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Centre informs on when to reopen schools amid Covid third wave fear

The main purpose of reopening is to speed up the process of admission and pending examination which means the students will not be asked to attend schools and colleges until the risk of a possible third wave is completely clear.

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As the Covid third wave is expected to come up with more risk of affecting the children, the Central government on Tuesday said the schools – shut since March last year due to pandemic – will only re-open once a significant portion of the population has been vaccinated against Covid-19.

On the question of reopening of schools, the Central government answered that it will consider reopening schools only when the majority of teachers and staff are vaccinated.

What VK Paul has said on School reopening ?

In the official press briefing of the Union health ministry, the Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul said a lot of things need to be considered while deciding on the reopening schools. This is a question that keeps coming up. He said schools require teachers and children to sit together which gives the virus an opportunity to spread.

Dr Paul’s remarks came in the context of the recent survey of the World Health Organization and AIIMS which revealed that children below the age of 18 years have also developed antibody against Covid-19 and so they may not be impacted by the third wave of the country if any such wave comes.

What is the Covid situation in India ?

India has been witnessing a drop in new Covid cases over the last few weeks after the country hit a global record high with over 4 lakh cases in a day. Several states have started to unlock themselves across the country to reopen the businesses along with the Covid protocol following downward trend of Covid second wave.

What is the status of reopening of schools in India ?

The Central government sources said that the final decision to reopen educational institutes will be taken after reviewing the Covid situation in the country. The govt’s emphasis has been laid on the vaccination of teachers and other staff attached to educational institutions.

The government said the decision on holding classes will not be taken until the situation is better. The main purpose of reopening is to speed up the process of admission and pending examination which means the students will not be asked to attend schools and colleges until the risk of a possible third wave is completely clear.

However, the educational institutions in the country have been closed for more than a year now and as many states have begun their unlock process.  

Some states resumed physical classes after the first wave starting from September 21 last year but in the wake of the second wave, classes switched to the online mode. Considering the pandemic situation, states have cancelled annual examinations, national and all state-level board exams. This time too, the government has also cancelled CBSE and ICSE exams for Class 10 and 12 amid concern that the virus might affect children in the third wave.

Keeping in mind the Covid situation, some states – like Telangana – have said they will re-open schools and colleges. Others, like Delhi and Kerala, have said they will continue with virtual classes for now.

Uttar Pradesh

The State Education Department official PN Singh has said that schools can re-open in Uttar Pradesh from July 1. However, students will not be called to school and only teachers will come and take classes from school.

As per the state’s new guidelines, teachers and staff of basic secondary and higher secondary schools are allowed to attend schools for administrative work.

Bihar

According to Education Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, Bihar may also re-open schools from June 1 onwards because both the state government and education department is in favour of opening schools from July

Delhi

Schools will continue to function in the online mode amid the ongoing Covid pandemic in Delhi.

Madhya Pradesh

The process of admission in Madhya Pradesh has started. However, its Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar has said that a collective decision regarding reopening is yet to be taken.

Read Also: Man arrested for stealing his boss’ cars in Faridabad, says he made duplicate car keys to steal

Telangana

The Telangana government on Thursday announced that all schools, colleges and other educational institutions can reopen in the state from July 1.

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Asish Banerjee found dead in Rampurhat, Mamata Banerjee aide’s death shocks TMC

Former West Bengal deputy speaker and five-time Rampurhat MLA Asish Banerjee was found dead at a Trinamool Congress office in Birbhum.

Published

9 hours ago

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August 16, 2026

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Mamata Banerjee

Former West Bengal Assembly deputy speaker and Trinamool Congress leader Asish Banerjee was found dead at a party office next to his residence in Rampurhat, Birbhum district, on Sunday morning.

Police said his body was found hanging and was sent for postmortem. A large crowd gathered outside the Trinamool Congress office after news of his death spread.

Who was Asish Banerjee?

Asish Banerjee had served as the deputy speaker of the West Bengal Assembly when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee was the state’s chief minister. He was also a five-time MLA from Rampurhat.

He had served as Bengal’s education and agriculture minister after Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress first came to power in the state.

Banerjee contested the West Bengal Assembly election earlier this year but lost the Rampurhat seat to BJP’s Dhruba Saha.

Asish Banerjee’s recent party role

Banerjee stepped down as chairman of the Trinamool Congress’s Birbhum district core committee in June. At the time, he said he would continue as a general member of the party.

He lived in the Hattalapara neighbourhood of Rampurhat, with the party office where his body was found located next to his house.

BJP gains in Birbhum

The BJP won six of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Birbhum in the latest state election. This marked a significant change from 2021, when the Trinamool Congress had won 10 seats in the district while the BJP had secured one.

Police have sent Asish Banerjee’s body for postmortem as the circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

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IPS Officer Nupur Prasad gets Medal for Meritorious Service after Sushant Singh Rajput probe

IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service this year.

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1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

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IPS officer Nupur Prasad, who led the CBI investigation into actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, has been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) this year.

A 2007-batch AGMUT cadre officer, Ms Prasad recently returned to the Delhi Police after completing her tenure with the CBI. She is currently serving as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), where she oversees investigations involving financial and economic crimes.

The award is part of this year’s recognition for police personnel for distinguished and meritorious service. Such honours recognise contributions in areas including investigation, crime prevention, public service, law and order and administration.

Nupur Prasad’s role in Sushant Singh Rajput case

Ms Prasad came into national focus during the CBI investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.

The case was transferred to the CBI in August 2020 following a complaint by the actor’s family and a legal dispute over jurisdiction.

During her tenure with the agency, Ms Prasad supervised key aspects of the investigation, including the examination of witness statements, forensic evidence and medical records.

In 2025, the CBI filed closure reports, saying its investigation found no evidence of foul play, abetment to suicide or criminal conspiracy in the actor’s death.

Career across Delhi Police, CBI

Ms Prasad has served in several positions during her career, including assignments in the Delhi Police, CBI, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal.

Before joining the CBI, she held senior positions in the Delhi Police and became the first Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara. During her tenure, she worked on establishing the district’s policing framework following its creation.

She also led operations targeting drug networks and illegal gambling activities while focusing on crime-prevention measures.

Later, as DCP of North Delhi, she oversaw security arrangements for major events, including Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and Delhi University elections.

Community-focused policing initiatives

Beyond investigations, Ms Prasad has been associated with community-focused programmes involving women’s self-defence, youth development, cyber safety and drug de-addiction.

During her CBI tenure, she was also associated with several prominent investigations. Media reports have linked her to cases concerning businessman Vijay Mallya and the AgustaWestland helicopter deal.

Current role in Delhi Police

After completing her assignment with the CBI, Ms Prasad returned to the Delhi Police and took charge as Joint Commissioner of Police in the Economic Offences Wing.

The latest recognition adds to her career spanning investigations, policing and public service across several challenging assignments.

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Kharge, Rahul Gandhi skip Independence Day event for 2nd straight year

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Published

1 day ago

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August 15, 2026

By

Rahul Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi skipped the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Delhi’s Red Fort for the second consecutive year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Independence Day celebrations at the historic venue on Saturday.

The absence of the two senior Congress leaders comes amid strained relations between the ruling party and the Opposition, which further deteriorated during the Monsoon Session of Parliament that concluded on Thursday.

2024 seating controversy

Rahul Gandhi had attended the Independence Day celebrations in 2024 but his seating arrangement triggered a controversy. The Congress leader, who holds the status of a Cabinet minister as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was seated in the second-last row during the ceremony at the Red Fort.

The Opposition had criticised the seating arrangement, calling it an insult to the people. The Defence Ministry, which organised the event, said the arrangement had been modified to accommodate Olympians at the venue.

According to protocol, the Leader of the Opposition is seated in the front row during ceremonial events.

Opposition-ruling party tensions

Relations between the government and the Opposition remained tense during the Monsoon Session, which ended on Thursday.

The session saw repeated clashes between the two sides, with both the Opposition and the ruling party blaming each other for the low productivity of Parliament.

The session began on July 20, with students marching towards Parliament on the first day. Twelve bills were passed during the session, while detailed discussion took place on only one legislation, concerning paper leaks.

The Congress, along with the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party, also boycotted the customary tea party hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after the House was adjourned sine die.

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