UPDATED: Oct 30, 2026 16:18 ISTIndian benchmark equity indices closed higher on Friday, with the Nifty closing above 23,000 and the Sensex trading near 74,500 despite crude oil prices crossing 118 dollars a barrel. IT and pharma stocks led the gains, while mid and small caps faced selling pressure.

Other major domestic developments included the Cabinet Committee on Security clearing an over 40,000 crore rupee project for eight next-generation stealth corvettes to be constructed by GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited with more than 70 percent indigenous content. Additionally, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the IDBI Bank stake sale, highlighting previous recapitalization efforts, and Walmart initiated an internal investigation into alleged kickbacks at Flipkart.

Market experts discussed corporate earnings, rising crude prices, aviation challenges faced by IndiGo, and investment outlooks for Samvat 2083 across equities, fixed income, and gold. Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSCongress Has 'Anarchic Model' in Power and Opposition: Sudhanshu TrivediBharatiya Janata Party MP Dr.

Sudhanshu Trivedi mounted an attack against the Congress party, accusing it of having an 'anarchic model' both in governance and opposition. Trivedi questioned the Congress over its track record in states it governs, challenging the party to showcase its development models.

Comparing this with the governance of BJP-led states and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, Trivedi cited initiatives like groundwater revival, interest-free loans for farmers, and law enforcement reforms. He also alleged internal factionalism within Congress state units, citing past rifts in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka, while questioning the party's overseas engagements.Joshimath Chopper Crash: Chopper With Six Onboard Crashes in Uttarakhand, Search UnderwayA Trans Bharat helicopter carrying six people, including the pilot and five passengers, crashed near Chhai village behind Hathi Pahad in Joshimath while en route from Badrinath to Fata.

The aircraft took off around 1:30 PM before losing contact. Local residents reported sighting smoke and hearing loud sounds from the valley, alerting the Indian Army Signal Unit and Chamoli district administration.

Rescue teams comprising the State Disaster Response Force, Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and local police have been deployed, alongside two Army Signal Unit helicopters. Adverse weather, heavy rainfall, snowfall, and dense cloud cover have severely hampered efforts to trace the wreckage.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that he is closely monitoring the situation and directed authorities to immediately airlift any critically injured persons to medical centres. This incident marks the third helicopter emergency in the Char Dham region during October.PM Modi Slams Opposition on Rumours Amid Kharge Slogan Row, JP Nadda Hits OutAddressing a gathering in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the opposition for allegedly spreading fake news and panic regarding urea and gas supplies during geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region.

He stated that his government ensured farmers received fertiliser at lower prices despite global crises, accusing rivals of attempting to create chaos to malign him. Meanwhile, political tensions escalated over Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's controversial remarks made during an event in Bihar, which followed crowd chants stating that the Prime Minister would not go anywhere.

Reacting to Kharge's statements at the Health Wealth Summit, Union Minister JP Nadda strongly condemned the Congress leadership, terming the remarks as reflecting mental bankruptcy and arguing that the opposition's conduct has become laughable.CEC Mock Impeachment Postponed Due to Rain; INDIA Bloc Plans Ramlila Maidan MarchThe INDIA bloc has postponed its public mock impeachment of the Chief Election Commissioner due to adverse weather conditions in the national capital. The event, titled Jan Maha Abhiyog, was scheduled to be held at Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10 Rajaji Marg before rain affected the open-air venue arrangements.

Opposition leaders announced that the deferred event will now take place tomorrow at 3 PM. Addressing the media, leaders highlighted opposition solidarity across multiple regional parties and appealed to students, youth, workers, and civil society to join their ongoing demonstrations.

They alleged widespread election manipulation and accused the government of undermining constitutional processes and democracy. Leaders also confirmed that a joint march to Ramlila Maidan will proceed as scheduled on 1 November, with senior alliance leaders participating.

Channel reporter Shivani Sharma noted that while the mock impeachment holds no legal or legislative binding, the symbolic drive aims to mount political pressure on the government.