News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants
Source: The Hindu , Indian Exp

President Murmu, PM Modi praise Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for saving Israel-bound flight from crash

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (October 1, 2026) hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who saved hundreds of lives after he thwarted his co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash a Dubai flight. The Prime Minister has spoken to the wife and parents of Captain Smit Machchhar and applauded Captain Smit’s bravery, according to government sources.

The flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk city. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.

VHP leader killing: NIA arrests accused deported from UAE

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday (October 1, 2026) arrested an accused following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in connection with the targeted killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar by the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Punjab’s Roopnagar in April 2024.

Harwinder Kumar alias Sonu was deported to India after sustained diplomatic efforts. He operated from the UAE and had allegedly provided logistical support and financing to the perpetrators. The NIA arrested him soon after his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The VHP leader was shot by terrorists at his confectionery shop in Nangal, Roopnagar, on April 13, 2024. The agency registered the case on May 9, 2024, and has filed three chargesheets so far. On August 13, 2026, it arrested another UAE-based accused, Manveer Ram, who was allegedly involved in supplying the weapons used in the crime. He was intercepted at Amritsar airport and subsequently placed under arrest.

Everyone has equal right to access justice: SC refuses to entertain judicial officer’s plea

Asserting that everyone has an equal right to access justice, the Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) refused to entertain a petition filed by a former judicial officer seeking expeditious hearing on his pending plea before the Allahabad High Court.

“Whether a person is a bus conductor or a secretary of the State, everyone has an equal right to access justice,” a Bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana told the counsel appearing for the petitioner. Before the High Court, the former judicial officer has challenged his termination from service. The apex court initially observed that the petitioner should approach the High Court and make a request there.

More than 40 Tibetans detained in Delhi over protest against China’s 77th founding day

Over 40 members of the Tibetan Youth Congress were detained by Delhi Police on Thursday (October 1, 2026) as they staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy against the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Delhi Police detained the protesters at Mandir Marg police station. The Tibetan Youth Congress condemned the “continued assertion of Chinese sovereignty and political control” over Tibet, East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia, and Manchuria. China celebrates its founding day on October 1.

“Tibet is never part of China and will never be. Forced invasion and resultant incorporation of erstwhile Independent state of Tibet, and other nation like East Turkistan, Southern Mongolia and Manchuria mark new assault on freedom in general, particularly, its colonialist practice of territorial invasion and border incursion on other neighbouring state reflects imperialist intent of Chinese state existence,” the Tibetan group said.

CJP, Congress to organise separate protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said on Thursday (October 1, 2026) that the group will hold a protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park on Friday (October 2). The protesters’ main demands include the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the filing of criminal charges against him. The INDIA bloc announced a nationwide campaign beginning Friday (October 2, 2026) with a graded agitation plan that includes protest marches at district headquarters, public meetings, a march to the Election Commission and a joint appeal to the Chief Justice for expedited hearings in cases related to the SIR and alleged electoral “malpractices”.

ECI orders probe into Form-7 fraud charge after Karnataka CM Shivakumar’s protest

The Election Commission of India (ECI) ordered a probe into the filing of Form-7s in bulk seeking deletions of names from final electoral rolls following a five-hour protest by Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar and his Cabinet colleagues.

Govt. caps sugar stock limit for dealers to 1,000 quintals ahead of festive season

The government on Thursday (October 1, 2026) tightened the stock-holding limit for sugar dealers to 1,000 quintals, effective from October 15 to November 30, in a bid to ensure adequate supplies at reasonable prices during the festival season.

Judicial panel blames institutional failure for Indore water contamination deaths; says tragedy was preventable

The Judicial Commission formed to probe the death of more than 30 people due to water contamination in Indore has said the tragedy was preventable while blaming institutional failure, systematic lapses and delays in replacing the ageing infrastructure.

‘Government doesn’t exist here,’ says Rahul Gandhi after meeting Balaghat families who lost children

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (October 1, 2026) accused the Union and Madhya Pradesh governments of abandoning the tribal community without basic facilities, speaking in Balaghat, where more than 30 tribal children have died in the past three months due to monsoon-related illnesses, poor immunity, and lack of access to healthcare.

Saudi Arabia says flydubai co-pilot who tried to crash Israel-bound jet transferred to UAE; Trump alleges copilot linked to Iran

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said on Thursday (October 1, 2026) that the flydubai co-pilot, suspected of an attack, stopped by the captain and passengers on a flight bound for Israel, has been transferred from the kingdom to the United Arab Emirates.

Putin says Russia will use ‘all weapons’ in its arsenal if any of its territory is attacked

President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (October 1, 2026) reiterated Moscow’s long-held position that Russia is not planning to attack European countries but will respond to aggression with “all weapons” in its arsenal.

U.K.-Iranian man held over U.K. airbase incident

A man with dual UK-Iranian citizenship was arrested Thursday (October 1, 2026) over a mysterious “major incident” at an airbase in southwest England as Israel said it had warned London about an attack.

South Korea’s Lee urges North Korea to restore dialogue, pledges military buildup

South Korean President ​Lee Jae Myung on Thursday (October 1, 2026) called on North ‌Korea to help restore trust and resume dialogue, ​a day after Seoul and Pyongyang traded ⁠barbs over a landmine incident that South Korea’s military and the UN Command said amounted to an armistice violation.

2008 Ahmedabad bomb blasts: SC stays execution of death penalty of Indian Mujahideen operative

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) stayed the execution of the death penalty of an operative of the terror outfit Indian Mujahideen in connection with the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts that left 56 people dead.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath, A. G. Masih, and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the Gujarat government on a plea of Ahmed Bawa alias Abbu Abubakar Barelvi against the High Court verdict, which upheld the death penalty awarded to him by the trial court. The top court called for the trial court records in the case and stayed the execution. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing in the matter, said it is a serious case.

‘Halal-certified’ jaggery in Sabarimala prasadam: Kerala HC asks TDB to ensure ingredients conform to quality standards and religious customs

The Kerala High Court has directed the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to exercise due caution when procuring materials for “Nivedyam and Prasadam” so that they conform to prescribed quality standards and religious customs at the Sabarimala Temple. The Division Bench of Justices V. Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar also directed the Board to incorporate the necessary conditions in the e-tender documents to ensure that the quantity of jaggery supplied by the manufacturer were unsuitable.

The Bench considered a petition filed by a Lord Ayyappa devotee in 2021 claiming that the Board had procured “Halal-certified jaggery powder” to prepare Prasadam at Sabarimala Temple, allegedly in violation of the rituals and customs prevailing in the Hindu community. The petitioner stated that this jaggery was prepared in accordance with the religious practices of another religion, and offering it to the deity would violate long-standing religious customs and rituals followed at the Temple.