News
Top / The Times of India
Two Booth Level Officers died in Uttar Pradesh amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of poll rolls. Sarvesh Singh died by suicide, citing work pressure. Shobharani died of cardiac arrest after working late. The Election Commission has extended the revision schedule by one week. These incidents highlight the strain on BLOs across several states.
A teenage girl in Nanded performed symbolic wedding rituals with her murdered boyfriend's body after her father and brothers were arrested for his killing over their inter-caste relationship. The girl, Aanchal, stated her family opposed their union due to caste differences and vowed to live with her deceased lover's mother.
Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi expressed confidence that India's relationship with Bangladesh will improve, referring to the nation as a friend despite current political strains. He recalled warm hospitality during his visit and hopes for a positive turn after Bangladesh's February 2026 parliamentary elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on Sunday, expressed his special affection for Uttarakhand and highlighted the immense potential of winter tourism, adventure sports, and wedding destinations in the state, according to an official release.
The Election Commission of India has criticized the West Bengal government for delaying increased honorariums for booth level officers (BLOs) and payments for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls. This comes as the TMC delegation accused the ECI of having lood on their hands over the revision process.
Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, Indian Chetak helicopters deployed from INS Vikrant conducted search and rescue missions in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah. India has reaffirmed its solidarity, delivering 27 tonnes of relief material and standing by Sri Lanka through its Neighbourhood First policy.
Ahead of Parliament's Winter Session, an all-party meeting saw the Opposition demanding detailed discussions on national security, the SIR issue, pollution, farmers' concerns, and democracy. They expressed worries about the government's handling of key national matters and insisted on parliamentary debates. The government stated its readiness to listen to the Opposition's concerns during the session.
A pervasive uniform aesthetic in consumer culture reflects a decline in individuality, driven by insecurity and the desire to belong. Brands and creators exploit this by selling ready-made identities, leading to overconsumption and environmental strain. This trend prioritises perception over utility, turning curated identities into disposable consumption.
A viral video of a littered Amsterdam street sparked debate on civic sense, with some users defending the city's overall cleanliness and blaming tourists for the mess. Despite the clip, global rankings indicate the Netherlands excels in environmental standards, with Amsterdam noted for its good air quality.
Cyclone Ditwah has prompted a high alert in South India, with Tamil Nadu and Puducherry bracing for potential rain and thunderstorms. The cyclone's path runs parallel to the coast, posing a threat after claiming 159 lives in Sri Lanka. India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying relief and rescue teams to assist the island nation.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi highlighted technology as the armed forces' greatest future asset at the NDA's 149th Passing Out Parade. He emphasised that military strength secures peace, quoting Prime Minister Modi. Admiral Tripathi also commended the second batch of women cadets, urging them to focus on duty over awards, as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their male counterparts.
Maulana Mahmood Madani has ignited controversy with his remarks on the Supreme Court's handling of key cases and his views on 'jihad' and 'ghar wapsi'. His statements have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP and differing opinions within the Muslim community, highlighting a divided political landscape.
India's annual groundwater recharge saw a slight increase in 2025, yet nearly a quarter of assessment units remain in stressed categories. This is due to declines in recharge in several states, despite overall improvements in some regions attributed to good rainfall and conservation efforts.
The BJP has sharply criticized Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of sympathizing with Maoists and potentially endorsing urban naxals. This accusation stems from Gandhi sharing a video that reportedly featured individuals raising pro-Naxal slogans, including support for a slain commander, during a protest. The ruling party's attack comes as the government intensifies its efforts to combat Naxalism.
IndiGo has fully updated its entire A320 fleet, becoming the first Indian carrier to complete mandatory software enhancements. This rapid upgrade, prompted by an Airbus global warning about solar radiation affecting flight-control systems, saw Air India and Air India Express also making significant progress. While minor delays occurred, cancellations were largely avoided as airlines raced to meet regulatory deadlines.
Central agencies are scrutinizing the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process for alleged rigging and misuse. The ED arrested Amit Katyal, Lalu Prasad Yadav's aide, in a real estate fraud case involving undervalued land sales and bid manipulation. Investigations reveal collusion between bank officials, resolution professionals, and buyers, leading to significant financial irregularities.
Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran stated that Air India represents a responsibility for the Tata Group, not just a business opportunity. He highlighted the significant growth potential in India's aviation sector, driven by economic expansion and increasing consumer aspirations. Despite challenges like supply chain disruptions and geopolitical factors, the commitment is to build a world-class airline.
Jamiat-Ulama-Hind chief Maulana Mahmood Madani accused the Supreme Court and government of undermining minority rights, suggesting judicial verdicts are made under government pressure. He also defended Jihad as a noble duty against injustice, while the BJP condemned his remarks as inflammatory and divisive, particularly his opposition to Vande Mataram.
Indian airlines swiftly addressed a critical software issue affecting Airbus A320s, linked to solar flare risks. Operators worked through the weekend to roll back flight-control updates on 338 aircraft, preventing potential pilot control loss. This rapid fix, under DGCA supervision, avoided mass cancellations during peak holiday travel, with minimal delays reported.
Jammu and Kashmir High Court ruled cross-LoC trade as intra-state, asserting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is part of the Union Territory. The court dismissed petitions from traders challenging GST notices, stating the trade was internal. This ruling comes after the Indian government suspended cross-LoC trade in 2019 due to misuse concerns.
Journalist Arafaz Ahmad Daing's home demolition in Jammu has ignited a political firestorm. Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary is demanding an inquiry, questioning who ordered the action. Former BJP President Ravinder Raina also visited, claiming the LG's administration wasn't involved. CM Omar Abdullah accused Raj Bhavan-posted officers of selective demolitions, undermining the elected government.
Leh Apex Body (LAB) has urged a judicial probe panel to obtain medico-legal reports of civilians injured in alleged security forces firing on September 24. LAB also demanded scrutiny of CCTV footage and investigation into delayed medical reports of police personnel, emphasizing these as crucial for a fair inquiry.
Following fatal bus fires, the National Human Rights Commission has ordered chief secretaries to immediately recall buses violating safety norms. This includes removing driver partitions, installing fire detection systems, and stricter checks on bus builders. The NHRC stressed accountability for officials who approved unsafe vehicles, deeming the accident preventable.
Election Commission has doubled Booth Level Officers' pay to Rs 12,000 and supervisors' to Rs 18,000, acknowledging their crucial role. This comes as the BJP forms a team to monitor electoral roll revisions and address BLO issues, amid reports of BLO deaths and protests over workload.
A special NIA court has convicted two more individuals, Mohd. Mustaqueem and Shakeel, in an Al-Qaeda conspiracy case, sentencing them to 20 months in prison. This follows a previous conviction in the same plot, which aimed to carry out terror attacks in Uttar Pradesh. The accused were found guilty of procuring weapons and ammunition for the banned outfit's affiliate.
Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 expands Tamil outreach with 50 teachers teaching spoken Tamil in Varanasi schools and 300 Varanasi students visiting Tamil Nadu for immersive learning. This initiative, despite ongoing state-federal education disputes, aims to strengthen India's linguistic traditions and civilisational ties through reciprocal cultural exchange.
Cyclone Ditwah is poised to make landfall near the North Tamil NaduPuducherrySouth Andhra Pradesh coast by early November 30, prompting high alert across southern India. The storm, which has already caused devastation in Sri Lanka, is expected to bring heavy to extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds, leading to widespread disruptions and potential urban flooding.
Airbus has issued a global alert for A320-family aircraft due to a software flaw potentially caused by solar radiation, leading to grounding of over 350 planes in India. Meanwhile, the NIA is investigating a 'white-coat terror module' after recovering Rs 18 lakh from a university room. Additionally, R Ashwin suggested Jasprit Bumrah be used sparingly in Test cricket.
COP30 in Brazil concluded with India's environment minister highlighting successful outcomes, including increased adaptation finance and a just transition mechanism. India played a key role in shaping decisions, reinforcing multilateralism and developing countries' interests. Discussions on fossil fuels and deforestation occurred outside formal processes, while trade measures like CBAM were addressed.
Ayodhya's 500-year Ram Janmabhoomi struggle culminated on January 22, 2024, with the consecration of the Ram Lalla temple. This event marked the physical manifestation of faith, fulfilling a centuries-long aspiration. The journey, from Maharishi Valmiki's depiction of Ram's exile to modern movements and legal battles, finally saw the temple stand as a reclaimed heritage.
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, has been remanded to NIA custody in Delhi following his extradition from the US. Wanted in several high-profile cases including the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, Anmol is accused of aiding terror activities and extortion from abroad. His arrest is part of a larger probe into a terror syndicate.
Delhi Police apprehended wanted gangster Harsimran, a close associate of Goldy Dhillon, after his deportation from Bangkok. Harsimran, who fled India on a fake passport, is implicated in numerous criminal cases, including extortion and murder. His arrest is a significant blow to Dhillon's international crime network.
Karnataka's Congress faces a leadership dilemma as Chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar present a united front after intense speculation. The party grapples with balancing the influential AHINDA coalition and Vokkaliga support, crucial for its electoral success, as a potential midterm leadership change remains unresolved.

15 C