🇮🇳 NATIONAL & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS (INDIA)
🏛️ 1. Infrastructure & Policy Decisions
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Narendra Modi, had earlier approved three multitracking railway projects worth about ₹9,072 crore to:
- Add ~307 km of rail capacity across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand.
- Ease congestion, improve freight movement and connect over 5,400 villages.
- RAJMARG PRAVESH web portal was launched to digitise and streamline NOC approvals for utilities and access work alongside highways.
🛠️ 2. Workers’ Welfare & Cooperatives
- ESIC commenced its 75th foundation year celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, marking its role in providing health insurance and social security coverage to workers and families.
- Bharat Taxi, a new cooperative ride-hailing service, was launched, offering drivers a share of profits (80%) and opportunities to become co-owners — a major push for gig-economy worker welfare.
🔧 3. Electric Vehicles & Green Economy
- Over 28 lakh electric vehicles have been sold under the PM E-Drive Scheme, highlighting India’s transition toward cleaner mobility.
🗳️ 4. State & Public Safety News
- The NCERT issued an apology for contentious content in a Class 8 textbook after Supreme Court criticism on judicial corruption representation.
- Security forces reported the elimination of two Naxalites in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & GEOPOLITICS
🇮🇱 1. India–Israel Strategic Engagement
- Narendra Modi arrived in Tel Aviv for a two-day state visit at the invitation of the Israeli PM. This deepens defence, innovation and technology cooperation between India and Israel.
- During the visit, the Knesset Parliament conferred the “Medal of the Knesset” on PM Modi — a historic honour, first of its kind.
🇨🇦 2. Canada–India Relations
- Mark Carney is scheduled to visit India from 27 February – 2 March to strengthen bilateral cooperation on trade, energy, innovation, and business engagement.
🇯🇵 3. Regional Leadership Moves
- Danish PM Mette Frederiksen called a general election for March 2026 amid improved poll ratings — signaling political mobility within European politics.
🗺️ 4. Other Global Issues
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported a “buoyant” US economy with accelerated growth but cautioned about rising federal debt and tariff risks.
- Global climate action and renewable energy cooperation continued as top discussions at international platforms.
💹 ECONOMY & ENERGY
📈 1. Market Movements & Currency
- Indian Sensex rallied by 303 points and Nifty gained 85 points in early trade — showing positive investor sentiment.
- The rupee strengthened against the US dollar, rising by 10 paise.
🛢️ 2. Energy & Fuel Policy
- The government directed oil companies to sell ethanol-blended petrol across all states and union territories from 1 April 2026 — expanding biofuel use.
🔬 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY & EDUCATION
🧠 1. Quantum & AI Higher Education
- India’s first dedicated Quantum and Artificial Intelligence university campus is to be set up in Amaravati (AP) through a partnership between NIELIT and the Andhra Pradesh Government — a major milestone for tech education and research.
🌐 2. Digital Services & Governance
- Cybersecurity public awareness campaigns were intensified nationwide to promote safe internet practices.
🏆 SPORTS & CULTURE
🏏 1. Cricket – ICC T20 World Cup 2026
- In the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India played against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai — a key match for semifinal hopes.
🏐 2. Women’s Sports
- The 20th All-India Hanuman Singh Women’s Handball Tournament began in Jaipur.
📌 SOCIAL & CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
💍 Entertainment & Celebrity News
- Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda tied the knot in a traditional dual-ceremony in Udaipur, Rajasthan, celebrating Telugu and Kodava customs — one of the biggest entertainment headlines of the day.
🌐 GLOBAL CLIMATE & WEATHER
- A massive blizzard that affected northeastern United States (Feb 22–24) — with heavy snow, high winds, and power outages — continued to be part of broader weather and crisis news coverage.
🧠 KEY TAKEAWAYS — Exam Focus
| Area | Important Points |
|---|---|
| India–Israel Ties | Strategic state visit and parliamentary honour. |
| Infrastructure & Transport | New railway multitracking projects. |
| Economy | Market gains, foreign visits to boost trade. |
| Science & Education | Quantum & AI university launch. |
| Sports | T20 World Cup progression & women’s handball. |
| Socio-Cultural | Celebrity wedding major pop-culture news. |