The Monsoon session of Parliament concluded amid uproar. Opposition protests over Bihar electoral rolls review and Pahalgam attack disrupted proceedings. Speaker Om Birla expressed disappointment over the reduced productivity. The Lok Sabha functioned for only 30% of its time. The Rajya Sabha functioned for 39% of its time. Government's refusal to discuss Bihar SIR further fueled the conflict.
India and China have agreed to enhance border dispute resolution efforts following talks between NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. An Expert Group will be established under the WMCC to expedite boundary delimitation. Both sides committed to a fair and mutually acceptable settlement, improved border management, and new mechanisms for de-escalation.
The Election Commission has announced that individuals omitted from Bihar's draft electoral roll, published on August 1, 2025, can submit Form 6 with their Aadhaar card copy by September 1. Objections to ineligible inclusions can be filed in Form 7 by electors of the same constituency.
AIIMS Jammu has achieved 7th position nationwide in the Government Medical Universities Ranking 2025, becoming the second-highest ranked institute after AIIMS Delhi. The institute scored 385.62 out of 400 in Academic and Research Excellence, reflecting its quality teaching and research. This success is attributed to the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
NIA and Andhra Pradesh police apprehended Kothwal Noor Mohammed in Dharmavaram for alleged ties to Pakistan-based terror groups. He is accused of engaging in prohibited social media groups and communicating with suspected operatives across the border.
Chief Justice Bhushan Gavai acknowledged the progress towards an equal India, highlighted by Droupadi Murmu's presidency, while emphasizing that the journey is ongoing. He urged constitutional court judges to uphold liberty, equality, and fraternity, interpreting the Constitution broadly to protect marginalized rights. He also mentioned the contributions of various freedom fighters and social reformers.
Jammu and Kashmir chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticized the Supreme Court's linking of terror attacks to Jammu and Kashmir's political future, asserting that Pakistan shouldn't dictate it through terrorism. He expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court's reference to the Pahalgam massacre and questioned the fairness of delaying statehood due to such incidents.
A devastating cloudburst in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has claimed at least 60 lives, with dozens still missing after a flash flood swept through a pilgrim campsite along the Machail Mata trail. Rescue operations are underway amidst intermittent rains as authorities struggle to recover bodies and assist survivors. CM Omar Abdullah has reached Kishtwar to take stock.
India celebrates its 79th Independence Day with a call for self-reliance. President Murmu urged citizens to embrace 'Swadeshi' by buying Indian-made products. PM Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort, highlighting 'Naya Bharat'. Gallantry awards will honour armed forces personnel, including heroes of Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack.
A parliamentary panel has criticized the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for design flaws and over-reliance on builders, leading to premature failures in newly constructed concrete highways. The committee highlighted the indiscriminate shift to concrete roads without proper assessment, resulting in poor quality and wasted funds.
In response to the US imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, potentially impacting seafood exports, the government is urging exporters to explore alternative markets like the UK, EU, and South Korea. The focus is on value addition, better packaging, and utilizing the Fishery Infrastructure Development Fund to enhance processing facilities.
A gunfight erupted between terrorists and security forces in Kishtwar's Dul area during a cordon-and-search operation following specific intelligence inputs. This incident occurred a day after two army personnel died in Kulgam. Reinforcements have been deployed as the operation continues, with the Army confirming the ongoing exchange of gunfire with the terrorists.
To combat highway encroachments, the road transport ministry mandates frequent inspections by engineers and officers, supplemented by drone videography for regular monitoring. Encroachers will bear the removal costs, along with additional charges and penalties. This directive follows a Supreme Court order addressing NH network encroachments that cause congestion and accidents.
In a fierce gunfight in Kulgam, South Kashmir, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh of the Sikh Light Infantry, attached to 19 Rashtriya Rifles, were killed during Operation Akhal. The counterterrorism operation, ongoing for nine days, targets Pakistan-trained terrorists in the Akhal Khulsan forest.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) demands Rahul Gandhi either substantiate his "vote theft" allegations with a signed declaration or apologize for the claims, which ECI deems false. Gandhi refuses to sign, while Sharad Pawar supports Gandhi's concerns. BJP calls for a formal complaint or Gandhi's resignation if he lacks faith in the ECI.
Amidst strained US-India relations due to trade disputes over Russian ties, PM Modi and President Putin reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening India-Russia relations. Modi expressed support for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict through diplomacy and invited Putin to India for the annual summit.
Indian Railways has launched 'Rudrastra,' its longest freight train ever, stretching 4.5 kilometers. Composed of 354 wagons and powered by seven locomotives, the train was formed by linking six standard rakes. It journeyed from Ganjkhwaja to Garhwa Road, covering 200 km at an average speed of 40 km/h.
Boris Johnson praised Donald Trump's tariff on India for enabling Putin's actions, sparking criticism. The Daily Telegraph urged the UK to follow suit, citing India's significant imports of Russian oil.
Uttar Pradesh aims to be a major economic force, driven by renewable energy and increased energy consumption, according to Additional Chief Secretary Narendra Bhooshan. He highlighted the state's commitment to national goals of achieving net-zero emissions and boosting renewable energy capacity. Separately, a panel discussed UP's efforts in water conservation and sustainability, citing successful community-led initiatives to revive shrinking rivers.
Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has appealed to national parties, including the BJP, to reinstate statehood for J&K, emphasizing it as a constitutional right, not a discretionary favor. He argues that downgrading a state to a Union Territory sets a dangerous precedent, urging a bill in Parliament's current session.
PM Narendra Modi is likely to visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Summit in late August, hosted by President Xi Jinping. Preparations are underway for India's participation, with a potential bilateral meeting between Modi and Xi on the agenda.
Jammu & Kashmir Police in Kathua district has attached property of a terror handler based in Pakistan. The attached property, belonging to Mohd Ashraf, measures 16.5 marlas and is valued in lakhs of rupees. This action, ordered by the additional sessions court, Kathua, underscores the police's dedication to fighting terrorism and dismantling its support network.
Omar Abdullah has urged 42 political parties, including the Congress, to advocate for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir during the current Parliament session. He argues that downgrading a state to a Union Territory sets a dangerous precedent, emphasizing the need to uphold the constitutional rights and democratic values for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi highlighted the Indian armed forces' readiness for fifth-generation warfare, emphasizing technology integration. Speaking at IIT-Madras, he described Operation Sindoor as a turning point in counter-terrorism. He inaugurated 'Agnishodh' at IIT-Madras to boost indigenous defence innovation and acknowledged veterans' contributions to nation-building, reinforcing the commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement.
Telangana residents will be unable to utilize the Centre's Annual Toll Pass scheme for National Highways, launching August 15, due to the state's vehicle data not being migrated to the Vahan database. The Union transport secretary has requested the Telangana chief secretary's intervention to expedite the data migration, ensuring equitable access to the nationwide facility.
Following the death of Sukhi Chahal, an anti-Khalistan Sikh based in the US, condolences poured in, highlighting his impactful presence and media work. Gurcharan Singh Gill of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat noted Chahal's clear vision and his role as a beacon for the Indian diaspora, exposing propaganda.
Punjab's government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, has launched an anti-drug curriculum in schools as part of their "war against drugs" campaign. This initiative aims to educate eight lakh students about the dangers of drug abuse through special syllabus in government schools for students from classes 9 to 12.
Ahead of crucial global plastic treaty talks in Geneva, experts highlighted Asia-Pacific's pivotal role in tackling plastic pollution. Discussions emphasized the region's unique challenges, urging for legally binding obligations to reduce plastic production. Concerns were raised about potential treaty weaknesses, including industry influence and delayed commitments.
Consumer case disposal rates have declined in 2024 and 2025 compared to previous years, despite exceeding filings in 2022 and 2023. This downturn is attributed to a significant increase in vacancies for presidents and members across state and district consumer commissions.
Former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti urged the Centre to abandon its security-centric approach and embrace dialogue, asserting PM Modi could resolve the Kashmir issue. She criticized the revocation of Article 370 for deepening alienation, not bringing peace. Defending PDP's alliance with BJP in 2015, she emphasized the party's commitment to dialogue and a peaceful J&K integrated with India through mutual respect.
Parliament witnessed a heated debate on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The government hailed the operation as a military and diplomatic success, emphasizing its sovereign right to respond to cross-border terrorism.
Jim Corbett, celebrated for his 150th birth anniversary, transitioned from a hunter to a conservationist, gaining literary acclaim with 'Man-Eaters of Kumaon' in 1944. His work, praised by The Times of India, not only captivated readers but also supported blinded Indian soldiers through royalties.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, during his first visit to Srinagar post Article 370 abrogation, remarked on the region's beauty, quoting a Persian couplet. Speaking at a NALSA conference, he emphasized justice for all citizens and urged the J&K and Ladakh High Court to consider a separate bench for Ladakh UT, addressing the Ladakh Bar's request.
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