NEET-UG 2026 results: 11.21 lakh candidates qualify in re-test; women outshine menA total of 11.21 lakh candidates qualified in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination held earlier this year, as the National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results on Thursday. Nearly 20 lakh candidates had appeared for the re-examination held on June 21 following cancellation of the earlier exam due to an alleged paper leak.Govt. lists five Bills for Monsoon Session, no mention of delimitation legislationThe Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to amend the 1971 law to make the intentional insult of, or disruption during, the singing of the national song Vande Mataram a punishable offence, and the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, which proposes stricter provisions for delayed registration, are among the five new Bills listed by the government for the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.As Wangchuk’s health worsens, Delhi High Court orders regular monitoringWith activist Sonam Wangchuk’s health condition worsening on the 19th day of his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar, the Delhi High Court ordered the Union and Delhi governments to ensure regular monitoring of his health. Doctors warned on Thursday (July 16, 2026) that Mr. Wangchuk’s health condition had entered a critical stage. Satish Lamba, a doctor who has been examining Mr. Wangchuk regularly, said he has lost over 9 kg, but remains “mentally alert”. Leave with all your belongings, Mamata tells desertersWith back-to-back leaders deserting her, Trinamool Congress party chairperson and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday (July 16, 2026) said that those facing pressure from Central agencies should leave with “all their belongings” before July 21. “I request those who are facing various pressures from the ED, CBI or BJP to leave before July 21. Leave with all your belongings,” the Trinamool chairperson said on social media live.Two die as lakhs throng Jagannath Yatra in PuriTwo persons died and several others were injured after a crowd surge on Badadanda, the wide road in front of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, during the pulling of chariots on the occasion of the annual Rath Yatra on Thursday (July 16, 2026). The stampede-like situation occurred near the Marichikote Chowk when devotees were pushed aside to make way for an ambulance moving through the crowd.CM Vijay warns T.N. Cabinet colleagues against corruption and irregularities in depts.Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Thursday (July 16, 2026) warned his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials that he would not tolerate corruption or irregularities in their departments. Sources said the Chief Minister, chairing a meeting of his Cabinet, made it clear that he would not hesitate to take action against anyone found guilty and that no one could later fault him for doing so.Avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels moving via Strait of Hormuz: DGMA to shipping companiesThe Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed ship owners, ship managers and recruitment and placement service companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders amid the West Asia crisis.ENG vs IND 2nd ODI: Root guides England to series-levelling win in CardiffJoe Root scored an unbeaten 99 (133b, 9x4) to carry England to a four-wicket, series-levelling success over India in the second ODI. Root was on 98 when the hosts still needed 19 runs. But Gus Atkinson (23 n.o., 16b, 3x4, 1x6) scored a lion’s share of those to usher the win with nearly six overs to spare. The decider will be played at Lord’s in London this Sunday.After ambushes, CRPF tells forces in Manipur to use armoured vehicles, avoid sudden deploymentIn the wake of two ambushes on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur and Nagaland, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) units deployed in Manipur have been instructed to use only armoured vehicles for movement and to avoid sudden or unplanned deployments, a senior government official said on Thursday (July 16, 2026).Supreme Court orders States to frame policy for early release of elderly, terminally ill prisonersThe Supreme Court on Thursday (July 16, 2026) directed all States and Union Territories to put in place, within three months, a uniform policy governing the premature release of elderly and terminally ill prisoners, observing that such inmates are entitled to a humane and time-bound mechanism for remission or early release on compassionate grounds.
Morning Digest: 11.21 lakh clear NEET re-test as women outperform men; Wangchuk weak, Delhi HC orders regular monitoring, and more
The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on July 17, 2026













