How UP government's ODOP scheme turned Gorakhpur's Terracotta into a global success

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's economic growth as gross domestic product expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter of financial year 2026-27, calling it a Herculean feat. The Prime Minister stated that the collective strength of the people ensured strong growth despite global uncertainties, oil price shocks, and supply chain issues, remarking that doomsayers were doomed while India bloomed. The growth numbers surpassed projections, driven primarily by robust domestic consumption and substantial government capital expenditure in infrastructure, including railways expansion. Key industrial sectors reflected sharp upturns, with manufacturing growing at 9.2% compared to 8.3% a year earlier, and electricity recording 8.9% growth against a contraction previously. Economists noted that trickle-down impacts of past policy measures, welfare schemes, and resilient exports helped shield the domestic economy from international challenges, raising full-year growth expectations for the fiscal year toward 7%.

A major political row has erupted in Delhi following the publication of the draft electoral roll, which has reportedly excluded 47.7 lakh electors out of the city's 1.45 crore voters. Former Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal criticised the central government and the Election Commission over the deletions. The Chief Electoral Officer stated that excluded electors can file claims and submit supporting documents using Form 6 until September 30, ahead of the final roll's release on November 4. The exclusion has raised significant concerns in Delhi due to its high migrant population, where many residents face challenges in tracing their antecedents back to 2002. The Election Commission affirmed that adequate opportunities will be provided to address appeals.

India's real GDP grew by 7.8% during the first quarter of the financial year, rising from 6.9% in the same period last year. Nominal GDP registered a 10.3% growth during Q1. In absolute figures, real GDP at constant prices reached 81.36 lakh crore rupees compared to 75.46 lakh crore rupees in Q1 of the previous year, while nominal GDP at current prices stood at 88.27 lakh crore rupees against 80 lakh crore rupees in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. The expansion occurred despite global headwinds, including ongoing geopolitical unrest in West Asia and Eastern Europe, as well as international oil crunches. Government coordination across ministries and policy interventions contributed to shielding the domestic economy from international disruptions. The economic performance provides domestic political impetus to the government against opposition claims regarding economic decline, with further policy measures expected to maintain momentum and support the middle class.

United States forces struck two Iranian launchers on Iran's Larak Island, marking the first high-profile US attack on Iranian soil in nearly a month. The operation aimed to prevent Iran from deploying sea mines in the strategic waterway. Following the strike, US President Donald Trump shared AI-generated videos on social media claiming to depict bombings of Iran's Kharg Island oil hub. In retaliation, Iran targeted the King Hussein and Al-Azraq US airbases in Jordan, with all incoming missiles intercepted and destroyed by US forces.