The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. This is the second such ban on Chinese apps after video-sharing app TikTok and 48 others were prohibited following the tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China since May this year. Wednesday’s list includes VPN for TikTok which was used to bypass earlier restrictions.
A press release from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the Centre had invoked its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act along with provisions of the Information Technology Rules 2009 to proscribe the 118 Chinese apps.
The IT Ministry said it had received numerous complaints regarding the apps’ misuse by stealing and surreptitiously transmitting user data in an unauthorised manner to servers outside India. The apps that have been banned are both mobile and non-mobile. It must be noted that PUBG has 33 million users in India and is very popular among the young.
The IT Ministry press release said,
“The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.”
In June, the Centre had banned 59 mobile applications, including TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, citing the same concerns. Wednesday’s decision comes at a time when China has allegedly attempted a further transgression near the southern bank of Pangong Tso, which was thwarted by the Indian Army. India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army in multiple areas including the Galwan Valley.
Here’s the full list of apps banned today:
The Central government on Wednesday banned 118 more Chinese apps, including the very popular PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik, citing their engagement in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. This is the second such ban on Chinese apps after video-sharing app TikTok and 48 others were prohibited following the tension along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China since May this year.
A press release from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology said the Centre had invoked its powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act along with provisions of the Information Technology Rules 2009 to proscribe the 118 Chinese apps.
The IT Ministry said it had received numerous complaints regarding the apps’ misuse by stealing and surreptitiously transmitting user data in an unauthorised manner to servers outside India. The apps that have been banned are both mobile and non-mobile. It must be noted that PUBG has 33 million users in India and is very popular among the young.
The IT Ministry press release said,
“The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.”
In June, the Centre had banned 59 mobile applications, including TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, citing the same concerns. Wednesday’s decision comes at a time when China has allegedly attempted a further transgression near the southern bank of Pangong Tso, which was thwarted by the Indian Army. India and China have been engaged in a standoff since April-May over the transgressions by the People’s Liberation Army in multiple areas including the Galwan Valley.
Amit Shah praises Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation, says Nation above post
Amit Shah hailed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister, saying BJP places the nation and students above any position while highlighting the government’s commitment to examination reforms.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday praised Dharmendra Pradhan’s decision to step down as Union Education Minister, saying the move reflected the Bharatiya Janata Party’s commitment to placing the nation and students above any political position.
In a post on X, Shah said that for BJP workers, the country, its youth and students are more important than any office. He described Pradhan’s resignation as an example of the party’s guiding principle of prioritising national interest over personal ambition.
Shah highlights government’s focus on exam reforms
Amit Shah said the Narendra Modi-led government respects the sentiments of students and remains committed to strengthening the examination system following concerns over alleged paper leaks.
He said the Centre has introduced strict measures to ensure severe punishment for those involved in examination paper leaks and expressed confidence that these steps would deliver justice to students who cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
Praises Pradhan’s work as Education Minister
Recalling Dharmendra Pradhan’s tenure, Shah highlighted several initiatives undertaken during his time in the Education Ministry. He credited Pradhan with helping implement the National Education Policy (NEP), expanding PM SHRI schools, promoting digital education, strengthening skill development and improving coordination between industry and academic institutions.
Shah also said Pradhan worked towards making examinations more inclusive and student-centric, adding that his tenure reflected his commitment to the vision of a developed India.
Resignation follows NEET controversy
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation comes amid nationwide protests over alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and growing demands for accountability.
The resignation has triggered political reactions across party lines. While opposition parties have described the development as a result of sustained student protests, BJP leaders have projected it as an example of accountability and commitment to national interest.
Assam flood death toll rises to 66, over 6.5 lakh people still affected
Assam’s flood situation improved slightly on Saturday, but more than 6.54 lakh people remain affected in six districts. Four fresh deaths have pushed the state’s flood toll to 66.
The flood situation in Assam showed marginal improvement on Saturday, though the disaster continued to impact more than 6.54 lakh people across six districts. Four more deaths were reported during the day, taking the total number of fatalities in this year’s floods to 66.
According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), three of the latest deaths were reported from Sivasagar district, while one person lost their life in Charaideo.
The number of affected people declined from over 7.05 lakh across nine districts on Friday to 6,54,800 across six districts on Saturday, indicating a gradual improvement in the overall situation.
Sivasagar remains the worst-hit district
Among the affected districts, Sivasagar continues to be the worst hit, with nearly 2.9 lakh people impacted by the floods. Charaideo follows with around 1.9 lakh affected residents, while more than 1.3 lakh people remain affected in Jorhat.
The other districts still facing flood-related challenges are Dibrugarh, Golaghat and Nagaon.
Relief operations continue across affected areas
The ASDMA said the state administration is operating 274 relief camps and aid distribution centres across the affected districts. Around 18,902 displaced people are currently taking shelter at these facilities.
The latest daily bulletin also stated that floodwaters have inundated 810 villages across the state, while 34,970.8 hectares of agricultural land have suffered damage.
Rivers flowing above danger level
The floods have also damaged embankments, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure in several areas.
Authorities said the Dikhou River in Sivasagar and the Dhansiri River at Numaligarh are flowing above the danger level, and officials continue to closely monitor the situation.
UP Government forms new SIT led by 3 IPS officers to probe Ayodhya Ram Temple donation theft
The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a new SIT led by three IPS officers to investigate the alleged Ram Temple donation theft case in Ayodhya following Supreme Court directions.
The Uttar Pradesh government has reconstituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IG Kiran S, with DIG Somen Verma and SSP Dr Gaurav Grover as members, to investigate the alleged theft of donations meant for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The move comes after directions from the Supreme Court, which sought a reconstituted investigation team to ensure an independent and comprehensive probe into the allegations.
The newly formed SIT is expected to continue the investigation and submit a status report before the Supreme Court on July 27.
Senior IPS officers to lead the probe
According to the state government, the investigation will now be supervised by senior IPS officers. The revamped SIT has been tasked with examining all aspects of the alleged embezzlement of temple donations and carrying the investigation forward.
The Supreme Court had observed that criminal investigations and technical examination of theft-related cases are more effectively handled by experienced police officers, leading to the reconstitution of the SIT under senior IPS leadership.
Probe to continue under court supervision
The case relates to the alleged embezzlement of offerings (chadhava) donated by devotees at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.
The Supreme Court is monitoring the investigation and will review the SIT’s status report at the next hearing.
Authorities are expected to continue examining evidence collected during the earlier stages of the investigation as the newly constituted SIT proceeds with the case.
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