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…
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….
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 Commitment to Learning The Union Budget 2026–27 marks a decisive moment for India’s education sector, setting aside a record ₹1.39 lakh crore—an increase of 8.27% over the previous year. At a time when India is positioning itself for growth driven by artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and services, this allocation signals a clear…
A New Honour on a Global Journey The Dalai Lama has added an unexpected yet fitting distinction to his long list of international accolades: a Grammy Award. At the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, the 90-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader won in the category of Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording. The…
A New Escalation in a Long Conflict Balochistan has again drawn national and regional attention after the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have carried out more than 40 hours of coordinated attacks across multiple districts. The group asserted that it temporarily seized control in several locations and killed over 200 Pakistani security personnel—figures that…
Setting the Context: A Budget with Strategic Intent India’s Union Budget 2026–27 arrives at a moment of heightened global uncertainty, where geopolitics, trade disruptions, and clean-energy ambitions intersect. Beyond fiscal arithmetic, the Budget signals a clear strategic direction: reducing dependence on external suppliers for minerals that underpin electric mobility, renewable energy, and national security. By foregrounding rare…
A System Stretched Thin India’s judicial system is grappling with a stark numerical imbalance. With only about 22 judges per million people, the country falls far short of what is required to deliver timely justice to its population. This figure, cited in early 2026 parliamentary disclosures, highlights a structural weakness that has long plagued Indian courts—chronic…
A New Proposal Amid a Growing Global Debate As governments worldwide grapple with the social impact of social media on minors, India has entered the debate with a bold legislative proposal. In late January 2026, a private member’s bill seeking to bar teenagers from social media platforms added momentum to an already intensifying global conversation…
