National Celebrations and Environmental Concerns
The festival of Dhanteras was celebrated across India on October 18, 2025, ushering in the series of Diwali festivities. This auspicious day saw widespread shopping for gold, silver, and other goods, with markets in major cities like Delhi experiencing significant activity.
However, the festive spirit in Delhi-NCR is overshadowed by a severe decline in air quality. On October 19, 2025, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the 'severe' category, raising concerns ahead of Diwali.
Key Political and Security Developments
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on October 18, 2025, that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir would be restored at an "appropriate time." He also indicated a "good resolution" for the demands of the people in the Union Territory of Ladakh. In other political news, the Congress party continued its criticism of Prime Minister Modi. Meanwhile, election dynamics in Bihar saw ongoing discussions regarding seat-sharing arrangements and candidate nominations.
On the international security front, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir issued a warning to India on October 18, 2025, promising a "decisive response" to any provocation. Separately, a significant development in regional stability saw Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to an immediate ceasefire during talks mediated by Qatar. Additionally, China Eastern Airlines announced plans to resume Shanghai-Delhi flights starting November 9.
Economic, Regulatory, and Judicial Highlights
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that prices of 54 items, including cars and televisions, have seen a reduction following GST cuts. The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of "digital arrest" scams, calling them a "grave concern" and noting instances where criminals impersonate authorities to extort money. In a move concerning public health, India's food authority has banned all beverages from using the term "ORS" in brand names, following concerns over misuse and misleading consumers.
Advancements in Technology, Infrastructure, and Environment
Discussions around "India's Deep Tech Moment" emphasized the need for private capital to complement public missions in securing technological self-reliance, with current R&D spending at about 0.65% of GDP. A proposal for a Climate Change Research Centre for the North Eastern Himalayan States emerged from a recent conclave in Imphal, Manipur. In railway safety, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) inaugurated a state-of-the-art KAVACH Lab Model, an indigenous shield for railway safety and efficiency, at the Signal and Telecom Specialized Training Centre in Guwahati. The first State of Finance for Forests (SFF) 2025 Report by UNEP highlighted that global investments in forests must triple by 2030, noting India's forestry sector's heavy reliance on public funding.
Other Incidents
A fire broke out at a residential complex housing several Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs in New Delhi on October 18, 2025, with no casualties reported. In Maharashtra, eight people were killed and fifteen injured when a mini-truck fell into a gorge in Nandurbar district. In Bengaluru, a surgeon was arrested on October 19, 2025, for allegedly murdering his doctor-wife by injecting an anesthetic drug. Furthermore, 28 students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were detained after clashing with police during a protest march.