The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council elections, conducted using ballot papers, have reignited the debate over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) versus ballot papers ahead of the 2027 UP assembly polls. While the BJP maintained its lead, the Samajwadi Party made significant gains, prompting renewed calls for ballot paper usage in future elections.
The NDA alliance secured 16 out of 28 legislative council seats across four states, while the Congress managed to win only one seat. The Samajwadi Party made significant gains in Uttar Pradesh, and the Jan Suraaj Party opened its account in Bihar. The results show mixed fortunes for major parties, with notable setbacks for the BJP in Nagpur and the Congress in Karnataka.
Scorecards and answer key will be available for download on the NBEMS website from October 1.
Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy emphasises the importance of focusing on the 'process' rather than 'results' to maintain consistency and mental fortitude in cricket, especially after a period of mixed performances.
The fifth and final T20 International between India and the West Indies was abandoned due to persistent rain on Saturday, resulting in the series being drawn 2-2. India had scored 118 for five in 7.4 overs in the rain-shortened match before play was called off.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw a rebound in early trade, primarily driven by a more than 4 per cent surge in Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) shares following its robust Q2 net profit announcement. Track Sensex, nifty on October 9.
Internal tensions are escalating within Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti alliance as Shiv Sena and BJP leaders exchange barbs following significant setbacks in the recent Legislative Council polls.
Sumit Nagal, India's top singles player, believes sheer desire will be crucial in the Davis Cup qualifier against Korea, especially on the slow Seoul courts.
Israel's parliamentary election results have led to uncertainty in government formation, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc failed to secure a majority. The situation is further complicated by allegations of electoral fraud and foreign interference, which have been refuted by election officials and the Shin Bet security agency.
Counting is underway for elections to five constituencies in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance currently leading in three seats and the Opposition NCP (SP) ahead in two. Polling for these seats, including Pune Graduates' and Amravati Teachers', took place on October 23, necessitated by the upcoming term expiry of sitting members. Final results are anticipated later today, as candidates like Sudhakar Kohale, Kiran Sarnaik, Kaustubh Gawade, Harshada Deshmukh-Jadhav, and Pratapsinh Patil show significant leads in their respective constituencies.
The Congress party faced a significant defeat in the Karnataka Legislative Council elections, losing all four seats contested. The opposition alliance of BJP and JD(S) secured all segments, with JD(S) wresting one from Congress and BJP retaining three. This outcome, while not affecting government stability, is seen as a moral victory for the opposition and a test of their coordination.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud emerged as the largest party in Israel's recent election, but his right-wing bloc secured only 53 seats, falling short of the 61 required for a parliamentary majority. This outcome positions Arab parties, with a combined 19 seats, as crucial powerbrokers in upcoming coalition negotiations.
The BJP secured six of the 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats, while the Samajwadi Party won three, with counting ongoing for the remaining constituencies. Key wins for BJP included Agra Graduates' and Meerut Teachers' and Graduates' seats, while SP claimed Allahabad-Jhansi Graduates' and Varanasi Teachers' constituencies. The elections were marked by allegations of voter manipulation and irregularities, particularly in the Gorakhpur-Faizabad Teachers' constituency, and SP president Akhilesh Yadav also raised concerns about the treatment of a winning candidate.
The Samajwadi Party secured five seats, including two crucial wins in Varanasi, in the Uttar Pradesh legislative council elections, while the BJP won six. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav termed the BJP's performance a "double defeat" and expressed confidence for the 2027 assembly polls.
Paytm's current business model is already profitable, with the potential UPI merchant discount rate (MDR) framework expected to offer additional revenue rather than being the primary driver of its profitability. This assessment is supported by the company's Q2 FY27 earnings and analyses from global brokerages like JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, and Bernstein, which highlight the strength of its merchant-led platform and financial services.
Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti bloc is embroiled in a blame game following its poor performance in the recent Legislative Council polls. The BJP has accused its ally Shiv Sena of non-cooperation, while Shiv Sena leaders defend their actions and one MLA even suggested reinstating Eknath Shinde as Chief Minister, drawing parallels with the Bihar political model.
Haryana's Nishchay set a new national record in the U18 discus throw at the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai on Monday, winning gold with a throw of 66.75m and surpassing the previous record set in 2010.
India's eFootball team, featuring Danial Patel and Chinmay Sahoo, commenced their Asian Games campaign with a walkover against Mongolia and a goalless draw against Uzbekistan in Group F matches, marking a positive start to the competition.
The last absconding resident doctor, Nirali Vasave, has been arrested in connection with the suicide of first-year postgraduate student Harsh Pandya at Government Medical College, Surat. Pandya allegedly faced severe ragging and harassment from four senior resident doctors, leading to his death on August 9. The case is registered under abetment of suicide and the SC/ST Act.
Partial results from Israel's general election indicate that Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc remains short of a parliamentary majority with 54 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot has 48 seats, leading to a potential coalition deadlock.
The Supreme Court has expressed shock and concern over the increasing number of digital arrest scams, questioning why educated individuals continue to fall victim despite public awareness. The court highlighted a case where a woman lost Rs 2.5 crore and suggested that banks should act as a protective umbrella for customers. It is considering directing banks to compensate victims and face prosecution if fraud occurs due to their negligence, noting that digital arrests have already reduced by 50 per cent after its intervention.
The Supreme Court has mandated that banks must be held accountable for losses incurred by digital fraud victims, ensuring compensation of at least the amount lost if the fraud stems from the financial institution's lack of due diligence. The court emphasised that the proposed RBI regulatory framework must include enforceable provisions for compensation, preventive measures, and institutional accountability, moving beyond mere advisories. The CJI stressed the need for banks to use technology like AI to prevent fraud by monitoring unusual transactions and called for stronger accountability clauses against non-compliant banks.
Alex Carey says Australia must focus on preparation ahead of the South Africa Test, with their No. 1 ranking and World Test Championship hopes at stake.
Indian cue sports legend Pankaj Advani secured his 29th world title by winning the WBL World Billiards Championship in Birmingham.
The Congress has initiated seat-sharing discussions with the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, proposing a list of over 175 seats. While the Congress aims for a significant share, buoyed by its performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Samajwadi Party emphasises winnability as the sole criterion. The alliance seeks to collectively challenge the BJP in the state.
A crisp and comforting slightly decadent snack.
Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala has advanced to the women's 59kg final at the World Championships in Astana, securing her spot with dominant victories. This achievement offers India another chance to clinch a world champion title. Meanwhile, Sujeet Kalkal's impressive winning streak ended with a quarterfinal defeat, and Tanu secured a bronze medal in the 72kg category.
Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum secured her fourth Hero Women's Indian Open title, conquering the Gary Player Course with an impressive 11-under 277. India's Vani Kapoor put up a strong fight, finishing second, marking her best Ladies European Tour result. Defending champion Shannon Tan finished third, while other Indian golfers also made it to the top 10.
A study using wearable imaging devices has shown that changes in beta brain waves correlate with how novice violin players learn and adapt their actions to achieve expected musical outcomes. Researchers at the University of Nottingham found that a single violin lesson significantly altered brain activity patterns, with greater beta wave changes linked to improved playing ability. The findings offer insights into the neural mechanisms of motor learning and prediction.
Counting of votes has commenced for Legislative Council seats across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, with significant political implications ahead of upcoming electoral battles. The elections saw varied turnouts and intense contests between ruling alliances and opposition parties.
Delhi Police have arrested four men for their alleged involvement in a cyber fraud case where a victim lost Rs 44,000. The accused facilitated the use of a bank account linked to the fraud through a chain of account sharing, and five mobile phones have been recovered as evidence.
Kimi Antonelli, now 20, is poised to become Italy's first Formula One champion in 73 years and the youngest ever, a testament to Mercedes' nine-year investment in his career after Ferrari missed the chance to sign him as a young go-karter.
If you appeared for the exams, you can now check your subject-wise marks statement directly by logging into the official portal at icsi.edu.
In the 50 matches India has won when Abhishek Sharma has played, the left-hander has been a major contributor with 1,774 runs at a strike rate of 205.32.
The Congress candidate's victory in the Nagpur Division Graduates' constituency marks a significant upset for the BJP in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.
India concluded its group-stage campaign at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 with a decisive 45-24 win over Sri Lanka, maintaining an unbeaten record and securing a semi-final spot. Key players Pankaj Mohite and Aditya Shinde led the raiding, while Nitesh and Yogesh Dahiya contributed defensively.
A shooting incident in Punjab's Tarn Taran district resulted in one fatality and two injuries. Two individuals opened fire on three persons sitting in a car, leading to the death of Gursewak Singh. Police have identified the alleged shooters and are investigating the matter.
DMK President M K Stalin has filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the election of TVK candidate V S Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin alleges grave irregularities during the checking and verification of EVMs and VVPATs, which he claims were not adequately addressed by the District Election Officer. He seeks a declaration that Babu's election is void and a 100% counting of VVPAT slips.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has been hospitalised in a stable condition after collapsing during reserve-team training, with sporting director Max Eberl confirming he will be sidelined for weeks due to a virus.
Four people were shot dead at Hotel Bilas Inn in Guwahati on Monday, with another person succumbing to injuries later. Police have launched an operation to apprehend the perpetrators.
