The debate over Vande Mataram has returned during the song’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Congress has reaffirmed its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas, citing concerns over religious references in later verses. The BJP-led Centre, however, has moved to give the full six-stanza song greater official protection. Parliament amended the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act in July, making obstruction or disruption of its singing punishable by up to three years in jail. The Centre has also issued protocols for singing the complete song at official functions, reviving a decades-old political and cultural debate. (PC: NDTV)

Indian Air Force officers advised the makers of Netflix’s Operation Safed Sagar to portray fighter pilots realistically rather than as cinematic heroes. During research, pilots reportedly asked creators to avoid stereotypical slow-motion scenes of officers stepping out of fighter jets. They explained that pilots are often exhausted and drenched in sweat after demanding sorties, sometimes losing significant weight during missions. The show’s creators said they consulted serving IAF personnel extensively to preserve authenticity and focus on the human experiences behind the Kargil War. The series depicts the IAF’s Golden Arrows squadron and its challenging missions during Operation Safed Sagar. (PC: HT)

Assam has achieved a major milestone in indigenous cattle breeding with the birth of the world’s first female calf produced through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) from the state’s Lakhimi breed. The calf, named Sabhyata, Sanskriti and Srijan, marks a significant advancement in reproductive biotechnology and conservation of indigenous cattle genetics. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed the development as a historic achievement, highlighting its potential to strengthen scientific livestock breeding and preserve native cattle breeds. The breakthrough is expected to support improved productivity, genetic conservation and sustainable dairy development while demonstrating Assam’s growing capabilities in advanced animal reproductive technologies. (PC: X)

India will end the mandatory stamping of boarding passes for international passengers at immigration counters from September 1, 2026. The Bureau of Immigration has directed airports nationwide to stop requiring physical boarding passes for immigration clearance. Travellers will be able to present e-boarding passes on their smartphones instead. Physical boarding passes will still be accepted, but immigration officials will no longer stamp them. The move follows passenger complaints about inconvenience and poorly stamped documents becoming difficult to read. Authorities are also planning a pilot project to eliminate immigration entry and exit stamps for Indian passport holders, potentially extending the digital process further. (PC: Shutterstock)

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a new welfare policy for retired police dogs, ensuring they remain with their handlers after completing their service. Under the policy, retired canine personnel will no longer be offered for adoption to third parties. Instead, they will continue living with the handlers who have cared for them during their years of duty. The Maharashtra government will bear their lifetime living and medical expenses, recognising their contribution to policing and law enforcement. The move aims to provide retired police dogs with a familiar, secure environment and reflects greater attention to the welfare of service animals. (PC: X)

Chandigarh government school science teacher Ravi Kumar Jaiswal has been selected among 48 recipients of the National Teachers Award 2026 for his innovative teaching methods. At Government Model High School, Maloya Colony, Jaiswal transformed a school hall into a 3D dome theatre using waste materials such as tins and thermocol, enabling students to learn about space and science through immersive visuals. The initiative has since been replicated in six government schools across Chandigarh. He also established a weather station and supported students in science exhibitions and exchanges. Jaiswal is Chandigarh’s sole awardee and will receive the honour on Teachers’ Day. 

India’s space programme is set for a major shift, with ISRO gradually moving away from manufacturing launch vehicles and routine satellites. IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka said private companies and PSUs will take over launch vehicle production, allowing ISRO to focus on research, advanced technologies, scientific missions and space infrastructure. SSLV technology has already been transferred to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, while PSLV and LVM3 could also be moved to private industry. Goenka said ISRO has already transferred 120 technologies to the private sector as India aims to expand its space economy significantly by 2033. (PC: India Today)

A Panama-flagged cargo ship sank in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, about 444 km from Odisha’s Paradip coast. The ship was carrying 24 crew members and was heading to Singapore with iron ore from Odisha. It had arrived at Paradip on August 20 and left the coast on Friday. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have launched a search and rescue operation. Other ships in the area have also been alerted to help. Officials are still checking how many crew members were rescued. Most of those on board were reportedly Chinese. The cause of the sinking is not yet known.

A government primary school in Jaipur district has been moved from a cattle shed to a house after 18 children were forced to study there. The school building was declared unsafe. The move came after CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke issued a 48-hour ultimatum following a dispute during a school inspection. Villagers later approached the education department and requested a safer location. A local resident offered his house for classes, allowing lessons to resume on Saturday. Villagers also promised to support construction of a permanent school building. Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar urged people to keep political activity out of schools.

India has approved around 1,800 km of new LPG pipelines across six states. The projects will need an estimated ₹7,000 crore investment. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board cleared three projects to be built by state-run GAIL. The pipelines will connect Telangana, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Karnataka and Goa. The expansion will increase India’s approved LPG pipeline network from about 7,700 km to nearly 9,500 km. The move aims to reduce LPG transport by road. It could lower costs, reduce tanker traffic and improve road safety. The pipelines may also help ensure steady LPG supplies during emergencies.