The Economic Survey 2025–26, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, projected India’s GDP growth in the range of 6.8 to 7.2 per cent in the next financial year, slightly lower than the estimated 7.4 per cent growth in the current fiscal, while asserting that the economy remains on a stable footing amid global uncertainty.

Prepared by a team of economists led by Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, the pre-Budget document said the cumulative impact of policy reforms undertaken in recent years is lifting India’s medium-term growth potential to nearly 7 per cent. It underlined the need for deeper institutional capacity that factors in the geopolitical implications of India’s rising global stature.

Commenting on the sharp depreciation of the rupee in recent months, the Survey said the currency’s valuation does not reflect India’s strong economic fundamentals and described it as “punching below its weight.” It noted that while an undervalued rupee offers some cushion against higher US tariffs on Indian goods and poses no immediate inflationary risk from crude oil imports, it can dampen investor sentiment. The rupee’s weakness, it added, is largely a result of foreign capital flows drying up.

The Survey stressed that a strong and stable currency is a natural corollary of India’s aspiration to become a developed nation under the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision and to enhance its global influence.

On inflation, the document pointed to a subdued core inflation trajectory, indicating strengthening supply-side conditions across the economy. It also said the central government remains on track to meet its fiscal consolidation roadmap, targeting a fiscal deficit of 4.4 per cent of GDP in 2025–26. As of November 2025, the fiscal deficit stood at 62.3 per cent of the Budget Estimates.

“Markets have acknowledged and rewarded the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline through lower sovereign bond yields, with the spread over US bonds declining by more than half,” the Survey noted.

Despite higher tariffs imposed by the United States, India’s merchandise exports grew by 2.4 per cent during April–December 2025, while services exports rose by 6.5 per cent. Merchandise imports increased by 5.9 per cent during the same period. The current account deficit remained moderate at 0.8 per cent of GDP in the first half of FY26, aided by strong remittance inflows, which in most years have exceeded gross FDI inflows.

The Survey said global uncertainty has been reshaped by geopolitical realignments affecting investment flows, supply chains and growth prospects, and called for prioritising domestic growth while building adequate buffers and liquidity. It maintained that there is “no space for pessimism,” though caution is warranted given the possibility of multiple global crises.

On trade, the document said India must enhance its competitiveness to fully realise the benefits of free trade agreements. It noted that the proposed FTA with Europe would strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, export resilience and strategic capacity.

The Survey also included a dedicated chapter on artificial intelligence, warning that overly optimistic asset valuations could correct sharply if the AI boom fails to deliver expected productivity gains.

Highlighting sectoral trends, it said India’s civil aviation sector is on a sustained growth path supported by rising demand, infrastructure expansion and a conducive policy environment. While India has become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, passenger volumes still represent only a fraction of the sector’s potential.

The document also pitched for policy interventions to reshape the terms of work for gig and platform workers, recognising their growing role in the economy.

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the implementation of a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation after multiple petitions challenged it for adopting a non-inclusive definition of caste-based discrimination and excluding certain categories from institutional protection.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to the Centre and the UGC while hearing pleas against the University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, which were notified on January 13.

The new regulations mandate all higher education institutions to constitute “equity committees” to address complaints of discrimination and promote equity on campuses. As per the norms, these committees are required to include representatives from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), persons with disabilities, and women.

The 2026 regulations replaced the earlier UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2012, which were largely advisory in nature.

The petitioners have assailed the new framework on the ground that it defines caste-based discrimination strictly as discrimination against members of SC, ST and OBC communities. They argued that by limiting the scope in this manner, the UGC has effectively denied institutional protection and grievance redressal mechanisms to individuals belonging to the general or non-reserved categories who may also face harassment or bias based on their caste identity.

The matter has also triggered protests in several parts of the country, with student groups and organisations demanding the immediate rollback of the regulations, alleging that they undermine the principle of equal protection and comprehensive equity in higher education.

The Supreme Court’s interim stay will remain in force until further orders, with the Centre and the UGC expected to place their responses before the court in the coming hearings.

In a remarkable example of innovation emerging from Jammu & Kashmir, a young entrepreneur has introduced a pioneering digital platform that is set to transform the way solar projects are monitored, controlled, and maintained across India. SolarHelpdesk, (https://Solarhelpdesk.in) a web-based monitoring and service management platform developed by Ecoepicsolar Private Limited under the leadership of Er. Sarabjeet Singh, Chief Executive Officer, is being hailed as a breakthrough solution for one of the solar industry’s biggest challenges — efficient after-sales service and real-time project performance tracking.

India is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in renewable energy, with the Government of India investing thousands of crores every year in solar street lighting, rooftop solar plants, solar water pumping systems, and large-scale solar installations. While the installation numbers continue to rise, a critical gap has remained unaddressed for years: there has been no unified digital platform to monitor solar assets after commissioning, manage complaints, track warranties and AMC contracts, and ensure timely service delivery. As a result, many solar projects across rural and urban India become non-functional within a short period due to lack of monitoring and poor after-sales coordination.

Recognizing this gap from years of field experience, Er. Sarabjeet Singh and his dedicated team at Ecoepicsolar conceptualized and developed SolarHelpdesk — a comprehensive web portal and digital service ecosystem designed specifically for solar project stakeholders. The platform enables real-time monitoring, complaint management, and complete after-sales service tracking for all types of solar projects, including solar street lights, Solar High mast Lighting System, Solar Rooftop systems, mini grids, and smart solar infrastructure.

What makes SolarHelpdesk truly unique is its end-to-end lifecycle approach. From the moment a solar project is installed, every asset can be digitally registered on the platform. Performance data, Date of Installation, Warranty Period, Installer Data, Manufacturer data, fault alerts, can be monitored remotely through a centralized dashboard. In case of any fault, the system automatically generates service tickets, assigns them to vendors or technicians, and records the complete service history. This ensures transparency, accountability, and faster resolution — something the solar sector has long been missing.

One of the strongest features of the platform is its focus on bridging the gap between buyers and sellers. Until now, government departments, municipalities, EPC contractors, and private buyers had no standard system to track warranty obligations, AMC schedules, or vendor performance. SolarHelpdesk provides a common digital workspace where all stakeholders can collaborate, monitor project health, and maintain long-term service records. This not only protects public investments but also enhances the credibility and efficiency of solar vendors.

In a visionary move that reflects social responsibility, Ecoepicsolar has ensured that SolarHelpdesk is available free of cost for users. At a time when digital platforms often come with heavy subscription fees, making such an advanced monitoring and service management system freely accessible demonstrates a strong commitment to strengthening India’s renewable energy ecosystem. The objective is clear: to maximize uptime of solar assets, reduce wastage of public funds, and ensure that clean energy systems continue to deliver reliable performance for years.

Equally important is the platform’s compliance and regulatory readiness. SolarHelpdesk is built as a TRAI-approved compliant system, ensuring secure data handling, reliable communication protocols, and adherence to national telecom and digital governance standards. This compliance makes the platform suitable for deployment in large government projects, smart city initiatives, and sensitive infrastructure applications.

The development of SolarHelpdesk is also a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir’s growing startup and technology ecosystem. Er. Sarabjeet Singh, hailing from the region, represents a new generation of engineers and entrepreneurs who are not only building businesses but also creating nationally relevant digital infrastructure from within the Union Territory. His leadership and team effort reflect how innovation from smaller regions can create solutions of national importance.

Industry experts believe that platforms like SolarHelpdesk will play a crucial role in the next phase of India’s renewable energy journey. As the country moves toward ambitious targets of solar capacity and smart infrastructure, digital monitoring, predictive maintenance, and transparent service systems will become indispensable. By preventing project failures, reducing downtime, and improving accountability, SolarHelpdesk can significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of solar investments.

With SolarHelpdesk, Ecoepicsolar has not just launched a web portal — it has introduced a digital backbone for India’s solar after-sales ecosystem. The initiative stands as a powerful example of how technology, vision, and social commitment can come together to solve real-world problems and strengthen the nation’s clean energy future.

As India accelerates toward a greener tomorrow, innovations like SolarHelpdesk remind us that the true success of renewable energy lies not only in installations, but in intelligent monitoring, responsible maintenance, and continuous performance — all made possible by the vision of young entrepreneurs from Jammu & Kashmir.

President Droupadi Murmu’s reference to the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act in her address to the joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday triggered protests from Opposition parties, which raised slogans demanding rollback of the law.

While addressing members of both Houses at the start of the Budget Session, the President said the VB-G RAM G Act would provide a guarantee of 125 days of employment, curb corruption and leakages, and give fresh momentum to rural development. Her remarks were welcomed by members of the treasury benches, who thumped their desks in approval.

However, Opposition MPs strongly objected to the reference, raising slogans such as “vapas lo” (roll back the Act), forcing President Murmu to briefly pause her address.

The VB-G RAM G Act is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Opposition parties have demanded withdrawal of the new law and restoration of MGNREGA in its original, rights-based form, including the guaranteed right to work and the authority of panchayats.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that the VB-G RAM G Act will further strengthen the rural employment guarantee system and improve transparency and efficiency in implementation.

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday asserted that India has sent a clear message to the world that any act of terrorism will be met with resolute and decisive action, saying the valour of the Indian armed forces was evident during Operation Sindoor, when terror camps were destroyed using indigenous capabilities.

Addressing a joint sitting of Parliament to mark the beginning of the Budget Session, the President said India had demonstrated that power can be exercised with responsibility and wisdom. “The world has seen the valour and courage of Indian armed forces through Operation Sindoor. Our nation, on the strength of our own resources, destroyed terror camps,” she said, amid loud desk-thumping by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of the treasury benches.

Murmu said the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty was also part of India’s broader fight against terrorism. She added that the government is working on Mission Sudarshan Chakra to further strengthen national security, while security forces have also taken firm action against Maoist violence. Following Operation Sindoor, she said, trust in Indian defence platforms has increased globally.

Highlighting the government’s social agenda, the President said her government remained committed to “true social justice” and empowering the poor. She said nearly 95 crore citizens are now covered under social security schemes, and around 25 crore people have moved out of poverty over the past decade.

Murmu also said the government has succeeded in tackling corruption and scams, ensuring better utilisation of public funds. “In the last 10–11 years, India has strengthened its foundation in every sector,” she said, describing the period as one marked by major achievements and transformative experiences.

Referring to national commemorations, the President said celebrations marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur and the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda inspired the younger generation and strengthened the journey towards Viksit Bharat (Developed India). She also mentioned events linked to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Bhupen Hazarika, saying they reinforced the spirit of unity and Ek Bharat, Shresht Bharat.

However, her reference to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) scheme triggered sharp protests from Opposition benches. Murmu said the scheme would guarantee 125 days of work, curb corruption and leakages, and provide a boost to rural development.

Opposition members raised slogans demanding rollback of the Act, forcing the President to briefly pause her address. The Opposition has sought restoration of MGNREGA in its original, rights-based form, while the government maintains that the new legislation strengthens the rural employment guarantee framework.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on Wednesday morning after a chartered aircraft carrying him and others crash-landed at Baramati airport, officials said. The tragic incident occurred around 8.45 am as the aircraft was attempting to land after departing from Mumbai.

According to initial reports from aviation sources and state officials, the plane veered off the runway during the landing approach. Visuals from the crash site showed wreckage near the landing strip, with smoke billowing from the aircraft.

Authorities confirmed that Pawar and several others on board lost their lives in the accident. Emergency response teams, including local police, fire services and medical personnel, rushed to the spot immediately. Victims were pulled out of the wreckage and taken to nearby medical facilities, where they were declared dead.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to launch a detailed investigation into the crash to determine its exact cause. Preliminary indications suggest that technical factors during the landing phase may have contributed to the accident, though officials said conclusions would be drawn only after a thorough probe.

Ajit Pawar, a senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and nephew of veteran politician Sharad Pawar, was one of the most influential figures in Maharashtra politics. He served as the Deputy Chief Minister and held key portfolios in the state government, playing a central role in governance and political strategy.

News of his sudden death sent shockwaves across Maharashtra and the country, with political leaders across party lines expressing grief and condolences.

Official statements from the Maharashtra government, the DGCA and the local administration regarding the exact number of casualties and details of the investigation are awaited.