The Times of India

India's sports industry will gather at the TOI Sports Fitness and Infrastructure Expo-2026 in New Delhi. This premier business-to-business exhibition aims to foster India's sporting growth and development. Policymakers and industry leaders will discuss future strategies for sports infrastructure and investment. Over 200 exhibitors will showcase diverse products and emerging sports technologies. The event supports India's preparations for major international sporting events.

The Supreme Court has modified its prior order regarding coal block scam cases. Appeals against trial court acquittals or convictions can now go to Delhi High Court. This decision revises a twelve-year-old directive mandating all appeals in the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that the Supreme Court should not be the first appeal forum. The court agreed to categorize cases for future hearings starting August eighteenth.

The Supreme Court has protected projects worth Rs 20,000 crore from demolition. It permanently prohibited the government from granting post-facto environmental clearances. The court quashed a 2021 office memorandum that kept a window open indefinitely. Prior environmental clearance under the 2006 notification is now mandatory for all projects. The judgment will operate prospectively, validating past clearances granted under earlier rules.

The Supreme Court has cleared former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a coal block scam case. This decision comes more than eleven years after a Delhi court summoned him as an accused. The court closed the case nearly two years after his demise in November 2024. The apex court quashed the trial court's order taking cognisance of the crime.

The Supreme Court has ruled the National Commission for Scheduled Castes is advisory. It cannot pass binding adjudicatory orders in service-related matters. The commission can only send recommendations to the state or central government. It can inquire into complaints and record factual findings. However, it lacks the power to make final orders.

A Boeing probe found no abnormality in the B787 fuel control switch locking mechanism. This examination was ordered by the DGCA after a crew reported an issue post-landing. The switches control fuel supply and have faced scrutiny after a past crash incident. Further inspection of the complete thrust control module at the OEM facility is currently underway.

Jagdish Aphale, an IIT Bombay alumnus, has been appointed the Ayodhya Ram temple trust's first secretary. He will also serve as a joint signatory for financial transactions, enhancing accountability. This appointment follows recent resignations and alleged donation theft issues. Aphale previously supervised construction at the temple complex for nearly four years. His integration into the trust's internal processes has been ongoing for two weeks.

A BTech applicant hacked IIT Kanpur's website seeking admission consideration. He claimed he was denied a fair chance in the selection process. The IIT director invited the candidate to campus for an assessment. He stressed that hacking was not the correct approach to gain entry. The institute will consider him if genuine talent is demonstrated.

The BJP strongly objects if Rahul Gandhi called students an idiot. They welcome the remark if it was self-directed by the Congress leader. BJP leaders accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading falsehoods and misleading the nation. They stated no bullets were fired during the student protests. The party highlighted government dialogue and efforts to strengthen laws against paper leaks.

The Delhi High Court declined to halt the HPV immunisation campaign. Authorities must now explain the vaccine's introduction within four weeks. The court emphasized the need for proper protocols before administering vaccines. A Public Interest Litigation raised concerns about long-term safety and consent. The next hearing for this matter is scheduled for October 29.

Northeast drug syndicates are shifting towards synthetic drugs from Myanmar. They are increasingly using social media and encrypted apps for coordination. Traffickers exploit porous borders and forest routes for cross-border smuggling. Narcotics are concealed in legitimate cargo and passenger vehicles. Moreh-Tamu border remains a key transit point for these drugs.

The number of Left-wing extremism-affected districts has fallen to zero by March 2026. This marks a significant reduction from 126 districts prior to April 2018. Maoist violence has seen a steep decline, with few incidents recorded this year. Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand remain the only states with reported Maoist incidents. However, 37 districts are still classified as legacy and thrust areas.

Karnataka received the most funding from the central government's Electronics Development Fund. The fund's associated venture funds invested over Rs 1,335 crore in 128 companies. Karnataka-based firms secured Rs 854.5 crore, representing nearly two-thirds of total investments. Telangana, Maharashtra, and Delhi also saw significant investments in technology startups. The fund, managed by Canbank Venture Capital Fund, is now in its divestment phase.

Rahul Gandhi accused Home Minister Amit Shah of police excesses against protesters. He demanded Shah's dismissal and a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the actions. Gandhi also blamed the RSS for the education sector's current problems. Government ministers challenged Gandhi to provide proof or issue an apology. The Lok Sabha experienced disruptions over these serious allegations.

The Rajya Sabha passed a bill proposing jail time for disrupting Vande Mataram. Opposition MPs walked out, demanding a statement on police action against protesters. Junior home minister Nityanand Rai piloted the bill, criticizing Congress's stance on the national song. MP Sanjay Singh questioned the RSS's past refusal to hoist the tricolour. AIADMK MPs noted the practice of playing state anthems after national songs.

India's first dengue virus mapping shows all four serotypes circulating in eight states. This finding could influence the country's upcoming dengue vaccine strategy. Researchers found DENV-2 to be the dominant circulating strain across the nation. Concurrent infections with multiple strains are linked to more severe dengue disease. Continuous molecular surveillance is essential for monitoring virus circulation and guiding policy.

A customer was killed Tuesday after a security guard's gun discharged accidentally. Manish Kumar, a farmer, was updating his Aadhaar card at the Union Bank branch. The ex-serviceman guard, Vinod Kumar, was loading cartridges when the firearm discharged. The bullet struck Manish in the back, and he was rushed to the hospital. Police have arrested the guard and are investigating the incident further.

The Supreme Court rejected a plea to ban an animated film on Mahaprabhu Jagannath. Justices emphasized artists' creative expression and tolerance for depicting deities. They noted that preventing such depictions would halt many religious television programs. The court stated that the Censor Board's approval meant no judicial interference was needed. It refused to restrict artistic creativity based on the objections of a few.

CRPF Director General G P Singh supports troops acting in good faith during duty. He assures responsibility for all decisions made in the public interest. An internal probe found standard operating procedures were followed by RAF personnel. Pellet guns were used after other crowd dispersal methods failed. This investigation may prevent charges against the RAF personnel involved.

The Lok Sabha passed a bill to make paper leak punishments more stringent. This legislation aims to expedite trials and deter unfair means in public examinations. The bill proposes significant jail terms and hefty fines for individuals involved in paper leaks. Investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months. The government also highlighted an increase in universities and higher education institutions.

Authorities ordered school closures in Doda and Kishtwar districts due to inclement weather. The Amarnath pilgrimage continued solely on the Baltal route with many devotees. Vaishno Devi yatra also proceeded but only via the traditional Ardhkuwari track. The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained open for all vehicular traffic. The IMD predicted continued rain and potential flash floods across the region.

Farmers in Bhopal protested over summer moong procurement at minimum support price. They breached police barricades and marched towards the Chief Minister's residence. The state government formed a committee to discuss issues with farmer representatives. Talks between the agriculture minister and farmer leaders concluded without a breakthrough. The protest continued with various demonstrations and roadside activities.

Delhi Police rejected claims of a gunshot injury sustained by a woman protester. Her medico-legal certificate showed only a simple blunt-force injury near her right ear. The official medical document did not mention any gunshot wound from the incident. Police advised the public to verify information before sharing such claims. The allegations were described as baseless by the Delhi Police department.

The Bihar State Transgender Welfare Board approved constructing a temple for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A board member stated the prime minister provided the community with respect and rights. This proposal was moved during the board's inaugural meeting after the new act's implementation. The board functions under the Bihar government's Social Welfare Department for community empowerment. This decision reflects the transgender community's institutional representation in the state secretariat.

Arvind Kejriwal raised concerns over the Centre's alleged pressure on automakers regarding the compatibility of vehicles with E20 petrol. He suggested that vehicles manufactured before 2023 might suffer from damage and performance issues. However, the BJP dismissed these allegations, referencing statements from leading industry figures who confirmed E20 petrols safety following comprehensive testing and validation, thus reinforcing the automotive sector's support for the E20 initiative.

Delhi Police has requested X to remove content deemed defamatory towards constitutional authorities. The platform must also provide user details and preserve all related data. This action follows similar directives for posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The police social media monitoring team continuously scans for objectionable online material. These developments occur amid heightened political tensions following recent student protests.

A special court will consider the CBI's chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. The agency filed charges against thirteen accused, including NTA experts and coaching associates. Investigations uncovered the entire conspiracy from paper leak sources to beneficiary candidates. The CBI also traced the money trail and froze several linked bank accounts.

Government ministers defended trade pacts, contrasting them with past agreements. These new deals involve larger economies and aim for balanced growth. Fisheries sector exports have doubled, showing significant economic expansion. New markets are emerging, offsetting reduced exports to the United States. The government secured substantial committed investments from European and New Zealand trade partners.

Speaking at an open debate of the United Nations security council on the situation in the Middle East, India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, said the recent escalation after a brief lull in fighting was deeply worrying. He urged all sides to return to dialogue and diplomacy to prevent the conflict from worsening.

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran demanded NEET be scrapped in Lok Sabha. He argued the proposed paper leak law amendment misses the core issue. Maran highlighted DMK and Tamil Nadu's long-standing opposition to the medical entrance exam. He also raised concerns about Meta smart glasses recording protesting students. Maran mentioned issues with WhatsApp broadcast limits for MPs and a removed Facebook post.

Union minister Bhagirath Choudhary and MP Lumba Ram received central scheme aid. Choudhary has since refunded the subsidy to the National Horticulture Board. The government informed Parliament about these financial assistance instances. Existing scheme guidelines lack specific conflict of interest provisions. All eligible applicants are treated equally under the transparent NHB mechanism.

India has condemned Pakistan's legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Ministry of External Affairs called the polls a cosmetic exercise to hide illegal occupation. India reiterated its firm stance that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India. The spokesperson highlighted Pakistan's promotion of terrorism and religious fundamentalism. This stance questions Pakistan's claims to any pluralistic cultural legacy.

The government has capped sugar stock at 400 tonnes per dealer. Dealers must liquidate excess stock by August 1 and sell within thirty days. This measure aims to prevent hoarding and stabilize sugar prices. The essential commodities act was invoked to impose these restrictions. Sugar exports have also been banned amid monsoon deficit forecasts.

Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day amid opposition protests demanding a statement. MPs demanded Union Home Minister Amit Shah explain police action against demonstrators. The House was first adjourned within minutes of assembling at 11 am. Later, legislative business was attempted while opposition MPs continued their sloganeering. The Deputy Chairperson adjourned the House till Wednesday as protests persisted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged government ministries to remain youthful and forward-looking. He stressed the need for young entrepreneurs' active participation in key sectors. Officials were asked to devise industry-aligned courses for emerging sector skills. Proactive communication is vital to counter misinformation on major national initiatives. Citizens must remain at the center of all policy decisions and governance reforms.

The Centre has released its seventh draft notification for ecologically sensitive areas. This proposal aims to protect 56,825 sq km across six Indian states. States have raised objections, primarily Kerala, citing livelihood concerns. The draft allows for phased implementation, potentially speeding up the process. This initiative follows previous attempts since 2011 to conserve the fragile region.

Government has tightened rules for official vehicle usage by employees. Officers will now receive only one official car, even with additional charges. They are also barred from using PSU vehicles except during official tours. This aims to optimize vehicle utilization and prevent misuse of government assets. Strict compliance is sought from all ministries and departments.

The government plans to introduce a bill addressing digital arrests and AI deepfakes. Existing laws do not define these emerging digital crimes effectively. The Supreme Court urged the government to create specific offenses for these issues. This new legislation will categorize digital arrest and deepfakes as distinct offenses. Consequential punishments and asset freezing measures will be included in the proposed law.