Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay launched a scheme to provide one-gram gold rings to eligible newborns at Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai on Monday, September 28. During the launch, he held several babies and presented the first rings, putting a key electoral promise into effect. The programme is called Thaaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, or the Maternal Uncle Gold Ring Scheme. Each ring weighs one gram and

Andhra Pradesh plans to introduce Heartfulness Yoga training in 963 government schools in the first phase of a student wellbeing initiative. The programme is expected to cover 4.47 lakh students, Education Minister N. Lokesh said during a review meeting with school education, higher education and skill development officials in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Lokesh directed officials to launch awareness programmes on student mental health and stress across the state.

Cabinet decision announced after the meeting, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala | Saral Keralam will offer time-bound, single-window clearances for investment proposals through district and state bodies. Kerala Cabinet Clears Saral Keralam for Faster Investment Nod The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved Saral Keralam, a new single-window mechanism designed to simplify and accelerate investment approvals by bringing departme

The government is considering a social media code to regulate reels, videos and sensitive online posts shared by its officers and employees. The proposed rules may apply to staff of all ranks, but the final guidelines and implementation date have not been announced. The government is considering a uniform social media code of conduct for its officers and employees amid growing concern over officials posting reels, videos and personal opi

Sugar prices have risen sharply ahead of the festive season, prompting concerns over supplies and retail costs. Agricultural economist Ashok Gulati has linked the pressure to lower output, depleted stocks, ethanol diversion and what he described as delayed corrective action. The government has announced measures including dealer stock limits, bulk-consumer restrictions and duty-free raw sugar imports. Gulati argues that earlier imports and broader policy changes could have reduced t

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has strongly defended the state’s Mega DSC teacher recruitment process, telling the Assembly that appointments were made entirely on merit without favouritism, manipulation or backdoor selections. Naidu said the government had maintained transparency throughout the recruitment exercise and argued that the credibility of the process was reflected in the response from candidates, including those who were not selected. His remarks cam

The Centre has disclosed that expenditure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s overseas visits since 2021 has crossed ₹550 crore, with spending rising sharply after the pandemic. Foreign travel expenses in 2026 have already crossed ₹74.58 crore, while the Norway visit emerged as the costliest trip recorded so far this year. The Union government has disclosed fresh details of expenditure incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits, putting the

Karnataka is finalising a “Government First” policy to help startups supply innovative technologies directly to State departments. The framework aims to remove procurement barriers, give young companies an early public-sector customer and accelerate the use of emerging technology in government services. Karnataka Plans New Route for Startup Procurement The proposed policy would allow departments to procure suitable startup-developed

Centre Clarifies Indian Passport and Citizenship Rules The Centre has told Parliament that Indian passports are issued to eligible Indian citizens following verification under the Passports Act, 1967. However, it did not directly declare a passport conclusive standalone proof of citizenship, renewing discussion about citizenship documents in India.

Parliament Passes Two Major Amendment Bills Amid NEET Row The Lok Sabha passed a tougher anti-paper leak Bill with stricter penalties, fast-track courts, and time-bound investigations, while the Rajya Sabha approved legal protection for Vande Mataram amid Opposition protests over the NEET paper leak controversy. Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Pass Key Bills Amid NEET Row

Viksit Bharat Review Focuses on Reforms and Technology Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting with government Secretaries to review the Viksit Bharat agenda. Discussions covered economic growth, inter-ministerial coordination, indigenous technology, energy security, cybersecurity, institutional reforms, and citizen-centric governance. PM Modi Viksit Bharat Secretaries Meeting Focuses on Reforms Prime Minist

How the BMVM Portal Vulnerability Was Discovered A 21-year-old student discovered a serious vulnerability in the Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission portal that could have allowed unauthorised access to Aadhaar, PAN, pension, banking, and government login records. The flaw was reported to CERT-In and later fixed. Bihar Government Website Security Flaw Put Sensitive Data at Risk New Delhi, July 28, 2026: A Bihar gov

Madras HC Quashes Karur Stampede Government Jobs Order The Madras High Court has cancelled the Tamil Nadu government’s compassionate appointment order for families affected by the 2025 Karur stampede. The court noted that the CBI investigation remains under Supreme Court supervision and avoided commenting on the tragedy’s merits. Chennai, July 27, 2026, 5:49 PM IST: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday quashed the Tam

Expanded Morning Meal Programme to Reach 35 Lakh Students Tamil Nadu has renamed its school morning meal programme after former Chief Minister K Kamaraj and extended it to Classes 6–8. The expanded phase begins September 17 and is expected to take total coverage to 35 lakh students across the state. Tamil Nadu Renames Breakfast Scheme After Kamaraj, Expands Coverage Tamil Nadu has renamed its school breakfast programme in hono

Kandula Jessie’s Journey From School Lab to Space Mission Kandula Jessie, a Class 10 student from an Andhra Pradesh government school, has been selected among 20 Indian participants for Mission ShakthiSAT. Her journey from a school tinkering lab to an international lunar CubeSat programme highlights the importance of STEM education, teacher support, and consistent effort. A Government School Dream Reaches for the Moon Dowleswaram, Andhra Pradesh, July 23, 2026: Fourteen-year-old Kandula Jessie has secured a place among 20 Indian participants selected for Mission ShakthiSAT, an international all-girls lunar CubeSat initiative. Jessie studies at Zilla Parishad Girls High School in Dowleswaram and is reportedly the only student from Andhra Pradesh included in the final Indian group. She was selected through a programme involving nearly 12,000 girls from 108 countries. How Kandula Jessie Earned Her Place Jessie’s journey began at her school’s Atal Tinkering Lab. Her physical science teacher and laboratory in-charge, Manimala, recognised her interest in science and encouraged her to enrol in the programme. The Mission ShakthiSAT curriculum covers subjects far beyond the regular Class 10 syllabus. Its modules include satellite systems, propulsion, thermodynamics, payload development, and other areas of space technology. Jessie continued attending online classes after school, even when she found the advanced concepts difficult. The programme reportedly included around 550 online sessions across 21 learning modules. Her determination to understand unfamiliar subjects helped her progress through the demanding selection process. Selection Tested Knowledge and Communication Skills The selection process involved online coursework, an interview lasting around one hour, and a short video presentation. Jessie was asked to explain Mission ShakthiSAT and discuss the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. The interview was conducted entirely in English with international scientists and programme coordinators. Jessie spent weeks improving her communication skills with the support of her teachers and educational videos. Her selection reflected more than academic knowledge. It also demonstrated her willingness to improve, communicate confidently and continue learning despite the challenges. Family Supported Her Through Financial Difficulties Jessie’s father works as a carpenter. Her parents had earlier moved her from a private school to a government school because of financial difficulties. Her mother, Aruna, described watching Jessie confidently interact with international scientists as one of the family’s proudest moments. The achievement has also brought recognition to her school and the teachers who encouraged her scientific interests. Jessie’s success shows how timely guidance and access to practical learning opportunities can help students from modest backgrounds compete internationally. ShakthiSAT Training to Begin in New Delhi The next stage of Jessie’s programme is scheduled to begin in New Delhi on August 23, 2026. She is expected to work with scientists and other participants on satellite design, payload development, and mission operations. The student-built lunar CubeSat is proposed for launch from Sriharikota on October 11, 2026. The launch schedule may remain subject to technical and operational confirmation. Mission ShakthiSAT aims to give girls from different countries practical exposure to satellite development, space science and STEM education. The programme brings together students from 108 countries for scientific learning and collaborative space projects. Jessie Hopes to Join ISRO Jessie now hopes to build a career in space science and eventually join the Indian Space Research Organisation. Her selection has strengthened her belief that determination and regular effort can help her achieve that goal. She also hopes to support her parents and make her teachers and school proud. Her journey from a government-school laboratory to an international space programme underlines the value of Atal Tinkering Labs, supportive teachers, and accessible STEM opportunities. For students from financially constrained families, Jessie’s achievement offers a powerful message: scientific talent can emerge from any classroom when curiosity receives the right guidance.