EU-India summit to finalise a free trade deal, launch a defence partnership and frame worker mobility arrangements.
The summit will finalise an ambitious Free Trade Agreement to deepen bilateral economic integration and market access, while establishing a Security and Defence Partnership to enhance defence interoperability and enable Indian participation in the EU's SAFE defence funding programme; negotiations will also begin on a Security of Information Agreement and a memorandum framing mobility arrangements for Indian workers.

Currency intervention signals and tariff measures drove market volatility, hitting exporters and shifting commodity and currency prices.
Rapid currency movements and trade policy threats affected markets: a sharp yen rebound attributed to possible Japan-US coordinated intervention drove declines in Japanese exporters and altered exchange rates, while prior and adjusted tariff measures - including 100% and 25% duties and reciprocal import taxes - shaped trade risk and contributed to broader market volatility in equities, commodities and precious metals.

US-India trade deal reportedly resisted by Navarro, Vance and Trump, says Senator Ted Cruz in donor meetings.
Senator Ted Cruz reported opposition within the Trump administration to a proposed US-India bilateral trade agreement, naming economic adviser Peter Navarro, Vice President J D Vance and at times President Donald Trump as resistors; negotiations stalled amid US demands for access to India's farm and dairy sectors and after imposition of large tariffs and related political tensions.

Republic Day in Rajasthan highlighted government recruitment claims and opposition allegations of constitutional undermining and targeting of dissent.
Officials presented competing governance narratives on Republic Day: the government touted large-scale recruitment (one lakh jobs filled, 1.54 lakh posts recruiting, calendar for one lakh more), elimination of examination paper leaks across 351 exams, economic initiatives including Tourism and Film Policies and increased Kisan Samman Nidhi, and reported declines in certain crime statistics. The Leader of the Opposition countered with allegations that the ruling party is undermining the Constitution by using investigative agencies and tax bodies to intimidate opponents and by targeting voters via a "Special Intensive Revision" of electoral rolls, while weakening rural welfare schemes.

APTRANSCO to complete 55 transmission projects adding 8,853 MVA and 1,558 circuit km to the state grid.
APTRANSCO plans to complete 55 transmission projects worth Rs 9,319.30 crore, adding 8,853 MVA of transformation capacity and about 1,558 circuit kilometres of transmission lines, including new 400/220/132 kV substations at strategic locations to enhance supply reliability and modernise the transmission network.

US-India relations marked by Republic Day greetings amid unresolved trade disputes and high tariffs blocking a bilateral deal.
Diplomatic greetings highlighted a strategic US India partnership across defence, energy and technologies, while substantive tensions persist: the United States has imposed significant tariffs on Indian goods (including a reported 50 per cent levy and a 25 per cent punitive tariff linked to Russian oil), and bilateral trade negotiations remain unresolved due to US demands for greater access to India's farm and dairy sectors and other policy disagreements.

Maharashtra investment claims at Davos challenged as exaggerated; demand for full disclosure of MoU details.
Maharashtra's executive reported MoUs at the World Economic Forum totalling Rs 30 lakh crore and potential creation of 40 lakh jobs, asserting 83% of MoUs are foreign direct investment and 16% are technical partnerships, with a stated 75% realisation rate; a political opponent called these claims exaggerated and demanded publication of the actual investment status.

Private space industry seeks classification of space assets as critical infrastructure and guaranteed government procurement support.
Classify space assets as critical infrastructure and adopt a formal procurement mandate requiring ministries, state governments and ULBs to buy satellite imagery and geospatial data from empanelled Indian firms, thereby unlocking infrastructure grade financing, lowering cost of capital, and supporting fiscal incentives, tax rationalisation and government-backed funding to scale indigenous manufacturing, launch services and downstream commercialisation while enforcing geo tagging and access restrictions for sensitive data.

Budget 2026 27 planning assigns clear roles for resource allocation, tax measures, expenditure control, disinvestment, and macroeconomic inputs.
Budget 2026 27 preparation is coordinated through a structured framework: the Economic Affairs Secretary leads resource allocation and the macroeconomic framework; the Revenue Secretary handles tax proposals and revenue mobilisation; the Expenditure Secretary enforces fiscal discipline and oversees spending and subsidy rationalisation; the Department of Financial Services manages financial inclusion and public financial institutions; DIPAM directs disinvestment and non tax revenue targets; the Department of Public Enterprises supervises CPSE capital plans and asset monetisation; and the Chief Economic Adviser supplies macroeconomic forecasts and policy advice.

PACL assets attached under PMLA; 37 immovable properties worth Rs 1,986 crore provisionally seized in money laundering probe.
The Enforcement Directorate provisionally attached 37 immovable properties valued at Rs 1,986.48 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in its probe of PACL, asserting that part of the alleged illicit proceeds financed acquisition of these assets; the latest action brings total attached assets in the investigation to Rs 7,589 crore and follows multiple charge sheets filed in connection with the alleged illegal collective investment scheme.

Assam immigration enforcement: District Commissioners can expel foreigners within 24 hours under the Immigration (Expulsion from Assam) Act.
The state invokes the Immigration (Expulsion from Assam) Act and Supreme Court permission to empower District Commissioners to expel identified foreigners within 24 hours without tribunal proceedings, deploying eviction and repatriation to reclaim allegedly encroached land and protect demographic and cultural identity. Parallel administrative measures include issuing land pattas to indigenous persons and granting land rights and reservations for tea garden workers to formalise tenure and address historic neglect.

India-EU FTA likely to cut tariffs on textiles, footwear, cars and wines and ease access for services sectors.
The India EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs on most goods, granting zero duty access for labour intensive Indian sectors and reciprocal tariff cuts for EU automobiles and wines, while liberalising services sectors and providing phased, quota based concessions and safeguards to protect sensitive domestic industries; agriculture remains excluded, and parallel negotiations cover investment protection and Geographical Indications.

Indian diplomatic missions in China marked Republic Day with cultural events and highlighted resumed tourist visas and new daily flights.
Indian missions in Beijing and Shanghai combined ceremonial Republic Day observances and cultural programmes with policy-oriented announcements. Activities included flag-hoisting, exhibitions on Vande Mataram, performances, commemorations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, and a culinary festival. Officials emphasised operational advances in bilateral engagement: the start of daily flights from Shanghai to Indian cities, resumption of tourist visa services, and renewed trade, investment and economic cooperation, framing cultural diplomacy and consular outreach as complementary to facilitating travel and commerce.

Madhya Pradesh declares 2026 the Year of Agriculture with bigger budgets and programs to boost farmer incomes and agri infrastructure.
2026 has been declared the Year of Agriculture, backed by a substantially increased agriculture budget and a statewide 10 point agricultural development model covering technology transfer, income enhancement, natural farming, marketing and digital transparency. The e Mandi scheme now covers 259 markets with 40 lakh farmer registrations. Animal husbandry measures feature higher grants for cow shelters, the Kamdhenu Yojana, new milk cooperatives and increased procurement prices. The state also expands rural housing, road connectivity and public employment guarantees while pursuing conservation initiatives and regulatory deregulation to promote investment.

Left Wing Extremism addressed via combined security operations, surrender and reintegration programmes, and targeted development near camps.
The state pursues elimination of Left Wing Extremism through sustained area domination security operations, coordinated central state strategy, and programmes enabling surrender and reintegration into constitutional civic life, coupled with targeted multi departmental development projects in villages near security camps to address grievances and accelerate mainstreaming.

Republic Day parade attendance: Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and opposition leaders present among dignitaries and ministers.
Attendance at the Republic Day parade included former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar seated in the front row beside the Lok Sabha Speaker, and opposition leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi observed in the third row. The report also lists the Vice President, the Chief Justice, multiple Union ministers, state leaders, party officials, senior bureaucrats and a large diplomatic contingent among attendees.

Boeing Dreamliners in India face tariff challenges and ongoing accident investigations amid continued market growth.
Tariff tensions and recent regulatory scrutiny shape Boeing's prospects for additional B787 Dreamliner orders in India, while the company stresses long-term confidence in Indian demand and industrialisation goals despite short-term challenges. Boeing cited its significant supplier network and annual sourcing from India and limited comment to procedural aspects of the AAIB probe into the fatal Air India AI171 Dreamliner crash. The company described competition from Airbus as normal and maintained that growing route networks will support B787 demand.

Odisha government: zero tolerance for crimes against women, accused arrested, enhanced women's welfare and farmer support measures.
The government asserts a zero tolerance policy for crimes against women, reporting arrests of all accused and a significant rise in conviction rates in early 2025. It couples enforcement commitments with targeted welfare measures-Subhadra Yojana coverage exceeding one crore, substantial budgetary allocation for women's services, and initiatives creating "Lakhpati Didis." Agricultural support measures include paddy procurement at Rs 3,100 per quintal, Rs 800 per quintal input assistance for Kharif and Rabi, disaster support, and schemes to boost farmer incomes through diversification and allied activities.

Republic Day coverage: military display, cultural tributes, Ashoka Chakra award, IED security incident and oil import shifts.
No legal or regulatory issues arise; the document is a non adjudicatory news summary reporting Republic Day ceremonies including military displays and the Ashoka Chakra conferral, an IED blast injuring security personnel during an anti Naxalite operation in Chhattisgarh, and changes in crude oil procurement with private and state refiners diverging in purchases.

Odisha tableau showcased transition from agrarian roots to innovation with women-led inclusion and cultural heritage.
Odisha's Republic Day tableau presented the state's shift from agrarian roots to innovation-led growth, asserting that self-reliance rests on tradition reinforced by technology and skills. It highlighted women-led inclusive participation, displayed a semiconductor chip to signify technological advancement, and represented Koraput coffee, handloom weaving, and handicrafts to underline sustainable livelihoods, tribal empowerment, and preservation of traditional skills, while cultural icons like the Konark Sun Temple replica and traditional arts affirmed the state's civilisational legacy.