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Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek. The high-level discussions focused on defence cooperation, bilateral trade, energy security, and regional connectivity amidst West Asia tension and global supply chain disruptions. President Vladimir Putin highlighted economic momentum, reporting a 2.6 per cent increase in trade turnover during the first half of 2026, alongside expanding educational exchanges with 40,000 Indian students studying in Russia and growing tourism. Discussions covered Arctic energy exploration and preparations for the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi, ahead of the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Russia. Emphasising India's strategic autonomy, Prime Minister Modi stated that dialogue and diplomacy are the necessary path to resolve conflicts and end war. Additionally, the bulletin details the Haldwani Shudhikaran row and an FIR involving Rahul Gandhi, the arrest of two suspects in a Delhi sleeper bus gang rape case, and the publication of Delhi's draft electoral roll.

A sharp rise in retail prices for essential commodities, including onions reaching 60 to 65 rupees per kilo and sugar rising near 65 rupees per kilo, has triggered political debate ahead of the festive season. Opposition leaders criticise the government over food inflation, while officials cite global price trends, weather damage, and measures like releasing buffer stocks and imposing stock limits. Simultaneously, student protests escalated at IIT Delhi following the suicide of an MSc physics student, with agitators demanding official resignations, compensation, and an independent inquiry. In Patna, BPSC aspirants demonstrated over alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in the 70th examination. In other news, the body of a 15-year-old boy was recovered from a Jasola drain four days after he fell in while flying a kite. Actor Kriti Sanon addressed online backlash regarding her attire in a holiday commercial. Additionally, the United States administration proposed a USD 103,265 fee on H-1B visa applications and renewals.

In this India Today programme video, anchor Preeti Chaudhary speaks to Maharashtra FDA Commissioner and IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe about his long career in public administration, institutional accountability and the challenges of enforcing regulations. Mundhe discusses his record of 25 transfers over a 21-year career and the impact frequent relocations have had on his family

The Congress Working Committee has reaffirmed its 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram at party events, citing the positions taken by leaders including Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. The move comes amid a fresh political row, with the BJP accusing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi of disrespecting the National Song by allegedly stopping its full rendition during an Independence Day event. Congress has defended its position as inclusive and rooted in history. Meanwhile, the Centre has introduced protocols requiring a six-stanza version of Vande Mataram at official functions, seeking to standardise its rendition across the country.

In this edition of To The Point, anchor Preeti Chaudhary moderates a discussion on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's push for caste enumeration and dedicated provisions for the Other Backward Class (OBC) category ahead of upcoming state elections in Uttar Pradesh.

On To The Point, anchor Preeti Chaudhry reports on major political developments in Jharkhand and national party politics. Following a 24-day student protest, the Hemant Soren government cancelled the JSSC CGL examination and exams conducted by TDPL while ordering a CID probe into state examinations held since 2014.

The BJP has announced its new national team under Nitin Nabin, with former Union minister Smriti Irani returning as a national vice president. The new line-up includes several appointments aimed at strengthening the party's organisational structure.

Rahul Gandhi's swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, referencing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has reignited a political row. Experts discuss whether women leaders are increasingly being drawn into political attacks to settle scores in India's political discourse.

The student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged examination irregularities in JSSC and JPSC has entered its third week without resolution.

In this video, Anchor Preeti Chaudhary brings you a detailed look at two major developments highlighting the political deadlock and administrative challenges impacting governance and public interest across India.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to respond in Parliament to the CJP protest row, while a Gurugram woman has been booked after a video allegedly showing her assaulting her domestic help surfaced, triggering police action.

Students are once again at the heart of a nationwide debate as protests in Jharkhand's Ranchi draw comparisons with the recent agitation at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat called for society to accommodate same-sex companionship, while students in Jharkhand continued their agitation demanding a fair and transparent recruitment process in Jharkhand Public Service Commission.

Thousands of job aspirants and students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, marked the twelfth day of protests at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over alleged irregularities, paper leaks, and delayed results in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

This special news report on To The Point with Preeti Choudhry covers significant political developments in Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand.

The BJP suffered a major setback after losing its 30-year stronghold in the Bankipur Assembly bypoll, while protests erupted in Ranchi over a recruitment controversy, with aspirants demanding action over alleged irregularities in the hiring process.

In an engaging panel discussion led by anchor Priti Choudhry, Chief Spokesperson of the Cockroach Janta Party Saurabh Das along with Senior Advocates Aman Lekhi and Sanjay Hegde deliberate on the FIR filed against a young student, Ruchika Singh, following recent protests.

The BJP on Wednesday strongly hit back at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his Lok Sabha speech, accusing him of using unparliamentary language and making false allegations against Union Home Minister Amit Shah.