India

The NTA has defended its Rs 200 answer key challenge fee, saying the system is designed to benefit all candidates. The agency said the fee discourages frivolous objections and is refunded when a candidate’s challenge to an answer is upheld.

Despite the High Court’s landmark judgement, landowners in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continue to face harassment and denial of property rights due to the persistent misuse of Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908

Though Washington remains India’s biggest customer, it no longer has to be the only one that matters

The Congress defended its practice of singing only the first two stanzas of ‘Vande Mataram’ at party events, citing a 1937 CWC decision and the views of leaders like Gandhi, Netaji and Tagore, amid criticism from the BJP over the issue

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has proposed a regional bullet train corridor linking Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, along with common logistics, power and tourism networks, at the Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Amit Shah

Protests intensified in Karnataka’s Cauvery basin, especially Mandya, over the release of water from KRS dam to Tamil Nadu. Farmers questioned the decision amid concerns over water availability, while political leaders demanded a halt to the release

India and Japan will explore joint development in naval shipbuilding and design, leveraging Japan’s technological expertise and India’s production capabilities. The two countries also agreed to strengthen maritime security cooperation, ship repair, naval exercises and information sharing.

The Supreme Court has formed a five-member high-powered committee headed by Justice R Subhash Reddy to examine allegations of police excesses during Delhi student protests and violence against security personnel. The panel will submit periodic findings and recommend further action

Tamil Nadu has urged the Centre to continue the freeze on Lok Sabha seats at 543 nationally and 39 in the state, citing concerns over delimitation and political representation. The state also said the Cauvery dispute was not discussed at the meeting

The Andaman and Nicobar administration has withdrawn its Expression of Interest for a private sector-led green AI or data centre in Great Nicobar or Little Andaman. The administration cited administrative reasons for withdrawing the EoI issued earlier this month.

The Delhi High Court has said a live-in relationship between consenting adults is akin to marriage and that parents or friends cannot interfere with their choice. The court granted police protection to a couple allegedly facing threats from the woman’s family

The Opposition has criticised the reconstitution of NCERT's textbook development team for Classes 11 and 12 political science, alleging RSS and ABVP influence. The BJP rejected the criticism, accusing previous UPA governments of favouring Left-leaning academics in educational institutions.

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre's Grievance Appellate Committee to consider a complaint seeking removal of allegedly inflammatory and derogatory YouTube videos targeting Shirdi Sai Baba. The court also sought responses from MeitY, GAC and Google LLC.

Maharashtra RTOs have launched a statewide drive to test the working knowledge of Marathi among taxi and autorickshaw drivers. Those unable to answer a 16-question test satisfactorily will receive one-month notices and face badge suspension if they fail again.

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan raised the Mullaperiyar dam issue at the Southern Zonal Council meeting, offering Tamil Nadu its full water share from a proposed new dam. He also sought cooperation on healthcare, infrastructure, security and environmental concerns

The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom companies to strictly enforce the nine-SIM limit for individual subscribers from August 24. Customers will have to declare existing mobile connections, while the Digital Intelligence Platform will help telcos identify subscribers crossing the limit.

A bank employee allegedly shot dead his wife outside an ICICI Bank branch in Lucknow before killing his sister and himself. Police said marital discord was reported between the accused and his wife, while investigations and forensic examination were underway.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay called for a united southern strategy on drug control, economic growth, Blue Economy and federal rights at the Southern Zonal Council meeting, urging states to collaborate on development, security and interstate issues

The Aadhaar app has crossed 5 crore downloads, reflecting growing adoption of digital Aadhaar services. More than 60 lakh mobile numbers, 15 lakh addresses and 23 lakh email IDs have been updated through the app, while UIDAI has onboarded over 200 offline verification entities

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu on Thursday said Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann cannot dismiss serious allegations involving his government by calling them politically motivated. He urged Mann to allow the Enforcement Directorate probe to proceed and answer questions publicly

Union Home Minister Amit Shah led the Southern Zonal Council meeting, where Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar sought safeguards on delimitation and Lok Sabha seats. Discussions also covered the Mekedatu project, Cauvery water sharing, regional development and cooperation among southern states

Cockroach Janta Party convenor Abhijeet Dipke demanded Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse’s resignation, alleging government schools are in deplorable condition and claiming “ministers’ dogs get better facilities” than students.

A six-year-old boy, Aniket, was killed by a leopard while playing outside his home in Khushalpur Mundka village, officials said. His remains were found in a nearby sugarcane field after an overnight search. Forest officials alerted villagers and installed a cage

Google has announced a one-year free AI Plus subscription for eligible college students in India, offering access to advanced AI tools, Gemini Omni, higher usage limits, 400 GB storage, and a dedicated student hub with personalised study features.