Today News Headlines for School Assembly, August 19, 2026: Subject-experts replaced, revamped security with CISF among changes in NTA

The Supreme Court will set up a panel including a former judge and former CBI chief to examine the CJP protests amid continuing questions over the handling of the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar earlier this year.

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea challenging death by hanging and seeking lethal injection as an alternative, leaving the existing method of execution unchanged.

The Election Commission and the government are facing renewed attention over US President Donald Trump’s push for voter ID and its comparison with India’s electoral system.

World News

A US teenage lifeguard who saved an Indian-origin boy from drowning has been invited to the White House by President Donald Trump in recognition of his actions.

A new Pew Research survey has examined global perceptions of India and the US, including public opinion across countries such as Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains under medical observation as his health condition continues to draw attention in Islamabad.

Sports News

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant scored a calculated 66 as India strengthened its position in the Galle Test.

Young Indian badminton player Ayush Shetty has emerged as one of the country’s promising new badminton stars following his recent performances on the international circuit.

The inaugural Esports Nations Cup has been postponed to November 2027, delaying the first edition of the planned global esports tournament.

Business News

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has met senior bankers to discuss banking for Gen Z and ways to increase deposit mobilisation as banks look to attract younger customers and strengthen their deposit base.

Education News

The education ministry has rolled out major reforms in the examination system followed by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The changes include a four-tier paper checking process, termination of 600 experts and fresh recruitment, and office premises secured by the CISF.

C3iHub at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has signed an agreement with Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra and Vivekanand Incubation Foundation to launch a cybersecurity vocational programme, with the programme expected to reach more than three lakh students across over 570 affiliated colleges.

More than 580 students from Scheduled Caste communities have benefited from overseas scholarships over the past seven years, with Maharashtra recording the highest number of beneficiaries.