The Class 10 and 12 examinations for the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education began on Thursday, ahead of which students underwent stringent security checks. According to Ajmer Field Supervisor Sumanlata, 127 Class 10 students are scheduled to sit for the English examination across seven schools. All examination instructions have been provided, and measures to prevent cheating have been implemented. The examination began at 08:30 am, whereas the students were allowed to enter the examination hall at 08:15 am. "Today is the 10th-class English exam, and 127 students from 7 schools are coming here to sit the exam. All instructions for the board exam have been provided. All arrangements are in place to prevent cheating... The board has issued two new guidelines this time, one of which is that the question paper envelope will be shown after it is signed by two children as witnesses... This time, the board has provided copies with barcodes for all subjects except Hindi and English... The exam will start at 8:30 am... At 8:15 am, students were permitted to enter their exam halls. The exams for children are 3 hours and 15 minutes long," Sumanlata told ANI. Meanwhile, the Central Board for Secondary Education exams for Class 10th and 12th are set to begin from February 17, after the board released the final date sheet in October 2025. The CBSE also stated that the 2026 Board examinations for Class 10 will be conducted in accordance with the recommendations made in the NEP-2020. As per the notice, CBSE released a tentative date sheet for the 2026 examinations for the first time on September 24, 2025, based on registration data for Class 9 and Class 11. This was 146 days before the exams were set to begin, allowing stakeholders enough time to plan and prepare accordingly. CBSE stated that careful consideration has been given, and all relevant factors have been taken into account to ensure that no exam dates overlap with competitive exams. 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.
12 February,2026 02:01 PM IST | Ajmer (Rajasthan) | ANIEmployees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a day-long strike on Thursday to protest against what they described as “anti-worker, anti-farmer and anti-national pro-corporate policies of the central government”. The forum claimed that around 30 crore workers were mobilised for the “general strike”, primarily to oppose the four new labour codes, among other issues. All India Trade Union Congress General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur told PTI that the strike began across the country on Thursday morning. She said reports of the agitation had come in from states including Assam, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Odisha and Bihar. Processions had started in industrial areas of New Delhi, and traffic on the roads was relatively light, she added. Kaur said banking, insurance, postal, transport, health, coal and non-coal mines, gas pipeline and electricity sectors would be affected by the strike. She further said farmers’ unions would also hold protests in their respective areas. The immediate demands of the unions include scrapping of the four labour codes and rules, withdrawal of the Draft Seed Bill and Electricity Amendment Bill, and the “Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act”. They are also demanding restoration of MGNREGA and scrapping of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025. The joint forum includes INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, LPF and UTUC. Bharat Bandh: Confederation of All India Traders says its business as usual Meanwhile, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) clarified that markets across the country were open and business was proceeding as usual. National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, who is also a Member of Parliament, said no major national traders’ organisation had called for a Bharat Bandh. “No major national traders’ organisation has called for a Bharat Bandh. Therefore, all commercial establishments, markets, wholesale and retail trade centres across India will remain fully open, and routine business operations will be carried out without disruption,” Khandelwal said. He added that the trading community formed the backbone of the nation’s economy and had always ensured that consumers did not face inconvenience. “The organised trade sector does not support any such bandh,” he said, urging the public not to pay attention to rumours or misleading information. Public sector banks, government offices, transport services and markets in several states are likely to be partly affected due to the strike. Some schools and colleges may also remain closed in protest-hit areas depending on local conditions. The strike call has been given by a joint platform of central trade unions, with strong backing from farmer groups opposing the new labour codes and related policies. Bharat Bandh: How has the strike impacted daily life Tamil Nadu-Kerala As part of the nationwide general strike (Bharat Bandh) observed across several states on Thursday, government bus services between Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been completely suspended, causing inconvenience to passengers travelling between the two states. VIDEO | Chennai: Police detain protesters as AITUC holds rail roko protest as part of nationwide Bharat Bandh against the centre's anti-labour policies. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/XjQkjsW16t — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 VIDEO | Kerala: Trade unions march in Kochi during Bharat Bandh; passenger bus services affected.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/jxDWmCjxIx — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 West BengalIn West Bengal, the call for a nationwide strike failed to evoke any response in West Bengal as vehicles plied normally and state government and private offices recorded usual turnout. Goa The nationwide strike called by trade unions against the Centre's policies on Thursday drew a mixed response in Goa, with banking operations affected while essential services remained undisrupted. VIDEO | Goa: Hundreds in Panaji join one-day strike supporting the Bharat Bandh. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/Ffho0mWv70 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 Punjab In Punjab, transport workers have joined the strike in Moga. Bus services have been affected in parts of the state. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime has extended support to the nationwide strike called on February 12 by the central trade unions and farmer bodies. VIDEO | Punjab: Transport workers join strike in support of the nation-wide Bharat Bandh in Moga. Bus services have been affected in parts of the state due to the strike.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/EOFPBAS6In — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 (With PTI and IANS inputs)
12 February,2026 01:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentIn a significant shift in evaluation methodology, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to reintroduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 Board examinations beginning 2026, aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency and accuracy in the assessment process. OSM is a digital system in which scanned answer sheets are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically by software. In a circular dated February 9 addressed to principals and heads of all CBSE-affiliated schools, the Board said that while Class 12 answer books will be evaluated through the digital system from 2026, Class 10 answer books will continue to be evaluated in physical mode for now. CBSE is conducting the Secondary and Senior Secondary Board Examinations 2026 for the students of more than 31,000 schools affiliated to it in India and 26 countries abroad from February 17 to April 10. About 46 lakh students will appear for these examinations at more than 8074 centres across the country and abroad. "In its continuous effort to enhance efficiency and transparency, the Board has decided to introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for the evaluation of Class XII answer books beginning with the 2026 examinations. Evaluation of Class X answer books will continue in physical mode as before in 2026," the circular stated. On-Screen Marking is a digital system under which scanned copies of students' answer sheets are evaluated by teachers on computers, with marks calculated automatically through software, thereby eliminating manual totalling errors. CBSE said the system is expected to bring multiple advantages, including "elimination of totalling errors," "automated coordination reducing manual intervention," and "faster evaluation with wider teacher participation." The Board further noted that under the OSM system, teachers would be able to evaluate answer sheets while remaining in their respective schools and continuing regular duties, leading to savings in transportation time and costs. It also stated that "post-result verification of marks will no longer be required" and that the digital evaluation process would reduce manpower requirements and promote environmental sustainability. Highlighting broader participation, CBSE said the new system would enable "involvement of teachers from all affiliated schools globally," expanding the evaluation pool across its network in India and 26 countries. The Board currently conducts Class X and XII examinations for nearly 46 lakh students annually. To ensure smooth implementation, schools have been asked to ensure readiness of necessary infrastructure, including a computer lab with a public static IP, computers or laptops running Windows 8 or above with minimum 4 GB RAM and 1 GB free space on the C drive, updated browsers, Adobe Reader, reliable internet connectivity of at least 2 Mbps, and uninterrupted power supply. CBSE said it would facilitate the transition by allowing teachers with OASIS IDs to log in and familiarise themselves with the system, conduct multiple dry runs, organise training programmes, establish a call centre for issue resolution, and release instructional videos. "Detailed instructions for each activity will be issued separately to ensure timely action by all stakeholders," the circular said. 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.
12 February,2026 12:54 PM IST | New Delhi | ANICongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government ignored the voices of workers and farmers while making decisions concerning their future and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will listen to them now or if there is a "grip" on him too strong. Gandhi's attack on the government came a day after he alleged that the India-US interim trade deal was a "wholesale surrender", with India's energy security handed over to America and farmers' interests compromised. In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi said, "Today, lakhs of workers and farmers across the country are on the streets to raise their voices for their rights." He said that the workers fear that the four labour codes will weaken their rights. "Farmers fear that the trade agreement (with the US) will harm their livelihoods. And weakening or eliminating MNREGA could take away the last source of support for villages," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said. "Will Modiji listen now? Or is there a 'grip' on him that is too strong? I stand firmly with the issues and struggles of workers and farmers," Gandhi said. In a no-holds-barred attack on the Modi government, Gandhi, while participating in the debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, claimed that Indian interests had been "surrendered" under the trade deal to protect the BJP's financial architecture. Slamming the Indo-US deal, Gandhi drew an analogy of how in martial arts after securing a grip, the next step is a chokehold, and then the opponent taps to give up. Gandhi underlined the need to protect the country's people, data, food supply and energy system. He said that had an INDIA bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told President Donald Trump that he must treat India equally. 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.
12 February,2026 12:54 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIA court in Maharashtra's Thane has acquitted three men accused of conspiring to cause harm using explosives hidden in a vehicle in 2017, citing lack of eyewitnesses and the prosecution’s failure to establish a clear link between the accused and the seized material. Additional Sessions Judge AS Bhagwat passed the order on January 29 but the order was made available on Wednesday. The case dates back to August 6, 2017, when the police conducted a raid at Gousiya Compound in the Mumbra locality in Thane. Authorities found a bag of explosive powder and nine detonators hidden inside an out-of-use sports utility vehicle (SUV). The prosecution alleged that the accused - Mahinsa Rajesab Ganur alias Mahesh (57), Shahalam Mehmud Sheikh (49) and Arif Nawabali Khan (40) - had conspired to cause damage to life and property and specifically aimed to harm the landowner, Ismail Mohammed Sheikh. They were charged under sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. After spending over two years in custody, they were released on bail in late 2019. The court highlighted significant gaps in the prosecution's evidence, and noted that it failed to provide any eyewitnesses to the alleged crime. "From the above testimony, it is established that there are no eyewitnesses to the incident. Also, no witness has testified regarding the seizure of explosives from the possession of the accused," it said. It concluded that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt, granting the accused the benefit of the doubt. "In the above circumstances, there is no solid evidence against the accused.The prosecution has failed to prove that the accused committed crimes.Therefore, the accused are entitled to be acquitted," the court said. 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.
12 February,2026 11:17 AM IST | Thane | PTIPolice on Thursday arrested Shivam Mishra, son of local tobacco baron KK Mishra, in connection with the high-profile Lamborghini crash that left several people injured on Kanpur’s VIP Road on February 8. STORY | Tobacco baron's son arrested in Kanpur Lamborghini crash casePolice on Thursday arrested Shivam Mishra, son of local tobacco baron K K Mishra, in connection with the high-profile Lamborghini crash that left several people injured on the VIP Road earlier this week, the… pic.twitter.com/FDIl0BWEnf — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 12, 2026 Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal told PTI that the 35-year-old would be produced in court. "He has been arrested and will be presented before the court within an hour," he said. Kanpur Lamborghini crash: Car hit rickshaw before crashing into parked motorcycle The incident occurred around 3.15 pm when a Lamborghini Revuelto — an Italian luxury sports car worth over Rs 10 crore — rammed into pedestrians and vehicles in the upscale Gwaltoli area near Rev-3 Mall. According to police, the speeding car first hit an autorickshaw and then crashed into a parked Royal Enfield motorcycle, throwing the rider nearly 10 feet into the air. The motorcycle was dragged for some distance before the car struck an electric pole and came to a halt. At least six persons sustained injuries, some suffering serious leg fractures and bruises. Mohd Taufeeq, 18, an e-rickshaw driver who suffered leg injuries, lodged a complaint in connection with the incident. Another injured person, Sonu Tripathi, said he and his cousin were standing near their parked motorcycle when the car hit them. Eyewitnesses alleged that private bouncers accompanying the accused tried to push back the crowd and behaved aggressively, escalating tensions at the spot. Police personnel rushed to the scene, rescued the driver and shifted him along with the injured to a private hospital. The damaged Lamborghini was seized and taken to the police station. Following the incident, angry locals gathered outside the police station, alleging misbehaviour by the accused’s associates and claiming that the police were going soft due to the family’s influence. Some protesters also alleged that pressure was being exerted for a compromise and that there was a delay in registering the case. The case took a fresh turn on Wednesday when a man identified as Mohan claimed that he was the designated driver and was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. However, police rejected the claim, stating that evidence collected during the investigation, including CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, clearly established that Shivam Mishra was driving the car when it hit pedestrians and other vehicles on the busy stretch. Counsel for the accused later claimed that complainant Taufeeq was not keen on pursuing legal action. KK Mishra, father of the accused and owner of Banshidhar Exports Pvt Ltd — a firm engaged in supplying tobacco to gutkha manufacturers in the region — had earlier claimed that his son was not driving and was asleep in the car at the time of the accident. Police have registered an FIR against Shivam Mishra under relevant sections of the IPC and the Motor Vehicles Act, including rash and negligent driving, causing hurt, and endangering life. Further investigation is under way. (With PTI inputs)
12 February,2026 11:11 AM IST | Kanpur | mid-day online correspondentFormer Devaswom Board president N. Vasu was released from the Thiruvananthapuram Special Sub-Jail on statutory bail in connection with the Sabarimala gold theft case. Vasu had spent 90 days in custody, with the bail granted as the charge sheet had not yet been filed. Vasu is the fifth accused to be released in the case. He is the third accused in the Dwarapalaka gold theft case and the fifth in the Sreekovil threshold gold theft case. Commenting on the case, Kerala Minister MB Rajesh defended the ongoing investigation, stating that it is being conducted under the supervision of the Kerala High Court. He said the state government has not raised any objections at any stage, adding that it was the opposition which repeatedly questioned the court-monitored probe. Speaking to ANI, Rajesh said, "The entire investigation is being conducted under the supervision of the Honourable High Court of Kerala. Therefore, we never raised any objection to the investigation at any stage. It was the opposition that consistently raised objections to the High Court-monitored investigation. Now the investigation has reached the Congress leadership. They are very upset about it. We have no problem. Let the investigation continue and whoever has done wrong should be brought to justice", he told ANI. Earlier, Kerala MLA VD Satheesan said that almost all the accused in the Sabarimala gold pilferage case have been released on statutory bail after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) failed to submit even a preliminary FIR or charge sheet within the mandatory 90-day period. Satheesan expressed concern that the lack of evidence collection could allow the accused to destroy evidence and jeopardise the case. "In the Sabarimala gold pilferage case, almost all the accused are coming out on bail. The Honourable High Court and the Honourable Supreme Court had denied bail to all the accused persons. However, since the Special Investigation Team (SIT) did not submit the FIR, not even a preliminary one, they have obtained statutory bail", said Satheesan. "Even though the Supreme Court had refused bail, they have now secured statutory bail. Even after 90 days, the SIT was unable to file a preliminary charge sheet. As a result, all the accused persons are being released. This will affect the investigation of the case. Our concern is that, without securing sufficient evidence, these individuals may destroy or otherwise eliminate it. If evidence is not obtained, the case itself may collapse. That is our concern," Satheesan added. On the Sabarimala gold theft case, LoP VD Satheesan further stated, "I fear that the accused who are being released now will erase all the evidence. The High Court and Supreme Court had denied bail to the accused, but because the special investigation team has not even filed a preliminary chargesheet, all the accused are being released." On Jauaray 20, the Kollam Vigilance Court granted statutory bail to Unnikrishnan Potti, a former helper and the sponsor of gold-plating works at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, in the Dwarapalaka (guardian deity) idols case. He remains the main accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case. Statutory bail was granted as the chargesheet was not filed even after 90 days. However, Potti will remain in jail in the Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) door frames case linked to the gold theft at the Sabrimala temple. 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
12 February,2026 09:46 AM IST | Thiruvananthapuram | ANIAn incident of alleged vandalism disrupted the World Cultural Festival at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) after alleged members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) reportedly ransacked a Bangladesh food stall and set fire to a Bangladesh flag on the campus. According to preliminary information, the incident took place on Tuesday evening during the annual cultural event, which showcases food, music, and traditions from different countries and is attended by Indian and international students. Witnesses said a group of individuals entered the university premises and targeted the stall representing Bangladesh, leading to panic among students and organisers. MIT-WPU Registrar Ganesh B. Pokale said the university is treating the matter seriously and has initiated the process of filing a formal police complaint. "An unfortunate incident occurred during the World Cultural Festival. Preliminary information indicates that certain unauthorised individuals entered the campus premises. The University is in the process of lodging a formal complaint with the police," Pokale said in an official statement. He added that the World Cultural Festival is an annual event celebrating cultural diversity and providing international students a platform to showcase their traditions, similar to events held by other universities in Pune each year. "The University remains committed to ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all," Pokale said. Police officials said they are verifying the details of the incident and will take appropriate action after reviewing CCTV footage and statements from eyewitnesses. 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
12 February,2026 09:26 AM IST | Pune | ANIThe Delhi Police has issued a notice to Penguin Random House India seeking clarifications over the circulation of the unpublished book of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on social media, an official said. The notice was served as claims over the status of the book and the alleged circulation of unauthorised versions intensified, drawing the publisher, the former Army chief and senior political figures into a widening public dispute. 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
12 February,2026 09:03 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesFour robotic tele-surgical procedures were conducted successfully at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital with surgeons remotely operating from Gujarat, using a high-speed network that allowed a real-time transmission of surgical commands and visuals between the two locations, the hospital said on Wednesday. The surgeons operated from Vapi in Gujarat using the Mizzo Endo 4000 robotic surgical system, the hospital said. 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
12 February,2026 08:57 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesAround 120 students were hospitalised in Farrukhabad and Mainpuri districts after they fell ill during a deworming drive conducted at their schools, officials said. The children complained of headache and vomiting shortly after being administered Albendazole tablets. In Farrukhabad, the incident occurred on Tuesday at Jawahar Lal Prema Devi School in Rathora Mohaddinpur village of Kamalganj block. Out of around 150 students who were given the medication, about 100 complained of discomfort, triggering panic among parents and authorities. 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
12 February,2026 08:47 AM IST | Farrukhabad | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
