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Centre asks UPSC chairperson to cancel lateral entry ads in bureaucracy

This development follows a day after BJP ally and Union minister Chirag Paswan on Monday voiced concern over making any appointments in government posts without providing reservation

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Centre asks UPSC chairperson to cancel lateral entry ads in bureaucracy

Union minister Jitendra Singh today wrote to the chairperson Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on cancelling the lateral entry advertisement as per directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Last week, the UPSC advertised for 45 posts namely, 10 of joint secretaries and 35 of directors/deputy secretaries to be filled through the lateral entry mode on a contract basis. Notably, this scheme is aimed at appointing specialists, including those from the private sector in government departments.

The letter mentioned that while most of the major lateral entries before 2014 were made in an ad-hoc manner, including cases of alleged favouritism, efforts of the government have been to make the process institutionally driven, transparent and open.

It further mentioned that the Prime Minister is of the firm belief that the process of lateral entry must be aligned with the principles of equity and social justice enshrined in the Constitution, particularly concerning the provisions of reservation.

This development follows a day after BJP ally and Union minister Chirag Paswan on Monday voiced concern over making any appointments in government posts without providing reservation, as the political row over lateral entry escalated, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging it was an attack on the Dalits, OBCs and adivasis.

Meanwhile, the Centre accused the Congress of making misleading claims on the biggest tranche of lateral recruitment in bureaucracy being undertaken by it, and claimed that the move will not affect the recruitment of SC/STs in the all India services.

Furthermore, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that lateral entry in bureaucracy has been happening since the 1970s during the Congress-led governments and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Montek Singh Ahluwalia were prominent examples of such initiatives taken in the past.

In addition, Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal slammed Rahul Gandhi for his claim that the government was trying to bypass the reservation system, reminding the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha that Manmohan Singh was made the finance secretary in 1976 through the lateral entry route. 

Notably, lateral entry into bureaucracy refers to the recruitment of individuals from outside the traditional government service cadres, such as the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), to fill mid and senior-level positions in government departments.

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NHAI expands Rs 350 monthly toll pass to 121 toll plazas: How to apply 

NHAI has expanded its digital FASTag Local Pass to 121 toll plazas. Check who is eligible for the Rs 350 monthly pass and how to apply online.

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Toll plaza

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has expanded its digital FASTag Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across India, making it easier for eligible local commuters to obtain a monthly toll pass without visiting a toll plaza.

Under the new system, eligible commuters can apply for the Local Pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile app. The facility removes the need for physical visits and manual submission of documents where the required information can be verified digitally.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said the initiative is aimed at making National Highway travel more convenient and citizen-friendly.

Who is eligible for the Rs 350 monthly toll pass?

The Local Pass is intended for residents living within a 20-km radius of an eligible toll plaza.

The monthly pass, starting at Rs 350, allows eligible commuters to make unlimited journeys through the respective toll plaza during the month, subject to applicable rules.

It can be particularly useful for people who regularly cross the same toll plaza for work, daily errands or other routine travel.

However, the digital Local Pass facility is currently available only at 121 toll plazas. Commuters therefore need to check whether their toll plaza is covered before applying.

How to apply for the NHAI Local Pass

Eligible commuters can apply for the Local Pass through the Rajmargyatra mobile app.

The digital system uses consent-based integration with government platforms such as DigiLocker and VAHAN to verify information related to the applicant.

The details checked include the applicant’s residential address, vehicle information and the FASTag linked to the vehicle.

The applicant’s eligibility is then determined through GIS-based verification, which checks whether the registered residential address falls within the prescribed 20-km radius of the relevant toll plaza.

What information is checked?

After obtaining the applicant’s consent, the system retrieves relevant information from digital government records.

The information includes:

  • Residential address
  • Vehicle details
  • FASTag linked to the vehicle
  • Location of the registered address in relation to the toll plaza

According to the Ministry, digital records and GIS-based verification eliminate the need for manual documentation and physical verification where the required information can be verified digitally.

Where is the digital Local Pass available?

NHAI has extended the digital Local Pass facility to 121 toll plazas across the country.

Commuters can check the list of eligible toll plazas through the Rajmargyatra portal before starting the application process.

The facility was initially introduced in July 2026 at the Mundka-Bakkarwala Toll Plaza on Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II). It was subsequently expanded to more than 120 toll plazas.

The government has said the facility will be rolled out at additional toll plazas in the coming months.

Why has NHAI introduced the digital system?

Previously, commuters seeking a Local Pass had to visit the concerned toll plaza and submit documents to establish that they lived within the required 20-km radius.

The new digital process is intended to reduce paperwork and manual intervention while making the eligibility verification process quicker and more transparent.

The government has described the initiative as part of the Digital India vision and its efforts to improve the Ease of Living for citizens.

For eligible local commuters who frequently use a covered toll plaza, the monthly pass starting at Rs 350 provides an online alternative to the earlier physical application process.

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DoT asks telcos to block new SIMs for subscribers with 9 connections

The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to deny new SIM connections to subscribers who already have nine mobile connections in their name.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers to deny new mobile connections to subscribers who already have the maximum permitted number of nine connections in their name.

According to an official circular dated August 17, telecom operators must put appropriate technical and organisational measures in place from August 24 to identify subscribers seeking mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit.

The operators have been asked to inform such subscribers that they have already reached the maximum number of mobile connections permitted to an individual and that another connection cannot be provided.

Digital Intelligence Platform to help identify subscribers

The DoT has directed telecom service providers to use the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for the process. The platform has been established by the department using subscriber data records uploaded by telecom operators.

The circular said details of subscribers who have already obtained mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit are available on the DIP.

From August 23, a representative image of the photograph of each subscriber who has already reached the prescribed limit of mobile connections in their name will also be made available on the platform.

The move is aimed at helping telecom operators identify subscribers attempting to obtain additional mobile connections after reaching the prescribed limit and prevent them from crossing that limit.

Telecom operators asked to streamline process by November 30

The DoT has asked telecom service providers to streamline the process with the Digital Intelligence Platform by November 30.

The circular also provides for action against mobile connections activated beyond the permitted limit until the required measures are implemented.

It said that, until such measures are implemented by a telecom service provider on a post-facto basis, any mobile connection activated beyond the prescribed limit for a day would be immediately suspended, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form (CAF).

The connection would remain suspended until the issue related to crossing the permitted limit for mobile connections is resolved.

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Union Cabinet approves Jammu and Kashmir High Court bench for Ladakh

The Union Cabinet has approved setting up a Jammu and Kashmir High Court bench in Ladakh to improve access to justice for people in remote areas.

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The Union Cabinet has decided to set up a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday.

Shah said the decision, taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will significantly improve access to justice for citizens living in remote areas of the Union Territory.

According to the Home Minister, the establishment of the bench will reduce the time required for people in Ladakh to access the legal services they are entitled to.

“The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of the PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, has decided to set up a bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in Ladakh,” Shah said in a message posted on X.

He added that the move will significantly enhance access to justice for citizens living in remote parts of Ladakh by reducing the time needed to avail themselves of legal services.

Shah further said that the government is fully committed to the all-round development of Ladakh and to ensuring constitutional safeguards for the Union Territory.

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