The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) said artificial intelligence was not used to evaluate Class 12 board exam answer sheets. Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar said, “Errors were identified in the evaluation process.” Out of 98 lakh answer sheets, about 13,000 required correction and were later checked manually. CBSE said its On-Screen Marking system was introduced to improve transparency and consistency. Students can apply for scanned copies of their evaluated answer sheets from May 19 to May 22. They can then seek verification or re-evaluation. Fees will be refunded if marks increase after review.

A Delhi court has sent Pune-based botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare to 14 days of CBI custody in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak investigation. The CBI alleges Mandhare, who was reportedly associated with the National Testing Agency’s exam process, leaked biology questions before the medical entrance exam held on May 3. Investigators claim she conducted special coaching sessions for selected students and shared questions that later appeared in the exam. The agency is probing a wider multi-state conspiracy involving middlemen, financial transactions, and possible links to officials connected with the examination system. (PC: The Hindu)

Two sisters in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur died by suicide within two months after allegedly facing years of gang-rape, blackmail and police inaction. The younger sister, in a complaint filed in April, accused eight men of sexually assaulting and threatening her elder sister using obscene videos. After the elder sibling died in March, the accused allegedly targeted the younger woman as well. She consumed poison on Friday after climbing a water tank demanding arrests. The incident triggered protests by members of the Rajput community, who accused police of negligence. Two accused have been detained and a departmental inquiry has been ordered. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said humanity is facing “many major challenges” and warned that the current decade risks becoming a “decade of disasters” due to pandemics, wars and the global energy crisis. Addressing the Indian community in The Hague during his Netherlands visit, Modi said prolonged conflicts and rising fuel prices could push millions back into poverty if conditions do not change quickly. He highlighted India’s growing global role and stressed cooperation with the Netherlands to build resilient and transparent supply chains. His remarks come amid rising global tensions and a recent fuel price hike in India after four years. (PC: HT)

The BJP-led West Bengal government has started removing the “Biswa Bangla” logo, introduced during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure, from official websites, public infrastructure, school materials, and government communications. The administration is replacing it with the national Ashoka emblem, calling it a move to restore official state identity under national symbols. The logo, closely associated with the Trinamool Congress era, had earlier sparked controversy over ownership claims linked to Abhishek Banerjee. Officials said the rebranding drive may also extend to welfare schemes and state projects. The move has triggered political debate over Bengal’s cultural identity and administrative symbolism. (PC: India Today)

A fire broke out in the B-1 AC coach of the Thiruvananthapuram–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express near Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh early Sunday morning, triggering panic among passengers. The incident occurred between Luni Richha and Vikramgarh Alot stations under the West Central Railway’s Kota Division around 5:15 am. Railway staff, RPF personnel, and emergency teams quickly evacuated passengers from the affected coach and adjoining compartments. Officials confirmed that no injuries or casualties were reported. Preliminary reports suggest a possible short circuit, though the exact cause is under investigation. Train services on the route were temporarily disrupted during rescue operations. 

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) prices in Delhi-NCR have increased again, crossing ₹80 per kilogram after Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) announced another ₹1 hike. This marks the second increase within 48 hours, following an earlier ₹2 rise linked to surging global energy prices and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The revised Delhi CNG rate now stands above ₹80/kg, while Mumbai’s rate remains around ₹84/kg. The fuel price surge comes after recent petrol and diesel hikes, increasing transportation costs for commuters, taxi drivers, and public transport operators. Auto unions in several cities are also demanding fare revisions. (PC: X)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a new population policy offering financial incentives for larger families. Under the scheme, families will receive ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. The government said the move aims to tackle the state’s declining birth rate and ageing population concerns. Naidu stated that further details of the policy will be revealed within a month. The announcement was made during a public meeting in Srikakulam district and follows an earlier proposal to provide ₹25,000 for a second child. (PC: PTI)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Pune-based senior Botany teacher Manisha Gurunath Mandhare in connection with the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak scandal. Officials claim she was part of the National Testing Agency’s expert panel and had access to Biology question papers. According to investigators, she allegedly conducted secret coaching sessions at her Pune residence, where students were taught leaked Botany and Zoology questions before the May 3 examination. The CBI says several questions matched the actual paper. Her arrest follows the detention of another Pune professor, as investigators continue uncovering a wider network involving middlemen and illegal payments. (PC: India Today)

The Indian government has imposed new restrictions on silver imports, moving key categories of silver from the “free” to the “restricted” import list. The decision, issued through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), aims to reduce pressure on India’s foreign exchange reserves, control the rising import bill, and support the rupee amid global economic uncertainty. Silver bars with 99.9% purity and several semi-manufactured silver products will now require government approval before import. India, the world’s largest silver consumer, has witnessed a sharp surge in silver imports due to rising investment demand and increased industrial use in electronics and solar sectors. (PC: Reuters)