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The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
TNPSC to debar question setters for politically controversial or communally sensitive questions: Chairman
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) will debar question setters of competitive examinations for including questions that are politically controversial or communally sensitive, said TNPSC Chairman S.K. Prabakar. Speaking to the media at Egmore Presidency Girls Higher Secondary School ahead of the Group IV examinations on Saturday (July 12, 2025), Mr. Prabakar said: 'The TNPSC had already instructed professors who are technical experts not to frame questions that are politically controversial or communally sensitive. However, some question setters have not followed these instructions. The Commission will remove them from the panel.' Pointing to the rising number of vacancies, he said the number of candidates to be selected through the Group IV exam held on Saturday is expected to exceed 4,000, up from 3,935, as the number of vacancies across various departments between July and December 2025 is projected to be 4,318. 'The notification for Group II and IIA is expected next week. The total number of candidates recruited during the period from January 2024 to December 2024 is 10,701, while 11,027 candidates were recruited during the period from January 2025 to June 2025,' he said. According to the Group IV notification issued on April 25, the TNPSC announced that 3,935 vacancies across 25 different posts would be filled. These include 215 posts of village administrative officers, 1,678 junior assistants, 1,100 typists, 368 steno-typists, 112 forest guards, 145 forest watchers, and 239 junior revenue inspectors. The educational qualification required for Group IV is SSLC. As many as 13.89 lakh candidates, including 94,848 in Chennai, have received hall tickets for the Group IV examination. Women candidates outnumber men, as 8.63 lakh women candidates and 5.26 lakh men have been permitted to appear for the Group IV examination. Stressing the need for simplified processes, including a simplified OMR in competitive examinations, Mr. Prabakar said errors in the TNPSC Group I examination have decreased this time, as the evaluation of answer sheets under the new simplified system is under way. The evaluation of Group I preliminary exam answer sheets is expected to begin next week, and the results will be declared within a month. 'The results of the Group IV examination are expected to be declared in three months. The question papers have been found to be safe, following reports of controversy at a Madurai centre ahead of the examination,' he said. A few candidates who arrived late at the examination centre in Egmore on Saturday were denied permission to appear for the test. Several of them reportedly relied on the public transport system in Chennai.
Hans India
10-07-2025
- Hans India
Over 4,300 arrested, heinous offences decrease in southern range: Delhi Police
New Delhi: In a sweeping crackdown on crime, the Delhi Police southern range has achieved major success in the first half of 2025, arresting over 4,300 criminals and dismantling key networks of robbers, drug traffickers, arms dealers, and illegal immigrants. The relentless six-month operation - codenamed Operation Garuda, Vajra, Shastra, and Nischay - has led to a significant drop in street crime, robbery, and thefts across South and South-East Delhi. As per data shared by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Southern Range), S.K. Jain, the operations were focused, intelligence-led, and targeted at the roots of organised criminal activity. The results speak for themselves: 4,300 plus arrests, including 430 robbers and snatchers, 455 illegal arms offenders, and 170 drug traffickers. The operations also include recovery of over 609 stolen mobile phones, 262 kg of Ganja, 6.6 kg of Charas, 1.3 kg of Smack, pistols, 149 country-made firearms, over 2.13 lakh quarters of illicit liquor, Rs 1 crore in cash and jewellery seized, along with hundreds of stolen vehicles and smuggled goods. Under Operation Garuda, the Southern Range Police identified and deported illegal immigrants who had either crossed the Indian border illegally or were staying or involved in unlawful activities. '421 illegal immigrants, including 336 Bangladeshi and 85 African nationals, identified and deported under Operation Garuda,' said a statement from the Delhi Police. Key cases solved include a double murder cracked within 10 hours in Lajpat Nagar and a major jewellery showroom heist with the recovery of 90 diamond pieces and 57 gm of gold. The crackdown has led to a 45 per cent drop in attempt to murder cases, 28 per cent fall in robberies, and 26 per cent decline in snatchings, and a notable dip in vehicle and house thefts - marking a visible impact on the capital's crime landscape. 'Through focused operations like Garuda, Vajra, Shastra, and Nischay, we have shown zero tolerance to crime in any form. These actions reflect our firm commitment to protect law-abiding citizens, recover stolen property, and push back against criminal elements operating in the city,' said Jt. CP S.K. Jain. 'I urge every citizen - if you see suspicious persons, illegal activity, or criminal movement, please inform your local police. Your identity will be kept completely confidential. Public cooperation is our strongest weapon in this fight against crime,' he added.
News18
03-07-2025
- Health
- News18
Coffee Lovers, Rejoice: That Morning Cup Might Just Be Adding Years to Your Life
Last Updated: A Norwegian study from 2015 revealed that people who drank two or more cups a day had a 40% lower risk of death from liver cirrhosis Love starting your day with a steaming cup of coffee but worried it might be harming your health? You're not alone. But new research, including a major study from Tufts University, is flipping the narrative. It suggests that drinking coffee in moderation could actually help you live longer. Liver expert Dr. S.K. Sarin helps us separate fact from froth. Can coffee really reduce mortality risk? According to Dr. Sarin, yes — and the evidence is strong. 'Coffee's effects on health have been studied intensively for over two decades," he says. The Tufts University study, presented at the annual American Society for Nutrition meeting, tracked over 46,000 people for 10 years. Results showed that those who consumed 1–2 cups of coffee daily had a 14% lower risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Backing this up, a massive UK Biobank study with over 1.89 lakh participants found that drinking more than two cups of unsweetened coffee each day was associated with an 11–16% reduction in new cancers and cancer-related deaths. How does coffee benefit liver health? 'Coffee has been shown to lower liver fat and reduce inflammation," says Dr. Sarin. A Norwegian study from 2015 revealed that people who drank two or more cups a day had a 40% lower risk of death from liver cirrhosis. According to him, coffee can almost act like a therapeutic agent for metabolic liver conditions — but with a crucial caveat. 'It's not a remedy for unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive alcohol, or junk food," he warns. What about overall wellness? Beyond liver health, coffee has a wide-ranging impact on metabolic syndrome — the cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes. 'Coffee positively alters gut microbiota, has anti-inflammatory properties, and even contains compounds that combat cancer," Dr. Sarin explains. It's also a natural energy booster. Moderate coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of stroke and dementia. A meta-analysis involving 3.5 lakh people showed that each additional cup of coffee reduces the risk of depression by 8%. Isn't caffeine harmful in excess? That's true — and moderation is key. Overconsumption of caffeine can lead to jitteriness, anxiety, insomnia, and elevated heart rate. But in controlled doses, caffeine delivers impressive health perks. 'It has antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-lipid effects," says Dr. Sarin. Caffeine works by blocking adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes you sleepy, and instead releases mood-lifting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. Coffee is packed with nearly 1,000 bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acids, kahweol, and cafestol — all of which have various protective effects on the body. What about decaf? While decaf has less caffeine, it still retains beneficial compounds like chlorogenic acid, which lowers glucose absorption and enhances insulin sensitivity. 'Coffee also increases adiponectin levels — a hormone that boosts fat metabolism," explains Dr. Sarin. Kahweol and cafestol, although found in lesser amounts in decaf, are potent antioxidants that protect tissues from damage. Does milk and sugar cancel out the benefits? 'In moderation, a little milk can actually reduce acidity," says Dr. Sarin. But it's a trade-off. Milk reduces the absorption of chlorogenic acid — a major anti-inflammatory component of coffee — and may not suit those with lactose intolerance. Add sugar, and you're also adding unnecessary calories. 'For maximum health benefits, go for drip coffee or plain black coffee," he advises. 'Remember, coffee isn't a miracle drug — it's a beverage. Like any powerful substance, it should be consumed mindfully, at the right time and in the right amount." First Published: July 02, 2025, 10:55 IST
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Kerala's GST success built on diligence, timely action, taxpayer-centric approach: official
The Thiruvananthapuram CGST Zone in Kerala achieved remarkable growth, with an 18% increase in GST revenue and a 14% rise in Central Excise collections. According to S.K, Rahman, Chief Commissioner, Central Tax and Central Excise, Kerala Zone (Former Joint Secretary, GST Council), the performance stands in sharp contrast to the modest 5% growth recorded in the previous year. What sets Kerala apart is its strategic integration of sustained taxpayer outreach, awareness-building, and technology-enabled compliance mechanisms. By prioritising early resolution of taxpayer grievances, ensuring timely adjudication, and leveraging digital tools for monitoring registration and audit processes, the State has demonstrated how growth can be effectively coupled with good governance, he said in a statement. The GST revenue collection in the first two months of FY 2025-26 has increased with a growth rate of 18% and the Central Excise revenue with a growth rate of 14%. As per the latest revenue trends, the GST collections up to May 2025 in the financial year 2025–26 have shown notable growth of 18%, increasing from ₹3,238 crore in the same period of the previous year (FY 2024–25) to ₹3,826 crore. Similarly, Central Excise revenue has also registered a growth of 14%, with collections rising from ₹4,433 crore up to May 2024 to ₹5,056 crore in the corresponding period of FY 2025–26. These figures indicate a positive momentum in indirect tax collections, reflecting both economic activity and improved compliance. At the national level, the GST revenues for May 2025 touched ₹2.01 lakh crore, reflecting a robust 16.4% year-on-year increase over ₹1.72 lakh crore in May 2024. Kerala's GST success is built on silent diligence, timely action, and a taxpayer-centric approach, said Mr. Rahman. He also stressed that the journey ahead for Kerala is one of scaling higher, deepening outreach, and embracing the digital economy. As India eyes a $5 trillion GDP, GST will be at the heart of enabling inclusive growth, fiscal health, and taxpayer trust, he added.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Over 2 lakh candidates take up TNPSC exam, says official
A total of 2.4 lakh candidates have registered to write the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) Group 1 exams that were held on Sunday, said TNPSC Chairman S.K. Prabakar. Speaking to the media after inspecting the exam halls in Chennai, he said: 'This year, we have simplified the instructions on the OMR sheets for the candidates. Previously, there were some complications as the unclear instructions led to the candidates losing time during the exam. There were complaints regarding the calculations of the questions answered, so we have made this easier for them.' The TNPSC Group 1 exams are being conducted for 72 posts, including Deputy Collector. The exam is being held at 44 centres across the State. The results of the preliminary exam will be released in two months, Mr. Prabakar said. Stating that the TNPSC is trying to make as many selections as possible, Mr. Prabakar said: 'We are also trying to conduct the most important exam first so that there are no overlaps of qualifications for the candidates, and the opportunities remain the same.'
