Parliament will prioritise the President's address and Budget debates while the government resists reopening debate on SIR and VB GRAMG.
The government refused to reopen debate on the VB-G RAM G Act and the SIR exercise for the Budget Session, asserting both had been extensively debated already and must be followed; outstanding concerns may be raised during the Motion of Thanks to the President and Budget debates but not as separate re examinations. Opposition parties sought discussion on electoral roll revision, the replacement employment guarantee law, foreign policy matters, tariffs, social media regulation for minors, and urged committee scrutiny and adequate time for parliamentary debate.

India-EU trade deal grants preferential market access for 99% of Indian exports and mobility for professionals.
The Free Trade Agreement framework secures preferential market access for about 99% of Indian exports across defined sectors and includes provisions to support agricultural exports. Complementary pacts provide regulatory certainty for services and mobility for independent professionals in seventeen subsectors, including pathways for AYUSH practitioners, and are accompanied by security, defence, and implementation agreements to operationalise the strategic partnership.

India's democratic process lauded as a global milestone; India UK ties and a pending trade agreement highlighted at Republic Day reception.
The Speaker praised India's mass electoral process as a global democratic milestone and urged neighbouring states to reflect on democratic principles. The Republic Day reception highlighted deepening India UK ties in trade, technology and culture, noted momentum from recent prime ministerial visits, and referenced a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement facing UK parliamentary ratification, with diaspora participation underscoring civic engagement.

Air pollution's economic impact must be assessed and authorities held accountable; compensation and systemic measures were urged.
The Bombay High Court, continuing suo motu oversight of escalating air pollution, emphasized the need to examine the economic impact of pollution after the amicus curiae cited international commentary framing pollution as a major economic threat. The amicus urged rigorous assessment of economic costs and a systemic "shock treatment," noting no quick fix and the need for political will. An NGO sought compensation for health harms and accountability for slow official action. The bench reserved further hearing while stressing that mere reprimands will not suffice.

ICE chief ordered to appear to explain denial of detainees' due process and missed bond hearings.
A federal judge ordered the acting ICE director to appear personally to explain noncompliance with court orders requiring timely bond hearings for detained immigrants, citing continued violations and the failure to handle attendant habeas petitions; the appearance may be vacated if the named petitioner is released from custody.

India-EU free trade agreement aims to boost manufacturing, services, investor confidence, and coordinate security and talent mobility.
The Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union is presented as a decisive measure to strengthen India's manufacturing base, expand services, and enhance global economic standing, while boosting investor confidence and creating opportunities across sectors. Accompanying instruments on security and defence cooperation and mobility of Indian talent signal coordinated economic and strategic collaboration to deepen the India-EU partnership.

Private firm owner arrested for allegedly cheating partners after closing firm, selling assets and absconding with investments.
A private firm owner is accused of cheating after soliciting Rs 67.71 lakh from two investors by promising shares, excluding them from business benefits, then closing the company and selling its machinery and goods without returning the investments; the case was investigated by the police economic offence wing, an FIR filed, and the owner arrested following inquiry.

India's first Flat Rolled Products unit in Odisha opens, advancing aluminium value chain and reducing import dependence.
The inauguration of a Rs 5,000 crore FRP unit and Rs 834 crore battery grade aluminium foil facility, alongside a Rs 21,162 crore smelter expansion, establishes an integrated aluminium value chain in Sambalpur intended to indigenise lithium ion battery inputs (supporting up to 100 GWh cell capacity), reduce nearly 40% import dependence in flat rolled aluminium, and generate about 5,012 direct jobs.

ICE agents will support diplomatic security at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, not conduct immigration enforcement.
US immigration agents are reported to be assigned to support diplomatic security details at the Milan Cortina Winter Games and will not conduct immigration enforcement operations; the deployment is presented as consistent with prior use of national security investigative components to provide protective support at major international events.

India-Canada energy collaboration to secure supplies, invest in critical minerals and expand clean energy partnerships.
India and Canada agreed to deepen bilateral energy cooperation through reciprocal commercial and investment partnerships covering LNG, LPG, crude oil, refined products and Indian participation in Canadian LNG terminals, while an Indian delegation will explore investments in extraction of critical minerals to diversify supply chains and support clean energy and defence-related manufacturing.

Manipur: demand to designate state as special crisis-affected and secure dedicated relief, reconstruction and local governance funds.
Demand to label Manipur as a special crisis-affected state seeks a distinct Union Budget response with a dedicated relief and reconstruction package separate from normal plan funds to finance rehabilitation of displaced families, reconstruction of destroyed houses, schools, places of worship and health centres, livelihood restoration for MSMEs, SHGs, farmers and daily wage earners, immediate release of pending finance commission grants and direct central assistance to local bodies, and funds for relief camps, police modernisation and designation of key roads as National Strategic Corridors.

Indian economy: Government urged to publish unmanipulated figures amid rising inequality, shrinking welfare and currency concerns.
The report alleges manipulation of official economic statistics and urges publication of real figures, arguing that GDP and inflation metrics overstate performance while core industry growth, a depreciating rupee, negative net FDI, and capital flight indicate weaker fundamentals; it further contends that reduced MGNREGA funding and coverage, falling household savings, rising household debt, and an increased individual tax burden have compressed welfare and driven rising inequality.

India-EU free trade agreement to expand market access and forge security, mobility and innovation partnerships.
The India-EU free trade agreement creates a framework to expand market access, facilitate trade and investment, boost manufacturing, services, agriculture and small industries, and strengthen supply chains while fostering innovation partnerships. Parallel to the FTA, a security and defence partnership will deepen cooperation in counter terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity and enable co development and co production in defence. A five year strategic agenda will guide closer collaboration on Indo Pacific engagement, multilateral reform, a rules based international order, and complementary mobility and science and technology frameworks.

Opposition demands discussion on MGNREGA, SIR and the economy; government failed to circulate Budget session agenda.
Opposition demanded structured debate in the Budget session on the scrapping of MGNREGA, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, foreign policy and the economy, and criticised the government for not circulating the tentative legislative agenda. They sought restoration of MGNREGA, scrutiny of SIR procedures, release of withheld state funds, and discussion of Centre-state relations. The government said the list of business is provided after the President's address and declined separate debate on VB G RAM G and SIR, noting both had already been debated.

Banking operations disrupted by nationwide bank unions' strike demanding implementation of a five day work week.
Nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions disrupted branch banking operations as unions demanded immediate implementation of a five-day work week; roughly eight lakh public sector bank employees participated, affecting cheque clearance, cash transactions, bill trading and treasury functions while digital channels remained operational. The action followed a failed conciliation meeting and reflects union claims that a prior agreement to extend weekday hours and declare remaining Saturdays as holidays has been pending government approval, and that declaration of all Saturdays as holidays was agreed in the 12th Bipartite Settlement.

Tata Power launches affordable IoT home automation device and scales nationwide retail expansion to reach mass households.
Tata Power is launching an affordable IoT-enabled converter and expanding retail home automation under 'EZ Home 100 Cities, 1 Purpose', targeting one crore households and growth from nine to 100 cities; the Rs 2,500 device automates up to three appliances via a mobile app, works with limited or no internet, suits new and existing homes without major electrical modifications, and supplements a 50-product portfolio largely imported but quality-monitored by Tata Power.

Gold and silver hit record highs as safe haven demand and geopolitical tensions drive sharp price rallies.
Gold and silver reached record domestic and international prices driven by safe haven investor demand, geopolitical and trade tensions, and a weaker dollar, with silver also supported by industrial demand; analysts warned of possible near term profit booking while the broader upward bias remains if global risk sentiment stays fragile.

Odisha farmers' distress and worsening law and order to be raised in Parliament alongside statewide agitation.
The BJD will raise in Parliament farmers' distress-including seed and fertiliser shortages, deficient paddy procurement and alleged non-payment at announced rates-alongside demands for special status, coal royalty revision, unemployment and alleged recruitment irregularities; it will also press law-and-order concerns including increased crimes against women and communal attacks, and raise the Mahanadi water dispute and Polavaram project, coordinated with a fortnight-long statewide agitation.

GST deputy commissioner resigns over religious leader's remarks, citing service rules and support for constitution and elected leadership.
A state GST deputy commissioner resigned citing objectionable remarks by a religious leader, framing his resignation as support for the Constitution and elected leadership and invoking Uttar Pradesh service rules to limit his opposition to conduct against the state or its head to actions within his constitutional and service boundaries.

India-EU Free Trade Agreement grants preferential access for over 99% of Indian goods and includes mobility and defence pacts.
India and the European Union finalised a Free Trade Agreement providing preferential market access for over 99% of Indian goods, aimed at boosting exports and supporting farmers, MSMEs, manufacturing, services and skilled professionals. The instruments include a mobility pact for Indian talent and a security and defence collaboration pact; 13 pacts and a five year strategic agenda were announced. Formal signature requires bilateral legal scrubbing and may take at least six months.