Odisha preps for Cyclone Dana: Evacuations, LPG stockpiling, animal rescue

Union Home Minister Amit Shah challenged Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to a parliamentary debate over electoral integrity allegations during the Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign in Karnal, Haryana. The confrontation coincided with political friction over Jharkhand Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari's remarks referencing regional unrest in Bangladesh and Nepal, which drew counteroffensives from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In response, Congress called for a direct debate between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi while alleging parliamentary microphone muting. Concurrently, internal disciplinary actions led to the suspension of more than 200 Youth Congress office-bearers across eight states. Parliamentary discussions also evaluated floor decorum, speaking allocations, and attendance metrics. On policy matters, the central government detailed revisions to the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, introducing an optional two-year retention framework for non-absorbed Agniveers seeking permanent integration. Separately, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri secured an unopposed election to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh, and United States midterm election results were analyzed.

The Election Commission has initiated internal course corrections following dissent flagged by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's decisions. The commission removed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) declaration from online Form 6 across all states, making it a separate document, alongside restoring oversight on foreign visits and IT modules. Meanwhile, the political confrontation over the voter list revision escalated, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah daring Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi to a debate in Parliament, while the opposition protested Union Minister Lalan Singh's claim that voter IDs could replace Aadhaar cards for welfare scheme benefits.

The first One Day International between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled for December 13, has been moved from Delhi to Visakhapatnam. The venue change follows a formal request by the Delhi and District Cricket Association to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Authorities cited planned renovation work at the Arun Jaitley Stadium alongside potential weather disruptions in the national capital during December as reasons for relocating the fixture. The development comes amid recurring concerns regarding worsening winter air quality in Delhi, which has previously impacted sporting events.

A major decision has been announced regarding the Agnipath scheme as the first batch approaches the completion of four years of service. Under the revised framework, twenty-five percent of Agniveers will be retained in the regular forces on merit, while the remaining seventy-five percent will receive a two-year engagement extension. This provides an opportunity for total absorption into the Army, Navy, or Air Force based on individual willingness, fitness, and assessment. During the two-year extension, personnel will receive enhanced monthly salaries of 43,500 rupees in the first year and 47,500 rupees in the second year, alongside a revised Seva Nidhi contribution. Officials clarified that the decision is not a rollback of the Agnipath scheme.