Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hailed the Revanth Reddy government after the Telangana Assembly passed two bills to increase reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to 42%. He described the move as “revolutionary” and reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to conducting a nationwide caste census to ensure social justice.

In a post on X, Gandhi stated, “The Congress government has fulfilled its promise of increasing OBC reservations in Telangana. By accepting the actual number of OBCs through a scientific caste count, the state has passed a bill for 42% reservation to ensure their equal participation in education, employment, and politics. This is a revolutionary step towards social justice, breaking the 50% reservation cap in the state.”

He emphasized the importance of a caste census, saying, “By analyzing the social and economic conditions of each community using caste survey data, policies can be formulated to ensure the well-being of all. The Telangana government has also formed an independent expert group for this purpose. I have consistently maintained that only through an X-ray—i.e., a caste census—can backwards and deprived communities secure their rightful due.”

Gandhi asserted that Telangana has set an example for the entire country. “Caste census will definitely happen in India, and we will ensure it,” he declared.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari also praised the move, stating, “Telangana has a very intellectual Chief Minister. We fully support the steps being taken in this direction.”

The Telangana Assembly on Monday passed two bills—the Telangana Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Rural and Urban Local Bodies) Bill, 2025, and the Telangana Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutions and of Appointments or Posts in Services under the State) Bill, 2025. These bills aim to increase OBC reservations in education, employment, and local bodies to 42%, fulfilling a key campaign promise based on the recently concluded caste survey.

The Assembly also passed the Telangana Scheduled Castes (Rationalisation of Reservations) Bill, 2025, which seeks to categorize Dalits into three groups for reservations in education and employment.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hailed the move as historic, stating, “It is my honour to announce the fulfilment of the long-pending demand of subaltern groups since Indian Independence—the recognition of backward castes through an official census. We are now ensuring 42% reservations for OBCs in all walks of life—education, jobs, and political representation.”

Currently, Telangana’s reservation matrix allocates 29% for OBCs in education and employment, 23% in local bodies, and 15%, 6%, and 10% for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Economically Backward Classes, respectively.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has announced the results of the Joint Admissions Test for M.Sc. (JAM) 2025 on March 18. Candidates who appeared for the exam can check their scorecards by visiting the official website jam2025.iitd.ac.in.

To access their results, students must use their enrollment ID, email ID, and password, followed by solving a Captcha code. According to the official notice, qualified candidates can download their scorecards between March 24 and July 31. The scorecard will also display the All India Rank (AIR) of each candidate.

Steps to check IIT JAM 2025 results

Visit the IIT JAM 2025 official website

Click on the ‘JAM 2025 result declared’ link

Open the JOAPS portal

Enter Enrollment ID / Email ID and password

Solve the arithmetic expression and enter the result

Click on ‘Submit’

View and download the scorecard

Admission process and important dates

The admission process for IIT JAM 2025 will begin on March 26, 2025, through the JOAPS portal. Candidates can submit their applications until April 9, 2025.

The list of candidates in the invalid category will be published on May 8, 2025.

The first admission list will be released on May 26, 2025, and selected candidates must pay the seat booking fee by May 30.

The withdrawal option will be available from June 7 to July 7, 2025.

A maximum of four admission rounds will be conducted to fill the available seats.

IIT JAM 2025: Exam overview and seat availability

IIT JAM scores are used for admission to various postgraduate programs, including: M.Sc, M.Sc. (Tech), M.S. (Research), M.Sc.-M.Tech. Dual Degree, Joint M.Sc.-Ph.D, M.Sc.-Ph.D. Dual Degree

Over 2,000 seats will be allotted based on JAM 2025 scores. The examination was conducted across 100 cities in India and covered seven specializations including Biotechnology, Chemistry, Economics, Geology, Mathematics, Mathematical Statistics and Physics.

A merit list will be prepared for each test paper, depending on the available seats in each category.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a heartfelt letter to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, extending an invitation for her to visit India as she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore finally departed the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday after being in orbit for nine months.

In the letter, shared by Union Minister Jitendra Singh on X, Modi expressed the nation’s pride and prayers for Williams’ safe return. “Even though you are thousands of miles away, you remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and the success of your mission,” the Prime Minister wrote.

Modi also fondly recalled his meeting with Williams and her late father, Deepak Pandya, during his 2016 visit to the United States. “Ms. Bonnie Pandya must be eagerly awaiting your return, and I am sure Late Deepakbhai’s blessings are with you. After your return, we look forward to welcoming you to India. It will be an honour for the nation to host one of its most illustrious daughters,” he added.

Williams and Wilmore, along with two other crew members, undocked from the ISS at 1:05 a.m. New York time on Tuesday. Their Dragon capsule is expected to travel through space, re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, and splash down off the Florida coast around 6 p.m. local time.

In his letter, Modi highlighted how 1.4 billion Indians celebrate Williams’ perseverance and contributions to space exploration. He mentioned that during his meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, he had inquired about her well-being, reflecting India’s deep admiration for her achievements.

Sunita Williams, whose father Deepak Pandya was born in Jhulasan, a small village in Gujarat, before moving to the United States, has always maintained a strong connection to her Indian roots. Though she grew up in America, her Indian heritage has been a significant part of her identity, influencing her values and experiences.

Williams has often spoken warmly about her cultural ties to India. During one of her space missions, she carried a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, an idol of Lord Ganesha, and sacred Ganga Jal—a touching tribute to her heritage.