Bhubaneswar: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a retest for more than 3,700 candidates after a technical glitch disrupted the conduct of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for undergraduate admissions at several examination centres on Saturday. According to the agency, the examination was delayed due to an error in systems operated by Tata…
Bhubaneswar: The Central government has highlighted the transformative impact of the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, describing it as a major initiative that has helped street vendors transition from survival to self-reliance through access to formal credit and financial inclusion. According to the government, the scheme has significantly strengthened business sustainability and…
Bhubaneswar: The Orissa High Court has ruled that candidates appearing for NEET cannot claim “dual educational privileges” by combining academic credentials from different educational boards to secure eligibility benefits for MBBS admissions. The court dismissed a petition filed by a candidate who sought to combine marks obtained from the Odisha State Board and the National…
Bhubaneswar: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the deadline for submission of bank account details for the refund of examination fees paid by candidates of NEET-UG 2026, which was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. According to an official notice, candidates can now submit their bank account details through the NEET (UG)-2026 registration…
Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has revised its forecast for the 2026 Southwest Monsoon season, predicting that India is likely to receive rainfall amounting to 90 per cent of the Long Period Average (LPA). The forecast was issued as part of the weather agency’s second outlook for the Southwest Monsoon. The revised estimate is…
BHUBANESWAR: Nabarangpur district has recorded the highest prevalence of child marriage in Odisha, highlighting the continued challenge of ending the practice despite sustained government interventions and awareness campaigns. Official data indicate that child marriage prevalence in the district stands at 39.4 per cent. Authorities have been actively working to prevent underage marriages, stopping hundreds of…
BHUBANESWAR: An expert appraisal panel of the Union Environment Ministry has recommended environmental clearance for Vedanta Limited’s proposed bauxite mining project in the Sijimali region of Odisha, subject to a series of conditions and regulatory approvals. The panel has stipulated that mining activities cannot be undertaken on 709.72 hectares of forest land until Stage-II forest…
BHUBANESWAR: The rising cost of fuel and cooking gas is putting additional pressure on household budgets across Odisha, with transportation expenses increasing by nearly 10 percent and triggering a sharp rise in the prices of vegetables and other essential kitchen commodities. Traders said recent increases in petrol, diesel and LPG prices have significantly raised transportation…
BHUBANESWAR: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will install six High Wind Speed Recorders (HWSR) along the coastline of Odisha to improve the measurement of extreme wind speeds during cyclones and severe storm events. Officials said the advanced instruments will be installed in six coastal districts — Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak and Balasore. The initiative…
BHUBANESWAR: As the scorching summer gradually gives way to the monsoon, Odisha is preparing for two of its most cherished cultural celebrations—Raja Parba and Ratha Yatra—marking the beginning of what many consider the state’s most vibrant and festive period of the year. The season begins with the celebration of Raja Parba, a unique festival that…