KSRTC chairman assures Kerala State Elderly Commission of measures for reserved seats
KSRTC chairman and managing director Pramoj Shankar assured the Kerala State Elderly Commission of measures to ensure reserved seats for senior citizens. During a meeting on October 09, 2026, officials discussed a 20% seat quota and online booking reservation. Attendees included K. Somaprasad, Amaravila Ramakrishnan, G. Vinod, Sarada T.R., and Pradeep Kumar G.P. The commission recommended conductor fines and employer-issued identification cards.
KEA announces stray vacancy round; candidates must deposit up to ₹25 lakh for eligibility
The Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) announced the stray vacancy round seat allotment schedule on Friday. H. Prasanna, Executive Director, stated candidates can submit fresh applications from October 13 to 16, 2026. Options entry occurs October 16 to 19. Caution deposits of ₹1,00,000, ₹12,01,117, or ₹25 lakh determine seat eligibility. Those allotted seats via All India quota or other authorities are ineligible for this round.
4 arrested for seizing 665.67 grams of MDMA worth over ₹50 lakh
Nileshwaram police arrested Yusuf, Noushad Ali, Ahmed Rukshad (33), and Abdul Hameed (30) for seizing 665.67 grams of suspected MDMA worth more than ₹50 lakh from the Mangaluru Express. Led by C.M. Sabu under M.V. Anilkumar and P. Nidhinraj, officers are investigating international links and a separate courier case in Mangaluru. All four were remanded by the Hosdurg court.
Scindia refutes Elon Musk's "oligarchs" allegations, says Starlink, Jio, OneWeb at same stage
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stated on Friday (October 9, 2026) that the Department of Telecommunications is technology agnostic. He refuted Elon Musk's allegations regarding "oligarchs" blocking Starlink. All three applicants—Starlink, Jio, and Bharti-backed OneWeb—are at the same stage. Operations begin once revenue charges are finalized and all parties fulfill security milestones and prerequisites.
Vellore Corporation Commissioner honors doctors for kidney transplant milestone at Sri Narayani Hospital
Sri Narayani Hospital and Research Centre (SNHRC) organized an event on October 09, 2026, to felicitate healthcare professionals for achieving a kidney transplant milestone. Chief guest A. Catherine Saranya, Commissioner of Vellore Corporation, honored doctors, beneficiaries, and organ donors. Attendees included N. Balaji, Director of Sri Narayani Group of Institutions, along with Associate Directors Srinath Balaji and Srikanth Balaji.
Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao seeks verification of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s citizenship
Bhaskar Rao, a former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP leader, wrote to the Union Home Secretary on October 8. He requested verification of YouTuber Dhruv Rathee’s citizenship, visa status, and OCI card following his participation in a protest at Freedom Park on Thursday with actor Prakash Raj and Abhijeet Dipke. Rao sought legal action if any violations occurred.
Jairam Ramesh alleges 2.96 crore voters removed from Uttar Pradesh's rolls
On October 9, 2026, Jairam Ramesh of the Congress alleged that special intensive revision (SIR) is disenfranchising crores of Indians and undermining Article 326. Citing The Reporters’ Collective, he claimed 2.96 crore voters were removed from Uttar Pradesh's rolls while 16 lakh were added via Form 6. He also alleged 85,854 pre-filled Form 7 copies were generated after the deadline.
Parliamentary Committee urges NTA to transition NEET-UG to Computer-Based Test mode
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education tabled a report in the Rajya Sabha on October 9, 2026, recommending that the National Testing Agency (NTA) transition NEET-UG to Computer-Based Test mode. The committee urged using dynamic question banks, filling over 40% vacant permanent posts, and creating a centralized registry to blacklist compromised vendors across all central autonomous institutions, UPSC, and SSC.
Vellore inaugurates ₹50 lakh box cricket turf with hourly bookings for ₹826
Collector P.S. Leela Alex inaugurated a ₹50 lakh box cricket turf at the District Sports Stadium in Katpadi, Vellore on Friday. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) will maintain the facility, offering hourly bookings for ₹826. Located within the ₹10.81-crore District Sports Complex, the turf provides training and amenities to promote grassroots sports in rural areas.
Congress critic calls 85,854 auto-generated voter deletions a game of chance
Navdeep Rinwa, Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer, stated on October 9, 2026, that 16.18 lakh Form 6 applications were accepted during the special intensive revision exercise per Election Commission of India guidelines. He responded to The Reporters’ Collective report regarding mysterious additions and 85,854 auto-generated deletions. Pawan Khera of the Congress party criticized the software-generated deletions as a game of chance.
V.D. Satheesan denies Mallikarjun Kharge called elections illegal amid Vigilance inquiry into Gyanesh Kumar
V.D. Satheesan stated on Friday that no complaints were filed in Keralam regarding deliberate denial of voting rights. While the United Democratic Front raised transparency concerns during the Special Intensive Revision, he denied reports that Mallikarjun Kharge called elections illegal. The government ordered a Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry into Gyanesh Kumar over a 20-year-old corruption allegation involving Lee See Been.
CJP founder calls for Jantar Mantar protest over alleged electoral roll irregularities
Abhijit Dipke, founder of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), called for a Jantar Mantar protest on October 3 against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved an internet suspension within a 4-kilometre radius from 10 p.m. October 9 to 10 p.m. October 10.
Karnataka Prisons Department stalls Prajwal Revanna transfer after he was allegedly found with phone
The Karnataka Prisons Department put on hold the proposal to shift Prajwal Revanna, a former Hassan MP serving a life sentence for rape, from Parappana Agrahara Central Prison to Hindalga Prison. The move stalled due to administrative and technical reasons after Revanna was allegedly found with a mobile phone during a Central Crime Branch raid on August 11.
Devasish Sharma wins Nagaon Lok Sabha seat for BJP with 7,13,662 votes
On October 9, 2026, Devasish Sharma won the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency for the BJP, receiving 7,13,662 votes. He defeated Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal of the AIUDF by 1,41,916 votes and Sibamoni Bora of the Congress. Himanta Biswa Sarma credited Narendra Modi's leadership, while Gaurav Gogoi alleged the ECI backed the rivals. The win brings the BJP to 10 out of 14 seats in Assam.
MEA slams J.D. Vance for "indentured servants" comments over suspended labor certifications
On October 9, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs slammed J.D. Vance and Keith Sonderling for suspending the Permanent Labour Certification programme for eight firms, including Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, Cognizant, HCL, Capgemini, Microsoft, and Adobe. The Ministry called Vance's "indentured servants" comments offensive. This occurs as Narendra Modi, Donald Trump, Jamieson Greer, and Nirmala Sitharaman navigate stalled trade talks and potential tariffs.
Congress, CPI(M) slam "undeclared emergency" curbs on Cockroach Janta Party protest
On October 09, 2026, Mallikarjun Kharge and K.C. Venugopal of the Congress criticized the government for "undeclared emergency" curbs on a protest by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Gyanesh Kumar. CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML)-Liberation, RSP, and AIFB demanded an end to intimidation. MP P. Sandosh Kumar wrote to Narendra Modi demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Kerala CM vows to claim share after departments claimed less than 25% of projects
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced the Keralam government will claim its due share of Central projects after finding state departments claimed less than 25% of eligible ones. The UDF government tasked the State Planning Board to prepare detailed project reports and pressure the Centre. This follows the appointment of M.K. Muneer and G. Devarajan following a row with the LDF.
Award-winning filmmaker Arfat Sheikh released from US detention after alleged visa overstay
Arfat Sheikh, an award-winning filmmaker from Kashmir, was released on bond Thursday from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention following his September 24 arrest at Washington Dulles International Airport. The Department of Homeland Security accused him of illegally overstaying a student visa. Tara Dorabji stated officers lacked uniforms or warrants. Sheikh's film Saffron Kingdom won five awards in 2024.
Ruling parties win bypolls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Assam
Ruling parties won bypolls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Assam. BJP candidate Hasi Rani Rath won Nandigram by over 1.22 lakh votes, while Shankharavh Sarkar won Rejinagar by over 75,000 votes. TVK candidates won Madurantakam and Dharapuram; the AINRC nominee won Thattanchavady. In Nagaon, Devasish Sharma won by over 1.4 lakh votes.
Left farmer groups announce dawn-to-dusk hartal over Kollam district Ecologically Sensitive Area draft
A joint front of Left farmer groups announced a dawn-to-dusk hill-region hartal on October 27 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in protest against the Union government's Ecologically Sensitive Area draft notification including eight villages in Kollam district. They also protest the State government's alleged sidelining of these villages while excluding 33 others. Torchlight processions occur October 24 and 25.
