The Times of India

Vande Bharat sleeper launch today: PM Narendra Modi will flag off Indian Railways' first Vande Bharat sleeper train set today. The new air-conditioned train will run between Howrah and Kamakhya, providing a premium and faster overnight travel option.

Maharashtra civic polls saw controversial wins, including two relatives of jailed gangster Suryakant Andekar elected in Pune. In Jalna, Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder, secured a victory as an independent. These results have sparked significant public debate and criticism.

Ambassador of Italy to India, Antonio Bartoli, emphasised the eliable partnership between Rome and New Delhi and said it will be further enhanced by the conclusion of the European Union-Indian Free Trade Agreement.

Takes Control Of BMC For 1st Time, But Needs Shinde Sena For Majority

Akshaye Khanna's unforgettable portrayal of Rehman Dakait is reportedly making waves again in 'Dhurandhar 2', the sequel to Aditya Dhar's box-office sensation. Although his character seemed to meet a tragic end in the first installment, the filmmakers are devising innovative flashbacks and reshoots to revisit him. Read on to know more.

Plans Closing Auction Mechanism For Better Price Discovery

Slowdown In Client Spends, AI-Led Productivity Pressures Reduce Need For Junior, Mid-Level Talent | Cos Added 18K Jobs A Year Ago

Nudges Cos To Create More Jobs Locally, Be Part Of Global Value Chain

India's market regulator Sebi is transitioning to a Closing Auction Session (CAS) for stock price discovery, replacing the current volume-weighted average price method. This phased rollout, starting August 2026, aims to enhance transparency and fairness, aligning with global practices and improving derivative settlements and fund tracking.

Rating agency ICRA anticipates the government will target a fiscal deficit of 4.3% of GDP for FY2027, maintaining robust capital expenditure growth. Despite potential revenue shortfalls this fiscal, the focus is shifting to medium-term debt consolidation. Expect a significant rise in market borrowings next fiscal year.

Starting October 2026, all new intra-city public buses manufactured nationwide will be low-floor, featuring a ground clearance of 440 meters. This mandate, aimed at enhancing passenger accessibility, requires buses 9 meters and above to have a floor height of 400 mm, aligning with AIS-216 standards for improved safety and ease of boarding.

Beyond numbers and allocations, this years budget will be read as a signal of intent. For global investors, it will indicate how firmly India is committed to strengthening its role in global manufacturing and infrastructure-led growth.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra welcomed the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's decision to revise base years for CPI, GDP, and IIP. This move will better reflect changing consumption patterns and economic structures, enabling more calibrated policymaking. The updated indicators are crucial for monetary policy and assessing economic momentum.

India is poised to lead South Asia as the world's fastest-growing region, even as global economists anticipate a slowdown in 2026. Despite trade headwinds, India's resilient fundamentals and AI adoption are driving optimism, with South Asia emerging as a bright spot for growth.

US stocks edged higher, nearing record levels as the first week of quarterly earnings season concluded. Selective bank results, including a jump in PNC Financial Services, and a rebound in oil prices supported market sentiment. Investors now anticipate technology and AI-linked company earnings for further direction.

Maharashtra's civic elections saw a significant political shift as the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a dominant victory, particularly in Mumbai's BMC. Devendra Fadnavis and the BJP celebrated substantial gains, ending Shiv Sena's long-held control. Uddhav Thackeray's Sena and the Congress faced major setbacks, while Raj Thackeray's MNS and Sharad Pawar's NCP also saw diminished influence.

Reliance Industries reported stable earnings for the December quarter, with a marginal profit increase to Rs 18,645 crore on 11% revenue growth to Rs 2.69 lakh crore. Strong performance in Jio and O2C segments drove EBITDA up 6%.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated BJP workers and thanked Maharashtra's people for the NDA and Mahayuti's sweeping victory in municipal corporation elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the success to a development-focused agenda, highlighting the alliance's strong performance, particularly in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

India's foreign exchange reserves saw a notable rebound, climbing by $392 million to $687.19 billion in the week ending January 9. This surge followed a significant dip in the prior week.