1. INDIA-EU SUMMIT: “MOTHER OF ALL DEALS” CONCLUDED
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY
- Historic FTA Agreement: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen officially concluded the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi.
- Market Access: Over 99% of Indian exports will gain preferential, zero-duty access to the EU market, particularly benefiting labor-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, gems, and jewelry.
- Reciprocal Tariff Cuts: India has agreed to slash tariffs on European cars (from 110% to 10% under a quota), wines, and spirits, marking the most significant trade opening India has ever granted a partner.
- Strategic Shield: The two sides signed a crucial Security and Defence Collaboration pact and a mobility agreement for Indian talent to work in Europe, aimed at creating a rules-based world order amidst global turbulence.
- Climate Funding: The EU announced €500 million in support over the next two years to assist India’s green transition and emissions-reduction efforts.
- Economic Integration: The deal is expected to double EU-India trade by 2032 and integrate Indian businesses more deeply into global supply chains.
- Concepts: Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and Rules-Based International Order.
2. PARLIAMENTARY PREPARATIONS: ALL-PARTY MEETING CONVENED
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Pre-Session Dialogue: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju held an all-party meeting on January 27 to discuss the legislative agenda for the upcoming Budget Session starting January 28.
- Budget Presentation: The meeting confirmed that the Union Budget 2026-27 will be presented on February 1 (Sunday), following the President’s address to a joint sitting of both Houses.
- Opposition Demands: Opposition leaders pushed for detailed discussions on National Security, Federalism challenges, and the impact of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on voter inclusivity.
- Legislative Business: The government is expected to introduce key bills, including reforms in digital governance and updates to the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) for paperless functioning.
- Voters’ Day Legacy: Following the 76th National Voters’ Day (Jan 25), the session is expected to deliberate on enhancing youth participation and universal adult suffrage.
- Concepts: Article 87(1) – President’s Address; Article 112 – Annual Financial Statement (Budget); Federalism Principles in legislative procedures.
3. NATIONAL RECOGNITION: GALLANTRY AND PADMA AWARDS 2026
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
- Honouring Valour: Following the 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 131 Padma Awards and gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel.
- High Honors: The list includes 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, recognizing excellence in arts, social work, and science.
- Ashoka Chakra: Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla was conferred with a high-level gallantry award for his contributions to India’s space missions and international collaborations.
- Tributes: The President paid tribute to freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai on his birth anniversary (January 23), emphasizing the role of regional heroes in the national narrative.
- Women Empowerment: The President’s speech highlighted the “critical role of women as voters” and their strides from agriculture to space technology.
- Concepts: Article 18 – Abolition of Titles (with exceptions for academic/military distinctions); Gallantry Awards Hierarchy (Param Vir Chakra to Shaurya Chakra).
4. TAMIL NADU POLITICAL LANDSCAPE: TVK GETS ‘WHISTLE’ SYMBOL
SUBJECT: POLITY / REGIONAL
- Election Symbol Allocation: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has allotted the ‘Whistle’ symbol to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), led by actor-politician Vijay, for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
- Political Mobilization: This move marks a significant step for the party’s formal entry into the electoral fray, as it prepares to contest all 234 seats.
- Republic Day Participation: Tamil Nadu’s tableau at the National Parade featured the theme “Viksit Bharat: Self-Reliant India,” showcasing the state’s industrial and technological growth.
- Regional Governance: Discussions regarding Article 175 and 176 (Governor’s Address) are gaining traction in the state as the Assembly session approaches.
- Concepts: Symbols Order, 1968 – Governing the allotment of symbols to political parties; Registration of Political Parties under Section 29A of the RPA, 1951.
5. ECONOMIC DATA: CPI BASE YEAR REVISION & GDP GROWTH
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Base Year Update: The Ministry of Statistics (MoSPI) announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year will shift from 2012 to 2024, effective February 12, to better reflect current consumption patterns.
- Growth Projections: The National Statistical Office (NSO) released its First Advance Estimates, projecting India’s real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26, up from 6.5% in the previous year.
- Sectoral Performance: The services sector remains the primary driver with a 9.1% growth rate, while manufacturing is expected to grow at 7.0%.
- IMF Forecast: The IMF recently upgraded India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.3%, citing strong domestic demand and public investment.
- Digital Economy Milestone: PhonePe and other fintech giants are nearing massive IPOs, signaling the maturity of India’s digital payments ecosystem.
- Concepts: Base Year Revision – Correcting “Base Effect”; Real vs. Nominal GDP; CPI-Combined (CPI-C) vs. Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
6. DEFENCE & TECHNOLOGY: HYPERSONIC MISSILE DEBUT
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- DRDO Achievement: India’s Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) made its public debut during the Republic Day parade, marking a leap in indigenous missile technology.
- Cyber Defence: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) was highlighted as the frontline defense, having handled nearly 30 lakh cyber incidents in 2025.
- Maritime Security: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved new chiefs for the BSF and ITBP, ensuring stable leadership for border management in 2026.
- Indigenization: The Defence Ministry confirmed that the Negative Import List has successfully enabled 100% domestic production of key short-range missile components.
- Concepts: Hypersonic Flight Regime (Mach 5 and above); CERT-In – Under the IT Act, 2000; Strategic Autonomy in defense procurement.
