The Economic Times
Elections 2026National / The Economic Times
India triumphed in the Asian Games cricket final, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs to secure their gold medal once more. The match proceeded with remarkable sportsmanship, as both teams placed their emphasis on cricket, avoiding the customary handshakes that are often clouded by rivalry. Pakistan earned silver and Sri Lanka claimed bronze, with the medal ceremony unfolding without any disruptions from the surrounding political climate.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the next financial crisis may be triggered by geopolitical shocks, cyberattacks or technology failures rather than the banking system itself, calling for stronger resilience across markets, payments, non-banks and critical infrastructure. He said Indias financial system remains strong, but warned that todays resilience does not guarantee immunity from future shocks.
Mallikarjun Kharge has called for the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies due to alleged illegal elections. He claims that current electoral methods undermined democracy and disenfranchised many citizens, especially the poor and minorities. Kharge emphasized the misuse of electronic voting machines and irregularities in the electoral roll process. He announced a series of protests planned to awaken public awareness about these issues.
Pakistan's inflation eased to 10.3 per cent in September 2026, down from 11.1 per cent in August, but remained above the government's projections as rising electricity and fuel costs continued to offset the relief from lower food inflation. The figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed that consumer prices rose 1.3 per cent month-on-month in September.
A Mumbai consumer commission has ruled against Samsung after its own repair technician cracked a customer's television screen and the company tried to pass off the damage as a warranty voiding case of mishandling, directing the company to repair the set free of cost or pay its value with interest and compensation.
Donald Trump is seeking to reassure voters about AI safety without imposing new regulations, unveiling a voluntary agreement with six major technology companies that calls for stronger internal controls and independent audits. Critics say the pact lacks enforcement mechanisms, as public concern grows over AI risks and whether companies can effectively police themselves.
A shocking event unfolded in Newcastle when a vehicle rammed into a crowd, resulting in injuries to at least ten people, including young children. Two individuals were left in critical condition while others are stable and receiving treatment. Police have detained the 18-year-old driver and are investigating the circumstances, dismissing any terrorist connections.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have reconstituted their department-related parliamentary standing committees for the year, keeping most sitting chairpersons in place while handing a few panels to new names.Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has been reappointed chairperson of the standing committee on external affairs, according to PTI. Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi retains charge of the panel on agriculture.Here is the full list: Full list of panel chairsExternal affairs: Shashi Tharoo
Maharashtra's water bodies rose to 4.74 lakh, nearly five times the first census total. Uttar Pradesh also recorded an increase, with over 2.86 lakh water bodies noted. In contrast, states like Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh showed significant declines in their water body counts. The second Census of Water Bodies aims to support water management and policy-making efforts.
Aman Sehrawat secured the men's 57kg gold medal at the Asian Games, marking a significant achievement. He overcame North Korea's world champion Chong Song Han in a competitive final, winning by 11-7. Sehrawat had previously earned a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games. His victory demonstrates India's strength in wrestling, alongside Sujeet Kalkal's gold in the men's 65kg category.
The Ministry of Education is establishing five Centres of Excellence for classical languages across different universities. These centres aim to enhance research, digitization, preservation and dissemination of Assamese, Bengali, Pali, Marathi, and Prakrit. Chief Ministers from various states have expressed their support for these initiatives and highlighted their significance. The approval signifies a commitment towards preserving India's rich linguistic heritage.
Sebi is actively investigating position limits for non-agricultural contracts to improve market liquidity and depth. Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey has highlighted the importance of phased physical settlement for agricultural commodities. The organization is focused on addressing structural issues and increasing technology integration in commodity markets. Furthermore, Sebi plans to expand its educational outreach through Project Jagrook to better inform market participants.
Bayer has announced a significant investment of $2.2 billion to establish a new pharmaceutical site in New Albany, Ohio. This project follows over $7 billion in investments by Bayer in US pharmaceutical research and development. The facility aims to focus on critical areas including cancer, heart, and kidney care. It is expected to create around 600 permanent jobs and 1,500 construction jobs during its development.
The technical structure has weakened materially, with the most important development being the Nifty's modest violation of its 200-week moving average, presently placed at 22,606.97. This is the first breach of this long-term average since March 2020 and makes the 22,600 area particularly important over the coming days.
100 acres reclaimed from Delhis landfill sites: CM Rekha Gupta at Okhla
Farmers in Latur district are facing a severe fodder crisis due to a lack of rainfall. Many are forced to harvest sugarcane crops to feed their livestock amidst deteriorating conditions. As a result, milk production has significantly decreased, impacting farmers' incomes. The Maharashtra government has declared a drought in majority of its talukas and announced relief measures. Local farmers are appealing for official fodder camps to be established urgently.
Union Minister Amit Shah stated that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will ensure case resolutions within three years. He emphasised improvements in India's criminal justice system compared to its previous delays. Shah criticised the Congress for hindering the formation of an independent cooperative ministry for 75 years. The minister highlighted Prime Minister Modi's significant contributions to milk production improvement in India.
Five National Peoples Party MLAs in Nagaland have formally merged with the Naga Peoples Front, taking the NPFs strength in the 60-member Assembly to 39. The merger, effective October 1, further consolidates the NPFs dominance after it absorbed most NDPP legislators last year.
A district consumer commission in Thiruvananthapuram has ordered a cooperative bank to pay a widow over Rs 14.15 lakh after it blocked her access to four matured fixed deposits worth more than Rs 13.8 lakh. The bank had allowed her to withdraw only Rs 50,000 from her own savings account, citing an internal enquiry and restrictions placed by cooperative authorities. The commission ordered the bank to pay her Rs 14.15 lakh
Priyanka Kakkar has resigned from Aam Aadmi Party and joined the Congress party during an event. She expressed her inability to continue defending AAP's actions and leadership. Along with her, former MLA Shyam Sundar Sharma and Rajat Rakesh Tandon also joined Congress. Kakkar praised Rahul Gandhi for his authenticity and commitment to issues affecting the public. The Congress party welcomed the new members, emphasizing their impact on upcoming elections.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has ruled out creating a separate drone force, saying unmanned systems and loitering munitions should remain integrated with the Indian Air Forces existing weapons and platforms. He described drones as an evolutionary capability for the force and said their numbers, types and operational use are being expanded.
Drones are evolutionary, not...: IAF chief rules out separate drone force, stresses integrated Ops
Suvendu Adhikari has alleged that Mamata Banerjee misrepresented her leg injury during the 2021 elections. He stated that reports from the hospital confirmed no fracture was present. After the bypolls on October 6, Adhikari intends to reveal documents supporting his claims. He called for the minority communitys support during his campaign in Nandigram. Adhikari aims to honor the memory of Chandrnath Rath and assure development in the area.
India's cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies emphasises the importance of underlying technologies like distributed ledger and tokenisation. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra expressed concerns regarding monetary sovereignty and its effects on capital flows. While domestic payments are efficient, challenges remain in cross-border transactions, which may benefit from central bank digital currencies. The rising public debt and bond yield movements reflect the increased spending attributed to artif
India should focus on taxing capital income, such as corporate profits and dividends, to address inequality. Economist Daniel Waldenstrom supports taxing capital income rather than imposing wealth or inheritance taxes. He suggests that high taxes may discourage saving and investment, which is crucial for economic growth. Broader access to education and a stronger pension system can help include more people in economic gains.
India is planning to finalize a significant multi-role fighter aircraft deal by the end of this financial year. The proposed acquisition involves purchasing 114 Rafale fighter jets to enhance the Indian Air Force's capabilities. Current negotiations are focused on price and other important issues related to the procurement. The Chief of Air Staff emphasized the need for increased air power and self-reliance in manufacturing capabilities.
G20 trade ministers focused on preventing unfair manufacturing practices caused by government-supported large production capacities. Discussions included addressing predatory pricing and overcapacity threatening fair trade in countries like India and the US. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted India's advantages for data centers, including low costs and tax benefits. He emphasized that India's renewable energy availability further enhances these advantages for global investor
PK Mishra emphasized the need for India to remain open to global markets while enhancing economic resilience. He indicated that domestic production could be more expensive than imports, which highlights the need for a better risk assessment. Businesses are increasingly postponing investments and diversifying suppliers due to economic uncertainties. Mishra underlined that building domestic capabilities must focus on competitiveness rather than merely substituting imports.
PM Modi is alleged to have knowledge of restricted access within the Election Commission's IT division. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that complaints have been filed regarding this issue. The two election commissioners have expressed concerns about a lack of transparency in the electoral registration process. Allegations of central control by the Prime Minister and Chief Election Commissioner have surfaced recently.
Karnataka is facing a severe drought situation affecting farmers and the general public. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has requested Rs 3,705.30 crore for relief under NDRF norms. The Central Inter-Ministerial Drought Assessment Team is visiting to assess the situation over three days. Water shortages across urban areas have been reported, and farmers are demanding higher prices for their produce.
A tremor measuring 3.3 magnitude occurred in Maharashtra's Hingoli district, recorded at 7.46 am. This seismic event originated from the Gadhala area of Aundha Nagnath tehsil. Residents expressed brief concern, but initial reports confirmed no casualties or property damage. The region has faced intermittent seismic activities over the past six years, with previous major tremors causing minor structural damage.
Cube Highways Trust has triumphantly secured Rs. 1,150 crore by issuing senior secured NCDs, boasting a competitive coupon rate of 7.50% per annum, payable quarterly for five years. Major institutional players, Axis Bank Limited and ICICI Bank Limited, were pivotal investors in this transaction. The proceeds will facilitate debt refinancing and support ongoing capital projects, as part of an ambitious financing initiative targeting Rs. 4,500 crore.
Securities and Exchange Board of India will release a framework regarding changes to the Closing Auction Session mechanism. The regulator reviewed comments on its consultation paper about market timings and settlement methodology. Sebi intends to address specific issues related to derivatives settlement prices after consultations. Regulatory measures for corporate bond derivatives are also being developed to promote market growth.
The 11th annual general meeting of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network took place in New Delhi. Key topics included tracing illicit assets, confiscation, and asset management strategies. India shared its experiences in asset restoration under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The presidency was handed over to Singapore for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of trust in collaborations.
India secured a gold medal in the men's cricket event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. They achieved this victory by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final match. Batting first, India scored 211 runs for six wickets, aided by strong performances from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. The duo's explosive batting included half-centuries that significantly influenced the game's outcome.
In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum were down 1.6% and 1.5% respectively. Among the major altcoins, BNB, Dogecoin, Solana, Hyperliquid, Dogecoin and Cardano corrected upto 3.1% whereas Tron was up 0.3%.
P K Mishra highlighted the impact of geopolitical tensions on global markets and economic vulnerabilities. He mentioned that India is diversifying its energy imports to reduce vulnerabilities and ensure economic stability. The need for macroeconomic resilience through fiscal space and adequate foreign reserves was also emphasised. Mishra pointed out the importance of critical minerals for the future of advanced manufacturing and sustainability.
Analyst Sudeep Shah, Vice President and Head of Technical & Derivatives Research at SBI Securities, interacted with ETMarkets regarding the outlook for the Nifty, options data, and an index strategy for the upcoming week. The following are the edited excerpts from his chat
Abhijeet Dipke expressed concerns about his X handle potentially being removed following a restricted post. He thanked former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her support of the Cockroach movement. Banerjee's endorsement came during a recent protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Cockroach Janata Party plans a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 if demands are not met.
A byelection is set for October 6 in the Thattanchavady Assembly constituency of Puducherry, following AINRC leader N Rangasamy's decision to vacate his previous seat for another area. The party has nominated former legislator Ashok Anand, enjoying support from various political groups. The competition includes candidates from DMK, CPI, and Congress, all vying for votes. Election results will be revealed on October 9, with campaign activities already in full swing.
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has indicated that India could examine foreign fifth-generation fighter options if the indigenous AMCA programme is delayed. Russia has offered its Su-57 fighter, although Singh said no decision has been taken. The IAF is also seeking to expand its fighter fleet as squadron strength remains below the authorised level.
The Supreme Court is disturbed by a trial judge's unsolicited advice about bail jurisprudence. After rejecting a bail petition, the top court ordered the trial court to conclude proceedings within three months. The trial judge requested additional time to finish the trial and included unsolicited advice in the communication. The Supreme Court emphasised that it is not the judge's role to advise on bail matters or timeline.
Kumkum Mohod achieved notable success by winning gold medals in both individual and team archery events. She became the first Indian woman to secure an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. Her triumph included defeating her idol, Olympic champion Kang Chaeyoung, in the quarterfinals of the competition. Kumkum's achievements also secured a quota place for India in the upcoming Olympic Games.

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