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Indian staples like turmeric, pepper, cardamom; processed goods like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses; and marine products such as shrimp and tuna will enjoy duty-free access in the UK market.

UK FTA Opens Markets, Safeguards Indian Farmers

India-UK FTA shields farmers, boosts exports

Indian staples like turmeric, pepper, and cardamom; processed goods like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses; and marine products such as shrimp and tuna will enjoy duty-free access in the UK market.

India has protected the interest of domestic farmers by excluding dairy products, edible oils and apples in the free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK while securing zero duties on 95 per cent of agriculture and processed food items.
No tariff concession has been allowed on oats as well in the FTA, which was signed on Thursday.
On the other hand, Indian staples like turmeric, pepper, cardamom; processed goods like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses; and marine products such as shrimp and tuna will enjoy duty-free access in the UK market.
In agriculture, the UK imports USD 37.52 billion worth products, but imports from India are just USD 811 million.
"India's farmers are poised to be the biggest winners of the FTA, which unlocks premium UK markets for their produce, matching or exceeding the benefits already enjoyed by exporters from Germany, the Netherlands, and other EU nations," a commerce ministry official said.
More than 95 per cent of agricultural and processed food tariff lines will attract zero duties on fruits, vegetables, cereals; pickles, spice mixes, fruit pulps; and ready-to-eat meals and processed foods.
This will lead to reduction in landed cost of these Indian products in the UK market, boosting India's export and enhancing income of domestic farmers.
"Duty-free access is expected to increase agri exports by over 20 per cent in the next three years, contributing to India's goal of USD 100 billion agri-exports by 2030," the official said.
The FTA would also give a boost to exports of emerging products such as jackfruits, millets, and organic herbs.
With regard to the benefits for the blue economy, the FTA provides for zero-duty access for 99 per cent of exports, including shrimp, tuna, fishmeal, and feeds. These are currently taxed in the range of 4.2-8.5 per cent.
"Despite the UK's USD 5.4 billion marine import market, India's share remains at just 2.25 per cent, underscoring a significant untapped export opportunity," the official pointed out.
The FTA would also help India's export of high-margin branded products like coffee, spices, beverages, and processed food.
Stating that the UK consumes 1.7 per cent of India's coffee, the official said duty-free access will help Indian instant coffee compete with EU exporters like Germany and Spain.
The UK is a major buyer of Indian tea (5.6 per cent), while spices have a 2.9 per cent share. The zero tariffs will help enhance the country's market share.
"Indian craft drinks like feni from Goa, artisanal wines from Nashik, and toddy from Kerala will now enjoy Geographical Indication (GI) protection and shelf space in high-end UK retail and hospitality chains," the official said.
The FTA is set to help India's food processing sector. India exports USD 14.07 billion of processed agriculture and food products globally per year. The UK imports USD 50.68 billion worth of processed items, but Indian products make up for a mere USD 309.5 million.
Farmers of various states in the country are likely to benefit from the FTA. The major beneficiaries are Maharashtra (grapes, onions), Gujarat (groundnut, cotton), Punjab and Haryana (basmati rice), Kerala (spices), and NE states (horticulture).

The series begins on July 1 with a T20I in Durham, followed by matches in Manchester on July 4, Nottingham on July 7, Bristol on July 9, and concludes in Southampton on July 11.

India's White-ball Cricket Tour to England: Schedule Announced

India's 2026 England Cricket Tour Announced

ECB announces India's tour to England next year with five T20Is and three ODIs. Indian women's team will also play T20Is and a Test.

&nbsp;
Manchester, July 24 (PTI) - The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a white-ball cricket tour by India to England next year. The tour will feature five T20 Internationals and three One Day Internationals.
The series begins on July 1 with a T20I in Durham, followed by matches in Manchester on July 4, Nottingham on July 7, Bristol on July 9, and concludes in Southampton on July 11.
The three-match ODI series will kick off in Birmingham on July 14, continue in Cardiff on July 16, and finish at Lord's on July 19.
In addition to the men's matches, the Indian women's team will take part in a T20I series against England Women and a solo Test. The T20 matches are scheduled in Chelmsford on May 28, Bristol on May 30, and Taunton on June 2, with the lone Test at Lord's from July 10.
England&rsquo;s cricket summer is set to be an enthralling one, with the men's Test side, under Ben Stokes, hosting New Zealand and Pakistan in two separate Rothesay Test Series. Meanwhile, Harry Brook's white-ball squad will welcome Sri Lanka and India for ODIs and T20Is.
Richard Gould, ECB's Chief Executive Officer, described the 2026 cricket season as "spectacular." He highlighted the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England, which returns to the country for the first time since 2009, as a cornerstone of the season. Gould expressed enthusiasm about this monumental event as a platform for elevating the women's game and inspiring future players and enthusiasts.
The excitement continues with the England Women's Test at Lord's, marking a historic occasion for the women's side. 
&nbsp;
(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
&nbsp;

Pakistan is assessing India's security for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup participation. The government's comprehensive review focuses on player safety amid tense Indo-Pak relations.

Pakistan may skip hockey tour to India

Pakistan evaluates India's security conditions for its hockey teams' participation in the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup. Ensuring safety and awaiting government clearance amid political tensions.

Pakistan reviews India's security to decide on participating in the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup, emphasizing player safety amid political tensions.

Pakistan is set to review the security situation in India before taking a call on sending its national hockey team to the neighbouring country for the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year.
A top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them.
Rana Mashood, who is the chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation.
"The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals and if it is not satisfied it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India," Mashood, a former minister said.
He pointed out that after India's Operation Sindoor, the situation is not safe for Pakistani nationals to travel to India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major hockey events scheduled in India with next month's Asia Cup also serving as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026.
Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India.
"But as of now the situation is different, relations are strained so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance," he said.
He pointed out that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.

India and the US discussed strengthening cooperation across key sectors including trade, defense, and energy. Meetings emphasized strategic partnerships and examined the US-India COMPACT initiative's impact on bilateral ties.

India-US Enhance Trade, Defense, Energy Relations

India and the US have set sights on deepening strategic collaboration in trade, defense, and energy. Highlighted was the US-India COMPACT initiative aiming to bolster military and commerce partnerships, emphasizing bilateral growth.

India-US Enhance Trade, Defense Relations

India and the US discussed enhancing ties in trade, defense, and energy. Jaishankar engaged with US officials, emphasizing bilateral partnership and strategic collaboration. The US-India COMPACT initiative aims to strengthen trade and defense ties.

Ways to deepen the India-US collaboration in key sectors such as trade, defence, energy, mobility and critical technologies figured prominently during talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his American counterpart Marco Rubio.
The external affairs minister also held separate bilateral talks with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
The meetings took place on the sidelines of a conclave of foreign ministers of the Quad grouping on Tuesday.
It was the first in-person meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio after the four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan in May.
"Discussed our bilateral partnership including trade, security, critical technologies, connectivity, energy and mobility. Shared perspectives on regional and global developments," Jaishankar said in a social media post.
It is understood that the two sides also took stock of the ongoing negotiations for a trade deal between India and the US.
New Delhi and Washington are holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) as agreed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC in February.
The US State Department said the implementation of US-India COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce and Technology) figured in the Rubio-Jaishankar talks.
The COMPACT initiative, aimed at driving transformative change across key pillars of cooperation, was launched following talks between Modi and Trump in February.
"In his meeting with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, the Secretary affirmed the strength of the US-India relationship, highlighting implementation of the US-India COMPACT which will enhance our two nations' collaboration on trade, defence, energy, countering illegal immigration, counternarcotics, and more," the US State Department said.
Jaishankar also met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and discussed opportunities for a deeper bilateral energy partnership.
"Spoke about the energy transformation underway in India. And opportunities for deeper India-US energy partnership," Jaishankar said on 'X'.
The external affairs minister also held a separate meeting with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
"Had a productive conversation on advancing the India-US defence partnership, building on growing convergences of interests, capabilities and responsibilities," Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar was visiting the US from June 30 to July 2 at the invitation of Secretary Rubio.

Explore Amazon's logistics magic as it opens doors to its India's fulfillment centers for public tours starting Q4 2025, offering exclusive insights into operations.

Amazon Fulfillment Tours in India Announced

Dive into the heart of Amazon's logistics as public tours debut in India. Experience the intricate operations at fulfillment centers in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru.

Explore Amazon Fulfillment Centers in India

Amazon launches public tours of its fulfillment centers in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru, India, from late 2025, offering insights into e-commerce logistics.

Curious to know how your package travels from a simple click on the screen all the way to your doorstep? Now, you can experience a key part of that journey firsthand with Amazon fulfillment centers (its smart warehouses) in India opening doors for public tours.
Starting Q4 2025, the ecommerce giant will offer a peek at behind-the-scenes logistics of packages through free in-person tours of its fulfillment centers (FC) in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru.
During these 45 to 60-minutes guided tours, visitors can catch the action before the package reaches consumers' doorstep, in the process exploring facilities where millions of products are stored and customer orders processed and shipped daily, Amazon said on Monday as it announced the expansion of its public tour program to India.
This initiative invites interested visitors to visit Amazon's fulfillment centers, offering a glimpse into the technology and an opportunity to meet the people behind customer deliveries, the release said.
Amazon made the announcement at the 'Delivering the Future' event in Tokyo, which showcases the company's latest innovations and technologies.
The tours will run three times weekly at both Delhi NCR and Bengaluru FCs, accommodating up to 20 participants per tour.
People keen on these tours will be able to register online later this year and experience the behind-the-scenes operations.
"These tours offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and people working together to deliver for our customers every day," Abhinav Singh, VP Operations India and Australia said.
The centre in Delhi NCR, the largest fulfillment center in North India, spans 4,50,000 square feet, a size equivalent to eight football fields.
The Bengaluru facility is Amazon's largest fulfillment center in the country with over 2 million cubic feet of storage space.
Nick Boone-Lutz, who leads the public tours program at Amazon said, "Since 2014, we've welcomed over 2 million visitors across more than 35 locations in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, France, Germany, and Italy."

UNESCO partners with India to explore AI's role in addressing global social and economic challenges, focusing on ethical application and sustainability.

UNESCO partners with India on AI ethics

UNESCO and India collaborate to address AI's social and economic impacts. This partnership is crucial for the 2025 summit, focusing on ethical and sustainable AI practices.

UNESCO & India Join Forces on AI Challenges

UNESCO collaborates with India for a global AI summit addressing social and economic challenges, focusing on ethics and sustainability.

The UNESCO is working with India on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in addressing social and economic issues with technological innovation as New Delhi prepares to host the global summit on AI impact early next year, an official said on Friday.
&ldquo;India is a shining star for the rest of the world in terms of digital transformation and in terms of addressing some of the social and economic issues with technological innovation and the right policy,&rdquo; said Irakli Khodeli, Head of Ethics of AI Unit, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO.
&ldquo;The world is looking up to India to learn about that. It would be a significant part of the next year's summit as well,&rdquo; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) official told PTI here at the "Third UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI 2025&rdquo;.
UNESCO, which has 193 countries as members, held the first summit in 2023 in the UK and the second in 2024 in South Korea on AI &ldquo;Safety&rdquo;. The event was held in Paris in February this year on AI &ldquo;Action&rdquo;.
&ldquo;It is time now for action to demonstrate AI impact,&rdquo; he said, pointing out that the time for discussing the ethical framework had passed with the recommendation report on AI.
&ldquo;We hope to be working with the (Indian) government as we start preparing for the Global Summit on AI Impact to be hosted by India early next,&rdquo; Khodeli said.
&ldquo;This is going to be a major event as participants will give updates, share their experiences and lessons learned,&rdquo; he added.Khodeli, underlining UNESCO&rsquo;s working relationship with the Indian government as a knowledge partner during India&rsquo;s G20 Presidency in 2023, said: &ldquo;India has been an important partner of UNESCO in our journey from the very beginning when the AI recommendation was prepared.&rdquo;India played a critical role and had an expert in the 24-member advocate group that prepared the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence Recommendation report -- a primary instrument adopted four years ago by the 193 UNESCO member countries.The official said the ethics policy is universally valid and pursued everywhere.Following the report, UNESCO has deployed another report, &ldquo;Readiness Assessment Methodology&rdquo;, for member countries to understand AI opportunities and the gaps to be filled for them to take full advantage of the revolutionary technology.
&ldquo;India is one of the top innovators - both in terms of technology and also in term of policy to govern the technology,&rdquo; observed Khodeli, underscoring the importance of policy innovation to ensure the technology is put to the best use for mankind, and create an environment that is conducive to investment and growth.
He noted India&rsquo;s extensive work on technologies, and said UNESCO was capturing those good practices, knowledge and experiences of governance of AI to make them available to the rest of the world for them to replicate such success.
In return, UNESCO is also bringing to India what the grouping has learned from the rest of the world, citing the example of the Bangkok Forum, where brainstorming sessions were held by close to 50 member countries, represented by senior officials at ministerial levels, he said.
&ldquo;We are doing the Readiness Assessment with over 70 countries. We are learning a lot about what works to promote AI and what doesn&rsquo;t work,&rdquo; he said, adding that the experiences and knowledge are shared with members, including India.
"India is famous for exporting its talent, and everybody knows the important part the people of Indian-origin play in big tech corporations around the world. That is something to be very proud of,&rdquo; he underlined.
He said UNESCO wants AI engineers to consider ethics as part of designing the technology, and during various talent trainings, ethics is part of the programmes.
Acknowledging the AI as an incredible breakthrough by humanity, Khodeli felt more work needed to be done to make the technology less resource-intensive.
Increasing access to AI means more data centres and infrastructure for the ecosystem that is currently resource-intensive, he added.
Khodeli called for a balance and parallel development of technology in terms of environment and resources, as this technology is predictable and beyond human brain revolution.
&ldquo;We need to focus on new AI systems that are less resource-intensive,&rdquo; he emphasised, adding, &ldquo;This transformation of AI is set to continue.&rdquo;

India will travel Down Under in October-November to compete in three ODIs -- starting October 19 in Perth -- and five T20 Internationals -- the last one in Brisbane on November 8.

India Australia series tickets selling out fast

India’s Australia tour sees record ticket demand

India will travel Down Under in October-November to compete in three ODIs -- starting October 19 in Perth -- and five T20 Internationals -- the last one in Brisbane on November 8.

India's white-ball tour of Australia is still four months away but Cricket Australia (CA) has already more than 90,000 tickets for eight matches with third ODI in Sydney and first Twenty20 in Canberra completely sold out.
India will travel Down Under in October-November to compete in three ODIs -- starting October 19 in Perth -- and five T20 Internationals -- the last one in Brisbane on November 8.
"The Australia vs India white ball series in October/November has generated immense excitement among cricket fans, particularly from the Indian diaspora," the CA said in a statement.
"The public ticket allocation for the SCG ODI and Manuka Oval (Canberra) T20I were exhausted four months prior to the match highlighting the huge demand for these matches, while the MCG T20I and Gabba T20I are also proving popular.
"Following record ticket sales for the Ashes, the white ball matches are also in high demand, with over 90,000 tickets sold to the eight matches after just two weeks of public sales." According to CA, more than 16 per cent of the tickets sold so far have been purchased by Indian fan clubs.
"Bharat Army has been one of the most active fan clubs, purchasing over 2,400 tickets. Fans India has also shown significant enthusiasm, buying more than 1,400 tickets," it said.
"Additionally, Amit Goyal from Brissy Baniyas, an Aggarwal community has acquired 880 tickets for the Gabba T20I, becoming the highest individual buyer for a single match, while Indian Community of Gold Coast and Pakka Local has purchased over 500 tickets for the Gold Coast and MCG T20Is each." Joel Morrison, Executive General Manager Events &amp; Operations Cricket Australia, said there has been "extreme interest" among the fans "in what promises to be the biggest ever summer of cricket".
"We are thrilled to see continued strong engagement amongst Indian diaspora off the back of a record-breaking Border-Gavaskar series last summer. The forecast strong turnout of Australian and Indian fans means we&rsquo;ll again have a fantastic atmosphere at each match."&nbsp;

India's Ministry forms a panel to address coaching centre dependency and dummy schools by exploring gaps in the education system.

India forms panel to regulate coaching centres

India forms a panel to scrutinize coaching centre reliance, addressing 'dummy schools' in education. Comprehensive analysis aims for improvement.

India's Education Ministry forms a panel to address coaching dependence and dummy schools by examining education system gaps.

The Ministry of Education in India has established a nine-member panel to delve into the growing concerns surrounding coaching centres and the proliferation of 'dummy schools.' This initiative also aims to scrutinize the effectiveness and fairness of competitive entrance exams, officials have revealed.
The panel is chaired by Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi and is tasked with proposing strategies to lessen students' reliance on coaching centres as they transition to higher education. According to a senior official from the Ministry of Education, the committee's mandate includes investigating gaps in the current schooling system that lead to dependency on coaching centres.
This involves examining the system's limited emphasis on critical thinking, logical reasoning, analytical skills, and innovation, coupled with the persistence of rote learning methods.
The emergence of 'dummy schools' and their role in promoting full-time coaching to the detriment of formal schooling will also be scrutinized. The panel is expected to propose solutions to reduce this trend. Additionally, the committee will evaluate how competitive entrance exams align with the school education system, and their role in fuelling the growth of the coaching industry.
Further, the panel will assess the role and impact of formative assessments at both school and higher education levels, the absence of which may hinder students' conceptual understanding and readiness for competitive exams.
The growing demand for quality higher education, the limited seats available in premier institutions, and the resultant push towards coaching institutes will also be analyzed. Another focus will be on understanding the awareness levels among students and parents about various career pathways.
The committee aims to address how this lack of awareness contributes to the over-reliance on a select few elite institutions. It will also evaluate the current availability and effectiveness of career counselling services in schools and colleges and recommend improvements to these career guidance frameworks.

England's Ben Stokes believes India's cricket team poses a strong challenge despite key player absences. He recognizes India's deep talent pool and highlights threat from Jasprit Bumrah. Ollie Pope and Chris Woakes are key to England's strategy in the upcoming Test series.

Ben Stokes says India still a threat

England's Ben Stokes dismisses concerns about India's weakened lineup, emphasizing their vast talent pool. Despite Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin's absences, Stokes acknowledges threats such as Jasprit Bumrah, Ollie Pope's key role, and Chris Woakes leading England's attack.

England's Ben Stokes insists India's team remains strong despite key absences. He focuses on India's talent pool and Jasprit Bumrah's threat. Ollie Pope stays at No. 3, while Chris Woakes leads England's bowling. Series against India starts Friday.

England skipper Ben Stokes on Thursday said they don't think the absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin makes India any lesser side as its "ginormous" talent pool is enough to fill the void. An under-transition India is set to take on Bazball-powered England when the first of the five Tests for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy gets underway here on Friday.
The match will be the first assignment for the Shubman-Gill led side since Test retirements of Kohli, Rohit and Ashwin.
"There's been a lot said about no Rohit, no Virat and no Ashwin, that doesn't mean that we think it's going to be any easier than what it ever is against India. The pool of talent that Indian cricket has is just ginormous," Stokes told the media during the pre-match press conference. "Although Virat, Rohit and Ashwin have done amazing things for their country on the field, that doesn't mean that whoever comes in to replace those individuals are going to be any less hard to bowl at or bat against, just because of how big the pool of talent is in India.
"We've spent a lot of time out at the IPL, so I know that there's a lot of it. Obviously, three massive names, three people who have done wonderful things for their country, but it is not going to be any easier for us because of those three big names out there," Stokes added.
Stokes acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah will be a threat to the English batting line-up but added that his side won't be focused entirely on handling the Indian ace.
"Bumrah leading their attack, he's a fantastic bowler but there (are) 11 players on the team, and it takes a team to win a game of cricket," he said when asked if the focus of the fans will be on Bumrah given Kohli and Rohit are not a part of the touring party.
"But we know Bumrah is an amazing bowler all around the world. His record shows that, wherever he goes, he does well. We know Bumrah is going to be a threat, but we know that every other bowler that India has is also going to be a threat.
"Focusing on one individual over another isn't what we're going to be doing, but obviously, you pay respect to your opposition, and Jasprit Bumrah certainly is a fantastic bowler," he added.
Stokes said it was not tough for him to pick Ollie Pope for No. 3 spot over Jacob Bethell, given the England vice-captain scored 171 in his last Test.
"It would be remarkable to choose someone else if his last knock wasn't 170. That's pretty much all I need to say on that," he said.
"Scoring 170 definitely doesn't do anyone any harm. But I said this when I spoke about before the Zimbabwe Test, having him at No. 3 since I've been captain over a three-year period, averaging over 40s, speaks for itself," Stokes added.
Stokes termed comeback all-rounder Chris Woakes as the "leader" of the England attack and highlighted that they haven't lost a Test with the latter in the side.
"Since me and Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) have been captain and coach, I don't think we've actually lost a game with Woaksey in the team," he said.
"That just proves how much of a valuable cricketer he is to any team that he turns out for. (With) him being the leader of the attack, he's going to thrive off that responsibility. He's a quality cricketer, the relentlessness that he has with the ball, whether that be new ball or old ball, and then having his ability with a back down on breaks, obviously, that's important."

India's U-23 football team faced a 3-2 defeat to Tajikistan in a friendly match, as part of their AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers preparation.

India U-23 vs Tajikistan Thrilling Football Match

In a gripping match at TALCO Arena, Tajikistan defeated India U-23 with a 3-2 scoreline, seizing victory with late goals in stoppage time. This encounter aids India's preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

In an intense match at the TALCO Arena, Tajikistan defeated India's U-23 team 3-2 with late goals. India initially led but was reduced to 10 men.

The Indian men's U-23 team suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat against Tajikistan in a thrilling international friendly at the TALCO Arena in Tursunzoda on Wednesday.
In a dramatic finish, Tajikistan scored twice in the additional six minutes which was added after the regulation time, to break Indian hearts.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant forward Suhail Ahmed Bhat broke the deadlock and gave India the lead in the 34th minute before Ansor Khabibov equalised for Tajikistan at the hour mark.
NorthEast United forward Parthib Gogoi, however, helped India regain the lead in the 85th minute.
But the late goals by Muhammadiqbol Davlatov and Muhammadali Azizboev ensured a win for the host nation.
India were reduced to 10 men minutes before Tajikistan's first goal as Ayush Dev Chhetri, who plays in the Indian Super League for FC Goa, was shown a red card.
These friendly matches in Tajikistan are part of the Indian team's preparation for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers that will be held in September.

A landmark achievement for India's education, with 54 universities in QS Rankings, driven by NEP 2020 reforms, highlighting global academic excellence.

India secures 54 spots in QS Rankings

India celebrates an educational milestone with 54 universities in the QS World Rankings, a testament to NEP 2020's transformational reforms.

India's higher education marks a milestone with 54 universities in QS Rankings, showing growth in research and internationalization under NEP 2020.

India has hit a new high with 54 universities featuring in the coveted QS world rankings, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Thursday while lauding the performance of the country's universities.
He also asserted that NEP 2020 is not just changing the country's educational landscape, it is revolutionising it.
"With a record 54 HEIs featuring among the global best, India hits a new high in the QS World University 2026 Rankings. From just 11 universities in 2014 to 54 in the latest rankings, this five-fold jump is a testament to the transformative educational reforms ushered by PM @narendramodi ji's government in the last decade. NEP 2020 is not just changing our educational landscape, it is revolutionising it," Pradhan said in a post on X.
"Matter of immense pride that India is also the fastest growing education system among G20 countries and the fourth most represented behind only the US, UK and China. Confident that with NEP&rsquo;s thrust on research, innovation and internationalisation, more Indian HEIs will scale global excellence in the times ahead," he added.
According to the rankings announced this morning, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi is the best-ranked Indian institution in QS World University Rankings for 2026 by climbing up to the 123rd spot with a record 54 universities and institutions from the country making it to the coveted list.
The coveted QS World University Rankings, published annually by Londoon-based global higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds, assess universities based on a variety of performance indicators, including academic reputation, faculty-student ratio, research impact, international student diversity, and graduate employability.
With eight new institutions added to the ranking this year, India now has 54 institutions included, making it the fourth most represented country behind only the US (192 institutions), the UK (90 institutions), and Mainland China (72 institutions).
No other country or territory has seen as many universities added to the ranking this year. Jordan and Azerbaijan are second most improved and have both seen six added in 2026 rankings.

Shubman Gill leads India in a Test series against England, focusing on improving his overseas batting record. Veteran advice and strategic coaching will shape India's performance.

Shubman Gill Faces Leadership Test Against England

Shubman Gill steps into his first series as India's Test captain against England, aiming to improve his batting record overseas. With seasoned players absent, this is a pivotal moment for Gill and the Indian cricket team as they face a challenging English series.

Shubman Gill, stepping in as India's Test captain, faces a leadership test against England. With key players absent, guidance focuses on his batting in challenging overseas conditions.

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik believes Shubman Gill is yet to grasp the full weight of responsibility that comes with leading the Indian Test side and has urged the young skipper to focus on his batting to gain respect within the dressing room.
India, entering a new era in Test cricket without stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin, will begin a five-match series in England under the leadership of 25-year-old Gill, his first assignment as captain in the longest format.
"First bit of information I want to give Shubman Gill is to put your captaincy hat on only while fielding. Focus on your batting.
"It is imperative for Gill to score to have respect in that dressing room. In SENA countries, as an Indian batter, his average is not something he is going to be proud of," Karthik said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
Gill, who has played 32 Tests, has struggled to convert starts in overseas conditions, particularly in SENA countries.
In cricket, SENA refers to South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
India last won a Test series in England in 2007 and Gill faces a formidable challenge in attempting to repeat that feat as a first-time captain.
"I don't think he has realised the enormity of what it means to be a Test captain for India as of now. He is walking into a lion's den. Coming to England as a cricketing nation is not easy," said Karthik who interviewed Gill recently.
"Luckily for Shubman Gill, the England bowling attack is very vulnerable. That is the only positive I see. England's batting will put India under pressure, but the bowling is an area that is still work under progress for England and that could play into India's hands." Karthik believes Gautam Gambhir's tactical acumen as a coach is top-notch but feels his aggressive approach might need fine-tuning in a coaching role.
Karthik has shared both dressing rooms and leadership spaces with Gambhir -- first as an India teammate and later under his mentorship at Kolkata Knight Riders.
"Tactically, Gauti (Gambhir) is a very good coach. Man management is the area that I am sure he would be looking at. But one thing about him is that he is looking out for his players which is massive." However, Karthik noted that Gambhir's intensity, which served him well as a captain, might not always translate smoothly to coaching.
"What I feel at times is that the way he is aggressive as a captain, you can't be as a coach. You are managing different individuals. Once you let them out in the park, you trust them to do the job. That is the challenge," Karthik said.

Indian mountaineer Falguni Dey, trapped in conflict-ridden Tehran, struggles to return home as Iranian airspace is closed and funds deplete. Contemplating a perilous escape, he appeals to authorities for urgent intervention amid rising uncertainties.

Indian Mountaineer Trapped in Tehran Amid Conflict

Falguni Dey, a mountaineer from Kolkata, is stranded in Tehran due to escalating conflict and grounded flights. With dwindling resources and a lack of evacuation plans, he's considering an overland escape to return to India, despite the associated risks.

Kolkata mountaineer Falguni Dey is stranded in Tehran amidst conflict, with funds depleting and no flights available. With a lack of an evacuation plan from authorities, he's contemplating a risky overland escape to Turkey or Armenia.

Forty-year-old Falguni Dey has barely slept during the last six nights. Stuck inside a hotel room in central Tehran, the assistant professor at Women&rsquo;s Christian College in south Kolkata and a mountaineer by passion, Dey is currently at his wit&rsquo;s end in figuring out how to return home.
Relentless sounds of explosions from Israeli war machines especially at night and sights of thick black smoke billowing from targets that have been hit in Teheran visible from his hotel window during the day, have only added to Dey&rsquo;s anguish and anxiety.
With no respite currently in sight and money running out quickly, the now-desperate adventure sports enthusiast is mulling a dangerous bid to escape Iran via the land route and cross over to an adjacent country like Turkey, Armenia Azerbaijan, Afghanistan or even Pakistan.
&ldquo;I had no intention of staying in Teheran for so long and I barely have money left with me to sustain at this hotel where I am stuck. I can&rsquo;t fetch money from home since banks here are closed. I am the only Indian in my hotel and I have no evacuation promises from the Indian government so far.
&ldquo;So, I have no choice but to take this decision of moving out by road and crossing over to a neighbouring country from where I can catch a flight back home. My local travel agent here has assured me of help in this,&rdquo; an exasperated Dey told PTI from Tehran.
He had reached Tehran on June 5 with an aim to conquer Mount Damavand, Asia&rsquo;s highest volcanic peak standing at an elevation of 5,610 metres in the northeastern fringes of the Iranian capital. This was Dey&rsquo;s third attempt at a volcanic summit after having previously successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Elbrus, the two highest dormant volcanoes in the eastern hemisphere.
Dey&rsquo;s hopes in Iran, however, remained unfulfilled after a nasty blizzard forced him to abandon the climb barely 400 meters below the summit.
&ldquo;I returned to Tehran with a heavy heart. But the moment I set foot in the city, I realised something here was terribly wrong. The city was being bombed and I was caught in the middle of an all-out war. I was scheduled to take my return flight the next day, but then the Iranian airspace had been shut down and all flights in and out of Tehran were cancelled,&rdquo; Dey said.
Asked whether he managed to contact the Indian embassy in Iran to inform the officials about his plight, the adventure tourist said he was in constant touch with the embassy, which hasn&rsquo;t been able to provide evacuation hopes so far and have, instead, laid down a set of protocols to follow.
&ldquo;I hear that there are some 10,000 Indians stuck in Iran, including nearly 4,000 students from Kashmir. But, I do not know any of them. Here I am all by myself and the embassy has asked me not to venture out far from my hotel. People here are going about their daily lives despite the bombings,&rdquo; Dey said.
But, the anxiety of his relatives back home in Kolkata's Jadavpur where he lives seems to have pushed Dey to take a call to escape Iran by any means possible.
&ldquo;The nearest international border is about a thousand kilometers away, and I understand that a lot of protocol and paperwork would be involved in crossing the land border. But, I have to take that chance since I am running out of means to stay put here, given there is no help from any quarters. I do not know which country I will be crossing over to, because that will depend on India&rsquo;s diplomatic relations with these neighbouring nations,&rdquo; he stated.
Dey also said it appears unlikely that the conflict would be resolved anytime soon.
&ldquo;I can see from my hotel window the drones shooting, and hearing loud sounds of explosions from both far and near. We can&rsquo;t sleep at night fearing that the next missile could land on this hotel. Any intervention from neutral powers to end the conflict also looks to be a distant dream. Hence, I must choose a feasible alternative to leave this country,&rdquo; the professor insisted.
The uncertainty over reopening of the Iranian airspace anytime soon, which remains indefinitely closed, even for a temporary period by forcing a ceasefire, has left countries like India in a tight spot in evacuating stranded citizens, Dey said.
&ldquo;The Indian embassy is doing its bit. It is updating the database of citizens, calling them up, issuing advisories and setting protocols. But that&rsquo;s not enough. I appeal to our Union government and our EAM S Jaishankar to actively intervene to get us out. I also appeal to the West Bengal government to do the needful in rescuing us,&rdquo; Dey added.
&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;⚠️&lt;br&gt;All Indian Nationals who are in Tehran and not in touch with the Embassy are requested to contact the Embassy of India in Tehran immediately and provide their Location and Contact numbers.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Kindly contact: +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109&lt;a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;@MEAIndia&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/India_in_Iran/status/1934821396913258719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;June 17, 2025&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;
Meanwhile, all Indians in Tehran were on Tuesday advised to move out of the city to safe locations and be in touch with the embassy, as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensified.
"All Indian Nationals who are in Tehran and not in touch with the Embassy are requested to contact the Embassy of India in Tehran immediately and provide their Location and Contact numbers. Kindly contact: +989010144557; +989128109115; +989128109109," the Embassy of India in Tehran said in a post on X.

India's U23 men's team prepares for Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers with friendlies against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, strengthening strategies.

India U23 Ramps Up for 2026 Asian Cup with Friendlies

India U23 men's team readies for 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers by playing vital friendlies against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic, honing their strategies.

India's U23 men's team will play friendlies against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic to prepare for the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers.

Preparing for the 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers, India U23 men's team head coach Naushad Moosa on Monday announced a 23-member squad, including three players from the senior side, for the upcoming friendly matches against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic.
The Blue Colts have been training at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata since June 1 and will leave for Tajikistan on Monday evening.
As part of their preparations for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in September, India will face Tajikistan on June 18 before squaring off against Kyrgyz Republic on June 21. Both matches will take place at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, about 25 kilometres from Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe.
"These two matches against Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic will help us understand the level of our players, and what more we need to add to it. For now, I'm happy with the way we have prepared. We won a couple of practice matches by big margins, but it wasn't much of a competition," said Moosa.
The camp began with 29 players, of whom 20 made the final list.
Moosa's squad was boosted by the addition of forward Suhail Ahmad Bhat, midfielder Ayush Chhetri and defender Tekcham Abhishek Singh, who joined the U23 camp after finishing their duties with the senior national team during the June FIFA window games against Thailand and Hong Kong.
"After these friendlies, we will get more understanding of our players and what else we need to work on. The opponents are of a pretty good level, I believe.
"It's important to play against such teams when you're preparing for the U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, where we will face Qatar and Bahrain," Moosa added.
India U23's 23-member squad for June friendlies in Tajikistan: Goalkeepers: Mohd Arbaz, Priyansh Dubey, Sahil.
Defenders: Bikash Yumnam, Dippendu Biswas, Muhammed Saheef AP, Nikhil Barla, Pramveer, Subham Bhattacharya, Tekcham Abhishek Singh.
Midfielders: Ayush Chhetri, Chingangbam Shivaldo Singh, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Macarton Louis Nickson, Mohammed Aimen, Vibin Mohanan, Vinith Venkatesh.
Forwards: Joseph Sunny, Mohammed Sanan K, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Thingujam Korou Singh.

The Indian men's hockey team aims to improve penalty corner conversions and avoid late goals as they prepare to face Argentina in the FIH Pro League, with crucial World Cup qualification points on the line.

India vs Argentina: FIH Pro League Anticipation

As India prepares to face Argentina in the FIH Pro League, improving penalty corners and avoiding late goal concessions are top priorities. With a World Cup berth in play, India is keen on securing a victory and strengthening their tournament standing.

India faces Argentina in the FIH Pro League, aiming to convert penalty corners better and avoid late goal concessions. They're fourth in standings with a World Cup spot at stake, focusing on performance improvement against a strong opponent.

Smarting from back-to-back defeats, the Indian men&rsquo;s hockey team will look to improve its penalty corner conversions and address the recurring issue of conceding late goals as it aims to bounce back against Argentina in the FIH Pro League here on Wednesday.
It has been a disappointing start to the European leg for India, as they suffered 1-2 and 2-3 defeats against the Netherlands in the two matches played in Amstelveen. On both occasions, India conceded late goals, allowing the matches to slip away from their hands.
Another area of concern has been the penalty corner conversion. India were guilty of squandering several opportunities, managing to convert just one out of the nine penalty corners earned during Monday&rsquo;s match.
With six matches still to be played in the competition, India currently occupies fourth in the standings with 15 points.
With a spot in next year&rsquo;s World Cup at stake, the Indian team will be determined to put up strong performances in the remaining fixtures.
The team is now preparing for its next challenge against Argentina here.
&ldquo;We are aware of the task at hand in the matches against Argentina. The team is working hard every day in training, and we are confident of doing well. Argentina is a strong team, and at this level, no match is easy,&rdquo; captain Harmanpreet Singh said.
The two teams have faced each other frequently in recent years, and India hold a favourable head-to-head record against Argentina.
At the Paris Olympics, the two sides played out an entertaining draw. However, in the Pro League 2023/24, India defeated Argentina twice -- the second win coming via a shootout.
"We are prepared for whatever comes our way. We've prepared well for this tournament and tried various combinations and strategies in the lead-up. We are confident of putting on a strong performance against Argentina," Harmanpreet said. India have never lost a regulation-time match to Argentina in the Pro League. The only defeat came in a shootout in 2022 in Bhubaneswar.
"The team has a good track record against Argentina, but we&rsquo;re not taking anything for granted. Those results are in the past &mdash; we need to perform in the present to stay on course for World Cup qualification," the Indian captain said.
"The team has been training well, and the coaching staff has been giving us a lot of encouragement. I&rsquo;m confident we&rsquo;ll deliver strong performances."

India's population will hit 1.46 billion by 2025, with a declining fertility rate. The young demographic offers economic potential if policies are optimized.

Indias Demographic Transformation by 2025

Projected to reach 1.46 billion by 2025, India's population is undergoing a demographic transformation. With declining fertility rates and a youthful workforce, the potential for economic prosperity is significant if policies are aligned with this dynamic demographic landscape.

India's population hits 1.46 billion, fertility falls

India to reach 1.46 billion by 2025. Declining fertility at 1.9 births per woman. Prominent youth demographic offers economic potential.

India's population is estimated to reach 1.46 billion in 2025, continuing to be the highest in the world, according to a new UN demographic report, which also revealed the country's total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement rate.
UNFPA's 2025 State of World Population (SOWP) Report, The Real Fertility Crisis, calls for a shift from panic over falling fertility to addressing unmet reproductive goals.
Millions of people are not able to realise their real fertility goals, it asserts.
This is the real crisis, not underpopulation or overpopulation, and the answer lies in greater reproductive agency&mdash;a person's ability to make free and informed 150 percent choices about sex, contraception, and starting a family, it says.
The report also reveals key shifts in population composition, fertility, and life expectancy, signaling a major demographic transition.
The report found that India's total fertility rate has declined to 1.9 births per woman, falling below the replacement level of 2.1.
This means that, on average, Indian women are having fewer children than needed to maintain the population size from one generation to the next, without migration.
Despite the slowing birth rate, India's youth population remains significant, with 24 per cent in the age bracket of 0-14, 17 per cent in 10-19, and 26 per cent in 10-24.
The country's 68 per cent of the population is of working age (15-64), providing a potential demographic dividend, if matched by adequate employment and policy support.
The elderly population (65 and older) currently stands at seven per cent, a figure that is expected to rise in the coming decades as life expectancy improves. As of 2025, life expectancy at birth is projected to be 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
According to the UN estimates, India's population at present stands at 1,463.9 million.
India is now the world's most populous nation, with nearly 1.5 billion people &ndash; a number expected to grow to about 1.7 billion before it begins to fall, around 40 years from now, the report said.
Behind these numbers are the stories of millions of couples who decided to start or expand their families, as well as the stories of women who had few choices about whether, when or how often they became pregnant, the report said.
In 1960, when India's population was about 436 million, the average woman had nearly six children.
Back then, women had less control over their bodies and lives than they do today. Fewer than 1 in 4 used some form of contraception, and fewer than 1 in 2 attended primary school (World Bank Data, 2020), the report said.
But in the coming decades, educational attainment increased, access to reproductive healthcare improved, and more women gained a voice in the decisions that affected their lives. The average woman in India now has about two children.
While women in India, and every other country, have more rights and choices today than their mothers or grandmothers did, they still have a long way to go before they are empowered to have the number of children they want, if any, when they want them.
The UN report placed India in a group of middle-income countries undergoing rapid demographic change, with population doubling time now estimated at 79 years.
"India has made significant progress in lowering fertility rates&mdash;from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to about two today, thanks to improved education and access to reproductive healthcare," said Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative.
"This has led to major reductions in maternal mortality, meaning millions more mothers are alive today, raising children and building communities. Yet, deep inequalities persist across states, castes, and income groups.
"The real demographic dividend comes when everyone has the freedom and means to make informed reproductive choices. India has a unique opportunity to show how reproductive rights and economic prosperity can advance together," she said.

The culture ministry on Monday shared a soft copy of the article, titled "A Decade of Dharma: Cultural Renaissance in the Modi Era", with reporters.

Cultural nationalism rises under the leadership of Modi government

India’s cultural roots drive progress in modern era

The culture ministry on Monday shared a soft copy of the article, titled "A Decade of Dharma: Cultural Renaissance in the Modi Era", with reporters.

India today no longer tiptoes around its identity and strides forward, "unapologetically rooted" and confidently modern, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said while asserting that cultural nationalism, once dismissed as "regressive", has emerged as the binding force of progress.
The minister, who holds the portfolios of culture and tourism, in an article written on the completion of 11 years of the Narendra Modi government has also highlighted the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the installation of the historic Sengol in the new building of Parliament.
The culture ministry on Monday shared a soft copy of the article, titled "A Decade of Dharma: Cultural Renaissance in the Modi Era", with reporters.
The "pran pratishtha" at the Ram temple in January 2024 was not just a "religious milestone", it was a "moment of civilisational redemption", Shekhawat said in his nearly-900-word piece.
"After centuries of invasion, colonial distortion and political delay, the temple stood tall -- etched in sandstone, echoing with mantras and pulsing with history. It wasn't just about architecture; it was about the healing of a wounded soul. The return of Shri Ram to his birthplace rekindled the spirit of a nation that had long carried the silence of exile in its heart," he wrote.
In his article, the Union minister also mentioned that the installation of the Sengol -- a sacred sceptre -- in the new Parliament building in May 2023 marked the "dharmic transfer of power".
"Its restoration was not just an act of remembrance, it was a powerful declaration that India would no longer view itself through borrowed eyes. The Sengol represented rule anchored in righteousness, not relics of empire, a decisive embrace of India's own statecraft and spiritual traditions, long overlooked in a post-colonial order," he said.
This is the third term of the Modi government after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA won the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
The swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union council of ministers was held on June 9 last year in the grand forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In the Modi government 3.0, Shekhawat serves as the Union culture and tourism minister, while Rao Inderjit Singh is the minister of state in the culture ministry and Suresh Gopi is the minister of state in the tourism ministry.
"From the outset in 2014, it was clear that under the Modi government, culture would no longer be ornamental, it would be foundational. International Yoga Day, first observed in 2015, saw millions across the globe celebrate an ancient Indian practice that fuses body, mind and spirit. Yoga was not just a wellness routine -- it became India's greatest cultural export of the past few years," Shekhawat wrote.
In the anniversary piece, he asserted that "India today no longer tiptoes around its identity".
"It strides forward, unapologetically rooted and confidently modern. Cultural nationalism, once dismissed as regressive, has emerged as the binding force of progress," the culture minister said.
Shekhawat underlined that in the "BJP's ideological compass, culture is not an accessory, it is the axis".
Laying emphasis on the call of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi", the Union minister said under the Modi government, this slogan "wasn't mere rhetoric".
"It defined a new vision where GDP growth, digital infrastructure and defence modernisation were inseparable from temple restoration, tribal pride and civilisational storytelling," he said.
"In these 11 years, the Modi era has not merely overseen a cultural policy, it has awakened a cultural consciousness. What began as restoration became resurgence. And what was once neglected as nostalgia has now become the nucleus of national identity," Shekhawat asserted in his article.

The Volleyball Federation of India will conduct pivotal elections this Saturday to establish a new governing body following an interim phase.

VFI Holds Crucial Elections for Leadership

VFI prepares for key elections to choose a new leadership team, an important moment for Indian volleyball, with significant positions at stake.

VFI elections on Saturday will determine new leadership for Indian volleyball, with 29 candidates vying for 12 key roles.

The Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) is set to conduct its long-awaited elections on Saturday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here following a directive from the Delhi High Court.
This marks a crucial step toward restoring an elected governing body after a period of interim governance.
A total of 66 representatives from 33 states and union territories affiliated with VFI will vote to elect a new governing body.
Twenty-nine candidates are contesting for 12 key positions, including five seats on the executive committee.
These include: President (1), Vice Presidents (2), Secretary General (1), Treasurer (1), Joint Secretaries (2), and Executive Committee Members (5).
The presidential race will see Anand Shankar Rajhans (Bihar), Prem Singh Bajor (Nagaland), and Virender Kanwar (Himachal Pradesh) face off.
For the post of secretary general, the candidates include Mohammad Akram Khan (Chhattisgarh), Nilesh Vishnu Jagat (Maharashtra), and Ramanand Choudhary (Rajasthan).
Hari Singh Chauhan (Madhya Pradesh) and Prakash Borah (Assam) will contest for treasurer's post, with six candidates in the fray for the two joint secretary posts and 11 for the five executive committee positions.
Voting will be conducted from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, followed by counting at 3:30 PM. The election is being overseen by Justice P. Krishna Bhat (Retd.), appointed as the returning officer by the court.
Reflecting on the interim phase, Rohit Rajpal, chairman of the VFI ad-hoc committee, said, "In the absence of an elected body, the ad-hoc committee worked relentlessly to maintain stability and drive progress in Indian volleyball." He added, "India's recent silver medal at the CAVA Men's Nations League &mdash; after victories over Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan &mdash; marks a significant achievement. Our global ranking has jumped from 168 to an estimated 45." To ensure full transparency, observers from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) will monitor the proceedings.
The FIVB delegation present for the elections will include: Steve Tutton, FIVB General Sports Director; Stephen Bock, FIVB Head of Legal and General Counsel; Hitesh Malhotra, FIVB Head of Volleyball Empowerment and NF Relations.

2024 saw a dramatic increase in hoax bomb threats to India's aviation sector, mostly through social media. The BCAS has strengthened protocols to manage these threats effectively.

Indian Aviation Sees Record Hoax Threats 2024

A record 1,019 hoax bomb threats rocked India's aviation sector in 2024. Most occurred via social media, causing major disruptions. The BCAS has enhanced measures to handle future threats efficiently.

In 2024, India's aviation sector saw an unprecedented rise in hoax bomb threats, mostly via social media, leading to substantial operational disruptions.

Hoax bomb threats made to the Indian civil aviation sector broke all records in 2024 as their number rose by more than 300 times over the last six years. Almost 60 per cent of these menacing messages were sent using social-media platform X, an official report has said.
A total of 1,019 such threats were received last year as compared to 330 such messages made during the preceding years between 2018 and 2023. The maximum of such messages, 687, were received in the month of October 2024, according to the report accessed by PTI.
Ninety-six such threats were received in June 2024, followed by 57 in April, 51 in November, with the numbers tapering during the rest of the months.
The highest number of such fraudulent threats were issued on X (611), followed by e-mails sent to airport operators, airlines and the CISF (281), verbal (47), phone calls (45), written (29) and text messages (six).
The threats were issued against more than 600 domestic and international flights of multiple Indian carriers, leading to a "major" operational and financial hit to the airlines, the passenger itinerary and comfort and a "mega" scrambling of the security paraphernalia.
PTI reported in October 2024 that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) under the Union civil aviation ministry has tweaked the procedures to convene the Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC) in the wake of these huge numbers of messages being sent over the social media.
The BTAC is a multi-agency platform of various agencies that is convened once a threat call linked to an airport or airline is received.
Of the 1,019 threats last year, agencies declared 86 per cent as non-specific or hoax, 8 per cent as specific or actionable and in the remaining 6 per cent, the BTAC was not convened, the report prepared by aviation security agencies said.
However, all such threats made in 2024 were finally declared hoaxes.
In all the cases, the security paraphernalia deployed at the airports was activated with "limited or full-scale" anti-sabotage and sanitisation checks being undertaken by security personnel and bomb-disposal teams along with sniffer dogs, a senior officer said.
A "peculiar" trend was noticed by the agencies last year as they found that the social-media handles used to issue such threats were "mostly" created minutes before the menacing posts were published. It was also found that multiple airlines and flights were tagged in a single such message posted on X, the report said.
This was an attempt to create "panic and scare" in Indian aviation. The civil aviation sector of any country is the most security-sensitive one and its robustness is directly linked to the country's image and its investment and tourism health, officials in the aviation-security domain said.
A senior officer said the airlines reported that they suffered an estimated Rs 3 crore loss due to each such hoax call that was acted upon in accordance with the standard operating procedures.
The social media-triggered hoax threat messages were purely a "misuse" of the online medium because it provides a fair amount of anonymity to the perpetrators as they deploy the veil of virtual private networks and internet protocol (IP) spoofing, the officials said.
According to the new guidelines issued by the BCAS in October last year, the BTAC will now adopt a "multi-layered" approach to assess threats, determine the "seriousness" of those issued on social media and satisfy themselves about the "credibility" of the sources.
Some additional questions will now be answered by the BTAC before categorising a threat as specific that would lead to the triggering of the established security protocols of diverting an aircraft, sending it to an isolation bay upon landing or just before taking off and conducting fresh anti-sabotage checks of the passengers and their belongings.
The BTAC is part of the Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP) of 2014 put in place by the civil aviation ministry to deal with bomb, sabotage and hijack threats to the Indian aviation sector, its assets and human resources.

England announces squad for the Test series against India with Ben Stokes as captain and Jamie Overton making a return. The series starts on June 20 at Headingley with Overton’s participation pending medical evaluation.

England Announces Squad for India Test Series

The ECB has announced its squad for the Rothesay Test Series against India, kicking off June 20 at Headingley. Ben Stokes resumes captaincy, with Jamie Overton recalled amid injury concerns. The series will conclude on August 4 at Kia Oval. Key players include Shoaib Bashir and Joe Root.

England announces squad for Test series against India. Ben Stokes leads; Jamie Overton recalled with injury concerns. Series starts June 20 at Headingley.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a 14-member squad for the opening match of the Rothesay Test Series against India, set to commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.&nbsp;
Ben Stokes will continue his captaincy role, while Jamie Overton has been recalled to the Test team. This marks Overton's potential return to the format following his debut at the same venue against New Zealand in June 2022. However, Overton's participation is uncertain as he remains under medical evaluation after fracturing his right little finger during the opening One-Day International against the West Indies at Edgbaston last week.
In addition to Overton, seam bowler Brydon Carse, batsman Jacob Bethell, and allrounder Chris Woakes have been recalled. These players were part of England's Test squad for their tour of New Zealand in December.&nbsp;
Unfortunately, allrounder Gus Atkinson was not considered for selection due to a hamstring injury sustained during last month&rsquo;s one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
England's series against India consists of five Test matches, with the final encounter scheduled for August 4 at the Kia Oval in London.
England squad Ben Stokes (c), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue and Chris Woakes.

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