Punjab’s final electoral roll, released on October 12, lists 2,01,00,727 eligible voters after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The state recorded a decline of over 13.6 lakh electors, or 6.33%, from the 2,14,61,043 voters registered before the revision began. Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra said 7,97,263 new voters were added to the final list. The number of electors increased from 1.93 crore in the draft roll published in August. The revision involved checking records for deaths, migration, absent voters and duplicate entries ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. (PC: NDTV)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on October 12 claimed that around 200 government officials, including those from the ED, CBI and MEA, were sharing information with the Opposition. He did not disclose their identities or provide evidence publicly. At a press conference in New Delhi, Gandhi demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities. He also signalled solidarity with youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protesters, saying there was only one movement against the CEC. Gandhi criticised Delhi’s security restrictions and alleged that police treated opposition protesters differently from BJP and RSS workers. These claims remain unverified. (PC: India Today)

Gold prices in New Delhi fell by ₹1,400 to ₹1.53 lakh per 10 grams on October 12, as a stronger rupee and weak global market trends weighed on bullion prices. The price of 99.9% pure gold stood at ₹1,54,400 per 10 grams at Friday’s close.   Silver prices also declined by ₹2,000 to ₹2,26,500 per kilogram, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The rupee gained 96 paise against the US dollar, recording its strongest single-day rise in more than 6 months. Investors are now watching the dollar, US bond yields and upcoming inflation data for further market signals. (PC: X)

Russia launched fresh attacks on Ukraine overnight and on October 12, killing civilians and injuring dozens, according to Ukrainian officials. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of violating the energy ceasefire announced by US President Donald Trump. Strikes hit energy facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv, raising doubts about the proposed truce. Zelenskyy urged Washington to ensure Russia respects the arrangement and said Ukraine had not attacked Russian refineries overnight. Trump had announced that both countries agreed to stop targeting each other’s energy infrastructure. However, Moscow had not publicly confirmed the agreement, leaving its implementation uncertain. (PC: India Today)

Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England has confirmed that a tiger named Altai will not be euthanised after a man was mauled to death inside its enclosure on Saturday. South Yorkshire Police said the man entered the enclosure before the tiger attacked him. Emergency services were called at 1.35 pm, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released. The park remained closed on Sunday, with staff offered specialist support following the incident. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband expressed condolences to the victim’s family and thanked emergency services and park staff for their response. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the Supreme Court on October 12 after Delhi Police stopped the INDIA bloc’s march towards the court over alleged electoral irregularities. The procession, led by Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, was halted at Bhagwan Das Road, around 600 metres from the court. However, Gandhi’s legal team filed a petition challenging alleged voter deletions during the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition names 11 Opposition leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Saugata Roy. The plea also raises concerns over restrictions on peaceful protests. (PC: HT)

Indian karting talent Atiqa Mir has joined Kart Republic (KR), a team known for helping develop Formula 1 champions, including Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The 11-year-old from Srinagar secured the mid-season move after impressing team owner Dino Chiesa with her performances in European karting competitions. She will compete in the OKJ category over the next 2 years, gaining experience against international drivers. Earlier this season, Atiqa secured pole position in Italy’s Champions of the Future Academy series and swept the second round in Greece. She aims to become the first woman to reach Formula 1 since 1992.  

Rahul Gandhi and 10 other INDIA bloc leaders filed a petition in the Supreme Court on October 12, challenging alleged voter deletions and irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The petition also raises concerns over restrictions on peaceful protests. The move followed a ‘March for Democracy’ led by Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Delhi Police stopped the procession at barricades on Bhagwan Dass Road as leaders headed towards the Supreme Court. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the petition addressed both the SIR exercise and protest restrictions. The hearing date remains unknown. (PC: India Today)

India’s retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026 from 4.83% in August, driven by rising food prices, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on October 12. Food inflation increased to 7.74% from 5.97% in the previous month. Onion prices recorded the sharpest rise, with inflation reaching 108.09%, while ginger, garlic and lemons also became costlier. Rural retail inflation stood at 6.08%, compared with 4.88% in urban areas. However, potato and tomato prices declined by 11.50% and 8.62%, respectively, offering some relief to consumers. (PC: Business Today)

Bollywood actor Vijay Varma took a sarcastic dig at Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid protests demanding his resignation. Varma shared an edited image of Kumar on Instagram with the tagline “Saving Private Gyan”. He also mocked efforts to protect the poll body chief. Actor Huma Qureshi backed the protesters, saying peaceful protests and demands for accountability were democratic rights. Singer Suchitra Krishnamoorthi criticised police action against demonstrators in Mumbai and Delhi. Actor Sunny Hinduja also shared a poem highlighting the importance of speaking up against injustice. The protests concern alleged irregularities in electoral rolls.