THE HEADLINES::
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s strength and valour of its armed forces.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey 2025-26 in Parliament today.
- Beating Retreat ceremony, marking culmination of 77th Republic Day celebrations, to be held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi today.
- Last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to be performed with full state honours at Baramati this morning.
- Election Commission asks West Bengal government to withdraw transfer of IAS Officers engaged as Electoral Roll Observers.
- In men’s cricket, India suffer 50-run defeat against New Zealand in fourth T20 International at Visakhapatnam.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s strength and the valour of its armed forces, and demonstrated the advancement of indigenous weapons. Addressing annual NCC PM Rally in New Delhi, he said, in modern warfare, battles are not just restricted to borders or use of tanks or guns, but they are also being fought in codes and clouds, referring to cyber and information warfare.
Mr Modi underlined the contributions of the NCC cadets during Operation Sindoor.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Chief Executive Officers of the global energy sector at his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi yesterday as part of the ongoing India Energy Week. Highlighting India’s robust economic momentum, the Prime Minister said that India is advancing rapidly towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy and will play a decisive role in the global energy demand-supply balance.
The high-level roundtable saw participation from 27 CEOs and senior corporate dignitaries representing leading global and Indian energy companies and institutions.
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India and European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen strategic cooperation in next-generation digital technologies, including 6G telecommunications, with a focus on security, trust, and resilient global supply chains. The Ministry of Communications informed that the commitment was reflected in the Leaders’ Statement issued during the visit of European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, and the EU College of Commissioners to India.
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Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey 2025-26 in Parliament today. The document is prepared by the Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs under the guidance of the Chief Economic Advisor. The Economic Survey is a comprehensive review of the country’s current economic state and future outlook.
Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on Sunday. The first phase of the budget session will be held until 13th of next month. The second phase will take place from 9th March to 2nd April. There will be 30 sittings during the Budget Session.
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In Kerala, the State Budget for the next financial year will be presented in the Legislative Assembly today. Even though the term of the present Government comes to an end in May this year, Finance Minister K N Balagopal will be presenting a complete budget for the next financial year.
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Beating Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of 77th Republic Day celebrations, will be held today at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other Union Ministers will be present on the occasion.
“This year in the Beating Retreat ceremony a total of 30 performances will captivate the spectators with foot-tapping music of the bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces. The ceremony will commence with the Massed band’s Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja, followed by melodious tunes by the Pipes & Drums band such as Atulya Bharat, Veer Sainik, Mili Jhuli, Nritya Sarita, Marooni, and Jhelum. The CAPF bands will play Vijay Bharat, Hathrohi, Jai Ho and Veer Seepahi. The band of Indian Air Force will play Brave Warrior, Twilight, Alert, and Flying Star. While the Indian Navy band will play Namaste, Sagar Pawan, Matribhumi, Tejasvi, and Jai Bharati. It will be followed by the Indian Army band which will play Vijayee Bharat, Aarambh Hai, Prachand Hai, Aye Watan, Aye Watan, Anand Math, Sugamya Bharat, and Sitare Hind. The Massed Bands will, then, play the tunes Bharat Ke Shaan, Vande Mataram and Drummers Call. The event will come to a close with the ever-popular tune of ‘Sare Jahan se Acha’ to be played by the Buglers. With Rishu Jaiswal, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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The results of the Best Marching Contingents and Best Tableaux of the Republic Day Parade 2026 have been announced.
Among the three Services, Indian Navy has been adjudged as the Best Marching Contingent, while Delhi Police won the award among Central Armed Police Forces and other Auxiliary Forces. In the States and Union Territories category, Maharashtra claimed first place for its tableau Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta. Jammu and Kashmir stood second for Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir, followed by Kerala in third place for Water Metro and 100 Percent Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Among Central Ministries and Departments, the Ministry of Culture won for its tableau Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation.
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The last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will be performed with full state honours at Vidya Pratishthan ground in Baramati at 11 am today. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to attend the funeral.
“Thousands of people have gathered at Vidya Pratishthan to pay their final respects to Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar, whose mortal remains have been kept there ahead of the funeral. Ajit Pawar died yesterday morning after the aircraft carrying him and four others made a crash landing, killing everyone on board. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau has launched a probe to ascertain the cause of the mishap. Following the tragic incident, the Maharashtra government declared a three-day state mourning across the state yesterday. Ajit Pawar was the longest-serving Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, having held the post for six terms under different governments. Ankita Apte, Akashvani News, Mumbai.”
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The Election Commission has taken a firm stance on the transfer of officials engaged in the Special Intensive Revision of the voter list in West Bengal. The Commission has asked Bengal government to withdraw transfer of three IAS officers deputed as the Electoral Roll Observers (EROs) for districts as the transfers orders were issued without the poll panel’s concurrence.The EC’s stance is aimed at protecting other EROs from the state cadre to discharge their duties without fear. The poll body had appointed 12 IAS officers of Bengal cadre as Electoral Roll Observers for 24 districts in the state including Calcutta on November 28. But, Bengal government transferred three of these officers.
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Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review. The platform exemplifies cooperative federalism, bringing together the Centre, States, and Union Ministries on a single digital interface. Over a decade, PRAGATI has helped accelerate decision-making, resolution of issues causing delay in key infrastructure projects, and instilled a strong culture of accountability. Today, in this special series, we take a look at Bembla Irrigation Project, implemented under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
“The Bembla Irrigation Project represents a key irrigation initiative aimed at strengthening agricultural resilience in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Sanctioned on 2nd April 2007 at an approved cost of over 2 thousand 685 crore rupees , the project is located in Yavatmal district and is centred on the Bembla River. Recognising the importance of the project for regional water security and farmer livelihoods, the matter was taken up for review under the PRAGATI mechanism. It was reviewed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 25 October 2023, during which clear and outcome-oriented directions were issued to the concerned Central Ministries and the Government of Maharashtra to resolve the pending issues in a coordinated and time-bound manner. Specific emphasis was laid on expediting land acquisition, completing balance canal lining works, and addressing contractor-related impediments. As a result of this review, the project transitioned into an accelerated completion phase and was commissioned on 30 June 2025. The socio-economic impact of the Bembla Irrigation Project extends well beyond the creation of irrigation infrastructure. The experience of the Bembla Irrigation Project illustrates how PRAGATI functions as a governance accelerator, converting long-pending implementation challenges into time-bound action and ensuring that major public investments translate into tangible benefits on the ground. With Anand Kumar, Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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Minister of state for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada launched the Aadhar App in New Delhi on the occasion of Unique Identification Authority of India Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Aadhar is one of India’s strongest global examples of digital innovation and inclusive governance. He said that Aadhaar is now covering over 143 crore citizens and has shown the world including developed nations that India can deliver a secure, privacy-first digital identity system at unmatched scale.
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In men’s cricket, India suffered a 50-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20 International of the five-match series at Visakhapatnam last night. Put into bat first, visitors posted 215 runs for seven wickets in their stipulated 20 overs with the help of Tim Seifert’s 62 off 36 and Devon Conway’s 44 off 23 balls.
In reply, India were bowled out for 165 in 18.4 overs, despite a quick 65 off 23 balls by Shivam Dube and 39 off 30 balls by Rinku Singh. New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets.
Despite the loss, India continue to hold an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
The fifth and final match will be played on Sunday at the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
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India Meteorological Department has forecast cold wave with dense fog conditions over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab today. It also predicted dense fog conditions over Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sub Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
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TODAY’S NEWSPAPERS Headline,
- News of the death of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar in an air crash is carried prominently by all the leading dailies.
- Centre working with full sensitivity for all communities, says President Murmu in her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, is the top story in The Hindu.
- US admits, India gains more access in EU- FTA, writes The Pioneer.
- Supreme Court agrees to hear plea against UGC’s caste regulation, report The Tribune.
- INDIA block to target government over SIR issue, weakening MGNREGA in the Budget session of Parliament, says The Asian Age.
- Government weighs raising defence FDI cap to 74 per cent in Budget push according to The Statesman.
- At 7.8 per cent, December Index of Industrial Production growth zooms to over two year high, says a report in The Economic Times.
- New rules to cut at least 90 days from drug development process, simplifying developing and testing new medicines in India, according to The Times of India.
- IMD says, minimum temperature set to drop to 6 degree celcius, as rains likely this weekend, reports Hindustan Times.
- And, The Hindu in its editorial says, the free trade agreement between India and EU is significant and India did well to negotiate a fair deal with The European Union.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN,
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, Operation Sindoor reaffirmed India’s strength and valour of its armed forces.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey 2025-26 in Parliament today.
- Beating Retreat ceremony, marking culmination of 77th Republic Day celebrations, to be held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi today.
- Last rites of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to be performed with full state honours at Baramati this morning.
- Election Commission asks West Bengal government to withdraw transfer of IAS Officers engaged as Electoral Roll Observers.
- In men’s cricket, India suffer 50-run defeat against New Zealand in fourth T20 International at Visakhapatnam.
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