Proposed anti-hate speech law aims to criminalise hateful statements; critics warn it may be used to target political rivals.
Proposed anti-hate speech law in Telangana aims to criminalise or regulate speech deemed hateful, modelled on a neighbouring state's draft, and is expected to create new bases for investigation and prosecution; critics allege selective enforcement targeting specific political actors and that the measure is intended to suppress political competition.

TVK chief Vijay's challenge to a Rs 1.50 crore tax penalty failed on the ground that the penalty was within the limitation period.
The court held that the period of limitation for imposing the penalty is computed from the end of the month in which the appellate order is received, with a six month window; treating receipt of the ITAT order (dated December 22) as the trigger, the six month period expired on 30.06.2022 and the penalty order dated 30.06.2022 therefore fell within the prescribed limitation period.

Haryana to launch a block-level mental health scheme, expand infrastructure, strengthen digital health systems and train staff.
Launch of a block-level mental health scheme to integrate mental healthcare into primary public health services, improve access across urban and rural areas, and strengthen digital health systems. Operational measures include completion of infrastructure projects, expansion of critical care capacity, and enhanced training for medical staff; the programme is supported by increased state health budget allocations and concurrent projects under state funding and the National Health Mission.

West Bengal welfare budget defends expansive social spending, claiming major poverty reduction and targeted farmer transfers.
The interim welfare budget emphasizes sustained social spending and targeted transfers to reduce poverty and unemployment, citing a 1.72 crore poverty reduction claim and a 45.65% decline in unemployment for those aged 15+ between 2017-18 and 2023-24. Core measures include near-universal food and health coverage under Khadya Sathi and Swasthya Sathi, Rs 27,016 crore disbursed to 1.10 crore farmers under Krishak Bandhu, Kharif 2025 payouts, irrigation fee waivers, increased ASHA/ICDS honoraria and benefits, expanded support for gig workers, and contested central dues to the state.

Gadchiroli to become a green steel hub with an integrated steel ecosystem and regional industrial development plans.
Transform Gadchiroli into a green steel hub by creating a comprehensive steel ecosystem to produce competitively priced steel, establish multiple industrial magnet hubs, and progress initial MoUs and large private investments. Complementary initiatives include an integrated automobile facility, integrated textile parks, an aviation training school, targeted skills development for industry, and three upcoming industrial clusters aimed at fostering export-oriented industries and regional economic contribution.

Nirav Modi's bid to postpone a Bank of India civil trial over health and prison constraints was rejected.
An adjournment application based on severe vision loss, clinical depression and prison constraints was refused because the defendant would not suffer a substantial disadvantage nor be denied equality of opportunity in the imminent eight day Bank of India trial; the court criticised late notice and repeated delay tactics, treated operational failings by the Prison Service as unsatisfactory but not dispositive, and dismissed a late challenge to a purported personal guarantee.

Kerala CM accuses Congress over Sabarimala gold case, questions need for a CBI probe and criticises Centre on high-speed rail project
The Chief Minister alleges a political nexus in the Sabarimala gold loss case, asserting that Devaswom authorities under a prior Congress administration permitted the prime accused's access and that a purportedly missing temple pedestal was later found in the accused's relative's home. He states a SIT is probing the matter under High Court monitoring while opponents demand a CBI probe and questions the political motives behind that demand.

Reserve Bank keeps rates steady and caps digital fraud compensation at Rs 25,000 while courts weigh online right to be forgotten.
The Reserve Bank kept benchmark rates unchanged and announced a consumer compensation cap of Rs 25,000 for digital banking fraud victims; the Supreme Court will examine applying the right to be forgotten to online news while enhancing compensation awards in fatality cases; the election authority rescheduled final electoral rolls and extended objections periods; and the foreign ministry is coordinating with foreign authorities for the release of abducted nationals.

Rupee volatility amid RBI rate pause, geopolitical tensions and oil price rise; reserves surge supports market liquidity
Rupee depreciation against the US dollar was driven by external factors including geopolitical uncertainty over US-Iran talks and rising global crude prices; this weakened the currency to 90.65 despite an earlier intraday appreciation. The Reserve Bank maintained the repo rate, a monetary policy pause that temporarily supported the rupee but did not prevent losses caused by sustained foreign fund outflows; outcome: the rupee closed lower. Concurrently, foreign institutional investment flows and a substantial increase in the forex reserves to a record high materially affected market liquidity and exchange rate dynamics, reinforcing the interplay between capital flows and exchange rate movements.

Eknath Khadse land deal: non-bailable warrant issued after failure to appear in money laundering probe.
Non-bailable warrants were issued after the court rejected vague, undocumented exemption claims and ordered appearance for charge framing in a money laundering prosecution arising from an allegedly undervalued government land purchase; the court found prima facie material of criminal misconduct and sufficient evidence to proceed to trial, and adjourned the matter while similar warrants exist in a related anti-corruption matter.

IndiGo plane experienced landing gear lever issue; manual mode used and aircraft landed safely before resuming flights.
An IndiGo A321 neo on flight 6E2157 experienced a landing gear lever issue that rendered automatic mode inoperative; crew used manual mode to land safely with over 210 persons aboard, the malfunction was addressed, and the aircraft later operated other flights.

Trade deals opposed by unions seeking mass participation in Feb 12 strike over labour codes and agricultural guarantees.
Major workers' and farmers' organisations oppose recent India foreign trade negotiations and domestic policy measures as threats to agriculture, industry, employment and policy autonomy, alleging lack of transparency and stakeholder consultation; they demand parliamentary scrutiny, a legal guarantee of MSP, and rollback of the VB G RAM G Act, while contesting four labour codes as undermining association and collective bargaining rights and objecting to liberalisation measures across insurance, seeds, electricity, education and nuclear liability.

Economy is stronger with stable inflation; central bank signals policy rates likely to stay low and sustain liquidity.
The central bank views growth as improving with stable inflation and expects policy rates to remain low for an extended period; the MPC split on stance with one member for "accommodative" and five for "neutral". Inflation volatility reflects base effects, food prices and commodity moves while core inflation shows no broad pressures. The bank revised up GDP forecasts partly due to an anticipated trade deal, denied active sales of US treasuries though reserve changes can affect holdings, and pledged ongoing liquidity to ensure transmission across credit, money and bond markets. It welcomed liberalisation of foreign investment in insurance and a tax holiday for data centres, and highlighted liquidity and stable funding ratios over cyclical credit-deposit concerns.

NABARD approvals and halted revenue deficit grant risk major fiscal shortfall for state finances, prompting tougher revenue measures.
The state secured 73 project approvals totaling Rs 713.87 crore for 2025-26 across public works and water management, while the stoppage of the revenue deficit grant - a recurring constitutional transfer - is projected to create an almost Rs 50,000 crore shortfall, prompting plans for increased revenue measures and stricter financial management.

AAP leader Lucky Oberoi shot dead in Jalandhar; police pursuing leads, technical analysis and charges filed.
An AAP leader, Lucky Oberoi, was fatally shot outside a Jalandhar gurdwara as CCTV captured an assailant and an accomplice fleeing on a two-wheeler. Police registered charges for murder, common intention and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and offences under the Arms Act, and report multiple leads. Investigative steps include collection of mobile-tower dumps for technical analysis, IP tracking of an unverified social media claim, and review of reconnaissance possibilities; no organised-crime angle has been confirmed to date.

Jammu and Kashmir tourism budget proposes Rs 180 crore for Amarnath Yatra and increased tourism infrastructure funding.
The budget allocates Rs 180 crore to modernise Shri Amarnath Ji pilgrimage infrastructure in partnership with the Border Roads Organisation, expands environmental infrastructure including a 3.2 MLD sewage treatment plant and solid waste management upgrades, increases tourism and youth affairs capital outlay to Rs 472 crore, and designates Rs 109 crore for culture-sector capital projects focused on heritage revival and museum modernisation.

Jammu and Kashmir seeks economic self-reliance through multi-sector budgets prioritising agriculture, dairy, tourism and infrastructure investments.
The UT government frames economic self reliance as requiring sustained multi sector reforms, directing the budget to agriculture, horticulture, dairy expansion, industry, tourism and handicrafts while treating hydropower as a future, capital intensive revenue source. Operational priorities include strengthening canal irrigation and desilting, protecting productive agricultural land through constrained conversion, finalising the Jammu Master Plan, suspending damaging railway alignments, and allocating social measures such as free LPG cylinders and provisions for Kashmiri Pandits within a realistic fiscal stance.

Sampre Nutrition's subsidiary to build a food processing facility in Egypt on a 30,000 sq m allocated site.
Sampre Nutrition's subsidiary will establish a food processing and confectionery manufacturing facility in Egypt after Orascom Industrial Parks approved allocation of a 30,000 sq m land parcel, enabling cross border expansion of manufacturing capacity and supporting the company's international growth strategy.

India-China border: BJP accuses Congress of ceding territory and questions alleged China funding to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
A government spokesperson accused a former ruling party of ceding Indian territory to China and alleged undisclosed Chinese funding to the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, demanding disclosure of amounts and purposes. The speaker asserted prior failures in border infrastructure and contrasted them with current measures: record defence expenditure, expanded defence manufacturing, construction of border roads and airfields, and assertive military responses to Chinese encroachments.

Vidarbha to become development hub with 6,600 MW secured by a 25 year power purchase agreement and major investments.
Adani Group projects aim to bolster Vidarbha's energy supply through a 3,300 MW thermal plant, revival of a 600 MW project, and a combined 6,600 MW assured by a 25 year power purchase agreement, alongside a proposed Rs 70,000 crore coal gasification complex expected to generate 30,000 direct jobs and an underground mining project prioritising minimal land use and water conservation.