New Delhi: Taking another major step towards signing the Rafale deal, India has issued a Letter of Request (LoR) to France to finalize the mega defense deal worth around Rs 3.25 lakh crore for 114 Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force.“The letter of request was issued to French authorities last week by the acquisition branch of the Defense Ministry,” a source said. times of India. LOR is a formal government-to-government document used to initiate defense procurement, often under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program or similar international agreements.Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh arrived in France on Monday and during his 4-day visit, he is likely to talk about the proposed agreement and visit the French facilities of Dassault Aviation where the fighter planes will be manufactured. After the Air Force chief, PM Modi is expected to visit France in mid-June and the Rafale deal is expected to figure in his discussions with the French leadership.It is expected that the French side will respond to India’s LOR or tender in the next 2 to 3 months. The final contract, which is expected by the end of this year, will be signed after final price negotiations and approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security.Under the proposed deal, 90 to 94 Rafale jets will be manufactured in India by French manufacturer Dassault Aviation in partnership with an Indian company under the Make in India initiative and the rest will be delivered in fly-away condition.Apart from the deal for 114 Rafale jets, the Navy is separately purchasing 26 Rafale maritime aircraft from Dassault for carrier operations, the agreement for which was signed on April 28 last year. The IAF is already operating 36 Rafales received under a September 2016 inter-governmental agreement.India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, under which 114 fighter jets will be procured, aims to address the critical capability gap in the Indian Air Force and check the declining strength of its fighter squadrons, which have shrunk from the ideal 42.5 squadrons to a worrying 29, which are required to effectively deal with the two-front security threat from Pakistan and China.The Defense Acquisition Council had approved the Indian Air Force’s proposal to purchase 114 Rafale jets four months ago. As part of the deal, it will be the first time that Rafale aircraft will be manufactured outside France with about 50% localisation.

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Tuesday opened the online portal for Class 12 students to apply for verification of issues and revaluation of answers found in the scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets. This facility, available only to students who have already received scanned copies of their answer sheets, will be open till midnight on June 6.CBSE announced that Aadhaar verification has been introduced as a mandatory security measure in the latest registration process.The notice said that in cases where children do not have an Aadhaar number, the Aadhaar details of a parent, relative or legal guardian can be used in their place. However, it is mandatory that the name, date of birth and gender entered in the system must exactly match that of the person whose Aadhaar number is being provided.

How to apply for revaluation?

Announcing the launch of the portal, CBSE said students can log in through their accounts on the board’s website and select one or both of the services depending on their requirements. The board has clarified that candidates will be required to enter the Aadhaar number while accessing the portal. In cases where a student’s own Aadhaar is unavailable, the Aadhaar name, date of birth and gender entered in the application must match that of the person whose Aadhaar number is being used.The board said students can seek correction of issues identified in the scanned copies of answer sheets or request revaluation of specific answers if they are not satisfied with the assessment. After completion of the process CBSE will scrutinize the requests and declare the result.No offline applications will be accepted and requests submitted after the prescribed deadline will not be considered, the board said.The fee for verification of problems in scanned answer sheets has been fixed at Rs 100 per answer sheet, while revaluation will cost Rs 25 per question. Payment can be made through UPI, Credit Card, Debit Card or Net Banking.

verification issues

Students can apply for resolution of problems noticed in the scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets, including:

CBSE said that students can select multiple issues and subjects in a single application. However, only one application will be allowed for verification of issues.The Board has advised the candidates to ensure that all the requests are included before clicking on the “Freeze and Proceed to Payment” option, as the details cannot be modified later. Applications will be considered submitted only after successful online payment.

What are the rules for revaluation?

Students can also apply for revaluation of one or more questions in multiple subjects by providing details like question number and page number.CBSE said that all desired requests should be incorporated before final submission, as only one revaluation application will be allowed. Once the application is submitted and payment is initiated, no edits can be made.The board said that revaluation requests will be processed only after successful online payment through the portal.

Important FAQs Answered

Who can apply for verification or revaluation?Only those students are eligible who have already received the scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets.When is the application window open?From 2nd June to 6th June 2026 till midnight.Can applications be submitted offline?No, the entire process including fee payment is online.What documents are required for login?Students will need their Aadhaar number to access the portal.Can students apply for multiple subjects?Yes. Multiple topics and requests can be included in a single application.Can details be changed after submission?No, once the “Freeze and Proceed to Payment” button is clicked, the details are locked and cannot be edited.How many applications are allowed?Only one application each is allowed for verification and revaluation of issues.What are the fees?Rs 100 per answer sheet for verification of questions and Rs 25 per question for revaluation.How can students track their requests?After submission, students can download their application form and monitor its status through the portal.

According to an official gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday, foreign nationals coming to India will now have to complete their registration before the expiry of 180 days from arrival in the country if they wish to extend their stay.Taking a strict stance on delayed registrations, the notification said that registration after the stipulated period will be allowed only in emergency circumstances. The new provision replaces the earlier rule which allowed registration within 14 days after the expiry of the 180-day period from arrival in India.The Home Ministry notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026 under Section 30 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The amended rules came into force with immediate effect and revised registration timelines, emergency provisions, reporting requirements and appeal mechanisms.Clarifying the provisions relating to the status of children and citizenship, the notification said that the requirement of registration will not apply where one of the parents is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain the Indian citizenship of the child under the Citizenship Act, 1955.However, if a child acquires foreign citizenship while living in India, one of the parents must inform the registering officer within 30 days of such acquisition.The notification also modifies certain reporting requirements, standardizing compliance timelines to a 24-hour window.In a significant procedural change, the amended rules introduce a digital appeal mechanism. Persons aggrieved by the directions issued by the civil authorities may file an appeal before the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration within 30 days through a designated online portal.As per the rules the Commissioner has to provide an opportunity of being heard to the party concerned and endeavor to dispose of the appeal by passing a reasoned order within 60 days from the date of receipt of the appeal.The amendments aim to streamline compliance processes, tighten norms for delayed registration, and strengthen monitoring of immigration-related processes.

New Delhi: Concerned over the possibility of patients getting infected with HIV and viral hepatitis through unsafe medical procedures, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed medical colleges across the country to tighten injection safety practices, warning that such infections are completely preventable but can occur if basic safety measures are ignored.In a nationwide advisory, the medical education regulator said unsafe injection practices could lead to outbreaks of blood-borne infections, including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and asked institutions to ensure strict compliance with infection prevention and control norms.The Commission has ordered all medical colleges to use only sterile, single-use needles and syringes and strictly prohibit their re-use under any circumstances. It has also directed hospitals to strengthen hand hygiene practices and ensure proper segregation and disposal of injection-related waste.Calling patient safety a “non-negotiable mandate”, the NMC said there should be zero tolerance for practices like re-use of syringes, unsafe vial sharing, recycling of needles and improper disposal of sharps.This advice is important as India administers millions of injections every day in public and private health facilities. Public health experts have long warned that a single lapse in injection safety could expose many patients to potentially life-threatening infections.To further reduce the risks, the NMC has advised medical colleges to gradually adopt safety-engineered auto-disable syringes that cannot be reused. The institutions have also been asked to conduct periodic training and competency assessments for healthcare workers handling injections and other invasive procedures.The regulator has directed hospitals to report any clusters of needle-stick injuries and infections for investigation. Hospital authorities have also been asked to ensure post-exposure prophylaxis for healthcare workers as per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines and conduct regular audits through infection-control teams.The advisory underscores the growing concern among health officials that preventable health care-associated infections remain a threat to patient safety and that strict adherence to standard protocols is the most effective defense against the transmission of blood-borne diseases.

DKS with Rahul Gandhi (Image/PTI)

New Delhi: Chief Minister Nominee of Karnataka DK Shivakumar On Tuesday he expressed his gratitude to the Gandhi family for playing a decisive role in his political journey and vowed to continue working with honesty and commitment to building a progressive, inclusive and prosperous state.In a post on His comments come as he is scheduled to take oath as the next Chief Minister of Karnataka tomorrow after the resignation of Siddaramaiah on May 28.Reflecting on the role of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in his early political career, Shivakumar said he often thinks about how Rajiv Gandhi recognized his potential when he was still a young party worker.He wrote, “I often remember Shri Rajiv Gandhi Avru, who saw the potential in a young worker even before I saw the potential in him. His encouragement gave me the confidence to dream big and dedicate myself to public service. The greatest leaders are those who recognize the potential in others and inspire them to exceed their own expectations. That is exactly what Rajiv Gandhi did for me.”Karnataka Congress leader also gave credit to former Congress President Sonia Gandhi For standing by him during the difficult phases of his political journey and saying that he taught him an important lesson about leadership.“Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Avru taught me another important lesson in leadership. True leaders don’t just stand by you during moments of success; they stand by you during your toughest times, providing strength, encouragement and unwavering support. Her faith in me during the challenging stages of my journey is something I will always cherish,” said Shivakumar.Praising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Shivakumar described him as a constant source of inspiration and guidance who has inspired leaders through his commitment to democratic values ​​and inclusive politics.He wrote, “Shri Rahul Gandhi has been a constant source of guidance and inspiration. His willingness to listen, his strong belief in democratic values, and his vision for a more inclusive and compassionate India continue to inspire leaders like me. His support has been a strong pillar throughout my public life.”Shivkumar also praised Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, saying that her friendly nature and encouragement have always been given great importance.He said, “Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Avru has always been friendly, warm and encouraging. She has treated every worker with respect and dignity, reminding us that politics is ultimately about connecting with the people and understanding their aspirations. Her guidance and encouragement have always been deeply valued.”He said, “As someone who started off as a grassroots activist and has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading Karnataka today, I am extremely grateful for their trust and encouragement. Under their leadership and with the blessings of the people of Karnataka, I will continue to work with sincerity and commitment to building a progressive, inclusive and prosperous Karnataka that reflects the values ​​for which we collectively stand.”Shivkumar is scheduled to take oath Chief Minister of Karnataka On Wednesday at the Glass House located at Lok Bhavan. Karnataka Congress working president GC Chandrasekhar had recently confirmed that the swearing-in ceremony would be conducted in a simple manner.

Shashi Tharoor (file photo)

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday fueled the debate on singing of Vande Mataram by questioning whether the national anthem should be sung in full at every public function. Describing such a requirement as “unnecessary and burdensome” for audiences, Tharoor said respect for Vande Mataram should not be confused with making its full presentation mandatory on every occasion.His comments come amid the growing controversy over the demand for playing the full version of the national anthem at official functions. Speaking to reporters, the senior Congress leader said that although everyone respects Vande Mataram, it is difficult to justify the need to sing the entire song at every event.Referring to the commonly sung part of the song, he said, “Vande Mataram is the national song and when it is sung we stand in respect. The first stanza, or the first few stanzas, is something most people know by heart.”The senior Congress leader said it has been a tradition for a long time that Vande Mataram is sung once at the beginning of any program and often the national anthem is played separately at the end. He said, “Now they want all five verses to be sung at the beginning of every program and then again at the end. I think this is an unnecessary imposition.”Tharoor pointed out that while the Kerala government has said that singing the full version is optional, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has a different view. “Ultimately this may have to be ruled on as there is no law passed by Parliament that requires it. It’s more a matter of tradition,” he said.Emphasizing that he had no objection to the national anthem, Tharoor said, “We all respect Vande Mataram. I can happily sing it for you.”Recalling a book launch event held in New Delhi in the presence of Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Tharoor said the entire song was played at the beginning and end of the event. He said, “It became an issue for the audience to watch a relatively unfamiliar and long song twice.”He described the dispute as “unfortunate” and expressed hope that it would be resolved amicably. He said, “I can understand singing it once during ceremonies involving the President, the Vice President or the Prime Minister. But it is difficult to understand singing the entire song twice during a small event. I don’t see any justification for it, and it is not particularly effective.”However, the ruling-BJP party criticized the Thiruvananthapuram MP over his stance on Vande Mataram. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Congress is succumbing to the pressure of Muslim League.”

New Delhi: While breast and lung cancer are among the most common cancers in India. kashmir Facing a distinct burden of cancer, colon cancer is emerging as a major concern. Concerned over the high prevalence of gastrointestinal cancer in the Valley, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a special initiative to strengthen cancer screening, early diagnosis and treatment in Jammu and Kashmir.More than 14 lakh cancer cases are reported every year in India, and Jammu and Kashmir is expected to record more than 67,000 cancer cases between 2018 and 2024. According to ICMR, gastrointestinal cancer, especially stomach cancer, is highly prevalent in the Kashmir Valley, followed by esophageal and colorectal cancer.To address the increasing burden, ICMR has invited research teams from Jammu and Kashmir to develop and test a model for large-scale cancer prevention and screening through the public health care system. The initiative will focus on oral, breast, cervical and gastrointestinal cancers.Under the programme, adults aged 40 years and above will be screened for gastrointestinal cancer, women aged 30 years and above for breast cancer, sexually active women aged 30-60 years for cervical cancer and adults aged 18 years and above for oral cancer. The screening will be done through district hospitals, community health centres, primary health centers and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.Dr Rommel Tikku, Senior Director, Internal Medicine, Max Hospital, Saket, said Jammu and Kashmir continues to have a high burden of stomach, esophageal and colorectal cancers due to a combination of traditional dietary practices, Helicobacter pylori infection, tobacco use, genetic susceptibility and changing lifestyles such as obesity and physical inactivity. He stressed that early detection through timely screening, especially in people over 40 years of age and those with risk factors, can significantly improve survival and help reduce cancer-related deaths in the region.The main focus will be on improving screening coverage, ensuring early diagnosis and connecting people who test positive to treatment services. The program will also involve health workers and communities to encourage participation in cancer prevention and screening.The four-year project aims to develop an evidence-based model for prevention, detection, early diagnosis and treatment that can be integrated into the National Program for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and potentially scaled up across Jammu and Kashmir.

Bengaluru/New Delhi: Congress high command, with Chief Minister-designate DK Shivakumar and Caretaker Chief Minister SiddaramaiahDiscussions took place till late night in New Delhi on Sunday to finalize the composition of the new Karnataka cabinet. With Shivakumar taking oath on Wednesday, there is a plan to induct 10 to 20 ministers in the first phase.Read this also What can make or break DK Shivakumar’s reign in Karnataka? A senior party official said that while the initial list is almost ready, some additional names are still under consideration. “Though 10 names have been finalised, another 10 are being discussed for the first round of swearing-in. The final list may come on Wednesday,” he said. Before formalizing it, the list of probables will be presented before AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. The discussion also focused on key organizational and constitutional appointments including KPCC President, Assembly Speaker and Legislative Council Speaker. Shivakumar is said to be supporting Satish Jarkiholi, HK Patil and BK Hariprasad for key organizational and cabinet roles, while Siddaramaiah is believed to be supporting Hariprasad for the post of state party chief.Siddaramaiah is also advocating for the inclusion of AHINDA loyalists.Siddaramaiah is also lobbying for the inclusion of his Ahinda faction loyalists in the cabinet, although other leaders have indicated that more than 10 of his nominees are unlikely to be included.Jarkiholi is reportedly demanding both a cabinet berth and an organizational role.The issue of Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) posts has emerged as a major point of contention within the Congress. It is being said that Siddaramaiah is pushing for DCM posts for G Parameshwara, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, KJ George and MB Patil. However, Shivakumar is reportedly against the idea of ​​DCM, arguing that it could create parallel power centers and create unnecessary political controversy.The high command is also considering including Siddaramaiah’s son Yatindra in the cabinet. While state and national level leaders in the party are keen to ensure this representation to protect the Kuruba vote base in Karnataka, Siddaramaiah is not pushing his case. Their concern is that such a move could be interpreted as nepotism.“Last time I met the high command, Rahul Gandhi said that my interest will be taken care of and I will be included in the cabinet. So, I am hopeful. Whatever be the portfolio, I will be happy,” said Yatindra, adding that he is not harboring any DCM ambitions.The Congress leadership also reviewed the preparations for the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections to be held on June 18. Based on its current strength in the Assembly, the party is projected to win three of the four Rajya Sabha seats and five of the seven MLC seats.Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, members of the Dalit community protested outside the KPCC office and urged the leadership to appoint a Dalit leader as DCM. The protesters demand that senior leaders G Parameshwara, KH Muniyappa and HC Mahadevappa be considered for the post. The demonstration was led by Dalit leader K Venkataswamy.Separately, Congress workers in Halkarti village of Chittapur taluk performed special puja at Veerbhadreshwar temple and demanded appointment of minister Priyank Kharge as DCM.In Bengaluru, supporters of Shantinagar MLA and BDA president NA Haris performed rituals at the Adishakti temple at the GBA headquarters, demanding DCM post or cabinet berth for him. 108 coconuts were plucked as part of the ritual.