Political Landscape Sees Major Shifts and Judicial Clarity
In a significant political development, Nitish Kumar took oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for an unprecedented tenth time, leading a new coalition government. He was sworn in alongside 26 other ministers, including three women, at a ceremony in Patna. This event marks a notable shift in the state's political dynamics.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of India delivered crucial pronouncements regarding the constitutional powers of state Governors. The apex court clarified that Governors cannot indefinitely delay bills passed by the legislative assembly and cannot be bound by specific timelines, but their subjective satisfaction is not justiciable. This ruling is expected to have significant implications for the legislative process in various states.
Investigations into the Red Fort car bomb blast are ongoing, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) securing 10-day custody of four more accused, including a doctor. This brings the total number of arrests in the case to six. In a related development from the Delhi 2020 riots case, the Delhi Police informed the Supreme Court that "intellectual terrorists" are more dangerous than "ground-level" operatives, as they opposed bail pleas for Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
Further political news includes a bureaucratic reshuffle at the Centre, with several secretary-rank officers appointed to new roles. In Karnataka, a potential crisis within the Congress party emerged as MLAs loyal to D.K. Shivakumar reportedly headed to Delhi amidst discussions of power-sharing.
Economic Projections and Sectoral Performance
On the economic front, India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 is projected to grow by 7.5%, primarily driven by a revival in investment. However, the country's core sector output remained flat in October, marking the sharpest slowdown in 14 months.
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, trade unions have called for the implementation of an inheritance tax and higher corporate taxes during their pre-Budget meeting with the Finance Minister. The government is also planning its maiden public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) to expand the investor base for highway projects. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor reiterated a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies, emphasizing that India already possesses robust digital payment infrastructure. Additionally, Indian brands have collectively achieved a valuation of US$523.5 billion, with HDFC Bank leading the Kantar BrandZ 2025 Ranking. India is also set to source 10% of its LPG imports from the US in 2026, marking a significant energy deal.
International Engagements and Defence Deals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit South Africa to attend the G20 Summit, where he is expected to engage with world leaders on pressing global issues. Earlier, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval hosted the 7th Colombo Security Conclave NSA meet in New Delhi, focusing on regional security cooperation.
In defence news, the United States has approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur munitions to India. Russia has also signaled its support for India's air combat needs, offering technology transfer for its Su-57 fighter jets. India has expanded its Visa-on-Arrival facility to UAE Nationals, adding Kochi, Calicut, and Ahmedabad to the existing entry points. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the strengthening cooperation between India and Australia. Concerns were also raised as India monitors reports of China supplying submarines to Pakistan. Canada, too, is actively working to rebuild trade ties with India after a period of tension.
Environmental and Social Concerns
Delhi continues to face severe air quality issues, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) rising to 400, placing the city in the 'severe' category and prompting health advisories. In a tragic incident, a 19-year-old student in Thane died by suicide after allegedly being thrashed in a local train for speaking Hindi, sparking debates on language-related tensions. Separately, the headmistress and three teachers of a Delhi school were suspended following the suicide of a Class 10 student.
Culturally, the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was inaugurated in Goa, celebrating cinematic achievements.