Kartik Kansal, a candidate with muscular dystrophy, has cleared the UPSC civil services exam four times but was denied service. Despite ranking high in 2021, he was not allocated a service due to his disability. Kartik, an IIT Roorkee graduate and ISRO scientist, uses a wheelchair and meets all physical requirements for the IAS. A retired IAS officer, Sanjeev Gupta, highlighted the issue on social media. Kartik's case is pending in the Central Administrative Tribunal. New merged criteria from 2024 might rectify the oversight and allow him to join the IAS.

A massive landslide hit pilgrims near Cheedwasa on their way to Kedarnath, killing three and injuring eight on Sunday morning. The State Disaster Response Force quickly started rescue operations, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief and offered condolences to the victims' families. He assured continuous monitoring of the rescue efforts and promised all necessary assistance to the injured. The pilgrims had started their journey from Gaurikund when the landslide struck.

Seven bodies have been recovered from a landslide-hit area in Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The landslide occurred on July 17 following incessant rains. Rescue operations are ongoing, with three people still missing. Deputy Commissioner Lakshmi Priya confirmed the involvement of NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard, and local authorities. Continuous landslides and river flow are complicating efforts, said SP Narayan. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy visited the affected Shirur village. A red alert for heavy rainfall is in effect for July 20, with an orange alert for July 21, issued by the Regional Met Centre of Bengaluru.

An investigation into trainee IAS officer Puja Khedkar's disability certificates has revealed discrepancies. Khedkar obtained three certificates between 2019 and 2022, claiming different disabilities. She used two names, Puja Khedkar and Puja Gaikwad, while applying. The certificates were issued by different hospitals in Maharashtra. The UPSC filed a complaint, leading to a Delhi Police case against Khedkar and her family. The authenticity of her certificates and eligibility for the IAS position are now in question. The matter is under investigation, with Khedkar's selection as an IAS officer hanging in the balance.

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to install a 51-feet tall bronze alloy statue of Lord Buddha in Kaushambi to boost religious tourism. The State Lalit Kala Academy has initiated the e-tender process, and the installation is expected to be completed within seven months. The giant statue aims to attract tourists and pilgrims, promoting Kaushambi as a major Buddhist destination. The project is part of the state government's efforts to develop religious tourism in Uttar Pradesh. The iconic statue will be a significant addition to the state's cultural landscape.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation reports that flight operations have returned to smooth functioning after a global Microsoft outage caused disruptions yesterday. Airline systems are now working normally across all airports, with a gradual clearing of the backlog. The ministry assures that all issues related to travel adjustments and refunds are being addressed. By noon today, all problems are expected to be resolved. The brief outage led to flight cancellations and chaotic scenes, but the situation is now under control, with normalcy restored in the aviation sector.

The Indian Army has deployed 500 Para Special Forces commandos in Jammu to counter the presence of 50-55 Pakistani terrorists. Defence sources confirmed the deployment, citing intelligence inputs indicating a surge in terrorist activity. The commandos will focus on neutralizing the terrorists and dismantling their support network. The move is part of a broader security realignment in the region, based on threat assessments and operational requirements. Intelligence agencies have also enhanced their capabilities to identify and disrupt terrorist infrastructure, including overground workers supporting extremist groups.

In a surprise move, Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson Manoj Soni has resigned citing "personal reasons", nearly five years before his term was set to end in 2029. Soni, who took charge in May 2023, had been a member of the constitutional body since 2017. His resignation is not linked to the controversy surrounding probationary IAS officer Puja Khedkar's alleged fraudulent certificates, sources say. The UPSC conducts the prestigious civil services exam to recruit top government officials. Soni's sudden exit raises eyebrows, but the reason remains unclear.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released centre and city-wise results for the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, following a Supreme Court order. The move comes amid allegations of irregularities, including a paper leak. Results were initially announced on June 5. The court ordered masked results to compare scores of candidates from allegedly tainted centres with others. The exam was held on May 5 for over 24 lakh candidates at 4,750 centres in 571 cities. The release of centre-wise results aims to ascertain if candidates from certain centres scored unusually high marks.

The Wagh Nakh, a historic weapon used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is now on display at the Satara Museum. The artifact was loaned from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to commemorate Shivaji's 350th ascension anniversary. The display will run for seven months. A ceremony attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other officials marked its unveiling. The Wagh Nakh is showcased in a bulletproof case with enhanced security. This exhibit highlights a significant artifact from Indian history, honoring Shivaji Maharaj's legacy. The display is a rare opportunity for the public to view this historic weapon.