India news: Top court allows Vinesh Phogat's Asiad entry

Here is a roundup of some of the top headlines that have India talking on Friday, May 29:

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Supreme Court reprimands testing agency over exam paper leaks

The Supreme Court called for accountability over the lapses that led to the paper leaks of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), known as NEET-UG. The court said it was "actually very traumatic" not only for students but also for their families.

"We should not disappoint our youngsters," the Supreme Court bench said.

The NEET exam is a centralized medical entrance exam required for joining medical colleges across the country.

Female doctors in India work under unsafe conditions

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The central government informed the Supreme Court that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally looking into the re-examination process after the recent paper leak.

"The Prime Minister is personally supervising so there is no lacunae" and the issue is resolved, Solicitor Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court during the the hearing of the NEET exam paper-leak, as reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.

Mehta told the bench that some new mechanisms have been put in place for the NEET-UG re-test scheduled for June 21.

The NEET-UG exam has been marred by organized paper leak scandals, most notably in 2024 and 2026, affecting millions of students in India. The medical field is a top choice for many Indian students.

Top court allows Vinesh Phogat to compete in Asian Games

One of India's most prominent wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, has been allowed by the Supreme Court to participate in selection trials for the Asian Games, set for May 30.

The top court's order came after the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) challenged a Delhi High Court decision that had ruled in favor of Phogat.

The Supreme Court bench said, "We are not stopping, you go and participate."

The court, however, flagged concerns about her missing the doping tests and keeping the WFI in the dark about her whereabouts.

The ruling by the Supreme Court comes as a major relief for Phogat, who has won several wrestling titles for India.

WFI had disqualified her from the 2024 Paris Olympics citing her weight.

Her controversial disqualification came after she accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the then head of the WFI, of sexual harassment.

Vinesh Phogat, along with India's other top wrestlers, including Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, spearheaded major protests in 2023 and accused Singh of sexual harassment and intimidation.

Phogat's disqualification from the Paris Olympics led to her announcing her retirement on social media.

While allowing Phogat to participate in the Asian Games trial, the high court slammed the WFI for issuing a "deplorable" show-cause notice to Phogat.

The notice said Phogat had caused "national embarrassment" by being disqualified from the Paris Olympics for being overweight ahead of her gold medal match. The Supreme Court termed the WFI's action as "vindictive."

India's women wrestlers defy traditional roles

There is 'crazy love for Israel' in India, says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuhas hailed Israel's "unique relationship" with a "huge power" such as India.

Netanyahu made the remarks at a leadership programme in the West Bank on Thursday.

Noting the growing criticism against Israel around the world, he said there is "an absolutely crazy love for Israel" in India.

"We have problems with delegitimisation in much of the world, but not in India," Netanyahu stated during his address.

"We are expanding our alliances and what you are talking about is expanding these alliances to a large space. And the larger space is really our unique relationship with a huge power called India," Netanyahu said.

"I think there are more followers from India than anywhere else," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support for Israel has divided opinion in India and challenged India's foreign policy approach in the Middle East.

Indian public 'split' on Narendra Modi's visit to Israel

Congress to decide on Karnataka CM after Siddaramaiah's resignation

The opposition Congress Party is set to select the next chief minister of Karnataka after Siddaramaiah's resignation was accepted by the governor.

Though the decision is yet to be officially announced, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is widely expected to succeed Siddaramaiah.

Following his resignation, Siddaramaiah on Friday met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The meeting holds significance as Siddaramaiah is expected to discuss his future within the Congress leadership, after having already declined a Rajya Sabha seat.

Siddaramaiah also later met Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and discussed the new government formation in Karnataka and his future role in the party, as reported by the Press Trust of India news agency.

After tendering his resignation, Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi for giving him an opportunity to serve the state.

"I got the opportunity to serve seven crore Kannadigas as CM twice, and as Leader of Opposition twice. I thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge."

India likely to receive below-normal rainfall this year

The monsoon outlook for India looks weak this year, the Indian Meteorological Department reported in its latest forecast.

Monsoon rains, affected by an El Niño, are likely to be below average in 2026 for the first time in three years.

The monsoon is expected to reach 90% of the ​long-period average this year.

“The southwest monsoon seasonal rainfall over the country as a whole is likely to be 90% of the long period average (LPA) with a model error of +4%, indicating below normal or less rainfall is most likely,” the IMD presented in a press briefing on Friday.

Northeast India is expected to see normal rains, while northwest, central and south peninsular India are projected to experience below-normal monsoon rains, according to IMD.

The India Meteorological Department defines normal rainfall ‌as ⁠being between 96% and 104% of a 50-year average of 87 cm (35 inches) for the four-month season.

India's economy depends heavily on the monsoon rains, as they cover almost 70% of the country's rainfall needs to refill aquifers ​and reservoirs.

How do El Nino and La Nina come about?

Good morning! This is Midhat from New Delhi, bringing you the latest from India today.

Northern parts of India have found some respite as temperatures have lowered amid forecasts of rain and thunderstorms.

But rainfall is forecast to be lower-than-average this year, raising concerns over the country's aquifers ​and reservoirs, which rely on monsoon rains.

Siddaramaiah has officially stepped down as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, saying he is "making way for the next CM."

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed his country's "unique relationship" with India, which he called a "huge power."

Stay tuned with us as we bring you the latest on these developments and other stories from and about India.