National Affairs

French President Emmanuel Macron Visits India from February 17–19, 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron undertook a three-day visit to India from February 17 to February 19, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked Macron’s 4th visit to India.

During the visit, he also participated in the AI Impact Summit 2026.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

H125 Helicopter Assembly Line:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the final assembly line of H-125 helicopters at Vemagal, Karnataka.

• Developed jointly by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus
• Strengthens India-France cooperation in aerospace manufacturing

6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherin Vautrin co-chaired the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

India-France Year of Innovation 2026:
PM Modi and President Macron jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Indian Navy Hosts IFR 2026, MILAN 2026 and IONS Conclave in Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy hosted three major international maritime engagements at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from 15 to 25 February 2026.

Major Events Hosted:

• Exercise MILAN 2026
• International Fleet Review 2026
• 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Conclave of Navy Chiefs

Exercise MILAN 2026

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam.

Duration:
19–25 February 2026

Location:
Bay of Bengal

Theme:
“Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration”

About:
MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.

International Fleet Review 2026

The International Fleet Review 2026 was held on 18 February 2026 off Visakhapatnam.

Theme:
“United through Oceans”

Presided By:
President Droupadi Murmu, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

IONS Conclave 2026

The 9th Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium was held on 20 February 2026 at Visakhapatnam.

India’s Tenure:
India will lead IONS for the 2026–2028 term, marking its second tenure as Chair since the forum was launched in 2008 in New Delhi.

Chairmanship:
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff, assumed the Chairmanship of IONS from the Royal Thai Navy.

About Indian Navy:

Amit Shah Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II in Assam

Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Cooperation, launched the Vibrant Villages Programme-II at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam.

The initiative aims to strengthen development in India’s border regions by improving basic services, creating sustainable livelihoods, enhancing border security, and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.

About Vibrant Villages Programme-II:

Financial Outlay:
The scheme has a total allocation of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.

Estimated Spending:
Around ₹3 crore per village

Coverage:
The programme will cover 1,954 border villages across 15 States and 2 Union Territories.

States and UTs Covered:

• Arunachal Pradesh
• Assam
• Bihar
• Gujarat
• Jammu and Kashmir
• Ladakh
• Manipur
• Meghalaya
• Mizoram
• Nagaland
• Punjab
• Rajasthan
• Sikkim
• Tripura
• Uttarakhand
• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal

Power Ministry Constitutes Oversight Panels for PFC-REC Merger

The Ministry of Power constituted a three-member high-level committee and a three-member Working Group to oversee the proposed merger of Power Finance Corporation and REC Limited.

High-Level Committee

Members:

• Parminder Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director, PFC
• Jitendra Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director, REC
• Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary, Distribution, Ministry of Power — Convenor

Functions:

• Oversee the overall merger process
• Review weekly progress reports
• Address policy-level and structural issues
• Ensure alignment with government objectives
• Coordinate with stakeholders and regulatory bodies

Working Group on Merger Modalities

Head:
Pranav Tayal, Director, Distribution, Ministry of Power

Members:
One Executive Director each from PFC and REC

Role:
The Working Group will recommend measures for personnel integration, including harmonisation of pay scales, service conditions, and promotion policies.

Mizoram CM Inaugurates Lengtekai Bridge over Tlawng River

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, also named ‘Faith Bridge’, over the Tlawng River in Aizawl, Mizoram.

The bridge is expected to strengthen Mizoram’s road connectivity network.

About Lengtekai Bridge:

Funding:
The bridge was financed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Cost:
₹43.83 crore

Structure:

• Length: 100 metres
• Width: 7.5 metres
• Footpaths: 1.5 metres on both sides
• Load capacity: Up to 385 metric tonnes

Replacement:
The bridge replaces old Bailey structures that earlier limited traffic movement and were prone to frequent damage.

Connectivity Boost:
It improves connectivity between:

• Aizawl
• Lengpui Airport
• Mamit district near Tripura

UP Government and IOCL Sign MoU for International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur

The Government of Uttar Pradesh and Indian Oil Corporation Limited signed an MoU for the construction of a proposed International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The agreement was formalised in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow.

Project Highlights:

Estimated Cost:
₹339 crore

Seating Capacity:
30,000 spectators

Facilities:

• Modern pitches
• Practice areas
• Floodlights
• Advanced dressing rooms
• Media infrastructure
• International-standard facilities

Funding Structure:

Completion Timeline:
The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2027.

International Affairs

India and Israel Sign MoU to Deepen Defence Industrial Cooperation

India and Israel signed an MoU to strengthen defence ties and advance joint initiatives such as future seminars, collaborative industrial programmes, and technology sharing.

The agreement was formalised during a strategic seminar and Business-to-Business meetings held in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Facilitators:

• International Defence Cooperation Directorate, SIBAT
• Israel Ministry of Defence
• Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers
• India’s Ministry of Defence

About India-Israel Defence Industry Seminar:

Seminar Lead:
Brigadier General Reserve Yair Kulas, Director of SIBAT

Participation:

• 30 Indian defence companies
• 26 Israeli defence companies

Indian Delegation Head:
Ramesh K, Director General, SIDM

Other Key Participants:

• J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel
• Group Captain Vijay Patil, Defence Attaché

Focus Areas:

• India’s defence industrial ecosystem
• Updated Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026
• Co-development
• Co-production
• Technology sharing
• Interoperability

Banking & Finance

GIFT City and AJNIFM Sign MoU to Build FinTech and International Finance Talent

Gujarat International Finance Tec-City signed an MoU with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management, Faridabad, under the Ministry of Finance, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The MoU aims to build talent for International Finance and Financial Technology under the GIFT International FinTech Institute.

Key Objective:
The partnership will align advanced financial education with the needs of India’s only International Financial Services Centre at GIFT City.

Areas of Cooperation:

• Joint postgraduate programmes
• Executive programmes
• Collaborative research
• Academic exchanges
• International finance training
• FinTech capacity building

Industry Immersion Programme:
A five-day Industry Immersion Programme was launched for second-year MBA students of AJNIFM.

Exposure Areas:

• Regulatory frameworks
• Capital markets
• Cross-border financial services
• Digital finance innovations

Significance:
The partnership will help build a future-ready talent pipeline for global and cross-border finance.

Economy & Business

Tata Group and OpenAI Partner to Build India’s First Large-Scale AI Data Centre

The Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to establish India’s first large-scale AI-ready data centre under the global Stargate initiative.

OpenAI will become the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services’ HyperVault data centre business.

Infrastructure Plan:

• Initial capacity: 100 megawatts
• Scalable capacity: 1 gigawatt
• Powered by green energy
• Equipped with AI-optimised hardware

Purpose:
The infrastructure will support large-scale AI training and inference workloads.

Investment:
TCS plans to invest up to USD 7 billion to build 1 GW data centre capacity in India as part of the USD 500 billion Stargate global initiative.

Enterprise Rollout:
Tata Group also plans to roll out ChatGPT Enterprise across the organisation over the coming years.

Initial Coverage:
Hundreds of thousands of Tata employees

Certification Programme:
OpenAI will expand its certification programme in India, with TCS becoming the first participating organisation outside the United States.

OpenAI India Offices:
OpenAI plans to establish offices in:

• Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Bengaluru, Karnataka

Science & Technology

DRDO Conducts Successful Qualification Test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted a qualification-level load test of the drogue parachute for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission.

The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh.

Key Agencies Involved:

• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO
• Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment, DRDO
• Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory teams

Test Details:
The dynamic test simulated qualification-level loads exceeding maximum flight conditions.

Purpose of Test:

• Validate parachute structural strength
• Confirm safety margins
• Test reliability
• Stabilise and decelerate the crew module before main parachute deployment

Significance:
The successful test demonstrates India’s capability in designing and manufacturing high-strength ribbon parachutes.

About Gaganyaan Mission:
Gaganyaan is ISRO’s human spaceflight programme that aims to send a three-member Indian crew into Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 km for a three-day expedition.

Recovery Plan:
The mission will ensure safe re-entry and recovery in the Indian Ocean.

Sports

Pankaj Advani Wins Inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026

Indian billiards and snooker player Pankaj Advani won the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026 in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

He defeated Kamal Chawla by 6–3 in a best-of-11 final at the Karnataka State Billiards Association.

Key Highlight:
After his victory, Pankaj Advani was named Liber Win’s Indian Brand Ambassador.

He joins global cue sports stars:

• Ronnie O’Sullivan
• John Higgins
• Mark Selby
• Shaun Murphy

About Liber Win Champions Cup 2026:

Overview:
It is a professional invitational snooker tournament sponsored by Liber Win Cloth.

Participation:
The three-day event featured 16 top professional cueists.

Tournament Highlights:

• Kamal Chawla registered the highest break of 140
• Both finalists staged 5–4 comeback wins in the semifinals
• Pankaj Advani defeated Kamal Chawla in the final

IPC Lifts Ban on Russia and Belarus for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee lifted the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus, allowing them to compete under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.

Event Schedule:
6–15 March 2026

Location:
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Decision Impact:
The decision permits:

• Display of national flags
• Playing of national anthems if athletes win medals

Background:
Russian athletes were initially banned in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict and had previously competed only as neutrals.

This marks the first return of Russia’s flag at the Winter Paralympics since 2014.

Russia Quota:
The IPC allocated six quota slots to Russia:

• One male and one female athlete in para-alpine skiing
• One male and one female athlete in para-cross country skiing
• Two male athletes in para-snowboard

Belarus Quota:
The IPC allocated four quota slots to Belarus:

• One male athlete in cross-country skiing
• Three female athletes in cross-country skiing

Scope:
The IPC ruling applies only to the Winter Paralympics and does not automatically extend to the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Obituary

Shillong MP Ricky Andrew J Syngkon Passes Away

Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, Member of Parliament from the Shillong constituency in Meghalaya, passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 54 in Shillong.

He was born on January 6, 1972, in Shillong.

About Ricky Andrew J Syngkon:

Profile:
He was an assistant professor in Economics at North-Eastern Hill University.

Political Journey:
He began his political career with the Voice of the People Party, a Meghalaya-based regional party focused on local issues, community development, and grassroots empowerment.

Parliamentary Role:
In the 2024 General Elections, he contested from the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency and defeated Vincent H. Pala of the Indian National Congress.

He entered the 18th Lok Sabha as a first-time MP.

Key Focus Areas:

• Connectivity development
• Tribal welfare
• Youth empowerment
• Inclusive governance

Books & Authors

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan Releases Book on Sree Narayana Guru

Vice-President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book titled ‘The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism: The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru’.

The book has been authored by Member of Parliament Dr. Shashi Tharoor and was released at the India International Centre, New Delhi.

Publisher:
Aleph Book Company

About the Book:

Subject:
The book presents a detailed biography and analytical study of Sree Narayana Guru, the 19th-century spiritual leader and social reformer from Kerala.

Core Philosophy:
The book highlights his famous message:

“One Caste, One Religion, One God for humankind”

Key Themes:

• Equality
• Self-respect
• Social justice
• Universal brotherhood
• Fight against casteism
• Social reform

Reforms Covered:
The book explores Sree Narayana Guru’s:

• Inclusive temple consecrations
• Promotion of education for disadvantaged communities
• Role in socio-economic upliftment
• Establishment of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam in 1903

Important Days

World Day of Social Justice 2026 – February 20

The United Nations World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on February 20 to promote awareness about social justice issues.

The day focuses on areas such as:

• Poverty alleviation
• Employment
• Gender equality
• Access to education
• Access to healthcare
• Social services

Theme 2026:
“Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice”

Background:

UN Resolution:
On 26 November 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/62/10, declaring February 20 as World Day of Social Justice.

First Observance:
20 February 2009

2026 Global Event:
A commemorative meeting was hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic to the UN in collaboration with the ILO and UN DESA in New York, USA.

Event in India:
The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, organised World Day of Social Justice 2026 in collaboration with National Law University, Dwarka, New Delhi.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Gujarat FM Kanubhai Desai Presents ₹4.08 Lakh Crore Budget for 2026–27

Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented the Gujarat State Budget for 2026–27 in the Legislative Assembly at Gandhinagar.

Total Budget Outlay:
₹4,08,053 crore

Growth:
The budget marks an increase of 10.2% compared to the 2025–26 budget.

Deficit:
The capital account shows a deficit of ₹34,358 crore, balanced by net inflows from public account transactions.

Major Allocations:

Roads & Connectivity:
₹10,008 crore was allocated for road and bridge development, including projects for tribal, rural, and freight connectivity.

Urban Infrastructure:
₹16,116 crore was allocated under Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Saheri Vikas Yojana.

Rural Development:
₹5,600 crore was allocated under Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojana for village roads and bridges.

Other Focus Areas:

• Housing
• Tribal welfare
• Employment-linked programmes
• Balanced socio-economic development

Assam CM Launches PMS Portal for Venture Schools

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Provincialization Management System portal at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Guwahati.

The digital platform aims to streamline and accelerate the provincialization of venture educational institutions and their staff.

Legal Framework:
The portal was launched under the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-Organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, amended in 2025.

Purpose:
The PMS portal will create a central database where venture schools, colleges, and their teaching and non-teaching staff can submit and track provincialization applications.

Key Benefits:

• Ensures transparency
• Minimises delays
• Reduces paperwork
• Cuts manual interventions
• Enables application tracking

Eligible Institutions:
The current provincialization phase applies to venture educational institutions established before January 1, 2006.

Institutions Covered:

• Lower Primary schools
• Upper Primary / Middle English schools
• High schools
• Higher Secondary schools
• Venture Degree Colleges

Required Documents:

• Recognition certificates
• Land records
• Staff list
• Academic records
• Other institutional documents