Daily Current Affairs for CAT, XAT & MBA GDPI – January 29, 2026
Indian Economy & Policy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to table Economic Survey in Lok Sabha today
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. This survey offers insights into the economy's state and outlook. Other key events include the tabling of documents related to airport regulation and the presentation of eight Bills passed by Parliament. The Lok Sabha will also address urgent public matters.
Union Budget: India may pour more money & simplify tax regime to offset Trump tariffs
Ahead of the Feb. 1 Budget, PM Modi’s government is expected to boost infrastructure spending and improve ease of doing business while maintaining fiscal discipline. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman may simplify import duties and ease compliance for small businesses, aiming to support growth amid muted private investment and global risks, including punitive US tariffs.
Indian Politics & Governance
Kerala Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Balagopal presents State budget
This Budget constitutes the final one of the present LDF government as Kerala is scheduled to have the Assembly elections in a few months' time
Can the ED file writ petitions before Courts? | Explained
What high-profile case is at the centre of the challenge against the Enforcement Directorate’s jurisdiction? What has been the Kerala government’s defence? Why is the outcome of this case significant for the balance of power between Central and State authorities in India?
Geopolitics (India Focus)
U.K., France, Canada and others condemn Israel’s demolition of U.N. site in Jerusalem
The group, in a joint statement, called on the government of Israel to halt all demolitions

Bessent says disappointed by EU-India deal; South Korea must ratify trade deal
Bessent said the deal made it clear why Brussels had balked at joining Washington's decision to impose 25% tariffs on India last year as part of a push to reduce its purchases of Russian oil
Indian Stock Market & IPOs
FIIs dump 2 stocks for every one bought, smallcaps worst hit. What it means for investors
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) significantly reduced their holdings in Indian equities during the December quarter, selling nearly two stocks for every one purchased, with smallcaps bearing the brunt. This exodus, driven by high valuations and modest earnings growth, saw FIIs divest from 814 stocks while acquiring only 478 across various market segments.
ETMarkets Smart Talk | Capex and consumption may steal the show in Budget 2026: UTI AMC’s Karthikraj Lakshmanan
UTI AMC's Karthikraj Lakshmanan anticipates Budget 2026 will balance fiscal discipline with growth, focusing on capital expenditure and consumption. He notes market nervousness due to geopolitical concerns and rupee depreciation, advising a staggered investment approach for equities with a 5+ year horizon.
Marketing, Brands & Consumer Trends

From Mexico City to Pretoria, India's car exports are running into turbulence
Bad news for Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India, with South Africa exploring an increase in auto import duties after the tariff shock from Mexico last month. That too, at a time when they are increasingly relying on exports.

India’s data centre boom turns to IPOs as AI-driven capex surges
Sify’s IPO nod, Yotta’s domestic pivot and listing talk at Nxtra and CtrlS signal a shift toward public markets and partnerships to fund India’s next phase of data centre expansion.
Sports (Business & Governance)

Depleted Tamil Nadu eyes a positive finish to a nightmarish season
Jagadeesan, Gurjapneet to miss the Baroda clash due to India ‘A’ duty; teams can use the match to lay the foundation for the future

It’s scary to think where India will be in five years’ time: Sarah Taylor
Former England wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor, the fielding coach of Giants in WPL-4, says that the Women in Blue are making rapid strides due to the exposure they are getting; feels that the franchise leagues have made women’s cricket more exciting and competitive