🇮🇳 National Affairs
• Government Expands Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Framework
The Government of India announced expansion of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to strengthen service delivery.
DPI includes Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC, and Account Aggregator systems.
Over 1.4 billion Aadhaar IDs and 12+ billion monthly UPI transactions highlight India’s digital governance scale.
DPI expansion aims to improve financial inclusion and cross-border payment integration.
• Ministry of Rural Development Launches New Skill & Livelihood Initiative
A rural employment enhancement initiative was launched to strengthen self-help groups (SHGs) and rural micro-enterprises.
Targets: training 10 lakh rural youth in agro-processing, handicrafts, and digital services.
Focus on women-led entrepreneurship under DAY-NRLM.
• India Strengthens Semiconductor Manufacturing Push
Government approved incentives under the Semiconductor Mission to promote chip fabrication and design.
India aims to become a global semiconductor hub by 2030.
Incentive support includes capital subsidies and design-linked incentives.
🌍 International Affairs
• G20 Finance Track Meeting Focuses on Debt Relief & Climate Finance
Finance ministers discussed debt vulnerabilities in developing nations.
Focus areas:
Climate finance mobilization.
Multilateral development bank reforms.
Digital financial inclusion.
India emphasized inclusive growth and Global South representation.
• India–UAE Trade Cooperation Expands
Bilateral trade under CEPA crossed USD 100 billion annual trade volume.
New agreements aim to enhance:
Energy cooperation.
Fintech collaboration.
Food security corridors.
• UN Report Highlights Global Water Stress Concerns
UN agencies warned that over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries.
Climate change and urbanization identified as key drivers.
Calls for sustainable water management policies.
💰 Economy & Banking
• RBI Strengthens Digital Lending Norms
RBI issued updated compliance guidelines for digital lending platforms.
Key provisions:
Mandatory transparency in loan pricing.
Direct disbursement to borrower bank accounts.
Data privacy safeguards.
Aims to protect borrowers and regulate fintech ecosystem.
• India’s Retail Inflation Moderates
CPI inflation eased to approximately 5.1%, within RBI tolerance band (2–6%).
Food price moderation and improved supply chains contributed to easing inflation.
• Public Sector Banks Report Improved Asset Quality
Gross NPAs declined to ~3.5%, the lowest in over a decade.
Credit growth remains strong at around 15% year-on-year.
Improved recoveries under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
🏛️ Appointments & Important Positions
• New Chief Economic Advisor Appointed
The Government appointed a new Chief Economic Advisor to guide macroeconomic policy and fiscal strategy.
Role includes advising on growth strategy, inflation control, and global economic engagement.
• Senior Leadership Changes in Public Sector Banks
Several PSU banks announced executive director-level appointments to strengthen governance and credit risk management.
🏅 Awards & Honours
• Indian Scientist Receives International Climate Research Award
A leading Indian climate scientist received global recognition for contributions to climate modeling and monsoon prediction.
Research helps improve disaster preparedness and agricultural planning.
• National Innovation Awards Announced
Awards honored startups in:
Clean energy technologies.
AI-based healthcare diagnostics.
Sustainable agriculture solutions.
⚽ Sports Current Affairs
• ICC Champions Trophy 2025–26 Preparations Intensify
Teams announced preliminary squads and training camps.
India begins conditioning camp at the National Cricket Academy, Bengaluru.
• Indian Wrestlers Win Medals at Asian Championship Event
India secured multiple podium finishes:
Gold medals in freestyle categories.
Strong performance in women’s wrestling divisions.
• Football: Indian Super League (ISL) Season Updates
League standings tighten as teams compete for playoff qualification.
Rising domestic talent gaining prominence.
🚀 Science, Technology & Environment
• ISRO Advances Reusable Launch Vehicle Testing
ISRO conducted landing experiment trials for reusable launch systems.
Objective: reduce launch costs and enhance sustainability.
• India Expands Green Hydrogen Mission Projects
New pilot projects launched for green hydrogen production.
Supports India’s target of net-zero emissions by 2070.
📚 Important Days
• 21 February – International Mother Language Day
Observed annually to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Theme emphasizes preservation of endangered languages and multilingual education.
🔎 Key Facts for Exams
DPI includes Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, ONDC.
CPI Inflation: ~5.1%.
Gross NPAs: ~3.5%.
India–UAE trade: ~$100 billion.
International Mother Language Day: 21 February.
India Net Zero Target: 2070.
