English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
A new white paper from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser outlines a ‘techno-legal’ framework aimed at operationalising AI governance in India. The proposal focuses on building institutional mechanisms that manage risk while supporting innovation.
India’s telecom security certification regime is being broadened and made cheaper for labs and smaller firms, with reduced application fees for designated testing labs and simplified certification pathways for ONT devices from 1 January 2026. The moves aim to speed up secure product time-to-market while keeping tighter scrutiny over telecom equipment and network functions.
European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travelled to India for the 16th EU–India Summit on 27 January 2026, while also attending India’s Republic Day parade on 26 January as chief guests. EU statements said the summit will focus on trade, security and defence, the clean transition and people-to-people ties—signalling a push to strengthen cooperation amid wider global uncertainties.
India marked its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a full-scale parade and cultural showcase at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu led the celebrations as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, underlining the growing India–EU partnership ahead of the 16th EU–India Summit.
Bihar sealed promotion back to the Elite group with a crushing 568-run win over Manipur in the Ranji Trophy Plate final. The result was powered by a second-innings double century from opener Piyush Singh and incisive bowling from Suraj Kashyap and Himanshu Singh, marking a major milestone in Bihar’s domestic red-ball revival.
A fresh political spat broke out during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi after the Congress objected to the seating allocation for Rahul Gandhi and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge at the parade. Congress leaders alleged the placement violated protocol and reflected disrespect toward opposition positions, while the BJP dismissed the claims and defended the arrangement—turning a ceremonial setting into a new flashpoint in an already polarised political climate.
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, an academic study has argued for a significant increase in public healthcare expenditure, warning that rising medical costs and uneven access are deepening inequality. The researchers say stronger public investment is essential to improve health infrastructure and expand affordable, universal access in a rapidly changing economy.
BSE and NSE remained closed on Monday, 26 January 2026, as India observed Republic Day. The holiday covers equities and derivatives segments, pausing trading activity for the day and pushing normal market operations to the next working session—an important detail for investors planning settlements, expiries and near-term positioning.
Security agencies heightened alerts ahead of Republic Day after intelligence inputs pointed to a suspected terror conspiracy, according to a report that said Delhi Police issued a wanted notice for a man linked to AQIS amid concerns of attacks timed around 26 January.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day with a full ceremonial parade in New Delhi, blending military displays, cultural tableaux and a strong diplomatic message as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa joined as chief guests.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in India for the Republic Day celebrations and summit meetings, said that a successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure—framing New Delhi as a key global partner as trade and strategic talks advance.
The rupee breached the 91-per-dollar level as risk-off sentiment, foreign portfolio outflows and global trade tensions weighed on the currency, according to a report that also pointed to continued investor demand for safe-haven assets.