12 Tamil Nadu students score above 690

Among those scored above 690, at least 12 are from Tamil Nadu with Venktapathi Velayutham V A scoring the 12th rank with 99.99915%. Others who scored above 690 from the state are: Jai Krishna,  Srinika V, Samvitha P, Navithana B, Nikhil Sivananthan S, Rohit Mathew Ravindrarajan E, Sudar AM, Vanisha Sathish, Sabree G N, J Jayakrishna, and Janani Swethaa D R. 

The examination, originally scheduled for May 3, was cancelled following a paper leak. A re-examination was conducted on June 21. Nearly 20 lakh candidates appeared for the test, which was held at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad.

According to the NTA, 11.21 lakh candidates have qualified for admission to undergraduate medical and allied health courses. The agency said the results were announced on schedule to ensure that the national counselling process begins without delay.

Candidates can download their scorecards from the official NEET website.

More than 58 per cent of the qualified candidates are women. The examination was conducted in 13 languages, including English, Hindi and Tamil.

Top ranks and key figures

Aryan Gupta of Punjab and Panshul Bansal of Haryana secured the highest score of 715 out of 720, jointly topping the examination. A total of 19 candidates scored above 700 marks, while 138 candidates secured more than 690 marks.

Of those scoring above 690, over 93 per cent were first-time test takers.

The NTA said 1,492 candidates scored 650 marks and above, more than 10,000 secured at least 600 marks, and over 90,000 candidates scored 500 or more.

State-wise performance and counselling

Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of qualified candidates, with more than 1.7 lakh students clearing the examination. State toppers scored above 700 marks in 17 States, while candidates from 26 States and Union Territories secured top scores above 690.

Among the qualified candidates, around 5.12 lakh belong to the OBC-NCL category, followed by 2.91 lakh from the General category, 1.59 lakh from the Scheduled Castes, 95,026 from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and 63,716 from the Scheduled Tribes.

The NTA said the examination process was streamlined this year, with the provisional answer key released on June 25, followed by scanned OMR sheets. The final answer key and results were published on July 16.

The agency clarified that its role is limited to conducting the examination, declaring the results and issuing the All India Rank. Counselling for the 15 per cent All India Quota seats will be conducted by the Medical Counselling Committee, while State authorities will oversee admissions under their respective quota seats.

The NTA also advised candidates to rely only on official counselling portals and cautioned them against fraudulent calls, messages and websites claiming to secure admissions or improve scores in exchange for money.

NEET UG 2026 at a glance

• Candidates qualified: 11.21 lakh

• Candidates appeared: Nearly 20 lakh

• Exam centres: 5,440

• Cities in India: 551

• Overseas cities: 14

• Women among qualified candidates: Over 58%

• Languages offered: 13

• Highest score: 715/720

• Candidates scoring above 700: 19

• Candidates scoring above 690: 138

• TN candidates scoring above 690: 12

• Candidates scoring 650 and above: 1,492

• Candidates scoring 600 and above: 10,000+

• Candidates scoring 500 and above: 90,000+

• UP qualified candidates: 1.7 lakh+

• OBC-NCL qualifiers: 5.12 lakh

• General category qualifiers: 2.91 lakh

• SC qualifiers: 1.59 lakh

• EWS qualifiers: 95,026

• ST qualifiers: 63,716

Tamil Nadu highlight:

• Highest-ranked TN candidate: Venktapathi Velayutham V A

• All India Rank: 12

• Percentile: 99.99915

Sources said Ministers A Rajmohan and S Keerthana, and the officials concerned have been asked to immediately submit an explanation for the alleged breach of passport regulations.

According to officials, the MEA guidelines are clear that ministers and government functionaries travelling overseas on official assignments should use either diplomatic or official passports, depending on their eligibility. The use of personal passports for government-approved visits is considered a violation of these norms.

Officials said these passport categories is intended to ensure that travellers receive the appropriate privileges, documentation, and immigration treatment based on the nature of their visit. Diplomatic and official passports also facilitate government-to-government engagements and help establish the official status of the person during overseas assignments.

Officials said explanations from those concerned would be examined before any further decision is taken in accordance with the applicable rules.

According to officials, the MEA guidelines are clear that ministers and government functionaries travelling overseas on official assignments should use either diplomatic or official passports, depending on their eligibility. The use of personal passports for government-approved visits is considered a violation of these norms

TO PASS THE PORT

India issues four categories of passports based on eligibility and the purpose of travel

Ordinary passport (blue): Issued to citizens who go as tourists, or for education or business

Official passport (white): Issued to government employees travelling abroad on official duty

Diplomatic passport (maroon): Meant for diplomats and senior government functionaries

Orange passport: Issued to workers who require Emigration Check Required (ECR) clearance

The committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations and ascertain whether the land registration was carried out in accordance with statutory procedures and departmental rules, even as the police case was transferred to CB-CID.

The panel comprises an Additional Inspector General of Registration, an Assistant Inspector General of Registration and a District Registrar. It will examine the circumstances under which the document was registered and fix responsibility if any procedural violations or administrative lapses are found.

As part of the inquiry, the committee will question the Sub-Registrar who was on duty when the document was registered, the Sub-Registrar who was on leave that day, the office assistant concerned and the Registrar.

The panel has further been directed to scrutinise the CCTV footage from the Sub-Registrar’s office on the day of the registration to reconstruct the sequence of events. Meanwhile, Law Minister R Nirmalkumar asserted that no power centres were involved in the illegal registration and rejected the allegations. “We have no intention of shielding anyone in this case,” he said.

In an official clarification, TNMSC said batch no. TN2504041 of Paracetamol Paediatric Syrup IP 125 mg/5 ml, manufactured by Adroit Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd, was procured during the 2024-25 financial year under a purchase order dated August 2, 2024.

"The subject batch was tested by the empanelled laboratory of TNMSC and declared to be of Standard Quality," the corporation said. It added that several other batches of the same formulation supplied by the manufacturer had also been certified as standard quality by the Government Analyst at the Drugs Testing Laboratory, Chennai.

Addressing claims that the syrup contained 95 per cent alcohol, TNMSC said the allegation was based on a misunderstanding of pharmaceutical terminology. It explained that the Indian Pharmacopoeia permits the use of 95 per cent pharmaceutical-grade ethanol in limited quantities as a preservative or solvent during the manufacturing process, and that this does not mean the finished medicine contains 95 per cent alcohol.

According to the corporation, the manufacturer used only 10 per cent v/v of 95 per cent ethanol in a 60 ml syrup, strictly within the limits prescribed under the pharmacopoeial standards.

Emphasising the robustness of its quality assurance mechanism, the TNMSC said all medicines procured through its system are subjected to routine sampling and testing once every 180 days at its warehouses. In addition, statutory authorities periodically collect samples from government health institutions for independent quality surveillance before medicines continue to remain in public use.

Purushothaman's counsel informed VII Additional District and Sessions Judge P Srikumar that an appeal challenging the conviction had been filed before the Supreme Court.

According to the prosecution, Shaji, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid driving licence, rammed his car onto the pavement near Egmore Children's Hospital on May 22, 2013, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring four others. He was convicted under Sections 304 (II) and 308 (four counts) of the Indian Penal Code, along with offences under the Motor Vehicles Act, by the VII Additional District and Sessions Judge.

After Shaji failed to appear when the judgment was pronounced on June 29, 2026, the trial court dismissed his plea seeking exemption from personal appearance, issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW), and directed the police to secure his presence for the hearing on the quantum of sentence.

Challenging the warrant, Shaji approached the Madras High Court, stating that he was undergoing physiotherapy for a back ailment and sought exemption from personal appearance. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy recalled the NBW and directed him to appear before the trial court without fail on July 16, 2026.

The minister made the announcement after releasing a “The 100 Year Blueprint: An Indian Doctor's Guide to Longevity” book, authored by Dr Navin Gnanasekaran here.

Addressing the gathering, Arunraj said changing lifestyles and unhealthy food habits had adversely affected public health. “Earlier generations were more knowledgeable about food. Today, despite being educated, we have become ignorant about what we eat,” he said, urging people to consume protein-rich food and avoid unhealthy dietary practices. He also cautioned against purchasing hot food and beverages in plastic covers, saying chemicals released from poor-quality plastic could harm health.

Later, talking to reporters, the minister said the upcoming Budget would contain several measures aimed at promoting preventive healthcare. “Preventing diseases before they occur is the government’s priority. The full-body health screening programme at TN Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital, Omandurar estate has been successful, and funds will be allocated to extend the facility to other districts,” he said.

Arunraj said the government would not discontinue welfare schemes introduced by previous administrations for political reasons but would strengthen and improve them. He also defended the ban on coloured papads made using artificial colouring agents, saying it was imposed purely on health grounds. On medical education, the minister said the State would continue pressing the Centre for additional MBBS seats in government medical colleges and establish colleges in districts that currently lack one.

During a routine patrol in the core area of the reserve, the forest personnel from Theppakadu Range spotted the decomposed carcass of the carnivore.

Following prescribed guidelines, a veterinary team led by Rajesh Kumar from Mudumalai performed a post mortem in the presence of senior forest officials. Preliminary findings indicate that the female leopard may have died following a fight with another wild animal. Further investigation is under way.

As part of the exercise, owners of about 160 acres of private estate land in Vellimalai forest have handed over their properties to officials of the Megamalai Forest Range. Forest officials are now verifying land records and carrying out surveys before formally taking possession.

Officials said more landowners in Vellimalai and Bommarajapuram had also expressed willingness to surrender their lands voluntarily.

The Supreme Court, around two months ago, directed the immediate removal of forest encroachments in the Kadamalai-Mylai Union and areas falling under the Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve, following which the Forest Department stepped up efforts to reclaim private lands located within the protected forest.

The move has, however, caused anxiety among residents of more than 20 villages, where families have lived for nearly three generations. Residents have been urging the Tamil Nadu government to file a review petition in the Supreme Court to prevent their eviction.

Officials said compensation, as fixed by the government, would be paid for the surrendered land, trees and standing crops.

Citizens can voluntarily submit their household particulars online from July 17-31, while door-to-door House Listing and Housing Census operations will be carried out between August 1 and 30.

Announcing the schedule during a press conference at Chepauk here on Thursday, director of Census Operations, Tamil Nadu, Sundaresh Babu, appealed to the public to participate in the exercise and extend full cooperation to field officials. "Accurate data collection is fundamental to socio-economic development and evidence-based policymaking. We request every household to cooperate with the enumerators during the survey," he said.

The director said households opting for self-enumeration could securely furnish their details through the online portal until July 31. The portal will remain accessible daily from 6 am to 12 midnight. The process is expected to take about 15 to 20 minutes. Once completed, the system will generate a unique self-enumeration ID, which residents must produce when enumerators visit their homes. Families that do not opt for self-enumeration will be covered during the regular door-to-door enumeration from August 1.

He said the online platform enables users to identify the precise location of their residence through an interactive geo-tagged digital map before submitting the information. Citizens have been urged to furnish only accurate particulars, as the information submitted would become part of the official census database.

Addressing concerns over privacy and cybersecurity, Babu said a three-tier security architecture had been built into mobile devices, applications and server networks to safeguard personal information. He cautioned citizens against using unofficial websites and advised them to access only the authorised census portal to prevent fraud.

The exercise, conducted under the Census Act, 1948, forms the first phase of Census 2027, with House Listing and Housing Census operations scheduled across different states and UTs during a 30-day period between April and September 2026.

The second phase, Population Enumeration, is scheduled for February 2027 across most parts of the country, while Ladakh and the snow-bound regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand will be covered separately. The final population count will be based on the reference date of March 1, 2027.

Babu said the first phase would collect detailed information on housing conditions, drinking water, sanitation, electricity, internet connectivity, cooking fuel, household assets, vehicles and other amenities through a schedule comprising 33 questions.

The Census data would provide the foundation for planning and policymaking at the Union, State and local body levels, said Sundaresh Babu, director of Census Operations in Tamil Nadu.

Describing the exercise as a landmark in India's statistical history, he said Census 2027 will replace conventional paper schedules with dedicated mobile applications for real-time data collection. The exercise will be managed through the Census Monitoring and Management System (CMMS), an integrated digital platform designed to monitor and coordinate field operations. Geo-tagged digital maps, artificial intelligence-assisted processing and faster dissemination of census data are among the key technological features being introduced. The proposed caste enumeration is also expected to be carried out during the second phase of the Census.

The director said the census machinery had already commenced preparatory work across the country, with the first phase underway in 20 States. In Tamil Nadu, district collectors will function as Principal Census Officers, while the Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner will serve as the Principal Census Officer for Chennai, with the Chennai District Collector acting as the Additional Principal Census Officer. Nodal officers, supervisory officials, enumerators and other field personnel have been deployed for the exercise, with one supervisor overseeing every six enumerators. All officials engaged in the census will undergo structured training before field operations begin.

He added that homeless persons would also be covered during the exercise at the places where they were found residing to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Deputy registrar general J Lincoln Gnanadas and PIB Chennai deputy director J Vijayalakshmi were also present at the briefing.

Self-enumerate in 9 steps

1. Visit https://se.census.gov.in and select Tamil Nadu under States and enter the CAPTCHA

2. Enter the name of the head of the household and a 10-digit mobile number (The name cannot be changed later; only one mobile number per household allowed) 

3. Select the preferred language and enter the One-Time Password received on the registered mobile number 

4. Select your district; enter PIN code and details of the town or village 

5. Pin your exact residential building on the map given

6. Fill out the house listing and housing census questionnaire 

7. Verify all the information using the preview/review options (no changes/corrections are allowed after final submission) 

8. After submission, an 11-digit Self-Enumeration Identification (SE ID) will be generated  

9. Share the SE ID with the Census Enumerator visiting the household 

The federation welcomed the nationwide census exercise as an important public service; nevertheless, it stressed that teachers should not be assigned census work in locations far from their respective schools. Instead, it urged the government to allot census duties only in villages and localities situated close to the schools where teachers are currently working.

The federation also highlighted that government schools across the state are already facing a severe teacher shortage and pointed out that promotions have not been granted for the past three academic years, resulting in over 3,000 schools functioning without school heads.

In addition, thousands of teachers retire every year, while recruitment has failed to keep pace with the vacancies, leaving schools understaffed.

Hence, assigning teachers to census work in distant locations would force them to travel long distances after school hours, making it difficult to prepare for classroom teaching and complete their academic responsibilities. The organisation warned that such additional workload would ultimately affect students, particularly those in government schools, by reducing the quality of classroom instruction and learning outcomes.

The teachers' body also noted that prolonged travel and increased workload could lead to mental and physical stress among teachers, potentially affecting the efficiency and accuracy of census operations. It argued that the census could be conducted more smoothly and without errors if teachers were assigned to nearby areas, enabling them to balance both educational and census responsibilities effectively.

It further stated that teachers have already submitted representations through district authorities, and in some districts, local officials have reportedly recommended appropriate modifications. However, the federation alleged that no statewide policy decision to address these concerns has been taken yet.

The federation has therefore urged the TVK government to immediately review the deployment policy and ensure that teachers engaged in the 2027 Population Census are assigned duties only in areas close to their schools. It maintained that such a move would safeguard students' education while ensuring the successful and efficient completion of one of the country's largest administrative exercises.

In an order dated July 13, the Authority held that the developer had not fully implemented its July 19, 2021 directions, which required all promised amenities to be completed by March 31, 2022. The order came on an execution petition by the Serene Kshetra Owners' Association, which alleged several facilities remained incomplete and sought action under Section 63 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

Based on a November 2025 inspection report by an independent engineer, the Authority found that a major portion of the layout still lacked a compound wall, the 17,120 sq ft garden had not been developed, and the pharmacy, amphitheatre, ATM, shuttle drop service, electronic access control, party hall with dining facilities and convenience kiosk remained unavailable, with amphitheatre work abandoned after commencement. Solar water heaters in individual units were also among the amenities the association said were pending.

The developer disputed this, claiming the compound wall, garden and pharmacy had already been completed and handed over to the residents' association. It said solar water heaters, the amphitheatre and the ATM were never part of its obligations, and that the shuttle service was the responsibility of a designated service provider, not the developer.

The Authority concluded that the developer had failed to fully execute its 2021 order and imposed the Rs 3 lakh penalty, directing payment by August 15, 2026. It also directed the developer to complete the remaining amenities and file a compliance affidavit with proof of completion by September 30, 2026, warning that further non-compliance would invite additional penalties under the RERA Act.

The latest consumption surpassed the previous record of 471.456 MU recorded on April 24, 2026, reflecting sustained high electricity usage as temperatures remained well above normal across several districts.

The surge in power demand coincided with sweltering weather in many parts of Tamil Nadu, particularly the interior districts, where maximum temperatures crossed the 40°C mark. Vellore recorded the State's highest temperature at 41.6°C, while Madurai and Tiruttani also registered temperatures exceeding 40°C.

Chennai too endured oppressive heat, with Nungambakkam recording a maximum temperature of 39.4°C, the city's highest July temperature since 2019.

The state's peak power demand stood at 21,520 MW on Wednesday, a day after it touched a record 21,724 MW on Tuesday, surpassing the earlier all-time high of 21,629 MW recorded on July 13. Before this week's spike, the previous record peak demand was 21,307 MW, logged on April 29, 2026.

A senior power sector official said that air-conditioner usage has increased significantly throughout the day as people sought relief from the persistent heat, contributing to the record electricity consumption

The rejig is part of the outcome of its introspection exercise. The party's restructuring committee, comprising senior leaders and former Ministers Thangam Thennarasu, P Geetha Jeevan, Chakrapani and SS Sivasankar, is currently working on the new organisational framework.

"Considering the changed political scenario in the State, the party has decided to attract more young cadres and Gen Z. Without disturbing the roles of the existing senior office-bearers, an equal number of new posts will be created and allotted to younger functionaries under the proposed 50:50 formula," a party source said.

The poll introspection committee is referring to the changed political scenario, urging a major rejig of the party and is planning to submit its recommendation to party chief MK Stalin soon

As part of the exercise, the party is expected to expand its organisational structure by increasing the number of district and zonal units. The existing number of organisational units is likely to increase from around 75 to nearly 120, according to party sources. The Youth Wing, headed by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, is also expected to receive greater representation in the revamped party structure.

The restructuring committee is also expected to recommend the re-demarcation of party districts and the reorganisation of the party's various wings. In addition, its recommendations are likely to include restructuring several internal committees, including the election management committee, establishing a permanent election management mechanism, and establishing a think tank to provide policy inputs and strategic recommendations to the party leadership.

The reorganisation is likely to be announced after Udhayanidhi returns from London. He is expected to arrive in Chennai on Saturday, after which the proposals will be placed before DMK president MK Stalin for approval, with a formal announcement to follow.

"A lot of construction work has been carried out with CMDA money. They went ahead with those projects without looking at the finances," a senior CMDA official told DT Next, admitting that the authority is facing an acute cash-flow crunch after undertaking construction projects beyond its core mandate. The authority has sought assistance from the State government in the form of aid and grants to overcome the financial strain.

According to sources, the authority has never faced such financial constraints before and has sought Rs 200 crore from the State government to meet its immediate operational requirements, including payment of salaries and pending dues.

Officials said the CMDA's only major revenue source is planning permission fees, which are "very meagre" and "almost at par with whatever salary" expenditure is incurred by the authority. Against this backdrop, the senior official described the authority's financial stress as involving both liquidity and solvency issues.

The development comes at a time when the CMDA is estimated to be saddled with liabilities of around Rs 3,500 crore, including a negative balance of about Rs 1,500 crore. According to officials and earlier reports, nearly Rs 3,000 crore has been spent on construction works in recent years, including projects such as libraries, Mudhalvarin Padaipagams, bus termini and other civic infrastructure.

The senior official maintained that the CMDA had historically remained financially self-sustaining and had not previously required financial assistance from the State government until the present crisis.

With the authority reviewing its financial position, several proposed projects are now being dropped. "We are still working on the financial liabilities and finalising projects that are to be cancelled," the official said, adding that the final liability position is still being worked out.

Completed projects, including Mudhalvarin Padaipagams, marriage halls, badminton courts and swimming pools, will be handed over to the Greater Chennai Corporation, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and the respective departments for operation and maintenance, officials said.

IN TIGHT SPOT

• Rs 3,500 cr: Estimated liabilities of CMDA

• Rs 3,000 cr: Expenditure on construction works in recent years

• Rs 200 cr: Financial aid CMDA has sought from the state government

• Constructions include libraries, Mudhalvarin Padaipagams, bus termini and other civic infrastructure

The Chola era irrigation lake, which is located between Thanjavur and Budalur, through which more than 10 villages, including Kallaperambur, Rayanthur, Thennangudi, Pillayarnatham, Seeralur, and Sakkarasamantharam, were irrigated. The Sengazhunir lake played a main role in irrigating these villages, through which 3,000 acres were directly irrigated, and 2,000 acres of land were indirectly irrigated by storing at least 1.50 TMC water.

However, in due course of time, the lake was abandoned, and heavy silt formed in the waterbody, which failed to store water and the 642-acre vast lake had shrunk to 200 acres due to encroachments and a thick blanket of vegetation and karuvelam trees.

In order to revive the major water body, the farmers from the villages founded Sengazhunir Lake Ayacutdars Welfare Association in 2018 and initiated steps to revive the lake. Initially, they could strengthen the retaining walls of the lake to a distance of 10 km, but they could not go ahead with the revival work due to various reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, the farmers who were frustrated after they were unable to commence kuruvai cultivation due to water shortage this year, planned to resume the revival of the lake, and thus they commenced a ‘one person donate one litre diesel’ campaign among the residents. Their ultimate aim was to revive the entire lake and ensure public utility.

Accordingly, they decided to crowdfund for the purpose and approached the elected members, and the Thanjavur MP S Murasoli donated Rs one lakh, while Thanjavur TVK MLA R Saravanan donated Rs 50,000, and the works commenced on Thursday.

“This is an ancient lake, and the Chola kings, who were noted for public welfare and prompt irrigation, had made this lake, which was once a main source of water for the part of Thanjavur. Due to negligence, it lost its sheen, and later it was left abandoned. Since Thanjavur district is struggling for water for irrigation purposes, we decided on reviving the Sengazhunir lake,” said K Ravichandran, Coordinator of the Sengazhunir Lake Ayacutdars Welfare Association.

He also said that initially, they were planning to strengthen the retaining walls of the lake and remove the karuvelam trees grown in the lake. “Several persons, including the elected members, have donated to the cause, and more people have promised further funding support. Once the revival work gets completed, it would certainly store at least 1.50 TMC water, which would be beneficial for irrigation and support recharging the groundwater in the area,” Ravichandran added.

Based on the information received by the Tiruchy City Commissioner of Police N Kamini, that a huge quantity of drugs was hoarded, the police searched a house in Malligai Street at Big Bazaar.

Two persons identified as P Ganesh Pandian (21) and K Karthik (25), who had hoarded a huge quantity of sedative pills, were secured.

Police seized 15,000 pills, cash of Rs 1 lakh, four laptops and a two-wheeler. Upon interrogation, the duo confessed to the police that they were peddling the drugs across the city. Subsequently, they were arrested and remanded under judicial custody.

Rear Admiral V Ganapathy, NM, Additional Director General of Quality Assurance (Warship Projects) and Chairman of the Project Monitoring Committee (PMC) for DTIS, along with Commander Rajesh Kumar Sahukari, Commander (QA) -DTIS, on Thursday reviewed the implementation of all four Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with officials of the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), which is executing the projects.

The review focused on construction progress, commissioning timelines and the roadmap for operationalising the facilities being established with support from the Ministry of Defence under the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

"The advanced testing facilities are in the final stages of development and will significantly enhance India's indigenous defence testing, certification and validation capabilities," TIDCO said in a statement.

According to TIDCO, the Defence Testing and Evaluation of Electronic Warfare Facility (DTEWF) and the Laboratory for Electro-Optics and Night Vision Systems (LENS), both located at AEROHUB in Vallam Vadagal, under Sriperumbudur taluk, have been completed and are ready for inauguration.

The Advanced Drone Applications Research and Testing (ADART) facility at Sriperumbudur, which will provide testing and certification for defence and civil unmanned aerial systems, is scheduled to be commissioned by December 2026. The Structural Testing, Research and Evaluation for Aerospace and Materials (STREAM) facility at Tiruchy, intended for structural, vibration, fatigue and material qualification testing for aerospace and defence applications, is expected to be completed by October 2026.

Officials said the review underscored the growing collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the State government to strengthen the country's indigenous defence ecosystem while positioning the State as a major destination for aerospace, defence manufacturing and advanced testing infrastructure.

The chief minister issued the warning during the second meeting of the Cabinet that he chaired at the Secretariat on Thursday. The meeting was convened to discuss and approve the TVK-led government’s maiden Budget, paving the way for its presentation in the Assembly, likely in the first week of August.

According to Secretariat sources, the nearly 30-minute Cabinet meeting focused on the conduct of ministers and recent activities involving some members of the Cabinet.

The chief minister is learnt to have orally instructed ministers not to visit schools or government institutions merely to shoot social media reels or engage in publicity oriented activities. Sources added that Vijay reiterated his government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and warned ministers against any form of misconduct.

"The chief minister made it clear that anyone found indulging in corruption or any other wrongdoing would be removed from the Cabinet. He said strict action would be taken irrespective of the individual's position or personal proximity to him," a Secretariat source said.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Energy and Law Minister R Nirmalkumar said the Cabinet discussed and finalised the proposals in the Budget, which will be presented by Finance Minister N Marie Wilson.

"The Cabinet deliberated on the ensuing Budget and finalised it. Several new announcements and policy decisions will be unveiled during the Budget session," he said.

Chief Minister Vijay is learnt to have orally instructed ministers not to visit schools or government institutions merely to shoot social media reels or engage in publicity oriented activities

The Cabinet also reviewed the preparation of vision documents by various government departments. Ahead of the Budget session, senior officials from each department are preparing one-year, three-year and five-year action plans, along with proposals for new policy initiatives and an assessment of existing welfare schemes.

The committee has been mandated to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations and ascertain whether the land registration was carried out in accordance with statutory procedures and departmental rules, even as the police case was transferred to CB-CID.

The panel comprises an Additional Inspector General of Registration, an Assistant Inspector General of Registration and a District Registrar. It will examine the circumstances under which the document was registered and fix responsibility if any procedural violations or administrative lapses are found.

As part of the inquiry, the committee will question the Sub-Registrar who was on duty when the document was registered, the Sub-Registrar who was on leave that day, the office assistant concerned and the District Registrar. Statements from other officials connected with the registration process will also be recorded.

The panel has further been directed to scrutinise the CCTV footage from the Sub-Registrar's office on the day of the registration to reconstruct the sequence of events and verify whether due procedure was followed throughout the transaction.

Meanwhile, Law Minister R Nirmalkumar asserted that no power centres were involved in the illegal registration and rejected the allegations. "We have no intention of shielding anyone in this case. Appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible," he said.

The two accused later surrendered at the Somangalam police station, claiming they killed him in a fit of rage after he made obscene remarks about the women in their families while under the influence of alcohol.

The deceased was Rajesh (32), a resident of Sethupattu near Somangalam. He was married, had two children and worked in a meat shop.

The police said on Wednesday night, two men, Thangam and Anandajothi from the same locality, arrived at Rajesh's house in a car and took him along to consume alcohol. When Rajesh failed to return home throughout the night, his family began searching for him.

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, Thangam and Anandajothi appeared at the Somangalam police Station and surrendered, informing police that they had killed Rajesh.

During questioning, they told police they were drinking on vacant land near the Somangalam-Sethupattu Road. Rajesh, who was heavily intoxicated, made derogatory and obscene remarks about the women in their families, they said. Enraged by his comments, they attacked him with stones, crushing his face, and later assaulted him with an iron rod, and he died on the spot.

The police took the accused to the crime scene, where Rajesh's body was recovered with severe facial injuries. The body was sent to the Tambaram Government District Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The Somangalam Police have registered a murder case and arrested both Thangam and Anandajothi. Further investigation is on.

On June 17, A Rafeek (40), of VOC Street, in Tiruchy, along with his friend and relative B Rahman (25), went to take part in a funeral procession at K-Sathanur near KK Nagar in Tiruchy. The duo consumed liquor, and a petty argument turned into an altercation and snowballed into an assault.

Suddenly, Rafeek took a wooden log and attacked Rahman, who was rushed to a private hospital.

However, the condition of Rahman deteriorated, and on July 14, Rahman was referred to Tiruchy GH for further treatment, but he succumbed. Based on a complaint by Rahman’s wife, Sameem Banu, Airport police registered a case and arrested Rafeek. He was remanded in judicial custody. Further investigations are on,

The board has now uploaded the provisional answer keys along with the corresponding question papers on its official website https://trb1.ucanapply.com. Candidates who identify any discrepancies or wish to challenge the answers may submit their objections online.

The window will remain active until 5.30 pm on July 22. The TRB has also issued detailed guidelines on filing objections. Candidates must support each objection with valid documentary evidence.

Acceptable references include standard school textbooks prescribed by the government, relevant educational publications, and other authoritative sources.

However, the board has made it clear that guidebooks, notes, coaching materials, or unofficial reference books will not be accepted as supporting evidence.

According to TRB, 59,534 candidates appeared for Paper I and 1,60,925 candidates attempted Paper II, reflecting the large-scale participation of aspiring teachers across Tamil Nadu.

The deceased was identified as Rajarathinam, a resident of Chinnamma Pettai near Tiruvalangadu. According to the police, Rajarathinam was last seen with two of his friends, Nirmalkumar (32) and Thamizhan (31), both residents of the same locality.

The probe revealed that the three of them got together for a drinking session. While Nirmalkumar and Thamizhan returned home, Rajarathinam did not return, after which family members searched for him and filed a missing person complaint.

On Thursday, the police received information that a man's body was floating in a farm well at Muthukondapuram. A police team rushed to the spot, recovered the body and identified it as that of Rajarathinam.

The body was sent to the Tiruvallur Government Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police have registered a case and are investigating.

Police said Arul Kumar (47) and his wife Brinda (35), woke up following continuous barking of their dog and stepped out to check on Thursday, around 2 am.

Then the robbers threatened them at knife point and took away Rs 45,000 kept in the bureau. Before leaving, the assailants locked the couple inside the house. On receiving information, the Thali police arrived and examined CCTV footage, which showed four masked men fleeing on two two-wheelers. Further investigations are on.

He accused the previous DMK government of inaction over the project, urging the TVK regime not to follow in those footsteps.

In a statement, Palaniswami said the AIADMK government launched the project in 2019 to rejuvenate the Cauvery river system, improve water quality, prevent pollution and ensure long-term water security for agriculture and drinking purposes.

He said a preliminary project report, estimated at Rs 11,250 crore, was prepared and submitted to the Prime Minister. According to him, the Centre accepted the proposal and included it in the President's Address to the joint sitting of Parliament.

Palaniswami said a detailed project report for the first phase was subsequently prepared and received technical approval from the Environmental Protection Training and Research Institute.

Claiming that the project continued to receive support from the Centre after the change of government in Tamil Nadu in 2021, he said the Union government approved about Rs 935 crore for the first phase in 2024 under a funding pattern of 60 per cent from the Centre and 40 per cent from the State.

The AIADMK leader alleged that the previous DMK government neither allocated the State's share of funds nor claimed the Centre's contribution, resulting in delays in implementing the project. He claimed that nearly 30 per cent of the first-phase works would have been completed by now had the project commenced immediately after the Centre's approval.

Palaniswami said there was no need to announce a fresh scheme and urged the Vijay government to implement the existing 'Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery' project with central assistance. He appealed to Chief Minister Vijay to prioritise the project in the interest of farmers and to strengthen the State's drinking water resources.

The deceased were identified as Chandrakumar (42) of Nallavanpalayam village and his wife Sindhu (38). The couple have a son studying in Class X.

According to railway police, the couple had arrived at Vadamathimangalam railway station around 4 am and were seen standing near the tracks before they were hit by a train travelling from Nazrathpet towards Tiruvannamalai.

Katpadi Railway Police recovered the bodies and sent them to the Government Medical College Hospital, Adukkamparai, Vellore, for post-mortem examination.

During the investigation, police recovered a letter from Chandrakumar's shirt pocket. Preliminary inquiries revealed that he had been undergoing treatment for a prolonged lung ailment, but his condition had not improved. Police suspect the couple took the extreme step due to distress over his illness.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is under way.

Police said the couple had travelled to Vellore for medical treatment the previous day. When they did not return home, their relatives had lodged a missing person complaint at the Tiruvannamalai West Police Station.

The incident has left residents of Nallavanpalayam in shock.

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The 6.60-km project, which is 46 per cent complete, is expected to significantly improve safety, reduce travel time and ensure smoother traffic flow on one of the state’s busiest highway corridors connecting Bengaluru, Salem and Madurai.

"Almost 46 per cent of the work has been completed so far. Of the total 6.60-km stretch, 3.68 km comprises an elevated corridor supported by 83 piers, some of which are nearly 50 metres high," said K Srinivasulu, Project Director, NHAI's Salem Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

He said around 3.10 km of the alignment passes through forest areas in Dharmapuri district. Of the remaining 3.50 km, about 1.60 km falls within Salem district and 1.90 km in Dharmapuri district. One of the project's key objectives is to address the dangerous downhill gradient and sharp curves that have long made the Thoppur Ghat a major accident black spot.

"Vehicles often gather excessive speed while descending the steep slopes and negotiating multiple curves, leading to accidents. The existing downward gradient of about 5 per cent to 7 per cent is being reduced to around 3 per cent and the radius of the curves is being improved to enhance safety," Srinivasulu said.

The project also involves widening the existing four-lane highway into a six-lane carriageway. NHAI expects the redesigned alignment to improve traffic movement for the nearly 60,000 vehicles that use the corridor every day.

More than 630 accidents have been reported on the Thoppur Ghat stretch between 2018 and 2026, while nearly 80 people lost their lives on the section between 2018 and 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the project on March 11, 2024 and it is scheduled for completion by March 2028.

Transport operators say the project will have a far-reaching impact on freight movement. "More than 5,000 trucks use this stretch every day in both directions as it is a vital corridor connecting Karnataka with several parts of Tamil Nadu. Even a minor accident can bring traffic to a standstill for several hours, sometimes up to five hours, disrupting the supply of goods," said C Dhanaraj, president of the State Lorry Owners Federation, Tamil Nadu.

He said delays are particularly costly for consignments of perishable commodities, including vegetables transported from Bengaluru to various parts of Tamil Nadu.

Describing the Thoppur Ghat as one of the most feared stretches for truck drivers, Dhanaraj said the steep gradients and blind curves often force drivers to apply brakes repeatedly, increasing the risk of brake failure while descending.

"Once these engineering deficiencies are corrected, drivers will have a much safer and smoother journey. This has been a long-pending demand of the transport sector for several decades, and we are pleased that the work is progressing steadily," he said.

AT A GLANCE

Rs 905 crore: Total project cost

NH-44: Dharmapuri to Salem highway

6.60km: Total project length

46%: Work completed

March 2028: Work completion target

60,000 plus: Approximate volume of vehicles using the stretch daily

5,000 plus: Number of trucks using the corridor every day

3.68km: Elevated corridor with 83 piers

4 to 6 lanes: Road upgrade

3%: Gradient reduced from 5 to 7 per cent on the downhill stretch

630 plus: Total accident record between 2018 and 2026

80: Number of deaths reported during the period

Key objective: Eliminate sharp curves and steep gradients to improve safety

In a representation to the Chief Minister, K Kathirmathiyon, secretary of CCC, claimed that roads in several parts of the state continue to be re-laid without proper milling or scraping of the existing surface, resulting in a gradual increase in the Finished Road Level (FRL).

After the issue was raised earlier through a public interest litigation, the government informed the Madras High Court that all local bodies had been instructed not to increase road levels while relaying roads. Subsequently, the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Municipal Administration issued directions requiring civic bodies to maintain the existing road level after relaying.

However, these instructions are not implemented by local bodies, creating difficulties for residents, as houses that were originally above road level gradually ended up below the road surface after successive relaying works. It also increased the risk of rainwater entering residential properties, obstructing access to buildings and causing long term damage to infrastructure.

Seeking corrective action, Kathirmathiyon urged the Chief Minister to direct all local bodies to remove excess road layers wherever relaying had been carried out in violation of the prescribed norms and restore the FRL to its original level. The forum also sought recovery of the rectification cost from officials responsible for permitting such violations, as penalising contractors alone would not address the hardship faced by residents.

Further, the consumer forum stated that a legal notice issued in September 2025 to the then Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, the Director of Municipal Administration and the Commissioner of Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation proposing contempt proceedings for alleged non-compliance has evoked no response.

The development comes a little over two years after Armstrong was hacked to death in Chennai, a case that sparked widespread attention amid allegations of the involvement of influential persons and political figures.

High Court order paves way for CBI probe

Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu BSP president, was hacked to death by a group of assailants near his residence in Perambur, Chennai, on July 5, 2024. Following the killing, the Sembium police registered a case and arrested 27 persons in connection with the murder.

During the course of the investigation, petitions were filed before the Madras High Court seeking a CBI inquiry into the case, citing allegations that the investigation required an independent agency. The High Court subsequently ordered that the investigation be transferred to the CBI.

Supreme Court appeal delayed transfer

The transfer, however, did not take place immediately after an appeal challenging the High Court's order was filed before the Supreme Court during the previous DMK government. The appeal resulted in a stay, delaying the proposed CBI investigation.

According to the report, following the change in government, the present administration withdrew the appeal filed before the Supreme Court, removing the legal hurdle for the central agency to proceed with the investigation. With the appeal withdrawn, the CBI is now expected to formally assume charge of the case.

Fresh investigation to begin

CBI officials are expected to collect all case records and investigation documents from the Sembium police before commencing a fresh probe into the murder.

The agency is also expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the killing and verify the various allegations that had surfaced during the earlier stages of the investigation.

One of the accused in the case, north Chennai history-sheeter Nagendran, died in prison due to ill health after his arrest. Proceedings against the remaining accused are continuing before the trial court.

The CBI's entry into the case has generated renewed attention because of allegations regarding the possible involvement of certain political figures. Officials are expected to carry out a detailed investigation into every aspect of the case, and further developments are anticipated as the probe gathers pace.

The Chief Minister's remarks come amid recent criticism a reel showing Industries Minister S Keerthana, whose interaction with a government school student during an inspection in Virudhunagar drew objections from child rights activists.

School inspection row

In the viral video, Minister Keerthana asks a student, “What’s your father?”, and the child remains silent. Keerthana turns to the teacher and says the child is unable to answer even a simple question. When the question is repeated, the student responds by stating her father's name. The teacher then rephrases the question as what is her “father’s profession”, following which the student answers correctly.

The video drew widespread criticism, with DMK MP Rajathi (Salma) writing to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) seeking action against Keerthana, alleging that her government school “inspection” publicly humiliated a minor student and disclosed the child’s identity without authorisation.

Responding to the criticism, the minister later said on X that she herself had studied in a Tamil-medium government school. "Those who mock my English today are not just mocking me - they are mocking government school students like me and the lakhs of children studying in the Tamil medium."

The First Bench of the Madras High Court, comprising Chief Justice SA Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, reserved orders on a plea seeking a CBI probe into the alleged attempt to poach a TVK MLA.

During the hearing, Senior Counsel N Jothi, appearing for the petitioner, argued that complaints made by five politicians alleging attempts to poach them had not been acted upon. He contended that the police could not adopt a “pick and choose” approach and must remain neutral.

Opposing the plea, Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that the petition was a proxy litigation and that a CBI probe was unwarranted since the local police was conducting the investigation properly. He further contended that any allegation of discrimination should be raised by the persons directly affected.

The Bench questioned the need for a CBI probe, observing that a complaint had been registered, an investigation was underway, and arrests had already been made. It asked what extraordinary circumstances warranted transferring the case to the CBI. The Court reserved its orders.

A Tiruppur-based advocate, J Balasubramani, has moved the Madras High Court seeking transfer of the investigation into the case registered by the Triplicane Police over the alleged attempt to poach a TVK MLA from Uthangarai to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The petitioner contended that the FIR ought to have been registered by the Uthangarai Police, as the alleged offence was said to have occurred there, and alleged that registering the case at the Triplicane Police Station in Chennai was driven by political convenience rather than territorial jurisdiction.

The petition further stated that, under the DVAC Manual, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) is responsible for investigating offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and for inquiring into complaints relating to bribery, corruption, and allied misconduct by public servants.

The petitioner further submitted that MDMK General Secretary Vaiko had publicly stated that Chief Minister Vijay had asked him to persuade two MDMK MLAs to resign and switch sides with an assurance of support for their re-election.

He also referred to DMK MLA PS Srinivasan’s allegation that he was offered more than Rs 50 crore and a ministerial berth on behalf of a serving Minister to join TVK. The petition further stated that six AIADMK MLAs later joined TVK and that DMK MLA Anitha R Radhakrishnan had alleged he was pressured to quit the DMK and join TVK, failing which criminal cases would be foisted against him.

The petitioner sought transfer of the investigation from the Triplicane Police to the CBI for a fresh, comprehensive and independent probe. He contended that the case involves allegations affecting the integrity of the democratic process and therefore requires an independent investigation. The plea also sought an interim stay on the ongoing investigation into the alleged attempt to bribe the TVK MLA.

The deceased were identified as Thanga Mariappan (59) and his wife Latha (54), natives of Sivanthipuram near Kovilpatti. The couple had been living in Bengaluru, where they ran a snacks manufacturing business.

Police said the couple was travelling from Bengaluru to Kovilpatti to attend a temple festival. Latha's younger brother, Senthilkumar (47), was driving the car.

How did the fatal accident happen ?

The accident occurred near Kattamedu in the Thoppur Ghat section when the driver of the container truck carrying nylon ropes from Madhya Pradesh to Tirupur allegedly lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the couple's car before hitting two other trucks. The impact left the car wedged between two heavy vehicles, crushing it completely.

Latha died on the spot due to severe injuries. Thanga Mariappan and Senthilkumar, who were trapped inside the mangled car, were rescued by passers-by and rushed to the Dharmapuri Government Hospital. Thanga Mariappan later succumbed to his injuries, while Senthilkumar is undergoing treatment.

Case against truck driver

The Thoppur police have registered a case and arrested the container truck driver, Sasikumar (52), a native of Mambatti near Harur, in connection with the accident.

The mishap disrupted traffic on the Dharmapuri-Salem National Highway for more than three hours before police and toll plaza personnel cleared the damaged vehicles and restored normal traffic.

Case registered after contractor's complaint

According to a statement released by Tamil Nadu government, the action followed the circulation of a viral video on social media allegedly showing Veerasamy accepting a bribe. Based on a complaint lodged by contractor Naveen Kumar, a case was registered at Thalambur Police Station under Sections 308(5) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 7(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Veerasamy was subsequently arrested.

TVK expelled him before FIR

Earlier, the ruling TVK had expelled Veerasamy, who served as the Chengalpattu East district joint secretary, including from its primary membership, citing disciplinary reasons and alleging that his actions had brought disrepute to the party.

Veerasamy is accused of accepting Rs 1.30 lakh from a contractor to facilitate the release of pending payments for road construction work. The alleged transaction came to light after a video, reportedly recorded secretly by the contractor, went viral on social media just hours after the Tamil Nadu government launched the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption's WhatsApp helpline for reporting corruption in government offices.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat after the Cabinet meeting, the Minister said the government would ensure a fair probe into the issue.

Responding to questions on the death of a remand prisoner in Nagercoil, Nirmalkumar said Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had directed officials to take appropriate action.

“We have no intention of shielding anyone in this case. Appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the previous DMK government, the Minister alleged that several custodial and remand prisoner deaths had occurred during its tenure without the truth being brought to light.

On the political front, Nirmalkumar accused both the DMK and the AIADMK of attempting to forge an alliance with the BJP.

He further alleged that efforts were being made to lure TVK MLAs with offers of Rs 50 crore each in an attempt to destabilise the ruling government.

Commenting on reforms in the Registration Department, the Minister alleged that during the previous DMK regime, fixed percentages were collected in document registrations.

“The TVK government has not fixed any such percentage. We have restructured the Registration Department to ensure transparency and prevent corrupt practices,” Nirmalkumar said.

As part of the enforcement drive, vendors have been instructed not to sell coloured papads in markets, tourist spots, fairs, exhibitions or other public places. "Artificially coloured papads can endanger public health. Parents should avoid buying such products for children and instead choose traditionally prepared varieties," the department said.

It has directed food safety officials to intensify inspections, ensure that such products are removed from sale and take appropriate action against violations under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act. Issuing a public advisory, the department warned that regular consumption of artificially coloured papads could lead to digestive disorders, kidney damage and an increased risk of cancer over time. It also cautioned that children consuming these products could develop allergic reactions and attention-related disorders owing to the presence of synthetic colouring agents.

The department urged consumers to opt for conventional papads prepared using ingredients such as black gram, rice and other food grains, noting that such products are safer and do not contain unnecessary artificial additives.

The action was announced by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami following the confrontation between supporters of newly appointed Villupuram district secretary Pasupathi and those backing Shanmugam.

The rivalry dates back to the period after the Assembly elections, when the AIADMK was pushed to the third position, leading to internal differences within the party.

Though the party later reunited under Palaniswami's leadership, Shanmugam is yet to publicly spell out his stand, and friction between the two camps has continued in Villupuram.

Tensions escalated during an AIADMK cadre meeting held in Villupuram on July 9, when members of the rival factions allegedly clashed. The incident reportedly involved stone-pelting at a vehicle and a road blockade by party workers.

Following the unrest, Palaniswami ordered disciplinary action, resulting in the removal of 11 supporters of Shanmugam from their organisational posts in the district. The AIADMK leadership is yet to announce any further disciplinary measures, while Shanmugam has not reacted publicly to the development.

Postmortem confirms fatal assault

The arrests came after the post-mortem examination at the Government Medical College Hospital in Asaripallam confirmed that Sabarivarman had 19 injuries on his body, establishing that he had been brutally assaulted inside the prison.

Following the report, police registered a murder case and earlier arrested the jail's chief warder Thirumalainambi and warders Jegan and Sivakumar. All three have now been suspended by prison authorities.

Eight inmates booked for murder

According to the Daily Thanthi report, during the investigation, police identified the inmates allegedly involved in the attack as Vishnu (21), Sarathi (19), Jegan (40), Sarath (20), Veriyaperumal (36), Sethuram (30), Ajith (29) and Aravind (27). All eight have been arrested and booked for murder.

Police said the assault took place on the night of July 12 after an argument broke out between Sabarivarman and a few fellow inmates.

Warders, inmates allegedly assaulted victim together

Investigators said Sabarivarman's hands and legs were allegedly tied before he was beaten by the inmates along with the jail warders. He suffered multiple injuries and lost consciousness.

Prison staff later took him to the Government Medical College Hospital in Asaripallam for treatment, but he is believed to have died on the way.

Police are continuing to question both the arrested warders and inmates to to determine whether others were involved in the fatal assault.Family demands justice

Family demands justice

Sabarivarman's relatives have refused to receive his body for the third consecutive day. They have demanded justice, government compensation and a government job for one of his family members. Supporters and members of several political parties gathered outside the Asaripallam Government Hospital in support of the family's demands.

Retired district judge A Nazir Ahamed and retired IAS officer Reeta Harish Thakkar have been appointed members.

This follows the recent resignations of the authority’s chairperson and members.

The State government said that an interim panel is serving for six months with immediate effect, or until its reconstitution, whichever is earlier.

Over 500 calls flood DVAC control room

According to DVAC sources, the control room handled more than 500 calls on the first day. While many callers sought to report alleged instances of bribery that they faced, officials also received a large number of general enquiries and even unrelated calls.

To manage the torrent of response from the public, the DVAC was forced to modify its system and began asking complainants to submit details through WhatsApp text messages or voice notes instead of lengthy phone conversations. Officials said each complaint would be examined and acted upon based on its nature and priority.

Government orders anti-bribery boards across offices

The surge in complaints came after the State government directed all government offices to prominently display DVAC's contact details along with anti-bribery awareness boards carrying the slogan, "Bribe giving and receiving is an offence".

Chief Secretary M Sai Kumar instructed all government departments, district Collectors, local bodies, and public sector undertakings to install bilingual (Tamil and English) notice boards at prominent locations. Departments have also been asked to display the same anti-corruption message on their official websites with a link to the DVAC portal.

Anti-corruption drive a key poll promise

The notice boards will include the DVAC's address, telephone numbers, WhatsApp number, fax number, and email ID to enable the public to lodge complaints. Inspection wings and district inspection cells have been directed to verify compliance during inspections, reinforcing a series of Government Orders issued since 2006 to strengthen vigilance and public awareness against corruption.

Beyond Chief Minister and TVK president C Joseph Vijay’s star power, war on corruption has been the most important plank for the party during its Assembly election campaign.

Reacting to the development, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) said no drawings, data or information related to nuclear safety or nuclear security systems had been compromised.

The leaked documents allegedly include blueprints and suppliers, said leading news agency Reuters which first reported the matter, adding that the ransomware group, World Leaks, claimed that the information was part of the more than 8.50 lakh documents that it obtained through hacking the Reliance Anil Ambani group.

The company, which is one of the contractors of the plant, told the news agency that there was a partial data breach from a third-party service provider that it has engaged, and added that the Indian government has been kept in the loop.

According to media reports, the documents that World Leaks leaked and published include information about the ventilation and cooling systems used in Units 3 and 4 of the nuclear power plant, which are being built by the Anil Ambani Group firm, Reliance Infrastructure.

While details like the extent, threat, and the players involved in the leak is not yet clear, the information about nuclear power plants being leaked itself is a serious enough threat for the Computer Emergency Response Team India (CERT-In), the country’s premier cybersecurity agency, to step in to investigate.

Meanwhile, the NPCIL clarified that the alleged leak of drawings and data related to Units 3 and 4 do not involve any nuclear safety or nuclear security systems.

In a statement, NPCIL said the engineering, procurement and construction works done by Reliance Infrastructure covers only the commissioning of common service facilities, which are conventional in nature and similar to those used in thermal power plants and other process industries.

These facilities are not connected to nuclear safety or nuclear security systems, it said.