-time politician who visits Bihar only during elections. Nabin emphasised commitment in politics, promising to meet peoples expectations and focus on the long-term development of the state.

Robert Vadra backed Congress MP Imran Masoods push for Priyanka Gandhi as a potential PM face, saying there are demands from everywhere for her, and even for his own entry into politics, while stressing focus on real issues. Priyanka had flagged rising attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, where a Hindu youths lynching led to arrests and strong condemnation.

The World Health Organization is integrating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani interventions into the International Classification of Health Interventions, a global standard for healthcare procedures. This move, supported by India, aims to provide a common language for traditional medicine, enhancing its systematic recording, analysis, and comparison alongside modern medical practices worldwide.

A total of 22 naxals surrendered before Odisha Police in Malkanagiri on Tuesday, marking another success in the central government's effort to curb Left-Wing Extremism and restore lasting peace in the region.

In 2025, India showcased significant scientific momentum, marked by advancements in space technology with ISRO's achievements and the successful Space Docking Experiment. The nation also made strides in semiconductors with its first indigenous processor and embraced AI for practical applications in agriculture and healthcare, alongside progress in quantum computing and supercomputing infrastructure.

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Delhi will continue its No PUC, No Fuel policy even after GRAP-IV restrictions are lifted, with vehicles without valid PUC certificates barred from operating. The government has suspended faulty PUC centres, approved new emission testing facilities, and proposed Rs 100 crore to restore water bodies across the city.

The first meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament will be held on Tuesday and will be chaired by BJP President JP Nadda, along with National Working President Nitin Nabin. The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 9 pm through video conferencing.

A political rift has emerged within the INDIA bloc as CPI(M) MP John Brittas criticised Rahul Gandhi's absence from Parliament during the Winter Session. Brittas also expressed disapproval of Priyanka Gandhi's participation in a tea meeting with Prime Minister Modi, deeming it a wrong message after the passage of key legislation.

India has pledged a comprehensive USD 450 million assistance package to Sri Lanka for reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. This aid, comprising concessional credit and grants, builds on India's initial humanitarian response and aims to support critical infrastructure and recovery needs, reinforcing New Delhi's commitment to its neighbor's stability.

Congress MP Imran Masood stated that Priyanka Gandhi would deliver a decisive treatment to Bangladesh if she becomes Prime Minister, drawing a parallel to Indira Gandhi's actions. Masood's remarks came amid protests in Dhaka over violence against minorities, specifically the mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das over alleged blasphemy charges.

The petitioners informed the Court that they had complied with the November 19 order by depositing a total sum of Rs 51,11,43,36,390.40, which also included an additional amount deposited as a measure of abundant caution.

A Delhi court has framed charges of criminal conspiracy against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and others in the Chinese visa scam case. The allegations involve a Rs 50 lakh bribe for facilitating visa approvals for Chinese personnel. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16.

India must prepare for both swift, high-intensity conflicts to counter terrorism and prolonged wars stemming from territorial disputes, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated. He emphasized the need for multi-domain operations, citing Operation Sindoor as an example of simultaneous warfare across all domains.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged the ruling AAP manipulated the recent zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections through abuse of power. He claimed AAP's actual electoral wins were significantly lower than reported, with many seats won unopposed or through rejected nominations, despite the AAP claiming an emphatic victory.