Tirumala Temple Launches AI-Powered System to Manage Pilgrims
The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has launched India's first AI-powered Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) to manage its vast pilgrimage ecosystem. The system uses over 6,000 AI cameras, 3D situational maps, and digital twin technology to monitor crowds in real-time, predict queue movements, and enhance safety. It aims to shorten darshan waiting times, provide timely assistance, and offer a more streamlined experience for the millions of devotees who visit the shrine, setting a new benchmark in temple governance.
CBSE to Hold Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year in Major Reform
In a landmark decision, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year, starting from the 2026 session. Students will have the option to take a second exam in May-June to improve their scores from the initial February-March session, with the better of the two results being retained. The move, affecting millions of students, aims to reduce exam-related stress and provide a second opportunity without waiting for supplementary exams.
Cabinet Approves ₹69,725 Crore Package to Revitalise Shipbuilding Sector
The Union Cabinet has approved a substantial ₹69,725 crore package to boost India's shipbuilding and maritime industry. The four-pillar plan aims to enhance domestic capacity, provide long-term financing through a new Maritime Development Fund, and implement policy reforms. The government projects the initiative will unlock significant shipbuilding capacity, create nearly 3 million jobs, attract ₹4.5 lakh crore in investment, and strengthen national security under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
Typhoon Ragasa Batters East Asia, Killing At Least 17
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the most powerful storms in years, has wreaked havoc across East Asia, killing at least 17 people in Taiwan and the Philippines. The typhoon is now battering Hong Kong and southern China with sustained winds of 195 kph. Authorities in China's Guangdong province have relocated over a million people, while Hong Kong and Macau have shut down schools, flights, and businesses as the storm skirts the financial hub, causing widespread disruption and damage.
71 Maoist Militants Surrender in Chhattisgarh in Major Setback to Insurgency
In a significant blow to left-wing extremism, 71 Maoist cadres, including 21 women and 30 carrying large bounties, have surrendered to authorities in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. The mass surrender is attributed to the success of the state's rehabilitation campaign, 'Lon Varratu', and disillusionment with the rebel ideology. This event follows the recent killing of two senior Maoist leaders and marks a major success for security forces in the conflict-ridden Bastar region.
Man Convicted of Attempted Trump Assassination in Florida
A Florida jury has found Ryan Routh guilty on all counts for the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a golf course in September 2024. Prosecutors argued Routh had spent weeks plotting the attack before aiming a rifle at the former president. Shortly after the verdict was read, Routh attempted to stab himself in the neck with a pen in the courtroom before being subdued by officers. He now faces a potential life sentence, with sentencing scheduled for December.
Supreme Court Directs Centre to Create National Portal for Tracing Missing Children
The Supreme Court has ordered the Union government to establish a dedicated online portal under the Home Ministry to improve the tracking and investigation of missing children cases nationwide. The court highlighted a lack of coordination between state police forces and mandated a centralised system where a designated officer from each state would handle complaints and share information. The directive aims to create a more effective and coordinated national response to the issue of child trafficking and disappearances.
Ladakh Protests Turn Violent; Activist Sonam Wangchuk Ends Hunger Strike
Protests demanding statehood and constitutional safeguards for Ladakh escalated into violent clashes with police in Leh. Protestors pelted stones and burned a police vehicle, prompting police to use tear gas. Amid the violence, climate activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day hunger strike, appealing for peace and urging the government to engage in dialogue. The unrest highlights the growing political discontent in the region since it became a Union Territory in 2019.
Renowned Kannada Novelist and Padma Bhushan Awardee S.L. Bhyrappa Dies at 94
Dr. S. L. Bhyrappa, one of Kannada literature's most celebrated and widely read novelists, has passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 94. The Padma Bhushan and Saraswati Samman awardee was known for 25 novels, including classics like 'Parva' and 'Vamshavriksha', which explored complex philosophical and social themes. His works, translated into multiple languages, had a profound impact on Indian literature, leaving a legacy as a towering figure in the nation's cultural landscape.
Three Senior Maoist Commanders Killed in Jharkhand Gunfight
Security forces in Jharkhand killed three Maoists from the splinter group Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) during an encounter in Gumla district. The slain included two sub-zonal commanders, Lalu Lohra and Chhotu Oraon, each carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh. An AK-47 and other firearms were recovered from the site. This operation is part of an intensified anti-Naxal campaign that has seen 32 Maoists killed in 2025 as the state aims to be Naxal-free by 2026.
Assam Government Bans Organiser Following Singer Zubeen Garg's Death
The Assam government has prohibited event organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and his associated organisations from holding any functions in the state. The decision follows widespread public anger over the death of popular singer Zubeen Garg, who drowned in Singapore just before he was scheduled to perform at the North East India Festival, organised by Mahanta. The state's Crime Investigation Department is probing the circumstances of the singer's death, and the government has also urged the Centre to withhold assistance to the organiser.
Cabinet Approves 78-Day Productivity Bonus for 1.1 Million Railway Employees
The Union Cabinet has approved a productivity-linked bonus equivalent to 78 days of wages for approximately 1.1 million non-gazetted railway employees. The payout, totalling ₹1,886 crore, is an annual tradition before the Dussehra and Durga Puja festival season and serves as an incentive for staff. The decision recognizes the Railways' strong performance in the past year, during which it achieved record freight loading and passenger numbers, providing a festive financial boost to a vast workforce.
Trump Accuses India and China of Funding Ukraine War at UN General Assembly
US President Donald Trump, addressing the UN General Assembly, accused India and China of being "primary funders" of the Ukraine war through their continued purchases of Russian oil. The statement comes amid strained US-India trade relations, with Washington recently imposing punitive tariffs on New Delhi over the issue. Trump also urged European nations to cease all Russian energy imports and stated that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace, escalating geopolitical tensions.
Torrential Rains Paralyse Kolkata, Claiming at Least Four Lives
Torrential overnight rain has inundated Kolkata, causing at least four deaths due to electrocution and bringing the city to a standstill. Widespread waterlogging submerged arterial roads, crippling traffic and public transport, including the suspension of Metro and Eastern Railway services on several stretches. Some areas received over 300 mm of rain in a few hours. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rainfall as a low-pressure area forms over the Bay of Bengal.
Rupee Hits Record Low Against Dollar; Gold Surges Past ₹1.18 Lakh
The Indian rupee fell 47 paise to an all-time low of 88.75 against the US dollar, driven by foreign fund outflows following a steep hike in US H-1B visa fees expected to impact India's IT exports. This currency depreciation, combined with strong global demand for safe-haven assets, caused gold prices to surge by ₹2,700 to a new peak of ₹1,18,900 per 10 grams in the national capital. Silver prices also skyrocketed to an all-time high.