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

PM appeals for smooth monsoon session, opposition force adjournments

Repeated adjournments disrupted Parliament’s proceedings on the first day of the Monsoon Session on Monday (July 20, 2026) as the Opposition protested in both Houses demanding a discussion on various issues, including the question paper leaks and the Cockroach Janta Party’s protests in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised the issues and said that the government was trying to suppress the protests in Delhi. Chairman V.P. Radhakrishnan called for a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee amid the logjam. Before the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media outside Parliament and called on the Opposition to “wholeheartedly participate in proceedings of Monsoon Session”.

CJP marches to Parliament amid crackdown, negotiations

Protesters marching toward Parliament from the Sansad Marg side were stopped by security forces outside the Sansad Marg Police station on Monday (July 20, 2026). Security forces used batons to control the crowd, injuring a few protesters who received first aid on site. Police fired tear gas at protesters, who had been stopped at Raisina Road, barely 200 metres from Parliament. Meanwhile, the Union Government has reached out to the Cockroach Janta Party team for talks.

Police outnumbered, taken aback by number of protesters who reached Parliament’s doorstep

Delhi Police and other security personnel were outnumbered and taken aback by thousands of protesters who arrived in and around Jantar Mantar on Monday (July 20, 2026), a senior government official said. In an unprecedented turn of events, despite multiple layers of barricades, deployment of around 3,000 security personnel and an Internet shutdown, large crowds comprising mostly students and young people were able to reach the doorsteps of Parliament before they were tear-gassed and charged with batons.

Sonam Wangchuk to continue fast, cites police action against protesters

Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday (July 20, 2026) that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, saying the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march has prompted him to extend the fast until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital.

Four Indian seafarers killed near Ukrainian port Odessa

India on Monday (July 20, 2026) condemned the attack on a merchant vessel near the Ukrainian port of Odessa on Sunday that left four Indian sailors dead and one critically injured. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s opposition to attacks on merchant vessels as such incidents violate the freedom of navigation. The Acting Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, has blamed Russia for the attack and said five crew members of the ship remain missing.

Andy Burnham becomes U.K. PM, promising new social and political model

Former Manchester Mayor, Andrew Burnham, was appointed Prime Minister of the U.K. on Monday (July 20, 2026), its seventh in a decade. Mr. Burnham described the moment as a “circuit breaker”, as he promised to usher in a new political and social model for the country, taking power out of London and spreading it across the regions of the U.K. The outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had made history two years ago, when he led the Labour Party in one of the largest victories in modern times, made history again on Monday (July 20, 2026), but this time for becoming the U.K.’s shortest serving Labour Prime Minister

India approves first dengue vaccine for individuals aged 4 to 60 years

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted market authorisation to Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India’s QDENGA (TAK-003), making it the first dengue vaccine to be approved in the country, according to a press release issued by the company. The vaccine has been approved for the prevention of dengue disease in individuals aged 4 to 60 years. QDENGA is a live-attenuated tetravalent vaccine designed to protect against all four dengue virus serotypes and is administered as a two-dose regimen, with doses given three months apart.

Special court in Mumbai sentences 44 Somalian pirates to life imprisonment; praises Navy for prompt action

A special court in Mumbai on Monday (July 20, 2026) sentenced 44 Somalian nationals to life imprisonment in two different cases on charges of piracy and other offences. The court also appreciated the bravery of Indian Navy in discharging legal and international duty in letter and spirit by taking all cost and risk. While imposing the maximum punishment of life imprisonment, Special Judge S.B. Dige noted that the offences committed by the accused persons were serious in nature.

Iran hits out at Gulf neighbours as U.S. presses on with strikes

Washington and Tehran traded strikes on Monday (July 20, 2026) as U.S. deaths in the renewed fighting climbed to three and more ships came under attack in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices surged to a one-month high as the United States and Iran tussled for control of the vital strait, with Brent crude rising above $91 a barrel — the highest price since June 11.

Ram Mandir donations theft row: Supreme Court suggests setting up a SIT

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, on Monday (July 20, 2026), heard a batch of pleas seeking a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. The court suggested that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) be set up to investigate the case and advised Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Uttar Pradesh, to consult with Uttar Pradesh DGP about it. The court also said that it would read the probe report submitted by Uttar Pradesh police and posted the case for further hearing.

Delhi HC agrees to hear wife Gitanjali’s plea for shifting Sonam Wangchuk to hospital of choice

The Delhi High Court on Monday (July 20, 2026) agreed to hear an appeal filed by Ms. Gitanjali J. Angmo, wife of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, challenging an order of the court refusing to transfer him from Safdarjung Hospital to a hospital of his choice. Senior advocate Akhil Sibal, representing Ms. Angmo, argued that Mr. Wangchuk was “forcibly” picked up without prior intimation on Saturday (July 18, 2026) from the site of his hunger strike at Jantar Mantar and admitted to Safdarjung Hospital.

NC protests in Delhi to demand statehood for J&K, says government’s promise remains unfulfilled

The National Conference (NC) protested in New Delhi on Monday (July 20, 2026) to demand immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and call on the Modi government to honour its commitment made in Parliament and before the Supreme Court. Led by NC president Farooq Abdullah, NC leaders and workers gathered at the Jammu and Kashmir House on the opening day of Parliament’s Monsoon session. They carried placards reading “Apna wada pura karo [Fulfil your promise]”, “Restore rights and dignity of people of J&K” and “Restore full statehood”.

No decision yet on petrol blending beyond 20% ethanol, says minister

The government has not yet decided to raise ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% level, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha on Monday (July 20, 2026), adding that any future increase would follow further scientific study and consultation with industry. “So far, no decision has been taken by the government for increasing ethanol blending with petrol beyond 20%,” Mr. Gopi said in a written reply to a question.

India extends grant support to Maldives for fitness centres across 42 islands

India and the Maldives have signed agreements under which New Delhi will provide equipment support for fitness and recreation centres in 42 islands, further expanding bilateral development cooperation, according to the Maldives’ Foreign Ministry. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on Sunday (July 19, 2026) by Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian and Maldives’ Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Minister Abdulla Rafiu at a ceremony in Male, the Ministry said in a press statement.