India - Loktej English

Strong performance of the country's banks, annual growth of 15.90 percent: DFS Secretary

Loktej English Team — Wed, 27 May 2026 20:37:17 +0530

M. Nagaraju, Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in the Ministry of Finance, stated that both public and private sector banks in the country are performing 'very well' with an annual growth of 15.90 percent.

He mentioned that this is the highest growth recorded in Indian history. The DFS Secretary noted that the non-performing assets (NPA) across the country have also decreased to 0.40 percent, which is lower compared to previous figures. Nagaraju participated in two programs in the northeastern state, where loans worth ₹604 crore were approved for 8,000 beneficiaries.

He reported that banks now have a strong capital base, and the low NPA is a major reason behind the banks' strength. Nagaraju highlighted that the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has launched a ₹2.25 lakh crore business guarantee program to support small and medium enterprises in light of the West Asia crisis. Referring to financial inclusion measures, he stated that millions of people have benefited from various social security schemes over the past 12 years.

He mentioned that under the financial inclusion scheme (Jan Dhan Yojana), a total of 580 million accounts have been opened in 12 years, of which 320 million accounts belong to women. He also noted that during this period, 560 million loans have been approved under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, with 67 percent of these loans going to women. He urged people to take bank loans to establish enterprises and ensure timely repayments to become eligible for more loan facilities.

Publish with Us: Wish to feature your personal or organizational milestones, success stories, or press releases in Loktej English? Contact us, and we will guide you through our publication process.

Feedback & Corrections: We strive for accuracy. If you spot an error, have feedback, or object to the content of this article/press release, please notify us at loktejonline [at] gmail [dot] com. We will review the matter and rectify it at the earliest.

Surat: President Droupadi Murmu honors Nilesh Mandalewala, the 'Organ Man of India', with Padma Shri

Loktej English Team — Tue, 26 May 2026 12:32:21 +0530

Surat: Nilesh Mandalewala, who has been continuously working in the field of organ donation awareness for the past two decades, has been awarded the 'Padma Shri' honor by the Government of India. Known as the 'Organ Man of India' and the founder of Donate Life, Nilesh Mandalewala was honored by President Droupadi Murmu at the Padma Awards 2026 ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The event was attended by several dignitaries including Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah.

In recognition of his invaluable contributions to social service and organ donation, the Government of India announced his name for the Padma Shri award on January 26, 2026. After receiving the honor, an emotional Nilesh Mandalewala stated that this recognition is not just for him or the Donate Life organization, but for the entire city of Surat, the state of Gujarat, all organ donors, their families, and everyone associated with the organ donation campaign. He dedicated this award to his late parents and Lord Dwarkadhish.

Nilesh Mandalewala mentioned that the success of the organ donation campaign has been significantly supported by doctors, hospitals, Surat City Police, Airport Authority, the forensic department of the civil hospital, CISF, media organizations, volunteers, and social organizations in Surat and South Gujarat. He expressed that this honor would inspire him to advance the organ donation awareness campaign with even greater responsibility. It is noteworthy that Nilesh Mandalewala started the organ donation awareness campaign in Surat in 2005.

In the initial phase, there was a significant lack of awareness among people, but he did not give up. He spent hours standing outside hospital ICUs, explaining organ donation to the families of brain-dead patients. He faced opposition, humiliation, and difficult situations multiple times, but he continued his mission.

In 2014, he established the 'Donate Life' organization, through which extensive awareness about organ donation has been spread across the country via seminars, walkathons, exhibitions, radio-TV programs, and digital and social media campaigns. The organization has reached over 100 million people so far. Thanks to the efforts of Nilesh Mandalewala and his organization, over 1380 organs and tissues have been donated, giving new life and hope to more than 1270 people both domestically and internationally.

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in donating 203 organs and tissues from Surat, providing new life to 182 patients. For his contributions in the field of organ donation, he has received over 70 awards from various organizations in India and abroad, including the highest civilian award from the Gujarat government, the 'Gujarat Garima Award'. Today, the city of Surat, recognized as a textile and diamond city, has also made a distinct identity in the field of organ donation awareness, largely credited to Padma Shri Nilesh Mandalewala and his organization Donate Life.

No harm to tribal community from Uniform Civil Code: Shah

Loktej English Team — Mon, 25 May 2026 19:51:57 +0530

Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged the tribal community not to fear the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), stating that it would not harm them. While addressing the tribal cultural gathering named 'Tu-Main Ek Rakt, Vanvasi-Gramvasi-Nagarvasi, Hum Sab Bharatvasi' at the historic Ramleela Maidan, he mentioned that this gathering would be known as the 'Mahakumbh' of tribes for years to come.

He expressed that he had never seen God Birsa Munda in his life, but today he felt his presence among them. Shah emphasized that the framers of the Constitution granted every individual the right to live with self-respect in their original religion and that no one would be forced to change their religion through temptation. He called for taking an oath to protect their religion from the land of Delhi, which would keep them connected to their culture and country.

Shah welcomed all the brothers and sisters from the Bhil and Munda communities of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the Gond and Kolam communities of Chhattisgarh, the Santhal and Uraon communities of Jharkhand and Odisha, the Bodo, Karbi, Dimasa, Khasi, Garo, and Chakma communities of the Northeast, and the Chenchu communities of Andhra Pradesh. He expressed deep gratitude to both organizations for giving him the opportunity to witness this wonderful event in his lifetime. He noted that this year marks the 150th anniversary of God Birsa Munda.

He stated that water, forests, and mountains are the sources of livelihood for their tribal brothers and serve as an impregnable fortress that protects their identity and culture. Shah remarked that if there is a sustainable model in the world today, it is the model created by our tribal communities, and they have come forward to protect it. All tribes have worked to realize the mantra of 'Unity in Diversity' without any written rules.

He recalled that thousands of years ago, in the Treta Yuga, Lord Ram made it clear by eating the leftover berries of Shabari that we are all one. He stated that today's gathering and the millions of tribal people present send a strong message to those who seek to divide. Shah mentioned that a conspiracy has begun regarding the UCC, claiming it would deprive tribal people of their culture, traditions, customs, and right to live.

As the Home Minister of the Narendra Modi government, he clarified that no restrictions of the UCC would be imposed on the tribal community or individuals. The UCC would not violate any tribal rights. He noted that the UCC has been implemented in two states where the Bharatiya Janata Party is in power, specifically Gujarat and Uttarakhand, with special provisions ensuring that all tribal communities are excluded from the UCC.

He urged everyone to return to their villages, mountains, and forests and inform all tribal communities that there is no need to fear the UCC. The organizers presented this event as a cultural expression of tribal identity and 'national unity,' with the slogan 'Tu Main Ek Rakt, Vanvasi-Gramvasi-Nagarvasi, Hum Sab Bharatvasi.' An official from JSM mentioned that participants were expected to come in traditional attire from various parts of the country, while volunteers in Delhi arranged housing, food, transportation, and medical facilities through 20 different committees. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of God Birsa Munda, tribal communities from all corners of the country arrived in traditional attire and participated in a procession showcasing folk culture.

This gathering was organized by the Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which raised several sensitive issues. The most significant issue discussed was conversion. Participants from the tribal community expressed that some individuals continue to benefit from tribal reservations even after converting, leaving the original tribal society feeling cheated.

Additionally, issues such as fake Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificates, encroachment on tribal lands, and so-called 'Love Jihad' and 'Land Jihad' were raised. The organizers stated that some foreign forces and missionary organizations are attempting to separate tribal people from their cultural identity.

Supreme Court to Hear Petition Against CBSE's Tri-Language Policy for 9th Grade Students Next Week

Loktej English Team — Sat, 23 May 2026 19:37:25 +0530

The Supreme Court will hear a petition challenging the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s new policy making the study of three languages mandatory for 9th grade students next week. The petition has been filed by parents and teachers from New Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, and Chennai.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi mentioned the case before a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi. He argued that the sudden implementation of this rule would affect students' preparation for the 10th grade board examinations and impose an undue academic burden on them.

Rohatgi contended that students who have been studying only two languages until now would suddenly have to learn an additional language at the 9th grade level and take an exam for it in the 10th grade, leading to confusion and academic chaos among students. Taking note of the arguments, the bench stated that the matter would be listed for hearing next week. This challenge is related to a circular issued by CBSE on May 15, which aligns the 'study plan' with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.

Under the revised framework, studying three languages will be mandatory for students entering 9th grade from July 1, 2026, with at least two being Indian languages. A foreign language option can only be chosen if the other two languages are Indian, or it can be taken as an additional fourth subject. According to the petitioners, this policy is entirely different from a notification issued by CBSE on April 9, 2026, which postponed the requirement for a third language at the 9th grade level until the academic session 2029-30.

The petition claims that the sudden implementation of this policy will impose additional academic burdens on students who are already preparing for board examinations, while schools lack infrastructure, trained teachers, and adequate study materials. It alleges that directing 9th grade students to rely on 6th grade level textbooks to learn an additional language reflects inadequacies in teaching methods, rather than any meaningful language knowledge. The petition also expresses concern about the disproportionate impact of this policy on students from non-Hindi speaking states and points out the absence of a clear assessment framework for the newly introduced third language.

Elections Announced for 24 Rajya Sabha Seats: Voting on June 18

Loktej English Team — Fri, 22 May 2026 19:41:01 +0530

The Election Commission of India has announced the election schedule for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka, as the terms of the current members are set to expire in the next two months. According to the notification issued by the Commission, the voting process will take place on June 18 from 9 AM to 4 PM.

As per the electoral schedule, the official notification will be released on June 1, after which nomination papers can be submitted until June 8. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures is June 11. These seats are under discussion due to the expiration of terms of senior leaders such as Digvijaya Singh, H.D. Deve Gowda, and Mallikarjun Kharge.

Additionally, by-elections for two extra seats in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will also be held on the same day. The Election Commission has clarified that special observers will be appointed to ensure that the voting is completely transparent and fair.

During the elections, the use of a specific 'integrated violet color' pen, as designated by the Commission, will be mandatory to prevent any discrepancies in preference marking. The counting of votes will begin immediately after voting to ensure the selection of new members for the upper house.

America to Provide Unlimited Oil to India: A Major Statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio

Loktej English Team — Fri, 22 May 2026 19:38:10 +0530

Washington, May 22. Just before his visit to India, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an important statement regarding energy security.

He clarified that America is fully prepared to supply unlimited energy (oil) to India as per its needs. Rubio stated that the U.S. is currently at its historic production and export levels and wants to be a major part of India's energy portfolio. Marco Rubio will be on an official visit to India from May 23 to 26, during which he will visit Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi.

Speaking to reporters in Miami, he described India as a great ally and strategic partner of the U.S. He expressed enthusiasm for elevating trade relations between the two countries and assured cooperation in reducing global energy pressures. The main highlight of this visit will be the meeting of the foreign ministers of the Quad countries on May 26, which will be chaired by Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

Rubio emphasized the significance of this conference, stating that the Quad member countries are excellent partners and will discuss deep institutional cooperation between the two democracies through this platform. This visit will further strengthen diplomatic and defense cooperation between the two countries.

EPFO's new WhatsApp service: Millions of PF account holders will get balance and claim information at home

Loktej English Team — Thu, 21 May 2026 19:36:21 +0530

The Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has launched a 24-hour active WhatsApp helpline service for its millions of stakeholders. Through this new facility, account holders can simply write 'Hello' to get information about their PF balance, details of the last 5 transactions, and track their claim status in real-time.

EPFO has clarified that this service is secure and members can also receive assistance in their regional languages. The organization has advised users to stay alert against fraud. Members should only contact the official EPFO business account with a 'green tick'.

EPFO has made it clear that it will never ask any member for their password, [Aadhaar Redacted] linking-related personal information, UAN (UAN) pin, or OTP (OTP) via WhatsApp. This service has been designed with full attention to security standards. Along with the WhatsApp service, EPFO has achieved significant success in resolving pending complaints and legal cases.

Recent data indicates that the number of pending cases at EPFO is at its lowest level ever. A record reduction in court cases has been noted over the past year, with nearly a 45% improvement in serious disputes older than 10 years, enhancing the experience for stakeholders.

PM Modi Invites European Industrialists to Invest in India in Sweden

Loktej English Team — Mon, 18 May 2026 20:12:16 +0530

Gothenburg, May 18. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a diplomatic appeal to Europe's leading multinational companies to become partners in India's development path and invest significantly while addressing a special and high-profile session of the 'European Round Table for Industry' (ERT) held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The summit, co-hosted by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, included CEOs and chairpersons from 55 of the world's most influential companies such as Vodafone, Ericsson, Nokia, Shell, Volvo, Airbus, and Nestlé. Prime Minister Modi presented a special five-tier diplomatic framework to enhance deep industrial and strategic cooperation between India and Europe before the global business community and called on each company to make a new investment commitment to India over the next five years. According to official information shared with digital media, the Prime Minister identified five key sectors to strengthen the diplomatic and economic partnership between the two regions, which include telecom and digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, green transition and clean energy, infrastructure and mobility, and healthcare and life sciences.

To accelerate cooperation in these sectors, PM Modi proposed establishing several important diplomatic and institutional mechanisms, including organizing an annual India-Europe CEO Roundtable, forming sector-specific working groups, and setting up a dedicated 'ERT India Desk' or 'India Action Group' to assist European companies operating in India. He praised the recently concluded India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA), calling it the 'mother of all deals' for trade expansion. Assuring global investors, Prime Minister Modi specifically mentioned India's strong economic progress and the transformative policy reforms made over the past twelve years, which include the successful implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), insolvency reforms, historic cuts in corporate tax, production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes, and liberalization of foreign direct investment (FDI).

He stated that with a market of 1.4 billion consumers and the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, India is today the brightest star in the global economy. The government is committed to providing full institutional and administrative support to complete each major and flagship project identified through these diplomatic efforts on time, which will provide both economies with new diplomatic strength in the future.

A ship carrying 20,000 tons of LPG has crossed the Hormuz Strait and reached Gujarat

Loktej English Team — Mon, 18 May 2026 11:35:15 +0530

Kandla (Gujarat), May 17. Amid the crisis in West Asia, a ship carrying 20,000 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has crossed the Hormuz Strait and reached the Deendayal Port Authority in Kandla, Gujarat.

Officials provided this information on Sunday. They stated that the vessel 'MV Simi', flagged under the Marshall Islands, had departed from Qatar and arrived at Kandla port around 11:30 PM on Saturday after crossing the Hormuz Strait on May 13. According to officials, 13 Indian-flagged vessels have crossed the Hormuz Strait since the beginning of March, including 12 LPG tankers and one crude oil carrier.

The Hormuz Strait, located near the coast of Oman, is considered a crucial maritime route for the world's energy supply, through which nearly one-fifth of global energy supply passes. The ongoing conflict in West Asia has severely impacted this maritime route. Following joint attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, retaliatory actions have begun, leading to one of the largest energy crises in recent decades.

During a special meeting organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on energy and supply flow security, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, stated that targeting commercial vessels in Hormuz, endangering the safety of civilian crews, and obstructing freedom of navigation is unacceptable. Meanwhile, on May 13, an Indian-flagged commercial vessel was attacked near the coast of Oman.

Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel coming from Somalia safely. However, it was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attack.

PM Modi's Appeal for 'Energy Conservation and No Gold' Receives Strong Support from Scientists

Loktej English Team — Sun, 17 May 2026 18:13:10 +0530

Dehradun: Due to the ongoing severe geopolitical tensions in West Asia (Middle East), the global supply of gas and petroleum products has been severely affected.

The skyrocketing prices of crude oil are putting additional economic pressure on the Indian economy. To address this crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a special appeal to the citizens to limit the use of energy resources and refrain from purchasing gold for the next year. Since both fuel and gold need to be imported on a large scale, which requires the country to spend precious foreign currency (dollars), this initiative by the PM is expected to reduce imports, saving not only the country's revenue but also strengthening the Indian rupee in the international market.

Environmental and climate scientists have strongly supported the Prime Minister's 'No Gold, Save Energy' appeal. Scientists believe that the excessive use of energy resources and vehicles has led to smoke emissions, making global warming and climate change a serious challenge worldwide. If the citizens voluntarily reduce energy consumption, it will lead to a significant decrease in carbon emissions.

This exemplary step will not only purify the environment of the plains but will also be extremely beneficial and protective for the health of the melting Himalayan regions and their glaciers due to rising temperatures. Scientists cited the example of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating that the halt of human and industrial activities during that time allowed the environment to reset (heal) completely. During the lockdown, the Ganga River became completely pollution-free and pure up to Haridwar, there was a historic improvement in air quality, and biodiversity in the Himalayan regions received new life.

Experts say that by adopting PM Modi's appeal, we can voluntarily restore the environment to its former vitality without any restrictions. The adoption of resource conservation by the citizens is expected to strengthen the country's economic health while providing a new lease of life to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

The rescheduled exam schedule will be released in 7-10 days, NTA Director General assures students of transparency and fairness

Loktej English Team — Wed, 13 May 2026 19:34:01 +0530

The National Testing Agency's Director General Abhishek Singh announced that the complete schedule for the re-conduct of the canceled NEET-UG 2026 exam will be officially released within the next 7 to 10 days. He clarified that candidates will not need to register anew or pay any additional application fee for this re-examination.

The NTA is currently determining exam centers and dates in collaboration with its technical team to ensure that the process remains completely secure and organized. In discussions with the media, DG Abhishek Singh acknowledged that the agency takes responsibility for the disruptions in the examination system, which is why a stringent decision was made to cancel the exam to maintain integrity. He mentioned that the responsibility for a thorough investigation of the matter has been assigned to the CBI.

The NTA has appealed to the investigative agency to identify and take strict legal action against any individuals involved in the paper leak, whether external or within the department, to prevent such incidents in the future. The Director General reassured over 2.2 million candidates that the current developments will not adversely affect the NTA's future examinations.

He stated that the agency is committed to restoring its credibility and the trust of students, and the re-examination will be conducted with complete transparency and without any errors. It is noteworthy that this entrance exam, held on May 3, was canceled by the central government on Tuesday following allegations of a paper leak, after which preparations for a new conduct have begun.

NEET UG 2026 exam canceled, NTA's major decision after paper leak allegations, exam to be held again

Loktej English Team — Tue, 12 May 2026 19:33:43 +0530

New Delhi, May 12. A shocking news has emerged for millions of medical candidates across the country.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has officially announced the cancellation of the NEET UG exam held on May 3, 2026. This strict decision was taken with the approval of the Government of India after serious allegations of paper leak and exam fraud. The agency clarified that a new exam will be conducted to maintain the integrity of the examination, with the date and admit card schedule to be released soon on the official website.

According to a statement issued by the NTA, after receiving inputs regarding the irregularities in the exam, the matter has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for an independent inquiry. On May 8, the case was sent to central agencies for preliminary investigation, and based on their report, it was deemed necessary to cancel the current process. The government has made it clear that strict action will be taken against the guilty.

The agency also assured that it will provide technical assistance and all necessary records during the investigation process to prevent such incidents in the future. Considering the difficulties faced by millions of students, the NTA has made a relief announcement that students will not need to reapply for the upcoming exam. The previous registration data and candidate information will remain valid.

Additionally, no extra examination fee will be charged from the students, and reports suggest that a plan is being made to refund the fees already submitted. The agency has appealed to students and parents to avoid rumors circulating on social media and to rely only on official information.