FOLLOW US: @TheStatesmanLtd @thestatesmanltd thestatesman1875 www.thestatesman.com People’s Parliament, Always in Session India’s National Newspaper since 1818 | Pages 12 | ` 5.00 | KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | MUMBAI | BHUBANESWAR | LUCKNOW | SILIGURI Hat-trick gold for Mirabai Hormuz paradox NATION WORLD Political field corrupted, won’t contest in 2028: Siddaramaiah Berlin Pride attack believed to be an act of Islamic extremist terror Page 6 PM announces Nilekani-led Task Force on examination reforms STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Pralhad Joshi takes charge as Education Minister New Delhi, 26 July P New Delhi: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday assumed additional of the Union Education Ministry, a day after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister in the wake of widespread protests by students across the nation over the NEET paper leak. Mr Joshi was welcomed in the ministry by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary and senior officials of the ministry. He was briefed on various issues concerning the Education Ministry. On Saturday, Mr Joshi, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, was given the additional charge of the Ministry of Education after President Droupadi Murmu accepted the resignation of Pradhan from the Union Council of Ministers. examination system. The decision marks the Centre’s latest initiative to overhaul the examination framework after a series of controversies surrounding paper leaks, alleged irregularities and the cancellation of major competitive examinations. It comes a day after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was forced to resign from his post following a sustained protest campaign led by the ‘Cockroach Party of India’ youth-led movement over the NEET-UG 2026 examination paper leak controversy. The government later indicated that the high-powered task force was specifically constituted to recommend reforms for NTA examinations, with a particular emphasis on leveraging technology and undertaking structural changes to make the examination process more secure, transparent and credible. The expert panel, chaired by Nilekani, comprises a multidisciplinary group of eminent professionals from technology, education, science, intelligence and public administration. Its members include former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath, former Govt issues advisory for seafarers amid rising Black Sea attacks after five nationals killed New Delhi, 26 July The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals to carefully assess the security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected Black Sea region. The monostry cited a sharp rise in missile and drone attacks that has claimed the lives of five Indian seafarers since April this year. The advisory comes against the backdrop of the continuing conflict in and around the Black Sea owing to the Russia-Ukraine war, where commercial shipping has increasingly come under attack. “The security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict,” the MEA said: “Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks.” The Ministry noted that attacks on commercial vessels had increased since April 2026 and said these incidents had “resulted in the tragic loss of 5 Indian lives.” Advising Indian nationals to exercise extreme caution, the MEA said those considering employment on ships operating in the conflict-affected region should first obtain comprehensive information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators about the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures. The Ministry also stressed that seafarers should ensure their employment contracts comply with applicable international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of emergencies. In addition, the advisory urged Indian nationals to keep their family members informed of their travel itinerary and maintain regular contact throughout their voyage. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir only agenda for any talks with Pakistan: Rajnath Singh STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Jammu, 26 July Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday declared that India would hold talks with Pakistan only on Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), asserting that the region is an integral part of India under their illegal occupation. Speaking at the 27th Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations in Dras in Ladakh, the Defence Minister said any challenge to India’s sovereignty would invite a decisive military response. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Dhiraj Seth, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, GOC Page 12 Page 9 Page 8 STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Monday, 27 July 2026 SPORTS EDITORIAL rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms under the leadership of technology entrepreneur and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani. The multidisciplinary panel is tasked with recommending structural and technology-driven reforms to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system. Making the announcement in a post on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said: “HIGH POWERED TASK FORCE on examination reforms under the leadership of Shri Nandan Nilekani constituted.” In a video message shared alongside the announcement, Mr Modi said the newly-constituted panel would focus on strengthening and modernising the country’s | 14 Corps, Lt General Madanraj Pande and GOC 8 Mountain Division, Maj. General AP Singh also joined Rajnath Singh in paying homage to the Kargil War heroes. Mr Singh said the success of Operation Sindoor established India's capability to respond to Pakistan's “misadventures” with a severity far beyond its imagination. He said that India had made it clear it would no longer differentiate between terrorists and the governments that harbour and support them. The Defence Minister accused Pakistan of making terrorism an instrument of state policy, alleging that its military works in tandem with terror groups. He said India, on the other hand, was focused on innovation, economic growth and technological advancement while remaining fully prepared to counter any cross-border threat. He said the trajectories of India and Pakistan had diverged sharply over the past 27 years after the Kargil war, with India emerging as a centre of innovation and technological progress while Pakistan remained preoccupied with terrorism, infiltration and radicalisation. The MEA further advised seafarers to regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration and other relevant Government of India authorities, as well as safety instructions issued by vessel operators and competent maritime authorities. “In particular, Indian nationals are advised to refer to the recent Security Advisory issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on 23 July 2026,” the Ministry said. The Ministry also appealed to Indian nationals requiring assistance to remain in touch with Indian diplomatic missions in the region. It advised those needing consular support to contact the Embassy of India in Russia or the Embassy of India in Ukraine through the emergency numbers provided in the advisory. Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, Indian Institute of Technology Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. Mr Nilekani is widely recognised for spearheading India’s Aadhaar digital identity programme and for his role in implementing large-scale technology-driven governance initiatives. Exam reform Bill to take centre stage as Parliament resumes STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 26 July The Lok Sabha is set for a politically charged debate on Monday as the Centre introduces the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, its flagship legislative response to the examination crisis that has convulsed the country and culminated in the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday. The proposed law, aimed at significantly tightening India’s legal framework against examination paper leaks and organised examination fraud, comes amid public outrage over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and other examination-related controversies that sparked an unprecedented nationwide student movement, weeks of Opposition protests and repeated disruptions in Parliament. The Bill will be taken up days after the Union Cabinet approved a package of stringent anti-paper leak measures and less than 48 hours after Mr Pradhan stepped down following sustained political pressure and nationwide student protests demanding accountability. The legislation proposes amendments to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, enacted to curb unfair means in public examinations conducted by the Union government and its agencies. The alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which affected more than 22 lakh aspirants and ultimately led to the cancellation of the examination, triggered nationwide protests by students demanding accountability and comprehensive reforms. The issue dominated the first week of the Monsoon Session, with Opposition parties led by the Congress repeatedly stalling proceedings in both Houses while demanding the resignation of Mr Pradhan and a discussion on the examination crisis, the protests inside Parliament mirroring the wider agitation outside. Following Mr Pradhan's resignation, the Opposition described the development as only the “first step”, asserting that the government must now fix institutional accountability, overhaul examination agencies and ensure justice for affected students. Opposition leaders had indicated they are open to allowing regular legislative business and debate, provided PM Modi makes an official statement on the floor of the House detailing the scale of the NEET-UG examination leaks. The Congress is also demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on police crackdowns and the alleged brutality against protesting students. Esplanade violence part of radical conspiracy, not NEET protesters: Bengal Chief Minister STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE Kolkata, 26 July Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday alleged that the recent violence at Esplanade and the assault on media personnel on Friday were the result of a conspiracy involving radical fundamentalist elements backed by foreign forces. He said that genuine NEET aspirants and protesters had no role in the violence. Addressing reporters after a Kargil Vijay Diwas programme in Nandigram on Sunday, the chief minister said: “The real NEET protesters are not involved in this barbaric incident. They themselves have issued statements on social media condemning the attacks on journalists and have refused to own responsibility for the violence.” “Left groups later joined the CJP rally, and taking advantage of the situation, some radical Jamaati and fundamentalist elements created the unrest,” he added. He said seven FIRs had already been registered based on complaints lodged by journalists who were attacked during the rally. Fourteen identified accused have been arrested, and action would be taken against them under the newly enacted Gunda Act. Drawing a distinction between the protesters and those involved in the violence, Mr Adhikari said the accused were not students but “hardened anti-social elements” attempting to weaken the country. “We do not merely describe the media as the fourth pillar of democracy in speeches; we demonstrate it through action. I rushed to SSKM Hospital immediately after the incident. Our assurance encouraged journalists to come forward and lodge FIRs,” he said. “After examining video footage, 14 notorious criminals have been arrested. None of them are students; they are part of a fundamentalist conspiracy aimed at weakening India,” he said. The chief minister also referred to incidents during the previous government, claiming journalists had been assaulted during the 2023 panchayat elections, the 2022 municipal polls, and agitations at Bhangar, Sandeshkhali and RG Kar Hospital without any effective police action or arrests. Explaining what he described as the motive behind the violence, Mr Adhikari claimed that several nationalist administrative measures undertaken by his government over the past 10 weeks had angered anti-social elements. “Intensified scrutiny of documents and funding sources of Khariji madrasas, implementation of the High Court's direction cancelling illegally issued OBC certificates, stricter enforcement of the Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1950, and new regulations to curb noise pollution might have angered them,” the chief minister said. He further alleged that during the protest, the national tricolour was displayed upside down, photographs of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister were kicked, and anti-national slogans were raised. “These people came to malign a student movement. They will be dealt with under the Gunda Act,” he said. Border villages are India’s ‘first villages,’ PM Modi tells youth during Viksit Vibrant Village Programme interaction STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE New Delhi, 26 July Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged young Indians to move beyond virtual interactions and experience the realities of rural India firsthand, saying that visiting villages helps one understand the aspirations of people at the grassroots. Interacting via video conferencing with more than 400 participants of the Viksit Vibrant Village Programme 2026, the Prime Minister reiterated that India’s border villages should be regarded as the country’s “first villages” and not its last. Addressing youth drawn from around 250 districts across the country, Mr Modi described the interaction as a special occasion and praised the role of the Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform in promoting nation-building among young people. Recalling the launch of the MY Bharat platform, he said: “A few years ago, we launched the ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ (MY Bharat) platform. Today, crores of young people across the country are connected to it, and MY Bharat volunteers are doing commendable work nationwide. From the ‘Viksit Bharat’ dialogue to the ‘Vibrant Village’ programme, you have all demonstrated your capabilities admirably.” Mr Modi said the idea behind the initiative was to encourage youth to discover the country through direct engagement rather than through digital platforms. “During the ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue,’ I shared an idea with the youth. The idea was: why shouldn’t young people step out onto the ground ~ moving beyond virtual mediums ~ to discover India, connect with it, experience life in India, and truly understand the country? It is only by visiting villages that one realises the immense aspirations for development that exist there,” he said. Sharing his vision for the country’s frontier regions, the Prime Minister said: “India’s border villages are not the last villages of the nation, they are the first villages of India’s progress.” He added that the government’s approach towards border development was based on the belief that these villages occupy a central place in the country’s future. “Our government has regarded the border villages as the first villages of the nation. The Viksit Vibrant Village journey is a medium to connect everyone and strengthen these bonds,” he said. Highlighting the contribution expected from young volunteers, Mr Modi said: “Your energy, innovation, and commitment will play a vital role in building vibrant and self-reliant border communities.” He also told the participants, “You are the true strength of India’s frontiers.” Reflecting on his personal association with India’s border regions, the Prime Minister said the programme held special significance for him. “Today’s programme is very special for me because when I was away from the life of government and politics, I got the opportunity to go to such border villages many times,” he said.