TODAY NEWS ON August 12, 2026
News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp
President Murmu gives assent to Bill criminalising insult to Vande Mataram
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) gave assent to a Bill that criminalises intentional disruption or prevention of the singing of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’, giving it the same legal protection currently accorded to the national anthem, a government statement said. With the President’s assent, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has become a law.
Parliament Monsoon Session Day 17 updates: Rajya Sabha passes Tribunals Reforms Bill; LS passes Bill to rename Kerala as ‘Keralam’
The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, was passed in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) without any debate by voice vote amid sloganeering by the Opposition MPs. The Bill proposed to rename the State of Kerala as ‘Keralam’. Further, the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026 was passed in Rajya Sabha. Replying to the debate on the Bill, Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said tribunals play a complementary role to ensure speedy justice.
Bike taxis are not public transport vehicles, Karnataka tells Supreme Court
The Karnataka government on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) submitted in the Supreme Court that a State High Court decision to allow bike taxis ignores the low safety standards of motorcycles, higher accident fatality rates, congestion, and their limited utility as public transport vehicles.
Supreme Court sceptical about binding SIR Tribunals to timeline; seeks disposal details
The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) hesitated to bind Appellate Tribunals, hearing applications filed by persons excluded from the West Bengal electoral roll in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, to a specific timeline even as it sought details of their disposal rates from the Election Commission of India.
Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution seeking abolition of NEET for medical education
The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to do away with the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical courses, citing repeated irregularities in the conduct of the examination, proliferation of coaching centres, and loss of lives. The lone BJP MLA M. Bhojarajan opposed the resolution and staged a walkout before the voting.
M.P. Parameswaran, renowned nuclear scientist and CPI(M) theorist, dies at 92
M.P. Parameswaran, former nuclear scientist who later became prominent as a CPI(M) theorist, people’s science movement activist and writer, passed away in Thrissur, Kerala, on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). He was 92. Mr. Parameswaran was one of the earliest and foremost members of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (KSSP). His ideas on the ‘fourth world’ had triggered wide debate and eventually led to his expulsion from the CPI(M) in February 2004.
Massive Colombia earthquake triggers frantic search for missing as death toll tops 100
Search and rescue efforts were underway early on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) in dozens of cities and towns in western Colombia after a powerful earthquake struck the region, killing at least 111 people and leaving many trapped under the debris of damaged and destroyed buildings.
Syria sentences former president Bashar al-Assad to death over killings, torture
A Syrian court sentenced ousted leader Bashar al-Assad to death on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) after a trial in absentia, convicting him of crimes including killings, torture, and arbitrary arrest during the country’s nearly 14-year war.
Peace in border areas of ‘utmost importance’, says MEA after reports of Chinese incursions
The maintenance of peace and tranquillity in border areas is of “utmost importance,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), adding that India has always emphasised in bilateral talks that Chinese troops crossing into Indian territories constitute some of the “most serious” issues. Speaking at the bi-weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson of the MEA, said the condition of the border areas will “reflect” on the larger India-China relations.
Amid backlash, Centre set to refer FCRA Bill to JPC
Faced with demands to scrap the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, from different corners of the country on Tuesday — including a unanimous resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and mass protests in the streets of Mizoram’s capital — the Union government informed its allies and other parties that it would move a resolution in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to refer the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, sources said.
Inquiry committee report on Justice Varma to be tabled in Lok Sabha on August 12
Report of an inquiry committee which invested allegations against Justice Yashwant Varma — against whom removal proceedings were initiated over the alleged discovery of unaccounted for cash from his official residence — will be placed before the Lok Sabha on Wednesday (August 12, 2026). According to the list of business of the Lok Sabha for Wednesday (August 12, 2026), the secretary general will “lay” the two volumes of the report along with oral evidence in the House.
Kerala name change, co-operative sector bills cleared without debate as Lok Sabha deadlock continues
Even as the deadlock between the Opposition and the government continued, the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) passed two Bills, one on renaming Kerala to ‘Keralam’, without discussion. While the List of Business mentioned that Home Minister Amit Shah would move for the passage of the Bills, the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 and the National Co-operative Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2026 were moved by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Minister of State for Cooperation Murlidhar Mohol respectively.
Delhi Police issue advisory on road closures tomorrow; security beefed up
Several key roads will remain closed to traffic near Red Fort from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Thursday for the Independence Day full-dress rehearsal. Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to use alternative routes as the rehearsal is expected to affect traffic movement across central and north Delhi. Only authorised vehicles will be allowed near locations such as India Gate and stretches of Ring Road and Outer Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
CM Vijay likely to move resolution in Assembly seeking freeze on Lok Sabha seats at 543
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is expected to move a resolution in the Assembly on Wednesday (August 11, 2026) regarding the proposed delimitation exercise, urging the Union government to permanently maintain the existing strength of the Lok Sabha at 543 and retain the current inter-State distribution of seats. Mr. Vijay had, on August 8, 2026, convened a meeting with Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai. Of the total 57 MPs — 39 in the Lok Sabha and 18 in the Rajya Sabha — from Tamil Nadu, only 19 MPs participated. At the meeting, it was decided to adopt a resolution in the Assembly to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu and the southern States.
Panel seeks enhanced relief, counselling for SC/ST victims
An internal government task force has recommended several amendments to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, including raising the relief and rehabilitation amounts that governments are mandated to pay victims of atrocities under the law to adjust for inflation. Among other recommendations made by this task force are measures to introduce counselling for the accused and the victims and their dependents.
Centre relaxes construction hurdles in Ganga flood plain
The Union government eased restrictions governing construction along the Ganga flood plain this week, paving the way for building projects in areas which are only subject to moderate or rare flooding. This has been done by revising the definition of a ‘flood plain’ and deleting a clause in the legislation that expressly prohibited construction, according to an August 10 gazette order from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), affiliated to the Jal Shakti Ministry.
Colombia earthquake death toll tops 200 as rescuers race to find survivors
Rescue crews dug through mountains of shattered concrete in western Colombia on Tuesday (August 11, 2026), racing to find survivors after a powerful earthquake killed more than 200 people, according to estimates from local authorities. Families waited beside the rubble for signs of life. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to strike the South American country in decades, tore through Colombia’s coffee-growing heartland early on Monday, leaving apartment blocks, homes, schools and health centers cracked, leaning or flattened.
Ukraine says Russia fired North Korean missiles in deadly attack
Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least 10 people overnight and wounded dozens, Kyiv said Tuesday (August 11, 2026), accusing Moscow of launching North Korean missiles in the raid. The allegation comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned — without providing evidence — that Moscow was receiving more ballistic projectiles and troops from its ally Pyongyang.
Government approves introduction of one billion polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20
The government has approved the introduction of one billion polymer banknotes of ₹10 and ₹20 for field trials, Parliament was informed on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), with the recommendation of its central board, had sent a proposal to the government in terms of Section 25 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, for introduction of one billion pieces each of ₹10 and ₹20 polymer banknotes for field trials and for regular issuance of polymer banknotes in these two denominations after successful completion of field trials, Finance Minister said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
Afghanistan seal 2027 World Cup berth, West Indies to go through qualifiers again
Afghanistan secured automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup with a win over Ireland on Monday, leaving twice champions West Indies to go through qualifiers for the third successive edition of the 50-overs tournament. The top eight teams in the one-day rankings on September 30, excluding co-hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe, qualify directly for the event.
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