India successfully test-fires Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) Agni-4: Defence ministry.
India successfully test-fires Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) Agni-4
JP Nadda flash flood and cloudburst affected areas in Keyi Panyor district, Arunachal Pradesh. (@JPNadda/X)India News LIVE: Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday assured the Centre’s full support for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh after visiting the worst-affected areas of Keyi Panyor district and reviewing the damage caused by recent flash floods and landslides. The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, who toured Possa village and the adjoining NEEPCO colony, said the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands firmly with the people of the state during the crisis, officials said.
Protest in Jharkhand: Jharkhand government is set to send a three-member delegation to meet protesters. The delegation will have a member each from JMM, Congress and RJD. The protest by JPSC aspirants in Jharkhand has swelled into a broader movement demanding reforms in recruitment and education, with demonstrators saying they will not leave without a concrete response from the Hemant Soren government — adding to a summer in which student and youth protests have defined the political temperature across the country.
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CJP to launch campaign: The Cockroach Janta Party will launch a ‘kya bolti public’ campaign next month to interact with people all over India and to get to know their issues, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Thursday. He was addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the CJP’s core team meeting in his hometown Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. The core team had been holding talks at Dipke’s residence since Wednesday. “During the ‘kya bolti public’ campaign, we will get to know what people think of the present situation in the country and what the issues they face are,” he said.
Asaram’s bail plea rejected: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in the 2013 rape case of a minor. The court allowed Asaram to appoint a trained caretaker of his choice for round-the-clock medical assistance and said he may approach it again if his health deteriorates.
If you are just joining us, this is The Indian Express Realtime breaking news blog – where we bring you the latest news updates of the day in real time. Scan the top headlines of the day here, or keep scrolling to see the latest updates stream in. This blog is curated by Richa Shrivastava and Aditi Anand.
Gurugram Police’s work from home advisory amid heavy rain
Several parts of Gurugram were inundated after heavy rainfall lashed the city on Thursday, causing waterlogging and affecting traffic movement. The downpour began around 2.40 am, following which Gurugram Police issued an advisory asking corporate offices and private institutions to allow employees to work from home.
Tarun Tejpal convicted in 2013 rape case
Bombay High Court has overturned former editor of ‘Tehelka‘ Tarun Tejpal’s acquittal in a sexual assault case and convicted him in a 2013 rape case. Tarun Tejpal was convict under provisions of rape under the Indian Penal Code. Tejpal, who was present in the court, requested leniency given his age.
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Heavy rain in Uttarakhand, Alaknanda above danger mark
Heavy rain has been battering Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, with the Alaknanda river flowing above the danger mark and low-lying areas flooding, according to PTI. ANI reports that the Mandakini is also in spate following continuous rainfall, with district disaster management officer Nandan Singh Rajwar noting that significant rainfall has been recorded in the high Himalayan regions. Authorities remain on high alert as forecasts indicate the heavy rain is likely to continue through the day.
VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Heavy rain batters Rudraprayag. Alaknanda river flowing above danger mark, low-lying areas flooded. Authorities on alert.#Rudraprayag #UttarakhandNews
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/k108ucX1Us
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2026
Kerala mourns Rajesh, who gave his life jacket to save a stranded farmer
Kerala is mourning Rajesh, a man who gave away his life jacket to a stranded farmer during the floods and did not survive. His death has become the human face of a monsoon season that has already taken dozens of lives across the state — and a story that has moved the country in the way that only acts of unremarkable, un-photographed courage can.
BJP’s Bankipur post-mortem: Lost the narrative battle, but heads won’t roll yet
The BJP is reviewing its Bankipur defeat with the internal acknowledgement that it lost the narrative battle to Prashant Kishor — but party sources indicate heads will not roll yet, with the leadership preferring to absorb the lesson quietly rather than assign public blame ahead of state election cycles.
7 years of August 5: Omar Abdullah talks Frost and ‘promises to keep’
On the seventh anniversary of Article 370’s abrogation, Omar Abdullah invoked Robert Frost’s “promises to keep” — a pointed reference to the Centre’s still-unfulfilled commitment to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, which remains the defining unfinished business of the post-370 political settlement.
Iran and Oman reach understanding on Hormuz shipping route
Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the coordinates of a safe shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz — a quiet diplomatic development that, if it holds, could begin to ease the maritime crisis that has disrupted global energy trade and cost Indian crew members their lives over the past several weeks.
Shakib Al Hasan’s house attacked in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina press conference
The residence of Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan was attacked following a press conference by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — an incident that has brought the turbulent political situation in Bangladesh back into sharp focus and raised concerns about the safety of public figures associated with the previous government.
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Nadda assures full central support after visiting flood-hit Arunachal
Union Minister JP Nadda on Thursday assured the Centre’s full support for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh after visiting the worst-affected areas of Keyi Panyor district and reviewing the damage caused by recent flash floods and landslides. The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, who toured Possa village and the adjoining NEEPCO colony, said the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stands firmly with the people of the state during the crisis, officials said.
PTI
Bangladesh to hold presidential election on August 20: EC
Bangladesh's presidential election will be held on August 20, the Election Commission announced on Thursday, two weeks after President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on health grounds before completing his five-year term.
Shahabuddin, 76, was a longtime ally of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has finalised the dates in consultation with (acting parliamentary) Speaker Kayser Kamal," the Election Commission's senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told reporters.
In line with the Constitution, the parliament members elect the president, but the EC conducts the procedure to elect the head of state.
Announcing the election schedule, Election Commission Secretariat Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that voting will be held on August 20 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) session hall.
Nomination papers will be accepted at the office of the Chief Election Commissioner on August 13. The scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on August 16. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 18.
PTI
Jharkhand government to send 3-member delegation to meet protesters
Jharkhand government is set to send a three-member delegation to meet protesters. The delegation will have a member each from JMM, Congress and RJD. The protest by JPSC aspirants in Jharkhand has swelled into a broader movement demanding reforms in recruitment and education, with demonstrators saying they will not leave without a concrete response from the Hemant Soren government — adding to a summer in which student and youth protests have defined the political temperature across the country.
Shubham Tigga reports from Ranchi
Cabinet clears Rs 23,731 crore GOBARdhan scheme to boost biogas production
The Cabinet on Thursday approved a unified circular bioenergy scheme with an outlay of Rs 23,731 crore aimed at boosting biogas production in the country.
The GOBARdhan scheme will be implemented from 2026-27 to 2035-36 and will establish compressed biogas as a major pillar of India's future energy mix, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said at a briefing.
The scheme aims to transform the country's abundant agricultural residue, cattle dung, press mud, municipal organic waste and other biomass resources into clean fuel, organic manure, rural income and national economic value, an official release said.
Through assured demand, remunerative and stable pricing, capital assistance, pipeline infrastructure, credit support and technology development, the GOBARdhan scheme will provide a strong and predictable framework required to take India's Compressed Biogas (CBG) sector to national scale, it added.
PTI
Gen Z dont riot on streets: Abhijeet Dipke responds to Mohan Bhagwat's interaction with students
On RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's interaction with students in Mumbai, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke says, "I think it's a little too late, don't you? They should have interacted with those students on July 20, when they were beaten up. Mohan Bhagwat, who I believe is the ideological mentor of the BJP, should have come forward. He should have met those students."
He further adds, "If this movement hadn't happened, if so many young people across the country hadn't come out onto the streets, when was the last time these people actually spoke to Gen Z? They used to dismiss them, saying, 'What do these people even do? They're not serious. They just dance on Instagram.' Well, yes, they dance. At least they don't riot on the streets like you do."
With PTI inputs
'No plan to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel': Minister Ram Mohan Naidu rejects Arvind Kejriwal's claim
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has dismissed Aam Aadmi Party Convener Arvind Kejriwal’s claim that the government plans to blend ethano; with aviation turbine fuel (ATF). Without naming Kejriwal, Naidu posted on social media platform X that the ethanol-ATF claim was “completely false” and “irresponsible”, and there was no such proposal. Naidu also underscored that ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — which is planned to be blended with conventional ATF — are entirely different and should not be conflated.
“The claim that the Government plans to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is completely false and irresponsible. There is no such proposal. Ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different and should not be conflated. SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and adopted globally. It undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent global safety standards,” Naidu said.
“Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government's highest priority,” the minister added. Read more
CJP to launch 'kya bolti public' campaign next month, says Dipke
The Cockroach Janta Party will launch a 'kya bolti public' campaign next month to interact with people all over India and to get to know their issues, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Thursday.He was addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the CJP's core team meeting in his hometown Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in Maharashtra. The core team had been holding talks at Dipke's residence since Wednesday.
"During the 'kya bolti public' campaign, we will get to know what people think of the present situation in the country and what the issues they face are," he said.
Describing Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation as the biggest achievement of the students' agitation, Dipke said,
"The fear which this government created in the last 10-12 years in the minds of people has now ended." "People will now come onto the streets. Today, they have sought resignation of one person; tomorrow they will demand resignations of others," he said.
"CJP will operate as per Babasaheb Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Nehru's vision for a developed India," Dipke said. "Our ideology is the same as the Constitution of India," he added.
PTI
Opposition stages walkout in Rajya Sabha
Congress, opposition MPs stage walkout in Rajya Sabha demanding Home Minister's statement on action against protesting students.
PTI
Lok Sabha passes Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill amid Opposition protests
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Taxation and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill without a debate amid uproar by Opposition members. Following the passage of the bill, the House was adjourned for the day amid continued sloganeering by the Opposition over the taxation legislation and amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act.
Supreme Court declines interim bail to Asaram, allows trained caretaker
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to grant interim bail for now to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in the 2013 minor sexual assault case. The court allowed Asaram to appoint a trained caretaker of his choice for round-the-clock medical assistance and said he may approach it again if his health deteriorates. The bench kept his plea for interim bail on health grounds pending. It was informed that an AIIMS medical board had earlier said Asaram did not require hospitalisation but needed continuous medical assistance.
Delhi High Court rejects Sushil Kumar's bail plea
The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail plea of wrestler Sushil Kumar in the 2021 wrestler Sagar Dhankar murder case.
Sushil Kumar is an accused in the murder case related to the death of wrestler Sagar Dhankar. His bail had earlier been cancelled by the Supreme Court.
Atiq Ahmad's youngest son killed in road accident in UP's Jhansi
Aban Ahmad, the youngest son of slain gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, and his friend were killed after their SUV crashed into a road divider in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district on Thursday, police said. Three other occupants of the vehicle were injured in the accident and are undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College in Jhansi. According to police, the accident took place around 10.30 am after the driver lost control of the SUV.
Heavy rains leave parts of Gurugram waterlogged, police issue work from home advisory
Several parts of Gurugram were inundated after heavy rainfall lashed the city on Thursday, causing waterlogging and affecting traffic movement. The downpour began around 2.40 am, following which Gurugram Police issued an advisory asking corporate offices and private institutions to allow employees to work from home. Police urged residents not to step out unnecessarily and advised commuters to use alternative routes. The advisory came as the Meteorological Department issued a heavy rain alert for the next few hours. Authorities said reducing non-essential vehicle movement would help traffic teams manage congestion and ensure smooth movement of emergency services. Rescue and monitoring operations are underway.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Haryana: Parts of Gurugram inundated as heavy rains lash city.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/H4TRtqlU4F
JSSC-JPSC Reform Manch says they got a call from Abhijeet Dipke; Watch The Indian Express Hindi’s ground report
In case you understand Hindi, watch The Indian Express Hindi’s ground report from the JSSC-JPSC protest in Jharkhand.
We found that the movement is largely divided between two groups. We spoke to members of the JSSC-JPSC Reform Manch, who said they had also received a phone call from CJP’s Abhijeet Deepak. During the conversation, the protesters spoke openly about CJP, the Jharkhand government, the lack of resources for their protest and alleged corruption in government recruitment. Why is the movement divided between two camps? What did Abhijeet Deepak reportedly say on the phone? Watch the full conversation.
We spoke to 34-year-old Brahmanand Kumar, a PhD scholar in Botany who has worked as a research assistant at several institutes. Kumar says he had come to the area for work related to his cousin but decided to join the protest and begin an indefinite hunger strike. Sitting alone beneath a statue, he speaks about his education, employment struggles and why even a lower-level government job would matter to him. Watch his story.
During The Indian Express Hindi’s ground report from Jharkhand, we spoke to several groups participating in the ongoing protest. Among them were two women who claimed that they were among 15 people booked after an earlier protest related to the SSC CGL examination. Speaking on camera, the women said, “We have been charged with attempt to murder,… We have taken interim bail.” This video presents their account from the protest site. The claims made by the interviewees have not been independently verified.
Supreme Court stays arrest of Abhishek Banerjee aide in Salboni land case
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the arrest of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's aide Sumit Roy in connection with the Salboni land-grabbing case. The court directed Roy to cooperate with the investigation while granting him protection from arrest. The case relates to allegations of land grabbing in West Bengal's Salboni area.
Heavy rain triggers waterlogging, traffic snarls in Delhi
Heavy rain lashed parts of Delhi on Thursday, leading to waterlogging and traffic congestion across the national capital.
Visuals from the ITO area showed heavy traffic and long queues of vehicles.
The weather department has issued an orange alert for Delhi, with moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms expected through the day.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Delhi: Heavy rain drenched parts of the national capital leading to waterlogging and traffic snarls across the city. Visuals from ITO area.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2026
The weather office has issued an orange alert forecasting moderate to heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms through the day.… pic.twitter.com/KFcvyrlXFR
(PTI)
SC refuses to relax bail conditions of Ashish Mishra in Lakhimpur Kheri case
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to further relax the bail conditions of Ashish Mishra, the prime accused in the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence case. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana dismissed Mishra's plea seeking relaxation of restrictions, after his counsel said he was unable to attend family events, including his daughter's birthday celebrations. The court said there was no ground to consider the request at this stage. The violence took place on October 3, 2021, in Tikunia village of Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri district during a farmers' protest against the visit of then Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya. Eight people, including four farmers, were killed in the incident.
Jharkhand student leader continues hunger strike over alleged exam irregularities
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto continued his hunger strike in Ranchi for the fifth consecutive day on Thursday, protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations in Jharkhand.
Mahto said his health had deteriorated and that he was experiencing fatigue and discomfort in his chest while speaking. He added that he now required assistance to sit up and stand.
Mahto said he decided to continue his hunger strike after speaking to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who expressed support for his protest. He said the objective of his protest was to “awaken the government’s conscience”.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Ranchi, Jharkhand: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto continues his hunger strike protesting against alleged irregularities in competitive exams, says, "Today marks the fifth day of my hunger strike. My fatigue has increased significantly, and my body's organs are no… pic.twitter.com/poWigpZOAs
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2026
(PTI)
Six killed as house collapses amid heavy rain in UP’s Pratapgarh
Six members of a family, including two infants, were killed after a dilapidated house collapsed amid heavy rain in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district early Thursday, police said.
The incident took place around 2 am in Mahuli Bazaar, about three kilometres from the district headquarters. Seven members of the family were sleeping in a single room of the old house when it collapsed, Circle Officer (City) Ashutosh Mishra said.
The deceased were identified as Pramod Srivastava (60), his wife Rita (55), their son Nitin (25), daughter-in-law Madhuri (24), wife of their elder son Aman, and Aman’s two sons — Madhav (2) and 10-month-old Advik.
Aman (28) managed to crawl out of the rubble and raised an alarm, following which local residents rushed to the spot and informed the police.
(PTI)
Bombay High Court overturns Tarun Tejpal's acquittal in sexual assault case
The Bombay High Court has set aside the acquittal of former Tehelka editor Tarun Tejpal in the 2013 sexual assault case. The court convicted Tejpal for rape and outraging the modesty of a woman. The case relates to allegations made by a former colleague against him in 2013.
Arvind Kejriwal claims social media account restricted in India, questions Meta
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday claimed that his social media account had been restricted in India and questioned Meta over the reason behind the move. Kejriwal said inquiries with Meta's India office confirmed that his account was unavailable in the country, but officials did not provide any reason or explain how the restriction could be removed. In a post on X, he shared a screenshot showing the message "Unavailable in some locations" and criticised the company for what he called a lack of clarity and response. Meta has not issued any immediate statement on the matter.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsHi @Meta @metaindia
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 6, 2026
Why have you restricted my account? Verbal enquiries at your India office revealed that my account has been restricted in India and is unavailable in India. Why? Noone in your office is giving any reasons. Noone is suggesting how restrictions can be removed.… pic.twitter.com/4JThAqFMon
CID arrests five more in Jharkhand recruitment exam irregularities case
The Jharkhand CID has arrested five more people in connection with the alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations, taking the total number of arrests to 19. An SIT is investigating the case and examining digital records, application logs and other documents to uncover the recruitment irregularities. Earlier, Chief Minister Hemant Soren briefed Governor Santosh Gangwar on the JPSC and JSSC examination row and the ongoing protests by aspirants. The Governor called for a transparent examination process, while Soren assured that justice would be ensured for students and said the government was open to talks with protesters.
Two earthquakes jolt Arunachal Pradesh within two hours
Two earthquakes hit Arunachal Pradesh of magnitude 5.1 and 3.5 in a span of around two hours. A 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit early in the morning around 5:45 AM, followed by an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 which hit Upper Siang at 7:17 AM.
https://platform.x.com/widgets.jsEQ of M: 3.5, On: 06/08/2026 07:17:41 IST, Lat: 28.987 N, Long: 94.774 E, Depth: 5 Km, Location: Upper Siang, Arunachal Pradesh.
— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) August 6, 2026
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