India

The AIMIM has announced that it will contest Rajasthan's upcoming Panchayat and Municipal body elections, marking its first organised grassroots electoral foray in the state. The party plans an extensive outreach campaign as it seeks to emerge as an alternative to the BJP and Congress.

A 49-year-old autorickshaw driver, Vijay Holkar, was trampled to death by an elephant while feeding it jaggery outside a police station in Indore. Police booked the mahout for negligence and are investigating whether permission was obtained to bring the elephant into the city

The Supreme Court is hearing petitions seeking an investigation into the alleged theft of offerings at the Ayodhya Ram Temple. Priests expressed confidence in the judicial process as the Uttar Pradesh government reconstituted a three-member Special Investigation Team following the apex court's directions.

FRRO and FRO officials deported nine foreign women from Jaipur for overstaying expired visas. Most were employed as spa therapists. The operation followed inspections and document checks, with authorities warning landlords, hotels and businesses to comply with immigration rules and reporting requirements

Transgender makeup artist and former reality show contestant Jaanmoni Das apologised for remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his parentage that sparked controversy. She said she did not intend to hurt anyone, admitted a lack of fact-checking, and requested forgiveness

A 16-year-old Class 11 student in Cuddalore district is fighting for her life after allegedly being stabbed in the neck by a man whose repeated advances she rejected. Police have registered a case and launched a search for the absconding accused

Congress MP Manish Tewari moved an adjournment notice in Lok Sabha seeking debate on a new anti-defection law to curb political defections while protecting dissent. The demand comes amid renewed discussions over the Tenth Schedule and recent party switches by legislators

Opposition MPs moved adjournment notices in Parliament seeking discussion on the alleged excessive use of force against students protesting over NEET paper leaks at Jantar Mantar. The notices coincide with the introduction of the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, 2026

Indian benchmark indices opened higher as falling crude oil prices boosted investor sentiment. Sensex climbed over 549 points and Nifty gained 160 points, with all sectoral indices advancing. IT, financial services and FMCG stocks led gains amid easing global oil prices

The Centre's Corporate Mitra Scheme aims to support MSMEs with affordable compliance, taxation, accounting and governance services while training young graduates as para-professionals. IICA Shillong conducted an awareness webinar to promote the initiative, particularly across the North Eastern Region

A massive fire destroyed a coconut oil mill in Kerala's Kozhikode, gutting machinery, copra stocks, stored oil and a lorry. Firefighters battled the blaze for over eight hours. Owners estimated losses exceeding Rs 7 crore, while the cause remains under investigation

Indian-origin diamond businessman Dhiru Ramani, allegedly kidnapped in Mali in April, has been released after his family reportedly paid a €4 million ransom. The 75-year-old remains in Mali for police questioning following negotiations handled privately by his US-based family

The IMD has warned of intense monsoon activity over several Indian states, with heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and winds up to 80 kmph. Authorities have advised vigilance amid risks of flooding, landslides, waterlogging, power outages and travel disruptions

The Centre will introduce the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, proposing stricter penalties for paper leaks, including up to 10 years' imprisonment, Rs 10 crore fines, asset confiscation and fast-track courts to deliver judgments within three months

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a high-powered task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend technology-driven reforms for a leakproof exam system. The move follows the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after a 36-day student agitation over paper leaks.

Delhi Police is considering action against abusive and objectionable social media posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders during the Jantar Mantar CJP protest. Notices may be issued to platforms for removal of such content, while the Social Media Monitoring Team continues to identify posts that could disturb public order.

Police action at BJP MLC C.T. Ravi’s Chikkamagaluru residence on Sunday sparked dramatic scenes after officers served him a notice to appear in a hate speech case linked to remarks made during NEET protests. Ravi refused to accept the notice, prompting police to paste it on his wall, which BJP workers later tore down amid heated exchanges.

Development should not only be measured by highways, hospitals and digital platforms, but also by how effortlessly people access them

The exit of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whose resignation was the key demand of the protesters led by the Cockroach Janata Party, should now pave the way for sincere effort to tackle the larger issue of education reforms

The Supreme Court will hear two petitions alleging excessive police force against students protesting the NEET paper leak and exam irregularities. The pleas challenge the July 20 crackdown in Delhi, while the Delhi High Court has already sought responses and ordered preservation of evidence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Viksit Vibrant Village programme encourages young people to experience India's border villages firsthand, fostering national integration, patriotism and a deeper understanding of rural aspirations through direct engagement with local communities

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Tamil Nadu on August 1, the state unit announced. The visit comes amid heightened political activity, with party leaders saying it aims to energise workers and reinforce the Congress' commitment to democracy, social justice and youth issues

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's resignation, alleging ethanol-blended fuel had damaged vehicles and calling it an "ethanol scam". The Centre, however, maintains that E20 fuel is safe, clean and beneficial for farmers

The Congress criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not referring to the student protests and alleged police brutality in his Mann Ki Baat address, accusing the government of ignoring concerns over education even after the month-long NEET agitation ended