Union Budget 2026-27 cuts Swachh Bharat Mission allocation by nearly 50% to Rs 5,000 crore from previous levels, with major reductions in urban schemes like sanitation and waste management. Rural components see lesser impact, but overall cleanliness drive faces resource constraints. The budget prioritizes other infra and manufacturing, though states receive grants for local sanitation. Critics highlight risks to ODF status maintenance and urban hygiene amid growing cities. Government emphasizes multi-year achievements and continued state support.

Union Budget 2026-27 increases health sector allocation to Rs 1.06 lakh crore, a significant rise focusing on medical education, research, and infrastructure. Key initiatives include 75,000 new medical seats over five years, expansion of AIIMS-like institutions, and enhanced funding for vaccination programs and cancer care. The budget emphasizes preventive healthcare, digital health records, and rural medical facilities, aiming to strengthen India's health ecosystem amid rising demands for quality care and disease management.

Union Budget 2026 announces seven high-speed rail corridors connecting major cities like Mumbai-Pune, Hyderabad-Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi-Siliguri to enhance economic linkages and sustainable mobility. State-wise highlights include freight corridor for West Bengal (Dankuni-Surat), rare earth corridors spanning Odisha-Kerala-Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu, bird-watching ecotourism in Pulicat Lake (Tamil Nadu-Andhra), Buddhist circuits in Northeast (Assam etc.), and industrial/logistics hubs in Uttar Pradesh. Poll-bound states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, Assam receive targeted connectivity and sector supports for balanced regional growth.

Union Budget 2026-27 reduces pollution abatement allocation to Rs 1,091 crore from Rs 1,300 crore revised estimates, amid severe urban air quality issues and increasing climate extremes like heatwaves, flooding, and cyclones. MoEFCC total rises 8% to Rs 3,759.46 crore, with gains for surveys and tribunal. Government highlights multi-channel funding via states and sanitation grants. Critics including Rahul Gandhi and activists call for greater priority, labeling pollution a national health emergency requiring deeper investment.

Union Budget 2026-27 reduces India's development assistance to Bangladesh from Rs 120 crore to Rs 60 crore amid strained relations, with low prior utilization. Bhutan tops recipients with increased support, Nepal and Sri Lanka see rises, while Maldives and Myanmar face cuts. Overall foreign aid increases 4% to Rs 5,686 crore. The adjustment coincides with Chabahar port funding pause and prioritizes aligned neighbors amid regional dynamics and global pressures. Bangladesh's partial previous disbursement highlights underutilization.

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates zero funds for Iran's Chabahar port project, previously Rs 100 crore annually, reflecting caution over US sanctions and tariff threats on trade with Tehran. India's six-month exemption expires April 2026. Aid to Bangladesh halved to Rs 60 crore from Rs 120 crore amid strained ties, with low prior disbursement. Bhutan tops recipients with increased support, followed by Nepal and Sri Lanka. Overall foreign aid rises 4% to Rs 5,686 crore, prioritizing key neighbors while pausing Iran engagement amid geopolitical pressures.

Sunetra Pawar, wife of NCP leader Ajit Pawar, took oath as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister on January 31, 2026, becoming the first woman to hold the post. The ceremony at Raj Bhavan was administered by Governor CP Radhakrishnan, attended by CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar, and cabinet ministers. Sunetra, a Rajya Sabha MP, represents NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) in the Mahayuti government expansion. The move strengthens family political legacy amid NCP dynamics.

The India-EU free trade agreement reduces duties on European luxury cars from over 100% to 10-40%, wines and spirits from 150% to 20% over 5-10 years, and eliminates tariffs on medicines for critical illnesses, medical equipment, electronic spare parts, steel, and chemicals. Quota-based concessions protect India's auto industry. The pact opens European markets for Indian garments, leather, jewellery, and medicines, boosting exports while making imports more affordable for consumers. Negotiations concluded after 18 years, called the "mother of all trade deals" by Ursula von der Leyen.

A 27-year-old software engineer Yuvraj Mehta drowned after his car plunged into a water-filled construction pit in Greater Noida's Sector 150 amid dense fog. He survived nearly two hours calling for help, but his father alleges bystanders recorded videos instead of assisting and administration ignored safety requests for barricades. Police used cranes and ladders for recovery; FIR filed against developers amid protests demanding justice and better safety norms.

The Supreme Court expressed strong displeasure with Maneka Gandhi's podcast comments criticizing its stray dogs order as "impractical" and from "anger," deeming them contemptuous but choosing not to initiate proceedings due to magnanimity. The bench compared her remarks to Ajmal Kasab not committing contempt, questioned budgetary contributions as former minister, and highlighted lack of coordination among civic bodies for implementation amid ongoing case balancing feeding strays with resident rights.