The Times of India

As Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget, the document's evolution from a colonial-era English text to an accessible public instrument is highlighted. Key milestones include the introduction of Hindi alongside English in 1955 and the transition to a paperless digital presentation in 2021, reflecting India's changing governance and communication.

The Survey revises Indias potential growth rate upwards to 7 percent, reflecting years of sustained public investment, infrastructure expansion, logistics reform and financial sector clean up. High frequency indicators show firming investment momentum and resilient consumption. Core inflation remains subdued, signalling that supply side improvements are finally anchoring prices rather than monetary tightening alone.

India's budgetary journey began with the first Union Budget presented on November 26, 1947, amidst the trauma of Partition and economic uncertainty. This interim budget focused on relief, rehabilitation, and defence, reflecting the nation's immediate challenges. Today, the Union Budget is a detailed roadmap for a rapidly growing economy, showcasing India's significant economic evolution.

The BJP is launching a nationwide outreach campaign from February 1-15 to explain the Union Budget 2026, utilizing both traditional and digital outreach. Ministers and leaders will address press conferences at nearly 150 locations. Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko has accused the BJP government of discriminating against Tamil Nadu and attempting to impose Hindi, vowing strong resistance.

Kevin Warsh is the top choice to become the next Federal Reserve Chair. President Donald Trump is expected to announce his decision soon. This potential change is creating market buzz and debate about the Fed's future. Warsh's views on monetary policy and economic strategy are key. His nomination could signal a shift in US economic direction.

SpaceX is considering major mergers with Tesla or its AI venture xAI. Elon Musk is exploring ways to combine his companies. These potential deals could involve significant financing. SpaceX is also preparing for a public listing, which could be the largest IPO ever. The company aims to fund ambitious projects like Starship's flight rate and a Moon base.

The Economic Survey 2025-26 highlighted that high railway freight rates, driven by cross-subsidies, are distorting competition and increasing commodity prices. It recommended eliminating these subsidies within five years to rationalize rates, improve revenue, and encourage a shift from road to rail transport.

The Economic Survey clearly underscores the critical role that manufacturing and exports will continue to play in driving Indias growth, especially at a time when the global economy is increasingly fragmented and marked by heightened tensions.

After an exhilarating rally in the recent sessions, gold and silver futures took a nosedive on Friday as traders took the opportunity to cash in on their gains. The drop, spurred by a robust US dollar and shifting global market sentiments, led to notable declines across both domestic and international exchanges.

The Supreme Court further took care to explain that abuse of Section 498A does not in any way erode its constitutionality or social utility. At the same time, it acknowledged a growing tendency where criminal law is deployed as a pressure tactic in matrimonial disputes, often without regard to proportionality or truth.

Dubai magnate Hussain Sajwani warns at WEF 2026 that AI is a job-market revolution, posing a significant threat to economies reliant on outsourced work, particularly India's vast IT and BPO sectors. While some jobs may be automated, experts highlight the creation of new roles and the enduring value of human soft skills, creativity and adaptability.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmarks, opened in red on Friday. While Nifty50 went below 25,300, BSE Sensex was down over 500 points.

Stock market recommendations: According to Bajaj Broking Research, the top stock picks for January 30, 2026 are State Bank of India (SBI), and Jayaswal Neco Industries. Heres its view on Nifty and Bank Nifty:

Make Up 50% Of Rural Monthly Consumption

World Bank President Ajay Banga advised India to prioritize trade expansion over tariffs. He highlighted India's extensive trade agreements, including the recent India-European Union free trade deal. Global trade has grown significantly, with emerging markets like India playing a crucial role. This new pact will create a vast market connecting India and the EU.

Crop protection innovation is science-intensive, capital-heavy and inherently long-term. Developing a new molecule can take more than a decade, demanding sustained investment and regulatory certainty.

Indian markets mirrored global trends as US stocks traded near record highs amidst mixed tech earnings. Microsoft dipped despite strong results, while Meta surged. Gold continued its extraordinary rally, driven by safe-haven demand amid global uncertainties. Overseas markets saw gains, with South Korea's Kospi hitting a new peak.

Ports in the country handled 1,593.04 million tonne per annum traffic in fiscal 2025, clocking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~4% over last five fiscals. Meanwhile, port capacity increased to 2,762 million tonne.