April 2026 visa bulletin brings good news for Indians green card The employment-based green card process continues to attract applicants for Indians. For EB-2 and EB-3 India, the filing dates have been extended to January 15, 2015, a significant jump compared to the March 2026 visa bulletin, where EB-2 India was only on November 1, 2014. Although the movement is only for two months, immigration experts said it is huge as such onward movement was not seen in recent years. The waiting time for green cards in these categories is more than 10 years but the backlog is now gradually increasing. On final action dates, EB-2 India has reached 15 July 2014, a jump of almost ten months from the previous position of September 2013 to March 2026. Immigration lawyer Rahul Reddy said, “This is not just incremental movement. This is real progress.” “If your priority date is before January 15, 2015, and USCIS allows the use of dates for filing charts, you may be eligible to file your I-485 now. This means access to EADs, advance parole, and job flexibility, which are major benefits for thousands of Indian professionals stuck in the backlog. For those waiting for approval, the forward motion in final action dates signals that USCIS is proactive. This is often a leading indicator of more movement in the coming months,” Reddy explained. For many other countries (not India), there is no visa backlog in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories. The employment-based second preference category is EB-2, which is for highly skilled people such as engineers, doctors, data scientists and researchers. EB-3 is an employment-based third preference category for mid-level IT workersThis steady movement comes as the US has so far banned many countries from obtaining green cards. As a result, spillover green cards are coming to countries where wait times are longer, such as India. “This type of progress does not happen randomly. It generally indicates that visa number utilization is being managed more efficiently or that demand has decreased slightly, both of which can benefit Indian applicants in the short term. But let’s be clear. This is not the end of the backlog problem. This is a positive window, not a permanent solution. Don’t celebrate too early, but don’t sit idle either. This is the window that smart applicants use,” Reddy explained.

What is Visa Bulletin? Why is it monitored so closely

The US State Department releases a monthly update that tells people when they can get a US Green Card. The bulletin shows three main dates: the final action date is the date when your green card can actually be approved; Filing date is the date when you can submit your application form; The priority date is the date your employer starts your green card process. Visa bulletins are closely monitored as there is massive backlog in countries like India and China. The movement of dates cannot be predicted; Some months there is no movement at all.

New Delhi: Union minister Ramdas Athawale on Tuesday said the upcoming Census 2027 presents a “historic opportunity” to collect accurate data on all 21 recognized categories of disability and enable targeted policymaking for persons with disabilities. Speaking at the launch of the handbook titled ‘Beyond the Visible: A Handbook on Disability Inclusion for Parliamentarians’, Athawale said the exercise would be the first census to be conducted after the enactment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He emphasized that better enumeration and disaggregated data will help the government to design effective interventions and ensure better inclusion of persons with disabilities. Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, said, “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 was a landmark reform, which recognized 21 disabilities, moved from a welfare-based to a rights-based approach and aligned India with the UNCRPD. For the first time, the law explicitly recognized political barriers as a major barrier for persons with disabilities.” The Minister also mentioned key government initiatives such as Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan, Unique Disability ID (UDID) portal, skill development programs under PM-DAKSH and health care efforts under Ayushman Bharat, which aim at mainstreaming persons with disabilities. Athawale said the launch of the handbook prepared by the National Center for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP) and Bajaj Finserv and Tuesday’s roundtable discussion will mainstream the discussion on disability rights and inclusive policymaking in Parliament and outside. NCPEDP Executive Director Arman Ali said the handbook aims to help lawmakers translate legal provisions into actionable policy and overcome barriers faced by persons with disabilities. He said, “This book will help translate the RPWD Act into real legislative action and make inclusion a lived reality in Indian democracy.” Citing the findings of a recent NCPEDP survey, Ali stressed the need for more inclusive health care policies, saying that more than 80 per cent of persons with disabilities do not have health insurance due to high premiums, exclusion from disability-related treatments and denial of coverage. “Under PM Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive healthcare, schemes like Ayushman Bharat should explicitly include persons with disabilities and provide comprehensive, lifelong support including assistive devices, rehabilitation and disability-specific care. “The government is committed to removing these barriers so that no disabled person has to face huge out-of-pocket expenses,” Ali said. The event also saw a panel discussion on inclusive health coverage and political participation, which was attended by MPs and political leaders including ET Mohammad Bashir, parliamentary member of the Central Advisory Board on Disability, Lok Sabha MP Eatala Rajender, Rajya Sabha MP Fauzia Khan, BJP spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan, BJP youth wing vice president Neha Joshi and NCP (SP) spokesperson Aneesh Gawande.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: उत्तर प्रदेश के वाराणसी में बीच गंगा नदी में नाव पर इफ्तार पार्टी आयोजित करने का मामला विवादों में घिर गया है. सोमवार को हुई इस घटना का वीडियो सोशल मीडिया पर तेजी से वायरल हो रहा है. वीडियो सामने आने के बाद लोगों ने गंगा की पवित्रता पर नाराजगी जताई है. आरोप है कि इफ्तार के दौरान नाव पर चिकन बिरयानी परोसी गई और खाने के बाद बचा हुआ खाना और हड्डियां गंगा नदी में फेंक दी गईं. मामले को लेकर शिकायत भी दर्ज कराई गई है और पुलिस ने जांच शुरू कर दी है. प्रशासन का कहना है कि गंगा की पवित्रता से जुड़ी किसी भी गतिविधि पर सख्त कार्रवाई की जाएगी.

नाव पर इफ्तार पार्टी का वीडियो हुआ वायरल
जानकारी के मुताबिक, सोमवार को कुछ युवक गंगा नदी के बीच में एक नाव पर इकट्ठा हुए और वहां इफ्तार पार्टी की. इस दौरान कथित तौर पर चिकन बिरयानी परोसी गई. सोशल मीडिया पर वायरल हो रहे वीडियो में देखा जा सकता है कि युवक नाव पर बैठकर इफ्तार कर रहे हैं. आरोप है कि खाना खत्म होने के बाद हड्डियां समेत बचा हुआ खाना नदी में फेंक दिया गया. वीडियो सामने आने के बाद कई लोगों ने इसे गंगा की पवित्रता के खिलाफ बताया और नाराजगी जताई. खासकर रमज़ान के दौरान ऐसी घटनाएं धार्मिक भावनाओं का मुद्दा बन गईं.

शिकायत के बाद पुलिस ने जांच शुरू कर दी है
इस मामले को लेकर भारतीय जनता युवा मोर्चा के महानगर अध्यक्ष रजत जयसवाल ने कोतवाली थाने में शिकायत दर्ज कराई है. शिकायत में आरोप लगाया गया है कि एक समुदाय के कुछ युवाओं ने गंगा के बीच नाव पर इफ्तार करते समय मांसाहारी खाना खाया और उसका बचा हुआ खाना नदी में फेंक दिया, जिससे धार्मिक भावनाएं आहत हुईं। शिकायत मिलने के बाद पुलिस ने वायरल वीडियो की जांच शुरू कर दी. जांच के दौरान प्रथम दृष्टया वीडियो सही पाया गया। इसके बाद पुलिस ने वीडियो में दिख रहे युवक की पहचान की.

14 लोगों के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज
कोतवाली एसीपी ध्रुव प्रताप सिंह ने बताया कि इस मामले में 14 लोगों के खिलाफ मामला दर्ज किया गया है. सभी आरोपियों के खिलाफ संबंधित धाराओं के तहत मामला दर्ज कर लिया गया है और जांच आगे बढ़ाई जा रही है. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि जरूरत पड़ी तो आरोपियों को गिरफ्तार कर जेल भेजा जायेगा. फिलहाल पुलिस पूरे मामले की जांच कर रही है और घटना से जुड़े सभी पहलुओं पर गौर किया जा रहा है.

नगर निगम ने जताया कड़ा एतराज
घटना को लेकर वाराणसी नगर निगम ने भी कड़ी आपत्ति जताई है. नगर निगम के पीआरओ ने कहा कि इस तरह का कृत्य बेहद आपत्तिजनक है और गंगा की पवित्रता को प्रभावित करता है. उन्होंने कहा कि गंगा की पवित्रता बनाए रखने के लिए नगर निगम के बायलॉज में स्पष्ट नियम बनाए गए हैं। इन नियमों के तहत गंगा घाटों या नदी में कोई भी गतिविधि धार्मिक भावनाओं और स्वच्छता के मानकों को ध्यान में रखते हुए की जानी चाहिए। प्रशासन का कहना है कि भविष्य में ऐसी घटनाओं को रोकने के लिए निगरानी और सख्ती बढ़ाई जाएगी, ताकि गंगा की पवित्रता और लोगों की आस्था को किसी भी तरह से नुकसान न पहुंचे.

us President donald trump On Tuesday he stressed that the US does not need support from its allies as it continues military operations against Iran, declaring that the country is “by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world and they don’t need anyone’s help!”In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that many NATO allies have refused to participate in the US-led military operation. He wrote, “The United States has been informed by the majority of our NATO ‘allies’ that they do not wish to join our military campaign against Iran’s terrorist regime in the Middle East, despite the fact that almost every country strongly agrees with what we are doing, and that Iran cannot be allowed to possess nuclear weapons in any way, shape, or form.”He added, “However, I am not surprised by their actions, because I have always considered NATO, where we spend hundreds of billions of dollars a year defending these same countries – we will defend them, but they will do nothing for us, especially, in our time of need.”The US President also claimed significant military success against Iran. “Fortunately, we have destroyed Iran’s military, their navy is gone, their air force is gone, their anti-aircraft and radar are gone and perhaps, most importantly, their leaders, at almost every level, are gone, never to threaten us, our Middle Eastern allies or the world again!” He said that in view of these developments, America’s dependence on allies is no longer necessary. “Due to the fact that we have had such military success, we no longer ‘need’ or desire the assistance of NATO countries, we never did! Likewise, Japan, Australia or South Korea. In fact, speaking as the President of the United States, by far the most powerful country anywhere in the world, we don’t need anyone’s help!”Trump’s comments come amid apparent strain in Washington’s relations with its allies, after several countries reacted cautiously or rejected his call to deploy warships to escort merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

A senior US counterterrorism official has resigned in protest over the Trump administration’s handling of the war with Iran, becoming the most senior person to break ranks amid rising tensions in the Middle East.National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) Director Joseph “Joe” Kent announced Tuesday that he is stepping down from his role, saying he can no longer support a conflict he believes is neither appropriate nor necessary. Kent was appointed to the post by US President Donald Trump in July 2025. He said in a resignation letter posted on his social media account that Iran posed “no imminent threat to our nation.” He said that the United States had entered the war under pressure from “Israel and its powerful American lobby”.The National Counterterrorism Center is the U.S. government’s central hub for analyzing and integrating intelligence related to terrorist threats. As its director, Kent was responsible for coordinating the data and assessments that are meant to inform national security decisions. His departure therefore raises questions about internal disagreements and the importance given to intelligence assessments in the decision to engage militarily with Iran.Kent is a former U.S. Army Warrant Officer and Green Beret with 20 years of military service, including eleven combat deployments. After retiring from the army, he served as a paramilitary officer in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He later entered politics, running unsuccessfully for Congress in Washington State in 2022 and again in 2024.The war between the United States and Iran began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched major airstrikes on Iran, targeting military sites and killing senior Iranian leaders, and Iran responded with missiles and drones against the US. and allied forces in the area.Republicans and the MAGA base claim that Iranian actions threaten US assets and allies in the Middle East, while most Democrats argue that there is no clear evidence of an immediate attack on US interests.In his statements, Kent said he “cannot in good conscience support an ongoing war in Iran,” and reiterated his view that verified threat assessments in the conflict lack a solid basis.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta attends ‘Nari Utsav’ in Nirmal Chhaya

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday attended the ‘Nari Utsav’ event organized at Nirmal Chhaya Complex, where she paid tribute to the strength and contribution of women in nation building. He said that women through their dedication, selfless service and sense of duty are playing leading roles in all fields and taking the country towards the goal of Developed India 2047.During his visit, the Chief Minister visited the Nirmal Chhaya Complex and reviewed various schemes, services and facilities. She also launched and evaluated several initiatives of the Women and Child Development Department, reiterating the commitment of the Delhi Government to the overall empowerment of women and children.CM Gupta said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women are scaling new heights – from rural industries to corporate sectors, and from politics to the armed forces – and added that the Delhi government is working in the same direction to make women more empowered and self-reliant.Emphasizing on safety, respect and self-reliance as the three pillars of women empowerment, Gupta said every woman deserves a safe environment, respect in all circumstances and the opportunity to be economically independent.He also announced that the upcoming Delhi Budget to be presented on March 24 will include key initiatives for women and girls. Highlighting the importance of Self Help Groups (SHGs), he said that women in Delhi will be provided employment and entrepreneurship opportunities through small group-based models. She also stressed the need to expand platforms like ‘Mahila Haat’ to help women showcase and sell their products.The Chief Minister said that the government’s focus is not just on launching schemes, but on ensuring their effective implementation so that benefits reach every needy person. He underlined the shared responsibility of the society in ensuring that no one remains hungry, unemployed or neglected.After the program, Gupta conducted a detailed inspection of Nirmal Chhaya Complex. He visited After Care Home for Women, Balika Grih and Bal Niketan to ensure that the residents are getting proper care, safety and facilities. He interacted with the children, distributed bags and essential items and reviewed the arrangements related to safety, nutrition and overall care while issuing necessary instructions to the officials.Rekha Gupta also visited Sankalp Hub, where activities related to women safety, awareness and empowerment were conducted mission power Were displayed. At the SHG-run ‘Mahila Haat’, she reviewed local products and exhibitions, including nutritious millet-based dishes.Interacting with women trained under the WCD-DSEU programme, the Chief Minister appreciated the launch of SHG-run canteens at 10 locations and described it as a strong model for promoting women entrepreneurship.Gupta further inspected the ‘Samarth Anganwadi’, where advanced infrastructure, multidimensional activities and health and wellness services were showcased. She reviewed preventive health checkups, wellness counseling and menstrual hygiene awareness programs for women.During the programme, the Chief Minister launched several key initiatives including a compendium of schemes related to women and children and the WCD newsletter. They also distributed health mix kits to pregnant and lactating mothers, provided incentives to Anganwadi workers and launched the Juvenile Justice Management Information System (JJMIS) portal to improve child-centric service delivery.Under the ‘Give to Gain’ initiative, he called for stronger collaboration between the government and the private sector to increase Anganwadi centers and child care institutions. The initiative will support the installation of sanitary napkin vending machines, infrastructure upgrades, expansion of mobile health services and new programs for women and children along with creating livelihood opportunities for women and self-help groups.The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government is fully committed to empowering women, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children and upliftment of the weaker sections of the society. He said that when women are empowered, both the society and the nation become stronger and Delhi is moving strongly in that direction.

मार्च माह में चकराता क्षेत्र में हुई बर्फबारी ने मौसम का मिजाज बदल दिया है। सीजन की तीसरी बर्फबारी के बाद ऊंचाई वाले इलाकों में तापमान में गिरावट दर्ज की गई है. सात साल बाद बर्फबारी से एक बार फिर पूरे इलाके का मौसम जनवरी जैसा ठंडा हो गया है.

रविवार देर रात देवबन, खड़ंबा, मुंडाली और मोइला टॉप समेत ऊंचाई वाले इलाकों में चालू सीजन की तीसरी बर्फबारी हुई। हालांकि ज्यादा बर्फबारी नहीं हुई, लेकिन इसके बाद पूरे इलाके में ठंड बढ़ गई है. बर्फ की सफेद चादर के कारण ऊंची पहाड़ियों का नजारा बेहद आकर्षक लग रहा था. इससे पहले 5 मार्च 2019 को मार्च महीने में चकराता की ऊंची पहाड़ियों पर बर्फबारी हुई थी. बर्फबारी से स्थानीय लोगों और पर्यटकों में उत्साह का माहौल है. स्थानीय निवासी बलबीर सिंह, राजेंद्र सिंह और बाबूराम ने बताया कि मार्च में बर्फबारी के कारण चकराता का मौसम लंबे समय तक ठंडा रहने की संभावना है। साथ ही क्षेत्र की फसलों को भी फायदा होगा।

अगले 24 घंटे में तापमान में और गिरावट की संभावना

कृषि विज्ञान केंद्र के प्रभारी वैज्ञानिक डॉ. एके शर्मा ने बताया कि मौसम विभाग से मिली जानकारी के अनुसार अगले 24 घंटे में ठंडी हवाएं चलने और तापमान में और गिरावट होने की संभावना है। फिलहाल क्षेत्र का अधिकतम तापमान 14 डिग्री और न्यूनतम तापमान चार डिग्री सेल्सियस रिकार्ड किया गया है.

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