Politics — Page 21
Elections, government, public policy, diplomacy and geopolitical action
Prashant Kishor sworn in as Bankipur MLA, end of BJP hold
Prashant Kishor took the oath as Bankipur MLA, marking the Jan Suraaj Party's first entry in the Bihar Assembly after a bypoll win. The ceremony occurred in Patna with Speaker Prem Kumar presiding, following Kishor’s August 3 bypoll victory by a 19,324-vote margin.
Shehzad Poonawalla quits BJP, cites financial and personal reasons
Former BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla submitted his resignation from all party posts, citing pressing financial and personal circumstances. The move follows an earlier resignation on July 30 that the party reportedly did not accept, with a fresh letter dated August 17 sent to party pre
EPFO eases withdrawals: 75% of PF accessible for emergencies
India's EPFO simplifies partial withdrawal rules, allowing up to 75% of PF balance for emergencies. A 12-month eligibility period now applies for most advances, with specific caps and frequency for education, housing, and illness.
Why junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh are protesting
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh began a phased strike on August 11, 2026, over a long-prepared stipend revision due from January 1, 2026. Talks with the government failed to secure a satisfactory raise, triggering broader emergency-service withdrawals across all government medical colleges.
CJP's Dipke joins protest over Bombay HC typing test glitches
Abhijeet Dipke joined candidates in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar protesting alleged technical failures during the Bombay High Court clerk typing test. Officials said a few issues were reported at select centres, while candidates demanded a re-test.
NTA orders re-exams for English, Commerce and Sociology after errors
The National Testing Agency will re-conduct UGC-NET exams for English, Commerce and Sociology after a committee found extensive errors and repeated questions. Re-exams are scheduled for September 9-10 with no extra fees for affected candidates.
FM Sitharaman cites degree gap; calls for market-ready education
In Jaipur, FM Nirmala Sitharaman argued that university degrees don’t adequately prepare students for the job market, emphasizing structural fixes to align education with employment needs. She spoke during the BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors meeting, amid concerns raised by protes
Arunachal student suicide in Kerala sparks backlash over credit-score rule
A 20-year-old Arunachal Pradesh student was found dead in Kerala amid protests over a college credit-score policy. Authorities say the death is under investigation and discussions over the year-back system and fees are ongoing.
Kerala HC notes state lax in collecting fines for unauthorised flex boards
The Kerala High Court criticized the state for not collecting fines on unauthorised flex boards and banners, accusing authorities of losing revenue. It highlighted discrepancies between installations removed and fines collected and urged local bodies to implement court directives.
Congress protests in Kalaburagi over purification ritual at Kharge rally venue
Protesters in Kalaburagi condemned a purification ritual reportedly conducted at a Kharge rally venue in Haldwani, Uttarakhand. The demonstration followed Kharge's Rajya Sabha remarks about untouchability, with party leaders and workers denouncing casteist motives and urging mind-focused cleansing.
Karnataka opposition accuses govt of drought neglect as handloom market opens
Congress leader H.D. Kumaraswamy criticises the state government over drought relief while inaugurating a farmers’ cooperative and handloom center in Bagalkot. He cites water issues and alleged misallocation of funds, and highlights a ₹6 crore godown project by PKPS.
CEC credits SIR for Bihar turnout and record election participation
The Chief Election Commissioner said Bihar’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls helped raise turnout in the latest Assembly polls. He noted 70 lakh names were removed from rolls and highlighted Bihar as the origin of SIR, with a focus on Vaishali as a democratic landmark.
Census 2027: 40-question form rolled out for J&K, Ladakh as phase two begins
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India announced a 40-question Population Enumeration for Census 2027. Phase two will start in Ladakh and snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from Aug 17, with the rest of the country to follow in Feb 2027.
CJI urges law schools to train students in responsible AI use
The Chief Justice of India urged law schools to integrate responsible AI use into legal education, arguing technology should accelerate justice and be integrated with ethical judgment. He spoke at the Vice Chancellors’ Conclave in Jodhpur, stressing transparency and supervision in classroom use of A
Congress holds focus group discussions with students in Chhatron Ki Goonj campaign
The Congress party is conducting closed-door focus groups with student aspirants as part of its Chhatron Ki Goonj initiative, with Rahul Gandhi engaging in Prayagraj and planning more sessions including a women-focused event in Pune.
Tamil Nadu to launch multiple tourism initiatives, ministers say
Tamil Nadu ministers outline plans to expand tourism, including river and devotional routes, with senior citizens' travel support being considered. Tiruchi cited as a key destination with about 2.5 crore visitors.
Visakhapatnam airport closes to civil flights; Bhogapuram airport takes over
The city’s civil enclave at Visakhapatnam Airport ended scheduled operations on August 16, 2026, as Bhogapuram's Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport came into service. Non-scheduled civil flights and naval flying continue at INS Dega, with the Navy now the sole authority over Visakhapatnam ai
YSRCP presses for immediate reinstatement of suspended teachers
YSRCP’s employees’ wing requests the withdrawal of suspension orders against four teachers who met Union officials seeking TET exemptions for in-service teachers. The party calls the suspensions unjust and urges the state to escalate the matter to the Centre.
Railways to install water filtration at 20,000 sites after E. coli findings
The CAG flagged E. coli in drinking water at Indian Railways stations, prompting the ministry to announce a major upgrade. The plan includes Tank to Tap filtration across around 20,000 locations, with centralized monitoring and periodic reporting.
Kalaburagi bandh calls for drought relief for farmers
Activists in Kalaburagi demand drought relief and policy action ahead of a planned bandh. They accuse inadequate monsoon, seek compensation, crop insurance relief, and MSP guarantees, with broader calls for water release and support measures.
Complaint seeks probe into alleged disruption of Vande Mataram at Thrissur Corporation in Kerala
A complaint was filed with the Thrissur City Police Commissioner seeking a probe into alleged disruption of Vande Mataram during Independence Day events at the Thrissur Corporation. Eight BJP-elected councillors reportedly sang after the official programme, and officials left the venue amid announce
AP junior doctors to halt emergency services from Aug 17 over stipend hike
APJUDA says Phase III protest continues; emergency services to be withdrawn from Aug 17 after deadline passed. About 9,000 junior doctors across 19 government medical colleges may be affected.
Communist unity not merger, says Viswam
CPI leader Binoy Viswam argued that greater unity among communist parties is needed but should not be framed as a merger, during a meeting in Thrissur. He linked continuity of Left-led Kerala policies to Achutha Menon's government and pressed against symbolizing LIFE Mission with Modi’s picture.
Three lawyers’ collectives demand resignation of BCI chair over NALSAR row
Three lawyers’ collectives with 700+ members urged Bar Council of India Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra to resign, citing a controversial NALSAR episode. Mishra apologized after initially barring 2026 graduates from enrollment, then withdrew the order; the CJI rebuked the directive. The groups hinted at