This Week in Explainers: How India’s air force has outranked China’s

Festive frenzy has gripped India this week. Amid Diwali celebrations, people are rushing to buy gold and silver as they are considered auspicious. However, the prices of yellow and white metal (silver) continue to climb.

The residents of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) can burst green crackers on Diwali this year after the Supreme Court eased the blanket ban on firecrackers. Every year, before the festival of lights, the debate on firecrackers gains momentum due to their impact on air quality in the national capital.

The Indian Air Force has surpassed China’s, a new ranking has revealed. India is now the third-strongest aerial power in the world, behind only the United States and Russia.

More from Explainers

Did PM Modi really promise Trump to stop buying Russian oil? Dual-track diplomacy: How India balances US trade ambitions with strategic ties to Russia

Here’s all this and more in our weekly wrap from India.

1. Gold and silver are in high demand in India due to Diwali. The prices of both precious metals are on the rise, with gold prices in India reaching a record high of Rs 1,28,395 per 10 grammes on Thursday (October 16).

Silver prices have also soared to a high of Rs 1,64,660 per kilogramme. The high demand for the white metal has caused a shortage, causing panic among buyers. Experts point to a number of factors for the price rise of these metals, including sustained central bank purchases, increased investments in gold-backed ETFs, and an uptick in safe-haven demand. So, should you buy these metals this Dhanteras? We explain here.

Impact Shorts

More Shorts

What is the connection between Angelina Jolie and prostate cancer?

This Dhanteras, should you buy silver over gold?

2. The apex court has permitted the sale and use of green crackers this Diwali for Delhi-NCR, but with certain restrictions. Many states impose restrictions on crackers ahead of the festival in view of the rising pollution levels. But this is criticised by many, who argue it is a tradition to burst crackers on Diwali.

The Supreme Court said it is taking a “balanced approach” this time, allowing it in “moderation while not compromising with the environment.” Some say green crackers are less polluting than traditional ones. Is this true? Read our story to know more.

3. India has outranked China to become the world’s third strongest aerial power globally. As per the latest World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) rankings, the US has the most dominant air force with a TruVal Rating (TVR) of 242.9.

Russia is ranked second, with a TVR of 114.2, followed by India with a TVR of 69.4. China is fourth with an evaluation of 63.8. India’s Operation Sindoor showed how a country’s air force can tilt the outcome of a conflict. We compare India and China’s air forces here.

4. US President Donald Trump has claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would end its oil purchases from Russia. The American administration has slapped 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods, of which 25 per cent are a “penalty” for buying Russian oil.

Amid Trump’s claims, data show otherwise. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), a European research institute, India was the second-largest global buyer of Russian fossil fuels in September 2025, trailing only China. Here’s our story on how India’s remains deeply linked to Russia’s oil market.

5. The death by ‘suicide’ of two police officers in Haryana has rocked India. Days after senior IPS officer Y Puran Kumar died allegedly by suicide, assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Sandeep Kumar also took the extreme step.

The second death has deepened the mystery as Sandeep Kumar, who left behind a three-page suicide note and a video message, accused the late Puran Kumar of corruption. The IPS officer, who was found dead at his Chandigarh home with a gunshot wound, had accused several senior officials of caste-based discrimination, humiliation, and targeted mental harassment. We take a look at the murky cases here.

6. India is experimenting with a single, fixed-rate ticket that remains consistent no matter the time of the booking. The ‘Fare se Fursat’ (Freedom from fare stress) scheme is being introduced for state-owned carrier Alliance Air.

The initiative will allow passengers to book their tickets at a fixed price, regardless of when they book, including on the day of departure. Currently, airfares in India constantly rise or fall based on demand and availability. The proposed scheme aims to address this issue. We explain here.

7. Women remain unsafe in India. A second-year MBBS student from Odisha was allegedly gang-raped near her medical college in West Bengal’s Durgapur. The crime took place when the woman was out on dinner with a male friend, who her family claimed “abandoned” her at the time of the attack.

The incident occurred barely a year after protests erupted over the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. The latest case also ignited political backlash against the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over law and order. We take a look at the case here.

This is all we have for you this week. If you find our explainers interesting, you can bookmark this page to stay updated.