Morning Digest | February 6, 2026

At least 18 killed in explosion at ‘illegal’ coal mine in Meghalaya

An explosion in an illegally operated rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district killed 18 miners on Thursday (February 5, 2026), officials said. This is one of the biggest mishaps since July 2012, when 15 miners died in a flooded mine in the State’s South Garo Hills district. Two years later, in 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned the hazardous mining method.

Kuki-Zo groups boycott tribal MLAs in Manipur government, accuse them of ‘betrayal’

Kuki-Zo tribal groups declared a social boycott on Thursday (February 5, 2026) of Kuki-Zo legislators who have joined the newly formed Manipur government of Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The boycott and a dawn-to-dusk “total shutdown” across the hills inhabited by the Kuki-Zo people, to protest “betrayal” by these MLAs, were enforced hours before the seventh session of the 12th Manipur Assembly began with an address by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

Opposition has defiled the temple of democracy: Modi

In a scathing attack on the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (February 5, 2026), Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that successive defeats inflicted by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the Opposition were proving indigestible to it, but he had the support of the poor of India that any plans to “dig his grave” would not be successful.

Centre signs tripartite MoU to create Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

A tripartite agreement for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) was signed between Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), the Nagaland Government and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday (February 5, 2026). The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

India and Gulf Cooperation Council nations signs Terms of Reference for an FTA

Representatives of India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday (February 5, 2026) signed the Terms of Reference for negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). The GCC countries are together India’s largest merchandise trade partners, with total merchandise trade exceeding that done with even the European Union and the U.S.

India-U.S. trade deal: Joint statement in ‘four to five days’, legal agreement by mid-March, says Piyush Goyal

India and the U.S. will “finalise and sign” a joint statement regarding the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement in the next 4-5 days, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday (February 5, 2026). He added that the U.S.’ reduction of tariffs on India from 50% to 18% will come through an executive order issued by the U.S. President following this joint statement. India, on the other hand, will be legally allowed to reduce tariffs on U.S. imports only after the signing of the legal and formal agreement, which is expected to take place in mid-March, Mr. Goyal and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said.

Ghaziabad deaths: Police probe family dynamics, trace phones sold before incident

A day after three sisters died by suicide in Ghaziabad, the police continued to probe the unconventional family dynamics involving the deceased’s father, his three wives, and their five children. Investigators are also inquiring into two cell phones that belonged to the teenagers, one of which was sold six months ago and the other two days prior to the incident, the police said.

Amit Shah embarks on two-day J&K visit

The security apparatus has been placed on alert in Jammu and Kashmir as Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to begin his two-day tour of the Union Territory (UT), which starts on Friday (February 6, 2025). The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has highlighted the need to “heal the wounds of J&K’s youth”. Mr. Shah arrived in Jammu on Thursday (February 5, 2026), where he was received by LG Manoj Sinha and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

UPSC expands conditions for attempting CSEs after being allotted for IPS, Group A Services

The Union Public Services Commission has expanded the restrictions on applying for the Civil Services Examination from 2026 onwards for candidates who are allotted the Indian Police Service or any other Central Services Group “A”, according to a notification for the CSE 2026 issued on Wednesday (February 4, 2026).

Farmers stage protest against India-U.S. trade deal across Punjab

Farmers and farm labourers under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) staged demonstrations against the recent India-U.S. trade deal, apart from voicing other demands, outside the residences of several legislators in Punjab on Thursday (February 5, 2026). The demonstrations were held in places, including Sangrur, the hometown of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Opposition slams Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister’s remarks on North Indian migrant workers

Tamil Nadu Agriculture Minister and senior DMK leader M.R.K. Panneerselvam has sparked a fresh political row following his remarks regarding North Indian migrants and the nature of jobs they undertake in the State. The comments, made during a public address in Mathuranthakam in this district recently, drew asharp rebuke from the BJP, which accused the ruling DMK of inciting hatred. The AIADMK also hit out against its archrival.

DAC to consider Rafale acquisition ahead of Macron visit

Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India for the Artificial Intelligence Summit, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is scheduled to meet in the second week of February to consider key procurement proposals aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. A senior defence official confirmed that the DAC meeting will grant Acceptance of Necessity for several acquisition proposals. During his stay, President Macron is also expected to meet Mr. Singh to discuss bilateral defence cooperation between India and France.

At least 216 terrorists, 36 civilians and 22 personnel killed in Balochistan: Pakistan Army

At least 216 terrorists, 36 civilians and 22 personnel were killed in the days-long operation launched in response to terror attacks at multiple places in the restive Balochistan province, the Pakistan Army said on Thursday (February 5, 2026). The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistan military’s media wing, announced in a statement that it has “successfully concluded” the operation, code-named Radd-ul-Fitna-1, that was launched on January 26.

U.N. Human Rights agency in ‘survival mode’: chief

The U.N. Human Rights chief said on Thursday (February 5, 2026) his agency was “in survival mode” due to funding shortfalls, as he launched a $400 million appeal to tackle global rights crises in 2026. Volker Turk warned countries that at a time when global human rights are under significant assault, his office was facing dire funding shortages hampering its increasingly important and life-saving work.

WPL 4: Smriti-Voll blitz powers RCB to second crown

Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll couldn’t have found a better occasion to produce a partnership for the ages. With the Women’s Premier League trophy up for grabs against Delhi Capitals at the Kotambi Stadium on Thursday (February 5, 2026), the Royal Challengers Bengaluru pair came together in pursuit of a target of 204 and left the opponent and onlookers in a daze with a sublime show of strokeplay.

T20 World Cup boycott row: India ready to face Pakistan, says Captain Suryakumar Yadav

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav has stressed that the team is fully prepared to face Pakistan in their Men’s T20 World Cup preliminary-stage clash on February 15. However, he questioned whether the decision-makers would be able to ensure that the game takes place following the Government of Pakistan’s directive to the Pakistan Cricket Board not to take the field against India.

Published – February 06, 2026 06:39 am IST