Latest News: Union Budget 2026–27 Highlights: New Income Tax Act, 2025 to be effective from April 2026; simplified tax rules and forms will be notified soon * Safe harbor limit for IT services raised from ₹300 crore to ₹2000 crore * Foreign cloud service providers granted a tax holiday until 2047 * All non-residents paying tax on an estimated basis exempted from Minimum Alternate Tax * Securities Transaction Tax on futures trading increased from 0.02% to 0.05% * Customs duty exemption extended for capital goods used in lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing * Customs duty exemption granted for capital goods required in processing critical minerals * Tariff rate on goods imported for personal use reduced from 20% to 10% * Basic customs duty exemption extended to 17 medicines and drugs * BioPharma Shakti program with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore to build an ecosystem for domestic production of biologics and biosimilars * Proposal for a ₹10,000 crore SME Development Fund to support MSMEs * Public capital expenditure increased from ₹11.2 lakh crore to ₹12.2 lakh crore in FY 2026–27 * Seven high-speed rail corridors to be developed as Growth Transport Links for sustainable passenger systems * Indian Institute of Design Technology, Mumbai to set up AVGC content creation labs in 15,000 high schools and 500 colleges * A girls’ hostel to be built in every district to address challenges faced by female students in higher education and STEM institutions * In partnership with IIMs, a 12-week hybrid training program will upgrade skills of 10,000 guides across 20 tourist destinations * ICAR packages on agricultural portals and practices to be integrated with AI systems as a multilingual AI tool * Tax on foreign travel packages reduced from current five per cent and 20% to two per cent * Customs bonded warehouse framework revamped into an operator-centric system with self-declaration, electronic monitoring, and risk-based accounting * Indian share markets will be open for trading on Sunday, February 01, as the Union Budget is being presented on that day * Key Highlights of Economic Survey 2025–26: GDP & GVA Growth Estimates for FY 2026: First advance estimates at 7.4% and 7.3% respectively * India’s Core Growth Projection: Around 7%, with real GDP growth for FY 2027 expected between 6.8% and 7.2% * Central Government Revenue: Rose to 11.6% of GDP in FY 2025 * Non-Performing Assets: Declined to a multi-decade low of 2.2% * PMJDY Accounts: Over 552 million bank accounts opened by March 2025; 366 million in rural and semi-urban areas * Investor Base: Surpassed 120 million by September 2025, with women comprising ~25% * Global Trade Share: India’s export share doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024 * Services Export: Reached an all-time high of $387.6 billion in FY 2025, up 13.6% * Global Deposits: India became the largest recipient in FY 2025 with $135.4 billion * Foreign Exchange Reserves: Hit $701.4 billion on January 16, 2026—covering 11 months of imports and 94% of external debt * Inflation: Averaged 1.7% from April to December 2025 * Foodgrain Production: Reached 357.73 million metric tons in 2024–25, up 25.43 MMT from the previous year * PM-Kisan Scheme: Over ₹4.09 lakh crore disbursed to eligible farmers since inception * Rural Employment Alignment: “Viksit Bharat – Jee Ram Ji” initiative launched to replace MGNREGA in the vision for a developed India by 2047 * Manufacturing Growth: 7.72% in Q1 and 9.13% in Q2 of FY 2026 * PLI Scheme Impact: ₹2 lakh crore in actual investment across 14 sectors; production and sales exceeded ₹18.7 lakh crore; over 1.26 million jobs created by September 2025 * Semiconductor Mission: Domestic capacity boosted with ₹1.6 lakh crore invested across 10 projects * Railway High-Speed Corridor: Expanded from 550 km in FY 2014 to 5,364 km; 3,500 km added in FY 2026 * Civil Aviation: India became the third-largest domestic air travel market; airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025 * DISCOMs Turnaround: Recorded first-ever positive PAT of ₹20,701 crore in FY 2025 * Renewable Energy: India ranked third globally in total renewable and installed solar capacity * Satellite Docking: India became the fourth country to achieve autonomous satellite docking capability * School Enrollment Ratios: Primary – 90.9%, Upper Primary – 90.3%, Secondary – 78.7% * Higher Education Expansion: India now has 23 IITs, 21 IIMs, and 20 AIIMS; international IIT campuses established in Zanzibar and Abu Dhabi * Maternal & Infant Mortality: Declined since 1990, now below global average

Yoga, India’s timeless gift to the world…


India’s ancient civilisation has always stood for knowledge, wellness, and harmony. From the discovery of zero to contributions in astronomy, surgery, and philosophy, India has enriched the world for centuries. Rooted in the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. This wisdom reflects the belief that true progress lies in the collective upliftment of humanity.

Among India’s greatest gifts to the world is Yoga. More than physical exercise, Yoga is a way of life, offering mental clarity, emotional stability, and spiritual peace. Its relevance is powerful today, as the world embraces a shared vision of wellness that promotes harmony between people and the planet.

Read in Hindi: दुनिया को भारत का अद्भुत और शाश्वत उपहार है योग

Derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning ‘to unite’, Yoga integrates body, mind, and spirit. Codified by Maharshi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras, it outlines eight limbs that guide ethical living, discipline, and inner calm.

In today’s fast-paced world, where stress, digital overload, and emotional fatigue are common, Yoga serves as a powerful tool for self-restoration. A daily practice enhances posture, boosts immunity, and promotes emotional stability. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it proved vital for mental and physical resilience. Recognising its value, the World Health Organisation included Yoga in its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030.

India is sharing Yoga with the world in many ways. It has established AYUSH Chairs in universities abroad and conducts workshops through Indian embassies. Digital campaigns and apps like Y-Break and Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing, i.e. DIKSHA, help people include Yoga in their daily lives, especially at work and school.

Yoga is also a big part of the government’s mental health support for students. Through the Manodarpan programme, Yoga is combined with counselling to help students feel better. Since 2020, Yoga sessions have been shown on 12 TV channels for children from Class 1 to 12.

Yoga’s popularity is creating new jobs and businesses, too. More people are visiting places like Rishikesh, Kashi, and Kerala to learn Yoga. Airports, hotels, and wellness centres now offer Yoga facilities. There’s also a growing market for Yoga clothes, equipment, trainers, and workplace wellness programmes. Yoga is becoming a part of everyday life and work.

Rooted in ancient wisdom, Yoga offers balance in a world of constant change. It fosters strength, clarity and connection within individuals and across the planet. As a symbol of India’s soft power, Yoga transcends borders and cultures, promoting peace, wellness and unity. It reflects India’s ability to inspire global harmony through knowledge, tradition and timeless values.