Picture credit: Sharanya Roy

NEW DELHI: As many as 338 Airbus A320 family aircraft of IndiGo, Air India and AI Express have been impacted by the software issue that could potentially cause pilots to lose control amid intense solar storms. These three airlines have completed the update on 189 planes, nearly 56%, by 10 am on Saturday, according to data submitted by them to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The remaining aircraft will get the mandatory software and/or hardware protection by 5.29 pm on Sunday (Nov 30).IndiGo and AI Group have told the regulator there were no flight cancellations till 10 am Saturday morning. AI Express said eight flights were delayed due to this in that timeframe.

IndiGo has told the DGCA that 200 of its aircraft are affected, of which 143 got the required update by 10 am Saturday. The airline is carrying out the update at Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata.Air India’s 113 aircraft are affected, of which 42 got the required update by 10 am Saturday. The airline is carrying out the update at Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.Also Read | Over 300 planes hit: Airbus A320 software snag set to cause major flight disruptions — 10 things to knowAI Express’ 25 aircraft are affected, of which four got the required update by 10 am Saturday. The airline is carrying out the update at Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. The DGCA on Saturday morning issued a “most urgent” mandatory modifications order for Indian operators of the A320 family aircraft, based on the emergency airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The EASA action comes in wake of an American low cost carrier JetBlue’s A320 operating from Cancun to Newark on Oct 30, 2025, unexpectedly pitching downward without pilot input. The uncontrolled descent “likely occurred during an ELAC (flight control computer) switch change,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The aircraft diverted to Tampa, where 15-20 passengers were hospitalised. Globally about 6,000 aircraft are likely to be impacted.Tackling this issue requires a software update. For the new A320 family planes, the work requires about half an hour on each plane through “loading facility.” On older A320s, some hardware update will also be required and hence the overall work will take longer. IndiGo said on X: “Airbus has issued a technical advisory for the global A320 fleet. We are proactively completing the mandated updates on our aircraft with full diligence and care, in line with all safety protocols. While we work through these precautionary updates, some flights may see some slight schedule changes.”Air India said: “Following EASA and Airbus directives for a mandatory software and hardware realignment on A320 family aircraft worldwide, our engineers have been working round-the-clock to complete the task at the earliest. We have already completed the reset on over 40% of our aircraft that are impacted by this, and are confident of covering the entire fleet within the timeline prescribed by EASA. Air India can confirm that there have been no cancellations due to this task and there isn’t any major impact on schedule integrity across our network. However, some of our flights may be slightly delayed or rescheduled. Our colleagues on ground are there to assist the passengers.”An Air India Express spokesperson said: “We have initiated immediate precautionary action in response to an alert requiring a software fix on the Airbus A320 fleet. While a majority of our aircraft are not impacted, the guidance applies to operators worldwide and may result in adjustments to flight operations, including potential delays or cancellations. We request guests to ensure their contact details are updated to receive timely notifications and to check the latest flight status…”Airbus said in a statement: “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls. Airbus has consequently identified a significant number of A320 family aircraft currently in-service which may be impacted. Airbus has worked proactively with the aviation authorities to request immediate precautionary action from operators via an alert operators transmission (AOT) in order to implement the available software and/or hardware protection, and ensure the fleet is safe to fly. This AOT will be reflected in an emergency airworthiness directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).”Airbus “acknowledges these recommendations will lead to operational disruptions to passengers and customers” and apologised “for the inconvenience caused”. The European airspace major said it “will work closely with operators, while keeping safety as our number one and overriding priority.”In its emergency airworthiness directive regarding the issue, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) gave the reason for the same: “An Airbus A320 aeroplane recently experienced an uncommanded and limited pitch down event. The autopilot remained engaged throughout the event, with a brief and limited loss of altitude, and the rest of the flight was uneventful. Preliminary technical assessment done by Airbus identified a malfunction of the affected ELAC as possible contributing factor. This condition, if not corrected, could lead in the worst-case scenario to an uncommanded elevator movement that may result in exceeding the aircraft’s structural capability. To address this potential unsafe condition, Airbus issued the alert operators transmission, providing instructions to install a serviceable ELAC.”

CBI arrests Assistant Professor in UKSSSC paper leak case

The investigation into the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level recruitment exam has taken a major turn with the arrest of Assistant Professor Suman Chauhan by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to an official announcement made by the agency. Chauhan, posted at a government college in Tehri Garhwal, is accused of receiving portions of the exam paper during the test, solving the questions, and transmitting the answers back to a candidate through intermediaries. The CBI described the arrest as an important step in uncovering the broader network behind the paper leak.The leak first came to light after images of three pages of the exam began circulating online, triggering widespread outrage among candidates. The exam, held on 21 September 2025, was conducted for graduate-level posts, including Patwari, Lekhpal, and other administrative positions, with over 1.05 lakh candidates appearing for it.

How the leak allegedly unfolded

According to the FIR and investigation findings reported by TNN, candidate Mohd Khalid Shahzad allegedly photographed the question paper inside the Haridwar exam centre and sent the images to his sisters, Sabiha and Hina, who then forwarded them to Chauhan. Chauhan is accused of solving the questions in real time and sending the answers back to Khalid. The four named individuals are facing charges under provisions related to unfair means in recruitment examinations.Investigators have described the leak as a coordinated effort rather than a spontaneous lapse, highlighting vulnerabilities in exam administration and monitoring. Following the incident, the UKSSSC cancelled the September 21 exam and announced a re-examination within three months to fill the 416 affected vacancies.

Tracing the UKSSSC paper leak: What happened when

Here is what has happened so far in the UKSSSC paper leak case:

Official actions and CBI probe underway

The Uttarakhand government appointed a one-member inquiry commission headed by Justice (Retd.) UC Dhyani, which submitted an interim report to the Chief Minister. The CBI continues its investigation, indicating that further arrests may follow as the agency maps the complete network behind the leak.The case has reignited calls for stricter monitoring, transparency, and stronger safeguards in recruitment examinations. Experts and aspirants have highlighted that the involvement of a sitting academic professional underscores the persistent risk of insider collusion. As per various reports, India has witnessed over 60 major exam leaks since 2010, affecting millions of candidates, with states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat frequently reporting similar incidents.

India’s GDP growth has consistently surprised on the upside in the last few quarters. (AI image)

NEW DELHI: The Indian economy grew 8.2% in the July-Sept quarter as a strong comeback by the manufacturing sector and robust services activity helped it clock the fastest pace of expansion in six quarters.Strong domestic demand, which drove factories to produce more ahead of the festival season, helped India remain the fastest growing major economy and shrug off the impact of US tariffs.

“The 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 of 2025-26 is very encouraging. It reflects the impact of our pro-growth policies and reforms. It also reflects the hard work and enterprise of our people. Our govt will continue to advance reforms and strengthen Ease of Living for every citizen,” PM Narendra Modi posted on X.Combined with 7.8% growth during April-June, the economy expanded at 8% during the first half of the year, with economists and policymakers expecting a good third quarter on the back of strong sales post GST rationalisation.“Now we can comfortably say full year growth will be 7% or north of 7%,” chief economic adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said after the data was released. Govt had budgeted for 6.5-6.8% GDP growth during the financial year.Apart from GST, the govt is also banking on reform measures such as the new labour codes to boost sentiment and further spur economic activity in the months ahead, with low inflation and falling interest rates adding to the positive sentiment.Manufacturing posted a sharp turnaround, clocking 9.1% growth in the second quarter of the current financial year, with service sectors seeing faster expansion. Construction too grew 7.2%, although a tad slower than July-Sept 2024. Agriculture too reported a 3.5% increase on the back of a 4.1% expansion in Q2 of the last fiscal year.‘Pvt consumption main driver of higher growth’Crisil chief economist Dharmakirti Joshi said, “Private consumption was the main driver of higher real growth. From the supply side, manufacturing and services saw a significant rise. There was a prop from statistical low-base effect as well, as the economy grew at a below-average 5.6% in the same quarter last fiscal. A low deflator also lent some buoy. Inflation based on both the Consumer Price Index and the Wholesale Price Index were lower in the second quarter compared with the first. Lower food inflation stoked discretionary spending.”The higher-than-expected estimates prompted economists to revise their forecasts for the full year. State Bank of India is projecting 7.6% growth this year, while Crisil upped its projection by half-a-percentage point to 7%, while cautioning against the impact of US tariffs in the second half.

“Impact of tariff has started reflecting in exports growth, which grew 5.6% in Q2 on a weak base of 3% growth in 2QFY25. On the other hand imports grew 12.8% in 2QFY26,” said Devendra Kumar Pant, chief economist at India Ratings and Research.“Going forward the headwind will be the tariff impact which will get starker in Oct-Nov. The tailwind is the GST push which can negate and go beyond. This needs to be monitored going ahead,” added Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda.Now, all eyes are on the monetary policy committee led by RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, which meets next week, to decide on interest rates amid low inflation and strong economic growth.

MUMBAI: No major Indian city has “good” air quality. A 10-year assessment of air pollution across major urban centres has found that none of the country’s top cities met safe Air Quality Index (AQI) levels at any point between 2015 and Nov 2025.The report, prepared by Climate Trends, an environmental research firm, analysed long-term pollution patterns across 11 major cities. Delhi remained India’s most polluted city throughout the period of study, with average AQI levels peaking above 250 in 2016 and hovering around 180 this year.

Despite marginal dips after 2019, the national capital never approached healthy air-quality thresholds. Vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and crop burning were major contributors, compounded by the region’s geographical constraints. Cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi and Ahmedabad which recorded persistently high average AQI values — often above 200— in first half of the decade, showed some improvement in the second half. While southern and western cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Bengaluru recorded relatively moderate AQI levels, even they did not meet safe thresholds. Bengaluru posted lowest AQI readings in the country — between 65 and 90 — still too high for “good” category.AQI is based on the concentration of toxic particulate matter, PM2.5 or PM10, in the air, whichever is higher.Geography plays a significant role in prolonging pollution episodes, especially across the northern plains. “With cold north-westerly winds sweeping into the plains, minimum temperatures are set to drop further — making it even harder for pollutants to disperse,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice-president at Skymet Weather. He added that this year’s weak western disturbances — extratropical storms that bring winter rain and snow to northwestern India — were inadequate and failed to trigger widespread rainfall. “Without rain to wash pollutants out of the atmosphere, the pollution lingers for longer periods, leading to early and persistent smog-like conditions,” said Palawat.During the cold winters of the Indo-Gangetic plains, the phenomenon of “temperature inversion” — which limits vertical air movement — effectively traps pollution in the lower layers of the atmosphere. Dense city structures and tall buildings further slow wind speeds, exacerbating stagnation. Experts stressed the need for better planning and data-driven interventions. “Technology can help address many local pollution sources within your own airshed, but this requires reliable data,” said Prof S N Tripathi of IIT-Kanpur. Palak Balyan, research lead at Climate Trends said, “What India needs is sustained, long-term, science-based policy reform backed by genuine political will to take tough decisions.“

Joel Embiid is not playing tonight (Image via NBA)

The Philadelphia 76ers enter their NBA Cup matchup against the Brooklyn Nets tonight, November 28, 2025, carrying yet another major setback. Their franchise centerpiece, Joel Embiid, remains unavailable due to ongoing right knee injury management. What was initially viewed as short-term soreness has now grown into a prolonged absence that is shaping the early stretch of Philadelphia’s season.For fans eager to see the reigning MVP regain form, the wait continues. Embiid’s knee problems have limited him to only six appearances this year, and tonight marks his ninth consecutive missed game. Despite optimism floating around for a potential return, the organization has made it clear: long-term stability outweighs any temptation for a premature comeback, even in a high-stakes NBA Cup environment.

Joel Embiid’s Injury Report vs the Brooklyn Nets (November 28, 2025)

Embiid’s knee issues trace back to last season and have resulted in the Sixers adopting a strict day-to-day approach. He has not stepped on the court since November 8. A brief spark emerged when he was upgraded to questionable for a recent contest against the Orlando Magic, but the team ultimately ruled him out, maintaining a pattern of late-stage decisions. Head coach Nick Nurse continues to express optimism, suggesting that Embiid could return as early as Sunday’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks. Still, the timing wasn’t suitable for tonight’s trip to Barclays Center.

Philadelphia 76ers’ Injury Report vs the Brooklyn Nets (November 28, 2025)

Philadelphia enters tonight’s matchup at 9-8 with depth severely tested. Kelly Oubre Jr. remains out with a left knee sprain, marking his sixth straight absence. Trendon Watford is sidelined with a left adductor strain, and rookie VJ Edgecombe is missing his third game due to left calf injury management. Paul George, who has played only three games this season, is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain. Meanwhile, rookie big man Adem Bona is probable as he works through a right ankle issue.The Sixers continue to rely on Jared McCain, who is playing with a thumb splint following recent surgery. Tyrese Maxey, averaging 32.2 points per game, once again steps in as the central offensive force – especially crucial against a Nets team vulnerable to three-point shooting. Maxey has hit four or more threes in 11 of his 17 appearances this season.

Brooklyn Nets’ Injury Report vs the Philadelphia 76ers (November 28, 2025)

The Nets, sitting at 3–14, are dealing with their own injury setbacks. Michael Porter Jr. is out with lower back tightness, Cam Thomas remains unavailable due to a hamstring issue, and Haywood Highsmith continues recovering from right knee surgery. Several other depth pieces are missing as well.With both teams shorthanded, tonight’s 7:30 p.m. ET NBA Cup finale becomes a test of resilience for Philadelphia – particularly without Embiid’s scoring and rim protection, which included averages of 19 points and 5 rebounds in his limited action this year. The absence of the anticipated Embiid-George-Maxey trio remains a growing frustration as the team searches for stability in a season filled with uncertainty.

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday took a jibe at the ongoing internal tussle in Congress party in Karnataka. After Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah‘s “word power” post, BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla quipped that the party’s “words & worlds revolving around the chair”, adding that a new “episode has been added to this ongoing OTT series of ‘Congress vs Congress'”.“First, DK Shivakumar has said that there is a secret deal about the chief ministership. Then DK Shivakumar tweeted that ‘word power’ is ‘world power’… Then, responding to that, Siddaramaiah says that the word has no meaning if it doesn’t change the world… Their words and their worlds are revolving around the chair, and INC has now come to mean ‘I Need Chair, I Need Confusion.’ For the last two and a half years, their only priorities have been power, the chair, and leadership,” Poonawalla said.

“The Congress party has now started fighting openly in public in Karnataka, and yet another episode has been added to this ongoing OTT series of ‘Congress vs Congress’ in Karnataka,” he added.He further slammed the grand old party for ignoring the people of Karnataka. “They don’t care about people, and therefore, people of Karnataka are facing a farmer crisis, an economic crisis, a law-and-order crisis, an infrastructure crisis, a traffic crisis, and a pothole crisis… For Congress, power is the priority, not people,” he said.A public exchange between Karnataka’s two most powerful Congress leaders — CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM DK Shivakumar — intensified this week, after what began as a seemingly innocuous social media post spiralled into a fresh round of political signalling over the leadership question.“WORD POWER IS WORLD POWER. The biggest force in the world is to keep one’s word. Be it a judge, president or anyone else including myself, everyone has to walk the talk. Word power is world power,” DKS said in a post on X on Wednesday.Siddaramaiah later replied with a similarly worded post, “That is what I am telling. Whatever we speak in our world that is called Pratikna. That is the word our tongue. That is. I said word power is world power. Wherever in the world. Whatever you speak is very much important. Whatever you also tell in your media also tell. Your anchor also speak. Whether your reporter speak, that is important. That is the power.”Later, DKS clarified that his “word power” remark was regarding Constitution Day. “Yesterday I was speaking on the our Constitution day. Whatever judges speak, whatever politicians speak, whatever is speak is very much important. I said that all you, all the advocates for all the advocate. I said when you speak you should be. When you convey the message, it should be very important,” he said.Talks around a possible leadership change in Karnataka are heating up, following the Congress government’s completion of two and a half years in power — the stage at which Shivakumar’s supporters believe a 2023 rotational arrangement should begin. Although Siddaramaiah has repeatedly insisted he plans to serve the entire five-year term, Shivakumar’s recent comments and social media activity have been seen as fresh indications of his interest in the top post.