The Times of India

The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 has thrown medical hopefuls into a state of uncertainty and anxiety. Responding to this crisis, the Faculty Association of AIIMS is advocating for urgent financial support for students and is demanding a rigorous investigation into the alleged paper leaks.

Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to his father, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, on his 35th death anniversary, vowing to fulfill his vision for a strong and prosperous India. Senior Congress leaders also paid homage at Vir Bhumi, remembering Rajiv Gandhi's contributions to modernizing India through technological and educational reforms.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay is set to expand his cabinet, inducting 23 MLAs, including two from the Congress party, marking their return after 60 years. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and IUML are also expected to join the council of ministers soon.

Amid rising concerns over misleading alcohol packaging, the Supreme Court is considering a petition aimed at uniform standards for liquor containers across India. Advocacy groups are raising alarms about the dangers of tetra packs that look like fruity drinks, citing potential increases in underage drinking and drunk driving fueled by their deceiving designs.

Prashant Kishor has relocated to a Patna ashram until the Bihar assembly polls, aiming for his Jan Suraaj Party to make an impact after a previous electoral setback. He criticized Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son's cabinet induction and urged voters to prioritize their future over caste or monetary inducements, warning of potential economic challenges from West Asian conflicts.

Northwest India is battling severe heatwave conditions, with temperatures soaring across multiple states. Uttar Pradesh's Banda recorded a scorching 48C, while Delhi anticipates touching 46C. Punjab and Haryana are also reeling under intense heat. The IMD has issued alerts, advising extreme caution for vulnerable populations and recommending hydration and protective measures.

India has strongly criticized Pakistan at the UN Security Council, accusing it of a long record of violence against civilians and citing recent incidents in Afghanistan linked to Pakistani military action. India's envoy highlighted UNAMA findings of civilian casualties due to cross-border violence and airstrikes, including an attack on a hospital during Ramadan.

Falta, which falls within Abhishek Banerjees bastion of Diamond Harbour, reflected the intense on-ground political heat during the West Bengal Assembly polls. Apart from authorities finding attempts to tamper with footage captured by web cameras installed at several polling stations, allegations of EVM manipulation were reported at a Falta booth, eventually prompting the Election Commission to order repolling.

Authorities from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have arrested a man in Kolkata, believed to be involved in a dangerous espionage ring targeting India. Reports suggest that he transmitted sensitive security information to Pakistani Intelligence operatives in return for monetary compensation and the allure of citizenship in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a crucial meeting of the Union council of ministers on Thursday. Discussions will revolve around ministry functioning, policy outcomes, and future plans, with a focus on reforms benefiting common citizens. The meeting also addresses the West Asia crisis and its economic implications.

India and Italy have elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, fostering deeper cooperation in defence, technology, and trade. A defence roadmap for co-development and co-production of military platforms was agreed upon, alongside an ambitious 20 billion trade target by 2029. Discussions also covered global security, including West Asia and Ukraine, and maritime cooperation.

India has reported no Ebola cases, despite the WHO declaring it a public health emergency. The health ministry has strengthened nationwide surveillance and preparedness measures, including sharing detailed SOPs with states and Union Territories. The country has prior experience in handling similar outbreaks.

Pradhan orders crackdown on misinformation networks; security and intelligence agencies asked to ensure foolproof conduct

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni used the Hindi phrase 'parishram hi safalta ki kunji hai' to describe the growing India-Italy ties, emphasizing hard work as key to success. The two nations upgraded their bilateral relations to a Special Strategic Partnership, unveiling a Joint Strategic Action Plan for 2025-2029, aiming for a 20 billion euro trade target.

After the marathon, an unusual, high-intensity indoor race grows in mass appeal

India and Italy elevated their bilateral ties to a Special Strategic Partnership, focusing on AI, space, and innovation. Meanwhile, Kerala's new cabinet ministers were assigned portfolios, and the WHO warned of a high local Ebola risk in Congo and Uganda, though the global threat remains low. Disturbing reports from Afghanistan reveal families selling daughters due to extreme poverty.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad has urged state governments to prohibit namaz on roads, citing constitutional and judicial directives. The organization also called on religious leaders to encourage adherence to the law, warning against practices that disrupt public life and traffic. This appeal comes amidst increased administrative scrutiny of public prayers ahead of Eid.

The Supreme Court has upheld the Centre's decision to conduct caste enumeration in the upcoming 2027 Census, stating there is othing wrong with it. A bench led by the Chief Justice emphasized that such data is crucial for the government to identify backward classes and implement effective welfare measures. This marks the first comprehensive caste count since 1931.

Medical students in India are set to gain more exposure to clinical research, ethics, and scientific writing through a new NMC-ICMR initiative. The program aims to integrate research into medical education and patient care, with AI also being explored for data analysis and predictive modeling in medical research.