The student protest over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC CGL recruitment examinations entered Day 13 in Ranchi, with protesters demanding the resignation of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. Students accused the government of being unresponsive and renewed their demand for a CBI probe into the recruitment process. Protest leaders said they would continue their hunger strike despite deteriorating health and confirmed plans to gherao the state assembly on August 10. The state government has invited student representatives for talks, while Soren has assured the Governor that the government is committed to ensuring justice and examining the allegations. (PC: HT)

The Indian government quietly completed a Rs 31,500-crore sale of a 6.5% stake in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), making it the country's biggest secondary share sale through the stock exchange. According to Bloomberg, even some investment bankers advising the deal were informed only hours before its launch to prevent traders from influencing LIC's share price. The government initially offered a 2.5% stake before increasing it to 6.5% after strong institutional demand. The sale raises LIC's public shareholding to 10%, helping the insurer meet SEBI's minimum public shareholding requirement well before the May 2027 deadline. (PC: India Today)

The Bombay High Court's Goa bench on Thursday convicted former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case, overturning his acquittal by a Goa Sessions Court in 2021. The court found him guilty of raping a woman colleague at a Goa hotel during an event in 2013. Tejpal was arrested the same year after the survivor accused him of sexually assaulting her inside a hotel elevator. He had denied the allegations throughout the case. The Sessions Court had earlier acquitted him, citing insufficient evidence, but the High Court reversed that verdict. (PC: X)

Anti-reservation protests are gaining momentum across India, with demonstrations reported in Nagpur, Jaipur, Lucknow and Visakhapatnam. Student groups, social media campaign Reservation Hatao Andolan (RHA), and Shri Rajput Karni Sena are demanding changes to the country's caste-based reservation system. In Jaipur, Karni Sena supporters clashed with police during a march against the UGC Equity Regulations, after which the outfit vowed not to support the BJP in upcoming local elections. Protesters are seeking income-based reservations, periodic policy reviews and rollback of the UGC rules. While the movement is expanding online and on the streets, the government has not indicated any change to the existing reservation framework. (PC: India Today)

A protest by government job aspirants in Jharkhand has evolved into a broader movement demanding reforms in recruitment, education and examination processes. At Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, several protesters, including 30-year-old Brahmanand Kumar Mahato from Ramgarh, have been on a hunger strike for four days, with doctors monitoring their health. Mahato, a father, says he cannot return home without securing justice for thousands of unemployed youth, despite his young daughter asking him to come back. Protesters allege repeated delays, irregularities and lack of transparency in recruitment have pushed many aspirants into prolonged uncertainty, turning the agitation into a wider campaign for systemic change.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk has alleged that the Centre breached a mutual understanding by releasing photographs of him ending his 26-day hunger strike after a meeting with Union Ministers JP Nadda and Jitendra Singh. Speaking to India Today TV, Wangchuk claimed it had been agreed that no images would be made public until Opposition leaders and student representatives were also associated with the announcement. He said the incident left him disillusioned with political leaders across party lines and questioned the government's handling of the engagement. The remarks come amid continuing discussions over Ladakh-related demands and Wangchuk's campaign for constitutional safeguards and greater protections for the region. (PC: India Today)

17 people, including four crew members, were injured after severe turbulence hit an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi. Passengers said the aircraft shook violently, throwing people into the air and damaging overhead luggage compartments. An air hostess repeatedly shouted, "Fasten your seatbelts," as panic spread inside the cabin. One passenger said it felt like "a rebirth" after the plane landed safely. Seven passengers were admitted to a hospital in Delhi for treatment. Air India said the flight landed safely. Passengers praised the crew and called for a detailed investigation into the incident.

Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk said, "Don't make me a mascot," as he ruled out becoming the face of student protests over alleged exam irregularities. In an interview with India Today, he said young people should become "their own heroes" in their communities. Wangchuk supported peaceful protests, calling them important for democracy. However, he added, "I do not approve abusive language at all," while urging governments to understand students' frustration instead of punishing them. He also backed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) remaining apolitical. Wangchuk said he is recovering after ending his 26-day hunger strike in Ladakh.

Political parties in Jammu & Kashmir marked the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 with street protests across the Union Territory, amid heightened security. Workers of the ruling National Conference (NC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held demonstrations, demanding restoration of the region's special constitutional status. Police intervened to stop protest marches in parts of Srinagar. Separately, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha described the August 5, 2019 decision as a "historic turning point" and distributed government appointment letters to family members of terror victims. The contrasting events reflected the continuing political divide over the abrogation and its impact on Jammu & Kashmir's governance and future. (PC: Imran Nissar)

India is well placed to benefit from artificial intelligence (AI), with fewer jobs at risk of automation than in richer countries, according to the World Bank's World Development Report 2026. The report says only 4.5% of jobs in low- and middle-income countries face automation risks, compared with 14.2% in high-income economies. Instead, AI is expected to improve productivity across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education and public services. The World Bank urged developing nations to strengthen electricity, internet access, digital skills and institutions while adopting affordable AI tools tailored to local languages and community needs.