India

Senior NCP leader Narhari Zirwal said people want Sunetra Pawar, wife of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, to be included in the Maharashtra ministry. He said the party leadership would take a decision on the matter

Indians continue to be the largest expatriate community in Kuwait, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the total population and over one-third of the workforce. The Indian population grew to over one million last year, according to official data.

The AAIB has stepped up its investigation into the Baramati plane crash that claimed the life of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others. Authorities are examining visibility conditions, airstrip limitations and pilot decisions

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk denied allegations of inciting overthrow of the government during a Supreme Court hearing on Thursday. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal said Wangchuk’s detention under the NSA was based on selective videos and misleading claims, and violated his democratic rights

India recorded its lowest inflation since the CPI series began, with average headline inflation at 1.7 per cent during April–December 2025, even as GDP grew 8 per cent, reflecting strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the Economic Survey 2025–26 said.

India’s active internet users reached 958 million in 2025, driven by rapid rural connectivity growth. Rural users form 57% of the base. Short-video consumption, AI adoption, quick commerce and multi-device usage are accelerating, underscoring India’s fast-evolving digital economy nationwide trends 

Two Naxalites were killed in a forest encounter with security forces in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. Weapons were recovered, and operations continue. So far in 2026, 22 Maoists have died in the state’s anti-LWE operations

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met party chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, assuring alignment with the leadership amid earlier reports of discontent, and clarified he has no interest in a Kerala chief ministerial candidacy

Chhattisgarh security forces in Bijapur recovered and destroyed two powerful Maoist-planted IEDs targeting vehicles. The swift operation prevented casualties, highlighting ongoing counter-insurgency vigilance in the Bastar region and the coordinated efforts of local security personnel

The Supreme Court has stayed the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, reverting to the 2012 rules. The court cited concerns over potential caste-based discrimination against general category individuals and lack of grievance mechanisms

WhiteOak Capital advises investors to book profits on silver, now overvalued relative to historical levels, and reduce precious metals allocation. Funds recommend reallocating into diversified Indian equity funds or blue-chip stocks for better long-term growth and liquidity

Misa Bharti and Hema Yadav pleaded not guilty in the Railways land-for-jobs corruption case. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav sought exemptions from personal appearance. Trial will start March 9, with charges of corruption and criminal conspiracy

The CBI conducted raids in Kolkata on offices and residences of promoters of a finance company over an alleged Rs 1,000 crore bank fraud. The companies allegedly siphoned funds from multiple banks between 2014-2020, defaulting on repayments

Three men were arrested in Chennai for the brutal murder of Gaurav Kumar, his wife, and two-year-old son following an attempted sexual assault. Bodies were recovered from multiple locations, sparking political outrage over Tamil Nadu’s law and order situation

India’s gold demand fell 11% to 710.9 tonnes in 2025 due to record-high prices, but value rose 30% to ₹7.51 lakh crore. Jewellery demand declined, while investment demand surged. 2026 demand is projected at 600–700 tonnes

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Tirumala’s Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, received by TTD officials. He offered prayers, received silk clothes, prasadams, and a portrait of the deity, marking a diplomatic and cultural gesture

The government has launched a new Aadhaar mobile app that enables faster and safer digital identity verification through selective data sharing, QR-based offline checks and biometric controls, reducing the need for physical documents while aligning with data protection norms.

Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee called the India-EU free trade agreement a strategic alignment signaling reduced dependence on the US but cautioned that efficiency, logistics, and supply-chain improvements are crucial for India to fully benefit from the pact

Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget—first woman to do so in India. Backed by top bureaucrats, the Budget focuses on fiscal stability, growth, reforms, and Viksit Bharat 2047 goals

Karnataka Police arrested a BBA student in Kodagu for allegedly recording private videos with multiple young women and leaking them on social media. The case has triggered outrage, with investigations probing possible involvement of friends and related violent incidents

UAE-based social media influencer Khalid Al Ameri shared his Kashmir experience with millions of followers, praising its snow-covered landscapes, rich culture and warmth of people. Officials say such exposure is helping revive tourism after setbacks from terror incidents and harsh weather

India has submitted Meghalaya’s living root bridges nomination to UNESCO for World Heritage status 2026–27. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the move seeks global recognition for the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia communities that have preserved this living cultural landscape for centuries 

Hundreds gathered at Katewadi near Baramati to mourn Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who died in a Learjet crash. Villagers, party workers and dignitaries paid tributes as his mortal remains were brought home ahead of last rites with state honours 

Meghalaya Police launched a probe after a poster, purportedly issued by ISIS, threatened Garo community members in West Garo Hills to vacate land by 2027. Authorities termed it an attempt to create fear, registered a case, and stepped up security