Nineteen-year-old law student Kaziah Liz Mejo from Kerala was crowned Miss Universe India 2026 at the grand finale held at Zee Studios in Jaipur on August 23.
'I moved out of my house at the age of 17 to pursue this dream. Since then, I've been doing everything by myself, managing everything by myself for this one dream of Miss Universe.'
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the establishment of India's first government-driven Artificial Intelligence University and an AI Hub in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to position Karnataka as a global leader in responsible AI innovation, fostering talent, research, and collaboration. The state seeks to become an AI-native state, leveraging AI to improve governance and daily life across various sectors.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has approved the establishment of India's first dedicated Quantum and AI University campus in Amaravati by NIELIT. This significant project, funded by the MeitY, Government of India, will focus on advanced technologies like Quantum, AI, and Semiconductors, integrating education, research, and entrepreneurship.
A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
'God has incredible plans for me and we'll see where that takes me.'
The comparisons show where last year's cutoffs are still a usable guide and where you need to reset your expectations before Round 2.
Students at NALSAR University of Law have written to the university administration, opposing the proposal to invite the Chief Justice of India as the chief guest for their convocation. Their objection stems from the CJI-led Supreme Court bench's refusal to urgently list a plea concerning alleged police brutality during a 'Chalo Sansad' protest, which students feel contradicts the university's values.
High fees do not automatically translate into better teaching or stronger clinical exposure, points out Nayagam PP, career counsellor and founder of EduJob360.
Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) Managing Director and CEO P N Vasudevan stated, "We may end up applying within a year" for a universal banking licence, while also targeting a nearly threefold increase in advances to Rs 1.2 trillion over the next five years.
'The Chinese military cannot advance much in Ladakh, even if they want to.' 'Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, they can rename a village or two, intrude here or there, but cannot do much more realistically.'
India's student housing shortage is widening, but high land costs, weak rental yields and regulatory hurdles are keeping organised developers away.
Sanjukta Parashar, an IPS officer with a formidable background in counter-insurgency, has made history by becoming the first woman inspector general of the CRPF's elite CoBRA force.
Dr Komal Verma Saluja, a final-year student at Government Medical College Kota (GMCK), has been awarded the "Researcher of the Year Award 2026" by the India chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP). She is the youngest and first medical student to receive this prestigious accolade. Saluja's research includes identifying an imaging biomarker for early cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes and developing a diagnostic method for fatty liver disease using echocardiography. Her achievements have brought pride to GMCK and highlight the need for more novel diagnostic and therapeutic research in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Russian President Vladimir Putin with a Russian translation of the Thirukkural, the classical Tamil work by poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.
International table tennis player Swastika Ghosh, a Commonwealth gold medallist, was felicitated by the University of Mumbai for her role in India's gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. She has also been selected for the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award and the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships.
Elavenil Valarivan's family celebrated her historic Asian Games silver medals, saying 12 years of dedication, sacrifice and support from coaches and authorities finally brought her long-awaited success.
Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut has opened online registrations for its 2026-27 academic session, offering new undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes in sports, including direct admission for elite athletes and a 10% reservation for outstanding sportspersons.
India's Ministry of External Affairs announced that central and state forensic laboratories will provide DNA profiling services for first-degree relatives in India to help identify victims of the recent Nepal flash floods. This initiative supports Nepal's ongoing identification process, with specific guidelines for sample collection and submission of DNA profiles to Nepali authorities.
The first phase of the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls recorded a 36% voter turnout, with a keen contest between ABVP, NSUI, and the AISA-SFI alliance. Student concerns like accountability, affordable accommodation, and accessible administration were prominent, influenced by past protests. The election also saw allegations between student groups and extensive security arrangements.
India is sending a 125-member contingent to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with established stars like Neeraj Chopra, Mirabai Chanu, and Lovlina Borgohain, alongside rising talents such as Aryan Nehra and Gurindervir Singh, expected to lead the nation's medal charge across 13 disciplines.
Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi has sought to intervene in a Delhi High Court case regarding the collapse of a hostel building in Satya Niketan, which resulted in seven deaths. The court acknowledged her experience despite opposition from the Centre, Delhi government, and MCD, who were given three days to respond to her plea. The High Court had previously ordered an inquiry into the September 6 collapse, highlighting concerns about housing safety and regulatory measures.
'... to see that young people are gainfully employed. After that, it will become very difficult as we will start ageing much more rapidly.' 'We have a huge proportion of Gen Z. After 2030, every year, we will start seeing a gradual shift towards a slightly older society.'
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Bar Council of India (BCI) lacks the statutory authority to regulate the conduct of law students. The court clarified that disciplinary actions against students fall under the purview of their respective educational institutions, setting aside BCI notifications issued during a controversy involving NALSAR University students.
Newly listed companies Vedanta Aluminium Metal, SBI Funds Management and Manipal Health Enterprises have entered the Rs 1 trillion mcap list since March 2026.
The Indian government has expanded its Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan by signing agreements with four spiritual organisations. These partnerships aim to enhance grassroots awareness, prevention, recovery, and social mobilisation efforts against substance abuse, leveraging the extensive reach of these groups.
The Bar Council of India initially directed state bar councils not to enrol 2026 NALSAR University of Law graduates due to alleged student protests against the CJI's convocation participation. However, following widespread social media criticism, the BCI reversed its decision, allowing students to enrol while an inquiry into the instigators continues.
SCTIMST and Invasive Technologies have launched "Chitra Core," a new drug-eluting coronary stent designed with significantly less metal to reduce complications. This indigenous innovation, developed in collaboration, aims to provide advanced and cost-effective cardiac care, building on decades of Indian medical device development. The institute is also developing a unique TiN-coated stent for global markets.
Retired IPS officer Kiran Bedi on Thursday approached the Delhi high court seeking to be made a party in a matter concerning the hostel building collapse in Satya Niketan that left seven people dead, saying she wanted to bring forth "critical public domain disclosures" and the "nexus" in the operation of PG hostels.
'For Indian institutions this year, global peers are outpacing in key areas such as RoI, entrepreneurship, and alumni outcomes.'
Selected students will receive a scholarship of 6,000 pounds.
Xi brought in asymmetrical power play by stating that India should have 'strategic cognition' and 'strategic judgement made on the basis of the stage of development the two countries are at'. This is a very nuanced way of asserting China's coercive diplomatic posture and reflects Beijing's penchant to unleash border instability at will, restrict rare earth metal exports, exert pressure on India at global and regional orders, asserts China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.
A building collapse in Satya Niketan, near Delhi University, has prompted student and teacher organisations to demand a comprehensive safety audit of paying guest accommodations across the city. The incident has highlighted concerns over structural compliance, fire safety, illegal constructions, and inadequate living conditions for students.
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2027 for both the undergraduate and postgraduate law programmes is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Kerala University vice-chancellor Mohanan Kunnummal on Saturday said those who do not say Vande Mataram do not know who their mother is.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has announced the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Master of Dental Surgery (NEET-MDS) 2026 result on its official websites, natboard.edu.in and nbe.edu.in.
India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.
Bangladesh-China and Bangladesh-US relations have evolved from reluctant engagement to increasingly consequential strategic partnerships.
On Guru Purnima, we revisit 7 legendary guru-shishya duos, whose extraordinary bonds left a lasting mark on India.
Foreign universities are unlikely to gain major ground in India's higher education market in the near term, as students and families continue to prioritise return on investment over brand value in a highly price-sensitive sector.
