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Study Circle Launched for Advocates With Up to 10 Years of Practice

Gujarat High Court Big Move

Video shows MBA student murder accused laughing amid probe

Indore Murder Accused Smiles on Camera

Robodog row sparks backlash at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Galgotias Asked to Exit AI Summit

Actor pens heartfelt note after Sunil Malhotra’s passing

Kiara Mourns Sidharth’s Father

Minor held in SUV crash; father booked under MV Act provisions

Dwarka Crash: Accused’s Father Apologises

Top court restores rape attempt charge, seeks sensitivity guidelines

SC Sets Aside HC Order in POCSO Case

India&rsquo;s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C62) mission faced a major setback on Monday after an anomaly during the rocket&rsquo;s third stage prevented most onboard satellites from reaching their intended orbit. The mission, EOS-N1, was launched at 10.18 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The 44.4-metre-tall, four-stage PSLV was tasked with deploying a primary Earth Observation satellite along with 15 co-passenger satellites into a 512-kilometre Sun-Synchronous Orbit. Initial stages of the launch progressed normally, with real-time updates shared as the vehicle ascended. However, soon after the ignition of the third stage, deviations in the flight path were detected.
As a result, 15 of the 16 satellites onboard could not be placed into the designated orbit. This marks the second consecutive setback for ISRO&rsquo;s PSLV programme, following a similar failure in May 2025 linked to a motor pressure issue.
Despite the anomaly, one satellite, Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), developed by Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm, managed to separate from the launch vehicle. The small re-entry vehicle prototype reportedly activated successfully and transmitted data, offering a rare positive outcome from the mission.
The lost payloads included DRDO&rsquo;s Anvesha surveillance satellite, AayulSAT, India&rsquo;s first in-orbit fuelling experiment, CGUSAT, a student-built satellite for emergency communication, and a jointly developed Earth Observation satellite by Thailand and the United Kingdom.
ISRO has confirmed that a detailed analysis is underway to determine the cause of the third-stage malfunction. Officials have indicated that comprehensive findings will be shared after data from all ground stations is reviewed. Experts note that while the incident is a setback, such failures are part of the learning curve in complex space missions.

ISRO’s EOS-N1 mission falters, but a Spanish tech demo separates and sends data

PSLV-C62 setback: 15 satellites lost, KID survives

ISRO suffered a major setback on Monday after its PSLV-C62 rocket failed to place 16 satellites into their intended orbit due to a malfunction in the third stage of the launch vehicle. The mission, which lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10.18 am, was meant to deploy multiple satellites into a 512-kilometre Sun-Synchronous Orbit.
The 44.4-metre-tall four-stage rocket performed normally during its early phases. However, as the third stage ignited, abnormal disturbances and deviation from the planned flight path were detected. This deviation ultimately prevented the satellites from reaching their designated orbit, leading to the complete loss of all onboard payloads.
This marks the second consecutive failure involving the PSLV&rsquo;s third stage. In May 2025, the PSLV-C61 mission had also failed after a drop in motor chamber pressure affected performance. Engineers are now examining telemetry and flight data to determine the exact cause of the repeated anomaly.
Among the satellites lost were DRDO&rsquo;s Anvesha, a strategic Earth observation satellite capable of detecting military camouflage from space, AayulSAT, India&rsquo;s first in-orbit refuelling satellite, and CGUSAT, a student-built satellite designed for emergency and disaster communication. The mission also carried a jointly developed Earth observation satellite by Thailand and the United Kingdom, and KID, a technology demonstrator from a Spanish startup meant to test atmospheric re-entry.
Experts say the failed payloads are now likely drifting in space, potentially becoming orbital debris. ISRO has initiated a detailed failure analysis and is expected to release an official report in the coming days.
The PSLV has long been considered India&rsquo;s most reliable launch vehicle, making this double failure a significant concern for the country&rsquo;s space programme. The findings of the investigation will be crucial in restoring confidence in upcoming missions.
&nbsp;

ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission fails after third-stage anomaly, all payloads lost

PSLV-C62 Failure: 16 Satellites Lost in Orbit

India is set to kick off its 2026 space mission calendar with the launch of the PSLV-C62 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on January 12, marking the first orbital launch of the year by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The 260-tonne Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), India&rsquo;s trusted workhorse rocket, will carry the primary Earth observation satellite EOS-N1, also called Anvesha, into a sun-synchronous orbit hundreds of kilometres above Earth. EOS-N1 is designed for high-resolution imaging to support applications including surveillance, environmental monitoring, agriculture and resource mapping.
Alongside Anvesha, the PSLV-C62 will deploy 14 co-passenger satellites for Indian and international customers arranged through ISRO&rsquo;s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd. These smaller payloads include research and technology demonstration satellites from startups and global partners, expanding collaboration and commercial access to space.
In addition to satellite deployment, the mission will feature an in-orbit demonstration of a re-entry capsule developed by a Spanish startup, testing controlled de-boost and atmospheric re-entry following deployment.
The mission&rsquo;s countdown began the day before launch, with the PSLV-C62 scheduled for lift-off at around 10:18 am IST. Within minutes of launch, the main and co-passenger satellites are expected to be placed into orbit. This launch continues the PSLV&rsquo;s legacy of reliability, following historic missions that carried iconic spacecraft such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission and Aditya-L1.
As India strengthens its space capabilities and international partnerships, this mission signals a strong start to the nation&rsquo;s 2026 space endeavours.

India begins its 2026 space calendar with a key Earth observation and satellite launch

ISRO Set to Launch PSLV-C62 Mission on Jan 12

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft of US-based AST SpaceMobile aboard its heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3-M6, marking a major milestone in India&rsquo;s commercial space programme. The launch took place at 8.55 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The mission is significant as BlueBird Block-2, weighing 6,100 kg, is the heaviest payload ever placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by ISRO&rsquo;s LVM3 rocket. The satellite was later successfully injected into its intended orbit, confirming the success of the mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on the achievement, describing the launch as a proud moment in India&rsquo;s space journey. He said the successful placement of the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil reflects India&rsquo;s growing capabilities in space technology and aligns with the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The Prime Minister also lauded the efforts of India&rsquo;s scientists and engineers, saying the country continues to soar higher in the global space sector.
Union minister of state (independent charge) for science and technology Dr Jitendra Singh also congratulated the ISRO team, stating that the space agency continues to achieve one success after another. He credited the launch to strong leadership support and highlighted India&rsquo;s expanding prowess in space technology.
The BlueBird Block-2 mission is being carried out under a commercial agreement between ISRO&rsquo;s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), and AST SpaceMobile. The launch sets a new benchmark for the LVM3 vehicle, surpassing the previous payload record of around 4,400 kg held by the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite-03 mission launched in November.
Beyond the payload milestone, the mission is important for its technological objective. BlueBird Block-2 is part of AST SpaceMobile&rsquo;s plan to deploy a next-generation communication satellite aimed at providing high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones across the world. The space-based network is designed for both commercial and government use and will support 4G and 5G services, including voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data connectivity.
The LVM3, also known as the GSLV Mk III, is a 43.5-metre-tall, three-stage launch vehicle developed by ISRO. It is powered by a cryogenic engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and is equipped with two S200 solid rocket boosters built by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, which provide the thrust required for lift-off.
The heavy-lift rocket has previously been used for key national missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb launches that together placed 72 satellites into orbit, further underlining its reliability and strategic importance.

At 6,100 kg, this is the heaviest payload to be placed by ISRO

BlueBird Block-2 lifts off from Sriharikota, marking major boost to commercial space

ISRO’s LVM3 Launches Heaviest Payload Ever

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A new cyber scam dubbed &lsquo;GhostPairing&rsquo; has emerged as a serious threat to WhatsApp users, capable of taking over accounts without stealing passwords or swapping SIM cards. The attack exploits WhatsApp&rsquo;s device-linking feature, allowing cybercriminals to gain silent and complete access to a user&rsquo;s account.
The warning comes amid a rise in phishing and social engineering campaigns targeting messaging platforms. The newly identified attack has been classified as high risk due to its ability to bypass traditional security checks and operate without alerting the victim.
<h3 data-start="841" data-end="867">How GhostPairing works</h3>
The attack typically begins with a seemingly harmless message such as, &ldquo;Hi, check this photo&rdquo;, often sent from a contact that appears familiar or trustworthy. The message contains a link that shows a social-media-style preview, designed to lower suspicion.
When the link is clicked, users are redirected to a fake content viewer that prompts them to &ldquo;verify&rdquo; their identity to access the image or video. During this step, victims are misled into entering their phone numbers.
Unknowingly, users are granting permission for an attacker&rsquo;s device to be linked as an additional trusted device. The process relies on pairing codes that appear legitimate, allowing attackers to bypass proper authentication checks. Once completed, the attacker&rsquo;s device remains hidden, giving them persistent access to the account.
<h3 data-start="1683" data-end="1712">What attackers can access</h3>
After successfully linking their device, attackers gain access similar to WhatsApp Web or other linked devices. This includes:
<ul data-start="1842" data-end="2073">
<li style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;" data-start="1842" data-end="1890">
Reading messages synced to the linked device
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Receiving new messages in real time
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Viewing photos, videos and voice notes
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Sending messages from the victim&rsquo;s account
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Accessing personal chats and group conversations
</li>
</ul>
Because no password is stolen and no SIM card is compromised, many victims remain unaware that their account has been taken over.
<h3 data-start="2206" data-end="2242">How users can protect themselves</h3>
To reduce the risk of account hijacking, users are advised to follow basic digital safety practices:
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Avoid clicking on suspicious links, even if they appear to come from known contacts
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Never enter phone numbers on external websites claiming to be connected to WhatsApp or social media platforms
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Regularly review linked devices by navigating to Settings &gt; Linked Devices within WhatsApp
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Immediately log out of any device that appears unfamiliar
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="2710" data-end="2737">Steps for organisations</h3>
Organisations are advised to strengthen security awareness among employees, especially regarding messaging-app-based scams. Training on phishing and social engineering tactics, mobile device management measures, and clearly defined incident response protocols can help limit damage and ensure quicker recovery in case of an account compromise.
As cybercriminals increasingly target everyday communication tools, vigilance and regular security checks remain the strongest defence against such attacks.
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The method exploits WhatsApp’s device-linking feature

New cyber attack exploits device linking to take over WhatsApp without passwords

GhostPairing Scam Can Hijack WhatsApp Accounts

A long-forgotten Cold War operation in the Indian Himalayas has resurfaced, reviving concerns over a nuclear-powered device lost near Nanda Devi nearly six decades ago and its potential impact on the Ganga river system.
In 1965, amid heightened tensions over China&rsquo;s emerging nuclear programme, the US Central Intelligence Agency and India&rsquo;s Intelligence Bureau carried out a covert mission to install a high-altitude surveillance device on Nanda Devi, India&rsquo;s second-highest peak. The aim was to intercept radio signals related to Chinese missile and nuclear tests across the border.
The listening equipment was powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) containing several kilograms of plutonium. RTGs generate electricity from heat released by radioactive decay and are commonly used in remote or extreme environments due to their reliability and long operational life.
The mission, however, was derailed by extreme weather. A severe blizzard forced the joint Indian-American team to abandon the device on the mountain and retreat. When climbers returned the following season to retrieve it, the RTG and its plutonium core had disappeared, believed to have been swept away by an avalanche or buried deep within the glacier.
Despite multiple search efforts by Indian and American teams over the years, the device has never been recovered. A 1978 survey by India&rsquo;s Atomic Energy Commission found no evidence of plutonium contamination in nearby rivers but was unable to determine the device&rsquo;s location, leaving its fate unresolved.
The issue carries long-term environmental implications because glaciers around Nanda Devi feed the Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga rivers, which merge into the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi to form the Ganga. While experts say an intact RTG sealed within ice poses minimal immediate danger, they warn that damage to its containment due to glacier melt, landslides or flooding could release radioactive material into downstream water systems.
Concerns have intensified amid accelerating glacier retreat in the Himalayas, frequent extreme weather events and disasters such as the 2021 Chamoli flood. Environmentalists fear that climate-driven instability could eventually expose or disturb the remains of the device.
Although no radiation leak has ever been confirmed, the lost RTG remains a lingering reminder of how Cold War-era strategic decisions continue to cast a shadow over one of the world&rsquo;s most vital and sacred river basins.

Cold War-era CIA–IB mission left plutonium unit near Nanda Devi glacier

Lost Nuclear Device in Himalayas Raises Ganga Risk

Intel has signed on as a prospective customer for Tata Electronics&rsquo; upcoming semiconductor facilities, marking a significant boost to India&rsquo;s ambition of emerging as a global chip manufacturing hub.
Tata Electronics, the electronics and high-tech manufacturing arm of the Tata group, is investing around USD 14 billion to set up India&rsquo;s first semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat and an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Assam. 
Both projects have received substantial government incentives under India&rsquo;s semiconductor mission.
As part of a newly signed memorandum of understanding, Intel and Tata will explore opportunities in chip manufacturing, advanced packaging and the production of Intel products for local markets at the upcoming facilities. 
The partnership will also assess avenues to rapidly scale AI PC solutions in India, which both companies project to become a top-five global market by 2030.
&ldquo;We see this as a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with Tata to rapidly scale in one of the world&rsquo;s fastest-growing compute markets, fuelled by rising PC demand and rapid AI adoption across India,&rdquo; Intel Corporation CEO Lip-Bu Tan said in a statement.
Tata Electronics said the collaboration will draw on Intel&rsquo;s AI compute reference designs and its own electronics manufacturing services capabilities, supported by the broader reach of Tata Group companies.
Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran said, &ldquo;We are excited to collaborate with Intel, and this strategic alliance would accelerate our efforts. Together, we will drive an expanded technology ecosystem and deliver leading semiconductors and systems solutions, positioning us well to capture the large and growing AI opportunity.&rdquo;
The partnership comes as the Indian government intensifies efforts to strengthen domestic chip production and reduce reliance on global supply chains, positioning the country as an emerging semiconductor destination.

Intel and Tata leaders discuss semiconductor partnership

Intel partners with Tata Electronics to explore chipmaking, packaging and AI PC expansion

Intel, Tata Align As India Expands Chipmaking

Starlink, the satellite internet venture under Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX, has revealed its residential pricing for India, indicating that the company is gearing up for wider operations. This update follows significant regulatory progress and technical groundwork aimed at extending high-speed connectivity to underserved regions.
According to Starlink&rsquo;s updated India website, the monthly charge for its Residential plan is ₹8,600, while the hardware kit is priced at ₹34,000. Users will have access to unlimited data and a 30-day trial to test performance before committing. The equipment can be installed easily and is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. The network offers over 99.9% uptime, making it a strong option for areas with unreliable internet.
Starlink is expected to reveal its Business plan soon as it continues discussions with the Indian government. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will play a key role in granting regulatory clearances for a nationwide rollout.
SpaceX&rsquo;s recent job postings in Bengaluru, including roles in payments, accounting, treasury and taxation, underline the company&rsquo;s plans to build a strong operational base in India.
Rural students, small businesses, remote offices and local administrations are expected to gain the most from Starlink&rsquo;s high-speed satellite connectivity, especially in regions lacking fibre or broadband services.
During a conversation with Nikhil Kamath, Elon Musk discussed Starlink&rsquo;s progress and future technology. He spoke about the rise of helper robots and highlighted the network&rsquo;s expanding global footprint across 150+ countries. Musk reiterated that Starlink is &ldquo;eager&rdquo; to operate in India.
In November, Starlink marked its first major step in India when Maharashtra became the first state to partner with the company for satellite internet deployment. The collaboration represents a new phase in India&rsquo;s digital infrastructure development.

Elon Musk’s satellite internet service announces India rates and expands hiring

Starlink Reveals India Prices Ahead of Launch

A brief global outage at Cloudflare on Friday led to widespread disruptions across multiple websites and online platforms, with users reporting access issues on major services including Zerodha, Groww, Canva, Zoom, Shopify, Valorant, LinkedIn and Down Detector.
The incident affected websites worldwide, including Indian trading platforms Zerodha and Groww, both of which later confirmed that services had been restored.
Cloudflare, a key internet infrastructure provider supporting millions of websites, experienced a disruption that briefly impacted platforms dependent on its network. 
The company said it had &ldquo;implemented a fix&rdquo; and was investigating the cause of the outage.
Groww, Zerodha confirm disruptions, restoration
Online investment platform Groww informed users shortly after the outage began, writing, &ldquo;We are currently experiencing technical issues due to a global outage at Cloudflare. This is impacting multiple apps and services worldwide. We are monitoring the situation closely and will update you the moment services are restored. Thank you for your patience.&rdquo;
Minutes later, it added, &ldquo;Our services have been restored. Thank you for your patience.&rdquo;
Zerodha also notified its users, stating, &ldquo;Due to a cross-platform downtime on Cloudflare, Kite is currently unavailable. Please use the Kite WhatsApp backup to manage your trades while we investigate.&rdquo;
The platform later confirmed a resolution, posting, &ldquo;Update: Cloudflare global outage resolved. Kite services have been restored. You can now trade normally. We regret the inconvenience caused.&rdquo;
Why the outage had global impact
Cloudflare operates one of the largest networks on the internet, acting as a protective and performance-enhancing layer between users and website servers. 
The company works with hundreds of thousands of customers across 125 countries, generating nearly $500 million in quarterly revenue.
Because of its extensive reach, technical disruptions at Cloudflare can cause widespread service outages, even when individual websites have no server issues of their own.
Recent history of disruptions
This marks the second major disruption involving Cloudflare in under three weeks. 
In November, a similar outage caused platforms such as ChatGPT and Spotify to go down temporarily. 
Addressing that incident, CEO Matthew Prince clarified that &ldquo;The issue was not caused, directly or indirectly, by a cyber attack or malicious activity of any kind,&rdquo; attributing the failure to a database configuration change.
Cloudflare has not yet disclosed the cause of Friday&rsquo;s outage but confirmed that systems have been stabilised.

Cloudflare outage causes widespread global website disruption

Cloudflare outrage causes global website disruptions; major platforms now back online

Cloudflare Outrage Hits Major Global Platforms

The government on Wednesday withdrew its order requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new and existing devices, citing the platform&rsquo;s rising voluntary adoption among users.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had issued a directive on November 28 mandating phone makers to include the cyber safety app in new smartphones and push it to existing devices through software updates. 
The rollback follows what the government described as the app&rsquo;s &ldquo;increasing acceptance&rdquo;, with over 1.4 crore downloads so far and a ten-fold surge in voluntary installations within a single day.
&ldquo;The number of users has been increasing rapidly, and the mandate to install the app was meant to accelerate this process and make the app available to less aware citizens easily,&rdquo; the DoT said in a statement.
The move comes amid criticism from opposition parties and digital rights activists, who raised concerns about surveillance after reports claimed the app could not be removed. 
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia denied the allegations, stating such misuse was &ldquo;not possible&rdquo;.
&ldquo;The Government with an intent to provide access to cyber security to all citizens had mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. The app is secure and purely meant to help citizens from bad actors in the cyber world,&rdquo; the statement said. It added that users were free to delete the app at any time.
According to the government, Sanchar Saathi is helping citizens report fraud. 
&ldquo;So far 1.4 crore users have downloaded this app and are contributing to information on 2000 fraud incidents per day&hellip; Just in last one day, 6 lakh citizens have registered for downloading the App which is a 10x increase in its uptake,&rdquo; it said, calling the rise an affirmation of public trust.
Scindia reiterated that keeping the app was &ldquo;not mandatory&rdquo; and users who do not wish to use it may remove it from their devices.

Smartphone screen displaying Sanchar Saathi app logo

Centre revokes app mandate; Scindia rejects allegations of surveillance concerns

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