Morning Digest: EU-India FTA talks conclude, summit scheduled today; caste methodology for Census 2027 yet to be decided, clarity likely by July, and more

The Hindu Morning Digest gives a select list of stories to start the day. Read the top news today on January 27, 2026

A “successful India” is in the world’s interest, said visiting European Union leaders, as officials in New Delhi confirmed that negotiations for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have been concluded. “Official level negotiations are being concluded, and both sides are all set to announce the successful conclusion of FTA talks on January 27,” Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal told reporters on Monday (January 26, 2026).

The methodology to be followed for caste enumeration in the forthcoming Census is yet to be finalised, and the preparatory exercise for it will likely be done by July, government sources said. Opposition parties such as the Congress and the Samajwadi Party have questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government, due to the absence of an expanded caste column in the questionnaire of the first phase of the Census, which was published last week. The parties asked whether the Centre really intended to hold a caste count during the Population Census 2027.

Banking operations of public sector banks across the country are likely to be impacted with the United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) deciding to go ahead with a nationwide strike on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) to press for the immediate implementation of a five-day work week.

The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, but the Europeans signed a trade deal with New Delhi, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said as he emphasised that Europe is financing the “war” against itself by purchasing refined Russian oil products from India.

At least seven persons were feared dead, and several others remained missing after a massive fire broke out in a warehouse in the Anandpur area of Kolkata in the early hours of Monday (January 26, 2026). The administration issued no official confirmation of casualties till late evening.

Thousands of tribal people who started their long march on January 25, on Sunday (January 25, 2026), refused to halt it without meeting the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and receiving assurances from him about their land rights. They have walked over 80 kilometres so far and will continue their march towards Mumbai on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) as well. They celebrated the Republic Day on the Nashik - Mumbai highway on Monday (January 26, 2026), where the National Flag was ceremoniously tied high to the leading truck of the march.