AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh on Tuesday criticized the Centre over its handling of examination paper leaks, alleging that repeated irregularities in recruitment and competitive exams continue to impact students across India. In a post on X, Singh described paper leaks as a serious issue affecting millions of students and accused the government of avoiding meaningful discussions on the matter. He claimed that many young people have been pushed to extreme distress, while the BJP-led government has failed to acknowledge their concerns.

Singh also highlighted a recent discussion programme held in Prayagraj, where students participated in conversations about paper leaks. He said the campaign would continue in the coming days. The remarks come amid an ongoing political debate over alleged irregularities in various competitive and recruitment examinations across the country.

On Monday, Singh alleged that Uttar Pradesh Police and government officials attempted to disrupt his interaction with students in Prayagraj, calling it an example of growing authoritarianism. Sharing a video of the incident on social media, he claimed that authorities were trying to prevent discussions about an issue that affects millions of students.

In the video, Singh questioned officials about why a discussion held inside a conference room was being interrupted. He argued that talking about paper leaks in a democratic setup should not be treated as an offence, especially when the issue impacts countless students and job aspirants. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticized the BJP government, saying that while paper leaks themselves do not seem to concern the ruling party, discussions surrounding the issue appear to be unwelcome.

The controversy unfolds amid ongoing concerns surrounding the examination process, including the rescheduled NEET-UG 2026 exam and allegations of administrative lapses and paper leaks. Investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation are underway, with multiple arrests reported, while student protests have intensified in several regions.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticized the Centre's reported move to deploy Air Force vehicles for transporting NEET examination papers, arguing that the measure would not address the root cause of paper leaks. Calling it a mere "show," he alleged that the country's education system has come under the influence of an examination mafia.

In a post on X, Kejriwal questioned the effectiveness of the decision, saying that using Air Force vehicles would not prevent leaks and accusing the government of lacking the intent to tackle the problem. He claimed that meaningful reform would require collective action rather than symbolic measures.

In a video message, Kejriwal argued that examinations around the world are conducted without such extraordinary transportation arrangements and accused the government of focusing on optics instead of systemic solutions. According to him, paper leaks would continue unless deeper issues within the examination system were addressed.

The former Delhi chief minister also referred to the case of Vedant, a Class 12 student who had raised concerns on X regarding alleged discrepancies in his physics examination paper. Kejriwal claimed that the student was targeted online and alleged that such reactions were aimed at protecting those responsible for irregularities in the education sector.

Kejriwal criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over reported disruptions during the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026. His remarks followed reports of technical glitches at several examination centres on Friday, which led to delays and sparked concerns among students and parents. Responding to a post by AAP leader Atishi about difficulties faced by candidates at a test centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Kejriwal wrote on X that the country needs an educated prime minister.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@ArvindKejriwal.

The Bihar government has instructed all state employees to take mandatory family trips to tourist destinations within the state once every three months and submit feedback reports to help boost tourism, officials said on Tuesday. According to a May 20 letter issued by Additional Chief Secretary (General Administration) B Rajender to departmental heads, divisional commissioners, district magistrates and superintendents of police, employees must spend two days and two nights visiting tourist, eco-tourism or rural tourism sites located outside their home districts.

The trips are to be planned over Fridays and Saturdays, during which employees are expected to visit at least three tourist spots and stay overnight. The directive noted that Bihar possesses rich cultural traditions, environmental heritage and historically important destinations with the potential to become major tourism centres nationally and internationally. It added that encouraging officials to explore these locations and provide suggestions would support tourism growth and infrastructure development.

Employees have also been told not to hold review meetings or conduct official inspections during these visits. After completing the tour, employees must submit a report with photographs, details of the places visited and their experiences to their respective departments or district magistrates.

Nodal officers in district magistrate offices, divisional commissioner offices and state departments will collect the reports and forward them to departments including Tourism, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Art and Culture. The government said the initiative is likely to boost local economic activity while giving visitors opportunities to experience local culture, cuisine and hospitality. The travel period will be treated as official duty.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

Ladakh is moving towards a major clean energy transformation with the country’s first commercial geothermal energy initiative. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved a five-year extension of the MoU with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation for the development of India’s first geothermal power project in Puga Valley, located at an altitude of more than 14,000 feet.

The original tripartite agreement signed in February 2021 between the Ladakh Administration, LAHDC Leh, and ONGC Energy Centre had expired in February 2026. Due to severe weather conditions and difficult terrain, several parts of the project remained unfinished, prompting ONGC to seek an extension. Under the renewed agreement, ONGC will establish a 1 MWe pilot geothermal power plant in Puga Valley and prepare a Detailed Project Report for large-scale geothermal energy development in the region. The project marks a historic milestone, as India currently does not operate any large-scale commercial geothermal power plants.

Geothermal energy harnesses heat naturally generated beneath the Earth’s surface. In the next phase of the project, ONGC Energy Centre plans to deepen the existing geothermal well to 1,000 metres and drill an additional well during the upcoming work season. The pilot plant is expected to undergo testing and commissioning during FY 2026–27.

Further exploration and geothermal surveys will also be carried out in the Chumathang region of Ladakh as part of Phase II, alongside drilling operations and preparation of a commercial-scale development plan. Both Puga Valley and Chumathang lie within the Himalayan geothermal belt, an area known for high underground heat caused by tectonic activity. Test drilling in Puga Valley has already produced high-pressure steam and hot fluids with temperatures exceeding 200°C at depths of around 400 metres.

Officials believe the geothermal initiative, together with solar energy projects in Ladakh, will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions, and strengthen the region’s position as a renewable energy hub. LG Saxena described the project as a landmark step in India’s clean energy mission and an important move toward making Ladakh carbon-neutral and environmentally sustainable.

Despite harsh weather conditions and technical challenges, ONGC successfully drilled a 405-metre geothermal well in 2025 — the deepest geothermal well drilled in Ladakh so far. Scientific studies indicate underground temperatures above 240°C, considered suitable for geothermal power generation. The proposed pilot plant is expected to generate 1 MW of electricity using turbine inlet temperatures of around 200°C.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.

Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey respond to reader questions on whether Andy Burnham could outperform Keir Starmer, whether Makerfield matters more for Reform UK than for Labour, and whether the UK could realistically rejoin the EU.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

A 31-year-old man has been accused of trying to assassinate Donald Trump following a foiled plot linked to Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Soon after the incident, false claims began circulating online suggesting the attempt was staged. This week, Jonathan Freedland discusses the rise of such conspiracy theories surrounding the US president with journalist Rachel Leingang.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing has been sworn in as president, marking a continuation of his authority from a civilian position five years after seizing power in a military coup. The ceremony, held in the capital Naypyidaw, was presented as a celebratory parliamentary event, where the 69-year-old took the presidential oath, pledging to uphold the enduring values of justice, liberty, and equality. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss potential policy shifts and international reactions to his reappointment with CNA’s ASEAN Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has been earning substantial income by sending paid personalized videos on Cameo. Over five years, he has made at least £374,893 from these recordings, often producing several videos per day. While many use Cameo for lighthearted messages, an investigation of over 4,000 of Farage’s videos revealed concerning content. Some videos included endorsements of neo-Nazi events, repetition of extremist slogans, and references to antisemitic conspiracies. He even made a £155 video for a man reportedly sentenced to 16 months for participating in a far-right riot. Farage also made misogynistic remarks about left-wing politicians, including a comment about US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. A spokesperson for Reform UK emphasized that these videos were informal, not political statements, and that Farage opposes extremism and political violence. They also noted that occasional mistakes are inevitable given the volume of videos he records. Investigations correspondent Henry Dyer told Helen Pidd that the videos reveal what Farage is willing to say or do for money — raising questions about the judgment of someone who aspires to be prime minister.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.