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.

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.

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.

Karnataka deputy CM D K Shivakumar responded to criticism of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, saying he welcomes feedback but some are “doing it too much.” He accused industry leaders, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, of forgetting their roots. Mazumdar-Shaw rejected this, citing past critiques. Shivakumar highlighted population growth and the “fix my pothole” initiative, while BJP leader R Ashoka condemned the government’s intimidation of citizens.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Hundreds of Diwali travelers faced disruptions as an Air India Dreamliner's technical snag at Milan airport led to the cancellation of flight AI138 to Delhi on Friday. Most of the 250 passengers have been rebooked for October 20, coinciding with the festival, with the airline providing hotel accommodations and ground assistance.

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.

A Congress MLA questioned the Karnataka government's directive to regulate RSS activities, asking if Muslims would also need permission for road-side namaz. He emphasized that only enforceable rules should be implemented, highlighting potential double standards in the application of the new regulations.

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.

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 losing Faizabad in the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP aims to retain its stronghold in Bihar's Mithilanchal region. The party is banking on developmental projects and the consecration of the Ram temple to secure votes in the upcoming assembly elections, while the Mahagathbandhan campaigns to challenge its dominance.

Chirag Paswan has emerged as a significant force within the NDA ahead of the Bihar elections. His party secured a substantial 29 seats in seat-sharing talks, more than any other junior ally. This success, coupled with a 100% win rate in the Lok Sabha polls, bolsters his bargaining power and positions him as a potential kingmaker in government formation.

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.

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.

A viral video shows the difficulties of walking on Indian footpaths. Content creator Caleb Friesen struggled with a baby stroller in Bengaluru, encountering numerous obstructions. His post humorously ranked these obstacles, placing pedestrians last. The video has sparked conversations about footpath accessibility across Indian cities. Friesen aims to raise awareness about these issues.

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.

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.

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.

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.