India has retained its position as Asia’s second most represented higher education system, with 34 new entrants in the 2027 QS Asia University Rankings. However, 71 per cent of its ranked universities slipped, including all six of its highest-ranked institutions. IIT Delhi remained India’s top-ranked university at 66th, down from 59th, while IISc Bengaluru fell from 64th to 79th. Delhi University dropped out of the top 100 to 106th. Meanwhile, Manipal Academy of Higher Education entered the top 200 at 195th, and Chandigarh University reached 104th. India’s representation has grown over 13-fold since 2016, reaching 325 institutions, with strong performance in research publications per faculty. (PC: X)

The Ladakh administration has ordered the Desert Flower School, founded by climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk, to suspend all activities until the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court delivers its final verdict in a pending case involving the institute.The directive applies to the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), which runs the school in Phyang, Leh. The legal dispute concerns the administration’s cancellation of land allotted to HIAL, measuring 1,076 kanals and one marla approximately 134.5 acres and 270 square feet. The administration’s order seeks to maintain the status quo until the court reaches a final decision.  

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified that voters whose names are missing from draft electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can submit Form 6 to seek inclusion in the final voters’ list, even if they were registered earlier. The clarification addresses fears that reapplying could amount to a false declaration under Section 31 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The ECI said no action should be initiated solely because of previous enrolment, provided the applicant is not registered in another constituency and the declaration follows the law. It cited an October 14 Delhi High Court ruling. (PC: India Today)

A probe agency has taken action against the Anil Ambani Group by attaching assets worth around ₹510 crore, including 2 aircraft and 6 land plots. The action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving companies linked to industrialist Anil Ambani. The attached properties reportedly include valuable land assets and aircraft identified during the probe. The move is aimed at securing suspected proceeds linked to the case. The latest action adds to the scrutiny facing the Reliance Group as investigating agencies examine alleged financial transactions and possible violations. (PC: NDTV)

The government has told the Delhi High Court that the over-century-old Qadeemi Masjid inside Krishi Bhavan must be removed as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. In an affidavit, it argued that retaining a permanent religious structure within a central government office complex is “impermissible and incompatible with the secular character” of government property. The government maintained that Krishi Bhavan and the Central Secretariat complex are secular public premises exclusively designated for administrative, governmental and public service activities. The submission forms part of the legal proceedings before the High Court over the mosque’s proposed removal. The supplied report excerpt does not provide the petitioners’ arguments or the court’s response. (PC: X)

India's military leadership is preparing for a major relocation as the Army and Navy chiefs are set to leave the historic South Block in New Delhi. Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, along with the Vice Chief and 7 senior officers, is expected to move to the newly built Shaurya Bhavan in Delhi Cantonment by the end of November. Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and senior officers will also shift to Sena Bhavan. The Army War Room and the Director General of Military Operations office are among the facilities being relocated. The move is part of a wider restructuring of defence establishments. (PC: India Today)

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore an awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza after it was removed following objections from BJP leaders. The video was part of the civic body's eco-friendly Diwali campaign and urged people not to burst firecrackers on public roads, in line with court directions. A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale expressed displeasure over politicians giving the environmental campaign a communal angle. Calling India a secular country, the court said everyone breathes the same air and stressed the need to respect all communities. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took note of a Hindustan Times report highlighting the open sale of conventional and unauthorised firecrackers in Delhi-NCR despite restrictions. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale asked the Centre, Delhi government and police to take necessary steps to prevent violations. The report found firecrackers being sold openly in markets, with some products carrying missing or questionable QR codes. The court has allowed only certified green crackers to be sold at designated locations from November 4 to 6. Online sales remain prohibited, while a complete ban will return from November 9. (PC: HT)

Delhi Police has suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manasvi Vashishta, a day after he led a protest outside the force's headquarters in New Delhi. Hundreds of police personnel joined the demonstration against the transfer of Vashishta and Shahdara Station House Officer Arun Kumar. Both officers were transferred following a clash between police personnel and lawyers at Shahdara police station on October 23, in which an advocate suffered a head injury. The protesting officers demanded their reinstatement and raised concerns over police safety. Vashishta had also sought a meeting with Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar.

Two brothers, Bhagwan Singh and Pritam Singh, have been arrested for allegedly shooting dead a 19-month-old male cheetah, KNG-22, in Madhya Pradesh. The STF said the brothers were hunting near Nitanwas village in Sheopur district when the animal was shot. Bhagwan Singh was arrested on October 31; information from his interrogation led to his brother’s arrest. Investigators recovered a licensed double-barrelled country firearm from a forest area in Morena district. A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act. KNG-22, born to cheetah Nirva, was found injured on October 25 and died on October 27 after treatment. Five pellets were recovered from his body. The STF said it found no evidence linking the killing to illegal wildlife trade or an organised crime network. (PC: The Indian Express)