The panel, headed by Infosys co-founder and technology expert Nandan Nilekani, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month amid heightened scrutiny of the examination system following NEET-UG paper leak controversy and youth protests over alleged lapses in the test’s conduct. It will also look at measures to improve accessibility and inclusion, while factoring in student well-being during the examination process.
Speaking at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, CJI Kant said, “Countries that are finally industrialising are being asked to move rapidly towards renewable power, and are often made to bear the brunt of criticism when they cannot move fast enough.” “The challenge, therefore, is to reconcile the urgency of the clean energy transition with the principles of fairness and shared responsibility that must underpin it,” the CJI said.
Of 7,500 In Himalayan Regions, 200 Are High Risk
The recently concluded UNCCD conference in Mongolia set the stage for enhanced global drought resilience with innovative initiatives. Highlighted was a significant $1.3 billion commitment for land restoration and drought resilience projects. The newly introduced Drought Resilience Index will aid nations in evaluating their strategies, while the Drought Resilience Investment Facility seeks to attract public and private funding for impactful projects, aiming to scale solutions worldwide.
In an effort to enhance patient care, beneficiaries of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in Punjab are receiving follow-up communications from the 104 Health Helpline. The objective is to collect valuable feedback concerning their treatment journeys and medications. Such insights enable officials to identify potential post-treatment challenges and gauge satisfaction with healthcare services. Furthermore, the helpline facilitates free medical consultations and information regarding the scheme.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led Raksha Bandhan celebrations in Lucknow by participating in the Snehbandhan programme, while Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini marked the festival at Sant Kabir Kutir in Chandigarh, where schoolgirls tied rakhis to him.
In a significant announcement, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami revealed a series of initiatives aimed at empowering women. Notably, women aged sixty and older will enjoy free travel on Roadways buses. Additionally, ten electric buses in Dehradun are designated as Pink e-Buses for women’s convenience. Moreover, the loan limit for women's self-employment schemes has been raised to Rs 2.
New research reveals 61 percent of Indian children face extra heat stress annually. Climate change has doubled young children's exposure to dangerous heat levels. This exposure outpaces all other age groups, affecting millions of youngsters. Future warming scenarios project even greater heat stress for Indian children. Developing nations and younger populations bear a disproportionate burden of this threat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked Rakshabandhan by celebrating the occasion with schoolgirls at his residence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined the festivities alongside students and cadets. Notably, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi sent heartfelt greetings to the nation, emphasizing the festival's essence of mutual respect and social harmony, while wishing for strengthened bonds of affection and trust among everyone.
Jairam Ramesh criticized the Centre's new digital education initiatives. He alleged the government announced free online coaching after Rahul Gandhi's remarks. Ramesh questioned the scheme's implementation, citing a report on past enrollment shortfalls. The government's focus should be on public education, not online coaching. Rahul Gandhi's campaign highlights student concerns and women's strength in India.
A comprehensive audit of nearly five thousand kilometers of highway projects will be carried out by a third-party inspection agency. Engineers India Ltd has been chosen for these essential quality checks, aiming to rectify issues related to project shortcomings and untimely road failures. The focus will be on expressways along with six-lane and four-lane national highways, ensuring elevated quality standards in infrastructure development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic from August 29 to September 1. He will hold talks in Tashkent to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new economic opportunities. Discussions will cover trade, critical minerals, and healthcare cooperation between the nations. In Bishkek, he will attend the SCO Summit and highlight India's priorities. The visit also includes the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games.
A significant collapse in the Himalayan region caused a seismic disturbance, leading to a violent flood surge that reached Rasuwagadhi at the Nepal-Tibet border within a mere seven minutes. Recovery efforts extended across multiple districts in both Nepal and India. Alarmingly, Nepal’s flood authorities were only informed after the surge had already impacted Bhote Koshi. In response, SMS warnings were promptly issued to those residing along the riverbanks.
NDRF has deployed 20 teams — 11 in UP and nine in Bihar — for evacuation, relief and rescue operations in case these areas experience floods and waterlogging. These include an NDRF team deployed in Kushinagar district, near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. In a media briefing, NDRF IG Narendra Bundela said floods have caused massive destruction in Nepal with hundreds of people, including Indian tourists, reported missing.
PM Modi’s bilateral with Putin, the first since the Russian President visited India in Dec 2025 for the annual summit, will follow external affairs minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Moscow this week for a meeting of the 27th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation during which he also called on Putin.
Govt data showed India exported 2.4 million tonnes (MT) of diesel in July this year, up from 2.2 MT in the corresponding month last year, while total petroleum product exports rose from 5 MT to 5.5 MT. Diesel is currently commanding nearly 70% premium over crude, making exports lucrative for refiners despite the windfall gains tax govt brought in to ensure adequate domestic stocks.
