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Government hits delete on app diktat, withdraws Sanchar Saathi mandate
The Department of Telecom said that it is removing the order mandating installation of the Sanchar Saathi app, following a 10-fold jump in voluntary app downloads in just one day
Russia says talks with US envoy were constructive but yielded no compromise
Ushakov said the meeting was one of the most extensive exchanges between Washington and Moscow since the conflict began. He noted that both delegations reviewed potential paths toward a settlement, but key disputes remained unresolved
Australia to enforce social media age limit of 16 from next week
Livestreaming service Twitch was added to the list of age-restricted platforms less than two weeks ago. The Australian eSafety Commissioner will send the 10 platforms notices on December 11 demanding information about the numbers of accounts removed. Monthly notices would follow for six months
Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in US liquor store
He fell through one of the ceiling tiles and went on a full-blown rampage, drinking everything, said an officer at the local animal control who took the raccoon to the animal shelter
US halts immigration applications from 19 barred nations
The ban applied to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen while the restricted access applied to people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela
Ex-England batsman Robin Smith, 62, nicknamed Judge, has gone too soon, but there is solace in the fact that he met some of his dear teammates in Perth a few days before his final goodbye
Maharashtra govt staff protest disability certificate reverification
Shiv Sena (UBT) says Sanchar Saathi another Pegasus
Thane: Airoli Kalwa rail project survey faces halt over rehabilitation agreement demand
Fake a/c cites filmmaker, lures women for auditions, FIR filed
Ajit Pawar Opposes Maharashtra governments Plan To Cut Trees For Kumbh
Pawar said that maintaining environmental balance is equally important along with development. His stand is in stark contrast to the insistence of the State Government on felling the trees.
Rupee slide leaves Indian students and parents in US anxious about education costs
Maharashtra Government Denies Delay In Seeking Flood Aid
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule had alleged that despite severe distress caused by months of heavy rainfall and crop damage, the state government had not submitted a proposal for central assistance.
Lionel Messi to visit Mumbais Wankhede on December 14, interact with young footballers
Young footballer Suhana Mandal will meet Lionel Messi thanks to the Maharashtra government's 'Maha Deva' project. This initiative provides scholarships and training to 60 talented children from across the state. The program aims to develop future Indian football stars and contribute to India's Olympic medal aspirations by 2036. Corporates are funding this ambitious sports development plan.
Bid to grab BMC plot in Kandivli, one held
BMC polls in Mumbai: 1,017 names appear 10 times in duplicate voter records
Maharashtra govt sanctions Rs 9.6 crore to buy fake medicine detection devices
Mum Universitys heritage Sir Cowasji Jehangir Convocation Hall to get facelift after 2 decades
Mumbai man arrested for murdering wife
Cooper Hospital in Mumbai gets new acting dean, its second in recent months
Mundhwa land deal case: Pune Police makes first arrest
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic Offences Wing), Vivek Masal, told reporters that the accused, Shital Tejwani, was arrested in connection with an FIR registered at Khadak Police Station
67.63 pc voter turnout recorded in Maharashtra local bodies polls
Mumbai: A voter turnout of 67.63 per cent was recorded in the first phase of elections to 263 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra, while the president and councillors of a local governing body in Dhule district were elected unopposed, officials said on Wednesday. The elections were held on Tuesday between 7.30 am and Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Maharashtra DGPs term ending this year, state wants Sadanand Date back from NIA
Mumbai: Central Railway to Run 12 Special Locals for Mahaparinirvan Diwas
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the Coastal Road tunnel between Orange Gate and Marine Drive, marking a revolution in Mumbai's transportation. The underground road project will help residents access Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Mumbai: Fadnavis and Rauts Warm Greeting At Wedding Sparks Buzz in Political Circles
Man held for cheating parents seeking school admissions; cop suspended for providing data
Wingter session of Maharashtra legislature in Nagpur from Dec 8 to Dec 14 with no weekend break
Devendra Fadnavis calls out state election bodys wrong decision
A Bharatiya Janata Party Chief Minister, in this case Maharashtras Devendra Fadnavis has found fault with his states Chief Electoral Officer, for postponing polling for two dozen municipal councils andnagarpanchayats from December 2 to December 20. It is apparently because of the consequence of the postponement: The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Courts refusal to Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Fadnavis Launches 9.96-km Mumbai Tunnel Work
Maharashtra CM launches Rs 8,056-cr Orange Gate-Marine Drive Tunnel, set to transform Mumbais east-west connectivity by 2028
After China, its Indias turn to take concentrated action against pollution
Mumbai: Construction Firm Officials Booked After Taxi Driver Dies in Jetty Plunge
Maharashtra religious trust helped Yemeni couple overstay in India, got Aadhaar, PAN for them: ED
NEW DELHI: A Maharashtra-based Trust, under scanner of the MHA for alleged FCRA violation, and its trustees aided a Yemeni couple to overstay in India after the expiry of their visas and also got them Aadhaar, PAN and birth certificates, the ED said on Wednesday. The federal probe agency conducted multiple searches on December 1 after registering a money laundering case against Nandurbar-based Jamia Ismalia Ishatul Uloom (JIIU) Trust and some others. The raids were undertaken in the northwestern district of the state, apart from Mumbai and Barmer in Rajasthan. In July last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) cancelled the registration of the trust under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), finding that it was involved in channelling foreign contribution funds to some other non-FCRA-registered NGO. About a dozen premises linked to the trust, Yemeni national Al-Khadami Khaled Ibrahim Saleh, and others were searched, the probe agency said in a statement. The money laundering case stems from a February FIR filed by the Nandurbar police (Akkalkuwa Police Station) and a subsequent chargesheet filed by it against a number of entities in April this year. The accused included JIIU founder late Ghulam Mohammad Randhera Vastanvi, Saleh, and his wife Khadega Ibrahim Kasim Al-Nasheri, and a few others. The ED said the Yemeni nationals were allegedly aided by the accused in illegally overstaying in India after the expiry of their visas. The co-accused also provided shelter and facilitated fraudulent procurement of Aadhaar, PAN (permanent account number), birth certificates and opening of bank accounts. JIIU allegedly appointed Al-Khadhami as a madrasa teacher to falsely portray foreign staffing to donors, in order to attract higher overseas funding, the agency said. ED's preliminary investigation has found that JIIU received Rs 406 crore in foreign donations (between 2014-15 to 2023-24) from Kuwait, Botswana, UK, Mauritius, Switzerland, Seychelles, Panama etc, and it also received and used substantial amounts in cash. Early findings indicate that donation funds were diverted for non-approved uses, in violation of statutory norms, according to the agency. Seized evidence indicate misuse of the tag of 'national research incentives for organisational self-funding' as the trust received donations from other bodies and NGOs, it said. The agency seized Rs 9 lakh in cash apart from digital devices during the raids.
BMC junks plan for two replacement tanks as future of Malabar Hill reservoir remains uncertain
PCMC`s Harit Setu project faces protest as Pune locals protest
Carrying black flags, angry locals blocked Hutatma Chowk and warned that they would intensify their agitation if the civic administration did not take immediate corrective action. Leaders from various political parties, citizen groups, and local associations joined the protest
Thane: Drunken Brawl Leads to Murder of 50-Year-Old Man in Yeoor; Caretaker Arrested
Maharashtra prison authorities fail to produce accused in courts on 55 dates: SC orders inquiry
NEW DELHI: Expressing its strongest displeasure the way the Maharashtra Prison offcials repeatedly failed to produce an undertrial accused before the trial court on a majority of hearing dates, the Supreme Court criticised the jail staff and said it was shocked at the conduct of the State authorities. We are shocked at the conduct of the State authorities. The production of an accused before the Court is not only to ensure speedy trial but more importantly, as a safeguard so that the prisoner is not abused otherwise, and he comes directly in contact with the Court so as to air his grievances if any, against the authorities. We find that there has been grave infraction of such fundamental safeguard, which is appalling and shocking. We deprecate the same., the top court remarked. A two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra made these observations while dealing with a case where the accused -- Sashi alias Shahi Chikna Vivekanand Jurmani -- who was in the custody for more than four years, was not presented before the Trial Court on 55 out of a total of 85 trial dates. We direct the Director General of Prisons, State of Maharashtra or whoever is the designated Head of Department of Prisons, to conduct a personal inquiry into the matter and fix responsibility and take action against the persons concerned. It is made clear that if any attempt is made to protect or shield any person, the Director General of Prisons/Head of Department of Prisons to whom we are entrusting the inquiry, shall be personally held responsible for the same, the apex court said in its order. It also said that a report in this regard should be submitted to this Court by filing an affidavit personally affirmed by the aforesaid officer, within two months from December 3. While delving into the merits of the present matter, the court said it find that a case for bail has been made out. Accordingly, the petitioner be released on bail, subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the concerned Court, said the top court. The petitioner, Jurmani, sought bail in connection with an FIR in 2021, registered at police station Vitthalwadi, Ulhasnagar, Maharashtra. The initial allegation against the petitioner in the FIR was that he, along with others, including co-accused Umesh alias Omi Bansilal Kishnani had stabbed the deceased, a Police Constable. However, the deceased, who died after two months of the incident, had clearly stated in his statement that the petitioner along with co-accused, Kishnani had only assaulted him with fists and kicks. Further, the deceased had also stated that it was co-accused Naresh who had inflicted knife injury on the Police Constable. In the statement of the Police Constable, Ganesh Ashok Damale, he has not named anybody and only described the physical built of the accused. The petitioner submitted that he was is in custody for over four years without any criminal antecedent and the co-accused Kishnani, who is identically situated, had been granted bail. It was further submitted that the trial is going on and out of 85 dates in the trial, on 55 dates, the petitioner was not even produced before the Court.
Ex-Brahmos scientist walks out of Maharashtra jail after 7 years
Scientist Nishant Agarwal walked free after seven years in jail. The Bombay High Court cleared him of spying charges for Pakistan. Agarwal was arrested in 2018. The court found no evidence of intent to harm national security. He was working at the BrahMos missile centre.
'Halal certification for non-meat products against Constitution': BJP MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni
NEW DELHI: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Medha Vishram Kulkarni on Wednesday sought immediate withdrawal of halal certification for non-meat products, saying it is against the Constitution. She also said that private bodies should not be allowed to issue such certification on products that are sold outside the country, only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has the right to issue food certification. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Kulkarni said that the concept of halal is associated with a specific religion and faith, and the same should not be imposed on people of other faiths. India is a secular country and people of other faiths also live in India. There are people for whom eating halal meat is against their faith. Such as Hindus and Sikhs, specifically, said Kulkarni, an MP from Maharashtra. Moreover, imposing halal certified meat on non-vegetarian people does not seem right in a secular country because our Constitution gives the right to respect one's own faith, she said. Halal certification is recognition that a product or service is in compliance with Islamic dietary laws. Kulkarni further questioned halal certification given to non-meat products such as milk, sugar, oil, and medicines. Not only this, non-food items like construction material, cement, plastic, chemicals or other... have also been given halal certification. It is illogical and full of apprehensions, which undermines secularism, she claimed. My demand is that halal certification for non-meat and other non-food items be immediately withdrawn, Kulkarni said, adding that private institutions' authority to grant such certification should be revoked with immediate effect. FSSAI has been given rights to give food certification and private institutions or bodies should not be allowed to give such certification, the MP added. Despite this provision, religious institutions or private organisations have the right (to do halal certification). My demand is that, for those who believe in halal, if certification is to be given, it should be given through the government system and the charges for such certification should be deposited in the government treasury, she said.
'Want To Remove Thorn': Maharashtra Caste Murder Accused Told Mother
The mother of 20-year-old Saksham Tate, who was allegedly murdered last week by his girlfriend's family members in Maharashtra's Nanded, on Wednesday alleged that the accused had told her that he was a horn they wanted to remove from their lives.
Bank of Maharashtra OFS oversubscribed, govt mops up Rs 2,492 cr
With the oversubscription of the offer-for-sale (OFS) of state-owned Bank of Maharashtra, the government is expected to realise about Rs 2,492 crore by diluting its 6 per cent stake in the bank.
SC slams Maharashtra over 55 non-productions of undertrial, orders inquiry
A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prashant Kumar Mishra made the remarks while hearing a bail application filed by Shashi alias Shahi Chikna Vivekanand Jurmani, who has been in custody for over four years in a 2021 attempt-to-murder case
Halal certification should not be imposed on people of other faiths: BJP MP
She asserted that private bodies should not be permitted to issue such certifications for products sold internationally, and that only the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which holds the official authority, should carry out food certifications
Macron in China for trade, Ukraine discussions
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in China for a three-day visit focused on trade ties and urging Beijing to help push Russia toward a Ukraine ceasefire
Uttar Pradesh: Cough syrup racket kingpin arrested at Kolkata airport
Bhola Prasad Jaiswal, alleged mastermind of a large cough syrup racket, was arrested at Kolkata airport and brought to Sonbhadra on transit remand
1 lakh each! After Rs 2.25 cr to players, Maha govt rewards support staff
Maharashtra government has lauded the Indian women's cricket team's World Cup victory with substantial cash rewards for players and support staff. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the team to their maiden title, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. Star performers Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Radha Yadav received significant recognition for their exceptional contributions.
FIR against owners, representative of Rameshwaram Cafe for selling noxious food
Owners of Rameshwaram Cafe in Karnataka and a senior executive have been booked for allegedly serving noxious food and filing a false extortion case against a customer who reported finding a worm in his meal
Odisha faces nearly Rs 7,000 cr in unpaid electricity bills
Odishas power consumers, including industrial, commercial and domestic users, owe nearly Rs 7,000 crore in unpaid electricity bills, the state government informed the Assembly.
Opposition leaders slams Rajnath Singh over remarks on Jawaharlal Nehru
Several opposition leaders criticised the Defence Minister after he claimed that the first Prime Minister wanted the Babri Masjid built using public funds. Vadra, who is an MP from Wayanad, highlighted that the remarks made by Singh are aimed at distracting attention from real issues
Concretisation may amplify heat island phenomenon in Mumbai, says IIT-K dean
Mumbai's extensive concretisation drive could exacerbate environmental issues, according to IIT-Kanpur's Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi. He warns that concrete surfaces amplify the urban heat island effect, trapping heat and leading to higher temperatures. This increased heat will likely drive greater air conditioning use, worsening climate change impacts on residents.
Sanchar Saathi: `Government ready to amend order, snooping not possible`
He added that the government is ready to make changes to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) order regarding pre-installation if public feedback requires it. The November 28 DoT order mandates that all mobile phone manufacturers pre-install Sanchar Saathi on new handsets sold in India
Malaysia relaunches search for missing MH370 after 11 years
The Boeing 777 plane disappeared from radar shortly after taking off on March 8, 2014, carrying 239 people, mostly Chinese nationals, on a flight from Malaysia`s capital, Kuala Lumpur, to Beijing
MAHA TET 2025 Answer Key Soon: How to download Paper 1 and Paper 2 PDF at mahatet.in
MAHA TET 2025 answer key: The Maharashtra State Council of Examinations (MSCE) will soon release the MAHA TET 2025 answer key for Paper 1 and Paper 2 on mahatet.in. Conducted on November 23, 2025, the exam assessed candidates for teaching Classes 1 to 8. The provisional answer key allows candidates to check responses, estimate scores, and raise objections. PDF downloads for both papers will be available on the official portal. Candidates should regularly visit mahatet.in for updates and final answer key notifications.
Delhi Red Fort blast: Key suspect Jasir Bilal Wani produced in court
Jasir Bilal Wani, a key suspect in the November 10 Delhi Red Fort blast, was produced before a Delhi court as his NIA custody ended. Accused of aiding suicide bomber Umar by modifying drones and attempting to make rockets.
Check-in systems glitch disrupts airport operations; multiple flights delayed
At least four airlines IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and Air India Express were affected, with some carriers switching to manual check-in and boarding procedures to manage passenger flow. Specific details of the cause of the outage are not clear yet
Kharge and JP Nadda clashes in Rajya Sabha over Lok Bhavan renaming
The Parliament Winter Session witnessed a sharp exchange between Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and BJP leader JP Nadda during a Rajya Sabha debate on renaming Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan. TMC MP Dola Sens remarks on federalism
Bomb email sparks search at Pune international school; no explosives found
According to an officer from the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Station, the school received the email around midnight on Tuesday. The threat was noticed by the authorities on Wednesday morning, following which the police were alerted
The manifesto calls for transparent governance, open civic data, and stronger municipal capacities to make Maharashtras cities resilient andcitizen centric
Former Bombay High Court Judge Justice Gautam Patel criticized the proposed new building as fundamentally undemocratic and a missed opportunity. He argued the design should prioritize litigants and be litigant-centric and climate resilient, rather than resembling a luxury hotel. Patel emphasized the need for practical spaces for lawyers and litigants, questioning the focus on monumentality over functionality and accessibility.
Bombay HC dismisses petitions challenging Sebi approval for WeWork India IPO
The Bombay High Court dismissed petitions challenging SEBI's nod for WeWork India's IPO, stating the lead manager holds primary disclosure responsibility. The court imposed costs on one petitioner for suppressing WeWork's replies. It found SEBI's role supervisory and was satisfied with the regulator's observations on the offer documents.
SC slams Maharashtra prison dept for shocking lapses, orders inquiry
The Supreme Court has granted bail to a man held for over four years in a Thane murder case, severely criticizing prison authorities for failing to produce him during trial. An inquiry has been ordered to fix responsibility for this lapse, with the Director General of Prisons tasked to submit a report within two months.
William Dalrymple reveals Elloras hidden history: More than just caves | Pulse Maharastra
Historian William Dalrymple, speaking at Ellora during UN@80 celebrations, uncovers the sites hidden layers from ancient Naga worship to Jain, Buddhist, Hindu traditions and Sufi shrines. He calls Ellora a continuum of faiths and urges Maharashtra to unlock its global tourism potential. Watch the full conversation now for insights into one of South Asias greatest cultural treasures! Presentation: Vinaya Deshpande Pandit Editing: Tayyab Hussain S M Video: Mayur Bargaje and Gautam Nirmal Doshi
Sushil Ansal to face charges as court orders action in passport-related case
A Delhi court has directed the framing of charges against Uphaar fire tragedy convict Sushil Ansal for allegedly concealing his criminal history and furnishing false information while renewing his passport
Sonia Gandhi slams govt; says Forect Act amendments threaten Aravalli range
Sonia Gandhi has accused the Modi government of weakening environmental safeguards and nearly signing a death warrant for the Aravalli hills by diluting forest protection laws
Environmental balance as important as development: Ajit Pawar on Nashik tree-felling row
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday called for a conciliatory approach to resolve the issue of tree felling in Nashik city for Kumbh Mela, saying that maintaining environmental balance is as important as development. Civil society members are up in arms against the Nashik civic body's reported plan to cut down more than 1700 trees in the Tapovan area to build a 'Sadhu Gram' for the visiting religious leaders ahead of Kumbh Mela which will begin in October 2026. Actor Sayaji Shinde, a member of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the ruling coalition, has also said he would oppose the government if it was adamant on removing the trees. Backing Shinde's stand against deforestation, Pawar, in a statement, said, If trees survive, the next generation will survive. Along with development, maintaining environmental balance is equally important. The deputy CM further said the issue of tree cutting in Tapovan must be resolved amicably while ensuring that environmental concerns are not overlooked. The stand taken by Sayaji Shinde on the issue was in the larger interest of environmental protection, Pawar said, stressing that development should not come at the cost of ecological balance. Maintaining a balance between development and the environment is the need of the hour. We must remember that only if we protect the environment will the next generation remain safe, the NCP chief said. He urged all stakeholders to adopt a constructive approach and arrive at a solution that safeguards both developmental needs and ecological well-being. Facing vociferous protests against the planned felling of trees for Kumbh Mela, Nashik Municipal Commissioner Manisha Khatri on Tuesday said that over 60 per cent of the more than 1,700 surveyed trees will be spared. No tree that stood on the land in 2015, when the last Kumbh Mela was held in Nashik, will be removed, she told PTI. The old, indigenous trees will be spared, she added.
IIT-K gifts Mumbai its new air monitoring network MANAS
IIT-Kanpur has launched MANAS, an air-pollution monitoring network in Mumbai, significantly expanding the existing system with 75 new, affordable, energy-independent ministations. This initiative aims to provide granular, neighbourhood-level air quality data, enabling targeted mitigation strategies and faster responses to pollution. The project, expected to be fully operational in a year, will enhance decision-making for cleaner air in the city.
WOTR trains rural women as drone pilots in Walmart Foundation-funded project
Project launched in Jalna and Dharashiv districts of Maharashtra
Delhi MCD bypolls: BJP wins 7 seats, AAP gets 3 amid claims of `foul play`
BJP won five of the wards reserved for women. Manisha Devi won ward 120 Dwarka - B, Veena Asija won ward 65 Ashok Vihar, Anjum Mandal won ward 173 Greater Kailash, Rekha Rani won ward 128 Dichaon Kalan, Anita Jain won ward 56 Shalimar Bagh-B
Punjab records highest groundwater extraction in India, says CGWB report
CHANDIGARH: Groundwater extraction in the country is the highest in Punjab, followed by Rajasthan and Haryana, according to the latest National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The findings show that 25 per cent of the 6,762 total blocks in India have been categorised as over-exploited, critical or semi-critical, a situation concentrated in nine states, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. As per the report, groundwater extraction in Punjab stands at 156.36 per cent, the highest in the country, followed by Rajasthan at 147.11 per cent and Haryana at 136.75 per cent, all significantly above the national average of 60.63 per cent. At the national level, annual groundwater extraction has seen a marginal decline, from 27.66 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2023 to 26.27 BCM last year. The total annual ground water recharge of Punjab has been assessed as 18.6 bcm and annual extractable ground water resource as 16.8 bcm. Out of total 153 assessment units including three urban areas taken for study, 111 assessment units (72.55 per cent) have been categorized as Over-exploited, 10 blocks (6.54 per cent) as Critical, 15 blocks (9.80 per cent) as Semi Critical and 17 blocks (11.11 per cent) as Safe, the report said. Similarly, out of 50175.27 square kilometers recharge worthy area of the state, 34294.3 sq km (68.35 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 4353.15 sq. km (8.68 per cent) under Critical, 4478.11 sq km (8.92 per cent) under Semi-critical and 7049.71sq km (14.05 per cent) under Safe category, reads the report. For Rajasthan, the report states,Out of the 302 assessment units (blocks and urban areas), 213 units (70.53 per cent) have been categorized as Over Exploited, 23 units (7.62 per cent) as Critical, 27 units (8.94 per cent) as Semi-Critical, 36 units (11.92 per cent) blocks as Safe and 3 units (0.99 per cent) as Saline. Similarly, out of 317010.74 sq km recharge worthy area of the state, 222266.46 sq km (70.11 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 19404.23 sq. km (6.12 per cent) under Critical, 22535.05 sq km (7.11 per cent) under Semi-critical, 43869.11 sq km (13.84 per cent) under Safe and 8935.89 sq km (2.82 per cent) area under Saline categories of assessment units. In Haryana, the situation is similar. While in Haryana, out of total 143 assessment units (blocks/Urban), 91 units (63.64 per cent) have been categorized as Overexploited, 6 units (4.20 per cent) as Critical, 15 units (10.49 per cent) as Semi Critical and 31 units (21.68 per cent) as Safe categories of assessment units. Similarly, out of 43,205.81 sq. km recharge worthy area of the State, 26,828.05 sq. km (62.09 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 1,170.46 sq. km (2.71 per cent) under Critical, 4,253.89 sq. km (9.85 per cent) under Semicritical, 10,953.42 sq. km (25.35 per cent) under Safe categories of assessment units, it added. The report assesses the total annual groundwater extraction of the entire country for 2025 at 247.22 bcm. Agriculture remains the largest consumer, accounting for 87 per cent, or 215.10 bcm, followed by 11 per cent for domestic use (27.89 bcm) and 2 per cent for industrial use (4.23 bcm). In the present assessment, total annual groundwater recharge has been pegged at 448.52 bcm, while the annual extractable groundwater resource stands at 407.75 bcm. The average stage of groundwater extraction at the national level is 60.63 per cent. Out of 6,762 blocks in the country, 730 units (10.80 per cent) are categorised as over-exploited, and 201 blocks (2.97 per cent) are classified as critical where extraction ranges from 90 to 100 per cent. Another 758 blocks (11.21 per cent) fall under the semi-critical category, while 4,946 units (73.14 per cent) are considered safe, with extraction below 70 per cent. Additionally, 127 blocks (1.88 per cent) have been listed as saline due to brackish or saline groundwater in phreatic aquifers. The report highlights that the percentage of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks exceeding 25 per cent of total units is found only in nine states, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. It attributes the situation to region-specific factors, Over-exploitation of ground water resources could be due to various region-specific reasons. The assessment units located in the north-western part of the country (particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) have plenty of replenishable ground water resources but because of the over extraction beyond the annual ground water recharge, many of these units have become Over-exploited. Overexploited units are also common in the western part of the country, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat where the prevailing arid climate results in low recharge of ground water and hence stress on these sources, the report stated. It further adds, In peninsular India, over-exploited units are wide spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which could be attributed mainly to the low storage and transmission capacities of aquifers of the hard rock terrains, which results in reduced availability of the resource. The report also notes that in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, domestic groundwater extraction exceeds 40 per cent. Groundwater extraction stands between 90 and 100 per cent in Delhi, and between 70 and 90 per cent in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In most other states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, extraction levels are around 70 per cent. The report concludes that compared to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment of 2024, the total annual groundwater recharge has marginally increased from 446.9 bcm to 448.52 bcm.
Priyanka Gandhi demands Parliament debate on worsening pollution, AQI crisis
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi urged Parliament to hold a discussion on the severe air pollution affecting Delhi and other parts of the country, as AQI levels remained in the very poor category
Rahul, Sonia Gandhi join INDIA bloc protest against labour codes at Parliament
Top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, joined INDIA bloc MPs in protesting against the four labour codes at Parliament, calling them corporate jungle raj
IIT-Kanpur sets new record 672 job offers on Day 1 of placements
IIT Kanpur's 2025-26 placement season kicked off with a historic first day, securing 672 job offers, a 16% surge from last year. This impressive tally, including a 20% rise in student placements and a 27% jump in Pre-Placement Offers, highlights the institute's strong industry appeal. Top global and domestic companies participated, with over 250 expressing interest.
All schools in Puducherry shut due to heavy rain from Cyclone Ditwah
All schools in Puducherry were declared shut on Wednesday following a heavy rainfall warning triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, as the IMD issued red alerts for several adjoining Tamil Nadu districts
Congress slams PM Modi as Rubio repeats Trumps India-Pakistan peace claim
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Trump has brokered several peace deals, including the very dangerous ones like India and Pakistan, and deserves tremendous credit for reshaping America`s foreign policy
Maharashtra's 'Car In Sea': A Rolls Royce Boat Turning Heads At Juhu Beach
Maharashtra's coastline has a new attraction making waves, quite literally. A Rolls Royce-shaped vessel cruising through the Arabian Sea is drawing crowds at Juhu beach, rapidly becoming one of the beach's most talked-about tourism innovations.
ET Explainer: What MahaRERAs compensation recovery SOP means for homebuyers, developers
MahaRERA has introduced a new standard operating procedure for compensation recovery, mandating asset disclosure and a time-bound enforcement pathway. This structured process, including escalation to district collectors and potential civil court imprisonment for non-compliance, aims to ensure timely compensation for homebuyers and tighten developer accountability across Maharashtra.
Anacondas grew to peak size 12 million yrs ago
Researchers examined 183 fossilised anaconda backbones collected in Falcn State, Venezuela. All these fossils belong to at least 32 distinct snakes
James Solomon secures Jersey City mayor post, turning back former governor
If Donald Trump chooses a fight, we`re not going to back down, Solomon said.
Delhi records AQI of 376 as air quality remains in very poor category
The area around India Gate and Kartavya Path was blanketed in a dense layer of toxic smog, with AQI in the area recorded at 356 in the `very poor` category
Maharashtra civic polls: 'Citizens' Manifesto' stresses urban reforms, transparency
An NGO has launched a 'Citizens' Manifesto' ahead of Maharashtra's civic polls. It proposes reforms for better service delivery and transparency. The manifesto emphasizes open civic data and citizen participation. It aims to empower urban local bodies for equitable development. The delayed municipal elections are a key focus. The initiative seeks to restore trust and involve citizens in governance.
Delhi MCD bypolls: Counting of votes begins in 12 wards amid tight security
The State Election Commission, Delhi, has made all arrangements for vote counting. Ten counting centres have been set up at Kanjhawala, Pitampura, Bharat Nagar, Civil Lines, Rouse Avenue, Dwarka, Najafgarh, Gole Market, Pushp Vihar and Mandawali
Aim to elevate cooperation with India: Putin ahead of visit to New Delhi
Putin`s remarks come ahead of his visit to India from December 4-5 for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Centre set to move Central Excise Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha Secretary General will report a message from the Rajya Sabha regarding the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was passed in the Lower House on the first day of the Winter Session
Over 6 kg of heroin seized as NCB dismantles major trafficking network
On Monday, an NCB team intercepted an indigenous motorboat on the Barak River near Silchar
Hong Kong to form independent committee to probe deadly high-rise fire
A survivor of the fire welcomed the creation of the independent committee
