Gold and silver ETFs reversed their strong August performance in September 2026 as domestic prices declined. How did the two commodity ETFs fare during the month, and which schemes saw relatively smaller declines? Here’s what the data shows.

The government on Thursday revised guidelines for vehicles registered under the Divyangjan category. The beneficiaries will receive an exempted FASTag based on the disability percentage shown on their disability certificate, Unique Disability ID (UDID) card or other applicable records.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways revised the guidelines for issuing and renewing exempted FASTags for eligible beneficiaries to promote ease of living for citizens and further simplify toll-related procedures for Divyangjan and persons with disabilities (PwD).

Earlier, guidelines mandated renewal of exempted FASTags for Divyangjan on an annual basis.

However, under the new guidelines, the exempted FASTag’s validity will be determined by the percentage of disability.

FASTags issued to persons with 70% to 100% disability will be valid for five years, while those issued to persons with 40% to less than 70% disability will be valid for three years, the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, the exempted FASTag may be renewed thereafter, subject to continued eligibility and compliance with the provisions of the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

The revised provisions are aimed at making the National Highway tolling ecosystem more accessible, transparent and user-friendly for eligible beneficiaries, while ensuring that toll exemptions continue to be administered in accordance with the prescribed rules and eligibility requirements.

The government on Thursday (October 1, 2026) tightened the stock-holding limit for sugar dealers to 1,000 quintals, effective from October 15 to November 30, in a bid to ensure adequate supplies at reasonable prices during the festival season.

Dealers will be allowed to hold stock for only 15 days. The amended norms will not apply to Kolkata and its extended metropolitan areas, and Assam, where the limit is 2,000 quintals, the Food Ministry said in a statement.

The new sugar season began on October 1.

“By restricting the quantity and storage period of sugar, the government aims to facilitate the orderly movement of sugar through the supply chain and ensure its continuous availability to consumers at reasonable prices,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Kolkata buys sugar from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, and supplies it to eastern India, including the northeast. The limit for Assam takes into account geographical constraints, transportation facilities and consumer interest in the northeast, the Ministry said.

The Ministry said that the objective of the amended rules was to “ensure that there is no unnecessary accumulation of sugar in the distribution chain” and that the supply of sugar from mills through dealers to the consumer remained “smooth”.

In August, citing a tight supply year, the government had imposed a nationwide stock-holding limit on dealers of 4,000 quintals, applicable from August 1 to November 30, along with a maximum holding period of 30 days from the date of receipt. The limit was later tightened to 2,000 quintals from September 15.

According to the Ministry, average retail sugar prices have fallen 15% from their August peak and are expected to decline further as lower prices in the supply chain are realised. Ex-mill prices have dropped by around 28% and have remained stable for the past three weeks.

The government reiterated that mills, dealers, wholesalers and other market participants must ensure uninterrupted movement of sugar and prevent hoarding and speculation. Wholesalers and retailers have also been urged to “immediately pass on” the benefits of the sharp fall in ex-mill prices to consumers.

Sugar mills have been advised to begin crushing operations in line with agro-climatic conditions in their areas. State governments have also been asked to take appropriate action on crushing based on prevailing circumstances.

The Centre will continue to monitor the impact of erratic and inadequate rainfall linked to El Niño conditions on sugarcane in some producing areas, and will take timely measures to balance domestic availability, consumer interest and the interests of cane farmers, the Ministry said.

The University of Hyderabad (UoH) held its 26th convocation on Thursday. Chancellor Justice L. Narasimha Reddy congratulated the graduates and urged them to uphold the academic excellence, innovation and social responsibility.

He highlighted the university’s achievements in research, patents and entrepreneurship, and called on students to lead with empathy, integrity and compassion.

The university conferred 1,721 degrees, including 300 Ph.D. degrees, and presented 178 medals for academic excellence.

The university also announced the Chancellor’s Award for 2026 for five young faculty members: T. Saravanan (School of Chemistry), Jogi Madhuprakash (Department of Plant Sciences), Ramachandrarao Yalla (School of Physics), Anagha Ingole (Department of Political Science), and Naresh Annem (School of Humanities).

Former DRDO chairman Samir V. Kamat urged the graduates to embrace uncertainty, pursue their passions and remain adaptable, collaborative and persistent. Drawing on his experience at DRDO, he stressed that learning is a lifelong process and that success requires taking calculated risks and continuously developing new skills.

Governor and Chief Rector Shiv Pratap Shukla urged students to remain humble and grounded. He said education is reflected not only in academic achievements but also in character, values and social responsibility.

Vice-Chancellor J. Anuradha presented the university’s 2025-26 annual report, highlighting improvements in global rankings and strong subject-wise performance. She said the university had secured ₹184 crore in active research projects and that 34 faculty members were among the world’s top 2% of highly cited researchers.

Major initiatives during the year included the ANRF-PAIR programme, ASPIRE startups, international collaborations, new academic programmes, accessibility facilities, and strong admissions for 2026-27.

A day after the government’s proposal to build a memorial complex at the University Union Grounds was brought to light, officials of the University of Madras (UoM) met the Higher Education Secretary on Thursday to place on record concerns raised by Physical Education Directors (PEDs) and sportspersons.

Rita John, Registrar, UoM, told The Hindu that she met Higher Education Secretary Dheeraj Kumar to present the matter, and he assured her that he would take up the issue with the authorities concerned.

The State government plans to build the memorial complex for Queen Velu Nachiyar, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, B.R. Ambedkar, K. Kamaraj, and Anjalai Ammal on a portion of University Union Grounds in Chetpet, Chennai.

“No decision has been taken as yet regarding the transfer of land,” sources at the Department said.

University sources pointed out that among the demands put forth before the government was the need to hold wider consultations with the University authorities, PEDs of affiliated colleges, the University’s Sports Department, its players, and other stakeholders before taking a decision.

The University requested the government to examine other appropriate locations so that the existing area of the University Union Grounds is left untouched. It demanded that the ground be primarily used for sports and physical education activities, and urged the government to examine the feasibility of the long-pending proposals for a swimming pool, tennis courts, a men’s hostel, and a master plan for the development of the ground as a modern multi-sport facility.

Signed petition

Earlier, PEDs of affiliated colleges and players of the Madras University submitted a signed petition to the Registrar. Twenty-five PEDs and 100 players signed the petition, which highlighted the loss of trees and birds during the construction of the statues, which, they said, would endanger the natural vegetation.

They also flagged security concerns, stating that the presence of public statues could result in unregulated footfall and casual trespassing, creating safety issues for all students, particularly women athletes.

They also pointed to major parking issues and said the proposal could hinder the training regimen of sportspersons.

The book titled Tale of Two Realities: Exploring the Mind Through Patanjali’s Yogasutras with Episodes from the Valmiki Ramayana, written by renowned author Lakshmi Devnath and published by Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram (KYM), was launched on Thursday by Bharatanatyam exponent and guru Padma Subrahmanyam.

Respects were paid to Sanskrit scholar Mahamahopadhyaya R. Krishnamurthi Shastri who passed away recently.

Ms. Subrahmanyam said Ms. Devnath was a prolific writer and erudite scholar. The book revealed her mastery over the Ramayana and the Yogasutras.

Yogacharya S. Sridharan, who offered his respects to R. Krishnamurthi Shastri, said the scholar was the first member of the KYM’s board of studies and that he had left an indelible mark in the hearts of everyone who knew him.

Mr. Sridharan said the book was the product of over eight years of hard work and had overcome several hurdles. What started off as a Ph.D. thesis became a book. It was brought out as a series in the official magazine of Sri Ramakrishna Mission, Vedanta Kesari, in 2022. This is the first such book on the Ramayana and Yogasutras.

Oncologist S.G. Ramanan, who received one of the first copies of the book, said the author and her husband Devnath made regular contributions to Cancare. KYM CEO Swaminathan also spoke.

Ms. Devnath said the book has had quite an adventurous journey and she was a part of its roller coaster ride. She saidshe had written several chapters during hospital stays and that, in the battle between the bed and the book, it was always the book that won. She thanked Mr. Sridharan, Shastri and Dr. Ramanan and everyone including those who helped design the book, her husband, her daughters, assistants, and her 92-year-old father.

Chennai’s roads are increasingly witnessing two-wheelers, cars and even autos zipping around without the most basic identifier: a number plate.

In some cases, political party names or symbols are painted on the vehicles. Many riders, especially youngsters, on such vehicles are flouting the rules by driving on the wrong side of the road and entering one way streets and roads in the wrong direction.

Commuters on Vandalur Road, T. Nagar, Nungambakkam, Anna Nagar, and Mogappiar, with whom The Hindu spoke, said that vehicle checks are infrequent and that traffic police do not monitor violations daily.

“Traffic Police should take strict action against such violations. Routine checks should be conducted not only during peak hours but throughout the day and night. If someone commits a crime and escapes in a vehicle without a proper registration number, how can the Crime Branch or investigating officers trace that vehicle?” asked Sudarshan, who commutes through Vandalur regularly.

A traffic police officer in T. Nagar said police regularly check vehicles and fine those found without proper registration numbers. However, when caught, motorists often offer excuses that the vehicle is new and that they will get the registration number affixed soon. Some claim that the vehicle was old and that they were taking it to fix the number plates. “Most of them are college students and young boys,” he said.

Another traffic police officer pointed out that such vehicles often manage to evade checks during peak hours and late evenings when traffic is heavy. Deploying more police personnel at crucial locations could help curb the practice, he suggested.

A senior official of the City Traffic police said that complaints received through social media of overspeeding, executing stunts, unauthorised parking of vehicles, and driving vehicles without number plates are fined regularly.

“Already in several places, based on complaints about wrong-side driving, teams of traffic enforcement officials conducted surprise road checks at several important junctions across the city and penalised nearly two lakh violators in the first week of September,” the police officer said.

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The Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board (APPCB) along with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) will take up the diversion of heavy vehicular traffic from Gangavaram Port and the Steel Plant passing through Gajuwaka, said APPCB chairman P. Krishnaiah.

He was responding to issues raised by the Greater Visakhapatnam Citizens’ Forum (GVCF) at a video conference held recently on air pollution control, air quality monitoring, and pollution from port and industrial activities. GVCF president Sohan Hatangadi and secretary Capt. N. Viswanathan participated in the meeting.

Mr. Krishnaiah said the city had eight manual air quality monitoring stations and three Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS). Five IoT sensor-based monitoring stations would be made available by November, he said.

About 40% of the required mechanisation work at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) had been completed, he said. If the remaining work was not completed, the matter would be examined for appropriate action at the next renewal of the VPA’s Consent for Operation. He directed officials to ensure compliance and to instruct the VPA to use chemicals approved under Central Pollution Control Board guidelines.

Regional officials said trucks were being covered with tarpaulins and water was being sprinkled on the ground using sprinklers to control dust.

Mr. Krishnaiah also responded positively to the proposal to extend the National Green Tribunal directions applicable to the Visakhapatnam Port to Gangavaram Port. The APPCB would also take up with the GVMC the proposal for low-cost dust monitors at construction and demolition sites.

The GVCF also raised the need for quicker integration of the new CAAQMS at Harbour Park and Siripuram with the CPCB website, public access to industrial CAAQMS data, and publication of the latest Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index score and the Source Apportionment Study conducted by Andhra University. The forum said it would follow up with the agencies concerned.

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A Pension Adalat will be held on October 12-13 in Gurugram for pension-related issues of Haryana's retired and serving GPF employees. Officials encourage eligible attendees to bring necessary documents for resolution. Check timings, documents to carry and more.

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The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a probe into the filing of Form-7s in bulk seeking deletions of names from final electoral rolls following a five-hour protest by Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and his Cabinet colleagues.

Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka, V. Anbu Kumar, directed all Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to take action against applicants who “knowingly” make false statements or declarations while filing claims or objections in Forms 6, 6A, 7 and 8.

Mr. Shivakumar withdrew the protest after the announcement.

Earlier in the day, he alleged that “pre-filled” Form-7s were filed in bulk across the State by the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) workers, targeting Muslims, members of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, claiming they had either “shifted” or were “absent”.

The Chief Minister said many Form-7s were either false or forged. In at least two instances, in Belagavi and Vijayapura, BJP workers who filed Form-7s in bulk withdrew those after being warned of punitive action if the claims were found to be false. In a written declaration, they said they had made a mistake.

Karnataka Police registered five FIRs on Thursday (October 1, 2026) over bulk Form-7s invoking the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, and not the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as only EC officials can lodge complaints under the latter. Mr. Shivakumar demanded that poll body must take suo motu action and lodge criminal complaints.

Mr. Anbu Kumar noted that there were instances of bulk filing of Form-7 applications before the EROs and that some of the forms were “alleged to be not genuine” and directed the EROs to take action under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, “against applicants found to have knowingly made false statements or declarations.”

“However, such action shall be preceded by an inquiry under Rule 20 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960,” he said.

The BJP backed its workers for filing Form-7s, saying that it was not a crime to flag voters suspected to be not genuine.

Earlier in the day, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, took to social media citing The Hindu’s report on how Form-7 applications were being filed against Muslim names in Belagavi and other districts in bulk, and said it was yet another proof of “vote theft”.

“Select people are targeted as BJP and EC officials collude to fill out Form 7 in bulk through automated means, and in the blink of an eye, millions vanish from the voter list. And all of this is controlled from the top,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar also cited the report at a press conference.

Meet Abida Begum, a senior physical education teacher at Government First Grade College in T. Dasarahalli, Bengaluru, who has been visiting government and private colleges across Karnataka to conduct workshops exclusively on the life of Mahatma Gandhi without charging students a single penny.

Ms. Abida has been working for more than 10 years to spread the message of Gandhiji’s life and principles.

She said, “If not a major change, students can get inspired by Gandhiji’s life and may have brought small changes in their lives. From simple aspects such as being disciplined, valuing time and punctuality, and being honest in what they do at college and beyond the classroom, the lessons are endless.”

For Ms. Abida, her father, Aftab Ahmed Khan, was the inspiration behind her efforts to learn and study more about Gandhiji. “He was a Gandhian and, growing up, I was always inspired by him. I thought knowledge must be shared. Hence, in 2016, I conducted a workshop on Gandhiji’s life and principles at the college where I worked in Ramanagara. The word spread and a few more colleges started approaching me to conduct workshops and camps for their students too. By 2026, I have visited more than 400 colleges, both private and government, across all 31 districts of Karnataka,” she explained.

She said, “Recently, I visited a private college in Kagwad, a border taluk in Belagavi district. The college administration was surprised to know that such workshops were being conducted. They said Gandhian thought is the need of the hour, especially for their students.”

Elaborating on why Gandhiji and his thoughts remain relevant even today, she said, “Many youngsters think Gandhiji is not relevant in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Whenever I visit colleges, students question me about his relevance in their lives when technology is evolving on a daily basis. Gandhiji’s principle that honesty is the best policy does not merely mean speaking the truth. It also means doing tasks, whether at home, college or the workplace, with honesty. Self-reliance is another principle that remains relevant even today. Why do you think there are so many start-ups? Because they are working to make the country self-reliant. Non-violence is another reason why the world needs him today,” Ms. Abida explained.

She said, “I never force college administrations to host my workshops. Some do not show interest due to a lack of time, while a majority have agreed to provide me with space to conduct these workshops.”

Two way conversations during workshops

“During these workshops, some students speak about the fake news circulated on social media about Gandhiji. Many students judge him based on such misinformation. In such instances, I clear the air and present facts. I also recommend books on Gandhiji. The next time I visit the same colleges, students tell me about the changes they have made in their lives,” Ms. Abida said.

She also collaborates with the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi and the National Service Scheme, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department to conduct a seven-day State-level Youth Camp. “These camps are based on ‘Human Values through Gandhian Thoughts’. Students who participate are provided accommodation facilities. Through Gandhian thought, I, along with more resource persons, teach them leadership, communication skills, spinning the charkha and making khadi. There are many such activities planned for the camp.”

She has also successfully conducted the Gandhi Vichar Sanskar Pariksha across Karnataka for the past 10 years. It is an initiative of the Gandhi Research Foundation in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, and she is the coordinator for the examination in Karnataka.

She said, “This year, around 8,000 students registered for the examination and only 325 cleared it. Students are given study material and anybody can participate. Different age groups are provided different study material for the examination. It is usually conducted every February.”

The Andhra Influencer Premier League (AIPL) Season 1, a three-day box-cricket tournament aimed at bringing regional social media creators together, will begin at SS Sports Arena in Madhurawada on October 2, said M.D. Ramesh Kumar, senior advocate and director of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP).

The tournament, is being organised by SS Sports Arena in association with RRR Motor & Sports Association, will continue until October 4. Eight teams will compete in two pools.

Pool A comprises Srikakulam Kings, Vizag Titans, Vizag Super Kings and Anakapalli Avengers, while Pool B has Vizag Tigers, FF Warriors, Sikkolu Strikers and Vizianagaram Firestorms, according to the organisers.

The first prize carries ₹1 lakh in cash and a trophy, while the second prize carries ₹50,000 and a trophy.

The organisers said the league is being conducted for the first time in Andhra Pradesh with Visakhapatnam as its centre and is intended to provide a platform for regional social media creators to come together through sport.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that circulating a video of a person belonging to the SC/ST community on WhatsApp falls within “public view” and attracts provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Justice Yanshivraj Khobragade delivered the ruling and the Court also dismissed a bail plea by the appellant Nikhil Thepale.

. . Mr. Thepale is facing charges under Sections 77 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. These charges include Sections 66(E) and 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(w)(ii) of the Atrocities Act.

The victim belongs to an SC/ST community from whom Thepale demanded favours. When the victim refused, Thepale recorded videos and photographs of the victim and sent these on WhatsApp to her husband, sister-in-law, and relatives.

Justice Khobragade noted that material on record was sufficient to constitute an offence under Sections 3(1)(w)(ii) and 3(2) (va) of the SC/ST Act. The circulation of videos and photographs of the victim on WhatsApp from a mobile also fell within “public view”, the judge stated.

The FIR was lodged on November 5, 2025, and Thepale has been absconding since that date.

Ruling on the bail plea Justice Khobragade said, "The appellant has remained absconding since the date of registration of the crime. Therefore, to my mind, the appellant is not entitled to bail."

Advocate Mahesh Rai appeared for the appellant, Public Prosecutor G. S. Umale represented the State, and advocate Sanket Joshi appeared for the victim.

Academic activities at the Centre for Gandhian Studies on Bangalore University’s Jnanabharathi campus have come to a halt due to a lack of student interest, funding issues and other reasons. The university discontinued the diploma and certificate courses offered by the centre about five years ago as there were not many takers.

With some exceptions, this appears to be the scenario in other State-run universities too.

History of the centre

The foundation stone of the Centre for Gandhian Studies at Bangalore University was laid by former President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on December 8, 1965.

Earlier, the Centre used to offer a one-year diploma and a six-month certificate course in Gandhian Thought. However, over the past few years, enrolments had dwindled. Besides, there were allegations that some students were using the centre only to secure hostel accommodation and access other university benefits.

“Conducting classes became difficult, leading to the discontinuation of the courses during the tenure of the Centre’s previous director,” said B.N. Shreekeerthi, director of the Centre. A lack of funds has also been cited as a major reason affecting its activities.

“While we portray Gandhiji as a historical figure, we fail to put his principles and ideology into actual practice in the present context. This has been a major setback in attracting the youth to Gandhian thought,” he added. Steps are now being taken to launch a diploma course in Gandhian Philosophy and Contemporary Leadership at Dr. Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University. “Our Centre is also planning to introduce diploma courses,” he said.

No permanent faculty

The situation is not very different at Karnatak University’s Department of Gandhian Studies, established in 1976 and once known for its distinguished alumni. The Dean of Social Sciences now heads the department, as there is no permanent faculty member to lead it.

Karnatak University currently offers a PG diploma course and an OEC (Open Elective Course). Classes are handled by adjunct professor Shivanand Shettar, who retired as chairman a few years ago, and guest faculty member Siddu Bashetti.

The department earlier had an intake of 60 students, which has now come down to 20. Admissions have also fallen to five this year from 10 last year. For the OEC, 47 students from different departments have enrolled.

“It is not just Gandhian Studies. Most departments offering PG diploma courses have witnessed low admissions over the last three years. Earlier, the fee was just ₹570 as concessions were offered. But now students have to pay over ₹10,000, while those from outside the university have to pay ₹15,000,” said Mr. Bashetti, who has been working in the department as a guest faculty member for the past 21 years.

According to him, the opening of PG centres in colleges and a shift in focus towards competitive examinations are also reasons for the decreasing interest.

Better scenario

In contrast, the Gandhian Studies courses offered by the University of Mysore (UoM) continue to attract students, even after the bifurcation of the university and the restriction of its jurisdiction to Mysuru district.

A majority of the students enrolled at the Centre for Gandhian Studies come from rural backgrounds and are interested in working in rural development and the NGO sector, according to Gandhi Bhavan.

Gandhi Bhavan offers an MA in Peace and Conflict Resolution and a Diploma in Gandhian Studies, besides a doctoral programme in Gandhian Studies.

Gandhi Bhavan Director Prof. Narendra Kumar said the MA course currently has 17 students against an intake of 25, while all 19 seats in the diploma course have been filled. The centre also has nine research scholars receiving fellowships, while three others are pursuing research without fellowships.

“Though we are short of students for the MA course, enrolment is reasonably good as there has been a drop in student strength on the campus following the bifurcation of the university,” he said.

Prof. Kumar said the university had in the past requested the State government to consider students of Gandhi Bhavan for employment opportunities in departments such as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and Women and Child Development.

The proposed ‘No UPI Day’ protest on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, has been called off by AIMRA and AICPDF after their meeting with FM Nirmala Sitharaman. Here’s what the proposed 0.4% UPI MDR means, what retailers have sought and what customers should know.

Government whip and Kadapa MLA Reddeppagari Madhavi Reddy announced on Thursday that civic issues raised by citizens at various fora will be addressed on a priority basis by forming a special monitoring cell at her office.

As part of the ‘Pedala Sevalo 2.0’ programme, the MLA, accompanied by her spouse and TDP Zonal Coordinator Reddeppagari Srinivasa Reddy, distributed social security pensions on Thursday to the beneficiaries in Modameedhapalli locality, falling under the first division of Kadapa Municipal Corporation (KMC).

Reaching out to the public, the duo asked them whether they were receiving all the welfare schemes they were entitled to.

When the citizens lined up to submit their representations, the MLA announced that the public issues raised by them about civic maintenance, sewage, street lights, roads and other amenities would be addressed on a priority basis.

At the state-run primary school, she sought details from the teacher on the maintenance of facilities like drinking water, toilets and classrooms.

Speaking to the media later, Mr. Srinivasa Reddy said the ‘Pedala Sevalo 2.0’ envisaged by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu provided a direct forum for the citizens to interact with the public representatives.

The State Cabinet has approved the release of two pending instaments of Dearness Allowance (DAs) to government employees and pensioners, said Minister for Revenue, Housing and Information and Public Relations Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy.

“The Cabinet also decided to constitute a sub-committee to examine immediate measures to be taken in areas affected by the El Niño conditions. It also resolved to convene an all-party meeting soon and hold consultations with farmers’ associations and experts from different sectors before finalising the mitigation measures. The State government would also seek the Centre’s assistance and request the declaration of drought-affected areas,” he added.

Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at the Secretariat here on Thursday, the Minister said the two DAs would be released immediately from among the arrears pending since 2024, while the remaining arrears would be cleared in instalments.

“The release of DAs will impose an additional annual financial burden of about ₹2,500 crore on the State government. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has decided to release the DA despite the financial burden, in line with the assurance given during recent discussions with employee unions,” he said.

The Cabinet also discussed the El Nino conditions and the deficient monsoon in the State. Mr. Srinivasa Reddy said Telangana had recorded a rainfall deficit of about 17% during the monsoon, which ended on Wednesday. The Cabinet also decided to make arrangements for procurement of paddy during the kharif season.

On power supply, Mr. Srinivasa Reddy said electricity consumption had increased significantly amid the prevailing conditions. The State’s peak demand had touched a record 19,892 MW, against 16,613 MW recorded last year. The normal daily consumption was around 15,000 MW, he said.

“The Cabinet decided to procure adequate power to meet demand and prevent power cuts. It also approved proposals to promote new renewable energy generation and power storage capacity, with projects totalling about 7,800 MW,” he added.

The proposals include 3,000 MW of solar power, 4,000 MW of battery energy storage systems and 800 MW of wind power.

The Cabinet also decided to expedite the establishment of a world-class integrated fruit market at Koheda in Abdullapurmet mandal of Rangareddy district. The market is to be developed entirely with government funds.

It further reviewed long-pending projects and directed officials to cancel incomplete projects taken up under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) scheme. The Cabinet approved the suspension of 10 EPC irrigation projects as part of the exercise.

The Cabinet also approved a special policy for digital media advertising in Telangana, in line with the Digital Advertising Policy formulated by the Central Bureau of Communication.

It sanctioned the post of Deputy Commissioner in the Office of the Resident Commissioner at Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi. Four additional Group-I officers would also be appointed to work on behalf of the State government in the national capital.

The Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) is likely to conduct the statutory safety inspection of the 7.5-km elevated section of Bengaluru’s Pink Line metro between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere from October 6 to 8.

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had submitted an application seeking the statutory inspection on September 18.

According to officials, V. Venkatasubramanian, Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety, Southern Circle, is likely to inspect the newly constructed Reach 6 elevated section, covering the stretch between Kalena Agrahara and Tavarekere stations.

The multi-day inspection will assess whether the newly constructed section meets the safety requirements for commercial passenger operations. The inspection is expected to include the Operations Control Centre (OCC), following speed trials conducted on the stretch.

If the section receives the mandatory safety clearance from the CMRS, BMRCL can proceed with preparations for opening the stretch for passenger services.

The 21.3-km Pink Line, which has missed several deadlines, comprises a 7.5-km elevated section and a 13.8-km underground section. The underground stretch will connect Dairy Circle, M.G. Road, Shivajinagar and Tannery Road, providing a north-south metro link through central Bengaluru.

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Thursday (October 1, 2026) that the group will hold a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday (October 2). The protesters’ main demands include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the filing of criminal charges against him.

CJP has also sought that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) roll be frozen and that the process to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner be made transparent with civil society participation. After Mumbai, the group will hold protests in six other cities, concluding at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi by the end of October.

‘CEC is a traitor’

“Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor. He doesn’t deserve to be the CEC. He is a puppet of Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. There have been 13 crore deletions in the voters’ list since 2024. The gap between the NDA and INDIA bloc was a mere 2% (in the 2024 elections), whereas they got rid of 14% of the vote share. There is an illusion of democracy in the country, and no actual democracy,” Mr. Dipke said.

He added that since a large number of people were affected due to the deletions, many will hit the streets. “If Gyanesh Kumar doesn’t resign, they will seek Narendra Modi’s resignation,” he said, alleging that Mr. Kumar was winning elections for Mr. Modi.

Expressing apprehension about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), he alleged that all electronic machines can be hacked and demanded that elections be held using ballot papers.

Responding to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ statement about three days’ police custody for protesters, he said he did not mind three months’ custody either. “I want to tell Mr. Fadnavis, mi punha yein (‘I will come back,’ a reference to Mr. Fadnavis’s past statement claiming he would return to power).”

No permission for protest

Meanwhile, the Mumbai police have not given permission for the CJP protest. The Bombay High Court decides on petitions seeking permission to hold public events at Shivaji Park. The designated area for protests in the city is Azad Maidan. When asked if the group had approached the High Court to seek permission, Mr. Dipke said: “What will happen in the court? Taareekh pe taareekh (referring to prolonged court hearings).”

Responding to questions on why he did not choose to protest at Azad Maidan, he said: “We can protest anywhere. We want to protest at Shivaji Park only.”

‘SC equally guilty’

When asked why the group did not wait for the Supreme Court to hear the pending petitions about the problems with electoral rolls and the SIR, he accused the apex court of being equally guilty. “Which Supreme Court? The same court which did not allow people to vote in the West Bengal elections?” he asked.

Responding to allegations of being a B team of the Congress, Mr. Dipke said, “Sit together and decide whose B team we are. The Congress accuses us of being a B team of the RSS and BJP. The ruling party accuses us of being a B team of the Congress.” 

IIT student death

Mr. Dipke was asked a question about reservation in education. While responding, he asked why nobody questioned management quota reservation. He said it was shameful that the parents of the IIT Bombay student who died by suicide had to sit on a protest to seek justice.

“Many students have died in IITs. Is there enough representation? There is not. People need to be made to feel that they belong there. How can you justify that a kid can die by suicide for cheating? How inhuman can you become? Children coming from tribal areas have to go through a lot to be at such places. That the parents continue to sit on a protest to seek justice for their child is shameful,” he said.

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Members of the Vitthal Heroor Abhimaniagala Samiti have given the district administration a week to install a statue of former MLC Vitthal Heroor at Afzalpur cross near the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka High Court and name a circle after him, failing which they have threatened to stage a protest in the city on October 16.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, samiti members Avvanna Myakeri and Basavaraj Bodihal said the circle had already been named after Heroor in 2015 and was located on the route towards Afzalpur, with which the late leader had a close association.

Mr. Myakeri said the Koli-Kabbaliga and Kuruba communities had maintained cordial relations in the district and expressed concern that the issue over the proposed installation of statues could create unnecessary differences between the two communities. He alleged that some people had installed a statue of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah overnight on September 16, at the spot proposed to be named after Heroor.

Referring to the recent protest by Kuruba community leaders in Kalaburagi, seeking installation of Mr. Siddaramaiah’s statue at the same location, Mr. Myakeri appealed to community leaders to avoid any step that could affect the traditionally harmonious relationship between the two communities. He also requested the Kuruba community leaders and followers of Siddaramaiah to choose an alternative location for the leader’s statue, and expressed the full support and solidarity of the Koli-Kabbaliga community.

He also recalled Heroor’s role in mobilising support among AHINDA communities for Mr. Siddaramaiah in the region and said the former Chief Minister, who has projected himself as an AHINDA leader, should advise members of his community not to oppose the installation of Heroor’s statue.

“The AHINDA communities played an important role in Mr. Siddaramaiah becoming the Chief Minister twice. The community now expects the same spirit of mutual respect in recognising Heroor’s contribution,” he said.

The samiti warned that its members of the Koli-Kabbaliga community would launch a large-scale protest on October 16 if the administration failed to install Heroor’s statue within the stipulated time.

“The way smartphones, software and artificial intelligence are being used in India to help farmers improve productivity is something the Netherlands can learn from,” Silvio Erkens, the Netherlands Minister for Food Security, Fisheries and Horticulture, said on Thursday.

Mr. Erkens said India’s experience of using digital tools to support its large number of smallholder farmers was interesting to the Netherlands. “It’s something Netherlands is also looking at, something we can maybe learn from you (India),” he said in an interaction with The Hindu.

Mr. Erkens was in Bengaluru with a delegation of 18 Dutch businesses and organisations to explore opportunities for collaboration in horticulture, seed technology, water management and sustainable food production.

The Minister said India and the Netherlands were “natural partners” in agriculture, with the two countries bringing different strengths to the sector. “While the Netherlands is a small country with a population of 18 million, it is the world’s second-largest exporter of agricultural goods after the United States,” he said, noting that India, on the other hand, produces agricultural goods on a much larger scale and is looking to innovate.

“Bringing us two together, I think, is a big opportunity from both sides that we can both win from, that can increase farmer income and yields here,” he said.

Climate-resilient seeds

While discussing the areas where the two countries could work together, Mr. Erkens pointed to water management as one of the immediate priorities, noting that the Netherlands had experienced an unusually dry summer this year.

He outlined three areas of focus: storing rainwater through horticultural systems, using precision irrigation and monitoring technologies, and developing seeds that can withstand longer dry periods. “Technologies such as drip irrigation, combined with artificial intelligence and monitoring systems could help provide a plant with only the amount of water it needs at the right time,” he said.

The other priority was to work with the seed sectors in both countries to develop varieties that are more resistant to dry spells and climate change, he added.

“We really need to speed up the innovation in that cycle, because I think if you look at climate change, it’s speeding up as well, and we don’t have 10 to 15 years, which are the normal production cycles for new seeds,” he said.

India-Netherlands seed cooperation

On seed cooperation, Mr. Erkens said discussions were under way with the Union government as well as States like Maharashtra on intensifying collaboration in the coming months. The India-Netherlands Seed Forum, which brings together Dutch and Indian seed companies, was also meeting regularly to push the cooperation further, he said.

Tariffs remain a barrier

Asked about the barriers to greater India-Netherlands cooperation, Mr. Erkens said tariffs had been a problem in the past, though non-tariff barriers had also affected collaboration.

He said the proposed India-EU free trade agreement, once in effect, could help address some of the tariff-related barriers. Discussions with the Indian government had also indicated an openness to greater cooperation, he said. “The discussions have been very positive. I think there’s really an openness on the side of India to collaborate more with the Netherlands as well,” he said.

MUSTANG: Containers laden with goods imported from China have been halted at Nhechung Customs in Lomanthang Rural Municipality-4, Korala with the Beni–Jomsom–Korala road, a national pride project, blocked at various points after heavy rainfall.

The floods, landslides and river erosion caused by heavy rainfall since last Saturday night inflicted damage to the Beni–Jomsom–Korala route in different 46 places. It has completely affected trade from northern Korala.

According to Bidur Chudal, head of the Mustang Customs Office, containers with goods brought into Nepal from Korala have been cleared by customs but cannot move to their destination due to road blockage. “More than 150 containers are stuck at customs yard in Korala. Out of these, customs clearance for 90 percent has been completed,” said Customs Chief Chudal. “Some containers are still undergoing customs clearance, which should be completed within the next two days.”

After complete closure of Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi checkpoints, the only alternative route via Korala has also been affected due to the rains, it is stated.
Chudal further said the state had to suffer a loss in revenue collection due to roads being blocked by floods, landslides, and river erosion, especially while importing goods from China targeted for Dashain and Tihar.

With the Korala checkpoint blockage, around 200 electric vehicles are not reaching to their destinations.

Among them, more than 100 vehicles have been stuck at Jomsom Bus Park for five days without being able to go down from Jomsom, according to Armed Police Force 33, Gulmi Jomsom.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on Thursday (October 1, 2026) paid tribute to four personnel who were killed in an alleged fratricide incident at the Sewa-III Hydro Electric Project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).

A Head Constable of the 2009 batch had reportedly argued with his colleagues and allegedly opened fire with an AK-47, leaving four personnel injured. They later succumbed to the injuries.

The last rites of Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Laxman Singh, Constable Sanjeev Kumar and Constable Md Rafiq were conducted at their native places with full honours in accordance with official protocol, the CISF said in a statement.

The personnel were posted at the Sewa-III Hydro Electric Project at Mashka in Basohli area of Kathua when the incident occurred.

Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, who had joined the CISF on October 3, 2015, was cremated at his native village of Mathiya Daulatpur in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkarnagar district. Sub-Inspector Laxman Singh, who joined the force in August 2013 and served for more than 13 years, was accorded full honours during his last rites at Loona village in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan district. Constable Sanjeev Kumar, a CISF member since October 2013, was cremated at his native village of Rameen in Jammu district. Constable Md Rafiq, who had served in the force for over 16 years after joining in March 2010, was laid to rest at Kandali village in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The ceremony included a guard of honour and ceremonial salute in the presence of family members, relatives and colleagues.

Expressing condolences, the CISF said it stood firmly with the families of the deceased personnel during their time of grief. “The Force holds it a solemn duty to stand by the bereaved families, shares their sorrow as one family and assures them of all possible support and assistance, in accordance with the rules, in the days ahead,” the statement said.

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) stayed the execution of the death sentence awarded to an Indian Mujahideen operative in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts case, in which 56 people were killed.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, A.G. Masih and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while hearing an appeal filed by Ahmed Bawa, alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi, challenging the Gujarat High Court verdict affirming the death sentence imposed on him by the trial court.

The Bench issued notice to the Gujarat government and called for the trial court records, while directing that the death sentence not be executed in the meantime.

Appearing for Barelvi, his counsel contended that his conviction rested entirely on the allegation that he was part of the conspiracy behind the blasts. “I have been convicted totally on the basis of conspiracy,” the counsel submitted.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Gujarat government, however, opposed the plea, stressing the gravity of the case. “It is a serious case,” Mr. Mehta submitted.

On July 26, 2008, a series of 21 bomb blasts ripped through Ahmedabad within a span of 70 minutes, killing 56 people and injuring more than 200. Explosions also occurred at hospitals where victims of the attacks were being taken for treatment.

On July 7, the Gujarat High Court upheld the death sentences awarded to 38 convicts in the case and the life sentences imposed on 11 others.

While upholding the capital punishment, the High Court cited the scale of the casualties, the “humongous nature of conspiracy” and the intention “to create an atmosphere of widespread terror in the society”. It also took into account the roles and criminal antecedents of the convicts and their conduct during the trial.

“The manner in which the bomb blasts were executed speaks volumes about the mindset and the remorseless act of taking away the lives of innocent people,” the High Court had said.

Among those convicted are Safdar Nagori, a former leader of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), and his associates from several States, including Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh.

Seventy-eight people stood trial in the case, which covered 20 FIRs over the Ahmedabad blasts and another 15 relating to unexploded bombs recovered in Surat. The special court convicted 49 of them.