English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
An academic study released ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27 argues India should increase public healthcare expenditure, warning that rising medical costs and uneven access are deepening inequality. The research analyses long-term data and points to the need for stronger public funding to reduce household out-of-pocket burden and improve equitable access to care.
Karnataka has approved a new AI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru aimed at speeding up AI adoption, deeptech innovation and digital transformation across sectors. The project, planned with NASSCOM, is positioned to support startups, MSMEs and research institutions, and is intended to reinforce the state’s role as a leading hub for applied AI in India.
Bihar sealed a dominant 568-run win over Manipur in the Ranji Trophy Plate final, earning promotion back to the Elite group. The victory was built on a major batting effort, including a second-innings double hundred from opener Piyush Singh, and a clinical bowling display that dismantled Manipur’s chase.
India’s benchmark indices fell more than 4% through January 2026, with market commentary pointing to sustained foreign portfolio investor selling, rupee weakness, muted corporate earnings and global uncertainties. Traders are now watching whether the typical pre-Budget season pattern—sharp January weakness followed by a rebound—repeats this year.
Google released a Republic Day 2026 Doodle celebrating India’s space exploration story and saluting ISRO’s contributions to science and technology. The artwork ties national pride to innovation and the country’s growing visibility in space missions.
India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2026 featured a Kartavya Path parade that blended military pageantry with cultural tableaux. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended as chief guests, underscoring momentum in India–EU ties ahead of the summit on 27 January.
With Union Budget 2026-27 approaching, analysts and healthcare voices are calling for higher public healthcare spending, citing disease burden, out-of-pocket costs and system pressure. Reports note India’s public health spend remains under 2% of GDP, below global and middle-income benchmarks.
The European Council said India is a crucial partner for the EU as António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen travel to New Delhi for Republic Day engagements and the EU–India Summit on 27 January 2026. Trade, security, clean transition and people-to-people links are among the stated priorities.
India sealed the series against New Zealand in Guwahati after bowlers set up the chase and the top order, led by Abhishek Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, finished the job. The win capped a strong run of performances across the series.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked officials to expand technology-driven governance and increase the use of AI tools for faster service delivery and grievance redressal. He also stressed training, audits and the scaling of digital service platforms across departments.
The RBI has amended foreign trade rules to encourage rupee-denominated trade by giving exporters more time to realise export proceeds when invoices are raised and settled in Indian rupees. The move is positioned as part of efforts to internationalise the rupee.
India’s benchmark indices have fallen more than 4% so far in January 2026, with market participants citing sustained FPI selling, a weakening rupee, muted earnings and global uncertainties including geopolitical tensions and tariff worries. Investors are now watching whether sentiment turns ahead of the Union Budget.