News for 'Civil Services'

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Deep State And Beyond: The Rise of Conspiracy Theories

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

From bhikshus of Ashokan 3rd century BC and medieval Sufis to Oxfam, Omidyar and Soros now, non-State actors have any real power only when they work in conjunction with a real State, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

'Pakistan's Retaliation Will Invite More Indian Attacks'

'Pakistan's Retaliation Will Invite More Indian Attacks'

Rediff.com9 May 2025

'The Pakistani State has to realise that the pigeons have come home to roost.'

Schools shut, leaves cancelled, blackout in many states as tensions soar

Schools shut, leaves cancelled, blackout in many states as tensions soar

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Several Indian states bordering Pakistan have implemented stringent security measures, including school closures, blackouts, and cancellation of leave for police and administrative personnel, in response to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. These measures were taken after India conducted airstrikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and West Bengal have all implemented these precautionary measures.

Cops recover pistol used by Puja Khedkar's mother

Cops recover pistol used by Puja Khedkar's mother

Rediff.com20 Jul 2024

Police booked Puja's parents Manorama and Dilip and four others after a video surfaced showing her allegedly threatening some persons with a gun over a land dispute at Dhadwali village in the district's Mulshi tehsil in 2023.

Got unconditional bail hours after judicial remand: PK

Got unconditional bail hours after judicial remand: PK

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

Police personnel removed him and his supporters from the protest site as they were holding the demonstration near a restricted area, and thus it was "illegal", a senior officer said.

SC judges make assets public, CJI owns 2015 Maruti Swift

SC judges make assets public, CJI owns 2015 Maruti Swift

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India has made public the asset details of its judges, including Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna who has Rs 55.75 lakh in a fixed deposit, a three-bedroom DDA flat in south Delhi, and a four-bedroom apartment measuring 2,446 square feet in the Commonwealth Games Village. The court has also uploaded the complete process of appointments to the high courts and the Supreme Court on its website for public awareness.

6 more killed in Assam flood; Manipur, Mizoram battle rain fury, lakhs hit

6 more killed in Assam flood; Manipur, Mizoram battle rain fury, lakhs hit

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

The rain and flood situation in northeastern states remained grim on Tuesday, with lakhs people affected in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, even as the meteorological department predicted more rain in several parts of the region.

If we can create Bangladesh...: Ramdev on safety of Hindus

If we can create Bangladesh...: Ramdev on safety of Hindus

Rediff.com7 Aug 2024

'I fear that India will need to remain vigilant so that the honour and dignity of the mothers, sisters and daughters of our Hindu brothers are not at stake. The entire country will have to stand with its minority Hindu brothers with full strength'

UPSC to go hi-tech with AI, facial recognition for cheat-free exams

UPSC to go hi-tech with AI, facial recognition for cheat-free exams

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

The Commission has desired to incorporate Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication (else digital fingerprint capturing) and facial recognition of candidates, scanning of QR Code of e-admit cards and monitoring through live AI-based CCTV video surveillance, it said.

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrants against Hasina, son in land case

Bangladesh court issues arrest warrants against Hasina, son in land case

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

A court in Bangladesh has issued fresh arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her son Sajeeb Wajed, and 16 others in two cases related to alleged irregularities in allocating residential plots on the outskirts of the capital. The warrants were issued based on chargesheets filed by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), which alleges that Hasina and her family members illegally acquired plots in Purbachal New Town by abusing state power. The court has ordered police to submit a report by April 29 on the progress of executing the warrants. This is the latest in a series of legal actions against Hasina and her family members since her Awami League regime was toppled last year in a student-led mass uprising.

IAS officer Puja Khedkar's disability certificates to be probed

IAS officer Puja Khedkar's disability certificates to be probed

Rediff.com16 Jul 2024

The 34-year-old Maharashtra cadre officer faces accusations of using fraudulent means to clear her civil services exam, including allegedly misrepresenting herself under the physical disabilities and OBC categories, and misusing power and privileges during her posting in Pune.

'Putin Is The Biggest Child Kidnapper'

'Putin Is The Biggest Child Kidnapper'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

'Parents are forced to provide their children to Russian re-education camps in occupied territories and in different parts of Russia, for example, in Chechnya, where Ukrainian children wearing military uniform are taught to use weapons.'

Why removing govt officers isn't easy

Why removing govt officers isn't easy

Rediff.com17 Nov 2023

Compulsory retirement is part of a half-yearly exercise now for cases where government wants to weed out officers, but without taking the disciplinary proceedings route.

How Puja Khedkar obtained disability certificate

How Puja Khedkar obtained disability certificate

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Dr Puja Khedkar had obtained a partial 'locomotor disability' certificate from a hospital at Pimpri in Pune district in August 2022, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Two women among 12 held so far in 3 states on espionage charges

Two women among 12 held so far in 3 states on espionage charges

Rediff.com19 May 2025

While six of them have been held from Punjab, five were nabbed from neighbouring Haryana, and one from Uttar Pradesh.

Now Delhi's UPSC coaching hub in Mukherjee Nagar faces MCD action

Now Delhi's UPSC coaching hub in Mukherjee Nagar faces MCD action

Rediff.com29 Jul 2024

A similar drive will later be carried out across the city against establishments operating illegally from basements, the official said.

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

History in Minutes: Major Who Saved Tawang From China

Rediff.com21 Mar 2025

Major Khathing was the first man to hoist the Indian flag in Tawang. He also brought Bum La under Indian control.

'Criminal negligence': Cong on Delhi coaching centre deaths

'Criminal negligence': Cong on Delhi coaching centre deaths

Rediff.com28 Jul 2024

The Congress on Sunday called for fixing accountability over the death of three IAS aspirants due to waterlogging in a building in Delhi with Rahul Gandhi asserting that common people are paying the price for irresponsibility of institutions at every level.

'Asim Munir Should Be Declared A War Criminal'

'Asim Munir Should Be Declared A War Criminal'

Rediff.com10 May 2025

'Asim Munir Is A War Criminal'

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'You can be sure that the Pakistanis knew when the Indian Air Force aircraft took off, which type these were, and what their likely targets were.' 'The question was: How would they determine that the IAF wanted to fire, and when to bounce them?', notes Shekhar Gupta.

Civil Aviation Ministry opposes hike in service tax

Civil Aviation Ministry opposes hike in service tax

Rediff.com26 Apr 2012

Ahead of the passage of the Finance Bill in Parliament, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh is understood to have shot off a letter to the Finance Ministry protesting the proposal on the grounds that the move would not only hit passengers but spell more trouble for the airlines which were already reeling under severe financial stress.

'Wake up, act': Delhi HC to administration on coaching centre deaths

'Wake up, act': Delhi HC to administration on coaching centre deaths

Rediff.com17 Sep 2024

It is time for the administration to wake up from 'deep slumber' and take appropriate steps to address the condition of Delhi's coaching centres, the Delhi high court has said, while granting interim bail till November 30 to four co-owners of the basement of an Old Rajinder Nagar building that housed a coaching centre where three civil services aspirants drowned in July.

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar likely to be sacked

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar likely to be sacked

Rediff.com12 Jul 2024

Probationary Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, who is at the centre of a controversy over alleged misuse of power and privileges, may be terminated from service if found guilty, official sources said on Friday.

Facing media trial, will reveal the truth: Puja Khedkar

Facing media trial, will reveal the truth: Puja Khedkar

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

Probationary Indian Administrative Service officer Puja Khedkar, who is in the eye of a storm for alleged misuse of power and manipulating disability and OBC quotas, sidestepped questions related to the ongoing probe against her on Monday, saying the truth will eventually prevail, while the Pune police searched for her parents in a separate criminal case.

Maha IAS officer joins Washim office amid row, uses official vehicle

Maha IAS officer joins Washim office amid row, uses official vehicle

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

Controversial IAS officer Puja Khedkar on Thursday took charge as an assistant collector at the Washim district collectorate in Vidarbha region, but declined to comment on the flurry of claims that she used illegal means to clear her civil services exam.

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Almost all pending ideological tasks completed: Amit Shah

Rediff.com23 Jan 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asserted that the Narendra Modi government has "almost all" completed its ideological tasks, including the abrogation of Article 370, and will continue on the same path in its third tenure. Shah, a senior BJP leader, was speaking at the Hindu Spiritual & Service Fair in Gujarat, where he highlighted the government's achievements in areas such as the Ram Temple construction, abolition of triple talaq, and the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand. He also emphasized the government's success in promoting Yoga internationally and repatriating stolen idols of Hindu deities. Shah lauded Hindu temples and organizations for their service to society, especially their contributions to education and healthcare for the poor.

'Nitish Kumar Is Playing The Last Over Of His Last Match'

'Nitish Kumar Is Playing The Last Over Of His Last Match'

Rediff.com27 May 2025

'If his health was good he would have become CM again after polls.' 'Those who are with Nitish Babu today will remain with him till the elections to use his name for votes and would definitely play games with him after the polls.'

'Many people thought I'd never clear the exam'

'Many people thought I'd never clear the exam'

Rediff.com9 Aug 2023

'When I saw my name in the list, it was unbelievable.'

Services secretary More 'falls in line' after show cause notice: Delhi govt

Services secretary More 'falls in line' after show cause notice: Delhi govt

Rediff.com16 May 2023

More was issued a memo by services minister Saurabh Bhardwaj on May 13, seeking him to show cause and threatening disciplinary action against him for allegedly not complying with a direction for his transfer and "going incommunicado".

Delhi govt challenges Centre's ordinance in SC

Delhi govt challenges Centre's ordinance in SC

Rediff.com30 Jun 2023

The Delhi government on Friday moved the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the ordinance on control of services, saying it is an 'unconstitutional exercise of executive fiat' that attempts to 'override' the top court and the basic structure of the Constitution.

India downgrades diplomatic ties with Pak, suspends Indus Water Treaty

India downgrades diplomatic ties with Pak, suspends Indus Water Treaty

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and firmed up the responses to the terror attack.

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Ambedkar's legacy sparks fierce political clash on his birth anniversary

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

The birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, whose political influence has surged with the passage of time, on Monday was marked by bitter trading of charges between the ruling BJP and opposition parties as they fought for his legacy.

Zero Se Restart Review: Riveting

Zero Se Restart Review: Riveting

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

Zero Se Restart is a must watch for cinema students, and also, perhaps for the layperson who has never been on a film set, and is curious about what goes into the making of a movie, recommends Deepa Gahlot.

Treat transgenders only as special category for job, education: HC

Treat transgenders only as special category for job, education: HC

Rediff.com13 Jun 2024

Justice V Bhavani Subbaroyan in an order passed on June 12, 2024 said in 'every employment and educational avenues,' the government shall prescribe separate norms for transgenders.

US sanctions Indian national for shipping Iranian oil

US sanctions Indian national for shipping Iranian oil

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

The US has sanctioned an Indian national based in the United Arab Emirates and two India-based entities for operating as part of Iran's shadow fleet and involved in shipping Iranian oil. The US Department of the Treasury said Jugwinder Singh Brar, who owns multiple shipping companies, operates as part of Iran's shadow fleet, which the US said is used to evade sanctions and transport Iranian oil. Brar also owns or controls India-based shipping company Global Tankers Private Limited and petrochemical sales company B and P Solutions Private Limited. The sanctions come as part of a US campaign of maximum pressure on Iran and target the country's petroleum and petrochemical sectors.

U'khand UCC: Religious certificate must for live-in partners only if...

U'khand UCC: Religious certificate must for live-in partners only if...

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

A religious certificate will only be required for live-in relationship registrations in Uttarakhand under the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) if the partners have a pre-existing relationship falling under the prohibited category. This was clarified by a member of the rules drafting committee for the UCC, Manu Gaur. The UCC applies to all residents of the state, irrespective of their religion, and bans polygamy and child marriage.

SC slams HC for sacking woman judge over miscarriage

SC slams HC for sacking woman judge over miscarriage

Rediff.com4 Dec 2024

The Supreme Court of India has criticized the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision to sack a woman judge due to performance concerns, without considering the impact of a miscarriage on her ability to work. The court questioned the lack of similar criteria for male judges and highlighted the mental and physical trauma associated with a miscarriage. The case involves six women civil judges who were terminated by the state government over alleged unsatisfactory performance. While the high court reinstated four judges, the fate of the other two, including the judge who suffered a miscarriage, remains uncertain. The Supreme Court has issued notices to the high court registry and the judicial officers involved, seeking clarification on the termination criteria and emphasizing the importance of considering factors beyond quantitative performance assessments.

Republic Day: CRPF awarded highest number of 21 gallantry medals

Republic Day: CRPF awarded highest number of 21 gallantry medals

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been awarded the highest number of police gallantry medals, 21, including two Shaurya Chakras, on the eve of Republic Day. A total of 95 bravery medals were awarded to personnel from state and central police forces, fire service, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services. The CRPF's medals included 11 for operations in Jammu and Kashmir, seven for anti-Maoist operations, and one for an operation in the northeast. The second-highest number of medals went to Uttar Pradesh (17), followed by Jammu and Kashmir (15), Chhattisgarh (11), and the Border Security Force (5).

How To Crack UPSC 2023

How To Crack UPSC 2023

Rediff.com17 Feb 2023

It is recommended to allocate a minimum of 3 to 4 hours for studying over the weekdays and maximise effort during the weekends, suggests Sarmad Mehraj, teacher and VP, product (UPSC) at BYJU'S.

Maha IAS officer resigns from service, says feeling dumped in backyard

Maha IAS officer resigns from service, says feeling dumped in backyard

Rediff.com5 Jul 2022

The senior bureaucrat, before being transferred to MEDD, was the collector of Kolhapur and had handled the 2019 floods that ravaged the western Maharashtra district.