🔍 Education Minister orders NTA audit amid UGC-NET row

Education Minister Pralhad Joshi called a meeting with senior officials regarding NTA's recent actions. This comes after NSUI protested against NTA, demanding its chief's resignation and a ban on the agency. The protests followed issues concerning the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and recent errors in English exams. The Minister has now ordered a 'thorough' audit of the NTA. A report on this audit is being sought by the Ministry of Education.

🔋 Moto G Max drops with budget price and long battery life

Motorola has launched its new Moto G Max device featuring an accessible price point. This new phone is available across various markets, making it easily accessible to consumers. It boasts an impressive battery life, promising to last for over two days under typical usage conditions. The device aims to provide solid performance without breaking the bank for everyday users. Motorola is positioning this model to capture a significant share in the budget smartphone segment.

😔 Beyond NEET: India's youth face big future worries

Students protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over high education costs and job scarcity, going beyond the NEET paper leak issue. Yashvardhan Kumar Mishra, an 18-year-old from Delhi, scored 92 percentile in NEET but couldn't get a government seat. Private college fees for medical are over ₹1 crore, forcing him to consider less lucrative options. This reflects a system limiting opportunities to the top 1-1.5% of aspirants. A task force was formed after the education minister's resignation on July 25th.

🔬 Can focusing on inflammation actually calm it? 🤔

A new study suggests that deliberately directing attention toward an inflamed area can influence the body's reaction. Researchers at Bar-ilan University in Israel tested 57 healthy volunteers who experienced temporary skin inflammation. Results showed nearly 90% of participants had a 1.5 times smaller inflammatory response when focused internally. This suggests attention might affect physiological processes, not just how sensations feel. Moving forward, science is exploring the deeper ways the mind impacts bodily health.

🚀 Rocket engine particles behave differently than thought

A new study found that alumina particles inside solid rocket boosters do not remain perfectly spherical as previously believed. This research was conducted on rocket engine components, specifically focusing on particles moving at hypersonic speeds. The findings came from a publication in Physics and Fluids, detailing particle collisions causing rapid heating and melting. This discovery allows researchers to create a new drag model for better SRB design and safety. These lessons are also relevant for improving thermal protection systems on spacecraft reentry. 🚀

🗳️ BJP's Big Move: Youth Meets Veterans for 2029

The Bharatiya Janata Party is enacting a major organizational push as it gears up for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. This reshuffle involves younger leaders and experienced figures taking up crucial responsibilities within the party. The move signals a concentrated effort on strengthening organization, leadership, and long-term political strategy. This new leadership structure is intended to significantly shape the BJP's future political approach. The party is strategically positioning itself for the upcoming electoral cycle. 🗳️

🔄 Amit Malviya out, Deepak Mhaskey takes over BJP social media

Amit Malviya has been removed from his role as BJP's IT and Social Media cell chief. The BJP has officially named Deepak Mhaskey to take on the position of social media convenor. This change was announced on August 17, 2026, at 16:50 IST. The move signifies a reshuffle within the party's digital outreach wing. Further updates on this political transition are expected soon.

📈 Jio and BlackRock team up for mutual funds

Jio and BlackRock are set to launch regular mutual fund plans across India. This partnership will utilize existing distributors to make the funds accessible. The launch is expected to begin soon, focusing on wider market reach. This move aims to expand financial inclusion and investment options for more people. Future plans involve increasing the range of available mutual fund products. 📈

🛡️ TN govt marks 100 days with welfare push 🛡️

The Tamil Nadu government, led by CM C Joseph Vijay, showcased its first 100-day achievements on Monday. The CMO highlighted initiatives like the 'Singapenn' task force for women's safety across the state. This period saw securing Rs 1.02 lakh crore in investments and closing 717 TASMAC outlets. Key welfare measures include the Thaaimaaman Thanga Mothiram scheme and free electricity for 200 units. Speaker J C D Prabhakar praised these moves, setting a foundation for a prosperous Tamil Nadu.

🤖 Google drops HEIR for encrypted AI models

Google has released HEIR, an open-source compiler toolchain designed for encrypted AI operations. This platform is part of Google’s Private Computing Toolkit, allowing AI models to run on encrypted inputs. The toolchain was demonstrated across four private-inference applications using a single-threaded CPU. This aims to make homomorphic encryption easier for developers to use and experiment with. The source code for these demo apps is now available on GitHub.

✨ Windows 11's old Print Management tool gets a glow-up

Microsoft has introduced a modernized, WinUI 3-based Print Management tool in the Windows 11 Release Preview channel. This update was initially seen in Beta and Experimental builds, with builds 26100.9267 and 26200.9267 reaching Release Preview on August 14, 2026. The new version replaces the old MMC-style console, offering a sleek, modern interface for power users. It is expected to become an optional update late in August, potentially rolling into the regular September cumulative update. Administrators can still manage all core functions like drivers and print queues in the revamped app. 💻