Uttarakhand

HNBGU: Student Union Elections Begin at Garhwal University, Results to Be Declared by Evening…

Political, Uttarakhand | September 11, 2026

Voting for the Student Union elections for the 2026-27 academic year at Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Central University (HNBGU) began peacefully today, September 11, 2026. A total of 8,776 students are casting their votes at 14 polling booths. Amid a heavy presence of the university administration and local police, students have been queuing since 8:00 a.m. to exercise their franchise. According to the Chief Election Officer, vote counting will begin in the afternoon, and the election results are expected to be announced after 5:00 p.m. This year’s student union elections have reached a triangular and highly interesting stage, with a close contest between various student organizations.The main contest for the post of President is believed to be between Bhuvan Chamoli of the ABVP and Himanshu Bhandari, a PhD student from the Jai Ho student organization. Pulkit Agarwal of the Chhatram organization and Preeti Verma of the All India Students Association (AISA) are pitted against each other for the post of Vice President. In the student union elections at the main Birla campus of Garhwal Central University (HNBGU), a direct and close contest for the post of Secretary (General Secretary) is underway between Mayank Bahuguna of the NSUI and Pankaj Farswan of the Aryan student organization. The main contenders for the post of University Representative are Anshuman Srivastava of the ABVP and Yuvraj Singh of the AISA. Regarding the main election issues, this year’s student organizations have campaigned on key issues such as campus infrastructure, a 24-hour library, hostels, safety of female students, opposition to fee hikes, and campus weightage. Strict security arrangements and regulations Meanwhile, the Pauri and Srinagar police administrations are on high alert to prevent potential clashes and riots. Only students with valid digital ID cards are being allowed entry at the campus’ main gates. The campus director and Chief Electoral Officer have issued clear instructions that no student will be allowed to stay or roam within the campus once they have cast their vote. Chief Electoral Officer Professor MC Sati has also issued guidelines to ensure a peaceful election. He stated that no student should use printed material of any organization that would reveal its identity. He urged all student organizations and students to strictly adhere to the previously issued instructions.

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UKPSC Uttarakhand PCS 2026 Notification Out: 67 Posts Including Deputy Collector & DSP; Apply by Sept 29

Career & Education, Uttarakhand | September 10, 2026

The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission (UKPSC) has released the official recruitment notification for the State Combined Civil/Senior Subordinate Services Examination-2026 (Uttarakhand PCS 2026). This year, the Commission will fill a total of 67 vacant positions across various departments, including Deputy Collector and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). These positions include Deputy Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Commandant Home Guard, Finance Officer/Treasurer, and several other important administrative positions. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online by visiting the Commission’s official website, psc.uk.gov.in. The application process has begun and candidates can apply until September 29th. This recruitment process primarily covers attractive positions in the administrative and police services. The details of the key positions are as follows: Pay scales are also set for different positions. Most higher positions have a pay scale of ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 under Level 10, while the pay scale for State Tax Officer is Level 7 and for Case Worker is Level 6. Of the total 67 posts, 37 are reserved for the General Category, 13 for the Scheduled Castes, 11 for the Other Backward Classes, and 6 for the Economically Weaker Sections. The advertisement also details the Uttarakhand Women and Horizontal Reservation for various positions. The Commission has instructed candidates to correctly indicate their category or sub-category related to reservation when applying online. The Commission has clarified that candidates should not wait for the application deadline and should complete the online application process on time. The application form must be carefully filled with all necessary details, including educational qualifications. After the completion of the application process, candidates will be given the opportunity to amend or modify their online application form from October 7 to October 16, 2026. According to the Commission, candidates applying for the examination must pay the prescribed examination fee online. Net banking, debit cards, credit cards, and UPI are available. The last date for submitting the application fee is September 29. Important Dates Regarding Eligibility Criteria, for most positions, candidates must have a graduate degree from a recognized university established by law in India. For some technical and specialized positions (such as Finance Officer or Sanskrit Education), a degree in the relevant subject is mandatory.Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and at most 42 years of age. Age will be calculated as of July 1, 2026. Candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, PwD) of Uttarakhand will get relaxation in the maximum age limit as per rules.

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Haldwani: The BJP’s two-day extended state executive committee meeting has begun…

CM Dhami, Political, Uttarakhand | September 9, 2026

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s two-day extended state executive committee meeting has begun today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Green Vintage Banquet Hall on Rampur Road in Haldwani, Uttarakhand’s Nainital district. The main objectives of this meeting are to prepare an election roadmap for ‘Mission 2027, strengthen the organization at the booth level, and deliberate on the ‘Developed Uttarakhand’ resolution. BJP National President Nitin Naveen will also attend the meeting. State in-charge Dushyant Gautam, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, State President Mahendra Bhatt, Tirath Singh Rawat, and several other leaders have arrived at the executive committee meeting. Key points from this two-day major political brainstorming session: Senior BJP leaders, MPs, MLAs, and office bearers from across the state are attending the Working Committee. On the first day of the Working Committee, important organizational issues, including the political resolution and the resolution for a developed Uttarakhand, are being discussed. BJP National President Nitin Naveen will arrive at the venue in the afternoon and address the State Working Committee. Cabinet Minister Madan Kaushik said that there is considerable enthusiasm among the party workers regarding the guidance of the National President. He said the meeting would discuss strengthening the organization and strategies for the upcoming elections. The BJP would achieve a hat-trick by forming the government in Uttarakhand for the third consecutive time.

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Chief Minister’s initiative will provide new opportunities for youth, providing free online coaching to 11,000 students…

CM Dhami, Uttarakhand | September 8, 2026

The state government has taken a major step for the youth of Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Chief Minister’s Youth Future Building Scheme at the Chief Servant House. In the first phase of the scheme, 11,000 students from the state will be provided free online coaching for competitive exam preparation. Eligible students studying in government and government-aided colleges and state universities will benefit. The government’s special focus is on youth from hilly and remote areas who face difficulties in accessing quality coaching institutes due to financial constraints, lack of resources, or proper guidance. Live classes, along with recorded lectures and mock tests Chief Minister Dhami stated that success in competitive exams requires hard work, proper guidance, a sound strategy, guidance from good teachers, and regular practice. Keeping this in mind, the scheme will provide students with live online classes, along with recorded lectures, digital study material, subject-specific question banks, regular online tests, and mock tests. Students will be able to revisit recorded classes and study materials at their convenience. Online tests will assess their preparation and help them understand which subjects require more effort. Students will be selected for the scheme through an open online screening test. Selection will be based on performance, merit, and prescribed eligibility criteria, with toppers and meritorious students given priority. Expert teachers will prepare for competitive exams Institutions such as Study IQ Delhi, Mahendra Private Limited Lucknow, and Doon Dreamers Dehradun have been selected to provide quality training to youth. Expert teachers from these institutions will provide systematic preparation for various competitive and entrance exams. In addition, experienced professional tutors and subject experts from across the country will be involved in this campaign to ensure better teaching and guidance for Uttarakhand students. Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat stated that this scheme will be especially beneficial for students in the hills and remote areas. He explained that digital facilities in higher education are being continuously expanded. Through the e-library, digital access to approximately 2 million books has been provided to students. He also announced that from this year, 50 percent of student union elections will be reserved for female students. Emphasis on Making Youth Employable Along with Government Jobs Chief Minister Dhami stated that Uttarakhand’s greatest strength lies in its youth. The government’s goal is not only to provide government jobs to youth, but also to make them job creators. According to the Chief Minister, over 34,000 youth have received government jobs in the last five years. Continuous efforts are also being made to promote self-employment, startups, skill development, entrepreneurship, and local products. He added that reverse migration has also been encouraged in the state, with many youth returning to villages to start businesses related to agriculture, horticulture, homestays, and local products. The Chief Minister also called for the creation of a separate Youth Commission to specifically address the hopes, aspirations, and employment-related issues of the youth. During the program, he interacted with students and inquired about their future goals and preparations for competitive exams. The Chief Minister called upon the youth to dream big and move forward with full hard work and confidence to achieve them.

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Growing Pressure from Gen Z in Uttarakhand, Voices Raised on the Education System and Rights

Education, Uttarakhand | September 7, 2026

A combined look at the events of the past few weeks in Uttarakhand paints a clear picture of dissatisfaction with the education system. This isn’t just a story of youth anger; rather, everyone from schoolgirls to university students and visually impaired students are raising their voices about their own problems. In some places, there are no teachers, in others, exam results aren’t being released on time, and in others, students are protesting demanding scholarships, Braille teachers, hostels, and essential facilities. The questions are different, but the concern is the same: is the education system providing students with the facilities and opportunities they expect? A Voice Raised from Dehradun to Betalghat The protest by visually impaired students at the Model School for Visual Disabilities of the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) in Dehradun is a reflection of this larger question. The students raised demands such as the restoration of merit and institutional scholarships, the provision of laptops as promised, improvements in hostel and cafeteria facilities, the appointment of permanent administrative officers, and the resolution of the shortage of Braille teachers in primary classes. Along with the timely availability of English-medium textbooks, they also demanded the provision of mobility instructors, female physical training instructors, medical staff, and hostel wardens. The issue is serious because these are students for whom Braille education, mobility training, and support facilities are fundamental to their education and self-reliance, rather than an extra extra. The protest ended after receiving a written assurance from the institution. Similarly, students of the Government Girls Inter College in Betalghat, Nainital, protested over vacant teaching positions. For girls studying in grades 10th through 12th, the teacher shortage isn’t just a matter of free periods. It can impact everything from board exam preparation to further studies and competitive exams. Government schools in the hills already face limited resources, and the lack of subject-specific teachers poses another challenge for students. The girls’ protest on the streets also indicates that students no longer want to confine their problems to the confines of their school walls. Delay in results increases students’ anxiety The student protests at Uttarakhand Ayurveda University and its affiliated colleges highlight another aspect of the education system. Students from various Ayurveda colleges in Dehradun and Haridwar protested over 10 demands, including conducting exams on time and releasing pending exam results. The situation escalated when four students climbed a water tank during the protest. Later, after speaking with a government minister, the students ended their protest. The students’ anger is understandable because the impact of delayed exams and results in professional courses is not limited to just one semester. It can impact the entire schedule for further studies, internships, admissions, and careers. Students had already protested in August over similar issues, and their anger surfaced again in early September. Different demands, but the same question. The girl students of Betalghat need teachers, timely results for Ayurveda students, and Braille teachers, scholarships, and necessary facilities for students with disabilities. The demands are varied, but at the core of all of them is a concern for the right to education and a better future.

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Teachers’ Day 2026: Governor Honours 19 Outstanding Teachers with Shailesh Matiyani State Award in Dehradun

Uttarakhand | September 5, 2026

On the special occasion of Teachers’ Day (September 5), 19 teachers from across the state, who exemplified their dedication and outstanding contributions in the field of education, were honored with the state’s prestigious awards.On Saturday, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh presented the “Shailesh Matiyani State Teachers’ Award” to 19 teachers from across the state on the occasion of Teachers’ Day at Lok Bhawan in Dehradun. The awardees included 12 teachers from elementary education, six from secondary education, and one from a training institute. These included Vishnupal Singh Negi from Pauri, Lakhpat Singh Rawat from Chamoli, Prithvi Singh Rawat from Uttarkashi, Virendra Singh Rawat from Dehradun, Robin Kumar from Haridwar, Maheshwar Prasad Semwal from Tehri, Shashikant Nautiyal from Rudraprayag, Zaheer Abbas from Champawat, Nau Singh from Udham Singh Nagar, Dr. Shweta from Nainital, Vikram Singh Parihar from Pithoragarh, and Trilok Singh Adhikari from Almora.From secondary education, Narendra Singh Negi from Pauri, Dr. Suman Dhyani Sharma from Chamoli, Dr. Atul Kumar Srivastava from Dehradun, Kamlesh Panwar from Haridwar, Naveen Chandra Pant from Champawat and Vishan Singh Mehta from Nainital were awarded. From the training institute, Dr. Subodh Singh Bisht from Uttarkashi was honored.Along with this, at the national level too, Gabar Singh Bisht, Principal of Government Primary School (Musyakhand) of Pauri district of Uttarakhand, has been honored with the ‘National Teacher Award 2026’ by President Draupadi Murmu in New Delhi.

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Uttarakhand to Get Its First White Tigers, Dehradun Zoo Receives CZA Approval

Tourism, Uttarakhand, Wildlife | September 4, 2026

Big news is emerging in the direction of promoting wildlife tourism in Uttarakhand. For the first time, tourists will be able to see white tigers in Uttarakhand. After years of continuous efforts by forest department officials, the Central Zoo Authority has granted permission to bring two white tigers to the zoo in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand. This is a major success for Uttarakhand wildlife officials and zoo officials. Until now, Uttarakhand had no white tigers, and now, for the first time, the state is receiving its first white tiger. The Central Zoo Authority has granted permission to bring white tigers from two different locations. The first male tiger will be brought from Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) and the second male white tiger from Nandankanan Zoo in Odisha. The Dehradun Zoo administration has begun work on constructing a special enclosure for the safety and comfort of these rare white tigers. As part of the animal exchange agreement to bring tigers from Nandankanan in Odisha, a pair of Himalayan Ghoral will be sent from Dehradun Zoo and a pair of Red Pandas from Nainital Zoo to Odisha. The Dehradun Zoo currently houses two Bengal tigers, two leopards, and a rescued bear among its large predators. The bears are not currently on display until permission is granted from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The zoo has now begun work on constructing a special enclosure for the white tigers. The Dehradun Zoo has been attracting large crowds of tourists to see the two existing Royal Bengal tigers (D2 and D5), generating record revenue for the zoo. The administration expects the arrival of these two new white tigers to increase the number of visitors manifold. The wait for the white tiger is almost over now and tourists in Uttarakhand will soon be able to see this rare and beautiful species up close.

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Senior Uttarakhand BJP Leader Passes Away

Senior Uttarakhand BJP Leader & Former Minister Virendra Singh Bisht Passes Away

Political, Uttarakhand | September 3, 2026

Senior Uttarakhand BJP leader, former Minister of State and former state spokesperson Virendra Singh Bisht has passed away. It is reported that Virendra Singh Bisht had been unwell for a long time. The news of his passing has sent shockwaves through Uttarakhand’s political circles and the BJP organization. Party leaders have expressed grief over his passing and offered condolences to his family. Several senior leaders, including Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, and BJP National General Secretary Vinod Tawde, have expressed deep condolences. The leaders described his passing as an irreparable loss to the BJP family and society. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami posted on his social media account X regarding the passing of Virendra Singh Bisht. CM Dhami said the passing of Virendra Singh Bisht is an irreparable loss to the BJP organization. May God grant him a place in His feet. He also grant the bereaved family the strength to bear this immense grief. BJP State President Mahendra Bhatt said that Virendra Singh Bisht was always a dedicated and loyal worker of the organization. His passing is an irreparable loss for the BJP family. Former Union Minister and former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, wrote that the passing of Virendra Singh Bisht is an irreparable loss for the BJP organization as well as for society. Virendra Singh Bisht was a highly respected and senior leader of the Uttarakhand BJP, who played a key role in the state’s politics and the expansion of the organization. He passed away today, September 3, 2026, following which there is an outpouring of grief in the state and the BJP organization. Virendra Singh Bisht served as the state spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Uttarakhand, for a long time. He was also a former Minister of State (Minister of State rank) in the state government. He was considered a highly dedicated, disciplined, and loyal worker of the BJP organization. He held many important organizational responsibilities from the party’s early days to its strengthening. He was known for his unassuming, easygoing, and gentle nature. He was recognized in political circles as a calm and composed leader who avoided controversy. Virendra Singh Bisht had been seriously ill for a long time and breathed his last in Dehradun during treatment.

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Sung Village Celebrates Third Chausingya Khadu Birth; Sacred Sheep to Lead Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra 2026

Religion & Spirituality, Uttarakhand | September 2, 2026

The Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage held every 12 years in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Regarded as one of the most arduous pilgrimages in Asia, it is often called the ‘Kumbh of the Himalayas’. Devotees cover nearly 260 km on foot over 19 days, crossing high-altitude bugyals and rugged terrain. According to mythological and local beliefs, the tradition dates back several centuries, with some historians linking its formal organization to the Garhwal and Kumaon kingdoms around the 7th–8th centuries. Maa Nanda is regarded as a form of Goddess Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayas and consort of Lord Shiva. The yatra symbolizes her journey to her in-laws’ home in the Himalayas, with devotees accompanying her in a grand farewell procession. A unique feature of the pilgrimage is the Chausingya Khadu (four-horned sheep), which is born only once every 12 years and traditionally leads the procession of Goddess Nanda. This year, the Chausingya Khadu (four horned sheep), which will lead Mother Nanda to Kailash during this major pilgrimage, scheduled for September 5, 2026, was born eight months ago in Sung village of Nandanagar. The lamb was born in the cowshed of Ramesh Singh Bisht, the current deputy head of the village, and will be formally dedicated to the goddess Nanda. Remarkably, this is the third time a Chausingya Khadu has been born in Sung village. Previous ones were born to Bilokh Singh in 2000 and Kedar Singh Bisht in 2014 both of which participated in the Raj Jat Yatra. Villagers consider the repeated births a special blessing from Goddess Nanda and are filled with excitement. On 3 September 2026, the residents of Sung will take the sacred Khadu to Siddhapeeth Kurud Temple in a traditional procession accompanied by drums and folk instruments. After ritual worship, the Chausingya Khadu will join the main Badi Jat Yatra, where it will lead the festive palanquin of Goddess Nanda as the symbolic guide of the pilgrimage.

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Why Is the Rudranath Dham Priest Angry? Says, “Lord Shiva Is Watching Everything”

Religion & Spirituality, Uttarakhand | September 1, 2026

The doors of Rudranath Dham, the fourth Kedar among the Panch Kedar shrines, are scheduled to close for the winter on October 17. With the closing date approaching, the number of devotees visiting the shrine has increased. Pilgrims from different parts of the country, as well as from abroad, are reaching the high-altitude shrine to seek the blessings of Lord Rudranath. Amid the growing footfall, the temple’s chief priest, Harishchandra Bhatt, has expressed his displeasure over alleged mismanagement and certain activities taking place in and around the shrine. Priest Raises Concerns Over Religious Sanctity The priest has raised concerns about maintaining the religious dignity and sanctity of Rudranath Dham. He said that proposals or discussions about opening hotels in such a sacred place are not appropriate. According to him, devotees and visitors must respect the temple’s traditions, beliefs and religious practices. He also objected to the alleged consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food in the area, saying that such activities go against the religious character of the shrine. He further expressed concern that the increasing number of visitors is putting additional pressure on the arrangements at the dham. “Lord Shiva Himself Will Deliver Justice” In the video, Harishchandra Bhatt appears emotional and angry while speaking about the situation. He said that Lord Shiva himself is present at Rudranath Dham and that the deity will ultimately deliver justice. He warned that activities considered inappropriate at the sacred site cannot be ignored indefinitely and that those responsible may eventually have to face the consequences. However, the claims and circumstances shown or described in the viral video have not been independently verified. Chamoli Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash said that no official information regarding the matter had reached him so far and that the administration was gathering details. Where Is Rudranath Temple Located? Rudranath Temple is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is one of the five Panch Kedar shrines. Here, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of his face. Devotees have to reach Sagar village near Gopeshwar and then undertake a challenging trek of around 20 to 22 kilometres through the mountains to reach the temple. With the winter closure approaching, a large number of devotees are currently making the journey. Amid the increasing footfall, concerns related to the shrine’s religious sanctity, cleanliness and arrangements have once again come into focus. The date for the annual winter closure was announced on Sunday, August 30, following which the video and the priest’s remarks have come into discussion.

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