Sujeet Kalkal completed a remarkable comeback to win India’s first wrestling gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games, defeating Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in the men’s 65kg freestyle final. Kalkal had trailed 2-9 before scoring eight unanswered points to clinch victory. Earlier, he had beaten Japan’s Kotaro Kiyooka, the reigning Olympic champion, in a tense 3-3 semi-final. Kalkal advanced on criteria after scoring the bigger move, earning a place in the final against Kudiev. Within a few hours, the Indian wrestler had overcome both an Olympic champion and a seven-point deficit. The victory delivered the biggest title of his young career and India’s first wrestling gold at the 2026 Asian Games.

Gujarat has moved to implement a Uniform Civil Code after President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Gujarat UCC Bill, 2026, making it the second state after Uttarakhand to enact UCC legislation. BJP spokesperson Anil Patel said the Bill would now become an Act, describing it as a step towards women’s empowerment and equality. The legislation covers matters including marriage, divorce, inheritance and live-in relationships. Patel also cited BR Ambedkar’s views on a Uniform Civil Code to ensure equality. The Gujarat Assembly had passed the Bill in March before sending it for presidential consideration. Uttarakhand implemented its UCC in January 2025. Several other states have discussed or examined introducing similar legislation. (PC: X)

India has won 60 medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with the Games set to conclude on October 4. The report says India sent 495 athletes competing across 36 sports, after winning a record 106 medals at Hangzhou in 2022. India’s first medal came from Elavenil Valarivan, who secured two silver medals in women’s 10m air rifle events. The tally includes golds in cricket, kabaddi, shooting, archery and athletics, alongside medals from MMA, soft tennis, weightlifting, badminton, rowing, squash, wushu, kurash, boxing, wrestling and other events. Athletics has contributed 24 medals, while India’s medal tally spans 16 sports. The medal table records 10 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze medals.

India ended a 44-year wait for women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0 in the 2026 final. India had last won the title in 1982, when women’s hockey made its Asian Games debut. Lalremsiami Hmarzote scored the goal in the first quarter, while goalkeeper Savita Punia saved a penalty stroke in the second quarter to deny China an equaliser. India’s defence then withstood Chinese pressure, with Punia making a penalty stroke save. The gold also secured India’s place at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. India had finished runners-up in 1998 and 2018. China won silver, while Japan took bronze after defeating South Korea in a shoot-out.

An Israeli official has claimed that the Omani co-pilot accused of stabbing Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight had posted online about killing Jews and appeared to have been radicalised. The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight plunged sharply after the cockpit attack before passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials are investigating whether the incident involved an attempted crash or terrorism, while the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Israel are cooperating. The co-pilot has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE as investigations continue, and his exact motive has not yet been established. (PC: India Today)

Delhi Police detained more than 700 protesters, including AAP leaders and members of AISA, SFI, NSUI and other student organisations, during a demonstration near Jantar Mantar on October 2. The protesters were demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged deletion of voters’ names. Police said permission for the gathering had not been granted and imposed prohibitory orders, barricades and additional security around the area. AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj, Sanjeev Jha and Atishi were among those detained. Several central Delhi Metro stations were also temporarily closed.

India’s Gen Z-led “cockroach” protest movement is preparing to return to the streets, according to the BBC, this time focusing on electoral reforms and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of irregularities involving voter rolls, allegations the authorities have disputed. The planned demonstrations reflect continuing political debate over the transparency and credibility of India’s electoral processes. Protesters are expected to press for changes they say would strengthen electoral accountability and voter protections. The movement previously gained attention for mobilising young people around governance and democratic issues. 

The UAE has not disclosed the identity of the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before passengers helped overpower the co-pilot and the plane diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities later handed the co-pilot to the UAE. Investigators are examining his motive, the weapon used, possible prior planning, assistance from others and potential links to terrorist activity. Machchhar, who was airlifted to Abu Dhabi, is reportedly recovering well. (PC: HT)

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)