#FactCheck
Executive Summary:
A video circulating on social media falsely claims to show Indian Air Chief Marshal AP Singh admitting that India lost six jets and a Heron drone during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. It has been revealed that the footage had been digitally manipulated by inserting an AI generated voice clone of Air Chief Marshal Singh into his recent speech, which was streamed live on August 9, 2025.
Claim:
A viral video (archived video) (another link) shared by an X user stating in the caption “ Breaking: Finally Indian Airforce Chief admits India did lose 6 Jets and one Heron UAV during May 7th Air engagements.” which is actually showing the Air Chief Marshal has admitted the aforementioned loss during Operation Sindoor.
Fact Check:
By conducting a reverse image search on key frames from the video, we found a clip which was posted by ANI Official X handle , after watching the full clip we didn't find any mention of the aforementioned alleged claim.
On further research we found an extended version of the video in the Official YouTube Channel of ANI which was published on 9th August 2025. At the 16th Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture in Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh did not mention any loss of six jets or a drone in relation to the conflict with Pakistan. The discrepancies observed in the viral clip suggest that portions of the audio may have been digitally manipulated.
The audio in the viral video, particularly the segment at the 29:05 minute mark alleging the loss of six Indian jets, appeared to be manipulated and displayed noticeable inconsistencies in tone and clarity.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming that Air Chief Marshal AP Singh admitted to the loss of six jets and a Heron UAV during Operation Sindoor is misleading. A reverse image search traced the footage that no such remarks were made. Further an extended version on ANI’s official YouTube channel confirmed that, during the 16th Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre Memorial Lecture, no reference was made to the alleged losses. Additionally, the viral video’s audio, particularly around the 29:05 mark, showed signs of manipulation with noticeable inconsistencies in tone and clarity.
- Claim: Viral Video Claiming IAF Chief Acknowledged Loss of Jets Found Manipulated
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A viral video (archive link) claims General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), admitted to losing six Air Force jets and 250 soldiers during clashes with Pakistan. Verification revealed the footage is from an IIT Madras speech, with no such statement made. AI detection confirmed parts of the audio were artificially generated.
Claim:
The claim in question is that General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), admitted to losing six Indian Air Force jets and 250 soldiers during recent clashes with Pakistan.
Fact Check:
Upon conducting a reverse image search on key frames from the video, it was found that the original footage is from IIT Madras, where the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was delivering a speech. The video is available on the official YouTube channel of ADGPI – Indian Army, published on 9 August 2025, with the description:
“Watch COAS address the faculty and students on ‘Operation Sindoor – A New Chapter in India’s Fight Against Terrorism,’ highlighting it as a calibrated, intelligence-led operation reflecting a doctrinal shift. On the occasion, he also focused on the major strides made in technology absorption and capability development by the Indian Army, while urging young minds to strive for excellence in their future endeavours.”
A review of the full speech revealed no reference to the destruction of six jets or the loss of 250 Army personnel. This indicates that the circulating claim is not supported by the original source and may contribute to the spread of misinformation.
Further using AI Detection tools like Hive Moderation we found that the voice is AI generated in between the lines.
Conclusion:
The claim is baseless. The video is a manipulated creation that combines genuine footage of General Dwivedi’s IIT Madras address with AI-generated audio to fabricate a false narrative. No credible source corroborates the alleged military losses.
- Claim: AI-Generated Audio Falsely Claims COAS Admitted to Loss of 6 Jets and 250 Soldiers
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
As we researched a viral social media video we encountered, we did a comprehensive fact check utilizing reverse image search. The video circulated with the claim that it shows illegal Bangladeshi in Assam's Goalpara district carrying homemade spears and attacking a police and/or government official. Our findings are certain that this claim is false. This video was filmed in the Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh, on July 1, 2025, during a political argument involving two rival factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The footage has been intentionally misrepresented, putting the report into context regarding Assam to disseminate false information.
Claim:
The viral video shows illegal Bangladeshi immigrants armed with spears marching in Goalpara, Assam, with the intention of attacking police or officials.
Fact Check:
To establish if the claim was valid, we performed a reverse image search on some of the key frames from the video. We did our research on a number of news articles and social media posts from Bangladeshi sources. This led us to a reality check as the events confirmed in these reports took place in Ashtagram, Kishoreganj district, Bangladesh, in a violent political confrontation between factions of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on July 1, 2025, that ultimately resulted in about 40 injuries.
We also found on local media, in particular, Channel i News reported full accounts of the viral report and showed images from the video post. The individuals seen in the video were engaged in a political fight and wielding makeshift spears rather than transitioning into a cross-border attack. The Assam Police issued an official response on X (formerly Twitter) that denied the claim, while noting that nothing of that nature occurred in Goalpara nor in any other district of Assam.
Conclusion:
Based on our research, we conclude that the viral video does not show unlawful Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam. It depicts a political clash in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh, on July 1, 2025. The claim attached to the video is completely untrue and is intended to mislead the public as to where and what the incident depicted is.
Claim: Video shows illegal migrants with spears moving in groups to assault police!
Claimed On: Social Media
Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A viral claim alleges that following the Supreme Court of India’s August 11, 2025 order on relocating stray dogs, authorities in Delhi NCR have begun mass culling. However, verification reveals the claim to be false and misleading. A reverse image search of the viral video traced it to older posts from outside India, probably linked to Haiti or Vietnam, as indicated by the use of Haitian Creole and Vietnamese language respectively. While the exact location cannot be independently verified, it is confirmed that the video is not from Delhi NCR and has no connection to the Supreme Court’s directive. Therefore, the claim lacks authenticity and is misleading
Claim:
There have been several claims circulating after the Supreme Court of India on 11th August 2025 ordered the relocation of stray dogs to shelters. The primary claim suggests that authorities, following the order, have begun mass killing or culling of stray dogs, particularly in areas like Delhi and the National Capital Region. This narrative intensified after several videos purporting to show dead or mistreated dogs allegedly linked to the Supreme Court’s directive—began circulating online.
Fact Check:
After conducting a reverse image search using a keyframe from the viral video, we found similar videos circulating on Facebook. Upon analyzing the language used in one of the posts, it appears to be Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen), which is primarily spoken in Haiti. Another similar video was also found on Facebook, where the language used is Vietnamese, suggesting that the post associates the incident with Vietnam.
However, it is important to note that while these posts point towards different locations, the exact origin of the video cannot be independently verified. What can be established with certainty is that the video is not from Delhi NCR, India, as is being claimed. Therefore, the viral claim is misleading and lacks authenticity.
Conclusion:
The viral claim linking the Supreme Court’s August 11, 2025 order on stray dogs to mass culling in Delhi NCR is false and misleading. Reverse image search confirms the video originated outside India, with evidence of Haitian Creole and Vietnamese captions. While the exact source remains unverified, it is clear the video is not from Delhi NCR and has no relation to the Court’s directive. Hence, the claim lacks credibility and authenticity.
Claim: Viral fake claim of Delhi Authority culling dogs after the Supreme Court directive on the ban of stray dogs as on 11th August 2025
Claimed On: Social Media
Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A video of people throwing rocks at vehicles is being shared widely on social media, claiming an incident of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, India. However, our thorough research has revealed that the video is not from India, but from a protest in Kenya on 25 June 2025. Therefore, the video is misattributed and shared out of context to promote false information.
Claim:
The viral video shows people hurling stones at army or police vehicles and is claimed to be from Jammu and Kashmir, implying ongoing unrest and anti-government sentiment in the region.
Fact Check:
To verify the validity of the viral statement, we did a reverse image search by taking key frames from the video. The results clearly demonstrated that the video was not sourced from Jammu and Kashmir as claimed, but rather it was consistent with footage from Nairobi, Kenya, where a significant protest took place on 25 June 2025. Protesters in Kenya had congregated to express their outrage against police brutality and government action, which ultimately led to violent clashes with police.
We also came across a YouTube video with similar news and frames. The protests were part of a broader anti-government movement to mark its one-year time period.
To support the context, we did a keyword search of any mob violence or recent unrest in J&K on a reputable Indian news source, But our search did not turn up any mention of protests or similar events in J&K around the relevant time. Based on this evidence, it is clear that the video has been intentionally misrepresented and is being circulated with false context to mislead viewers.
Conclusion:
The assertion that the viral video shows a protest in Jammu and Kashmir is incorrect. The video appears to be taken from a protest in Nairobi, Kenya, in June 2025. Labeling the video incorrectly only serves to spread misinformation and stir up uncalled for political emotions. Always be sure to verify where content is sourced from before you believe it or share it.
- Claim: Army faces heavy resistance from Kashmiri youth — the valley is in chaos.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A viral video depicting a powerful tsunami wave destroying coastal infrastructure is being falsely associated with the recent tsunami warning in Japan following an earthquake in Russia. Fact-checking through reverse image search reveals that the footage is from a 2017 tsunami in Greenland, triggered by a massive landslide in the Karrat Fjord.
Claim:
A viral video circulating on social media shows a massive tsunami wave crashing into the coastline, destroying boats and surrounding infrastructure. The footage is being falsely linked to the recent tsunami warning issued in Japan following an earthquake in Russia. However, initial verification suggests that the video is unrelated to the current event and may be from a previous incident.
Fact Check:
The video, which shows water forcefully inundating a coastal area, is neither recent nor related to the current tsunami event in Japan. A reverse image search conducted using keyframes extracted from the viral footage confirms that it is being misrepresented. The video actually originates from a tsunami that struck Greenland in 2017. The original footage is available on YouTube and has no connection to the recent earthquake-induced tsunami warning in Japan
The American Geophysical Union (AGU) confirmed in a blog post on June 19, 2017, that the deadly Greenland tsunami on June 17, 2017, was caused by a massive landslide. Millions of cubic meters of rock were dumped into the Karrat Fjord by the landslide, creating a wave that was more than 90 meters high and destroying the village of Nuugaatsiaq. A similar news article from The Guardian can be found.
Conclusion:
Videos purporting to depict the effects of a recent tsunami in Japan are deceptive and repurposed from unrelated incidents. Users of social media are urged to confirm the legitimacy of such content before sharing it, particularly during natural disasters when false information can exacerbate public anxiety and confusion.
- Claim: Recent natural disasters in Russia are being censored
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A video went viral on social media claiming to show a bridge collapsing in Bihar. The video prompted panic and discussions across various social media platforms. However, an exhaustive inquiry determined this was not real video but AI-generated content engineered to look like a real bridge collapse. This is a clear case of misinformation being harvested to create panic and ambiguity.
Claim:
The viral video shows a real bridge collapse in Bihar, indicating possible infrastructure failure or a recent incident in the state.
Fact Check:
Upon examination of the viral video, various visual anomalies were highlighted, such as unnatural movements, disappearing people, and unusual debris behavior which suggested the footage was generated artificially. We used Hive AI Detector for AI detection, and it confirmed this, labelling the content as 99.9% AI. It is also noted that there is the absence of realism with the environment and some abrupt animation like effects that would not typically occur in actual footage.
No valid news outlet or government agency reported a recent bridge collapse in Bihar. All these factors clearly verify that the video is made up and not real, designed to mislead viewers into thinking it was a real-life disaster, utilizing artificial intelligence.
Conclusion:
The viral video is a fake and confirmed to be AI-generated. It falsely claims to show a bridge collapsing in Bihar. This kind of video fosters misinformation and illustrates a growing concern about using AI-generated videos to mislead viewers.
Claim: A recent viral video captures a real-time bridge failure incident in Bihar.
Claimed On: Social Media
Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A manipulated viral photo of a Maldivian building with an alleged oversized portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the words "SURRENDER" went viral on social media. People responded with fear, indignation, and anxiety. Our research, however, showed that the image was manipulated and not authentic.
Claim:
A viral image claims that the Maldives displayed a huge portrait of PM Narendra Modi on a building front, along with the phrase “SURRENDER,” implying an act of national humiliation or submission.
Fact Check:
After a thorough examination of the viral post, we got to know that it had been altered. While the image displayed the same building, it was wrong to say it included Prime Minister Modi’s portrait along with the word “SURRENDER” shown in the viral version. We also checked the image with the Hive AI Detector, which marked it as 99.9% fake. This further confirmed that the viral image had been digitally altered.
During our research, we also found several images from Prime Minister Modi’s visit, including one of the same building displaying his portrait, shared by the official X handle of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The post mentioned “His Excellency Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi was warmly welcomed by His Excellency President Dr.@MMuizzu at Republic Square, where he was honored with a Guard of Honor by #MNDF on his state visit to Maldives.” This image, captured from a different angle, also does not feature the word “surrender.
Conclusion:
The claim that the Maldives showed a picture of PM Modi with a surrender message is incorrect and misleading. The image is altered and is being spread to mislead people and stir up controversy. Users should check the authenticity of photos before sharing.
- Claim: Viral image shows the Maldives mocking India with a surrender sign
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A widely circulated claim on social media indicates that six soldiers of the Assam Rifles were killed during a retaliatory attack carried out by a Myanmar-based breakaway faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), or ULFA (I). The post included a photograph of coffins covered in Indian flags with reference to soldiers who were part of the incident where ULFA (I) killed six soldiers. The post was widely shared, however, the fact-check confirms that the photograph is old, not related, and there are no trustworthy reports to indicate that any such incident took place. This claim is therefore false and misleading.
Claim:
Social media users claimed that the banned militant outfit ULFA (I) killed six Assam Rifles personnel in retaliation for an alleged drone and missile strike by Indian forces on their camp in Myanmar with captions on it “Six Indian Army Assam Rifles soldiers have reportedly been killed in a retaliatory attack by the Myanmar-based ULFA group.”. The claim was accompanied by a viral post showing coffins of Indian soldiers, which added emotional weight and perceived authenticity to the narrative.
Fact Check:
We began our research with a reverse image search of the image of coffins in Indian flags, which we saw was shared with the viral claim. We found the image can be traced to August 2013. We found the traces in The Washington Post, which confirms the fact that the viral snap is from the Past incident where five Indian Army soldiers were killed by Pakistani intruders in Poonch, Jammu, and Kashmir, on August 6, 2013.
Also, The Hindu and India Today offered no confirmation of the death of six Assam Rifles personnel. However, ULFA (I) did issue a statement dated July 13, 2025, claiming that three of its leaders had been killed in a drone strike by Indian forces.
However, by using Shutterstock, it depicts that the coffin's image is old and not representative of any current actions by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
The Indian Army denied it, with Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat telling reporters there were "no inputs" of such an operation. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also rejected that there was cross-border military action whatsoever. Therefore, the viral claim is false and misleading.
Conclusion:
The assertion that ULFA (I) killed six soldiers from the 6th Assam Rifles in a retaliation strike is incorrect. The viral image used in these posts is from 2013 in Jammu & Kashmir and has no relevance to the present. There have been no verified reports of any such killings, and both the Indian Army and the Assam government have categorically denied having conducted or knowing of any cross-border operation. This faulty narrative is circulating, and it looks like it is only inciting fear and misinformation therefore, please ignore it.
- Claim: Report confirms the death of six Assam Rifles personnel in an ULFA-led attack.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A video circulating on social media falsely claims that India’s Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, has endorsed an investment platform promising unusually high returns. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the video is a deepfake—digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence. The Finance Minister has made no such endorsement through any official platform. This incident highlights a concerning trend of scammers using AI-generated videos to create misleading and seemingly legitimate advertisements to deceive the public.
Claim:
A viral video falsely claims that the Finance Minister of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is endorsing an investment platform, promoting it as a secure and highly profitable scheme for Indian citizens. The video alleges that individuals can start with an investment of ₹22,000 and earn up to ₹25 lakh per month as guaranteed daily income.
Fact check:
By doing a reverse image search from the key frames of the viral fake video we found an original YouTube clip of the Finance Minister of India delivering a speech on the webinar regarding 'Regulatory, Investment and EODB reforms'. Upon further research we have not found anything related to the viral investment scheme in the whole video.
The manipulated video has had an AI-generated voice/audio and scripted text injected into it to make it appear as if she has approved an investment platform.
The key to deepfakes is that they seem relatively realistic in their facial movement; however, if you look closely, you can see that there are mismatched lip-syncing and visual transitions that are out of the ordinary, and the results prove our point.
Also, there doesn't appear to be any acknowledgment of any such endorsement from a legitimate government website or a credible news outlet. This video is a fabricated piece of misinformation to attempt to scam the viewers by leveraging the image of a trusted public figure.
Conclusion:
The viral video showing the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman promoting an investment platform is fake and AI-generated. This is a clear case of deepfake misuse aimed at misleading the public and luring individuals into fraudulent schemes. Citizens are advised to exercise caution, verify any such claims through official government channels, and refrain from clicking on unknown investment links circulating on social media.
- Claim: Nirmala Sitharaman promoted an investment app in a viral video.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
Social media has been overwhelmed by a viral post that claims Indian Railways is beginning to install solar panels directly on railway tracks all over the country for renewable energy purposes. The claim also purports that India will become the world's first country to undertake such a green effort in railway systems. Our research involved extensive reverse image searching, keyword analysis, government website searches, and global media verification. We found the claim to be completely false. The viral photos and information are all incorrectly credited to India. The images are actually from a pilot project by a Swiss start-up called Sun-Ways.
Claim:
According to a viral post on social media, Indian Railways has started an all-India initiative to install solar panels directly on railway tracks to generate renewable energy, limit power expenses, and make global history in environmentally sustainable rail operations.
Fact check:
We did a reverse image search of the viral image and were soon directed to international media and technology blogs referencing a project named Sun-Ways, based in Switzerland. The images circulated on Indian social media were the exact ones from the Sun-Ways pilot project, whereby a removable system of solar panels is being installed between railway tracks in Switzerland to evaluate the possibility of generating energy from rail infrastructure.
We also thoroughly searched all the official Indian Railways websites, the Ministry of Railways news article, and credible Indian media. At no point did we locate anything mentioning Indian Railways engaging or planning something similar by installing solar panels on railway tracks themselves.
Indian Railways has been engaged in green energy initiatives beyond just solar panel installation on program rooftops, and also on railway land alongside tracks and on train coach roofs. However, Indian Railways have never installed solar panels on railway tracks in India. Meanwhile, we found a report of solar panel installations on the train launched on 14th July 2025, first solar-powered DEMU (diesel electrical multiple unit) train from the Safdarjung railway station in Delhi. The train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana. A total of 16 solar panels, each producing 300 Wp, are fitted in six coaches.
We also found multiple links to support our claim from various media links: Euro News, World Economy Forum, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, and NDTV.
Conclusion:
After extensive research conducted through several phases including examining facts and some technical facts, we can conclude that the claim that Indian Railways has installed solar panels on railway tracks is false. The concept and images originate from Sun-Ways, a Swiss company that was testing this concept in Switzerland, not India.
Indian Railways continues to use renewable energy in a number of forms but has not put any solar panels on railway tracks. We want to highlight how important it is to fact-check viral content and other unverified content.
- Claim: India’s solar track project will help Indian Railways run entirely on renewable energy.
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Executive Summary:
A viral thumbnail and numerous social posts state that the government of India is giving unemployed youth ₹4,500 a month under a program labeled "PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana." This claim has been shared on multiple online platforms.. It has given many job-seeking individuals hope, however, when we independently researched the claim, there was no verified source of the scheme or government notification.
Claim:
The viral post states: "The Central Government is conducting a scheme called PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana in which any unemployed youth would be given ₹ 4,500 each month. Eligible candidates can apply online and get benefits." Several videos and posts show suspicious and unverified website links for registration, trying to get the general public to share their personal information.
Fact check:
In the course of our verification, we conducted a research of all government portals that are official, in this case, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, PMO India, MyScheme, MyGov, and Integrated Government Online Directory, which lists all legitimate Schemes, Programmes, Missions, and Applications run by the Government of India does not posted any scheme related to the PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana.
Numerous YouTube channels seem to be monetizing false narratives at the expense of sentiment, leading users to misleading websites. The purpose of these scams is typically to either harvest data or market pay-per-click ads that suspend disbelief in outrageous claims.
Our research findings were backed up later by the PIB Fact Check which shared a clarification on social media. stated that: “No such scheme called ‘PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana’ is in existence. The claim that has gone viral is fake”.
To provide some perspective, in 2021-22, the Rajasthan government launched a state-level program under the Mukhyamantri Udyog Sambal Yojana (MUSY) that provided ₹4,500/month to unemployed women and transgender persons, and ₹4000/month to unemployed males. This was not a Central Government program, and the current viral claim falsely contextualizes past, local initiatives as nationwide policy.
Conclusion:
The claim of a ₹4,500 monthly unemployment benefit under the PM Berojgari Bhatta Yojana is incorrect. The Central Government or any government department has not launched such a scheme. Our claim aligns with PIB Fact Check, which classifies this as a case of misinformation. We encourage everyone to be vigilant and avoid reacting to viral fake news. Verify claims through official sources before sharing or taking action. Let's work together to curb misinformation and protect citizens from false hopes and data fraud.
- Claim: A central policy offers jobless individuals ₹4,500 monthly financial relief
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
