Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha critiqued the Union Budget, highlighting reduced allocations for minority welfare schemes and overlooking farmers, SC, and ST needs. They accused the government of neglecting the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' promise. MPs called for addressing inflation, unemployment, and the budget's insufficient support for marginalized communities and farmers.

The government has authorised 1.10 lakh hospital admissions worth Rs 202.96 crore for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), union minister Prataprao Jadhav informed Rajya Sabha. Over 47 lakh seniors have enrolled for Ayushman Vay Vandana cards. The scheme offers Rs 5 lakh annual free treatment, covering 1,961 procedures across 27 specialties. States can tailor benefit packages, and accredited hospitals receive incentives.

The Supreme Court has requested the Election Commission's response regarding pleas for verifying burnt memory and symbol loading units in EVMs. The court emphasized no data erasure or reloading during verification, just an engineer's certification is needed. The Election Commission is expected to clarify the procedure and address the high verification cost by March 3.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman cites former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan during her Lok Sabha address concerning the rupee's depreciation against the dollar. She highlights that currency fluctuations have impacted major global economies, noting a 6.5% increase in the dollar index between October and January.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the Trinamool Congress of fostering corruption and undermining institutions. She also highlighted issues in the implementation of PM Awas Yojana and MNREGA. Additionally, Sitharaman discussed the economic growth, development initiatives in West Bengal, and the state of India's economy.

Deepika Padukone discusses the importance of expressing feelings for mental well-being in the context of student life during the second episode of Pariksha Pe Charcha. The annual event, hosted by Prime Minister Modi, aims to help students manage exam stress and features various notable personalities.

A parliamentary panel has flagged delays in implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission, which now has an extended deadline to 2028. It also highlighted the lack of consensus among states on inter-linking river projects and inadequate flood forecast systems requiring technological upgrades.

Prime Minister Modi highlighted Artificial Intelligence's significance at a global AI summit in Paris, emphasizing equitable AI distribution, especially to the Global South, and the development of unbiased, people-centric applications. He addressed employment concerns, stressed workforce skill enhancement, and discussed India's AI-driven public infrastructure. Modi called for collective responsibility in shaping AI's future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the third edition of India Energy Week 2025, highlighting India's commitment to energy sector growth and sustainability. The event will see global leaders and CEOs discuss energy security, new technologies, and clean cooking solutions over four days.

Six months after communal clashes in Gausganj, 42 Muslim families remain displaced, with 11 returning under security cover to find their homes destroyed. Many are struggling to rebuild their lives amidst ongoing tension and threats, while some Hindu residents continue to seek justice for a family member killed during the riots.

Gyalo Thondup, the Dalai Lama's elder brother, set up a noodle-making factory, Trans Himalaya, in Kalimpong in the late 1960s. His authentic Tibetan thukpa became a staple and was exported widely. Thondup's legacy continues through the local noodle businesses and his efforts for Tibet's freedom are remembered by the community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris ahead of the AI Summit. The visit emphasizes strengthening India-France relations, with discussions on strategic cooperation and AI. Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit with Macron and inaugurate India's first consulate in Marseille. Modi also received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora.

Prayagraj authorities will enforce a No Vehicle Zone in the Mela area and the city from 11 February 2025 for the Maghi Purnima snan at the Mahakumbh. Only essential and emergency vehicles are permitted to ensure smooth movement for devotees. These restrictions stay until the dispersal of pilgrims on 12 February.

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on a petition by the West Bengal government against the Calcutta high court's order annulling the recruitment of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff due to alleged irregularities. Discussions focused on whether the tainted candidates can be segregated from the untainted ones.

In one of the bloodiest encounters to date, security forces killed 31 Maoists in the Indravati national park, Chhattisgarh. The park, a previous safe haven for the Maoists, had provided a base for their operations and rehabilitation. This marked a significant loss for Maoists after the fall of Abujmarh.

Opposition and treasury benches clashed over the Union Budget in parliament. Congress' P Chidambaram criticized the Budget for lacking philosophy and failing to cut fuel prices or raise wages, while BJP called it a «booster shot.» Rising government debt and minimal benefits from tax rebates were also points of concern.

Congress MP Sonia Gandhi highlighted the delay in conducting the census by over four years, depriving 14 crore people of benefits under the National Food Security Act. She urged the government to prioritize the completion of the census to ensure deserving individuals receive their entitled food security benefits.

State public universities in India, enrolling 81% of higher education students, face significant faculty shortages and outdated infrastructure, impacting academic excellence and research. A Niti Aayog report recommends increasing public investment to 6% of GDP, implementing performance-based funding, and granting greater autonomy to improve governance and research capacity.

India has strongly supported the Chabahar port project in Iran amid the Trump administration's threats to revoke sanctions waivers. The port is seen as crucial for regional connectivity, providing a trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, and has facilitated humanitarian efforts during the Covid pandemic.

About 220km from Kolkata, Ed Sheeran enjoyed a smooth scooter and boat ride in Murshidabad's Jiaganj with his friend Arijit Singh. They toured the area and spent five hours together. Despite limited security, their visit went off without a hitch. Sheeran is set to perform in Shillong on Feb 12, while Singh regularly stays in Jiaganj with his family.

Rajya Sabha saw a confrontation between Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge when a starred question about non-payment of dues by builders in Noida was withdrawn. BJP MP Laxmikant Bajpayee had asked for details about developers who owed dues and the measures taken against them.

CISF and NVVN have signed a Power Purchase Agreement to install 3281 KW of rooftop solar power plants across 16 campuses in 11 states by Oct 31. This addition will increase the total solar power capacity of CISF campuses to 5271 KW, enhancing sustainability goals and contributing to India's energy security and greener future. NVVN will handle installation and maintenance.

The Delhi government has declared February 12, 2025, as a public holiday in observance of Guru Ravidas Jayanti, per an official notification. This announcement from the General Administration Department nullifies the previously declared restricted holiday for the same occasion. Government offices, autonomous bodies, and public undertakings in Delhi will remain closed on this day.

The Invest Karnataka 2025 summit in Bengaluru has caused dissatisfaction within the Congress party due to the guest list hierarchy giving prominence to Union ministers and BJP leaders. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi are likely to skip the event scheduled from 12 to 14 February.

Haryana BJP issued a show cause notice to minister Anil Vij for his critical public statements against the party leadership and CM Nayab Singh Saini. Vij accused Saini's aide of supporting a rival candidate in the previous assembly election and demanded the resignation of the party chief, Mohan Lal Badoli, due to a gang rape case against him.

BJP leader Anurag Thakur criticized Congress' electoral failures in Delhi, highlighting their zero-seat records under Rahul Gandhi. Thakur pointed to BJP's recent victory in Delhi Assembly elections, where Congress failed to win any seats for the third consecutive time. He also noted Congress leaders' absence from the ongoing Maha Kumbh festival.

The Nationalist Congress Party criticized Ranveer Allahbadia for his inappropriate remark on India's Got Latent but warned against disproportionate outrage leading to stricter government control over digital creators. Allahbadia apologized, and a formal complaint was lodged, calling for increased accountability while avoiding misuse for censorship.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea from a physically disabled MBBS student in Bihar who was declared ineligible to continue his course despite having valid disability certificates. The student, with 58 per cent locomotor disability, seeks a fresh assessment. The court issued notices to the college and NMC, barring any action against his admission. He also demands compensation for repeated medical evaluations.

A Delhi court granted bail to RAU's IAS Study Circle's former CEO Abhishek Gupta and coordinator Deshpal Singh in a case related to the drowning of three aspirants at the coaching center’s basement in July 2024. They were released on a Rs 1 lakh bond with sureties. The CBI had charged them with criminal negligence and dereliction of duty after the fatal flooding incident.