A high-level task force has been formed for exam reforms, headed by technology expert Nandan Nilekani.
The ongoing Jantar Mantar protest by students in Delhi over the NEET-UG exam paper leak, Prime Minister Modi once again took to social media to make an important announcement regarding the future of students. He announced the formation of a high-level task force on exam reforms, to be led by world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. On Sunday, July 26th, Prime Minister Modi once again shared a video on his Instagram account, stating, “The government is continuously taking various steps for the future of students. Those who compromised their future are in jail. We have already established fast-track courts. Work is underway to introduce a new law in Parliament, which will include stringent legal provisions. But we also have to look to the future. Our examination system must be reliable and transparent, and it must maximize the use of technology.” Task force will focus on examination reforms Keeping these considerations in mind, we have decided to form a high-level task force under the leadership of world-renowned technology expert Nandan Nilekani. This task force will focus on examination reforms. Based on the report, steps will be taken as soon as possible to ensure the credibility of upcoming examinations. To further improve, improve, and secure the National Testing Agency’s examinations, the central government has formed a multidisciplinary group of domain experts. This high-powered task force will primarily prepare a blueprint for major structural reforms in the system from the perspective of modern technology.” He also stated, This special committee includes top leaders from across the country, including technology expert Nandan Neel, former ISRO Chairman S. Somnath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Chennai Director V. Kamkoti, former Education Secretary Anita Agarwal, and logistics expert Amritlal Meena. Nandan Neel is an Indian entrepreneur, having founded the country’s leading IT company, Infosys. He served as the first Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India, where he played a key role in the successful implementation of India’s ambitious Aadhaar scheme. He also led the key technology committee, TAGUP (Technology Advisory Group for Unique Projects), within the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. This task force, headed by him, is expected to promote biometric authentication, digital security, computer-based training, and other modern technologies in examinations, thereby preventing incidents like paper leaks.
The 23rd Commonwealth Games begin in Scotland; 74 countries and around 3,000 athletes will participate
The 23rd Commonwealth Games have kicked off in Glasgow with a spectacular indoor opening ceremony.Glasgow, Scotland, launched the 23rd Commonwealth Games on Thursday, July 23, featuring a vibrant opening ceremony that showcased Scottish culture. King Charles III officially opened the Games at the OVO Hydro in the presence of Queen Camilla, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, and Commonwealth Games President Donald Rukare. This marked the second time in 12 years that the Scottish city has hosted this multi-sport event. Earlier, on Commonwealth Day (March 10, 2025), King Charles III had read the message contained within the King’s Baton at Buckingham Palace, signaling the start of the Games, which run until August 2. This is the first Commonwealth Games opening ceremony to be held indoors. Approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 nations are participating in the 2026 Commonwealth Games; the Parade of Nations inside the 13,000-capacity indoor arena was led by the African nations, followed by delegations from the Americas, Asia, the Caribbean, Oceania, and Europe. The opening ceremony also featured a Scottish lineup of talent. Grammy-nominated singer-songwriters KT Tunstall and Tom Walker performed, alongside Nina Nesbitt, Callum Beattie, Nathan Evans, Saint PHNX, and the electro-Celtic duo Valtos. The Indian team also participated in the athletes’ parade—with male members in formal suits and female participants in traditional sarees paired with blazers—receiving a rousing welcome from the audience. Led by Indian Olympic medalists Mirabai Chanu and Lovlina Borgohain—who carried the flag and baton—the Indian contingent entered the arena after Brunei Darussalam and before Malaysia. India is represented by 123 athletes competing across eight able-bodied sports and five para-sports. Scotland, the host nation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, made its entry last, in keeping with the tradition of multi-sport events. Reports indicate that approximately 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth nations and territories will compete in 10 sports across four venues over the next 10 days, vying for 215 medals. Notably, six sports are hosting para-events alongside able-bodied competitions, reinforcing the organizers’ vision of inclusive games. The budget for this edition is relatively modest; Glasgow stepped in to host the event after the Australian state of Victoria withdrew due to escalating costs. Having successfully hosted the games in 2014, the Scottish city has once again opened its doors, with this edition operating on a budget of approximately £160 million. India won 61 medals—including 22 golds—at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games; however, the medal tally is likely to be affected this time by the absence of traditionally high-yielding sports such as shooting, hockey, badminton, wrestling, and cricket. Meanwhile, India is set to host the subsequent edition of the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad in 2030, which will be a full-fledged event featuring 17 sports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to extend his heartfelt best wishes to the Indian contingent as the 23rd Commonwealth Games kicked off in Glasgow. I am fully confident that our athletes will participate in these Games with immense passion, determination, and a spirit of excellence; the skill and dedication of our players always inspire countless Indians.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Resigns Amid Intense NEET Protests..
The demands of the students and CJP protesters who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar for the past month have finally been met. India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned today. He has sent his resignation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. News of the Education Minister’s resignation sparked jubilation at Jantar Mantar, while protesters have been celebrating ever since. Dharmendra Pradhan himself posted the news of his resignation. He released a letter in the post. In the letter, he wrote, “From day one, I took responsibility for the NEET paper leak and never turned my back on this situation. My resolve was to ensure that no meritorious student’s prospects were jeopardized by the exam mafia and that no injustice was done to any student. However, even during this time, individuals in responsible positions attempted to create obstacles, misleading many students, which deeply distressed me. I am determined not to allow the youth power to fall into the vicious cycle of confusion.” On Friday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) had dismissed 47 officers in the NEET paper leak case and it was also said that a criminal case would be registered against the dismissed officers. The officials also talked about taking action to bring about quick reforms in NTA.
US imposes 10% duty on Indian goods, India likely to lose $11 billion in textile exports…
US President Donald Trump is once again in the news for imposing a 10% import duty on goods coming from 17 countries, including India. This decision is expected to make Indian products more expensive in the US market. However, Indian exporters say that we should not only look at the 10% tax, but also consider the tax rates imposed on our rival countries. FIEO : Matter of relief for India Ralhan, President of the exporter organization FIEO, said that it is a matter of relief for India that India has been placed in a lower slab of 10% than other countries. In contrast, India’s major competitors, such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, Brazil, and South Africa, have been taxed at 12.5%. This will put India in a better position than many countries in the global market. India’s direct competitors, such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka, have also been taxed at 10% in textiles, leather, and footwear. Therefore, Indian exporters’ presence in these sectors will not be weakened, as competitors will also have to pay the same tax in the US. FIEO advised traders to carefully study US regulations for their products without panicking. Even though India has been placed in a lower tax bracket, a major crisis is looming for the textile industry. The US has granted a special exemption to India’s neighbor and biggest competitor, Bangladesh, as well as Cambodia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, allowing them to sell their goods in the US without additional tax if they purchase cotton from the US for textile production. India is out of the list of special tax exemptions According to the think tank minister, India has been excluded from this special tax exemption list. Ashwin Chandra, president of CITI, a major textile industry body, expressed deep concern over this, saying that raising the issue of forced labor as a reason for taxation is unfortunate and risks damaging the reputation of Indian products. The biggest problem is that countries like Bangladesh, which previously purchased large quantities of cotton and yarn from India for textile production, may now, due to tax exemptions from the US, begin purchasing cotton from the US instead of India, potentially causing significant losses to Indian cotton farmers and cotton mills. Potential $11 billion in losses The US is the world’s largest market for the Indian textile industry. India exports approximately $11 billion worth of textiles and finished garments to the US annually. Experts believe that the new US policy could lead many US companies to shift orders from India to countries like Cambodia or Bangladesh. While the Indian government is working to manage this situation, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had previously expressed hope that India would also reach a trade agreement with the US at a concessional rate for textiles made using American yarn and cotton. But Indian exporters hope that the government will soon find a positive solution to this problem through dialogue.
Rahul Gandhi Rejects PM Modi’s Video, Demands Minister’s Resignation Over Paper Leaks
Amidst the ongoing protests at Jantar Mantar that have continued for nearly a month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a video on social media on Thursday, stating that the welfare and future of the nation’s youth are the government’s top priority. The Prime Minister announced that the government has decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure punishment for those responsible for the question paper leaks. Prime Minister Modi said, “Instructions have been issued to the concerned departments to ensure necessary action is taken. This is a significant step among the decisions being taken by the government to safeguard the interests of students. No one who plays with the future of the youth will be spared.” It is worth noting that this statement from Prime Minister Modi comes amidst ongoing protests by students and social activists regarding alleged irregularities in various examinations, including question paper leaks. The PM stated that the Cabinet would discuss the relevant draft today and that strict decisions would be taken. Once approved, it will be tabled in Parliament next week, with efforts made to ensure its speedy passage. PM Modi posted a 2.56-minute video message on his X handle. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at the video released by PM Modi. Dismissing the video as futile, he asserted that the students’ demands cannot be ignored. He also demanded a discussion on the paper leak issue during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi said, “Modi-ji, our students are demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation; do not insult their intelligence by releasing such videos in the middle of the night.” He believes the Prime Minister should fulfill three demands: strict action against those responsible for the lathi-charge, an apology from Prime Minister Modi, and the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan.
Another Exam Scandal: Uttarakhand Technological University Cancels Two Papers After Leak..
Amidst the ongoing NEET paper leak protest at Jantar Mantar, news of another paper leak is emerging from Uttarakhand. A paper leak has surfaced from Veer Madhav Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technological University (UTU), raising questions about the education system once again. The paper leak just before the exam has alarmed the administration. It is being reported that a professor’s negligence or collusion led to the sharing of questions on WhatsApp, leading to the cancellation of two crucial exams. The enraged student organization NSUI has now declared a fight to the finish. An investigation by Veer Madhav Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technological University found that Ashish Kumar Gupta, Assistant Professor at Shivalik College of Engineering, who was preparing the external paper for Machine Learning for Internet of Things (10TT004), had shared questions on students’ WhatsApp and the internal portal before the exam. The investigation also revealed a breach of confidentiality in the Electromagnetic Field Theory (ECT043) question paper. Due to this, the university has cancelled the examinations for both subjects with immediate effect. University will conduct re-examinations The university will conduct re-examinations in the third week of August 2026. Ashish Kumar Gupta, who was involved in the paper leak case, has been banned from all examination-related work at the university for seven years. The university has also issued a stern warning to Shivalik College of Engineering regarding the lack of oversight in the examination system. Meanwhile, the National Students Union of India (NSUI) has launched a campaign against the university administration regarding the matter. NSUI has called the paper leak a threat to the future of students and demanded strict action against the culprits, a fair investigation, and the protection of students’ interests. NSUI workers are staging a massive protest at the Veer Madhav Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University Council.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka & Akhilesh Detained Outside PM’s Residence During Student Justice Protest, Released After Hours..
On Tuesday, June 21st, the second day of protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) demanding Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation continued at Jantar Mantar. Meanwhile, on Tuesday evening, July 26th, several opposition leaders, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, were detained by the Delhi Police while protesting outside the Prime Minister’s residence. Detained leaders were taken to the Mandir Marg police station However, after a few hours, Rahul Gandhi and the other detained leaders were released from Chhatrasal Stadium. Earlier, some of the detained leaders were taken to the Mandir Marg police station, while others were taken to Chhatrasal Stadium. Meanwhile, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi arrived at the Mandir Marg police station to meet the detained leaders. Following the detention, Rahul Gandhi targeted the central government, saying that the fight for justice for the students would not stop. He said, “Modi ji, use all the force you can, but this fight for justice for the students will not stop.” Rahul Gandhi said that whether the government arrests him or sends him to jail does not matter. He said, “The power of Satyagraha is greater than the power of authority. The government must answer for the injustice done to our children.” Protesters chanted slogans like “Prime Minister, resign,” “Hooliganism will not be tolerated,” and “Give justice to the students.” Shortly after the protest began, police detained Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and several other leaders
Uttarakhand Unemployed March to Secretariat, Stage Sit-in Over Delayed Job Recruitments..
Under the banner of the Uttarakhand Unemployed Association, a large number of unemployed people marched to the Secretariat on Tuesday, July 21st, to press their various demands. Police, already present on Subhash Road, barricaded the protesters before the Secretariat. Angered, the unemployed sat on a sit-in protest on the road and began a vigorous demonstration to press their demands. During this protest, they demanded the immediate release of AE and JEE recruitment notifications by the Uttarakhand Public Service Commission, the early commencement of the pending recruitment process, the release of 1,500 recruitment notifications for the Uttarakhand Police, and the immediate initiation of the recruitment process for 400 Uttarakhand women police constable posts. Government had promised to release 60,000 vacancies to the unemployed The unemployed initially gathered at the Parade Ground and then marched on foot towards the Secretariat, where they were stopped by the police. Ram Kandwal, State President of the Unemployed Association, stated that both the central and state governments are deceiving the youth. He stated that the government had promised to release 60,000 vacancies to the unemployed, but this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Kandwal stated that while youth from other states are being brought here and offered jobs, the youth of the state are struggling to find employment. Kandwal stated that if the government had issued a notification for recruitment, the unemployed would not have been forced to take to the streets and protest. The Unemployed Association also strongly condemned the lathi charge against youth in Delhi yesterday. The youth participating in the protest stated that they have been preparing for competitive exams for years, but the constant delays in recruitment and the lack of notifications have left their future uncertain. They stated that completing the recruitment process on time would not only provide employment to unemployed youth but also fill vacant positions in various government departments. The youth warned that if the government does not take a positive decision on their demands soon, the movement will expand further.
CJP Parliament March Turns Chaotic in Delhi: Protesters Demand NEET Scam Probe & Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation
The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) organized a Parliament March today, July 20, in the national capital, Delhi, to protest against the paper leak, NEET exam scam, and unemployment. The CJP has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in connection with the NEET paper leak case, leading to a march by CJP students and activists today. Delhi Police is on high alert regarding the CJP’s protest march from Jantar Mantar to Parliament. Police personnel deployed on Parliament Street began lathi-charging CJP members. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters entered the Rajiv Chowk Metro Station, creating chaos. The CJP has launched a campaign against the government on three key issues: Delhi Police have deployed heavy security forces at Jantar Mantar and invoked Section 163 in connection with the Parliament march. Police also lathi-charged protesters at Jantar Mantar, a move denied by the police. Meanwhile, Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on a hunger strike for 23 days, has set three conditions for ending his fast.
Uttarakhand Govt Halts Felling of 3,000 Trees for Dehradun-Rishikesh Road Project Amid Protests
Significant news is emerging regarding the cutting of 3,000 trees for road widening between Bhaniawala and Rishikesh in Dehradun. The Dhami government has temporarily halted the cutting of 3,000 trees after discussions with the central government. The state government states that the cutting of trees for this project will remain suspended until a satisfactory consensus and trust is established with all stakeholders. Numerous citizens, environmentalists, and local residents have been protesting for the past few days regarding the Dehradun-Rishikesh four-lane/six-lane project, resulting in the government temporarily halting tree cutting. The state government maintains that development is essential, but no decision will be made without regard to public sentiment, the environment, and local interests. To this end, the Principal Secretary and relevant officials have been instructed to re-establish detailed dialogue with all stakeholders, local citizens, public representatives, and experts. Further action will be taken in full respect of the High Court’s directives and decision. Additionally, tree felling under this project will be suspended until a satisfactory consensus and trust is reached with all stakeholders. Last Friday, after his visit to Dehradun for the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program, Rahul Gandhi went directly to the protest site, where he met with those protesting the tree felling. He also promised to raise the issue in Parliament.