The Madhya Pradesh High Court awarded ₹10 lakh compensation to businessman Ajay Singh after he spent 57 days in jail when airport security scanners at Bhopal airport wrongly identified garam masala and aamchur powder as heroin and psychotropic substances. Justice Deepak Khot said delays and inadequate forensic facilities led to the prolonged detention despite no contraband being found later. Singh was arrested in 2010 while travelling to Malaysia via Delhi. The final forensic report from Hyderabad cleared the seized packets. Singh argued the Canada-made detection machine was not calibrated for aromatic Indian spices, causing a false positive. (PC: The Independent)

Indian-origin American tennis player Nishesh Basavareddy produced one of the biggest upsets of the French Open by defeating seventh seed Taylor Fritz in the first round at Roland Garros. The 21-year-old wildcard won 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-7(9), 6-1 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to register his first career victory over a top-10 player. Basavareddy, ranked 148 in the world, remained composed throughout the four-set contest against world number nine Fritz, who recently returned from a knee injury layoff. The win marked Basavareddy’s first main-draw victory at the French Open and a major breakthrough in his young professional career.

The Iranian Consulate in Hyderabad mocked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio after his visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra during his India tour. In a post on X, the consulate said the monument was built for Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s Iranian wife Mumtaz Mahal and praised the “genius of Iranian architects”. The remark also criticised the US administration over its stance on Iran during ongoing regional tensions. Rubio had described the Taj Mahal as “one of the love treasures of the world”. His visit comes ahead of the Quad foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi involving India, the US, Australia and Japan.

India’s rising tennis star Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi is set to compete at the Junior French Open as part of her long-term development plan rather than a pursuit of immediate results. The 16-year-old, who trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy, views the clay-court Grand Slam as an opportunity to gain experience and strengthen her transition toward professional tennis. Maaya has already shown promise with junior successes on European clay and valuable exposure at Grand Slam junior events. Supported by a professional coaching team and government backing, she believes every match contributes to her growth. Her focus remains on improving her game, adapting to higher competition, and building a foundation for a future career on the WTA Tour. (PC: X)

The UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026 has triggered widespread debate after candidates and educators described General Studies Paper 1 as among the toughest and most unpredictable in recent years. More than 8 lakh aspirants appeared for the exam, with many reporting unusually lengthy questions, complex interlinked statements and severe time pressure. Mentors said the paper expanded from around 40 pages in previous years to nearly 56 pages, increasing reading demands without extending examination time. Critics argued that some questions appeared loosely connected to the official syllabus. While UPSC unpredictability is well known, educators suggested this year’s format tested information processing speed as much as subject knowledge. (PC: X/India Today)

A significant investigation into NEET-UG irregularities has broadened from simple allegations into a sweeping review of Maharashtra's coaching industry. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is scrutinising an extensive network that includes coaching institute owners, school principals, middlemen, and National Testing Agency (NTA) translators. A key turning point occurred with the arrest of Shivraj Motegaonkar, owner of RCC Classes, alongside the questioning of school principal Manisha Hawaldar. Authorities allege that physics exam papers were reconstructed from memory and distributed via digital platforms. To uncover the full scope of the operation, investigators are analyzing digital communications, financial records, and institutional ties, with the Enforcement Directorate now involved. This escalating scandal has raised serious concerns regarding national exam security and the commercialized nature of medical coaching. (PC: NDTV)

Before the Delhi High Court, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke challenged the blocking of the party’s X account, which authorities allegedly suspended citing national security concerns. Dipke also claimed CJP’s Instagram and X accounts were hacked, causing the movement to lose access to its platforms. Launched on May 16, 2026, the satirical online movement rapidly gained popularity through commentary on unemployment, examination paper leaks and education-related issues. Dipke vowed to continue the campaign despite account suspensions. Separately, the Supreme Court declined urgent hearing of PILs linked to CJP, with Chief Justice Surya Kant stating there was no immediate urgency and cautioning petitioners against taking the issue sentimentally.

An IndiGo pilot, Captain Pradeep Krishnan, shared a rare night-time aerial video showing the illuminated India-Pakistan border from the cockpit, captivating social media users. The footage captured a continuous stretch of yellow floodlights marking the heavily guarded Radcliffe Line, with border outposts and security installations visible from cruising altitude. Addressing passengers, he described it as one of the world’s most sensitive and heavily guarded borders. The video quickly went viral, drawing thousands of reactions and comments. Viewers praised the breathtaking perspective, the scale of lighting infrastructure, and the striking visual contrast between the illuminated boundary and surrounding darkness. Some reflected on people divided by history, politics and borders, despite geographical proximity.

The Centre has assured a Parliamentary Standing Committee that India faces no immediate energy or fertiliser crisis despite escalating tensions in West Asia. During a two-hour meeting, officials from multiple ministries said the country has energy reserves sufficient for over 78 days and has activated contingency plans to safeguard supplies. Concerns over fertiliser imports linked to the Strait of Hormuz were addressed with assurances that alternative sourcing arrangements are already in place. Officials said India remains in touch with global suppliers, including the United States. The government’s strategy focuses on maintaining strategic reserves, diversifying imports, and coordinating logistics. If the conflict de-escalates, normal cargo and supply movement could resume within four to five days.

A mother and son from Haryana have been elected mayors in the United Kingdom. Twenty-three-year-old Tushar Kumar became the youngest Indian-origin mayor in the UK after being elected Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council. A week later, his mother Parveen Rani became the first Indian-origin Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council. The family moved from Haryana to the UK in 2013. Tushar’s father said both of them have always been involved in community service and social work. The family still visits Haryana every year and remains connected to its roots.