📰 Daily Briefing Wednesday, Mar 04

Daily Current Affairs: 4 March 2026

Analysis for 04 March 2026

Haryana Government unveils ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for 2026-27 with Agniveer quota and new agri power discom.

[Haryana]

Key Updates:

  • Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini presented a ₹2.23 lakh crore budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in the state assembly.
  • Debt servicing consumes 29.2% of total outlay, with interest payments at ₹29,266.62 crore and public debt repayment at ₹36,101.68 crore.
  • Education and sports receive ₹23,603.69 crore, health ₹14,007.28 crore, social justice ₹17,250.72 crore, development & panchayats ₹8,703.74 crore, and home ₹8,475.01 crore.
  • Government will establish Haryana Agri Discom, a third power distribution company dedicated to the agriculture sector to supply uninterrupted electricity to over 7 lakh farmers.
  • 20% reservation for Agniveers in Haryana Police announced alongside a special recruitment drive for 1,300 personnel.
  • ₹100 crore allocated for the new Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund.
  • World Bank approves ₹2,716 crore for the Haryana Clean Air Project.
  • Adarsh Pariksha Kendra to be set up under public-private partnership model.
  • Anti-terrorist squad (ATS) to be created under an IG-rank police officer.
  • HSIIDC will develop ‘Wedding City’ projects in Gurugram, Kharkhoda and Pinjore.
  • Modern film city to be established at Pinjore.
  • Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Daulatabad, upgraded to Haryana’s first Para Sports Stadium.
  • Revenue deficit projected at ₹4,293.17 crore, 2.65% of state GDP.
  • State’s share in central taxes set at 1.361% for 2026-31 per 16th Finance Commission recommendations.

Similar Coverage

Haryana Agri Discom: Third power distribution company for 7.12 lakh farmers (Start of March) ▼
  • Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced the creation of 'Haryana Agri Discom', the state’s third power distribution company dedicated to agriculture.
  • Haryana Agri Discom will supply electricity to all 5,084 agricultural feeders and 7.12 lakh agriculture consumers in Haryana.
  • The 2026-27 Haryana budget allocates Rs 28,205 crore as capital expenditure, 12.6% of the total Rs 2.23 lakh crore outlay.
  • World Bank approved Rs 2,716 crore for the 'Haryana Clean Air Project' to improve air quality in the state.
  • A Rs 100 crore 'Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund' is proposed to promote zero-emission vehicles, renewable energy, water conservation, urban greening, climate-resilient agriculture and nature-based solutions.
Rani Durgavati Scheme: Chhattisgarh to give ₹1.5 lakh to girls at 18 (Start of March) ▼
  • Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary announced the Rani Durgavati Scheme in the FY 2026-27 budget.
  • Girls will receive ₹1.5 lakh on attaining 18 years of age under the scheme.
  • The annual budget for 2026-27 is ₹1.72 lakh crore.
Haryana to launch CM Shri Schools for quality education under CBSE framework (End of February) ▼
  • The Haryana government is set to introduce CM Shri Schools modeled after the central government's PM Shri Schools.
  • These institutions will operate under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) framework and aim to embody the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020).
  • The schools will focus on providing quality education, holistic development, and building 21st-century skills to serve as benchmark institutions.
  • The Education Department of Haryana has reserved 25% of entry-level class seats in private schools for students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
  • According to Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, 11,803 students were admitted to private institutions under the EWS reservation scheme last year.
Lado Lakshmi Yojana: Haryana Govt Credits Rs 2,100 Each to 7 Lakh Women as Second Installment (Start of December) ▼
  • Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the second installment of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana.
  • Under this installment, Rs 2,100 each was credited to the accounts of 7 lakh eligible women.
  • The first installment was released on November 1.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes ₹11.50 lakh penalty on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of ₹11.50 lakh on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited on 27 February 2026.
  • The penalty was for non-compliance with RBI directions on ‘Fair Practices Code’ and ‘Internal Ombudsman for Regulated Entities’.
  • The statutory inspection of the company was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on 31 March 2025.
  • The company levied revised foreclosure charges on certain borrower accounts without incorporating suitable conditions in loan agreements.
  • The company failed to escalate certain complaints to its Internal Ombudsman within the prescribed time and did not communicate final decisions to complainants within the prescribed time in certain cases.

Similar Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) levies penalties totalling Rs 1.35 crore on three banks and two NBFCs (Mid of February) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties totalling Rs 1.35 crore on CSB Bank (Rs 63.60 lakh), Bank of Maharashtra (Rs 32.50 lakh), DCB Bank (Rs 29.60 lakh), IIFL Finance (Rs 5.30 lakh) and Navi Finserv (Rs 3.80 lakh).
  • CSB Bank was penalised for non-compliance with directions on ‘Scope of activities to be undertaken of Business Correspondents (BCs)’ and ‘Customer Service in Banks’ and for failure to classify certain accounts as non-performing assets on restructuring.
  • Bank of Maharashtra was penalised for non-compliance with directions on ‘Credit information reporting in respect of Self Help Group members’ and ‘Know Your Customer’, including not reporting Self Help Group member level data to Credit Information Companies and not identifying Beneficial Owners in certain accounts.
  • DCB Bank was penalised for non-compliance with directions on loans against pledge of gold ornaments and jewellery for non-agricultural end uses by failing to maintain the prescribed loan-to-value ratio in certain non-agricultural gold loan accounts.
  • IIFL Finance was penalised for non-compliance with directions on ‘Asset Classification’ by entering into an arrangement with BCs for activities outside the permitted scope and levying charges in savings bank accounts without ensuring prior customer awareness.
  • Navi Finserv was penalised for non-compliance with directions on ‘Recovery Agents’ by contacting customers after 7:00 p.m. and before 8:00 a.m. for recovery of overdue loans and not following due protocol while sending messages to customers.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Imposes ₹18.76 Lakh Compounding Fee on Paytm (Start of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a compounding order to One 97 Communications (Paytm) for contraventions under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
  • The RBI imposed a compounding fee of ₹18.76 lakh regarding investments made in Little Internet Private Limited by Little Internet Singapore.
  • The underlying transactions involved an aggregate value of approximately ₹33 crore and pertained to the period between March 2016 and June 2017.
  • The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) terminated FEMA proceedings against Nearbuy India on 19 December after the company paid a penalty of ₹4.28 lakh following an RBI compounding order.
  • Paytm had previously received a show cause notice from the ED for alleged FEMA violations involving transactions worth ₹611 crore linked to the company and its subsidiaries.
  • The parent firm of Paytm was allegedly involved in transactions worth ₹245 crore, while Little Internet and Nearbuy India were linked to contraventions involving ₹345 crore and ₹20.9 crore, respectively.
  • Paytm acquired the hyperlocal discovery and deals platforms Little Internet and Nearbuy in 2017 and subsequently merged the two brands.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slaps ₹61.95 lakh fine on Kotak Mahindra Bank. (End of December) ▼
  • RBI imposed the penalty for non-compliance with norms on Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account, business correspondents, and credit information companies.
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank opened additional BSBD accounts for customers who already held such accounts.
  • The bank engaged business correspondents for activities outside the permitted scope.
  • The lender furnished inaccurate borrower information to credit information companies.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes Rs 99.30 lakh penalty on Jammu and Kashmir Bank (Start of December) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a fine of Rs 99.30 lakh on Jammu and Kashmir Bank.
  • The penalty was for failing to comply with directions regarding grievance handling, customer communication, KYC verification, and the transfer of unclaimed deposits.
  • The fines were based on the statutory inspection of the bank's financial position as of March 2024.
  • The inspection found that certain complaints were not escalated to the Internal Ombudsman.
  • The bank did not send final resolution letters to customers after closing complaints.
  • The bank was not using face-verification technology for video-based customer identification.
  • The bank was not verifying customers' financial information furnished at the time of onboarding.
  • There was a delay in the transfer of eligible unclaimed deposits to the Depositor Education and Awareness Fund.

President Murmu launches Pink National Common Mobility Card and three women-centric schemes in Delhi

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

  • President Droupadi Murmu launched four women-centric welfare schemes of the Delhi government at the Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi programme.
  • The event was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
  • The Pink National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was launched to provide integrated transport access and strengthen women's independence and safety.
  • A scheme providing two free Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders annually to ration card-holding families on Holi and Diwali was introduced.
  • The LPG scheme involves a ₹129-crore benefit to be transferred via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
  • The Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana and the Meri Poonji, Mera Adhikar initiative were also launched during the event.

Similar Coverage

Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana: ₹61,000 deposited from birth to graduation, maturing to ~₹1.25 lakh. (Start of March) ▼
  • Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana will deposit ₹61,000 in stages from birth until graduation, maturing to around ₹1.25 lakh with interest.
  • Budget provision of ₹128 crore has been made for the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana.
  • Girls living in child care institutions are also covered under the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana.
  • Saheli Pink Smart Card issued free to eligible women for travel on DTC buses and other public transport systems.
  • Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) authorised Hindon Mercantile Limited (MufinPay) and Airtel Payments Bank to issue the Saheli Pink Smart Card.
  • Free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali provided through DBT to eligible ration card holders in Delhi.
  • Around ₹130 crore transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts under the free LPG cylinder initiative.
  • Over ₹100 crore transferred through DBT to 40,642 beneficiaries under the Delhi Ladli scheme on 3 March 2026.
  • Around ₹90 crore transferred to nearly 30,000 girls in the first phase of the ‘Meri Punji, Mera Adhikar’ special drive.
Tamil Nadu Government–UN Women MoU for Gender-Responsive Governance (Start of January) ▼
  • The MoU aims to strengthen institutional capacities for gender-responsive governance and planning.
  • It focuses on achieving Sustainable Development Goals through a gender-equality perspective.
  • It seeks to strengthen gender-responsive planning and budgeting and create economic opportunities for women.
  • UN Women will provide technical support to the Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing these initiatives.
  • The Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department will be directly involved.
National Women’s Day 2026 observed in India on 13 February (Mid of February) ▼
  • National Women’s Day 2026 in India is observed on 13 February.
  • The day marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India.
  • Sarojini Naidu became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1925.
  • She was appointed the first woman Governor of an Indian state, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), in 1947.
  • India celebrates a separate National Women’s Day on 13 February, while International Women’s Day is marked worldwide on 8 March.
Sanitation Worker Unveils Book on President Draupadi Murmu (Start of January) ▼
  • The biography titled 'Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Draupadi Murmu' was authored by former MP and academician Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad.
  • The book release took place under a tree on the Andhra University campus in Visakhapatnam.
  • A sanitation worker employed at Andhra University unveiled the book in a symbolic gesture underscoring social inclusion.

PM Modi rolls out ₹16,686 crore infra push in Rajasthan

[Gujarat, Rajasthan]

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Ajmer, Rajasthan on 28 February 2026 and launched 43 projects worth ₹16,686 crore across urban development, drinking water, roads, railways, irrigation, energy and industrial infrastructure.
  • 34 state projects worth ₹8,554 crore cover urban development, public health engineering, public works, energy, water resources and industries departments.
  • Nine national highway and energy projects worth ₹8,132 crore include two foundation stones and seven inaugurations.
  • National highway works worth over ₹4,516 crore comprise the four-lane greenfield Bandikui–Jaipur expressway (₹1,207 crore), eight-lane carriageway from NH-76 junction to NH-12 at Ummedpura village under Delhi-Vadodara Access Controlled Greenfield Expressway Package 14, and statewide highway widening.
  • Urban road projects include the Sanganer Flyover to Malpura Gate elevated road in Jaipur (₹286 crore) and the Mahamandir to Akhaliya Chauraha four-lane elevated road in Jodhpur (₹1,243 crore).
  • Malbamori–Mangrol–Baran State Highway in Baran district is estimated at ₹322 crore.
  • Drinking water initiatives comprise four packages of the Nonera Major Drinking Water Project (₹1,021 crore) and five packages of the Parwan Akawad Major Drinking Water Project (₹2,247 crore).
  • A ₹3,616 crore transmission system for renewable energy evacuation and foundation stones for five 220 kV and two 400 kV grid substations were launched.
  • Infrastructure and drinking water works in the Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area were initiated.
  • Appointment letters were distributed to 21,863 selected candidates including 3,320 Patwaris, 2,291 contractual Junior Technical Assistants and Account Assistants, 2,590 Livestock Assistants, 3,822 Community Health Officers, and 7,357 Public Health Care Nurses, Medical Lab Technicians, Lab Technicians, Nursing In-charges, Nursing Trainers, Nurses and Nurse Grade-II.
  • PM Modi also launched the HPV vaccination drive for girls aged 9–14 to prevent cervical cancer.

Similar Coverage

Rajasthan Budget 2026–27 allocates ₹6,10,956 crore for infrastructure, social sector and governance reforms. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Total budget outlay for 2026–27 is ₹6,10,956 crore, 41 per cent higher than 2023–24.
  • Capital expenditure on infrastructure set at ₹53,978 crore, more than double the 2023–24 allocation.
  • ₹4,000 crore earmarked for the VBG Ram Ji irrigation scheme.
  • ₹32,000 crore proposed to bring Yamuna water to Shekhawati region.
  • Work orders worth ₹26,000 crore issued under Ramjal Setu Link Project.
  • ₹200 crore allocated for restoration of over 660 Shekhawati havelis and an ultra-luxury tourism zone planned in Khuri, Jaisalmer.
  • Education allocation raised to ₹69,000 crore, up 35 per cent, including upgrade of 400 schools into CM Rise schools.
  • Healthcare allocation stands at ₹32,526 crore, 53 per cent higher than 2023–24, with a 500-bed IPD tower at JK Lon Hospital, Jaipur and a 200-bed paediatric IPD at RUHS.
  • Green Budget outlay is ₹33,476 crore, up 20.81 per cent.
  • Under Kisan Samman Nidhi, ₹10,900 crore transferred via DBT to 76 lakh farmers.
  • Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana loan limit for women SHGs raised from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore and Lakhpati Didi limit from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh.
  • Over one lakh government jobs filled against a five-year target of four lakh; recruitment underway for 1.54 lakh posts and calendar issued for another one lakh.
  • Rajasthan State Testing Agency to be set up for online competitive exams.
PM Narendra Modi visits Dera Sach Khand Ballan on 1 February (Start of February) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Dera Sach Khand Ballan, the spiritual headquarters of the Ravidassia community, in Jalandhar on 1 February 2026.
  • The Ravidassia community and other backward classes comprise approximately one-third of the total population of Punjab.
  • The visit is highlighted as a symbol of the fulfilment of the vision of Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar for a society providing equal opportunities for backward classes.
  • Satnam Singh Sandhu, a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha, described the outreach as a boost to social inclusion and investment sentiment in the border state.
Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Kutch and Saurashtra: 5,492 MoUs Worth Rs 5.78 Lakh Crore Signed (End of January) ▼
  • Cabinet Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani announced that 5,492 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving investments worth Rs 5.78 lakh crore were signed during the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
  • The state government has prepared a clear roadmap to develop Saurashtra and Kutch by 2047.
  • Initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, and Make in India are being realized under the Prime Minister's leadership, directly benefiting Gujarat's entrepreneurs and industrial units.
  • Gujarat will become a hub for the semiconductor sector by 2027.
PM Modi launches projects worth over ₹11,000 crore in West Bengal and Assam (Mid of January) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam to inaugurate, lay foundation stones and flag off rail, road, port and inland water transport projects worth more than ₹11,000 crore.
  • The projects include India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati, new Amrit Bharat Express services, highway works and port-linked infrastructure.
  • In West Bengal, projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore include a new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, and rail electrification works on the New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat sections.
  • In Assam, the ₹6,950-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project involves four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715, including a 35 km elevated wildlife corridor through Kaziranga National Park.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) organises month-long tribal cultural heritage events from 2 to 24 March 2026

Key Updates:

  • Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) will host Tribal Art Fest, Tribal Music Fest, Bharat Tribes Fest, and Tribal Business Conclave between 2 and 24 March 2026.
  • Nearly 1,000 participants from all States are expected to join the Tribal Art Fest.
  • Minister Jual Oram launched official logos for Tribal Art Fest, Living Roots: Soundscapes of Tribal India, and Bharat Tribes Fest 2026.

Similar Coverage

Pongal 2026 observed on January 14, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Pongal is a four-day Hindu harvest festival dedicated to the Sun God that marks the beginning of Uttarayan, the sun’s journey northward.
  • Thai Pongal and Makar Sankranti both fall on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the Sankranti Moment occurring at 03:13 PM.
  • The festival includes four specific days: Bhogi Pandigai (Jan 13), Thai Pongal (Jan 14), Mattu Pongal (Jan 15), and Kaanum Pongal (Jan 16).
  • The traditional sweet dish Pongal dates back to the Chola dynasty, with recipes appearing in temple inscriptions from the Chola and Vijayanagara Empire periods.
  • The AIFF announced that the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season will be recognized by the AFC.
  • Nasa's crewed lunar mission, Artemis II, is scheduled for a February 6 liftoff.
North East Spring Festival 2026 to begin on February 26 (End of February) ▼
  • The three-day North East Spring Festival 2026, also known as the Festival of the North East, begins on February 26, 2026, at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Complex in Dimapur, Nagaland.
  • The festival is organised by the NEZCC in collaboration with the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.
  • The event is celebrated alongside the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 to foster cultural exchange between the Northeastern and South-Central regions of India.
  • A total of 130 folk artists from the eight Northeastern states and 83 artists from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh will showcase traditional art forms.
  • The Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 is coordinated with initiatives under Bharat Ko Jano and the Border Area Programme.
  • Extended festival programmes will be held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, from March 2nd to 3rd and in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, from March 5th to 6th.
  • Featured musical groups include Blue Temptation from Shillong, Coronation Choir from Dimapur, Bhramos from Kohima, and 6 Strings from Guwahati.
  • Dr Prasanna Gogoi serves as the Director of the NEZCC, Dimapur.
Boda Tyohar festival of Hati tribe commenced on January 9 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Boda Tyohar, the biggest annual festival of the Hati tribe, commenced on the eve of Posh Dwadashi which was on January 9 this year.
  • The festival is also called Magho ko Tyohar and is celebrated by over three lakh community members living in 154 panchayats of Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
  • The Government of India declared the Hati community as Scheduled Tribe after a constitutional amendment on August 4, 2023.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2026 themed with Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya (Start of February) ▼
  • The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is organized annually in February near the Delhi–Haryana border.
  • Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya are the designated partner states for the 2026 edition of the fair.
  • The event features the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative of Uttar Pradesh, showcasing regional specialities.
  • Specific products highlighted under the ODOP showcase include glass bangles from Firozabad, perfumes from Kannauj, and Black Pottery from Azamgarh.
  • The fair also displays Bhadohi carpets and traditional textiles such as Chikankari and Zardozi from Uttar Pradesh.
  • The mela serves as a platform for master artisans, weavers, and folk artists from across India and several international partner countries.

Nagaland signs MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD) to boost weather forecasting

[Nagaland, India Meteorological Department (IMD)]

Key Updates:

  • Nagaland higher education department signed an MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, at the directorate of higher education in Kohima.
  • The MoU was signed in the presence of higher education minister Temjen Imna Along, secretary of higher and technical education Sarita Yadav, ex-officio director of higher education V Lovitoly Sema, and IMD representatives.
  • The collaboration will install one X-Band Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Dimapur Government College under the ‘Mission Mausam Scheme’ initiative of the Government of India.
  • The initiative focuses on urban meteorology, disaster preparedness, and agricultural advisories to enhance public safety and protect lives and property.
  • The institutional cooperation will promote academic engagement, research collaboration, and capacity building in meteorological and atmospheric sciences.

Similar Coverage

India Meteorological Department (IMD) to deploy 200 Automatic Weather Stations across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune (Mid of January) ▼
  • 200 Automatic Weather Stations will be installed—50 each in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune—to enable hyper-local, real-time weather monitoring.
  • The dense network will generate high-resolution spatial data for accurate prediction of sudden downpours, thunderstorms, heatwaves and rapid pressure changes.
  • IMD’s forecast accuracy has improved by 40–50 per cent over past decades, with cyclone track prediction accuracy up by 35–40 per cent.
  • Weather radar coverage has expanded to about 87 per cent of India’s geographical area, and forecasts now reach lead times as precise as three hours.
  • India shares weather data and satellite-based support with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, reinforcing regional disaster preparedness.
  • IMMD headquarters runs fully on solar power, feeding surplus electricity back into the national grid.
Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Agreement: 46 Subjects Devolved for Six Eastern Nagaland Districts (Start of February) ▼
  • The Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) signed an agreement in New Delhi on 5 February 2026 to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
  • The FNTA will cover six districts of Nagaland: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator.
  • Powers related to 46 subjects will be transferred to the FNTA.
  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will provide a fixed annual allocation and bear the initial establishment expenditure for the FNTA.
  • The agreement includes provisions for a mini-Secretariat headed by an Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary and sharing of development outlay proportional to population and area.
  • The arrangement does not affect Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) readies 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations for Delhi rollout (Start of January) ▼
  • Indian scientists led by IITM Pune are deploying 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations in Delhi under Mission Mausam to strengthen India’s weather observation network.
  • The first batch of these next-generation stations is set to be installed in the national capital from February.
  • Manufacturing via 3D printing reduces costs, allows flexible design of geometric structures and is well-suited for large-scale production.
  • All indigenously developed meteorological instruments are certified by IMD’s Surface Laboratory, which the Bureau of Indian Standards recognises.
IIT Kanpur and NMDC sign MoU to boost cybersecurity and AI/ML adoption in mining (Start of December) ▼
  • IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub will conduct cyber risk assessments and develop AI/ML solutions for enhanced operational efficiency in the mining sector.
  • The collaboration will explore AI/ML-driven solutions, digital twins, predictive maintenance frameworks, and advanced data analytics across NMDC’s mining ecosystem.
  • Both institutions will jointly undertake research, capacity-building programs, and technology pilots, with successful proofs-of-concept evaluated for scalable deployment.

India and European Union to grant each other Most Favoured Nation status for five years under trade deal

[European Union]

Key Updates:

  • India and the European Union (EU) will grant each other Most Favoured Nation status for five years after their trade deal takes effect.
  • The deal aims to eliminate or reduce tariffs on 96.6% of traded goods by value and is expected to double EU exports to India by 2032.
  • European companies are projected to save 4 billion euros in duties once the agreement is implemented.
  • Agriculture-related items such as soya, beef, sugar, rice and dairy have been excluded from the trade deal.
  • Both sides agreed not to impose new import or export restrictions beyond World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
  • India and the EU will align food safety and plant health measures with WTO standards and streamline certification and audit procedures.
  • The pact includes commitments to enhanced customs cooperation and faster clearance of goods.
  • Annual import data will be exchanged one year after the pact takes effect to monitor implementation and tariff preference usage.
  • The agreement promotes paperless trade and legal recognition of electronic contracts, signatures and authentication.
  • The EU will mobilise finance and investment to support India’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions under the pact.

Similar Coverage

India and France sign Protocol amending 1992 Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, drop Most-Favoured-Nation clause. (End of February) ▼
  • The Protocol was signed by Ravi Agrawal, Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), and Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India.
  • The Amending Protocol deletes the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause from the India-France DTAC.
  • Dividend tax rate is split into 5% for holdings of at least 10% capital and 15% for all other cases, replacing the earlier flat 10% rate.
  • Capital gains from sale of shares will now be fully taxable in the jurisdiction where the company is resident.
  • Definition of 'Fees for Technical Services' is aligned with the India-US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
  • Scope of 'Permanent Establishment' is expanded by adding Service PE.
  • New Article on Assistance in Collection of Taxes and updated Exchange of Information provisions are introduced.
  • The Protocol incorporates Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Multilateral Instrument (MLI) provisions into the DTAC.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement secures expanded market access across 144 sub-sectors for Indian service providers. (Start of February) ▼
  • The European Union (EU) has committed to expanded and commercially significant access across 144 sub-sectors including IT/ITeS, professional services, other business services and education services.
  • National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) stated the FTA will ease cross-border delivery for India’s IT exporters and strengthen digital trade while ensuring safeguards for privacy, security and public policy.
  • Nasscom expects the agreement to drive higher European investment into India’s IT ecosystem and enable joint ventures and R&D partnerships in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean technologies and startups.
  • Rohit Jain, Managing Partner at Singhania & Co, said the FTA provides Intellectual Property (IP) certainty that encourages European MNCs to shift core technology development to their Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
  • Alignment between India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) could reduce regulatory friction and enable seamless real-time integration between European headquarters and Indian GCCs.
India and European Union (EU) Sign Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures on 27 January 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • India and the EU signed an Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures and Seals on 27 January 2026 to enable secure cross-border digital transactions.
  • The agreement was formalised between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission.
  • Implementation on the Indian side will be managed by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA) under the framework of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
  • The arrangement establishes a structured framework for cooperation on the interoperability of electronic signatures, electronic seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems.
  • Both parties intend to link their trusted lists of recognised service providers to facilitate the validation of digital signatures and seals issued in India and the EU.
  • The pact is designed to benefit Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and exporters by reducing transaction costs, time, and verification efforts in cross-border trade.
India and France Elevate Relations to Special Global Strategic Partnership during President Macron's Visit (End of February) ▼
  • Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated the India-France relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.
  • Bilateral trade between India and France crossed $15 billion in 2024-25, driven by aircraft manufacturing, information technology, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals.
  • An annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue was established to review the implementation of the elevated partnership and the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
  • The leaders launched the India-France Year of Innovation and the India-France Innovation Network.
  • An H125 helicopter final assembly line was inaugurated at Vemagal, Karnataka.
  • Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran entered a joint venture to produce Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) missiles in India.
  • The bilateral agreement on defence cooperation was renewed for a period of 10 years during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.
  • Reciprocal deployment of officers will be implemented at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
  • A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group was constituted to enhance technological cooperation.
  • A Joint Declaration of Intent was signed for cooperation in the sector of critical minerals and metals.
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish a centre on advanced materials and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for scientific collaboration.
  • The protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) between the two nations was amended.
  • The Indo-French Centre for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Health was launched at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
  • New centres were established for Digital Sciences and Technology, Metabolic Health Sciences, and a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
  • The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ANRS signed an LoI for cooperation in research and development on infectious diseases and global health.
  • T-Hub and Nord France signed an LoI for strategic cooperation in start-up ecosystems, innovation, and technology.
  • The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) renewed its MoU on renewable energy cooperation with the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty.
  • The Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, signed an LoI with La Poste, France.
  • President Macron invited PM Modi to the Group of Seven (G7) Summit to be chaired by France in 2026.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh lays foundation for cGMP facility at BRIC-RGCB

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre--Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • He dedicated the National Facility for Recombinant Cells & Sensors, housing 600-700 types of stable cells covering several cancer targets, positioning it among the leading global resource centres for such innovative tools.
  • Singh inaugurated the annual National Science Day programme at the BRIC-RGCB campus.
  • The minister highlighted India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy as a dedicated biotechnology policy aimed at making the economy bio-driven.
  • He noted the Union Budget announcement of the Biopharma SHAKTI Mission, signalling policy recognition that future global economies will increasingly be driven by biotechnology.
  • Singh urged BRIC-RGCB to explore interdisciplinary collaborations with the private sector in the liberalised nuclear medicine domain.
  • Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director General, BRIC, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, stated that the government launched the HPV vaccination drive based on data generated by BRIC-RGCB.
  • Prof VPN Nampoori of CUSAT, Kochi, authored the National Science Day book 'Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years' released by the minister on the occasion.

Similar Coverage

DBT-ISRO MoU pushes India into space biotechnology and space medicine. (End of February) ▼
  • An MoU between the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has formally entered India into space biotechnology and space medicine.
  • Biotechnology experiments conducted in space missions include studies related to life sciences and muscle physiology.
  • The GenomeIndia Project has released whole genome sequencing data of 10,000 individuals from 99 diverse populations through the Indian Biological Data Centre.
  • India’s first human gene therapy trial for Severe Hemophilia A—supported by DBT and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)—achieved sustained Factor VIII production and reduced dependence on repeated infusions.
BioAsia 2026 Concludes with Record 4500 Delegates and 4000 B2B Meetings (End of February) ▼
  • BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded in Hyderabad with over 4500 delegates and 4000 high-impact B2B meetings.
  • The event theme was ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution’.
  • More than 120 startups were shortlisted and 40+ most innovative startups exhibited solutions in MedTech, Medical Devices, BioPharma, Cell and Gene Therapy, AI and ML, Nutraceuticals, and Biomarkers.
  • BioAsia 2026 Innovation Awards were presented to Achala Health Services Private Limited, Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Helex, Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd.
  • Achala Health Services Private Limited is building India’s first healthcare-focused Small Language Model (SLM) that automates hospital workflows and integrates with EMR, LIMS, RIS, HIS, and pharmacy data.
  • Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd integrates next-generation digital vaccine vial monitors with AI-enabled authentication and real-time tracking to predict residual vaccine shelf-life and reduce wastage.
  • Helex develops non-viral gene therapies for renal diseases using a proprietary kidney-targeting lipid nanoparticle to restore PKD1 gene expression for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).
  • Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd offers Virulina, a triple-action herbal product targeting respiratory viruses, with patent-protected antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd develops BioMap Markers for biopsy procedures that are ultrasonography-sensitive, biocompatible, non-calcified, and metal-free to ensure accurate placement and diagnostic outcomes.
CSIR-National Physical Laboratory inaugurates world-class environmental and solar calibration facilities (Start of January) ▼
  • Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the world’s second National Environmental Standard Laboratory and the world’s fifth National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration at CSIR-NPL.
  • The National Environmental Standard Laboratory will provide India-specific calibration and certification of air pollution monitoring systems under Indian climatic conditions.
  • The National Primary Standard Facility for Solar Cell Calibration, developed with PTB Germany, achieves the lowest global uncertainty of 0.35% (k=2) for reference solar cell calibration.
  • CSIR-NPL houses atomic clocks that established Indian Standard Time (IST), with the Minister noting “half the nation synchronised its watches with the atomic clock housed at NPL.”
  • NPL’s new solar facility reduces India’s dependence on foreign certification, saves foreign exchange, and boosts investor confidence in the domestic solar sector.
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and CrisprBits Sign LoI to Establish Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT) (End of December) ▼
  • The Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and CRISPRBITS Private Limited (CrisprBits) based in Delhi... have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to jointly establish the CoE-CIT.
  • The CoE-CIT is envisioned to bridge the bench to bed gap leading and have therapeutic impact by combining JNCASR’s strengths in fundamental biomedical sciences with CrisprBits’ expertise in applied gene-editing and translational platforms.
  • The CoE-CIT is a dedicated hub to harness cutting-edge CRISPR technologies to facilitate translation of scientific discoveries in a laboratory into real-world clinical applications.
  • The CoE will serve as a replicable national model for academic–industry partnerships to strengthen India’s biotechnology and innovation ecosystem.
  • Synergizing the mutual strengths in genetics, molecular and chemical biology, and computational biology, this unique partnership will open a new route to impact society and national missions.

International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi formalise Framework for Action to advance solar skills across member countries

[International Solar Alliance (ISA), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi]

Key Updates:

  • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi signed a Framework for Action (FFA) to advance solar energy skills and capacity building across ISA member countries.
  • The framework aims to train renewable energy engineers, research professionals, and Solar Technology Application Centre (STAR-C) trainers.
  • The partnership has previously supported M. Tech. programmes for professionals from 18 developing countries across Africa and the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Over the last five years, over a hundred students undertook masters in renewable energy through the ISA–IIT Delhi partnership.
  • The new framework launches a one-year post-graduate diploma programme based on a 'Train-the-Trainers' model, in collaboration with Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire (France).
  • Future plans include expanding academic opportunities to Master's programmes in Public Policy and Ph.D. pathways for the solar energy sector.
  • The collaboration covers four core areas: capacity building, academic programmes, joint research, and knowledge exchange.
  • The research component will focus on solar resource assessment, quality standards, and emerging technologies.
  • IIT Delhi plans to incorporate AI, ML, and Blockchain techniques to enhance distributed solar and ensure security in future sustainable energy systems.

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PM Surya Ghar and Chief Minister Solar Self-Employment Scheme drive Uttarakhand past 1 GW solar capacity (Mid of February) ▼
  • Uttarakhand’s installed solar capacity reached 1,027.87 MW, crossing the 1 GW milestone.
  • PM Surya Ghar scheme has supported around 241 MW of rooftop solar installations.
  • Chief Minister Solar Self-Employment Scheme has added about 137 MW and over 100 MW more is under development.
  • Ground-mounted solar projects contribute nearly 397 MW to the total capacity.
  • Commercial net metering installations account for approximately 110 MW.
  • Captive solar power plants add about 51 MW.
  • Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) is implementing these solar initiatives.
United States exits India-headquartered International Solar Alliance following Trump executive order (Start of January) ▼
  • United States President Donald Trump withdrew the country from 66 international organisations — including 31 United Nations Organisations — via an executive order.
  • The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is the only India-headquartered organisation among the 60-plus institutions that the United States has now exited.
  • The ISA was conceptualised on the sidelines of the COP21 in Paris in 2015, when the landmark Paris Agreement was signed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in average global temperature.
  • The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
  • The ISA’s key theme is the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, aimed at mobilising "$1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030 while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity."
  • According to the official website, more than 100 countries are currently its signatories, with over 90 countries having ratified to become full members.
IWMI and SDC launch SoLAR Phase II to scale climate-resilient solar irrigation across South Asia and East Africa (Start of December) ▼
  • The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched SoLAR Phase II to expand climate-resilient solar irrigation across India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Ethiopia.
  • Studies under Gujarat’s Suryashakti Kisan Yojana found that grid-connected solar irrigation pumps did not increase groundwater extraction while delivering about 12.3 tCO2 offset per farmer per year.
  • IWMI trained more than 2,000 farmers, enabling a 23 per cent rise in net energy evacuation and an average additional income of Rs 14,000 per farmer.
  • Off-grid solar irrigation pilots reduced diesel dependence and strengthened livelihoods.
  • SolaReady, a spatial decision-support platform, was launched to map solar irrigation opportunities aligned with climate adaptation, mitigation and groundwater sustainability.
Bharat Climate Forum 2026: India Targets Net-Zero by 2070 through Clean-Tech Manufacturing (Start of January) ▼
  • Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan delivered the inaugural address at the Bharat Climate Forum 2026, stating that climate action can accelerate inclusive growth, strengthen energy security, and power a future-ready Indian economy.
  • India is pursuing the Panchamrit commitments announced at COP26, which include a "roadmap toward net-zero emissions by 2070" to balance economic growth with future responsibility.
  • The government aims to transform "Make in India into Make in India for the World" by developing homegrown technologies in Renewable energy systems, Battery storage, Green hydrogen, and Electric mobility.
  • India is leading global climate collaboration through the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) based on partnerships without dependence.
  • The transition focuses on building a skilled workforce and resilient manufacturing ecosystems to ensure India does not rely on "imported clean technologies or fragile global supply chains.

HCLTech and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur sign MoU to advance deep tech innovation for Global Capability Centres.

[HCLTech, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur]

Key Updates:

  • HCL Technologies (HCLTech) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed an MoU to convert research into real-world pilots and scalable solutions for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
  • The collaboration focuses on advanced engineering and deep tech including AI, robotics and next-generation technologies.
  • The partnership enables GCCs to accelerate complex research, access niche skills without building internal labs and reduce time-to-market.
  • IIT Kanpur brings translational R&D expertise in AI, intelligent systems, robotics, cybersecurity and other next-generation technologies.
  • The MoU bridges academic research and enterprises to co-develop innovative technologies with measurable impact.

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Gujarat STI Policy 2026–2031: Rs 1000-crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund for indigenous research (Start of March) ▼
  • Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel unveiled the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031 at the Gujarat SemiConnect Conference in Gandhinagar.
  • The policy establishes a Rs 1000-crore Swadeshi Anusandhan Fund to support over 100 high-impact indigenous research projects annually in AI, semiconductors, quantum, biotech, green energy, defence, immersive and space technologies.
  • Gujarat Rajya Research and Innovation Clusters (GRRIC) will create a Science and Technology cluster network starting with Gandhinagar–Ahmedabad and expanding to Vadodara–Surat and Rajkot–Bhavnagar–Junagadh–Jamnagar.
  • The state targets nurturing 1 lakh skilled researchers by 2030 through 250 annual JRF, SRF, PDF fellowships, a Women in Innovation Fellowship, a unified Gujarat R&D portal and large-scale STEM youth initiatives.
  • Over 200 IP Facilitation Centres will help file more than 1000 intellectual properties annually, including at least 500 patents.
NITI Aayog and IBM Unveil Roadmap to Position India Among Top-3 Quantum Economies by 2047 (Start of December) ▼
  • The NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub, in partnership with International Business Machines-IBM, has released a national roadmap to transform India into one of the world’s top-three quantum economies by 2047.
  • The plan aims to build home grown quantum computing hardware and software, foster at least 10 globally competitive quantum and capture a major share of the global quantum software and services market.
  • It envisages applying quantum technologies across key sectors such as defence, energy, healthcare, logistics, and finance with hopes of boosting security, efficiency, and innovation nationwide.
Galgotias University Inaugurates IIT Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre to Boost Deep-Tech Startups (Mid of January) ▼
  • The centre aims to support early-stage startups, promote deep-tech innovation, and bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
  • Two strategic MoUs were signed—between Galgotias University and the National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, and between Galgotias University and Jharkhand University of Technology, Ranchi—for joint research, faculty and student exchange, co-creation of deep-tech startups, shared labs, and incubation programmes.
  • The collaborations are expected to strengthen the innovation pipeline by translating academic research into market-ready solutions, enhancing funding access, and creating nationwide pathways for student entrepreneurs and startups.
TEC and IIT Kanpur ink MoU to craft India-specific telecom standards and drive 6G, AI, NTN, IoT, Digital Twin, Metaverse and Quantum Communication research (Start of January) ▼
  • The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) will jointly develop 'India-specific standards and testing frameworks for emerging and future communication technologies, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence in Telecom, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), Internet of Things (IoT), Digital Twin, Metaverse, and Quantum Communication.'
  • The collaboration will 'enhance India's active participation and leadership in global standard-setting and radiocommunication bodies such as ITU-T, ITU-R, 3GPP, and other relevant international forums.'
  • Joint research will target 'AI/ML for network automation, optimization and intelligent management, with a roadmap towards AI-native capabilities for future networks.'
  • Studies will cover 'satellite communication systems, NTNs, HAPS and satellite-terrestrial integration, including disaster-resilient and emergency connectivity solutions.'
  • The partnership strengthens 'indigenous research, design and manufacturing in telecom... developing India-specific standards, test frameworks and home-grown solutions that bolster national self-reliance, secure critical communications infrastructure and reduce dependence on imports.'

Google and Bharti Airtel partner to integrate AI spam filters and sender ID checks into RCS chats on Google Messages app

[Google, Bharti Airtel]

Key Updates:

  • Google and Bharti Airtel announced their partnership on 1 March 2026 to deploy Airtel’s AI-powered spam filters and threat detection within RCS chats on the Google Messages app.
  • The collaboration enables Google’s RCS platform to validate message sender identity using business identity checks performed by Airtel.
  • The platform will respect users’ Do Not Disturb (DND) preferences by categorising messages as promotional or transactional and applying restrictions accordingly.
  • If both Google and Airtel’s AI filters flag a sender as suspicious, the platform will throttle the number of messages that account can send.
  • The partnership aligns with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) SIM-binding mandate for over-the-top (OTT) messaging apps that took effect on 1 March 2026.
  • Airtel reports its anti-spam measures have blocked 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam SMSes, cutting financial losses from scams by 68.7% on its network.

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Bharti Airtel partners with Google to launch RCS messaging in India (Start of December) ▼
  • Bharti Airtel has signed a pact with Google to offer RCS messaging on its network.
  • Airtel will charge Rs 0.11 per RCS message under an 80:20 revenue-share with Google.
  • Airtel will route RCS traffic through its AI-based spam filter before approving messages.
  • With Airtel on board, all three major Indian telcos—Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea—now support RCS.
  • Google Messages is the main driver of RCS, handling 1 billion messages daily worldwide.
Nokia partners with Bharti Airtel to open 5G network APIs via Network as Code platform (Start of December) ▼
  • Nokia said Airtel’s 5G mobile network capabilities, running on the non-standalone (NSA) architecture, will be made available to third-party developers through the Nokia “Network as Code” platform.
  • Following successful trials, Airtel's network APIs will be available on a subscription basis to an established ecosystem of developers, system integrators, and enterprises using Nokia's Network as Code platform.
  • This will enable the developer community to seamlessly build advanced solutions leveraging the Airtel network's robust capabilities such as AI, 5G, edge computing and more, the companies said in a joint statement.
Google Gemini secures IPL sponsorship deal with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) (End of January) ▼
  • The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has inked a Rs 270 crore sponsorship deal with Google's AI platform Gemini.
  • The three-year partnership will begin with the 2026 Indian Premier League.
  • Gemini's rival ChatGPT is already a sponsor of the ongoing Women's Premier League.
Shashwat Sharma appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel India (Mid of December) ▼
  • Shashwat Sharma has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel India for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval.
  • Gopal Vittal has been appointed as Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval.
  • Soumen Ray has been appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer of Bharti Airtel.
  • Akhil Garg has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Airtel India.
  • Rohit Krishan Puri has been appointed as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of Bharti Airtel.

Raksha Khadse announces ASMITA athletics events in 250 districts to mark International Women’s Day

Key Updates:

  • ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women) League athletics events will be held on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
  • Over two lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, and 400m races in Under-13, 13–18, and 18+ age groups.
  • Each venue will have five Technical Officials, ten Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete, and one District Youth Officer.
  • A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run alongside referee and timekeeper training aligned with Athletics Federation of India standards.

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ASMITA initiative to hold athletics events in 250 districts for 2 lakh girls (Start of March) ▼
  • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) announced ASMITA League athletics events on 8 March 2026 in 250 districts.
  • Over 2 lakh girls will compete in 100m, 200m, 400m races across Under-13, 13–18 and 18+ age groups.
  • ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women), launched in 2021 under Khelo India Scheme, organises the league.
  • Each venue will have five Technical Officials, 10 Volunteers, one Competition Manager, one Past Champion Athlete and one District Youth Officer.
  • A Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will run parallel to train referees and timekeepers per Athletics Federation of India standards.
  • The initiative targets talent identification for 2030 Commonwealth Games Ahmedabad and India’s 2036 Olympics bid.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeat Delhi Capitals to clinch second WPL title (Start of February) ▼
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 final by six wickets against Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara.
  • Smriti Mandhana scored 87 and Georgia Voll scored 79 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 204 runs in 19.4 overs.
  • Delhi Capitals, batting first, posted 203 for 4 in 20 overs, the highest total in a WPL final.
  • Royal Challengers Bengaluru topped the league stage with six wins in eight matches to qualify directly for the final.
  • Delhi Capitals reached the final by defeating Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator.
  • Delhi Capitals have now lost all three WPL finals they have contested.
Smriti Mandhana wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of Year 2025 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Smriti Mandhana was named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her key role in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory.
  • Chess player Divya Deshmukh (20) received the Emerging Player award after her FIDE Women’s World Cup win.
  • Preethi Pal won Para-Sportswoman award for two bronze medals at 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field.
  • Anjali Bhagwat received Lifetime Achievement Award as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final.
  • Award winners were chosen by jury of Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
  • BBC Star Performers 2025: Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji, Preethi Pal, Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team.
  • BBC Changemakers 2025: Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Rajbir Kaur, Savita Punia, Paani Devi.
2nd Khelo India Beach Games set to begin at Ghoghla Beach in Diu (Mid of January) ▼
  • More than 2,100 athletes will participate in eight different sports of the Beach Games.
  • The games will be held between the 5th and 10th of January under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and national sports federations.
  • The six medal sports will be – Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat and Open water swimming.
  • Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be non-medal events.

Zero Discrimination Day 2026 observed on 1 March to end HIV stigma

Key Updates:

  • Zero Discrimination Day is observed globally on 1 March every year.
  • The 2026 observance by UNAIDS highlights persistent discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV.
  • The campaign theme for 2026 is 'Put People First'.
  • Data from over 30,000 people living with HIV across 25 countries confirms stigma remains a widespread barrier to healthcare access.
  • According to the People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2.0 Global Report, nearly one in four people reported experiencing stigma and discrimination from others.
  • 85 percent of people living with HIV report experiencing internalized stigma.
  • 24 percent of people living with HIV experienced discrimination within their communities in the past year.
  • 38 percent feel ashamed of being HIV-positive.
  • Discrimination prevents access to HIV testing, prevention services, and life-saving treatment.
  • UNAIDS urges removal of discriminatory laws criminalizing sex work, drug use, same-sex relationships, and HIV non-disclosure.
  • UNAIDS calls for protecting the right to healthcare by guaranteeing confidentiality, training healthcare workers, ending mandatory HIV testing, and providing compassionate care.
  • UNAIDS advocates for community-led responses, increased funding for organizations led by people living with HIV, and meaningful participation in policymaking.

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International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2026 on February 6 (Start of February) ▼
  • International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is observed annually on February 6.
  • The 2026 observance falls on Friday, February 6.
  • The day was first introduced in 2003.
  • United Nations (UN) sponsors the day as part of its efforts to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
  • Over 230 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM according to UN data.
Minorities Rights Day reinforces diversity as national strength (Mid of December) ▼
  • Minorities Rights Day in India is observed every year on 18 December.
  • The day is meant to preserve, protect and promote the rights of minority communities.
  • It highlights constitutional rights and protections available to minority groups.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 on December 3 (Start of December) ▼
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated annually on December 3.
  • In 2025, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) falls on a Wednesday.
  • The theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress'.
  • The global observance was first celebrated annually in 1992, following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3.
  • In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted.
  • António Guterres stated, 'When inclusion is real, everyone benefits. Let’s commit to working side-by-side with people with disabilities to build more resilient societies.'
  • According to the United Nations (UN), about 1.3 billion people experience significant disability, representing 16 per cent of the world’s population.
  • The significance behind the global observance is to raise awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities in all facets of political, social, economic, and cultural life.
Human Rights Day 2025 observed on December 10 with theme 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials' (Mid of December) ▼
  • Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  • The theme for 2025 is 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'.
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN on December 10, 1948.

World Civil Defense Day observed on March 1

Key Updates:

  • World Civil Defense Day is observed on March 1 every year.
  • It was created by the International Civil Defense Organization (ICDO) General Assembly in 1990.
  • The day commemorates 1972, when the ICDO Constitution came into force as an intergovernmental organization.
  • ICDO was created in 1931 in Paris by French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul.
  • ICDO was recognized by the French Parliament in June 1935.
  • Today 50 countries are members of ICDO.

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Global Tourism Resilience Day observed on February 17 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed annually on February 17.
  • The day was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution led by Jamaica and first celebrated on February 17, 2023.
  • The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General praised Jamaica’s leadership in initiating the day.
  • Over 90 countries have supported the Global Tourism Resilience Day initiative.
India hosts third edition of tri-services future warfare course in Delhi (Start of February) ▼
  • The third edition of the tri-services future warfare course runs from 2 to 25 February 2026 in New Delhi.
  • The course is conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
  • The venue is the Manekshaw Centre at Delhi Cantonment.
  • The curriculum covers specialised subjects, domain-specific warfare developments, critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities and regional and global geopolitics.
  • Participants include officers from the three services ranging from majors to major generals, plus representatives from defence industry start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private industry.
  • The course aims to align operational priorities of the armed forces with the capabilities of the indigenous defence industry.
International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism observed on 12 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism is observed on 12 February 2026.
  • United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres released a message for the day.
  • United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy marks its twentieth anniversary in 2026.
  • United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremement marks its tenth anniversary in 2026.
International Day of Epidemic Preparedness observed on December 27 (End of December) ▼
  • International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed annually on December 27.
  • The United Nations General Assembly officially designated this day in December 2020 through Resolution 75/27.
  • The initiative was spearheaded by Vietnam and supported by several other nations.
  • The first observance took place on December 27, 2020.