Ayodhya's Deepotsav 2025 illuminated the city with millions of diyas, marking the ninth edition of the festival celebrating Lord Ram's life. The event set two Guinness World Records for the most people performing simultaneous diya rotations and the largest display of oil lamps. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festivities, which also featured Ramayana-themed tableaux, folk performances, and drone shows.

Delhi-NCR faces Stage II of GRAP as air quality plummets to 'very poor'. Authorities have mandated intensified dust control, expanded public transport, and restricted diesel generator use. Daily road sweeping and water sprinkling are ordered, with increased parking fees to deter private vehicles. Residents voice concerns over recurring pollution.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath launched a strong attack on the Congress and Samajwadi Party at Deepotsav-2025, accusing them of insulting India's faith and obstructing the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. He highlighted their alleged past actions, including calling Lord Ram a myth and firing at devotees, contrasting them with the current celebration of truth and faith in Ayodhya.

Ladakh representatives will meet a Ministry of Home Affairs sub-committee on October 22 to discuss demands for statehood and Sixth Schedule safeguards. This meeting follows violent protests in Leh and comes after an earlier offer for talks was declined. The dialogue aims to address long-standing grievances.

As Bihar heads for assembly polls, the Congress and its allies grapple with seat-sharing disputes and mixed messaging, contrasting sharply with the BJP's methodical campaign. The BJP's strengths in ground cadre, alliance discipline, unified leadership, data-driven candidate selection, and forward-looking campaigning offer crucial lessons for the Congress's revival.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is set for a significant electoral battle. He aims to retain his position with NDA support. This election is critical for his legacy and his party's standing. Voters will consider his governance record and potential political fatigue. The BJP's growing influence presents a new dynamic. The outcome will shape Bihar's political future.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat stated that ancient Indians spread culture and knowledge globally with goodwill, not conquest or conversion, reaching from Mexico to Siberia. He lamented that recent invaders targeted Indian minds, causing a loss of self-awareness. Bhagwat asserted that spiritual and scientific knowledge remains strong in India, a legacy of Aryavrat.

The BJP has accused the Congress of supporting terrorists and banning nationalist groups like the RSS. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala criticised the Congress for their stance on organisations like SDPI and PFI, while questioning their actions against the RSS. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has asked the RSS to submit a fresh petition for a route march.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the BrahMos missile as a symbol of India's technological prowess and self-reliance, highlighting its pinpoint accuracy during Operation Sindoor. He, along with UP CM Yogi Adityanath, flagged off the first BrahMos missiles manufactured at the new Lucknow facility, marking a milestone in indigenous defence production and India's 'Make in India, Make for the World' initiative.

Bihar's Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary criticized the Mahagathbandhan for internal conflict and a lack of seat-sharing strategy. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha will contest Bihar polls independently after failing to agree on pacts. Union Minister Giriraj Singh predicted a major NDA victory, citing the opposition's disarray and lack of public trust in Tejashwi Yadav.

RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari urged Mahagathbandhan partners to understand ground realities regarding seat-sharing, stating RJD's focus is solely on Bihar. This comes amid disagreements, with JMM deciding to contest six seats alone. Congress, however, claims all decisions are finalized, awaiting announcement.

Bihar's upcoming assembly elections hinge on the Dalit vote, comprising 20% of the population. Both the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan are actively wooing this crucial bloc. The Mahagathbandhan is branding the BJP as 'anti-Dalit' following recent incidents, while the NDA relies on key Dalit leaders like Jitan Ram Manjhi and Chirag Paswan to consolidate support.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will contest the Bihar polls independently, citing contradictions and betrayal within the Mahagathbandhan. The party announced it will field candidates in six seats, asserting its influence in forming the next Bihar government. This decision follows the failure to finalize an alliance pact for the first phase of the Bihar elections.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah's demand for statehood to repeal the controversial Public Safety Act. Owaisi highlighted the law's historical misuse by various governments, leading to widespread human rights violations and detentions without trial for thousands since 1978.

India's Chandrayaan-2 orbiter has achieved a groundbreaking first, detecting the impact of solar Coronal Mass Ejections on the Moon's tenuous atmosphere. Using the CHACE-2 instrument, scientists observed a significant surge in the Moon's exospheric pressure and density when hit by these powerful solar bursts. This direct observation validates long-held theories and offers vital insights for future lunar missions and habitat planning.

Congress unveiled its second list of Bihar candidates, naming nominees for five key constituencies. The Mahagathbandhan faces internal seat-sharing disputes and friendly fights among allies, with the BJP alleging deep conflicts.

Despite a caste survey highlighting the dominance of backward classes, Bihar's upcoming elections see parties prioritizing traditional vote banks over population-based representation. Parties are fielding candidates based on established loyalties, with the BJP and JD(U) within the NDA showing a significant number of upper-caste candidates, while RJD focuses on Yadavs and Muslims.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) will contest the Bihar assembly elections independently, fielding candidates in six seats. The party stated it would review its alliance with Congress and RJD in Jharkhand post-Bihar polls, citing a lack of a espectful number of seats offered by the INDIA bloc.

Union minister Giriraj Singh expressed confidence in the NDA's decisive victory in the Bihar Assembly elections, criticising the opposition Mahagathbandhan as fragmented and lacking leadership. He asserted the NDA will surpass their 2010 record, highlighting their unity and preparedness, while the opposition struggles with candidate finalization and internal disputes.

Afghanistan Cricket Board cancelled its upcoming series against Pakistan following deadly airstrikes that killed three Afghan cricketers. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi praised the move, suggesting India's BCCI and government could learn to prioritize the nation over sports after the attacks.

Jan Suraaj chief Prashant Kishor will not contest Bihar elections, aiming to disrupt the state's power dynamics instead. While rivals accuse him of accepting defeat, analysts suggest his focus on party candidates could be a strategic move. Kishor's ambitious target of winning over 150 seats will be tested against Bihar's complex political landscape.

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj is emerging as a third force in Bihar, challenging the decades-long dominance of RJD and JD(U). The party aims to shift focus from caste politics to issues like employment and education, offering a local alternative. Despite Kishor not contesting, Jan Suraaj is poised to impact the upcoming elections.

In Bihar's 2020 elections, the Left parties, particularly CPI(ML), showed a strong performance, nearly matching the BJP's strike rate. Five years later, they are pushing for a larger seat share in the Mahagathbandhan, citing their past success and widespread presence, though negotiations remain uncertain.

Pakistan army chief Asim Munir issued a stern warning to India, threatening a decisive response and military and economic losses beyond imagination amid border tensions. He placed the onus of any escalation on India, urging them to resolve core issues based on equality and mutual respect.

Jitan Ram Manjhi, a veteran politician and Union Minister, remains a significant figure in Bihar's political landscape despite his party's modest vote share. His influence among Mahadalits and in the Magadh region could prove crucial for the NDA in the upcoming elections, where caste dynamics are decisive.

Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin criticised the Centre, questioning its arrogance in naming projects in Hindi and Sanskrit. He also alleged vote theft in Bihar's revision exercise and accused the Centre of suppressing Tamil Nadu's ancient civilisation. Finance minister Thangam Thennarasu echoed these sentiments, citing denied funds and stalled projects as political vendetta.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries on Saturday extended heartfelt Dhanteras greetings to citizens, praying for happiness, prosperity, and good health. Leaders emphasised the significance of the festival, linking it to wealth, health, and the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, while also urging for environmental protection and social harmony.

The Home Ministry has ordered a judicial inquiry into the September 24th Leh violence, which resulted in four deaths. Former Supreme Court judge B.S. Chauhan will lead the probe, a key demand of the Ladakh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance. This move could pave the way for renewed talks, though protests continue.