The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to extend the timeline for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, ShareChat and Arattai to comply with its SIM binding directive, following requests from companies citing technical challenges, a DoT official said on Sunday, adding that the government is now expecting compliance by December-end.. Centre likely to extend SIM binding timeline. The department had, in November 2025, directed app-based communication platforms that use mobile numbers for user identification to ensure that their services remain linked to the SIM card installed in the user’s device, making it impossible to use such apps without an active SIM. The order was issued to curb misuse of telecom identifiers, including instances of cyber fraud originating from outside India.. The directive also said that web-based versions of these apps must be periodically logged out, at least once every six hours, with users required to re-authenticate, typically through a QR code, to continue access.. “We will extend the compliance deadlines as companies have run into technical challenges, including testing and operating system updates. Firms have sought additional time to address these issues. The compliance will happen in a phased manner. Android is likely to comply first, while iOS faces certain technical constraints for which Apple is working on a solution. These are expected to be resolved by December,” a DoT official said on the condition of anonymity. An order formalising the extension is expected shortly.. HT reached out to Apple for comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.. Under the November 2025 directive, companies were required to comply with the directive within 90 days, which was by the end of February 2026, and submit a compliance report within 120 days. However, these timelines were not met. Earlier, the DoT had indicated it was open to compliance by March-end, but is now considering a longer timeline following requests from platforms.. People aware of the matter at Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, said the company is working with the DoT to find a technically feasible solution. For WhatsApp on Android, SIM binding is currently in beta testing, the people said. As of Thursday, the company had not received a formal extension from the government, they added.. Meanwhile, Arattai, developed by Zoho, said it is working with the DoT to address implementation challenges. “We are working closely with the DoT to comply with the SIM-binding directive. During implementation, we encountered certain technical challenges that we are currently addressing. We have also received additional clarifications from the DoT and are incorporating those directions into our update. They have granted us a grace period, and we will roll out the necessary updates in the coming weeks to ensure full compliance with the directive,” Jeri John, global product head at Arattai, said.. “As we implement t 

 It was all set for BJP national president Nitin Nabin to resign from the Bihar Legislative Assembly on Sunday, but he shelved the plan and rushed to Delhi for an important meeting.. BJP national president Nitin Nabin addressing during Abhinandan Samaroh at Sahay Sadan in Patna. (Photo by Santosh Kumar/ Hindustan Times). Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar, who was in New Delhi, rushed to Patna Saturday evening to do the necessary arrangement as soon as he got the news that Nabin would resign.. “I got the information from BJP state president Sanjay Saraogi that the national party president would resign and accordingly, I returned. Suddenly, it got delayed due to some important work. The rule mandates he can remain a member of only one House beyond 14 days, but let us see,” said Prem Kumar.. The Speaker said he would again go to Delhi for a function and return by evening. For Nabin, March 30 is the deadline by which he has to resign from one House, as after being elected to the Rajya Sabha he cannot remain a member of both Parliament and a state legislature.. Also Read: Bihar Governor reinstates Patna University VC sent on leave by predecessor. The same applies to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who has also been elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time. Both were elected to Rajya Sabha on March 16. Kumar is the member of the Bihar Legislative Council and he is likely to resign on March 30. “Both may resign on Monday, the last day, Nabin had some pressing engagement and it is no big deal” said a party leader.. According to the Prohibition of Simultaneous Membership Rules, 1950 (under Articles 101/190 of the Constitution), a member elected to both Parliament and a State Legislature must resign from one within 14 days.. Sources in the BJP said that serious deliberations were on in both the BJP and the RSS for a replacement of Nitish Kumar, as Bihar has remained the only state in the Hindi heartland where it has struggled over the years. “There has to be deliberations also on the new cabinet. BJP may like to give a message from the word go that it wants to walk the talk,” they added.. Incidentally, the elevation of Nabin, 45, to the apex BJP position was also a surprise move and seen as a generational shift in the party. Nobody in the state seemed to have any inkling about five-time MLA Nabin’s elevation until it happened.. Also Read: Pushpanjali, Sabreen toppers, Nahid Sultana at second spot: Girls outshine in Bihar BSEB Class 10 merit list. “Having a first BJP CM in Bihar requires serious thinking, as the person donning the post will replace Nitish Kumar, who held the chair for two decades and built an aura around him. Besides, there will be a lot of expectations from the BJP CM to deliver on multiple parameters and also lend strength to the party. It has to be a face that nobody could finger at and at the same time have administrative astuteness,” said a senior leader.. Though there are wide-ranging speculations 

 Ram Navami has just been celebrated. On this occasion, my thoughts go to the beautifully lyrical way in which Tulsidas (1532–1623), in the Ramcharitmanas, describes this iconic moment. Tulsi was a committed Ram bhakt. In fact, he was to Ram what Surdas was to Krishna. Anyone less than such a complete and unwavering devotee could not have written the Ramcharitmanas. The epic, written in Avadhi—an easily comprehensible language in north India—is still sung and recited by millions upon millions. The unprecedented popularity of the Manas led the historian Vincent Smith to call Tulsidas the greatest man of his age in India, greater even than Akbar himself, of whom the poet was a contemporary.. On Ram Navami, delve into Tulsidas’ timeless narration of Ram’s journey (Getty). Tulsidas describes the time and milieu of the Lord’s birth with precision and lyrical aplomb: Naumi tithi madhu maasa punita; Sakala paccha Abhijita Hariprita; Madhyadivasa ati seeta na ghaama; Pavana kala loka bishrama. It was the ninth day of the waxing moon (sakala—bright half) of the sacred month of Chaitra; the moon had entered the asterism named Abhijit, which is so dear to Hari; it was midday, when it is neither too hot nor too cold; the entire ambience was imbued with holiness, and people felt serene and at rest.. In the further chaupais on the birth of Shri Ram, Tulsi weaves in several complex thoughts and emotions. The poet begins by setting the mood, elaborating on how the time of the birth was most auspicious and had the blessings of all the gods. The atmosphere was one of joy and celebration, and the entire cosmos was vibrating with the imminence of the emergence of the Lord.. When Shri Ram is born, the first two qualities that Tulsi ascribes to him are mercy and compassion. Bhai prakat kripala, deen dayala, Kaushalya hitkari, he writes. ‘Kripala’ is one who is kind, benevolent, and humane. ‘Deen dayala’ means the saviour of the weak and vulnerable.. In later verses, Tulsi consistently associates these virtues with Ram. When Lakshman asks Ram for a definition of dharma, the Lord replies: Par hita sarisa dharam nahi bhai; Para peeda sam nahi athamai (There is no greater dharma than the benefit of others, and no greater sin than causing injury to others).. To return to the birth, Tulsidas, the dexterous poet, plays upon Kaushalya’s incredulity at the fact that she had given birth to the Lord of the universe. When Ram is born, he appears in the full regalia of his divine splendour, with his four arms bearing weapons and his body adorned with all the symbols of divinity. Tulsi brings out Kaushalya’s sense of amazement at how she—an ordinary lady—could be the mother of one who is the master and ruler of the world.. Kaushalya says that for the Lord—in whose every pore reside several universes—to be born to her is a matter of disbelief, even laughter. Ram smiles at her puzzlement and sets her at ease by narrating many stories of the past, expl 

 Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday highlighted UP’s achievement in providing nine lakh govt jobs in nine years and emphasised transparency in the selection process.. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addresses a gathering on the occasion of the inauguration of the Noida International Airport, in Jewar on Saturday. (ANI PHOTO). CM Yogi also challenged the opposition to question the transparency of the job selection process. Addressing the distribution ceremony of appointment letters related to 665 nursing officers in Lucknow, CM Yogi said, “Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country. A population of 25 crore resides in this state, and in the past 9 years, we have provided government jobs to 9 lakh youths. No one, not even the opposition, can raise questions on the transparency of even a single job or the selection process,” said CM Yogi.. Meanwhile, CM Yogi Adityanath on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for slashing excise duty on petrol and diesel.. Also Read: Noida International Airport: Yogi says it’s a landmark moment for landlocked state. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Phase I of the Noida International Airport in Jewar, CM Yogi acknowledged the global fuel crisis and noted that the prices of petroleum products in India have remained stable.. He said, “Today is an occasion to express gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On the occasion of Ram Navami, there was enthusiasm across the nation. There is currently chaos and tensions across the globe, and prices of petroleum products are skyrocketing. However, with his far-sightedness and the nation-first attitude, we are witnessing the results of the work done in the last 11-12 years. Prices of petroleum products in India are stable, and the supply is smooth. Even developed nations like the US are witnessing high petroleum prices, and India’s neighbouring countries are experiencing a shortage of fuel and chaos. But, I thank PM Modi, for the historic decision of cutting excise duties.”. Noida International Airport is among the largest greenfield airport projects in India. The airport will initially have a passenger handling capacity of 12 million passengers per annum (MPPA), with scalability up to 70 MPPA upon full development. It features a 3,900-meter runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, along with modern navigation systems including Instrument Landing System (ILS) and advanced airfield lighting to support efficient, all-weather, round-the-clock operations. 

 Congress on Sunday released the full list of 284 candidates for West Bengal Assembly Election, naming Adhir Ranjan Choudhury from Baharampur.. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Party Secretary KC Venugopal during the Congress’ Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting for West Bengal, at 24 Akbar Road, in New Delhi. (AICC/ANI Photo) (AICC). The party has named Pradip Prasad from Bhabanipur, where Mamata Banerjee successfully contested in last election. The list also included former MP Mausam Noor from Malatipur.. The party has decided to go solo in the poll, which is witnessing a direct contest between Mamata Banerjee’s TMC and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).. West Bengal will go to polls in two phases, with the first phase scheduled on April 23 and the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.. In the last assembly election in the state, held in eight phases in 2021, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats. The Congress and its Left Front ally drew a blank in the 2021 state polls.