'1991 was an exceptional period in Indian history.' 'A big 400-volt shock was administered to the system, which was required. Today, we are in a much, much better position.'
The Congress party has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent video message on paper leaks as an 'eyewash', demanding the sacking of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and accountability for the alleged brutality against student protestors. The party highlighted the government's initial denial of the NEET-UG 2026 leak and its perceived failure to address widespread irregularities.
India's gold demand saw a 6 per cent year-on-year decline in the April-June quarter of 2026, reaching 131.4 tonnes, primarily due to subdued seasonal sales, increased Customs duty, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to reduce gold purchases, according to a World Gold Council report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. He expressed the nation's hopes for outstanding performances. India has seen promising results, including a bronze medal and advancements in boxing and lawn bowls, while also facing some setbacks. Modi also highlighted a unique Sanskrit language initiative in Keralam.
At this point at 85, Sharad Pawar is like a mature but ageing trapeze artist who is assessing if he will still land on his feet if he jumps from the safe perch of INDIA to the NDA. Can a Great Betrayal be presented as a tactical move? Watch Sharad Pawar do it, predicts Aditi Phadnis.
It is plain to see that the US senate bill's real objective is to derail India's time-tested strategic partnership with Russia, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has urged India's youth to dedicate themselves entirely to national interest, rising above personal gains to capitalise on the current 'window of opportunity' for building a stronger nation. He emphasised that true freedom is not merely doing what one wants, but involves commitment and sacrifice for the country's progress.
After six days of stalemate, a discussion on the anti-paper leak bill began on Tuesday in Lok Sabha with the government describing it as a reaffirmation of ruling dispensation's commitment to safeguard the welfare of students but opposition hit back over the lathi-charge on protesters, saying every blow on them hurt the government's prestige more than the backs of the youth.
Sharmila Dhankar, a para-athlete who overcame polio and personal adversity, has made history by becoming India's first para-athlete to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the women's shot put F57 event. Her season's best throw of 9.81m ended a two-decade wait for India in para-athletics at the CWG, with compatriot Shilpa Shyla also securing a bronze.
'They probably imagine any hue and cry in the event Sheikh Hasina is hanged will be shortlived as it happened when Bhutto was hanged in Pakistan in 1979.'
Actor Dia Mirza has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delayed and unempathetic response to ongoing student protests concerning alleged NEET exam irregularities and paper leaks. She highlighted his focus on fast-track courts over addressing the emotional distress of affected students and parents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, expressing confidence in their passion, determination, and spirit of excellence. He noted that the Games feature 215 events across 10 sports.
The government on Tuesday summoned a top Meta executive after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent post addressing India's youth and promising stringent measures against paper leaks was briefly restricted by Facebook, and although the US-headquartered social media giant blamed it on a technical glitch and apologised, the IT Ministry found the explanation "inadequate".
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is leading a march to the Prime Minister's residence to submit a petition with two lakh signatures against E20 petrol. He is demanding consumer choice, lower E20 prices, and transparency regarding studies supporting the fuel. The government defends the E20 programme, citing energy security and no evidence of vehicle harm.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian weightlifting team for their strong performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where they secured one gold, six silver, and one bronze medal.
India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 1.08 billion to USD 676.237 billion for the week ended July 17, primarily due to a significant rise in foreign currency assets, despite a drop in gold reserves.
President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which introduces fast-track courts and significantly enhances punishment for those involved in public examination question paper leaks.
Sharmila Dhankar, overcoming polio and an abusive marriage, made history by winning India's first para-athletics gold medal in 20 years at the Commonwealth Games in the women's shot put F57 event. Her compatriot Shilpa Shyla also secured a bronze after a protest. Dhankar's inspiring journey from Haryana to international success, supported by her family and second husband, highlights her remarkable resilience and dedication to para-athletics.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has voiced his support for the ongoing student protests against exam paper leaks, characterising it as a "revolt against feeling of suppression in a democracy." His comments follow similar calls from other prominent sports personalities like Sachin Tendulkar and Shubman Gill for lasting solutions. Students are demanding the removal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured steps to protect student interests amidst the protests, which recently saw a 'Sansad Chalo' march met with police action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the nation in congratulating Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu for winning her third Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow. Chanu delivered a commanding performance in the women's 48kg category, shattering Commonwealth and Games records. PM Modi also lauded Rishikanta Singh for his silver medal, marking a historic achievement for Manipur.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has intensified his criticism of the government, demanding the immediate removal of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi following alleged pellet gun injuries to student protesters.
Parliament embraced Gen Z lingo during a Lok Sabha debate on the crucial anti-paper leak amendment bill.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju met Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to discuss resolving the persistent deadlock in the Lok Sabha's monsoon session, focusing on the Delimitation Bill and FCRA Bill, though no immediate commitment was secured from the Congress leader.
The article details instances where the Narendra Modi government has yielded to public and political pressure since 2014, leading to policy reversals and ministerial resignations. It highlights the recent resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak, alongside past events like the withdrawal of land acquisition amendments, M.J. Akbar's resignation, the repeal of farm laws, and other policy retreats.
Top BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and party president Nitin Nabin, met at PM Modi's residence ahead of the Parliament's Monsoon session, amidst speculation of a party and cabinet reshuffle.
India will officially receive the Commonwealth Games flag at the closing ceremony on August 2, marking its role as the host for the 2030 centenary edition in Ahmedabad. The ceremony will feature a cultural presentation by Shankar Mahadevan and Rashmika Mandanna, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend.
'After more than 12 years in power, he has been forced to retreat under public pressure. The education minister's resignation is the biggest political climbdown of his government so far.'
The Congress party has criticised the Modi government's announcement of a new committee on exam reforms, alleging it is a tactic to divert public attention. The opposition highlighted that recommendations from a previous committee formed in 2024 remain largely unimplemented, while Prime Minister Modi has now constituted another high-powered task force led by Nandan Nilekani to reform NTA examinations.
'I remember that Indira Gandhi was virtually worshipped as a goddess. The kind of power wielded by Indira Gandhi in the early 1970s was much more than what Modi does today, but in just three years down the line Indira Gandhi faced defeat.' 'So you cannot take people's sentiments for granted. That is a lesson that the BJP should learn.'
Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor secured a significant victory in the Bankipur assembly bypoll, defeating the BJP candidate by over 19,000 votes. Kishor attributed his win to support from disgruntled members of major parties and potentially Gen Z protests, while firmly rejecting any future political alliances. He claimed the mandate was a wake-up call for the BJP-led government in Bihar and its Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, giving his party its maiden presence in the state assembly.
Parliament has passed The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making any insult to the national song Vande Mataram a criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment up to three years or a fine.
Following Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation amidst widespread student protests over the NEET paper leak, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi congratulated the youth, calling it a crucial step for education reform, and urged broader public action to hold the government accountable, demanding an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded young Indian innovators for the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, which made India the third nation with private orbital launch capabilities. While praising the 28-year-old average age of the Skyroot team, Modi made a veiled remark about a "56-year-old young man," widely understood to be a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who recently turned 56.
Prashant Kishor's stunning Bankipur victory has broken the BJP's three-decade dominance in one of its safest urban strongholds, signalling a major political shift in Bihar.
Former poll strategist Prashant Kishor made a stunning electoral debut by winning Bihar's Bankipur assembly seat, a long-held BJP bastion. Concurrently, the Congress retained the Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh, while the BJP successfully held onto the Manjalpur seat in Gujarat, showcasing mixed results for the ruling and opposition parties in these crucial by-elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the formation of a high-powered task force, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms for examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The task force aims to leverage technology for a robust and transparent examination system, following recent public agitation and the resignation of the Education Minister.
The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Sharad Kalaskar, who was convicted in the 2013 murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. Kalaskar, who is also facing trial for the murder of Govind Pansare, was granted bail on a surety of Rs 50,000.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students for alleged police brutality and resign along with Home Minister Amit Shah. Gandhi criticised the government's handling of student protests concerning the education and testing system, highlighting the use of force against demonstrators near Parliament.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday discussed with a group of senior ministers the prevailing global security situation and how to maintain supply chain uninterrupted despite conflicts in different zones, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Black Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were forcibly removed and detained by Delhi Police during a protest outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, demanding justice for students protesting the NEET paper leak and condemning alleged police brutalities.
