Justice Surya Kant, born February 10, 1962, in Petwar village, Hisar district, Haryana, began his education in a rural school where students sat on sacks due to lack of benches. He graduated in arts in 1981 and earned an LLB in 1984, becoming his family’s first law graduate. He built a distinguished legal career: youngest Advocate General of Haryana in 2000, High Court judge from 2004, then Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh HC in 2018, Supreme Court judge in 2019. Set to become India’s 53rd Chief Justice on November 24, 2025, Surya Kant’s rise from humble roots to the apex of the judiciary inspires many from under-resourced backgrounds. 

India has launched a large-scale tri-services exercise named Ex Trishul, deploying around 25 warships, more than 40 combat aircraft and at least 40,000 soldiers. The drills will include amphibious operations, cyber and space-domain components, and are taking place over the Arabian Sea, Gujarat and Rajasthan—including the Rann of Kutch and the disputed Sir Creek area. The exercise runs until November 13 and follows heightened regional tensions, with Pakistan also issuing air-space notices in response. (PC: ANI)

Kerala has officially become the first Indian state to eliminate extreme poverty, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in the state assembly on Kerala Piravi Day. The achievement follows the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) launched in 2021, which targeted over 64,000 economically vulnerable families through measures such as housing, food security, livelihood support, and document regularisation. Vijayan hailed it as a milestone in Kerala’s welfare model. However, the opposition parties boycotted the session, calling the declaration politically motivated and demanding transparency in data verification. (PC: India Today)

The Supreme Court of India has overturned a 10-year sentence for a man convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in a case involving his now-wife, noting their 2021 marriage, their child and co-habitation. The bench emphasised the relationship was “love, not lust” and said the law must serve justice, not blind punishment. It placed the quashing on condition he continue to support his wife and child with dignity and warned the decision is not precedent for other POCSO cases. 

At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, customs officers intercepted two major smuggling attempts. In the first case, a passenger arriving from Bangkok was found carrying two baby Silvery Gibbon apes—one alive and one dead—hidden inside a basket in a trolley bag. The gibbons are an endangered species. In the second case, officers seized 7.97 kg of alleged hydroponic marijuana worth approximately ₹8 crore, also arriving from Bangkok via checked baggage. Both individuals have been arrested under relevant wildlife and narcotics laws. (PC: X)

In a dramatic incident in Mumbai, filmmaker Rohit Arya held 19 people — including 17 children — hostage in his Powai studio, demanding ₹2.4 crore from the Maharashtra government for his sanitation-project work. He contacted actor Ruchita Vijay Jadhav days earlier under the guise of discussing a film, according to her Instagram post. Police ended the crisis by fatally shooting Arya when he aimed a gun at a child; the hostages were safely freed. The government later clarified it owed him nothing and alleged he had collected fees from schools in the sanitation drive. (PC: NDTV)  

Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammad Azharuddin was sworn in as a minister in the Telangana cabinet under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on 31 October 2025, bringing the total number of ministers to 16. His induction is viewed as a strategic move by the Congress to strengthen its appeal among minorities and urban voters in Hyderabad, particularly before the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-poll. The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, questioning the timing of his appointment and alleging that it violates the model code of conduct. (PC: The Hindu)

In a tense standoff in Mumbai’s Powai area, police rescued 17 children and several adults who were held hostage inside a recording studio by aspiring filmmaker Rohit Arya. The accused had reportedly called the children for fake web series auditions over the past few days and later locked them inside. During the standoff, Arya released a video claiming he sought “moral answers,” not money, and threatened violence if interrupted. After two hours of negotiation, Mumbai Police safely rescued all hostages and arrested Arya. Investigations are underway to determine his motive and mental state. (PC: X)  

Thousands displaced by Manipur's 2023 ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities face uncertain futures as the government plans closing all relief camps by December. The clashes, sparked by Meitei demands for tribal status, killed 260 people and displaced 60,000. Prime Minister Modi announced 7,000 new homes during his first visit since violence began, but didn't specify locations. Manipur remains divided: Meiteis inhabit Imphal Valley, Kukis occupy surrounding hills, with security forces patrolling buffer zones. Many Kukis fear returning home, preferring separate federally-administered territory, while most Meiteis want returning. Residents complain about inadequate healthcare, mental health support, and livelihood opportunities. Experts warn resettlement failures could permanently redraw Manipur's social map. (PC: BBC)

Rohit Arya, shot dead by Mumbai police after holding 17 children hostage for 3.5 hours at a Powai audition theatre, claimed the Maharashtra education department owed him ₹2 crore in "dues." Arya served as Project Director for Swachhata Monitor under the Majhi Shala, Sundar Shala initiative, approved in 2022. The education department denied his claims, stating Arya failed to provide proper documentation for his ₹2 crore budget request and charged schools registration fees without approval. Despite receiving ₹9,90,000 previously, technical gaps left the 2023-24 scheme unimplemented. Former Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar personally gave Arya money after protests. The department demanded Arya deposit collected fees and submit proper documentation, which he never provided.