The Economic Times

UPSC Notification 2026 Apply Online Now: The Union Public Service Commission has released the notification for the Civil Services and Indian Forest Service Examinations 2026, with applications open from February 4 to February 24, 2026. With 933 vacancies for the CSE, eligible graduates aged 21-32 can apply online for this highly competitive examination.

President Trump's unpredictable negotiating style, characterized by abrupt shifts and demands, is causing allies and adversaries to question his reliability. This approach, driven by electoral anxieties rather than strategic dealmaking, has led to strained relationships and a growing willingness to wait him out or turn away, impacting global partnerships and trade dynamics.

Tensions rise in Andhra Pradesh politics. The YSRCP has approached the National Human Rights Commission alleging law and order breakdown and human rights violations. This follows allegations of ghee adulteration in Tirupati laddoo and attacks on former ministers. A special committee will now examine the ghee issue. The government aims to restore the sanctity of Tirumala.

GAIL, India's top gas transporter, has challenged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board's recent tariff order. The company argues the regulator made mistakes in calculating the tariff. GAIL believes the order wrongly excluded future costs and did not account for gains from pipeline capacity correctly. This could lead to higher costs for consumers later.

Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani stated India will reduce energy imports significantly within ten years. He also revealed Reliance's ambition to become an AI deeptech company. This transformation aims for a tenfold productivity increase. Ambani believes sustained law and order and social harmony are crucial for India's economic growth.

Both sides would now work towards completing the technical details and finalising the paperwork for the trade deal so as to expeditiously unlock its potential, Goyal informed Parliament.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink urges India to prioritize domestic capital markets over foreign inflows for sustained economic participation. He highlights India's advanced financial infrastructure, from digital payments to asset tokenization, as a strong foundation for growth. Fink also downplayed AI bubble concerns, emphasizing underinvestment risks, especially in the US, amidst China's progress.

India's oil ministry and state-run companies are preparing for a significant increase in US crude oil and natural gas imports, aiming to boost bilateral trade. This strategic shift comes as Russian supplies are expected to decrease, with Indian refiners likely to absorb higher freight costs to meet expanding domestic demand.

Warburg Pincus: Outside US, India is the largest PE destination for the firm, having deployed more than $10 billion since 1996 in over 80 companies.

Quote of the Day: Pablo Picasso believed art was essential for survival, not just decoration. His quote, Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life, highlights creativity's restorative power. This insight reminds us that engaging with art is a vital human need, offering renewal and reconnecting us to elemental truths amidst life's routines.

Pizza Hut is set to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations in the first half of 2026 as parent company Yum! Brands conducts a strategic review. This move comes as the pizza chain faces declining same-store sales and struggles against competitors like Domino's. The closures represent about 3 percent of Pizza Hut's U.S. footprint.

Global recession risk global recession risk: Global economic stability is at risk as BofA Securities warns a sharp US dollar decline could trigger recessionary shocks outside America. While central banks might intervene, a disorderly fall threatens trade and markets. Interestingly, the dollar is weakening despite stable US interest rates, suggesting a shift in its safe-haven status.

A 31-year-old unemployed man shared his career struggle on Reddit after failing to keep many jobs. He said poor performance, mistakes, and confusion at work ruined his confidence. With few skills and a tough job market, he asked for help. Internet users replied with practical, business-style advice on choosing simpler, structured work and planning a realistic career path.

President Donald Trump called his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping excellent. They discussed trade, energy, Taiwan, Iran, and Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump highlighted their strong personal relationship. China stressed Taiwan remains its top priority. Trump claimed China agreed to increase US soya bean purchases.

The American Petroleum Institute's Global Industry Services division is establishing its first formal representative office in India, aiming for deeper engagement with government and industry stakeholders. This strategic move aligns with India's growing energy consumption and transformation, where API's expertise in standards and safety frameworks will be crucial for infrastructure development.

Global accounting and consulting firm KNAV has acquired a majority stake in UAE-based Affiniax Group. This strategic investment underscores KNAV's commitment to expanding its global presence and enhancing its service offerings in key international markets. Both firms are members of the Allinial Global association.

A new study reveals linear TV remains crucial for measurable ad outcomes in India, driving discovery and intent. Combining linear TV and digital video exposure yields over 50% higher online conversions, highlighting the need for complementary media planning.

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council are set to sign terms for a free trade agreement. This marks a significant step towards a comprehensive trade pact. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade between India and the GCC bloc. This development follows recent trade deals with the US and EU.

DLF has finalized the sale of its Kolkata technology park and 25.9 acres of land to Srijan Group for 670 crore. The transaction includes an IT/ITeS SEZ property for 409.86 crore and 17.75 acres of vacant land for 260 crore. This divestment aligns with DLF's strategy, as its rental arm previously sold another Kolkata asset in November 2024.

India's services sector showed strong growth in January. New orders and output increased, boosting activity. Manufacturing also saw gains. This positive trend signals sustained momentum. Businesses are optimistic about the future. Hiring resumed, though at a modest pace. Input and output prices rose moderately. Service providers are managing costs effectively.

The government plans a conclave for state-run banks this month. The aim is to create globally competitive lenders for Viksit Bharat 2047. This initiative follows the Finance Minister's announcement of a High Level Committee on Banking. The conclave will focus on customer-centricity and scaling credit. Banks will share roadmaps for the next five years.

US-based Jabil, an Apple supplier, has secured a significant warehousing space in Pune. This 10-year lease signals a strong commitment to its Indian operations. The move aligns with global supply chain diversification strategies. Jabil's expansion in India is driven by increasing demand from international clients and supportive government policies for local manufacturing.

YES Bank has appointed Vinay Tonse as its new Managing Director. This move signals a measured leadership approach by its new promoter, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. Experts believe this choice prioritizes continuity and operational familiarity. Tonse faces the task of boosting loan growth and increasing low-cost deposits. The bank's assets, deposits, and advances have seen growth.

Ladakh representatives met with the MHA in Delhi, engaging in heated discussions without reaching a conclusion. The MHA committed to another meeting within a month. Key demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and the release of Sonam Wangchuk were reiterated by the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Warburg Pincus leaders reflect on three decades in India, highlighting early successes and the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. They discuss navigating global economic complexities and the rise of AI. The firm emphasizes its consistent investment strategy and strong investor returns, focusing on value creation and partnering with talented entrepreneurs. India remains a key market for their continued growth and investment.

Most large life and general insurers in India are promoted by banks and have nominee directors drawn from their promoter banks' boards or senior management. Companies such as SBI Life, SBI General Insurance, HDFC Life and IndiaFirst Life typically have common directors to represent promoter interests.

The government will prioritize executing shipping schemes in 2026-27. Key goals include launching three shipbuilding schemes on time and accelerating five National Mega Shipbuilding Clusters. The ministry aims to add significant new capacity over the next three to five years. This focus will boost reliability and create jobs across the maritime sector.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. They discussed formalizing a partnership on critical minerals. Trade, energy, defense, and technology were also covered. The leaders agreed on early meetings to advance shared interests. A trade deal was welcomed, reducing US tariffs on Indian goods. Jaishankar also met Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lawmakers are seeking to inject an additional $70 billion into the agency to support U.S. President Donald Trump's critical minerals push, the Financial Times reported.

Mickey Lolich was a legendary baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. He became famous after his strong performance in the 1968 World Series. Known for his power and long innings, he set many team records and earned major awards. His career and life left a lasting mark on baseball and Tigers fans.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Supreme Court. She argued a petition challenging electoral roll revisions. Analysts say this positions her as a protector of her people's rights. She is the first CM to argue her case personally. Social media is highlighting her actions.

Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the third consecutive day as Congress MPs demanded Rahul Gandhi be allowed to quote from an unpublished memoir concerning the 2020 India-China clashes. Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Modi's directive to the former Army chief was do what you deem appropriate, implying a failure of duty. The House saw multiple adjournments amid the ongoing protest.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to exercise greater caution when issuing notices for minor name discrepancies. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee argued against the special intensive revision process. The court assured that genuine voters would not be excluded. The hearing will continue next week.

IndiGo is suspending flights to Copenhagen from February 17. The airline is also reducing services to Manchester and London Heathrow. These changes are due to operational constraints affecting schedule reliability. IndiGo aims to improve on-time performance and avoid customer inconvenience. The adjustments are being made to ensure the reliability of long-haul operations.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) asked its director general for investigation to probe the matter and submit a report in 90 days. The regulator will take a call on further action based on the report.

India is launching a major initiative to boost its biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This plan aims to reduce reliance on China for crucial drug components. It also seeks to capitalize on upcoming patent expirations of major global drugs. India will focus on becoming a hub for biosimilars and emerging biologics. This strategy will strengthen the nation's pharmaceutical industry on the global stage.

Bob Iger's leadership at Disney transformed the company. He acquired major entertainment franchises like Marvel and Lucasfilm. Iger also launched the successful streaming service Disney+. His strategy focused on owning content and finding new distribution methods. He is now handing over the reins to Josh D'Amaro.

Older actors are now leading box office success. Films starring actors in their 50s and 60s are consistently earning over 100 crore. These stars connect with multiple generations. Audiences prefer acting skills and character depth. Producers are offering them suitable roles. This trend is boosting cinema collections.

Army forces neutralized three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Two infiltrators, including a top commander, were killed in Udhampur's Basantgarh forest. Arms and ammunition were recovered. In Kishtwar's Chatroo region, another terrorist was eliminated during an ongoing operation. The operations highlight continued efforts against terrorism in the region.

Global companies are seeing a surge in sales in India. This pickup follows recent GST rate changes. Companies like Colgate-Palmolive and Apple reported strong growth in the last quarter. This positive trend is prompting some firms to raise their business forecasts for India. The country remains a key market for these manufacturers.

Michael Burry Bitcoin price (BTC USD) warning: Famed investor Michael Burry warns of a Bitcoin price crash triggering a 'death spiral'. He believes the digital currency is purely speculative. Further declines could strain corporate balance sheets and push Bitcoin miners toward bankruptcy. The crypto ecosystem faces potential lasting damage. This situation is unfolding now with significant implications.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei BJP leader, has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur. This development ends the President's rule in the state. Nemcha Kipgen, a Kuki-Zo BJP MLA, has taken oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Another Deputy Chief Minister, Losii Dikho, was also sworn in. The Kuki Inpi Manipur has rejected the new government's formation.