News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Express and others

India, Netherlands elevating ties to strategic partnership, says PM Modi

India and the Netherlands on Saturday (May 16, 2026) decided to elevate their relationship to the strategic partnership level following extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten amid shifting global geopolitics.

India rejects Court of Arbitration’s pondage award on Indus Waters Treaty

India on Saturday (May 16, 2026) rejected an award reportedly issued by the Court of Arbitration (CoA) at The Hague on May 15, 2026, concerning maximum pondage at Indian hydroelectric projects on the Indus river system, reiterating that it does not recognise the tribunal as legitimately constituted.

Bandi Bageerath arrested near Narsingi after week-long manhunt

After a week-long manhunt, Bandi Bageerath, son of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, was arrested by Cyberabad police on Saturday (May 16, 2026) night, in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act case booked against him at the Petbasheerabad Police Station.

Gravity of a crime must not dictate decision on premature release of a convict: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has said in a judgment that granting premature release to a convict is a “distinct Executive function”, adding that the heinousness of the crime must not dictate the decision on remission. The court said justice did not permit the permanent incarceration of an individual in the shadow of their worst act. The nature of the offence cannot, therefore, be the sole ground for refusing remission.

NEET-UG paper leak: Doctors’ body moves Supreme Court to make NTA a statutory body accountable to Parliament

The United Doctors Front on Saturday (May 16, 2026) moved the Supreme Court of India seeking the transition of the National Testing Agency (NTA) from a registered society to a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament to ensure constitutional and parliamentary accountability.

CBI arrests ‘mastermind’ linked to NEET-UG 2026 biology paper leak

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday (May 16, 2026) has arrested a biology lecturer from Pune in connection with the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak case. Manisha Gurunath Mandhare was appointed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) as an expert and was involved in the examination process this year.

CBSE makes third language mandatory for Class IX

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the study of three languages compulsory for students from Class IX beginning July 1, while clarifying that there will be no Board examination for the third language (R3) in Class X. In a circular issued on May 15, the CBSE said that at least two of the three languages must be native Indian languages, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.”

Chola-era Anaimangalam Plates, in possession of Leiden University since 1862, returned to India

Chola-era plates, currently in the possession of Leiden University in the Netherlands, have been returned to India. The plates were presented on Saturday (May 16, 2026) during a formal ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague. They will be officially transferred to India at a later date.

Canadian cruise passenger gets presumptive positive hantavirus test result after ship outbreak

One of four Canadians who returned home from a cruise ship where there was a hantavirus outbreak received a “presumptive positive” test result for the virus, Canadian officials said on Saturday (May 16, 2026). Results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg to confirm the case are expected to come over the weekend, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, the public health officer for the province of British Columbia.

Hindu groups perform puja at Bhojshala amid security; ASI issues directions to implement High Court order

Hindu groups performed worship at the Bhojshala complex in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar on Saturday (May 16, 2026) with several Hindu devotees thronging the historical site, a day after the High Court declared it a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Saraswati and a Sanskrit learning centre.

WHO warns nicotine pouch brands targeting youth as sales surge

Sleek, discreet packaging, added flavours, sponsorship of concerts, festivals and sports events and aspirational lifestyle branding are among the widespread industry tactics used by nicotine pouch brands to appeal to younger audiences, warns the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a recently released global report “Exposing marketing tactics and strategies driving the growth of nicotine pouches”.

T.N. Cabinet portfolios: CM Vijay to hold Home; Finance for Sengottaiyan; Aadhav Arjuna gets PWD

The portfolios of Ministers in the Cabinet headed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay have been announced. A Lok Bhavan press release stated the Chief Minister had recommended to the Governor the portfolio and subject allocations for the Council of Ministers, who were sworn in along with him on May 10. The Governor has approved the recommendations.

Bengal Government orders re-verification of caste certificates issued since 2011

Observing that the authenticity and genuineness of some caste certificates have been challenged by different quarters, the West Bengal government has decided to conduct a re-verification of all caste certificates issued in the State since 2011.

Israel confirms Hamas armed wing chief killed in Gaza strike

The Israeli military on Saturday (May 16, 2026) confirmed that Ezzedine Al-Haddad, chief of Hamas’ armed wing, was killed in an air strike in Gaza the day before.“The IDF and the ISA announce that yesterday, in a precise strike in the area of the City of Gaza, the terrorist Ezzedine Al-Haddad was eliminated,” the military said, referring to itself and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.