School Assembly News Headlines: 2 February 2026

National News

1. Finance Minister Presents Ninth Budget On Sunday, Announces New Tax Act From April 1, 2026

2. Government Reinforces Services Sector Focus With Tax Reforms And Data Centre Incentives In Union Budget 2026 For Youth Growth

3. Prime Minister Greets Indian Coast Guard On Raising Day, Highlights Maritime Security And Disaster Response Role

4. Ending Gaza Violence Is Shared Global Priority, Says External Affairs Minister At India Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting

International News

1. United States Begins Talks With Cuba Amid Increased Pressure Through Oil Supply Restrictions

2. Transparency International Bangladesh Raises Concerns Over Draft Media And Broadcasting Ordinances

Sports News

1. Union Budget 2026 Raises Sports Ministry Allocation By Over ₹1,000 Crore, Supports Sports Goods Manufacturing

2. India Defeats New Zealand By 46 Runs To Win Five Match T20I Series Four One In Thiruvananthapuram

Business News

1. Union Budget 2026–27 Introduces Dedicated Programmes For Cashew, Cocoa, Sandalwood, And High Value Horticulture

2. Sensex And Nifty Fall Over One Percent In Special Session After Budget Raises STT On F&O Trades

1. Finance Minister Presents Ninth Budget On Sunday, Announces New Tax Act From April 1, 2026
Finance Minister presented Union Budget 2026 on February 1. No income tax slab changes announced. New Tax Act to begin from April 1, 2026. Budget focused on three Kartavyas and proposed cloud service tax holiday till 2047.

2. Government Reinforces Services Sector Focus With Tax Reforms And Data Centre Incentives In Union Budget 2026 For Youth Growth
Nirmala Sitharaman, the fianance minister announced renewed emphasis on services sector in Budget 2026. Measures include six-month extension on request, APA modified returns expansion, tax holidays till 2047, and 15 percent safe-harbour for data centres.

3. Prime Minister Greets Indian Coast Guard On Raising Day, Highlights Maritime Security And Disaster Response Role
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on the Indian Coast Guard Raising Day. He highlighted its responsibilities in coastal surveillance, maritime security, disaster response operations, and protection of India’s marine environment.

4. Ending Gaza Violence Is Shared Global Priority, Says External Affairs Minister At India Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said ending violence in Gaza is a shared global priority. Speaking on January 31, 2026, he reaffirmed India’s support for peace in Gaza, Sudan, Libya, and Lebanon.

5. Prime Minister Meets Palestinian Minister At Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Reaffirms India’s Support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestinian Foreign Minister of State Varsen Aghabekian Shahin on January 31, 2025. He reaffirmed India’s continued support for the Palestinian people during the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

1. President Attends Opening Of Amrit Udyan Winter Annual Edition 2026 At Rashtrapati Bhavan In New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Amrit Udyan Winter Edition 2026. Gardens open from 3 February to 31 March, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and 4 March. Special entry days announced.

2. Maharashtra CM Inaugurates India’s First Ambedkar Advocate Training And Research Centre In Navi Mumbai
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated BBATRC at Taloja, Navi Mumbai. Established by Maharashtra and Goa Bar Council, the centre aims to strengthen legal training, bridge education and courtroom practice, and enhance professional skills of advocates.

3. Nagaland Chief Minister Launches Digitisation Of Old Birth And Death Records To Improve Public Services
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched digitisation of manual birth and death certificates in Kohima. Initiative aims to improve service delivery, ensure accurate data management, enhance citizen access to records, and support informed government policy decisions.

4. Union Budget 2026–27 Proposes East Coast Industrial Corridor And Tourism Push In Purvodaya States
Finance Minister proposed East Coast Industrial Corridor with Durgapur node in West Bengal. Budget announced five tourism destinations in Purvodaya States and a Buddhist circuit scheme across six northeastern states.

5. Kerala Tourism Should Build World Class Accessible Destinations Using Technology And Global Standards, Says Tourism Ministry Official
Additional Secretary Suman Billa said Kerala must focus on select destinations, global quality standards, technology use, and stakeholder partnerships. He spoke at the ‘Kerala for All’ tourism conclave in Kochi.

1. United States Begins Talks With Cuba As President Trump Increases Pressure By Cutting Oil Supplies
President Donald Trump said the US has started discussions with Cuban leaders. His administration reduced oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico, aiming to push Cuba toward negotiations amid rising economic pressure.

2. Transparency International Bangladesh Criticises Draft Media And Broadcasting Ordinances Over Press Freedom Concerns
Transparency International Bangladesh criticised draft media ordinances, calling them against public expectations. TIB said proposals ignore Media Reform Commission recommendations and may increase government and bureaucratic control over independent media.

3. 39th India International Leather Fair Begins In Chennai, Showcases Advanced Technologies And Global Trade Opportunities
The three-day leather fair in Chennai features products, machinery, and innovations. Event highlights AI, additive manufacturing, augmented reality, and digital enterprises. Fair gains importance after India–Europe FTA boosting leather exports and investments.

4. India–Nepal Buddhist Heritage Partnership Strengthens Civilisational Diplomacy Through Shared History And Cooperation
Rajya Sabha MP Harsh V Shringla said India–Nepal cooperation in Buddhist heritage builds trust and legitimacy. He noted that shared civilisation promotes people-centric diplomacy, ethical engagement, and resilient bilateral and global partnerships.

5. Latvia Records Minus 32 Degrees Celsius As Country Faces Coldest Winter Spell In Twelve Years
Latvia recorded minus 32 degrees Celsius, its coldest temperature in 12 years. Most regions saw minus 16 to minus 26 degrees. Heating costs and wood pellet shortages rose, but the government ruled out an energy emergency.

1. Union Budget 2026 Increases Sports Ministry Allocation By Over ₹1,000 Crore, Grants ₹500 Crore To Sports Goods Manufacturing
The Union Budget raised the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports allocation by over ₹1,000 crore. Sports goods manufacturing received a first-time ₹500 crore allocation to strengthen domestic production and industry growth.

2. India Defeats New Zealand By 46 Runs To Win Five Match T20I Series Four One In Thiruvananthapuram
India won the fifth T20I by 46 runs at Greenfield Stadium. India scored 271 for 5 with Ishan Kishan’s 103 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 63. New Zealand were bowled out for 225. Arshdeep Singh took five wickets.

3. Suryakumar Yadav Applauds Abhishek Sharma And Ishan Kishan’s Aggressive Start In Fifth T20I Against New Zealand
Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged aggressive batting as Abhishek Sharma hit Jacob Duffy for a six and Ishan Kishan pulled Kyle Jamieson for another. The confident start set the tone for India’s strong innings.

1. Union Budget 2026–27 Launches Dedicated Programmes For Cashew, Cocoa, Sandalwood, And High Value Horticulture Growth
Union Budget 2026–27 introduces cashew and cocoa programme targeting self-reliance by 2030. Budget supports sandalwood cultivation, orchard rejuvenation, and high-density walnut, almond, and apricot farming with youth participation.

2. Sensex And Nifty Decline Over One Percent In Special Session After Budget Raises STT On F&O Trades
Indian equity markets traded lower after Union Budget 2026. Sensex fell 797 points to 81,472 and Nifty dropped 274 points to 25,046. STT on futures rose to 0.05 percent and options to 0.15 percent.

3. Finance Minister Tables 16th Finance Commission Report And Introduces Finance Bill 2026 In Lok Sabha
Finance Minister laid 16th Finance Commission report for 2026–2031. Report covers tax devolution between Centre and states. Finance Bill 2026 and FRBM Act statements were also presented.

1. Union Budget 2026–27 Expands Medical And Health Education With Focus On Training, Skilling, And Employment
The Union Budget 2026–27 prioritises medical and health education. Measures include new national institutes, upgraded campuses, and expanded training in pharmaceuticals, allied health, mental healthcare, and traditional medicine to support services-led growth.

2. NTA Opens Registration For JEE Main 2026 Session Two From February One, Exam Scheduled In April
The National Testing Agency announced JEE Main 2026 Session 2 registration from February 1. Applications close on February 25. Exam is for BTech, BArch, and BPlanning aspirants. January session candidates can apply using existing login details.