A.P. Intermediate education chief raps principals of 50 underperforming government junior colleges

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd). Photo credit: PIB

The government appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.) as the next Chief of Defence Staff, who will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. He will assume office after Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on 30 May 2026.Government of India appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd.) as the next Chief of Defence Staff, who will also serve as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. He will assume office after Gen Anil Chauhan completes his tenure on 30 May 2026.A highly… pic.twitter.com/wnbeitcpyX— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 9, 2026Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani is currently Military Adviser, National Security Council Secretariat, from September 1, 2025 Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani has served across a wide spectrum of conflicts and terrain profiles and held a host of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. He was also awarded with Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. Published - May 09, 2026 08:41 am IST

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani (Retd). Photo credit: PIB

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. Photo credit: PIB

The government appoints Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. He is Currently serving as FOC-in-C (Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief), Western Naval Command.Government appoints Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. Currently serving as FOC-in-C, @IN_WNC, the Admiral brings nearly four decades of distinguished service, with extensive operational, strategic & personnel management… pic.twitter.com/5tFs4eR2xJ— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 9, 2026The present Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM will retire from service on May 31, 2026.On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the Flag Officer was Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at NHQ. Prior to his current assignment, he served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters. Published - May 09, 2026 08:23 am IST

AMMK chief T.T.V. Dhinakaran addresses the media outside Tamil Nadu Lok Bhavan on May 8, 2026. Photo: Screenshot from video posted on X/@PTI_News

In a late night development on Friday (May 8, 2026), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran accused the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of submitting to the Governor, a photocopy of a “forged letter”, claiming it has the support of his party’s lone MLA-elect from Mannargudi constituency S. Kamaraj.Tamil Nadu government formation: Follow LIVE updates on May 8, 2026“The TVK, which claims to be a ‘pure force’ has indulged in forgery in the hope that later they could indulge in horse trading and buy our lone MLA, as it would not attract anti-defection law. They submitted a photocopy of ‘a WhatsApp letter’ to the Governor. When he asked for the original, they left saying it will be brought,” Mr. Dhinakaran told journalists outside the Lok Bhavan, accompanied by Mr. Kamaraj.He said a police complaint will be lodged against the issue. He said Mr. Kamaraj was “shocked” to see a forged letter being submitted in his name.Earlier in the day, Mr. Dhinakaran submitted another letter to the Governor extending support to AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, urging he be invited to form the government. The letter contained his signature as well as that of Mr. Kamaraj’s (obtained earlier).While the Congress and the Left parties in Tamil Nadu have extended their support to TVK chief Mr. Vijay, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) is yet to officially announce their support as uncertainty looms over the formation of a new government in Tamil Nadu. Published - May 09, 2026 01:18 am IST

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The swearing-in ceremony of the State's first BJP government is scheduled to be held at Brigade Parade Ground on May 9 Updated

May 08, 2026 03:51 pm IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. File

| Photo Credit:

X/@AmitShah via ANI

The BJP legislature party is scheduled to meet in Kolkata on Friday (May 8, 2026) in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to formally elect its leader, with Suvendu Adhikari emerging as the frontrunner to become the party’s first Chief Minister in West Bengal.Also read | How BJP won West BengalThe BJP registered a historic victory in the just-held Assembly elections, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule and dealing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee one of the biggest setbacks of her political career. On Tuesday (May 5, 2026), Trinamool chairperson Mamata Banerjee said she would not resign as Chief Minister, alleging that the verdict was the result of a “conspiracy” rather than the people’s mandate. Also read | Suvendu aide among 3 killed as post-poll violence rocks BengalSince the election results were announced on Monday (May 4, 2026), instances of post-poll violence erupted across Bengal. On Wednesday (May 6, 2026), BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s personal assistant was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Madhyamgram area in the State’s North 24 Parganas district. May 08, 2026 15:36 Gulf clash threatens hopes for quick U.S.-Iran deal A new clash between U.S. and Iranian forces in the Gulf dented optimism for a negotiated peace on Friday (May 8, 2026), despite President Donald Trump insisting a shaky truce was still holding while the sides inch towards a deal.U.S. Central Command said Iranian forces had launched missiles, drones and small boats at three US warships overnight but that none were hit, while American forces destroyed the incoming threat and retaliated against land bases in Iran.Iran’s own central military command, Khatam al-Anbiya, countered that the clash had erupted when U.S. vessels targeted an Iranian civilian tanker heading towards the Strait of Hormuz, and accused its foe of hitting civilian areas.- AFPMay 08, 2026 15:04 Akhilesh reaffirms support to TMC, DMK; takes dig at Congress Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday (May 8, 2026) threw his weight behind the TMC and DMK, which faced rout in the Assembly polls, and took a jibe at the Congress, saying “we are not the ones who leave during difficult times”.Mr. Yadav also posted on X photographs of his meeting with Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata and with DMK chief MK Stalin. “We are not the ones who leave (you) during the difficult times,” he said.Read more hereMay 08, 2026 14:51 Trump's remarks congratulating PM Modi for Bengal poll victory premature, misplaced: Raut Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday (May 8, 2026) termed U.S. President Donald Trump’s congratulations to PM Narendra Modi over the West Bengal poll results “premature and misplaced”, asserting that State elections are an internal matter of India’s democracy.In a post on X, where he tagged the U.S. President, Mr. Raut urged the latter to adopt a “more informed and balanced view” about the elections, claiming serious concerns have emerged that the polls were held amid an atmosphere of fear, intimidation, and systemic pressure.“As a Member of Parliament from India, I write in response to reports of your congratulations to PM Narendra Modi on the West Bengal Assembly election results. These are state-level elections — an internal matter of India’s federal democracy. Any external endorsement appears premature and misplaced,” Mr. Raut wrote.- PTIMay 08, 2026 14:11 74% BJP MLAs have declared criminal cases: ADR reportsAs many as 65% of newly elected legislators in the West Bengal Assembly have declared criminal cases against themselves, marking a sharp rise from the previous election, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).65% of newly elected Bengal MLAs

Tamil Nadu Government Formation LIVE: Vijay's TVK vs Likely AIADMK-DMK Pact In Tamil Nadu Battle For Throne NDTV Governor’s remit is to invite TVK chief Vijay and ask for a floor test: former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar The Hindu Congress Leader Criticises "Puppet" Governor Over Vijay Majority Row NDTV AIADMK, DMK in talks for alliance after Congress jumps ship? Deccan Herald Tamil Nadu Government Formation LIVE Updates: ‘TVK approached us to form alliance, but decision rests with Stalin,’ says IUML chief The Indian Express

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Tamil Nadu

DMK would not join the government, but the allies are free to take a decision on joining the government, says M.K. Stalin Updated

May 08, 2026 07:56 am IST

Poster and banner carrying a picture of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party chief Joseph Vijay in Chennai. File.

| Photo Credit:

The Hindu

In a related development, the Lok Bhavan said Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar invited Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C. Joseph Vijay and “explained that the requisite majority support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, essential for forming the government, has not been established”.Opinion | Seeking a new paradigm for Dravidian exceptionalismWhile Vijay and senior party leaders reached out to the DMK’s allies — the Communist Party of India, the CPI(M) and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, which have two seats each — DMK president M.K. Stalin too is learnt to have broached with these three parties the idea of backing an AIADMK-led government. Now clearly, the three parties hold the key to any further churn in Tamil Nadu politics.Currently, the TVK with the support of the five elected candidates of the Congress, effectively has 112 seats in the 234-member House after accounting for the legal mandate for Vijay to resign from one of his two seats.Watch | Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?Mr. Stalin, the outgoing Chief Minister who had initially rejected the proposal to back the AIADMK, reportedly yielded to pressure from second-line party leaders and invited CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam, CPI State secretary M. Veerapandian, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan to his house for discussions. The DMK would not join the government, but the allies are free to take a decision on joining the government, he reportedly told them.Follow the live updates below:

Watch: Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?

Watch: Vijay won, but why can’t he become Chief Minister yet?For the first time since 1952, Tamil Nadu has delivered a fractured mandate in an Assembly election? The man behind this turn of events is cinema superstar Vijay, who not only entered politics but also stunned the two Dravidian rivals, the DMK and AIADMK. But Vijay;s TVK managed only 108 seats on its own, short of the majority mark of 118. Vijay will need the support of smaller parties for form the government and with the Congress in the mix, it poses a very interesting situation. So, what are the scenarios? What role does the Governor play?May 08, 2026 07:56 Governor’s remit is to invite Vijay and ask for floor test: former Law Minister Ashwani Kumar The correct course of action for the Tamil Nadu Governor would be to invite C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) to form the government and prove his majority on the floor of the State Assembly, former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said on Thursday (May 7, 2026).Reacting to the evolving political situation in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Kumar said constitutional conventions and judicial precedents make it clear that when a party stakes claim, the appropriate constitutional process is to allow it an opportunity to demonstrate majority support through a floor test in the Assembly.Read the full story belowGovernor’s remit is to invite TVK chief Vijay and ask for a floor test: former Law Minister Ashwani KumarFormer Law Minister Ashwani Kumar urges Tamil Nadu Governor to invite Vijay for a floor test to honor the popular mandate.May 08, 2026 07:55 Opinion | Ballots outside, bargains inside The oligarchic functioning of traditional political parties has alienated politically conscious youth, first-time voters, and unheard sections of society, pushing many towards new political alternatives such as Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam.Read the full article belowBallots outside, bargains insideThe rise of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam signals a shift in Tamil Nadu politics, driven by youth disillusionment with traditional party structures.May 08, 2026 07:54 Opinion

The report on the State Education Policy being submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

| Photo Credit: File photo

The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to set up a Cabinet sub-committee to study and recommend to the government on implementing the State Education Policy (SEP).The Cabinet on Thursday held detailed discussions on the recommendations made by the Sukhdeo Thorat-led State Education Policy Commission.Prof. Thorat also gave a presentation to the Cabinet Ministers on Thursday following which it was decided to authorise the Chief Minister to set up a Cabinet sub-committee.When asked if the sub-committee recommendations would be available before the commencement of academic year, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said, “It may take some time. There are eight chapters and covers human resources, financial implications, present academic activities and curriculum among many others.”Transport amendment billThe Cabinet also approved The Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Allied Workers Social Security and Welfare (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to bring the Karnataka Motor Transport and Other Related Workers’ Social Security and Welfare Board from Labour Department to Transport Department.Between April, 2025 and December, 2025, the Transport Department collected a total cess of ₹92.25 crore through 3% cess, and fee of ₹500 each on two-wheelers and ₹1,000 each on four-wheelers.Zoo experienceThe proposed Immersive Wildlife Room and a Digital Zoo Guide at Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens and Bannerghatta Biological Park at the cost of ₹44.62 crore and ₹35.22 crore, respectively, to provide technology enabled visitor engagement system was also approved. The Cabinet also cleared an aquarium to be set up at Bannerghatta at a cost of ₹144.40 crore.Among other decisions was clearing 2% reservation for sportspersons by bringing in amendment to the Karnataka Civil Services (General) Recruitment rules. Published - May 07, 2026 10:58 pm IST

Director of the State Board of Intermediate Education Ranjith Basha (centre) at a State-wide review meeting with principals of 50 underperforming government junior colleges in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Director of the State Board of Intermediate Education Ranjith Basha has expressed serious concern over the poor results of some government junior colleges that recorded a low pass rate in the recent Intermediate Public Examinations (IPE) held in March 2026.At a State-wide review meeting on Tuesday (May 5, 2026) attended by principals of 50 government junior colleges that did not perform on expected lines, Mr. Basha pointed out key shortcomings in academic monitoring and the delivery system. He issued a set of strict instructions aimed at improving performance in the coming year. Published - May 06, 2026 12:27 pm IST

A.P. Intermediate education chief raps principals of 50 underperforming government junior colleges

Government appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as next Chief of Defence Staff

Government appoints Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani (Retd) as next Chief of Defence Staff

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Government appoints Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan as next Chief of Naval Staff

AMMK chief Dhinakaran slams TVK for submitting ‘forged’ letter to Governor claiming his party’s backing

West Bengal government formation LIVE: Amit Shah arrives in Kolkata for BJP legislature party meet to elect new CM

Tamil Nadu Government Formation LIVE: Vijay's TVK vs Likely AIADMK-DMK Pact In Tamil Nadu Battle For Throne

T.N. Government formation LIVE: CPI, CPI(M), VCK hold the key to any further churn in State politics

Karnataka to set up Cabinet sub-committee to study State Education Policy