New Delhi: India will conduct its 16th national census in 2027, 16 years after the last one in 2011. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notification to this effect. This time, caste-based data will also be collected.

In regions with harsh winters—like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand—the process will begin on October 1, 2026. In other regions, it will commence from March 1, 2027.

The census will be conducted digitally using mobile devices. Around 1.3 lakh enumerators will be deployed. It will be completed in two phases: one focusing on housing and amenities, the second on individual data.

New Delhi: The recent helicopter crash in Uttarakhand has been attributed to serious lapses by the operating company. The helicopter reportedly took off 50 minutes before the scheduled time, despite poor weather warnings.

Legal action has been initiated against two officials, including the operational manager, for negligent homicide. The crash occurred around 5:20 AM near Gaurikund. The helicopter was en route from Kedarnath to Guptkashi, carrying six pilgrims and a pilot. All perished, including a child.

New Delhi – In the aftermath of the devastating Ahmedabad plane crash, Air India has initiated an internal audit to assess the operational readiness of its entire fleet. The audit will focus on maintenance standards and employee performance evaluations.

The decision was made during an Air India board meeting, where it was also resolved to provide full support to the families of the crash victims. Tata Group, which owns Air India, will conduct a parallel investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Additionally, the central government has formed a high-level committee to investigate the accident. The Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a directive in this regard. The committee will analyze the reasons behind the crash and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols will also be reviewed for potential improvements.

New Delhi – The tragic plane crash that occurred in Ahmedabad has now claimed 270 lives, according to official reports released on Saturday. Among the deceased, 21 bodies were recovered from the vicinity of a medical college hostel, with nine confirmed to be hostel residents. Authorities also confirmed that out of 32 injured individuals receiving treatment, 16 were students, and 12 of them have been discharged.

One of the survivors under treatment is Ramesh Vishwas Kumar, who was aboard the ill-fated flight. The aircraft was carrying 230 passengers, two pilots, and 10 crew members—making up a total of 242 individuals. The deceased include passengers, airline staff, local residents, and people from nearby buildings.

Reports also confirm that ten doctors and their families residing in the BJ Medical College residential quarters were among the dead. The search for those still missing continues under the leadership of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

In response to the incident, India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, has announced a comprehensive investigation into the crash. The inquiry will include aviation safety experts and is expected to be completed within three months. The minister emphasized that DNA testing will be conducted before handing over bodies to the relatives and that no compromises will be made on safety standards.

Gujarat’s Home Minister, Harsh Sanghvi, reviewed the progress of DNA profiling, which is being carried out at the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar.

So far, it is estimated that all 241 individuals on the plane and 38 people from the building and nearby areas have died in the crash.

In response to the recent aircraft incident in Ahmedabad, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated enhanced safety inspections for all Boeing 787 aircraft operating in India. The decision follows the preliminary findings of an ongoing investigation, which has so far ruled out both bird strikes and pilot error as contributing factors in the event.

Initial analysis suggests that there was no evidence of a bird collision or the presence of bird remains near the affected aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft was not overloaded, and the cockpit crew’s actions prior to the incident were found to be in line with standard operating procedures.

Despite these findings, both engines of the aircraft reportedly failed shortly after takeoff—an extremely rare occurrence in aviation. As a precautionary measure, the DGCA has required that all Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 series aircraft undergo mandatory inspections in accordance with updated safety protocols. Operators must submit detailed inspection reports to the DGCA, and flights will only be permitted to operate upon satisfactory clearance.

The aircraft’s black box has been sent to a forensic science laboratory for thorough analysis. The data from the flight data recorder and the cockpit voice recorder is expected to provide further insights into the sequence of events that led to the failure.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is leading the inquiry with support from international experts, including teams from the United Kingdom and the United States. Their involvement is expected to bolster the technical and forensic aspects of the investigation, which remains ongoing.

Authorities have stated that a conclusive determination of the cause can only be made after all technical data, including black box analysis and aircraft debris assessment, has been fully reviewed.