Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a two-day meeting of BRICS Sports and Youth Ministers in Visakhapatnam, aiming to strengthen cooperation in youth affairs and sports, with a focus on sports manufacturing, indigenous disciplines, and youth development.
The BRICS Youth Ministers' Meeting, organised by India's Sports Ministry, successfully concluded in Visakhapatnam. Presided over by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the meeting built upon previous youth engagements, focusing on developing young leaders and promoting youth cooperation among BRICS nations.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 in Ahmedabad on Monday. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Gujarat government, the event on 12 October 2026, under India's BRICS Chairmanship, will feature traditional sports like Mallakhamb, Yogasana, and Kalaripayattu from India. The non-competitive Games aim to foster cultural exchange and knowledge-sharing among BRICS and partner countries including Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE.
MY Bharat, the flagship youth engagement platform of the Department of Youth Affairs, has been awarded a Guinness World Record for the 'Most Users to Take an Online Quiz in One Week' through its Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue Quiz, engaging over 390,000 participants.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organising a MY Bharat Youth Convention in New Delhi, featuring prominent sports personalities and bringing together over 6,000 young participants. The event aims to felicitate emerging talent in sports, entrepreneurship, governance, and content creation.
Arunachal Pradesh Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini announced the state's ambition to become the leading sporting state in the Northeast, highlighting its current second-place ranking after Manipur and the participation of two athletes in the upcoming Asian Games. The state celebrated National Sports Day by felicitating over 102 athletes and coaches with Rs 50 lakh in incentives, while officials and a renowned mountaineer encouraged continued sports participation.
India U-19 secured a commanding innings and 48-run victory over Australia U-19, continuing their dominant run. Lakshya Raichandani's double century and exceptional bowling performances from Yashbardhan Chauhan (6/75) and Ishan Om (4/62) were key to the win. This victory follows India's 3-0 sweep in the preceding Youth ODI series.
India has clarified its policy regarding participation in the 2027 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Pakistan, stating decisions will align with national sports policies and international governing bodies. While bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan remain suspended, Indian athletes are permitted to compete in multilateral events. The government also aims to simplify visa processes to position India as a global sports hosting destination.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has pledged support for promoting sporting talent and improving infrastructure in Mizoram, particularly for boxers. This assurance came during a meeting with BJP youth wing leaders who highlighted the state's sporting potential and the need for modern facilities, including a boxing hall, especially with India's 2036 Olympic bid in mind.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India's participation in the 2027 SAF Games in Pakistan will be guided by the sports ministry's policy, which permits Indian athletes to compete in events with Pakistani participants and vice-versa. Separately, the MEA also commented on the ongoing legal proceedings for seven foreign nationals, including a US citizen and six Ukrainians, who were recently chargesheeted by the NIA for illegal entry and movement, though not under UAPA at this stage.
A 22-year-old man was brutally stabbed 17 times in east Delhi's Mandawali area by an accused who suspected the victim was having a relationship with his sister-in-law. The main accused, Keshav Kumar, has been arrested, and police are searching for a second assailant. The victim, Vansh Dedha, was the sole earning member of his family.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman urged PSBs to become 'cool' and shed their 'government bank' image to attract young customers.
The Modi government is launching a 'One Day, One University' programme, sending Union ministers to universities daily to engage with Gen Z, address their concerns, and inform them about government schemes. This initiative follows recent student protests over the NEET paper leak and aims to foster better understanding between the youth and the government.
Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been chosen as flag bearers for the Indian contingent at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from October 18 to 24. Both athletes have significant achievements in their respective sports, and their selection aims to inspire the team.
The MY Bharat Youth Convention in New Delhi will host over 6,000 youngsters, featuring interactions with prominent personalities and felicitating emerging talents. Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the event aims to empower youth towards the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. It also celebrates MY Bharat's recent Guinness World Record for youth engagement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the country's youth to take a pledge against substance abuse, saying drugs can give them a "high" for some time, but would make their entire career and personal life "low".
'A warm meeting with Hon'ble Home Minister Shri @AmitShahji. Grateful for his time and guidance. Wishing him continued good health and well-being.'
Kolkata's iconic Salt Lake Stadium is undergoing extensive renovations to prepare for upcoming international football matches featuring five-time world champions Brazil and two-time world champions Uruguay against India. The upgrades include fresh paint, renovated seating, improved spectator facilities, re-turfing of pitches, and enhanced security measures.
An ad-hoc committee overseeing Indian table tennis has removed official ranking points from national tournaments, including the upcoming Panchkula edition, causing significant anxiety among players like Ankur Bhattacharya. The committee, formed after the Table Tennis Federation of India's suspension, states its mandate is to protect athletes but will only award points once an official calendar is finalised, impacting team selections.
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.
An 18-year-old Dalit youth, Ketan Lal, was allegedly beaten to death and his friend injured by the family of a minor upper-caste girl in Uttarakhand's Pratapnagar block. The incident occurred after the girl called Ketan to her village, leading to their assault. Police have registered a murder case and invoked the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, detaining one accused.
CPI(M) leader John Brittas was allegedly manhandled and injured by Delhi Police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Rajya Sabha MP was taken to RML Hospital for examination. Brittas has written to the President, Rajya Sabha chairman, and CJI seeking an independent investigation into the alleged assault, claiming he was dragged, assaulted, and abandoned. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the incident, and other political leaders like M A Baby and Manoj Jha visited Brittas, criticising the police action and alleging brutality against protesters. The protest was organised to demand Kumar's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Ajinkya Shinde, a native of Latur, Maharashtra, has taken charge of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) "Jantar Mantar 2.0" protest in Delhi. This follows the detention of CJP's top leaders, including Dipke, Saurav Das, and Ashutosh Ranka, by Delhi Police on Saturday. Shinde, a former computer engineer and AAP activist, is leading the agitation against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter-list manipulation. The national capital saw a significant crackdown on Saturday, with nearly 500 protesters and leaders detained.
The Indian Golf Union (IGU) has approved significant amendments to its Memorandum of Association, including the addition of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, creation of a Dispute Resolution Committee, and modifications to its election process, all aimed at aligning with the National Sports Governance Act.
Mountaineer Baljeet Kaur, known for scaling five 8000-metre peaks in a single season, is one of four recipients of the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards for 2024. Other awardees include Skalzang Rigzin for land adventure, Rimo Saha for water adventure, and Shiv Prasad Chamoli for lifetime achievement, recognising their exceptional contributions to adventure sports in India.
The Trinamool Congress has lost the chairpersonship of two significant Parliamentary panels following a reconstitution by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This development comes after a split in the TMC, with rebel MPs joining the Nationalist Citizen Party and supporting the NDA. The TMC has strongly criticised the move, alleging that Parliament is being turned into a 'deep, dark chamber' due to their exclusion from committee leadership.
IIT Bombay has removed Suryanarayana Doolla, Dean of Administrative Affairs, from his post and issued a public apology following the death by suicide of 22-year-old student Sahil Wakode, who his parents allege faced caste-based discrimination.
India U-19 defeated Australia U-19 by 103 runs in the second Youth ODI, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Yashbardhan Chauhan scored 122 and VK Vineeth added 87, helping India post 341/7. Australia were bowled out for 238, with Chigurupati Venkata taking three wickets.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced stringent measures, including the establishment of fast-track courts, to combat exam paper leaks and protect the future of India's youth, following widespread protests over the NEET paper leak.
The third edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) has commenced with a quiz contest, leading to a national finale in January 2027 where young leaders will present their ideas for a developed India to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The multi-stage event includes essay challenges, district championships, and state-level dialogues, aiming to foster youth participation in nation-building across various thematic areas.
The Indian government has officially declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This action, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, targets a group involved in cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives, and narcotics, as well as inciting youth into terrorism and spreading hateful digital content. SBN is accused of threatening India's democratic structure, communal harmony, and internal security.
The Yoga Federation of India (YFI) announced its intention to seek recognition from the Sports Ministry and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) following a Delhi High Court decision. The court set aside Yogasana Bharat's national federation status, mandating a fresh affiliation process. YFI plans to meet with IOA President P T Usha and Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to present its vision for Yogasana development.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has announced the establishment of a world-class Tamil Nadu Olympic City in Chennai, featuring advanced sports arenas, training centres, and accommodation.
'This is not the first time this government has show us the 'darkest day of democracy''
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a 100-week nationwide campaign, 'Nasha Mukta Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyaan', on August 2 to combat rising drug abuse in India. Led by MY Bharat youth, the initiative will involve various activities and aims to unite over one crore young people in a pledge against substance abuse, addressing alarming statistics from the Narcotics Control Bureau.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will visit Meghalaya to review preparations for the 39th National Games and inaugurate a sports complex in Shillong.
BRICS Sports Ministers adopted a Joint Declaration in Visakhapatnam, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen sports cooperation through dialogue and mutual respect. The meeting, held under India's 2026 Chairship, saw Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya call for a BRICS Sporting Partnership and introduce three key initiatives: a Working Group on Sports Technology, a Sports Manufacturing Conclave in Udaipur, and Traditional and Indigenous Sports Demonstration Games in Ahmedabad in 2026.
A man in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested for allegedly strangling his wife to death due to suspicions of an extra-marital affair.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
CBSE exams and unemployment are divergent concerns for the middle class and the poor, and the idioms of protest don't speak to all of India's young people, points out Kanika Datta.
