Petrol pump dealers seek exemption from the proposed 5 UPI charge on fuel purchases above 2,000, citing pressure on their margins.
The Supreme Court has stayed an Allahabad High Court order that directed Gautam Buddh Nagar District Magistrate Medha Roopam to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation from her salary for the detention of student Akriti Chaudhary under the National Security Act (NSA). The High Court had quashed Chaudhary's detention, criticising the DM's conduct and ordering compensation. The Supreme Court issued notice on pleas from Roopam and the Uttar Pradesh government, also staying the High Court's observations against the DM, with further hearing scheduled for October 7.
Suchika Tariyal has made history by becoming India's first Asian Games medal winner in Mixed Martial Arts, securing a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event. The 36-year-old fighter, who hails from Haryana, expressed immense joy and dedicated her medal to her family, acknowledging the financial struggles and personal sacrifices made throughout her career. Despite initially considering retirement, her performance has inspired her to continue her professional fighting journey.
The opposition has strongly criticised the government's decision to introduce a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15. They allege the move is a result of US pressure and will lead to increased commodity prices, calling it a "betrayal" of the common man. The government, however, clarifies that customers will not be charged, and the MDR applies only to merchants for larger transactions.
This week's OTT releases feature a diverse range of films and series, including Huma Qureshi's Baby Do Die Do, Aneet Padda's Hunkaar: The Roar, Parineeti Chopra's OTT debut in Shaque: Trust No One, Nayanthara's romcom Hi, and the animated Toy Story 5.
Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and RJD, have strongly criticised the government's decision to impose a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000 made to merchants. They allege the move is a result of "American imperialism" and will lead to increased commodity prices, while the government maintains the charge is on merchants and not consumers, with person-to-person transactions remaining free.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging he has 'undermined' voter rights by excluding over 13 crore names from draft electoral rolls across 30 states and Union territories during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Kazakh businessman Timur Turlov has been elected the new president of the world chess governing body FIDE, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich. Turlov won a closely contested election against German entrepreneurs Wadim Rosenstein and Jan Henric Buettner, securing a four-year term. His victory comes amidst scrutiny over Russian influence and FIDE's financial independence, with Turlov campaigning on expanding digital reach and supporting smaller federations. He also addressed concerns about his ties to the outgoing administration and FIDE's commercial partner, Freedom Holding Corp.
Hyundai Motor India is set to outpace the broader passenger vehicle market, projecting an 8-10 per cent domestic sales growth in H2FY27, fueled by strategic launches of a new mid-size SUV and a dedicated electric vehicle, alongside increased production capacity.
Pakistan's government is exploring measures, including potential smart lockdowns and austerity, to reduce petroleum consumption. This comes after recent fuel price hikes driven by rising global oil prices and West Asia tensions, which have also raised concerns about oil supply disruptions. The government is also implementing a fuel relief scheme and faces public pressure over the price increases.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Karnataka government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a fresh probe into the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Dharmasthala. The court expressed shock at the previous investigations by local police, CID, and CBI, which led to the acquittal of the sole accused. The new SIT must conclude its investigation within three months, excluding any officers involved in prior probes, and the acquitted individual will not be re-investigated.
The GST Council is set to discuss the application of GST on merchant fees for UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. This comes as a new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) of 0.4% (capped at Rs 300) is effective from October 15 for such transactions, which, as a service, would typically attract an 18% GST levy. The Council's decision is anticipated to consider consumer interests, with merchants potentially able to claim Input Tax Credit.
The Supreme Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to comply with its previous order to identify land for establishing Navodaya Vidyalayas in each district of the state, emphasising cooperative federalism and urging a change in mindset regarding the central government's education policy.
The Congress party has accused the Modi government of succumbing to US pressure by introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions over Rs 2,000 for merchants. The party alleges this move aims to benefit US card companies and links it to broader US actions against India, including tariffs and H-1B visa issues. The government, however, clarifies that consumers will not be charged.
Search engine major Google will also start sharing details of child sexual abuse cases and repeat offenders with the cybercrime division of the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Indian government has introduced a 0.4% fee on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, effective October 15, sparking strong opposition from political parties and traders. Despite accusations of foreign influence and demands for a rollback, the finance ministry and top functionaries have stated there will be no reversal, citing the need for a self-sustaining digital payments ecosystem.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) against Sheeba Inayat, a Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer. The charges include amassing assets disproportionate to her known income and alleged malpractices in the distribution of Public Distribution System (PDS) foodgrains, leading to a wrongful loss of over Rs 2.61 crore.
The Calcutta High Court's division bench set aside a single-bench order that had granted interim protection to Congress' Nandigram bypoll candidate Milan Pradhan from coercive action in a 2007 criminal case. The court ruled that there is no provision in criminal law for such interim protection, meaning Pradhan's judicial remand will remain effective ahead of the bypoll.
The Election Commission of India has announced decisions addressing concerns raised by two election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, over the past 10 months. These issues included changes to voter registration forms, access to the electoral roll database, the handling of Goa's 97 voters, communications issued without full commission approval, oversight of the IT division, and appeals against voter restoration. The EC has provided responses and outlined steps to resolve these internal disputes and improve transparency and compliance.
The Congress party has criticised the government's new 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 for merchants, terming it a "Modi tax". Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, allege that this move will ultimately burden consumers through price hikes and accuse the government of succumbing to American pressure to dilute India's zero-MDR policy. The government states the charge will support banks and fintechs.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the UN General Assembly, strongly criticised Pakistan for its support of terrorism, asserting India's right to self-defence and stating that friendship cannot coexist with terrorism. He also highlighted India's global responsibilities, contributions to the Global South, and its stance on reformed multilateralism and AI.
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu argues that predictions of AI's catastrophic outcomes are overstated and a global pause in AI development is improbable. He urges India to adopt an independent AI strategy, focusing on extensive foundational R&D across sectors, while remaining wary of market monopolisation attempts by major tech players. Vembu also highlights concerns about AI's impact on human judgment, skill development, and job markets, particularly for junior professionals.
'These limits will change. Very soon restrictions, restrictions will come.'
An 18-year-old in Chandigarh has been arrested for allegedly shooting his father, a police head constable, dead. The accused, Armaan, reportedly had an argument with his parents over his immediate desire to marry his girlfriend, a demand they rejected until he turned 21. Armaan was previously out on bail in a case where he was involved in a fatal accident. Police recovered a countrymade pistol and are investigating the source of the weapon.
The opposition has intensified its criticism of the government's decision to impose a 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, effective October 15. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Jairam Ramesh allege the move is a result of US pressure, particularly from American card companies, and demand an immediate rollback, warning of increased costs for consumers.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is facing significant scrutiny after an investigation revealed objections from his fellow election commissioners, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, regarding decisions made during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. The objections, reportedly made at least 14 times, concerned issues like changes to voter registration forms and centralised control over electoral roll databases, intensifying criticism of Kumar's tenure and the EC's impartiality.
The BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting in Mumbai will address several crucial matters, including the grant of associate membership to the Cricket Association of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the appointment of a BCCI representative to the ICC, and the induction of new members to the IPL Governing Council.
Deaf and non-verbal since birth, Sana Bahadar has found her voice through squash, overcoming financial and communication barriers while reaching the Asian Games and targeting the world top 100.
Government sources state that Meta, due to its algorithmic amplification of content, can no longer be considered a "simple intermediary" but rather a "service provider," implying greater responsibility and potential loss of legal immunity. This shift comes as Meta commits to directly reporting child abuse content to Indian law enforcement, amidst increasing government scrutiny over harmful online content and algorithmic bias.
Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey has lodged a police complaint against several HI officials, including the former Executive Director, accusing them of "criminal breach of trust, theft, endangerment of life and wrongful abandonment." The complaint stems from an incident where Tirkey's personal belongings, including medicines, were allegedly withheld after an official vehicle was recalled. This incident highlights an ongoing power struggle between Tirkey and HI Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh, exacerbated by past controversies like the saffron jersey fiasco and disputes over board meetings.
The Supreme Court has indicated that individuals with a conscientious objection should not face criminal consequences for declining to sing Vande Mataram, while asking the Centre to consider a 1986 judgment protecting similar rights concerning the national anthem.
India has significantly increased its diplomatic engagements with Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Maldives.
The Congress party has criticised the Modi government over a notification regarding UPI transactions, alleging it paves the way for imposing fees, especially on transactions above Rs 2,000. Rahul Gandhi claimed the government is surrendering to American pressure, while Mallikarjun Kharge highlighted the potential burden on common citizens amidst inflation. The government's notification prohibits charges on UPI transactions up to Rs 2,000 but remains silent on higher amounts, sparking fears of a "Digital Payments Tax."
Comedian Pranit More has approached the Supreme Court to club multiple FIRs filed against him after a guest on his show made a controversial "Rs 370 biryani" remark, deemed misogynistic. More's counsel informed the court that he has apologised on all forums, including the National Commission for Women, and the apex court has sought notices from the Centre and state governments.
A report by Scholars at Risk, 'Free to Think 2026', states that academic freedom in India is "severely restricted" due to increasing government influence over higher education, university governance, and curbs on student expression. India is listed among six countries in this category, with its Academic Freedom Index score sharply declining. The report cites instances of faculty dismissals, event cancellations, and pressure on student protests, highlighting the alleged use of the UGC as a vehicle for state influence.
Indian skipper Shubman Gill sustained an elbow injury during a net session after being hit by a Mohammad Siraj delivery, though he later returned to practice. Meanwhile, veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma also batted together. Separately, the West Indies cricket board announced a 25% reduction in retainer fees for players as part of a financial restructuring.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack, calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar 'deshdrohis' (traitors) for allegedly 'destroying' India's voting system and 'stealing elections'.
The Ministry of Home Affairs informed a Joint Committee of Parliament that the number of active NGOs registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act has halved over the last decade, even as foreign funds received by them have significantly increased. Christian associations received the largest share of these funds in 2024-25. The report comes amidst discussions on a contentious FCRA amendment bill aimed at tighter government oversight.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed support for the Centre's decision to levy charges on UPI transactions, citing the cost of maintaining the digital payment infrastructure. However, he emphasised the need to protect retail consumers from these fees. Abdullah also discussed the upcoming seven-day Assembly session, highlighting the government's commitment to smooth functioning and addressing MLAs' concerns, and touched upon efforts to tackle drainage issues affecting water bodies.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has criticised the Centre for introducing a 0.4% charge on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000, alleging the decision was influenced by pressure from the United States and its payment companies like Visa and Mastercard. He highlighted a perceived shift in the government's stance on Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) for UPI, claiming it would ultimately burden consumers and small businesses while benefiting American firms.
