OBC quota based on birth, not marriage or migration: HC

OBC quota based on birth, not marriage or migration: HC 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 02.04.2026

Bhopal : Madhya Pradesh high court has said that OBC reservation benefits cannot be claimed in the state on the basis of a caste certificate issued elsewhere, and that such benefits are determined by birth, not by marriage or change of residence. 

Dismissing a petition, the court upheld the cancellation of a candidate’s candidature during verification.The court also ruled that a woman cannot claim reservation benefits on the basis of her husband’s caste after marriage. The case pertains to Archana Dangi, a native of Jalaun in Uttar Pradesh, who had cleared the Higher Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test, 2018. Her candidature was cancelled during document verification as her OBC certificate had been issued in Uttar Pradesh. She argued that the Dangi caste is listed under the OBC category in both Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. 

She also submitted that after marriage she became a resident of Madhya Pradesh and should be eligible for reservation benefits in the state. Opposing the plea, the state govt told the court that caste is determined by birth and not by marriage or change of residence. It also said that a caste certificate issued in another state is not valid for claiming reservation in Madhya Pradesh. 

The court further noted that while a woman may socially be part of her husband’s caste after marriage, reservation benefits are based on social and educational backwardness linked to birth, not marital status

Madras univ raises fees

Madras univ raises fees 

Ragu.Raman@timesofindia.com 02.04.2026

Chennai : The University of Madras on Wednesday increased fees by 10% for all courses and by 15% for selfsupported courses. “A majority of the courses collect less than ₹5,000 per year as fees. This amount will not help resolve a financial crisis,” said aprofessor. The university also passed a resolution to disaffiliate Dr MGR Janaki Arts and Science College for Women at Raja Annamalaipuram. The college, which was founded in 1996 by Latha Rajendran in memory of chief minister M G Ramachandran and his wife V N Janaki, will be brought under Vel’s Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies from 2026-27 academic year. “The proposal was mooted by the college. Following the payment of the provisional affiliation fees from 2013-14 to 2020-21, the university would grant approval for the disaffiliation,” a sourcesaid

NEWS TODAY 01.04.2026

 

IT rules may soon cover social media news

IT rules may soon cover social media news 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 01.04.2026

New Delhi : The Centre has moved to extend its digital media rules to news and current affairs content shared by non-publisher users on social media platforms, proposing changes that expand the reach of Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, beyond registered publishers. 

In draft amendments issued on March 30, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has invited stakeholder comments till April 14, signalling a move to strengthen compliance requirements for intermediaries and expand oversight of online content. A key proposal seeks to make it clear that Part III of the Rules — applicable to digital news publishers — will also apply to “news and current affairs content” shared on social media by users who are not registered publishers. While the draft itself focuses on clarifying applicability and strengthening oversight mechanisms, officials indicated the framework could enable action on such content through the existing grievance redress process overseen by the Inter-Departmental Committee, though the draft does not spell out specific actions. It also proposes changes under Part II, including insertion of a new Rule 3(4), which requires intermediaries to follow govt-issued advisories, directives and guidelines as part of their legal responsibilities under Section 79 of the IT Act. 

It further states that platforms must retain user data as required under the Rules. The draft also expands the role of the Inter-Departmental Committee under Rule 14, allowing it to examine not only complaints from users but also cases referred directly by govt. The ministry, in its notice, said the amendments were intended to ensure “an Open, Safe, Trusted and Accountable Internet” and to “strengthen compliance with clarifications, advisories and directions issued by the ministry”, while improving how digital content is regulated. Govt has described the proposed changes as “clarificatory and procedural”, aimed at furthering legal certainty and strengthening enforceability of its directives