# Today in India: 3 November 2026

2026-11-03T00:31:59+00:00 | Daily Digest | Indian Opinion Desk

3 November 2026 | 14 stories | Updated 08:04 IST

Neurosurgeon Padma Shri Ashok Mahapatra, who separated Odisha's conjoined twins, died at 73. The Navy rescued 20 from Somali pirates in a 48-hour operation. India signed a Rs 53,866 crore deal for eight corvettes.

## Padma Shri neurosurgeon Ashok Mahapatra dies at 73
Health & Science | 2 sources, 2 neutral
Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra died on Monday while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was 73, reports kalingatv.com, though sambadenglish.com lists his age as 74. Dr Mahapatra led the landmark 2017 surgery that separated Odisha's craniopagus conjoined twins Jaga and Balia at AIIMS. He had been hospitalised since 2 October with severe neurological pain and an underlying brain ailment.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/neurosurgeon-padma-shri-ashok-mahapatra-dies-at-73/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/neurosurgeon-padma-shri-ashok-mahapatra-dies-at-73.md)

## India signs Rs 53,866 crore deal for eight corvettes
India | 5 sources, 5 neutral
The Defence Ministry on Monday signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd and Goa Shipyard Ltd to build eight next-generation corvettes for the Indian Navy. GRSE will construct five and GSL three. The Economic Times reports that GRSE emerged as the lowest bidder in a competitive process that included private shipyards, which did not succeed.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/india-signs-rs-53866-crore-deal-for-8-next-generation-corvettes/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/india-signs-rs-53866-crore-deal-for-8-next-generation-corvettes.md)

## No mayday call from Uttarakhand crash chopper
India | 3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral
Investigators told The Indian Express that no mayday or distress call was received from the pilot of the Trans Bharat Aviation helicopter before it crashed near Sthan Marwari in Uttarakhand on Friday, killing the pilot and five passengers. The absence of any distress communication, along with eyewitness videos of the descent, has raised the possibility of a sudden event, a bird or drone strike, rather than an engine failure, an official said.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/no-mayday-call-from-uttarakhand-crash-chopper-probe-focuses-on-camera/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/no-mayday-call-from-uttarakhand-crash-chopper-probe-focuses-on-camera.md)

## Congress attacks Modi government over Delhi PM2.5 crisis
Politics | 4 sources, 4 neutral
The Congress on Monday attacked the Modi government over Delhi's deteriorating air quality, with general secretary Jairam Ramesh saying fine particulate matter PM2.5 is ‘choking the nation's capital’. Ramesh said India's PM2.5 safety standards are four times the WHO's 24-hour average limits and eight times the annual average guidelines, and called for urgent revision and strict enforcement. Delhi's Air Quality Index entered the ‘very poor’ category for the first time this season, recording 312 at 9 am.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/congress-attacks-pm-modi-over-delhi-air-quality-cites-pm2-5-threat/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/congress-attacks-pm-modi-over-delhi-air-quality-cites-pm2-5-threat.md)

## More from today

### Ranabaali to stream on Netflix from 13 November
Entertainment | 4 sources, 3 neutral, 1 sensationalist
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's period drama 'Ranabaali' will reportedly stream on Netflix from 13 November 2026. The film, directed by Rahul Sankrityan and set in 1876 during the Great Madras Famine, released in theatres on 16 October for Dasara and earned about Rs 80 crore worldwide. Netflix posted the launch date on social media but later removed the post, leaving the date unconfirmed. Filmibeat.com reports the date has not been officially confirmed by the filmmakers, while tracktollywood.com lists the streaming languages as Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/ranabaali-to-stream-on-netflix-from-november-13/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/ranabaali-to-stream-on-netflix-from-november-13.md)

### Indian Navy rescues 20 from Somali pirates in 48-hour operation
India | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The Indian Navy rescued all 20 crew members of the Iranian fishing vessel Azini from heavily armed Somali pirates on Monday in a 48-hour operation more than 3,000 km from Mumbai. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the rescue, praising the Navy's high operational readiness and the support of the Indian Air Force. The vessel was hijacked on 29 October off the northeastern coast of Somalia by 12 pirates, according to the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/navy-rescues-20-iranian-crew-from-somali-pirates-in-48-hour-op/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/navy-rescues-20-iranian-crew-from-somali-pirates-in-48-hour-op.md)

### 120 million ticket requests for 2027 Cricket World Cup
Sports | 5 sources, 5 neutral
The ICC has received 120,809,467 ticket applications for the 2027 Men's Cricket World Cup as of 1 November, with 2.8 million unique fans from 193 countries registering. The tournament, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, is the first World Cup in Africa in 24 years, the ICC said. The 10 October India-Pakistan group match in Johannesburg drew 8.4 million requests for a stadium holding 34,000 spectators, while the 21 November final at the same venue attracted 7.9 million applications.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/icc-gets-120-million-ticket-requests-for-2027-world-cup/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/icc-gets-120-million-ticket-requests-for-2027-world-cup.md)

### India begins LA 2028 quota chase at ISSF World Championship in Doha
Sports | 3 sources, 3 neutral
India has sent 54 shooters to the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha, Qatar, which runs from 3 November to 13 November and offers the biggest quota opportunity for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker headlines the squad, competing in the women's 10m air pistol and 25m pistol. Three quota places are available in each of the 12 individual Olympic events, totalling 36 quotas, and India has 35 shooters entered in Olympic events.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/india-sends-54-shooters-to-issf-world-championship-in-doha/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/india-sends-54-shooters-to-issf-world-championship-in-doha.md)

### Prema Rawat smashes fastest half-century in women's T20s
Sports | 4 sources, 3 neutral, 1 sensationalist
India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru all-rounder Prema Rawat set the fastest half-century in women's T20 cricket on Monday, reaching 50 off 14 balls while playing for Uttarakhand against Hyderabad in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy at the MCA Stadium in Pune. She broke the previous women's T20 record of 15 deliveries held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. Rawat remained unbeaten on 50, hitting three fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 357.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/prema-rawat-smashes-fastest-womens-t20-fifty/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/prema-rawat-smashes-fastest-womens-t20-fifty.md)

### Massive fire at HPCL Visakhapatnam refinery, no casualties
India | 6 sources, 4 neutral, 2 sensationalist
A major fire broke out at the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited refinery in Visakhapatnam's Gajuwaka industrial area late on Monday. Police confirmed no casualties. The fire erupted at a sulphur pitch tank within the Residue Upgradation Facility, according to Malkapuram inspector Prakash Rao. Vizag police commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi said the fire is confined to the tank and poses no threat to other sections. Residents reported hearing explosion sounds before the blaze, but police did not confirm an explosion.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/fire-at-hpcl-visakhapatnam-refinery-no-casualties-reported/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/fire-at-hpcl-visakhapatnam-refinery-no-casualties-reported.md)

## Useful today

### LIC HFL apprentice exam on 7 November
India | 3 sources, 3 neutral
LIC Housing Finance Limited will hold the online entrance examination for 232 Apprentice vacancies on 7 November 2026. The application process closes on 1 November. Candidates will receive the exam link and login details by email on 6 November from the BFSI Sector Skill Council of India. The test will be remote-proctored, last 60 minutes and include 100 questions.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/lic-hfl-opens-232-apprentice-posts-exam-on-november-7/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/lic-hfl-opens-232-apprentice-posts-exam-on-november-7.md)

### Hyderabad Passport Mela on Nov 21
Governance | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The Regional Passport Office Hyderabad will hold a special Passport Mela on 21 November 2026, releasing around 4,000 appointments for Normal Passports, Tatkal Passports and Police Clearance Certificates. Slots open from 3 November 2026 across all Passport Seva Kendras and Post Office Passport Seva Kendras under the RPO Hyderabad jurisdiction. The drive aims to reduce waiting periods for appointments.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/hyderabad-passport-mela-on-november-21-with-4000-slots/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/hyderabad-passport-mela-on-november-21-with-4000-slots.md)

### BCCI extends IPL retention deadline to November 17
Sports | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The BCCI has extended the IPL retention deadline for the 2027 mini-auction by two days, moving it from November 15 to November 17. All ten franchises were informed on Monday. The extension follows a scheduling clash with the fifth India-New Zealand ODI on November 15 in Mount Maunganui. The auction remains set for December 16 in Goa.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/bcci-extends-ipl-retention-deadline-to-november-17/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/bcci-extends-ipl-retention-deadline-to-november-17.md)

### Irdai cuts share transfer fee 80%, tightens ESOP rules for insurers
Business & Economy | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India on Monday issued a master circular that cuts the processing fee for share-transfer approvals by 80 per cent to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 50 lakh, Business Standard and The Hindu Business Line reported. Fees paid before the notification date will not be refunded.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/irdai-slashes-share-transfer-fee-by-80-to-rs-10-lakh/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/irdai-slashes-share-transfer-fee-by-80-to-rs-10-lakh.md)

## The closing thought

The day brought together loss and life across India: a pioneering surgeon who separated a rare pair of twins was mourned in Odisha, while the Navy saved 20 men from Somali pirates in a swift 48-hour operation. Defence contracts worth Rs 53,866 crore were signed, and Uttarakhand investigators are now looking at camera footage after a helicopter crash with no mayday call. The Congress seized on Delhi's first 'very poor' air day of the season, demanding tighter pollution limits, and cricket fans logged 12 crore ticket requests for the 2027 World Cup. Watch the ISSF World Championship in Doha this month for India's first LA 2028 quotas.

## Earlier digests

- [3 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-3-november-2026.md)
- [2 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-2-november-2026.md)
- [1 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-1-november-2026.md)
- [31 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-31-october-2026.md)
- [30 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-30-october-2026.md)
- [29 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-29-october-2026.md)
- [28 October 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-28-october-2026.md)

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