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Opposition slams Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as Chief Election Commissioner, Congress calls it government’s control move

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Opposition reacts to Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment as CEC

The Congress party has raised serious concerns over the appointment of Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), questioning the urgency behind the decision while the matter is still under judicial review.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari, and Manickam Tagore strongly criticized the move, alleging that the government’s swift action bypassed scrutiny and undermined the democratic process.

Congress calls appointment a violation of constitutional spirit

Reacting sharply, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari termed the move a “contempt of the Supreme Court” and an attack on the Constitution’s core values.

“In a democracy, elections should not only be fair but should also appear to be fair. This appointment, while the Supreme Court is still hearing the matter, raises serious concerns about transparency,” said Tiwari.

Congress leader Manickam Tagore also condemned the appointment, stating that democracy “deserves better.”

“The government’s hasty midnight appointment of the new CEC undermines the spirit of our Constitution and free elections. As LoP Rahul Gandhi rightly said, this should have waited for the SC hearing on February 19,” he posted on X.

Rahul Gandhi’s objection to appointment process

Rahul Gandhi had earlier raised objections regarding the selection process of the CEC, criticizing the government-dominated panel responsible for appointments. During the selection committee meeting, he reportedly submitted a dissent note expressing concerns over the removal of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel.

Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal also alleged that the government acted hastily to “circumvent Supreme Court scrutiny.”

“This appointment was done before a clear order could come from the apex court, raising questions about the ruling regime’s intentions. The government is destroying the electoral process and bending the rules for its own benefit,” Venugopal remarked.

First CEC under new appointment law

Gyanesh Kumar is the first Chief Election Commissioner to be appointed under the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.

His tenure will last till January 26, 2029, just before the Election Commission is expected to announce the next Lok Sabha election schedule.

Congress leaders argue that given the significant changes in the selection law, the government should have waited for the Supreme Court’s verdict before making the appointment.

New election commissioner also appointed

Alongside Gyanesh Kumar, Dr Vivek Joshi has been appointed as an Election Commissioner. He will assume office as per the notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Meanwhile, Rajiv Kumar, the outgoing Chief Election Commissioner, is set to demit office on February 18, making way for Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment.

Political impact and Supreme Court’s role

The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter regarding the selection of election commissioners on February 19, where further developments in the case are expected.

With opposition parties raising concerns over electoral transparency and fairness, the government’s decision is likely to remain a contentious issue ahead of the 2024 General Elections.

Education

CUET PG 2025: Admit card released for all exam dates, here’s how to download

: NTA has issued CUET PG 2025 admit cards for exams scheduled from March 26 to April 1. Candidates can download from the official website using their application number and date of birth.

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CUET PG 2025, NTA, Admit Card, Postgraduate Entrance, Education News, CUET 2025, Download Admit Card, Higher Education Entrance Exam

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially released the CUET PG 2025 admit cards for all remaining exam dates. Candidates scheduled to appear for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-PG) between March 26 and April 1, 2025, can now download their admit cards online.

The entrance test, being held for postgraduate admissions for the academic session 2025-26, began on March 13 and is being conducted in computer-based mode. Admit cards for earlier dates, including exams from March 21 to 25, were released on March 16.

Where and how to download CUET PG 2025 admit card

Candidates can download the admit card from the official NTA websites:

www.nta.ac.in

https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-PG

To access the admit card, candidates need to log in using their Application Form Number and Date of Birth. The admit card contains crucial information including exam date, shift timing, examination city, and instructions for the day of the test.

Important instructions for candidates

The NTA has advised candidates to carefully go through the guidelines provided in the admit card.

Here are a few key points:

Admit card is provisionally issued, subject to eligibility verification at later stages.

It will not be sent by post.

Candidates must not tamper with or alter any details on the admit card.

Retain a printed copy of the admit card in good condition for future use.

The Advance City Intimation Slip for CUET PG 2025 was earlier uploaded by NTA on March 6, 2025, allowing candidates to plan their travel in advance.

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India News

Manipur: Five-member Supreme Court judges delegation meets displaced people, assures peace

The judges’ mission continues on Sunday with an event at the High Court of Manipur, spotlighting ongoing efforts to heal a state scarred by division.

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A delegation of five-member Supreme Court judges, led by Justice BR Gavai, offered a message of hope to communities ravaged by ethnic violence in Manipur on Saturday, assuring displaced residents that “peace will soon return” to the troubled state.

The visit, which included stops at relief camps and the virtual launch of legal and medical facilities, underscores a concerted effort to address the fallout from the sectarian clashes that erupted nearly two years ago.

Speaking to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur district, Justice Gavai struck an optimistic tone. “We understand the hardships you’re enduring, but with collective support, this dark chapter will end swiftly. Trust in the Constitution—it will restore peacefully one day,” he said, addressing families uprooted by the violence that began on 3 May 2023. That conflict, pitting the Meitei community of Imphal Valley against the Kuki-Zo groups of the hills, has claimed over 250 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people.

The delegation’s itinerary included a poignant visit to relief camps in Churachandpur, where they oversaw the virtual opening of legal services camps, aid clinics, and temporary medical units from the district’s Mini Secretariat.

These initiatives, spearheaded by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), aim to link IDPs with essential government schemes—offering healthcare, and pensions, and help reconstructing lost identity documents. Essential supplies were also distributed to ease immediate hardships. Later, the judges are slated to visit another camp at Moirang College in Bishnupur district.

Notably, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, a Meitei and part of the team, skipped Churachandpur—a Kuki-majority area—following objections from a local lawyers’ group wary of ethnic tensions. An official confirmed he would instead head to Bishnupur. The All Manipur Bar Association has since appealed to its Churachandpur branch to reconsider this stance, highlighting the need for unity.

Justice Gavai, NALSA’s Executive Chairman, also launched legal and medical camps across all Manipur districts, alongside new aid clinics in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Ukhrul. A NALSA statement described the visit as a vital step in supporting communities still reeling from the 2023 violence, which left thousands in makeshift shelters.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh welcomed the judicial outreach but took a swipe at the central government. “It’s heartening to see Supreme Court judges in Manipur, where 60,000 remain displaced and hundreds have perished. Yet, why hasn’t the Prime Minister visited? Why was the President’s Rule delayed so long? These questions linger unanswered,” he remarked.

The judges’ mission continues on Sunday with an event at the High Court of Manipur, spotlighting ongoing efforts to heal a state scarred by division.

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India News

Earth Hour meets World Water Day 2025: Chandrababu Naidu urges collective action for sustainability

On Earth Hour and World Water Day, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu emphasizes the need for water and energy conservation, aligning it with the Swarna Andhra @ 2047 vision.

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Earth Hour, World Water Day, Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh, Swarna Andhra 2047, Water Conservation, Energy Conservation, Sustainability

On the occasion of Earth Hour, which coincided with World Water Day on Saturday, March 22, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called on citizens to contribute actively towards protecting the planet through individual actions.

In a message posted on X, Naidu highlighted the global spirit of Earth Hour, a movement that brings together millions of people for 60 minutes to support and celebrate the Earth. He described the alignment of Earth Hour with World Water Day as a “meaningful overlap”, emphasizing the importance of both energy and water conservation as two vital pillars of sustainability.

Government initiatives for a sustainable future

Underscoring the state’s commitment to sustainable development, Naidu noted that the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) has incorporated water security and fuel cost optimisation into the guiding principles of its Swarna Andhra @ 2047 vision plan. This long-term roadmap aims to ensure a resource-efficient and environmentally responsible Andhra Pradesh by the year 2047.

While highlighting the government’s efforts, Naidu stressed the need for collective responsibility. He urged individuals to do their part, saying that even small actions can lead to big changes in the journey toward a greener future.

As Earth Hour and World Water Day shine a spotlight on pressing environmental challenges, the Chief Minister’s message reiterates the need for both policy-level action and grassroots participation in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

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