TODAY NEWS ON July 17, 2026

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

PM Modi to flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered train in Haryana

In a push towards sustainable transport, modern healthcare, and advanced connectivity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab on Friday (July 17, 2026) on a day-long tour in which he will unveil initiatives valued at over ₹25,000 crore.

Govt. lists five Bills for Monsoon Session, no mention of delimitation legislation

The Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the 1971 law to make the intentional insult of, or disruption during, the singing of the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence, and the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, which proposes stricter provisions for delayed registration, are among the five new Bills listed by the government for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

As Wangchuk’s health worsens, Delhi High Court orders regular monitoring

With activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health. Doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk’s health condition had entered a critical stage. Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Mr. Wangchuk regularly, said he has lost over 9 kg, but remains “mentally alert”.

Leave with all your belongings, Mamata tells deserters

With back-to-back leaders deserting her, Trinamool Congress party chairperson and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (July 16, 2026) said that those facing pressure from Central agencies should leave with “all their belongings” before July 21. “I request those who are facing various pressures from the ED, CBI or BJP to leave before July 21. Leave with all your belongings,” the Trinamool chairperson said on social media live.

Two die as lakhs throng Jagannath Yatra in Puri

Two persons died and several others were injured after a crowd surge on Badadanda, the wide road in front of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, during the pulling of chariots on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday (July 16, 2026). The stampede-like situation occurred near the Marichikote Chowk when devotees were pushed aside to make way for an ambulance moving through the crowd.

CM Vijay warns T.N. Cabinet colleagues against corruption and irregularities in depts.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday (July 16, 2026) warned his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials that he would not tolerate corruption or irregularities in their departments. Sources said the Chief Minister, chairing a meeting of his Cabinet, made it clear that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone found guilty and that no one could later fault him for doing so.

Avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels moving via Strait of Hormuz: DGMA to shipping companies

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed ship owners, ship managers and recruitment and placement service companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders amid the West Asia crisis.

After ambushes, CRPF tells forces in Manipur to use armoured vehicles, avoid sudden deployment

In the wake of two ambushes on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur and Nagaland, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units deployed in Manipur have been instructed to use only armoured vehicles for movement and to avoid sudden or unplanned deployments, a senior government official said on Thursday (July 16, 2026).

Supreme Court orders States to frame policy for early release of elderly, terminally ill prisoners

The Supreme Court on Thursday (July 16, 2026) directed all States and Union Territories to put in place, within three months, a uniform policy governing the premature release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners, observing that such inmates are entitled to a humane and time-bound mechanism for remission or early release on compassionate grounds.

NEET-UG 2026 results: 11.21 lakh candidates qualify in re-test; women outshine men

A total of 11.21 lakh candidates qualified in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination held earlier this year, as the National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results on Thursday. Nearly 20 lakh candidates had appeared for the re-examination held on June 21 following cancellation of the earlier exam due to an alleged paper leak.

Supreme Court to hear appeal against ban on animated film Mahaprabhu Jagannath for not being true to ‘Skanda Purana’

The Supreme Court agreed to urgently hear on Friday (July 17, 2026) an appeal against an Orissa High Court ban on the release of an animated film ‘Mahaprabhu Jagannath’ for not strictly adhering to the religious text of Skanda Purana.

ISRO issues memo to curb exodus of scientists and engineers from Gaganyaan and other key missions

With about 100 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) personnel quitting the space agency in various centres across the country, the Department of Space (DoS) has issued a memorandum to curb the exodus of scientists and engineers who are working in critical missions of national importance, like the Gaganyaan.

Centre floats another draft of CAFE-III, gives special recognition to ethanol and biofuel cars

The Centre has released the draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE)-III norms for stakeholder consultation, proposing tighter fuel efficiency and carbon emission standards for passenger vehicles from April 1, 2027.

U.S. airstrikes hit northern Iran as it disables ship trying to run blockade

The United States intensified its strikes targeting Iran early on Thursday (July 16, 2026), hitting targets further north as American forces also fired into a ship it accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic.

ENG vs IND 2nd ODI: Root guides England to series-levelling win in Cardiff

Joe Root scored an unbeaten 99 (133b, 9x4) to carry England to a four-wicket, series-levelling success over India in the second ODI. Root was on 98 when the hosts still needed 19 runs. But Gus Atkinson (23 n.o., 16b, 3x4, 1x6) scored a lion’s share of those to usher the win with nearly six overs to spare. The decider will be played at Lord’s in London this Sunday.