News for 'The Union'

NEET-UG Re-Exam On June 21; Computer-Based Test From 2027

NEET-UG Re-Exam On June 21; Computer-Based Test From 2027

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the NEET-UG re-examination will be held on June 21, with plans to transition to a computer-based test from next year. This decision follows allegations of irregularities in the original exam, prompting strict action and a commitment to ensuring fairness for students.

Why V D Satheesan Will Be A Good Kerala Chief Minister

Why V D Satheesan Will Be A Good Kerala Chief Minister

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Senior Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan expressed confidence in V D Satheesan's ability to lead Kerala as Chief Minister, citing his vision, competence, and strength. Other Congress leaders have also expressed their views on the new CM.

Kerala CM row: Satheesan meets sulking Chennithala; UDF begins govt talks

Kerala CM row: Satheesan meets sulking Chennithala; UDF begins govt talks

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Kerala's Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan visited senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, emphasising their close relationship and seeking blessings for his new role.

Hansraj College Reviews Suspension Of Students After Fest Unrest

Hansraj College Reviews Suspension Of Students After Fest Unrest

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Hansraj College in Delhi is reconsidering the suspension of 30 students after protests, following alleged misconduct during the college fest and social media activity. The college disciplinary committee met to hear the students' sides, and a decision is expected soon.

Centre to resume talks with Ladakh groups on May 22 amid statehood demand

Centre to resume talks with Ladakh groups on May 22 amid statehood demand

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to convene a meeting of the sub-committee for political dialogue with representatives of agitating Ladakh groups on May 22, according to Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.

PMK urges Modi to ban cigarette sales to future generations

PMK urges Modi to ban cigarette sales to future generations

Rediff.com2 May 2026

PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to implement a legislative ban on the sale of cigarettes to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009, aiming to create a smoke-free generation in India.

Delhi sees surge in crimes against Scheduled Tribes in 2024

Delhi sees surge in crimes against Scheduled Tribes in 2024

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Delhi recorded four cases of 'crimes and atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs)' in 2024, up from two reported in 2023, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data.

How India Brought Back Notorious Drug Trafficker From Turkiye

How India Brought Back Notorious Drug Trafficker From Turkiye

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The Narcotics Control Bureau secured the return of drug trafficker Mohammad Salim Dola from Turkiye, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Lakhimpur Kheri Trial Delay

Supreme Court Expresses Concern Over Lakhimpur Kheri Trial Delay

Rediff.com8 May 2026

The Supreme Court has expressed disappointment over the delay in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence case trial due to the non-production of witnesses, directing the presiding judge to ensure their presence and expedite the proceedings.

Vijay meets Stalin ahead of crucial floor test in TN

Vijay meets Stalin ahead of crucial floor test in TN

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met with his predecessor, DMK President MK Stalin, at his residence in Alwarpet, Chennai, ahead of a crucial floor test for the government. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, occurred after Vijay's criticism of the previous DMK regime's debt burden.

Kerala assembly election results an example of communal harmony: Tharoor

Kerala assembly election results an example of communal harmony: Tharoor

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor cited the Kerala Assembly election results as an example of communal harmony, highlighting instances where voters looked beyond caste and religion.

2 more chip packing units to come up by December: Vaishnaw

2 more chip packing units to come up by December: Vaishnaw

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that two more semiconductor chip packaging units, part of the India Semiconductor Mission, are expected to be operational by July and December, respectively. He also highlighted India's focus on becoming a beneficiary of AI technology, expanding data centre infrastructure with significant investments, and developing new subsea cable networks for global connectivity.

'Indians Are Not Buying Too Much Of Gold'

'Indians Are Not Buying Too Much Of Gold'

Rediff.com19 May 2026

'Even last year, when India bought gold, the physical quantity was much less than the previous years.'

Nine ministers sworn in along with Vijay in Tamil Nadu

Nine ministers sworn in along with Vijay in Tamil Nadu

Rediff.com10 May 2026

Actor Vijay has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, marking a significant shift in the state's political landscape. His party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), secured a notable victory in its debut election, ending the dominance of DMK and AIADMK.

India Vows To Fight Terrorism After Pahalgam Attack Anniversary

India Vows To Fight Terrorism After Pahalgam Attack Anniversary

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

Union ministers paid tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on its first anniversary, reaffirming India's commitment to combating terrorism with a firm and zero-tolerance policy.

Amul, Mother Dairy hike milk prices by Rs 2/litre, intensifying inflationary pressures

Amul, Mother Dairy hike milk prices by Rs 2/litre, intensifying inflationary pressures

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Amul and Mother Dairy, India's largest dairy product retailers, have increased milk prices by Rs 2 per litre, marking the second such hike in 13 months. This move is expected to intensify inflationary pressures, already fuelled by global conflicts, and will impact household budgets across the country.

Leh body wants direct talks with Amit Shah during his Ladakh visit

Leh body wants direct talks with Amit Shah during his Ladakh visit

Rediff.com27 Apr 2026

The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has requested direct talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his upcoming visit, deeming the scheduled sub-committee meeting insufficient for resolving Ladakh's long-standing issues.

How India Plans To Boost Its Sports Culture

How India Plans To Boost Its Sports Culture

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya released the Srinagar Khel Sankalp document, outlining a national vision to strengthen sports culture through cooperative federalism, focusing on athlete-centric development and infrastructure expansion.

Bihar Government Offers Compensation To Slain Delivery Worker's Family

Bihar Government Offers Compensation To Slain Delivery Worker's Family

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 12 lakh for the family of Pandav Kumar, a delivery worker from Bihar who was shot dead in Delhi. The compensation includes Rs 8 lakh from the Labour Resources Department and Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The incident has sparked political debate in Bihar.

Marie-Louise Eta scripts history as Bundesliga's first female head coach

Marie-Louise Eta scripts history as Bundesliga's first female head coach

Rediff.com13 Apr 2026

Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as interim coach following the dismissal of Steffen Baumgart, making her the first female head coach in Bundesliga history.

Suvendu Adhikari: From Mamata's confidant to archnemesis

Suvendu Adhikari: From Mamata's confidant to archnemesis

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Suvendu Adhikari's rise within the BJP in West Bengal has been marked by strategic victories and relentless opposition to the TMC, culminating in his leadership role within the party's legislative wing.

Haryana's Child Crime Rate Highest Among States: NCRB Data

Haryana's Child Crime Rate Highest Among States: NCRB Data

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Congress leader Kumari Selja expresses concern over the NCRB report highlighting a surge in crimes against children in Haryana, urging the state government to take immediate action.

BJP win 'immoral': Mamata claims over 100 seats were looted

BJP win 'immoral': Mamata claims over 100 seats were looted

Rediff.com5 May 2026

TMC leader Mamata Banerjee has criticised the BJP's victory in the West Bengal state elections, calling it 'immoral' and alleging that the mandate in over 100 seats was 'looted'. She also criticised the Election Commission's role.

Punjab CM Blames BJP For Blasts, BJP Demands Evidence

Punjab CM Blames BJP For Blasts, BJP Demands Evidence

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the BJP of orchestrating recent blasts in the state, alleging it's part of their strategy for the upcoming assembly elections. The BJP has strongly refuted these claims, demanding proof or Mann's resignation, while the state DGP suggests Pakistani ISI involvement.

Guntas Kaur Sandhu To Lead India At Queen Sirikit Cup

Guntas Kaur Sandhu To Lead India At Queen Sirikit Cup

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Guntas Kaur Sandhu will lead the Indian team at the Queen Sirikit Cup, a prestigious Asia-Pacific amateur team championship in Indonesia.

Were The West Bengal Elections Fair?

Were The West Bengal Elections Fair?

Rediff.com7 May 2026

The extent of doubts over the fairness of this election can be assessed by juxtaposing two figures: Total votes polled by the two principal parties and the number of people who were disallowed from voting this time, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Digital Access, Data Governance Remain Challenges For India's DPI

Digital Access, Data Governance Remain Challenges For India's DPI

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran highlights the challenges of digital access, data governance, interoperability, and cyber security in India's digital public infrastructure (DPI), despite its world-class scale.

Modi touches feet of 98-year-old Makhanlal Sarkar in Bengal. Who is he?

Modi touches feet of 98-year-old Makhanlal Sarkar in Bengal. Who is he?

Rediff.com9 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated senior BJP worker Makhanlal Sarkar at a swearing-in ceremony in West Bengal. Sarkar, 98, is an early grassroots figure associated with the nationalist movement. Suvendu Adhikari took oath as the state's first BJP Chief Minister after defeating Mamata Banerjee.

Left falls in Kerala, UDF storms back to power; BJP wins 3 seats

Left falls in Kerala, UDF storms back to power; BJP wins 3 seats

Rediff.com4 May 2026

Initial vote counting in the Kerala Assembly elections indicates a significant lead for the Congress-led UDF, suggesting a potential shift in power.

Modi trims convoy to save fuel, pushes EV use; guvs, BJP CMs follow suit

Modi trims convoy to save fuel, pushes EV use; guvs, BJP CMs follow suit

Rediff.com13 May 2026

A downsizing in the prime minister's convoy was implemented in his recent domestic visits, official sources said.

Himanta Biswa Sarma: From AASU to BJP's Northeast face

Himanta Biswa Sarma: From AASU to BJP's Northeast face

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Himanta Biswa Sarma's return as Assam's Chief Minister underscores the BJP's increasing dominance in the northeast, marked by both development and divisive policies.

RSP Unhappy With Congress Over Kerala CM Selection Delay

RSP Unhappy With Congress Over Kerala CM Selection Delay

Rediff.com13 May 2026

The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), a key ally in the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, has voiced its discontent with the Congress party over the prolonged delay in selecting a Chief Minister for Kerala, describing the situation as a 'political uncertainty' that is 'unfortunate'.

V D Satheesan: Opposition Firebrand to Kerala CM

V D Satheesan: Opposition Firebrand to Kerala CM

Rediff.com14 May 2026

V D Satheesan, a 61-year-old lawyer-turned-politician, has emerged as a prominent figure in Kerala politics, known for his aggressive opposition to the Left government and his role in revitalising the Congress party. His journey from student politics to a key leadership position highlights his strategic acumen and dedication to addressing local issues.

Mamata Banerjee Claims BJP Using All Resources To Win Bengal Election

Mamata Banerjee Claims BJP Using All Resources To Win Bengal Election

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of deploying its entire machinery, including Union ministers and NDA-ruled state CMs, to defeat her party in the West Bengal assembly elections. She also criticised the BJP's promises to migrant workers and alleged the misuse of central forces during the polls.

Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 cr for Parliament

Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 cr for Parliament

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget allocates Rs 1,492 crore for the functioning of both Houses of Parliament, with specific provisions for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, and related secretariats.

AAP Government Faces Criticism Over Punjab Security Lapses

AAP Government Faces Criticism Over Punjab Security Lapses

Rediff.com6 May 2026

Opposition parties have criticised the AAP government in Punjab following twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, citing a breakdown in law and order and intelligence systems. The blasts have sparked a political blame game, with accusations flying between the AAP and BJP.

Congress picks Satheesan as next Kerala CM; swearing-in on May 18

Congress picks Satheesan as next Kerala CM; swearing-in on May 18

Rediff.com15 May 2026

The Congress party has announced VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of speculation. The decision was revealed at a press conference in New Delhi.

How India Brought Back Dawood Aide Salim Dola

How India Brought Back Dawood Aide Salim Dola

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has successfully secured the return of Mohammad Salim Dola, a known international drug trafficker and associate of Dawood Ibrahim, from Turkiye.

Bombay HC Asks Centre To Decide On Padma Award For Wrestler Jadhav

Bombay HC Asks Centre To Decide On Padma Award For Wrestler Jadhav

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

The Bombay High Court has directed the Union government to decide by May 4 on posthumously conferring the Padma Vibhushan award to wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first individual Olympic medallist.

'It's Not Modi's Rupee That Benefits. It's India's Rupee That Benefits'

'It's Not Modi's Rupee That Benefits. It's India's Rupee That Benefits'

Rediff.com18 May 2026

'In all these years of rupee depreciation, of rising oil prices, of inflation caused by import dependence, not one leader had the courage to look the people in the eye and say: Please do this for your country.'