The Centre has extended Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh’s tenure by one year, allowing him to continue in the post until October 31, 2027. The decision was approved on October 24, a week before his existing tenure was due to end.   Singh, a 1989-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Kerala cadre, took charge as India’s 40th Defence Secretary on November 1, 2024. He also holds additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). His extension is expected to ensure continuity in defence administration and ongoing reforms. (PC: HT)

Punjab Police have registered 18–20 FIRs and rounded up 50–52 suspects during an anti-drug operation across eight identified hotspots in Ludhiana on October 24. Assistant Commissioner of Police Rupinder Singh said the drive is part of the state government’s ongoing “War Against Drugs” campaign, supported by senior police officials. Authorities are assessing the operation’s progress and the recoveries made. The crackdown comes amid political controversy over Punjab’s drug problem and demands for justice following anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota’s killing on October 13. The CBI has registered an FIR in the murder case. (PC: ANI)

The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has urged Rahul Gandhi to postpone the INDIA bloc’s November 1 rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan until after November 10. The traders’ body warned that traffic restrictions and crowds could disrupt business worth ₹10,000 crore during the festive shopping season. CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said Delhi traders had already suffered estimated losses of ₹3,000 crore due to earlier protests and road closures. The rally targets Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in electoral roll revision. (PC: X)

A 17-year-old Class 12 student died after being found with severe burn injuries behind the guard room of Sarvodaya Balika Vidyalaya in Krishna Nagar, Delhi’s Shahdara district, on October 24. Police reached the school following a call reporting a fire. Investigators recovered certain materials from the scene and the student’s school bag. Reports suggest that a three-page note was also found, while a possible chemical substance was reportedly involved. However, police have not officially confirmed these details. A forensic team inspected the location, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. (PC: Delhi Police)

A 33-year-old Rapido driver, Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar, has been arrested in Mumbai by police over suspected links to the banned terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). According to reports, the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) apprehended him near Mahim Metro Station following a tip-off. Investigators allege that he shared extremist content, including audio clips of JeM chief Masood Azhar, through Telegram and posted inflammatory remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. Authorities also suspect links to Pakistani intelligence operatives. His mobile phone was seized for investigation, and a case was registered under Section 196(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (PC: NDTV)

Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the West Bengal Chief Minister regarding the alleged assault on three Christian families in Paschim Medinipur. The families, residing in the Chandrakona area, alleged that they were physically attacked, threatened and pressured to abandon their Christian faith between October 18 and 20. They also claimed they were forced to participate in Hindu religious rituals against their wishes. Police have registered a case and deployed personnel near their homes for protection. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the incident. (PC: ANI)

Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU) in Surat, Gujarat, is installing specialised spring-loaded ceiling fans in student hostels to reduce suicide risks. The university ordered 375 fans worth ₹8.42 lakh, with 268 reportedly installed across boys’ and girls’ hostels. The fans feature a safety mechanism that releases under excessive weight, causing the unit to lower and reducing the risk of it being used for hanging. The initiative follows concerns over student suicides and official safety guidelines. University counsellors stressed that physical safeguards must be accompanied by accessible mental health support, counselling and efforts to address academic pressure. 

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested 33-year-old Mohammad Hasan Abu Sarmad Akhtar in Mumbai’s Mahim area over suspected links with the banned terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Investigators allege that his mobile phone contained inflammatory social media posts and audio clips featuring JeM chief Masood Azhar. The accused, reportedly working as a Rapido rider and perfume seller, is also being investigated over suspected contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Authorities are examining his online activities and digital evidence to establish the extent of his alleged involvement. The investigation is ongoing. (PC: PTI)

Around 500 protesters from student, youth, women’s, farmers’ and civil society organisations marched through central Delhi on October 23, 2026, demanding the withdrawal of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Demonstrators attempted to march towards the Election Commission of India headquarters but were stopped by police. Authorities said around 20 protesters were detained and later released, while organisers claimed more were detained. Activists, including Yogendra Yadav and Annie Raja, joined the demonstration. Farmers’ groups also organised protests nationwide, demanding electoral transparency and protection of voting rights. (PC: The Hindu)

Haryana gangster Himanshu Bhau, also known as Himanshu Ritoliya, has reportedly been arrested by the FBI in the United States. Originally from Rohtak, Haryana, he is wanted in India for multiple cases involving murder, attempted murder, extortion, criminal intimidation and forgery. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in August 2023. Bhau and his alleged gang have been linked to several violent incidents, including the August 2025 firing outside YouTuber Elvish Yadav’s Gurugram residence. Indian authorities are reportedly coordinating with US agencies to bring him back to India to face legal proceedings.