Stock markets fluctuate ahead of Budget presentation; volatility tied to fiscal policy, capex signals and corporate results.
Stock benchmarks traded in a narrow range ahead of the budget presentation, with Sensex and Nifty showing modest intraday swings. Company earnings and sector trends drove individual stock performance, while analysts warned that announcements on fiscal policy, capex measures, sector incentives and the fiscal deficit target could trigger sharp market moves. Foreign institutional investors were net buyers in the prior session, and international market conditions added to domestic caution.

Finance Minister followed pre-Budget protocol, carrying the budget in a bahi-khata ahead of a Cabinet approval meeting.
The Finance Minister observed pre-Budget protocol by calling on the President and proceeding to a Cabinet meeting to formalise the Union Budget presentation, continuing the practice of carrying the Budget speech in a traditional bahi-khata. The FY27 Budget is framed to sustain growth, preserve fiscal discipline, boost consumption and job creation, and increase capital spending while addressing global uncertainties and aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit.

US-Cuba relations: talks begin as oil supplies are cut and tariffs target suppliers, raising humanitarian concerns.
The administration is applying economic pressure on Cuba by cutting off external oil supplies and issuing an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, while indicating the start of diplomatic contact to induce negotiations; Mexico, as a current supplier, warns this approach risks humanitarian consequences.

Federal intervention in protests limited to requested assistance; federal buildings and property will be vigorously protected.
President Trump instructed DHS not to intervene in protests in Democratic-led cities unless local authorities request assistance, while ordering federal agencies, including ICE and Border Patrol, to strongly protect federal buildings and property. The administration has deployed National Guard and federal law enforcement to several jurisdictions. Minnesota officials sued over a federal immigration enforcement surge after two fatal shootings by federal officers; a federal court declined to halt operations and the Justice Department called the suit frivolous. Officials suggested reducing enforcement presence if state and local authorities cooperate.

Realtor's alleged suicide during tax raids sparks political clash over alleged harassment and calls for investigation.
A realtor allegedly died by suicide during Income Tax raids, triggering accusations of harassment and coercion by ruling party leaders and demands for a deeper probe, while opposition figures defended the Income Tax department's enforcement actions; the dispute highlights calls to treat economic offences differently and questions about procedural conduct during raids.

International Trade Fair 2026 to empower farmers by promoting market linkages, processing, value addition, and branding.
The Department of Agriculture will hold the International Trade Fair 2026 (Feb 6-8) with partners to provide a platform for farmers to showcase value added products, create market linkages, and facilitate access to national and international markets. The fair focuses on processing and value addition, agro ecology, branding and credit services to transform farmers into entrepreneurs by promoting processing and value addition initiatives and related support services.

Cow slaughter ban reaffirmed, enforcement including illegal slaughterhouse closures and no governmental recognition of contested religious titles.
Uttar Pradesh reiterates that cow slaughter is fully prohibited and enforcement includes closure of illegal slaughterhouses, action under the National Security Act, and policies to support cow shelters; the government disclaims recognizing contested religious titles like Shankaracharya, framing such recognition as a monastic matter while limiting its role to maintaining public order.

Karnataka and Jupiter Meta launch privacy-first research to benchmark and strengthen the startup ecosystem.
Karnataka signed an MoU with Jupiter Meta for a privacy-first, pro bono research study of 2,000 stakeholders to generate actionable insights on founder needs, ecosystem gaps, program effectiveness and opportunities-with focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities-and to benchmark the State against other start up hubs to inform and strengthen initiatives like the Karnataka Booster Kit.

Article 370 allegedly fostered regional discrimination; its abrogation is said to restore constitutional uniformity and equal rights.
Article 370 was alleged to have been misused to discriminate against and isolate Jammu and Ladakh, with the 1953 Praja Parishad events cited as evidence of suppression of calls for equal constitutional treatment. The August 2019 abrogation is presented as restoring constitutional uniformity and equal rights, enabling inclusive development in Ladakh through increased budgets, infrastructure projects, connectivity expansion and social initiatives, alongside memorialisation and public recognition for historical sacrifices.

Medaram Maha Jathara concludes; government deployed 42,000 personnel and funded major shrine reconstruction and developments.
The state government renovated the shrine and reconstructed altars at a cost of about Rs 101 crore, with additional development works of about Rs 150 crore to improve facilities. Approximately 21 government departments coordinated the event and 42,000 personnel were deployed for crowd control, security, cleanliness and medical services; medical camps, ambulances and bike ambulances were provided. Several devotees complained of inadequate public transport.

Japan and Britain to boost cybersecurity and diversify critical minerals supply chains to strengthen economic resilience.
Japan and Britain agreed to accelerate cooperation by establishing a cyber strategic partnership to strengthen cybersecurity protections for economic infrastructure and to cooperate on diversifying supply chains and bolstering resilience for critical minerals, addressing export restriction risks and supporting multilateral trade frameworks including expansion of the CPTPP.

NGT fines stadiums for failing to report groundwater use and seeks police explanation for inspection security failures.
The regulator imposed modest fixed fines on multiple cricket stadia for failing to submit required groundwater use details for irrigation, enforcing reporting obligations on groundwater management. Separately, the regulator requested an explanation from law enforcement for failing to provide adequate security and facilitation during an inspection of alleged illegal red category industrial units, signaling enforcement of inspection facilitation and public safety obligations.

Sunetra Pawar sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, resigns Rajya Sabha seat and is set to contest the Baramati by election.
Sunetra Pawar was sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister and allocated excise, sports, minority development and Aukaf, while finance and planning remained with the Chief Minister. She resigned from the Rajya Sabha and is not a member of the state legislature, and is expected to contest the Baramati assembly by election. The NCP appointed her legislature wing leader and Praful Patel as national president amid ongoing, uncertain talks about merging the party's two factions.

South Korea-Punjab cooperation in smart farming and agricultural investment signals potential technology and machinery partnerships.
A South Korean delegation and the Punjab Chief Minister discussed bilateral cooperation to transfer vertical farming models, automation, seed technology and small agricultural machinery expertise to make farming more profitable, and explored collaboration on automation of farm machinery, smart combine harvesters, transplanters, seeds and related sectors with an invitation to the Progressive Punjab Investors' Summit to structure investment and technology-transfer initiatives.

India-EU free trade agreement hailed as boost to global trade cooperation; related regional security and legal developments reported.
The report highlights a recently announced free trade agreement between India and the EU noted for advancing trade cooperation and investment frameworks, and discloses that Justice Department-released Epstein files name a public figure in an email, engaging issues of disclosure of investigative records. It also documents counterterrorism operations in Pakistan with significant militant and security-force fatalities implicating counterterrorism operations, electoral conditions in Bangladesh including a major party's exclusion affecting electoral eligibility, and reported civilian deaths from strikes in Gaza raising armed-conflict protection concerns.

Tamil Nadu growth praised by Economic Survey; CM urges restoration of MGNREGA and criticises new rural jobs law.
The chief minister cited the Central Economic Survey as confirming Tamil Nadu's strong economic performance and pressed the prime minister and governor to consult the report before criticizing the state. He challenged the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, arguing it centralises control, requires states to bear 40% of funding, and risks reducing wage disbursements compared with MGNREGA; the state has demanded restoration of the earlier law and signalled public mobilisation if the Centre does not repeal the new statute.

India-US trade talks progressing to finalise the first tranche of a free trade agreement while addressing tariff disputes.
Negotiations aim to conclude a proposed free trade agreement between India and the United States with both sides working to finalise the first tranche; ministerial and technical talks cover trade, critical minerals and defence while addressing US import measures (25% tariff plus 25% penalty) linked to India's Russian crude purchases that have been largely resolved through dialogue.

Silver and gold prices plunged as a stronger dollar triggered a global precious metals selloff and profit taking.
Silver plunged about 19% to Rs 3.12 lakh/kg and gold fell roughly 2% to Rs 1.65 lakh/10g amid a global selloff prompted by a stronger US dollar tied to a major US central bank nomination, triggering profit taking after record highs; analysts described silver as overbought with potential further downside and maintained a constructive medium term outlook for gold despite near term volatility.

Union Budget urged to deliver measures addressing manufacturing decline, low employability, falling savings, inflation, rupee weakness and FDI outflows.
The statement urges the Union Budget to present concrete measures to reverse declines in manufacturing growth, unmet Make in India targets, low graduate employability, diminished global trade share, falling household savings, high food inflation, rupee weakness, and negative FDI growth, framing these indicators as the government's legacy and asking whether the budget will offer policy remedies to stabilise these areas.

Deposit Refund System rollout in Goa risks summer beer supply disruptions; industry seeks postponement to October.
Goa's Deposit Refund System, set for April 2, 2026, mandates refundable deposits on beer containers but lacks key operational details such as USI specifications, bottle recovery pricing, payment timelines, and System Operator obligations. The Brewers Association of India requests deferral to post-October 2026, citing inability to commence inventory pre-build, required production-line applicator redesigns that could reduce efficiency by 25-30%, vendor onboarding and validation needs of up to five months, a projected shortfall of 8-10 lakh cases in peak season, and an estimated Rs 50-55 crore excise revenue loss from beer if implementation proceeds on the current timeline.