A measured English daily covering India and the wider world.
The India Meteorological Department expects rainfall across India to remain below normal in September, with El Niño conditions likely to influence weather patterns and high temperatures anticipated in several regions.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan features meetings among leaders including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin and Narendra Modi, as China and Russia seek to position the grouping as an alternative to Western-led forums.
Delhi Traffic Police has announced special restrictions for the Beating Retreat Ceremony on January 29, 2026, with closures around Vijay Chowk and diversions for key bus corridors. Commuters are urged to plan earlier and use alternate routes to avoid long delays in Central Delhi.
Parliament’s Budget Session starts on January 28 and is scheduled to run till April 2 in two phases. The government has indicated the Union Budget for 2026-27 will be tabled on February 1, which falls on a Sunday this year, making the calendar notable for both legislators and markets watching fiscal signals.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed on January 28, 2026, after a chartered business jet crashed while attempting to land at Baramati airport. The state government announced a public holiday and a period of official mourning as investigators moved in to examine the wreckage and flight data.
Punjab shut all schools statewide on January 27, 2026, extending the Republic Day break and directing strict compliance across government, aided, private and recognised institutions.
Public sector bank unions are observing a nationwide strike on 27 January 2026, pressing for a five-day work week and citing stalled talks. Branch services may be hit, while digital channels are expected to continue.
India’s weather turns sharper from Tuesday as the IMD flags a new western disturbance likely to bring widespread rain and snowfall over the western Himalayas, while parts of the northern plains brace for cold-wave and cold-day conditions, dense fog pockets, and gusty winds in isolated areas.
India is headed into an active winter phase from 27 January, with the IMD warning of widespread rain and snow across the western Himalayas, thunderstorms and gusty winds in several plains, plus dense fog and cold-wave conditions in pockets of north India.
Schools across Punjab are shut on January 27, 2026, after the state government announced a one-day closure following Republic Day celebrations. The order applies to government, aided, private and recognised institutions, with education authorities asking schools to comply and parents to plan accordingly.
The IMD’s bulletin late on January 26 warned of a new spell of active winter weather from January 27: widespread rain and snowfall in the western Himalayas, thunderstorms and gusty winds in parts of the plains, dense fog pockets, and cold wave/cold day conditions in northern states.
India celebrated its 77th Republic Day on 26 January 2026 with a full-scale parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi, showcasing military strength, indigenous defence platforms and cultural tableaux. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attended as chief guests, underlining a step-up in EU-India engagement ahead of the 16th EU-India Summit scheduled for 27 January in New Delhi.