Daily news briefing: Top stories you need to know today | January 30, 2026

Students gearing up for exams or assemblies can stay informed with today’s must-know news updates. From key political developments, government decisions, and economic updates to global events and sports highlights, here’s a concise roundup of the day’s most important stories to help you stay ahead.

NATIONAL NEWS

At 6.8-7.2 pc, India to retain world-beating economic growth rate next fiscal: Eco Survey

New Delhi: India's economy is projected to grow by 6.8-7.2 per cent in the fiscal year starting April, the government's pre-Budget Economic Survey said Thursday, reaffirming the country's status as the world's fastest-growing major economy despite trade risks and global volatility clouding the outlook.

India emerging as ray of hope for world: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that the country was emerging as a "ray of hope" for the world and pointed to the free trade pact with the European Union, saying it for an "ambitious India" and manufacturers should seize this opportunity to enhance capacities.

SC puts new UGC regulations on hold, says can have 'very sweeping consequences'

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the recent UGC equity regulations on preventing caste-based discrimination on campuses, saying the framework is "prima facie vague", can have "very sweeping consequences" and may end up dividing society with a "dangerous impact".

India monitoring reports of incidents of attacks against minorities in B'desh: Govt to RS

New Delhi: India continues to monitor reports of incidents of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh including on their homes and places of worship, and New Delhi has "consistently raised" the issue with the authorities in Dhaka, the government informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Govt says 2.22 crore people provided jobs at 18,000 job fairs across country in past year

New Delhi: A total of 2.22 crore people across the country were provided jobs in over 18,000 job fairs during the past year, Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

'All is good, we are on same page': Shashi Tharoor after meeting Kharge, Rahul

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday met party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi for redressal of his grievances, after which he said "all is good" and "we are all on the same page", signalling a rapprochement with his party ahead of the crucial Kerala Assembly polls.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: Black Box of Learjet 45 aircraft recovered

Mumbai: The Black Box of the Learjet 45 aircraft that crashed near the Baramati airstrip on Wednesday has been recovered, the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

Maharashtra bids a tearful adieu to Ajit Pawar

Baramati: Chants of "Ajit Dada Amar Rahe" (Ajit Dada is immortal) rent the air on Thursday as Maharashtra bid a final and tearful farewell to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

Toll rises to 21 in Bengal fire, 28 still missing; prohibitory orders imposed

Kolkata: The toll in the fire near Kolkata on January 26 has risen to 21 with 13 more bodies found from gutted buildings, while 28 people are still missing, raising fears that the number of fatalities are likely to increase, the police said on Thursday.

Ongoing trade talks with US expected to conclude during the year: Survey

New Delhi: Ongoing negotiations for a trade agreement with the US are expected to conclude during the year, a development that could help reduce uncertainty on the external front, according to Economic Survey 2025-26.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Very disappointed: US Treasury Secretary on India-EU trade deal

New York: In the wake of the FTA between India and the EU, the US has described the Europeans as "very disappointing", saying they were unwilling to join Washington in putting tariffs on New Delhi for its purchases of Russian oil because of this trade deal.

Express appreciation to the US in addressing long-standing issue of Gaza conflict: India

United Nations: India voiced appreciation to the US towards addressing the "long-standing" conflict in Gaza as New Delhi noted the recent progress with regard to the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution on the issue.