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India Pulse | February 5, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision
The India Pulse Newsletter for February 5, 2026 covers government announces prioritising energy security for 1.4 billion Indians, Amit Shah visiting J&K to review security and development, and launching India’s first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform Bharat Taxi, Indian Railways planning over 1,410 Holi special trains, ECI briefing central observers for forthcoming assembly elections, PIB debunking fake AI-generated video of PM Modi promising free gold with Aadhaar, and Jaishankar stating trade deal opens new phase in India-US bilateral ties.
NEWS IN DETAIL
India States Ensuring Energy Security For 1.4 Billion Indians Supreme Priority Of Government
India stated that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government.
Briefing media in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that diversifying the country’s energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of the government’s strategy to ensure this. He said all of India’s actions are taken and will be taken with this in mind.
Replying to a query on Venezuelan oil, Mr Jaiswal said Venezuela has been a long-standing partner of India in the energy sector encompassing trade and investments. He added that the country was among India’s major sources of crude oil until 2019-20, which were discontinued following sanctions. Imports from Venezuela resumed in 2023-24, before being halted again due to the re-imposition of sanctions.
The spokesperson said Indian PSUs have had a partnership with Venezuela’s National Oil Company and have been maintaining a presence in Venezuela since 2008. The spokesperson said that consistent with India’s approach to energy security, India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any new crude supply options, including from Venezuela.
Amit Shah In J&K To Review Security, Development And Meet Political Stakeholders
Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived Jammu late Thursday night on a two-day visit to conduct a comprehensive security review, assess developmental projects and engage with political stakeholders.
He was received by LG Manoj Sinha and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Union Home Minister during his 2-day visit will review border security, hold high-level security meetings, and assess the development scenario in the Union Territory.
He will also interact with families of martyrs and participate in compassionate appointment programme at Lok Bhavan in Jammu.
Mr. Shah’s visit is expected to include high-level meetings with security agencies and administrative officials to evaluate the overall law and order situation and the progress of ongoing governance and infrastructure initiatives.
The Home Minister will review the security situation, meet political leaders and launch various development projects.
He will visit the International Border at Hiranagar in Kathua district on Friday to inspect new gadgetry installed by the Border Security Force for plugging infiltration from across the border.
In addition, the Minister will meet with the families of fallen soldiers and hand over appointment letters. In the afternoon, he will hold a high-level review of the security situation at the Lok Bhawan Jammu. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, top officials of the Union Home Ministry, heads of paramilitary forces and senior officers of civil and police administration besides Intelligence agencies from Jammu and Kashmir will attend the security review meeting, called by Shah in the afternoon.
On February 7 morning, the Home Minister will leave for Srinagar where he will launch various development projects for Jammu and Kashmir.
This is Mr. Shah’s second high-level review of the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in less than a month. He assessed the situation at a meeting in New Delhi on January 8. However, in view of Home Minister’s visit security has been beefed up across the Union Territory.
Indian Railways To Operate More Than 1,410 Holi Special Trains
Indian Railways has planned the operation of more than 1,410 Holi Special Trains across its network. The number will increase upto 1500.
These special services are aimed at meeting the surge in passenger demand during the festive period and ensuring smooth connectivity between major destinations, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement on Thursday.
These special trains are scheduled to operate in the month of March. For Holi 2025, a total of 1,144 special train trips were operated.
Zone-wise, the Central Railway (CR) will operate 209 Holi special trains, while the Western Railway (WR) has planned the operation of 231 trains to cater to heavy passenger traffic on western routes.
The East Central Railway (ECR) will run the highest number of special trains at 285, followed by the South Central Railway (SCR) with 160 services. The Northern Railway (NR) will operate 108 Holi special trains, whereas the North Western Railway (NWR) has planned 71 trains.
Further strengthening connectivity, the North Central Railway (NCR) will operate 66 special trains, and both the North Eastern Railway (NER) and the East Coast Railway (ECOR) will run 62 trains each. The South Western Railway (SWR) will operate 47 trains, while the West Central Railway (WCR) has planned 43 services.
The Southern Railway (SR) will operate 39 Holi special trains, and the South East Central Railway (SECR) will run 15 services. Additionally, the Konkan Railway (KR) will operate 9 special trains, and the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will run 2 trains to meet regional demand.
ECI Briefs Central Observers To Be Deployed For Forthcoming Assembly Elections
Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday organised briefing meetings for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the forthcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
A total of 1,444 Officers, including 714 General Observers, 233 Police Observers and 497 Expenditure Observers have been called for the briefing meetings. The briefing meetings will be held in three batches over two days, i.e., February 5 and 6, 2026 held at IIIDEM, New Delhi.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi briefed the Central Observers.
Addressing the Observers, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar said they have been selected to serve as the beacons of ECI. He added that the Observers should ensure free, fair and transparent elections and said that their presence will energise the entire election machinery across 824 constituencies where elections are going to be held.
The Commission also interacted with the Observers in a doubt-clearing session. Senior officials of the Commission also briefed the Observers on various aspects of preparation of Electoral Rolls and the Conduct of Elections in the five poll-bound States/UTs.
The Observers were also briefed on the IT applications and platforms, and media- related matters during the sessions.
As the Commission’s eyes and ears, the Central Observers were asked to familiarise themselves with all the election laws, rules, guidelines and provide inputs from the directly to the Commission ensure their strict and impartial compliance
Observers were instructed to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates, and the grievances of voters are redressed in a timely manner.
The Observers were also instructed to visit polling stations and ensure the implementation of the recent initiatives taken by the Commission for the convenience of the voters, especially ensuring the provision of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs).
PIB Says Fake Video Of PM Modi On Free Gold With Aadhaar Is AI-Generated
The government has refuted a video of PM Modi circulating on social media that claims the central government will give one tola of gold free of cost on the Aadhaar card.
The fact-check unit of the Press Information Bureau has said that the viral video is fake and AI-generated. It clarified that no such announcement has been made by the central government regarding any scheme to distribute free gold.
PIB has advised citizens not to fall for misinformation and to verify any such claims through the official PIB website or the concerned government department before sharing them further.
Amit Shah Launches India’s First Cooperative-Based Ride-Hailing Platform ‘Bharat Taxi’
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday officially launched India’s first cooperative based ride hailing platform, Bharat Taxi in New Delhi.
Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002. The platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model, with direct distribution of profits to drivers, presenting an indigenous alternative to foreign investment-based aggregator platforms.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Shah said that the government is not entering the taxi services sector, but it is the cooperative that is stepping in. He added that the cooperative taxi service will support drivers, enhance their earnings, and bring prosperity to them. The Minister further stated that Bharat Taxi will not charge any commission on the fares earned by the drivers.
On this occasion, nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with key public and private stakeholders to strengthen operational integration, digital empowerment, safety, and service delivery.
Trade Deal Opens Up New Phase In India-Us Bilateral Ties: Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday said the historic India-US trade deal is in the final stages of detailing that will be completed very soon. In a social media post, Dr Jaishankar termed his visit to the US as productive and positive.
He said the trade deal opens up a new phase in India-US bilateral ties, with vast possibilities for the relationship. The External Affairs Minister further stated that India’s critical mineral cooperation is also advancing rapidly. He added that there will be engagement on strategic issues, defence and energy in the coming days.