The Times of India

Over a six-month period, the CISF protecting the Delhi Metro made headlines by recovering cash and valuables exceeding Rs 22.8 lakh, including gold and electronics. Additionally, they played a vital role in reuniting 69 missing children with their families and provided assistance to 152 women in distress. This demonstrates their unwavering dedication to enhancing commuter safety and service, fostering a sense of security for all passengers.

India's naval might is set to surge with the commissioning of three advanced, indigenously built warships in Kolkata on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the ceremony for the stealth frigate Dunagiri, survey vessel Sanshodhak, and anti-submarine warfare craft Agray. These platforms significantly boost India's blue-water capabilities, coastal defense, and surveying prowess, showcasing the nation's growing shipbuilding prowess with over 75% indigenous content.

After several rounds of discussions at Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Green Contribution Scheme is being finalised for implementation from Oct-Nov when Delhi and adjoining areas face severe air pollution. The scheme would cover around 5,000 sq km of NCR. People privy to the discussion said the green charge may be around Rs 1,000-1,300 for trucks and buses and Rs 500-650 for light goods vehicles and mini-buses.

Cross-voting significantly impacted Rajya Sabha elections in Jharkhandand Legislative Council elections in Karnataka, with both the INDIA bloc and NDA facing losses. While parties lauded rival cross-voters as exercising conscience, they condemned their own MLAs for betraying the party. This highlights a persistent double standard, where power dynamics, not ideology, drive these electoral outcomes despite past reforms aimed at curbing corruption.

An Indian voice challenges pervasive stereotypes, highlighting a double standard where Western actions are excused while Indian expressions of joy, culture, and presence are criticized. The piece argues that despite contributions in technology, medicine, and education, Indians face prejudice regarding civic sense, job competition, and cultural identity. It calls for judgment based on individual actions rather than generalizations, celebrating a rich heritage and resilient spirit.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke slammed the Centre's Telegram ban ahead of the NEET re-exam, calling it a superficial fix. He highlighted ongoing student suicides and criticized the education system's commercialization. Dipke urged political leaders to prioritize student welfare over political gains, as Delhi Police bolstered security for an upcoming CJP protest.

A former DRDO scientist, Pradeep Kurulkar, faces charges in an espionage case, with trial set to begin next month. Accused of sharing classified defence information with a suspected Pakistani intelligence agent, Kurulkar's plea for discharge was rejected. Proceedings will be held in-camera due to the sensitive nature of the Official Secrets Act violations.

Ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a nationwide mock drill on June 20. This measure aims to ensure a seamless process for the nearly 23 lakh candidates. The NTA is actively communicating with students, urging them to download fresh admit cards and warning against fraudulent messages.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana said its primary concern was the alleged misuse of public funds that could otherwise have been utilised for public welfare. The court issued notices to the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other respondents on a plea alleging that loans worth Rs 1,537 crore owed to public sector banks were settled through two ARCs for just Rs 73.50 crore.

The movement traces its origins to the Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal in 1967 and drew inspiration from Maoist ideology and the concept of armed revolution. Over time, several extremist groups operated across different regions before merging under the banner of the CPI (Maoist) in 2004. The organisation subsequently emerged as the principal face of the insurgency and came to be regarded as one of India's most serious internal security challenges.

The BJP-led NDA has strengthened its Rajya Sabha presence, winning 19 of 26 recent seats to reach 150 members. This brings the alliance closer to a two-thirds majority, with potential further gains from upcoming bypolls and shifts in opposition alliances. However, regional parties and upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections could still influence the balance of power.

Ranchi RSS office attack probe reveals links to Pakistan's ISI-backed Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan. Three arrested individuals allegedly communicated with handlers via encrypted apps, sharing footage of the incident. Two accused reportedly met a Pakistani national in Dubai, where they were allegedly radicalized and agreed to support TTH's anti-India agenda.

The LNG carrier Disha has successfully arrived at Dahej Port in Gujarat, heralding a much-anticipated return of maritime activities through the Strait of Hormuz amidst recent tensions in the West Asia region. This docking comes on the heels of a historic US-Iran peace accord, suggesting a potential stabilization of India's vital energy supply lines.

Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, accusing him of casteist remarks and predicting a party split. Rajbhar claimed Yadav viewed Rajbhar and Maurya communities as inferior to Yadavs.

Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton warned against a US-China G2 framework, calling it a dangerous sidelining of India. He emphasized the critical need for closer India-US strategic cooperation to counter China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Bolton also advocated for a deeper strategic dialogue between leaders focused on the China threat, beyond trade disputes.

Delhi High Court upheld the Centre's temporary ban on Telegram, citing its potential misuse for exam fraud and misinformation ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination. The government's order, issued under the IT Act, was deemed well-founded. The restriction aims to prevent cheating rackets from exploiting the platform, with the ban in effect until June 22.

Prime Minister Modi's recent announcement regarding the launch of India's UPI in France is set to revolutionize financial interactions between the two countries. This initiative not only simplifies instant transactions but also opens doors for increased student mobility and educational collaborations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on his 56th birthday. Several Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Khera, lauded Gandhi's dedication to constitutional values, social justice, and his resilience in politics. Leaders from Kerala also highlighted his journey and outreach efforts.

India strongly criticized Pakistan at the UNHRC, labeling it a Frankenstein state that nurtures terrorism as state policy. India rejected Pakistan's allegations regarding Jammu and Kashmir, asserting the region's integral status and highlighting human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied territories.

A significant portion of NEET-UG re-exam candidates, over a third, hail from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. These three states alone account for 34.4% of registrations for the crucial medical entrance test. The Hindi-belt states collectively represent 44% of the applicant pool, highlighting regional concentration.

Six of Shiv Sena (UBT)'s nine Lok Sabha MPs have reportedly shifted allegiance to the Eknath Shinde-led faction, failing to attend a party meeting after writing to the Speaker to form a separate group. Citing ideological deviations and fear of a merger with Congress, the rebel MPs are expected to formally join the Shinde camp next week.

'2026 Special Year For India And Europe'

Cites Dispute In House, Lower Court Order

In a groundbreaking move, the National Highways Authority of India has launched 'Margsarthi', a cutting-edge AI tool that transforms the way contract documents are reviewed. This innovative system cuts down processing time from a matter of days to mere minutes, allowing for unprecedented efficiency.

The questioning comes ahead of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's scheduled visit to the Ram Temple on Friday. As per the minute-to-minute itinerary issued by Ayodhya District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, temple trust general secretary Champat Rai has been directed to nominate an individual to oversee arrangements for the chief minister's darshan and pujan.

In a significant move, the NIA has charged Gade Innaiah, a prominent figure in Naxal activities, with inciting a crowd of 200 during a funeral gathering in October 2025. His actions are believed to have fueled violent Left-wing extremism, as he openly criticized former rebels who had surrendered and aggressively promoted Maoist beliefs through various organization fronts.

CPI(ML) Liberation has denied allegations of cross-voting in the Jharkhand Rajya Sabha election, stating both its MLAs voted for the Congress candidate as decided. The party criticized the Congress for failing to secure its own legislators' support and warned that blaming allies could harm the INDIA bloc.

In a passionate call to action, Rahul Gandhi invited students and aspiring professionals to support the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' initiative by signing an online petition. This campaign targets the pressing issues of exam paper leaks, educational challenges, soaring tuition fees, and the alarming rate of unemployment.

Mizoram's Zoram People's Movement has made history by winning its first Rajya Sabha seat. Senior leader K Laltluangkima secured the lone Upper House seat in the state assembly election. He defeated the Mizo National Front candidate. This victory marks a significant milestone for the ZPM party. Laltluangkima becomes the party's inaugural Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.

In a world filled with uncertainty, urban Indians stand out with their hopefulness about the nations trajectory and economic vitality, sharply contrasting with the global outlook. However, beneath this optimism, the specter of unemployment looms large for many.

The ruling Congress secured a significant victory in the Karnataka legislative council elections, winning five out of seven seats. The BJP claimed the remaining two seats, while the JD(S) candidate lost. The elections saw instances of cross-voting, with Congress candidates reportedly exceeding expectations.

At VivaTech 2026, Prime Minister Modi showcased India's technological innovation, proudly articulating the nations role as a frontrunner in AI development, robust digital frameworks, and an exciting startup ecosystem.

The Delhi High Court questioned the government's decision to temporarily block Telegram. This action was taken ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21. The court asked how the rights of millions of users could be restricted due to concerns about misuse by a few. The government defended its move, citing Telegram's vulnerability to large-scale information dissemination.

In the polls that witnessed cross-voting, Nathwani polled 28 votes, comfortably bypassing Congress's Pranav, who bagged 20 votes. The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) candidate Baidyanath Ram was elected to the other seat. Ram received 30 votes in the election, while three votes, two from the BJP and one from the Congress, were found invalid, the official told news agency PTI.

Police said preliminary findings indicated that the barrack had been locked from the inside and suggested that the Agniveer had allegedly died by suicide. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination before being handed over to the concerned Army unit. Sources told PTI the autopsy report pointed to death by hanging and indicated that the incident had taken place around two days before the body was found.