Candidates applying for CET 2026 and facing difficulties with Aadhaar and Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) authentication will now be able to complete their registration without mandatory verification, an official notification said on Friday. APAAR is a part of India's 'One Nation, One Student ID' initiative. It is a unique 12-digit digital ID for students from pre-primary to higher education. While Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India based on their biometric and demographic data. The announcement comes after several applicants reported technical and other genuine problems while completing Aadhaar and APAAR authentication during the online registration process. The notification was issued by Dileep B. Sardesai, Commissioner, State Common Entrance Test Cell, Mumbai. Officials clarified that Aadhaar authentication remains the preferred method for verification in the Common Entrance Test (CET) registration process. However, to ensure that no eligible candidate is prevented from applying, a special facility has been introduced. From February 13, 2026, candidates who are unable to complete Aadhaar and APAAR authentication may fill and submit their application forms without this verification on the CET 2026 registration portal. The candidates who are able to complete Aadhaar and APAAR authentication are required to continue following the previously notified registration procedure. In the notification, the officials have advised all applicants to carefully read the instructions provided on the portal and complete their registration within the prescribed deadline. The facilitation measure aims to ensure that no student is disadvantaged due to technical difficulties, officials said. Mumbai University scraps 304 old exams including 125 with no enrolment Meanwhile, the Mumbai University has announced that 304 old examinations including 125 with zero enrolment have been declared inactive and will no longer be conducted, an official statement said on Thursday. It said that out of the total, 125 examinations have been discontinued because no students registered for them over the past two to three academic years. These include 23 exams from the Faculty of Commerce and Management, 15 exams from the Faculty of Humanities, 42 interdisciplinary exams and 45 exams from the Faculty of Science and Technology. University officials said that these exams have seen zero enrolment for several years and are therefore being closed. In addition, 179 examinations linked to courses that have completed 10 years have also been permanently discontinued. These include 10 exams from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 86 exams from the Faculty of Commerce and Management, 38 exams from the Faculty of Humanities, and 45 interdisciplinary exams. According to a university circular dated 10 February 2026, these examinations will not be conducted in the future. Provision for reactivation in special cases The university clarified that if any affiliated college or institution submits a proposal for student registration in courses that were closed due to zero enrolment, the examinations may be reactivated. In such cases, the university will restart the examination process as per rules, including scheduling, question paper setting, examiner appointments and other formal procedures. However, courses that have completed 10 years will not be revived, the Board of Examinations and Evaluation has said.
13 February,2026 05:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMumbaikars woke up to a hazy morning on Thursday. However, the visibility is likely to improve as the day progresses, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting clear skies for the rest of the day. The maximum temperature is likely to hover at 34 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to be around 19 degrees Celsius, indicating warm daytime conditions with relatively cooler early mornings. The combination of morning haze and clear skies later in the day is typical of the ongoing winter transition period, with no significant change in weather conditions anticipated over the next 24 hours. Meanwhile, according to the Centre's SAMEER app, the overall air quality index (AQI) in Mumbai stood at 128 on Thursday, placing it in the ‘moderate’ category. Pollution levels varied significantly across locations, with Bandra-Kurla Complex recording an AQI of 140, Borivali East 94, Byculla 141, Andheri East 157, Chembur 115, Colaba 118, and Kandivali East 132. Ghatkopar registered an AQI of 148, Kandivali East 132, Malad West 152, and Mazgaon 132. Delhi's air quality improves slightly but AQI remains in 'poor' category at 275 The national capital saw a slight improvement in air quality on Thursday morning, with the overall air quality index (AQI) recorded at 275 on Thursday around 7 am. However, it continued to remain in the 'poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). On Wednesday, the AQI in the national capital was 'very poor' at 312. Meanwhile, on Thursday, despite the improvement in AQI, a thin layer of smog persisted in parts of the city. According to CPCB data, several areas in the capital recorded the 'very poor' air quality, including Anand Vihar (332), Bawana (306), Ashok Vihar (320), Dwarka Sector 8 (328), RK Puram (314), Rohini (322) and Patparganj (307).Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 214, Chandni Chowk (218), and Sonia Vihar (299) experienced improved air quality, though the levels still fell within the 'poor' category. As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'. IMD stated that the rainfall signalled the beginning of an active weather phase, with thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hail likely to affect several states during the day. Light rain lashed several parts of the city and adjoining NCR areas in the early morning hours. (With inputs from ANI)
13 February,2026 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court has directed Maharashtra police to submit details of any security audit conducted of high court buildings and residential premises of judges across the state and all trial courts. A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad passed the order earlier this week in a plea taken up suo motu (on its own) in line with the Supreme Court's ongoing concern over the safety of judicial officers and the legal fraternity. The apex court had in 2021 taken up suo motu proceedings on the issue after the death of an additional sessions judge in Dhanbad. On February 10, Maharashtra's advocate general Milind Sathe informed the HC that he would apprise the court about the steps taken by the police department for ensuring security of the court premises and safety of judges. The court accepted and posted the matter for further hearing on February 17 but sought details of any security audit conducted. "We require the Director General of Police to furnish a copy of the security audit conducted, if any, of the High Court and the buildings where the Judges of the Bombay High Court are residing including the benches at Goa, Aurangabad, Nagpur and circuit bench at Kolhapur and the trial courts in all the districts," HC said. The apex court had taken cognisance of threats faced by judicial officers nationwide after the killing of a Dhanbad judge, observing that the State has a duty to create a secure environment so that judges and lawyers can function fearlessly. The SC had noted that similar incidents were being reported across the country and indicated that wider consultations with States and Union Territories were necessary. 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.
13 February,2026 04:57 PM IST | Mumbai | PTICentral Railway on Friday announced 44 weekly special train services between Mumbai's Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Prayagraj to manage the expected rise in passenger demand. The special trains will operate from mid-February to mid-July 2026 and will run as Extra, Holi and Summer Specials. Train timings and schedule Train No. 04102 (LTT-Prayagraj Weekly Special) The train will depart from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus every Tuesday at 4.55 pm from February 17 2026 to July 14 2026 and arrive in Prayagraj at 5.00 pm the next day. A total of 22 services will be operated. Extra Special: February 17 to February 24 and April 7 to April 14 (4 services) Holi Special: March 3 to March 31 (5 services) Summer Special: April 21 to July 14 (13 services) Train No. 04101 (Prayagraj-LTT Weekly Special) The return train will depart from Prayagraj every Monday at 6.00 pm from February 16, 2026 to July 13, 2026 and arrive at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 2.55 pm the next day. A total of 22 services will be run. Extra Special: February 16 to February 23 and April 6 to April 13 (4 services) Holi Special: March 2 to March 30 (5 services) Summer Special: April 20 to July 13 (13 services) Halts and Train Composition The trains will halt at Kalyan, Igatpuri (only for 04102), Nashik, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna and Manikpur. Each train will consist of 1 AC 2-Tier coach, 4 AC 3-Tier coaches, 9 Sleeper Class coaches, 8 General Second Class coaches and 2 Second Seating coaches with Luggage-cum-Guard’s Brake Van, an official statement said. Ticket bookings The statement said that the bookings for Train No. 04102 will open on February 14 2026 at all computerised reservation centres and on the official IRCTC website within the Advance Reservation Period (ARP). Bookings for journeys beyond the ARP will open on later applicable dates. Unreserved tickets can be booked through the UTS system. Passengers may also use the RailOne app for ticket bookings, it said. For detailed timings and halt information, passengers can visit the Indian Railways enquiry website or download the NTES mobile application.
13 February,2026 04:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEntrepreneurial interest in digital services has pushed a growing number of marketers to ask a serious business question: Is an SMM panel profitable? This is not a curiosity-driven topic — it is a financial evaluation. People researching this space are usually comparing multiple online business models and trying to determine whether launching or reselling social media services can generate sustainable income rather than short-term gains. The reality is that profitability in this industry is not automatic. While the barrier to entry is relatively low compared to many other digital ventures, long-term success depends heavily on positioning, operational discipline, customer retention, and pricing strategy. Understanding how revenue flows, where costs appear, and what separates profitable operators from struggling ones is essential before committing time or capital. Is an SMM panel profitable? Yes — but only under the right conditions. Asking Is an SMM panel profitable? requires a nuanced answer because profitability is rarely determined by the tool itself; it is shaped by execution. Operators who treat the panel as a structured business tend to perform far better than those chasing fast income. A well-managed panel can benefit from recurring customers, scalable service delivery, and relatively flexible pricing models. However, these advantages only translate into profit when paired with clear branding, reliable sourcing, and strong acquisition channels. Without differentiation, many panels fall into price wars that quickly erode margins. The most important takeaway is this: an SMM panel should be viewed as infrastructure for a digital business — not the business itself. Strategy is what converts infrastructure into revenue. How Do SMM Panels Make Money? Before evaluating profit potential, it helps to understand How do SMM panels work?. Most panels operate on a wholesale-to-retail model, purchasing services at lower rates and reselling them with a markup. This structure allows operators to control pricing while maintaining competitive flexibility. Revenue typically comes from volume rather than extreme margins. Orders accumulate across followers, engagement packages, views, and bundled services, creating multiple income streams. Over time, repeat buyers often become the primary driver of profitability because acquisition costs decrease while lifetime value rises. Another overlooked factor is pricing psychology. Customers rarely choose the absolute cheapest provider when reliability is at stake. Panels that communicate transparency and consistency often sustain healthier margins simply because trust supports pricing power. Typical Profit Margins in the Industry When entrepreneurs ask Is an SMM panel profitable?, they are often really asking about margins. While numbers vary widely, many operators work with flexible markups that allow adjustment based on demand, competition, and service stability. Entry-level resellers may start with modest margins but benefit from faster launch timelines. More established panels often optimize supplier relationships, improving cost structures over time. The real advantage emerges when operators stop competing solely on price and begin competing on experience, support quality, and delivery reliability. It is also worth noting that profit is rarely linear. Early months may focus on reinvestment — improving infrastructure, marketing reach, and service diversity — before meaningful net income appears. Startup Costs and Financial Reality For many newcomers, the path begins by researching how to create smm panel free?. While ultra-low-cost entry points exist, “free” usually means minimizing upfront expenses rather than eliminating them entirely. Common cost areas include hosting, payment gateways, marketing efforts, and maintaining operational liquidity for order fulfillment. Compared to traditional businesses, these requirements are relatively manageable — but they still demand planning. The smarter approach is to view early spending as strategic investment rather than avoidable overhead. Panels that cut too many corners early often struggle later due to reliability issues that damage reputation. Why Many Panels Never Reach Profitability Understanding why some ventures fail is just as important as knowing why others succeed. Many panels struggle because they enter saturated segments without a clear identity, hoping volume alone will create income. Price wars are particularly destructive. Competing solely on cost compresses margins until growth becomes unsustainable. Weak retention strategies further compound the issue — constantly replacing customers is far more expensive than keeping them. Brand perception also plays a decisive role. Operators who invest in professionalism tend to command higher trust, which stabilizes revenue even in competitive markets. Scalability: The Hidden Advantage One reason the question Is an SMM panel profitable? continues to attract entrepreneurs is scalability. Once operational workflows are established, incremental growth often requires less effort than starting from scratch. Automation tools, API integrations, and streamlined dashboards allow panels to handle increasing order volume without proportional staffing increases. This creates operational leverage — a core driver of digital profitability. However, scalability should be approached carefully. Expanding too quickly without stable suppliers or customer support can create service inconsistencies that harm long-term earnings. The Importance of Choosing Reliable Service Infrastructure Profitability often begins with dependable sourcing. Many experienced operators recommend evaluating a reliable source for instagram smm panel solutions before scaling campaigns, because service stability directly affects retention and reputation. When orders deliver consistently, refund disputes decline and customer confidence grows. This operational calm allows businesses to focus on marketing rather than troubleshooting — an underrated profitability driver. Infrastructure may not be the most visible part of the business, but it frequently determines whether margins remain intact over time. How Long Does It Take to Become Profitable? Timelines vary significantly. Some operators generate early revenue within months, while others require longer periods to refine positioning and acquisition strategies. Speed often depends on marketing capability, niche selection, and the ability to build trust quickly. Panels targeting specific industries or audiences sometimes outperform broad competitors because specialization reduces direct price competition. Patience is critical. Sustainable profit tends to favor operators who prioritize retention and operational stability over rapid expansion. Who Is Most Likely to Succeed? The people best positioned to benefit from this model typically bring existing marketing knowledge or audience access. Agencies, growth-focused entrepreneurs, and digital strategists often adapt faster because they already understand customer behavior. On the other hand, individuals expecting effortless income frequently underestimate the importance of branding and service reliability. Like any business, outcomes correlate strongly with effort and strategic clarity. The barrier to entry is low — but the barrier to sustained profitability is significantly higher. What Is the Future Profit Potential of the SMM Industry? Looking ahead, social media expansion and the creator economy continue to increase demand for visibility. Businesses are competing harder for attention, which naturally supports service-based ecosystems. Automation and infrastructure improvements are also lowering operational friction, making it easier for professional operators to scale intelligently. As the market matures, reliability is expected to become the primary differentiator rather than price alone. This suggests that profitability will increasingly favor disciplined, brand-focused panels rather than opportunistic entrants. Conclusion So, Is an SMM panel profitable? The answer is yes — but only for operators willing to approach it as a structured digital business. Profit emerges from positioning, customer trust, operational efficiency, and long-term thinking rather than shortcuts. For entrepreneurs prepared to invest in strategy and differentiation, the model offers meaningful potential. For those seeking effortless income, the opportunity may prove far more demanding than expected. FAQ Can you realistically make money with an SMM panel? Yes, many operators generate revenue, but profitability depends on sourcing, marketing capability, pricing strategy, and customer retention rather than the panel itself. What is the average profit margin? Margins vary widely based on positioning and supplier relationships. Panels that compete on experience instead of price often maintain healthier margins. Is starting an SMM panel expensive? Startup costs are generally moderate compared to traditional businesses, though infrastructure, marketing, and operational funds should still be planned carefully. How long does it typically take to become profitable? Timelines differ, but many operators see stronger financial stability once repeat customers begin driving consistent revenue. Is the SMM panel business sustainable long-term? It can be, particularly for operators who adapt to market changes, prioritize reliability, and focus on building brand trust rather than chasing short-term gains.
13 February,2026 04:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentConstruction of the Thane Coastal Road-1 has crossed a key milestone within eight months of commencement, with more than 50 per cent of the foundation work for the elevated viaduct now complete, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said. According to a project update, pier cap and I-girder construction works are progressing at a rapid pace on the 13.45-km, six-lane, access-controlled greenfield corridor. The project is being constructed using advanced engineering techniques. For the first time in India, a greenfield road project is deploying a single-pile, single-pier system with monopile foundations on land, marking a significant innovation in infrastructure development. Designed as a strategic freight corridor, the corridor aims to decongest the busy Ghodbunder Road and enhance connectivity between NH-160 (Mumbai–Nashik Highway) and Gaimukh along the Thane Creek coastline. Major stretches of the project are being constructed on viaducts and bridges to protect the sensitive mangrove ecosystem in the area. At Gaimukh, the corridor will directly connect with the upcoming Gaimukh–Fountain Hotel Tunnel, facilitating seamless connectivity between Thane and Bhayander. Officials said the combined impact of these projects is expected to significantly ease traffic pressure on Ghodbunder Road, improve urban mobility in Thane, and strengthen freight movement towards Vadhawan Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), South Maharashtra and Karnataka. The corridor is also set to integrate with several upcoming infrastructure initiatives, including the Thane Ring Metro, Thane Coastal Road-2, the Saket–Amane Elevated Corridor and the Kasarvadavali–Kharbhav Road. Once completed, the project is expected to serve as a critical component of the region’s next-generation transport network. Officials described the progress as a major step forward in strengthening Thane’s road infrastructure and easing congestion along key arterial routes. Thane environmentalist serves legal notice to police over CRZ dumping Thane-based environmentalist Rohit Joshi has served a legal notice to the Thane police commissioner over alleged illegal dumping and land reclamation in a protected Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) near the Rabodi helipad, with fingers being pointed at the police department. mid-day had earlier reported the matter, following which a site inspection by the Thane tehsildar’s office confirmed that debris dumping had taken place at the location. The notice has also been served on the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Thane district collector and the divisional forest officer of the Mangrove Cell (North Konkan). It pertains to alleged illegal reclamation, dumping of debris and destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I/CRZ-IB area. Citing violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the notice flags continued damage to inter-tidal wetlands and mangrove patches in the ecologically sensitive zone. Joshi, founder and president of the Yeoor Thane-based environmentalist Rohit Joshi has served a legal notice to the Thane police commissioner over alleged illegal dumping and land reclamation in a protected Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) near the Rabodi helipad, with fingers being pointed at the police department. mid-day had earlier reported the matter, following which a site inspection by the Thane tehsildar’s office confirmed that debris dumping had taken place at the location. The notice has also been served on the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Thane district collector and the divisional forest officer of the Mangrove Cell (North Konkan). It pertains to alleged illegal reclamation, dumping of debris and destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I/CRZ-IB area. Citing violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the notice flags continued damage to inter-tidal wetlands and mangrove patches in the ecologically sensitive zone. Joshi, founder and president of the Yeoor Environmental Society, told mid-day, “The destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I zone is a serious offence. The legal notice has been issued as repeated complaints did not translate into ground-level action.” He warned that continued degradation of wetlands increase flooding risks during the monsoon. told mid-day, “The destruction of mangroves in a CRZ-I zone is a serious offence. The legal notice has been issued as repeated complaints did not translate into ground-level action.” He warned that continued degradation of wetlands increase flooding risks during the monsoon.
13 February,2026 04:15 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA Class 10 Mumbai student from a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) school has secured first place in a state-level essay competition organised by the Maharashtra Energy Development Agency. Manoj Ramkishor Kanojia, a student of the BMC Hindi Secondary School in Santacruz (West), achieved the top rank in the competition based on the theme of ‘Energy Conservation’, an official statement said. "His achievement has brought recognition to civic-run schools in Mumbai," an official said. The competition saw participation from a large number of students across Maharashtra. Manoj impressed the judges with his well-researched content, deep understanding of the topic and effective writing style. In the same competition, Suvarna Patil from Nandurbar district secured second place, while Vedanti Vani from Ahilyanagar district won third place. Officials from the BMC Education Department said that various activities and competitions are regularly organised to encourage students to develop reading and writing skills beyond the academic syllabus. Education Officer Sujata Khare stated that teachers actively motivate students to take part in such competitions to support their overall development. Congratulations pour in Manoj has been congratulated by his teachers, school principal and parents for his achievement. Officials said that this success once again proves that students from BMC schools can excel at the state level and compete successfully with others. Western Railway bags four trophies at Mumbai Flower Show 2026 Western Railway has bagged four trophies at the 29th Mumbai Flower Show 2026, organised by the BMC and Tree Authority at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Udyan and Zoo (Byculla zoo) from February 6 to 8, officials said. Among the highlights was the First Prize in the garden category for “BOMBARCI”, the garden at the Western Railway General Manager’s residence, an official statement said. According to Chief Public Relations Officer Vineet Abhishek, the annual flower show saw participation from several prominent public and private organisations, including Central Railway, Godrej, BPCL, HPCL, RCF, Hiranandani, MMRDA and Mumbai International Airport. Western Railway showcased thematic floral displays and exhibits, earning recognition across multiple categories. The trophies were presented by BMC dignitaries during the event, it said. Officials stated that Western Railway’s continued participation in the flower show reflects its commitment to environmental awareness, beautification drives and promotion of greenery across its establishments. The railway zone reiterated its focus on supporting eco-friendly initiatives and community engagement through such civic platforms.
13 February,2026 04:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWestern Railway, while sharing Mumbai local train updates, on Friday said that it will carry out a four-hour jumbo block on Sunday, February 15, 2026. The Western Railway said that it will operate the block to undertake maintenance work on tracks, signalling systems and overhead equipment. The block will be in place from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on the UP Fast line and the 5th line between Ram Mandir and Borivali stations. According to a press release issued by Western Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Vineet Abhishek, several train services will be diverted during the block period. All UP Fast line trains will run on the UP Slow (6th) line between Borivali and Andheri. Meanwhile, all 5th line trains will operate on the Down Fast line between Andheri and Borivali. Some services to remain cancelled Due to the block, some UP and Down suburban train services will remain cancelled. In addition, some Andheri and Borivali services will run only up to Goregaon on the Harbour Line. Passengers can obtain detailed information from Station Masters at all suburban railway stations. Western Railway has requested passengers to take note of the changes and plan their journeys accordingly to avoid inconvenience. The maintenance work is part of routine efforts to ensure the safety and reliability of suburban train services, Western Railway said. North FOB at Naigaon Railway Station to remain closed for 45 days The Western Railway on Thursday said that the North Foot Over Bridge (FOB) at Naigaon railway station will remain closed to commuters for one and a half months starting from February 14, 2026. The FOB connects Platform No. 1 with Platforms No. 2 and 3. The closure is necessary due to construction and extension work of foot over bridges and platforms at the station. During the closure period, passengers can use the remaining three foot over bridges at the station. A subway facility will also remain available for commuters to move between platforms. Railway officials have advised passengers to plan their travel accordingly and use the alternative routes provided. Officials have expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The work is part of ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing passenger facilities at Naigaon station.
13 February,2026 04:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA sessions court in Mumbai on Friday convicted two men in a 2019 kidnapping and robbery case registered at Borivali Police Station. The court, while passing the order, held them guilty under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The verdict was delivered by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge S.R. Navandar after the completion of final arguments. The case was registered under Sections 394 (robbery), 363 (kidnapping), 364A (kidnapping for ransom), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC, along with Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), 3(4), and 3(5) of MCOCA. After completion of the final hearing, the court held that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The convicted accused have been identified as Praveen Mahadev Helkar (30) and Suresh Omprakash (33). Under Section 394 read with 34 of the IPC, the court sentenced both to six years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 each. The court also stated a condition where, in default of payment, they will undergo an additional six months’ imprisonment. MCOCA provisions For offences under Section 3(1)(ii) of MCOCA, the court awarded six years’ imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh each, with a default sentence of one year. Under Section 3(4) of MCOCA, both were sentenced to six years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 5 lakh each, with a similar default clause. Additionally, under Section 3(5) of MCOCA, they were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment and fined Rs 2 lakh each, with six months’ additional imprisonment in case of default. The prosecution was led by Assistant Public Prosecutor Vijay Malankar. The investigation was conducted by ACP Sunil Wadke (now retired), PI Arvind Ghag, API Nilesh More, and API Yogesh Patil under the supervision of ACP Santosh Dhanwate and PI (Crime) Nagpure. API Batu Pawar served as the parvi officer in the case. Senior Police Inspector Madhusudan Naik of Borivali Police Station said, "The conviction under stringent MCOCA provisions underscores the strength of the evidence placed before the court and reflects sustained efforts by the investigating team in tackling organised crime.”
13 February,2026 03:56 PM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah KhanThe Maharashtra government on Friday granted administrative approval to procure Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure for the Higher and Technical Education Department to strengthen data analytics and dashboard systems under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. A Government Resolution (GR) issued by the department said the project implementation committee chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Higher and Technical Education) approved the proposal at its meeting held on Thursday. The state government has sanctioned an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 22 lakh for procuring the AI infrastructure, which will be acquired through the GeM portal (Government e-Marketplace) or an e-tender process in accordance with existing rules. The GR said the department has appointed consulting firm Ernst and Young LLP to support the strengthening of its dashboards in line with the state's 150-day action plan and long-term strategic reforms, including integration of AI at the ministry, university and directorate levels by setting up analytics cells. Under the first use case, an AI Query Assistant will be deployed on existing Higher and Technical Education Department (HTED) dashboards datasets. The HTED dashboards consolidate institutional, academic and administrative data, and the AI layer will enable advanced querying, real-time data interpretation and decision-support for policy formulation and monitoring. The second use case involves an AI Query Assistant on the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) database. The HRMS platform manages service records, postings, promotions and other personnel-related data of department staff, and the AI integration is expected to facilitate intelligent search, automated responses and improved workforce analytics, the GR 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.
13 February,2026 03:42 PM IST | Mumbai | PTIApple, on February 26, unveiled the barricade for Apple Borivali. The Apple Borivali store will be their sixth store in India and second in Mumbai. The first look of the Apple store at the Oberoi Sky City Mall in Borivali features a distinctive peacock-inspired visual identity first introduced at the September 2025 openings of Apple Hebbal in Bengaluru and Apple Koregaon Park in Pune, and more recently at Apple Noida. The design signals confidence, detail, and a sense of arrival, seen through Apple’s lens of creativity. What will be special about Apple's Borivali store? Apple Borivali will serve a growing community of startups and businesses, offering a welcoming space where customers can explore Apple products, unlock creativity, and get expert support from Apple’s store team members. As per the official statement from Apple India, “At Apple Borivali, customers can explore and purchase Apple’s latest product lineup, experience new features, and receive expert support from Specialists, Creatives, Geniuses, and dedicated Business teams.” They also added, “Customers can also take part in Today at Apple sessions – free, daily, in-store experiences, led by Apple Creatives, designed to help people learn, create, and get more out of their devices.” Together with the Apple Store online, the Apple Store app, and services such as Apple Pickup, Apple Trade In, Personal Setup, and help with switching to iOS, Apple Borivali deepens Apple’s commitment to customers in India, offering more personalised, seamless, and secure ways to connect with Apple. The Apple Borivali Store is to open on February 26 Ahead of the opening day, customers are invited to download exclusive Apple Borivali wallpapers, explore a curated Apple Music playlist inspired by the sounds of Mumbai, and learn more about the upcoming store at Borivali on Thursday, February 26, at 1 pm.
13 February,2026 02:44 PM IST | Mumbai | Tarun VermaADVERTISEMENT
-1770977075522_d.png "AI Query Assistant to enhance policy monitoring and HR analytics. Representational Image")
