Latest News from India (as of February 26, 2026) India has been buzzing with major political, economic, and diplomatic developments this month. From the Union Budget's ripple effects to high-profile international visits, here's a detailed rundown of what happened in India recently, drawing from top headlines and public discussions.

Union Budget 2026 Reactions

The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on February 1 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, sparked widespread debate. Chief Ministers from poll-bound states like Tamil Nadu's M.K. Stalin and Kerala's leaders called it disappointing, citing ignored demands for state-specific funds, welfare schemes, and infrastructure like AIIMS.

  • Markets slid 2% due to STT hike, rattling investors.
  • Positive notes included rare earth corridors for Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu to counter China's dominance in critical minerals.
  • Women's empowerment got a push via "Lakhpati Didi" expansion, aiming to turn credit-linked livelihoods into enterprises.

Parliament's Budget Session saw heated exchanges on February 5, with PM Modi accusing the opposition of sloganeering while they walked out over perceived insults to leaders like Nehru.

Diplomatic Highlights

Canada PM Mark Carney's Visit : Starting February 26, Carney heads to Mumbai and New Delhi to meet PM Modi. Talks focus on trade deals, defence pacts, energy, AI, and cultural ties— a boost amid past tensions.

PM Modi's Israel Trip : Modi kicked off a visit to Israel on February 26, meeting Netanyahu and addressing the Knesset. Pledges to deepen trade, defence, and tech cooperation mark a strategic high.

Other moves: India rejected Pakistan's Balochistan allegations on February 1, calling them deflection tactics. A tripartite agreement created the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority on February 5.

Other Key Stories

  • Legal & Political: Supreme Court noted NCERT textbook row on judicial corruption references; Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party challenged Bihar 2025 polls. NBDSA fined Zee News for unverified social media broadcasts.
  • Infra & Sports: Adampur airport renamed Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport by PM Modi; Khelo India mission expanded for talent and training.
  • Trending Buzz : A bizarre Jharkhand "lover's murder plot" involving golgappa poisoning failed spectacularly, grabbing tabloid attention. UPSC prep tips and celeb gossip (Salman Khan's birthday, Bollywood BFFs) trended online.

Event| Date| Impact
---|---|---
Union Budget Presentation| Feb 1| State CMs criticize; markets dip 2% 1
Canada PM Visit Announced| Feb 22| Trade/defence focus 3
PM Modi Israel Visit| Feb 26| Strategic ties boost 59
Nagaland Authority Signed| Feb 5| Regional autonomy step 7

TL;DR : Budget backlash, global leader visits, and quirky crimes topped latest news —India's navigating economic tweaks and diplomacy amid election-year politics.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.