The Times of India

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.

Bees are vital pollinators, crucial for global food security and ecosystems, yet face severe threats from climate change, pesticides, and habitat loss. Their declining populations, particularly in India, signal a critical ecological crisis. Urgent action is needed from farmers and citizens to protect these essential insects.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's advice to cut fuel use and avoid gold purchases, accusing him of burdening common citizens while undertaking expensive foreign trips. Gandhi alleged that inflation and economic distress will worsen, with industrialists benefiting from rising fuel prices and the country heading towards a major economic crisis.

Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gifting toffees to Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Rome, while accusing him of laughing and filming reels amid the struggles of farmers, youth, women, workers, and small traders in India. Gandhi deemed the gesture a farce and not leadership, contrasting it with an economic storm brewing domestically.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay desires a unified cabinet, including supporting parties, amidst alliance strains. Cracks appeared as CPM threatened to withdraw support if rebel AIADMK MLAs are inducted, citing a mandate for clean governance. The TVK government, formed with outside support, faces a crucial decision on cabinet expansion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni for dinner and a walk through the Colosseum upon his arrival in Rome. The leaders exchanged perspectives on boosting India-Italy friendship, with their discussions taking on a relaxed tone against the historic backdrop. Modi also received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora in Italy.

The CPM has warned it will reconsider its support for the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government. This comes if the ruling party includes the rebel faction of the AIADMK in its cabinet. CPM state secretary P Shanmugam stated this at a press conference. The party's support was initially to prevent President's Rule and BJP's influence.

India's Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the nation's coexistence-based management approach to tackle human-wildlife conflict amidst growing economies. He emphasized that conservation efforts extend beyond mere numbers, focusing on habitat expansion, connectivity, and multi-species protection, including tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, and cheetahs, with the International Big Cat Alliance poised to foster cross-border cooperation.

Kavery Nambisan is a surgeon and a novelist from Karnataka. She has won the Tata Excellence Award for her work in tea plantations in Tamil Nadu. She has written articles and essays on medical and literary issues. Her novels include The Scent of Pepper, The Story That Must Not Be Told and A Town Like Ours. Her two non-fiction books are A Luxury Called Health and Cherry Red, Cherry Black. Today she discusses her latest novel, Rising Sons.

Amid the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the NTA has announced significant institutional and technological reforms, including hiring a CTO and strengthening oversight. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a review meeting, emphasizing secure and foolproof conduct for the upcoming re-examination, with enhanced coordination with state authorities.

Following a water tank collapse in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh authorities have blacklisted construction firm NCC and inspection agency BLG Construction Services. An FIR has been lodged, and several officials, including an executive engineer and junior engineers, have been suspended or terminated. The firms face fines and are ordered to reconstruct the tank, with a statewide safety audit now mandated.

Kerala's new UDF government, led by CM VD Satheesan, has formed a special committee to prepare a White Paper on the state's financial condition, headed by ex-cabinet secretary KM Chandrasekhar. This move follows allegations of financial mismanagement by the previous government. The cabinet also established an SIT to probe attacks during the Nava Kerala Yatra.