India News Evening Brief: Top stories and biggest developments from July 31

• Political parties are tailoring campaigns to target youth voters in Negeri Sembilan by promising improved public transport, affordable housing, education, and better job opportunities. • The election outcome may depend on the "mobile electorate," consisting of students and workers living outside the state who must return home to cast their ballots.

• Union Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the passage of the anti-paper leak bill, which is designed to curb the widespread issue of examination paper leaks. • Rijiju claimed that while there was general agreement on the bill's necessity, any dissent from opposition parties was "politically motivated" rather than based on the legislation's merit.

• Parliament has passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, during the 10th day of the Monsoon Session. • The new legislation imposes stricter punishments for paper leaks and mandates the use of fast-track courts to ensure speedy trials.

• BJP and treasury bench MPs have condemned the opposition for politicizing the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and the resulting student protests. • Government representatives highlighted efforts to resolve the crisis, including dialogues between students and senior ministers J P Nadda and Jitendra Singh.

• Lok Sabha Question Hour in New Delhi was disrupted for the second consecutive week due to intense protests by Opposition MPs. • The demonstrations centered on two primary grievances: the NEET exam paper leak controversy and disputes regarding Ram Temple donations.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged voters in Negeri Sembilan to reject racial politics and instead prioritize development that benefits all Malaysians ahead of polling day. • In contrast, the PAS party is calling on voters in the same region to support the PN-BN "unity of the ummah" agenda.

• Organizers are preparing a program for Saturday to celebrate Nasreen's lifelong opposition to religious fundamentalism and promote freedom of expression. • The event is intended as a celebration of principles rather than a political platform, though the symbolism of her return remains significant.

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition faces a critical electoral test in the Negeri Sembilan state polls scheduled for August 1. • PH is battling to retain power against a combined "Malay-Muslim unity" narrative pushed by rivals Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

• Iran's military launched drone strikes targeting U.S. military facilities in Kuwait on Friday, July 31, 2026. • The attack marks a resumption of active fighting between Washington and Tehran following a nearly week-long lull in the West Asia war.

• Political parties in Negeri Sembilan have intensified their campaign efforts in the final hours leading up to the state elections scheduled for tomorrow. • The surge in activity specifically targets undecided voters and aims to maximize voter turnout across the state.

• Former Vice President Kamala Harris announced on Friday that the United States should consider expanding the Supreme Court to include 13 justices. • Speaking at the National Urban League’s annual conference in Nashville, Harris compared the proposed expansion to the existing structure of 13 district courts.