New Delhi, Aug 17: The CPI(M) demanded on Monday that the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, be scrapped, saying errors in three UGC-NET papers have once again exposed the “entrenched rot” in the country’s education system.
In a statement issued here, the party’s Politburo said the latest errors have exposed the NTA’s “abject incompetence” in conducting examinations and reiterated its demand for scrapping the agency as well as the NEP, which it described as the “root cause of the decay in the education system”.
“This disgraceful episode has once again exposed the entrenched rot in India’s education system and lays bare the NTA’s abject incompetence to hold these examinations,” the CPI(M) said.
The party alleged that instead of addressing the consequences of the NEP, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its affiliates are targeting those who question the education system.
“Deplorably, instead of remedying the NEP’s disastrous consequences, the BJP and its affiliates target those who question the system,” it said, while condemning the killing of Janab Mafik, father of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, in West Bengal. Mafik died after he was allegedly assaulted at his residence after his son visited a school to record infrastructural gaps.
The NTA on Sunday announced a retest for three papers — English, Commerce and Sociology — of the UGC-NET that was held in June following complaints of several errors in these papers.
The English paper will be held from 9 am to 12 noon on September 9, while the Commerce paper will be conducted the same day from 3 pm to 6 pm.
The Sociology re-test will be held from 9 am to 12 noon on September 10.
The NTA conducted the UGC-NET 2026 from June 22 to June 30 across 87 subjects for the award of Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), eligibility for assistant professor and admission to PhD programmes.
In a public notice, the agency said it had received several complaints about multiple errors in the question papers of the three subjects and formed a committee to look into these issues.
Gold jewellery has always been a favourite in India, but with gold prices feeling increasingly expensive, buying solid gold is not always practical for everyone. If you love the warm, rich look of gold but don’t want to pay the price of solid gold, then gold plated jewellery can be a smart choice.
At GIVA, you can get 925 sterling silver with gold plating which has a beautiful gold-tone appearance and is less expensive than real gold jewellery. It’s a fantastic way to get the gold look, try out different styles and add more pieces to your collection without a big investment.
But how does gold plated silver jewellery compare to real gold, and which makes more sense for you? Both have their appeal, so let’s take a look at the key differences and help you pick the option that best fits your style, budget and everyday needs.
What Is Gold Plated Silver Jewellery?
Gold plated jewellery is made by plating a layer of gold over another metal. If the base metal is sterling silver, the jewellery is made of 925 silver and then covered with a layer of gold. This gives you the warm classic look of gold while maintaining the beauty and versatility of sterling silver.
925 sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver, plus other metals that give it the strength needed for everyday jewellery. Once the piece is finished in gold it possesses a rich golden look that looks just as beautiful with everyday outfits as it does with festive wear.
At GIVA, you can find gold plated and rose gold plated 925 sterling silver jewellery in different styles. Gold plating gives your jewellery that timeless finish, rose gold plating adds a soft pinkish tone for a more contemporary feel With options ranging from earrings and necklaces to rings and bracelets, there are plenty of choices to fit different personal styles.
So, whether you’re naturally drawn to classic gold or prefer the softer appeal of rose gold, plated sterling silver gives you plenty of scope to experiment. You can mix and match and find pieces that feel like they really belong in your jewellery collection.
What Is Real Gold Jewellery?
Real gold jewellery is made of gold mixed with other metals to make the jewellery strong and durable. It’s measured in karats for its purity, which tells you how much gold is actually in it. When you’re shopping for contemporary jewellery you’ll often see 18K, 14K and 9K gold. Each of these contains a different percentage of pure gold.
Understanding Karats 18K, 14K and 9K Gold Purity
18K gold is 75% pure gold and has a deep, warm look, which makes it popular in fine jewellery and special pieces.
14K gold is 58.5 % pure gold , the rest being other metals . It’s a nice compromise between gold content and strength, making it perfect for jewellery you intend to wear everyday.
9K gold contains 37.5% pure gold mixed with other metals. It’s another option for people who want real gold jewellery at a different price point.
Think about how you’ll wear the piece and what’s most important to you when picking from the three. Everyday rings and bracelets you may want a purity that gives you more strength, but necklaces and earrings can offer you more flexibility. Your style, budget and occasion can all help you find the right fit.
Gold-Plated Jewellery vs Real Gold: Key Differences
Feature
Gold Plated 925 Silver
Real Gold
Base material
925 sterling silver
Gold combined with other metals
Gold content
A layer of gold over sterling silver
Gold content runs throughout the alloy
Price
More Affordable
Depends on purity and weight
Appearance
Gold-toned finish
Natural gold appearance
Durability
Depends on plating and care
Depends on gold purity and alloy
Maintenance
Requires mindful care
Generally easy to maintain
Gold-Plated Silver vs Real Gold: Which Is More Affordable?
The price of jewellery can differ depending on the materials used, the amount of gold in it, and the craftsmanship that goes into making each piece.
Silver jewellery with gold plating is based on 925 sterling silver, then finished with a layer of gold to give that warm golden look. There’s plenty of space to explore gold-toned earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets in a variety of styles.
The price of real gold jewellery depends mostly on the purity and weight of the gold used. The final price may also be affected by factors like craftsmanship, making charges and applicable taxes.
So which one is more logical? It is all a matter of what you want from your jewellery. If you like to experiment with different styles and you like the look of gold then you are spoilt for choice with gold-plated over sterling silver jewellery. “Real gold allows you to have that option if you want something made in a specific purity of gold.”
Or if you want to gift a stylish gold plated jewellery piece under ₹1999, GIVA has a lot of options to explore. If you are searching for everyday earrings and rings or necklaces and bracelets, you can discover gold plated designs that comfortably fit your budget.
How to Care For Gold Plated Silver Jewellery
Gold plated silver jewellery maintenance is easier than you think. You don’t need a complicated routine, a few simple habits will help keep your favourite pieces looking beautiful for longer.
Remove before bathing or swimming. Keep jewellery out of prolonged contact with water and moisture.
End with jewellery: Apply your perfume, moisturiser and skincare first and allow them to settle before adding your jewellery.
Remove before a workout : Sweat and constant movement can affect the gold finish so best to leave your jewellery safely at home.
Stay away from harsh chemicals: Try to keep the products clean and other strong chemicals away from the item as they can damage the finish.
Give each piece its space: Keep your jewellery in a soft dry pouch or jewellery box to stop pieces rubbing or scratching each other.
Wipe After Wear: A quick swipe with a soft, clean cloth usually removes everyday residue, and keeps it looking fresh.
These small habits don’t take a lot of effort, but they can make a big difference. With proper care, your gold plated silver jewellery can be a beautiful addition to your collection for years to come.
How to Choose Gold Plated Silver Jewellery
If you’re going to buy gold plated silver jewellery, it’s always a good idea to check the product details before you make your choice. Check for clear information about the base material and ensure that it is 925 sterling silver. You can also see the details about the gold finish, care instructions and other product specifications.
It is also a popular choice for people who prefer hypoallergenic jewellery . Sterling silver is comfortable to wear and is a good option for everyday wear . If you are looking for good quality sterling silver jewellery, GIVA has a variety of designs to choose from.
Once you’ve looked at the material, think about what suits your personal style. If you’re into jewellery you can wear every day, a classic pendant, simple earrings or a slick bracelet could be just the thing. If you want to make more of a statement then try layered necklaces, chunkier bracelets or eye-catching rings.
GIVA has a great collection of gold plated 925 sterling silver jewellery in a variety of styles, meaning you’ll find pieces to wear with everything from your everyday outfits to special occasions. We also provide a lifetime free plating service so you can keep your favourite gold plated items looking their best for longer.
Find Your Perfect Gold Plated Jewellery at GIVA
Choosing jewellery is all about what feels right for you. Gold plated silver jewellery gives you the warm look of gold on a 925 sterling silver base, while real gold allows you to choose a piece based on your preferred purity.
If you are looking for a wedding anniversary gift for your wife then a gold plated necklace, bracelet, ring or pair of earrings can be a good way to celebrate the occasion and especially if she likes to experiment with different styles.
Shop now from GIVA’s collection today. Enjoy complimentary lifetime plating service (T&C) to keep your favourite plated pieces looking beautiful for longer.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or choosing a gift for someone special, pick the right jewellery that feels personal, suits the occasion and is something you’ll love wearing or gifting.
Srinagar, Aug 17: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday played down the BJP’s protest against his government in Jammu, saying political parties were entitled to express their differences, while sharply criticising what he described as the Centre’s growing interference in matters belonging to the states.
Asked about the BJP’s protest in Jammu against the National Conference-led government, Abdullah said there was little for him to respond to.
“They have a difference of opinion. This is what they have to do,” he said. “Okay? They did it. What else?”
Abdullah, however, used the discussion to make a broader argument for greater space for states, saying issues such as education and health fall within the states’ domain and should not be increasingly centralised.
“This is not just about Jharkhand,” he said, referring to the ongoing student protests there. “These matters, whether it is education or health, in the devolution of powers, these are State issues. They feature in the State List.”
The Chief Minister said the weakening of states could not be attributed to the BJP alone, arguing that successive governments at the Centre, including the Congress-led UPA, had contributed to the trend.
“This fault is not just the BJP’s,” Abdullah said. “Different central governments have played a role in weakening the states.”
He cited the centralisation of the NEET examination system as an example, arguing that greater central control had also altered the chain of accountability.
“So, if NEET had not been centralised, Dharmendra Pradhan would not have had to resign,” Abdullah said. “Because examinations would have been conducted at the state level. If there had been a scam in a state, the minister of that state would have been responsible.”
He said the Centre should confine itself to matters falling within its jurisdiction and leave state subjects to elected state governments.
“Leave matters that belong to the states with the states. Let the Centre handle matters that belong to the Centre,” Abdullah said.
“This habit the Centre has developed of interfering in the states is the reason Dharmendra Pradhan had to lose his job. Let us do our work; let them do theirs.”
The remarks come amid renewed political friction between the J&K government and the BJP, which has stepped up its criticism of the National Conference-led administration in Jammu.
On the controversy over Vande Mataram at the Independence Day ceremony, Abdullah sought to play down the issue, saying the change in the ceremony’s sequence was new even to him.
“This was my eighth Independence Day parade. But this was the first time Vande Mataram was included,” he said.
Abdullah said it took him some time to understand the revised sequence, under which Vande Mataram preceded the flag unfurling and the national anthem.
“It took me some time too to understand that first I would stand there, then Vande Mataram would be played, then I would unfurl the flag, and then there would be the national anthem,” he said. “Perhaps Congress also needed some time to adjust.”
Asked about criticism over a statement supporting Article 370 that was described as reflecting a “Naxalite mindset”, Abdullah refused to comment on the social-media posts.
“Why are you asking me to explain and speak about what she tweets?” he said. “It is her Twitter account; her daughter runs it. Let her tweet whatever she likes.”
On the protests in Jharkhand, Abdullah backed the continuation of talks with the students, saying legitimate grievances should be addressed through dialogue.
“If the students’ demands are legitimate, if they are valid, then somewhere or the other, they should sit down with them and talk,” he said.
He added that if the government believed the demands were baseless, it should say so clearly. “If they are not, then say directly that there is no weight or truth in their demands and that there will be no talks with them,” he said.
But the decision to hold a second round of talks, he argued, indicated that the protesters’ concerns could not simply be dismissed.
“If you have already held one round of talks and are saying there will be a second round, then somewhere their demands must have some truth in them,” Abdullah said.
Jammu, Aug 17: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Sub-Inspector of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with a bribery case here, officials said on Monday.
“The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Inspector of Police Station Janipur in Jammu, identified as SI Danish Habib, a 2024-batch officer, in a bribery case,” the CBI statement said.
The CBI said the accused allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant for not registering an FIR against him over a marital dispute. Following negotiations, the accused agreed to accept Rs 10,000 from the complainant, it said.
The CBI registered a case on August 16 and laid a trap the same day. During the trap, the police officer was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 from the complainant, it said.
The agency said further investigation is underway.
Srinagar, Aug 17: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader from Jammu and Kashmir, Khalid Jehangir has extended his heartiest congratulations to Ram Madhav on his appointment as National Vice-President of the party for Delhi.
In a statement issued here, Jehangir said that Ram Madhav’s vast experience, vision and commitment to the nation would prove to be a great asset to the organisation.
“As a BJP leader from Jammu & Kashmir, I extend my warmest wishes to him for this new responsibility and continued success,” Jehangir said.
He expressed confidence that Ram Madhav would discharge his new responsibility with dedication and contribute towards further strengthening the party organisation.
Srinagar, Aug 17: In a latest development, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct thorough audit of all the examination conducted so far and submit a report on corrective actions taken to plug the gaps.
The directions were issued during a meeting chaired by union minister for education Pralhad Joshi on Monday with Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Director Generla NTA and other senior officials of the department.
“NTA has been directed to conduct a thorough audit of all exam processes and submit a report on corrective action taken,” ministry of education posted on its official X handle.
During the meeting, education minister was apprised on the steps taken by NTA in the wake of recent issues, particularly with reference to reforming the overall system.
Director General NTA informed that over 50 staff members were removed from NTA besides 10 new professional leadership positions including Chief Technology Officer, Chief Finance Officer, CISO, GM, Test Security, GM, R&D and Psychometrics, and others have been advertised and are being onboarded.
“Domain specialists are being brought in from the private sector for cyber-security, psychometrics, question-paper design and other specialised areas,” the post reads on X.
During the meeting, the union Education minister has directed that strict compliance be ensured of the established exam protocols and also directed that a complete overhaul of Confidential Operations (CONOPS) architecture, secluded rooms, air-gapped systems, device-deposit protocols be implemented on war footing.MoE directs NTA to conduct thorough audit of all exam processes
Jammu, Aug 17: National Conference leader and MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Monday hit out at the BJP over its protest in Jammu, saying the party had every democratic right to demonstrate but should first answer questions over the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, pending reservation issues and alleged backdoor appointments.
Reacting to the BJP’s protest against the Omar Abdullah-led government, Sadiq said there was nothing wrong with political parties holding demonstrations, but accused the BJP of resorting to “drama and theatrics” to remain politically relevant.
“It is the democratic right of any political party to protest. The BJP has the same right. Absolutely, let them protest,” Sadiq said. “But the kind of drama and theatrics that the BJP leaders and their president are carrying out today—two years have passed.” Sadiq said the BJP should instead explain why the commitments of delimitation, elections and restoration of statehood had not been followed through.
“They should first look within themselves and ask: we were promised delimitation, elections and then statehood. Even after two years, statehood has not come,” he said. He alleged that the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had been “destroyed and divided into two parts” and accused the BJP of making the region dependent on the Centre.
“They have made us dependent on them for everything,” Sadiq said, arguing that the economic and administrative situation would have been different had the changes not been made.
He also targeted the Centre over the absence of an Advocate General and the pending reservation file, saying the BJP should explain why, in his view, “it is creating obstacles in everything.”
Sadiq also challenged the BJP over its opposition to alleged backdoor appointments, referring to a recent government press conference on the issue and reports that the BJP planned to gherao the SPSC.
“My simple question is this: every agency in this country is with the BJP. It would take them just a minute to order an investigation into this,” he said.
He called for a full investigation, saying, “Let there be a proper investigation. The truth will come out.”
Sadiq further accused the BJP of deliberately misleading people over the issue.
“If the National Conference or anyone else had made backdoor appointments, they would have investigated it from day one,” he said. “They deliberately want to mislead the people, and that is the same drama they staged in Jammu today.”
Taking a swipe at former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Sadiq also revived the National Conference’s criticism of the PDP-BJP alliance.
“Wasn’t Mehbooba Mufti the same person who brought the BJP here?” he asked, recalling that the National Conference had opposed the alliance. “We pleaded with her, saying, for God’s sake, don’t bring the BJP here; this state will be destroyed,” he said.
Sadiq said Omar Abdullah had even offered “unconditional support” at the time to prevent the BJP from entering government in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Today, all this crying from a distance looks like crocodile tears,” he said. Sadiq concluded by positioning the National Conference as the principal political force fighting for Jammu and Kashmir’s rights.
“Today, there is only one political party—the National Conference—that is fighting both inside the Assembly and outside it for its rights and constitutional rights,” he said.
New Delhi, Aug 17: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said that over 200 operatives of the ISI-backed terror group, Shahzad Bhatti Network, were arrested ahead of Independence Day, thwarting plans of the group to launch subversive attacks.
He said coordinated operations were held across different locations in 14 states, reflecting the country’s zero tolerance towards terrorism.
Substantial recoveries, including IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges, and CCTV cameras used for espionage, were made from the ISI-funded group, he said.
In a message on ‘X’, the Home Minister said, “Modi government destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives.”
“Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states, upholding a brilliant example of India’s zero-tolerance towards terrorism,” he said.
The network was involved in several terrorist activities, Shah said.
According to a government statement, the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) is a Pakistan-based terror syndicate linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks and targeted killings across India.
The SBN has also been paying local conduits to recce police, defence and religious sites, and to install CCTV cameras for espionage.
The NIA is probing multiple cases against Bhatti, including an alleged link to the March 2025 grenade attack at the residence of social media influencer Roger Sandhu in Jalandhar, Punjab.
In April 2026, the NIA had chargesheeted Bhatti as an absconder, and one other accused in the case.
The anti-terror agency has further found that Bhatti had also masterminded the November 2025 explosion at the Women Police Station, Sirsa, Haryana and the January 2026 blast at Baldev Nagar police station in Ambala, Haryana.
In the Sirsa case, the NIA had chargesheeted nine individuals, including Bhatti and another Pakistan-based handler Sohail Ahmad alias Sohail Baloch, in May 2026.
The Baldev Nagar police station case relates to a car bomb explosion, in which one arrested accused was found to have been in touch with Bhatti.
“To counter SBN-linked disruptions planned around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation was carried out on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with State Police forces,” the government statement said.
Over 200 arrests were made during the operation in 14 states, including Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan (15), Maharashtra (8), Uttarakhand (5), Karnataka, Gujarat and Bihar (3 each), and Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Kerala (2 each) with fresh FIRs registered in Delhi and Karnataka.
“Cumulatively, over 80 FIRs and 200-plus arrests have been recorded against SBN under UAPA, BNS, the Arms Act, NDPS Act and Explosive Substances Act,” it said.
The statement said recoveries include IEDs and grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, confirming the network’s direct cross-border links.
“Security agencies reaffirm the Government of India’s zero tolerance for cross-border terror and continued coordinated action to dismantle SBN’s networks nationwide,” it said.
New Delhi, Aug 17: President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to a bill to rename Kerala as Keralam, with the legislation now becoming a law.
The Lok Sabha passed the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, on Tuesday, followed by the Rajya Sabha the next day.
In the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Kerala Assembly passed a resolution in 2024, urging the Centre to bring a law to change the name of the state to Keralam.
“The bill provides that the State of Kerala will be known as the State of Keralam, and hence there is a proposal to rename the State of Kerala to Keralam,” he said.
The Kerala government had forwarded a resolution passed by the state assembly regarding the name change to the Centre in June 2024.
Subsequently, President Murmu referred the Bill to the state legislature for its views, following which the Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution agreeing with the Bill.
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill provides for the alteration of the state’s name and contains necessary amendments to the Constitution and consequential provisions, according to the Bill’s statement of objects and reasons.
Amendments will be made in the First Schedule to the Constitution by modifying the name of Kerala as Keralam in accordance with Article 3 of the Constitution.
Jerusalem, Aug 17: The deal that US President Donald Trump signed at Versailles in June set an ambitious 60-day deadline for ending the war with Iran and reaching an accord on its nuclear program.
The deadline was Monday, and the two sides are further apart than they were then.
Talks, such as they are, have focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting a US blockade on Iran, both of which were supposed to have happened under the interim deal.
There has been no sign of any compromise on the strait, or that detailed nuclear talks have even begun.
The US, meanwhile, has no good options for getting out of the war it started alongside Israel.
Acceding to Iran’s latest demands would mean giving it control over a critical international waterway that carried a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas before the war — and would be tantamount to admitting defeat.
Escalating the deeply unpopular war would further draw down US supplies of advanced missile interceptors, jolt the world economy, and drive up gas prices ahead of US congressional elections.
So both sides have dug in, hoping the other will blink first. So far, neither has.
The interim deal collapsed weeks later
The June deal, known as the Memorandum of Understanding, called for a halt to all military operations and set a 60-day deadline for an agreement to permanently end the war and resolve the longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities.
It called for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened but gave Iran a vaguely defined role in facilitating traffic, leaving open the possibility it could charge fees after the 60-day deadline. Iran has seized on that clause to claim control over the waterway.
A week after the deal was signed, Iran began firing on vessels using a route along the coast of Oman, on the other side of the strait, that is overseen by the US military and intended to bypass Tehran’s control.
The US responded by striking Iran, which retaliated by attacking Arab countries hosting American forces, like Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. The US cancelled waivers issued as part of the deal that had allowed Iran to sell its oil internationally and Trump restored a blockade of Iran’s ports.
Each side accused the other of violating the June agreement, of which almost nothing remains.
The fighting eventually died down. A related truce in Lebanon between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has mostly held, even as Israeli troops occupy large areas in the country’s south. Lebanon’s “territorial integrity and sovereignty” were to have been ensured under the June deal.
Iranian officials say they stopped negotiating with the US in June, while acknowledging that messages have been relayed by intermediaries. Trump says the talks have continued, occasionally claiming progress after pulling back from threatening major strikes.
Pakistan, which played a key role in brokering the June agreement, noted last week that the deadline was Monday while expressing hope it would be extended.
“We are not closing the chapter,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi said. “Pakistan is making all-out efforts to bring the two parties to the negotiating table.”
Iran’s leaders think they can force Trump to give up the strait
Earlier this month, Iran issued a list of demands for reopening the strait, including the lifting of the American blockade, the withdrawal of US forces from around Iran and the payment of reparations for damage inflicted in the war started by the US and Israel on February 28.
Even then, Iran has said it would control the strait — and potentially charge fees — through an agreement it is negotiating with Oman, and that the strait will not go back to being an open, toll-free waterway as it was before the war.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have meanwhile begun attacking Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, threatening another crucial trade route that had been used to relieve some of the pressure from the strait being closed.
Trump has rejected Iran’s demands — saying it’s Tehran that should pay war reparations and claiming the US controls the strait. He appears to be banking on economic pressure — in the form of the blockade and longstanding sanctions — to bring Iran’s rulers to their knees.
Iran’s economy has been battered by the war and isolation, and inflation has soared. The crisis could stoke renewed anti-government protests, like those that were brutally crushed in January.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which rose immediately after the interim deal, is back to a small fraction of what it was before the war. Rising prices of fuel and other goods are expected to climb further the longer this continues with effects far beyond the Middle East.
