RTI
Vande Bharat and Gatimaan Express trains connecting Delhi and Agra set for speed upgrade as Kavach installation is completed; services to return to 160 kmph from current 130 kmph after successful safety trials
Vande Bharat recent news: Gatimaan Express and Vande Bharat services are expected to return to their original speeds of 160 kmph. This enhancement follows the successful installation of the Kavach Automatic Train Protection system on the Delhi-Agra route. Currently, eight trains operate at a reduced speed of 130 kmph due to safety regulations. Safety trials are currently being conducted to ensure the system's effectiveness before the speed increase.
Why are we becoming 'vishwaguru' in air pollution: Kharge targets Modi govt
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP government of failing to tackle Delhi's worsening air pollution, questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi over unspent environmental funds and missing PM2.5 readings at monitoring stations. He demanded accountability, citing pollution-linked deaths, poor utilisation of clean-air funds and recurring government assurances.
Bengaluru-Goa Vande Bharat Express to be among India's slowest, running at 53-54 kmph, on par with regular Mail and Express trains; why Vande Bharat trains are not operating at approved 160 kmph
Vande Bharat Express news: The Bengaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express will connect Bengaluru to Goa over a distance of 670 km. It is set to take approximately 12 to 13 hours for this journey, making it the slowest Vande Bharat service. This train will average speeds comparable to Mail and Express trains, primarily due to safety restrictions. Currently, other Vande Bharat trains maintain higher average speeds across their respective routes.
Tamil Nadu man breaks up with college girlfriend, later files 97 RTI pleas asking if she is still single or dating another man; commissioner warns of medical treatment
A Villupuram man filed 97 RTI applications containing 1,887 questions seeking information about his former college girlfriend, including her relationships, address, workplace and photograph. Police told the Tamil Nadu Information Commission that she had complained of harassment and attempted suicide in June 2025. The commissioner rejected the applications and warned the man would be sent to medical counselling.
ECI restores DEC-level oversight of IT wing after 2 ECs raise concerns
The Election Commission of India issued a new work allocation order restoring oversight of the IT division. This change followed objections from two Election Commissioners regarding a prior order issued by senior Deputy Election Commissioner Maneesh Garg. Both Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi wrote to cabinet secretary TV Somanathan concerning Garg's unapproved directive.
Justice Narasimha recuses from plea to finalise judges’ appointment MoP and bring Collegium decisions under RTI
Supreme Court Justice PS Narasimha recused himself from a case regarding the Memorandum of Procedure for judicial appointments. The plea, filed by NGO Lok Prahari, seeks to finalize the MoP as it has been pending since 2015. This procedure governs the appointment and transfer of judges to higher courts in India. The petition also calls for enhanced transparency in the selection process and access to Collegium meeting minutes.
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Anthropic IPO rocks Indian IT; Why Walmart is in no hurry to list Flipkart
Anthropic’s US IPO filing sent Indian IT stocks lower on Tuesday. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
Clock’s ticking for data protection, but the boardroom remains empty
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, the framework for registering consent managers with the DPBI is scheduled to start on November 13. But a government response to a Right to Information (RTI) application shows that the board spent not a single rupee on salaries, office expenses, rent or information and communication technology equipment as of September 30 this year.
'National interest, safety' outweigh disclosure: CIC upholds denial of Ashok Hotel structural report
The RTI applicant had sought the report, its findings, details of any amendments or corrigenda, and correspondence between IIT Roorkee and ITDC regarding the structural assessment. The applicant argued that the information was in the larger public interest, citing concerns over the hotel's structural strength.
Mallikarjun Kharge renews attack on Gyanesh Kumar, urges people to join November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan amid traders’ concerns
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged citizens to join the INDIA bloc's upcoming rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan. The rally aims to address accusations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar concerning electoral roll irregularities. Traders in Delhi have requested a postponement of the event due to potential impacts on business during the festive season. Kharge acknowledged the traders' concerns and stated that a decision would be made after discussions.
'Trade secrets': What powers SIR's voter-roll checks? EC declines to reveal software details
The Election Commission has refused to disclose the software and algorithm details used to detect errors in voter rolls during the Special Intensive Revision, citing commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property rights. Responding to an RTI application, the poll body said no new software was developed or procured for the exercise.
Cabinet Secy flags 'interference' risk in letters from two ECs
The Cabinet Secretariat reviewed communications from Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi regarding an ECI officer. They indicated that Deputy EC Maneesh Garg acted without proper approval and did not follow protocols. These communications were considered unofficial and not from the commission as a whole. They expressed concern over Garg's actions after receiving repeated instructions against such conduct.
SC advances Delhi SIR hearing after plea flags deleted voters being asked to fill Form 6
The Supreme Court has agreed to advance the hearing on challenges related to Delhi's electoral rolls. This decision follows concerns about voters being required to fill Form 6 for re-inclusion. Petitioners argue that this requirement misrepresents their voting status and could lead to legal consequences. The bench is considering issuing an order to rectify these issues before the October 30 deadline.
RTI Act turns 21: Commissions choke on backlog, appeals in Tripura, MP may be decided in 2046
An independent study has revealed significant delays in the disposal of RTI appeals across various states. Tripura and Madhya Pradesh have the longest waiting periods, with resolutions expected by 2046. The backlog of pending appeals has slightly decreased compared to last year, though it remains extensive. Notably, the Central Information Commission returned nearly one-third of all appeals filed during the review period.
No question of restrictive live-streaming of court proceedings, says Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has raised alarms over the monetization and distortion of live-streamed court sessions. Justices emphasized that unauthorized clips are being exploited for personal and commercial benefit, undermining the integrity of the legal system. They urged the establishment of guidelines to address these concerns and ensure accurate representation. Future measures will focus on protecting court proceedings from exploitation while fostering public understanding of judicial processes.
GAIL’s Sanjay Kumar named next Petronet LNG CEO
Sanjay Kumar has been appointed as the next Managing Director and CEO of Petronet LNG Ltd. His term will commence on May 13, 2027, after A K Singh's tenure ends. Petronet LNG plays a critical role in India's liquefied natural gas imports and energy infrastructure. The company aims to enhance its regasification capacity and expand operations significantly.
PM Modi degree case: Gujarat HC rejects Kejriwal appeal, upholds Rs 25,000 cost on him
The Gujarat High Court has dismissed Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal against an order quashing a 2016 CIC directive that asked Gujarat University to disclose Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s academic degree. The court also upheld the earlier Rs 25,000 cost imposed on Kejriwal, finding no reason to interfere with the single-judge ruling.
Indian brands dominate Delhi’s liquor sales: Nearly 18.61 crore bottles sold in two years; imported booze trails far behind
Delhi liquor shops sold nearly 18.61 crore bottles across categories in the last two financial years, with Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) accounting for a much larger share than imported spirits. Data from an RTI reply showed overall liquor sales rising to around 9.61 crore bottles in 2025-26, while beer sales also increased, with summer months recording some of the highest volumes.
Tamil Nadu gold ring scheme for babies: Who is eligible, how to avail benefits and other key details
Tamil Nadu gold ring scheme news: On Monday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch a one-gram gold ring scheme for newborns. This initiative aims to honor motherhood and promote women’s health while encouraging institutional deliveries. Eligible mothers, who are permanent residents of Tamil Nadu and registered under the relevant programs, will receive the gold rings. Distribution will start on September 28, with a focus on public healthcare trust.
After backlash, Vijay sarkar rescinds L&O RTI waiver
The ruling TVK government on Sunday withdrew its order expempting Public (Law and Order) department from the Right to Information (RTI) Act following widespread outrage. The department was classified as an 'Intelligence and Security Organisation' under the withdrawn order which would have kept it outside the RTI framework and restricted public access to the information it holds. Earlier, the exemption was defended as an attempt to keep information related to community clashes outside the RTI framework.
Vijay's TVK govt exempts Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's government exempted the Public (Law and Order) Department from the RTI Act. A Gazette notification was issued under Section 24(4) of the RTI Act to classify the department accordingly. This classification denotes that information on various sensitive matters will not be accessible through RTI applications. Issues such as communal incidents, political agitations, and police custody deaths will be included in this exemption.
Petronet to pay directors up to 1% of profit as commission
Petronet LNG Ltd has proposed to seek shareholders' approval for paying commissions to directors from FY27 to FY31. This proposal is for a maximum of 1% of annual profits according to the Companies Act, 2013. The company reported a net profit in FY26, with commissioner payments remaining below statutory limits. Akshay Kumar Singh, the CEO, received a commission of Rs 26.5 lakh each in FY26.
CIC recommends publishing paper-wise UPSC marks, flags no order for 2018 halt
The Central Information Commission has recommended reinstating the practice of publishing the detailed break-up of marks obtained by selected candidates in the Civil Services (Main) Examination after finding that the DoPT had no record of any formal decision behind discontinuing the practice from 2018. The matter gained traction after an RTI application seeking comparative data of marks obtained by all selected candidates in each General Studies paper, optional subject paper and the Personality Test over 10 years, up to 2023. The CIC directed the DoPT to provide the RTI applicant the detailed marks obtained by recommended candidates in each GS paper, optional subject paper and Personality Test for CSE 2018 to 2023.
IITs and the pressure trap: When rank becomes an identity
A 2nd-year IIT Bombay student recently took his own life after being accused of exam misconduct. Statistics reveal a troubling trend of suicides among IIT students, indicating systemic issues. Competitive admission processes create immense pressure, leading to mental health challenges for many students. Proposals suggest restructuring admissions to alleviate pressure and reduce stigma associated with leaving the program.
ED's National Herald case cannot stand on a private complaint: Sonia, Rahul Gandhi tell Delhi HC
The Gandhis' reply say that the words "private complaint" appear nowhere in the PMLA. They call this case the only instance in India where ED has acted on a private citizen's complaint. That complaint was filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy back in 2013.
Karnataka college tour rules: Govt bans selfies & reels during trips; 5-day cap, police intimation and certified experts for trekking
Karnataka has introduced stricter safety rules for educational tours organised by government first-grade colleges, banning selfies and reels and limiting trips to five days, including travel. Colleges must obtain prior approval, follow the approved itinerary, inform local police and ensure permanent lecturers accompany students. Trekking and swimming require certified experts and safety clearances, while tours during the monsoon have been discouraged.
Mumbai-Goa Highway cost jumps 48% to Rs 16,909 crore: One package up 126%, Rs 11,577 crore spent, yet parts remain unfinished; RTI reveals why Konkan commuters are still waiting
Mumbai-Goa highway cost: Mumbai-Goa highway widening project's sanctioned cost has risen by nearly 48%, with more than Rs 11,500 crore already spent on its development. Delays have been attributed to land acquisition issues and contractor-related challenges, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. Activists have questioned accountability over the prolonged execution and rising costs, while the project's completion remains a concern for Konkan travellers.
No online game registered under new gaming law; 201 complaints received: MeitY to CIC
The information was furnished in response to an RTI application seeking details of online games permitted to operate, complaints received regarding online games and action taken against fake online games.
TMC's Gokhale questions NCPI credentials, flags 84-day silence of EC on RTIs
Trinamool Congress leader Saket Gokhale questioned the Election Commission's 84-day delay in responding to his RTI query. He sought details about the Nationalist Citizens Party of India and its credentials. Gokhale also inquired about 20 sitting TMC MPs claiming to have joined this party. The Lok Sabha Secretariat also failed to respond to a related RTI after 84 days.
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