A Shiv Sena (UBT) corporator in Mumbai has alleged that Rs 20,000 was stolen from her purse inside the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters during a standing committee meeting, raising concerns about security.
Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel has not applied for the BCCI senior selector's post from the West Zone, leaving Pragyan Ojha well placed to continue as chairman while Ramesh Powar emerges as a possible contender.
The Gujarat government has proposed to allot a long-disputed municipal plot in Vadodara to former cricketer Yusuf Pathan, gifting 500 square metres and offering the rest at a concessional rate. This proposal comes months after Pathan, a newly elected MP, broke away from the Trinamool Congress to join the NDA. The plot has been subject to legal battles and encroachment notices since 2012.
The Trinamool Congress has lost the chairpersonship of two significant Parliamentary panels following a reconstitution by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This development comes after a split in the TMC, with rebel MPs joining the Nationalist Citizen Party and supporting the NDA. The TMC has strongly criticised the move, alleging that Parliament is being turned into a 'deep, dark chamber' due to their exclusion from committee leadership.
The Congress party has strongly refuted government claims that its MPs on the Parliament Standing Committee on Finance supported a fee on high-value UPI payments. Congress leaders, including Gaurav Gogoi and Manish Tewari, stated that the "UPI tax" proposal was not specifically discussed by the committee, accusing the Modi government of diverting attention from public backlash and appeasing US companies. The government, however, cited the committee's report which pressed for a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework.
The Congress party has strongly refuted claims by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance Chairperson Bhartruhari Mahtab that opposition MPs supported levying a Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions. Congress MP Manish Tewari termed Mahtab's remarks "erroneous and fallacious," clarifying that the committee's recommendation was to "explore" revenue models, not to implement MDR. The party accused Mahtab of misleading due to his recent switch to the BJP.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in Idukki, Kerala, has registered a case against three individuals, including two former office-bearers of Adimaly Grama Panchayat, for allegedly misappropriating Rs 68.62 lakh in a goat distribution scheme meant for 2018 flood-affected people. The accused are alleged to have conspired to award a contract for goat supply to an unlicensed individual, leading to a significant financial loss to the government.
The Indian government has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's criticism of levying fees on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 to merchants. The government highlighted that a parliamentary standing committee, which included Congress MPs, had previously backed a tiered Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI. This move aims to ensure the financial sustainability of the UPI ecosystem and reduce its dependence on government subsidies, a concern raised by the committee due to the significant funding gap between allocations and operational costs.
Shashi Tharoor has also been retained as the chairman of the panel on Information Technology.
Opposition MPs have voiced strong criticism against the government's new fee on UPI payments exceeding Rs 2,000 to merchants, calling it "anti-people" and expressing widespread "outrage". The issue was raised in a Parliamentary Standing Committee meeting, where concerns were also flagged regarding the methodology of GDP growth calculation and the government's stance on Virtual Digital Assets.
A Parliamentary panel has recommended that district administrations withhold permission for rallies and public gatherings on competitive examination days to prevent disturbances for candidates. The panel also suggested allowing latecomers to enter exam halls with an undertaking and dedicating a 15-minute window for formalities outside the exam duration.
The GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has begun deliberations on significant reforms, including decriminalising nine offences, softening provisions for 24, and raising the threshold for criminal prosecution to Rs 5 crore. The proposed changes also include scrapping the arrest powers of GST officers and introducing an 'invoice matching system' to combat fake input tax credit claims, aiming for a trust-based taxation approach and enhanced ease of doing business.
A member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines & Steel, Sasmit Patra, highlighted the transformative potential of AI and digital technologies in making India's mining and metals sector more productive, transparent, and globally competitive. He emphasised their role in enhancing efficiency, safety, sustainability, and community engagement.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, normal life was affected with closures of markets, educational institutions and business establishments in five valley districts of Manipur due to a statewide 48-hour strike called by a civil society group to protest against the killing of three Meiteis by suspected militants.
CPI(M) leader John Brittas was allegedly manhandled and injured by Delhi Police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Rajya Sabha MP was taken to RML Hospital for examination. Brittas has written to the President, Rajya Sabha chairman, and CJI seeking an independent investigation into the alleged assault, claiming he was dragged, assaulted, and abandoned. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the incident, and other political leaders like M A Baby and Manoj Jha visited Brittas, criticising the police action and alleging brutality against protesters. The protest was organised to demand Kumar's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the men's national selection committee and as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan attended Dussehra celebrations in New Delhi on Tuesday. Effigies of Ravan, Kumbhkaran, and Meghnath were burnt at various Ramleela grounds, with dignitaries delivering messages on truth, righteousness, and fighting social evils. One committee also burnt a cockroach effigy to symbolise filth, leading to a complaint from AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj.
The 20th Asian Games have officially commenced in Nagoya, Japan, with a vibrant opening ceremony. Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open, which saw contingents from 45 nations and the OCA Refugee Team participate in the athletes' parade.
The Kerala Legislative Assembly has passed a motion urging the central government to completely withdraw the proposed Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions exceeding Rs 2,000. Chief Minister V D Satheesan and CPI MLA K Rajan highlighted concerns that the MDR would increase business costs, harm small businesses, and reduce the appeal of digital payments, while the BJP argued it would not affect general public or small merchants.
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari secured a gold medal with a new Games record in the men's shot put F46 event at the Asian Para Games.
The Indian government has confirmed there will be no rollback of the 0.4 per cent Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions exceeding Rs 2,000, effective from October 15. Despite opposition, officials state the decision aims to make the UPI ecosystem self-sustainable and secure, with charges applying only to merchant payments, not person-to-person transactions.
The Supreme Court has questioned the Centre's decision to cap trade margins on anti-cancer drugs at 30 per cent, asking why similar restrictions could not be extended to other medicines and medical consumables, citing glaring disparities between procurement costs and maximum retail prices (MRPs).
MPSC aspirants in Maharashtra have ended their 10-day protest after the state government formed a committee, led by ex-judge Dilip Bhosale and senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, to investigate alleged irregularities, including paper leaks, within the recruitment body. Following this, MPSC Chairman Vivek Bhimanwar announced he has proceeded on leave until the inquiry is completed.
Delhi Police has officially denotified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, instead naming Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in east Delhi as the new venues for demonstrations. This decision, issued via a standing order by Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11, aims to address the significant logistical and security challenges posed by protests in the sensitive New Delhi district.
Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh has called for justice for anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in Mansa last week. Jhota was killed after confronting a medical store owner selling addictive drugs. His family and supporters are protesting, demanding a CBI probe and refusing cremation until justice is served, with actress Neeru Bajwa and singer Babbu Mann also showing support.
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.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi House was adjourned for the day on Thursday as ruckus and sloganeering continued over the election of six members of the standing committee.
Pramod Kumar, Secretary General of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), has accused President Ajay Singh and Executive Director Col. Arun Malik of "criminal intimidation" to prevent a no-confidence motion against Singh. Kumar alleges a governance breakdown, threats to state units, and revocation of his email access, while Malik dismisses all charges as baseless.
Opposition MPs have voiced strong concerns regarding the government's decision to levy a 0.4 per cent fee on UPI payments above Rs 2,000 made to merchants, effective October 15. They argue that this "anti-people" move will negatively impact a large segment of the population, despite the finance ministry clarifying that the charge is on the merchant ecosystem and not directly on customers for P2P or small payments.
The Indian contingent made a striking appearance at the Para Asian Games opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on Sunday, wearing ceremonial blazers adorned with motifs inspired by 5,000 years of Indian civilisation, including Indus Valley seals and SaptSindhu. Led by Paralympic medallist Simran Sharma and top shuttler Pramod Bhagat, over 100 athletes proudly represented India, which has a 281-member contingent competing across 11 disciplines. The Games will conclude on October 24.
Test Twenty, cricket's new format, debuts in Colombo on November 14, with 160 young cricketers and boys' and girls' scores combining to decide one winner.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered a CBI probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, following intense pressure from his family and supporters after his killing on October 13 in Mansa.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's arrival in Washington marks a pivotal moment for global diplomacy, as he advocates for a "partners, not rivals" approach to US-China relations amidst high-stakes discussions on trade, technology, and international stability.
The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday raised its policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent, beginning a rate-hike cycle as rising inflation risks, elevated global yields and resilient domestic growth strengthened the case for tighter monetary policy. The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee marks a shift from its August policy, when it kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent and retained a neutral stance while seeking greater clarity on the inflation outlook and growth-inflation balance.
An Indian Parliamentary standing committee has demanded an apology from Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg within three days for the temporary removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video from Facebook, threatening to withdraw immunity under the IT Act if he fails to comply. The committee also pushed for government action against Google India regarding financial fraud.
Nirma University has formed a three-member committee to investigate an incident where a professor allegedly grabbed a student's collar during a stand-up comedy show. The incident, captured in a viral video, led to apologies from both parties and protests from student organisations, prompting the university to launch a formal inquiry.
Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal with a Games record in the men's high jump T44/64 at the Asian Para Games, while Banti added a silver.
The family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, shot dead in Mansa, Punjab, has refused to perform his last rites, demanding justice and a CBI probe. The murder has triggered a political controversy, with opposition leaders criticising the state government's handling of the drug menace and law and order.
BJD chief Naveen Patnaik has voiced concerns over the Centre's decision to introduce Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on UPI transactions above Rs 2,000 from October 15, urging protection for small traders and common people. This move has sparked a political debate, with the BJP defending the charges as beneficial for digital infrastructure and largely not impacting consumers, while the Congress and traders' associations criticise it as an additional burden.
The Supreme Court on Thursday sought responses from the Centre and Delhi Police regarding an October 11 order that de-notified Jantar Mantar as a protest site and designated three alternative venues. The court will examine the rationale behind the relocation, especially concerning the efficacy of Jantar Mantar and the impact on the fundamental right to protest.
