The Supreme Court has overturned the Gauhati High Court's rulings on foreigner status, with Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta calling for a re-examination of cases by tribunals. They highlighted that citizenship matters hold significant constitutional weight and must be approached with procedural fairness, stressing the state's duty to safeguard against misuse of citizenship assertions.

A vacation bench comprising Justice GR Swaminathan and Justice V Lakshminarayanan passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking to prevent the slaughter of cows in places other than designated slaughterhouses. «The question that calls for consideration in this PIL is whether cows and calves can be sacrificed in places not designated as slaughterhouses on the occasion of Bakrid?» the bench observed.

The Act empowers the BJP government with sweeping powers including preventive detention, property confiscation and the removal of suspected troublemakers from specific areas. The government says the law is aimed at tackling organised crime and anti-social activities, while the Opposition has criticised it as draconian and vulnerable to misuse. The government says the legislation is designed to strengthen public safety.

Mamata Banerjee's government had declared August 16 as Khela Hobey Divas in 2021 following the TMC's assembly election victory. The day was officially promoted as a sports initiative aimed at encouraging young people through football tournaments and the distribution of sports equipment. However, the slogan was an apparent dig as Didi had led her last term campaign with «Khela Hobey» slogan.

Integrated science lab coverage in secondary schools fell to 54.6% in 2025-26. The number of schools with these labs increased by 10,000 over three years. However, the total number of secondary schools expanded at a faster rate. Government schools saw a slight increase, while aided and private schools experienced declines. State-level data reveals significant disparities in lab availability across India.

Government schools have significantly improved internet connectivity and smart classroom access. Their internet coverage increased substantially, narrowing the gap with private institutions. Computer availability also saw improvements across all school management types. Smart classroom coverage nationally rose, with government schools showing notable gains. Digital libraries remain scarce across most educational institutions.

Three alleged liquor smugglers died in Samastipur district over four days. One incident involved the murder of Prabhat Choudhary and his associate Sunny Kumar. Another victim, Ishant Kumar, was kidnapped and murdered, his body later found buried. Police suspect financial disputes and prior working relationships led to these killings. Authorities are intensifying their crackdown on liquor smuggling networks in the region.

A Bengaluru food vlogger reported a frightening incident involving a delivery agent. The agent allegedly forced his way into her washroom and exposed himself. Police arrested the 22-year-old delivery agent, Vijay Mallikarjun Kamat, following the complaint. Kamat claimed he only needed to use the washroom and denied exposing himself. Flipkart confirmed the termination of the delivery partner's engagement after the incident.

A 12th-century sculpture previously identified as Saraswati has been correctly identified as Gayatri. Digital documentation and 3D mapping revealed iconographic clues missed for centuries. The absence of a veena, a common Saraswati attribute, proved crucial in this re-identification. This rare image of Gayatri, embodying Vedic wisdom, was unearthed in Dhar. The rediscovered icon now represents Madhya Pradesh's digital heritage mission.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case concerning alleged encroachment of three historic water bodies. Petitioners accuse the Bihar government of threatening these lakes through a beautification project. Locals argue the government's plan constitutes encroachment disguised as development. The case highlights a broader decline in Bihar's water bodies over decades. Experts emphasize the need for ecosystem preservation and community involvement.

Smaller urban centers are leading India's rooftop solar adoption, surpassing major metropolitan areas. The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana promotes rooftop solar installations for households. This government scheme has seen rapid progress and aims to benefit many households. Over 36 lakh rooftop solar systems have already been installed across the country. Efforts are now focused on expanding urban reach and assisting low-income households.

Vietnamese police arrested the speedboat captain after the vessel capsized near Phu Quoc island. Fifteen Indian tourists tragically died when the boat overturned in rough seas on Saturday. Rescuers recovered twenty-one individuals from the water, and authorities are investigating the incident. The remains of the deceased Indians have reached Ho Chi Minh City for repatriation. Most rescued Indian tourists are returning home, while one remains hospitalized.

India's monsoon has weakened again after a week of good showers. The nationwide rainfall deficit has widened to eighteen percent on Sunday. Subdued rainfall activity is predicted over several key regions for the next week. This dry spell could undermine recent gains in agricultural sowing activities. Fifteen states are currently reporting significant rainfall deficits of twenty percent or more.

Police arrested three publishers in Jammu and Noida over controversial books. These books, which glorified separatists, were supplied to government school libraries. Officials suspended education department staff and ordered an inquiry into the matter. Sub-committees had shortlisted titles, but these two books were flagged later. The investigation aims to determine how the books reached schools despite scrutiny.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed frustration over the delayed restoration of statehood. He questioned the central government's stance on protests and assembly discussions regarding this issue. Abdullah announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20. He reminded Prime Minister Narendra Modi of his past assurance on the matter. The National Conference will continue its democratic campaign until statehood is reinstated.

Flash floods inundated hotels and huts in Pahalgam after a cloudburst on Saturday evening. The deluge damaged roads, power infrastructure, and agricultural fields along Overa stream. Around eleven villages experienced severe effects, with roads cut off and utilities disrupted. Tourists described sudden water gushing into hotels, leading to swift evacuations. Questions arose regarding hotel constructions within flood channels over recent years.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the mega plantation drive, 'Maha Vriksharopan 2026' with a target to plant 35 crore saplings across the state under the central theme «Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam» (One Tree in the Name of Mother), is a grand endeavour to express gratitude to Mother Earth.

India announced one day of national mourning for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, father of current Qatar ruler. The National Flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country tomorrow. Prime Minister Modi remembered him as a visionary leader and true friend. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013. He voluntarily abdicated power to his son in 2013.

Regulator steps up 'Be the Eyes of Food Safety' campaign, urges consumers to flag unhygienic kitchens and unsafe food through its Food Safety Connect platform

A landmark study puts a dollar figure on India's forests at national scale — and the number is staggering. Yet these ecosystems remain invisible in official accounts, driving decisions that quietly destroy billions in natural wealth.

Omar Abdullah criticized the BJP for repeatedly promising Jammu and Kashmir statehood. He alleged the party exploits divisions to gain power in various Indian states. Abdullah stated restoring statehood is a commitment, not a favor to the people. He challenged any BJP candidate to deny promising statehood restoration during elections. The National Conference leader highlighted the BJP's selective memory regarding election promises.

Arvind Kejriwal alleged a cover-up in the Ayodhya temple donation theft case. He accused the system of shielding those responsible for the alleged theft. The Aam Aadmi Party organized a Sundarkand recitation program in Delhi. Kejriwal announced a nationwide signature campaign seeking strict punishment for the accused. The BJP criticized the event as a political gimmick to improve Kejriwal's standing.

An all-party meeting is scheduled for July 19 before the Monsoon Session begins. The government will present its legislative agenda, and opposition parties will voice their concerns. The NEET-UG paper leak and defense minister's remarks are key opposition issues. Parliament will convene from July 20 to August 13 for discussions. Several significant bills and a constitutional amendment are expected during the session.

Uttarakhand government ordered action against officials for financial irregularities. An inquiry found advance funds released without proper approval from the temple corpus. Separately, a Special Investigation Team is probing alleged donation theft at Badrinath temple. CCTV footage shows a suspended employee suspiciously collecting cash from the donation room. The investigation continues with witness statements and evidence analysis.

A parliamentary panel noted concerns about the anti-corruption bill's arrest clause. Stakeholders found removing officials after thirty days constitutionally problematic. The draft report suggests a sunset clause for automatic reversal of barring. It also proposes using «suspension» instead of «removal» to avoid stigma. The committee's recommendations will be tabled in Lok Sabha soon.

Enforcement Directorate agents are examining Dharmesh Sangani's recovered mobile phone. This businessman faces probes in the UK and US for alleged gold smuggling. The device was retrieved after Sangani threw it from his apartment as agents approached. Authorities suspect a larger gold smuggling and money laundering operation involving influential people. The ED is investigating violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act against Sangani's company.

A sponsored Vietnam trip became a tragedy for several Indian families. A boat carrying thirty-two Indian tourists capsized off Phu Quoc Island. Several individuals from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala lost their lives. Families are awaiting the repatriation of bodies from Vietnam. The vacation was organized by a private medical company.