Ajmer Chain-Snatching Foiled by Locals as City Hosts Major Eligibility Exam
Ajmer saw a mix of civic resilience, academic activity, and cultural spotlight in mid-September 2026. Locals intervened to catch a chain snatcher who targeted a retired couple just metres from their home, while the city simultaneously hosted the State Eligibility Test across 37 centers for more than 13,000 candidates. The Ajmer Sharif Dargah continued to draw nationwide attention, with prominent visitor Shalini Passi sharing her experience at the storied shrine.
Speed Breaker Foils Chain Snatching, Locals Catch Accused
A chain-snatching attempt targeting a retired couple in Ajmer was foiled when a speed breaker caused the perpetrators' motorcycle to crash, allowing local residents to apprehend one of the accused. According to Asianet Newsable, the incident unfolded just 100 metres from the victims' home, making it an alarming episode in an otherwise residential setting. The victims were a retired doctor and teacher who were subjected to the frightening ordeal close to the safety of their own doorstep. As the suspects attempted to flee on a motorcycle after snatching the chain, a speed breaker disrupted their escape and led to a crash. Bystanders at the scene seized the opportunity the crash provided, gave chase, and succeeded in catching one of the chain snatchers before he could escape. The incident was captured on video and the footage circulated widely online, drawing significant public attention to street crime in residential areas of Ajmer. Police took the arrested individual into custody for further questioning and investigation. Community members voiced concern about the vulnerability of senior residents to opportunistic crime and called for greater vigilance. The episode illustrated how engaged bystanders can play a meaningful role in preventing criminals from escaping justice when alert community action is taken swiftly. [2]
🎓 Over 13,000 Candidates Sit State Eligibility Test at 37 Ajmer Centers
The State Eligibility Test was conducted across Ajmer on September 13, 2026, with more than 13,000 candidates appearing at 37 examination centers spread throughout the city. The exam, administered under the oversight of Kota University, was scheduled to run from 11 AM to 2 PM. Authorities announced that entry for candidates would be permitted beginning one hour before the scheduled start time, with candidates required to undergo verification and document checking procedures at center gates before being allowed inside. The presence of over 13,000 examinees across 37 dedicated venues represented a significant logistical and administrative undertaking for both examination organizers and city officials, who worked to ensure orderly and transparent proceedings at all centers throughout the test's duration. The State Eligibility Test is a qualifying examination that certifies successful candidates for eligibility in higher education roles, including lectureship positions at college level, making it a critical milestone in the academic and professional journeys of aspiring educators. Ajmer's role as a host city for this scale of examination, with dozens of centers accommodating thousands of candidates, reflects the city's standing as a significant educational hub in Rajasthan. The conduct of the exam across so many centers in a single day underscored the organizational capacity of the city to host major academic events. [4]
🪔 Shalini Passi Visit Brings Fresh Spotlight to Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah received renewed nationwide attention in early September 2026 when prominent personality Shalini Passi visited the famous shrine and shared pictures and videos from her visit. NDTV's travel desk reported on the visit, framing it as an occasion to provide practical information for the many visitors who consider making the journey to the dargah. The coverage offered guidance on what people planning a trip to the shrine should know before arriving, reflecting the site's enduring status as a landmark that draws pilgrims, tourists, and prominent public figures from across the country. The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the revered shrine of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose spiritual legacy has drawn devotees from many religious communities and walks of life for centuries. The site stands at the heart of Ajmer's identity as a city that carries deep spiritual significance and is visited each year by people of diverse faiths who come to seek blessings or to experience the site's remarkable atmosphere and history. Passi's documentation and public sharing of her visit on social media contributed to renewed interest in the dargah during the early September period. The NDTV coverage aimed to help prospective visitors prepare for a meaningful and informed visit to this historically significant landmark in Ajmer's cultural life. [8]
Sources: [2] Asianet Newsable · [4] Bhaskar English · [8] NDTV