1) 🇮🇳National

• LNG-Diesel DEMU Train: Indian Railways has successfully launched India's first-ever Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-diesel dual-fuel DEMU train in Ahmedabad. This technology enables up to 40% diesel substitution, saving nearly ₹23.9 lakh annually per 8-coach train.
• Veterinary Workforce Expansion: As part of the post-Budget strategy, the government has set a landmark target to add 20,000+ veterinary professionals and incentivize the private sector to establish diagnostic labs and breeding centres.
• Rare Earth Corridors: Four states—Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu—have been selected to establish dedicated Rare Earth Corridors to promote the mining and processing of critical minerals.
• NIMHANS 2.0: To strengthen mental health infrastructure, the government announced the launch of NIMHANS 2.0, expanding specialized care access across regional hubs.

2) 🌍International

• India-US Trade Deal: In a historic move, Washington has reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18%. Industry experts have hailed this as a "win-win" agreement that will significantly strengthen India’s position in global trade.
• India-EU FTA: The "mother of all deals" between India and the European Union has reached a crucial stage. It is expected to eliminate import duties on Indian textiles, providing a massive boost to the apparel sector.
• G7 Summit 2026: France has been confirmed as the host for the 52nd G7 Summit later this year, where India is expected to participate as a key invited partner.

3) 💰Economy

• Union Budget 2026-27: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a ₹53.5 lakh crore budget. Key fiscal highlights include:
  • Fiscal Deficit Target: Pegged at 4.3% of GDP for FY27.
  • Capex Outlay: Raised by 9% to a record ₹12.2 lakh crore to drive infrastructure-led growth.
  • Income Tax Act 2025: A new revamped Income Tax Act will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
• Sunday Trading Milestone: For the first time, Indian stock exchanges (NSE/BSE) conducted a full live trading session on a Sunday to coincide with the Budget presentation.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• First "Mark Twain" Report (1863): On this day in 1863, Samuel Clemens used the pen name "Mark Twain" for the first time in a newspaper report.
• 15th Amendment (1870): The 15th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified on this day, guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race.
• Soft Landing on Moon (1966): The Soviet Union's Luna 9 became the first spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon on February 3.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Nirmala Sitharaman: Created a historic record by presenting the Union Budget for the 9th consecutive time, surpassing previous records for female Finance Ministers.
• Bad Bunny: Made history at the 68th Grammy Awards by winning Album of the Year for "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FoToS", the first-ever Spanish-language album to win the top prize.

6) 🏅Sports

• Suryakumar Yadav: The Indian T20I captain climbed five places to reach 7th in the latest ICC Men’s T20I rankings following a prolific series against New Zealand.
• Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz is being celebrated as the youngest man in the Open Era to complete a Career Grand Slam after his recent victory in Melbourne.
• U-19 World Cup: India continues its dominant run in the Super 6 stage, maintaining a top spot in the points table.

7) 🏆Awards

• 68th Grammy Awards:
  • Album of the Year: Bad Bunny (DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FoToS)
  • Best Rap Album: Kendrick Lamar (GNX)
  • No Wins for India: Despite nominations for Anoushka Shankar and others, India ended the night without a trophy.
• Gallantry Awards: The President has approved 412 gallantry awards for 2026, including Kirti Chakras for exceptional bravery in counter-insurgency operations.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• Yellow Alert in Delhi: A fresh Western Disturbance has led to a weather alert in the national capital, with predictions of thunderstorms and fog.
• Logistics Performance: India has successfully reduced its logistics costs to 7.97% of GDP, moving closer to the efficiency levels of developed economies.

📚Word of the day

• Momentum (Noun)
• Meaning: The strength or force that something has when it is moving, or the strength or force that allows something to continue or to grow stronger or faster.
• Usage: "The new Budget allocations are designed to maintain the momentum of India's infrastructure development."