The National Testing Agency (NTA) has ordered fresh UGC-NET June 2026 exams for English, Commerce and Sociology after an expert panel found serious issues in the question papers. The review identified factual and typographical errors, translation mistakes, missing scholar names, unclear wording, grammatical and numerical errors, and problematic answer options. The fresh exams will be held on September 9 for English and Commerce, and September 10 for Sociology. Candidates will not have to pay an additional fee. The NTA said results for the other 84 subjects will continue as scheduled, while details of centres and admit cards will be announced separately. (PC: News18)

A licensed pistol carried by an Air India Express passenger accidentally discharged during a mandatory weapons check at Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport on Sunday. The passenger, travelling to Mumbai with his wife, had declared the firearm and was taken to the designated screening area. During inspection, a round was fired and reportedly ricocheted, injuring two AAICLAS cargo screeners. A woman was struck on the leg, while another person suffered a thumb injury. Both were taken to hospital for treatment. The passenger was detained, while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is examining the circumstances and adherence to prescribed firearm-handling procedures. (PC: AFP)

Student and job aspirants in Jharkhand have intensified their protest over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Protesters announced plans to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts. They have also announced a gherao of Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20 if their demands are not addressed. Their demands include cancellation of the JSSC CGL and JPSC examinations, an independent CBI probe and Soren’s resignation. Protesters have accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to act, while also urging Rahul Gandhi to withdraw Congress support from the state government. (PC: AP)

A CISF jawan deployed at a Delhi Metro station has reportedly come under scrutiny after a video showed him allegedly photographing a woman without her consent and pointing his service pistol towards passengers. The incident, captured on video, has raised concerns over the conduct of security personnel responsible for protecting commuters. The footage reportedly shows the jawan using his phone while holding the firearm in a manner that alarmed passengers. Authorities are expected to examine the video and determine whether disciplinary or legal action is warranted. The incident has also renewed concerns about passenger safety and professional conduct within Delhi Metro security.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met students protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and examination irregularities. The students reportedly raised concerns about police action during earlier demonstrations and demanded accountability over issues affecting medical aspirants. Gandhi expressed solidarity with the protesters and criticised the government’s handling of their concerns. The protests have become a major political issue, with opposition parties questioning the Centre’s response and demanding stronger action over alleged irregularities. The government has maintained that students’ interests are a priority and announced measures, including fast-track courts for cases involving examination paper leaks. (PC: X)

Bengaluru engineer Gaurav Sen has developed an AI-powered system that detects potholes and identifies the contractors responsible for maintaining affected roads. The system uses a dashcam, GPS and an accelerometer to collect road data while driving. AI vision models analyse footage to identify potholes, including those that may resemble speed breakers, and record their locations. Sen also modified the app to search through around 2,900 government contracts and match potholes with responsible contractors. The technology could help authorities and citizens report road defects more efficiently, particularly where contractors remain legally responsible for repairs under existing road-maintenance contracts. 

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has demanded the immediate arrest of those allegedly responsible for the death of Janab Mafik, father of CJP volunteer Shaik Abdul Hafeez, in Bankura, West Bengal. Hafeez, 25, reportedly inspected a government school in Karisunda on August 13 as part of the “School Thik Karo” campaign highlighting poor infrastructure. CJP alleges that armed men, identified as local BJP workers, later attacked Hafeez and his family after demanding an apology video. Hafeez suffered injuries, while his father sustained severe head trauma and died on August 15. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke vowed to pursue justice. (PC: ANI)

Jharkhand’s JPSC and JSSC aspirants have announced plans to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20, intensifying their weeks-long protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The students are demanding action against those responsible and greater transparency in the recruitment process. The protest entered its 23rd day on August 16. On August 15, students held a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi and announced the planned gherao. Protest leaders have also demanded Soren’s resignation and urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the JMM-led government if their concerns are not addressed. (PC: X)

Two people were injured after a pistol carried by an Air India passenger accidentally went off during a weapons check at Varanasi airport on Sunday. The passenger, from Azamgarh, was travelling with his wife to Mumbai on Air India flight IX-1810. He had declared the pistol and magazine before boarding. At around 9:30 am, the weapon fired during the security check, with the bullet first hitting the ground before striking a woman and a boy nearby. The woman suffered a gunshot injury to her thigh, while the boy was injured in his hand. Both were taken to a private hospital. Police are investigating. (PC: India Today)

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued show-cause notices to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in an advertisement for Vimal Elaichi. The FDA said the campaign could amount to surrogate or indirect promotion of pan masala or tobacco-related products prohibited in Maharashtra. The notice, dated August 11, gives the actors 15 days from receiving it to submit written explanations. The FDA warned that further action could follow if their responses are not received or found unsatisfactory. The action comes during a wider FDA drive against food safety violations at chain restaurants across Maharashtra. (PC: X)