Operation Kayakalp: How UP Is Upgrading Infrastructure in Government Schools
Uttar Pradesh’s Operation Kayakalp is focused on improving basic infrastructure and facilities in government primary and upper-primary schools across the state. Launched in 2018, the programme tracks improvements against 19 key infrastructure parameters. The initiative uses an inter-departmental convergence model, combining resources from schemes and funding sources including Samagra Shiksha, Gram Panchayat funds, District Mineral Foundation funds, urban-area funds, Jal Jeevan Mission and MGNREGA.
Maharashtra Restricts Officials’ Leave Amid Drought-Like Conditions
Authorities in Maharashtra have restricted leave for officials from key field departments as prolonged dry conditions have created drought-like situations in several parts of the state. The move is intended to ensure that relief and mitigation work continues without disruption. In Nanded, District Collector Rahul Kardile directed officials from revenue, agriculture, rural development, water resources, animal husbandry, land records and other departments to prioritise drought-related work.
Youth Congress Protests Across Cities, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
The Indian Youth Congress and Congress state units held protests in several cities on September 25, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid an ongoing controversy over the functioning of the Election Commission and electoral-roll revision. Demonstrations were reported in Delhi, Chandigarh, Patna and other locations.
Delhi SIR: ‘Mark VIP’ Voter App Feature Sparks Controversy Over Electoral Roll Revision
The Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Delhi has come under scrutiny following reports about a new “Mark VIP” feature in the Booth Level Officer (BLO) app and allegations of unequal treatment of voters. The feature, reportedly added to the BLO app in July, allows Booth Level Officers to flag certain electors as VIPs during house-to-house verification.
Allahabad HC Orders School Transport Safety Committees Across Uttar Pradesh
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure regular meetings of district school vehicle safety committees and establish school transport safety committees in schools across the state. The directions were issued while hearing a public interest litigation concerning compliance with safety rules for vehicles carrying schoolchildren.
West Bengal to Close 250 Private Madrasas Over Low Enrolment, Poor Infrastructure
The West Bengal Cabinet has decided in principle to close 250 government-recognised private madrasas in phases by December, citing very low or negligible enrolment and inadequate infrastructure. The institutions will continue classes until December for the students currently enrolled, after which the closure process will begin. The decision follows a state-wide review of madrasa institutions.
Rahul Gandhi Speaks to Sahil Wakode’s Family, Assures Support
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spoke to the parents of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode and assured them of support in their efforts to seek justice. Gandhi reportedly held a video call with Ravindra and Sonali Wakode while they were travelling from Washim to Mumbai. The conversation lasted around 17 minutes, according to party sources.
AAP Protests in Mohali as ED Raids GMADA Offices and Minister’s Kin
The Enforcement Directorate has continued searches at the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) headquarters in Mohali as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to alleged financial irregularities in land allotments, development projects and related transactions. The operation has also extended to other locations, including the residence of a relative of Punjab minister Hardeep Singh Mundian.
Calcutta High Court Questions EC Over Envelope Symbol for Ritabrata Camp
The Calcutta High Court questioned the Election Commission’s decision to allot the envelope election symbol to the Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress for the upcoming West Bengal bypolls. During the hearing of a petition filed by the Indian Secular Front (ISF), the court questioned why the poll panel selected a symbol previously associated with the ISF when other free symbols were available.
India Rejects Pakistan’s UN Letter on Indus Waters Treaty, Calls Tribunal Ruling Invalid
India has objected to Pakistan’s circulation of a letter at the UN Security Council concerning a recent Court of Arbitration decision related to the Indus Waters Treaty. The Indian government said Pakistan was misrepresenting the matter and reiterated that it does not recognise the tribunal’s authority in the dispute.
Veeramani POCSO Case: TVK, DMK Clash Over Police Probe and Video Evidence
A political dispute has intensified in Tamil Nadu over the handling of the POCSO case involving granite businessman R Veeramani, with the ruling TVK questioning the earlier investigation and the DMK defending its actions. The case was registered in October 2025 after police received a pen drive containing footage that allegedly showed a minor being sexually assaulted.
O.P. Rawat Explains ECI Decision-Making Amid West Bengal Voter List Debate
Former Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat has spoken about decision-making within the Election Commission of India amid ongoing scrutiny over the poll panel and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal. Rawat said decisions in the three-member Election Commission are taken either unanimously or through a majority view when differences arise.
Punjab Police Denies Uniform Advisory, Calls Viral Message Fake Amid Political Row
Punjab Police has denied issuing any advisory directing personnel to avoid wearing uniforms while travelling to or from duty, calling messages circulating on social media fake. The clarification came after Opposition leaders shared an alleged circular and an unverified audio clip, triggering a political dispute over police safety and law and order.
IIT Faculty Bodies Back Doolla, Seek Due Process in Sahil Wakode Case
Faculty bodies from several IITs have backed Professor Suryanarayana Doolla and called for due process in the investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode. The developments come as Wakode’s family alleges caste-based harassment, while the police probe into the circumstances surrounding his death continues.
Justice RC Chavan Resigns From Maharashtra UCC Committee
Retired Bombay High Court judge Justice R C Chavan has resigned from Maharashtra’s seven-member Uniform Civil Code committee, citing differences over the process for gathering public feedback and concerns about the participation of a person who was not a committee member. His resignation was submitted on September 19, shortly after the panel’s second meeting, and was accepted by the state government on September 21.
Anbumani Flags Mettur Water Crisis, Seeks Relief for Delta Farmers
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss has raised concerns over falling water levels at Mettur Dam and warned that a significant portion of Cauvery delta farmland could remain uncultivated if water availability does not improve. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to announce financial assistance for farmers affected by the shortage.
VD Satheesan Faces CPI(M) Questions Over Chartered Flight to Malappuram
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan’s use of a chartered flight to visit rain-affected Malappuram has triggered a political dispute over who arranged and paid for the aircraft. The Chief Minister’s Office said the state government incurred no additional expense and that the flight was arranged because the police helicopter contract had expired and commercial flights to Karipur were unavailable.
IIT Bombay CCTV Shows Sahil Wakode Leaving Exam Hall During Probe
Fresh CCTV footage from IIT Bombay is being examined by the Mumbai Crime Branch as part of the investigation into the death of second-year BTech student Sahil Wakode. The footage from September 18 reportedly shows Wakode being questioned during an examination and subsequently leaving the exam hall between around 12:30 pm and 12:45 pm.
Tarn Taran Encounter: Gangster Kashmir Singh Killed, Associate Injured
A suspected gangster was killed and his associate injured in an encounter involving the Anti-Gangster Task Force and Tarn Taran Police in Punjab on Monday evening. The deceased was identified as Kashmir Singh, alias Sunny or Pungi, a resident of Muradpur in Tarn Taran. His associate, Gursewak Singh, is receiving treatment at a hospital.
Delhi SIR: Over 80 Lakh Voters Under Scrutiny Ahead of Final Roll
Delhi’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has put more than 80 lakh voters under verification, with the Election Commission examining deletions and discrepancies before the final list is published. Of around 1.45 crore electors, approximately 47.5 lakh names were excluded from the draft roll under categories including absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate voters.
Maharashtra FDA Seizes 4,765 Kg Fake Mawa Ahead of Diwali
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has seized 4,765 kg of a mawa-like product valued at around Rs 7.67 lakh from the Shahnur Miya Dargah premises in Sambhajinagar ahead of the festive season. The operation followed a tip-off, and the department said notices would be issued to the supplier and businesses that had ordered the consignment.
Jamui Minor Harassment Case: 3 Arrested, SIT Formed, 32 Accounts Flagged
Three minors have been arrested in connection with the alleged harassment and molestation of two Class 10 students in Bihar’s Jamui, while police have formed a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident and identify other suspects. The case came to light after a video of the incident was widely circulated on social media.
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury Reverses Decision, Will Contest Rejinagar Bypoll
Rabiul Alam Chowdhury, the Mamata Banerjee-led faction’s candidate for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, has reversed his decision to withdraw from the contest and said he will remain in the race. Chowdhury had announced his withdrawal earlier on Saturday, citing difficulties in making voters familiar with a new electoral symbol following the Election Commission’s interim order in the dispute over the Trinamool Congress name and symbol.
Telangana Cops Seize Rs 1.38 Crore in Demonetised Notes, Arrest 8
Telangana Police have arrested eight people in Kazipet after recovering demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes with a face value of Rs 1.38 crore during a vehicle check. The seizure was made near Kazipet Crossroads after police stopped a car they considered suspicious and conducted a search.
Bangladeshi Worker at Indian Naval Academy Arrested, 6th Detention in Kannur
Kerala Police have arrested a 32-year-old Bangladeshi national who was working as a temporary employee at the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, near Payyannur, taking the number of Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Kannur over four days to six. Police said the man, identified as Viplav Soren, had been working at the naval academy for around a year.
20th Rozgar Mela: Over 51,000 Appointment Letters Issued Across 45 Locations
More than 51,000 appointment letters were distributed to newly recruited candidates across 45 locations during the 20th Rozgar Mela. The recruits will join various central government ministries and departments, including Railways, Home Affairs, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Revenue and Financial Services. The latest employment drive takes the total number of young people who have received appointment letters through Rozgar Melas to nearly 12.75 lakh.
Rahul Gandhi Calls Milan Pradhan Arrest Political Revenge as BJP Rejects Charge
Congress candidate Milan Pradhan’s arrest ahead of the October 6 Nandigram bypoll has triggered a political dispute in West Bengal. Rahul Gandhi described the arrest as “political revenge” and alleged that it amounted to an attack on democracy, while the BJP rejected the charge and said the police action was connected to pending cases rather than the election.
Air India Express Suspends 8 Crew Members Over Delayed Breathalyser Test
Air India Express has suspended eight crew members for three months after they failed to complete a mandatory post-flight breathalyser test within the prescribed two-hour period. The crew was operating a Dubai-Amritsar international flight on August 2 and was required to complete the test after landing at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar.
Iranian Warship IRIS Lavan Still Docked in Kochi Six Months After Emergency Entry
Iranian Navy amphibious ship IRIS Lavan remains docked in Kochi nearly six months after India allowed it to enter the port on humanitarian grounds during the escalating Iran conflict. The vessel had sought emergency docking permission on February 28, the day the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, citing technical issues requiring urgent attention.
Akhilesh Yadav Unveils AI Film Targeting Yogi Adityanath Ahead of UP Polls
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has unveiled a new AI-generated political film targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, using the style of an 1980s Bollywood confrontation between an “angry young man” and a villainous character. The film was screened during a press conference and portrays Yadav as a representative of ordinary people confronting the UP chief minister.
ECI Freezes TMC Name and Symbol Ahead of West Bengal Bypolls
The Election Commission of India has issued an interim order freezing the All India Trinamool Congress name and its traditional “Flowers and Grass” symbol for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly by-elections. Neither the faction led by Mamata Banerjee nor the rival group headed by Ritabrata Banerjee will be allowed to use the party’s existing identity until the dispute is resolved.
TMC Symbol Row: Rival Factions Face Election Commission Ahead of Bengal Bypolls
The Election Commission of India is hearing rival factions of the Trinamool Congress over control of the party name and its twin-flower election symbol ahead of the October 6 West Bengal Assembly bypolls. The Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction is scheduled to appear first, followed by the Mamata Banerjee-led camp.
Stray Dog Protest in Maharashtra Escalates After Dogs Released in Civic Office
A protest over stray dog attacks in Maharashtra’s Niphad escalated after political workers brought several stray dogs in sacks to the Niphad Nagar Panchayat chief officer’s office and released them inside the official’s cabin. The protesters said they had repeatedly complained for around six months about increasing incidents involving stray dogs, particularly attacks affecting children and senior citizens.
Tamil Nadu Secures Rs 15,300 Crore Investment Commitments After Vijay’s UK Visit
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay returned to Chennai on September 17 after a six-day official visit to the United Kingdom, during which the state secured investment commitments worth Rs 15,300 crore, according to the state government. The proposals are expected to generate more than 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Maharashtra FDA Raids Mumbai Eateries, Suspends Cafe Licence Over Hygiene Lapses
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has intensified inspections of food establishments across Mumbai, suspending the licence of an iconic heritage cafe in south Mumbai after authorities found several food safety and hygiene violations. During the inspection, officials identified problems involving the holding temperatures of hot and cold food, along with improper thawing and rapid-cooling practices.
CCPA Fines Rapido Rs 10 Lakh Over Dark Patterns and Tipping Prompts
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a Rs 10 lakh penalty on Rapido’s parent company over alleged use of deceptive digital practices, including dark patterns and pre-ride tipping prompts. The consumer regulator found that Rapido’s app encouraged users to add tips of Rs 10 to Rs 30 by suggesting that drivers could decline standard fares.
Priyank Kharge Challenges BJP Leaders Over Full Vande Mataram Recital
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has challenged BJP state president BY Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka to publicly recite all four stanzas of Vande Mataram from memory, without using a paper or teleprompter. He said he would resign if they completed the challenge. The remarks come amid a dispute over Karnataka’s decision to restrict Vande Mataram to its first two stanzas at most state government programmes.
Bhagwant Mann Directs Punjab Police to Crack Down on Drug Supply Chains
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann chaired a review meeting with senior civil and police officials on the state’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, directing authorities to intensify action against drug trafficking and strengthen efforts to disrupt supply networks. Mann called for stricter measures against drug peddlers and faster confiscation of properties allegedly linked to drug smugglers.
UP Approves Rs 300 Crore Plan to Turn 14,429 Schools Smart
The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a Rs 300 crore initiative to convert 14,429 government primary schools under the Basic Education Council into smart schools. The project, cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, will be implemented in phases. The selected schools will receive smart classrooms, ICT labs, digital books and digital library facilities.
Rajasthan Urban Poll Results 2026: BJP Wins but Faces Setbacks in Key Strongholds
The BJP emerged as the largest party in Rajasthan’s 2026 urban local body elections, winning 4,179 of 10,235 declared wards, compared with 3,613 for the Congress. Its seat share increased to 40.8% from 35.7% in the 2019-21 cycle, while the Congress declined from 40.7% to 35.3%. However, the BJP’s vote-share advantage over the Congress was only 0.94 percentage points.