The Times of India

India's tourism landscape is rapidly evolving beyond beaches and hills. A new generation is flocking to spiritual and heritage sites like Ayodhya and Varanasi, driven by religious revival, infrastructure growth, and social media influence. These destinations are now vibrant, year-round hubs attracting diverse travellers seeking cultural immersion and authentic experiences.

The Union Budget 2026 announced seven high-speed rail corridors to enhance travel speed, safety, and comfort. The bullet trains, along with already operational Vande Bharat Sleeper and Amrit Bharat Express trains will improve connectivity and passenger experience.

A suicide blast at a crowded Shia Imambargah in Islamabad killed at least 31 people and injured over 160 during Friday prayers. Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah's son stated no leadership change is expected.

Indian equity markets closed higher Friday, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining ground. The Reserve Bank of India maintained interest rates and proposed allowing banks to lend to REITs, a move expected to boost the real estate sector. Despite a volatile session, late buying in select stocks, particularly FMCG and private banking, drove the recovery.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta noted that Delhi's transport agencies have historically functioned in silos, with limited coordination in route planning, infrastructure development and service delivery.

A gas leak at a factory in Sarigam, Valsad district, Gujarat, has led to four people being hospitalised. The incident that occurred at Cynax Metachem, caused eye irritation. Authorities quickly contained the leak and cordoned off the area. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the gas release.

Market regulator Sebi is proposing to expand investment options for REITs and InvITs, including allowing them to invest in a wider range of liquid mutual funds. Further, InvITs may be permitted to hold special purpose vehicles post-concession agreements. Changes also aim to harmonize rules for private InvITs and ease borrowing norms, fostering greater business flexibility.

Gold and silver prices plummeted on the MCX Friday, driven by weak global sentiment and a stronger dollar. Silver futures saw a sharp 6% drop, while gold futures fell 2%. International markets showed mixed trends. Increased margin requirements on the MCX added to the volatility, prompting traders to cut positions. Experts advise caution amid high price swings.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for denying facts surrounding former Army chief General MM Naravanes memoir. Kharge accused the government of evading questions on national security and China, leading to an Opposition walkout from Rajya Sabha.

What does the RBI monetary policy say on Indias GDP growth and inflation outlook? What does the decision to keep repo rate at 5.25% mean for your loan EMIs, fixed deposit and mutual fund investments? We take a look:

A political row erupted in Parliament over Rahul Gandhi quoting former Army Chief General MM Naravane's memoir. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the government's decision to keep the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report on the 1962 war classified. He stated the report is a sensitive defence document and should not be used for political purposes.

The Reserve Bank of India has maintained the policy repo rate at 5.25%, opting for status quo. While external challenges are mounting, domestic economic conditions remain strong. The central bank has slightly revised upwards its near-term growth and inflation forecasts for the upcoming financial year, signaling a cautious yet optimistic outlook.

OpenAI is witnessing a senior talent exodus as CEO Sam Altman prioritizes ChatGPT development over long-term research. Key researchers, including Jerry Tworek, have departed due to resource allocation shifts, impacting projects like AI reasoning and continuous learning. This pivot follows a 'code red' memo amid intense competition from rivals like Google and Anthropic.

Asian markets tumbled Friday, mirroring a US tech stock sell-off fueled by AI investment concerns and economic worries. Silver and bitcoin also experienced significant drops, with bitcoin erasing gains since Trump's election. Rio Tinto shares fell as merger talks with Glencore were abandoned.

Stock market recommendations: According to Bajaj Broking Research, the top stock picks for January 30, 2026 are Lloyds Metals and Energy, and JSW Energy. Heres its view on Nifty and Bank Nifty:

The Indian Rupee saw a slight gain against the US dollar, buoyed by trade deal optimism but tempered by caution ahead of the RBI's monetary policy. Stock markets mirrored this hesitant mood, opening lower as investors await the central bank's decision. Corporate dollar demand and domestic equity weakness also influenced currency movements.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red ahead of the RBI monetary policy. While Nifty50 opened below 25,600, BSE Sensex was down over 100 points.

Bitcoin has experienced significant losses, dropping over 20% since early 2026 and losing nearly half its value since its October peak. This decline, exacerbated by concerns over Federal Reserve policy and tech sector weakness, has impacted companies holding digital assets and erased gains since Trump's election.

SC rejected Bengal govts defence it lacked funds and said it is not open for the State to shirk its responsibility of paying DA on account of financial difficulty, given that it is an obligation arising out of a statute of its own creation. SC said the least that is expected of a State in a democracy is that it honours its obligations and commitments arising from a legislation or judicial decisions, for such obligations are not discretionary.

Possibility of a re-unification grew stronger after Pawar Senior took the lead to minimise tension within the family when he went to meet Sunetra and her sons at their Baramati residence for the second consecutive day on Thursday. Some senior NCP members, including Patel and state chief Sunil Tatkare, have refuted Sharad Pawars claim that his nephew had initiated steps for NCPs merger.

India and Malaysia have an extradition treaty, but the case, as Malaysia maintains, will be resolved based on judicial consideration. The official said that Modi and his counterpart Anwar Ibrahim will review progress under the India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially in priority areas of cooperation such as trade, investments, defence, security, semiconductors, digital technologies, renewable energy, education, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges.

Addressing central observers at India International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) here, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said they had been picked by EC to act as its beacons for the assembly polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Polls in the four states and Puducherry are likely to be held in April-May. A total of 1,444 observers are to be briefed in three batches on Thursday and Friday.

Global Teacher Prize 2026 was presented at World Governments Summit in Dubai, an annual gathering of leaders and policymakers. Now in its tenth year, the prize an initiative of Varkey Foundation along with Unesco honours teachers whose work reshaped learning outcomes and communities. Nagi, who has developed pedagogy around art, began her work in the slums of Mumbai about a decade ago.

In a written reply, housing and urban affairs ministry said during 202324 and 202425, CPWD procured 300 air purifiers. The devices were issued to offices, chambers, VVIP lounges, dining halls of judges and registrar of SC, courtrooms, ministers, Constitution Club of India, LS/RS secretariats in Parliament complex and various offices of ministries, departments at Nirman Bhavan, Sewa Bhavan, Vigyan Bhavan, and CPWD offices at Jodhpur and Varanasi, it said.

Had such an unpleasant act happened, then its sight would have torn the countrys democratic traditions to shreds, Om Birla said amid protests from opposition MPs. PM Modis scheduled reply to the Motion of Thanks on the Presidents address was called off at last minute on Wednesday due to intense protest from opposition MPs.

As part of the arrangement, there will be devolution of powers relating to 46 subjects to FNTA, which will cover the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak and Shamator. The autonomy and greater say will address the long-standing grievances of ENPO over lack of equitable development in eastern Nagaland districts.

The withdrawal of the corporate resolution order by NCLT, a rare occurrence, happened after Enforcement Directorate approached the Delhi bench with evidence of money laundering by the group and how the promoters had allegedly created a front entity with proceeds of crime, making it a financial creditor with 97% voting rights to grab the firm under insolvency proceedings.

West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose read out portions of the address highlighting law and order, including references to Kolkata being among the safest cities in the country. In a rare display of cordiality, he was even seen briefly holding hands and speaking with CM Mamata Banerjee after his address, prompting BJP legislators to sarcastically comment well done, as he exited the House.

Asked how the directive will be implemented, additional chief secretary (home) Sanjay Prasad said, We are working on a legal and procedural framework to ensure any death caused due to the use of banned Chinese manjha is treated as a case of murder. Clear instructions will be issued to the police so that strict action can be taken against all those involved in its sale, supply or use.

The influential Kuki Zo Council declared a social boycott of any legislator from the community joining CM Yumnam Khemchand Singhs govt. Protesters burned tyres and blocked roads in Kangpokpi district, and at least one group called for a shutdown in the hills. In Kangpokpi, roads littered with burning tyres signalled a return to unrest after a period of relative calm across the hills.

State-wise figures show Assam topping the list with Rs 1,012.87 crore pending across 35 projects, followed by Manipur (Rs 441.38 crore), Nagaland (Rs 406.09 crore) and Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 395.37 crore). Other states with large unpaid amounts include Tripura (Rs 308.71 crore), Mizoram (Rs 275.81 crore), Meghalaya (Rs 258.05 crore) and Sikkim (Rs 107.90 crore).

Consistent with Indias approach to energy security, India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any new crude supply options, including from Venezuela, said the official. On Indias energy sourcing, the official recalled that govt had stated publicly on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians was the supreme priority of govt.

Kharges reference to LS proceedings drew a sharp response from BJP, with Leader of the House in RS JP Nadda mocking Rahul as abodh balak (ignorant child) and reminding Kharge that events of one House cannot be debated in another. Nadda asked Kharge not to let Congress become hostage to Rahul and said arrogance and ignorance should not dictate actions.

Enumerating various sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N K Singh said a notice under Section 35(3) of the law to an accused or any individual concerned, qua offences punishable with imprisonment of up to 7 years, is the rule.

PM Modis remarks in Rajya Sabha, during the debate on the motion of thanks on the Presidents address, came even as the treaty with the US is yet to be formally signed. Its being seen as an indication that the two sides may have resolved their differences. The formal announcement of the deal is likely next week.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan said in such cases, a woman was not eligible to get married due to the subsistence of her marriage and she could not invoke the ground of false promise of marriage. It passed the order while quashing criminal proceedings against a lawyer on a complaint filed by a woman advocate alleging that he had raped her on the false promise of marriage.

Addressing a press conference after the board meeting, the corporations MD & CEO R Doraiswamy said LIC has decided to go slow on its earlier announced plan of entering the health insurance business, which was announced by his predecessor. For the quarter ended Dec 2025, the corporation reported standalone net profit of Rs 12,958 crore, up 17.2% from Rs 11,056 crore in the corresponding year-ago period.

WILP offers fresh BCA and BSc graduates an opportunity to begin their careers while pursuing a fully sponsored MTech degree. The programme combines academic learning with hands-on industry experience, enabling participants to build practical skills as they enter the workforce. Under the WILP programme, candidates receive a monthly stipend starting at Rs 15,000 in the 1st year, along with a joining bonus of Rs 75,000.

On Thursday, across Asia, the Nikkei index in Japan closed 0.9% lower while the Shanghai Composite in China and sensex in India each closed 0.6% lower. In Europe in late trades, FTSE in the UK was down 0.8% while Dax in Germany was down 1%. In early trades in the US, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was down 1.6%, Dow Jones index was down 1.1% and S& was down 1.2%.