Delhi Police tightened security around Jantar Mantar on Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, after student groups and activists called for a protest seeking accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising concerns over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Police denied permission for the proposed demonstration and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS across New Delhi. Barricades and additional security personnel, including central forces, were deployed around the area. Roads and several Metro station entry and exit points were also restricted, with commuters advised to use alternative routes and follow police instructions.

HDFC Bank has appointed Anup Bagchi as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a three-year term beginning October 27, 2026. The appointment received approval from the Reserve Bank of India on October 1. Bagchi, currently MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, will succeed Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose tenure ends on October 26. The bank’s board has also appointed Bagchi as an additional director from October 2, subject to shareholder approval. Bagchi has more than three decades of experience across banking, capital markets, insurance and wealth management, having held senior roles within the ICICI Group. (PC: HT)

India enjoyed a historic day in recurve archery at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The women’s team of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod won India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in the women’s recurve team event, defeating South Korea 5-3 in the final. The men’s team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Bhoge and Neeraj Chauhan also reached the final and secured silver after losing 1-5 to South Korea. India’s mixed recurve team had earlier won silver. The results strengthened India’s medal haul in archery at the Games. 

India secured a bronze medal in the men’s quadrant sepaktakraw event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after losing their semifinal to Japan 0-2. The Indian team had reached the semifinals after an impressive group-stage campaign, defeating Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. The medal marks India’s first men’s sepaktakraw medal at the Asian Games since the 2018 Jakarta edition. Veteran Manipuri player Akash Yumnam played an important role in the team’s campaign alongside Bobby Kumar, Malemnganba Singh, Lokhon Singh, Ram Kumar Sharma and Arun. The bronze adds another medal to India’s growing tally at the Games. (PC: X)

Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa to find courage while confronting his Omani co-pilot during a mid-air attack. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and overpower the attacker. The Boeing 737 flight, carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. During a video call, Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and presence of mind. The pilot, now recovering in the UAE, thanked Modi and said he believed God had saved him.

Brazil’s football team is following a tightly controlled diet in Kolkata ahead of its FIFA friendly against India. The squad has brought its own chefs and nutritionists, who are preparing nearly all meals according to specific nutritional requirements. Players are eating almost five times a day, with menus featuring rice, spaghetti, beans, fish, chicken, meat, vegetables and salads. Fish has received particular attention, with the Brazilian players enjoying fresh Bhetki prepared by their own culinary team. Oil use is controlled, while olive oil is preferred. The team is also following regulated beverage and hydration arrangements, including externally sourced drinking water. (PC: Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar after he was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to reports, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar while the aircraft was in flight, triggering a rapid descent. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and restrain the attacker. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Modi said Machchhar demonstrated exceptional courage and presence of mind, crediting his actions with helping save passengers’ lives. Machchhar remains under medical care. 

Reliance Industries has proposed setting up a nuclear power plant in West Bengal, with the project potentially attracting around ₹2 lakh crore in investment over six to seven years. The proposal was discussed during meetings between Reliance officials and the state government. The company has reportedly shown interest in Haripur in East Midnapore, where an earlier NPCIL nuclear project was cancelled in 2011 following opposition from local fishermen and villagers. The state has also suggested Nayachar near Haldia as an alternative site. Reliance is additionally exploring investments in hotels, data centres and coal gasification. 

Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain celebrated her 29th birthday with a historic gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Competing in the women’s 75kg category, Lovlina defeated China’s Ziyi Bao by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. She controlled the bout after a closely contested opening round and maintained her composure to secure victory. The triumph made Lovlina only the second Indian woman boxer after MC Mary Kom to win Asian Games gold. It also upgraded her silver medal from the 2022 Hangzhou Games. 

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by Delhi Police on October 2 while attending a protest at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions. Several AAP workers and other protesters were also detained. Bharadwaj alleged that police manhandled volunteers at the protest site, while authorities had earlier denied permission for the planned gathering and imposed restrictions on assemblies in New Delhi. Security was tightened around Jantar Mantar, with barricades deployed and several nearby roads and metro stations affected. The protest was part of wider demonstrations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. (PC: X)