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Veena Reddy, former USAID India director, under fire over $21 million voter turnout funding row

Prior to her government service, she practised corporate law in New York, London, and Los Angeles. Reddy holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Columbia University School of Law and both an M.A. and a B.A. from the University of Chicago.

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Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about a “$21 million USAID funding for voter turnout in India,” allegations of “foreign interference” in Indian elections emerged. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress party of orchestrating this alleged interference. On February 20, the BJP set its sights on a specific individual, Veena Reddy.

In response to Elon Musk’s claims regarding USAID funding for voter turnout data, BJP Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey asserted that USAID has been financing organizations in India that contribute to domestic unrest. He called on the Indian government to investigate these activities.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Mahesh Jethmalani posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account that Veena Reddy was appointed as USAID’s Mission Director in India in 2021, departing shortly after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He alleged that her departure was intended to evade Indian investigative agencies probing the USAID funding related to voter turnout. He also claimed she collaborated closely with the U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti.

Veena Reddy currently serves as the Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in India and Bhutan. Originating from Andhra Pradesh, she is the first Indian American to lead USAID in India.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, revealed that USAID had contributed $21 million to the Election Commission of India to enhance voter turnout. President Trump expressed scepticism regarding the Biden administration’s allocation of these funds, suggesting they might be aimed at helping a specific candidate get elected.

According to the U.S. embassy and consulate in India, Reddy has been affiliated with USAID for many years and has played a significant role in various projects. She previously worked as a U.S. foreign service officer, serving as USAID’s Mission Director in Cambodia and Deputy Mission Director in Haiti, in addition to handling legal matters for USAID’s programs in Asia and the Middle East as an Assistant General Counsel in Washington, D.C.

Prior to her government service, she practised corporate law in New York, London, and Los Angeles. Reddy holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Columbia University School of Law and both an M.A. and a B.A. from the University of Chicago.

While serving as USAID’s Mission Director in Cambodia in 2017, she supervised a team of 75 and managed programs in various sectors, including food security, environment, health, education, child protection, and governance. In Haiti, she oversaw post-earthquake reconstruction efforts, election support, economic development, and hurricane response.

Recently, the United States announced a suspension of all foreign aid and initiated a review of its financial assistance to ensure alignment with its America First foreign policy agenda. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has paused all U.S. foreign assistance provided through the State Department and USAID to facilitate this review.

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Education

CBSE class 10 result 2026 out, who can appear for second board exam explained

CBSE has announced Class 10 results 2026 and introduced clear rules for the second board exam. Here’s who is eligible and who is not.

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Result

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the Class 10 results for 2026, along with key guidelines for students who wish to appear in the second board examination under the newly introduced two-exam policy.

As per the updated system aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, students now have an opportunity to improve their performance in selected subjects through a second exam scheduled later in the same academic year.

Who is eligible for second board exam

CBSE has laid down specific conditions for students to appear in the second board examination:

  • It is mandatory for students to appear in the first board exam
  • Students must have appeared in at least three subjects in the main exam
  • Those who have passed can opt for improvement in up to three subjects
  • Students in the compartment category are also eligible to appear
  • Improvement is allowed only in subjects already taken in the first exam

The second exam allows students to improve marks in subjects such as Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and languages.

Who is not eligible

Certain categories of students will not be allowed to appear in the second board exam:

  • Students who did not appear in three or more subjects
  • Those who failed in three or more subjects
  • Students placed in specific non-eligible categories by the board

Such students will have to reappear in the next main examination cycle instead.

Important rules students must note

CBSE has also clarified several important rules:

  • Change of subjects is not permitted in the second exam
  • No corrections in student data will be allowed
  • Schools will submit the list of candidates for the second exam
  • Students can improve performance in a maximum of three subjects

The board aims to reduce exam pressure and give students flexibility to improve scores within the same academic year.

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India News

Who is Samrat Choudhary, the BJP leader chosen as Bihar chief minister

Samrat Choudhary has been named Bihar’s new chief minister, becoming the first BJP leader to hold the post in the state.

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Samrat Choudhary

Samrat Choudhary has been chosen as the new chief minister of Bihar, marking a major political shift in the state. His elevation follows the resignation of Nitish Kumar, who is set to move to the Rajya Sabha.

With this development, Choudhary becomes the first leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party to occupy the top post in Bihar, a state long dominated by Nitish Kumar’s leadership for over two decades.

Who is Samrat Choudhary

Born on November 16, 1968, Samrat Choudhary is a seasoned politician with a long career in Bihar politics. He has served in multiple key roles, including deputy chief minister and minister in various state departments.

He represents the Tarapur assembly constituency and has previously held positions such as leader of the opposition in the Bihar Legislative Council and president of the BJP’s Bihar unit.

Choudhary comes from a political family, with his father, Shakuni Choudhary, also being an established political figure. Over the years, he has built a strong grassroots presence, particularly in the Munger region.

Political journey and rise in BJP

Choudhary began his political career in the 1990s and was earlier associated with parties like the Rashtriya Janata Dal and Janata Dal (United) before joining the BJP.

His rise within the BJP has been steady, culminating in his appointment as deputy chief minister in 2024. He handled important portfolios such as finance, urban development, and panchayati raj during his tenure.

He is also considered an influential OBC leader, which is seen as a key factor in his selection as chief minister, reflecting the party’s strategy to broaden its social base.

A major political shift in Bihar

Choudhary’s appointment signals a new phase in Bihar politics, with the BJP taking direct leadership of the state government. The party, which is the single-largest in the assembly, elected him as its legislative party leader, clearing the path for his swearing-in as chief minister.

His leadership will be closely watched as he takes charge after a long period dominated by Nitish Kumar.

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Education

CBSE 10th result 2026 expected soon, students advised to prepare DigiLocker access

CBSE is likely to announce Class 10 result 2026 soon in April. Students can check scores on official websites, DigiLocker, and UMANG app.

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CBSE 10th result 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education is expected to declare the Class 10 board examination result for 2026 soon, with indications pointing toward an announcement in April. However, the board has not yet confirmed the official date and time.

Students who appeared for the examination are advised to stay prepared and keep their login credentials ready, as the result can be released at any time once the final process is completed.

Result likely earlier than usual

Unlike previous years when CBSE results were typically released in May, the 2026 Class 10 result is expected earlier. The shift is linked to changes in the examination system, including the introduction of multiple exam phases during the academic year.

The board conducted the Class 10 examinations between February 17 and March 11, 2026, with lakhs of students participating across the country.

Where to check CBSE 10th result 2026

Once declared, students will be able to access their results through multiple official platforms, including:

  • Official websites such as cbse.gov.in and results.cbse.nic.in
  • DigiLocker platform for digital marksheets
  • UMANG mobile application

These platforms are expected to host the result simultaneously to ensure smooth access for students.

Advisory for students before result declaration

Students have been advised not to wait until the result day to complete formalities. They should create and verify their DigiLocker accounts in advance to avoid last-minute issues.

Digital marksheets made available through DigiLocker will be considered valid and can be used for further admission and documentation purposes.

Steps to check scorecard

After the result is announced, students can follow these steps:

  1. Visit the official CBSE result website
  2. Click on the Class 10 result link
  3. Enter roll number and required details
  4. Submit and view the result
  5. Download or print the marksheet for future use

Students are advised to carefully verify all details mentioned in the scorecard after downloading it.

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