# Today in India: 24 August 2026

2026-08-24T00:31:13+00:00 | Daily Digest | Indian Opinion Desk

24 August 2026 | 14 stories | Updated 22:19 IST

Dhruv Jurel's 115 puts India in command in Colombo, while NSA Doval reaches Beijing for boundary talks with China. Congress accuses the Modi government of strangulating ISRO through privatisation.

## Jurel hundred puts India in command
Sports | 2 sources, 1 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Dhruv Jurel struck an unbeaten 115 off 177 balls as India declared their first innings at 503 for 9 on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Jurel shared a 112-run stand with Rishabh Pant, who made 63. India then reduced Sri Lanka to 8 for 2 at stumps, with Prasidh Krishna and Manav Suthar taking wickets. The final over sparked controversy when Sri Lanka objected to play continuing in fading light after Jayasuriya was given out lbw.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/jurels-115-puts-india-495-runs-ahead-of-sri-lanka/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/jurels-115-puts-india-495-runs-ahead-of-sri-lanka.md)

## Congress accuses Modi govt of strangulating ISRO
Politics | 3 sources, 1 neutral, 2 sensationalist
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Monday accused the Modi government of pursuing an aggressive privatisation agenda for the space programme, alleging it is strangulating and emasculating ISRO. In a post on X, Ramesh cited news reports that ISRO's role in rocket development and manufacturing is to be severely limited and much of its satellite-related assets transferred to private entities. He said the six-decade legacy built by scientists like Vikram Sarabhai and APJ Abdul Kalam was under threat.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/congress-accuses-modi-govt-of-strangulating-isro/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/congress-accuses-modi-govt-of-strangulating-isro.md)

## Fish without onion or garlic is vegetarian, says UP minister
Politics | 3 sources, 2 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Uttar Pradesh minister Om Prakash Rajbhar said fish without onion or garlic can be considered vegetarian, defending colleague Sanjay Nishad amid a row over fish served at a Congress event in Ayodhya during the holy month of Shravan. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accused Congress of double standards for visiting the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi and then attending an event where fish was served. The controversy erupted after a video showed fish being cooked at a welcome programme for state Congress chief Ajay Rai.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/up-ministers-clash-over-fish-served-at-ayodhya-congress-event/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/up-ministers-clash-over-fish-served-at-ayodhya-congress-event.md)

## NSA Doval in Beijing for boundary talks with Chinese FM
World & Diplomacy | 2 sources, 2 neutral
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval arrived in Beijing on Monday for a two-day visit to attend the 25th round of Special Representatives talks on the India-China boundary question with his Chinese counterpart and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The talks on Tuesday come ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to India for the BRICS summit on September 12-13. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian skirted a direct response on Xi's travel. The mechanism was established in 2003 to address the boundary issue.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/nsa-doval-in-beijing-for-india-china-boundary-talks/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/nsa-doval-in-beijing-for-india-china-boundary-talks.md)

## More from today

### Revanth Reddy slams Centre after US visit denied
Politics | 3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Monday accused the Union government of political discrimination after it denied political clearance for his proposed visit to the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs approved his UK trip but rejected the US leg, citing political considerations. Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy alleged the denial was biased, pointing out that Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was permitted a US and Canada visit for the Vibrant Gujarat summit.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/revanth-reddy-hits-centre-over-denial-of-us-visit-clearance/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/revanth-reddy-hits-centre-over-denial-of-us-visit-clearance.md)

### Vijay scraps Chennai's Parandur airport project
India | 3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced on Monday that his government would abandon the proposed greenfield airport at Parandur, citing the impact on agricultural land and farmers' livelihoods. The decision was made in the assembly, with Vijay saying an alternative site would be found where disruption to agriculture and residential areas is minimal. The government will now conduct technical feasibility studies for a new location while expanding Chennai's existing Meenambakkam airport, adding a fifth terminal to raise capacity to 55 million passengers annually.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/tamil-nadu-scraps-parandur-airport-project-over-farmer-concerns/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/tamil-nadu-scraps-parandur-airport-project-over-farmer-concerns.md)

### India out of Hockey World Cup after 3-5 loss to Argentina
Sports | 3 sources, 2 neutral, 1 sensationalist
India crashed out of the FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 after losing 3-5 to Argentina in their final Pool-E match at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on Monday. Argentina scored within 36 seconds through Joaquin Toscani and led 2-1 at halftime. Nicolas della Torre and Lucas Toscani also scored, while Tomas Domene bagged a brace. Sukhjeet Singh scored twice and Hardik Singh added a late penalty stroke goal for India. India needed to win by at least two goals to keep semifinal hopes alive.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/india-lose-5-3-to-argentina-world-cup-semis-hopes-end/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/india-lose-5-3-to-argentina-world-cup-semis-hopes-end.md)

### Putin credits Modi for India-Russia trade boost, hopes to meet soon
World & Diplomacy | 3 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 neutral
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said he expects to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi soon on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, and indicated another meeting later this year. He made the remarks during a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Moscow. Putin credited Modi's personal attention for the rise in bilateral trade this year, and said Russia was increasing fertiliser supplies to India. Jaishankar discussed expanding cooperation in energy, nuclear energy and other areas.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-putin-set-to-meet-at-sco-summit-this-year/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-putin-set-to-meet-at-sco-summit-this-year.md)

### SC notice to Centre, Jharkhand on plea for CBI probe into JPSC exam
Politics | 4 sources, 3 neutral, 1 sensationalist
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre, the Jharkhand government, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and others on a plea seeking a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant expressed concern about whether the same commission conducts judicial service examinations. The petition, filed by activist Harisharan Devgan through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, seeks either a CBI investigation or a probe by a former judge.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/supreme-court-seeks-reply-on-cbi-probe-into-jpsc-exam-irregularities/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/supreme-court-seeks-reply-on-cbi-probe-into-jpsc-exam-irregularities.md)

### Jurel century, Pant fifty put India in command in Colombo
Sports | 3 sources, 3 neutral
India declared their first innings at 503 for 9 on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, thanks to a century from Dhruv Jurel and a half-century from Rishabh Pant. Jurel remained unbeaten on 115 off 177 balls, his second Test hundred, while Pant scored a brisk 63. The duo added 112 runs for the seventh wicket after India resumed on 300 for 5. In response, Sri Lanka were reduced to 8 for 2 at stumps, trailing by 495 runs. Prasidh Krishna dismissed opener Lahiru Udara.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/dhruv-jurel-century-leads-india-to-dominant-position-vs-sri-lanka/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/dhruv-jurel-century-leads-india-to-dominant-position-vs-sri-lanka.md)

## Useful today

### NEET PG admit card release postponed to August 25
Health & Science | 2 sources, 2 neutral
NBEMS has postponed the release of NEET PG 2026 admit cards to August 25. The exam will be held on August 30, 2026, via computer-based testing with 180 multiple choice questions in five sections. Candidates can download hall tickets from the official website.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/nbems-postpones-neet-pg-admit-card-release-for-2026-exam/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/nbems-postpones-neet-pg-admit-card-release-for-2026-exam.md)

### US OPT fee proposal under White House review
World & Diplomacy | 2 sources, 1 neutral, 1 sensationalist
The Department of Homeland Security has sent a proposal to change fees for the Optional Practical Training program to the White House for review. The proposal reached the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on August 20. The fee amount has not been confirmed.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/us-may-impose-100000-fee-on-opt-work-programme-for-foreign-graduates/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/us-may-impose-100000-fee-on-opt-work-programme-for-foreign-graduates.md)

### Delhi rain diverts 14 flights, airlines issue advisories
India | 3 sources, 3 neutral
At least 14 flights were diverted from Delhi Airport on Monday as heavy rain and thunderstorms hit the national capital region. The IMD issued a red alert for heavy rain. Airlines including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet asked passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/delhi-rain-disrupts-flights-14-diverted-as-airlines-issue-advisories/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/delhi-rain-disrupts-flights-14-diverted-as-airlines-issue-advisories.md)

### Gurugram advises offices to work from home after heavy rain
India | 3 sources, 3 neutral
Gurugram's District Disaster Management Authority has advised corporate offices, government and private schools to work from home on August 25 after heavy rain caused waterlogging and traffic jams. The IMD's orange alert for Gurugram and Faridabad was later downgraded to yellow. Water levels reached ankle to knee depth in several areas.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/gurugram-offices-asked-to-work-from-home-amid-rain-waterlogging/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/gurugram-offices-asked-to-work-from-home-amid-rain-waterlogging.md)

## The closing thought

The day offered a mix of sporting highs and political lows, from Jurel's defiant century to the sharp exchanges over ISRO and fish. Doval's talks in Beijing will test whether dialogue can coexist with friction on the border. Watch for the outcome of those discussions and the Supreme Court's next step on the JPSC exam, two threads that could shape the weeks ahead.

## Earlier digests

- [24 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-24-august-2026.md)
- [23 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-23-august-2026.md)
- [22 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-22-august-2026.md)
- [21 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-21-august-2026.md)
- [20 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-20-august-2026.md)
- [19 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-19-august-2026-2.md)
- [19 August 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-19-august-2026.md)

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