Now Reading: Today in India: 20 October 2026
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Today in India: 20 October 2026
Apple’s Rs 3 lakh iPhone Duo sold out globally in minutes, the Census 2027 began with 33 lakh enumerators braving heat and safety concerns, and Nepal banned Priyagold biscuits after FSSAI suspended its licence for using cattle-feed bran in the product.
Niki Prasad takes two wickets on first two balls in T20I
Niki Prasad became the first Indian cricketer to take wickets on the first two balls of an international innings, finishing with 2/7 in two overs as India beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women’s T20I at Raipur on Sunday. The 20-year-old off-spinner dismissed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Nyasha Gwanzura in the 15th over and narrowly missed a hat-trick. The victory gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
4 sources, 3 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Census 2027 deploys 33 lakh enumerators amid heat and safety concerns
India’s Census 2027 has begun, deploying about 33 lakh government teachers and enumerators surveying an estimated 1.4 billion people on housing and amenities. ‘The Hindu’ reports enumerators face 40°C heat, connectivity issues and safety concerns. Female enumerators such as M. Soumina in East Delhi and Meenu Verma in Rae Bareli said they asked husbands or male relatives to accompany them during field visits.
3 sources, 1 pro-government, 1 government-critical, 1 neutral
Baby orangutan repatriated to Indonesia, five more await return
A baby Sumatran orangutan rescued in India in 2024 was repatriated to Indonesia on Monday, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta announced. The orangutan, repatriated from Gujarat, landed at Kualanamu International Airport in Medan. Officials from the Consulate General of India attended a reception organised by Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry. The repatriation was coordinated by both countries’ CITES authorities, and India waived all costs as a special gesture.
6 sources, 6 neutral
Apple Rs 3 lakh iPhone Duo sells out in minutes, deliveries in January
Apple’s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, sold out its global pre-order stock within minutes of opening on Friday, pushing new delivery dates to January 2027. The 256GB base model costs Rs 2,99,900 in India. Analysts at Bloomberg Intelligence said sales could exceed earlier estimates of 14 million units and $28 billion for Apple’s fiscal 2027. Pre-orders opened at 8:00 AM ET on 16 October, by 8:30 AM high-demand versions slipped to 25 January 2027.
4 sources, 4 neutral
More from today
Shivraj slams ‘regime change gang’ in social media post
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday attacked what he called a ‘regime change gang’ in a social media post, accusing the group of spreading lies and plotting to change the government. He said their dreams of regime change ‘burst like soap bubbles’ before the mandate of the people.
3 sources, 3 neutral
Ramayana crosses $820K in overseas advance bookings, India opens October 20
Advance ticket sales for ‘Ramayana: Rise of a Legend’ have crossed $820,000 in overseas markets, with India advance bookings set to open on Tuesday coinciding with Dussehra. The film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, releases worldwide on 5 November 2026. Overseas figures vary: Times of India reports $771,000 across three tracked markets, with North America contributing $558,000, the UK $141,000 and Australia $72,000. CNBC-TV18 and 123telugu both put the total at $820,000.
7 sources, 5 neutral, 2 sensationalist
India begin five-match T20I series in New Zealand on October 22
India are set to start a five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Thursday, 22 October, at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The series is the first leg of a 41-day all-format tour that also includes five ODIs and two Tests. India arrive after a 2-2 home T20I draw against the West Indies. Historically, India have won 5 of 12 T20Is played in New Zealand, with 3 matches ending in ties. India’s most successful tour was in 2020, a 5-0 clean sweep.
3 sources, 3 neutral
Symbiosis professor on leave over messages, alleged religious pressure
Symbiosis International (Deemed University) has placed a professor from its Nagpur campus on compulsory leave after allegations he sent inappropriate messages to a former female student and urged her to follow Islamic religious practices, officials said on 19 October. The university formed a high-powered committee to investigate and said action would follow its report. Sources said the professor had submitted his resignation.
5 sources, 5 neutral
Fadnavis meets RSS chief Bhagwat in Nagpur
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday and met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. What was discussed in the meeting was not immediately known, sources told PTI. Fadnavis, a senior BJP leader from Nagpur, is scheduled to campaign for his party’s candidate Sudhakar Kohale in the legislative council election for the Nagpur Division Graduates’ constituency. Biennial elections for five seats are set for 23 October.
2 sources, 2 neutral
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Nepal bans Priyagold biscuits after FSSAI suspends licence
Nepal has banned the import, sale and distribution of Priyagold biscuits after India’s food regulator suspended the licence of manufacturer Surya Food and Agro Ltd. The Food Technology and Quality Control Department of Nepal issued a notice on Monday, citing sub-standard quality and acting on the basis of the FSSAI notice. The FSSAI on Saturday suspended the licence for using cattle-feed bran as a source of fibre in the biscuits.
3 sources, 3 neutral
Useful today
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Samsung Galaxy F70 5G launched at Rs 19,999, sale opens October 20
Samsung launched the Galaxy F70 5G in India on Monday, 19 October, priced at Rs 19,999 for the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, and Rs 22,999 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB model. With launch offers, the effective price can come down to Rs 17,999. It will go on sale from 12 noon on Flipkart, Samsung’s official website and select retail stores. The phone features a 6.7-inch Full-HD+ sAMOLED display and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
4 sources, 4 neutral
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Dasara rush snarls Hyderabad highways, triggers bus fare row
A massive surge in Dasara holiday travel caused severe congestion on highways out of Hyderabad and complaints over a 50% fare hike on TSRTC special buses. The Hyderabad-Vijayawada NH-65 saw vehicles lined up near the Pantangi toll plaza in Choutuppal, with ongoing flyover works adding to delays. Police diverted traffic through Lakkaram, Valigonda and Chityala. At bus and railway stations, queues and steep price rises were reported.
4 sources, 4 neutral
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No cyclone warning for Odisha by end of October: IMD
The India Meteorological Department has not issued any cyclone warning for the Bay of Bengal, despite speculation about a powerful storm by the end of October. A cyclonic circulation is active over the west-central Bay of Bengal near southern Andhra and Tamil Nadu extending up to 7.6 km, and may bring rain and thunderstorms with heavy rainfall in some areas.
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Power cuts hit Chennai as TNPDCL monsoon plan lags
The first heavy downpour of the northeast monsoon on Saturday, 17 October, triggered widespread power cuts across Chennai, as the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd faced criticism over maintenance failures. ‘Times of India’ on Monday. The Koyambedu wholesale market remained without power from Saturday night until Sunday evening, affecting about 600 fruit shops ahead of Ayudha Puja. Residents in several broke overhead cables and smoke from underground cables.
3 sources, 1 pro-government, 1 government-critical, 1 neutral
The closing thought
Mohan Bhagwat and Devendra Fadnavis met in Nagpur without an agenda being shared, a quiet prelude to legislative council elections next week. The Census deployed 33 lakh enumerators in 40°C heat while Apple sold a Rs 3 lakh phone in three minutes. Watch how the Symbiosis committee's report shapes a case that mixes university discipline with religious allegation, and whether New Zealand's crowded T20I schedule lets India repeat its 2020 clean sweep.
This digest is refreshed through the day at indianopinion.org/today.
This digest was compiled and written by AI from the day’s Indian Opinion coverage.
