In a statement, Seeman expressed concern over Wangchuk's prolonged fast at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, claiming that the activist had been protesting for more than 18 days in support of students affected by alleged irregularities in the NEET examination. He said Wangchuk's deteriorating health condition should prompt an immediate response from the Union government.

Seeman alleged that the NEET exam had become a barrier for students from poor, rural and middle-class families aspiring to pursue medical education. Reiterating his party's long-standing opposition to the examination, Seeman claimed that recent allegations of question paper leaks and malpractices had exposed serious flaws in the system and undermined the future of lakhs of students.

Referring to Wangchuk's reported health condition, Seeman said the activist had suffered significant weight loss and physical weakness due to the hunger strike. He criticised what he described as the government's silence over the issue and urged authorities to engage directly with Wangchuk and student representatives to find a resolution.

Seeman also requested that Wangchuk withdraw his fast, while assuring the NTK's full support for his campaign. Describing education as a fundamental right rather than a commodity, he said the interests of students and the integrity of the education system must be protected.

In a circular issued on July 16, Inspector General of Registration (IGR) instructed all registering officers across the State to recognise TNPDCL and TNPGCL as the legal successors to the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) for the purpose of availing exemptions already provided under a Government Order issued in 2012.

The clarification follows the State government's decision to reorganise Tangedco as part of its power sector reforms. As notified in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette on August 21, 2024, the utility was bifurcated into separate entities, with TNPDCL entrusted with electricity distribution, billing and consumer services, while TNPGCL was assigned power generation activities.

Inspector General of Registration instructed all registering officers across State to recognise TNPDCL, TNPGCL as the legal successors to erstwhile Tangedco

The circular recalled that the 2012 Government Order exempted stamp duty and registration charges on lands gifted for establishing electricity substations. 

Since the functions and assets of Tangedco now stand vested in the successor companies, the exemption would automatically extend to transactions executed in favour of TNPDCL and TNPGCL, it said.
"The exemption already available to Tangedco shall also apply to TNPDCL and TNPGCL," the circular said, directing Sub-Registrars and other registration authorities to process eligible gift deeds accordingly.

Addressing reporters here, the federation secretary AC Mohan said the GST Council's June 28, 2022, decision to impose 5% GST on pre-packed and labelled rice had increased the burden on both consumers and the rice trade. He pointed out that rice packed in quantities above 25 kg or 25 litres is exempt from GST, forcing many traders to market rice in 5 kg and 10 kg packs without brand names to remain competitive. The association urged the GST Council to revoke the levy on branded rice at its forthcoming 57th meeting.

The federation also sought amendments to GST provisions governing solvent plants, arguing that the existing framework has created avoidable compliance issues. It requested a uniform 5% GST rate across the segment to eliminate ambiguity in taxation.

At the State level, the association demanded amendments to the Tamil Nadu Agricultural Marketing Act, 1987, contending that market committees continue to collect market fees from rice millers despite there being no legal provision for levying such charges on paddy converted into rice. It also sought the withdrawal of market fee collections at paddy procurement centres and rice procurement depots.

Rejecting concerns over availability, the federation said there is no shortage of rice in Tamil Nadu. It maintained that supplies remain adequate and expressed confidence that rice prices would decline once the fresh paddy crop begins arriving in markets in the coming weeks.

Investigators said Sabarivarman, a disabled remand prisoner and businessman, was allegedly beaten by inmates along with jail warders, with his hands and legs tied. He suffered multiple injuries and lost consciousness.

His family alleged that he died on the night of July 12 and that officials later staged events to make it appear he was alive when he was taken to the Government Medical College Hospital in Asaripallam on Monday morning.

The post-mortem examination found 19 injuries on his body, indicating he had been brutally assaulted inside the prison.

8 inmates, 3 prison staff arrested in Nagercoil 'custodial death' case

Police have registered a murder case and arrested chief warder Thirumalainambi, warders Jegan and Sivakumar, and eight inmates: Vishnu (21), Sarathi (19), Jegan (40), Sarath (20), Veriyaperumal (36), Sethuram (30), Ajith (29) and Aravind (27). The three warders have since been suspended.

Police said the assault took place on the night of July 12 following an argument between Sabarivarman and a few fellow inmates. Investigators are probing whether more people were involved.

Sabarivarman's relatives had earlier refused to receive the body, demanding justice, compensation and a government job for a family member. They ended their protest on Friday after the private review of the autopsy video.

According to a Maalaimalar report, the weather department said the heat is expected to intensify from Friday (July 17) and persist until July 21. In Chennai, the maximum temperature is likely to hover around 37-38 degrees Celsius during the period.

Humid conditions likely

The RMC said coastal Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal are likely to experience discomfort due to the combined effect of high temperatures and increased humidity.

In Chennai, the sky is expected to remain partly cloudy during this period. Moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is likely at isolated places during the evening or night hours.

Rain likely in select districts

Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall has been forecast at isolated places over the Western Ghats districts and parts of north Tamil Nadu, including the north coastal districts.

The weather department has advised the public to take necessary precautions against the prevailing heat, particularly during the afternoon hours, while humid conditions are expected to continue along the coast.

The Sub-Registrar filed anticipatory bail contending that he had merely complied with an earlier High Court direction to register the sale deed and had no role in the alleged conspiracy.

The petitioner, Justin Manikandan Subramanian, through his counsel, submitted that he was a Sub-Registrar and was on duty at the Joint-II SRO Office, Palani, on July 6, 2026. Initially, the Sub-Registrar's office issued a refusal check slip refusing to register the sale deed in view of the pendency of certain civil suits.

However, the purchasers challenged the refusal check slip before the Madurai Bench. The court, in its earlier order passed on April 10, 2026, quashed the refusal check slip and directed the registration of the property within one week.

Hence, as the petitioner completed the registration process based on the court's order. Su bramanian claimed that he was in no way connected with the said occurrence and that his role was limited only to the registration of the document and nothing more.

The counsel also submitted that the petitioner had been serving in the department for 25 years, had no criminal antecedents, and was willing to cooperate with the investigation.

The prosecution claimed that the property belonging to the trust was fraudulently sold and that the petitioner, being the Sub-Registrar on the day of registration, allegedly conspired with the other accused and registered the document.

The matter has been posted for further heating on 4th August.

The petitioner, Justin Manikandan Subramanian, through his counsel, submitted that he was a Sub-Registrar and was on duty at the Joint-II SRO Office, Palani, on July 6, 2026. Initially, the Sub-Registrar's office issued a refusal check slip refusing to register the sale deed in view of the pendency of certain civil suits.

However, the purchasers challenged the refusal check slip before the Madurai Bench. The court, in its earlier order passed on April 10, 2026, quashed the refusal check slip and directed the registration of the property within one week.

Hence, as the petitioner completed the registration process based on the court's order. Subramanian claimed that he was in no way connected with the said occurrence and that his role was limited only to the registration of the document and nothing more.

The counsel also submitted that the petitioner had been serving in the department for 25 years, had no criminal antecedents, and was willing to cooperate with the investigation.

The prosecution claimed that the property belonging to the trust was fraudulently sold and that the petitioner, being the Sub-Registrar on the day of registration, allegedly conspired with the other accused and registered the document.

The court posted the case for hearing in the evening.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the party's Members of Parliament, chaired by DMK president M K Stalin.

DMK Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi confirmed the development, saying the party would decide whether to support or oppose the proposal only after the revised Delimitation Bill is introduced and its provisions are examined.

“We will study the final text of the Bill before taking a decision on the delimitation issue,” Bharathi said. The position marks a shift from the party's earlier stand when it was in power in the State.

The DMK had strongly opposed the proposed delimitation exercise, arguing that States which had successfully implemented population control measures should not be disadvantaged in parliamentary representation. When the Bill was introduced in Parliament in April this year, then Chief Minister Stalin publicly burnt a copy of the proposed legislation in protest. The party also organised demonstrations across Tamil Nadu opposing the measure.

During its tenure in office, the DMK had constituted a Joint Action Committee (JAC) on the delimitation issue and spearheaded efforts to build a broader political consensus against the proposal.

As part of that initiative, the party hosted a meeting in Chennai in March 2025, attended by leaders from several non-BJP-ruled States, to discuss the implications of the proposed delimitation exercise. The Trinamool Congress did not participate in the meeting.

Addressing a press conference at Anna Arivalayam, DMK Legal Wing Joint Secretary I Paranthamen accused the State government of attempting to shield those responsible for the alleged irregularities.

Explaining the sequence of events surrounding the land registration, Paranthamen alleged that two Sub-Registrars in Palani had declined to register the document. He claimed that the responsibility was subsequently assigned to the Sub-Registrar of Kodaikanal, who was given additional charge and travelled nearly 60 km to complete the registration.

“There are several contradictions in the statements made by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P Ramesh and Commercial Taxes and Registration Minister D Logesh Tamilselvan. The HR and CE Minister said the registration occurred due to the negligence of officials, while the Registration Minister said it was carried out based on a court order. The government's version, however, states that the registration was done under pressure,” Paranthamen said.

He alleged that the registration was a benami transaction and claimed that a larger conspiracy was behind the episode.

“We are closely monitoring the CBCID investigation. If we find that the probe is not proceeding in the right direction, the DMK will approach the court,” Paranthamen said.

The Minister inaugurated the Rs 2 crore HBOT facility, which enables patients to breathe pure oxygen under high pressure to treat chronic diabetic wounds, severe burns, infections, accident-related injuries and other complex conditions.

The treatment, which costs up to Rs 1 lakh in private hospitals, will be provided free of cost at the government facility.

Arunraj said TNGMSSH is the third government hospital in Tamil Nadu to house the advanced equipment, after Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital and Coimbatore Government Medical College and Hospital, adding that a similar unit would soon be established in Sivakasi.

Taking a firm stand against corruption in public healthcare, the Minister said four staff members of Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital had been suspended after complaints that patients were being asked to pay for services that should be free, particularly in maternity wards.

“No patient should pay for treatment in a government hospital. Anyone who is asked to pay money can immediately lodge a complaint through the 104 health helpline. Strict action will be taken,” he said.

Defending the quality of paediatric paracetamol syrup supplied by the government, Arunraj dismissed allegations over its alcohol content, saying every batch procured through the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation undergoes mandatory laboratory testing before distribution.

“There is absolutely no issue with the medicine. Only the permissible quantity and approved form of alcohol prescribed under the Indian Pharmacopoeia is used. People can use the medicine without any hesitation,” he said.

On medical admissions, the Minister said Tamil Nadu has 13,999 MBBS seats this year, including 950 newly added seats, while applications will close on July 23.

Responding to questions on whether the government would raise the 7.5% horizontal reservation for government school students in medical admissions to 10%, besides regulating NEET coaching centres through an expert committee, Arunraj said the Chief Minister would make an announcement on both issues.

Reaffirming the State’s opposition to NEET, the Minister said Tamil Nadu had consistently maintained that the examination was against the interests of poor students and infringed upon the rights of States.

“Despite our repeated opposition, NEET has been imposed on Tamil Nadu. The reported irregularities are unacceptable, and the Union government must respond to the concerns raised by the people,” he said.

He also appealed to students who did not qualify in NEET this year not to lose hope, saying the examination was not the only avenue for a successful career, and advised those facing emotional distress to seek counselling through the 104 health helpline.

In an appeal issued from Lok Bhavan, the Governor called upon every household to utilise the newly introduced online self-enumeration facility, available from Friday to July 31, and furnish complete and accurate information within the stipulated period. He said the quality of Census data would play a critical role in shaping public policies and ensuring inclusive development across the State and the country.

Marking a first in the history of the Indian Census, citizens can now complete the enumeration process through a secure online portal and mobile application, enabling households to submit their details digitally at their convenience. Those who do not opt for self-enumeration will be covered during the House Listing Operations to be conducted between August 1 and August 30 by Census enumerators.

"The Census is a vital national exercise that provides reliable data for evidence-based policymaking, efficient governance and development planning," the Governor said, urging citizens to extend full cooperation to the Census authorities by providing accurate and comprehensive information.

Describing Census 2027 as a shared national responsibility, Arlekar expressed confidence that the wholehearted participation of the people of Tamil Nadu would contribute to the successful conduct of the exercise and strengthen the database required for the State's and the nation's future planning and development.

Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted before Justice Mohammed Shaffiq that the appointments were temporary for a period of six months and that the State was processing applications received from candidates for appointment as Law Officers in the subordinate courts. He also assured the court that the petitioner’s application would be duly considered if found to be in order.

The court observed that TVK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, party General Secretary N Anand, and Villupuram District Secretary N Mohanraj were not necessary parties to the case, as there were no materials against them and they appeared to have been impleaded only to make headlines. The petitioner then endorsed that she would not press the plea against the private respondents.

Advocate and TVK Advocates’ Wing District Joint Secretary M Gnanasoundari had filed the petition before the Madras High Court. In her plea, she stated that the Government had issued a notification on June 5 inviting applications for the appointment of Government Advocates in Villupuram district. Following this, TVK District Secretary N Mohanraj allegedly instructed advocates belonging to Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam in Villupuram to apply for the posts.

Gnanasoundari stated that she had applied for the post of Special Public Prosecutor, Mahila Court, Villupuram, on June 22, but the District Collector’s office did not issue an acknowledgement. She further applied for the post of Additional Public Prosecutor for the Principal and Sub Court, Villupuram, on June 29.

According to the petitioner, at 12.11 p.m. on June 29, a selection list was circulated through various WhatsApp groups even though the last date for submitting applications was 5.45 p.m. She contended that the circulation of the list before the deadline was arbitrary, illegal, and contrary to the notification.

When she questioned N Mohanraj, he allegedly informed her that it was the final selection list and that it had been prepared on the recommendation of TVK General Secretary N Anand, who is presently the No. 2 in the State Cabinet. She further alleged that advocates belonging to political parties, including the DMK and AIADMK, had also been selected without following the prescribed procedure.

The petitioner further alleged that N Mohanraj had colluded with government officials to collect bribes ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs30 lakh for each appointment. She added that Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who had consistently spoken against corruption and illegality, was responsible for ensuring action against those involved.

During the hearing, Justice orally observed that if the private respondents had taken part in any scam, the petitioner was free to lodge a police complaint. He further remarked that the petition itself stated that advocates from the DMK and AIADMK had been appointed, which indicated transparency and the absence of political bias, reiterating that the Supreme Court had held that appointments should be based on merit and not political affiliation.

Recording the submissions made by the Advocate General, the court disposed of the petition.

The corporation has issued orders extending the deployment of additional manpower by another 46 days from July 17 to August 31.

The workers were initially engaged from June 2 to July 16 to handle power supply disruptions caused by soaring electricity demand during the summer. However, with heatwave conditions persisting and power consumption remaining unusually high, the utility has decided to continue the arrangement.

In recent weeks, Tamil Nadu has been recording unprecedented daily energy consumption as soaring temperatures have led to increased use of air conditioners, coolers and other appliances. The surge in demand has put pressure on the distribution network, resulting in frequent transformer failures, feeder faults and localised power outages, particularly in urban areas.

Under the revised deployment plan, 30 personnel each will be stationed in 15 high-load sections in north Chennai, including Vysarpadi, MKB Nagar, Krishnamoorthy Nagar, KKD Nagar, MR Nagar, Madhavaram-I, Sembium, Kodungaiyur, Gandhi Nagar, Perambur East, Villivakkam, ICF, Ayanavaram, Tagore Nagar and SIDCO Nagar.

All other sections in the Chennai and Kancheepuram regions will receive 10 personnel each, while hill sections such as the Nilgiris, Yercaud, Kodaikanal and Thalavady will be allotted eight personnel each. The remaining operation and maintenance sections across the State will have six personnel each.

TNPDCL has identified 2,854 operation and maintenance sections across Tamil Nadu, with a total deployment of 18,838 outsourced personnel every day. The corporation has estimated the expenditure for the 46-day extension at Rs 114.73 crore.

The utility has also retained the enhanced daily wage of Rs 1,324 per worker, including employer EPF contribution, safety equipment, contractor overheads and GST, to ensure adequate availability of skilled manpower for emergency restoration work.

The corporation has instructed field engineers to engage manpower only through licensed contractors with EPF, ESI and GST registrations and to maintain detailed records of deployment and restoration works to ensure accountability and timely execution of fault rectification.

The inflow from the Cauvery has dropped to less than a fraction of what it was in the same period last year. While this has a direct bearing on tourism in Hogenakkal falls in Dharmapuri, which is frequented by thousands of tourists from several parts of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, the visitors are now able to see the ‘cave’, said a Daily Thanthi report.

Man-made cave

The cave was not a natural formation, but one that was carved into the rock for the shooting of the 1978 film ‘Jaganmohini’, a horror-mythology in Telugu language. After the film because a box-office success, the cave also became popular, and began to be called Jaganmohini cave by the locals and tourists who visit from other places.

However, when there is adequate water in the river, the cave gets submerged. It is only visible when the flow drops drastically. Now, with Karnataka stopped release of water from its storage dams, the flow has gone down to a meagre 300 cubic feet per second.

Making use of the opportunity, taxi drivers and tourist guides are taking visitors to the cave.

After hearing both sides, Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan dismissed the petitions filed by political commentator Ponraj seeking to quash two FIRs registered against him over his alleged remarks against women supporters of TVK.

The petitions were filed by Ponraj seeking to quash two FIRs registered against him over his alleged remarks against women supporters of TVK. Ponraj contended that he had not made any derogatory remarks against any particular woman and alleged that TVK members and supporters had subjected him and his family to threats, abusive messages, and a coordinated social media campaign. Claiming that the allegations were false, fabricated, and politically motivated, he sought to quash the FIRs and stay all further proceedings.

The cases arose from an interview Ponraj gave to a YouTube channel on March 27, 2026, during which he was alleged to have made derogatory remarks against women supporters of TVK. Following complaints lodged by Ministers Nirmalkumar and Rajkumar, the police registered cases against him under Sections 79 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.

TVK president and Chief Minister Joseph Vijay had also condemned the remarks and called for action against Ponraj.

The latest consumption surpassed the previous record of 472.263 MU recorded on Wednesday, reflecting sustained high electricity usage as temperatures remained well above normal across several districts.

The heatwave continued to grip large parts of Tamil Nadu on Thursday, with Madurai Airport emerging as the hottest location in the State at 40.0 degrees Celsius. It was followed by Chennai Airport (39.9 degrees Celsius), Tiruthani (39.6 degrees Celsius), Cuddalore and Madurai City (39.4 degrees Celsius each), and Vellore (39.3 degrees Celsius).

The intensity of the heat was reflected in the departure from normal maximum temperatures, which exceeded 4 degrees Celsius at several places. Tiruthani and Udhagamandalam recorded the highest positive departure of 4.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Chennai Airport and Vellore at 4.3 degrees Celsius each.

Chennai's Nungambakkam was 3.4 degrees Celsius above normal, Kodaikanal 3.2 degrees Celsius, and Madurai Airport 3.0 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.

The State's peak power demand stood at 21,717 MW on Thursday, marginally lower than the all-time high of 21,724 MW recorded on Tuesday. The demand had reached 21,520 MW on Wednesday after surpassing the earlier record of 21,629 MW registered on July 13. Before this week's surge, the previous all-time high peak demand was 21,307 MW, logged on April 29, 2026.

Power sector officials attributed the sustained rise in electricity demand to the weak Southwest Monsoon, compounded by El Niño-induced atmospheric subsidence that has prolonged heatwave conditions across Tamil Nadu. The official added 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 NEET UG re-test for admission to undergraduate medical courses was conducted on June 21, and the results were declared by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Thursday night.

According to the results, Vengadapathy Velayutham from Villupuram secured the first rank in Tamil Nadu and the 12th rank nationally. He scored 705 out of 720 marks, achieving a percentile of 99.99915.

Vengadapathy completed his Class 12 education at Velammal Private School in Ponneri, Chennai. His performance has placed him among the country's top scorers in this year's medical entrance examination.

He is the son of Dr Anjan Ramachandranath, a well-known orthopaedic surgeon based in Villupuram.

The NEET UG examination is the gateway for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other undergraduate medical programmes across the country. With the declaration of results, the counselling and admission process is expected to begin shortly.

Advance reservation for the trains will open at 8 am on July 18.

The first special train will leave Mysuru at 10.30 pm on August 25 and reach Kannur at 2 pm the next day.

The return service will depart Kannur at 6.25 pm on August 26 and arrive at Bengaluru Cantonment at 8.35 am the following day. The train will stop at Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Vadakara and Thalassery en route.

The second special train will depart Mysuru at 11.55 pm on August 29 and reach Kannur at 5.50 pm the next day. The return service will leave Kannur at 7.45 pm on August 30 and arrive at Bengaluru Cantonment at 10 am the following day. It will also halt at Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Podanur, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Vadakara and Thalassery.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.