Can private firms access your ITR, EPFO data?

');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:center}.itg-subs-btn.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4{border:1px solid rgba(220,224,229,1);padding:12px 18px;-webkit-border-radius:8px;-moz-border-radius:8px;border-radius:8px;outline:0;cursor:pointer;font-family:var(--roboto-flex);font-weight:400;font-size:14px;line-height:1;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;background-color:transparent}.itg-subs-btn-group.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-moz-box-pack:justify;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:15px}.itg-subs-btn.fill.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4{color:#fff;border:0px;-webkit-transition:background-color.4s;-moz-transition:background-color.4s;-o-transition:background-color.4s;transition:background-color.4s}.itg-subs-close-button.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4 svg path{-webkit-transition:fill.3s;-moz-transition:fill.3s;-o-transition:fill.3s;transition:fill.3s}.itg-subs-close-button.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4:hover svg path{fill:#000}@media(max-width:553px){.itg-subs-btn.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4{-webkit-box-flex:0;-webkit-flex:0 0 100%;-moz-box-flex:0;-ms-flex:0 0 100%;flex:0 0 100%;width:100%}.itg-subs-btn-group.jsx-5046b0bda8327da4{-webkit-box-orient:vertical;-webkit-box-direction:reverse;-webkit-flex-direction:column-reverse;-moz-box-orient:vertical;-moz-box-direction:reverse;-ms-flex-direction:column-reverse;flex-direction:column-reverse}}.buzz-section{margin:30px 0}.buzz-section>*{margin-bottom:15px}.buzz-section h2{font-size:21px;font-size:1.3125rem;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.buzz-section h2 span{background:#c00;color:#fff;width:24px;height:24px;display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;font-size:16px;font-size:1rem;line-height:24px;text-align:center;-webkit-border-radius:100%;-moz-border-radius:100%;border-radius:100%;margin:0px 12px 0 0}.buzz-section .buzz-discription{margin-top:15px}.buzz-section .buzz-img img{width:100%}.buzz-section .image-alt:empty{border:0;padding:0}.buzz-section .image-alt{color:#929292;font-size:13px;font-size:.8125rem;padding:0 0 10px;border-bottom:1px solid#e5e5e5}.buzz-section .photoby{background:#000;color:#aeaeae;font-family:OpenSans-Regular;padding:5px;margin-top:-15px}.buzz-section .photoby:empty{background:0 0;margin-bottom:0}@media only screen and (min-width:769px){.buzz-section h2{font-size:34px;font-size:2.125rem}.buzz-section h2 span{width:32px;height:32px;font-size:24px;font-size:1.5rem;line-height:32px}}@media only screen and (min-width:769px){.buzz-section h2{line-height:42px}}.factoids-page{display:inline-block;vertical-align:top;width:100%;margin:0px 0 15px}.factoids-page .fun-facts{display:block}.factoids-page .fun-facts h2{display:inline;padding-left:0}.story-section .description h2{font-size:25px;font-family:OpenSans-Bold;line-height:34px;font-weight:700}.description .factoids-slider{margin-bottom:var(--widgetgap)}.description .factoids-slider ul{background:#a00606;padding:0;padding-left:0!important;list-style:none}.description .factoids-slider ul li{padding:20px 0;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;color:#fff;margin-bottom:0;list-style:none}.description .factoids-slider ul li:before{display:none}.description .factoids-slider ul li span{margin:0 25px;display:block}.description .factoids-slider ul li:nth-child(odd){background:#a00606}.description .factoids-slider ul li:nth-child(even){background:#000}.nquotes{width:100%;margin-bottom:var(--storyparagap)}.nquotes .quotes__container{border:1px solid var(--widgetbordercolor);background-color:#fffaea;padding:50px 10px 15px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-border-radius:10px;-moz-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo{margin-right:var(--magrin15);-webkit-flex-basis:80px;-ms-flex-preferred-size:80px;flex-basis:80px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo:empty,.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quotername:empty,.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quoterdesignation:empty{display:none}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo img{-webkit-border-radius:100%;-moz-border-radius:100%;border-radius:100%;border:1px solid var(--widgetbordercolor);height:auto}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo .itgimage{margin-bottom:0}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo .itgimage:hover:after{display:none}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content{position:relative;width:100%}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quotes__text{font-size:18px;line-height:24px;color:#1a1d24;font-weight:500}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info{text-align:right;padding-top:15px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quotername{font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:500;color:var(--textcolor666);font-style:italic}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quotername:before{content:"-";padding-right:5px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quoterdesignation{font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:400;color:var(--textcolor666);font-style:italic}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content:before{content:"";display:block;background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,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);width:33px;height:24px;position:absolute;top:-35px;left:0}.section__technology .quotes blockquote,.section__technology .quotes b{color:var(--theme2primarytextcolor)}@media(min-width:1025px){.nquotes{max-width:500px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.nquotes .quotes__container{padding:46px 20px 20px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__photo{margin-right:20px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quotes__text{font-size:24px;line-height:28px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info{padding-top:20px}.nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content:before{top:-30px}}.section__technology .nquotes .quotes__container{background:var(--catbrandcolor)}.section__technology .nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quotes__text,.section__technology .nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quotername,.section__technology .nquotes .quotes__container .quotes__content .quoter__info .quoterdesignation{color:var(--theme2primarytextcolor)}.quotes{border:1px solid var(--widgetbordercolor);background:#fffaea;padding:50px 10px 15px;-webkit-border-radius:10px;-moz-border-radius:10px;border-radius:10px;width:100%;margin-bottom:var(--storyparagap)}.quotes blockquote,.quotes b{font-size:18px;line-height:24px;color:#1a1d24;font-weight:500;position:relative}.quotes blockquote:before,.quotes b:before{content:"";display:block;background-image:url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,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);width:33px;height:24px;position:absolute;top:-35px;left:0}.quotes .author{font-size:14px;line-height:20px;font-weight:500;color:var(--textcolor666);font-style:italic;padding-top:15px}.quotes .author:nth-last-child(1){display:none}@media(min-width:1025px){.quotes{padding:46px 20px 20px;max-width:500px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto}.quotes blockquote{font-size:24px;line-height:28px}.quotes .author{padding-top:20px}.quotes blockquote:before{top:-30px}}.left-image,.pron-cons-img{display:none}#reviewcontainer,.tech-pros-cons-main{background:var(--catbrandcolor);color:var(--theme2primarytextcolor);-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px;overflow:hidden;margin-bottom:var(--storyparagap)}.techreview>h2,.tech-pros-cons-main>h2{background-color:#000;-webkit-border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;-moz-border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;padding:12px 121px 12px 10px;position:relative;font-size:20px;line-height:24px}.techreview>h2 .rating,.tech-pros-cons-main>h2 strong{position:absolute;width:106px;height:62px;background:#fff108;color:#000;top:0;right:0;-webkit-border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;-moz-border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;-webkit-box-shadow:0 3px 6px#00000029;-moz-box-shadow:0 3px 6px#00000029;box-shadow:0 3px 6px#00000029;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-moz-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;font-size:24px;font-weight:500}.reviewCons h2,.reviewPro h2,.tech-pros li:nth-child(1),.tech-cons li:nth-child(1){color:#fff108;font-size:24px;line-height:24px;font-style:italic;font-weight:500;margin-bottom:10px;list-style:none;text-transform:uppercase}.tech-pros li:nth-child(1)::before,.tech-cons li:nth-child(1)::before{display:none}.reviewCons,.reviewPro,.tech-pros,.tech-cons{padding:20px 0;margin:0 20px;list-style:none}.reviewPro,.tech-pros{border-bottom:1px solid#ffffff50}.reviewCons ul,.reviewPro ul{list-style:none}.reviewCons ul li,.reviewPro ul li,.tech-pros li,.tech-cons li{font-size:16px;line-height:24px;padding-left:15px;position:relative}.reviewCons ul li:not(:last-child),.reviewPro ul li:not(:last-child),.tech-pros li:not(:last-child),.tech-cons li:not(:last-child){margin-bottom:5px}.tech-pros li:not(:first-child),.tech-cons li:not(:first-child){margin-left:15px}.reviewCons ul li:before,.reviewPro ul li:before,.tech-pros li:before,.tech-cons li:before{content:"";width:5px;height:5px;background:#fff108;-webkit-border-radius:100%;-moz-border-radius:100%;border-radius:100%;display:block;position:absolute;top:10px;left:0}@media(min-width:1025px){.techreview>h2,.tech-pros-cons-main>h2{padding:12px 151px 12px 20px;font-size:24px;line-height:26px}.techreview>h2 .rating,.tech-pros-cons-main>h2 strong{font-size:30px;width:136px}.reviewCons,.reviewPro,.tech-pros,.tech-cons{width:50%;float:left;margin:20px 0;padding:0 20px}.reviewPro,.tech-pros{padding-right:40px}.reviewCons,.tech-cons{padding-left:40px}.reviewPro,.tech-pros{border-right:1px solid#ffffff50;border-bottom:0}}.productreview__widget{background:var(--catbrandcolor);color:var(--theme2primarytextcolor);-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px}.productreview__widget .review__head{background-color:#000;-webkit-border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;-moz-border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;border-radius:5px 5px 0 0;padding:12px 10px;position:relative}.productreview__widget .review__head h2{font-size:20px;line-height:24px}.productreview__widget .review__head .prod__rating{position:absolute;width:106px;height:62px;background:#fff108;color:#000;top:0;right:0;-webkit-border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;-moz-border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;border-radius:0 4px 0 15px;-webkit-box-shadow:0px 3px 6px#00000029;-moz-box-shadow:0px 3px 6px#00000029;box-shadow:0px 3px 6px#00000029;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-moz-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;font-size:24px;font-weight:500}.productreview__widget .review__content{padding:0;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;-webkit-box-direction:normal;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-moz-box-orient:vertical;-moz-box-direction:normal;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column}.productreview__widget .review__content h4{color:#fff108;font-size:24px;line-height:24px;font-style:italic;font-weight:500;margin-bottom:10px}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points{-webkit-flex-basis:100%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:100%;flex-basis:100%;padding:20px;position:relative}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points:nth-child(1)::after{content:"";width:90%;height:1px;background:#ffffff50;position:absolute;bottom:0px;display:block}.productreview__widget .review__content ul{list-style:none}.productreview__widget .review__content ul li{font-size:16px;line-height:24px;padding-left:15px;position:relative}.productreview__widget .review__content ul li:not(:last-child){margin-bottom:5px}.productreview__widget .review__content ul li:before{content:"";width:5px;height:5px;background:#fff108;-webkit-border-radius:100%;-moz-border-radius:100%;border-radius:100%;display:block;position:absolute;top:10px;left:0}@media(min-width:1025px){.productreview__widget .review__head{padding:12px 20px}.productreview__widget .review__head h2{font-size:24px;line-height:24px}.productreview__widget .review__head .prod__rating{font-size:30px;width:136px}.productreview__widget .review__content{-webkit-box-orient:horizontal;-webkit-box-direction:normal;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-moz-box-orient:horizontal;-moz-box-direction:normal;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;padding:20px 0}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points{-webkit-flex-basis:50%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:50%;flex-basis:50%;padding:0 20px}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points:nth-child(1){border-right:1px solid#ffffff50;padding-right:40px}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points:nth-child(1)::after{display:none}.productreview__widget .review__content .review__points:nth-child(2){padding-left:40px}}.poductphotoby__widget{background:var(--catbrandcolor);padding:15px 10px;-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px}.poductphotoby__widget .photoby__title:empty{display:none}.poductphotoby__widget .photoby__title{font-size:16px;font-weight:500;color:#fff;padding-bottom:10px}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul{list-style:none;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(135px,1fr));grid-gap:10px}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul li:nth-of-type(n+7){display:none}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul li .itgimage:hover:after{display:none}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul li .itgimage{margin-bottom:0}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul li img{min-width:auto;border:1px solid#707070;-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px;width:100%}@media(min-width:1025px){.poductphotoby__widget{padding:15px 20px 20px}.poductphotoby__widget .photo__list ul{grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(172px,1fr))}}.tech-photos{margin-bottom:var(--storyparagap)}.tech-photos .tech-photos-head-section{display:block}.tech-photos .tech-photos-head-section .tech-photo-head{font-size:20px;line-height:26px;margin-bottom:10px;font-weight:600}.tech-photos .tech-photos-head-section span{color:#b5b5b5;font-size:14px;margin-bottom:10px;display:block}.tech-photos .tech-photos-head-section span:after{content:"Photo";padding-left:3px}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item{width:23%;display:inline-block;margin-right:2%;position:relative;-webkit-box-shadow:-2px 2px 4px 0#ddd;-moz-box-shadow:-2px 2px 4px 0#ddd;box-shadow:-2px 2px 4px 0#ddd;border:1px solid#ddd;padding:.5%}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .tech-photo-overlay{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;text-align:center;color:#fff;background:rgba(0,0,0,.5);width:100%;height:100%}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .tech-photo-overlay a span{position:absolute;top:50%;left:50%;-webkit-transform:translate(-50%,-50%);-moz-transform:translate(-50%,-50%);-ms-transform:translate(-50%,-50%);-o-transform:translate(-50%,-50%);transform:translate(-50%,-50%);line-height:22px}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .tech-photo-overlay a,.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .tech-photo-overlay a span:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration:underline}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item:nth-last-child(1){margin-right:0px}@media screen and (max-width:768px){.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .tech-photo-overlay a span{line-height:18px;font-size:15px}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item{width:48%;margin-bottom:2%;margin-right:2%}}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .itgimage{margin-bottom:0px}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .itgimage img{-webkit-border-radius:0;-moz-border-radius:0;border-radius:0}.tech-photos .tech-photo-item .itgimage:hover:after{display:none}.react-images__dialog{position:relative}.image-gallery-fullscreen-button,.image-gallery-play-button{display:none}.photomodel__close{border:unset;background:unset;color:#fff;font-size:30px;position:fixed;right:5px;top:5px;cursor:pointer}.image-gallery-content .image-gallery-slide .image-gallery-image{border:3px solid#ccc;-webkit-border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px}@media(min-width:1024px){.react-images__dialog{position:static}.photomodel__close{right:50px;top:25px}}.fullscreen .react-images__blanket.css-16jr3vd,.fullscreen .react-images__blanket{background-color:rgba(0,0,0,.95)}.image-gallery-content .image-gallery-slide .image-gallery-image{border:0px}.image-gallery-left-nav .image-gallery-svg,.image-gallery-right-nav .image-gallery-svg{height:25px;width:25px;stroke:#333;stroke-width:2.4}.image-gallery-left-nav,.image-gallery-right-nav{padding:0px;width:35px;height:35px;background:#d5d5d5;-webkit-border-radius:100%;-moz-border-radius:100%;border-radius:100%}.image-gallery-thumbnail .image-gallery-thumbnail-inner{cursor:pointer}.image-gallery-left-nav{left:-10%}.image-gallery-right-nav{right:-10%}.image-gallery-thumbnail{-webkit-border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px}.image-gallery-thumbnail .image-gallery-thumbnail-image{-webkit-border-radius:3px;-moz-border-radius:3px;border-radius:3px}.image-gallery-thumbnail.active,.image-gallery-thumbnail:focus{border:2px solid#b4b4b4;-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px}.image-gallery-bullets{bottom:-40px}.image-gallery-bullets .image-gallery-bullet{padding:3px;background:#4d4d4d;border:0px}.image-gallery-bullets .image-gallery-bullet.active{-webkit-transform:scale(1);-moz-transform:scale(1);-ms-transform:scale(1);-o-transform:scale(1);transform:scale(1);border:0px}@media(hover:hover)and (pointer:fine){.image-gallery-thumbnail:hover{outline:none;border:2px solid#b4b4b4;-webkit-border-radius:5px;-moz-border-radius:5px;border-radius:5px}.image-gallery-bullets .image-gallery-bullet:hover{-webkit-transform:scale(1);-moz-transform:scale(1);-ms-transform:scale(1);-o-transform:scale(1);transform:scale(1);border:0px;background:#fff}}.story__recommended__chunk .recommended__story a{-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-moz-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start}.mainfooter{-webkit-box-shadow:1px -5px 3px#0000000d;-moz-box-shadow:1px -5px 3px#0000000d;box-shadow:1px -5px 3px#0000000d;border:1px solid#e2e2e2;margin-top:5px;padding-top:15px;background-color:var(--whitebg);padding-right:10px;padding-left:10px;padding-bottom:65px}.mainfooter .footer_header{padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:5px solid#f2f2f2;margin-bottom:10px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow{display:-ms-grid;display:grid;-ms-grid-columns:1fr;grid-template-columns:1fr;-webkit-column-gap:15px;-moz-column-gap:15px;column-gap:15px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer{display:-ms-grid;display:grid;-ms-grid-columns:1fr 10px 1fr;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;-webkit-column-gap:10px;-moz-column-gap:10px;column-gap:10px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.first .list:nth-child(1){-ms-grid-column:1;-ms-grid-column-span:2;grid-column:1/3}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.second .list:nth-child(1),.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.second .list:nth-child(6),.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.second .list:nth-child(7){-ms-grid-column:1;-ms-grid-column-span:2;grid-column:1/3}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.third .list:nth-child(1),.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.third .list:nth-child(2){-ms-grid-column:1;-ms-grid-column-span:2;grid-column:1/3}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer .list{border-bottom:1px solid#e2e2e2;padding-bottom:5px;margin-bottom:10px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.third .list:last-child{border-bottom:0px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer .list ul{display:-ms-grid;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(144px,1fr));grid-gap:0 10px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer h3{font-size:16px;line-height:28px;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--primarytextcolor);font-weight:400;position:relative;margin-bottom:5px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer h3:after{content:"";position:absolute;width:20px;height:2px;background-color:var(--brandbgcolor);bottom:0;left:0}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer ul{list-style:none}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer ul li a{font-size:14px;line-height:30px;color:#747474}.bootom__footernav,.copyright{background-color:#f2f2f2;margin:0 -10px;padding:0 10px}.bootom__footernav ul{list-style:none;display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap;-webkit-box-pack:space-evenly;-ms-flex-pack:space-evenly;-webkit-justify-content:space-evenly;-moz-box-pack:space-evenly;justify-content:space-evenly;padding-top:10px}.bootom__footernav ul li a{font-size:14px;font-weight:400;padding:0 10px 10px 0px;display:block}.copyright{text-align:center;font-size:14px;color:#6e6e6e;padding:15px 5px;border-top:2px solid#e3e3e3;line-height:1.3}.footer__socialshare{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;align-items:center;margin-top:15px}.footer__socialshare>*{margin-right:15px}.footer__socialshare .sharetitle{min-height:30px;line-height:30px;white-space:nowrap}.footer__socialshare a{display:block;width:30px;height:30px;-webkit-flex-basis:30px;-ms-flex-preferred-size:30px;flex-basis:30px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.expendfooter__nav{width:40px;height:30px;display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-box-pack:end;-ms-flex-pack:end;-webkit-justify-content:flex-end;-moz-box-pack:end;justify-content:flex-end;margin-left:10px;cursor:pointer;-webkit-box-flex:1;-webkit-flex:1 0 0;-moz-box-flex:1;-ms-flex:1 0 0px;flex:1 0 0}.mainfooter .expendfooter__nav svg{-webkit-transform:rotate(180deg);-ms-transform:rotate(180deg);-moz-transform:rotate(180deg);-o-transform:rotate(180deg);transform:rotate(180deg)}.mainfooter.is__expend .expendfooter__nav svg{-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);-ms-transform:rotate(0deg);-moz-transform:rotate(0deg);-o-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg)}.mainfooter.is__expend .footer_header{border-bottom:0;margin-bottom:0px}.mainfooter.is__expend .footer__ad,.mainfooter.is__expend .navfooter{opacity:0;height:0px;display:none}.mainfooter .footer__ad{margin-left:-10px;margin-right:-10px}@media(min-width:1025px){.mainfooter{padding-right:0;padding-left:0;padding-bottom:0px}.mainfooter .footer_header{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-ms-flex-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-moz-box-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;align-items:center}.footer__socialshare{margin-top:0}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow{-ms-grid-columns:1fr 15px 1fr 15px 1fr;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr;-webkit-column-gap:15px;-moz-column-gap:15px;column-gap:15px}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer .list:nth-last-child(1),.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.first .list:nth-last-child(2),.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer.second .list:nth-last-child(2){border-bottom:0;margin-bottom:0}.mainfooter .navfooter .navrow .listcontainer .list:last-child{border-bottom:0px}.bootom__footernav ul{padding-top:15px}.bootom__footernav ul li a{padding-bottom:15px}.bootom__footernav,.copyright{margin:0}.mainfooter .footer__ad{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}}.downloadapp__section .temp__container{border-top:2px solid#f2f2f2;padding:10px 0 10px}.downloadapp__section .temp__container .h4{text-align:center;font-weight:normal;color:#707070;padding-bottom:10px;font-size:12px;text-transform:uppercase}.storelist{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-moz-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-wrap:wrap;-ms-flex-wrap:wrap;flex-wrap:wrap}.storelist a{margin-bottom:10px}.storelist a:not(:last-child){margin-right:10px}.downloadapp__section .storelist img{height:40px}@media(max-width:340px){.footer__socialshare>*{margin-right:10px}}.rec-sl-inner_latest p>a{color:#fff!important;text-decoration:none!important}.story__content__body .description>ul>li a{color:var(--linkcolor);text-decoration:underline}.section__hottest .lhs__section p{padding:10px 0}.pagenode__2359050 .main__content{padding:0 10px}.SubscribeBtn_link__sub__pkr7P .SubscribeBtn_navitem__f0Lj5 svg{width:22px}#main.b{font-weight:normal}@media(min-width:1025px){.PhoneWidgetCarousel_phCarousel__widget__ngBME .PhoneWidgetCarousel_carousel__nav__L141I .PhoneWidgetCarousel_navbutn__k5htF{left:auto;right:auto}.PhoneWidgetCarousel_phCarousel__widget__ngBME .PhoneWidgetCarousel_carousel__nav__L141I{right:0px}}.menulink{width:-webkit-calc(100% - 12px);width:-moz-calc(100% - 12px);width:calc(100% - 12px)}.navigation .nav__container .main__nav ul li a[title="TV"]{text-transform:uppercase}.pointer-para #checktheseout3{display:none}.footer_info{margin-bottom:11px;border-bottom:1px solid#e2e2e2;padding-bottom:15px}.headingicon{font-size:15px;font-weight:600;line-height:1;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--primarytextcolor);padding-left:17px;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='12' height='11' viewBox='0 0 12 11'%3E%3Cpath fill='%23e3001b' d='M344.974,430.608a16.732,16.732,0,0,1,10.71-2.439.261.261,0,0,1,.233.26c.115,4.944-2.28,8.018-5,10.481-.094.075-.262.224-.43.035l-6.516-7.4a.213.213,0,0,1,.047-.318c.113-.093.956-.617.956-.616' transform='translate(-343.921 -428.037)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0;margin-bottom:15px;min-height:25px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-moz-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-align:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-moz-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.footer_info .headingicon{font-size:20px;line-height:16px;text-transform:none}.footer_info p{font-size:15px;line-height:24px;color:#000}@media(max-width:1024px){.temp__container.footer_info{padding-bottom:15px}.footer_info p{line-height:28px}} India TodayAaj TakIndia Today HindiNewsTakGNTTVLallantopBusiness TodayBanglaMalayalamNortheastBT BazaarHarper's BazaarSports TakAstro TakGamingBrides TodayCosmopolitanKisan TakReader’s DigestIndia TodayAaj TakIndia Today HindiNewsTakGNTTVLallantopBusiness TodayBanglaMalayalamNortheastMagazineLive TVSearchSEARCHSIGN INEdition ININUSHome TVLive TVPrimetimeMagazineLatest EditionInsightBest CollegesIndia Today HindiJobsIndiaBusinessAll Business NewsShare MarketIPOPersonal FinanceCompaniesLife+StylePuzzlesSouthGlobal SportsAll SportsCricketLive ScoreFootballTechnologyShowbuzzEntertainmentMoviesBollywoodHollywoodTelevisionOTTLatest ReviewsMo SpecialsPodcastsSunday SpecialHistory of ItDIUOpinionVideosShort VideosFact CheckInfluencer Hub Other NewsEducationIt's ViralScienceHealthAutoLaw TodayEnvironmentCitiesWeatherHoroscopesDownload AppFollow Us On: .adarrow__button{display:none} @media (max-width: 767px) { .containermulti { position: relative; margin:5px auto; width: 302px; height: 280px; text-align: center; border: 1px solid #ccc; } .mySlides { display: none; } .ad-slot { width: 300px; height: 250px; margin: auto; } .prev, .next { cursor: pointer; position: absolute; top: 50%; padding: 10px; color: #fff; font-size: 18px; background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); user-select: none; transform: translateY(-50%); } .prev { left: 0; } .next { right: 0; } .prev:hover, .next:hover { background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.9); }.pagination { position: absolute; bottom: 5px; width: 100%; text-align: center; } .dot { cursor: pointer; height: 8px; width: 8px; margin: 0 4px; background-color: #bbb; border-radius: 50%; display: inline-block; transition: background-color 0.3s ease; } .dot.active { background-color: #000; } .adarrow__button{display:block} }.read-more-content:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) .readmoreAction ~ *:not(.new_ad_code) { display: none !important; }.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)){overflow:hidden;}.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) .new_ad_code{ z-index: -10; position: relative; min-height:0; height:0px;}.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) .new_ad_code:has(.vdo_floating){ z-index: inherit;}.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) ~ .shrcommnt,.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) ~ .factcheck__widget,.description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) ~ .strtags{ display:none;}.readmoreAction.appendReadmoreContent{ display:none;} .description:not(:has(.appendReadmoreContent)) .story-text-overlay{position: absolute; height: 160px; bottom: 0; top: auto; background: linear-gradient( to bottom, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1) 0%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8) 50%, rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) 90% ); pointer-events: none; z-index: 2;}.story__content__body.story__content__body .description .readmorewrap + p{ display:block; max-height:175px; overflow:hidden} .description:has(.appendReadmoreContent) .story-text-overlay{display:none;}.readmoreAction { position: relative; margin: 0 auto 0 auto; display: flex; align-items:center;column-gap:10px; background:#cd2027; color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #cd2027; bottom: 1rem; font-size: 16px; font-weight:500; border-radius: 10px; font-family: inherit; position: relative; padding:15px 20px; margin-top: 30px;cursor: pointer; }.readmoreAction svg{position: relative;top: 2px;} .newsltter-iframe-new { height: 268px; } @media (max-width: 767px) { .newsltter-iframe-new { height: 330px; } } .us_1bigImg_3line{border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-radius: 10px; padding: 15px 20px 34px 20px; box-shadow:0px 3px 6px #00000029 } .us_1bigImg_3line_heading{margin-bottom: 10px; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; min-height: 25px; } .us_1bigImg_3line_heading h2 {font-size: 15px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1; text-transform: uppercase; padding-left: 17px; background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='12' height='11' viewBox='0 0 12 11'%3E%3Cpath fill='%23e3001b' d='M344.974,430.608a16.732,16.732,0,0,1,10.71-2.439.261.261,0,0,1,.233.26c.115,4.944-2.28,8.018-5,10.481-.094.075-.262.224-.43.035l-6.516-7.4a.213.213,0,0,1,.047-.318c.113-.093.956-.617.956-.616' transform='translate(-343.921 -428.037)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E"); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position: 0; } .us_1bigImg_3line_body{display: -webkit-box; display: -ms-flexbox; display: flex; -ms-flex-wrap: wrap; flex-wrap: wrap; margin: 0 0; column-gap: 18px;} .us_1bigImg_3line_ls{width: 100%; min-height: 1px; padding: 0; -webkit-box-flex: 0; -ms-flex: 0 0 320px; flex: 0 0 320px; max-width: 320px;} .us_1bigImg{width: 100%; height: auto; border-radius: 5px; overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 10px;} .us_1bigImg img{width: 100%; height: auto; display: block;} .us_1bigImg_3line_ls h2{ font-size: 20px; line-height: 24px; font-weight: 500; position: relative;} .us_1bigImg_3line_ls h2::after {content: '>'; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; } .us_1bigImg_3line_ls h2 a {text-decoration: none; } .us_1bigImg_3line_rs{width: 100%; min-height: 1px; padding: 0; -webkit-box-flex: 0; -ms-flex: 0 0 calc(100% - 338px); flex: 0 0 calc(100% - 338px); max-width: calc(100% - 338px);} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul{ margin: 0px; padding: 0px; list-style: none;} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul li{width: 100%; height: auto; padding-bottom: 13px; margin-bottom: 13px; border-bottom: 1px dotted #C4C4C4; position: relative; padding-right: 15px;} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul li a::after {content: '>'; position: absolute; padding-left: 10px; top: 33%; right: -10px; transform: translate(-50%, -50%);} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul li:nth-last-child(1){border-bottom:0px;padding-bottom:0px;} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul li a{font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;} @media (max-width: 767px){.container {width: 100%;} .us_1bigImg_3line {padding: 15px 10px 10px 10px;} .us_1bigImg {display: none;} .us_1bigImg_3line_rs ul li a {font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;} .us_1bigImg_3line_ls h2 {font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; padding-right: 15px; font-weight: normal; } .us_1bigImg_3line_body {column-gap: 0px; } .us_1bigImg_3line_ls {-ms-flex: 0 0 100%; flex: 0 0 100%; max-width: 100%; padding-bottom: 13px; margin-bottom: 13px; border-bottom: 1px dotted #C4C4C4; } .us_1bigImg_3line_rs {-ms-flex: 0 0 100%; flex: 0 0 100%; max-width: 100%; } .us_1bigImg_3line_ls h2::after {right: 0px; top: 50%; right: -10px; transform: translate(-50%, -50%); font-size: 16px;}}NewsBusinessPersonal FinanceCan private firms access your ITR, EPFO data?Can private firms access your ITR, EPFO data? Allegations of private firms accessing and commercially using sensitive ITR and EPFO-linked data have raised fresh questions about privacy, consent and safeguards.Advertisement.pagenode__2684512 #comment_box{display:none}.section__education .description.paywall .elec_stripe_iFrame {display: none;}.dark-mode .livetv__sticky svg path{stroke: #fff;} .dark-mode .livetv__sticky svg text{fill:#fff}.tbl-read-more-box {z-index:991 !important}.airtel_5g{width:0px !important;height:0px !important;}table .shopping__widget {display:none}table .inline_ad2 {display: none;}.trinity__container{display: none;} .autiostory a{display: none !important}.description table{max-width:100%;border: 0;margin-bottom: var(--widgetgap);} table tr td #teads-ad{display:none}table tr td .ads__container{display:none}ul>li div#shoppingWidgetLSH{display:none}ul>li div#shoppingWidget_mobile{display:none}.Story_story__content__body__qCd5E .Story_description__fq_4S>ul>li:has(.inline-story-add) div { display: none; }.pagetype__story ul li #checktheseout2{display: none}.newspress_rhs_widget .mframe { background: url(https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/sites/misc/img/iphone-frame.png); }.ads_container .top_ad>* * { text-align: center; margin: 0 auto; }.ite_mg_banner:nth-of-type(2) { display: none; } .pagenode__2672529 .inline_ad2{display:none} The court said the government should consider devising an “antidote” to the problem with the help of domain experts.India Today Business DeskNew Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 25, 2026 11:26 ISTWritten By: Koustav Das .ai_assist_bar2 { top:30px } Can a private company access information from your income tax return or provident fund records? The Supreme Court has asked the government to examine allegations that private verification entities are accessing, retrieving and commercially using sensitive employment and financial data, and to take steps to prevent any misuse. The court was hearing a PIL alleging that a “commercial technological ecosystem” had emerged around the verification of personal information linked to EPFO/UAN records and PAN-linked financial data. The court did not, however, find that any particular company had illegally accessed such records or hold that private firms can freely access citizens' ITR or EPFO data. The case has nevertheless raised an important question for millions of Indians. Can private companies access sensitive employment and financial information held by government agencies?WHAT DID THE SUPREME COURT SAY? The Supreme Court expressed concern over the alleged misuse of sensitive personal information by private entities and asked the government to examine the issue. According to reports of the hearing, the court said the government should consider devising an “antidote” to the problem with the help of domain experts. It directed the government and other authorities to consider the petitioner's representations and take necessary action, preferably within four months. But the court has not said that private companies can freely access everyone's ITR or EPFO records. Nor has it found that a data breach took place. The court instead asked the authorities to examine allegations of unauthorised access, sharing, disclosure, transfer and commercial exploitation of sensitive data and decide what action, if any, is needed. The PIL alleged that private verification entities were accessing or commercially exploiting statutory employment and financial data linked to EPFO/UAN records and PAN-linked information. The petitioner pointed to private services allegedly offering or advertising access to information described as EPFO passbook data, Form 26AS data and income-tax-return information. The petition raised questions about how such information was being accessed, verified or processed and whether adequate consent and safeguards were in place. The petitioner also alleged that private organisations could obtain such information for a fee and that attempts had been made to test some of these services. These are allegations made before the court and have not been established as facts by a judicial finding. That is why the government's examination will be crucial. It will have to determine whether such access is taking place, how any such access may be occurring and whether existing safeguards are sufficient.WHAT KIND OF DATA IS INVOLVED? An Income Tax Return, or ITR, contains financial information filed by a taxpayer with the Income Tax Department. Other tax-related records, including Form 26AS and the Annual Information Statement, can also contain sensitive information about a person's income and financial transactions. EPFO records relate to an employee's provident fund account. A Universal Account Number, or UAN, helps link an employee's provident fund accounts across different jobs and can therefore be connected to parts of a person's employment history. The concern raised in the PIL is about information that citizens provide to government systems for specific statutory purposes potentially being accessed, verified or used by private entities in a separate commercial ecosystem.CAN FIRMS ACCESS YOUR DATA? Not on the basis of this Supreme Court order. The court has not said that simply knowing someone's PAN or UAN gives a private company unrestricted access to that person's ITR, provident fund records or complete employment history. Different government databases have their own access and authentication mechanisms. The issue before the court was whether private verification entities may be accessing, retrieving or verifying some sensitive information through technological systems, intermediaries or other channels in a way that requires closer scrutiny. The government's examination may eventually clarify whether there are actual vulnerabilities, authorised interfaces being used in unintended ways, inadequate consent mechanisms or some other route through which such data can be accessed.WHY DO FIRMS VERIFY DATA? Background verification is a routine part of recruitment. Companies may want to check whether a job applicant worked with a previous employer or whether information provided during the hiring process is accurate. Banks, insurers and other businesses may also have legitimate reasons to verify certain customer information. The issue raised in this case is not whether all verification is wrong. The bigger question is how the verification is carried out and how much information a private entity should be able to access. Checking whether a person previously worked for a company is different from obtaining sensitive records that were submitted to a government authority. The case has brought the focus on whether there is proper consent, a legal basis for access and adequate safeguards when government-held personal information enters private verification systems.WHAT NEXT? The government and other concerned authorities have been asked to consider the petitioner's representations and take appropriate action, preferably within four months. The authorities concerned include those responsible for the employment and tax data at the centre of the allegations. Their response could answer the questions the court itself has now brought into focus. Whether private entities are actually accessing sensitive EPFO and tax-linked data in the manner alleged, whether existing systems have gaps and what safeguards are needed to prevent misuse. Until then, the Supreme Court order should not be read as proof that private companies are freely accessing everyone's ITR or EPFO records. What it does establish is that the government has been formally asked to examine serious allegations about the possible commercial use of some of citizens' most sensitive employment and financial information.- EndsPublished By: Koustav DasPublished On: Aug 25, 2026 11:26 IST Also WatchPregnancy, abortion, alleged cruelty: What happened during Twisha's final days?Health 360: Maharashtra FDA cracks down on surrogate ads, unhealthy dining risksMQ-9 SeaGuardian Lease aircraft system sparks cheap drones vs HALE UAVs debateAdvertisement.ad_300_100 .adtext{display:none;}Read ThisCan private firms access your ITR, EPFO data?Want a World Bank job? This fully funded 2027 programme could be your way inCan no longer work as much: Nitin Gadkari says new generation should take overAdvertisement window.addEventListener("message", function (event) { if (event.data?.type === "sharelink" && event.data.shareurl) { console.log("Received sharing links and details", event.data.shareurl); window.open(event.data.shareurl, "_blank"); } }); if (itViewPort === 'mobile') { window.googletag = window.googletag || { cmd: [] }; /* ----------------------------- PAGE LOAD AD (ONLY ONCE) ------------------------------ */ googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.defineSlot( '/1007232/IT_ROS_Mobile_MTF_1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1' ).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); }); /* ----------------------------- LAZY SLIDE ADS (DEFINE ONCE) ------------------------------ */ const lazyDefinedSlots = {}; const gptSlots = {}; function defineLazySlideAds(divId) { if (lazyDefinedSlots[divId]) return; lazyDefinedSlots[divId] = true; console.log('Defining slot:', divId); googletag.cmd.push(function () { if (divId === 'div-gpt-ad-2') { gptSlots[divId] = googletag.defineSlot( '/1007232/IT_ROS_Mobile_MTF_1_300x250_Carousal-1', [300, 250], divId ).addService(googletag.pubads()); } if (divId === 'div-gpt-ad-3') { gptSlots[divId] = googletag.defineSlot( '/1007232/IT_ROS_Mobile_MTF_1_300x250_Carousal-2', [300, 250], divId ).addService(googletag.pubads()); } if (gptSlots[divId]) { googletag.display(divId); googletag.pubads().refresh([gptSlots[divId]]); console.log("GPT refreshed:", divId); } }); } /* ----------------------------- SLIDER LOGIC ------------------------------ */ let slideIndex = 1; let autoInterval = null; document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function () { showSlides(slideIndex); startAutoSlide(); }); function plusSlides(n) { showSlides(slideIndex += n); } function showSlides(n) { const slides = document.getElementsByClassName("mySlides"); const dots = document.getElementsByClassName("dot"); if (!slides.length) return; if (n > slides.length) slideIndex = 1; if (n < 1) slideIndex = slides.length; for (let i = 0; i < slides.length; i++) { slides[i].style.display = "none"; } for (let i = 0; i < dots.length; i++) { dots[i].classList.remove("active"); } const activeSlide = slides[slideIndex - 1]; activeSlide.style.display = "block"; dots[slideIndex - 1].classList.add("active"); // wait for layout paint setTimeout(() => { const adDiv = activeSlide.querySelector("div[id^='div-gpt']"); if (adDiv) observeAd(adDiv); }, 200); } function currentSlide(n) { showSlides(slideIndex = n); } function startAutoSlide() { autoInterval = setInterval(() => { plusSlides(1); }, 5000); } /* ----------------------------- INTERSECTION OBSERVER ------------------------------ */ const observer = new IntersectionObserver(entries => { entries.forEach(entry => { if (!entry.isIntersecting) return; const adDiv = entry.target; const rect = adDiv.getBoundingClientRect(); // prevent zero-size request if (rect.width === 0 || rect.height === 0) return; if (!adDiv.dataset.loaded) { adDiv.dataset.loaded = "true"; console.log(adDiv.id,'adDiv'); defineLazySlideAds(adDiv.id); /* googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display(adDiv.id); console.log("GPT request fired:", adDiv.id); });*/ } observer.unobserve(adDiv); }); }, { threshold: 0.6 }); function observeAd(adDiv) { if (!adDiv.dataset.loaded) { observer.observe(adDiv); } } } .pagenode__2851824 .row,.pagenode__2851835 .row{ margin:0 10px} @media (max-width: 1024px) { .wc_container .main_banner_wrapper .banner_pText { position: relative; text-indent: 0px; } } .wc_container .main_banner_wrapper table tr th:first-child { padding-left: 0px; } @media (max-width:1024px){ .temp__container { padding: 0px; } } .subscribe__btn{cursor: pointer;} .section__technology .SecondaryNavigation_section__secondary__nav__DR7Ua{ background-image: var(--catbrandcolor, #c00);} .pagetype__elections .lhs__section .custom__htmlwidget.ads__container + .custom__htmlwidget.ads__container{ display: none} .description-wrapper ul { list-style: none; margin-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 30px; } .description-wrapper ul li { font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; color: #fff; margin-bottom: 10px; position: relative; } .description-wrapper ul li::before { content: ''; position: absolute; top: 8px; left: -20px; width: 8px; height: 8px; border-radius: 50%; background-color: #fff; } .capsulelink .FeatureQuickLink_swiper__wrap__6gy6f{width:100% !important} body.searchopen .stickyad {z-index: 9;} .NewsList_newssection__mTDE8 .NewsList_newslist__1Bh2x.NewsList_us__headlinelist__lYl07 ul li a .NewsList_imgcont__rBfoB img{width: 100%;} .taboola__container:has(#taboola-right-rail-thumbnails:empty) h3{display:none} .taboola__container:has(#taboola-right-rail-thumbnails:empty){min-height:0px ;} .ground_zero .story_widget .big_storycard img { object-fit: contain !important; } @media (max-width:1024px){ .LiveBlog_liveblog__body__GOT0F .LiveBlog_blogmos__UcOVK img{height:auto} } .nav__isopen .navigation { width: 100%; height: 100%; } .LiveBlog_liveblog__body__GOT0F .LiveBlog_blog__author__info__LjRUK.LiveBlog_readmore__kuDgx>div p { padding-bottom: 0px;} .videotype .article__type .typedata{width: 62px;} .searchopen .Livetv_livetv__section__JsHPn.Livetv_widgetstyle__wrap__fk5JN{z-index:2} .pagetype__home_page .state_selction #state,.pagetype__elec_polling .state_selction #state, .pagenode__1939043 .state_selction #state, .pagenode__1938661 .state_selction #state {width:102px;} @media (max-width: 600px) { .pagetype__home_page .state_selction #state,.pagetype__elec_polling .state_selction #state, .pagenode__1939043 .state_selction #state, .pagenode__1938661 .state_selction #state { width: 100%; max-width: 100%; } } @media (max-width:1024px){ .short_info_txt{padding: 0 10px; line-height: 1.3; } } .LiveBlog_liveblog__body__GOT0F .LiveBlog_otherdetails__zUJeK .LiveBlog_container__BgsQx ul li, .LiveBlog_liveblog__body__GOT0F .LiveBlog_otherdetails__zUJeK .LiveBlog_container__BgsQx ul ol{ font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding-bottom: 5px; } .LiveBlog_liveblog__body__GOT0F .LiveBlog_otherdetails__zUJeK .LiveBlog_container__BgsQx ul { margin: 0; padding: 0 20px; } .rhs__ad.widgetgap.sticky__ad{display:block !important;} .GroupSearch_language__row___BTbZ{flex-wrap: wrap;grid-gap: 5px 0px;} .big__story__widget .story__content .headlines>h2>b.budget_calc a span { border-radius: 5px; border: 1px solid #FFF; background: #D71920; color: #fff; font-size: 12px; padding: 2px 10px; font-weight: 500; position: relative; top: -2px; margin-left: 10px; } .big__story__widget .story__content .headlines>h2>b.budget_calc a { color: #FCAF2D; font-weight: 500; } @media (max-width:767px){ .budget_calc{position: relative; display: block; padding-right: 140px;} .big__story__widget .story__content .headlines>h2>b.budget_calc a span{ position: absolute; width: 122px; right: 0; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); height: 25px; line-height: 20px; } } .pagenode__2586260 .Conclave_event__speakerslist__dUDGM .Conclave_card__speaker__9UZNL { pointer-events: none; } .section__elections .textconst.constituency_description .showLess p:not(:first-child){ display:none} @media (max-width:860px) and (min-width:800px){ .pagetype__live_blog .table-header, .pagetype__live_blog .table-row{column-gap:5%;-moz-column-gap:5%} } .promo-wrap{display:none;} .sectionId__1206578 .CarouselShortVideo_carouselimg__widget__AHC3J{display:none} .sectionId__2631458 .taboola__container{display:none} .sectionId__1206666 .bestcolleges-banner{display:none} body:not(:has(.pagetype__home_page)) .CarouselShortVideo_carouselimg__widget__AHC3J{ display: none;} @media (max-width: 767px) { .container.stickyad .top__ad { min-height: 50px !important; height: 50px !important; overflow: hidden; } } .pagenode__2713437 #comment_box{display:none} .description .stpolliframe,.description .stquiziframe{margin-bottom:var(--widgetgap)} .description .stpolliframe{height:465px}.description .stquiziframe{height:390px} @media (min-width:680px){.description .stpolliframe{height:415px}.description .stquiziframe{height:400px}} body:has(.cmt-module-open) .stickyad,body:has(.cmt-module-open) .footernav{z-index: 9;} body:has(.cmt-module-open) .recommended__widget{z-index:1} .ads__container + h4:has(.bold_text){ display:none}   document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => { const observer = new MutationObserver((mutations) => { mutations.forEach((mutation) => { const elements = document.querySelectorAll('.sectionId__.pagenode__0.pagetype__undefined'); if (elements.length > 0) { elements.forEach((element) => { const childDivs = element.querySelectorAll('article'); childDivs.forEach((div) => { div.classList.remove('Bcard'); }); }); } }); }); observer.observe(document.body, { childList: true, subtree: true }); }); var rosURL = new URL(window.location.href); if(rosURL.pathname=='/'){ console.log(rosURL,'rosURL'); const slidertranding = document.querySelector("[data-slider]"); const track = slidertranding.querySelector("[data-slider-track]"); const prev = slidertranding.querySelector("[data-slider-prev]"); const next = slidertranding.querySelector("[data-slider-next]"); if (track) { prev.addEventListener("click", () => { next.removeAttribute("disabled"); track.scrollTo({ left: track.scrollLeft - track.firstElementChild.offsetWidth, behavior: "smooth" }); }); next.addEventListener("click", () => { prev.removeAttribute("disabled"); track.scrollTo({ left: track.scrollLeft + track.firstElementChild.offsetWidth, behavior: "smooth" }); }); track.addEventListener("scroll", () => { const trackScrollWidth = track.scrollWidth; const trackOuterWidth = track.clientWidth; prev.removeAttribute("disabled"); next.removeAttribute("disabled"); if (track.scrollLeft { if (link.textContent.includes("India Today Hindi")) { link.setAttribute("target", "_blank"); link.setAttribute("rel", "noopener noreferrer"); } }); Latest News Headlines TN Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking TET Exemption; Urges Centre To Amend RTE Act | US Proposes H-1B Visa Fee Hike: How It Affects Indian Professionals And US Employers | Want a World Bank job? This fully funded 2027 programme could be your way in | Pakistan's Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny As Asim Munir Visits Iran Amid US Tensions | Can no longer work as much: Nitin Gadkari says new generation should take over | 8th Pay Commission's next meeting in Bengaluru: What's on the agenda? | Government weighing annual dope test for pilots after Air India flight fiasco | Karnataka BJP MLA’s daughter slaps woman cop at temple, video sparks outrage | Massive Landslide Hits Kodla-Urai Road In Himachal's Chamba; Traffic Disrupted, No Casualties | Yash’s Toxic goes on advance booking rampage, nears Rs 50 crore despite A-rating | Madhya Pradesh cops bust gang linked to Rs 80 lakh cyber fraud; 4 arrested | Ajit Doval meets China's Vice President in Beijing on border peace | Buying packaged food? Check these 7 details before you buy | Asim Munir meets Iran leaders to push de-escalation and Hormuz reopening | Maharashtra FDA Food Safety Crackdown: MCA Outlets, Midday Meal Center & School Eateries Under Lens