What is the story about?
India’s political and economic agenda took centre stage today as the Budget Session of Parliament commenced, with President Droupadi Murmu’s address setting the tone ahead of the Union Budget on February 1. Markets, meanwhile, stayed firmly in the green, with benchmark indices ending higher for a second straight session as the Nifty crossed the 25,300 mark amid broad-based buying.
The day was also marked by the tragic death of Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, triggering uncertainty over the state’s political future and succession dynamics within his party. On the macro front, the rupee edged higher against the dollar, supported by a softer greenback and optimism around the India–EU trade deal, even as crude prices and foreign fund outflows remained headwinds.
Corporate India remained in focus with a clutch of Q3 earnings, including Maruti Suzuki and L&T, while the government pushed ahead with strategic priorities such as India Semicon Mission 2.0.
From geopolitics and trade talks to aviation, technology and IPO developments, here’s everything that made news today.
Here are the top 10 stories shaping business and policy today.
Budget Session Begins 2026: President Addresses Joint Session Of Parliament | Nirmala Sitharaman
The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday, January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Thursday (January 29) and present the Union Budget on February 1, which is a Sunday.
Read more: Budget Session commences today
Closing Bell | Markets end higher for a second straight session as Nifty tops 25,300
Indian equity benchmarks extended gains for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, ending near the day’s high amid broad-based buying and strong stock-specific action.
Read More
Rupee edges higher against dollar on softer greenback, India-EU trade deal support
The rupee strengthened modestly against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday (January 28), supported by a weakening dollar index and positive sentiment following the conclusion of the India–European Union free trade agreement, even as persistent foreign fund outflows and higher crude oil prices capped gains.
Read More
Govt eyes Cabinet nod for India Semicon Mission 2.0 by March-end
India Semiconductor Mission, the government’s fiscal support programme for chip development and manufacturing, has been drafted and is ready for approval, according to government officials. Officials within the Ministry of Electronics and IT have confirmed that the government is targeting Cabinet approval by the end of March 2026.
Read More
Ajit Pawar's death leaves Maharashtra politics without its key power broker — what next
Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on January 28, raising pressing questions about the future of his party and the political landscape in Marathwada. With elections approaching, the party’s next moves and leadership plans remain unclear, leaving Maharashtra politics in a state of flux.
Read More
Maruti Suzuki India Q3 Results: Earnings ex-labour code impact meet estimates; Stock volatile
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., India's largest passenger car manufacturer reported its December quarter results, which were lower when compared to expectations. However, adjusting for the new labour laws impact, the numbers present a different picture.
Read More
AlsoRead: L&T Q3 Results: Revenue rises over 10%, margin expands; Order book up 17%
UK PM Keir Starmer Arrives In China With 60-Member Business Delegate
British PM Keir Starmer has arrived in China for a three-day visit. This is the first time a UK PM has visited the country since 2018. Starmer is travelling with around 60 British business and cultural leaders & will meet President Xi Jinping, and develop trade ties.
HAL to set up final assembly line in India for Russia’s SJ100 passenger jet
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Wednesday, january 28, announced its plan to set up a final assembly line in India for Russia’s SJ100 regional passenger aircraft under its partnership with United Aircraft Corporation, marking a significant step in India’s civil aviation manufacturing ambitions.
Read More
Also Read: IndiGo to induct 39 A321XLRs, targets 40% international network by 2030: CEO Pieter Elbers
India-US trade talks near fruition as negotiations intensify: Sources
India has made significant headway in its trade negotiations with the United States, and a deal could be close to taking shape, sources told CNBC-TV18. According to people familiar with the discussions, both sides are engaged in regular and robust negotiations, with Indian and US officials remaining in close and continuous contact. The talks have progressed steadily, raising hopes of a positive outcome in the near future.
Read More
From Amazon to The Washington Post, Bezos' cost-cutting playbook tightens
A mistake or a prematurely sent announcement? That's the debate that's rife among Amazon employees after an internal mail prematurely sent and quickly cancelled has thrown fresh light on a sweeping new round of layoffs that the company is preparing to execute. The error has fuelled employee speculation over long-running rumors of deeper cuts.
Read More
Exclusive | boAt IPO deferred again despite SEBI clearance, sources say
Imagine Marketing, the parent company of consumer electronics brand boAt, has once again deferred its initial public offering, even after securing regulatory clearances, sources told CNBC-TV18. According to people familiar with the matter, the company has paused the public issue to reassess market conditions and its internal preparedness. This marks another delay in boAt’s long-running efforts to enter the public markets and comes at a time when investor scrutiny of new-age consumer companies has intensified.
Read More
We'll see you on Thursday with another engaging 'Top 10@10’
The day was also marked by the tragic death of Ajit Pawar, a towering figure in Maharashtra politics, triggering uncertainty over the state’s political future and succession dynamics within his party. On the macro front, the rupee edged higher against the dollar, supported by a softer greenback and optimism around the India–EU trade deal, even as crude prices and foreign fund outflows remained headwinds.
Corporate India remained in focus with a clutch of Q3 earnings, including Maruti Suzuki and L&T, while the government pushed ahead with strategic priorities such as India Semicon Mission 2.0.
From geopolitics and trade talks to aviation, technology and IPO developments, here’s everything that made news today.
Here are the top 10 stories shaping business and policy today.
Budget Session Begins 2026: President Addresses Joint Session Of Parliament | Nirmala Sitharaman
The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday, January 28, with President Droupadi Murmu addressing the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will table the Economic Survey in Parliament on Thursday (January 29) and present the Union Budget on February 1, which is a Sunday.
Read more: Budget Session commences today
Closing Bell | Markets end higher for a second straight session as Nifty tops 25,300
Indian equity benchmarks extended gains for a second consecutive session on Wednesday, ending near the day’s high amid broad-based buying and strong stock-specific action.
Read More
Rupee edges higher against dollar on softer greenback, India-EU trade deal support
The rupee strengthened modestly against the US dollar in early trade on Wednesday (January 28), supported by a weakening dollar index and positive sentiment following the conclusion of the India–European Union free trade agreement, even as persistent foreign fund outflows and higher crude oil prices capped gains.
Read More
Govt eyes Cabinet nod for India Semicon Mission 2.0 by March-end
India Semiconductor Mission, the government’s fiscal support programme for chip development and manufacturing, has been drafted and is ready for approval, according to government officials. Officials within the Ministry of Electronics and IT have confirmed that the government is targeting Cabinet approval by the end of March 2026.
Read More
Ajit Pawar's death leaves Maharashtra politics without its key power broker — what next
Ajit Pawar died in a plane crash on January 28, raising pressing questions about the future of his party and the political landscape in Marathwada. With elections approaching, the party’s next moves and leadership plans remain unclear, leaving Maharashtra politics in a state of flux.
Read More
Maruti Suzuki India Q3 Results: Earnings ex-labour code impact meet estimates; Stock volatile
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., India's largest passenger car manufacturer reported its December quarter results, which were lower when compared to expectations. However, adjusting for the new labour laws impact, the numbers present a different picture.
Read More
AlsoRead: L&T Q3 Results: Revenue rises over 10%, margin expands; Order book up 17%
UK PM Keir Starmer Arrives In China With 60-Member Business Delegate
British PM Keir Starmer has arrived in China for a three-day visit. This is the first time a UK PM has visited the country since 2018. Starmer is travelling with around 60 British business and cultural leaders & will meet President Xi Jinping, and develop trade ties.
HAL to set up final assembly line in India for Russia’s SJ100 passenger jet
Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Wednesday, january 28, announced its plan to set up a final assembly line in India for Russia’s SJ100 regional passenger aircraft under its partnership with United Aircraft Corporation, marking a significant step in India’s civil aviation manufacturing ambitions.
Read More
Also Read: IndiGo to induct 39 A321XLRs, targets 40% international network by 2030: CEO Pieter Elbers
India-US trade talks near fruition as negotiations intensify: Sources
India has made significant headway in its trade negotiations with the United States, and a deal could be close to taking shape, sources told CNBC-TV18. According to people familiar with the discussions, both sides are engaged in regular and robust negotiations, with Indian and US officials remaining in close and continuous contact. The talks have progressed steadily, raising hopes of a positive outcome in the near future.
Read More
From Amazon to The Washington Post, Bezos' cost-cutting playbook tightens
A mistake or a prematurely sent announcement? That's the debate that's rife among Amazon employees after an internal mail prematurely sent and quickly cancelled has thrown fresh light on a sweeping new round of layoffs that the company is preparing to execute. The error has fuelled employee speculation over long-running rumors of deeper cuts.
Read More
Exclusive | boAt IPO deferred again despite SEBI clearance, sources say
Imagine Marketing, the parent company of consumer electronics brand boAt, has once again deferred its initial public offering, even after securing regulatory clearances, sources told CNBC-TV18. According to people familiar with the matter, the company has paused the public issue to reassess market conditions and its internal preparedness. This marks another delay in boAt’s long-running efforts to enter the public markets and comes at a time when investor scrutiny of new-age consumer companies has intensified.
Read More
We'll see you on Thursday with another engaging 'Top 10@10’


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