# Today in India: 7 November 2026

2026-11-07T00:32:08+00:00 | Daily Digest | Indian Opinion Desk

7 November 2026 | 14 stories | Updated 20:22 IST

IAF lands heavy transport at record altitude in Ladakh. Hardik Pandya out of SMAT squad. PM Modi greets nation on Diwali, will spend festival with soldiers.

## IAF lands IL-76MD at Nyoma airbase in Ladakh
India | 5 sources, 4 neutral, 1 sensationalist
An Indian Air Force IL-76MD heavy transport aircraft has successfully landed at Nyoma airbase in eastern Ladakh, the highest-altitude landing ever recorded by the aircraft type, the IAF said on 7 November. The base, at about 13,000 ft and roughly 25 km from the Line of Actual Control with China, is among the highest fighter-capable airfields in the world.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/iaf-il-76-lands-at-nyoma-in-highest-altitude-touchdown-on-record/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/iaf-il-76-lands-at-nyoma-in-highest-altitude-touchdown-on-record.md)

## Akhilesh Yadav to visit Ram Temple on 12 December
Politics | 3 sources, 1 government-critical, 2 neutral
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav will visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya with his family on 12 December, his first visit since the temple's consecration in January 2024. SP leader Pawan Pandey said Yadav will first offer prayers at Hanumangarhi before proceeding to the Ram Temple. The visit comes months ahead of the 2027 UP assembly elections.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/akhilesh-yadav-to-visit-ayodhya-ram-temple-on-12-december/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/akhilesh-yadav-to-visit-ayodhya-ram-temple-on-12-december.md)

## Salman Khan's Maatrubhumi gets December 4 release
Entertainment | 5 sources, 5 neutral
Salman Khan's film Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace will release in theatres on December 4, 2026, the makers announced at a trailer launch in Mumbai on Friday, 6 November. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia and also starring Chitrangada Singh, was previously titled Battle of Galwan. Khan attributed the delay to the need for more time to complete visual effects.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/maatrubhumi-gets-december-4-release-authors-exit-project/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/maatrubhumi-gets-december-4-release-authors-exit-project.md)

## Hardik Pandya out of Baroda's SMAT squad
Sports | 5 sources, 5 neutral
Hardik Pandya has been left out of Baroda's 15-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the domestic T20 tournament beginning on 14 November. Krunal Pandya will captain the side. Hardik has been sidelined since suffering back spasms during IPL 2026 and has spent much of his time at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/hardik-pandya-out-of-baroda-squad-for-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/hardik-pandya-out-of-baroda-squad-for-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy.md)

## More from today

### PM Modi greets nation on Diwali, will celebrate with soldiers
Politics | 3 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 neutral
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 7 November 2026, greeted the nation on Diwali through a video message on X. He said the festival of lights reflects the country's resolve against darkness and wished citizens happiness and prosperity. Modi stated that, as in previous years, he would spend Diwali with soldiers. He met Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan before releasing the message.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-greets-nation-on-diwali-says-will-celebrate-with-soldiers/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/pm-modi-greets-nation-on-diwali-says-will-celebrate-with-soldiers.md)

### Joint drives destroy 45 acres poppy, 458 acres cannabis in Manipur
India | 7 sources, 1 pro-government, 6 neutral
Churachandpur District Police, with the 1st IRB, 58 Bn CRPF, NAB and Forest Department, destroyed about 45 acres of illicit poppy at Thangjing Hill Range on 5 November. An Executive Magistrate was present. A summons was issued to the Lhangnom village chief. The drive is part of Manipur's 'War on Drugs' campaign, under which over 19,000 acres of poppy have been destroyed since 2017.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/45-acres-of-illegal-poppy-destroyed-in-manipur-joint-operation/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/45-acres-of-illegal-poppy-destroyed-in-manipur-joint-operation.md)

### ISI shifts JeM, LeT, Hizbul to multi-camp strategy after Operation Sindoor
World & Diplomacy | 4 sources, 4 neutral
Operation Sindoor has forced Pakistan's ISI to restructure JeM, LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, moving from large hubs to multiple facilities across Pakistan, according to intelligence assessments cited on 7 November. The destruction of JeM's headquarters in Bahawalpur and LeT's training facility in Muridke exposed the vulnerability of concentrated bases. Officials said JeM rebuilt its Bahawalpur headquarters but activity there is minimal.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/isi-shifts-terror-hubs-to-multiple-camps-after-operation-sindoor/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/isi-shifts-terror-hubs-to-multiple-camps-after-operation-sindoor.md)

### Nitin Nabin's remarks on Rahul, Akhilesh spark row
Politics | 3 sources, 1 pro-government, 2 neutral
BJP national president Nitin Nabin on 7 November targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, calling them 'princes' who only care about their families. In an interview with IANS, Nabin accused Rahul Gandhi of being used as a 'toolkit' to create anarchy and questioned foreign funding of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. Nabin praised PM Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath's governance.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/nitin-nabins-remarks-on-rahul-akhilesh-spark-political-row/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/nitin-nabins-remarks-on-rahul-akhilesh-spark-political-row.md)

### Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM to halt Mekedatu dam project
Politics | 3 sources, 3 neutral
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 November, urging that no approvals be granted for Karnataka's proposed Mekedatu dam without the consent of co-basin states. The letter, dated 6 November, expresses concern over a reported site inspection by Union government officials. Vijay said the 67.16 TMC reservoir would prevent flows into Tamil Nadu and affect Supreme Court-ordered water deliveries.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/tn-cm-vijay-urges-pm-modi-to-halt-mekedatu-dam-approval/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/tn-cm-vijay-urges-pm-modi-to-halt-mekedatu-dam-approval.md)

### India's chemicals sector targets $300 billion by 2030
Business & Economy | 4 sources, 4 neutral
India's chemicals and petrochemicals industry, valued at about $220 billion, is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2040, according to a government factsheet released on 7 November. The sector is the sixth-largest producer globally and fourth-largest in Asia. FDI inflows into the sector reached Rs 1,04,895 crore between 2014 and 2026, more than double the Rs 45,240 crore recorded from 2004 to 2014.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/india-chemical-sector-targets-300-billion-by-2030/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/india-chemical-sector-targets-300-billion-by-2030.md)

## Useful today

### UKPSC to release Upper PCS admit cards on 13 November
India | 3 sources, 3 neutral
The Uttarakhand Public Service Commission will release admit cards for the Combined State Civil/Upper Subordinate Services Preliminary Examination 2026 on 13 November. Candidates can download hall tickets from psc.uk.gov.in. The exam for 67 Group B posts, including Deputy Collector and DSP, will be held on 29 November across 18 cities.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/ukpsc-to-release-pradesh-civil-services-admit-card-on-13-november/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/ukpsc-to-release-pradesh-civil-services-admit-card-on-13-november.md)

### J&K notifies private university rules, 25% quota for domiciles
Governance | 2 sources, 1 pro-government, 1 neutral
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on 7 November notified the Private Universities Rules, 2026, mandating 25 per cent reservation for local domiciles in admissions and employment at private universities. The rules also require merit-cum-means scholarships for at least 10 per cent of students and prohibit capitation fees.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/jk-notifies-private-varsity-rules-25-quota-for-domiciles/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/jk-notifies-private-varsity-rules-25-quota-for-domiciles.md)

### Special trains see low demand due to higher fares and delays
India | 2 sources, 2 government-critical
Railway officials have admitted that special trains run for the festive rush are less attractive due to higher fares, longer journey times and poor punctuality. An official cited the New Delhi-Patna route where a special train charges Rs 1,745 for AC 3-tier against Rs 1,390 on the regular Sampoorna Kranti Express and takes nearly 23 hours against 13.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/special-trains-see-low-demand-due-to-higher-fares-and-delays-officials/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/special-trains-see-low-demand-due-to-higher-fares-and-delays-officials.md)

### Southern Railway runs five unreserved Diwali special trains
India | 2 sources, 2 neutral
Southern Railway will operate five unreserved MEMU special services between Chennai, Tambaram, Manamadurai and Tiruchy from 6 to 10 November. Two pairs run between Tambaram and Manamadurai: the first leaves Tambaram at 5.30 pm on 6 November, the second at 4.35 pm on 7 November. Return services depart Manamadurai at 6.30 am on 7 November and 10 pm on 9 November.
Brief: https://indianopinion.org/southern-railway-runs-five-unreserved-diwali-special-trains-from-chennai/ (markdown https://indianopinion.org/southern-railway-runs-five-unreserved-diwali-special-trains-from-chennai.md)

## The closing thought

The IAF's landing at Nyoma underscores the steady expansion of high-altitude infrastructure near the LAC. Akhilesh Yadav's Ayodhya visit, months before UP goes to polls, will be watched for its political signal. On the economy, the chemicals sector's growth path is a concrete target, but meeting it will depend on investment and global demand. The Mekedatu dispute is a reminder that water sharing remains one of India's most intractable inter-state issues.

## Earlier digests

- [7 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-7-november-2026.md)
- [6 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-6-november-2026.md)
- [5 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-5-november-2026.md)
- [4 November 2026](https://indianopinion.org/today-in-india-4-november-2026.md)
- [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)

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