English opener Ben Duckett announced on Tuesday that he has pulled of IPL 2026. Duckett was picked by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore in the auction.Ben Duckett’s late withdrawal from the Indian Premier League 2026 could come at a significant cost, with the England batter facing a potential two-season ban under league rules.Duckett had been signed by Delhi Capitals for Rs 2 crore. However, his decision to pull out after the auction phase places him in the category of players who withdraw without an injury replacement clause, triggering disciplinary provisions.As per existing IPL regulations, such a withdrawal can lead to a ban from participating in the next two seasons. If enforced, Duckett would not only miss IPL 2026 but would also be barred from entering the player auctions for IPL 2027 and 2028, effectively keeping him out of the league until 2029.Duckett’s last-minute withdrawal is expected to earn him a two-year ban from the IPL, after franchises voted last year to penalise overseas players who pull out of their contracts at short notice. Duckett’s England team-mate Harry Brook is serving a similar ban after withdrawing from his deal, also with DC, shortly before the start of the 2025 season.For Duckett, the impact is both financial and professional. Missing multiple IPL cycles means losing access to one of the highest-paying T20 leagues, reduced exposure in franchise cricket, and fewer opportunities to build a global T20 profile.In a statement, Duckett said the call was made with a focus on his commitments with England and managing his physical and mental workload ahead of the international season.“I have made the extremely difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. I have given this a lot of thought and it has not been an easy choice. Representing England is something I have dreamed of since I was a child, and I want to give everything I can to English cricket. To do that, I need to ensure I am in the best possible place physically and mentally ahead of the summer,” he wrote.“I would like to sincerely apologise to everyone at Delhi. I was genuinely very excited about the opportunity to represent the franchise, and I fully appreciate the time and planning that goes into building a squad. I am sorry for any disruption my decision may cause. I would also like to apologise to all the fans as I know how much it means to everyone in Delhi.”This comes after a difficult Ashes series for Duckett, where he scored 202 runs in 10 innings at an average of 20.20, and now faces a period away from the IPL at a crucial stage of his T20 career.

NEW DELHI: Upending past pattern in the Civil Service Examinations (CSE), candidates of other backward classes (OBC) trumped those from economically weaker sections (EWS) in the final merit list for 2025, despite trailing in the interview round.The final 2025 cut-off (Mains + interview) for EWS is 926 while that for OBCs is 931. The cut-off in the Mains exams alone was 706 for EWS and 717 for OBCs. Cut-off marks are the minimum qualifying score for a social bloc availing of quota, and they vary across SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories. The final scores marked a reversal of a trend where EWS had been finishing ahead of OBC quota beneficiaries due to higher scores in the interview round. That OBCs should this year not only trump EWS, but do so despite continuing weaker performance at the interview stage suggests an interesting development.‘OBCs’ high written scores result in better cut-off than that of EWS’Shashank Ratnoo, an advocate specialising in issues concerning OBCs and reservation, said, “Despite a certain drag in OBCs’ marks in interviews, their marks in written exams were so high that it has resulted in better final cut-off than that of Economically Weaker Section.”The EWS quota was carved out in 2019 to provide 10% reservation to financially weaker individuals among the ‘general’ communities, while the Mandal quotas for backwards has been in operation since 1995.In 2023 and 2024, Economically Weaker Section trailed the backward classes in the Mains examinations. But the dynamic of competitiveness between the two reserved categories proved complex, as the forwards prevailed in the ultimate test by virtue of greater score in interviews.In CSE-2024, the cut-off for EWS in the Mains exams was 696 marks as compared to 702 for OBCs. But in the final results after the interview, EWS had a cut-off merit of 917 marks, against 910 for OBCs.The year before that, in the Mains part, OBCs scored a cut-off of 712 as compared to 706 for EWS. But in the final, OBCs trailed with a cut-off of 919 to EWS which had 923 as the minimum marks.Shashank Ratnoo said, “Higher interview marks for EWS in such a short time of introduction of its reservation raises a question mark over the need, percentage and strictness of the criteria for this category.”Interestingly, the contrast in the merit list for OBCs and EWS in the CSEs has been a see-saw. In the wake of the fresh EWS quotas introduced in 2019, OBCs dominated the Mains and the final both in 2019 and 2020.While it was surprising that EWS, which has groups with less social handicaps, trailed behind OBCs, it was seen as teething troubles of a new quota regime, with the wider eligible umbrella unaware of its procedures and criteria. Later, EWS overhauled the gap with OBCs and came to score higher in the examinations.

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday chaired a review meeting with senior defence officials to take stock of the situation due to the West Asia crisis and said there was need to learn lessons from the conflict to improve the country’s defence preparedness.Rajnath was briefed on the global and regional security scenario, the impact of a possible escalation of the ongoing conflict on India as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by the current geopolitical situation.The minister directed that operational and technological takeaways from the ongoing conflict be studied continuously in order to improve India’s defences. “We need to formalise a comprehensive integrated roadmap for the next decade factoring in the lessons learnt, challenges and opportunities going forward while ensuring Aatmanirbharta and operational readiness across all fronts,” he said.Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir Kamat and defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh were present at the meeting.The impact of the crisis on supply chain management for procurement and production of defence equipment, including maintenance and serviceability of existing equipment, was also examined at the review meeting.Rajnath held the security review meeting just two days after Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) discussed the situation arising out of the conflict in West Asia and carried out a detailed assessment of the availability of critical goods for the common people, including food, energy and fuel security.Last week, Rajnath credited PM Modi’s competence and foresight for “safeguarding” India from the ripple effects of global instability, asserting that the country has remained secure despite the escalating conflict in West Asia. The minister also backed the PM’s stance that “war is not a solution” and called for a resolution through dialogue and diplomacy. “When the world is at war, no country can remain unaffected. India may also be impacted during such times, but our prime minister, through his competence, capability and foresight, has ensured that the country does not get trapped in such a crisis,” he said.

Horoscope Today: Read daily horoscope predictions for March 25, 2026. Know all about the astrological events and influences that will be affecting each of the 12 zodiac signs. Our astrologer has analyzed the movements of the planets and the alignment of the stars to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date horoscope predictions for the day ahead. Get ready to discover what the stars have in store for you today.Aries:Today, blessings from elders may bring you happiness. Your investments may yield profits, and past losses may now turn into gains. Your savings are likely to boost your bank balance. You may also plan to invest for your children’s future. Enjoying delicious food at home is also indicated. Health issues related to the throat, teeth, ears, or nose may improve.Taurus:Today, you are blessed by elders. Your patience will be strong, and your focus on work will be sharp. Your parents’ health is likely to improve. You may spend quality time with elders and may also meet an influential person who could support your professional growth. Romantic moments may enhance harmony in your domestic life.Gemini:Today, you may feel spiritually inclined and may help those in need. You may plan to donate to charity or a religious place. Your good karma may help you succeed in challenging projects. You may feel a sense of divine support guiding you through unexpected situations. Interest in occult subjects may increase. Students are likely to focus deeply on their studies.Cancer:Today, you may feel low and experience hidden fears, which could make you anxious. You may find it difficult to trust others. It is advised to practice meditation or prayer to overcome this mental state. With the blessings of elders, you may gradually come out of this situation by the evening.Leo:Today, you may be busy at work. Your network may expand, and with its support, you may secure a big order in business. You may initiate innovations in partnerships. Investments in your business may increase, leading to future growth. Your emotional bond with your spouse will strengthen.Virgo:Today, you may find yourself in a state of self-analysis, which will boost your confidence. Your focus on your goals will become clearer, helping you move toward success. Your creativity may improve, and you may develop an interest in art, movies, glamour, and real-life objects. By the end of the day, you will feel satisfied. Your opponents are likely to be under control.Libra:Today, you may use your creativity to renovate your home or office. Your focus on your goals will be strong. However, overworking may tire your mind, causing stress and restlessness, which could affect your domestic life. Students are advised to avoid distractions and focus on their studies with dedication.Scorpio:Today, you may feel dissatisfied as people around you may not cooperate. You are advised to remain patient. Carefully read all documents before signing any contracts. Avoid making investments in unproductive ventures, as they may create obstacles. Students should study with patience and focus.Sagittarius:Today, you may feel enthusiastic and focused, helping you speed up postponed projects. Your subordinates may support you in starting new projects, which could bring profits in the future. You may also undertake short trips related to family matters. Job seekers may receive good news regarding employment.Capricorn:Today, you may be busy with family matters and may take important decisions on the domestic front. Avoid arguments in personal matters, as arrogance could disturb harmony. You are advised to follow your intuition before making business investments.Aquarius:Today, your inner strength may help you initiate new ideas at work. You are likely to receive a big order in your family business, which will support future growth. New responsibilities at work may keep you busy. Job seekers may find good opportunities. Understanding with your spouse will improve, maintaining harmony in family life.Pisces:Today, you may feel low, and your health may not be at its best. You may experience nervousness, anxiety, and restlessness. It is advised to postpone important investments in business or real estate. Avoid rash driving and long-distance travel. Practicing meditation will help you manage stress and regain balance.

Signalling a more transactional and interest-driven focus in its ties with India, the US has said that its objective is to work with India to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific that is not founded in naivete or “gauzy abstractions” like the rules-based international order, but in strength, reason, and hard-nosed collaboration. As he laid out the US approach to ties with India in geopolitical and defence spheres, undersecretary of war for policy Elbridge Colby said Tuesday no single no single country can maintain a stable balance of power in Asia.