SBI posts record standalone profit, driven by loan growth, higher net interest income and a special dividend.
State Bank of India reported a record standalone Q3 profit of Rs 21,028 crore driven by 15.14% loan growth and higher Net Interest Income, aided by a Rs 2,200 crore special dividend from SBI Mutual Fund; deposits rose 9.02%, gross Non Performing Assets ratio improved to 1.57%, overall provisions increased, and Capital Adequacy was 14.04% with a 10.99% core buffer.

Graduate-led tour service helps jobseekers earn a London Living Wage through flexible, part-time guided tours.
A graduate established a social-enterprise tour service to provide flexible part-time work for recent graduates, especially those on the Graduate Route visa, enabling them to earn the London Living Wage. The model offers bespoke, low-cost itineraries following a free online consultation, accommodates health and access needs, and requires payment at the meeting point. It aims to avoid exploitative zero-hour roles by delivering predictable earnings, potential tips, and mental-health support while allowing guides time to pursue formal job applications.

Kameleo expands international presence with fast in store customised waterproof footwear and a scalable retail model aiming global growth.
Kameleo offers a rapid in store personalisation service assembling customised flip flops in under two minutes from modular style and colour options, combining comfort, waterproof durability, skin friendly materials, and accessible pricing. With a scalable retail model and 20 stores in South India, the brand plans international launches in several countries and aims to reach over 50 stores worldwide by the end of 2026, leveraging a founding team with combined business, design, and operational expertise to replicate product market fit.

Mumbai mayoral election: BJP nominates Ritu Tawde; ally Shiv Sena names deputy with 15-month share.
Ritu Tawde filed nomination as the BJP's mayoral candidate in Mumbai while the Mahayuti alliance named a Shiv Sena corporator as deputy mayor with a 15-month term; nominations were submitted amid party leaders' presence ahead of the election, and the alliance controls 118 of 227 BMC seats, positioning it above the majority threshold.

SBI Q3 net profit rises 13% to Rs 21,317 crore; capital adequacy and asset quality improved.
State Bank of India reported consolidated net profit of Rs 21,317 crore for Q3 FY26 (up 13.06% yoy) and standalone net profit of Rs 21,028 crore (up 24.48% yoy); standalone total income rose to Rs 1,40,915 crore and expenses to Rs 1,08,052 crore. Gross NPA ratio improved to 1.57% from 1.73% sequentially, provisions increased to Rs 4,507 crore year-on-year, and overall capital adequacy stood at 14.04% with a core buffer of 10.99% as of December 31, 2025.

Divine Drop Festival blends traditional devotional rites with contemporary performances to broaden audience appeal.
The Divine Drop Festival integrated traditional devotional rites-Ganesh Vandana, Hanuman Chalisa, Shiv Tandav and Ganga Aarti-with contemporary performance elements (dance, live band, poetry) to shift devotional gatherings from bhajan-only formats to hybrid spiritual-cultural experiences designed to engage multiple generations.

Maiden Rajya Sabha speech by C Sadanandan Master praised for moral strength, patriotic tone, and focus on Kerala development.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended BJP-nominated Rajya Sabha MP C Sadanandan Master for his maiden Upper House speech, praising its moral strength, conviction and calm presentation; noted Sadanandan's display of his artificial limbs and the allegation of a decades-old politically motivated attack; observed the MP's patriotism and focus on Kerala's development and the anticipated benefits to the state from recently presented Budget measures.

India US interim trade framework will reduce compliance burdens and streamline exports for Indian businesses, boosting competitiveness.
The India US interim trade framework is described as a regulatory arrangement to reduce compliance burdens and streamline export procedures by eliminating repetitive testing and aligning standards, thereby lowering transaction costs and facilitating deeper integration of Indian digital products and technology components into global value chains.

India US interim trade pact requires India to stop Russian oil imports and reduce duties on US goods, risking trade shifts.
The interim India US framework commits India to cease direct or indirect imports of Russian oil under penalty of a reinstated 25% tariff if non compliance is found, and provides for reciprocal tariff reductions: India will eliminate or reduce duties on a broad set of US industrial and agricultural goods while US duties on certain Indian goods will fall to 18%, with prompt implementation intended and further negotiation toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement.

US India interim trade framework establishes reciprocal tariff adjustments, rules of origin, and commitments to reduce non tariff barriers.
An interim trade framework establishes reciprocal tariff and market access commitments: India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on U.S. industrial and specified agricultural goods while the United States will apply an 18 percent reciprocal tariff on designated Indian-origin goods and, subject to the Interim Agreement, remove that reciprocal tariff for a range of goods. The parties will adopt rules of origin ensuring benefits accrue predominantly to them, address long-standing non-tariff barriers including medical devices and ICT licensing, discuss standards and conformity assessment procedures, and pursue broader BTA negotiations to expand market access, digital trade rules, and economic security alignment.

Credit derivatives: draft enables derivatives on credit indices and total return swaps; public feedback invited by Feb 27.
The Reserve Bank has published a draft revised Master Direction consolidating provisions for credit derivatives, including credit default swaps, and proposing enabling provisions for derivatives on credit indices and total return swaps on corporate bonds; public comments are invited by February 27, 2026 by email or postal submission to the Chief General Manager, Financial Markets Regulation Department.

RBI invites comments on draft amendment removing prior approval for NBFC branch openings in India.
The Reserve Bank published Amendment Directions, 2026, removing the requirement of prior approval or intimation for NBFCs (including Housing Finance Companies) to open branches in India and inviting comments on the draft until February 27, 2026 via the 'Connect 2 Regulate' portal or by submission to the Registration and Authorisation Group; relevant provisions of the Directions on Acceptance of Public Deposits and Housing Finance Companies will be amended consequentially.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar says elevation timing uncertain and all must abide by party high command.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar stated that the timing of any elevation to chief ministership depends on the Congress high command, that everyone must abide by the party's decision, and he would not predict a post budget change.

Assembly proposal condemns MLA remarks on madrasa funding; remarks expunged and opposition staged brief walkout.
Speaker allowed a government member to move a resolution condemning an opposition MLA's remarks alleging madrasa funding supports "anti-social elements" in a minority community; the Speaker said such communal comments would not be permitted, the matter is under consideration, and the contested portions of the MLA's speech were expunged from House records, prompting a brief opposition walkout and competing claims about the propriety and motive for the action.

Vinay Kumar Dubey honoured for legal excellence, NPA resolution work and extensive social-service initiatives supporting vulnerable communities.
Vinay Kumar Dubey, Chairman of VKDL NPA Advisory Council and member of the Hindi Advisory Committee, was honoured for professional contributions, expertise in NPA resolution balancing bank, industry and public interests, and longstanding legal assistance to economically weaker sections.

International oil smuggling disrupted by mid sea transfers; vessels seized and to be handed to customs for investigation.
An international oil smuggling syndicate using coordinated mid sea transfers to evade duties was intercepted when three vessels were boarded about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai. Digital surveillance and vessel movement pattern analysis within the Exclusive Economic Zone identified suspects; onboard electronic data, document checks, and crew interrogation corroborated the scheme. The vessels, suspected of frequent identity changes and foreign ownership, will be escorted to Mumbai and handed to Customs and law enforcement for further investigation and action.

Satish Gupta's Gujarat debut exhibition spotlights Ahmedabad's emergence within India's growing contemporary art market.
Satish Gupta's Gujarat debut solo exhibition 'Haiku of a Still Mind' at Bespoke Art Gallery in Ahmedabad is presented as the state's first museum-quality solo show of his spiritually rooted work, curated by Devin Gawarwala, featuring paintings and metal sculptures priced between Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 5 crore and positioned as a milestone within a national market projected to reach Rs. 5,000 crore by 2030 amid rising domestic collectors, HNW participation, and institutional buying.

Voter deletions in India via roll-revision risk excluding marginalised citizens absent transparency and safeguards.
The article argues that the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision can operate as a mechanism for widespread voter deletions-through classifications like deaths, migration or "logical discrepancy"-disproportionately affecting marginalised groups. It notes state-level resistance and court challenges reframing timing, implementation and bias as issues of transparency and accountability, and warns that without safeguards and scrutiny such exercises risk becoming tools for electoral exclusion.

Oil smuggling operation intercepted mid-sea; three vessels detained and set for handover to customs and enforcement agencies.
Coast Guard forces interdicted three vessels after digital maritime surveillance detected an illicit ship-to-ship transfer about 100 nautical miles offshore; boardings, document verification, electronic data corroboration, and crew interviews established a syndicate modus operandi involving vessel identity changes to evade customs duties, and the vessels were detained for handover to customs and enforcement agencies for further legal processes.

Temple entry: court says ceremonial guest entry by non-Hindus isn't a statutory violation and rules must align with the Act.
Permissive ceremonial entry by non Hindus as guests is distinct from a right of entry and cannot be treated as a violation of the parent Act; Rule 3(a)'s prohibition on non Hindu entry appears inconsistent with the Act's object, and subordinate rules that conflict with the Act should be reconsidered, amended or modified to align with legislative intent, constitutional values and social harmony after consultation with relevant stakeholders.