The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the cancellation of Class XII board examinations for students in several Middle East countries. The affected countries include Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. All exams that were scheduled from March 16 to April 10, 2026, have now been cancelled. This decision also applies to exams that had been postponed earlier as per previous CBSE circulars dated March 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, 2026. Important Update on CBSE Class XII Exams in Middle East CountriesCBSE has issued Circular -6 regarding cancellation of Board Exams of Class XII in Middle East countriesSee attachment for further details pic.twitter.com/FfZc5vKMHT — CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) March 15, 2026 Reason behind the cancellation The Board reviewed the feasibility of conducting the Class XII exams based on requests from schools and authorities in the affected countries. After careful consideration, CBSE decided that holding the exams would not be practical, leading to the cancellation. Result declaration for affected students CBSE has said that the mode of result declaration for students in these countries will be announced separately in due course. Students and parents are advised to stay updated with official notifications from the Board for details about how results will be processed and shared. Guidance for students and schools Schools in the affected countries are expected to follow further instructions from CBSE regarding internal assessment, grading, and result preparation. CBSE’s priority is to ensure that students are assessed fairly, even though the exams could not be conducted. The Board emphasised that this step has been taken keeping in mind the safety, convenience, and fairness for all students studying in these regions.
15 March,2026 11:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the attempted firing incident involving former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, Farooq Abdullah. According to an order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, the SIT has been constituted under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Samba-Kathua (JSK) Range. The SIT comprises Sanjay Sharma, SSP; Irshad Hussain Rather, SP Headquarters Jammu; Arvind Kumar Sambyal, Deputy SP; Inspector Saroop Singh; Inspector Paramjeet Singh; Inspector Sanjeev Chib, SHO of Gangyal Police Station; and Inspector Shariq Majeed. The team has been directed to conduct a thorough investigation and complete the probe within the statutory timeframe. The order constituting the SIT was issued by Inspector General of Police (Jammu Zone) Bhim Sen Tuti. The incident occurred on March 11 when Farooq Abdullah was attending a marriage ceremony at a banquet hall in Jammu. At around 10:10 pm, while the protectee was leaving the venue, an individual allegedly flashed a revolver and attempted to open fire from close range. The attempt was foiled due to the prompt action of police personnel deployed with him. Following the incident, a case (FIR No. 29/2026) was registered at Gangyal Police Station under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 3/25 of the Arms Act, 1959. The accused, identified as Kamal Singh, was apprehended after allegedly attempting to shoot Farooq Abdullah with a loaded pistol at a wedding ceremony held at Royal Park in the Greater Kailash area. The accused was remanded to police custody for five days on Thursday, and the court also directed that a medical examination of the individual be carried out within the next 24 hours. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 09:30 AM IST | Jammu | ANISupporters of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) clashed in central Kolkata on Saturday shortly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally at the Brigade Parade Ground, leaving a police officer and a BJP leader injured, officials said. The violence occurred around 5 km from the rally venue as BJP supporters were marching to attend the meeting marking the culmination of the party’s “Parivartan Yatra” ahead of the Assembly elections. Eyewitnesses said supporters of both parties allegedly hurled stones at each other and raised slogans, triggering tension in the busy locality. Police sources said Bowbazar police station officer-in-charge Bappaditya Naskar was injured while trying to control the situation. West Bengal minister Shashi Panja alleged that stones were thrown at her residence in the Girish Park area during the clashes. “I was hit on the abdomen by bricks hurled from outside, and several of our supporters were injured. The attackers wanted to kill me,” she said. BJP leaders, however, claimed their supporters were attacked without provocation. “Stones were thrown at us while we were heading to the rally,” a party activist told a Bengali news channel. Police later deployed additional forces and dispersed the groups. Many shopkeepers in the area downed their shutters as tensions briefly escalated. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 08:59 AM IST | Kolkata | AgenciesSeventeen-year-old chess prodigy Mayank Chakraborty has become India’s 94th Grandmaster and the first from the country’s North East to achieve the title after securing his final GM norm at the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Chess Talents Tournament. The Guwahati-based player clinched his third and final norm in the eighth round by defeating Swedish International Master Philip Lindgren, crossing the required 6.5-point mark with a round to spare. Chakraborty later drew his final game with English IM Jonah B Willow to complete a memorable campaign. “It’s a dream come true. I’ve worked towards this moment for years, and I’m grateful for the support of my family and coaches,” Chakraborty said after sealing the title. He finished the tournament with seven points from nine rounds — six wins, two draws and one loss — and also secured the event title, finishing half a point ahead of Norway’s Aksel Bu Kvaloy. The teenager also crossed the crucial 2500 Elo rating mark required by the FIDE to confirm the Grandmaster title. Chakraborty became an International Master in 2024 and has consistently ranked among the top players in his age group. A former Under-11 India and Asia No.1, he also won national and Asian youth medals during his early career. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 08:54 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesTwo Indian-flagged vessels carrying LPG from West Asia safely crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz early on Saturday morning, a senior shipping ministry official said. “LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi are now headed to Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat,” Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the ministry of Shipping, said. The vessels are carrying 92,700 tonnes of LPG and are likely to dock at Indian ports on March 16/17, he said. The two vessels were among the 24 ships that were stranded on the west side of the strait since the war broke out in the region. Narendra Modi Aseem Mahajan, an additional secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, also confirmed that five Indian nationals have lost their lives and one remains missing in the ongoing conflict. He said around 1,72,000 Indians have returned to India since February 28, the day the hostilities began. “We have also called for avoiding targeting civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, across the region. We believe that these are the priorities of a large part of the global community since the impact of the conflict is being felt globally,” another MEA spokes person Randhir Jaiswal said. Meanwhile, addressing a rally on Saturday in Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the Centre was working to minimise the impacts of global conflicts on the people. “Our effort is to minimise their impact on the people of the country. The Congress should have performed the role of a responsible political party, but it failed to do so. It is trying to create panic among the people,’” he alleged. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 08:50 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesLeaders in Ladakh on Saturday welcomed the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk from Jodhpur jail but called for the immediate release of other detainees linked to the ongoing agitation for statehood and constitutional safeguards. The Union government revoked Wangchuk’s detention under the National Security Act with immediate effect, nearly six months after he was arrested following protests in Leh demanding statehood for Ladakh and protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. MP Mohamad Hanifa. PIC/X @HANEEFA_JAN and Chering Dorjey. PIC/NATIONALIA Ladakh MP Mohamad Hanifa welcomed the move but said the government must go further. “We welcome the release of Sonam Wangchuk. But others also need to be released, and the government should also take back the cases filed against people who participated in the protests,” Hanifa said. The Leh Apex Body (LAB), one of the groups spearheading the agitation along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance, described the development as a “big victory” for the people of Ladakh. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjey said the government had “saved its face” by revoking the detention ahead of a hearing in the Supreme Court of India later this month. “This is not just about Wangchuk but about the whole of Ladakh. We maintained from the start that the allegations against him were baseless,” Dorjey said. Kargil-based politician Sajjad Kargili said, “The revocation of NSA against Sonam Wangchuk is a welcome move. However, our struggle for legitimate rights continues.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 March,2026 08:46 AM IST | Leh | AgenciesPakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt has lashed out the national federation after returning from a tumultuous tour of Australia during which his side didn't just have to roam the streets for lack of accommodation but also "wash dishes before going to play a match". Butt told the media at the Lahore Airport early this morning that the Pakistan Hockey Federation had been telling them lies and "enough was enough". "We can't work with this current management of the federation. When players have to clean the kitchen and wash dishes before going to play a match what result do you expect from us?" a livid Butt asked angrily. The PHF has drawn severe criticism after the state-run Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) confirmed it had given them more than 10 million rupees to arrange hotel accommodation of the national team in Australia. The Pakistan hockey team had to wait for 13-14 hours at Sydney airport before their onward flight to Canberra. More disturbing reports came in when the team checked into its hotel ahead of the FIH Pro League matches. The players were told that they had no bookings since no advance payment was made to the hotel management. The players had to wait for hours and roamed the streets before an accommodation was arranged for them. The next afternoon, they had to play their first match against Australia which the team lost 2-3. Pakistan all its matches during the Australia leg, losing to the hosts as well as Germany. "What was pathetic was that even the Airbnb accommodation was arranged for 10 days when we had to stay for 13 days. We had to move into a cheaper residence after 10-days," Butt said. The PSB Director-General Noor us Sabah told the media that they were preparing a detailed report for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after he ordered an inquiry into the whole fiasco. The Sharif is the patron-in-chief of the PHF. Butt disclosed that the PHF had warned the players of disciplinary action if they spoke to the media "I am speaking up because of what we have been through in Australia," he said. "We need a foreign coach if we have to move forward. We have a good combination of players but we need a foreign coach and good management," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 March,2026 08:47 PM IST | Karachi | PTIMadhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda presented a Rs 4.38 lakh crore budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the state Assembly on Wednesday, placing strong emphasis on welfare measures for women, farmers, and marginalised sections while outlining ambitious plans for infrastructure, industry, and sustainable growth. The budget also includes the recruitment of 15,000 teachers to strengthen the education system and 22,500 in the police department. The flagship 'Ladli Behna' Yojana received the largest single allocation of Rs 23,882 crore, continuing to provide direct financial assistance to women and reinforcing the government's focus on gender empowerment and household economic stability. In the agriculture sector, Devda announced the distribution of subsidised solar irrigation pumps to one lakh farmers, fulfilling Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's commitment to promote renewable energy in farming, cut electricity expenses, and boost productivity through eco-friendly practices. A target of Rs 25,000 crore in Kisan loans was set, alongside efforts to promote natural farming methods. Rural development emerged as a priority with Rs 40,000 crore earmarked for comprehensive rural infrastructure. The G Ram G scheme for Gram Panchayat advancement received Rs 10,428 crore, while Rs 9,000 crore was allocated for the PM Janman scheme targeting tribal and underprivileged communities. The Jal Jeevan Mission was provided Rs 4,454 crore to accelerate piped drinking water coverage across households. Infrastructure saw substantial investments, including Rs 12,690 crore for road repairs and connectivity enhancements in rural and urban areas. Housing for all received Rs 6,850 crore under the PM Awas Yojana. Urban development was allocated over Rs 21,561 crore, with a dedicated Rs 3,600 crore for preparations related to the upcoming 'Simhastha Mahaparva', supported by Rs 13,851 crore overall for the event and ongoing work on the six-lane Indore-Ujjain Highway. The energy sector was strengthened with a provision of Rs 34,650 million and the establishment of a 604 megawatt power unit. The state has implemented its Space Policy and is developing 48 industrial parks, while a special package was approved to spur industrial growth in Bundelkhand. Telecom manufacturing initiatives have commenced in Gwalior. Education and youth development featured free tetra pack milk for students up to Class eight in government schools to enhance nutrition and school attendance. Rs 530 crore was set aside for PM Shri Yojana, Rs 800 crore for sports and training infrastructure, and hostels will be built for working women. The Devi Ahilyabai Lok development project has begun, while Rs 793 crore was allocated for Dharti Aba Yojana and Rs 1,335 crore for labour welfare. Environmental conservation received Rs 6,151 crore, religious and cultural activities secured Rs 2,055 crore, and the Mukhya Mantri Teerth Darshan Yojana got Rs 50 crore to support senior citizens' pilgrimages. The presentation was briefly disrupted by opposition Congress MLAs, who entered the House with placards and symbolic empty piggy banks to protest the absence of an increase in legislators' funds, creating momentary chaos during the speech. This budget reflects the government's vision for inclusive, sustainable, and self-reliant progress in Madhya Pradesh, balancing welfare commitments with long-term developmental goals amid global economic uncertainties. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
14 March,2026 07:41 PM IST | Bhopal | IANSThe Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday said petrol and diesel are adequately available at fuel stations across the country and advised consumers not to hoard fuel or store it in loose containers due to safety concerns. In a post on social media platform X, the ministry said there is no shortage of fuel at retail outlets and adequate stocks are being maintained. “Petrol and diesel are adequately available at retail outlets across the country. Consumers are advised not to take or store fuel in loose or inappropriate containers, as it poses serious safety risks,” the ministry said. Fuel storage in loose containers flagged as safety risk The ministry said authorities recently noticed an incident at a petrol pump in Tamil Nadu where fuel was being dispensed into a loose container, which violates safety guidelines. Following the incident, the petrol pump involved has been suspended and action has been initiated against those responsible. Officials have also directed all fuel retail outlets and dealers to strictly comply with safety norms while dispensing petrol and diesel. The ministry warned that any violation of these guidelines would attract strict action. Government reiterates adequate fuel stocks Earlier, the government had also appealed to citizens to avoid panic buying of petrol, diesel and LPG, stressing that supplies across the country remain stable, reported IANS. According to officials, oil marketing companies have reported no cases of fuel “dry-outs” at any of the nearly one lakh retail outlets across India. Authorities said adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available and supplies are being maintained regularly, reported IANS. India among world’s largest refining hubs Officials also highlighted that India currently has a refining capacity of around 258 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), making it the fourth-largest refining hub in the world, reported IANS. The government said the country’s refining capacity ensures sufficient production of petroleum products to meet domestic demand. Gas supply ensured under Essential Commodities Act The government has also issued a Natural Gas Control Order on March 9 under the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise the supply of natural gas. Under the order, 100 per cent supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) has been ensured without any cuts. Officials said that while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are currently being regulated at around 80 per cent, there is no reason for public concern, reported IANS. “There is no need to panic. Adequate supplies are available and the situation is being closely monitored,” a senior ministry official said, reported IANS. (With inputs from IANS)
14 March,2026 07:31 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentFinding an auto after stepping out of the metro may soon become easier for commuters. A new ‘Rikshamitra Metro Share Rickshaw Feeder Service’ was launched outside SNDT Metro Station in Pune on Friday, offering passengers a shared and organised auto-rickshaw facility for their last-mile journey. In a move aimed at easing last-mile connectivity for Pune Metro commuters, authorities launched the Rikshamitra shared autorickshaw feeder service outside SNDT Metro Station on Friday. The service will allow passengers to directly access shared rickshaws from a dedicated booth outside the station and travel to nearby residential areas at affordable fares. The booth was inaugurated by Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil in the presence of Pune Mayor Manjusha Nagpure, Maha Metro Managing Director Shravan Hardikar and Director (MMI) Anilkumar Kokate, among others. Following the inauguration, Patil flagged off the first batch of autos under the feeder service. He also assured that drivers operating through the Rikshamitra booth will be provided compressed natural gas (CNG) coupons to support their fuel expenses. Officials said the service aims to bridge the gap between metro stations and nearby neighbourhoods — one of the key challenges faced by daily metro commuters. Mayor Nagpure said such feeder services should be expanded to other metro stations across the city, particularly to support commuters from areas like Sinhagad Road. Local representatives also requested authorities to include important localities from their wards as designated drop points under the shared rickshaw network. Officials said the initiative is based on the success of the Rikshamitra booth started earlier at Pune Railway Station, which received a positive response from passengers. Encouraged by the response, the model is now being extended to metro stations as well. Authorities believe the initiative will make metro travel more convenient for commuters while also creating steady earning opportunities for autorickshaw drivers. What Pune commuters get Shared auto-rickshaws outside the metro station Fixed pick-up point at SNDT station Affordable shared fares Easier last-mile travel to nearby areas Why the service matters Tackles the last-mile connectivity issue faced by metro users Reduces waiting time for autos Encourages more people to use public transport.
14 March,2026 06:56 PM IST | Pune | Archana DahiwalThe India AI Expo Summit 2026 will remain closed to the public on Thursday, February 19. The expo will instead remain open for an additional day on February 21, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said on Wednesday. The decision comes as Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the summit on February 19. Due to the high-level presence and security arrangements for the inaugural session, authorities have decided to keep the expo closed for general visitors on that day. Krishnan further said that the event has been extended by one day because of the overwhelming response and enthusiasm from the public. He stated, “The expo will now remain open on Saturday, February 21, allowing more visitors to attend and explore the exhibits,” as cited by news agency IANS. The minister further informed that around 20 heads of state will be present at the inaugural session. Around 20 heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron, expected at AI Summit 2026 “Among them will be French President Emmanuel Macron highlighting the global importance of the summit,” he added. The minister further said that the government does not want to cause any inconvenience to the public due to security restrictions and traffic arrangements on the opening day. Therefore, it was decided that the expo area would remain closed on February 19 and instead operate for an additional day later in the week. The India AI Expo Summit has drawn significant attention for showcasing cutting-edge artificial intelligence innovations from across the country and abroad, with strong participation expected from industry leaders, startups and international delegations. Spread across 10 arenas covering more than 70,000 square metres, it will bring together global technology firms, startups, academia and research institutions, Union ministries, state governments, and international partners. The event will also feature 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and African countries. (With inputs from IANS)
14 March,2026 06:43 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1773552872240_d.png?tr=w-436,h-271 "Middle East Class XII board exams cancelled amid feasibility concerns. Representational Pic")
-1771407683677_d.png "Pakistan hockey captain Shakeel Ammad Butt. Pic/X (@AmmadButt96)")
