Top news of the day: Supreme Court expresses shock over deaths in Manipur relief camps; Tata Sons board approves a fresh five-year term for Chandrasekaran, and more

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Makeshift beds inside a relief camp for internally displaced persons set up at Makhan village, in Kangpokpi district, Manipur. | Photo Credit: PTI

Expressing shock over scores of deaths in relief camps meant for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Supreme Court on Thursday (September 17, 2026) directed the Manipur Chief Secretary to apprise it of the steps taken to probe, initiate criminal proceedings and ensure the safety of those living there.

Cautioning the top bureaucrat of the State, a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana asked why no significant steps were taken on the information provided by the Justice Gita Mittal committee relating to deaths, including unnatural ones, of IDPs in relief camps.

Tata Sons Private Limited’s Executive Chairman N. Chandrasekaran at the company’s board meeting on Thursday (September 17, 2026) acceded to the Board’s request to reconsider his decision . On August 12, 2026, he expressed his desire not to seek reappointment at the expiry of his tenure stating that one board member — Noel Tata — had not approved it.

“The Board thereafter resolved by a majority vote to re-appoint him as Executive Chairman for a further term of five years upon the expiry of his current tenure [in February 2027],” Tata Sons said in a statement. It is learnt that all board members, other than Noel Tata, who is a board member and Chairman of Tata Trusts, voted for the reappointment of Mr. Chandrasekaran. Tata Trusts which holds 66% stake in Tata Sons has termed this reappointment and decision as illegal.

The Centre on Thursday (September 17, 2026) agreed to reduce the qualifying percentile for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Super Speciality (NEET-SS) seats from the existing 50% to 30%, even as it agreed to return 40 vacant in-service seats pertaining to Tamil Nadu to the State.

“The matter has since been reconsidered in consultation with the concerned stakeholders. In order to ensure that the available super speciality seats do not remain vacant and that the available training capacity is optimally utilised, it has been decided that the qualifying percentile for NEET-SS may be reduced from the existing 50th percentile to 30th percentile for the purpose of the proposed Special Stray Vacancy Round,” a Union government note filed before a Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha said.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday (September 16, 2026) passed legislation targeting Russia’s energy sector , individuals and “shadow fleet” of tankers, including authorising the U.S. President to impose tariffs of up to 100% on India and other countries for buying oil and gas from Russia. The House voted ​262-159 ⁠in favour ⁠of the Bill.

The Bill, which will now be sent President Donald Trump for his signature, could result in significant U.S. tariffs on India. This Bill comes as New Delhi and Washington have been negotiating a preliminary trade deal, with India also increasing its purchase of Russian oil in comparison to last year.