Prime Minister Narendra Modi, replying to the Motion of Thanks in Rajya Sabha, emphasized the world opening up to India through major trade deals with the EU and US, boosting global confidence in stability and speed. He highlighted 'reform, perform, transform' mantra building trust, correcting past mistakes with future-ready policies. Modi attacked Opposition for arrogance, hatred, and failures like Bofors scandals under Congress/TMC/DMK/Left, while praising achievements like Sardar Sarovar dam completion. The speech positioned India as key for global welfare amid Viksit Bharat vision.

In Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, a 25-year-old man Ashish was murdered by his wife Arju alias Anjali and her lover Sanjay alias Sanju, with help from accomplices Rohit alias Rocky and Badal alias Siddharth. The trio assaulted and strangled Ashish on a secluded road before staging the scene as a road accident or robbery by taking his phone and her earrings. Initially reported as a hit-and-run, post-mortem inconsistencies prompted reclassification as homicide. All four were arrested based on technical evidence and statements, revealing a pre-planned conspiracy due to Anjali's marital dissatisfaction just three months after marriage.

IAS officer Pulkit Garg, District Magistrate of Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh, enrolled his young daughter Siya in a government-run Anganwadi centre to demonstrate confidence in public welfare systems. A viral video shows Siya playing at the centre, highlighting the initiative's aim to encourage parents to utilize these facilities. Anganwadi centres under the ICDS scheme provide early education, nutrition, health monitoring, and socialization for children. Garg's personal choice addresses skepticism toward government schemes, promoting them as quality options for all socioeconomic levels. The move has resonated locally, expected to increase enrollments and improve program outcomes in the district.

Union Budget 2026 features targeted infrastructure boosts for several states, including high-speed rail corridors, dedicated freight and rare earth corridors, inland waterways, logistics hubs, and tourism initiatives. West Bengal gains freight corridor and high-speed rail links; Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Odisha share rare earth corridors with eco-tourism and agriculture support; Uttar Pradesh receives extensive projects like AI city and semiconductor park; Assam gets mental health facility and Buddhist circuits. Kerala notably excluded from high-speed rails despite neighbouring states' inclusion. The budget emphasises connectivity, manufacturing, and cultural heritage amid poll-bound state focus.

A heartwarming video from Bengaluru shows schoolchildren in a remote-area school daily bringing fruits for their teacher Deepali Dahikamble, a Teach For India fellow, after she casually mentioned liking them. The clip captures tiny hands passing fruits through the staff room window with pure sincerity, no prompting or rewards involved. Over 624k views on Instagram, it highlights innocent generosity and attentiveness in young students. Reactions praise the kids' kindness and the teacher's influence in nurturing empathy beyond academics. The ritual reflects simple joys and values like sharing instilled early in everyday school life.

Actress Celina Jaitley has made a heartfelt public appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for intervention in the case of her brother, Major Vikrant Jaitley, detained in the UAE since September 2024. The former Special Forces officer faces vague national security charges with limited information provided. Celina broke down in an interview, highlighting family distress and lack of legal aid. The Delhi High Court has directed the MEA to appoint a legal firm, leading to pro bono assistance from a UAE-based company. The case underscores the need for diplomatic support for Indian citizens abroad.

Amid renewed US tariff threats under President Donald Trump, India faces mounting pressure to curtail its substantial Russian oil imports, which constitute 40% of its crude supply at discounted rates. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is leading negotiations to explore alternatives like Venezuelan crude to fill potential gaps while maintaining energy security. Surging Brent prices exacerbate the economic appeal of Russian barrels, but continued reliance risks derailing a major US-India trade deal. Experts suggest a gradual diversification strategy to balance cheap energy needs with strategic partnerships, avoiding inflation spikes and refinery disruptions. The situation underscores India's geopolitical tightrope walk in global energy markets.

Union Budget 2026 offers no direct income tax relief or slab changes for the salaried middle class, retaining the standard deduction at Rs 75,000 allowing tax-free income up to Rs 12.75 lakh. Indirect benefits include reduced TCS on overseas remittances to 2%, duty exemptions on cancer/rare disease medicines, and cheaper manufactured goods like microwaves and electronics components. Job creation via record capex over Rs 12 lakh crore aims indirect support. Experts note the budget may not cheer average salaried taxpayers, lacking broad consumption stimulus despite fiscal prudence.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sharply criticized Union Budget 2026, calling it a "Humpty Dumpty budget" that is directionless, visionless, actionless, and anti-people, anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-education, and against SC, ST, OBC communities. She accused the Centre of allocating "not a single paisa" for Bengal, linking the market crash (Sensex fell over 1,600 points initially) to the budget's shortcomings. Opposition leaders echoed criticism as "lacklustre" with nothing for farmers or youth employment. The government defended it as historic for Viksit Bharat by 2047, with PM Modi praising reform momentum. Moody's called it "tactical." The budget faced backlash amid global uncertainties and US tariffs.

Union Budget 2026-27 witnesses significant rises in allocations for defence (Rs 6.81 lakh crore), railways (Rs 2.65 lakh crore), roads, rural development, and agriculture. Health up to Rs 1.06 lakh crore, education research innovation boosted. Infra capex record levels, manufacturing incentives expanded. Fiscal deficit targeted 4.3% GDP. The budget emphasizes growth through capital spending, self-reliance, and sectoral pushes amid global challenges.