Category: National

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) and the Meerut Metro route in Meerut, marking a major milestone in high-speed regional connectivity in northern India. The Prime Minister dedicated the entire Delhi–Meerut Namo Bharat corridor to the nation and inaugurated the remaining sections, including: Integrated RRTS–Metro System The project integrates the Namo Bharat RRTS with the Meerut Metro, creating a seamless system where: This Read More …

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on 20 February launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) in Nathanpur village of Assam, with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore aimed at strengthening development and security in India’s border villages. Key Features of VVP–II Officials said the scheme aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, aiming to create secure and prosperous border communities. By empowering local residents, the initiative also seeks to enhance Read More …

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, enabled the export of 0.5 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Salem Sago from Salem to Canada. This marks the first export shipment directly handled by the GI Authorised User, SAGOSERVE, since the product received its GI tag in March 2023. About Salem Sago Sago, commonly called sabudana, is widely used as a staple food Read More …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 19 February 2026. The summit aims to position India as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence and promote responsible AI development. India’s M.A.N.A.V. Vision for AI During the event, the Prime Minister unveiled India’s M.A.N.A.V. Vision for AI governance, outlining five guiding principles: He said the vision will help ensure AI benefits Read More …

In a first-of-its-kind decision in Kerala, the State government has declared flooding caused by tidal rise along its coastline as a State-specific disaster, enabling affected coastal communities to receive financial assistance similar to that provided under disaster relief norms. What the Decision Means Victims of tidal flooding will now be eligible for compensation under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)-type assistance framework. This marks the first time any Indian state Read More …

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under Digital India Corporation and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, launched VoicERA, an open-source end-to-end Voice AI stack, at the India AI Impact Summit. The solution was showcased at the BHASHINI Pavilion and EkStep Pavilion at Bharat Mandapam. What is VoicERA? VoicERA is an open-source Voice AI stack deployed on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure. It creates a national execution layer for: Read More …

The Indian Navy successfully conducted the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam on 18 February 2026, bringing together naval forces from 74 countries in a grand display of maritime cooperation and capability. What is an International Fleet Review? An International Fleet Review is a ceremonial and operational gathering of naval ships from multiple countries, usually reviewed by the head of state or senior dignitaries.It promotes: Key Read More …

The Election Commission of India has announced that biennial elections will be conducted to fill 37 seats in the Rajya Sabha, as the terms of members from 10 States are set to expire in April 2026. About Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the Upper House of Parliament of India. The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and the Read More …

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched two major digital health initiatives—SAHI and BODH—on February 17 during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi. These initiatives aim to promote safe, ethical, and effective use of artificial intelligence in healthcare across India. SAHI: Strategy for AI in Healthcare SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) has been designed as a comprehensive framework to guide Read More …

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a pioneering initiative to create pollinator or “Bee Corridors” along national highways as part of its sustainable infrastructure programme. The project shifts roadside plantations from ornamental plants to ecologically beneficial vegetation. Focus on Pollinator Conservation The Bee Corridors will feature continuous stretches of nectar- and pollen-rich plants and flowering trees to ensure year-round food availability for honeybees and other pollinators.The initiative Read More …

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the Final Assembly Line (FAL) for H125 helicopters at the Vemagal Industrial Area near Bengaluru on February 17, 2026. The facility is India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing plant and is expected to initially produce 10 H125 helicopters annually for domestic use and export to neighbouring countries. Production Plans and Timeline The plant will start with 10 helicopters per year, Read More …

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare launched the new digital companion Bharat-VISTAAR in Jaipur, aimed at providing farmers across India with reliable, real-time information through a single platform. What is Bharat-VISTAAR? Bharat-VISTAAR is an AI-powered, farmer-centric digital public infrastructure developed by the Government of India. The platform will deliver information on: The system integrates inputs from multiple government departments and scientific institutions to provide accurate and timely guidance. Read More …

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script, organised by the Ministry of Culture in the national capital. A Century of Ol Chiki The Ol Chiki script, invented in 1925 by Raghunath Murmu, was specifically designed for the Santhali language. Prior to its creation, members of the Santal community in India, as well as in Nepal, Bhutan, and Mauritius, used regional scripts that Read More …

An expert panel of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recommended environmental clearance for NHPC Ltd’s 1,720-MW Kamala hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh, subject to strict ecosystem restoration measures. Key Project Details The project is part of a series of hydropower developments planned in the Subansiri river basin. Environmental Concerns The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley projects directed NHPC to obtain in-principle forest clearance before Read More …

In its first major policy decisions after shifting to Seva Teerth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the doubling of the loan target under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore to strengthen India’s agriculture value chain. About Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Launched in 2020, AIF is a medium-to-long-term debt financing facility designed to build post-harvest infrastructure and farm-gate assets across India. Objectives Infrastructure supported includes Read More …