Daily Current Affairs: 24 February 2026

Analysis for 24 February 2026

Shashi Tharoor received honorary Doctor of Letters from St Xavier's University.

[St Xavier's University]

Key Updates:

Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters by St Xavier's University at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre.
This was Tharoor's first honorary doctorate in India.
Tharoor had earlier served as a convocation speaker at the university.
He highlighted the role of women in academics and urged students to embrace civic responsibility.

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Nagaland University conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five chemists. (End of February) ▼

Nagaland University presented the awards to prof AK Mallik, prof VS Raja, prof MA Quraishi, prof M Indira Devi, and prof Nitin Chattopadhyay during ICCMR–2026 held from Feb 18-20 at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami.
Prof AK Mallik of Punjabi University, Patiala, is noted for advances in materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science.
Prof VS Raja of IIT Bombay is acclaimed for corrosion science and engineering research.
Prof MA Quraishi, formerly of IIT-BHU Varanasi, is credited with over 380 publications and over 15,000 citations in corrosion science and green chemistry.
Prof M Indira Devi of Nagaland University specialises in lanthanide complexation and nanomaterials and has served as dean of the school of sciences.
Prof Nitin Chattopadhyay, former professor and dean at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is renowned for photophysics, photochemistry, and fluorescence sensing and is a CSIR emeritus scientist.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launches Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award (Mid of February) ▼

Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launched the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award to recognise individuals for their contributions to the growth and well-being of the nation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the launch event as the chief guest and felicitated the award recipients during the Mahashivaratri celebrations.
The award recognises contributions across seven categories: national security, business, arts and entertainment, sports, community welfare, science and technology, and literature and academia.
Noted violinist N Rajam was among the individuals honoured with the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award.
Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Kiran Kumar received the award as a representative of the organisation for its decades of work in space technology.
The Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award is a national honour established by the Isha Foundation.

Bakul Limbasiya received APO National Award for pioneering contributions to lab-grown diamond sector (End of January) ▼

Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (BTPL), was conferred the APO National Award administered by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.
He is credited with producing India’s first-ever lab-grown diamond in 2004 and has been associated with the industry since 1998.
BTPL, based in Surat, is one of the world’s leading producers of lab-grown CVD diamond reactors and advanced technologies for lab-grown diamonds.

CSIR-NIIST and NTPC-NETRA clinch maiden DV Kapur Energy Innovation Awards (Mid of December) ▼

CSIR-NIIST Principal Scientist Dr Achu Chandran won Category 1 for his ‘Nano Electricity Generator’ research.
NTPC R&D wing NETRA bagged Category 2 for advancing ‘Green Use of Coal Technologies’.
Category 1 carried a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh while Category 2 carried Rs 10 Lakhs.

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released coffee table book 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman' authored by Vijay Goel.

Key Updates:

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the coffee table book 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman' at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre.
The book is authored by Shri Vijay Goel and contains rare photographs, archival material and personal anecdotes of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Shri Radhakrishnan served as a Member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha during Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The release event was attended by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, and Vice Chairman of Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti Vijay Goel.

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CP Radhakrishnan Releases Shashi Tharoor’s Biography of Sree Narayana Guru (End of February) ▼

Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan released the book titled The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism: The Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.
The biography is authored by Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor and published by Aleph Book Company.
The book documents the life and social reforms of Sree Narayana Guru, a 19th-century spiritual leader from Kerala who campaigned against caste discrimination and promoted social equality.
The publication highlights the reformer’s central philosophy of one caste, one religion, one God for humankind and his initiatives in promoting education and temple entry for all.
The author noted that the work aims to preserve the civilisational memory and legacy of the reformer, which remains largely unknown outside Kerala despite its universal relevance.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth anniversary commemorated as National Good Governance Day (End of December) ▼

December 25 is celebrated every year as National Good Governance Day to honour former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Vajpayee was born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
He served three terms as Prime Minister and delivered landmark speeches during the Pokhran nuclear tests, 1996 resignation, 2000 US Congress address, 1977 UN speech, and 2002 Independence Day.

Bust of B R Ambedkar unveiled at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Constitution Day (End of November) ▼

A bust of B R Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on the occasion of Constitution Day.
The bust was unveiled by Vishal V Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, in the presence of UNESCO Director General Khaled El-Enany.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the unveiling as a 'fitting tribute' to the architect of India’s Constitution.
The statue carries a plaque with Ambedkar’s name and a caption that says, 'Architect of the Indian Constitution, 70 Years (1950-2025) of the Indian Constitution'.

Rob Jetten became Netherlands' youngest ever Prime Minister.

[Netherlands]

Key Updates:

Rob Jetten, 38, was sworn in as the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
Jetten leads a minority coalition of Democrats 66 (D66), People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA).
The coalition agreement includes an extra €19 billion for defence and cuts in healthcare and benefits.
D66 will provide seven ministers, VVD six, and CDA five, with three state secretaries each.
Jetten succeeded Dick Schoof, who had overseen one of the shortest-lived Dutch governments.
He was formally sworn in by King Willem-Alexander at the Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague.

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Andrey Gyurov appointed interim Prime Minister of Bulgaria. (Mid of February) ▼

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova appointed Andrey Gyurov as interim Prime Minister on Thursday.
Gyurov serves as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).
The caretaker government will organise national elections scheduled for April 19.
Gyurov must propose cabinet members within seven days for presidential approval.
He previously served as a lawmaker and floor leader of the reformist 'We Continue the Change' group in parliament.
Bulgaria joined the eurozone at the beginning of 2026.

India and Netherlands establish Joint Trade and Investment Committee (End of December) ▼

India and the Netherlands have set up a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
An MoU was inked in this regard between the two countries.
The JTIC will serve as a dedicated mechanism to review bilateral trade relations, promote two-way investments, address investment and trade barriers, and explore collaboration in sectors of mutual interest.
Under the MoU, the JTIC will meet annually, alternately in India and the Netherlands.
The JTIC will be co-chaired by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Director General (Foreign Economic Relations), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands.

Malaysian PM announces 10-year term limit for Prime Minister (Start of January) ▼

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he would introduce legislation to limit the term of Prime Minister to 10 years or two full terms.
Anwar stated, 'We will table a bill to limit the term of the prime minister, not exceeding 10 years or two full terms.'
There is currently no term limit in Malaysia for Prime Ministers.

Nitin Nabin assumes charge as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Working President (Mid of December) ▼

Nitin Nabin succeeded Union Minister JP Nadda as the BJP National Working President.
He is the youngest BJP president ever and the first BJP president from Bihar and Eastern India.
Nabin is a five-time MLA and Minister of Road Construction in the Bihar Government.
He is the son of veteran BJP leader Navin Kishore Prasad Sinha.

Mukul Roy, Former Railway Minister, Passes Away at 71

Key Updates:

Veteran politician and former Railway Minister Mukul Roy passed away at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest in Kolkata.
He was widely referred to as the Chanakya of Bengal politics and represented the Krishnanagar Uttar seat in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Roy served as the 32nd Railway Minister of India and was a two-time member of the Rajya Sabha representing West Bengal.
He was one of the founding members of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) at the time of its formation in 1998.
He joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2017 and successfully contested the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections under the party banner.
He held the portfolio of Railway Minister in 2011 under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-2 government.

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Nitai Roy Chowdhury sworn in as cabinet minister in Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government. (Mid of February) ▼

Nitai Roy Chowdhury is the only Hindu minister in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's cabinet.
He was elected MP from Magura-2 on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ticket, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami rival.
Chowdhury previously served as Minister of Youth and Sports for about three months from September 1990 in Hussain Muhammad Ershad's government.
He is Vice Chairman of BNP's Central Committee and a senior advisor and strategist to the party leadership.
Chowdhury is an alumnus of University of Dhaka and studied law there after early education at Magura Government College.
His daughter Nipun Roy Chowdhury is an active BNP member and has held district-level leadership positions.

PM Modi flagged off four new trains including three Amrit Bharat Express in Kerala on 23 January 2026. (End of January) ▼

PM Modi visited Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 23 January 2026 and flagged off three Amrit Bharat Express trains and one passenger train from Putharikandam Grounds.
The three new Amrit Bharat Express services were Thiruvananthapuram Central–Tambaram, Thiruvananthapuram North–Charlapalli, and Nagercoil Jn–Mangaluru Jn.
A passenger train was introduced between Thrissur and Guruvayur.
All four trains were operated and maintained by the Southern Railway (SR) zone.
Amrit Bharat Express trains aimed to provide affordable, safe, and reliable long-distance travel for lower and lower-middle income passengers and to strengthen inter-state connectivity across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

Suresh Kalmadi passed away as former Union Minister of State for Railways and former President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA). (Start of January) ▼

Suresh Kalmadi passed away at the age of 81 after prolonged illness at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune.
He served as Union Minister of State for Railways and as President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
He represented Pune multiple times in the Lok Sabha.

Kabindra Purkayastha passes away at 95; former Union Minister and BJP stalwart. (Start of January) ▼

Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after prolonged illness.
He joined BJP in 1980 and led the party to its first-ever Lok Sabha seats from Assam in 1991.
Born in Kamarkhal village, now in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, he migrated to Silchar post-Partition.
He is survived by son Kanad Purkayastha, Rajya Sabha MP, a daughter, and grandchildren.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records India's forex reserves at $725.73 billion after $8.66 billion weekly rise.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

India's foreign exchange reserves rose by $8.66 billion to a record $725.73 billion in the week ended 13 February 2026.
Foreign currency assets increased by $3.55 billion to $573.60 billion during the week.
Gold reserves surged by $4.99 billion to $128.47 billion on higher international gold prices.
Special Drawing Rights rose by $0.10 billion to $18.92 billion.
India's reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) increased by $0.02 billion to $4.73 billion.
The latest reserve level surpassed the previous peak of $723.77 billion recorded in January 2026.

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State Bank of India (SBI) notes cash in circulation hit record Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026. (Mid of February) ▼

Currency in circulation reached Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026, 11% higher than January 2025.
UPI transactions touched Rs 28.33 lakh crore in January 2026, up over 20% year-on-year.
SBI attributes the cash spike to tax enforcement, lower interest rates boosting consumption, and high precious-metal prices prompting households to sell gold and silver.
18,000 Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices served to small vendors on UPI dealings coincided with higher ATM withdrawals in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.
Rs 2,000 notes share fell to 0.02% by volume after withdrawal of Rs 3.56 lakh crore worth from 19 May 2023; share of Rs 100, 200 and 500 notes increased.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed banks in April 2025 to raise Rs 100/200 notes in ATMs and ensure 96% of ATMs dispense these denominations by end-March 2026.
Cash-to-GDP ratio declined to 11% in FY26 from 14.4% in FY21.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Forex Reserves Reach Record High of $709.4 Billion (Start of February) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that India’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record high of $709.4 billion for the week ended 23 January 2026.
The total reserves increased by $8.05 billion during the reporting week, comprising a $5.6 billion rise in gold reserves and a $2.37 billion increase in foreign currency assets.
Gold prices surged by 8.5% to reach $4,987 per ounce during the week, which significantly contributed to the growth in reserves.
The previous record for forex reserves was $704.89 billion, which was established in September 2024.
The reserves were also supported by the settlement of a matured Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) position worth approximately $3 billion in the Over-the-Counter (OTC) market on 16 January 2026.
The Indian rupee closed at a record low of 91.99 against the US dollar on 30 January 2026 due to trade uncertainties and persistent capital outflows.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reports India’s forex reserves rose $392 million to $687.19 billion (Mid of January) ▼

India’s foreign exchange reserves jumped by $392 million to $687.19 billion in the week ended January 9, 2026.
Foreign currency assets (FCAs) fell by $1.124 billion to $550.87 billion.
Gold holdings rose by $1.568 billion to $112.83 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) edged down by $39 million to $18.739 billion.
India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund fell by $13 million to $4.758 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Reports $9.809 Billion Decline in India's Forex Reserves (Mid of January) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $9.809 billion to $686.801 billion in the week ended January 02, 2026.
Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs), the largest component of the reserves, decreased by $7.622 billion to stand at $551.99 billion.
Gold reserves decreased by $2.058 billion during the week to reach a total of $111.262 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dropped by $25 million to $18.778 billion.
The country’s reserve position in the IMF decreased by $105 million to $4.771 billion as of December 26.
In the previous week ending December 26, the reserves had increased by $3.293 billion to $696.61 billion.
The RBI intervenes in the foreign exchange market to curb excessive volatility in the rupee without anchoring to any predetermined exchange rate level.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) commissions Tier IV-certified high-security data centre in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Odisha]

Key Updates:

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has built a high-security data centre on an 18.55-acre campus at Info Valley-II, Khordha, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The facility is RBI's second data centre; the Primary Data Centre is located in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
The Odisha site lies outside India's highest seismic-risk zones and away from western and northern borders, reducing exposure to cross-border missile or drone threats.
The centre has achieved Tier IV certification for its design, ensuring the highest standards of reliability and performance.
It will house core computing systems supporting RBI's currency management, payment and settlement operations, and regulatory data functions.
As of 2025, RBI is also launching a pilot cloud facility with data centres in Mumbai and Hyderabad to provide local cloud storage to financial firms.

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L&T Vyoma inks MoU with Gujarat govt to explore 250 MW green AI-ready data centre at Dholera SIR (End of February) ▼

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Vyoma signed an MoU with the Gujarat Department of Science and Technology during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
The MoU envisages a 250 MW high-scale, green AI-ready data centre at Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR).
L&T Vyoma will invest ₹25,000 crore and aims to operationalise the facility by 2028.
The company will conduct a detailed feasibility assessment covering land suitability, infrastructure readiness, availability zones and sustainability parameters.
The Government of Gujarat will facilitate the project through its relevant departments.
The initiative aligns with the Gujarat IT/ITeS Policy (2022-27) and seeks to position Gujarat as a hub for AI infrastructure, cloud computing and advanced analytics.
Gujarat’s Budget has allocated over ₹850 crore for AI and digital governance initiatives.

India Places Entire Himalayan Arc in Newly Created Highest-Risk Zone VI on Revised Seismic Map (Start of December) ▼

India has released a major update to its national seismic zonation map under the revised Earthquake Design Code.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released the revised map based on probabilistic seismic hazard assessment (PSHA) methods incorporating data on active faults, maximum potential magnitudes, ground-shaking behaviour, tectonic regimes and underlying lithology.
61% of the country now falls under moderate to high hazard zones.
The entire Himalayan arc is placed in a newly created highest-risk Zone VI.
The updated design code requires secure anchoring of non-structural elements such as parapets, ceilings, tanks, façades and suspended fixtures if they account for more than 1% of a building’s weight.
Buildings near active faults must be designed to withstand severe pulse-like ground motions.
The code adds new norms covering liquefaction, soil flexibility and site-specific ground-response spectra.
Critical infrastructure including hospitals, schools, bridges, pipelines and major public buildings must remain functional after major earthquakes.

India Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates security infrastructure projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 03 Jan 2026 (Start of January) ▼

Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated an Integrated Command & Control Centre to enhance security infrastructure in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The Home Minister chaired the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), focusing on the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) and National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
The visit included the inauguration of nine major projects and laying the foundation for two more, totaling Rs 373 crore.
An exhibition on the Naveen Nyaya Sanhita was inaugurated as part of the developmental initiatives on the islands.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

ICRA projects India’s GDP growth to moderate to 7.2% in Q3 FY26

[ICRA]

Key Updates:

ICRA forecasts India’s YoY GDP growth at 7.2% in Q3 FY2025-26, down from 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Services GVA growth eased to 7.8% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 9.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Agriculture GVA growth slowed to 3.0% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 3.5% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Industrial sector GVA hit a six-quarter high of 8.3% in Q3 FY2025-26 versus 7.7% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Government of India’s gross capital expenditure contracted 23.4% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 after 40.0% YoY growth in H1 FY2025-26.
GoI’s gross capex fell to Rs. 2.1 trillion in Q3 FY2025-26 from Rs. 3.1 trillion in Q2 FY2025-26.
Combined Central and state non-interest revenue expenditure rose marginally by 0.3% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 against a 0.6% decline in Q2 FY2025-26.
India’s services exports growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 7.5% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 at USD 111.2 billion.

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Moody's Projects India Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth at 6.4% for FY27 (Mid of February) ▼

Moody's (Moody's) forecasts India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 6.4% in Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27).
India is expected to record the fastest growth pace among the Group of Twenty (G-20) economies according to the ratings agency.
The Economic Survey 2026 projects India's real GDP expansion to range between 6.8% and 7.2% for FY27.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its growth projections for FY27 to 6.9% for the first quarter and 7.0% for the second quarter.
Structural reforms including the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax reductions are expected to boost domestic consumption.
A trade agreement reached between India and the United States (US) in February 2026 is anticipated to improve conditions for export-linked Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Moody's Ratings projects India GDP growth at 7.3% for FY26 (End of January) ▼

Moody's Ratings forecasts India's economy to grow by 7.3% in FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% the previous year.
India's GDP per capita rose 8.2% year-on-year to $11,176 in FY 2024-25 while headline GDP grew 6.5%.
Total insurance premium revenue increased 17% to Rs 10.9 lakh crore in April-November 2025-26, with health premiums up 14% and life new business premiums climbing 20%.
The government has raised the foreign investment limit in Indian insurance companies to 100% of capital from 74%.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) projects India’s real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26. (Mid of January) ▼

MoSPI’s First Advance Estimates place FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4%, up from 6.5% in FY25.
Nominal GDP growth for FY26 is estimated at 8.0%.
Real gross value added (GVA) is projected to rise 7.3% in FY26, with the services sector identified as the key growth engine.
Private consumption growth eased to 7% YoY in FY25 versus 7.2% in the previous fiscal.
Manufacturing GVA growth is estimated at 7% and Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services plus Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to grow 9.9% at constant prices in FY26.
Agriculture and allied sector GVA growth is pegged at 3.1% while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services GVA growth is moderate at 2.1% in FY26.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had forecasted FY26 GDP growth at 7.3% in its December MPC meeting.
CRISIL revised its FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7% after Q2 FY26 data showed 8.2% growth, the fastest in six quarters.
India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) pegs FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% and nominal GDP growth at 9%.
Bank of Baroda projects FY26 GDP growth in the 7.4%-7.6% range, noting risks from decelerating exports to the US.
SBI Capital Markets expects FY26 real GDP growth to exceed 7% and nominal GDP growth at around 8.5% y/y.
Acuité Ratings & Research revised FY26 GDP growth estimate to 7.2% from 6.6% after Q2 data.
The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY26 will be released on 27 February 2026 and will incorporate a base revision to 2022-23.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raises FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.3% (Start of December) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised India’s GDP forecast for FY2025-26 upwards to 7.3% from the earlier 6.8%.
RBI raised Q3 FY26 growth estimate to 7.0% from 6.4%.
RBI raised Q4 FY26 growth estimate to 6.5% from 6.2%.
RBI raised Q1 FY27 growth projection to 6.7% from 6.4%.
RBI projected Q2 FY27 growth at 6.8%.
RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25%.
India’s economy grew 8.2% in Q2 FY25, 7.8% in Q1 FY25, and 6.5% for full-year FY25.
RBI announced Rs 1 lakh crore OMO purchases and a 3-year USD/INR swap of USD 5 billion.
IMF projects India to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by end of 2025.

Punjab launches 'Meri Rasoi' scheme to provide quarterly food kits to 40 lakh families

[Punjab]

Key Updates:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the 'Meri Rasoi' scheme for 40 lakh families registered under the National Food Security Act.
The scheme will distribute essential food kits quarterly through Markfed and the Department of Food and Civil Supplies.
Each kit will contain pulses, sugar, iodised salt, turmeric, and mustard oil to address nutritional gaps beyond subsidised wheat.
The first distribution round is scheduled for April with quality control measures in place.

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Meri Yojana Portal Launched to Facilitate Citizen Access to Welfare Schemes (Mid of December) ▼

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 'Meri Yojana' portal to make welfare schemes more accessible.
The Programme Implementation Department released 'Meri Yojana' books detailing central and state government programs.
The state government is focused on simplifying processes to deliver social welfare benefits swiftly and effectively.

Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna launched with ₹10 lakh annual health cover (End of January) ▼

Punjab government launched Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojna on 24 January 2026 in Mohali.
The scheme provides health insurance cover up to ₹10 lakh per year to three crore residents from 65 lakh families.
Over 900 government and private hospitals in Punjab and Chandigarh are empanelled under the scheme.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated Punjab is the first state to offer ₹10 lakh health insurance coverage.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the scheme.

10th Battalion of Assam Police Headquarters: 124-Bigha Modern Campus in Kamrup

[Assam Police, Kamrup]

Key Updates:

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the 10th Battalion of Assam Police headquarters in Kamrup, Assam, on 21 February 2026.
The new headquarters will be constructed on a 124-bigha campus featuring barracks for 750 male and 450 female personnel, a hospital, and a training centre.
The infrastructure project includes a firing range, a modern surveillance centre, and a large sports complex for the 10th Battalion of Assam Police.
A proposed ₹27,000 crore semiconductor plant is being established in the state to promote industrial development in the North-East.
The state government has provided land rights to 2.5 lakh landless indigenous people and reclaimed approximately 1.45 lakh bighas of land from encroachment.
The Election Commission (EC) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to identify and remove the names of illegal entrants.
The Home Minister cited the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) (IMDT) Act of 1983 as a previous legislative challenge to addressing infiltration.

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Assam Govt announces Rs 50 Cr grant to preserve Darrang Koch dynasty heritage (Start of February) ▼

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a Rs 50 crore grant for preserving the heritage of the Darrang kings of the Koch dynasty.
The grant was announced during the 516th Biswa Mahabir Chilarai Divas celebrations held at Pipora Dookan in Darrang district.
The Chief Minister directed the Darrang district administration and the Public Works Department to immediately implement the heritage preservation project.
A 37-foot-high statue of 8th century Koch king Maharaj Krishnanarayan was unveiled at the event.
Chilarai Bhawans at Mangaldoi and Golaghat were virtually inaugurated during the programme.
Land allotment and construction of an office for the All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Sanmilani at Amingaon were also announced.

Assam Interim Budget 2026-27: Rs 62,294.78 Crore Outlay and ULFA Peace Package (Mid of February) ▼

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog tabled an interim budget of ₹62,294.78 crore for the financial year 2026–27 to seek a Vote on Account.
The 16th Finance Commission increased the inter-se share for Assam to 3.258 per cent, which is expected to result in a devolution exceeding ₹50,000 crore.
The Government of India (GoI) earmarked ₹500 crore as the first tranche of a ₹5,000 crore special development and rehabilitation package under the 2023 United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) peace accord.
The Assam government committed ₹3,000 crore from its own resources for infrastructure and development projects linked to the ULFA peace agreement.
A 69-kilometre Kokrajhar–Gelephu new railway line has been sanctioned under the India–Bhutan connectivity initiative.
The budget proposes the construction of 40-km underground railway tracks along the Siliguri corridor to fortify the Chicken’s Neck region.
A highway project is planned from the semiconductor plant at Jagiroad to the Bhutan border via Udalguri, including a new bridge over the Brahmaputra river.
The state government requested a feasibility study for five new airports in Nagaon, Diphu, Umrangso, Majuli, and Manas.
The government reported providing over 1.58 lakh transparent appointments, surpassing the initial target of 1 lakh government jobs.
The state is finalising discussions with tea associations to announce enhanced wages for tea garden workers within the current year.

Amit Shah to inaugurate Assam’s largest multidisciplinary sports stadium in Dibrugarh (End of January) ▼

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the first phase of Assam’s biggest multidisciplinary sports stadium in Dibrugarh on 30 January 2026.
The mega sports complex has been constructed at a cost of ₹233 crore across 104 bighas in Khanikar, Dibrugarh.
The facility features a seating capacity of 35,000 and is designed to provide world-class amenities for athletes across multiple disciplines.
The Union Home Minister is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the second complex of the Assam Legislative Assembly during the visit.
The inauguration details were announced by Rituparna Baruah, the Chairman of the Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ATDCL).

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs during foundation day of 5th Bihar Battalion. (End of January) ▼

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs on 28 January 2026.
The event was held at Bihar Regiment Centre, Danapur in Patna, India.
The tribute was part of the foundation day celebrations of the 5th Bihar Battalion.

Operation Demolishment targets over 200 Naxal memorials in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

[Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh]

Key Updates:

Security forces demolished 203 Naxal memorials and monuments in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh under Operation Demolishment.
Chhattisgarh recorded 149 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, with 130 razed in 2026 alone.
Maharashtra reported 55 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, including 45 removed in 2026.
Officials state the memorials were used by Naxal outfits for ideological outreach and recruitment in remote forested regions.
Operation Demolishment is part of a broader counterinsurgency strategy to dismantle the military and ideological backbone of Naxalism.

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Operation Hawkeye Strike directed by President Trump (Mid of January) ▼

US Central Command announced the strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike directed by President Trump.
Centcom wrote on X: 'Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world.'
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: 'We will never forget, and never relent.'

Indian Security Forces conduct Operation Trashi-I in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir (End of January) ▼

Operation Trashi-I was launched on 18 January 2026 by a joint team comprising the Indian Army, Para (Special Forces), and Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) Special Operations Group (SOG).
The operation is focused on the Chatroo belt of Kishtwar district, specifically the dense forests of Janseer-Kandiwar and locations along the Kishtwar-Sinthan road.
The first exchange of fire occurred on 18 January 2026 in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora, resulting in injuries to eight security personnel.
A Pakistani terrorist belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) outfit was killed during a firefight on 24 January 2026.
Security forces are utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), drones, and sniffer dog units to track terrorists moving through heavy snowfall in the region.
The operation was initiated following the busting of three terrorist hideouts in Kathua district on 16 January 2026.
Recovered items from the operation sites include empty M4 cartridges, food items, cooking gas cylinders, and other logistical materials.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare observed on 30 November (Start of December) ▼

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed on 30 November.
The 1925 Geneva Protocol banned the use of chemical weapons in war.
The Chemical Weapons Convention has nearly universal adherence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a message for the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare.

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs during foundation day of 5th Bihar Battalion. (End of January) ▼

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs on 28 January 2026.
The event was held at Bihar Regiment Centre, Danapur in Patna, India.
The tribute was part of the foundation day celebrations of the 5th Bihar Battalion.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) releases National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy (PRAHAAR)

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, named PRAHAAR, to provide a comprehensive framework for preventing and mitigating terrorism.
The strategy emphasizes intelligence-led operations, multi-agency coordination, and a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism while upholding human rights and the rule of law.
The Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and the Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) serve as nodal platforms for real-time sharing of counter-terror inputs.
The National Security Guard (NSG) functions as the nodal national counter-terror force under the MHA to assist state forces and enhance their operational capacities.
Legal frameworks supporting the strategy include the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.
The policy identifies critical infrastructure for protection, including power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space, and atomic energy.
The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), in collaboration with state and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) training institutions, will conduct regular training for personnel.
The strategy addresses the use of modern technology by terrorist groups, including encrypted communications, the dark web, cryptocurrency, and drones.

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Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava author Redlines Redrawn on Operation Sindoor. (End of January) ▼

Major General Bipin Bakshi, Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, and Brigadier Akhelesh Bhargava co-author the book Redlines Redrawn: Operation Sindoor and India’s New Normal published by Konark Publishers priced at ₹995.
The book analyses the build-up, execution, and ramifications of Operation Sindoor from military, diplomatic, and airpower perspectives.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra is quoted in the book as a leading expert on airpower assessing Operation Sindoor’s demonstration of India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 unveils updated NIA Crime Manual, Organised Crime Network Database and Weapon Database (End of December) ▼

Union Home Minister released the updated crime manual prepared by NIA for use by State police in investigation and prosecution.
An Organised Crime Network Database was launched to help States, under NIA-CBI guidance and IB cooperation, eliminate networks that channel ransom money into terrorism.
A national e-database on lost/looted and recovered weapons was inaugurated to strengthen counter-terrorism efforts.

Operation Prahar: Punjab Police 72-hour mega crackdown on gangsters (End of January) ▼

Punjab Police launched Operation Prahar, a 72-hour intensive action deploying 2,000 teams with 12,000 personnel to eliminate organised crime.
The operation targets 60 main gangsters based abroad, their 1,200 associates and 600 family members involved in criminal activities.
A reward policy of Rs 10 crore has been announced for police personnel for successful actions against drugs and gangsters.

National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy to provide template for States against terror (End of December) ▼

The Union government is finalising India’s first anti-terror policy which will provide a template for all States to combat and respond to terror-related incidents.
The policy is being finalised by the Home Ministry with inputs from the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Key focus areas include digital radicalisation, misuse of open borders, and foreign-funded conversion networks.

Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai Campaign Launched to Promote Skill India Digital Hub

Key Updates:

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Jayant Chaudhary launched the nationwide awareness campaign Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai on 23 February 2026.
The campaign was introduced on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to accelerate progress toward a Viksit Bharat through digital skilling.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan has been brought on board to strengthen awareness and participation in the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), India's integrated platform for skilling and employment.
The SIDH platform has already onboarded more than 1.5 crore registered candidates, emerging as one of the largest unified digital skilling platforms in the country.
The mobile-first, AI-enabled platform offers industry-aligned courses and is available in more than 21 Indian languages to ensure inclusion and ease of access.
Key features of SIDH include Aadhaar-based eKYC registration, OTP-enabled mobile access, QR-code-enabled personalised digital CVs, and digitally verified credentials.
The campaign targets a diverse user base including youth, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, and differently-abled citizens to support the vision of Lifelong Learning for Prosperity.

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'Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat' campaign launched to promote selfless service rooted in spiritual values. (Mid of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu launched the nationwide 'Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat' campaign during the All-India Conference of the Brahma Kumaris in New Delhi.
The campaign was inaugurated alongside the silver jubilee celebrations of the Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram.
The President emphasised that Karmayoga involves fulfilling responsibilities while adhering to high spiritual principles and practicing selfless service in everyday life.
She stated that morality and spirituality must guide economic growth and technological advancement to prevent social and environmental imbalances.
Smt. Murmu highlighted that spirituality offers a moral framework based on integrity, compassion, non-violence and service essential for just governance.
The campaign aims to inspire citizens to contribute to India’s sustainable and inclusive development by harmonising economic progress with ethical values.

Swachh Jal Abhiyan launched to ensure clean drinking water and prevent contamination (Mid of January) ▼

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched the 'Swachh Jal Abhiyan' to conduct comprehensive testing of drinking water quality in all urban and rural areas.
A weekly public hearing named 'Jal Sunwai' will be held every Tuesday at the district level for citizens to raise water-related complaints.
A mobile application will be developed for a water pipeline asset survey involving residents to identify leakages and contaminated sources.
The campaign will be implemented in two phases: Phase I from January 10 to February 28 and Phase II from March 1 to May 31.
All drinking water sources will undergo quality testing, and STPs will be regularly monitored to ensure clean water supply.

CM unveils two books by Bishwabhushan Harichandan (Mid of February) ▼

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled the Odia book 'E Mati Katha Kahe' and the English book 'Buxi Jagabandhu: The Great Commander' written by former Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan on 8 February 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
The English book highlights the 1817 Paika Rebellion, which the state wants recognised as India’s First War of Independence.
The Odia book contains 30 essays on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, world peace, and the Jagannath Nabakalebara Yatra.

Nayi Chetna 4.0 Launched to Combat Gender-Based Violence Nationwide (End of November) ▼

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi launched Nayi Chetna 4.0.
Eleven Union ministries will collaborate under the campaign to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence.
A tripartite inter-ministerial Letter of Intent was signed between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Ministry of Rural Development.
The campaign will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2025.

Constitution of India released in Tamil and Gujarati on International Mother Language Day

Key Updates:

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released updated versions of the Constitution of India in Tamil and Gujarati at Uprashtrapati Bhavan on International Mother Language Day.
The 8th Edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi) was also released alongside the constitutional translations.
In the past decade, the Constitution was officially translated for the first time into Bodo, Dogri and Santhali.
Last year, the Constitution was released in Nepali for the Nepali-speaking population of India.
The Legal Glossary aims to make legal terminology accessible to lawmakers, students, judicial officers, researchers, translators and policymakers.

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President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki script. (Mid of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the centenary celebration of the Ol Chiki script organised by the Ministry of Culture (MoC).
Ol Chiki script was invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language.
Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India in 2003.
President released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark 100 years of Ol Chiki.
President felicitated 10 achievers from the Santal community for promoting Ol Chiki script.
Constitution of India was officially translated into Santhali language in Ol Chiki script and released by President in December 2025.

Constitution of India Released in Santhali Language (End of December) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language, written in the Ol Chiki script.
The release function was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan releases 55 literary works on January 6, 2026 (Start of January) ▼

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan officially released 55 volumes of literary works in classical Indian languages on January 6, 2026.
The literary works include volumes in Kannada, Odia, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil, along with a sign-language series of the Tirukkural by poet Thiruvalluvar.
A total of 41 books were developed by the Centres of Excellence for Classical Languages under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) brought out 13 books and the sign language series of the Tirukkural.
The released works include Malayalam translations of Sangam-period books such as Purananooru, Pathitrupathu, and Pathuppattu.
A Telugu translation of Silappathikaram, recognized as one of the five great epics, was included in the collection.
Odia literary works such as Charyapada and Madalapanji were released to introduce the rich vocabulary of the Odia language to non-Odia readers.
The collection includes research books such as the Sangam Literature Dictionary and Akananuru Akaramuthali (Verb and Noun words).
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advances the vision of education in Indian languages to preserve the nation's historical and cultural wealth.

Dharmendra Pradhan releases Urdu book on PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speeches (Start of January) ▼

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education, released the Urdu book 'Khutbat-e-Modi: Lal Qila Ki Faseel Se' in Delhi.
The book compiles Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort delivered between 2014 and 2025.
The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), New Delhi, published the book under the Ministry of Education.

Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026: West Bengal to provide ₹1,500 monthly allowance to unemployed youth

[West Bengal]

Key Updates:

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026 during the state interim budget to support unemployed youth.
The scheme provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to educated but unemployed individuals to serve as transitional financial support during job hunting.
The official launch of the programme is scheduled for April 1, 2026, with applications accepted between February 15 and February 26, 2026.
Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of West Bengal, aged between 21 and 40 years, and have passed at least the Class 10 (Secondary) examination.
The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) will facilitate applications through local camps in every assembly constituency and the official website (wbsportsandyouth.gov.in).
Individuals receiving other state welfare financial assistance are ineligible, but scholarships like Aikyasree, Medhasree, Sikhasree, and the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Scholarship are compatible.
Required documents include a Class 10 pass certificate, Aadhaar or Voter ID, proof of residence, bank account details, and a recent passport-sized photograph.

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Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana replaces Ladli Yojana with ₹1 lakh support for girls’ education (Mid of February) ▼

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana effective from 1 April 2026, replacing the 2008 Ladli Yojana.
The scheme deposits ₹56,000 in stages and with interest the corpus is projected to reach ₹1 lakh when the girl turns 21 or completes graduation/diploma, whichever is earlier.
Instalments: ₹11,000 at birth, ₹5,000 on admission to Classes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 12, and ₹20,000 after completing graduation or diploma.
Eligibility: girl must be born in Delhi, family must have resided in Delhi for at least three years, annual family income must not exceed ₹1 lakh, and only two daughters per family can receive benefits.
Beneficiaries pursuing graduation or diploma outside Delhi remain eligible for the final payout.
Pending Ladli Yojana dues are being cleared through a government campaign to identify unclaimed accounts.

Delhi replaces Ladli scheme with Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, promises ₹1 lakh support for girls’ education (Mid of February) ▼

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana effective from April 1, replacing the 2008 Ladli Yojana.
The scheme will deposit ₹56,000 in stages during a girl’s academic journey, projected to grow to ₹1 lakh with interest.
Deposits are ₹11,000 at birth, ₹5,000 on entry to Classes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 12, and ₹20,000 after completing graduation or diploma.
Eligibility requires the girl to be born in Delhi, family residence in Delhi for at least three years, annual family income not exceeding ₹1 lakh, and a maximum of two daughters per family.
The final payout is available when the girl turns 21 or completes graduation or diploma, whichever is earlier, even if studied outside Delhi.
The Ladli Yojana is being discontinued and the government is clearing pending payments under the earlier scheme.

Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 raises guaranteed employment days to 125 (Mid of December) ▼

The Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 which repeals MGNREGA and increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days.
Centre will now fund 60% of all scheme costs and states 40%; states must bear any expenditure above the centrally fixed normative allocation.
The Bill removes Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the rural job guarantee scheme and restructures funding so that the Centre no longer covers 90% of wages as under MGNREGA.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Completes 11 Years with 12-Point Rise in Sex Ratio at Birth (End of January) ▼

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 to address the falling Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and gender-based educational inequalities.
The national SRB improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 930 in 2023–24, according to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51 per cent in 2014–15 to 78 per cent in 2023–24.
Institutional deliveries in India rose from 61 per cent in 2014–15 to over 97.3 per cent by 2023–24.
The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav programme successfully re-enrolled more than 100,000 out-of-school girls into the education system.
BBBP has been integrated with Mission Shakti under the Sambal and Samarthya components, linking it to One Stop Centres, women’s helplines, and working women’s hostels.
District-level funding is allocated based on SRB performance, providing ₹40 lakh for districts below 918, ₹30 lakh for those between 919 and 952, and ₹20 lakh for better-performing districts.
The scheme aims to improve the SRB by two points every year and maintain institutional deliveries above 95 per cent.

Delhi CM launches CM Jan Sunwai Portal and app for integrated grievance redressal

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the CM Jan Sunwai Portal and mobile app for public grievance submission.
Complaints can be registered via portal, app, call centre (1902), or offline through the Chief Minister’s Office.
A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism—Grievance Redressal Officer, Appellate Authority, and Final Appellate Authority—has been implemented.
Each complaint receives a unique reference ID and SMS updates at every stage.
Negative feedback triggers automatic escalation to a higher authority.
The system operates on 100% feedback-driven monitoring to ensure officer accountability.
A secure, cloud-based e-admission portal for EWS, DG, and CWSN categories replaced the earlier outdated software.
Aadhaar-based identity verification and digital birth-certificate verification are mandatory to prevent fraud.
Income certificates will be verified through an integrated online system.
Over 7,000 active Common Service Centre (CSC) centres across Delhi will deliver e-District services locally.
The Delhi government is already providing 75 e-District services online, including income, caste, residence, birth and death certificates, and services related to social welfare, food and civil supplies, labour, and education.
CM Pragati portal created the first comprehensive digital record of all Delhi government land and building assets.

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Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Delhi Expansion Adds 81 New Centres (Mid of January) ▼

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, raising the city’s total to 319 centres.
Patients can now book OPD appointments and access medical records through mobile phones.
The BJP government targets 15 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs per Assembly constituency and 1,100 centres across Delhi.
Over six lakh Delhi residents have registered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with thousands receiving free treatment.

CM Shri Schools project launched across Delhi (Mid of February) ▼

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the first CM Shri School at Sarojini Nagar on 17 February 2026.
Foundation stones for 75 CM Shri School projects across Delhi were laid simultaneously.
The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and aims to provide modern, technology-integrated education and improved learning infrastructure.
Education minister Ashish Sood announced that 7,000 classrooms will be converted into AI-enabled smart classrooms before the government completes its first year in office.
175 new ICT labs equipped with 7,000 computers, more than 100 digital libraries and over 175 language labs are being launched.
The schools will serve children from economically weaker, lower and middle-income families with facilities comparable to private schools.

Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing Portal launched to showcase women entrepreneurs' products globally (Mid of January) ▼

The Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, has launched the Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing portal under the guidance of Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Sri D.K. Shivakumar.
The portal, accessible at gruhalakshmidigital.org, serves as a state-backed e-commerce marketplace to promote women entrepreneurship across Karnataka.
Women entrepreneurs can register on the portal through the website, via District In-charge Officers, or by visiting the Department Head Office.

e-Swasthya Samvad: Strengthening Governance in Medical Education (End of December) ▼

The Rajasthan government has launched a new digital communication platform, 'e-Swasthya Samvad (ESS)', to improve governance, transparency and coordination in the Medical Education Department (MED).
The initiative has been introduced under the direction of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Medical Education Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar as part of efforts to strengthen health services through technology-driven reforms.
The platform would function as a dedicated digital interface connecting all stakeholders associated with medical education and health services, enabling faster decision-making and effective implementation of health programmes.
The interaction will be held in two phases, including an open interaction with faculty members, doctors, nursing staff, students and the public from 6 pm.
Medical Education Commissioner Naresh Goyal said 'e-Swasthya Samvad' will be conducted twice a week -- every Tuesday and Thursday -- through video conferencing.
Decisions taken during meetings will be recorded instantly, and concerned officials will be required to submit action taken reports within 72 hours.
The platform was launched on Dec 29, 2025, to facilitate discussions on budget announcements, implementation of health schemes, and infrastructure projects.

Switzerland announces Geneva as host city for next AI Summit in 2027

[Geneva, Switzerland]

Key Updates:

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced that Switzerland will host the next AI Summit in Geneva in 2027.
Parmelin is attending the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi along with around 20 global leaders.
He stated that the summit will advance global dialogue on responsible AI use and its international governance and regulation.

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World Governments Summit 2026 commences in Dubai with participation from over 150 nations (Start of February) ▼

The World Governments Summit 2026 is being held in Dubai from 3 to 5 February under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'.
More than 6,000 participants, including over 35 heads of state and government and over 500 ministers, are attending the summit.
Leaders confirmed to attend include King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Alar Karis of Estonia, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia.
Prime Ministers of Spain, Albania, Georgia, Egypt, and Bhutan are among the heads of government participating.
The summit features 24 specialised global forums, more than 35 ministerial and high-level meetings, and over 320 sessions with more than 450 global figures.
Over 100 international and regional organisations are participating, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, OPEC Fund, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
India Today anchors will moderate four sessions: 'Are Governments Building Systems or Buying Products?' on 4 February, 'Carbon Costs: Preparing for the Next Trade Barrier', 'Building The Next Economic Systems: Lessons from Emerging Market Founders', and 'Design Digital Lifestyles: From Infrastructure to Experience' on 5 February.
The summit will issue 36 strategic reports and present four global awards for innovation, reform, sustainability, and educational leadership.

India fields largest-ever CEO delegation at World Economic Forum 2026 Davos summit (Mid of January) ▼

More than 80 Indian CEOs are slated to attend the World Economic Forum's 56th annual conference in Davos from January 19 to 23.
Senior Union ministers and delegations from a record nine states will spotlight efforts to engage global investors.
Expected Indian corporate attendees include N Chandrasekaran of Tata Sons, Sunil Mittal of Bharti Group, Sajjan Jindal of JSW Group, Anish Shah of Mahindra Group, and Infosys non-executive chairman Nandan Nilekani.
States sending delegations include Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Kerala, some led by chief ministers such as Devendra Fadnavis and N Chandrababu Naidu.
The WEF 2026 will feature six leaders of the G7, 65 heads of state and government, 850 top CEOs and chairpersons and around 100 leading unicorns and technology leaders.

India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) strengthen strategic partnership during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit on January 19, 2026 (End of January) ▼

India and the UAE aim to double bilateral trade to over $200 billion by 2032, from $84 billion in 2023–24, with focus on MSMEs and platforms like Bharat Mart.
A long-term LNG supply deal was signed for 0.5 million metric tonnes annually; the UAE is India’s second-largest LNG supplier after Qatar.
A Letter of Intent was signed to work towards a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework, covering defence industrial cooperation, advanced technologies, and cyber security.
Both sides agreed to cooperate in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), building on India’s SHANTI Act, 2025.
Artificial Intelligence identified as a priority area, with agreement on setting up a supercomputing cluster in India, UAE investments in data centres, and exploration of a ‘data embassy’ concept.
Letters of Intent were signed for space cooperation and infrastructure development, including joint space infrastructure and UAE participation in the Dholera Special Investment Region (airport, port, rail, energy, smart city).
A food safety agreement was signed to boost Indian agricultural exports to the UAE, alongside broader strategic cooperation during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit on January 19, 2026.

World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 annual meeting concludes in Davos (End of January) ▼

The 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting concluded in Davos on 23 January 2026.
U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the agenda with his claim to Greenland, prompting strong European resistance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew in for talks as a U.S.–Russia discussion on Ukraine continued; Russian Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks at the USA House, the first Russian official to visit Davos since 2022.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a panel that global oil production needs to more than double to meet rising energy demand and criticised Europe and California for overspending on green energy.
Elon Musk stated the U.S. could meet all electricity needs via solar from a small area of Utah, Nevada or New Mexico but noted high tariff barriers hamper deployment.
Trump discussed a secret sonic weapon allegedly used in the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and predicted increased U.S. and European defence spending.

India and United States commence 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 in Himachal Pradesh

[United States, Himachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

The 16th edition of the bilateral Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar 2026, is being conducted between the Indian Army and the United States (U.S.) Army.
The exercise is hosted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
The exercise is conducted annually to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and the exchange of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
The 2026 edition focuses on counter-terrorism operations, precision strikes, intelligence-driven missions, and joint planning under simulated battlefield conditions.
The drill aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance the capability of Special Forces to operate in diverse environments.

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Indian Air Force to demonstrate firepower in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran on 27 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

Exercise Vayushakti-26 will be held at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on 27 February 2026.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft.
A total of 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives will be used during day, dusk and night missions.
Platforms participating include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be showcased.
The exercise reaffirms the IAF’s role in long-range precision targeting and multi-domain operations using indigenous platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

India–Nepal Joint Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX Begins in Uttarakhand (End of November) ▼

The 19th edition of the annual India–Nepal joint military exercise 'SURYAKIRAN XIX – 2025' began at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand.
The exercise runs from 25 November to 08 December 2025.
Each contingent comprises 334 personnel: Indian Army troops primarily from the ASSAM Regiment and Nepalese Army troops mainly from the DEVI DATTA Regiment.
The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate including peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian protection, and preventive deployment.
Key training domains include jungle warfare, counter-terrorism operations in mountainous terrain, HADR, medical response, environmental conservation, and integrated ground–aviation operations.
Emerging technologies featured are unmanned aerial systems, drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision-support systems, unmanned logistics carriers, and armoured protection platforms.

India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise 'Garuda Shakti' Begins in Himachal (Start of December) ▼

The 10th edition of the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise 'Garuda Shakti' is being conducted from December 3-12 at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, in Himachal Pradesh.
The Indian contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent comprises personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces.
The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the special forces of the two nations.
Its scope includes troop-level tactics, techniques and procedures in a counter-terrorism environment, covering unarmed combat techniques, combat shooting, sniping, heliborne operations and planning for drone, counter-UAS and loiter-munition strikes in semi-mountainous terrain.

India and United Arab Emirates conduct second edition of Exercise Desert Cyclone in Abu Dhabi (Mid of December) ▼

Exercise Desert Cyclone-II is scheduled from December 18-30 in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian contingent comprises 45 personnel, primarily from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
The UAE Land Forces contingent is represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, including peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations.
Tactical drills include fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations, mission planning, and integration of UAS and counter-UAS techniques.

India and Brazil sign critical minerals and rare earths cooperation agreement in New Delhi

[Brazil, New Delhi]

Key Updates:

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi on Saturday.
Both leaders signed an agreement to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths.
The agreement aims to reduce India's dependence on China for these resources.
Brazil is the world's second-largest holder of critical minerals after China.
Nine additional agreements were signed, covering areas such as digital cooperation and health.
Modi stated that bilateral trade will be taken beyond $20 billion within five years.
In 2024, Indian exports to Brazil totalled $7.23 billion, with refined petroleum as the main export.
Brazilian exports to India in 2024 reached $5.38 billion, with raw sugar as the main export.

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Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong announces India-China bilateral trade hit record USD 155.6 billion in 2025 (Start of February) ▼

India-China bilateral trade reached USD 155.6 billion in 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of over 12 per cent.
India’s exports to China grew by 9.7 per cent during the same period.
The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin last August led to improved ties and increased people-to-people exchanges.
China supports India’s BRICS presidency and is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with New Delhi for Global South development.
The military stand-off that began after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clashes effectively ended in October 2024.

Brazil Hands Over BRICS Chair to India for 2026 Summit (Mid of December) ▼

Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit earlier this year.
India will assume the BRICS chair for 2026.
Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin stated: "BRICS is not aimed against any country" and "not to replace the US dollar".
Alckmin confirmed President Lula’s visit to India is scheduled for February 2026.
Brazil and India are exploring defence cooperation in aerospace, naval projects and joint research.
Brazil is evaluating India’s Akash missile system; discussions include joint production and technology transfer.
Brazil and India are working on interoperability between India’s UPI and Brazil’s PIX digital payment systems.
Brazil has announced a business e-visa for Indian travellers; system launch date not specified.
Both governments target direct India-Brazil flights by end-2026.
Brazil became the second BRICS member after India to decline joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

India and Brazil sign tripartite MoU to boost Scorpène submarine maintenance and defence ties (Mid of December) ▼

A landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
The MoU focuses on the exchange of information related to the maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines and other naval vessels.
The agreement aims to enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics, and training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies and industry of both nations.
The MoU will further boost Defence Research and Development (R&D) collaboration and drive technological innovation in sustaining Scorpène-class submarines and other naval platforms.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Brazil.
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil, where he and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap to strengthen bilateral ties, including defence and security.
India and Brazil recognized convergent views and strategic complementarities in defence and security matters.
An Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information was signed, enabling deeper cooperation in various strategic areas.
A Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue was established to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and national perspectives on cybersecurity issues.

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Ethiopia on December 16-17, 2025, to strengthen Brics and Global South ties (Mid of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State visit to Ethiopia on December 16-17, 2025, signals India’s diplomatic engagement with Africa, the Global South, and the expanded Brics grouping.
India is scheduled to assume the chairmanship of Brics on January 1, 2026, with Ethiopia serving as an important member of the grouping.
Ethiopia officially joined Brics in January 2024, along with Egypt, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
India is currently Ethiopia’s second-largest trading partner, with total bilateral trade standing at $571.52 million during the 2023-24 financial year.
India has sanctioned more than $1 billion in lines of credit for Ethiopia to support projects in sectors such as rural electrification, the sugar industry, and railways.
Around 650 Indian companies have licensed investments exceeding $5 billion in Ethiopia, with approximately $3 billion estimated to have been realised on the ground.
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), a joint initiative between India and France, aims to mobilise $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 while reducing technology and financing costs.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the visit will cover dimensions of India-Ethiopia ties, including parliamentary exchanges, development partnerships, and defence cooperation.

South Korea protests Japan’s ‘Takeshima Day’ event over disputed islands

[South Korea, Japan]

Key Updates:

South Korea’s foreign ministry strongly objected to the ‘Takeshima Day’ event organised by Shimane prefecture and attended by a senior Japanese government official.
The disputed islets are called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea and have been a source of tension since Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945.
A South Korean coastguard detachment has been stationed on the territory since 1954.
Shimane prefecture established ‘Takeshima Day’ in 2005, repeatedly triggering protests from Seoul.
Seoul summoned a senior Japanese diplomat to lodge a formal protest over Tokyo’s territorial claims.
South Korea claims the territory lies in fertile fishing grounds and may sit above substantial deposits of natural gas hydrate worth billions of dollars.

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International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed on 27 January (End of January) ▼

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 60/7 designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in 2005.
The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on 27 January 1945.
The Holocaust led to the adoption of foundational documents by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
The UNGA established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2005 to mobilize outreach for combatting antisemitism and defending human rights.
Key UNGA resolutions related to this observance and the prevention of Holocaust denial include A/RES/60/7, A/RES/61/255, and A/RES/76/250.
The annual observance is held at the UN Headquarters in New York and through the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs).

Sanae Takaichi wins Japan general election as Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secures supermajority. (Start of February) ▼

Sanae Takaichi is the Prime Minister of Japan and leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).
The LDP won 316 of the 465 seats in Japan’s lower house of parliament.
The victory gives the LDP a supermajority, exceeding the 233 seats needed for a majority.
Takaichi called the snap election after three months in office to consolidate political support.
She has pledged to suspend the 8 percent sales tax on food to ease household burdens.
US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Takaichi and announced her White House visit on March 19.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Takaichi’s win as a 'big victory' for Japan–US relations.
Japan–US trade was valued at $317 billion in 2024, with around 50,000 US troops stationed in Japan.

India and South Korea conduct 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul (Mid of February) ▼

The 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) between India and South Korea was held in Seoul.
The dialogue was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Park Yoon-joo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
Both nations reviewed bilateral relations including security and defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and economic issues.
The two sides agreed to work towards enhancing their Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed commitments to global cooperation.
The engagement followed parliamentary talks between the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and South Korean legislators to reinforce strategic ties.

US President Donald Trump raises tariffs on South Korean imports to 25% (End of January) ▼

US President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on South Korean imports from 15% to 25% across automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other reciprocal tariffs.
South Korea exported goods worth about $123 billion to the US last year, with car exports accounting for about $30 billion.
South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan will visit Washington to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The October deal included South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the US, partly in shipbuilding.
The agreement was submitted to South Korea’s National Assembly on 26 November and is likely to be passed in February.

Goa hosts 4th edition of World Ocean Science Congress 2026

[Goa]

Key Updates:

The 4th edition of World Ocean Science Congress 2026 is being held in Goa from February 23 to February 26 at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).
The event is co-organised by NIO, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and Goa University.
Goa has 193 km of coastline and thousands of families depend directly or indirectly on the ocean.
A pollution control vessel built in Goa for the Indian Coast Guard has been commissioned to enhance maritime safety, pollution response and surveillance.
The congress agenda includes ocean health, climate change, marine ecosystems, coastal hazard resilience and sustainable blue economy models.
Special sessions include a fishermen’s meet and student interaction programmes with around 600 high school students.

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India to host World Seafood Congress 2026 in Chennai (Start of February) ▼

Chennai will host the World Seafood Congress (WSC) 2026, marking India’s first time hosting the biennial forum.
The Congress is jointly organised by the International Association of Fish Inspectors (IAFI), PDA Ventures, and the National Fisheries Development Board, Hyderabad.
Co-organisers include the Department of Fisheries with support from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and NITI Aayog – Government of India.
Technical partners are the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and WorldFish.
Supporting industry bodies include Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI), Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Foundation for Aquaculture Innovation & Technology Transfer (FAITT), Indian Marine Ingredients Association (IMIA), and National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT).
The inaugural session will feature addresses from Dr Manuel Barange (FAO), Mr Alejandro Rivera Rojas (UNIDO), Dr Jörn O Schmidt (WorldFish), Dr K N Raghavan (SEAI), Mr G Pawan Kumar (SEAI), Mr Dodda Venkata Swamy (MPEDA), and Dr Ian Goulding (IAFI).
Keynote address titled 'Netting Aqua Potentials for Nutrition Security and Economic Prosperity' will be delivered by Dr Tarun Shridhar, Former Secretary of Fisheries and Chairman of the WSC 2026 International Advisory Committee.
The Congress agenda includes plenary sessions, expert panels, technical workshops, and thematic discussions on sustainable seafood trade, inspection standards, market access, and inclusive growth.
The WSC 2026 exhibition will showcase innovations in processing, packaging, quality control, logistics, certification, digital systems, and cold-chain solutions.
Winners of the 2026 Peter Howgate Award are Ms Harini Ravi from the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship, India, and Ms Riza Jane Banicod from the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Republic of the Philippines.

Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates ₹32 crore CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) Shore-Based Regional Centre at Visakhapatnam. (Start of February) ▼

The CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) Shore-Based Regional Centre was inaugurated by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh at Visakhapatnam.
The facility cost ₹32 crore and is located on 3.25 acres of a 4-acre campus at Yendada Village, Rushikonda.
Construction began in November 2024 and was completed by December 2025, executed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).
The built-up area is 4,550 square metres in a G+1 configuration.
Andhra Pradesh’s coastline exceeds 1,000 km, forming part of India’s nearly 11,000–12,000 km coastline.
The Eastern Coastal Margin is noted for hydrocarbons, seabed minerals, oil and natural gas potential due to heavy sediment deposits from Himalayan rivers.
CSIR-NIO collaborates with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Oil India and supports sectors including pharmaceuticals, ports, thermal power projects and fisheries.
The centre identifies potential fishing zones, promotes seaweed cultivation and predicts harmful algal blooms to aid livelihoods and public health.
The Visakhapatnam facility will serve as a hub for capacity building, skill training and nurturing startups for the marine sector.

India Hosts 3rd Session of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Council in Mumbai (Mid of December) ▼

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in Mumbai.
The session is organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The event brings together 42 IALA Council Members, 3 AIMG Members, 11 international observers, IALA Secretariat delegates, and representatives from over 30 countries.
India launched a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism to streamline visitor access to 75 lighthouse destinations across the country.
All lighthouses in India are now fully solar powered, and tourism footfall at these sites has seen significant growth.
India is a proactive member of the IALA Council, contributing to technical cooperation, training programmes, and standard-setting for safe navigation.

India Hosts 3rd Session of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Council in Mumbai (Mid of December) ▼

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA) in Mumbai.
The Council session is organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The event brings together 42 IALA Council Members, 3 AIMG Members, 11 international observers, IALA Secretariat delegates, and representatives from 30+ countries.
India launched a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism to streamline visitor access to 75 lighthouse destinations across the country.
All lighthouses in India are now fully solar powered, and tourism footfall at these sites has seen significant growth.
India’s maritime strategy is guided by Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, focusing on port modernization, green shipping, and global integration.

India and Israel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Israel and address Knesset in February 2025

[Israel]

Key Updates:

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Israel on 25 February 2025 for a two-day official visit.
PM Modi is expected to address the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and hold meetings with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana announced that former lawmakers will occupy opposition benches if current members boycott the address.
The Leader of Opposition (LOP) Yair Lapid has demanded that Supreme Court (SC) President Yitzhak Amit be invited to the session as per protocol.
The political dispute is linked to Israel's judicial overhaul controversy and Justice Minister Yariv Levin's refusal to recognise the authority of SC President Amit.

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India and Israel sign MoU to deepen defence ties ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit (End of February) ▼

An MoU was signed between India and Israel to deepen defence ties and strengthen ongoing joint activities, including future seminars and cooperative initiatives.
The International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) within Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMOD) facilitated meetings between leading Indian and Israeli defence industries leading to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
SIBAT in cooperation with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India's Ministry of Defence led a seminar and B2B meetings this week between leading Indian and Israeli defence companies.
The seminar was led by SIBAT Director, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, and brought together small, medium and large Israeli and Indian defence companies for substantive engagements.
The event featured representatives from 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence companies.
The Indian delegation was led by Ramesh K, Director General of SIDM, and included J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, and Gp Capt. Vijay Patil, Defence Attache of India to Israel.
Prime Minister Modi would arrive on February 25 on a two-day visit to Israel.

India attends inaugural meeting of Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction as observer on 19 February 2026 (End of February) ▼

India participated as an observer in the first meeting of the Board of Peace convened by United States (US) President Donald Trump.
The meeting was held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on 19 February 2026, focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and the mobilisation of an international stabilisation force.
Namgya C Khampa, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, represented India at the proceedings.
India is one of 12 countries participating as observers, a group that includes Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK).
More than 40 countries and the European Union (EU) sent officials to the meeting, which the US President referred to as the Gaza peace plan.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the event as a member of the board alongside other participating world leaders.

India joins United Nations (UN) statement condemning Israel's West Bank actions (Mid of February) ▼

India joined more than 100 countries and international organisations in endorsing a joint statement at the United Nations (UN) condemning Israel's efforts to consolidate control over the West Bank.
The joint statement asserts that Israeli actions violate international law and undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region.
The declaration calls for the immediate reversal of unilateral Israeli measures aimed at expanding presence in the West Bank.
The statement firmly opposes any form of annexation and rejects measures intended to alter the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel next week and is expected to address the Israeli parliament.

Prime Minister signs off Mann Ki Baat 2025 with focus on youth and culture (End of December) ▼

PM Modi delivered the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, his last in 2025, emphasising youth, innovation, culture and public health.
He announced the second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue on National Youth Day, January 12.
The broadcast highlighted grassroots initiatives like Manipur’s solar electrification drive and IISC Bengaluru’s music collective Geetanjali.

Brazil's Embraer and India's Mahindra Group deepen partnership to develop C-390 MRO capabilities in India

[Brazil, Mahindra Group]

Key Updates:

Embraer and Mahindra Group announced plans to develop Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The MRO facility is contingent on the C-390 Millennium's selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
The collaboration builds on a strategic partnership formed in October 2025 to produce the C-390 Millennium in India.
The initiative supports the Indian Air Force's MTA program and aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative.
The MRO facility will provide base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component overhaul, avionics support, and training.
Embraer is exploring India as a regional MRO hub for other C-390 operators.
The C-390 Millennium has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and a mission completion rate above 99%.
Embraer has nearly 50 aircraft of 11 types operating in India across commercial, defense, and business aviation.

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India inaugurates first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Karnataka (Mid of February) ▼

India’s first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) was inaugurated at Vemagal in the Kolar district of Karnataka.
The facility is a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and the European aerospace major Airbus to manufacture H125 helicopters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the facility, which was originally announced during the 2024 Republic Day celebrations.
The plant will produce the civilian H125 helicopter and the military H125M version, which is intended to succeed the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters used by the Indian armed forces.
The facility has an initial annual production capacity of 10 helicopters, with the first made-in-India delivery expected in early 2027.
Helicopters manufactured at the Vemagal site will be compliant with standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus also operate a separate FAL for the C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The project aims to serve the Indian market and the broader South Asia region, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
The H125M variant is designed for high-altitude logistics, tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and medical evacuation operations.
The collaboration builds on a 60-year industrial relationship between Airbus and the government undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

Tamil Nadu signs ₹5,980 Crore MoUs for Electronics and Aerospace Investments (Mid of February) ▼

On 16 February 2026, the Government of Tamil Nadu signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) totalling ₹5,980 crore to strengthen advanced manufacturing in electronics and aerospace.
MinebeaMitsumi signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu (Guidance TN) to invest ₹1,980 crore in the Tiruvallur district for manufacturing precision mechanical and electronic components.
The MinebeaMitsumi project is expected to generate approximately 1,400 high-end jobs in sectors including automotive, industrial, and electronics.
Aequs Group signed an MoU worth ₹4,000 crore to establish India’s first fully vertically integrated aircraft engine manufacturing project.
The Aequs Group project will be situated on a 250-acre site at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri district.
The aerospace initiative is projected to create 7,000 high-quality jobs and will feature an Aerospace and Defence Park for manufacturing aircraft engine and gearbox components.
The investments aim to benefit local youth and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while positioning Krishnagiri as a high-technology manufacturing centre.

Ministry of Defence signs Rs 2,312 crore deal with HAL for 8 Dornier 228 aircraft on 12 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The agreement was signed in New Delhi under the Buy (Indian) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The aircraft will be manufactured by the Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division of HAL and will include Operational Role Equipment.
The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft used for maritime surveillance, marine pollution contingency, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.
The ICG currently operates this aircraft in two variants, specifically the 228-100 and 228-200 series.
This is the second major deal with HAL in the current financial year, following a Rs 62,370 crore contract signed in September 2025 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A.
The LCA Mk1A procurement for the Indian Air Force (IAF) includes 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027-28.
The programme is expected to support a network of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and create opportunities in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and life cycle technical support.

Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) Facility Inaugurated as India's First Global MRO Hub (End of November) ▼

The Safran Aircraft Engine Services India (SAESI) facility, located at the GMR Aerospace and Industrial Park - SEZ, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, was inaugurated.
SAESI is Safran’s largest Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility for Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion (LEAP) engines, which power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
This MRO centre marks the first time a global engine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has set up an MRO operation in India.
Developed with an initial investment of around ₹1,300 crore, the facility spans 45,000 sqm and is designed to service up to 300 LEAP engines annually, featuring advanced process equipment.
Safran also announced two defense investments to support the Rafale program in India, including new MRO centers for M88 engines and a new joint venture with BEL.

PhonePe launches AI-powered natural language search for voice and text payments

[PhonePe]

Key Updates:

PhonePe unveiled an AI-powered natural language search feature built with Microsoft Foundry at the AI Impact Summit 2026.
Users can initiate and complete in-app tasks via voice or text commands such as “Pay Hemanth 20 rupees” or “Recharge FASTag”.
The feature interprets user intent for payments, purchases, or support and automates navigation within the app.
Processing follows a hybrid on-device and cloud model that keeps all personal and transactional data within the PhonePe environment.
Roll-out will occur in phases across India and be accessible through the Global Search Bar, Help Center, and History tab.
PhonePe also introduced biometric authentication for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions, allowing Android users to approve payments up to ₹5,000 with fingerprint or face ID.

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Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) unveils VoicERA at India AI Impact Summit 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) officially unveiled VoicERA, an open-source, end-to-end Voice Artificial Intelligence (AI) stack, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
VoicERA serves as a national execution layer for the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), targeting over 700 dialects to bridge the digital divide.
The infrastructure is designed to be pluggable and interoperable, allowing deployment on-premise or within sovereign cloud environments to ensure citizen data remains within India.
The stack utilizes advanced models trained on the Bharat Data Sagar, a repository containing phonetic markers, accents, and colloquialisms from across India.
VoicERA incorporates high-fidelity Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) and Text-to-Speech (TTS) capabilities to handle code-switching between local languages and English or Hindi.
Initial applications include voice-based agricultural advisories, transcription of court proceedings in the judicial sector, and voice-first government helplines for welfare schemes.
The project is a collaborative effort between the DIBD, EkStep Foundation, International Institute of Information Technology Bangalore (IIIT Bengaluru), and AI4Bharat.

Google releases TranslateGemma open-source translation models supporting 55 languages (Mid of January) ▼

Google released TranslateGemma, a set of open-source translation models that work across 55 languages.
The collection comes in three sizes—4B, 12B, and 27B parameters—designed to run on different devices from smartphones to cloud servers.
The 12B model outperforms Google's 27B baseline on the WMT24++ benchmark while using less than half the computing power.
The 4B version matches the 12B baseline's performance, making it practical for mobile apps that need offline translation.
Google built these models by fine-tuning Gemma 3 on a dataset that mixes human translations and synthetic text from Gemini.
A second training phase used reinforcement learning with metrics like MetricX-QE and AutoMQM to improve how natural the translations sound.
The models inherited the multimodal capabilities from Gemma 3 and can translate text within images without extra training.

Google Rolls Out Gemini 3 Deep Think Mode with Strongest Reasoning Capabilities (Start of December) ▼

Google has started rolling out Gemini 3 Deep Think mode to Google AI Ultra subscribers using the Gemini app.
The feature is designed for demanding maths, science and logic tasks, supported by advanced parallel reasoning.
CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted how the new mode can handle highly complex tasks, calling it a feature that “brings our strongest reasoning capabilities yet.”
Deep Think mode is built for tough maths, science and logic problems that push the limits of current AI systems.
Gemini 3 Deep Think leads key benchmarks such as Humanity’s Last Exam at 41.0% (without tools) and ARC-AGI-2 at 45.1% (with code execution).
Google attributes this performance to advanced parallel reasoning, allowing the model to test several ideas at once.
With Deep Think mode, Gemini uses iterative rounds of reasoning, resulting in more refined, nuanced code that helps you visualize, prototype and experiment with noticeably richer detail.”

Microsoft Store Awards 2025 spotlight AI, productivity and creativity apps (Start of December) ▼

Perplexity’s Windows app uses native voice dictation, multi-modal AI search and enterprise IT policies.
ChatGPT for Windows adds an Alt + Space companion window, direct file/image uploads and privacy-first enterprise controls.
Moon Technolabs’ Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator offers customizable templates, real-time cash-flow analytics and multi-channel sharing.
Manus autonomously runs Python, JavaScript or Bash scripts in a sandboxed Windows environment while exposing a live control interface.
n-Track Studio turns Windows PCs into unlimited-track recording studios with AI tools and cross-platform project sync.
Moises Live performs real-time AI audio separation system-wide, leveraging Copilot+ NPUs for local, latency-free processing.
ngrok provides secure tunneling integrated with Windows Defender and runs as a background service for developer workflows.
Scratch 3 supports offline editing and hardware extensions like micro:bit and LEGO for classroom robotics projects.
Castle Craft delivers scalable, family-friendly strategy gameplay with dynamic resource merging across Windows devices.
Notion on Windows integrates taskbar pinning, offline access and template-driven automation for project management.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders restoration of Suav as a river in Uttar Pradesh official records

[National Green Tribunal (NGT), Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Uttar Pradesh government to reclassify the Suav from a drain to a river in revenue records and the Official Gazette.
The Suav is a significant tributary of the Rapti river, which is a tributary of the Ganges, and flows for approximately 120 kilometres through Balrampur district.
The NGT bench, led by Chairman Justice Prakash Srivastava, ordered the Balrampur district magistrate to rectify the classification within three months.
The tribunal prohibited new construction in demarcated Flood Plain Zones until the identification and demarcation of the Active Flood Zone is completed.
The District Ganga Committees (DGC) of Balrampur and Siddharthnagar were instructed to adopt the Sant Seechewal model to ensure people's participation in river rejuvenation.
The Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is mandated to monitor water quality and industrial effluents from entities such as Balrampur Sugar Mill and Bajaj Sugar Mill.
The Irrigation and Water Resources Department must identify active floodplains within six months based on guidelines from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) will review proposals related to Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) and Suav river restoration submitted by the state government.
Failure to comply with the directives constitutes an offence under Section 26 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.

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Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) extends Demwe Lower hydel project clearance till 2037 (Mid of February) ▼

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has extended the environmental clearance (EC) for the 1,750 MW Demwe Lower Project in Arunachal Pradesh until 2037.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley and hydroelectric projects granted the 11-year extension by treating time lost to litigation as a zero period.
The project is located on the Lohit River across the Anjaw and Lohit districts and involves the construction of a 162.12-metre-tall concrete gravity dam.
Greenko Demwe Power Limited (GDPL), part of the Greenko Group, is the current developer after the original developer, Athena Demwe Power Ltd, entered insolvency proceedings.
The project requires the diversion of 1,416 hectares of forest land and will result in the submergence of 1,589.97 hectares.
The Lohit basin and Kamlang Tiger Reserve, situated upstream of the project, are identified as crucial habitats for the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had previously ordered the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to reconsider the project due to its potential impact on the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam.
The project is situated upstream of Parshuram Kund, a significant Hindu pilgrimage site located within the Lohit riverine ecosystem.

NGT Orders Udupi DC and KUWSDB to Curb Sauparnika River Pollution (End of January) ▼

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Southern Zone directed Udupi DC and Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board (KUWSDB) Chairman to file a detailed report on stopping wastewater flow into the Sauparnika River in Kollur.
Commercial establishments—lodges and hotels around Sri Mookambika Temple—are allegedly discharging sewage and sullage water into the river, causing long-term contamination.
Although the Underground Sewerage Scheme (UGSS) was completed in 2020 at a cost of Rs 19.97 crore, river contamination persists.
NGT observed that the Udupi DC’s report filed on November 25, 2025, lacked specifics on waste volume, UGSS carrying capacity, required enhancements, estimated costs, and implementation timelines.
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has been instructed to identify violators and report enforcement actions taken.

Jammu and Kashmir Government to Revive Tulbul Navigation Project and Chenab Water Lifting Scheme (Mid of February) ▼

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project (TNP) and a project to lift water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor for Jammu city.
The TNP, also known as the Wular Barrage, involves a 135-metre long and 12-metre wide lock-and-control structure at the confluence of the Jhelum river and Wular lake in Sopore.
The project is designed to store 30,000 acre-feet of water during high-discharge periods to maintain uniform water levels for year-round navigation in the Jhelum river.
Construction of the TNP originally commenced in 1984 but was suspended in 1989 following objections from Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the eruption of militancy.
The Government of India put the IWT in abeyance in May 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam and a subsequent four-day conflict under Operation Sindoor.
The J&K government had previously launched the ₹389-crore centrally sponsored Wular Conservation Project in 2010 to increase the lake's water-holding capacity and promote tourism and fisheries.
The proposed barrage in the Ningli neighbourhood of Sopore functions as a hydraulic structure combining a river control dam with a navigation lock.

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN Launched to Rejuvenate Water Bodies and Strengthen Water Harvesting Systems (Mid of December) ▼

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN aims to 'Rejuvenate traditional water bodies, Restore degraded and vulnerable lands, Strengthen water harvesting systems, Promote sustainable rural livelihoods, Ensure community-driven watershed governance, Integrate programmes like MGNREGA for enhanced impact.'
The State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima, Nagaland.
Under PMKSY and watershed initiatives in Nagaland, '14 watershed projects approved, ₹140 crore sanctioned, with ₹80 crore released, 555 water harvesting structures renovated, 6,500+ farmers benefitted, 120 springs restored.'

Vaan Island artificial reef restoration yields Rs 61.67 crore socio-ecological benefits

Key Updates:

Vaan Island in the Gulf of Mannar shrank 92% from about 20 hectares in 1969 to 1.53 hectares by 2015 due to coral mining, sea-level rise and reef degradation.
Scientists deployed 10,600 artificial reef modules around Vaan Island starting in 2015 under the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission.
Post-restoration, the island area expanded to over 2.3 hectares and now supports an average of 81 coral colonies per module.
Reef-associated fish density rose eight-fold from 106 to 875 individuals per hectare, and 26 native plant species were preserved.
The project generated socio-ecological benefits worth Rs 61.67 crore against an inflation-adjusted cost of Rs 26.37 crore, yielding a benefit-cost ratio of 2.34.
Mainland coastal protection contributed Rs 28.57 crore (46% of total value), sediment trapping and nutrient cycling Rs 13 crore, and fisheries gains Rs 13.43 crore.
Tamil Nadu has begun a Rs 50 crore restoration project for Kariyachalli Island, with artificial reef deployment to finish within a month.

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National Green Tribunal (NGT) clears Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project (Mid of February) ▼

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) special bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, upheld the environmental clearance for the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project.
The project covers 166 sq km and involves the construction of a transshipment port, an integrated township, a civil and military airport, and a 450-MVA gas and solar power-based plant.
The development requires the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land and the felling of nearly one million trees on Great Nicobar Island.
A High-Powered Committee (HPC) headed by former environment secretary Leena Nandan was constituted to review the project environmental clearance (EC) and compliance.
The NGT confirmed that the project adheres to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification, 2019, and does not fall within prohibited coastal areas.
The tribunal mandated specific conservation measures for endemic species, including the leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, robber crab, and Nicobar macaque.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) reported that no coral reefs exist within the immediate project area and recommended the translocation of scattered coral reefs.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is directed to prevent shoreline erosion and protect sandy beaches used as nesting sites for turtles and birds.

Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai wins UNESCO Award of Merit 2025 (End of February) ▼

The 475-year-old Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai, Maharashtra, received the Award of Merit at the 2025 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The restoration project, executed by conservation architect Ainsley Lewis between 2023 and 2024, cost approximately Rs 4.5 crore and was funded by the local community.
The cathedral is a 16th-century stone structure built using mud instead of cement, representing the architectural legacy of Portuguese colonial architecture in India.
The 2025 edition marked the silver jubilee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards, with winners selected from 90 entries across 16 countries.
The highest Award of Distinction was shared by the Iwami Ginzan Library Conservation Project in Japan and the Sihang Warehouse Conservation Project in China.

India Proposes $450 Million Relief Package to Rebuild Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka on December 24, 2025 (End of December) ▼

India has proposed an assistance package worth $450 million for rebuilding Sri Lanka, consisting of $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in grants.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah with President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
India launched a relief and assistance mission named 'Operation Sagar Bandhu', which commenced on the day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.
Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, water purification kits, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment.
The proposed assistance targets the restoration of road, railway, and bridge connectivity, as well as support for housing, health, education systems, and agriculture.

NMCG approves first-of-its-kind avifauna conservation project for sandbar-nesting birds in Ganga basin (Start of January) ▼

A new project has been approved to protect breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer.
The project will use Nature based Solutions for in-situ treatment of the Shastri Park drain, Gaushala drain, and Kailash Nagar/Ramesh Nagar drains in Delhi before they enter the Yamuna.
A comprehensive master plan has been prepared to restore the natural sanctity and cultural identity of the Gomti River’s origin site at Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh.

Boehringer Ingelheim India and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli sign MoU to advance pharmaceutical education and research

[Boehringer Ingelheim India, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)]

Key Updates:

Boehringer Ingelheim India Private Limited and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli signed an MoU on 22 Feb 2026 at the Department of Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi.
The MoU covers collaboration in pharmaceutical technologies, novel drug delivery systems, joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and capability-building programmes.
Boehringer Ingelheim will provide NIPER Raebareli access to its open science portal opnMe® to accelerate healthcare innovation.
The partnership will also explore symposia, conferences, short-term courses, and scholar engagement to strengthen scientific exchange.

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Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) signs three MoUs to strengthen drug safety (Mid of February) ▼

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC), Quality Council of India (QCI), and HLL Infra Tech Services Limited.
The agreements aim to strengthen pharmacovigilance systems, enhance professional competencies, and promote uniform standards for medicine quality and patient safety across India.
The MoU with the GSPC focuses on the professional development of pharmacists, promotion of the National Formulary of India, and strengthening adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting mechanisms.
The collaboration with the GSPC supports the establishment of ADR Monitoring Centres and enhances systematic reporting and documentation practices across healthcare facilities.
The IPC and the QCI will collaborate on quality promotion, public health awareness, and capacity building through joint training and awareness programmes in pharmacovigilance.
Harsh Mangla, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised that the MoUs must translate into the achievement of objectives to improve primary and secondary healthcare.

BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February) ▼

BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026.
The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the forum at 9:30 am on 17 February at HITEX Hall 4.
The 2026 edition theme is 'TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution'.
The exhibition footprint expanded to 9,000 square metres, up from 7,000 square metres in 2025.
175+ exhibitors span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medtech, digital health and advanced manufacturing.
Startup Pavilion hosted 40 emerging startups, Innovation Pavilion featured 16 exhibitors, and 22 MSME exhibitors participated.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Howard Y. Chang (Amgen) and Pushmeet Kohli (Google DeepMind).
Global firms Novartis, Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sanofi, MSD and Miltenyi Biotec, alongside Indian leaders Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Biocon Biologics, featured prominently.

NLC India Renewable Limited (NIRL) and PTC India Limited (PTCIL) form joint venture for renewable energy projects (Mid of December) ▼

NLC India Renewable Limited (NIRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NLC India Limited (NLCIL), signed a joint venture agreement with PTC India Limited (PTCIL).
The joint venture company will undertake the establishment, operation and maintenance of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, hydro, battery energy storage systems, green ammonia and other emerging green technologies.
The collaboration envisages the development of green energy capacity up to 2,000MW, to be implemented in phases, with the first phase targeting around 500MW.

BIRAC–RDI Fund: ₹2,000 crore national call announced to scale high-impact biotechnology innovations (Mid of February) ▼

Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the first national call for the BIRAC–RDI Fund, a ₹2,000 crore financing window under the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is appointed as the second-level fund manager and will deploy the amount over up to five years.
The fund will support technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through equity, convertible instruments and long-term debt.
Phase-1 submissions for eligible startups, SMEs and industry partners close on 31 March 2026.
India’s biotechnology startups expanded from around 50 in 2014 to more than 11,000 today.
The bioeconomy grew from about $8 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, targeting $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.
Biotechnology experiments using domestically developed kits are being conducted in space for plant and life sciences research.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signs MoUs with research institutes for disaster policy research

[National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)]

Key Updates:

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes to enhance disaster management policy research and risk reduction.
The collaboration involves the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR).
The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for academic programmes, capacity building, and effective policy communication to bridge the gap between scientific and policy communities.
CSIR-NIScPR is tasked with spearheading academic programmes and policy research to ensure effective public engagement.
The NDMA, AcSIR, and CSIR-NIScPR have launched a PhD programme in disaster management to nurture future experts in the field.
The initiative aims to develop research-based solutions for disaster resilience in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

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Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for telecom and cybersecurity collaboration (Mid of February) ▼

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, signed the MoU on February 13, 2026, for collaboration in the telecom and cybersecurity domains.
The Ministry of Communication informed that C-DOT will establish an Innovation-cum-Experience Centre at the RRU campus to spearhead research and technology development.
The collaboration focuses on critical domains including Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions, 5G networks, and Mission Critical Services.
The initiative includes training, capacity-building, and skilling programmes to create an industry-ready workforce.
Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of C-DOT, highlighted that the MoU aims for self-reliant innovation in telecom and cybersecurity.

GeM–WTC Mumbai MoU to Boost MSME Inclusion in Public Procurement (End of January) ▼

GeM and MVIRDC World Trade Centre Mumbai signed an MoU to foster domestic and international collaboration in public procurement.
The MoU aims to enhance GeM’s global positioning, promote knowledge exchange, and drive inclusive participation for MSMEs, startups, women entrepreneurs, and underrepresented suppliers.
Joint initiatives include global procurement dialogues, capacity-building programs, supplier outreach, and research on AI in procurement, sustainability, and green practices.
A Joint Working Group will oversee implementation, ensuring alignment with Government of India policies on public procurement, data security, and inclusivity.

BEML, IISc Bengaluru and FSID sign tripartite research pact for aerospace, defence and green tech. (Start of February) ▼

BEML Limited, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) signed a Tripartite Master Research Agreement (MRA) at IISc campus.
The collaboration targets blue-sky, applied and translational research in aerospace and defence, rail and metro systems, mining and construction equipment, maritime technologies, next-generation mobility, green technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The partnership will be anchored through BEML’s newly established Central Research Facility (CRF) for joint knowledge creation, simulation, prototyping, technology validation and intellectual property generation.
BEML has committed significant R&D investments to sustain the collaborative programmes aligned with national priorities of indigenisation and self-reliance.

National Test House (NTH) inks MoU with DRDO’s DMSRDE for joint research, testing and training (End of December) ▼

The National Test House (NTH), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a DRDO laboratory.
Both institutions will extend mutual support in testing and evaluation services, particularly when specialised facilities are not available in-house.
The collaboration is expected to promote knowledge sharing and skill development among scientific and technical personnel.

Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title

Key Updates:

Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the final of the ITF Women’s Open in Bengaluru.
Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 WTA ranking points and $8,147.
Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009 to reach the singles final of a W100 or higher event.

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Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title (End of February) ▼

Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the ITF Women’s Open W100 singles final in Bengaluru.
Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009.
Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 points and $8,147.

Yuki Bhambri becomes first Indian after Rohan Bopanna to enter ATP doubles Top 20 (Start of February) ▼

Yuki Bhambri climbed to a career-high world No. 20 in the latest ATP doubles rankings.
He moved up from No. 22 after strong performances including reaching the Australian Open third round with partner Andre Goransson.
In 2025 he reached the US Open semifinals alongside Michael Venus.
He won his first ATP 500 title at the 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships with Alexei Popyrin.
Bhambri ended Rohan Bopanna’s long reign to become India’s No. 1 doubles player in 2025.

Novak Djokovic beats Pedro Martinez to set new all-time record at Australian Open (Start of February) ▼

Novak Djokovic defeated Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at Rod Laver Arena.
The match marked Djokovic's 81st men's Grand Slam main draw appearance, equalling the all-time record held by Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.
Djokovic became the first male player to win 100 or more matches at three separate Grand Slam events: French Open (101), Wimbledon (102), and Australian Open (100).
He now has the chance to surpass Federer's record of 102 Australian Open wins and become the first man to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins overall.

India U19 crush South Africa U19 to seal 3-0 Youth ODI clean sweep (Start of January) ▼

India U19 defeated South Africa U19 by 233 runs in the third Youth ODI at Benoni.
India U19 posted 393/7 in 50 overs, with twin centuries from openers Aaron George and skipper Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
South Africa U19 were bowled out for 160 in 35 overs, with Kishan Singh taking 3/15.

Norway tops 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics medal table

[Italy, Norway]

Key Updates:

Norway finished with a record 41 medals, including 18 gold, the most golds won in any single Winter Olympics.
Team USA secured 33 medals (12 gold), its biggest Winter Olympics team ever with 232 athletes.
The 2026 Winter Olympics were co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, and closed on Sunday, Feb. 22.
Brazilian-Norwegian Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won South America's first Winter Games medal, taking giant slalom gold for Brazil.
Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo became the Winter Olympian with the most gold medals (11) after adding six in 2026.
Team USA's men's hockey beat Canada 2-1 in overtime on the final day to claim their first Winter gold since 1980.

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Norway breaks own gold medal record at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics (End of February) ▼

Norway won its 17th gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games when Johannes Dale-Skjevdal claimed victory in the 15-kilometre mass start biathlon race.
Dale-Skjevdal hit all 20 targets and finished in 39 minutes, 17.1 seconds on 20 February 2026 in Anterselva, Italy.
Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway took silver, 10.5 seconds behind, for his fifth medal of these Games.
Quentin Fillon Maillet of France secured bronze, 25.6 seconds behind Dale-Skjevdal.
Norway’s previous record was 16 golds at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Norway leads the overall medal table with 37 medals (17 golds), followed by Team USA with 27 medals (9 golds) and host Italy with 27 medals.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026 (End of February) ▼

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal wins 15km mass-start biathlon gold for record-setting Norway (End of February) ▼

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal of Norway shot 20/20 and finished in 39 minutes 17.1 seconds to claim gold in the men’s 15km mass-start biathlon at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.
Sturla Holm Laegreid, also of Norway, missed one target and took silver, 10.5 seconds behind Dale-Skjevdal.
Quentin Fillon Maillet of France overtook Philipp Horn of Germany on the final hill to secure bronze, 25.6 seconds behind the winner.
Norway’s 17th gold medal of the Games broke its own Winter Olympics record of 16 golds set at Beijing 2022.
Norway now leads the overall medal table with 37 medals (17 gold), followed by Team USA with 27 medals (9 gold) and host Italy with 27 medals.
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway has won five golds at Milano Cortina, taking his career Olympic gold tally to ten.

Milano Cortina 2026 hosts Winter Olympics from 6 February (Start of February) ▼

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will take place from 6 February to 22 February 2026.
The opening ceremony of the Games is scheduled to be held in Milan.
Ski mountaineering will make its debut as a new sport at this edition of the Winter Olympics.
Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be making their first-ever appearances at the Winter Olympics.
India will be represented by two athletes: Arif Mohammad Khan in Alpine Skiing and Stanzin Lundup in Cross-Country Skiing.
Both Indian athletes are scheduled to begin their respective campaigns on 7 February 2026.
Viacom18 holds the official broadcasting rights for the Games in India, with live streaming on JioCinema and television coverage on Sports18.
Ice hockey will return in full form with the participation of National Hockey League (NHL) players.
The 16 disciplines featured are Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.

Rashtrapati Bhavan colonial-era changes in 2024-26

Key Updates:

Edward Lutyens statue in Rashtrapati Bhavan central courtyard to be replaced by statue of C Rajagopalachari, India’s only Indian-born governor-general (1948-50).
Granth Kutir library inaugurated on 23 January 2026 with 2,300 books and manuscripts in 11 classical Indian languages, replacing works of Lord Curzon and William Hogarth.
Param Vir Dirgha gallery created in January 2026 displaying 21 portraits of Param Vir Chakra awardees, replacing portraits of British aides-de-camp.
Durbar Hall renamed Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Hall renamed Ashok Mandap in July 2025 to remove colonial and anglicised connotations.
Mughal Gardens collectively renamed Amrit Udyan in January 2024, covering 15 acres inspired by Mughal gardens of Jammu and Kashmir and Taj Mahal.
Rajpath from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate renamed Kartavya Path in 2022 to symbolise shift from power icon to public ownership.

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Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum to become world’s largest museum (Mid of February) ▼

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) officially moved to the Seva Teerth complex, vacating South Block.
The relocation clears the path for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum project in Delhi.
The museum will span 1.55 lakh square metres, surpassing the British Museum and the Louvre in scale.
North and South Blocks on Raisina Hill are being retrofitted through adaptive reuse to house the museum.
The museum is divided into eight thematic segments covering over 5,000 years of Indian civilisation.
It will feature over 950 rooms, 30 galleries, and display between 80,000 and 100,000 artefacts.
India has partnered with France Muséums Développement for technical collaboration on the project.
The first gallery is scheduled to open by December 2026, with full operations expected within three years.
The museum anticipates an annual footfall of nearly 10 million visitors once fully operational.

Seva Teerth complex becomes new permanent PMO hub, freeing North & South Blocks for Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex.
Seva Teerth now houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Council Secretariat.
The relocation date was chosen to coincide with the 95th anniversary of New Delhi being declared the capital.
North and South Blocks are being transformed into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, set to be the world’s largest museum at 1.55 lakh square metres.
The museum will display 80,000–100,000 artefacts across 30 galleries and over 950 rooms.
India has partnered with France Muséums Développement for technical expertise in conservation and visitor experience.
The first glimpse gallery, showcasing 100 key artefacts, is scheduled to open by December 2026.
The fully operational museum expects nearly 10 million visitors annually within the next three years.

Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal memorial. (End of December) ▼

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on December 25, 2025.
The memorial was established to honor the 101st birth anniversary of former PM and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The 65-acre complex features 65-feet-high bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) founder ideologues Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay.
The facility includes a lotus-shaped museum spread over approximately 98,000 square feet and an amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 3,000 people.
The project was developed by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) under the Basant Kunj scheme at an approximate cost of ₹230 crore.

Ram Vanji Sutar passes away at 100, sculptor of Statue of Unity (Mid of December) ▼

Ram Vanji Sutar, creator of the 522-foot Statue of Unity, passed away at his Noida residence at age 100.
He was awarded Padma Shri in 1999 and Padma Bhushan in 2016 for his contributions to Indian sculpture.
Sutar sculpted the 108-foot bronze Statue of Prosperity at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru.
He had been working with his son Anil Ram Sutar since 1994 on monumental sculptures across India.

Our Lady of Grace Cathedral wins UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Merit on 21 February 2026

[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)]

Key Updates:

The 475-year-old Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai, Maharashtra, received the Award of Merit at the 2025 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The conservation project was executed by architect Ainsley Lewis between 2023 and 2024 at an approximate cost of ₹4.5 crore, funded entirely by the local parish community.
The year 2025 marked the silver jubilee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, which were announced in Bangkok.
The highest Award of Distinction was shared by the Iwami Ginzan Library Conservation Project in Oda, Japan, and the Sihang Warehouse Conservation Project in Shanghai, China.
A seven-member international jury selected the winners from a record 90 entries across 16 countries based on technical achievement and sustainability.

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Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai wins UNESCO Award of Merit 2025 (End of February) ▼

The 475-year-old Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai, Maharashtra, received the Award of Merit at the 2025 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The restoration project, executed by conservation architect Ainsley Lewis between 2023 and 2024, cost approximately Rs 4.5 crore and was funded by the local community.
The cathedral is a 16th-century stone structure built using mud instead of cement, representing the architectural legacy of Portuguese colonial architecture in India.
The 2025 edition marked the silver jubilee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards, with winners selected from 90 entries across 16 countries.
The highest Award of Distinction was shared by the Iwami Ginzan Library Conservation Project in Japan and the Sihang Warehouse Conservation Project in China.

UNESCO adds endangered living traditions to its Intangible Cultural Heritage lists (Mid of December) ▼

UNESCO added the Philippine artisanal sea-salt craft Asin Tibuok to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Viet Nam’s Đông Hồ folk woodblock printing, carved wooden blocks, natural pigments and scallop-powder paper, was inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List.
Kenya’s Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Daida community, combining dance, ritual, music and storytelling, joined the Urgent Safeguarding List.
Pakistan’s Boreendo clay musical instrument, Panama’s quincha mud-house construction, Paraguay’s Ñai’ũpo ceramic craft, Portugal’s moliceiro wooden boats, Uzbekistan’s Kobyz string instrument, Albania’s lahuta epic singing, Barbados landships traditions and Belarus’s Negliubka textile tradition were all added to the Urgent Safeguarding List.
UNESCO placed the Bisht ceremonial men’s garment shared by Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Venezuela’s Joropo music-dance-poetry tradition, Bolivia’s Festivity of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Sucre, Argentina’s cuarteto dance-music, Bangladesh’s Tangail saree weaving, Afghanistan’s Behzad-style miniature art, Belgian rod marionette theatre, Belize’s Christmas Bram and Sambai, Bulgarian bagpipe traditions and the Zaffa wedding procession across parts of Africa and the Middle East were also inscribed on the Representative List.

India Hosts 20th Session of UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage at Red Fort, New Delhi (Mid of December) ▼

India is hosting the 20th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) at the historical Red Fort complex in New Delhi.
The session is being held from 8 to 13 December 2025.
The inaugural session of ICH was held on 7th December and was graced by Hon'ble Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar; Hon'ble Minister of Culture & Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat; Director General UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany; Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta; Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Vivek Aggarwal; Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, Shri Vishal V. Sharma; and Chairperson, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Ms Sandhya Purecha.
Delegations from over 180 countries are attending the event.
The Ministry of Culture, along with its autonomous body, Sangeet Natak Akademi, is the nodal agency for hosting the ICH Session in India.

India Re-Elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2025–29 Term (Start of December) ▼

India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-29 term.
Re-election reflects the international community’s confidence in India’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and to UNESCO’s mandate across education, culture, science, communication and information.
India’s continued presence on the Executive Board underscores growing global support for its vision of inclusive, human-centric development and for strengthening cooperation among nations.

UGC releases 2026 state-wise list of fake universities

[University Grants Commission (UGC)]

Key Updates:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 states in India.
Delhi has the highest number of such universities with 12, followed by Uttar Pradesh with four.
The UGC, a statutory body under the Ministry of Education, has clarified that these institutions are not recognized by the Central or State Governments and lack the authority to award valid degrees under the UGC Act.

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CCPA imposes ₹11 lakh penalty on Vision IAS for misleading UPSC result advertisements (End of December) ▼

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a ₹11 lakh penalty on Vision IAS for publishing misleading advertisements related to results of the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2022 and 2023.
The CCPA found that Vision IAS claimed "7 in Top 10 & 79 in Top 100 selections in CSE 2023" and "39 in Top 50 selections in CSE 2022" without clearly disclosing the nature and extent of courses actually availed by the candidates.
Out of the 119 plus selections claimed across the two years, only three candidates had enrolled in full foundation courses; the remaining 116 had opted for short-term or standalone programmes.
The Authority noted that Vision IAS continued to display the impugned advertisements on its website even after receiving a show-cause notice and failed to furnish enrolment forms or consent documents authorising the use of candidates’ names and images.
The CCPA has directed the institute to discontinue misleading advertisements, ensure truthful and complete disclosures going forward, and submit a compliance report within 15 days.

NCERT Deemed University Status to Expand Research Role (Start of January) ▼

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to be granted deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January.
Once accorded the status, NCERT will be able to initiate expanded in-house research programmes and function as a full-fledged research university.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision to transform NCERT into a deemed university in 2023.

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID creation in Chhattisgarh achieves 88.63% coverage (Mid of January) ▼

Chhattisgarh has generated 50,60,941 APAAR IDs for students, covering 88.63% of the 57,10,207 students enrolled in 57,045 schools across the state.
Bemetara district recorded the highest coverage at 96.40%, followed by Rajnandgaon at 96.38%.
The central government has directed that APAAR IDs for all students must be generated by January 31.

Ministry of Education (MoE) reports 31 per cent decline in Indian students studying abroad between 2023 and 2025 (Mid of February) ▼

According to data shared by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education fell from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry recorded 7.7 lakh students going abroad in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 31 per cent over the three-year period.
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar cited affordability, access to bank loans, and aptitude for specific disciplines as key determinants for overseas study decisions.
Major study destinations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have implemented tighter immigration rules, higher financial proof requirements, and caps on certain visa categories.
The MoE linked the decline to domestic strengthening of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on infrastructure, accreditation, and research.
A total of 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up campuses in India, while five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
The University of Surrey is among the international institutions that have announced plans to establish a physical presence in India.
Indian students are increasingly diversifying to alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France due to lower tuition costs and clearer post-study work frameworks.

79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards held on 22 February 2026

[British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)]

Key Updates:

The 79th British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards ceremony took place on 22 February 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall within London's Southbank Centre.
Paul Thomas Anderson's film 'One Battle After Another' won six BAFTA awards: Best Film, Director, Cinematography, Editing, Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), and Adapted Screenplay.
British actor Robert Aramayo won the Leading Actor award for 'I Swear', beating Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Ethan Hawke, and Michael B. Jordan.
Jessie Buckley became the first Irish performer to win the BAFTA Best Actress award for her role as Agnes Hathaway in 'Hamnet'.
Ryan Coogler became the first Black winner of the BAFTA Original Screenplay award for 'Sinners'.
Farhan Akhtar-backed Manipuri film 'Boong' won the BAFTA Award for Best Children's & Family Film.
Donna Langley, UK-born chairwoman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, received the BAFTA Fellowship, presented by Prince William.

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Boong wins Best Children’s & Family Film award at BAFTA 2026 (End of February) ▼

Manipuri-language film Boong won the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
Boong was produced by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures and beat Zootopia 2, Arco and Lilo & Stitch in the category.
Director Lakshmipriya Devi and producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar and Alan McAlex received the award.

83rd Golden Globe Awards held on January 11, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

The 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night marked the official start to the 2026 awards season.
In a first, the Globes recognized achievement in podcasting — and handed the prize to 'Good Hang with Amy Poehler,' a light-hearted interview series.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) was the company that had the biggest night, winning top awards for 'One Battle After Another,' 'Sinners,' 'The Pitt' and 'Hacks'.
Timothée Chalamet scored his first Golden Globe for his lead role as a fiercely ambitious table tennis player in 'Marty Supreme'.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film 'One Battle After Another' won four trophies: best musical/comedy, best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress (Teyana Taylor).
The medical procedural 'The Pitt' won two marquee awards: best drama series and best drama series actor for Noah Wyle.

Critics Choice Awards 2026 held on January 5 (Start of January) ▼

The Critics Choice Awards 2026 were held on January 5, inaugurating this year’s awards season in Hollywood.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s film 'One Battle After Another' won Best Picture and Best Director.
Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for 'Marty Supreme' and Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for 'Hamnet'.

BAFTA Awards 2026 nominations announced on January 27, 2026 (End of January) ▼

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the nominations for the 2026 BAFTA awards on January 27, 2026.
The 79th BAFTA awards ceremony will be held on February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall.
Manipuri film 'Boong' has been nominated in the Best Children's and Family Film category.
'Boong' is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi and produced by Excel Entertainment, the production house of Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.
The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and was named the Spotlight Film at the 2025 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' leads with 14 nominations, and Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners' has 13 nominations.
Scottish actor Alan Cumming will host the 2026 BAFTA awards ceremony.

World Understanding and Peace Day observed on February 23

Key Updates:

World Understanding and Peace Day is observed annually on February 23 to commemorate the founding of Rotary International (RI).
The first Rotary Club meeting was held on February 23, 1905, in Chicago by Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey.
The 59th World Day of Peace, celebrated by the Vatican on January 1, 2026, features the theme Peace be with you all: Towards an unarmed and disarming peace.
RI selects 75 scholars annually for the Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Program to study peacebuilding and diplomacy at Rotary Peace Centers.
The six major humanitarian focus areas of RI include disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and peace and conflict prevention/resolution.

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United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 to 7 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed globally every year from 1 February to 7 February.
The week was designated by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate cooperation, understanding, and goodwill among people of all faiths and belief systems.
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) organised an Interfaith Conclave in India as part of its initiatives to foster understanding and social cohesion.
The GPF conducted interfaith dialogues and service projects in Nigeria to promote the philosophy of One Family Under God.
The observance encourages activities that foster dialogue, collaborative action, and mutual respect among individuals of different traditions.
The initiative aims to build bridges of understanding across families, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods to create resilient societies.

World Meditation Day observed globally on 21 December (End of December) ▼

World Meditation Day is observed globally on 21 December.
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day last year.
The observance aims to raise awareness about the benefits of meditation for physical and mental health.

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 Human Fraternity observed on 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February 2026.
The 2026 message was delivered by the UN Secretary-General.
The day celebrates equality, dignity and mutual understanding.
The Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together declaration was co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor fully operationalised on 22 February 2026

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the full 82.15 km Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor on 22 February 2026 at Rally Ground, Mohiuddinpur, Meerut.
The corridor runs from Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi to Modipuram in Meerut and covers the distance in approximately 55 minutes.
The project was built at an estimated cost of over ₹30,000 crore and comprises about 70 km of elevated track and 12 km underground.
Meerut Metro, also flagged off on the same day, runs 23 km between Meerut South and Modipuram with 13 stations and a top speed of 120 km per hour.
Meerut Metro has an integrated ticketing system allowing passengers to use the same ticket for both Namo Bharat and metro services within the city.

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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.

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.

PM Modi inaugurates and flags off projects worth Rs 5,450 crore in Assam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam and launched development projects worth over Rs 5,450 crore aimed at improving connectivity, digital infrastructure, higher education, and urban mobility in the North-East.
He landed at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, the first such dual-use facility in the North-East, developed with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
PM Modi inspected the newly built Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a six-lane extradosed PSC bridge across the Brahmaputra, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 3,030 crore, reducing travel time between Guwahati and North Guwahati to seven minutes.
He inaugurated the National Data Centre for the North-Eastern Region at Amingaon in Kamrup district, with a sanctioned load of 8.5 MW and average rack capacity of 10 kW, to host mission-critical government applications and serve as a Disaster Recovery centre.
PM Modi inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati, adding to higher education infrastructure in the North-East.
He flagged off 225 electric buses under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, with 100 for Guwahati, 50 each for Nagpur and Bhavnagar, and 25 for Chandigarh, expected to benefit over 50 lakh citizens.

European Union leaders attend 77th Republic Day of India as Chief Guests and co-chair 16th EU-India Summit (End of January) ▼

President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen paid a State Visit to India on 25–27 January 2026 as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India.
A contingent of the European Union Military Staff and the European Union Naval Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 16th EU-India Summit with President Costa and President von der Leyen in New Delhi on 27 January 2026.
The EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations were successfully concluded during the Summit.
The EU-India Security and Defence Partnership, the first overarching defence and security framework between the two sides, was signed.
The leaders condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025.
The EU-India Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda 'Towards 2030' was adopted to advance cooperation across five pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global challenges, and enabling factors.

World Thinking Day observed on February 22

Key Updates:

World Thinking Day is observed annually on February 22 to promote unity, friendship, and empowerment among girls and young women.
The day is celebrated by members of the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in more than 150 countries.
The origins of the observance date back to 1926, following an international conference of Girl Guide and Girl Scout organisations held in the United States (US).
The date February 22 marks the birthdays of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting movement, and Olave Baden-Powell, the World Chief Guide.
The day encourages participants to address global challenges such as leadership, equality, environmental protection, and mental well-being.

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science observed on February 11 (Mid of February) ▼

The United Nations (UN) designated 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The 2026 theme is 'Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls'.
Women currently make up less than one third of the world’s researchers.

Safer Internet Day observed on 10 February 2026 with theme Smart Tech, Safe Choices (Mid of February) ▼

Safer Internet Day is observed globally on the second Tuesday of February, which falls on 10 February in 2026.
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2026 is Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.
The initiative began in 2004 under the European Union (EU) SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network in 2005.
Safer Internet Day is currently observed in more than 160 countries and territories across the world.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 15 to 20 February in New Delhi.
The Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project will conduct a large-scale awareness campaign involving workshops and public awareness drives.

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.

World Philosophy Day 2025 observed on November 20 (End of November) ▼

World Philosophy Day is observed every year on the third Thursday of November.
The day was first celebrated by the United Nations (UN) in 2002.
In 2005, the UNESCO General Conference dedicated the day to promote critical thinking, dialogues and discussion around the world.