ONLINE REGISTRATION OPEN FOR INDIAN ARMY AGNIVEER RECRUITMENT 2027 he online registration and application process for recruitment into the Indian Army for the Recruiting Year 2027 has officially commenced. Aspiring candidates can now apply under various Agniveer categories through the official website, www.joinindianarmy.nic.in . According to the official notification published on 13 February 2026, applications are invited from unmarried youth domiciled in all 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh under the Army Recruiting Office (ARO), Visakhapatnam. The eligible districts include Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Kakinada, Eluru, East Godavari, West Godavari, Konaseema, Krishna, and NTR. Categories and Eligibility Recruitment will be conducted for the following Agniveer categories: Agniveer General Duty Agniveer Technical Agniveer Clerk/Store Keeper Technical Agniveer Tradesman (10th Pass) Agniveer Tradesman (8th Pass) Candidates are permitted to apply for any two categories, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. In a significant update, the upper age limit for all Agniveer categories has been increased from 21 to 22 years. Examination Details and Benefits The Online Common Entrance Examination (CEE) is tentatively scheduled to be held between 01 June 2026 and 15 June 2026. Admit cards for the examination will be available for download from the official website. The CEE will be conducted in 13 languages, including Telugu, to facilitate wider participation. Additionally, bonus marks will be awarded to candidates possessing ITI qualifications, diplomas, NCC certificates, and recognized sports credentials. The last date to submit online applications is 01 April 2026. Applicants are advised to regularly check the official website and their registered email IDs for updates and notifications regarding admit cards and examination schedules. Advisory to Candidates The Army Recruiting Office, Visakhapatnam, has emphasized that the recruitment process is fully automated, fair, and transparent. Candidates have been cautioned against falling prey to touts or agents who falsely claim to guarantee selection. Authorities have reiterated that selection is strictly based on merit, hard work, and preparation. For further assistance, candidates may contact the Army Recruiting Office, Visakhapatnam, at 08912756959. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the deadline and prepare diligently for the upcoming examination.

INDIAN RAILWAYS ANNOUNCES WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAINS FOR HOLI RUSH To ensure a comfortable journey and clear the anticipated extra passenger rush during the Holi festive season, Indian Railways has announced the operation of several weekly special trains connecting major destinations across the East Coast and South India. Visakhapatnam - Charlapalli - Visakhapatnam (08579/08580) Special trains will run between Visakhapatnam and Charlapalli from 6 March to 28 March 2026 (4 trips each direction). The trains will halt at important stations including Duvvada, Vijayawada, Guntur, Nalgonda and others en route. The composition includes AC, Sleeper, General Second Class and Divyangjan coaches. Visakhapatnam - SMV Bengaluru-- Visakhapatnam (08581/08582) Weekly specials between Visakhapatnam and SMV Bengaluru will operate from 1 March to 30 March 2026 (5 trips each way). Key stoppages include Vijayawada, Nellore, Gudur, Katpadi and Krishnarajapuram. The train will have AC, Sleeper, General and Divyangjan coaches. Visakhapatnam - Tirupati - Visakhapatnam (08547/08548 and 08583/08584) Two pairs of weekly special services will run between Visakhapatnam and Tirupati during March 2026 (4 and 5 trips respectively). Major en route stations include Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Ongole, Nellore and Renigunta. These services will operate with a mix of AC, Sleeper, General, Pantry and Divyangjan coaches. Santragachi - Yelahanka - Santragachi (02863/02864) Weekly specials between Santragachi and Yelahanka will run from 5 March to 28 March 2026 (4 trips each direction). Within East Coast Railway jurisdiction, the trains will stop at major stations such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Bhadrak and others. The composition includes AC, Sleeper, General and Generator cars with LHB coaches. Bhubaneswar - Yesvantpur - Bhubaneswar (02811/02812) Special trains between Bhubaneswar and Yesvantpur will operate from 28 February to 30 March 2026 (5 trips each way). Important stoppages include Khurda Road, Vijayawada, Dharmavaram and Yelahanka. The train will consist mainly of AC coaches with generator cars. Sambalpur - Erode - Sambalpur (08311/08312) Weekly specials between Sambalpur and Erode will run from 4 March to 27 March 2026 (4 trips each direction). The trains will halt at key stations including Rayagada, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, Katpadi and Salem. The composition includes AC, Sleeper, General, Divyangjan and Pantry cars. Visakhapatnam - Shalimar - Visakhapatnam (08508/08507) Weekly specials between Visakhapatnam and Shalimar will operate from 3 March to 18 March 2026 (3 trips each way) with revised timings between Bhadrak and Shalimar. Stoppages include Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road, Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Kharagpur and Santragachi. The train will have AC, Sleeper, General and Divyangjan coaches. Passengers are requested to make use of these special train services and plan their journeys in advance to avoid inconvenience during the festive season.

EAST COAST RAILWAY ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY AUGMENTATION OF TRAINS WITH ADDITIONAL COACHES To enhance passenger comfort and accommodate higher demand, East Coast Railway has decided to temporarily augment several trains with additional coaches. The details of the changes are as follows: Train No. 18463 Bhubaneswar - KSR Bengaluru Prasanthi Express will be augmented with one (1) 3rd AC Coach on 16th February 2026 and 21st February 2026. Train No. 18464 KSR Bengaluru - Bhubaneswar Prasanthi Express will be augmented with one (1) 3rd AC Coach on 17th February 2026 and 22nd February 2026. Additionally: Train No. 22879 Bhubaneswar - Tirupati SF Express will have one (1) 3rd AC Coach added from 21st February 2026 to 28th February 2026 (on nominated days). Train No. 22880 Tirupati - Bhubaneswar SF Express will be augmented with one (1) 3rd AC Coach from 22nd February 2026 to 1st March 2026 (on nominated days). This move is aimed at ensuring a more comfortable travel experience for passengers during peak periods.

EAST COAST RAILWAY EXTENDS WEEKLY SPECIAL TRAINS FOR HOLI RUSH To facilitate a comfortable journey and manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic during the Holi festival season, East Coast Railway has announced the extension of services of a weekly special train. Additionally, Indian Railways has approved a new stoppage for the Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express at Falakata station. Extension of Weekly Special Train Between Thiruvananthapuram North and Santragachi (06081/06082) Train No. 06081 Thiruvananthapuram North–Santragachi Weekly Special will depart from Thiruvananthapuram North at 16:20 hrs on Fridays, i.e., 27.02.2026 and 06.03.2026. The train will arrive at Duvvada at 22:50 hrs the following day, depart at 22:52 hrs, and reach Santragachi at 14:15 hrs on Sunday. (Total: 02 trips) In the return direction, Train No. 06082 Santragachi–Thiruvananthapuram North Weekly Special will leave Santragachi at 14:20 hrs on Mondays, i.e., 02.03.2026 and 09.03.2026. It will reach Duvvada at 04:18 hrs the next day, depart at 04:20 hrs, and arrive at Thiruvananthapuram North at 09:55 hrs on Wednesday. (Total: 02 trips) Composition: The train will have 20 coaches comprising 18 AC 3-Tier coaches and 2 Second Class-cum-Luggage Vans. Stoppages under East Coast Railway jurisdiction: Duvvada, Vizianagaram, Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Bhadrak. AC Superfast Express to Halt at Falakata (FLK) Indian Railways has decided to introduce a stoppage at Falakata (FLK) station under Northeast Frontier Railway for Train Nos. 12552/12551 Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru–Kamakhya AC Superfast Express. Train No. 12552 Kamakhya–SMVT Bengaluru AC Superfast Express will stop at Falakata with effect from 11.02.2026. The train will arrive at 19:14 hrs and depart at 19:16 hrs. Similarly, Train No. 12551 SMVT Bengaluru–Kamakhya AC Superfast Express will have a stoppage at Falakata with effect from 16.02.2026. The train will arrive at 07:33 hrs and depart at 07:35 hrs. These measures aim to enhance passenger convenience and improve connectivity during the festive season.