EC Denies Internal Rift Over SIR, Opposition Attacks CEC, Mass Voter Deletion Row Sparks Showdown

S&P Global Ratings has raised India's GDP growth forecast for financial year 2026-27 by 40 basis points to 7.0 per cent, revising its previous projection of 6.6 per cent upward. The rating agency cited robust industrial activity, healthy domestic consumption, strong goods exports, and accelerating government investment during the first quarter as primary drivers for the revision. Economists at S&P Global also project the Reserve Bank of India's rate-setting panel to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50 per cent. The revised projection exceeds the Reserve Bank of India's estimate of 6.7 per cent and matches forecasts from agencies like Moody's. Analysts noted that India continues to maintain economic resilience despite external headwinds, including geopolitical conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, global trade tariffs, and elevated crude oil prices.

A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as police officers inside a Delhi Development Authority park near Kalkaji Mandir on 21st September. The victim had visited the temple with a male friend on her birthday before entering the adjacent 154-acre park, where the accused intimidated the duo, restrained the friend, and assaulted the minor. Following an immediate PCR alert, Delhi Police apprehended the three suspects, identified as Asif, Hemant, and Mukesh, noting one as a repeat offender. The incident has triggered massive outrage over severe security lapses, including poor lighting, missing CCTV cameras at entry and exit gates, and having only eight guards per shift for the massive area. The Delhi Commission for Women has sought an Action Taken Report from the police. Nearby, Lady Shri Ram College suspended afternoon classes and shifted guest lectures online after an encounter occurred near its back gate, sparking major safety concerns among students.

The Election Commission of India has issued a clarification denying reports of internal dissent and rifts regarding the Special Summary Revision (SIR) exercise. The poll body stated that internal discussions and raising observations among commissioners are routine administrative procedures, maintaining that recent orders were signed unanimously without any formal dissent recorded in writing. However, opposition leaders have launched a sharp offensive against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Opposition parties allege that Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu objected to arbitrary decision-making and centralisation of voter addition and deletion systems multiple times. Senior advocate and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal claimed the centralisation bypassed Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and violated statutory election procedures. Backing past objections raised by leaders like Abhishek Banerjee, the opposition has renewed demands for an impeachment motion against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Students of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi have called for a solidarity march following the Kalkaji gang rape incident, expressing serious concerns over security and safety around the campus. The march is scheduled to take place at the back gate of the college, close to where one of the accused was reportedly encountered. Students reported that classes were suspended following the incident and that safety advisories were shared across community groups. Speaking on the security situation, students highlighted ongoing safety issues near the back gate and surrounding PG areas in National Park, pointing out inadequate police patrolling despite past complaints of harassment and stalking. While students noted that the college campus itself feels safe and that the administration had earlier requested police presence and pink booths, they stressed that active and sustained police patrolling remains crucial for women's safety in the area.