News for 'universal'

Delhi University Halts St Stephen's Ex-Principal's Absorption

Delhi University Halts St Stephen's Ex-Principal's Absorption

Rediff.com29 May 2026

Delhi University has directed St Stephen's College to halt the absorption of former principal John Varghese into the English department, citing violations of UGC regulations and procedural errors.

Traders Threaten Cash Pushback Over New UPI Transaction Fee

Traders Threaten Cash Pushback Over New UPI Transaction Fee

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The central government has introduced a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, prompting traders' associations to advocate for cash payments to avoid additional costs on digital payments. This move ends the zero-Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) regime, with traders expressing concerns about operating on tight margins and the potential for increased charges.

Top Indian And International Archers To Compete In APL Season 2

Top Indian And International Archers To Compete In APL Season 2

Rediff.com12 Sep 2026

The second season of the Archery Premier League (APL) is set to commence on October 8 in Hyderabad, featuring a strong lineup of India's top archers, including Olympians Deepika Kumari and Atanu Das, alongside 12 international stars like world number one Marcus D'Almeida. The league will showcase 36 Indian archers competing in both recurve and compound categories, with a unique 15-second shot clock designed to enhance competition.

Indian Athletics Series Final: A Crucial Test For Asian Games Hopefuls

Indian Athletics Series Final: A Crucial Test For Asian Games Hopefuls

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Almost all of India's Asian Games-bound track and field athletes, including star steeplechaser Avinash Sable and javelin thrower Yashvir Singh, will participate in the Indian Athletics Series Final. This invitational event, featuring a total prize fund of Rs 65 lakh, serves as a crucial tune-up for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, with most of the 77-member squad competing.

'No dal, only water': What Delhi students put up with in PG accommodation

'No dal, only water': What Delhi students put up with in PG accommodation

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

A recent building collapse in Satya Niketan, Delhi, which killed seven people, has brought to light the dire living conditions faced by students in paying guest (PG) accommodations near Delhi University's South Campus. Due to a severe shortage of on-campus hostels, students are forced to pay high rents for cramped rooms with poor ventilation, inadequate facilities, and sub-standard food. The article details student experiences with non-functional amenities, mandatory food charges for poor quality meals, and the lack of support from student bodies, highlighting a systemic issue in student housing.

Why 9/11 Still Matters

Why 9/11 Still Matters

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

On the 25th anniversary of that world-changing morning in New York, it is also for the rest of to reflect. Not only on those who were killed but also on why the event happened and what led to it and what came after it, asserts Aakar Patel.

St Stephen's College Installs New Principal Despite University Objections

St Stephen's College Installs New Principal Despite University Objections

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

St Stephen's College has scheduled the commissioning and installation service of its newly appointed principal, Susan Elias, despite an ongoing dispute with Delhi University over alleged non-compliance with UGC regulations.

Scored 97% In MHT-CET. Which Colleges Can I Get?

Scored 97% In MHT-CET. Which Colleges Can I Get?

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

rediffGURU Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with over 30 years of experience, addressed readers' queries and offered practical advice on how to make the right decision.

4 Rivers 6 Ranges Review: A Brave Drama

4 Rivers 6 Ranges Review: A Brave Drama

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

4 Rivers 6 Ranges finds its strongest moments in the moral conflict between non-violence, survival and the fight for freedom.

Modi-Xi Meet: Why The Road Ahead Is Tough

Modi-Xi Meet: Why The Road Ahead Is Tough

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

'Xi is conveying that China is a pre-eminent power, and India should modulate its actions or approaches accordingly.'

VHP bars Muslims from garba, dandiya; issues Aadhaar, tilak guidelines

VHP bars Muslims from garba, dandiya; issues Aadhaar, tilak guidelines

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has announced that Muslims will be barred from participating in 'garba' and 'dandiya' events during the upcoming Navratri festival in Maharashtra. The organisation has also issued guidelines for organisers, including checking Aadhaar cards and applying 'tilak' to verify Hindu identity, citing the religious nature of the festival.

Tennis and military service: Korea's players face tough choice

Tennis and military service: Korea's players face tough choice

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

South Korean male professional tennis players face a unique challenge: mandatory military service, which interrupts their careers for 18 months. This article explores how players like Seong-chan Hong, Hyeon Chung, and Soonwoo Kwon adapt to this obligation, with some earning exemptions through sporting achievements while others navigate a return to the professional circuit after their service.

'OG' to 'flex': Modi uses GenZ lingo in SRCC address

'OG' to 'flex': Modi uses GenZ lingo in SRCC address

Rediff.com6 Sep 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi employed Gen Z-friendly phrases like "OG" and referenced the film 'Dhurandhar' during his address at Delhi University's Shri Ram College of Commerce. This move, 13 years after a previous impactful speech at the same venue, is part of a broader strategy by the BJP to connect with younger audiences, contrasting India's past challenges with its current global standing.

Be vigilant, avoid confrontation: HAF's alert for RSS chief's NYC event

Be vigilant, avoid confrontation: HAF's alert for RSS chief's NYC event

Rediff.com27 Aug 2026

A US-based Hindu advocacy group, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), has issued a community alert for attendees of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's event in New York. The alert advises attendees to avoid confrontation with opposing activists and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement, amidst planned protests by groups like Hindus for Human Rights.

Modi, Xi Struggle To Break Stalemate

Modi, Xi Struggle To Break Stalemate

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

Xi brought in asymmetrical power play by stating that India should have 'strategic cognition' and 'strategic judgement made on the basis of the stage of development the two countries are at'. This is a very nuanced way of asserting China's coercive diplomatic posture and reflects Beijing's penchant to unleash border instability at will, restrict rare earth metal exports, exert pressure on India at global and regional orders, asserts China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

Malayalam Filmmaker R Sarath Passes Away

Malayalam Filmmaker R Sarath Passes Away

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Malayalam filmmaker R Sarath, celebrated for his distinctive contributions to cinema including the award-winning Sayahnam, has passed away in Thiruvananthapuram.

Govt inks pact with 4 spiritual bodies to boost 'drug-free India' drive

Govt inks pact with 4 spiritual bodies to boost 'drug-free India' drive

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

The Indian government has expanded its Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan by signing agreements with four spiritual organisations. These partnerships aim to enhance grassroots awareness, prevention, recovery, and social mobilisation efforts against substance abuse, leveraging the extensive reach of these groups.

Why Janhvi Kapoor, Kalyani Priyadarshan Say, 'Watch Your Back'

Why Janhvi Kapoor, Kalyani Priyadarshan Say, 'Watch Your Back'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Why should the front of your outfit get all the attention? Celebrities are turning around the traditional jewellery rulebook and proving that the back can be just as glamorous, dramatic and deserving of a close-up.

'Modi Played A Lot Of Cricket'

'Modi Played A Lot Of Cricket'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

'Modi had his own cricket team in his school days. He was a good cricketer.'

Lucknow University Investigates Professor For Misconduct

Lucknow University Investigates Professor For Misconduct

Rediff.com18 May 2026

Lucknow University has formed a disciplinary committee to investigate assistant professor Paramjeet Singh following allegations of misconduct, including inappropriate conversations with a student and leaking examination papers.

Student among 4 hurt as sound system collapses at Yash's 'Toxic' event

Student among 4 hurt as sound system collapses at Yash's 'Toxic' event

Rediff.com23 Aug 2026

Four individuals, including a student, were injured when a sound box system collapsed during the pre-release event for actor Yash's film 'Toxic' at Malla Reddy University in Hyderabad. The incident occurred after attendees climbed the structure, leading to a police case against the event organisers and university management.

Mamdani opposes RSS chief's Madison Square event, but can't stop it

Mamdani opposes RSS chief's Madison Square event, but can't stop it

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has voiced his opposition to the upcoming event at Madison Square Garden where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat is scheduled to address the Indian diaspora. Mamdani, however, noted that the city might lack jurisdiction to cancel the private event, which has also drawn protests from various interfaith and civil rights organisations.

Understanding The New UPI Transaction Fees For Merchants

Understanding The New UPI Transaction Fees For Merchants

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% transaction fee on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payments exceeding Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, marking the end of nearly six years of free service. Person-to-person transfers and small-value transactions below Rs 2,000 remain free. The new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is capped at Rs 300 for transactions above Rs 75,000, with differentiated rates for essential sectors and investments, and safeguards to prevent costs from being passed to consumers.

Justice Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice despite Mann govt's objections

Justice Mishra sworn in as Chief Justice despite Mann govt's objections

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, despite strong objections from the Punjab government. The Mann government claimed the appointment bypassed constitutional norms and procedures, leading to a political tussle with the Centre, which defended the process.

Nepal: One Week On, Bodies Still Being Recovered

Nepal: One Week On, Bodies Still Being Recovered

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

One week ago, on August 26, 2026, deadly flash floods and mudslides devasted Nepal. Powerful floodwaters and landslides tore through river towns, leaving behind widespread destruction and grief. Rescue efforts across the affected districts continue even as hopes fade of finding survivors.

India Is A Maritime Nation In Geography, Not In Mindset

India Is A Maritime Nation In Geography, Not In Mindset

Rediff.com15 Sep 2026

India may have a vast coastline and a strategic location, but it will become a true maritime nation only when its people understand, value and actively participate in the maritime ecosystem, asserts Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta (retd).

Why Delhi University Students Are Protesting Exam Schedule

Why Delhi University Students Are Protesting Exam Schedule

Rediff.com27 May 2026

Students affiliated with the All India Students' Association (AISA) protested against Delhi University's decision to conduct examinations on Eid-ul-Azha, alleging manhandling by security personnel. The university has stated that exams will proceed as scheduled, despite criticism and a High Court order offering relief only to law students.

'Bhupen Hazarika Is An Emotion'

'Bhupen Hazarika Is An Emotion'

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

'The Bard of the Brahmaputra's voice carried Assam's spirit, stories and dreams far beyond its shores.'

Satya Niketan Collapse: The Aftermath

Satya Niketan Collapse: The Aftermath

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

Scenes from the aftermath of the five-storey building collapse in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University's South Campus.

How Poetry Is Making Physics Easier To Understand

How Poetry Is Making Physics Easier To Understand

Rediff.com26 Aug 2026

A retired physics professor from Rajasthan University, Rishi Kumar Singhal, is making complex physics concepts accessible and engaging by teaching them through Hindi poetry and songs. His initiative, "Physics Through Poetry," involves four books containing around 250 poems that explain topics like rocket propulsion, black holes, and the Raman Effect, making learning easier for students from Class 12 to MSc level.

Swastika Ghosh Felicitated For Commonwealth Gold Medal Win

Swastika Ghosh Felicitated For Commonwealth Gold Medal Win

Rediff.com19 Aug 2026

International table tennis player Swastika Ghosh, a Commonwealth gold medallist, was felicitated by the University of Mumbai for her role in India's gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. She has also been selected for the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award and the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships.

Salesforce To Sponsor Gukesh-Sindarov World Title Match

Salesforce To Sponsor Gukesh-Sindarov World Title Match

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Salesforce has entered a multi-year partnership with FIDE, becoming the title sponsor for the 2026 and 2028 World Championship Matches and the 2027 Women's World Championship Match, and integrating its AI solutions to enhance FIDE's operations, player rankings, and fan engagement.

Will follow Centre's Vande Mataram Protocol: Kerala CM

Will follow Centre's Vande Mataram Protocol: Kerala CM

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan stated that the state government adheres to Central protocol for Vande Mataram recitation when the President, Vice-President, or Prime Minister attend official functions, despite his party's internal policy. This clarification follows a controversy and protests from the CPI(M) and SFI regarding the full rendition of the national song at a recent state event.

Delhi building collapse: Death toll rises to 7; 12 rescued

Delhi building collapse: Death toll rises to 7; 12 rescued

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

A 50-year-old multi-storey building in Delhi's Satya Niketan area collapsed, resulting in six deaths and 11 rescues. The incident occurred during repair work, prompting a police case against the building owner and a magisterial inquiry.

How UPI Integration In Uzbekistan Benefits Indian Travellers

How UPI Integration In Uzbekistan Benefits Indian Travellers

Rediff.com31 Aug 2026

NPCI International and Uzbekistan's NIPC have partnered to enable UPI payments across Uzbekistan, allowing Indian tourists, business travellers, and students to make instant merchant payments using the UZQR code. This agreement, approved by RBI and CBU, integrates UPI with Uzbekistan's national payment system, HUMO, facilitating direct P2M payments from Indian bank accounts and reducing reliance on foreign exchange or international cards.

IIMT University Student Death Sparks Suicide Investigation

IIMT University Student Death Sparks Suicide Investigation

Rediff.com20 May 2026

A 23-year-old MBA student died after falling from her hostel building at IIMT University in Meerut, India, prompting a police investigation and student protests.

Criticism Of RBI's Swap Scheme Is Uncalled For

Criticism Of RBI's Swap Scheme Is Uncalled For

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

It is important to understand that the rupee's appreciation, driven by the 2013 special swap scheme, reduced India's import costs for petroleum, oil, and gold, points out Dr Ashwani Mahajan, National Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagaran Manch.

Tiangong Ultra: How China's humanoid robot shattered Usain Bolt's 100m record

Tiangong Ultra: How China's humanoid robot shattered Usain Bolt's 100m record

Rediff.com28 Aug 2026

A made-in-China humanoid robot, Tiangong Ultra, has shattered Usain Bolt's 100-metre sprint world record, completing the distance in 8.64 seconds compared to Bolt's 9.58 seconds. While a significant technological advancement, experts note the robot's running style differs greatly from humans, highlighting both its strengths in speed and areas where it still lags, such as decision-making and perception.

Former Delhi chief secy Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide at his residence

Former Delhi chief secy Rakesh Mehta dies by suicide at his residence

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Former Delhi chief secretary Rakesh Mehta, who served under ex-chief minister Sheila Dixit, has allegedly died by suicide at his Noida residence. Police recovered a suicide note citing 'mental and health issues' as reasons. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, was 74 and had been credited with significant infrastructure projects in Delhi during his tenure from 2007 to 2010.

UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants to attract 0.4% MDR from Oct 15

UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants to attract 0.4% MDR from Oct 15

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective October 15. This move ends nearly six years of fully free UPI payments, though person-to-person (P2P) transfers and small P2M payments remain free. The charges aim to bolster investment in UPI infrastructure, with specific exemptions and caps for essential sectors.