Census 2027: Ladakh to lead Independent India’s first caste enumeration
Ladakh, one of the country’s two youngest Union Territories, is set to lead the way in demonstrating how caste will be enumerated for the first time in Independent India. The second phase of the Census—the Population Enumeration (PE)—which starts on August 17 in Ladakh and other snow-bound areas, is likely to ask questions on 40 parameters and provide an open-ended column for caste enumeration.
Jharkhand government cancels JPSC exam; protests to continue till CBI probe ordered, say students
The Jharkhand government on Sunday (August 9, 2026) agreed to cancel the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) preliminary examination and the JPSC backlog examinations held in 2023 and 2025 following six hours of discussions with protesting student groups.
Government data point to uneven implementation of NRTS, with several large States lagging behind
More than two-thirds of India’s registered nursing workforce are yet to be brought under the Nurses Registration and Tracking System (NRTS), despite the digital platform having been introduced over seven years ago to create a national registry and streamline registration-related services. Government data tabled in the Lok Sabha last month show that only 14.24 lakh of the country’s 46.02 lakh registered nursing personnel—comprising Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives (RN & RM), and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs)—have been enrolled on the platform, leaving 31.78 lakh outside the national system.
Final report on theatre commands under consideration, Centre tells House panel
The long-pending plan to operationalise theatre commands for the Indian military has entered a decisive phase, with the final report on the proposed restructuring of the armed forces now under consideration by the government, according to the latest report of the Standing Committee on Defence submitted in Parliament. The development assumes significance as the theatrisation exercise moves into a crucial phase following the appointment of General N.S. Raja Subramani as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) after General Anil Chauhan demitted office at the end of May.
BJP MP lists private bill on social media ban for children
The debate over whether a social media ban for under 13- or 16-year-olds should be implemented or not, and amid the Union government’s standoff with Meta, an interesting intervention appeared in the Lok Sabha last week, with a private members’ Bill listed in that House by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Baijayant Panda, throwing a little light on what such a move could look like in its legislative form.
Congress to strongly oppose FCRA Bill, warns against repeating 2023 ‘mass suspension’ episode
The Congress on Sunday (August 9, 2026) said it would strongly oppose the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill in Parliament, warning the government against repeating the events of December 2023 when several key laws were passed after 146 Opposition MPs were suspended during the Winter Session. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal said the government should not assume that it could introduce and pass the FCRA Bill in the remaining days of the Monsoon Session without resistance. “If the Central government thinks they can cook up and introduce the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill within these two or three days, they should keep that wish to themselves,” he said in Alappuzha.
CM Vijay likely to move resolution in Assembly emphasising on mandatory rendition of ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ first
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to move a resolution in the Assembly on Monday (August 10, 2026), emphasising the State Song, ‘Tamil Thai Vazhthu’ (invocation to mother Tamil), be mandatorily sung before the commencement of programmes held by all educational institutions, universities, government offices, public sector undertakings and other public institutions in the State.
Iran Guards say won’t reopen Hormuz without U.S. meeting Tehran’s demands
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday (August 9, 2026) that they would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States complied with a list of demands, including paying compensation for war damage. Iran has effectively blockaded the crucial energy conduit since the United States and Israel attacked it in late February, and wants to charge tolls for passage, striking ships it accuses of attempting to circumvent its preferred route.
Netanyahu rejects U.S. Gaza plan, vows no pullout until Hamas disarms
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (August 9, 2026) rejected a Gaza plan hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing no military pullout until Hamas is “genuinely” disarmed. After more than a week of gradually escalating criticism of the plan, Mr. Netanyahu explicitly opposed it as he faced pushback from his right-wing base ahead of elections.
Suspected cartel boss Kinahan lands in Ireland after extradition from Dubai
A plane landed in Ireland on Sunday (August 9, 2026) carrying suspected transnational cartel boss Daniel Kinahan who was set to face trial after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, an AFP journalist saw. Kinahan had been held in custody in Dubai since his arrest there in April after Ireland issued a warrant for “alleged serious organised crime offences”.
Trump announces staff secretary Will Scharf will be his new White House counsel
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday (August 9, 2026) that his new White House counsel will be Will Scharf, the staff secretary who as the Trump-appointed head of the National Capital Planning Commission helped secure approval for the $400 million ballroom project. Mr. Trump said that, beginning September 1, Mr. Scharf will be replacing David Warrington, who will be leaving the administration to join the private sector. Mr. Trump noted that Mr. Scharf previously served as a federal prosecutor and represented him in a number of cases, including at the Supreme Court.
Sarfaraz Khan replaces injured Sai Sudharsan, back in Test squad
Sarfaraz Khan has returned to India’s Test squad after 20 months, with the Mumbai batter replacing the injured B. Sai Sudharsan for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. The Hindu understands that the selection committee, in consultation with the team management, picked Sarfaraz after Sai Sudharsan did not recover in time from a right big-toe stress injury. The BCCI announced Sarfaraz’s inclusion on Sunday. He is expected to link up with the Indian team in Colombo before the side travels to Galle on Tuesday.
