Explained: Anti-paper leak bill, Vande Mataram protection, Mekedatu row and more

In this edition of India Today Explains, Akshita Nandgopal breaks down the major news developments of the week. Parliament passed the Public Exam Amendment Bill, introducing stricter penalties, up to 10 years imprisonment and fines reaching 10 crore rupees, to curb paper leaks and restore trust in the examination system. Parliament also passed the Vande Mataram bill, extending legal protection under the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act to the national song.

The show also examines the reignited Mekedatu dam dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over Cauvery water allocation, alongside the recurring catastrophic flooding in Assam caused by heavy monsoon rainfall and Brahmaputra's geographical features.

Additionally, China's breakthrough in nuclear fusion with the testing of the world's largest superconducting fusion magnet for its artificial sun project is highlighted. Finally, Jessica Goel decodes popular Gen Z slang and hand gestures used during recent youth protests and social media trends.