IIT Madras is planning to establish a School of Medical Sciences and offer its own medical degrees, including MBBS, MD and PhD, Director Professor V. Kamakoti has announced. The initiative aims to combine engineering and medical expertise and strengthen India’s ability to develop healthcare technologies domestically. IIT Madras already has a Department of Medical Sciences and Technology, launched in 2023, which trains students in engineering and biology. However, the proposed medical school will require approval from the National Medical Commission and a teaching hospital before it can award medical degrees. The plan could significantly expand IIT Madras’s role in healthcare education and research. (PC: X)

India secured qualification for the second round of the 2026 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup after holding England to a tense 0-0 draw in their final Pool D match in Amstelveen, Netherlands. India needed only a draw to progress and produced a disciplined defensive performance despite sustained English pressure, particularly in the closing stages. England created several opportunities, while India also had goals disallowed. The result saw India finish second in Pool D behind China, with five points from three matches. India had earlier drawn 2-2 with China and defeated South Africa 6-1. England’s campaign ended with the draw. (PC: X)

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement on Maritime Security Cooperation in New Delhi on August 20, strengthening their growing defence partnership. Defence Ministers Rajnath Singh and Shinjiro Koizumi agreed to enhance maritime information sharing, naval exercises, personnel exchanges and coordination to protect vital sea lanes. The pact also covers search-and-rescue operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Both countries will explore greater use of ports, maintenance facilities and reciprocal ship-repair arrangements, while considering cooperation in naval shipbuilding and design. The agreement reinforces their shared commitment to a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific amid evolving regional security challenges. (PC: X)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay made three key requests to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Tamil Nadu. First, Vijay sought a firm assurance that no state would lose its share of parliamentary representation under the proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026, warning that population-based changes could disadvantage southern states. Second, he reiterated Tamil Nadu’s demand for an exemption from NEET and an alternative admission system. Third, Vijay urged stricter regulation of online sales of prescription medicines and stronger legal measures to tackle substance abuse among youth. (PC: X)

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium has received praise during the 2026 BWF World Championships after facing heavy criticism during the India Open earlier this year. The venue, which was disrupted by birds, a monkey and complaints over facilities, has undergone a significant turnaround. Four days into the World Championships, players and BWF officials have described the stadium as clean, well-organised and capable of hosting a world-class event. BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund has also praised the improvements. The successful transformation highlights efforts by organisers to address previous shortcomings and deliver better standards for one of badminton’s biggest international tournaments. (PC: BAI)

The Supreme Court of India has established a special panel to investigate allegations of violence during recent youth-led protests that forced the education minister to resign last month. The inquiry will examine claims of police brutality against demonstrators as well as allegations that protesters attacked security personnel. The protests, reportedly linked to concerns over exam-related issues, had escalated across several locations and attracted significant public attention. The court’s decision seeks an impartial examination of events and accountability for any wrongdoing. The panel’s formation comes after earlier court intervention concerning detained young protesters and demands for preservation of surveillance footage and other evidence. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Union secretaries to engage directly with university students and young people to bring fresh and unconventional ideas into policymaking. At a meeting in New Delhi, he stressed greater cooperation between government departments, universities and youth while urging officials to break departmental silos. Modi also called for increased use of artificial intelligence, while retaining human judgement, and described data as a national asset requiring better interoperability. Discussions covered infrastructure, connectivity, security, external affairs and governance. He further emphasised research, innovation, defence-sector development and stronger maritime industries to improve India’s global competitiveness. (PC: File)

A Ladakh tourist has publicly apologised to Indian Army personnel after a video of her heated confrontation with security forces went viral and sparked widespread criticism. In the video, she questioned a road closure at the Minimarg checkpoint and said, “We are Gen Z,” while expressing frustration over the prolonged wait. She later said the remarks were made in frustration and apologised directly to the soldiers, acknowledging their role in keeping citizens safe. She also asked the Army to forgive her “as a younger sister.” The apology has triggered mixed reactions online, with some welcoming her regret while others remain critical. 

The Israeli military has acknowledged for the first time that its troops fired on a vehicle carrying five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab and her family in Gaza in January 2024. Hind survived the initial attack but remained trapped in the car for hours, pleading with Palestinian Red Crescent rescuers for help. She was later found dead alongside family members, while two medics sent to rescue her were also killed. The admission reverses Israel’s earlier claim that its forces were not near the vehicle. The military has now ordered a criminal investigation, while rights groups have demanded independent international accountability. (PC: AP)

Weeks before RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s planned visit to the United States, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has called for sanctions against the RSS. The federal body, which monitors religious freedom worldwide, alleged that the organisation has been “perpetuating attacks on religious minorities”. The USCIRF is chaired by Asif Mahmood, a Pakistan-born American citizen. According to the report, Mahmood has maintained close ties with Pakistan’s political and diplomatic leadership and has previously testified before the US Congress on Kashmir. The development comes ahead of Bhagwat’s scheduled America visit, placing renewed focus on the USCIRF’s recommendation and its criticism of the RSS.