The Supreme Court is likely to hear the plea moved by the Gujarat State unit of the Congress party challenging the decision to use None of the Above (NOTA) option in the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in the state. The Congress had approached the Election Commission against the use of the NOTA option, claiming it was violative of the Constitution and electoral laws, but the poll panel maintained that it was not a new direction and was introduced in 2014. Four candidates are in the fray for the three Rajya Sabha seats to which the election will take place on August 8.

India will attempt to seal the series against Sri Lanka in the second Test starting today in Colombo. The visitors won the first test by a massive 304 runs to open with a bang in the three-match series.

Counting of votes for the bypoll to the Northern Angami-I assembly constituency in Nagaland will take place today. The contest is between former Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu, nominated by Naga People’s Front, and an independent candidate.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, beset by tumbling public support due to suspicions of cronyism and a crushing election loss suffered by his ruling Liberal Democratic Party in Tokyo elections last month, is set to effect a broad shake-up of his Cabinet. Recent opinion polls have shown support for Abe plunging to below 30 per cent, its lowest since he returned to office in December 2012 with a promise to revive Japan's stale economy and bolster its defences.

The Bank of England will announce its monetary policy today. Investors will watch for whether the record-low interest rates would soon be lifted for the first time in more than a decade. The central bank will also publish its quarterly Inflation Report, with economists expecting the Bank to push up its inflation forecasts slightly but to lower its projection for growth after the weak start to the year.