Highlights of India Today – 1st October September 2018 issue:

The cover story this week - Lords of the Files - examines how, despite decades of debate, our babus remain mired in a culture of lethargy, corruption, political influence and a bloated yet inadequate workforce. The story looks at how the country needs its civil servants but its time for a new template.

The Special Report - Ballet With The Bear - talks about how India's strategic and defence ties with Russia look intact, much to the US's chagrin.

The Big Story is on Bihar's Horror Homes where new scandals suggest a massive collusion in the state's shelter homes. The story also raises the question as to whether Nitish will act or not.

The other Big Story - Slip Sliding on the Rupee - looks at how even as the fiscal discipline unravels in the wake of the weakening Rupee, the government's measures to shore up the currency have failed to cheer investors and markets.

The issue also puts the spotlight on India Today Mind Rocks Summit that had the brightest stars from entertainment, politics and sports talking about their success stories.

The issue also comes with two free magazines: Woman, and Home.