India's Defence Ministry has sealed contracts worth Rs 53,866 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for eight next-generation warships for the Indian Navy. These indigenously designed corvettes will bolster India's combat prowess in the Indian Ocean and support the 'Make-in-India' initiative, creating significant employment opportunities.
India has stated that the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is disturbed by Chinese forces diverging from established patrolling patterns, emphasising that maintaining peace and tranquillity is essential for bilateral relations. This statement follows remarks by the ITBP Director General about ongoing confrontations. Both nations are utilising diplomatic and military mechanisms to resolve issues and improve LAC understanding. Recent high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have focused on rebuilding trust and respect after the 2020 Galwan clashes, including a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is implementing a major overhaul of its examination system, including creating a permanent pool of independent observers and inviting applications for empanelled examination centres. This initiative follows security breaches and allegations of irregularities, particularly the NEET-UG paper leak earlier this year, aiming to enhance fairness and security in national-level entrance exams.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit India for a three-day trip to attend the 18th BRICS Summit and engage in bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit will focus on strengthening strategic partnerships and addressing international issues, with Putin also scheduled to meet other world leaders.
The Indian government has summoned Meta's global head of public policy after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post, addressing youth and promising action against paper leaks, was temporarily removed. Meta attributed the removal to a 'glitch' in its automated content filters, an explanation the government deems insufficient, demanding further discussions.
'It seems the prime minister may not be given the real picture about the country's space sector and ISRO. So, we are having the seminar to bring the issues to his notice.'
The INDIA bloc conducted a symbolic "public impeachment" of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of operating under the influence of the Modi government and threatening voting rights. Led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar, the event saw leaders demand Kumar's removal, the repeal of the 2023 law governing election commissioner appointments, and an end to the Special Intensive Revision exercise, alleging intentional deletion of around 14 crore voters.
'We are open to all countries around the world as long as we get a fair deal, as long as we are ensured continuity in the engagement.'
Nationalist Citizens Party of India leader Abu Taher attended a breakfast meeting hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for NDA allies but asserted that his party is not part of the ruling alliance. He stated his attendance was solely to raise public issues directly with the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dimagi Naxal' (intellectual Naxal) remark, made during his Independence Day address, has ignited a significant political debate, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarifying that the comment targets those who support Maoists and separatists, not opposition leaders, while opposition figures like P Chidambaram have embraced the label in defiance.
The Indian women's cricket team secured their eighth Women's Asia Cup title, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, a triumph that has garnered widespread congratulations from top Indian leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted a gala dinner for BRICS Summit leaders and delegates at Bharat Mandapam. The menu featured a range of Indian delicacies, including starters like 'khandvi mille' and 'khumb galouti', main courses such as 'paneer lababdar' and 'gucchi marmik', and desserts like 'shahtoot phirni'. The dinner was accompanied by a cultural performance.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated readiness to consider a truce covering energy infrastructure and the Black Sea.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has alleged "great damage" to India's fabric, democracy, and institutions over the last 12 years, expressing optimism for a return to proper governance. In an interview, she also discussed the resilience of the Congress party against challenges and provided insights into her upcoming memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', which covers her personal life and political journey.
Sourav Ganguly has confirmed his new role as head coach for Delhi Capitals for the 2027 IPL season, replacing Hemang Badani. He addressed potential conflict of interest concerns regarding his concurrent presidency of the Cricket Association of Bengal, citing a BCCI ombudsman order. Ganguly also commented on India's football performance and congratulated PM Narendra Modi.
The IDBI Bank stake sale could generate over Rs 26,500 crore, helping the government surpass its annual divestment target, notes A K Bhattacharya.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has publicly supported India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. He stated that any reform of the UNSC should not grant additional seats to Western countries like Germany and Japan, citing their "militarism and revanchism." Instead, Russia advocates for increased representation from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, specifically backing India and Brazil, while also emphasizing the need to address African interests.
Tanmay Baloda's exceptional 10-wicket match haul has put India in a commanding position against Australia in their second Youth Test in Ahmedabad. Baloda followed his first innings 6/32 with 4/26 in the second, leaving Australia U-19 trailing by 55 runs. Half-centuries from Yashbardhan Chauhan and Abhipray Biswas also contributed to India's strong first innings total.
'Eastern Ladakh set the relationship back by about 10 steps. So far, especially since Galwan, we may have taken just 4 steps forward.'
A stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on Saturday evening resulted in 19 deaths and 25 injuries. The Chief Minister announced compensation and a SIT probe, while officials have been detained and crowd-pulling pujas advised to close.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 57th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Delhi, advocating for increased female participation among medallists and awardees. He also advised graduates against social media distractions, encouraged self-improvement, and inaugurated the Param Pragya AI supercomputing facility.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero for preventing a Flydubai flight from crashing after being stabbed by his co-pilot. His friend, Dr. Jinit Shah, attributes his ability to avert the tragedy to "muscle memory" and his extensive pilot training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Captain Machchhar's immense courage.
The Indian prime minister has been invited by President Pezeshkian to the burial ceremonies, the diplomatic sources said.
The Delhi Police has taken decisive action, directing multiple social media platforms to remove offensive and abusive posts targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has demanded an apology from political opponents, specifically referencing those who "fired on Ram devotees" and "subjected saints to lathicharge," before they visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. His remarks came after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav announced his visit. Adityanath criticised past neglect of Ayodhya and highlighted the city's transformation under his government, attributing it to the strength of Lord Ram's consciousness and the sacrifices of kar sevaks. He also subtly targeted the Congress for questioning Lord Ram's existence in court.
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against several social media handles on X for allegedly posting 'derogatory, malicious and defamatory content' targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and has sought complete details of the account holders from the platform.
Defence officials confirmed on Thursday that all serving Agniveers will be absorbed as regular soldiers after six years of service, provided they meet specific criteria. This clarification follows the government's announcement of a two-year extension for Agniveers completing their four-year tenure, allowing for subsequent permanent recruitment. The move effectively ensures a pathway for all Agniveers to join the regular cadre, addressing previous concerns about the 75% who were not initially retained.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, declared that India is undergoing a rapid transformation across various sectors and is firmly on track to become a developed nation by 2047.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, is being hailed as a hero for his quick thinking and bravery in preventing a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv from crashing, an act praised by both Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian PM Narendra Modi.
'The last time a book brought so many readers to the stores was in 2007, for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.'
A Zero FIR filed in Noida against a woman for allegedly using objectionable slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest at Jantar Mantar has been transferred to Delhi Police for further investigation. The complaint alleges the remarks were abusive, lowered the PM's dignity, and could disturb public peace. The case involves sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to intentional insult, public mischief, and criminal defamation.
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."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Rahul Gandhi has turned creating ruckus in Parliament and resorting to boycotts into a Congress culture.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the India-New Zealand Under-20 International Rugby Sevens Series in Nalanda district. The event, held from October 23 to 28 at the Rajgir Sports Complex, marks 100 years of bilateral sporting relations and aims to promote rugby in Bihar. Matches were played between the men's and women's teams, with the Indian women's team securing a victory.
Indian tourists can now use the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to book tickets online for Dubai's Burj Khalifa and major attractions in Singapore, including Universal Studios. This initiative, facilitated by NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) through strategic partnerships, aims to simplify international travel payments for Indians and strengthen digital and economic links with these countries.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Modi government of quietly paving the way for imposing fees on UPI transactions, alleging it's a surrender to American pressure. The government's recent notification exempts charges only up to Rs 2,000, sparking concerns that higher value transactions and eventually all UPI payments could incur fees. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, however, clarified that Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) applies to merchants, not customers, and supports digital infrastructure.
Ahead of President Vladimir Putin's visit to India for the BRICS summit, Russia has expressed support for New Delhi's peace initiatives to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Discussions between Putin and PM Modi will cover defence, energy, technology, and the repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian military, alongside addressing trade and investment ties.
The Indian government has approved a Rs 2,814 crore capital expenditure support scheme to promote domestic processing of critical minerals like lithium and nickel. This five-year scheme, running until 2030-31, aims to reduce import dependence, develop value chains, and enhance India's self-reliance in essential materials for clean energy and modern technologies. It includes a 30% capital subsidy for setting up processing plants.
Paralympic champion Navdeep Singh is appealing for the inclusion of men's F41 javelin throw in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics. Faced with uncertainty, he has also taken up shot put, winning a national gold, and is now training for both events to keep his options open. He expresses disappointment over the potential exclusion of javelin but embraces the challenge of learning a new discipline while maintaining his consistency in performance.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "dimagi naxal" remark by stating he is "proud to be a dimagi naxal". Modi had warned against "dimagi naxals" who manipulate policies and promote violence, despite the success in curbing armed Naxalism. Chidambaram's comment came after Modi's Independence Day speech where he highlighted the threat posed by ideological supporters of Naxalism.
