The Jharkhand government has agreed to cancel the controversial 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, meeting one of the key demands of protesting aspirants. However, students have refused to end their agitation, insisting on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the examination process. Protesters have raised concerns over alleged leaks and discrepancies in evaluation and results. Talks between student representatives and the state government have failed to resolve the deadlock. The agitation in Ranchi is expected to continue, with protesters demanding greater transparency, accountability and reforms in Jharkhand’s competitive examination system. (PC: ANI)

Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that her car was attacked with stones, mud and slippers while she was travelling through North 24 Parganas to meet the family of deceased TMC worker Birju Keot. Banerjee claimed protesters surrounded her convoy and that police failed to intervene effectively. She said the incident could have endangered her life. The BJP condemned the incident but denied any involvement, calling for police action and an impartial investigation. The allegation has intensified political tensions in West Bengal, with both TMC and BJP exchanging accusations over the incident. (PC: NDTV)

A 40-year-old West Bengal woman, Shaheda Fakir, has allegedly been pushed into Bangladesh after being detained in Navi Mumbai as a suspected illegal infiltrator. Shaheda’s family says she is an Indian citizen and presented her birth certificate, school records, land documents and other identity papers to authorities. She was reportedly taken to Assam before being pushed across the border and later reached Satkhira, where a local family gave her shelter. Her family plans to approach the Calcutta High Court seeking her return. A migrant workers’ forum has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to verify her documents and intervene diplomatically. (PC: The Indian Express)

A Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 159 passengers was forced to circle briefly while approaching Kolkata airport after a laser beam reportedly flashed into the cockpit. Flight MH-184, travelling from Kuala Lumpur, was around 8 nautical miles from the runway when the pilot noticed the bright beam from the Madhyamgram-Barasat side. The laser reportedly affected the pilot’s vision and temporarily disoriented him, delaying the landing. The aircraft eventually landed safely at around 11:25 pm, with all passengers and crew safe. Kolkata airport authorities lodged a complaint with the NSCBI Airport Police Station. Police are investigating the incident, officials said. (PC: HT)

A section of graduating students at a leading law university in Hyderabad has opposed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant being invited as the chief guest for its 2026 convocation. In a letter to university authorities, the students raised concerns over recent judicial developments and remarks attributed to the CJI, including his alleged reference to Indian youth as “cockroaches”. They said his invitation conflicted with their concerns about constitutional accountability and academic freedom. The students urged the university administration to reconsider the decision. Their objection comes weeks after the Tata Institute of Social Sciences postponed its convocation amid concerns over possible protests linked to the CJI. (PC: India Today)

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has cancelled the booking of its SSS-1 auditorium for an August 10 discussion on Umar Khalid’s book Fractured Communities. The event, organised by the JNU Students’ Union, was scheduled from 3 pm to 6 pm as part of a programme marking Tribal Day, or Adivasi Diwas. The university said the cancellation was due to incomplete details in the venue request form. Several speakers, including professors Prabhu Mohapatra and Uma Chakravarti, were scheduled to participate. The administration said the decision followed established procedures and was aimed at ensuring transparency in the use of campus spaces. (PC: India Today)

A Jharkhand CID investigation into the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination reportedly found that 120 of 150 questions were leaked before the exam, with answers circulated through WhatsApp and other channels. According to documents accessed by NDTV, candidates allegedly received answers at locations including Hazaribagh, Jamshedpur, Patna, West Bengal and Nepal. An image reportedly timestamped 7:23 am on September 22, 2024, was cited as evidence. The CID submitted its report in March 2025, but the government later formed a second SIT that dismissed the leak allegations. Student protests over recruitment exams have continued in Ranchi. (PC: NDTV)

One of the two pilots operating an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight reportedly failed a post-flight dope test following a severe turbulence incident and sudden 300-foot altitude loss. Sources said both pilots have been removed from flying duties pending an inquiry. The incident, which occurred on August 5, injured at least 17 people, including four cabin crew members. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the incident and will decide whether further investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is required. Air India said the drug-test results have not been shared with the airline and declined to comment on the reported findings. (PC: 

The Jharkhand government will hold a sixth round of talks with protesting recruitment-exam aspirants after a 16-day agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for nearly a week, experienced a serious health deterioration, with doctors recording his blood glucose at 53. The government’s previous discussions with multiple student groups failed to resolve the deadlock. Protesters are demanding reforms, cancellation of disputed examinations and investigations into alleged irregularities. They have warned of an Assembly march on August 10 if their demands remain unresolved. (PC: X)

The Centre has clarified that UPI users will continue to make payments without transaction charges, despite recent legislative changes enabling the introduction of Merchant Discount Rates (MDR). The government said any future MDR would be nominal and restricted to a limited category of merchant transactions above a specified threshold. The vast majority of merchant transactions would also remain free, ensuring small businesses and everyday digital payments are not burdened. The clarification follows concerns after the Lok Sabha passed amendments allowing charges on UPI and other digital payments. The government aims to maintain UPI’s affordability while supporting the sustainability of its payment ecosystem. (PC: The Hindu)