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Centre’s Sanchar Saathi mandate for phonemakers sparks political backlash

The Centre’s order to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on all mobile phones has led to political uproar, with the Opposition calling it a surveillance tool while the government cites cyber safety benefits.

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sanchar sathi app logo

The Centre’s direction asking mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new and imported devices has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with Opposition parties alleging that the move paves the way for state surveillance. The government, however, maintains that the directive is meant to strengthen citizen protection against cyber fraud and assist in recovering lost or stolen devices.

What Sanchar Saathi offers

Sanchar Saathi is a Central digital safety platform that provides several citizen-oriented services through its app and web portal. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud or commercial spam calls. The platform also helps flag malicious website links, phishing attempts, device cloning, and fraudulent communication received via SMS, RCS, iMessage and social media platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.

The website associated with the app states that such proactive reporting aids the Department of Telecommunications in preventing misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.

What the Centre has mandated

The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has instructed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi in all devices produced or imported in India within 90 days from November 28. The notice also directs companies to ensure the app is visible during initial device setup and that its functions cannot be disabled.

For phones already manufactured, the app must be added through software updates. The government has warned that non-compliance will attract action.

Opposition raises privacy concerns

Political criticism intensified soon after the directive was issued. Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the move “beyond unconstitutional”, asserting that a pre-loaded government application that cannot be removed infringes on citizens’ right to privacy under Article 21. He argued that such an app could enable monitoring of individual activities and demanded an immediate rollback.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the decision, describing it as “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. She said such measures would be opposed, arguing that the government should focus on stronger grievance-redressal systems instead of creating surveillance mechanisms.

Industry concerns surface

A report by media suggests the directive may lead to friction with major phonemakers, particularly Apple, which has previously resisted similar requirements citing user privacy and security. Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to queries, nor did the Communications Ministry.

Two industry sources told media that manufacturers were not consulted before the order was issued.

According to figures displayed on the Sanchar Saathi website, the platform has enabled the blocking of 42 lakh stolen phones and helped in recovering 26 lakh devices. The app has recorded over 1 crore downloads on Android and nearly 10 lakh on iOS.

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Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2026 declared, ARO-wise merit list released

The Indian Army has announced the Agniveer CEE Result 2026. Candidates can now download the ARO-wise merit list and check their eligibility for the next stages of recruitment.

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Indian Army Agniveer Result

The Indian Army has announced the Agniveer Common Entrance Examination (CEE) Result 2026, allowing candidates to check their qualifying status through the official recruitment portal. The Army Recruitment Office (ARO)-wise merit lists have been uploaded on joinindianarmy.nic.in, where candidates can download the PDF corresponding to their recruitment region.

The merit lists contain the names and roll numbers of candidates who have successfully cleared the written examination and become eligible for the next phase of the Agniveer recruitment process.

How to check Indian Army Agniveer CEE Result 2026

Candidates can access their results by following these steps:

  • Visit the official Indian Army recruitment website.
  • Click on the Agniveer CEE Result 2026 link available on the homepage.
  • Select the relevant Army Recruitment Office (ARO) or recruitment region.
  • Download the merit list PDF.
  • Search for your roll number or name to confirm your qualification status.

What happens after the Agniveer CEE result?

Candidates shortlisted in the Common Entrance Examination will now have to undergo the remaining stages of the recruitment process. These include:

  • Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
  • Physical Measurement Test (PMT)
  • Document Verification (DV)
  • Medical Examination

Only candidates who successfully clear every stage will be considered for final selection under the Agniveer recruitment programme.

Candidates advised to verify details carefully

After downloading the merit list, candidates should carefully check all the information mentioned in the document. If they notice any discrepancy related to their result or personal details, they should immediately contact their respective Army Recruitment Office (ARO) for assistance.

Candidates are also advised to keep checking the official Indian Army recruitment portal for updates regarding the schedule, venue and instructions for the upcoming physical tests, document verification and medical examination.

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Delhi air quality slips to poor as AQI reaches 261, highest in over 85 days

Delhi’s air quality entered the ‘poor’ category after AQI touched 261, its highest level since April 17. Authorities attributed the spike to transnational dust from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

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Delhi air quality

Delhi’s air quality fell into the ‘poor’ category on Sunday after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 261, marking its highest level in more than 85 days, according to official data.

The reading was the highest since April 17, when the AQI stood at 263. Just a day earlier, Delhi had recorded an AQI of 140, while air quality had largely remained in the ‘moderate’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories for most of the month.

Transnational dust behind spike in pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the sudden deterioration in Delhi-NCR’s air quality was mainly caused by long-range winds carrying mineral dust generated by storm activity in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan.

According to the commission, these dust-laden winds reached northwestern India, including Delhi, resulting in a significant rise in PM10 concentrations. Strong surface winds across the Indo-Gangetic Plain also contributed to the increase in pollution levels.

The CAQM said Delhi’s air quality is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category for the next few days before improving once the transnational dust spell weakens.

No GRAP Stage-I restrictions for now

Despite the worsening air quality, the CAQM decided not to implement GRAP Stage-I restrictions, stating that the current pollution episode has been triggered by transnational dust rather than local emission sources.

However, the commission directed the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to intensify dust control measures across the city.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category.

Delhi experiences humid weather

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature at Safdarjung reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, which was 1.3 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius, one degree above the seasonal average.

Although the actual maximum temperature remained below 37 degrees Celsius, high humidity pushed the feels-like temperature to 45.7 degrees Celsius by 5:30 pm.

Among other weather stations, maximum temperatures were recorded at 37 degrees Celsius at Lodhi Road, 36.6 degrees Celsius at Palam, 36.2 degrees Celsius at Ayanagar and 36 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Minimum temperatures stood at 27.1 degrees Celsius in Palam, 27.2 degrees Celsius in Lodhi Road, 27.4 degrees Celsius in Ayanagar and 25.6 degrees Celsius at Ridge.

Weather outlook

The IMD has forecast strong surface winds during the daytime on Monday, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to remain around 37 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Relative humidity varied between 64 per cent at 8:30 am and 52 per cent at 5:30 pm.

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Red Fort bomb threat declared hoax after extensive security checks in Delhi

Delhi Police declared a bomb threat targeting the Red Fort a hoax after conducting a detailed security search following an alert received from Mumbai Police.

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Red fort

Delhi’s iconic Red Fort witnessed heightened security on Saturday after authorities received a bomb threat targeting the historic monument. Following a detailed inspection and sanitisation drive, Delhi Police confirmed that the threat was a hoax and no explosives were found.

Threat call routed through Mumbai Police

According to officials, the threat was initially received by the Mumbai Police Control Room. The caller allegedly claimed that the Red Fort would be blown up.

Mumbai Police immediately shared the information with the Delhi Police Control Room, which alerted the North District Police. Security personnel were deployed at the monument, and a comprehensive search operation was launched to ensure public safety.

After completing the inspection, officials ruled out any security risk and declared the threat to be false.

Security concerns remain high after previous terror incident

The latest threat comes around eight months after a deadly vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the Red Fort Metro Station claimed 15 lives and left several others injured.

Investigators had alleged that the blast was carried out by Umar-un-Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor associated with Al-Falah University in Faridabad, who was driving a Hyundai i20. The explosion occurred on the same day security agencies recovered around 2,900 kg of explosives, including ammonium nitrate, from neighbouring Faridabad in Haryana.

According to investigators, the accused allegedly triggered the explosion after two suspected associates were arrested and the explosives were seized during the operation.

Authorities had identified several other accused linked to the case. Investigators alleged that the group was part of a white-collar terror module associated with Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisation.

Earlier arrests linked to alleged attack plots

In May, Delhi Police’s Special Cell arrested nine men who were allegedly linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim.

Police alleged that the accused were planning attacks on critical infrastructure and security personnel in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of the country. According to investigators, potential targets included airports, railway stations, power plants and other vital installations.

Although Saturday’s bomb threat was found to be fake, the incident once again prompted swift security measures at one of the country’s most significant heritage sites.

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