India

India’s water crisis is also a gender and labour crisis. The unpaid burden of fetching water costs women time, education, income, and opportunity—and demands policy recognition 

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as Education Minister, alleging it sends a wrong message on women’s safety. The BJP has faced criticism from Congress over Joshi’s remarks on the Bilkis Bano case

The CBI has filed a chargesheet against 13 accused in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. The accused face charges under multiple laws, while authorities have initiated fast-track measures to speed up trials and strengthen action against examination-related offences

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Education Minister Pralhad Joshi of defending rapists and criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for appointing him. Priyanka Gandhi echoed the attack in Lok Sabha, while the BJP demanded proof. Congress cited Joshi's past remarks on the Bilkis Bano convicts' release

The Supreme Court suggested that the Centre consider defining digital arrest as a standalone criminal offence with stricter penalties. The court also proposed asset freezing against accused persons and flagged the growing threat of deepfakes and cyber fraud

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi criticised the government during the Lok Sabha debate on the Public Examinations Amendment Bill, raising concerns over student protests, paper leaks, unemployment and education reforms. She urged accountability and called for measures to rebuild youth trust

The Supreme Court ruled that the National Commission for Scheduled Castes cannot issue binding directions in service matters, stating its constitutional role is limited to advisory and recommendatory functions. The judgment came while allowing Mumbai Port Authority's appeal against an NCSC order

The Lok Sabha began debating the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which proposes stricter penalties, higher fines and faster investigations and trials to curb examination fraud and paper leaks while strengthening safeguards for competitive examinations

The government informed Lok Sabha that India's Cell Broadcast Alert System provides geo-targeted disaster warnings in regional languages across all mobile networks. The system issues alerts for events including cyclones, floods, avalanches and industrial disasters through the NDMA's Common Alerting Protocol

The Supreme Court was told that the Allahabad High Court could not have proceeded with the Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid survey matter after the apex court's December 2024 order restricting fresh proceedings in religious place disputes. The hearing will continue on August 4

TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee supported the Public Examination Amendment Bill, 2026, but accused the BJP-led government of failing to protect students and examinations. He said stricter laws alone cannot restore trust lost due to repeated paper leak controversies

The FIDE World Championship Match 2026 between reigning champion Gukesh D and challenger Javokhir Sindarov will be held in Geneva from November 25 to December 15. The contest will be the youngest World Championship match in chess history, featuring two 20-year-old grandmasters

The MEA said six Indian ships carrying 125 seafarers remain west of the Strait of Hormuz, while 41 Indians are serving on foreign vessels in the region. India is closely monitoring their safety following recent attacks on merchant ships in Gulf waters

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Maharashtra Home Department to withdraw police cases against students involved in NEET protests. The move is aimed at protecting students' academic and professional futures while the State begins the legal process of withdrawing pending FIRs

The Supreme Court agreed to hear pleas by a former IPS officer and two injured persons seeking action over alleged pellet firing during the CJP-led NEET protest. The petitions also seek restrictions on use of metallic projectiles and allege police excesses

Karnataka will decide on the CWRC's direction to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu after consulting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The State cited poor monsoon, low reservoir levels and drinking water needs, while considering an appeal before the CWMA

Opposition leaders criticised the BJP over the welcome accorded to former education minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Parliament after his resignation amid NEET-UG 2026 protests. Congress leaders questioned the gesture during debate on the Public Examination Amendment Bill, alleging failure of the system

Net FDI in India declined to USD 6.95 billion in FY26 from USD 27.99 billion in FY23 due to higher repatriation by foreign investors and increased ODI outflows, the government told Rajya Sabha. Gross FDI, however, reached a record USD 94.84 billion

The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's draft final report on the June 2025 Air India AI-171 crash will be submitted in October in a sealed cover. The court also noted simulation tests conducted during the probe

Hundreds of international passengers faced long queues and delays at Chennai airport after several terminal entry gates remained closed during peak morning hours. Travellers heading to destinations including London, Dubai and Singapore urged authorities to ensure smoother access and passenger movement

The Supreme Court restrained states from taking coercive action against student protesters over exam irregularity agitations and directed preservation of digital evidence. The court said allegations of police excesses and violence require a fair probe while seeking responses from six states

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has summoned representatives of Meta, Google, X and Snapchat, along with MeitY and Home Ministry officials, for an August 3 meeting to discuss social media regulation, user privacy and public order following heightened online mobilisation during recent student protests

The BJP has intensified its Instagram outreach following the NEET-UG paper leak controversy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers using reels to engage young people, promote exam reforms and defend the government's anti-paper leak legislation amid sustained Opposition criticism

Official police records show the Rapid Action Force fired non-lethal munitions, including two rounds of plastic pellets, during the July 20 'Sansad Chalo' protest near Jantar Mantar on a Delhi Police officer's directions. The use of force has triggered political controversy