Origins of the JF-17 Thunder The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft positioned in the 4.5-generation category. It emerged from a 1998 joint venture between Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) at Kamra and China’s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, conceived to replace the Pakistan Air Force’s ageing Mirage III/V and F-7 fleets. Designed with affordability as…
India’s defence manufacturing ambitions received a major boost with Adani Defence & Aerospace signing a strategic partnership with Italy’s aerospace major Leonardo to expand helicopter production in the country. Announced on February 3, 2026, the collaboration marks a significant step toward building a domestic helicopter ecosystem at scale—one that supports both military readiness and civil aviation needs…
President Returns to Her Roots President Droupadi Murmu began a six-day visit to Odisha—her home state—on February 2, marking one of her most extensive engagements in the region since assuming office. Spanning key districts including Khurda, Jajpur, Balasore, Puri, and Mayurbhanj, the visit blends personal symbolism with public purpose, reflecting both her deep roots in the…
Odisha has emerged as a major beneficiary of the Union Budget 2026–27, securing an unprecedented ₹10,928 crore allocation for railways—the highest ever for the state. Announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the outlay marks a clear step-up from last year’s ₹10,599 crore and represents a dramatic rise from the pre-2014 annual average of under ₹900 crore….
A Trade Pact with Currency Implications As India and the United States reset their trade relationship in early 2026, markets are asking a critical macroeconomic question: can this deal help stabilise the rupee and rekindle foreign investment inflows? With the Indian currency under pressure for much of 2025 and capital flows turning volatile, the tariff…
Chief Justice Sounds Alarm on WhatsApp’s Data Practices India’s Chief Justice has delivered a pointed warning to Meta Platforms, questioning whether WhatsApp’s controversial privacy policy aligns with constitutional protections and the realities of India’s vast, diverse user base. During a February 3, 2026 hearing, the Supreme Court made it clear that global technology companies cannot impose…
India Pushes Back on Russian Oil Claims India has not formally committed to ending its purchases of Russian crude oil as part of its latest trade understanding with the United States, despite claims to the contrary from President Donald Trump. While Washington has linked the deal to a strategic shift in India’s energy sourcing, New Delhi has…
A Landmark Moment in India–US Economic Relations India and the United States have entered a pivotal new phase in their economic partnership with the announcement of a landmark trade understanding that sharply lowers US reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods. Finalised after direct talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in early February 2026,…
Morning Math of a Household Budget On the morning after Union Budget 2026–27, conversations across tea stalls, kitchens, and bus stops sounded strikingly similar: “Is zindagi sasti hui ya mehngi?” The new Budget doesn’t arrive with dramatic giveaways, but it quietly reshapes everyday spending. Some habits pinch harder, while daily conveniences ease up. For the common man, this…
Union Budget 2026–27 set the tone for a turbulent start in Indian equity markets. After a sharp sell-off on Budget Day, markets staged a notable rebound on February 2, with benchmark indices clawing back a portion of their losses. The recovery reflected a reassessment of the Budget’s intent—balancing fiscal discipline with growth-oriented spending—after initial concerns around…
