🇮🇳 NATIONAL NEWS
1️⃣ 🇮🇳–🇧🇷 India–Brazil Rare Earths Cooperation
India and Brazil signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in rare earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals.
- Rare earths are crucial for EV batteries, defence equipment, semiconductors, and renewable energy.
- The partnership focuses on exploration, mining, processing, and technology sharing.
- It reduces overdependence on China in critical mineral supply chains.
- Strengthens South–South cooperation within BRICS.
Key leaders involved:
- Narendra Modi
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
Exam Relevance: Critical minerals diplomacy, supply chain resilience, strategic autonomy.
2️⃣ ⚓ Sea Phase of MILAN-2026 Begins
The sea phase of Exercise MILAN commenced off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
- MILAN is a biennial multinational naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
- Focus areas: Maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, joint drills, and interoperability.
- Participation from numerous Indo-Pacific nations.
- Strengthens India’s role in the Indo-Pacific maritime architecture.
Exam Angle: SAGAR doctrine, Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime diplomacy.
3️⃣ 🇮🇳 Government to End Cash Toll Collection
The Government of India announced that from 1 April 2026, cash payments at National Highway toll plazas will be discontinued.
- Only digital payments (FASTag, UPI, etc.) will be allowed.
- Aim: Reduce congestion, promote digital economy.
- Enhances transparency in toll collection.
Related Entity:
National Highways Authority of India
Exam Relevance: Digital India, infrastructure reform.
4️⃣ 🛑 Naxalism to End by March 2026 – Home Minister
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that India is on track to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism) by March 2026.
- Significant reduction in affected districts.
- Improved security coordination.
- Development initiatives in tribal areas.
Exam Angle: Internal security, LWE strategy, development-security nexus.
5️⃣ 🌄 Vibrant Village Programme-II Launched
The second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme was launched in border districts including parts of Assam.
- Focus: Infrastructure, connectivity, telecom, livelihoods.
- Objective: Prevent border out-migration and strengthen border security.
- Linked to India’s China-border strategy.
6️⃣ 📊 Economic & Trade Updates
🔹 Core Sector Growth
India’s eight core industries grew around 4% in January 2026.
- Strong growth: Steel, Cement.
- Weak performance: Crude oil, Natural Gas.
🔹 Trade Indices Base Year Revised
Base year updated to 2022-23 (from 2012-13).
- Reflects structural changes in trade.
- Improves statistical accuracy.
🔹 Forex Reserves Hit Record High
India’s forex reserves touched approximately $725+ billion.
Related Institution:
Reserve Bank of India
Exam Relevance: External sector stability, macroeconomics.
7️⃣ 🤖 India Joins Pax Silica Coalition
India joined Pax Silica, a US-led coalition focused on:
- AI infrastructure
- Semiconductor supply chains
- Critical minerals security
Strengthens India’s position in global tech geopolitics.
8️⃣ 🧠 India AI Impact Summit 2026
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded in New Delhi.
Major outcomes:
- Endorsement of AI cooperation frameworks.
- Focus on inclusive and welfare-centric AI.
- Discussions on ethical AI governance.
Exam Angle: AI regulation, global tech governance.
9️⃣ 🏗 Bihar Approves New International Airport
The Bihar Cabinet approved construction of an international airport at Sonepur (Saran district).
- Boosts connectivity in North Bihar.
- Expected to enhance trade and tourism.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
🔹 International Mother Language Day (21 February)
Observed worldwide to promote linguistic diversity and multilingual education.
Organised by:
UNESCO
Theme focuses on preserving endangered languages.