Viksit Bharat criticized for prioritising statistics over jobs, justice, MSME distress, GST burdens and shrinking democratic space.
The address is rejected for prioritising statistical claims over substantive constitutional accountability; policymakers must focus on jobs, justice, equality, sustainability and trust. Key operational critiques include stagnant real wages and youth unemployment, an export heavy manufacturing model with low value addition, MSME credit stress and GST compliance burdens, and infrastructure policies that raise fares and safety concerns for ordinary users rather than delivering inclusive development.

Silver and gold prices plunged sharply amid a firmer dollar, weak global cues and investor profit taking.
Silver and gold plunged sharply after rapid earlier gains, with silver down nearly 36% from its recent peak and gold about 17% off its record, driven by a firmer US dollar, weak global sentiment and investor profit booking; the Union Budget 2026-27 left import duties unchanged and near term price direction will hinge on US economic data and central bank developments.

Customs and GST revenues projected modest growth for FY2026-27 amid FTAs, exemptions and rate cuts, per CBIC.
The government projects 5% Customs growth to Rs 2.71 lakh crore and 6.3% GST growth to Rs 10.19 lakh crore for FY2026-27, with GST buoyancy at 0.94 despite rate cuts on about 375 items and end of the compensation cess. The CBIC cites expanded FTAs, customs duty exemptions for capital goods and PLI-linked manufacturing, and tapering edible oil imports as reasons for conservative Customs projections.

Gyan Bharatam initiative advances large-scale manuscript digitisation with designated centres, technical partners and central funding.
Gyan Bharatam is a centrally sponsored initiative to digitise and disseminate India's manuscript heritage through 45 implementation centres (28 cluster centres, 17 independent centres) and 20 state/UT nodal coordinating authorities; it includes a preservation manual, a survey app, a national digital repository portal, and technical partnerships for metadata integration, scanners, and an AI-integrated platform, backed by Rs 491.66 crore for 2025-2031 and reporting over 7.5 lakh manuscripts digitised, with 1.29 lakh available on the portal.

Jharkhand urged to use Rs 51,236 crore tax devolution and central funds to deliver Budget development schemes properly.
A national party leader urged Jharkhand's government to utilise Rs 51,236 crore in tax devolution and Rs 11,567 crore in special capital assistance for development, citing budget proposals for women's hostels, empowerment schemes, fisheries via water reservoirs, and upgrading the Central Institute of Psychiatry, and calling for proper use and accountability amid allegations of state-level corruption.

Northeast rail funding increased to Rs 11,486 crore with expanded connectivity, station upgrades, electrification, and environmental safeguards.
Rs 11,486 crore has been allocated for Northeast rail projects in 2026-27, adding to Rs 72,468 crore already underway, to expand intra regional and international connectivity (including a Bhutan link), resume and complete state projects, and conduct surveys for new bridges over the Brahmaputra. Implementation focuses on extending high-speed corridors, near-complete track electrification, station redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Scheme, hundreds of flyovers and under-bridges, improved passenger amenities and tourism coaches, and integrated environmental and wildlife mitigation using detection technology and AI-based thermal cameras.

Travel companies' MoU to co-develop travel products and run campaigns to boost domestic tourism and destination branding.
A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a long term public private collaboration whereby private travel firms will jointly develop and market travel products across leisure, MICE, business and B Leisure segments, while the public tourism department provides destination access, stakeholder coordination, and alignment with the state's destination branding strategy through coordinated online and offline promotional campaigns aimed at sustainable visitation.

Assam Cooperative Apex Bank inclusion in second schedule grants Scheduled Bank benefits and access to RBI refinancing.
Inclusion of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank in the Second Schedule of the RBI Act confers Scheduled Bank status, enabling access to RBI facilities and refinancing, expanding operational capacity and liquidity management, and enhancing credibility and visibility to support grassroots financial inclusion.

Rs 640 crore cyber fraud: anticipatory bail denied to two CAs; custodial interrogation sought amid alleged laundering and evidence tampering.
Anticipatory bail was refused to two chartered accountants in a money laundering probe connected to a Rs 640 crore cyber fraud; the court found an intricate, multilayered laundering scheme allegedly orchestrated by skilled professionals and held that custodial interrogation was necessary to probe transactions, bank officials' roles, alleged assault on investigators, bribery of police and destruction of electronic evidence.

Corporate insolvency affirmed for two real estate firms, reinforcing homebuyers' and allottees' rights; other regulatory matters remain pending.
Upheld initiation of corporate insolvency resolution proceedings against two real estate companies, affirming the availability of insolvency remedies to protect homebuyers and commercial allottees and confirming insolvency law's applicability to distressed real estate projects.

Rayagada development projects reserve 80% of industry jobs for local youth, launched as Rs600 crore investment package.
Chief Minister launched roughly Rs 600 crore of development initiatives in Rayagada-roads, bridges, healthcare, schools, women empowerment schemes and a Rs 37 crore temple beautification-while directing that 80 per cent of jobs in forthcoming industrial projects be reserved for local youth; the announcement noted major private investment commitments and detailed financial support to self-help groups through loans, revolving funds and community investment funds to advance livelihoods and entrepreneurship.

Animal fair in Haryana will showcase livestock technologies and provide free transport and meals for farmers.
A three-day state-level livestock exhibition in Kurukshetra will showcase advanced animal husbandry technologies and around 1,500 superior-breed animals to promote scientific rearing and breed improvement. The event includes technology and product displays by private companies and government stalls highlighting public welfare schemes, and provides logistical support-free transport (200 buses daily) and complimentary meals-to facilitate farmer participation, with awards for livestock farmers and ministerial participation.

Air India pilot reports possible fuel control switch defect; aircraft grounded and regulator notified for inspection.
A pilot reported a possible defect in the fuel control switch of an Air India Boeing 787-8; the airline grounded the aircraft, involved the OEM for priority inspection, and notified the aviation regulator, noting prior fleet inspections following a regulator directive found no issues.

Real estate insolvency: court affirms proceedings after developers failed to deliver units and defaulted, protecting homebuyers' claims.
Initiation and maintenance of corporate insolvency resolution proceedings against two real estate companies is sustainable where allottee claims establish financial debt and default because units paid for were not made ready or delivered and completion formalities including a completion certificate were absent.

Sale of Mundhwa government land via power of attorney alleged to involve misappropriation, registration irregularities, and stamp duty exemption.
Allegations concern a purported sale of 40 acres in Mundhwa effected by a power of attorney-holder who executed a sale deed to a private firm despite knowledge that the land remained government property; the EOW filed a charge sheet naming the power of attorney-holder, co-owners and a sub-registrar in FIRs for alleged misappropriation and cheating, noting absence of clearances, disputed valuation, and alleged stamp duty exemption.

Rahul Gandhi accused of defying the Speaker by citing an unpublished army memoir, triggering a prolonged Lok Sabha uproar.
BJP officials said a Lok Sabha opposition leader undermined parliamentary dignity and military morale by citing an unpublished former Army chief's memoir on the India-China border despite the Speaker's ruling that such material was not admissible; the Speaker insisted documents unrelated to proceedings cannot be quoted, while the leader maintained the document was authenticated.

Underground railway tracks planned along 40-km strategic corridor to strengthen connectivity and security, including conversion to six-track corridor.
Plans propose constructing underground railway tracks along a 40-km strategic corridor between Tin Mile Haat and Rangapani, laid about 20-24 metres underground, to address security and air-defence connectivity needs. Simultaneously the existing double line on the stretch will be converted to a four-line surface configuration, resulting in a six-line corridor composed of four overground and two underground tracks.

Union Budget 2026-27 praised for export focus, waterways and rail projects, and measures to boost jobs and MSMEs.
Union Budget 2026-27 focuses on export promotion, import reduction, and infrastructure investment-including ship-repair hubs, 20 national waterways, and a high-speed rail corridor-aimed at strengthening inland water transport, stimulating industries, and creating technical and non-technical employment. It pairs capital upgradation with support for manufacturing, tourism, MSMEs, self-employment, skills development, and targeted measures for farmers, youth, women, students, and medical professionals to broaden socio-economic inclusion.

GST revenue: gross Rs 1.93 lakh crore and net Rs 1.70 lakh crore in January 2026, after refunds and settlements.
Total gross GST receipts for January 2026 were Rs 1,93,384 crore and Rs 18,43,423 crore year to date. After deducting domestic and export refunds, total net GST receipts for January 2026 were Rs 1,70,719 crore and Rs 15,95,752 crore year to date. Domestic gross revenue was Rs 1,41,132 crore and gross import revenue Rs 52,253 crore; net domestic revenue for the month was Rs 1,28,013 crore and net exports/imports revenue Rs 42,707 crore. Post settlement SGST to States/UTs in January 2026 totaled Rs 47,817 crore.

CBI arrests two and dismantles transnational cybercrime networks using fake e-Visas to defraud foreign victims.
Operation CyStrike, conducted with foreign partners, involved CBI searches at 35 locations across ten states that dismantled transnational cyber-enabled financial crime networks targeting victims in multiple countries; electronic devices and storage media with incriminating evidence were seized, mule accounts used to channel proceeds were taken down, fraudulent Kuwaiti e-Visas and appointment letters plus Rs 60 lakh in cash were recovered, and two individuals alleged to be part of separate rackets were arrested.