Nation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar to enquire about his health following his discharge from a Pune hospital, remarking that Supriya Sule was “ready” to take care of the country.
In a major revision to military recruitment rules, the Union Cabinet has lengthened the service period of Agniveers from four to six years, offering the 75% cohort previously slated for civilian discharge an additional two-year engagement and a subsequent route to regular military enrollment. Announced by CDS General N.S. Raja Subramani just ahead of the first batch’s retirement dates, the overhaul also reverses recruitment stages by putting written tests ahead of physical trials.
In an unprecedented political blow to the ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Tuesday announced his resignation from both the party and the Lok Sabha during a massive public gathering in Budgam. Accusing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of ‘incompetence’ and betraying the 2024 Assembly mandate on Article 370, free power, and reservation reforms, Ruhullah announced plans to build an independent platform of dedicated local youth rather than join another political party.
Defending champions India stormed into the Asian Games cricket final with a comprehensive 124-run drubbing of Sri Lanka at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. An unbeaten 80 off 46 balls from Ishan Kishan and an explosive 38 from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi powered India to 169/7, before a devastating bowling assault led by Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel skittled Sri Lanka for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs, confirming a marquee gold medal final against Pakistan.
In a major show of unity at Delhi’s Constitution Club, the INDIA bloc has resolved to move a parliamentary removal motion against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged mass voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Announcing a nationwide agitation roadmap, alliance leaders confirmed district-level marches starting October 2, an Opposition MPs’ march to the Election Commission on October 6, and a joint representation to President Droupadi Murmu.
India’s compound archers completed a clean sweep at the 2026 Asian Games, capturing all three team gold medals in sensational fashion. The mixed pair edged South Korea 20-19 in a dramatic shoot-off to secure a historic Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quota, while the women’s squad matched the 238 world record to down China, and the men’s trio pulled off a late comeback against their rivals to cap an unbeaten campaign.
A major controversy has hit the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Karnataka after more than 4,000 Form-7 deletion requests were systematically filed against minority voters in Assembly segments such as Babaleshwar and Bhalki. With local names allegedly forged on pre-printed forms and opposition parties alleging a calculated conspiracy to disenfranchise voters, the Chief Electoral Officer’s office has stepped in to halt arbitrary purges and enforce rigorous on-ground verification.
From October 15, 2026, UPI transactions above ₹2,000 made to merchants will carry a 0.4 percent Merchant Discount Rate (capped at ₹300) to support payment infrastructure and cybersecurity costs. While all person-to-person transfers and 96% of merchant payments remain free with no added cost to consumers, retail bodies like AIMRA have called for a ‘No UPI Day’ protest on October 2, citing steep margin pressures on high-value electronic sales.
Massive student unrest erupted at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara following allegations of a sexual assault on campus, leading to clashes, vehicle arson, and a blockade on National Highway-44. The Punjab administration deployed over 2,000 police personnel, formed an SIT to investigate the claims, and ordered mobile data curbs, while the university suspended regular classes for 10 days and dismissed the assault reports as baseless rumors.
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