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COVAX says recent Covid surge in India impacted vaccine supply, expects shortfall of 190 million doses by June

COVAX is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

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The COVAX on Thursday said the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in India has severely impacted the Covid vaccine supply in the second quarter of this year. The COVAX is co-led by CEPI, Gavi and WHO, alongside key delivery partner UNICEF

In a joint statement, the COVAX said the supply affected to the extent that there will be a shortfall of 190 million doses by the end of June.

The joint statement was issued by Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) CEO Dr Richard Hatchett, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance CEO Dr Seth Berkley, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.

The joint statement said the countries that are advanced in their vaccination programmes are witnessing Covid decline, hospitalisations decrease and early signs of some kind of normality resume. However, the global picture is far more concerning.

Giving a call to deliver 2 billion Covid vaccine doses in 2021, the COVAX, in a statement said the COVAX is observing traumatic effects of the terrible surge of Covid-19 in South Asia – a surge which has also severely impacted global vaccine supplies.

The statement said COVAX has proven it works as the global mechanism for equitable access to Covod-19 vaccines, having delivered over 70 million doses to 126 countries and economies around the world since February. Over 35 countries received their first Covid-19 vaccine doses thanks to COVAX.

It said even though COVAX will have larger volumes available later in the year through the deals it has already secured with several manufacturers, it warned that India does not address the current, urgent shortfall, the consequences could be catastrophic. It said the pandemic has just taken a frightening new turn, as a deadly surge of cases rages across South Asia and other hotspots.

The global agencies called on nations to share doses now, saying the United States and Europe have collectively pledged to share 180 million doses.

The joint statement said COVAX’s need for doses is greatest right now. Countries with higher coverage rates, which are due to receive doses soon, should swap their places in supply queues with COVAX so that doses can be equitably distributed as quickly as possible.

The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, is the key supplier of AstraZeneca doses to COVAX.

As per the agreement between GAVI and SII to support an increase in manufacturing capacity through funding. The SII has contracted with COVAX to provide SII-licensed Covishield to 64 lower-income economies participating in the Gavi COVAX AMC (including India), alongside its commitments to the Government of India.

However, supply of vaccines from SII to COVAX has been impacted as the Covid second wave ravages India. UNICEF had also noted with concern that the devastating surge in coronavirus cases in India has impacted vaccine supplies to the COVAX facility.

A note to editors in the UNICEF statement had said that the shortfall numbers are based on delays related to shipments from the SII only. Other delays related to the original COVAX delivery schedule are expected to be made up by the end of June. The note said there is currently no timetable to resolve SII-related delays.

The COVAX facility is slated to deliver its 65 millionth dose in the coming days when it should have been at least its 170 millionth.

Read Also: Dominica Court stays Mehul Choksi’s deportation, grants legal aid

The COVAX is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.

According to Johns Hopkins University Covid-19 tracker, more than 168,769,000 confirmed cases have been reported from across the world while the deadly disease has claimed the lives of over 3,507,000 people.

India News

Nagpur violence: Aaditya Thackeray says BJP wants to make Maharashtra next Manipur

BJP MLA Pravin Datke also visited the affected neighbourhoods, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the violence, and noting targeted attacks on specific shops and stalls.

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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday lashed out at the BJP government in Maharashtra, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, for its handling of recent violent incidents in Nagpur. Thackeray drew a troubling parallel between Maharashtra and the violence-stricken state of Manipur, suggesting that the state is on a similar path.

In a press conference, Thackeray questioned the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) regarding its lack of response to spreading rumours of impending violence. “Why did the CMO not react when reports of unrest started circulating? The Chief Minister and the Home Department should be the first to know about such threats. Did they have no information? It seems like the BJP is intent on turning Maharashtra into the next Manipur,” he contended.

He also took the opportunity to discuss economic progress, comparing India unfavourably to Vietnam, which, despite being smaller and less populous, has a thriving electronics sector. Thackeray lamented the ongoing violence in Manipur since 2023, questioning the prospects for investment and tourism under such conditions.

“While violence persists in Manipur, Maharashtra risks experiencing a similar fate. We must consider the progress countries like Vietnam have made, showcasing what we could achieve if we were not mired in conflict. The BJP seems bent on dividing our nation along lines of caste and religion,” he remarked.

The violence in Nagpur, which has led to curfews and increased tensions, was characterized by Chief Minister Fadnavis as “a well-planned attack.” He attributed the unrest to protests by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, which were sparked by rumours of the desecration of religious items. “No one has the right to disrupt law and order,” he declared.

Fadnavis reported several injuries among police officers, including a Deputy Commissioner of Police attacked with an axe. Prohibitory orders were enacted in 11 police stations, and multiple FIRs were recorded in response to the incidents. “We will not tolerate attacks on law enforcement officials,” he stated firmly.

As tensions continued to escalate, the Maharashtra assembly witnessed protests from opposition leaders, demanding action regarding Aurangzeb’s tomb, which they see as a catalyst for recent violence. Both sides exchanged heated accusations, with the ruling alliance branding individuals who glorify Aurangzeb as “traitors.”

BJP MLA Pravin Datke also visited the affected neighbourhoods, emphasizing the premeditated nature of the violence, and noting targeted attacks on specific shops and stalls.

In light of the unrest, a curfew has been implemented in various parts of Nagpur under the authority of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, aimed at restoring order amidst the rising tensions. This curfew will remain enforced until further notice, affecting numerous police station jurisdictions across the city.

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India News

Rahul Gandhi hails Revanth Reddy govt after Telangana Assembly passes bills to increase OBC reservation to 42%

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.

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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.

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Education

IIT JAM 2025 results declared, admissions to begin from March 26

IIT Delhi has declared the IIT JAM 2025 results. Qualified candidates can download their scorecards from March 24 to July 31. Admissions begin on March 26.

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IIT JAM 2025, IIT Delhi, IIT JAM results, M.Sc. admissions, IIT JAM scorecard, IIT JAM seat allocation, JAM 2025 result link, IIT admissions

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.

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