U.S. markets fell as Alphabet's massive spending plans and softer job data drove tech sell-offs and lower Treasury yields.
U.S. equities and commodities fell as investor focus shifted from quarterly profits to elevated corporate capital expenditures and weakening labour-market signals. Alphabet's planned near-doubling of equipment and investment spending drove tech-sector selling, while rising unemployment claims, increased layoffs and fewer advertised openings pushed Treasury yields down amid greater odds of eventual rate easing. Precious metals and bitcoin corrected sharply, and global markets declined alongside U.S. losses.

UT-with-Assembly model undermines governance; approval of Business Rules sought to clarify administrative roles pending constitutional change.
Omar Abdullah urged abolition of the Union Territory-with-Assembly model as unworkable, citing conflicted control over senior appointments and functions-illustrated by a mid-budget finance secretary transfer and the Resident Commissioner post given as additional charge-which impede budget preparation and central coordination; he urged approval of the Transaction of Business Rules to clarify delegation and administrative roles pending any constitutional change.

India rejects report of NSA Doval's US visit and meeting; MEA says no such visit or meeting occurred.
The Ministry of External Affairs denied a media report that the National Security Adviser visited Washington and met a senior US official to press for renewed trade negotiations, stating there was "absolutely no basis" for the claim and that no such visit or meeting occurred; the report's allegations about India's refusal to be bullied and its willingness to wait out the US administration were likewise rejected.

India trade deals with the EU and US reduce tariffs, aim to remove non tariff barriers and expand market access.
India concluded a comprehensive free trade agreement with the European Union and a bilateral trade deal with the United States that reduces reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18% and contemplates elimination of tariffs and non tariff barriers, thereby altering tariff schedules and market access conditions; these international commitments are coupled with domestic reforms to enhance export competitiveness and institutional resilience.

Airline inspections found 377 of 754 analysed aircraft with recurring defects; regulator stepped up surveillance and staffing.
Of 754 aircraft across six scheduled carriers analysed for repetitive defects since January 2025, 377 were identified with recurring defects. The Air India Group had 267 analysed aircraft, of which 191 (nearly 72%) had repetitive defects. DGCA reported 3,890 surveillance inspections, 56 regulatory audits, 84 surveillance of foreign aircraft, 492 ramp checks, 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance events, and increased sanctioned technical posts from 637 to 1,063 to address manpower shortfalls.

Posing as Hindu saints led to arrests for impersonation and possession of forged identity documents in Muzaffarnagar.
Six individuals were arrested for allegedly posing as Hindu religious mendicants and collecting alms; a criminal case was registered under relevant penal provisions for impersonation and related offences. Investigators recovered forged identity documents, including counterfeit Aadhaar cards, from the suspects, and further inquiry into the scope and method of the alleged fraud is ongoing.

Lok Sabha Speaker says he had information of an attempt on the Prime Minister's seat; PM asked not to attend.
Speaker said he had concrete information that opposition members might reach the Prime Minister's seat and carry out an unexpected act, and therefore requested the Prime Minister not to come to the House to reply to the Motion of Thanks. The Motion of Thanks was passed by voice vote without the Prime Minister's customary reply amid opposition sloganeering, posters in the Well, rejection of amendments by voice vote, and the Speaker's warnings and adjournment of the House to uphold parliamentary dignity.

Indo-US trade deal defended as protecting farmers while promoting exports and criticised opposition's parliamentary obstruction.
The Agriculture Minister defended the Indo-US trade agreement as preserving staple crops and dairy, asserting farmers' interests are protected while tariff reductions will boost exports of rice, spices, textiles and benefit cotton growers, and denied that large quantities of US agricultural imports will open domestic markets; he also criticised the Opposition for obstructing parliamentary debate and misrepresenting the deal.

West Bengal economy projected to grow 7.62% in 2025-26, driven by tax revenue gains and rising capital expenditure.
West Bengal's Economic Review projects real GSDP growth of 7.62% for 2025-26 and estimates nominal GSDP at about Rs 19.91 lakh crore based on First Advance Estimates. The Review highlights multi fold growth in the state's own tax revenue and a sustained rise in capital expenditure since 2011 12, focused on roads, bridges and social and economic development, as underpinning factors for the projected expansion.

Rupee inches up on India-US trade optimism but faces pressure from dollar demand, oil prices, and RBI rate uncertainty.
The rupee rose to 90.34 against the US dollar on optimism about an India-US trade deal and lower commodity prices, though gains were capped by corporate dollar demand and weak equities. Analysts projected USD INR trading ranges near 90.00-90.50 and 90.05-90.88. The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee met to set bi monthly rates, with the bank having cut the repo by 125 basis points since last February and facing a choice between status quo and a further cut; dollar strength, crude prices and FIIs' selling were noted as sources of pressure.

India prioritises energy security, diversifying crude sources while remaining open to Venezuelan supplies amid a US tariff reduction.
Ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion Indians is the government's supreme priority, guiding a policy of diversifying energy sourcing based on objective market conditions and commercial merits; procurement decisions are driven by national interest and market dynamics. The statement also notes a negotiated reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent and indicates openness to commercial crude supply options such as Venezuela, subject to sanctions and commercial viability.

Supertech EV begins operations at Harapanahalli plant with local assembly and capacity for 12,000 two-wheelers annually.
Supertech EV Limited has started operations at its Harapanahalli, Karnataka manufacturing facility with annual capacity for 12,000 electric two-wheelers and 1,200 electric three-wheelers, undertaking complete local assembly of its established scooter and three-wheeler models and targeting monthly sales of about 500 units while expanding market presence in southern and western India.

Amit Rautela appointed CFO at Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam to oversee financials and optimise borrowing costs.
Appointment of Amit Rautela as Chief Financial Officer of Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam assigns him responsibility for all company financials with priorities to optimise borrowing costs, improve working capital, and strengthen fiscal discipline for the 74:26 NTPC-Jharkhand joint venture; his prior CFO experience at Meja Urja Nigam Private Limited and over 27 years in finance are noted.

Tamil Nadu Cabinet approves 15 industrial projects worth Rs 34,237 crore, creating 55,000 jobs across the state.
The state government granted Cabinet approval to 15 industrial project proposals totaling Rs 34,237 crore, covering expansions and new projects across Chennai, Ranipet, Thiruvallur and other districts, including an international footwear brand, and projecting the creation of 55,000 jobs as part of the executive's investment promotion measures.

Unemployment claims rose to 231,000, signaling modestly higher separations amid a broader hiring slowdown and fewer job openings.
Initial unemployment-claim applications rose by 22,000 to 231,000 for the week ending January 31, above forecasts, with the four-week moving average up to 212,250 and continuing claims at 1.84 million. These high-frequency claim measures indicate modestly higher separations amid an overall hiring slowdown: just 50,000 jobs added in December and 584,000 jobs for 2025. Declining job openings and high-profile corporate layoffs, coupled with recent Fed rate trims and a subsequent hold, are identified as contributing factors to softer hiring momentum.

Civil Services Examination requires mandatory face authentication and restricts eligibility of candidates already appointed to IAS, IFS, or IPS.
UPSC requires mandatory face authentication at examination venues, advises Aadhaar use for identity verification, mandates upload of photograph, live photograph capture and three signatures in the CAF, and bars withdrawal or post submission corrections. The notification enforces eligibility restrictions: serving IAS and IFS officers are ineligible for CSE 2026; appointments to IAS/IFS after prelims preclude mains participation and appointments after mains commencement but before results exclude candidates from CSE 2026 consideration. Time to make representations on prelim papers is reduced to five days.

West Bengal interim budget expands cash transfers and targeted allowances to consolidate voter blocs ahead of assembly elections.
The interim vote-on-account repackages targeted welfare as electoral commitments by immediately raising Lakshmir Bhandar allowances, proposing the conditional Banglar Yuva Sathi unemployment stipend with an Rs 5,000 crore allocation, increasing stipends and compensations for frontline workers, granting a four per cent dearness allowance hike for government employees and pairing these measures with MSME parks, a Rs 2,000 crore rural job allocation and a river-erosion master plan for electorally sensitive districts.

West Bengal interim budget projects 14% higher spending to Rs 3.96 lakh crore and narrows the revenue deficit.
The interim budget projects total expenditure of Rs 3.96 lakh crore for 2026-27 with a vote-on-account for the first four months, a marginal overall deficit of Rs 4 crore (Rs 62.70 crore including opening balance), and a narrowed revenue deficit of Rs 21,759.34 crore. Major allocations include Rs 1.80 lakh crore for social welfare and Rs 86,533.10 crore for capital expenditure (over half for loan repayments); own-tax revenues, central grants-in-aid, and market borrowings are separately forecast.

India US trade deal nearing completion reportedly cuts US tariffs on Indian exports to 18 percent and advances critical minerals cooperation.
A bilateral India US trade agreement is in advanced finalisation and reportedly includes a tariff reduction to 18 percent and removal of a 25 percent additional levy tied to energy purchases; the deal is expected to boost Indian exports and labour intensive industries. Concurrently, cooperation on critical minerals is advancing and further engagement on defence and energy is anticipated, while India emphasises energy security and historical commercial ties with Venezuela when assessing supply options.

Soda ash plant expansion gets environmental clearance, doubling capacity, adding sodium bicarbonate production and jobs.
SOKA has obtained environmental clearance to double soda ash capacity from 500,000 to 1,000,000 MTPY in phased steps (first to 750,000 MTPY), will add sodium bicarbonate production, uses a captive co generation power facility, and anticipates ~2,000 new jobs while strengthening domestic supply for detergents, glass (including solar glass), textiles, chemicals, and export markets.