Defending the law for regulating appointment procedures of the chief election commissioner and the deputies, the Centre on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it would be wrong to assume that the prime minister and the other ministers would act in "bad faith" and against "democracy" because they have a numerical majority in the selection procedure.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and BAI President Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled 'Peacko', the official mascot, and the championship anthem for the upcoming BWF World Championships in New Delhi. India aims to solidify its position as a global sporting destination, with the event featuring top Indian shuttlers like PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen.
The Sports Ministry has provisionally recognised the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) as a National Sports Federation (NSF). This status makes FMSCI eligible for financial grants and is a significant step in the government's efforts to bring Formula 1 racing back to India, with a Task Force also being formed to explore hosting major motorsport events.
The second edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL) will hold its player auction on Saturday in Thiruvananthapuram. Six franchises will bid for 156 players from a shortlisted pool of 173, with veteran auctioneer Charu Sharma conducting the event. Teams have a budget of Rs 50 lakh and players are categorised by experience, with varying base prices.
The Indian Special Olympics football team secured a bronze medal at the Gothia Cup in Sweden, marking their third consecutive podium finish. Special Olympics Bharat president Malika Nadda praised the team's resilience and determination, while coaches highlighted the challenges of adapting to artificial turf and expressed ambitions for future gold medals.
The Nashik District Cricket Association has announced the launch of the Nashik Women's Premier League, scheduled for the last week of April, aiming to provide a platform for local women cricketers to showcase their talent.
Legal database platform India Kanoon has approached the Delhi High Court, challenging a single-judge order that recognised an individual's 'right to be forgotten' and directed the platform to de-index and disable 'name-based search functionality' for certain judicial orders.
The HUMAIN AI Literacy Mission (HAILM) has been launched in India to integrate structured artificial intelligence education into schools nationwide. The initiative provides an age-appropriate AI curriculum for Classes 3-12, teacher training, and digital learning resources, aiming to equip students and educators with responsible AI understanding.
The National Jute Board has developed a jute-viscose blended apparel for Indian athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, marking the first time jute-based attire will be featured at an international multi-sport event, promoting sustainable textiles and India's jute industry.
The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order for the removal of the film 'Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legal' teaser and related online posts, following objections from actor Salman Khan regarding the unauthorised use of his name, mannerisms, and reputation for commercial gain.
Vande Mataram, the national song that has stirred passions and political controversies for more than a century, received legal protection on Thursday with Parliament passing a bill making any insult to it a punishable offence, rekindling the long-running debate over its place in India's history and identity.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has established a four-member ad-hoc committee to manage the affairs of the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI), following a directive from the Delhi High Court to restore democratic governance within the sport.
These new provisions are expected to help heirs access securities faster.
The Indian Pickleball Association has sanctioned the fourth edition of the Indian Open, to be held in Hyderabad, as a PWR 1000 event, marking a significant step for the sport in India.
Thierry Henry, including the UEFA, Belgium and several football figures questioned FIFA's late decision to suspend USA's Folarin Balogun's World Cup ban.
Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand was awarded the Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI) medal, joining a distinguished list of Indian sports legends. Anand expressed pride in being a catalyst for chess growth in India.
A new study reveals that India's annual gross primary productivity (GPP) increased significantly from 1985 to 2014 and is projected to continue rising until 2100, even under high-emissions scenarios. This enhancement is attributed to stronger precipitation and carbon dioxide fertilisation effects, with the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Northeastern India, and the Western Ghats expected to see the largest increases.
Police in Faridkot, Punjab, have arrested an associate of the Bambiha gang and recovered illegal weapons. In a separate operation, a drug smuggler was apprehended with two kg of heroin.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for global collaboration in Artificial Intelligence development, stating it should be a "symphony" rather than a "solo performance." His remarks came at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, where 29 countries also signed an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), an independent intergovernmental body headquartered in Shanghai. China also pledged 5,000 AI research projects and training for developing nations.
President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Durand Cup 2026 trophy, marking the start of preparations for Asia's oldest football tournament. She highlighted the tournament's role in nurturing talent, promoting sportsmanship, and connecting people, while also drawing parallels to India's vision of becoming a developed nation.
FIFA is facing renewed scrutiny over its inconsistent handling of two World Cup red-card cases involving England's Jarell Quansah and the USA's Folarin Balogun. While Quansah received a two-match ban, Balogun's one-match suspension was controversially suspended, leading to accusations of external interference and a lack of transparency from the governing body.
Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand was awarded the Sports Journalists' Federation of India (SJFI) medal, joining a distinguished list of Indian sports legends. Anand expressed pride in being a catalyst for chess growth in India, receiving the honour from former India cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth.
A gym owner in Dwarka, India, was targeted in an extortion attempt by Hari Chant Jatt alias Harry Boxer, an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who demanded Rs 2 crore. The gym was later attacked with gunfire.
A gym owner in Dwarka, India, was targeted in an extortion attempt by Hari Chant Jatt alias Harry Boxer, an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, who demanded Rs 2 crore. The gym was attacked with gunfire, and police are investigating the incident.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global collaboration in artificial intelligence development, emphasising a "symphony of global collaboration" over a "solo performance" by any single nation. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi highlighted the need for ethical AI governance, shared prosperity, and addressing challenges like the widening digital divide. He also announced China's commitment to support developing countries with 5,000 AI research projects and training programmes. The event also saw 29 countries sign an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai.
The Sports Ministry has approved a 191-member Indian contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, comprising 126 athletes and 51 officials. The Ministry has stipulated that expenses for Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Executive Committee members will not be covered by the government. Additionally, National Sports Federations are required to conduct background checks on their contingents, and a performance report must be submitted post-Games.
Indian para swimmer Tejas Nandakumar has been ruled out of the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games due to a classification issue. His entry, initially accepted, was later rejected by organisers after a validation process by World Para Athletics, citing his R-2025 class status as ineligible for the G2026 competition.
IIT-Gandhinagar is reviewing Michel Danino's position as guest professor after the Supreme Court directed institutions to disassociate from him due to a controversy over a chapter on judicial corruption in a withdrawn NCERT textbook.
A 26-year-old man, allegedly associated with the Kapil Sangwan gang and involved in multiple criminal cases, has been arrested from Haryana.
Senior JD(U) leader K C Tyagi has resigned from the party after a long association, stating his commitment to ideological principles and respect for Nitish Kumar remain unchanged. He plans to decide his future course of action soon.
Rakshit Tyagi, son of slain gangster Vikki Tyagi, and an associate were arrested in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, following a shootout with police. Illegal arms were seized from their possession.
Legendary Indian sprinter and Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards. Other recipients included Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, and Anju Bobby George, recognising their significant contributions to Indian athletics.
The United States' World Cup campaign took an extraordinary turn on Sunday when FIFA made the unprecedented decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban, clearing the striker to face Belgium in Monday's last-16 clash after US President Donald Trump personally urged FIFA President Gianni Infantino to review the case.
Researchers have analysed reports of medical procedures involving electrical stimulation of awake patients' brains, identifying distinct brain regions responsible for spontaneous and voluntary laughter. This study sheds light on the complex neural mechanisms underlying human laughter, distinguishing between uncontrollable, emotionally charged laughter and controlled, conversational laughter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to New Zealand culminated in the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, with a focus on doubling trade and enhancing cooperation in sports and the Indo-Pacific region. Modi and his counterpart Christopher Luxon attended a sports showcase, acknowledging a century of sporting ties and discussing future collaborations, including India's preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2030. The visit also saw 18 concrete outcomes and 10 agreements signed, alongside discussions with business leaders.
Indian-origin NASA astronaut Anil Menon, along with two Russian cosmonauts, has embarked on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft. This marks Menon's first spaceflight, where he will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations focused on human space exploration, microgravity effects, and in-space production of advanced materials.
The Prime Volleyball League (PVL) has been officially recognised by the FIVB as India's first division professional volleyball league, marking a significant milestone for the sport in the country. This recognition allows PVL clubs to compete in international tournaments and aligns the league with global standards. The fifth season of PVL is scheduled to begin on November 30, with a players' auction on August 17 in Goa. This development is expected to further strengthen Indian volleyball's performance on the international stage.
Police investigating the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya have requested seven-day custody for two jailed accused, Ram Shankar Yadav and Subhash Srivastava. This request follows new disclosures that necessitate further verification and recovery of evidence. The court is set to hear the remand application on July 14, as investigators scrutinise financial transactions and property purchases to trace the diverted funds.
Anil Menon, a NASA astronaut of Indian descent, is embarking on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station. A former US Space Force colonel and emergency medicine physician, Menon will conduct vital experiments on the physiological effects of long-duration spaceflight, develop in-space medical technologies, and research semiconductor crystal production, contributing significantly to future deep-space missions and advanced technology.
Former India women's hockey captain Asunta Lakra has written to the Sports Ministry, SAI, and IOA, alleging institutional protection of sexual harassment and intimidation of women athletes within the sport. She claims she faced threats and a smear campaign after raising concerns about an individual, Sudhir Gola, and has accused Hockey India Secretary General Bholanath Singh of threatening her. Singh denies the allegations, linking them to upcoming elections, while Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has acknowledged Lakra's concerns and promised an amicable resolution.
