The West Bengal Education Department has directed district administrations across the state to prepare lists of “identified tainted” candidates who allegedly secured teaching and non-teaching jobs in government-run schools through illegal means.

According to sources in the department, communications have been sent to all District Magistrates asking them to compile details of candidates found to have obtained appointments in exchange for money. Officials have also been instructed to calculate the salaries paid to such candidates during their service period, along with the interest accrued on those amounts.

The move follows orders passed earlier by the Calcutta High Court and later upheld by the Supreme Court of India regarding irregularities in recruitment conducted by the West Bengal School Service Commission.

The “identified tainted” candidates reportedly include individuals who obtained appointments despite submitting blank or incomplete answer sheets, as well as those who benefited from rank manipulation or appointments made outside approved recruitment panels.

An official from the education department said both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court had ordered the cancellation of nearly 26,000 teaching and non-teaching appointments made through the 2016 WBSSC recruitment panel after serious irregularities were uncovered.

“Both courts directed that salaries paid to identified tainted candidates should be recovered with interest. The process had remained pending for a long time, but the department has now initiated recovery proceedings following instructions from senior levels of the administration,” the official said.

The communications sent to district authorities reportedly reference the Supreme Court’s 3 April 2025 order directing ineligible candidates who secured employment through bribery to return the salaries received during their tenure.

Officials said the state government has now decided to expedite implementation of the court’s directions after earlier delays in the recovery process.

The recruitment controversy has remained politically sensitive in West Bengal, particularly after earlier disclosures suggested that some of the ineligible candidates were relatives or close associates of leaders linked to the All India Trinamool Congress.

Following the cancellation of the recruitment panel, around 25,735 employees lost their jobs, including 18,418 teaching staff and several thousand non-teaching employees.

With IANS inputs

The Federation of All India Medical Association has approached the Supreme Court of India alleging “systemic failure” in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 examination and seeking sweeping reforms to the country’s medical entrance testing system.

The petition comes after the National Testing Agency cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which had been conducted on 3 May, following allegations of a question paper leak. The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Filed through advocate Tanvi Dubey, the plea calls for a complete restructuring of the national testing mechanism, including replacing the NTA with what it described as a more autonomous and technologically advanced body capable of ensuring transparency and accountability.

The medical association also cited media reports claiming that so-called “guess papers” circulated on encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram allegedly matched more than 100 questions from the actual examination paper.

According to the petition, repeated irregularities in competitive examinations have eroded public trust in the system and exposed serious vulnerabilities in the conduct of high-stakes tests.

FAIMA has urged the court to establish a high-powered monitoring committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge and comprising cybersecurity specialists and forensic experts to supervise the re-conduct of the examination.

The cancellation of the medical entrance test has affected more than 22 lakh aspirants across the country, leaving students and families uncertain about the revised examination schedule, fresh admit cards, examination centres and counselling timelines.

NEET-UG is the gateway examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses across India and is among the country’s largest competitive entrance tests. The latest controversy has renewed scrutiny over the functioning of the NTA, which has faced criticism over examination management and security concerns in recent years.

With PTI inputs

The Indian government has sharply increased import duties on gold, silver and platinum in a move aimed at curbing non-essential imports and protecting the country’s foreign exchange reserves amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

Under the revised structure, import duty on gold and silver has been raised from 6 per cent to 15 per cent with effect from 13 May, while the duty on platinum has increased from 6.4 per cent to 15.4 per cent. The changes also apply to related products such as gold and silver dore, coins and findings.

The decision comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to reduce avoidable foreign exchange expenditure by limiting fuel consumption, postponing gold purchases and cutting down on foreign travel.

Officials said the duty increase was intended as a preventive step to manage external-sector risks at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

“During periods of external stress, measured moderation of discretionary imports may contribute significantly to overall macro-economic stability,” a government source said.

India is the world’s second-largest consumer of gold after China, with demand largely driven by the jewellery sector. Imports of precious metals account for a significant outflow of foreign currency.

Industry representatives warned that the steep hike could fuel smuggling and push buyers towards unofficial channels. All India Gems and Jewellery Domestic Council chairman Rajesh Rokde said the increase would raise the price of gold by around Rs 27,000 per 10 grams.

“What the industry fears is that this will give rise to the grey market,” Rokde said, warning that smuggling activities could increase.

Senco Gold and Diamonds managing director and chief executive Suvankar Sen said the elevated duty structure could remain in place until the West Asia conflict eases.

He estimated that jewellery volumes may decline by 10 to 15 per cent, although higher prices would keep the value of sales elevated as consumers shift towards lighter ornaments.
Government officials said the duty hike was designed as a “calibrated and proportionate intervention” to discourage avoidable imports without imposing harsher restrictions such as quotas or outright bans.

The move comes as the conflict in West Asia and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to push up crude oil prices and import costs. Brent crude has risen sharply from about USD 73 per barrel before the conflict to over USD 100 per barrel in recent weeks.

India imports around 87 per cent of its crude oil requirements, with nearly half of those supplies passing through or near the Strait of Hormuz. The country also relies heavily on imports of LPG and fertilisers from the Gulf region.

India’s gold imports rose more than 24 per cent to a record USD 71.98 billion in the 2025–26 financial year despite a fall in shipment volumes. At the same time, domestic gold prices have surged sharply, with prices in Delhi touching Rs 1,56,800 per 10 grams this week.

Chief economic adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran recently described the ongoing West Asia conflict as a “live balance of payments stress test” for India, warning of potential implications for inflation, the current account deficit and the rupee, which hit a record low against the US dollar on Tuesday.

With PTI inputs

Congress MP and deputy leader of Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi on Wednesday wrote to Union Home minister Amit Shah expressing concern over repeated incidents of racial harassment and attacks targeting women and people from the Northeast in Delhi, and urged immediate steps to strengthen institutional safeguards for their safety.

In his letter, Gogoi referred to the recent incident at Nehru Place where two women from Assam and Bihar were allegedly molested, assaulted and racially abused by a group of men in the early hours of 10 May.

According to the letter, the women were having tea outside a hotel when a group allegedly began catcalling them and making derogatory racial remarks, which later escalated into physical assault.

Gogoi noted that the Delhi Police had confirmed the women were racially targeted and attacked.

The Congress leader also cited other recent incidents involving people from the Northeast in the national capital, including the alleged assault and racial abuse of a lawyer from Manipur and her transwoman friend in South Delhi in March this year, as well as another case in February involving three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Malviya Nagar.

Describing the incidents as part of a wider and disturbing trend, Gogoi said they reflected a “deeply troubling pattern” of prejudice, profiling and violence faced by citizens from the Northeast in Delhi.

He also recalled earlier high-profile cases, including the killing of Nido Tania in 2014 and the death of Tripura student Anjel Chakma following an alleged assault in 2025.

While acknowledging measures introduced by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Police — including SPUNER, Helpline 1093, the North East Assistance Team (NEAT), and sensitisation initiatives — Gogoi said recurring incidents pointed to serious gaps in implementation and public confidence.

“As the national capital, Delhi must embody the constitutional values of equality, dignity, and security for every Indian citizen, irrespective of region, ethnicity, language, or appearance,” the letter stated.

“Citizens from the North Eastern states contribute immensely to the social, educational, and economic life of the city. They deserve not only protection in law, but also confidence in the institutions meant to safeguard them,” Gogoi wrote.

He urged the Union Home minister to review the effectiveness of existing support systems, strengthen accountability in cases involving racial harassment, expand awareness about helplines and legal protections, and ensure strict and time-bound action against offenders.

With IANS inputs

Former Mohun Bagan Super Giant president Swapan Sadhan Bose, fondly known as “Tutu Babu” in Kolkata’s Maidan circles, died late Tuesday night after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 79.

One of the most influential football administrators in Indian football history, Bose had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kolkata for multiple health complications. According to family sources, he breathed his last around 11.45 pm.

Bose is survived by his sons, Srinjay and Soumik Bose. Srinjay currently serves as secretary of Mohun Bagan.

His mortal remains will be kept at the Mohun Bagan club tent on Wednesday to allow fans, former players and sports lovers to pay their final respects. The cremation is scheduled for 4.30 pm later in the day.

“It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Tutu Bose. He was the best father and grandfather one could ever have, a remarkable administrator, and the strongest pillar of support for everyone around him. A true banyan tree in our lives,” his grandson Arinjoy Bose wrote in a Facebook post.

Known for his administrative acumen and strong influence in Kolkata football, Bose played a defining role in shaping Mohun Bagan’s modern identity. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he served the club in multiple capacities, including secretary and president, becoming synonymous with the green-and-maroon institution.

During his tenure, the club navigated several financial and administrative crises while also embracing transformative changes that altered the landscape of Indian football. Bose was instrumental in opening the doors for foreign footballers at Mohun Bagan, breaking the club’s century-old tradition of fielding only Indian players.

One of the landmark decisions under his administration was the signing of Nigerian striker Chima Okorie, who went on to become one of the most iconic foreign footballers in Indian football history after being brought in from arch-rivals East Bengal FC.

Bose had risen to prominence in Mohun Bagan administration after defeating veteran administrator Dhiren De in a closely watched club election, eventually emerging as one of the most powerful figures in the Maidan.

He also played a key role in the merger of Mohun Bagan with ATK Mohun Bagan FC — formerly ATK or Atletico de Kolkata — in 2020, ushering in a new corporate era for the club and helping it transition into the Indian Super League age.

Tributes poured in from across the Indian football fraternity, with former players, club officials and supporters remembering Bose as a visionary administrator who left an indelible mark on the sport in the country.

With PTI inputs

Leena Gangopadhyay has resigned as chairperson of the West Bengal Commission for Women following the change of government in the state, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Gangopadhyay stepped down before completing her tenure, which was scheduled to end in July this year. She had been appointed to the position in July 2023 during the rule of the All India Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee.

Known as a prominent figure in the Bengali entertainment industry, Gangopadhyay has built a reputation as a writer, producer and director in Tollywood. She also runs a production company and has often been regarded as being close to the Trinamool Congress leadership.

Her resignation comes after the Bharatiya Janata Party ended the Trinamool Congress’s 15-year rule in West Bengal by winning the recent assembly elections.

Gangopadhyay had earlier indicated her intention to resign following controversy surrounding the death of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee earlier this year.

The actor drowned on 29 March while reportedly shooting for a television serial at Talsari beach in Odisha. The serial was being produced by Gangopadhyay’s production company.

Following the incident, Gangopadhyay initially claimed there had been no water-based shooting sequence planned and alleged that the actor had entered the sea on his own. However, subsequent reports suggested that Banerjee drowned while filming was underway.

The actor’s wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, later lodged a complaint against Gangopadhyay and several members of the production team. The incident triggered criticism from sections of the Bengali film and television industry, with some actors, directors and technicians distancing themselves from her production company.

At the height of the controversy, Gangopadhyay had publicly expressed a desire to resign from the women’s commission to avoid allegations of influencing the investigation into the actor’s death. However, she did not formally step down at the time.

Her resignation has now come in the wake of the political transition in the state following the BJP’s electoral victory.

With IANS inputs

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of his stepbrother Prateek Yadav, describing him as a “very good boy” who was determined to succeed through hard work.

Prateek Yadav, the younger son of late SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav and his second wife Sadhana Gupta, died in Lucknow on Wednesday morning at the age of 38. He was married to BJP leader Aparna Yadav.

He was taken to the Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Officials said the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed and a post-mortem examination is underway.

Akhilesh Yadav visited the hospital following the news and spoke briefly to reporters about his memories of Prateek.

“I have seen him since childhood. It is unfortunate that he is no longer with us today,” the Samajwadi Party chief said.

“He was always conscious about his health and fitness. He wanted to achieve something and move forward in life. He was a very good boy who wanted to do something through his hard work,” he added.

The Kannauj MP said the family would follow all legal procedures related to the post-mortem and funeral arrangements in accordance with the law.

Recalling their last interaction, Akhilesh Yadav said he had met Prateek around two months ago and had advised him to take care of both his health and business matters.

“Sometimes people become distressed because of business losses,” he remarked.

Earlier in the day, Akhilesh Yadav also paid tribute to his step-brother in a post on X, saying the news of his passing was deeply saddening and praying for peace for the departed soul.

According to family sources, Prateek Yadav had been suffering from lung-related complications for some time and was undergoing treatment for a blood clot in his lungs. His condition reportedly worsened on Wednesday morning, after which he was rushed to hospital.

With IANS inputs

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that Hinduism is “a way of life” and said it is not necessary for a Hindu to mandatorily visit a temple or perform rituals in order to remain a follower of the faith.

The observations were made by a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant while hearing a batch of petitions concerning discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple, and issues related to religious freedom across faiths, including the Dawoodi Bohra community.

The bench also comprised justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi.

During the hearing, senior advocate Dr G. Mohan Gopal, appearing for one of the intervenors, argued that demands for social justice had increasingly emerged from within religious communities themselves.

Questioning earlier judicial interpretations defining Hindu identity, Gopal said: “Hinduism was defined as a religious category. Thereafter, in 1966, it was held that a Hindu is one who accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all matters of religion and philosophy. They never asked me. None of us ever said that.”

“Now, I have the highest respect for the Vedas and great admiration for it. But is it a fact that every person today classified as Hindu accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all spiritual and philosophical matters?” he asked.

Responding to the submission, justice Nagarathna remarked: “That is why Hinduism is called a way of life. It is not necessary for a Hindu to mandatorily go to a temple or perform a ritual in order to remain a Hindu.”

She further observed that one need not be ritualistic to practise the faith and that nobody could obstruct individuals in following their beliefs.

The CJI added: “Even if an individual lights a lamp inside his hut, it is enough to prove his religion.”

The hearing, now in its 15th day, is continuing before the Constitution bench.

The court had earlier cautioned against excessive judicial scrutiny of religious practices, observing that if every matter of faith were challenged before constitutional courts, “every religion will break” under the weight of endless litigation.

The proceedings stem from broader questions arising out of the landmark 2018 Sabarimala verdict, in which a five-judge Constitution bench, by a 4:1 majority, struck down the centuries-old practice barring women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the hill shrine, holding the restriction unconstitutional and discriminatory.

With PTI inputs

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) has said it identified around 10,000 foreign students, including several from India, who are suspected of misusing the Optional Practical Training (OPT) scheme linked to student visas.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons described the OPT programme as a growing source of fraud and said it had become the focus of numerous investigations by the Department of Homeland Security.

OPT allows international students studying in the United States on academic visas to work in the country for up to 12 months after graduation, with some science and technology graduates eligible for extensions of up to 24 months. The programme is also widely used as a pathway to obtaining employer-sponsored H-1B visas.

Lyons said federal authorities had uncovered several cases involving serious alleged offences linked to abuse of the programme. These included claims of espionage, intellectual property theft, employment fraud and scams targeting elderly Americans.

“We've encountered cases involving espionage, biological threats, intellectual property theft, visa and employment fraud, and even scams targeting elderly Americans,” Lyons said, adding that such activities had been carried out by individuals “abusing their status as students”.

He warned that the US would not tolerate threats emerging from the foreign student system and said investigators had carried out multiple site visits as part of ongoing probes.

According to ICE officials, some OPT beneficiaries were found to be supervised remotely by employees based in India, which authorities said breached programme rules requiring training and oversight within the United States.

Lyons said the OPT scheme, introduced during the administration of former President George W. Bush, was initially intended to support a relatively small number of foreign students seeking short-term work experience before returning to their home countries.

“Instead, OPT ballooned into an uncontrolled guest worker pipeline with hundreds of thousands of foreign students working in the United States,” he said. “As the programme’s size has exploded, so has the fraud.”

He also described the alleged abuse of the programme as an attack on the trust of the American public, arguing that the system was being exploited by individuals taking advantage of access to the US education sector.

With IANS inputs

The Indian National Congress (INC) on Wednesday criticised senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Dattatreya Hosabale over his remarks advocating continued dialogue with Pakistan, claiming his recent visit to the United States had influenced both him and the organisation.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at the RSS functionary after a video clip surfaced of Hosabale speaking in an interview with PTI Videos about maintaining channels of communication with Pakistan.

“It appears that the recent US trip of Shri Hosabale, during which one of his colleagues admitted to the PM doing what the US wanted him to do, has impacted him as well as the RSS,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X.

He also suggested that supporters of the ruling establishment and sections of television media would have reacted sharply had similar remarks been made by leaders outside the ideological fold of the RSS.

In the interview, Hosabale said there should always remain scope for engagement between India and Pakistan despite strained relations between the two neighbours.

“The security and self-respect of a country have to be protected and the government of the day should take care of it. But at the same time, we need not close the doors. We should always be ready to engage them in a dialogue,” he said.

Hosabale argued that direct interaction between ordinary citizens could help ease tensions and break the prolonged diplomatic deadlock between the two countries. He also said Pakistan’s military and political leadership had lost India’s trust, making civil society engagement increasingly important.

The remarks come shortly after the RSS undertook outreach efforts in the United States and the United Kingdom as part of activities linked to its centenary year. Hosabale addressed events at Stanford University and the Hudson Institute, while also meeting members of the Indian diaspora and academics.

The Congress has repeatedly attacked the RSS over comments made during the visit. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently mocked the organisation as the “Rashtriya Surrender Sangh”, alleging that RSS leader Ram Madhav had exposed what he described as the group’s “fake nationalism” during an event in the US.

Gandhi’s criticism followed remarks by Madhav suggesting that India had agreed to stop purchasing oil from Iran and Russia and had accepted higher tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Madhav later apologised for the comments, stating that his remarks were factually incorrect. He clarified that India had neither agreed to halt Russian oil imports nor accepted the tariff measures without protest, adding that New Delhi had strongly opposed the 50 per cent tariff imposed by Washington.

With PTI inputs

US senator Lindsey Graham publicly questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a mediator in the Iran conflict during a tense Senate hearing, after raising allegations that Iranian aircraft may have been parked at Pakistani military bases.

The sharp exchange unfolded during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense hearing on US President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defence budget, where lawmakers repeatedly pressed Pentagon officials over the widening West Asia conflict and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Dan Caine and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, Graham referred to reports claiming Pakistan was allowing Iranian aircraft to use its military facilities.

“Are you aware of reports that Pakistan are allowing their bases to be used to park Iranian aircraft?” Graham asked General Caine.

Caine responded cautiously: “Sir, I’ve seen one report on that.”

When Graham pressed further on whether the reports were accurate, the general declined to elaborate, citing diplomatic sensitivities and classification concerns.

“I wouldn’t want to comment on that based on the ongoing negotiations and Pakistan’s role,” Caine said.

Graham then questioned whether such alleged actions were compatible with Islamabad’s efforts to position itself as a peace broker in the Iran crisis.

“Do you agree, if it is accurate, that is sort of inconsistent with being a peace mediator?” the senator asked.

Caine again avoided a direct answer.

Hegseth also sidestepped the allegation but acknowledged the delicacy of ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“Again, I wouldn’t want to get in the middle of these negotiations,” the defence secretary said.

Graham, however, escalated his criticism sharply.

“I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them,” he said. “If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate.”

“No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere,” Graham added.

The Republican senator also linked Pakistan to wider geopolitical concerns involving China and Russia. During the hearing, Graham argued that Beijing was effectively helping sustain both Tehran and Moscow economically through its energy purchases.

“China buys a very large percentage of Iranian oil,” Hegseth acknowledged during the exchange.

Graham also claimed that tariff pressure from the Trump administration had pushed India to cut back purchases of Russian oil.

“I think it works,” Graham said while discussing proposed tariff measures targeting countries importing Russian energy exports.

Pakistan has in recent weeks projected itself as a possible intermediary between Iran and Western powers amid rising regional tensions following US military strikes on Iranian missile, drone and naval assets.

Tuesday’s hearing reflected growing unease within sections of the US Congress over Islamabad’s balancing act in the evolving West Asia crisis, particularly as Washington seeks broader international backing to stabilise maritime trade routes in the Gulf and intensify pressure on Tehran.

With IANS inputs

US President Donald Trump has said he believes the war in Ukraine is “very close” to ending, expressing optimism that Moscow and Kyiv could eventually reach a settlement after more than four years of conflict.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before departing the White House for a visit to China, Trump said ongoing diplomatic efforts were moving in a positive direction, although he did not provide details of any breakthrough in negotiations.

“The end of the war in Ukraine, I really think it’s getting very close,” Trump said as he prepared to board Marine One. He added later: “We think we’re going to end up getting a settlement between Russia and Ukraine.”

The remarks echoed recent comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also suggested over the weekend that prospects for a resolution were improving.

Trump dismissed suggestions that any agreement had been reached with Moscow over control of the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Asked whether Russia should retain the entire territory, he replied: “No. No.”

The US president said he was willing to do “whatever’s necessary” to help bring the conflict to an end and indicated the war would likely feature prominently in discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit.

Trump also argued that a resolution to the conflict could have wider economic benefits, particularly for global energy markets. He claimed oil prices would fall once the war was over, linking geopolitical stability to easing inflationary pressures worldwide.

The war, which has devastated large parts of Ukraine and disrupted global food, energy and security systems, has prompted sustained international efforts to encourage negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.

The conflict has also placed pressure on India, which has faced criticism from several Western nations over its continued imports of discounted Russian crude oil since the invasion began. At the same time, New Delhi has expanded defence and energy ties with the United States and European partners while maintaining its longstanding strategic relationship with Russia.

With IANS inputs