PM unveils ₹100 coin, stamp at RSS centenary; first-ever depiction of Bharat Mata on Indian currency

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released a special postage stamp and a commemorative coin, which features first-ever depiction of Bharat Mata on Indian currency, to mark the centenary celebrations of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The ₹100 coin features the national emblem on one side, and on the other side, it depicts a majestic image of Bharat Mata in Varada Mudra with a lion, while swayamsevaks are shown bowing before her in devotion and dedication.

TVK postpones Vijay’s Saturday rallies in the wake of Karur stampede

Post the Karur stampede in his rally that left 41 persons dead, actor and party chief Vijay’s similar events planned over the next two weeks are being “temporarily postponed,” his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said on Wednesday. Vijay has embarked on a “meet the people” initiative on Saturdays and has toured Tiruchirappalli, Namakkal and Karur so far. The stampede during his September 27 public event in Karur killed 41 persons and left over 60 injured.

Centre hikes Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief by 3%; to benefit 1.18 crore employees, pensioners

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday increased Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) by 3% for about 49.19 lakh central government employees and 68.72 lakh pensioners. The DA/DR increase of 3% over the existing rate of 55% of the basic pay/pension to compensate against the price rise is effective July 1, 2025. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of an increase in DA and DR will be ₹10,083.96 crore per annum, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said while briefing on decisions taken in the Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet hikes wheat MSP by ₹160 per quintal to ₹2,585

The government on Wednesday announced a 6.59% increase in the minimum support price (MSP) for wheat to ₹2,585 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing year. The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last year, wheat MSP was fixed at ₹2,425 per quintal for the 2025-26 marketing year. Wheat is the main rabi (winter) crop, with sowing beginning from late October, while harvesting from March onwards. Other rabi crops include jowar, barley, gram and lentil.

Dowry cases rise by 14% in 2023; over 6,100 women killed: NCRB

Cases registered under dowry-related crimes saw a 14% increase in 2023, with more than 15,000 cases recorded across the country and over 6,100 deaths reported throughout the year, according to the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The NCRB’s ‘Crime in India 2023’ report said 15,489 cases were registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act in 2023 — up from 13,479 in 2022 and 13,568 in 2021. Uttar Pradesh accounted for the highest number of cases under the Act at 7,151, followed by Bihar (3,665) and Karnataka (2,322). Thirteen states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Sikkim, reported zero dowry cases during the year.

Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj Party submits memorandum to Bihar Governor for Deputy CM’s removal

The Jan Suraaj Party has submitted a memorandum to the Bihar Governor seeking the removal of Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, against whom serious allegations have been levelled by party founder Prashant Kishor. A delegation of the fledgling party, headed by national president Uday Singh and State unit chief Manoj Bharti, visited Raj Bhavan late Tuesday (September 30) evening. Talking to reporters later, Mr. Singh said, “We had properly sought an appointment before coming. Sadly, it was not Governor Arif Mohammad Khan who met us, but his principal secretary, who received the memorandum on his behalf”.

PM Modi hails RSS’ role in nation-building, says it showed no bitterness despite attacks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the RSS on its centenary celebrations, and said the organisation never displayed any bitterness despite several attacks on it as it continued to work on the principle of nation first. Participating in the centenary celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in New Delhi, Mr. Modi highlighted the contribution of the Sangh in nation-building and said it reached every corner of the country with the goal of fostering harmony by removing divisions of caste or creed and spreading the message of an inclusive society.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hospitalised for planned procedure, advised pacemaker to be implanted, says son

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is admitted to a hospital here for a planned procedure, as he was advised a pacemaker to be implanted, his son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said on Wednesday. He said that his father’s condition is stable and is doing well. “Sri Kharge was advised pacemaker to be implanted and is admitted to the hospital for the planned procedure. He is stable and doing well. Grateful to all of you for your concern and wishes,” Priyank Kharge said in apost on ‘X’.

Zubeen Garg’s manager, Singapore festival organiser arrested from NCR, remanded to 14 days’ police custody

The Assam police arrested cultural icon Zubeen Garg’s manager and the organiser of an event in Singapore from the National Capital Region and brought them to Guwahati on Wednesday morning. Both have been remanded to 14 days’ police custody by the Kamrup Chief Judicial Magistrate. Siddharth Sharma, the manager, was arrested in Gurugram around 1.30 a.m. while Shyamkanu Mahanta, who organised the 4th North East India Festival where the late singer-composer was scheduled to perform, was arrested in New Delhi after arriving from Singapore around Tuesday (September 30) midnight.

Civic notice to school for ‘ban’ on religious, cultural symbols

The Kalyan civic body in Maharashtra has issued a notice to a private school for allegedly prohibiting students from wearing religious and cultural symbols, an official said on Wednesday. The controversy erupted after some parents raised objections over students being prohibited from wearing ‘tilak’ or ‘tikli’ (bindi) on their foreheads, bangles, and rakhi or sacred threads.

U.S. government shutdown begins as nation faces new period of uncertainty

Plunged into a government shutdown, the U.S. is confronting a fresh cycle of uncertainty after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to strike an agreement to keep government programs and services running by Wednesday’s deadline. Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, some potentially fired by the Trump administration. Many offices will be shuttered, perhaps permanently, as Mr. Trump vows to “do things that are irreversible, that are bad” as retribution. 

U.S. senators reintroduce Bill to reform H-1B, L-1 visa rules as Donald Trump fee fuels scrutiny

The top Republican and Democrat on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday (September 29, 2025) reintroduced legislation to tighten rules on the H-1B and L-1 worker visa programmes, targeting what they called loopholes and abuse by major employers. Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, and Democratic ranking member Dick Durbin of Illinois said the Bill tightens rules by raising wage and hiring standards, mandating public job postings, and narrowing visa eligibility, among others.

Pakistan’s top leadership will decide on deployment of troops in Gaza: FM Dar

Pakistan’s top leadership will decide on the deployment of troops as part of the peacekeeping force of the Muslim nations in Gaza under the recently announced peace deal to end the bloodshed in the region, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said on Tuesday. Mr. Dar addressed a press conference where he was asked if Pakistan would send troops to Gaza under the peace plan announced by President Donald Trump on Monday.

Kalyan Kumar takes over as MD and CEO of Central Bank of India

Kalyan Kumar has assumed charge as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Central Bank of India. He succeeds M.V. Rao, who retired on superannuation at the close of working hours on July 31, 2025. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kumar served as Executive Director of Punjab National Bank since October 2021.

No proposal to levy charges on UPI transactions: RBI Governor Malhotra

Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday said there is no proposal to levy any charge on UPI transactions. The Governor also said the central bank is examining a proposal to allow lenders to remotely lock mobile phones bought on credit in case of default in EMI payments. While responding to a question whether there is a proposal to levy charges on UPI transactions, which have gone up significantly, Mr. Malhotra said there was no proposal.

MPC keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.5%, revises growth forecast upwards to 6.8%, inflation projected at 2.6%for FY26

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), after a detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic conditions and the outlook, voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.50%. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate remains at 5.25% while the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate remain at 5.75%.

India welcome to collect Asia Cup trophy from me at ACC office in Dubai: Mohsin Naqvi

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday said the Indian team is “welcome” to collect the Asia Cup trophy from him at the continental body’s office head office in Dubai as controversy around the champions being denied the top prize continued to rage. In a post on X, Mr. Naqvi rejected reports claiming that he, at the ACC AGM on Tuesday (September 30), apologised to BCCI officials for his actions at the presentation ceremony on Sunday (September 28) when he walked away with the trophy after the Indians refused to accept it from him.

Published – October 01, 2025 06:15 pm IST