The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science textbook, Understanding Society: India and Beyond – Part 2, introduces a chapter titled “Resistance and Resilience” focusing on invasions and resistance in medieval India. It states that several Indian rulers were traditionally believed to have received swords from Hindu goddesses, including Kali, Durga and Bhavani. The chapter discusses resistance against Arab, Turkish, Mughal and European forces and describes some invasions as driven by territorial expansion and religious motives. It also highlights the historical treatment of Sikh gurus under Mughal rule. NCERT says the revised curriculum aims to encourage critical inquiry, analytical thinking and intercultural understanding. (PC: X)

A top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, identified by officials as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district. The operation, named Operation Korag, was jointly conducted by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the Korag area near Yousmarg. According to the Army, security personnel noticed suspicious movement and challenged the militants, who responded with gunfire, leading to an exchange of fire. Officials said Moosa was wanted in connection with several attacks in the Pir Panjal region. (PC: X)

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has warned that the world could face a major food crisis in the coming months, citing disruptions to grain shipments, fertiliser shortages and worsening geopolitical tensions. Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York, he said conflicts involving Ukraine and the Iran-Gulf region were placing severe pressure on Global South economies. Jaishankar highlighted concerns that major grain exporters may struggle to ship supplies through the Black Sea, while Russia and West Asia face fertiliser-production disruptions. He also warned that a potential super El Niño could further affect food production. (PC: X)

India’s women’s compound archery team won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating China 238–234 in the final. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep delivered a record-equalling performance, matching the world-record score of 238 points. The victory added another gold to India’s medal tally and highlighted the country’s strength in compound archery. The Indian trio maintained their composure in the final to secure the top position against a strong Chinese team. The result marked another significant achievement for Indian archery at the Asian Games and contributed to India’s growing medal haul in the competition.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly traveled to the United Arab Emirates and reportedly asked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deny claims that he warned Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack before October 7, 2023. According to sources cited by The Times of Israel and Associated Press, the two leaders held an hourlong meeting in Abu Dhabi. The reported warning was previously published by Haaretz. Netanyahu’s office has denied that the Emirati leader warned him, while the UAE has not commented specifically on the report. The episode comes amid renewed controversy over warnings Israel allegedly received before the October 7 attack. (PC: AP)

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has announced that it will hold its “Mumbai Chalo” protest on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the gathering will begin at 4 p.m. near Gate No. 6 and called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. The announcement follows Mumbai Police’s earlier refusal to grant permission for the proposed protest, citing court directions and restrictions concerning Shivaji Park. Dipke subsequently announced a “Jail Bharo Andolan” if the protest was prevented. The CJP has raised objections concerning electoral-roll revisions and alleged irregularities in the election process. (PC: X)

Scientists have identified a previously unknown species of gentoo penguin on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean, marking the first new penguin species recognized in more than 100 years. Using DNA analysis, researchers found that gentoo penguins previously considered one species actually comprise four genetically distinct species: northern, southern, southeastern and eastern gentoos. The newly recognized southeastern gentoo, Pygoscelis kerguelensis, looks almost identical to other gentoos but has distinct genetic characteristics. Researchers say the discovery improves understanding of penguin evolution, while warning that warming oceans and climate change could cause significant habitat losses for several gentoo populations.

Gulveer Singh and Vithya Ramraj each won three medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, producing historic hat-tricks for India’s track and field contingent. Gulveer won silver in the 10,000m with 28:29.38, silver in the 1,500m with a personal-best 3:36.72, and bronze in the 5,000m with 13:32.75. He became the first Indian track athlete since P.T. Usha in 1986 to win three individual medals at one Asian Games. Vithya won bronze in the 400m hurdles, breaking Usha’s 55.42-second national record with 54.75, silver in mixed 4x400m relay, and gold in women’s 4x400m relay. She also completed a medal hat-trick for the second consecutive Asian Games in succession at the Games. (PC: India Today)

The chief of the Eiffel Tower will step down at the end of the year following an uproar over women staff being removed during a visit by a Hindu religious group. An internal investigation into the incident found “operational flaws and shortcomings” in the organisation of the visit. The findings have prompted the Eiffel Tower chief to announce their departure after the controversy surrounding the treatment of female employees during the group’s visit. The incident drew attention to how the visit was managed and the decision to remove women staff. The internal probe specifically identified shortcomings in operational arrangements, while the chief’s departure is expected to take effect at the end of the year following the controversy. (PC: X)

Iran’s Embassy in India used a Bollywood meme on X to mock the United Nations, contrasting how the global body is portrayed in books with what Iran presented as its limitations in reality. The first panel featured Doctor Strange, the Marvel superhero and neurosurgeon with magical powers and multiple arms, labelled “UN according to school books.” The second showed Thakur Baldev Singh from the 1975 classic Sholay, played by Sanjeev Kumar, captioned “UN in reality.” The post reflects Iran’s wider use of pop culture and internet humour in digital diplomacy. The embassy did not specify any particular UN resolution or crisis in the post. The meme appeared amid the ongoing war.