On October 31, 2026, the INDIA bloc started proceedings against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, while AAP released its first list of 40 candidates for the Punjab elections. Meanwhile, the government cut petrol export duty to nil. Also, a low pressure area over the Andaman Sea intensified, moving toward the Andhra coast.
Kharge moves six charges against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, says ‘no personal enmity’
The INDIA bloc’s ‘public impeachment’ of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar began on Saturday (October 31, 2026) at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, with former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar chairing the proceedings.
AAP announces first list of 40 candidates for 2027 Punjab Assembly elections
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday (October 31, 2026) released its first list of 40 candidates for the Punjab Assembly election due early next year, fielding only sitting MLAs. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will seek re-election from the Dhuri constituency in Sangrur district.
Low pressure over Andaman Sea intensifies further
The low pressure area over south and north Andaman Sea moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a well-marked low pressure at 5.30 a.m. on Saturday (October 31, 2026) .According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Amaravati, the well-marked low pressure is centred near southeast Bay of Bengal as of Saturday (October 31, 2026) morning. The system may further move west-northwestwards and concentrate into a depression near the Andhra Pradesh coast by the night.
ISRO NVS-03 launch: 5 things to know about India’s new navigation satellite
India’s independent regional navigation satellite system NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) was restored to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites on Friday (October 30, 2026) as ISRO successfully launched its 2,250 kg navigation satellite NVS-03 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Society that accepts unverified claims and fears questions is vulnerable to authoritarianism: Justice Bhuyan
Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan said a society that accepts claims without evidence, fears questions and treats tradition as beyond question becomes vulnerable to misinformation, defenceless in the face of authoritarianism and fails to reform unjust practices. Justice Bhuyan said building a scientific temper enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution should not be confined to laboratories but extend to the capacity of youths and students to think rationally as members of a civil and political society.
Petrol export duty cut to nil, diesel levy raised by ₹3 a litre
The government on Saturday (October 31, 2026) slashed the export duty on petrol to nil while hiking the levy on export of diesel and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by ₹3 per litre and 50 paise per litre respectively for the next 15-day period. There was no change in the existing excise duty rates for petrol and diesel for domestic consumption. Diesel exports would now draw a levy of ₹11.5 for every litre against ₹8.5 per litre it drew in the previous fortnight.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as new Chief of Air Staff
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, an accomplished fighter pilot with over 3,500 hours of flying experience on over 20 types of aircraft, on Saturday (October 31, 2026) assumed charge as the new Chief of Air Staff. He succeeded Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh who superannuated from the force after a 43-year-long illustrious career.
Union Minister Rijiju challenges Congress to answer ‘basic questions’ amid row over SIR, CEC
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday (October 31, 2026) challenged the Congress to explain its electoral defeats while questioning its criticism of the Election Commission and opposition to the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, accusing the party of trying to undermine the Constitution and democracy.
Dhruv Rathee defamation case: Delhi Court issues fresh bailable warrants
A Delhi Court on Saturday (October 31, 2026) issued fresh bailable warrants against YouTuber Dhruv Rathee in a 2018 defamation case. Judicial Magistrate Rahul Jain issued the fresh warrants against Mr. Rathee in a case filed by Vikas Sanskrityayan alias Vikas Pandey, who accused the YouTuber of defamation over a video uploaded on his channel. The detailed order is awaited.
Meitei groups hold rally in Imphal; Manipur CM’s resignation, abrogation of SoO truce pact sought
An umbrella body of Meitei groups held a massive rally in Manipur’s capital city on Saturday (October 31, 2026), demanding the Chief Minister’s resignation over continued violence, protection of indigenous people and scrapping the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with militant groups.
Iran’s Supreme Leader warns U.S., Israel against new attacks
Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday (October 31, 2026) warned the United States and Israel against returning to war, according to a written statement, following threats from the Islamic republic’s foes of a possible resumption of strikes.