# Today in India: 29 October 2026

2026-10-29T00:30:48+00:00 | Daily Digest | Indian Opinion Desk

29 October 2026 | 14 stories | Updated 06:00 IST

The death toll of Indians in the West Asia conflict reaches 22, Cyclone Arnab weakens after hitting Andhra Pradesh, and the Union Cabinet approves a Rs 7,395 crore Panchayat scheme.

## 22 Indians killed in West Asia war, MEA confirms
India | 8 sources, 8 neutral
Twenty-two Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have been killed in the West Asia conflict since February, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed deep concern and said the government remains in contact with the Indian community in the Gulf. Three Indians have died in Saudi Arabia. The first casualty came on 1 March when an oil tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/22-indians-killed-in-west-asia-conflict-since-february-mea-says/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/22-indians-killed-in-west-asia-conflict-since-february-mea-says.md)

## Sophie Molineux tops WPL auction at Rs 1.10 crore
Sports | 8 sources, 8 neutral
Australia captain Sophie Molineux became the most expensive buy at the Women’s Premier League 2027 mini auction in Kochi on Wednesday. UP Warriorz secured her for Rs 1.10 crore after competition from Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Delhi Capitals bought India batter Kiran Navgire for Rs 75 lakh. The five franchises filled 27 of the available slots from a pool of 150 players, including 122 Indians and 28 overseas.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/wpl-2027-auction-starts-with-150-players-for-27-slots/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/wpl-2027-auction-starts-with-150-players-for-27-slots.md)

## Cyclone Arnab weakens, rain and hailstorm alerts for north India
India | 5 sources, 5 neutral
The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across several states on Thursday, even as Cyclonic Storm Arnab weakens after crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast. Isolated heavy rain is likely in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, east Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Odisha. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh face a thundersquall warning with winds of 50 to 60 kmph and gusts up to 70 kmph on 29 and 30 October.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/cyclone-arnab-brings-rain-hailstorm-risk-to-delhi-ncr-on-thursday/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/cyclone-arnab-brings-rain-hailstorm-risk-to-delhi-ncr-on-thursday.md)

## Janhvi Kapoor says Peddi promoted sexual assault narratively
Entertainment | 8 sources, 7 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Janhvi Kapoor admitted that her portrayal in the Telugu film Peddi constituted ‘extreme objectification’ and that the narrative ‘did propagate sexual assault narratively’. Speaking on Koffee with Karan 9 on Wednesday, she called filming some scenes a ‘violating experience’ and said she would ‘always carry that shame’ for not raising stronger objections. Director Buchi Babu Sana apologised after the June release and removed disputed portions.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/janhvi-kapoor-says-peddi-role-propagated-sexual-assault/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/janhvi-kapoor-says-peddi-role-propagated-sexual-assault.md)

## More from today

### Former Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested in Durga Puja pass scam
Politics | 8 sources, 1 government-critical, 5 neutral, 2 sensationalist
Former West Bengal minister and TMC leader Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday shortly after he left the Enforcement Directorate office in Salt Lake, where he had appeared for his third round of questioning. The arrest is part of a probe into alleged financial irregularities involving the sale of Durga Puja preview passes between 2022 and 2025. The ED estimates the amounts at Rs 50 to 60 crore. The case originated from a complaint by Jaideep Mukherjee.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/ex-bengal-minister-indranil-sen-arrested-in-durga-puja-pass-case/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/ex-bengal-minister-indranil-sen-arrested-in-durga-puja-pass-case.md)

### Cabinet approves Rs 7,395 crore Panchayat scheme till 2031
Politics | 8 sources, 8 neutral
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 7,395.55 crore, the Press Information Bureau said. The central share is Rs 4,869.48 crore and the state share is Rs 2,526.07 crore. The scheme will cover over 2.55 lakh panchayats and benefit around 32 lakh elected representatives and functionaries annually, according to the Panchayati Raj Ministry.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/cabinet-clears-rs-7395-crore-viksit-gram-swaraj-yojana/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/cabinet-clears-rs-7395-crore-viksit-gram-swaraj-yojana.md)

### ED attaches Jauhar University land worth Rs 1,170 crore
Politics | 2 sources, 2 neutral
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached land and buildings of Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Rampur with an estimated market value of around Rs 1,170 crore as part of a money-laundering investigation against the Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Azam Khan, and others. The ED said the attached properties represent alleged proceeds of crime valued at Rs 426.46 crore under the PMLA.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/ed-attaches-jauhar-university-land-buildings-worth-rs-1170-crore/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/ed-attaches-jauhar-university-land-buildings-worth-rs-1170-crore.md)

### Praful Patel calls MLC poll result a wake-up call for NCP
Politics | 5 sources, 5 neutral
NCP working president Praful Patel termed the party’s Maharashtra Legislative Council election performance a ‘definitive wake-up call’ and called for urgent introspection and organisational reforms. In a social-media post on Wednesday, he said the party must rebuild trust and realign priorities. Though he did not name anyone, his remarks are widely seen as directed at deputy chief minister Sunetra Pawar and her son Parth Pawar. The NCP drew a blank in the five-seat MLC polls.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/praful-patel-calls-ncp-mlc-poll-result-a-wake-up-call/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/praful-patel-calls-ncp-mlc-poll-result-a-wake-up-call.md)

### Jamia extends online classes till 24 November amid protests
5 sources, 1 pro-government, 4 neutral
Jamia Millia Islamia has extended online classes until 24 November and moved all odd-semester examinations to online mode, according to an office order issued on Wednesday. The decision came after a meeting of deans and officials concluded that the campus situation was ‘not conducive’ for academic activity, citing safety concerns amid ongoing student protests demanding restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students’ Union.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/jamia-extends-online-classes-till-november-24-physical-from-january-13/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/jamia-extends-online-classes-till-november-24-physical-from-january-13.md)

### BHEL opens 660 artisan vacancies, apply by 18 November
Governance
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited has announced 660 Artisan Grade-IV vacancies across seven trades including Fitter, Welder, Turner, Machinist, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic and Foundryman. The posts are spread across nine manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Candidates with Class 10, a National Trade Certificate and a National Apprenticeship Certificate in the relevant trade can apply online from 21 October to 18 November 2026.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/bhel-opens-660-artisan-vacancies-apply-by-18-november/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/bhel-opens-660-artisan-vacancies-apply-by-18-november.md)

## Useful today

### Cyclone Arnab death toll rises as Odisha braces
India | 8 sources, 8 neutral
Cyclone Arnab has killed at least five people in Andhra Pradesh. The very severe cyclonic storm made landfall early on Wednesday with winds of 125 to 135 km/h and has since weakened into a deep depression moving inland. Odisha has evacuated 43,827 people to 634 relief centres, CM Mohan Charan Majhi said, aiming for zero casualties.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/cyclone-arnab-kills-3-in-andhra-pradesh-over-180000-evacuated/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/cyclone-arnab-kills-3-in-andhra-pradesh-over-180000-evacuated.md)

### Cabinet hikes dearness allowance by 3% ahead of Diwali
Governance | 2 sources, 2 neutral
The Union Cabinet approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance for central government employees and pensioners, effective from 1 July 2026. The DA rate rises from 60% to 63% of basic pay under the 7th Pay Commission formula. The government allocated Rs 10,016 crore for the hike, part of a broader Rs 29,267 crore approval for development schemes.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/cabinet-hikes-dearness-allowance-by-3-ahead-of-diwali/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/cabinet-hikes-dearness-allowance-by-3-ahead-of-diwali.md)

### Apple launches first touchscreen MacBook Pro in India
Technology | 10 sources, 9 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Apple on Wednesday unveiled its first touchscreen MacBook Pro in India. The 14-inch and 16-inch models feature a PROLED XDR display using tandem OLED technology, reaching 2,000 nits peak brightness and a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The display supports gestures such as pinch-to-zoom and swipe.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/apple-launches-first-touchscreen-macbook-pro-in-india/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/apple-launches-first-touchscreen-macbook-pro-in-india.md)

### Cancer drug price cap cuts generics but spares patented brands
Health & Science
A revised NPPA price list shows that of 110 drugs filed under the 30% trade margin cap, 35 see cuts on every listed brand while 47 show no change, most are newer patented products such as Keytruda at Rs 2,16,500. Another 28 drugs see generic and biosimilar versions drop while the original brand stays unchanged, including Avastin, Lynparza and Tasigna.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/cancer-drug-price-cap-cuts-generics-but-spares-patented-brands/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/cancer-drug-price-cap-cuts-generics-but-spares-patented-brands.md)

## The closing thought

Across the day, a consistent pattern emerges: the government uses administrative levers - from ED attachments to DA hikes - as both a governance tool and a political signal. Cyclone Arnab demands relentless disaster response, while institutional protests at Jamia and party introspection at the NCP show that public pressure operates on its own timeline. What a reader should watch tomorrow is whether the MEA can confirm further Indian casualties in West Asia, and how the retail market reacts to Apple's portfolio move.

## Earlier digests

- [28 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-28-october-2026.md)
- [27 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-27-october-2026.md)
- [26 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-26-october-2026.md)
- [25 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-25-october-2026.md)
- [24 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-24-october-2026.md)
- [23 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-23-october-2026.md)
- [22 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-22-october-2026.md)

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