Digest for 26 June, 2025
India Calls for Unified Action Against Terrorism at SCO, Criticizes State Sponsors
At the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh strongly condemned terrorism, making a veiled reference to Pakistan for using cross-border terrorism as state policy. He emphasized that peace cannot coexist with terrorism and called for decisive, united action among SCO members to combat these threats and hold accountable nations that sponsor or nurture terrorism. Singh highlighted the need for reformed multilateralism to address global security challenges.
Railways Ministry Introduces Key Reforms to Enhance Train Controller Functioning and Safety
The Ministry of Railways announced significant reforms for train controllers aimed at improving operational safety and working conditions. These include mandatory minimum service in control offices, selection of experienced personnel, regular refresher courses with simulator training, and performance monitoring. Measures like yoga sessions and health check-ups will address job stress. The Traffic Control will be renamed Operations & Traffic Control to serve as an integrated command centre.
Delhi University Considers Dropping Courses on Pakistan, China, Islam; Faculty Alleges Political Motivation
Delhi University is reportedly considering removing several elective MA Political Science courses focusing on Pakistan, China, and Islam, sparking objections from faculty members who decry the move as politically driven and detrimental to academic rigor. The university's Standing Committee on Academic Matters discussed these changes, which also include revisions in Geography and Sociology syllabi. Teachers argue these "forced" revisions erode departmental autonomy and academic freedom.
SEBI Penalizes BSE Rs 25 Lakh for Regulatory Lapses in Information Dissemination
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a Rs 25 lakh penalty on the BSE (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) for failing to ensure equal access to corporate disclosures for all stakeholders and for inadequate monitoring of client code modifications. An inspection found BSE's system allowed paid clients and internal teams to access announcements before public dissemination. BSE shares declined over 1% following the order.
Two Dead, Ten Missing as Pilgrim Vehicle Plunges into Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand
A tempo traveller carrying pilgrims to Badrinath Dham fell into the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. At least two people were killed, eight injured, and ten others remain missing. The vehicle, with 20 people on board from Udaipur, Rajasthan, veered off the road into a deep gorge. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are conducting search and rescue operations.