Marco Rubio said the US looks forward to «working together to advance our shared objectives in the year ahead» and mentioned the Quad to assert the significance of the India-US relationship for the Indo-Pacific region. The national capital has been placed on high alert on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day, with intensified security checks underway across the Delhi-NCR region.

India's Constitution, now 76 years old, uniquely begins with art, not just law. 22 hand-drawn illustrations by Nandalal Bose and his team visually represent the spirit of each part, transforming the legal document into a tapestry of India's civilisational essence.

India celebrates its 77th Republic Day with a grand parade on Kartavya Path, showcasing military might and cultural diversity. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president António Costa are this years chief guests, highlighting a deepening strategic partnership. Discussions on a crucial free trade agreement and a new security pact are underway, underscoring strong India-EU ties.

IndiGo has cancelled flights to Tbilisi, Almaty, Tashkent, and Baku until January 28 due to regional developments around Iran. The airline cited a review of the security situation and emphasized passenger safety as its highest priority. This decision follows widespread unrest in Iran, with protests escalating against the country's leadership.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the main ceremony at Kartavya Path in the national capital. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will attend the celebrations as chief guests. Kartavya Path, which runs from Rashtrapati Bhavan to the National War Memorial, has been extensively decorated to reflect India’s journey over the years.

President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the Constitution's makers, highlighting its role in national unity and patriotism, exemplified by 'Vande Mataram'. She emphasized India's economic growth, aiming to be the third-largest economy, driven by infrastructure investment, atma-nirbharta, and swadeshi. The President also underscored the crucial role of women's empowerment and participation in strengthening democracy and achieving 'Viksit Bharat'.

Prime Minister Modi lauded the youth's 'bhajan-clubbing' trend, a modern fusion of devotion and culture resonating with Gen Z, comparing it to global concerts. He also highlighted Malaysia's Tamil schools, the UAE's 'Year of the Family', and urged a national focus on manufacturing excellence, declaring the 'chalta hai' attitude obsolete.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a judge cannot preside over a case involving themselves, quashing proceedings against a railway official. A special railway magistrate had initiated action against the administration for insufficient staff, claiming interference. However, the apex court found the magistrate attempting to judge his own cause, ending the judicial-railway dispute.

Muslim entrepreneurs in India are addressing everyday needs, from professional development for women and Sharia-compliant investments to modest fashion and digital Quran learning. These ventures are filling economic gaps, empowering communities and demonstrating a growing aspiration beyond traditional narratives of disadvantage. They are solving practical problems for modern urban life.

A man jailed for eight years for his wife's murder has been acquitted. The court found critical flaws, including doubts about the recovered body's identity and a lack of established motive. The prosecution's case, built on circumstantial evidence, failed to form an unbroken chain pointing solely to the accused, leading to his immediate release.

Veteran actor Dharmendra and former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren will be honored with Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan posthumously, respectively. India announced 131 Padma Awards for 2026, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri, recognizing distinguished service across various fields.

The Trinamool Congress has strongly condemned BJP leader Sanjay Das for his derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, including calling her a «witch» and advocating for her beheading. The TMC accused the BJP of normalizing misogyny, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's past remarks and the act of handing a sword to another BJP leader during the event.

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​The appointment coincided with visible signs of internal disquiet within the party. Hours ahead of the RJD’s national executive meeting in Patna on Sunday, Lalu Prasad’s daughter Rohini Acharya alleged that the party’s control had slipped into the “hands of infiltrators and conspirators” whose sole aim, she claimed, was to destroy “Laluvad”.

TVK chief Vijay on Sunday said that the party has strength and resolves to defeat 'evil and corrupt' forces ahead of Tamil Nadu elections which are scheduled in 2026. During the part meeting, he also launched his party symbol 'whistle'. Vijay who launched the party in 2024 sets TVK as an alternative rival to DMK and AIADMK.

Gowda, a former bus conductor from Karnataka, founded Pustakamane with the aim of making books accessible to people from remote and marginalised communities. Over the years, the initiative has grown into a vast repository of more than two million books in over 20 languages, including rare manuscripts and historical texts.

A new wave of Indian entrepreneurs, dubbed BARBIE founders, are returning from abroad to build successful startups. These individuals, who pursued undergraduate degrees overseas, are outperforming IIT and BITS alumni in creating unicorns. Their global exposure and often family business leverage contribute to their success, particularly in consumer-focused ventures.

National Voters’ Day is observed annually on January 25 to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (ECI), established in 1950. The day aims to recognise voters, encourage youth participation, reinforce democratic values, and promote universal adult suffrage. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said National Voters’ Day is about “further deepening our faith in the democratic values of our nation”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 130th Mann Ki Baat on January 25, 2026, coinciding with National Voters' Day and the eve of Republic Day. He urged first-time voters to participate actively and highlighted the decade-long success of the Start-up India initiative, emphasizing the need for quality and excellence in Indian manufacturing and innovation.

Speaking during the 130th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi highlighted the significance of the upcoming Republic Day and the constitutional values it represents. He also drew attention to the importance of January 25, which is observed as National Voters’ Day, describing it as a key occasion in the democratic calendar.

Preeti Unhale, 51, has become India's longest-living heart transplant survivor, marking 25 years with a donor heart on January 23, 2026. Facing a critical condition in 2000, she underwent the life-saving procedure at AIIMS, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adherence to lifelong medical discipline.

The Delhi High Court ruled that blood pressure issues in military officers cannot be dismissed as mere lifestyle disorders to deny disability pensions. The court emphasized that medical boards must thoroughly examine individual cases and provide clear reasoning, rejecting the Union government's challenge to an Armed Forces Tribunal order. This decision upholds the entitlement of a retired IAF officer.

Supreme Court Justice Ujjal Bhuyan voiced strong dissent over the collegium's decision to transfer Justice Atul Sreedharan, citing executive influence. He argued that such transfers, especially when prompted by the central government, compromise judicial independence and the integrity of the collegium system. Justice Bhuyan emphasized the judiciary's reliance on public faith.

India voted against a UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning Iran's protest crackdown, extending a fact-finding mission. This move, aligning with China and Pakistan, signals India's commitment to non-interference and its strategic interests, particularly concerning the Chabahar port. Iran's envoy lauded India's 'principled and firm support' against what he termed an 'unjust' resolution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged over 61,000 newly-recruited personnel to recall their past difficulties with government offices and ensure citizens do not face similar issues. He emphasized their role in implementing reforms and upholding the motto 'Citizen is akin to God' to strengthen ease of living and doing business.

A 70-year-old man, Babu Lohar, pedalled his rickshaw van 300km to Cuttack with his ailing wife for medical treatment, refusing help. After two months, he is now making the arduous journey back home, showcasing immense devotion and highlighting the struggles of the poor in accessing healthcare and transport.