Microsoft has announced a voluntary exit programme for eligible employees in India, the US, the UK, and Canada, providing financial support and career planning resources to those who choose to leave the company. The offer, available to employees at level 70 and below in participating teams, aims to offer flexibility and allow businesses to adjust their workforce.
The Indian Olympic Association has formed a five-member Games Technical Conduct Committee to oversee the technical aspects and sports programme of the 39th National Games, scheduled for Meghalaya in 2027. The committee, chaired by Sunaina Kumari, will ensure technical compliance and athlete-centred preparation for the event.
Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai has alleged that Nepalese nationals were added to the state's electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and that voters were illegally shifted between constituencies. He has demanded an impartial investigation into these alleged irregularities, calling for deletion of illegal entries and action against those responsible.
Ashok Thombre, international business advisor at The Quantico, shortlists some of the most popular government competitive exams in India that attract thousands of aspirants every year.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has announced the selection criteria for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, largely retaining the Olympic Selection Trials (OST) format used for the 2024 Paris Games. This system, which calculates a shooter's Final Average Score (FAS) and Quota Bonus Points (QBP), faced discontent and legal challenges in the previous cycle, with some quota winners losing their spots. The NRAI mandates participation in at least three of four OSTs and reiterates that Olympic quota places belong to the country, not the individual athlete.
Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu are among 12 prominent sportspersons vying for a spot on the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission. The elections, scheduled for November 3, will select 10 members for the 2026-2030 term. The article also details the electoral process, eligibility criteria, and mentions the upcoming election for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs).
A controversy has erupted over the selection of the Indian polo team for the upcoming World Cup Zonal Playoffs, with a dropped player alleging irregularities and questioning the inclusion of an athlete who previously tested positive for cocaine. The coach defended the player's selection, stating his ban had ended, while an IPA executive committee member confirmed a panel had decided against allowing the player to represent India internationally for two years, making his inclusion puzzling.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting Joint CSIR-UGC NET, a national-level examination to determine the eligibility of Indian candidates for various academic and research opportunities at Indian universities and colleges through the computer based test (CBT) mode. These include the junior research fellowship (JRF), appointment as an assistant professor, eligibility for both assistant professor positions and PhD admission and admission to PhD programmes.
Thousands of protesters, including farmers, trade unionists, students, and Left party members, marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging 'vote chori' and exclusion of eligible citizens.
The Gauhati court ruled that Rajive Mohan Pant did not meet the minimum experience requirement and ordered a fresh selection process within four months.
The Delhi High Court has directed the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) to decide on two show-cause notices issued to grappler Vinesh Phogat within two weeks. The notices concern alleged anti-doping rule violations and misconduct. The court emphasized the need for a sportsperson to be mentally relaxed for competitive events and stated that any decision taken after two weeks would be held in abeyance until January 20, 2027. Phogat's petition challenges these notices, which she claims are arbitrary and impede her return to competitive wrestling.
Top Indian athletes like PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Neeru Dhanda, and Harmanpreet Singh have been nominated by their respective National Sports Federations to the electoral college for the Indian Olympic Association's Athletes Commission polls on November 3. The article details the nomination process, eligibility criteria, and the composition of the new Athletes Commission, noting the absence of some federations and the exclusion of outgoing members like Mary Kom.
Himachal Pradesh honoured 419 outstanding sportspersons with the Him Ratna 2026 Awards, distributing Rs. 17.85 crore in prize money. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presented cheques to athletes excelling in national and international events, including Asian Games medalists and Indian women's kabaddi team members. The state government also announced increased award money, incentives for coaches, and a new 'Khelo Himachal Campaign' to combat drug abuse and promote sports.
Thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc's rally, protesting alleged electoral irregularities. The demonstration also served as a platform for diverse concerns including unemployment, inflation, women's safety, the Manipur crisis, and rights of marginalised communities, drawing participants from across India.
Indian swimmer Himanshu Nandal won a bronze medal in the men's 400m freestyle S11 event at the Asian Para Games on Tuesday. Nandal, who is visually impaired, clocked 5 minutes and 10.91 seconds. Another Indian swimmer, Ravi Karthik Budigina, finished fifth in the men's 400m freestyle S13, having previously won a silver on Monday.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has debarred Aditya Motegaonkar, son of Shivraj Motegaonkar, an accused in the NEET-UG paper leak case, from appearing in the examination for two years. He is also ineligible for the NEET-UG 2027 exam. The CBI alleges his father paid Rs 5 lakh for chemistry questions, which Aditya reportedly received in coaching classes. Aditya denies any wrongdoing, questioning the withholding of his retest results.
The AICF's proposed constitution could change the symbolism of its top office. The president may no longer remain merely the king on the chessboard -- important to the organisation but with limited reach -- and could become something closer to the queen, influencing internal governance, external representation and emergency decision-making.
rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with nearly 34 years of experience in teaching, research and career guidance, explains the benefits of pursuing higher education in India.
The Supreme Court has ruled that foreign nationals can be granted bail under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) if their initial entry into India was legal and authorised, even if they overstayed their visa. This decision upheld a Madras High Court order granting bail to a Sri Lankan national accused in a terror case, stating that the prosecution failed to prove illegal entry. The court clarified the conjunctive conditions of Section 43D(7) of UAPA, emphasising that both foreign nationality and unauthorised entry must be proven to deny bail.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha and several Olympic medallists are among 27 former athletes contesting for eight Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) positions. These elected SOMs will become members of the IOA General Assembly and will be eligible to vote in the December 5 polls for the new Executive Council. The virtual election for SOMs is scheduled for November 9, with scrutiny of nominations on November 3 and the final list of candidates on November 7.
The nomination papers of all 12 candidates, including Olympic medallists PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu, for the Indian Olympic Association's (IOA) Athletes Commission election were found valid on Thursday after scrutiny. The election for 10 members of the commission for the 20262030 term is scheduled for November 3.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has debarred Aditya Motegaonkar, son of NEET-UG paper leak accused Shivraj Motegaonkar, from the examination for two years and withheld his result, following alleged irregularities in the May 3 exam and a retest.
Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet are investigating alleged foreign interference in the recent national election, focusing on claims of efforts to influence Arab voter turnout. While Qatar has been implicated and denied involvement, the probe's scope is limited and does not question the overall election results. High-level briefings have occurred, and final findings will be submitted to the Central Elections Committee.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1 due to a prolonged governance crisis, stemming from the dissolution of EFI's executive committee by the Delhi High Court and the absence of fresh elections. This suspension bars Indian riders, officials, and horses from international competitions until new elections are held and evaluated by the FEI.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has suspended the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) from December 1, 2026, due to a prolonged governance crisis. This decision, made on October 13, 2026, means Indian riders, officials, trainers, and horses cannot participate in international competitions. The suspension stems from the Delhi High Court's dissolution of EFI's executive committee in February 2026 and the subsequent delay in holding fresh elections, despite an ad hoc committee being formed. The suspension will be reviewed after new elections are held and evaluated by the FEI.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has announced that its new Executive Council will be elected on December 5, with Sanjay Kumar Srivastava appointed as the returning officer. The electoral process, which includes elections for the Athletes' Commission on November 3 and selection of Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs), will adhere to national sports governance acts and the amended IOA Constitution. The new council will serve a four-year term (2026-2030), with current President PT Usha highlighting the importance of good governance as India eyes hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.
The ministry of education is actively formulating a computer-based testing strategy to transition the crucial NEET medical entrance exam to an online format.
Power, patronage and money fuel politics in drought: And the ruling party controls all of those, points out Aditi Phadnis.
'If you ask Prime Minister Modi prove you are Indian, as per the Election Commission's criteria, he may not be able to prove that he is an Indian.'
Rohan Bopanna, India's former world number one doubles player, has been excluded from the AITA's Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOM) roster. This exclusion is due to his failure to meet the mandatory one-year retirement criterion, as he announced his professional retirement on November 1, 2025, just shy of the October 16, 2026, deadline for the roster. Despite inquiring about his eligibility and receiving initial assurance, his continued participation on the Pro ATP tour until October 2025 meant he was still considered active.
Israel's crucial general elections witnessed over 16 per cent voter turnout in the first three hours, the highest since 1981, indicating a tight race between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and challenger Gadi Eisenkot. The election is influenced by the ongoing conflict and demands for accountability over the October 7, 2023, attack, with Arab citizens' participation potentially playing a significant role in the outcome.
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu is set to compete in the women's 53kg category at the IWF World Championships in Ningbo, China, marking her debut in this weight class. This move is strategic as her preferred 48kg/49kg categories will not feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While not expected to medal in this initial outing, the event serves as a crucial step in her Olympic qualification journey. Other Indian lifters, including Gyaneshwari Yadav and Lovepreet Singh, are also participating, aiming to improve their personal bests and earn ranking points for the upcoming Games.
Indian para swimmers Ravi Budigina, Himanshu Nandal, and Rohit Kumar have secured multiple medals at the Asian Para Games. Budigina won a silver in the men's 100m backstroke S13, his second silver of the current edition. Nandal clinched his second bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke S11, while Rohit Kumar added another bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke SB4 event.
India's drug price regulator, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), has significantly reduced the maximum retail prices (MRPs) of 543 cancer drug brands and pack sizes, with some reductions reaching up to 93 per cent. However, expensive innovator drugs from multinational corporations, including high-selling Bevacizumab and immunotherapy Keytruda, remain unaffected, highlighting limitations in the price control intervention.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an urgent appeal to right-wing Likud voters on Tuesday, warning of high Arab voter turnout in the ongoing parliamentary election. He claimed Arab voters were "racing to the ballots" and attempting to "steal the election," echoing a controversial tactic from 2015. Netanyahu stressed the importance of every vote for the future of the "Jewish state," as Arab citizens' participation could significantly influence the political balance.
Partial results from Israel's general election indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc remains short of a parliamentary majority with 54 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats, leading to a potential coalition deadlock.
India is sending a 17-member contingent, led by table tennis player Syndrela Das and swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu, to the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. The team will compete in 11 sports, with athletes like Sarthak Arya viewing the event as a crucial stepping stone for future Olympic aspirations. IOA president P T Usha highlighted the Games' importance for developing future Indian champions.
The deaths of two students in Kota, India's coaching hub, have renewed concerns over student safety and health, with one family alleging severe negligence by hostel authorities.
The Centre has appointed two directors and a joint director to the National Testing Agency (NTA) amidst ongoing reforms and scrutiny over issues like the NEET paper leak. These appointments are part of a broader overhaul of the NTA's examination system.
'Details of accounts such as the name, email id associated with the account, the IP address will now be shared with law enforcement agencies, which will help track down offenders faster.'
