Politics
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
Bank holidays on August 26: citywise list of closed branches in India
India observes bank holidays on August 26 for Eid Milad-un-Nabi and Thiruvonam in multiple cities, with RBI calendar guiding regional closures. Several major cities are affected, while digital services remain available in many cases.
Doval and Wang Yi press for progress on boundary delimitation in Beijing talks
Indian NSA Ajit Doval and Chinese FM Wang Yi held talks in Beijing focusing on advancing boundary delimitation while maintaining border peace and ongoing transboundary cooperation. Both sides highlighted progress, with no details disclosed on specific LAC segments.
Kejriwal highlights E20 woes at Goa town hall
Arvind Kejriwal led a Goa town hall linking the E20 ethanol policy to vehicle troubles and rising fuel costs, citing testimonies from local riders and industry sources about reduced mileage and engine issues.
UN panel flags rights concerns in India, calls NRC suspension
A UN human rights committee criticized India's NRC policy, urging suspension and review, and highlighted discrimination against Bengali-speaking Muslims and other groups. It also flagged the SIR process for voter impact and urged protection measures.
Modi reviews cyber fraud cases, calls for regular capacity-building
Prime Minister Modi chaired the 53rd PRAGATI meeting in New Delhi, reviewing cyber fraud cases and urging ongoing capacity-building and awareness campaigns. The PM highlighted use of modern tech and data-driven approaches, including AgriStack and AI, while also evaluating six major public-infrastruc
Doval in Beijing: China calls for long-term view, manage differences
India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing. Beijing urged India to adopt a strategic, long-term perspective and to manage differences as both sides seek to strengthen peace along the border and expand ties across political, economic and multilateral
Xi Jinping likely to attend BRICS summit in Delhi next month
Xi Jinping is expected to participate in the BRICS leaders’ summit in New Delhi on September 12-13, with a large Chinese delegation. This would mark his first India visit in seven years and follows a year of diplomatic efforts to stabilise ties after border tensions.
Gurgaon rainfall hits 75 mm; Bihar student protests; SC OBC row
Gurgaon logged 75 mm of rainfall by 5 p.m., with 52 mm in a three-hour spell. In Patna, students protested over TRE-4 and BPSC recruitment issues, while the Supreme Court debates the OBC creamy-layer rule.
Telangana urges Centre to adjust fertilizer prices for balanced use
Telangana state asks the Centre to rationalise fertilizer prices to curb excessive urea use and restore soil balance. Data cited shows urea consumption rising from 2015-16 to 2025-26 and soil nutrient ratios deviating from recommendations.
Environmentalists alert SC panel over Aravallis public consultation
Environmentalists say the SC-formed HPC on the Aravallis did not conduct adequate public consultation or field studies as its report deadline looms. They urge broader participation and a more comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Study across all Aravalli districts.
India to add 100 ships to its merchant fleet, NSB roadmap shows
The National Shipping Board unveiled a plan to add 100 vessels to India's merchant fleet over five years, aiming to curb dependence on foreign shippers. The proposals were discussed at the Sagar Samvad event chaired by Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on August 24, 2026.
Electors report varied notices during special revision phase in India
Electors received notices during the Special Intensive Revision phase, with discrepancies ranging from large age gaps to small/misrecorded ages. Some notices lacked dates or signatures, and hearing dates in Karimnagar clashed with a festival. Online checks through the ECI portal reveal limited visib
Telangana aims to finish Devadula in a year, lift water with full pumping
Telangana plans to fast-track the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, aiming for completion within a year and to push maximum water lifting using all available pumping capacity. A review highlighted bottlenecks and funding provisions to accelerate land, forest, and rehabilitation steps.
AP lorry owners seek counter-signature permits for AP-Telangana goods travel
The Andhra Pradesh Lorry Owners Association asked state officials for counter-signature permits to move goods between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The move aims to replace costly national permits and ease cross-border transport for locally hired vehicles.
FATHI calls for extra ICET counselling round, wants B-category dates deferred
The Federation of Associations of Telangana Higher Institutions urged an additional MBA/MCA counselling round and asked for postponement of B-category admissions due to missing memos and pending supplementary results for 2025-26 graduates.
Opposition to Park Act amendment grows as writers urge repeal, Karandlaje writes to Governor
Kannada writers and progressive groups urge withdrawal of the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) Act amendment. Minister Shobha Karandlaje sends a letter to the Governor urging assent be withheld, calling the bill regressive and draconian.
Hyderabad NEET PG: 990 candidates to sit for exam across four centres
Hyderabad will host NEET PG with about 990 registered candidates across four centres. Officials directed strict exam compliance, security, and logistics for the August 30 test, which runs from 9 am to 12:30 pm.
Civil society rejects SIR draft rolls in Karnataka, plans EC Chalo protest
Karnataka-based civil society groups reject the Special Intensive Revision rolls and announce an Election Commission Chalo campaign on Sep 1, seeking court intervention. They demand EC resignations and allege the revision process is unscientific and undemocratic.
BJP to contest all 117 Punjab seats, rules out SAD alliance
The BJP announced it will contest all 117 Punjab assembly seats, signaling no alliance with the Shiromani Akali Dal. The remark comes amid past speculation of a tie-up and ongoing internal discussions within the BJP about organizational readiness for the polls.
BLOs call pivotal role in electoral process, says CEC
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar told BLOs they are the first interface between citizens and the Election Commission. The event in Lucknow included more than 500 BLOs, 30 supervisors, and highlighted the post-SIR electoral roll finalization in Uttar Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh inks UK partnership for Amaravati infrastructure
Andhra Pradesh signed a long-term collaboration with the UK Department for Business and Trade to develop Amaravati and other municipalities. The deal aims at infrastructure upgrade and potential funding via UK Export Finance, with a focus on sustainable urban development and technology transfer.
BRS alleges hiding CM Revanth Reddy’s cancelled US trip details
BRS accuses Congress and BJP of withholding facts about Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s cancelled U.S. visit. The party says details were only partly disclosed weeks before departure, contrasting with earlier personal-visit examples cited by opponents.
Telangana fee reimbursement row tests BJP claim on schemes in BJP-ruled states
Telangana's fee reimbursement dispute intensified as the BJP pressed for release of pending dues, while the state government touted advance payments and staggered settlements. The exchange raised questions about whether states governed by the BJP implement similar schemes.
Kerala Home Minister touts 100 days of people-focused governance amid financial strain
Kerala’s Home Minister says the state completed 100 days of governance focused on public welfare despite tight finances, citing the lack of labour strikes during Onam. He spoke at the inauguration of a Chavara MLA office and highlighted party dynamics in Payyannur within the UDF coalition.