Indian medicine, public health, wellbeing and evidence explainers.
Indian medicine, public health, wellbeing and evidence explainers.
Politics
Parliament’s Budget Session is set to start on 28 January and run until 2 April, with a break in between, officials said. The Union Budget 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented on 1 February, with legislative business and debates expected across economic priorities and governance issues.
Tech
Microsoft has rolled out Maia 200, its second-generation in-house AI chip built on 3-nanometre technology, according to reports. The move underlines big tech’s push to optimise AI workloads and reduce dependence on external suppliers by pairing custom silicon with software stack improvements.
Health
The Union health ministry has clarified that only two confirmed Nipah virus disease cases have been reported in West Bengal since December. Officials said 196 contacts were identified, monitored and tested, with all traced contacts asymptomatic and testing negative, urging the public to avoid misinformation.
Sports
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 38th National Games, with athletes from across India set to compete over 17 days in 35 disciplines. Organisers highlighted sustainability as a theme and said Yoga and Mallakhamb are included for the first time in the Games programme.
World
India and the European Union announced the conclusion of negotiations for a long-pending free trade agreement this week in New Delhi. Officials said the text will undergo legal scrubbing before formal signing and approvals, with implementation expected later after ratification processes are completed.
Latest
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar died on 28 January 2026 after a chartered Learjet 45XR crashed while trying to land at Baramati Airport. All five on board were killed, officials said, and an investigation is underway into what caused the aircraft to veer off and catch fire.
Business
The Reserve Bank of India has revised the schedule for its open market operation purchases, moving auctions to 29 January and 5 February. The central bank plans to inject ₹1 lakh crore in two tranches of ₹50,000 crore each by buying government securities through the e-Kuber system.
Politics
Banking services across India faced disruption on January 27, 2026, as unions under the UFBU umbrella held a one-day strike seeking a formal five-day work week. The demand has been on the table for years, with unions saying past settlements and MoUs already support the shift.
Sports
Gujarat Giants held their nerve in a tight WPL 2026 game in Vadodara, beating Delhi Capitals by three runs. Sophie Devine’s calm final over proved decisive as the match went down to the wire.
Health
Healthcare leaders have urged the government to raise public health spending in the Union Budget 2026-27, arguing India remains below the National Health Policy target and faces a growing dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The sector wants sharper focus on underserved regions and system capacity.
Business
Indian equities ended higher on January 27, 2026, after a volatile session, with gains led by banking and metal stocks. Market mood was also supported by optimism around the newly concluded India–EU free trade agreement and positive global cues.
Tech
India’s tech sector has started 2026 with weaker hiring momentum, with a report citing a 24% year-on-year fall in active job openings and demand far below early-2022 peaks. The slowdown is sharper in mid-senior roles, while GCCs remain a relative bright spot.