Exam Task Force, West Asia Lull, and Commonwealth Gold

Task Force for Exam Reforms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force led by former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani. The panel will recommend steps to make India's examination system leak-proof and technology-driven. The announcement came a day after former Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned following protests over the NEET paper leak and re-examination. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi took charge of the Education Ministry and reviewed key schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM-SHRI Schools, and PM POSHAN.

The task force includes former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former IB Director Tapan Deka, IIT-Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. Nilekani previously helped set up the Aadhaar ecosystem and UPI. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the move, saying the government had not implemented the earlier K. Radhakrishnan Committee's 101 recommendations. Modi's Instagram post said the goal is a trusted, transparent system, with fast-track courts and a stringent law already planned.

West Asia: Iran Halts Strikes, Black Sea Danger

Iran announced it was halting retaliatory operations against the United States, extending a weekend lull in fighting. US operations had already stopped after 13 days of strikes. Iran also reported a tanker hit a mine in the Strait of Hormuz, though maritime bodies did not confirm the explosion. Talks with Oman on joint administration of the Strait made progress, but the US has refused to accept Iranian control.

Meanwhile, the Indian government warned seafarers to carefully assess risks before taking jobs in the Black Sea region. A projectile hit the MV AGN Ragnar in Odesa, Ukraine; of four Indian nationals on board, two were confirmed safe. Since April, five Indian seafarers have died in similar attacks. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue with his Russian counterpart. The MEA reiterated that commercial shipping should not be attacked.

Commonwealth Games: Mirabai Chanu's Golden Hat-trick

Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won gold in the women's 48kg category at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, her third successive gold after 2018 and 2022. She set new Games records in snatch (85kg) and total lift (190kg). Rishikanta Singh Chanambam won silver in the men's 60kg category with a combined lift of 264kg, becoming the first male lifter from Manipur to win a medal at the Games. India's weightlifting tradition continued strongly, with medals on the opening day.

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