National Affairs

GoI Launches CBDC-Based Digital Food Currency Pilot under PMGKAY in Puducherry

The Government of India launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Digital Food Currency pilot for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry on 26 February 2026.

The pilot was inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in the presence of Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kuniyil Kailashnathan and Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

About CBDC-Based PDS Pilot:

CBDC Type:
The pilot uses Retail CBDC as programmable tokens credited to beneficiaries’ wallets for purpose-bound subsidy transfers.

Redemption:
The tokens can be redeemed at:

• Fair Price Shops
• Authorised merchants

Digital Inclusion:
Feature phone users have also been included to ensure wider digital access.

Transparency:
Integration with the Digital Rupee (e₹) enables real-time tracking of transactions.

Key Support Institutions:

• Reserve Bank of India
• Public Financial Management System
• Canara Bank

Integration Framework:
The pilot aligns with:

• One Nation One Ration Card
• Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile Trinity

Portability Feature:
Beneficiaries can locate nearby merchants through a mobile application.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Rail Tech Policy and e-RCT System

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, announced the launch of the Rail Tech Policy and complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal.

The Rail Tech Policy and e-RCT are Reform Number Three and Reform Number Four under Indian Railways’ flagship ‘52 Reforms in 52 Weeks’ initiative.

About Rail Tech Policy Reform:

Purpose:
The policy aims to engage:

• Innovators
• Startups
• Industry
• Institutions

It will promote innovation and technology adoption in Indian Railways.

RailTech Portal:
A dedicated RailTech Portal will be launched to allow innovators to submit proposals through a fully digital, end-to-end process.

Funding Support:
Indian Railways will fund up to 50% of development costs for viable solutions.

Scale-Up Support:
Successful innovations will be eligible for large-scale orders from Indian Railways.

Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches India’s First State Innovation Mission in Tripura

Union Minister of State Independent Charge Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology, formally launched India’s first State Innovation Mission at the Hapania International Exhibition Center in Agartala, Tripura.

During the event, he described the Northeast as the “New Engine” of India’s growth.

About State Innovation Mission:
The State Innovation Mission is part of the approved Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 programme.

Led By:
NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission

Objective:
The mission is designed as a long-term institutional framework to help States and Union Territories build:

• Robust innovation ecosystems
• Inclusive innovation models
• Context-specific solutions
• Local capability-based entrepreneurship
• Innovation aligned with national priorities

Other Key Launches:

T-NEST:
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha launched T-NEST, which stands for Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups.

It is Tripura’s first premier incubation and innovation hub.

District Innovator Fellowship:
One of India’s first District Innovator Fellowships was also launched to identify and support grassroots innovators through structured lifecycle support.

Upcoming AI Policy:
Tripura also announced that it will soon launch an Artificial Intelligence policy.

Ministry of MSME Upgrades NSIC to Schedule ‘A’ CPSE

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises upgraded the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) from Schedule ‘B’ to Schedule ‘A’ category Central Public Sector Enterprise in February 2026.

The upgrade reflects NSIC’s operational efficiency, financial strength, and strategic role in supporting the MSME sector.

About Schedule ‘A’ Upgrade of NSIC:

Financial Autonomy:
Schedule ‘A’ status provides NSIC with greater financial and operational autonomy.

MSME Support Areas:

• Skilling
• Capacity building
• Enterprise development
• Marketing support
• Credit facilitation
• Growth capital support

Performance Recognition:
NSIC received ‘Excellent’ ratings from the Department of Public Enterprises for FY 2024–25.

Significance:
The upgrade strengthens NSIC’s role in implementing Government of India programmes for MSME growth and competitiveness.

India Signs SoI with Sweden to Strengthen AI and Digital Cooperation

The India AI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, signed a Statement of Intent with Business Sweden at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.

The agreement aims to strengthen India–Sweden cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies.

About India–Sweden AI Partnership Framework:

Objective:
The SoI creates a structured framework for collaboration in:

• AI development
• AI deployment
• Responsible AI use
• Industrial AI solutions
• Societal AI applications

SITAC Programme:
India and Sweden will launch the Sweden-India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor.

SITAC Will Connect:

• Governments
• Industries
• Startups
• Investors
• Researchers
• Academic institutions

India and Kenya Sign Agreement for DigiLocker Pilot

On the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the National e-Governance Division, MeitY, signed an agreement with Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications & the Digital Economy.

The agreement will launch a DigiLocker pilot project in Kenya.

Purpose:
The system will enable:

• Digital storage of official documents
• Real-time document verification
• Digital access for Kenyan citizens and organisations

Significance:
The project expands India’s digital public infrastructure model globally.

NMDC R&D Centre and IIT Hyderabad Sign MoU to Boost Indigenous Mining Technologies

The Research and Development Centre of NMDC Limited signed an MoU with IIT Hyderabad to promote academic and research collaboration in India’s mineral and metals sector.

Signatories:

• Sanjeev Sahi, Executive Director, R&D, NMDC
• G. Narahari Sastry, Dean, Sponsored Research & Consultancy, IIT Hyderabad

The agreement was signed in the presence of B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad.

Key Focus Areas:

• Iron ore beneficiation
• Agglomeration
• Green steelmaking technologies
• Alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials
• Advanced modelling and simulation of mining processes
• Metallurgical process optimisation

Technology Initiatives:

• Autonomous vehicle operations
• Artificial Intelligence
• Internet of Things
• Mining 4.0 frameworks
• Drone-based surveying
• Drone-based monitoring systems

Alignment:
The collaboration supports:

• Sustainable development
• Atmanirbhar Bharat
• India’s Net Zero target by 2070

About NMDC:
NMDC is India’s largest iron ore producer and a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Steel.

Established:
1958

Ministry of Culture Signs MoU with FICCI to Strengthen India’s Cultural and Creative Economy

The Ministry of Culture signed an MoU with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to develop a comprehensive national strategy for India’s Cultural and Creative Economy.

Announced By:
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Culture and Tourism

Purpose:
The agreement aims to:

• Create a structured roadmap
• Integrate culture with economic policy
• Enhance domestic and international market access
• Promote entrepreneurship
• Promote innovation
• Generate employment opportunities

Areas of Collaboration:

• Supportive policy framework
• Industry stakeholder engagement
• Skill development
• Entrepreneurship promotion
• Global market expansion
• Data systems for cultural and creative sectors

About Cultural and Creative Economy:
It includes sectors such as:

• Visual and performing arts
• Traditional crafts and handlooms
• Film and television
• Digital media
• Music and publishing
• Design and fashion
• Cultural tourism
• Heritage conservation
• Museums
• Gaming and animation

UIDAI Collaborates with Google to Display Verified Aadhaar Centres on Google Maps

The Unique Identification Authority of India, under MeitY, announced a collaboration with Google to display authorised Aadhaar Centres on Google Maps.

The initiative aims to improve accessibility and transparency in Aadhaar services.

Coverage:
The facility will be rolled out in phases and will cover more than 60,000 Aadhaar Centres, including Aadhaar Seva Kendras, across India.

Resident Access Features:
Google Maps will display:

• Authorised Aadhaar Centres
• Service details
• Operating hours
• Accessibility features
• Parking information

Next Phase:
UIDAI will use Google Business Profile to manage Aadhaar Centre information and respond to public feedback.

Future Feature:
Direct appointment booking through Google Maps is also planned.

About UIDAI:

International Affairs

India’s Young Adults Rank 60th in Global Mental Health Report

American NGO Sapien Labs released its latest global mind health report titled ‘Global Mind Health in 2025: Mind Health – The Ability to Navigate Life’s Challenges and Function Productively’.

According to the report, Indian young adults aged 18 to 34 years ranked 60th out of 84 countries, with a Mind Health Quotient score of 33.

India’s Older Age Group Ranking:
Indians aged 55 and above ranked 49th globally, with an overall MHQ score of 96.

About the Global Mind Health Report:

Methodology:
The report ranks countries based on MHQ scores, which map:

• Emotional capacity
• Social capacity
• Cognitive capacity
• Physical capacity

Global MHQ Score:
The global average MHQ score stood at 66.

Age-wise Global Findings:

Top 3 Countries for Youth Aged 18–34:

Top Countries for People Aged 55+:

Appointments & Resignations

WEF President and CEO Børge Brende Resigns; Alois Zwinggi Appointed Interim CEO

Børge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Economic Forum, officially announced his resignation on 26 February 2026.

Interim Appointment:
Alois Zwinggi has been named interim President and CEO of the WEF.

About Børge Brende:

Profile:
Børge Brende is a Norwegian politician and diplomat known for his expertise in:

• International relations
• Diplomacy
• Multilateral economic policy
• Social policy

Previous Roles in Norway:

• Minister of Foreign Affairs: 2013–2017
• Minister of Trade and Industry: 2004–2005
• Minister of the Environment: 2001–2004

WEF Role:
He was appointed President and CEO of the World Economic Forum in 2017.

Acquisitions & Mergers

RBI Approves SBI MF to Acquire Up to 9.99% Stake in RBL Bank and Bandhan Bank

The Reserve Bank of India approved SBI Mutual Fund, a subsidiary of the State Bank of India, to acquire up to 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in RBL Bank.

RBI also approved SBI MF to acquire up to 9.99% stake in Bandhan Bank, including equity share capital and voting rights.

Time Period:
SBI MF has one year from the approval date to complete the acquisition up to the 9.99% limit.

Holding Limit:
SBI MF’s aggregate holding must not exceed 9.99% of RBL Bank at any time.

Re-Approval Condition:
If SBI MF’s stake falls below 5%, it will require fresh RBI approval to raise the stake back to 5% or more.

Current Shareholding:

Regulatory Compliance:
The approval is subject to compliance with:

• Banking Regulation Act, 1949
• RBI’s 2025 Directions on acquisition and holding of shares
• Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
• SEBI regulations
• Other applicable guidelines

Facebook Overseas Acquires 30% Stake in Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited

Facebook Overseas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc., acquired a 30% stake in Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited for about ₹256.6 crore.

Stake Acquired:
25.65 crore shares

Average Value:
₹10 per share

About the Equity Sale:

Disclosure:
The transaction was disclosed through a stock exchange filing under SEBI Listing Regulations.

About REIL:
Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited was incorporated to focus on enterprise Artificial Intelligence solutions.

Key Objectives of REIL:

• Develop AI-based platforms and tools
• Provide AI services for enterprises
• Provide AI services for government institutions
• Build scalable digital intelligence infrastructure
• Support India’s growing AI ecosystem

Obituary

Veteran CPI Leader R. Nallakannu Passes Away

Veteran Communist Party of India leader R. Nallakannu passed away on 25 February 2026 at the age of 101 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

He was born on 26 December 1925 at Srivaikuntam in present-day Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.

About R. Nallakannu:

Profile:
He was one of India’s most respected communist leaders and a veteran of the freedom struggle.

Known For:

• Integrity
• Simplicity
• Commitment to farmers
• Commitment to workers
• Grassroots activism

Political Career:
He was a senior leader of the CPI and played a key role in strengthening the communist movement in Tamil Nadu.

Imprisonment:
He was imprisoned several times for participating in protests and political agitations.

State Leadership:
He served as the CPI Tamil Nadu State Secretary for several years.

Key Causes:

• Farmers’ rights
• Land reforms
• Fair pricing
• Irrigation
• River water disputes
• Opposition to illegal sand mining
• Environmental conservation
• Workers’ welfare
• Marginalised communities
• Grassroots democratic movements

Legacy:
He was closely associated with the Cauvery and Thamirabarani river issues and supported judicial interventions against exploitation.

Important Days

World NGO Day 2026 – February 27

World Non-Governmental Organisation Day is observed every year on 27 February to recognise and honour the contributions of NGOs and non-profit organisations.

The day highlights the role of NGOs in:

• Social welfare
• Human rights
• Sustainable development
• Inclusion
• Community empowerment

2026 Observance:
27 February 2026 marked the 13th observance of World NGO Day.

2026 Theme:
There is no single official global theme, but many organisations recognised “Restoring Dignity Through Inclusion” as the theme for 2026.

Background:

Founded:
World NGO Day was created in 2009 in the European Union by Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a Latvian-British tech entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Support:
It was supported by Civic Alliance Latvia, a member of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum.

Adoption:
On 23 April 2012, the Baltic Sea NGO Forum Committee officially accepted World NGO Day during the 10th BSNF at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.

First Global Event:
The first global World NGO Day event was held on 27 February 2014 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland in Helsinki, Finland.

Rare Disease Day 2026 – February 28

Rare Disease Day is observed every year on the last day of February to raise awareness about rare diseases and promote healthcare equity.

Rare Disease Day 2026 was observed on 28 February 2026, marking the 19th edition of the global awareness event.

Theme 2026:
“More than you can imagine: the realities behind rare diseases”

Purpose:
The day aims to:

• Raise awareness about rare conditions
• Improve treatment access
• Promote healthcare equity
• Support research
• Advocate for patients and families

Background:

Origin:
Rare Disease Day was launched in 2008 by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases along with its Council of National Alliances.

First Observance:
The first observance took place in 2008, with events organised across 18 countries.

Global Expansion:
The day is now observed in over 100 countries.

Significance of February 29:
February 29 was selected because it occurs only once every four years, symbolising the rarity of the diseases highlighted by the campaign.

Important Days at a Glance

State News

Chhattisgarh FM Presents ₹1.72 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27

Chhattisgarh Finance Minister O. P. Chaudhary presented the state budget of ₹1,72,000 crore for FY 2026–27 in the Legislative Assembly at Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The FY27 budget outlay is 4.2% higher than the previous year’s budget of ₹1,65,000 crore.

Budget Theme:
The budget is centred around SANKALP.

SANKALP Stands For:

• Samaveshi Vikas
• Adhosanrachna
• Nivesh
• Kushal Manav Sansadhan
• Antyoday
• Livelihood
• Policy se Parinam tak

Key Financial Indicators:

Capital Expenditure:
The state’s CapEx is estimated at ₹26,500 crore, accounting for 15.4% of the total budget.

Sector-Wise Priority:

Major Allocations:

Focus Areas:

• Bastar development
• Education
• Industry
• Agriculture
• Women welfare
• Health infrastructure
• Inclusive development

Sikkim Renames Pakyong Airport After Freedom Fighter Trilochan Pokhrel

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced that Pakyong Airport, the only airport in Sikkim, will be renamed Trilochan Pokhrel Airport.

The airport will be named in honour of freedom fighter Trilochan Pokhrel, recognised as the first independence activist from Sikkim.

About Pakyong Airport:
Pakyong Airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018 as India’s 100th operational airport.

About Trilochan Pokhrel:

Popular Name:
He was popularly known as ‘Gandhi Pokhrel’.

Influence:
He was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of:

• Satyagraha
• Non-violence

Associated Ashrams:

• Sabarmati Ashram, Gujarat
• Sarvodaya Ashram, Bihar

Freedom Struggle Participation:

• Non-Cooperation Movement
• Civil Disobedience Movement
• Quit India Movement

Recognition:
He passed away in 1969 and was posthumously honoured with the L. D. Kazi Award in 2018.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches CM Jansunwai Portal

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the CM Jansunwai Portal and mobile application to strengthen public grievance redressal and citizen engagement.

Purpose:
The portal centralises public grievances across all departments, enabling faster resolution and transparent tracking.

Key Benefits:

• Digitises public hearings
• Reduces physical visits to government offices
• Enhances accountability of officials
• Improves citizen-government interaction
• Enables transparent grievance tracking

Complaint Submission Channels:

• Online portal
• Mobile app
• Call centre helpline 1902
• Offline submission at the Chief Minister’s office

Tracking System:
Every complaint receives:

• Unique ID
• SMS status updates
• Escalation option
• Feedback option

Three-Tier Grievance Mechanism:

• Grievance officers
• Appellate authorities
• Higher-level escalation mechanism

Significance:
The portal is expected to make Delhi’s grievance redressal system faster, more transparent, and citizen-friendly.