Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Union Budget will break a 75-year tradition by emphasising Part B of the Budget speech as the main platform for outlining India’s economic vision and reform agenda instead of the usual Part A focus. Part B, traditionally limited to tax and technical details, will highlight both short-term priorities and long-term goals, showcasing India’s strengths in manufacturing, trade, and exports. Officials describe the approach as a “Reform Express”, with expected cross-sector reforms, customs duty rationalisation, and plans for Unified Export and Manufacturing Zones to boost competitiveness. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 31 dismissed references in newly released Jeffrey Epstein files that mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his 2017 Israel visit as “trashy ruminations of a convicted criminal,” saying they deserve to be “dismissed with the utmost contempt.” The MEA clarified that Modi’s July 2017 Israel trip was an official diplomatic visit, rejecting any insinuations of impropriety or connection to Epstein’s criminal activities. The remark came after a fresh batch of Epstein-related documents was made public by the U.S. Justice Department. (PC: ANI)

Sunetra Pawar, widow of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, was sworn in today as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister at a ceremony in Mumbai, becoming the first woman to hold the post. The oath was administered by Governor Acharya Devvrat at Lok Bhavan, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. Pawar’s elevation follows the tragic death of her husband in a plane crash days earlier. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislature elected her as leader prior to the ceremony amid emotional tributes and chants of “Ajit Dada Amar Rahe.” (PC: The Hindu)

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the death of Confident Group chairman CJ Roy, found with bullet injuries in Bengaluru during ongoing Income Tax Department searches linked to his company. Initial inquiries suggest he died by suicide while questioned by officials. Roy, 57, allegedly shot himself at his office as income-tax raids continued. His brother claims the only issue he faced was related to tax scrutiny and denied any financial stress or threats. The SIT will be supervised by senior Bengaluru police officials to conduct a thorough and meticulous probe into the incident. (PC: HT)

Jailed activist and scientist Sonam Wangchuk was taken to AIIMS Jodhpur early Saturday after complaining of stomach pain, officials said. Wangchuk, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since September 2025, spent about ninety minutes in the gastroenterology department before returning to prison. Hospital sources said he has been facing stomach-related issues and had visited the facility a day earlier for tests. The Supreme Court of India, hearing a petition filed by his wife, has sought his medical report by February 2. The court earlier directed jail authorities to ensure examination by a “specialist doctor” at a government hospital.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died Wednesday in a Learjet 45 crash near Baramati, killing all five aboard including pilot Sumit Kapoor and PSO Vidhit Jadhav. The state CID has launched a probe alongside the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. New CCTV footage shows the aircraft's left wing dropping suddenly before a fiery impact. Experts propose three theories: aerodynamic stall, engine failure causing asymmetric thrust, or excessive banking too close to ground. The black box has been recovered for analysis. According to DGCA officials, the crew's last recorded words were "oh s***," with no pre-impact flames observed. The crash triggers political upheaval as NCP searches for Pawar's replacement. 

The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has begun probing the Baramati plane crash that killed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, after an accidental death case was registered by local police and transferred to CID investigators. The crash of a Learjet 45 occurred near the tabletop Baramati airstrip shortly after Pawar’s flight from Mumbai on January 28, killing him, the pilot, co-pilot, personal security officer and a flight attendant. The CID team will collect evidence and visit the site as part of the inquiry, which aims to rule out sabotage. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under the Civil Aviation Ministry is also investigating technical causes of the crash. (PC: ANI)

After Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s sudden death in a plane crash, political activity has intensified around the future of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Senior NCP leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to stake claim over Pawar’s portfolios and ensure the party retains key ministries in the state government. Close aides say Ajit Pawar had been quietly working on a plan to merge the two rival NCP factions—his and the one led by Sharad Pawar—after upcoming local elections, calling reunion his last wish. This talk of unification has gained momentum following meetings with Pawar’s family and party leaders, even as there’s active push to position his wife, Sunetra Pawar, in leadership roles amid the ongoing transition. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday claimed that Assam’s population pattern changed during 20 years of Congress rule. He said seven districts are now “dominated by 64 lakh infiltrators.” Addressing a rally in Dhemaji, Shah said only the Bharatiya Janata Party can stop infiltration. “If you want to stop infiltrators, vote for the BJP again,” he told the crowd. Shah said the BJP government has removed illegal encroachments from over 1.26 lakh acres of land. He also praised the Mising community for resisting illegal settlement. Assam is set to vote in Assembly elections later this year.

A probe has been ordered into the plane crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others. The Maharashtra government has asked the Criminal Investigation Department to investigate the crash in Baramati. The aircraft went down while landing. A new CCTV video has surfaced, showing the jet turning sideways before impact. Experts have suggested three possible causes. These include engine failure, an aerodynamic stall, or a sharp turn close to the ground. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the black box has been recovered. Officials said the final cause will be known only after a full investigation. (PC: Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo/ ANI)