The Times of India

Goods and Services Tax collections rose 15.4 percent to Rs 2,11,205 crore in July. This increase was largely due to a 29 percent jump in integrated GST on imports. Strong economic activity and higher commodity prices also contributed to the robust tax collections. Central GST mop-up increased 12.3 percent while state GST grew 8.7 percent. Net collections after refunds went up 15.8 percent, reflecting continued economic resilience.

Flash floods in Kishtwar's Chatroo area damaged shops and houses early Saturday. Vehicles were washed away, and the national highway sustained damage from debris. The Amarnath Yatra was suspended from Jammu due to incessant rain. Schools remained closed in several districts as a precautionary measure. Affected shopkeepers and business owners will receive government compensation.

Two migrant labourers were killed Friday evening in Kulgam, causing panic among workers. Brick kilns across south Kashmir halted operations as labourers stayed indoors. Many workers expressed concerns about their safety and earning a living. Security forces visited the kilns and assured the labourers of protection. Officials directed authorities to ensure the safety of all migrant workers.

NEET-PG exam sees significant changes for candidate convenience and enhanced security. Candidates now select three preferred states for their examination centre locations. The exam duration remains the same, but questions reduce to 180 for more time. Aadhaar and iris biometrics strengthen registration and exam day security measures. NEET-PG 2026 will be conducted in a single shift for uniform assessment.

Exiled author Taslima Nasreen returned to Kolkata after nineteen years of absence. She stated her return proves injustice is not permanent and spoke for women's rights. Nasreen expressed concern over rising religious extremism in Bangladesh and curtailed freedom of speech. She lamented not finding a permanent home in the Bengals, though Europe offered security. The writer emphasized her advocacy for equality and human rights, not offense.

Congress internal rifts in Punjab persist as Charanjit Singh Channi supporters disrupted party programs. Bhupesh Baghel warned of expulsion for indiscipline, emphasizing unity for upcoming elections. The party high command will decide the chief ministerial face after the Punjab Assembly polls. Baghel stressed strengthening the party at the booth level for electoral success. Warring highlighted the need for a strong organizational structure over individual popularity.

West Bengal's Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari pledged to resolve all pending CAA applications soon. He stated the law grants citizenship and is not meant to revoke it. Nearly twenty-four thousand citizenship certificates have already been issued to eligible refugees. The government will delegate powers to district magistrates for faster application processing. This initiative aims to provide citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.

Taking a jibe at PM Modi's critics, Shehzad Poonawalla expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership style. He sarcastically suggested Modi learn dictatorship from past Congress leaders. Poonawalla cited Indira Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as examples of strong rule. He also mentioned past Congress governments' actions during protests. The former spokesperson concluded Modi had not met Left-liberal expectations.

Mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in a Broad Peak avalanche, ending his legendary career. India secured more medals at the Commonwealth Games 2026, reaching a total of thirty. Rahul Gandhi demanded an apology from Prime Minister Modi for NEET students. A stricter anti-paper leak law has now come into force nationwide. Complaints were filed against Rahul Gandhi and Pappu Yadav regarding a protest.

Rahul Gandhi labeled the proposed delimitation exercise a BJP conspiracy. He stated it aims to disenfranchise people and reduce Tamil Nadu's political power. Supporting delimitation makes one a 21st-century Ettappan, a Tamil term for traitor. He urged all Tamil people and parties to oppose this proposal. National parties were also asked to defeat the delimitation in the House.

A new anti-paper leak law is now in effect across India. Investigations into exam fraud must now conclude within two months. Trials will be expedited through fast-track courts, aiming for quicker resolutions. Individuals face up to ten years imprisonment and significant fines for paper leaks. Organized rackets will receive even harsher penalties, deterring future examination malpractices.

Seers and lawyers filed police complaints in Varanasi against Pappu Yadav and opposition leaders. They alleged their religious sentiments were hurt by a protest enacted in Parliament. The opposition leaders staged a symbolic protest over alleged Ram Temple donation embezzlement. This protest occurred after allegations of financial irregularities surfaced regarding temple donations. Legal action has been sought against the opposition leaders involved in the demonstration.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised NSA Ajit Doval's significant national security contributions. Doval's strategic advice has strengthened India's defense and foreign policy since 2014. Shah highlighted Doval's instrumental role in every major national security decision made by Prime Minister Modi. The NSA's decades-long career in intelligence has been vital for India's transformation. Doval accepted the Lokmanya Tilak National Award with humility, thanking leaders.

According to those present, he suddenly felt unwell and moved to the rear of the building, where he vomited. He later returned upstairs to his residence without speaking to the media. Confirming the incident, Dipke's father, Bhagwan Dipke, said doctors had been called to examine his son. Dipke had disclosed on July 25, during the protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, that he had been diagnosed with typhoid.

A bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe made the observations while hearing a batch of petitions over pollution, foul odour, gas emissions and health hazards linked to the Kanjurmarg dumping ground in Mumbai. The judges said public participation was essential to keeping the city clean and urged civic authorities to enforce the rules without hesitation.

India has screened over ten thousand international travellers from Ebola-affected nations. No Ebola cases have been detected in the country so far, officials confirmed. Enhanced screening and preparedness measures were implemented across all entry points. Mumbai and Delhi airports saw the highest numbers of screened passengers. The government continues to strengthen surveillance and public awareness campaigns.

A BSF constable returning from Congo developed fever during quarantine. He was admitted to an isolation ward at RML Hospital for surveillance. His blood sample was sent for confirmatory testing to NIV Pune. Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely while awaiting test results. The case remains suspected, and Ebola infection has not been confirmed.

India's monsoon rainfall is expected to be below normal during August and September. This forecast is influenced by the continuing risk of El Nio, which often weakens the monsoon. July rainfall, however, turned out to be normal due to plentiful showers in central India. These showers helped reduce the overall monsoon rainfall deficit significantly by the end of July.

Draft voter rolls in Haryana and Andhra Pradesh reveal significant exclusions. Over sixteen percent of Haryana's electorate and over ten percent in Andhra were removed. Reasons cited include deaths, permanent shifts, and multiple registrations. However, genuine voters can still be added during the claims period. This process allows for corrections and additions to the electoral rolls.

The Lok Sabha passed the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 2026, without any debate. Opposition members disrupted Rajya Sabha proceedings, preventing any business from being transacted. The bill aims to make delayed registrations of births and deaths more stringent. Congress and SP MPs raised issues concerning police actions and alleged temple donation theft. The Rajya Sabha was ultimately adjourned for the entire day.

Ethanol blending saved consumers nearly thirty rupees per litre on petrol. Global crude prices reached one hundred thirty-five dollars a barrel recently. The government kept fuel prices unchanged for seventy-five days initially. E20 petrol now costs one hundred two rupees per litre in Delhi. Allegations of foodgrain diversion for ethanol were also rejected.

The Supreme Court has ordered Rajasthan to pay one lakh rupees to a government official. This payment is compensation for harassment caused by political interference in a prosecution sanction. The court criticized the joint secretary of the former chief minister for undue influence. Such interference was deemed a blatant display of political dictate by the state. The official was unnecessarily dragged to court, prompting the court's strong observations.

The Cabinet approved a revised shipping ministry policy for captive waterfronts. This aims to accelerate private investment and provide greater operational certainty. Existing captive users can develop additional facilities to meet enhanced requirements. Government entities can obtain waterfronts on a nomination basis without competitive bidding. The policy extends concession periods and strengthens infrastructure development at major ports.

Terrorists shot dead a 24-year-old labourer from Chhattisgarh in Kulgam. Another worker from the same state was critically wounded in the attack. Security forces have launched operations to trace the attackers responsible for this incident. This incident marks the first fatal attack on migrant workers since October 18. Officials condemned the attack and directed security forces to intensify operations.

India condemned Pakistan's admission of training and arming militants who have turned against the state. The Ministry of External Affairs also criticized Pakistan's harsh crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Over forty civilians were reportedly killed during the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations. India stated that Pakistan's actions exposed its disdain for the region's innocent inhabitants.