The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Regulation of Supply and Distribution) Order, 2000, requiring households that obtain a Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connection to surrender their domestic LPG connection or secure a transfer voucher within 30 days. The notification took effect immediately after publication in the Official Gazette. Households acquiring PNG can no longer receive LPG cylinder refills from the date of PNG activation. The transfer voucher allows restoration of an LPG connection in a non-PNG area, benefiting transferable employees, migrants, tenants and students. The legally binding amendment aims to end simultaneous LPG and PNG usage amid concerns over natural gas shortages linked to the West Asia conflict. (PC: The Tribune)

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)

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday declined urgent hearing on petitions linked to the viral Cockroach Janta Party movement and urged lawyers not to react “so sentimentally” to the controversy. A Supreme Court bench led by the CJI said there was no grave urgency in the matter. The petitions sought action against alleged misuse of courtroom remarks and a probe into activities linked to the satirical online campaign. The controversy began after Justice Kant’s remarks comparing some unemployed youth to “cockroaches” during a hearing on fake law degrees triggered backlash on social media. (PC: HT)

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said India must closely monitor fuel, fertiliser and foreign exchange reserves as the US-Iran conflict pushes up global prices and affects domestic markets. Speaking at the SIDBI anniversary event in Mumbai, Sitharaman said fertiliser prices had reached “unimaginable levels” while rising crude oil prices were increasing pressure on India’s economy. Petrol and diesel prices have been raised four times in less than two weeks. The finance minister said the Centre had absorbed a revenue impact of over Rs 1 lakh crore through excise duty cuts. She also urged timely payments to MSMEs facing working capital stress. (PC: NDTV)

The Assam government on Monday introduced the Uniform Civil Code Bill, Assam, 2026, in the state Assembly to regulate marriage, divorce, succession and live-in relationships. Assam Parliamentary Affairs Minister Atul Bora tabled the Bill during the first Assembly session after the NDA government returned to power. The proposed law seeks compulsory registration of marriages and divorces, bans polygamy and introduces uniform inheritance rules. It also creates a legal framework for live-in relationships to protect partners and children. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier backed the proposal. Scheduled Tribes will remain exempt from the Bill’s provisions. (PC: The Indian Express)

Three elephant calves have died within 17 days in Chhattisgarh’s Dharamjaigarh forest division, raising concerns over habitat conditions and elephant safety in the region. The latest death occurred on Sunday after a calf became trapped in a marshy pond area under the Pureda-Amjhar forest range despite rescue efforts. Forest officials said the calf’s mother stayed nearby for hours and tried to free it. Divisional Forest Officer Kishore Kumar Upadhyay said wildlife experts and veterinarians from Dehradun, Bareilly and Jabalpur will investigate the deaths, assess forest conditions and train local staff. Eight elephant calves have reportedly died in the division over five months. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court on Monday sought responses from the Centre, the National Testing Agency and the Central Bureau of Investigation on petitions seeking major reforms in the NEET examination system following the 2026 paper leak controversy. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said it was “sad” that lessons were not learned from earlier leaks. The court asked the NTA to explain compliance with recommendations made by a monitoring committee formed after the 2024 NEET controversy. Petitioners sought replacing the NTA with an autonomous body and shifting NEET entirely to a computer-based format. (PC: X)

The Supreme Court on Monday was informed that the Central Bureau of Investigation is likely to take over the probe into actor-model Twisha Sharma’s death within a day. A bench led by Justice Surya Kant recorded the Madhya Pradesh government’s statement recommending a CBI inquiry. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the Centre was expected to issue formal approval soon. The court expressed concern over allegations of institutional bias and media speculation because Sharma’s husband is advocate Samarth Singh and her mother-in-law Giribala Singh is a former district judge. The bench urged all parties and media to avoid influencing the investigation. (PC: HT)

Petrol and diesel prices were increased again across India on Monday, marking the fourth hike in less than two weeks. State-run oil marketing companies raised petrol prices by Rs 2.61 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.71 per litre, taking the total increase to nearly Rs 7.5 since May 16. Petrol in Delhi now costs Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel is priced at Rs 95.20. ONGC Director (Exploration) Sushma Rawat said global crude prices remain volatile due to the US-Iran conflict and uncertainty over peace talks. Analysts warned repeated hikes may increase transport costs and push up prices of essential goods. (PC: India Today)

Fuel prices in India have been increased for the fourth time in less than two weeks, with petrol rising by Rs 2.61 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.71. The latest revision pushed petrol prices in New Delhi above the Rs 100 mark to Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel climbed to Rs 95.20 per litre. State-run oil companies are continuing price adjustments to offset losses incurred after holding rates steady despite global crude oil prices crossing $100 per barrel. The hikes are largely linked to disruptions caused by the ongoing US-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warn sustained increases could raise transportation costs and fuel broader inflation. (PC: India Today)