Will this happen after INDO-EU Trade Deal?
INDO- EU Trade Deal looks to be a Win-Win, unless European farmers don't obstruct it like they are doing with South America. What must be going through Trump's
mind? Will he come down somewhat from his high tariff horse.
West Bengal: is it Bihari versus Bihari?
The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up for the West Bengal Assembly polls and when the party’s National President Nitin Nabin is on a two-day visit to Durgapur and Asansol, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to follow soon. Nabin was on maidin visit on January 27 and 28 after being declared National President of the party. His visit to Durgapur and Asansol is crucial as both the places have sizeable populations of non-Bengali voters. The party strategists believe that with proper concentration on this particular zone, it can win at least six Assembly seats. It is interesting to note that Trinamool MPs Kirti Azad (Burdwan-Durgapur) and Shatrughan Sinha (Asansol) are also from Bihar. Shah is likely to visit WB soon, where he is expected to attend multiple meetings. Bengal BJP is waiting for the official confirmation from Shah’s office.
Swiss Think Tank debunks Pakistan's fake narrative on Operation Sindoor, claims IAF held air superiority throughout!
Switzerland-based Centre for Military History and Perspective Studies has delivered a stinging reality check to Pakistan’s propaganda machine on Operation Sindoor. The independent Swiss military history think tank’s detailed 47-page study shreds fake narratives of “Indian failure” pushed by Islamabad’s ecosystem and instead documents how the Indian Air Force achieved clear air superiority over Pakistan during the 88-hour conflict in May 2025. The report notes that Indian air defences blunted Pakistan’s drone and missile offensives, while precision IAF strikes degraded key PAF bases, radars and infrastructure, forcing Pakistan to seek a ceasefire by 10 May. Coming from a neutral European institution with no stake in South Asian politics, CHPM’s assessment undercuts years of disinformation, doctored images and exaggerated damage claims circulated by Pakistan on social and traditional media. For New Delhi, the study is a rare, third-party vindication of its official account of Operation Sindoor.
BUREAUCRACY
Know the personalities behind the historic India-EU FTA
Know the personalities behind the historic India-EU FTA—the "Mother of All Deals" concluded Jan 27, 2026! After 18+ years, these diplomats & bureaucrats made it possible.
Indian Side
- Piyush Goyal (Commerce Minister): Political driver, Brussels talks & final push.
- Rajesh Agrawal (Commerce Secretary): Confirmed conclusion; led technical negotiations.
EU Side
- Ursula von der Leyen (EC President): Summit co-chair, hailed 2B-person free trade zone.
- Maroš Šefčovič (Trade Commissioner): Key meetings w/ Goyal on tariffs & sectors.
- Christophe Kiener (EU Chief Negotiator): Handled rounds, resolved sticking points.
Bonus Mentions
- Sabine Weyand (DG Trade): High-level inputs on agri, autos, SMEs.
Legal scrub underway—signing soon! Boosts trade to $200B+.
20 IAS officers in country retiring in January
As many as 20 IAS officers of various cadres and batches are retiring in January, 2026. The officers are: Ritu Raj Bora and Indreswar Kalita of Assam-Meghalaya cadre; Dinesh Kumar Rai, Minendra Kumar, Satyendra Kumar Singh of Bihar; Rakhil Kahlon and Vinod Kumar of Himachal Pradesh; Iqbal Singh Chahal of Maharashtra; Tarep Imchen of Nagaland; G Mathivathanan of Odisha; Ajoy Kumar Singh and Dilraj Singh of Punjab; Shubhra Singh, Rajendra Vijay and Arun Kumar Purohit of Rajasthan; Md Moslem Uddin Ahmed of Tripura; Shailendra Kumar Singh, Amar Nath Upadhayay, Ram Singh Verma of UP cadre and Satyajit Sen of West Bengal cadre.
Rohit Rishi appointed as MD, IIFCL
Rohit Rishi, ED, Bank of Maharashtra, has been appointed as Managing Director (MD), India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) for a period of three years.
Will the Govt modify UGC 2026 regulations?
The Centre government on January 13 this month notified the UGC (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026. But this has created uneasiness in a section of society. A PCS officer Alankar Agnihotri on Monday quit the UP government service against this notification. On Tuesday A plea was filed in the Supreme Court challenging a recently notified University Grants Commission (UGC) regulation, alleging that it has adopted a non-inclusionary definition of caste-based discrimination and excludes certain categories from institutional protection. According to sources the government has reportedly approached the AG for the legal advice and one should not be surprised if the government modify certain provisions of the regulation. It is said that the government is now in damage control mode. In the plea is has been mentioned that regulation 3(c) of the Regulations, 2026 is "non-inclusionary" and fails to protect students and faculty who do not belong to reserved
High-level diplomatic engagement between India & Canada is gathering momentum as Mark Carney prepares to visit New Delhi in March!
High-level diplomatic engagement between India and Canada is gathering momentum as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares to visit New Delhi in early March, aiming to seal a landmark uranium supply pact and broader energy agreements. The proposed 10-year uranium deal, estimated at about C$2.8 billion, is expected to underpin expanded civil nuclear cooperation and bolster India’s energy security. Carney’s visit will also coincide with the formal launch of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations, turning this trip into a political signal of reset and a precursor to an ambitious full-spectrum trade pact between the two countries.
India accomplished a hard bargain by resisting to open Indian dairy sector for Europe!
India has firmly resisted EU pressures to open its dairy sector during recent Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, safeguarding millions of small farmers and rural livelihoods. Despite Brussels pushing for market access amid geopolitical tensions, New Delhi drew clear red lines, echoing Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's 2024 stance: no dairy concessions or no deal. The January 2026 India-EU FTA announcement confirms this, protecting sensitive agriculture like dairy, cereals, and poultry while slashing tariffs on machinery, chemicals, and Indian exports such as textiles. This balances export gains with food security, prioritizing domestic cooperatives like Amul over cheap imports
Only one vacancy of Judge in SC
At present there is only one vacancy of Judge in the Supreme Court of India. Second vacancy will arise in April only.
Search for successor to Madhu Nair as CMD, CSL begins
The Government of India has started searching for a candidate for the post of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The extended tenure of incumbent Madhu Nair is coming to an end on January 31, 2026.
Vacancy of Director (HR) in BHEL in 2026
After the selection of Krishna Kumar Thakur, Director (Human Resources), BHEL as Director (Personnel), NMDC, a vacancy of Director (Human Resources), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is arising in 2026.
Padma Award to IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti
V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, will receive the Padma award for his contributions. He dedicated the honour to collective efforts toward “Viksit Bharat @ 2047.” This recognition highlights his work in areas like the Shakti processor project and national-scale deliveries, including collaborations with CDAC and NSAB (National Security Advisory Board). Speculations in discussions note his long-term role in NSAB and potential for higher national service.
MDNIY seeks Senior Consultant (Yoga Therapy)
Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) is seeking Senior Consultant (Yoga Therapy). The interview will be held on January 28, 2026.
MeitY seeks Engagement Manager for Mumbai
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is seeking Engagement Manager for Mumbai, Maharashtra. Details can be availed from www.meity.gov.in & www.dic.gov.in, https://bhashini.gov.in/ and www.negd.gov.in.
IRCTC AGM, East Zone
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Limited has invited applications for the post of Joint General Manager, Area Office Ranchi, East Zone on deputation basis. Applications must reach latest by February 21, 2026.
Aloke Prasad empanelled for appointment as IEMs.
Aloke Prasad has been empanelled for appointment as IEMs. He is a 1984 batch IPS officer and retired as Director General of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW) UP, Lucknow.
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