Now Reading: Today in India: 22 October 2026
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Today in India: 22 October 2026
Ramayana advance bookings top ₹6 crore amid controversy over premium ticket prices. West Bengal sets up SIT to probe Kolkata stampede. J&K leadership warns terror supporters on Police Commemoration Day.
Ramayana advance bookings cross ₹6 crore
Advance bookings for 'Ramayana: Part One', starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Yash as Ravana, opened across India on Wednesday, 21 October. ABP Live reports that the film has collected ₹6.07 crore from 1,01,392 tickets sold across 3,560 shows, citing TrackTollywood. CNBC TV18 puts the figure at ₹5.46 crore from 92,872 tickets, citing Sacnilk. M9.news reports ₹2 crore in the first 24 hours at national multiplexes, and says ticket prices above ₹2,000 for premium formats such as IMAX have triggered a backlash among netizens.
10 sources, 9 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Amit Mishra returns to Delhi Capitals as spin-bowling coach
Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra, 43, has been appointed spin-bowling coach of Delhi Capitals ahead of IPL 2027, the franchise announced on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. Mishra, who retired from all cricket in September 2025, takes up his first coaching role in the league. He joins a revamped support staff led by head coach Sourav Ganguly, assistant and batting coach Yuvraj Singh, and fast-bowling coach Chaminda Vaas.
13 sources, 13 neutral
India and New Zealand sign pact for electronic origin data exchange
India and New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 19 October 2026 for electronic exchange of origin data on traded goods, the finance ministry said. The pact was signed by CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi and New Zealand Customs Service Comptroller Christine Stevenson. It is designed to improve customs cooperation, reduce information gaps and help businesses access tariff concessions under the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which came into force on 20 October.
8 sources, 3 pro-government, 5 neutral
EV sales jump 26% in Navratri, PVs fall 22% on GST base
India retailed 11.23 lakh vehicles during the 10-day Navratri period (11 to 20 October 2026), up 27% over Navratri 2024, the last comparable festive window, according to provisional data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Passenger vehicle registrations fell 22% year-on-year to 1.83 lakh units, while two-wheeler sales slipped 2.79% to 8.34 lakh units. Overall registrations were down 6.52% against Navratri 2025, which spanned 11 days and coincided with GST 2.0 rate cuts that drove a surge in demand.
9 sources, 1 government-critical, 8 neutral
More from today
FSSAI seeks scientific proof from Nestlé, Zydus for product claims
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued notices on Wednesday, 21 October, to Nestlé India, Zydus Wellness, Abbott Healthcare, Nutricia International, and Mead Johnson Nutrition India over allegedly misleading claims and promotions on product labels and advertisements. The regulator is seeking scientific evidence to support the claims flagged.
8 sources, 8 neutral
Bajaj Finance, Mahindra Finance, Aye Finance post strong Q2 results
Bajaj Finance Ltd reported a 29% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 6,370 crore for the July-September 2026 quarter, Business Standard and Fortune India reported. Total income rose 23% to Rs 15,974 crore. The board approved a Rs 17,500-crore capital raising plan targeted for Q3FY27 completion. Mahindra and Mahindra Finance's standalone net profit jumped 54.8% to Rs 882 crore in the September quarter, The Hindu Business Line reported. Net interest income rose 17.3% to Rs 2,822 crore, while provisions fell 16% to Rs 630 crore.
9 sources, 9 neutral
Sinha, Prabhat warn terror supporters on Police Commemoration Day
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 21 October 2026 vowed to eliminate terrorism and separatist elements from the Union Territory, warning supporters they would be tracked and punished under the law. Speaking on Police Commemoration Day at the Police Memorial in Zewan, Srinagar, Sinha said security agencies will not rest until the land is freed. He paid tribute to police martyrs, stating 1,016 officers and jawans have died in J&K. Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat separately warned that the days of terror supporters are numbered.
7 sources, 7 neutral
Bengal sets up six-member SIT to probe Kolkata stampede
The West Bengal government on Wednesday constituted a six-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the October 17 stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, which killed 19 people and injured 25. Retired judge Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati will head the SIT, formed in consultation with the Calcutta High Court, according to an order by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal. The SIT will examine the sequence of events, crowd management, weather conditions, CCTV footage, and the roles of the police, municipal corporation, fire services and organisers.
2 sources, 2 neutral
Amitabh Bachchan advised rest, apologises to fans on X
Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday (21 October 2026) told followers on X that he has been advised to take a few days off to rest and recover. The 84-year-old actor apologised for being unable to write during this period, but did not disclose the reason for the medical advice. Hindustan Times and India Today reported that the actor had mentioned a knee injury earlier this month during a Kaun Banega Crorepati shoot, Times of India and NDTV did not cite that injury in their main reports.
4 sources, 4 neutral
WMO warns El Niño may hit unprecedented strength
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that the ongoing El Niño event could reach unprecedented strength, with sea-surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific forecast to rise 3.8 degrees Celsius above average between November 2026 and January 2027. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the anomaly is 'literally off the monitoring charts that we have used for the past four decades'. The phenomenon is expected to peak towards the end of 2026, but its effects may persist into 2027.
3 sources, 3 neutral
Useful today
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Dakshina Kannada extends Dasara holidays for schools by one day
The Dakshina Kannada school education department has extended Dasara holidays for Classes 1 to 10 in government, aided and non-aided schools by one day, through Thursday, 22 October. The extension follows requests from parents and elected representatives citing late-night festivities and travel delays. The additional holiday will be adjusted against one of the four local holidays principals may grant at their discretion.
9 sources, 8 neutral, 1 sensationalist
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India issues France advisory amid violent protests and curfews
The Indian Embassy in France on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, issued a travel and safety advisory urging Indian nationals in or travelling to the country to remain vigilant amid violent protests, clashes and localised curfews. The embassy advised avoiding crowded areas and demonstrations, following instructions from French authorities, monitoring local news and checking for public transport disruptions via the RATP website.
6 sources, 6 neutral
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LIC HFL opens 232 apprentice posts, apply by 1 November
LIC Housing Finance Limited (LIC HFL) has announced 232 apprentice vacancies across India, with online applications open from 20 October to 1 November 2026. Candidates aged 20 to 25 years with a graduate degree completed between 1 October 2001 and 1 October 2026 are eligible. The 12-month programme offers a monthly stipend of Rs 14,150 to Rs 16,650 depending on city category, through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme portal.
2 sources, 2 neutral
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TNPSC releases Group 2, 2A hall tickets for November 1 exam
The Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission released hall tickets for the Group 2 and 2A preliminary examination on 21 October 2026. Candidates can download the admit card from tnpsc.gov.in or tnpscexams.in by logging in with their application number and date of birth. The exam is scheduled for 1 November 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, across 38 district centres in an offline OMR-based format for 821 vacancies.
2 sources, 2 neutral
The closing thought
As the Ramayana advance bookings spark a debate on premium ticket pricing, the week's news also sees India-NZ deepen trade ties with an electronic origin data pact, and J&K's leadership reiterates a firm stance on security. EV sales rising during Navratri while PVs dip suggests a shifting consumer preference that bears watching. The WMO's warning of an unprecedented El Niño adds a global dimension to these domestic developments, making the coming months a test of policy and market resilience.
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.
