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

Students are architects of India’s future, says President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday (August 14, 2026) described students as the “architects of India’s future” and with 65% of the population below the age of 35, India’s youth were its “most valuable asset”. In her address to the nation on the eve of the 80th Independence Day, she said the government was undertaking comprehensive reforms to make public examinations transparent, secure and trustworthy, and to completely curb paper leaks and the use of unfair means.

President approves 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, for defence and CAPF personnel

President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for personnel of the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) on the eve of Independence Day. According to the Ministry of Defence, the awards include nine Kirti Chakras, seven of them posthumous; one Bar to Shaurya Chakra; 19 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous; five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry); 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous; three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

CJI criticises BCI’s interference in ‘dialogue’ between him and students

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Friday (August 14, 2026) questioned the motives behind an aborted move by the Bar Council of India to stop the professional enrolment of the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research’s (NALSAR) batch of 2026, terming it an unwarranted interference in the ongoing “dialogue” between him and the students who do not want him as the chief guest for their convocation ceremony.

India reaffirms ‘longstanding ties’ with Afghanistan

The Indian government reaffirmed its “longstanding ties” with Afghanistan and the Afghan people just days before the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. Speaking to the media at the bi-weekly briefing here on Friday (August 14, 2026), Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said: “In the last few months and over a year now, we have had several engagements and several ministerial visits from Afghanistan to India and these have led to strengthening of partnerships in several areas including in development cooperation, trade, connectivity”.

Census 2027 to have 40 questions, including details of caste, COVID vaccination, ID proofs

The Union Government on Friday (August 14, 2026) notified 40 questions, which among others asks will ask the respondents to record their “caste” during the Population Enumeration exercise, the second phase of Population Census 2027. This is the first time caste will be enumerated in Independent India, other than that of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste. Question number 10 on the Census schedule reads “Scheduled Caste (SC)/ Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Caste.” Officials said that the enumerator will record the caste as declared by the respondent as it is an open column.

Government removes 12-minute ad duration cap for TV channels

The government on Friday (August 14, 2026) said it has decided to remove the 12-minute advertisement duration cap for television channels to enable fair competition and ensure ease of doing business. “In India, the sector is heavily dependent on advertising, irrespective of whether a channel is ‘pay’ or ‘free-to-air’. Furthermore, there was a non-level playing field for traditional TV channels vis-à-vis digital media, where no such stipulation on advertisement cap regulation exists,” said the Information & Broadcasting Ministry.

CAG finds 89% of audited railway stations deficient in basic amenities

An audit of passenger amenities and sanitation by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed persistent and widespread deficiencies across Indian Railways. A joint team of CAG and railway officials conducted an audit of 512 stations, of which 458 stations (nearly 89%) were deficient in one or more minimum essential amenities, including fans (42%), water coolers (40%), drinking water taps (27%), urinals (22%), seating arrangements (15%), platform shelters (13%), latrines (12%) and clocks (12%). “Only 54 stations (11%) had no shortfalls,” the report noted.

Strong 7.7-magnitude quake strikes off Indonesia: USGS

A strong 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Flores island in eastern Indonesia early on Saturday (August 15, 2026), the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicentre of the quake was located off the north coast of the island, about 68 km northwest of Ende, USGS said. The quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of just 10 km. The initial quake was followed by two strong aftershocks in the same area, of magnitude 5.6 and 5.9. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of the possibility of tsunami waves being generated by the quake.

India in U.S. crosshairs again — White House report cites countries ‘enabling’ China’s tariff evasions

India is once again in the U.S.’ crosshairs, this time for allegedly allowing China to evade U.S. tariffs by routing its exports through the country. The latest allegations are part of a new White House report called ‘The Great Transhipment Scam’. In particular, the U.S. has named the Pune-Gujarat-Chennai belt as one of the areas “enabling” China to evade tariffs to the detriment of supply chains in the U.S.

India hopes to revive WTC fortunes on Sri Lankan shores

A lone crow hopped on the tarpaulin covers spread across the ground. The odd puddle became an impromptu bathing spot before the bird flew away. Soon the sun was a blazing orb and Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill strode towards the pitch. Gill knelt down and pressed his palms on the surface. The Indian captain then had a discussion with coach Gambhir. Just as Friday wavered between whimsical rains and glorious sunshine, the Galle International Stadium geared up for the first Test pitting Sri Lanka against India here from Saturday.