THE HEADLINES:-
- Economic Survey 2025-26 estimates India’s GDP growth for this financial year at 7.4 Percent driven by double engine of consumption and investment; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, it shows comprehensive picture of India’s Reform Express.
- Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran says employment conditions in the country improved since the launch of Periodic Labour Force Survey.
- Prime Minister interacts with CEOs and Experts working in AI Sector; Emphasizes need to work towards an AI ecosystem which is transparent, impartial and secure.
- Supreme Court stays UGC’s new equity regulations; Next hearing on 19th march.
- Beating the Retreat Ceremony concludes 77th Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, match between UP Warriors and Royal Challengers Bengaluru underway at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium.
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Country’s real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4 per cent in the financial year 2026 and the growth is likely to range between 6.8 and 7.2 percent in the financial year 2027. This was projected in the Economic Survey presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament today.
According to the Economic Survey, the Indian economy has maintained strong growth momentum in the financial year 2026. The first advance estimates place real GDP growth at 7.4 per cent, with growth largely driven by domestic demand. Private consumption and capital formation continue to support expansion, while services remain the key contributor on the supply side. Manufacturing activity has strengthened, and agriculture has provided stability.
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Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has said that employment conditions in the country have improved since the launch of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). Briefing media on the Economic Survey 2025-26 in New Delhi today, Mr Nageswaran said, the unemployment rate has declined from six per cent then to 3.2 per cent in 2023-24.
Mr. Nageswaran described India as an oasis of economic performance in the global scenario.
Mr. Nageswaran said that the country is achieving these high growth rates, consumption and investment spending amidst a very moderate inflation environment.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted that the Economic Survey tabled today presents a comprehensive picture of India’s Reform Express. In a social media post, Mr Modi said it reflects steady progress in a challenging global environment. He added that it highlights strong macroeconomic fundamentals, sustained growth momentum and the expanding role of innovation, entrepreneurship and infrastructure in nation-building. The Prime Minister further stated that the Survey underscores the importance of inclusive development, with focused attention on farmers, MSMEs, youth employment and social welfare.
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Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said that the Economic Survey 2025-26 clearly shows that the country’s development journey is inclusive and sustainable. Addressing the media at his residence in New Delhi. The Minister highlighted that the agricultural growth rate in the country over the last 5 years has been 4.4 percent.
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Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry, Mr Chandrajit Banerjee today lauded the India -EU Free Trade Agreement and described it as a milestone in India’s growth story. Talking exclusively to Akashvani News in New Delhi, Mr Banerjee said that the Mother of all Deals signed under this agreement forms 25 percent of the world’s GDP.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the country is now moving beyond long-term pending problems and is firmly stepping onto the path of long-term solutions. He said his government has been identified with Reform, Perform, and Transform and the country has now boarded the Reform Express. Addressing the media at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi today on the second day of the Budget Session, Mr. Modi said, the government has laid emphasis on last mile delivery of the welfare schemes.
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Prime Minister’s flagship platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation, PRAGATI, has marked a significant milestone with the successful conduct of its 50th meeting. Since its launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, PRAGATI has transformed governance by enabling real-time monitoring and resolution of key infrastructure projects and public grievances through direct Prime Ministerial review.
National Highways Authority of India, NHAI is a statuary body under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is responsible for the planning, implementation, and operation of national highway projects, in coordination with Central Ministries, State Governments, concessionaires, and other stakeholders. At present, 964 NHAI projects with a total investment of 12,46,751 crore rupees are being monitored on Project Monitoring Group portal under PRAGATI led Ecosystem. Out of these projects, 273 projects with a total investment of 3,99,431 crores have been reviewed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under PRAGATI. These include 131 projects already commissioned and 142 projects under implementation. The projects under implementation have made substantial progress with an average physical progress of 84 percent, with 49 projects having a physical progress of 99 percent or more. A total of 1765 issues have been raised on PMG Portal across 596 projects of NHAI. Of these, 1,680 issues have been resolved, including 795 issues pertaining to PRAGATI-reviewed projects. The remaining 85 issues are being actively monitored under the PRAGATI mechanism. Suparna Saikia, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised on the need to work towards an Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem which is transparent, impartial and secure. He said that there should be no compromise on ethical use of AI. Mr Modi said this while interacting with CEOs and Experts working in the field of AI at his residence in New Delhi. The Prime Minister emphasised the need to embrace new technology in all spheres and use it to contribute to national growth. He also urged the use of indigenous technology across key sectors.
Mr Modi highlighted that India has a unique proposition of scale, diversity and democracy, due to which the world trusts India’s digital infrastructure.
Aligned with the upcoming IndiaAI Impact Summit in February, the interaction was aimed to foster strategic collaborations, showcase AI innovations, and accelerate India’s AI mission goals. The high-level roundtable saw participation from CEOs of companies working in AI including Wipro, TCS, HCL Tech and others along with experts from IIIT Hyderabad, IIT Madras and IIT Bombay.
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The Supreme Court today ordered that the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, be kept in abeyance. The Court expressed certain reservations about the Regulations, which are being challenged by as discriminatory towards the general category. The Court suggested that the Regulations must be revisited by a committee comprising eminent jurists. The court observed that the Regulations are prima facie vague and are capable of misuse. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing three writ petitions which challenge the constitutionality of the 2026 Regulations. The Court issued notice to the Centre and the University Grants Commission on the petitions, returnable on 19th of March.
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Beating the Retreat ceremony, marking the culmination of the 77th Republic Day celebrations was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi. The ceremony was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Ministers. A report:
The bands of the armed forces mesmerized the audience by playing tunes on patriotic songs such as Vande Mataram, Aye Watan and Sare Jahan Se Achha. The ceremony also witnessed a special formation by the Indian Air Force band on Operation Sindoor, honouring the valour and sacrifice of the armed forces during the operation. The ceremony featured bands from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces. It began with the Massed band’s Kadam Kadam Badhaye Ja followed by melodious tunes by the Pipes and Drums band. The Central Armed Police Forces bands played tunes such as Vijay Bharat and Veer Seepahi. Indian Air Force played tunes including Brave Warrior, Twilight, and Flying Star, while the Indian Navy band played the tunes including Namaste, Sagar Pawan, and Jai Bharati. Indian Army band played Vijayee Bharat, Aarambh Hai Prachand, Sugamya Bharat, and Sitare Hind. The event concluded with the ever-popular tune of Sare Jahan Se Achha played by the Buglers. With Anupam Mishra, Pallavi Parmar, Akashvani News, Delhi.
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As the world looks towards a sustainable future, India has firmly positioned itself as a global energy powerhouse during the fourth edition of India Energy Week in Goa. More from our correspondent
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that India is set to drive over one-third of global energy demand growth in the coming decades. With a staggering five-hundred-billion-dollar economic opportunity on the table, the event saw massive strategic deals, including a large crude oil contract with Brazil and expanded natural gas imports from the UAE. Beyond traditional fuels, the spotlight is on innovation. From seaweed-derived biocrude and bamboo ethanol to cutting-edge hydrogen drones, India is leading a dual path of energy security and rapid decarbonization. Prime Minister Modi’s roundtable with global CEOs further cemented India’s status as a trusted, reliable partner for a cleaner, greener tomorrow. mahesh chopdade for akashvani news.
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In the Women’s Premier League, WPL Cricket, UP Warriors have set a target of 144 runs for table toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Kotambi, Gujarat. Put into bat first, UP Warriors scored 143 runs losing eight wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:-
- Economic Survey 2025-26 estimates India’s GDP growth for this financial year at 7.4 Percent driven by double engine of consumption and investment; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, it shows comprehensive picture of India’s Reform Express.
- Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran says employment conditions in the country improved since the launch of Periodic Labour Force Survey.
- Prime Minister interacts with CEOs and Experts working in AI Sector; Emphasizes need to work towards an AI ecosystem which is transparent, impartial and secure.
- Supreme Court stays UGC’s new equity regulations; Next hearing on 19th march.
- Beating the Retreat Ceremony concludes 77th Republic Day Celebrations in New Delhi.
- In Women’s Premier League Cricket, UP Warriors set a target of 144 runs for table toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Vadodara International Cricket Stadium in Gujarat.
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