Nation

A 25-year-old woman from Faridabad was brutally raped and murdered by her father-in-law, Bhoop Singh, who then buried her body in a 10-foot pit outside their home. The crime, reportedly premeditated and involving other family members, remained hidden for nearly two months. Police have arrested the mother-in-law, while the husband remains absconding. The case has now been registered as murder under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A law student was allegedly gang-raped inside a South Kolkata college campus on June 25, leading to the arrest of three accused, including a former student. The incident has sparked political outrage, with the opposition criticising the ruling TMC government over women's safety. The case is under investigation, and the accused are set to be produced in court.

The sacred ‘Pahandi’ ritual of the annual Rath Yatra began in Puri on June 27, 2025, as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were ceremoniously brought out of the 12th-century temple and placed onto their respective chariots. Amid devotional chants and vibrant performances, lakhs of devotees gathered along the Grand Road to witness the divine procession. The chariot pulling is scheduled to begin at 4 PM following the royal ‘Chherapahanra’ ritual by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb. Tight security measures, including AI-powered surveillance, have been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.

The Karnataka government has issued a strict directive mandating the use of Kannada in all official administrative work. In a circular released by Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, officials were warned of disciplinary action for failing to comply. The circular, backed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, reinforces that Kannada must be used in file notings, government correspondence, meeting agendas, and departmental communication, with exceptions only for communication with the Centre, courts, or foreign entities.

Starting from 2026, CBSE will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year to reduce academic stress. The first exam, held in February, will be mandatory, while a second optional attempt in May will allow students to improve their scores in up to three subjects. This reform, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP), aims to offer flexibility and promote a stress-free learning environment.