THE HEADLINES: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi stresses the need to unite society against divisive forces to build a developed India by 2047; Inaugurates Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam today.
- Government extends duty-free import deadline for one million tonnes of raw sugar to 31st December.
- Allahabad High Court rules survivor of sexual assault under POCSO Act eligible for compensation despite no physical injuries.
- India criticises Pakistan over religious freedom and protection of minorities, says Islamabad had no standing to lecture India.
- Low Pressure forms over Bay of Bengal, may develop into Cyclonic Storm; IMD predicts rainfall activities in coastal Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Asian Para Games, para-shooter Mona Agarwal sets new world record, winning two gold medals in women’s 50m rifle 3 positions.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the youth have always remained at the centre of his government’s policies and initiatives. Inaugurating the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today, Mr Modi said that for the past 25 years, he has been serving the nation to the best of his ability as head of the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government has introduced the National Education Policy to align the country’s education system with the needs of a New India. He added that the policy emphasises India’s rich traditions and knowledge, imparting education in mother tongue, modern science and emerging technologies.
Prime Minister Modi said that all institutions must work towards the common goals of national development and scaling the country’s pride. He stressed the need to unite society against divisive forces, promote self-reliance and involve every citizen in the resolve to build a developed India by 2047.
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The Government has extended the duty-free import deadline for one million tonnes of raw sugar under the Tariff Rate Quota to 31st December. This step has been taken to boost domestic supplies of sugar during the festive season. According to a notification issued by the Finance Ministry, the import window has been extended till 31st December this year. Earlier, the government had allowed imports of one million tonnes of raw sugar until the 31st of this month.
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The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a survivor of sexual assault under the POCSO Act cannot be denied compensation merely because the medical report does not record physical injuries. A division bench of Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice Amitabh Kumar Rai directed authorities to pay three lakh rupees to the minor under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Lakshmi Bai Mahila Samman Kosh scheme within ten days of submission of a certified copy of the order. The court set aside the district steering committee’s decision to withhold compensation, observing that physical injuries are not a necessary condition for establishing penetrative sexual assault under Section 3 of the POCSO Act. It held that the absence of injury marks cannot, by itself, negate an allegation of sexual assault. The bench noted that once the FIR and chargesheet indicate an offence under Section 4 of the Act, compensation cannot be denied solely on the basis of a medical report that records no injuries.
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India has criticised Pakistan at the United Nations over religious freedom and protection of minorities. First Secretary at India’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Bhavika Mangalanandan said their numbers were declining and their rights were regularly abused. She said a country unable to ensure the safety of its own minorities had no standing to lecture India, and urged Pakistan to focus on developments in areas of Jammu and Kashmir under its illegal occupation, including Rawalakot. Recalling its refusal to acknowledge the bodies of its soldiers killed during the 1999 Kargil War, while raising concerns over its remarks on religious freedom and burial rights. She said the Indian Army had buried several Pakistani soldiers with military honours and in accordance with Islamic rites. Her remarks came during a discussion on an interim report by UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, Nazila Ghanea, which raised concerns over alleged denial of funeral rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
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India has said that the United Nations is losing its legitimacy as the outcome of a war fought eight decades ago continues to shape the composition of the UN Security Council. India has called for reforms to make the Council more representative and reflective of contemporary global realities. Addressing the UN General Assembly yesterday, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, P. Harish, said that no war fought over 80 years ago should determine the present-day world order.
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Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government is proactively addressing the issues and concerns of Indian citizens. In a social media post, Mr. Rijiju said that the stranded Umrah pilgrims have returned safely to India. He added that more than ten thousand normal Umrah pilgrims had also returned to India earlier, while efforts are underway to assist the remaining pilgrims.
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today attended the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi. The three-day conference, which began on Wednesday, has brought together the Army’s senior leadership to discuss the evolving security environment, operational preparedness, capability development and the modernisation of the force. On the occasion, Mr Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine, which will provide an overarching framework to prepare the Indian Army to meet the challenges posed by the evolving character of warfare and future conflicts.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is chairing the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in New Delhi. The meeting is being attended by Chief Economic Adviser Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Secretary of Electronics and IT Ministry S Krishnan and Chairpersons of Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.
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Voting has begun for 11 MLC seats in Uttar Pradesh, eight in Bihar, five in Maharashtra and four in Karnataka. Polling is underway and will continue till 4 PM. The voting is taking place for the biennial elections to the Legislative Council from graduate and teachers’ constituencies in these 4 states. Counting of votes will take place on October 27.
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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting search operations at 13 locations across Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Chandigarh. Officials at the ED informed that the searches are in connection with fraudulent NRI housing loans obtained using forged documents. The officials added that entities covered in the probe include Antriksh Promoters and Developers Private Limited and Sunshine Infrawell Private Limited. Further details are awaited.
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The two satellite-tagged Amur Falcons, Apapang and Alang, have returned to Manipur after travelling across 23 countries in Asia and Africa, marking the successful completion of their nearly year-long tracking journey. In a social media post, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that the birds arrived in Manipur yesterday, 11 days after departing from their breeding grounds in northeastern China. He noted that the two falcons were tagged by scientists of the Wildlife Institute of India in November 2025. More from our correspondent.
The return of the Amur falcons marks the completion of a round-trip migration journey, highlighting the remarkable long-distance movements of the migratory birds. The falcons are now expected to spend two to three weeks at select stopover sites in the mountainous areas of Tamenglong district in Manipur. During this period, they will feed on termites and build up essential fat reserves for their next migratory leg. From Manipur, the birds are expected to undertake a six-day non-stop flight of nearly six thousand kilometres to Somalia, including a challenging three thousand kilometre crossing of the Arabian Sea. The annual arrival of the Amur Falcons is eagerly awaited by local communities in Manipur, who have played a significant role in protecting the migratory birds. Nitika Gupta, for Akashvani News, Delhi.
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A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal, raising the possibility of a cyclonic storm over the coming days. The India Meteorological Department has forecast gradual intensification and west-northwestward movement towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts. The system’s exact track and potential impact will become clearer as it develops. More from our Correspondent:
A low-pressure area has formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal, raising the possibility of a cyclonic storm along the eastern coast. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the system is likely to intensify into a depression by tomorrow, a deep depression by the day after tomorrow, and a cyclonic storm by this Monday morning. Moving west-northwestwards, it is likely to approach the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts over the following two days. Odisha is likely to witness increased rainfall activity starting this Monday, with widespread rain and isolated heavy rainfall expected between this Tuesday and Thursday. The IMD has advised fishermen to follow weather warnings and avoid venturing into the affected sea areas. Prakash Dash for Akashvani News, Bhubaneswar.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange colour warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over Kerala, Mahe, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal today. The Met Department has also predicted heavy rainfall over Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Coastal Karnataka and South Interior Karnataka.
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And para-shooter Mona Agarwal produced a terrific performance, setting a new world record to win gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition at the Asian Para Games. She shot 357.5 at the Aichi Prefecture General Shooting Gallery to set the new record and claim her second gold medal of the mega-event.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN: –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi stresses the need to unite society against divisive forces to build a developed India by 2047; Inaugurates Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam today.
- Government extends duty-free import deadline for one million tonnes of raw sugar to 31st December.
- Allahabad High Court rules survivor of sexual assault under POCSO Act eligible for compensation despite no physical injuries.
- India criticises Pakistan over religious freedom and protection of minorities, says Islamabad had no standing to lecture India.
- Low Pressure forms over Bay of Bengal, may develop into Cyclonic Storm; IMD predicts rainfall activities in coastal Odisha and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Asian Para Games, para-shooter Mona Agarwal sets new world record, winning two gold medals in women’s 50m rifle 3 positions.