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On this Special Report, Managing Editor Siddharth Zarabi leads a panel discussion on the expectations and market sentiments surrounding the Union Budget. Analyzing the current economic climate, Zarabi emphasizes the need for stability, stating, 'Don't surprise anyone negatively, continue down the path of fiscal consolidation and solid factual credible numbers.' The discussion covers the 'Goldilocks movement' of the Indian economy, the shift toward the new tax regime, and the limited scope for indirect tax tinkering. The panel, including Chetan Bhutani and Sakshi Batra, explores capital expenditure in infrastructure, the potential for a 10-25% hike in defense allocation following 'Operation Sindoor', and the necessity of triggering 'animal spirits' in private investment. Dr. Baru highlights that while fiscal stabilization is on track, domestic demand and private capital formation remain stagnant. The program provides a comprehensive look at how the finance ministry might balance non-tax revenues with high-priority spending in a shifting global world order.

On this special budget broadcast, financial expert Manish Singh discusses the key triggers for market sentiment ahead of the Union Budget announcement. Singh highlights that the 'only statement which the markets would be watching out for carefully would be the taxation part, LTCG, STCG, STT' and suggests a need to lower these to ease market worries. The discussion covers critical fiscal metrics, including a projected fiscal deficit of 4.2% and a nominal GDP growth assumption of 10.5%. Singh anticipates that FY26 capital expenditure numbers might be reduced, potentially leading to elevated capex of approximately 12.5 lakh crore for FY27. The transcript also notes a significant crash in gold and silver prices at the market open, with the Nifty showing nervousness. Other experts point to volatility in the metals index and potential movements in defense, railways, and PSU stocks as the budget speech commences on an unusual Sunday session.

On this Special Report, senior journalist and political commentator Neeraj Choudhury analyses the political dilemma facing the BJP regarding new UGC regulations. Discussing the potential for social friction, Choudhury notes, 'Now this too looks like a hot potato going by the kind of reaction that's coming, and obviously it's coming from the upper caste.' She explains that while the BJP risks alienating its core upper-caste vote bank by implementing these rules, it also faces a backlash from Dalits and OBCs if it withdraws them. The discussion highlights the historical context of the 1990 Mandal Commission protests and the current legal pressure from the Supreme Court following a petition by Rohit Vemula’s mother. Choudhury further explores the 'OBC-ization' of Indian politics, suggesting that while the BJP seeks to balance identity politics, the threat of campus unrest and shifting electoral consolidations remains a significant challenge for the government.

On this Special Report, the focus is on former Ministry of Home Affairs official R.V.S. Mani, who has sparked a fresh controversy following his Padma Shri recognition. Mani, known for his explosive allegations regarding the coining of the 'Saffron Terror' term, has lauded the current government's national security push. He stated, 'There is a statement and a message from the Prime Minister and the Home Minister that we will stand with those who stand for the country.' The transcript highlights Mani's claims that he was pressured by the previous Congress-led UPA government in 2009 to sign a fabricated affidavit. He further alleged that past administrations targeted Hindu leaders in cases like the Samjhauta Express blast to secure vote banks. India Today’s Aman Bhardwaj reports on how Mani’s book and subsequent award have reignited the debate over political interference in national security narratives and the alleged anti-Hindu agenda in Karnataka.

In this special report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a scathing attack on the Congress and the CPI(M) during a rally in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Addressing the political landscape, Narendra Modi stated that the Congress 'has adopted positions that are more communist than those of the Maoists and more communal than that of the Muslim League.' The Prime Minister branded the opposition as the 'Muslim League Maoist Congress,' accusing them of engaging in appeasement politics and lacking a clear development agenda for the state. The report highlights the BJP's strategy to position the NDA as a viable third alternative in Kerala, traditionally dominated by the LDF and UDF. Narendra Modi further raised issues of alleged corruption, citing the Sabarimala gold theft and irregularities in co-operative banks, promising accountability if the BJP is voted to power. While the Left dismissed the remarks, the Prime Minister's speech signals the BJP's intent to breach the southern barrier and challenge the established political order in Kerala.

On this Special Report, India Today’s Munish Pandey provides updates on the intensifying investigation into the Luthra brothers following the tragic Goa club fire. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently conducting raids at eight locations across Goa and Delhi, including residential premises, linked to the brothers and a company director named Mr. Gupta. Munish Pandey reports that the ED has intensified its probe into a money laundering case, stating, 'ED believes that both the brothers have been involved in multi-crore fraud.' The investigation suggests that funds were diverted from banks into personal accounts for private use. The Luthra brothers, who had previously fled to Thailand after the fire incident, are now facing mounting legal trouble as the ED probes allegations of siphoning money. The searches include three premises in Goa and five in Delhi as authorities look for further evidence of financial irregularities linked to their business operations.

On this Special Report, the focus is on the sharp sell-off in the Indian equity markets where the Nifty dropped over 1.2% in a single session. Ashu Madan, MD of JM Financial, describes the current market state as an 'unfortunate panic reaction' driven by global geopolitical shocks and expiry-related volatility. While equities faced intense selling pressure, particularly in the real estate and auto sectors, bullion reached record highs with gold crossing the Rs 1.5 lakh mark. Madan advises retail investors against 'catching a falling knife' and suggests that the current period is one of long-term consolidation. He identifies PSU banks, led by SBI, and the metals sector as the only remaining safe havens. The programme also features insights from HCL Tech CEO C Vijay Kumar on AI's impact on IT services and Prahlad Joshi on India's renewable energy goals, providing a comprehensive overview of the shifting global economic landscape.

On this Special Report, India Today’s Manish Pandey provides details on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) successful recovery of over ₹180 crore in the Zoom Developers bank fraud case. The ED has handed back properties, previously attached under money laundering laws, to a consortium led by Punjab National Bank and IDBI Bank. This recovery is part of a larger ₹2,650 crore scam involving directors Vijay Choudhary and Sharad Kejriwal. Manish Pandey notes, ‘In past few months, almost an year, we can say that the Enforcement Directorate is focusing on restitution, which is getting the public money back to the original person who has been the victim of money laundering.’ The report highlights the shift in the ED’s strategy from merely proving money laundering to actively restituting public funds to victimised banks. This development follows similar restitution efforts in high-profile cases like those involving Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, marking a significant step in tackling large-scale financial crimes in India.

In this news bulletin, the focus is on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) latest crackdown in West Bengal. The agency has arrested businessman Pratyush Kumar Surekha in connection with a massive Rs 2,800 crore money laundering case. The arrest was made under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the report, the case involves allegations of cheating 25 banks between 2010 and 2011, with the CBI initially registering an FIR in 2016. The speaker notes that 'The Enforcement Directorate has now arrested businessman Pratyush Kumar in connection with 2800 crore rupees money laundering case.' Despite previous face-offs between the state government and central agencies, ED officials remain firm on continuing their investigation. The accused has been produced before the court for further legal proceedings as the agency probes the financial trail in the state.

On this edition of India Today Global, host Geeta Mohan reports on the significant escalation in US-Iran relations as Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announces fresh sanctions. The measures target 18 individuals and entities accused of helping the Iranian regime evade oil sanctions and diverting energy proceeds. During the announcement, Scott Besant stated, 'US Treasury knows that like rats on a sinking ship, you're frantically wiring funds stolen from Iranian families to banks and financial institutions around the world.' The bulletin also highlights President Donald Trump's new 25% tariff on nations continuing to trade with Iran. Journalists Geeta Mohan and Pranay Upadhyay discuss the strategic shift from immediate military intervention to 'maximum pressure' economic tactics, noting the potential impact on global oil prices and the stability of West Asian allies like Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The report underscores the US commitment to supporting Iranian protesters while squeezing the regime's financial networks and digital assets.

In this news bulletin, an unidentified speaker discusses the alarming law and order situation in the United Kingdom following the rescue of a 15-year-old girl from a grooming gang by community activists. The speaker describes the situation as a 'very sad indictment of the law and order situation in the United Kingdom and also the inaction of the politician.' The discussion highlights that grooming gang activities have persisted for nearly two decades, yet political leaders allegedly avoid taking action to protect vote banks. The speaker expresses deep concern that citizens have had to take the law into their own hands due to the failure of the police and community leadership. Plans to raise the issue with the Home Secretary are mentioned, emphasizing the need for a robust statement and zero tolerance toward those targeting vulnerable girls. The segment also touches upon the lack of implementation of the Casey report and the need for a more robust approach to protecting societal values.

On this business report, anchor Abha Bakaya tracks the Indian markets as precious metals reach unprecedented levels. Abha Bakaya notes that 'both MCX Silver and Gold continue their bull run and in fact trending at new record highs', with silver jumping 7,000 rupees. The bulletin covers the World Bank's 7.2% GDP growth forecast for India in FY26 and the upcoming Q3 results for Infosys. Market experts Sharad Avasthi and Shailendra Bhatnagar join the discussion to analyze the sustainability of the metal rally and the outlook for the IT and PSU banking sectors. The programme also highlights the 1,907 crore IPO filing by logistics firm Shadowfax and high-level trade talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding critical minerals and defense cooperation.

An unidentified speaker, presented in the bulletin as the Army Chief, delivers a warning on terrorism and says the operation is continuing. The key line is: 'Operation Sindoor remains ongoing. Any future misadventure will be resolutely responded to.' The speaker also describes a shift towards network-enabled multi-domain operations and lists planned capabilities including BrahMos extended range, Pinaka, QR-SAM extended range, drones and munitions. The transcript mentions reduced acquisition timelines under emergency procurement, greater funding, and empowerment of commanders with procurement powers. It also details logistics modernisation with logistic drones and robotic mules, claims major progress on indigenisation of ammunition, and outlines initiatives on quantum, AI platforms, sovereign LLM development, and the secure Samba mobile phone.

On Business Today, the focus is on major global and domestic developments impacting Indian markets. Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced from Washington D.C. that India is close to an agreement with G7 nations on critical minerals, stating, 'There were discussions and agreements around sharing research work among different countries.' This comes as the US plans to invite India to the 'Pax Silica' mineral club. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has opened a new front in trade wars, imposing a 25% tariff on all countries trading with Iran, affecting India's $1.8 billion trade, particularly in Basmati rice and pharma. The bulletin also covers conflicting signals on India-US trade talks, quarterly earnings from TCS and HCL Tech, and market analysis focusing on the IT sector and PSU banks amidst geopolitical uncertainty.

On this Business Today report, US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has accused the Trump administration of intimidation. Powell declared the move is a 'consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President'. The bulletin also covers crucial domestic updates, including a statement from the SEBI Chairman that approval for the long-awaited NSE IPO could come this month. This comes as Indian markets remain weak, with the Nifty falling nearly 650 points last week. Other key headlines include Reliance Industries pausing its lithium-ion battery cell project, new crypto KYC rules being unveiled, and precious metal prices hitting new records amid rising geopolitical tensions.

From the frozen banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, India Today's Mir Fareed reports on Kashmir's resilient tourism sector, which continues to attract international visitors despite the freezing cold. He speaks with Jamie and Oscar, tourists from New Zealand, who chose to visit Kashmir after a trip to Ladakh. They contrast the negative travel advisories and concerns from family back home with their positive on-the-ground reality. Oscar notes, 'We planned to stay here for maybe two days... and then we've stayed here for a week and we're still here'. The couple praises the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the historic city, highlighting simple pleasures like fresh tandoor bread as memorable experiences. Their story underscores a growing trend of foreign tourists discovering a welcoming and beautiful Kashmir, far different from its often-publicised image.

A rare winter phenomenon is sweeping through Kashmir as the Dal Lake begins to freeze under a thick sheet of ice, transforming the valley into a snow-laden wonderland. The transcript captures chilling scenes from the banks of Dal Lake, where locals and tourists struggle with freezing conditions. 'Just to show you the intensity of the cold we have come here, show you the ice, which is an unbelievable phenomenon,' states the on-scene reporter. As temperatures plummet and clear skies persist, the cold is expected to intensify further. The resulting freeze affects everyday life, including shikara rides. The Indian Meteorological Department warns that this cold wave will spread across North Indian plains, bringing dense fog and lower temperatures in coming days. Tourists continue to visit to experience and capture the once-in-a-lifetime wintry landscape despite extreme weather.

In this market update, the Nifty opened flat with a positive bias, trading around the 25,883 mark. The session saw buying interest emerging in IT and metal stocks, while the Nifty Bank remained flat. Defense stocks witnessed a significant surge, with companies like BEL and Mazagon Dock trading higher, reportedly influenced by global factors and budgetary expectations. Conversely, sectors such as FMCG, real estate, and private banks faced early pressure. The update highlights a cautious optimism in the market, with analysts pointing to short covering after recent selling sessions. The discussion also touched upon the impact of global geopolitical events, specifically mentioning Venezuela and Greenland, on market sentiments and sector-specific movements.

This market opening business show highlights a major development where the Adani Group has reportedly tied up with Brazil's Embraer to manufacture commercial aircraft in India. The programme discusses the government's revised GDP growth forecast of 7.4% for the fiscal year 2026, surpassing the RBI's estimates. Additionally, the broadcast covers the upcoming IPO of Bharat Cooking Coal and the impact of global geopolitical tensions on the markets. Experts analyse the implications of these events for investors and the broader economy.

This bulletin covers Donald Trump's fresh warning to India, threatening higher tariffs over its Russian oil imports. One speaker on the programme noted a significant geopolitical shift, stating, 'The Jews, the Persians and India, you know, are now forming a kind of a political clique, which will be very, very strong for and very, very good for India'. The discussion also delves into the military action in Venezuela, with analysts suggesting the potential easing of sanctions could unblock dues for Indian OMCs and reboot ONGC Videsh's operations, boosting revenues. Experts analyse the market impact, noting a bull run in precious metals and strength in PSU banking and metal stocks. The potential replacement of Air India's CEO and mixed results in the retail sector are also covered.