25th February 2026

1. Overview of Brazilian President Lula’s Visit to India From
2. TEXMiN Foundation Signs MoU with GIREDMET to Develop Rare Earth & Critical Mineral Technologies
3. MBRA Groups Chairman Dr. Bhargav Mallappa Conferred Royal Honour of ‘Dato’
4. Abhinav Bindra Concludes IOC Athletes’ Commission Tenure
5. Tata Consumer Products Acquires Innovative Food & Nutrition Technologies from CSIR-NIIST
6. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Releases ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada’s Biography ‘Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada’
7. Kerala Signed MoUs with Central PSUs for Rs 2,000 Crore in Vizhinjam International Seaport Project
8. UP CM Yogi Adityanath Inaugurates IBM’s AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow
9. Delhi Implements ‘Rah-Veer’ Road Accident Assistance Scheme
10. India Set to Launch First Comprehensive Carbon Trading Programme
11. Gamini Gives Birth to Three Cubs at Kuno, India’s Cheetah Count Rises to 38
12. Peru Elects Jose Maria Balcazar as Interim President, Eighth Leader in a Decade
13. Jharkhand Budget 2026-27: ₹1.58 Lakh Crore ‘Abua Dishom Budget’ Unveiled
14. Palamu’s Vanjeevi Didi Initiative Is Changing Forest Protection
15. Big Boost for Ex-Agniveers: 20% Delhi Police Constable Quota Approved by LG
16. PM Modi’s Historic Israel Visit: First Indian Leader to Address the Knesset Plenum
17. Indian Navy to Commission ‘Anjadip’: Major Boost to Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities
18. Delhi Open 2026: Stefanos Sakellaridis Creates History with Thrilling Singles Victory
19. India’s GDP May Hit 8.1% in Q3FY26: SBI Report Signals Strong Momentum
20. Nidhi Chhibber Takes Charge as NITI Aayog CEO After BVR Subrahmanyam’s Term Ends
21. India’s Top 10 Richest and Poorest States & UTs by GSDP in FY 2025

National News

Brazil President Lula’s State Visit Strengthens India–Brazil Strategic Partnership

• What: President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil visited India from 18–22 February 2026, participated in the 2nd AI Impact Summit, and signed multiple agreements to deepen cooperation across digital, trade, defence, climate, health and multilateral sectors.
• Tell me more:
  • Renewed invitation to Brazil for the 18th BRICS Summit 2026; Brazil supported India’s BRICS Chairship priorities.
  • Reaffirmed five pillars: defence and security; food and nutrition; energy and climate; digital and emerging technologies; industrial partnerships.
  • Signed Joint Declaration on Digital Partnership covering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and governance cooperation.
  • Set bilateral trade target of USD 30 billion by 2030; agreed to remove non-tariff barriers and address anti-dumping issues.
  • Third Joint Commission on Scientific and Technological Cooperation to be held in August 2026 in India.
  • MoUs Signed –

India to Launch Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

• What: India is in the final stage of launching its first Carbon Credit Trading Scheme led by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to report emissions and enable carbon credit trading from financial year 2025–26.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme covers aluminium, cement, chlor alkali, pulp and paper, secondary aluminium, petroleum refineries, petrochemicals and textiles.
  • The scheme will create a structured carbon market where industries must meet emission targets or trade carbon credits. It will allow efficient companies to earn by reducing emissions.
  • A digital portal will support registration and transparency. Carbon costs are planned near $10 per tonne to balance compliance and competitiveness.

Cheetah Population in India Rises to 38

• What: Kuno National Park recorded three new cheetah cubs born to South African cheetah Gamini under Project Cheetah, raising India’s total cheetah population to 38 and marking progress in wildlife conservation.
• Tell me more:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first eight cheetahs in September 2022.

First Indian Leader to Address the Knesset

• Prime Minister Modi is visiting Israel and is scheduled to give a speech in the Knesset (Israel’s Parliament). This is historic because he would be the first Indian leader to address it.

State News

Kerala Signs ₹2,000 Crore Logistics Plan for Vizhinjam Port

• What: Kerala government signed memoranda of understanding with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) to implement a ₹2,000 crore logistics master plan at Vizhinjam International Seaport.
• Tell me more:
  • Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) partnered with IOCL, CONCOR and CWC.
  • The port will function under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
  • IOCL will invest ₹700 crore for bunkering facilities, CONCOR will invest ₹600 crore for rail-linked cargo infrastructure, and CWC will invest ₹700 crore to develop a 50-acre multimodal logistics park.

IBM Launches AI GovTech Innovation Center in Lucknow

• What: IBM launched its AI GovTech Innovation Center in Lucknow to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) core infrastructure for governance and signed two memoranda of understanding with Uttar Pradesh government to support AI-led governance.
• Tell me more:
  • The centre will help the government use trusted Artificial Intelligence solutions to improve productivity, transparency and public service delivery. IBM will increase jobs in Lucknow from 200 to 2,000.
  • The campus will support software and consulting work, strengthening AI-led governance under Uttar Pradesh’s long-term development vision.

Delhi to Implement Rah-Veer Scheme for Road Accident Victims

• What: Delhi government will implement the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Rah-Veer scheme to reward citizens ₹25,000 for helping seriously injured road accident victims reach hospitals within the golden hour.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme follows Good Samaritan Rules under Section 134A of the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Jharkhand Presents ₹1.58 Lakh Crore Budget for 2026–27

• What: Jharkhand government presented a ₹1.58 lakh crore Budget for 2026–27 focusing on women, farmers, pensions, education and welfare schemes.
• Tell me more:
  • Schemes mentioned in the budget:

Palamu Tiger Reserve Launches Vanjeevi Didi Initiative

• Palamu Tiger Reserve in Betla, Jharkhand launched ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ initiative in 17 villages to train educated women as ambassadors to protect forests and wildlife and spread awareness.

Delhi Police to Reserve 20% Constable Posts for Ex-Agniveers

• Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved amendment to Delhi Police (Appointment and Recruitment) Rules 1980 to provide 20% reservation for ex-Agniveers in male constable (executive) posts.

Defence News

Indian Navy to Commission ASW-SWC Vessel Anjadip

• What: Indian Navy will commission Anjadip, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, on 27 February 2026 at Chennai to strengthen coastal defence and anti-submarine capabilities.
• Tell me more:
  • Anjadip is part of the eight-ship ASW-SWC project.
  • It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata.
  • It is equipped with Hull Mounted Sonar Abhay, Lightweight Torpedoes and ASW Rockets.

Science and Technology

CSIR–NIIST Transferred Multiple Indigenous Technologies to Industry

• What: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) transferred several industry-ready technologies, including low glycaemic index designer rice and sustainable material solutions, to industry partners to support nutrition, sustainability and innovation in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The event “CSIR–NIIST Tech Connect: From Lab to Market” was held on 18 February 2026 at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi.
  • Low glycaemic index, high-protein designer rice was transferred to Tata Consumer Products Limited and SS Soul Foods.
  • CSIR-NIIST is creating special salt crystals called Designer Hollow Salt. These crystals are shaped in a way that makes food taste just as salty, even though they contain much less sodium. They can reduce sodium by up to 86%.

Awards

Dr. Bhargav Mallappa Conferred Indonesian Royal Title and Signs Agro Cooperation Agreement

• What: Dr. Bhargav Mallappa was given a royal title called “Dato’” in Indonesia. He also signed agreements to improve farming trade and support village economies between India and Indonesia.
• Tell me more:
  • He received this honour because of his work in social service, helping people, supporting farmers, and improving economic opportunities. He was also made an Honorary Member of the Grand Palace Family, and this was officially recorded in a local court in Indonesia.
  • As CEO of MBRA Agro Impex Food Products, he signed cooperation agreements to grow agro trade, improve food processing, and support rural development.
  • He has earlier received awards like the Rashtriya Seva Ratna and the Iconic Peace Award for his contributions.

Memorandum of Understanding

TEXMiN and GIREDMET Sign MoU on Rare Earth and Critical Mineral Technologies

• What: TEXMiN Foundation at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad signed an MoU with Russia’s GIREDMET to collaborate on rare earth and critical mineral technologies, supporting India’s self-reliance and energy transition goals.
• Tell me more:
  • GIREDMET operates under Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation, Russia.
  • The MoU was signed at Industry-Institute Interaction 2026 at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
  • Joint research will include pilot-scale validation under the Technology Translation Research Park framework.
  • Representatives from TEXMiN and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad are expected to participate in the International Congress on Rare Metals, Materials and Related Technologies (RAREMET-2026) in Moscow from May 20–22, 2026.

Appointments

Abhinav Bindra Ends Eight-Year Term on IOC Athletes’ Commission

• What: Abhinav Bindra completed his eight-year term as Vice Chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission. He was replaced by Kenyan rugby player Humphrey Kayange.
• Tell me more:
  • Bindra is India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist from the 2008 Beijing Games.
  • It is a 19-member commission representing athletes worldwide.

Miscellaneous

Gujarati Biography on Srila Prabhupada Released in Gandhinagar

• What: Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel released the Gujarati biography “Vishvaguru Srila Prabhupada,” highlighting the life and global spiritual work of the Founder-Acharya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
• Tell me more:
  • The book is written by Dr. Usha Upadhyay.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier released a commemorative coin and postal stamp on his 150th birth anniversary on 8th February, 2024

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