फरवरी 2026 करंट अफेयर्स

Union Budget 2026-27 — Tax Exemption Rs 12 Lakh

Finance Minister presented Budget on 1 Feb. Income tax exemption raised to Rs 12 lakh.

Republic Day 2026 Rajasthan Tableau Wins First Prize

Rajasthan Water Conservation themed tableau won first prize in Republic Day 2026 parade.

Dr. D.P. Sharma, Dholpur - lead author for UNESCO report

UNESCO appointed Durga Prasad Sharma of Dholpur as lead author for its 'Science and Innovation Report', themed on the digital divide between public and private sectors in science and technology innovation. He is currently a digital diplomacy expert at UNDP, was national brand ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Mission, and received the Rajasthan Ratna Bharat Award (2024).

Nirmal Verma, Sikar - film wins 'Cinekind Award 2025'

Nirmal Verma of Sikar saw his film 'Keeper of the Last Herd' awarded the 'Cinekind Award 2025' (Cinematic Impact Award for Animal Welfare). The film documents the fragile ecosystem of Dhawa Doli, a community-protected oran (sacred grove) in western Rajasthan. The award was jointly presented by the Film Federation of India (FFI) and People for Animals (PFA) in December 2025.

Major military exercises in Rajasthan (February 2026)

Two major military exercises were held in Rajasthan in February 2026: 'Khadag Shakti-2026' by the Army's Khadag Corps at Mahajan Range, Bikaner on February 23, and 'Vayu Shakti-2026' by the IAF at Pokaran Range, Jaisalmer on February 27. President Droupadi Murmu was chief guest at Vayu Shakti and set a new record by flying the indigenous 'Prachand' helicopter with Group Captain Nayan Shantilal Bahua. The display featured Rafale, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Tejas and Prachand.

State-Level Republic Day 2026 Tableau Results

Chief Secretary V. Srinivas honoured the winning departments at the Secretariat on February 9. First - Agriculture Department (Namo Drone Didi); Second - Art and Culture Department (Rajasthani Art); Third - Medical and Health Department (Maa Yojana).

Vibrant Village Programme-II (VVP-II)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Vibrant Village Programme-II on February 20, 2026, from Nathanpur village (Cachar), Assam. It is a Central Sector Scheme (nodal: MHA). Financial outlay ₹6,839 crore (till FY 2028-29); ₹3 crore per village. It covers 1954 villages in 334 blocks across all 15 border states and 2 UTs, expanding beyond the China border to the Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar borders.

16th Finance Commission Report

The 16th Finance Commission report was tabled in Parliament on February 1, 2026 (period 2026-27 to 2030-31). Chairman Arvind Panagariya; constituted under Article 280. States' share in the divisible pool of central taxes was kept at 41% (same as 15th FC). Horizontal devolution criteria changed: Income Distance 42.5%, Population (2011) 17.5%, Contribution to GDP 10% (new). Rajasthan's share is 5.9%; total allocation rose from ₹83,940 crore to ₹90,445 crore.

Personality rights in India

Personality rights in India — protection against unauthorised commercial use of a person's name, image and identity — were in the news amid AI/deepfakes.

India expands Ramsar Network to 98 sites

Ahead of World Wetlands Day 2026, Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) were added as Ramsar sites, raising the national total to 98.

Coking coal declared a critical mineral

The Government declared coking coal a Critical and Strategic Mineral under the MMDR Act 1957 to reduce import reliance and support Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Union Budget 2026-27

The Union Budget 2026-27 emphasised growth, fiscal consolidation, infrastructure and welfare towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.

RBI-ESMA Memorandum of Understanding

The RBI signed an MoU with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) during the visit of the Presidents of the European Council and Commission to India.

National Leprosy Day

National Leprosy Day is observed on 30 January, linked to Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary and leprosy awareness.

ExoMiner++

NASA announced the open-source release of ExoMiner++, advancing the search for planets beyond our solar system.

Birth Anniversary of Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj ji

The birth anniversary of Shri Guru Ravidas ji, a saint-poet of the Bhakti movement and a social reformer, was celebrated.

Rohit Kumar Singh - appointed at USISPF

Rohit Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch former IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre, was appointed Chairman of the Global Value Chain Committee and Advisor to the Board of Directors by the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).

Kitchen Knife - first All-India BIS license

Under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Jaipur branch of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) granted the first All-India license for a kitchen knife (IS 16301:2017) to Kai Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. (Neemrana, Alwar). Quality testing included hardness, cutting edge, flexibility, corrosion and boiling tests.

New directorate to curb economic crimes (DRI-EO)

The Rajasthan government formed the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Economic Offences (DRI-EO) for effective monitoring of economic crimes. The old 'Directorate of State Revenue Intelligence' was abolished and a unified body created to monitor tax evasion, financial frauds, etc.

India joins PAX SILICA Coalition

India formally joined the Pax Silica Coalition during the India AI Impact Summit 2026. 'Pax' means peace and 'Silica' refers to silicon-based semiconductor technologies, symbolising a stable, cooperative global technology order. It was launched in December 2025 by the US Department of State. It advances India-US tech cooperation under the TRUST initiative.

'Access Pass' for Fishing

Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the 'Access Pass' on February 20, 2026, from Veraval, Gujarat, to encourage fishing of valuable fish like tuna in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is free and available online on the 'ReALCRaft' portal; traditional non-motorized fishermen are exempted. India's EEZ covers about 2.4 million sq km.

Indigenous AI models - Vikram LLM & BharatGen AI

Bengaluru's Sarvam AI launched two large language models called 'Vikram' (30 billion and 105 billion parameters), designed to work in India's 22 scheduled languages. 'BharatGen AI', developed by IIT Bombay, is India's first indigenous AI model built entirely on government funding.

Rajasthan CM Kanya Utthan Yojana Launched

Rajasthan scheme provides Rs 1 lakh financial support to girls from birth to graduation.

Charting India's developmental path: Economic Survey 2025-26

The Economic Survey 2025-26 outlined India's economic position, growth prospects and reform priorities, presented before the Union Budget.

Consumer confidence in India

Consumer confidence in India — based on the RBI's Consumer Confidence Survey (CCS) — was in the news as an indicator of economic sentiment and demand.

Bharat Parv 2026

The Ministry of Tourism organised Bharat Parv 2026, a six-day national cultural and tourism festival (26-31 January) at the Red Fort, New Delhi, as part of Republic Day celebrations.

Raising Day of the Indian Coast Guard

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) marked its Raising Day; it protects India's maritime interests and coastal security.

Expert panel for transgender healthcare

The government constituted an expert panel to frame healthcare guidelines and standards for transgender persons.

India-US Trade Deal 2026

Negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement (Interim/BTA) between India and the US — around tariffs, market access and agriculture — were in the news.

India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting

A meeting of foreign ministers of India and Arab League countries strengthened cooperation in trade, energy, diaspora and regional security.

Minimum Import Price on Penicillin G

The Centre imposed a Minimum Import Price (MIP) on key pharmaceutical inputs Penicillin G and its salts to regulate imports and protect the domestic API industry.

Gujarat Back on India's Tiger Map as a 'Tiger-Present' State

With a tiger now resident in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Dahod, the NTCA has reinstated Gujarat as a tiger-present state for the 2026 tiger count after over three decades.

Phoolchand Gurjar - former MLA passes away

Phoolchand Gurjar, a two-time BJP MLA from Neemkathana (Sikar) in the 8th and 9th Rajasthan Legislative Assemblies, passed away on January 2. He was a member of the Assembly's Library Committee and other legislative committees.

Kota Festival-2026

On February 21-22, 2026, the Kota Festival-2026 was held in Shiksha Nagari Kota, coordinated by the Kota District Administration and Rajasthan Tourism Department to promote Kota's art, culture and tourism. Key attractions: Chambal Maha Aarti with 2,100 lamps on the western ghats of the riverfront, a Doria fashion show featuring Kota Doria products, and the 'Nirogi Kota' health talk show.

51st Rose Show - 2026

The Rose Society of Rajasthan held the 51st Rose Show on February 7-8 at City Park Mansarovar, Jaipur, exhibiting over 500 rose varieties. Major awards: Arjun Lal - King of Roses, JDA Secretary - Queen of Roses, PWD Kota - Princess of Roses.

Gallantry Awards 2026

President Droupadi Murmu sanctioned the gallantry awards on the 77th Republic Day. The highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra, went to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Air Force). Three Kirti Chakras (Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair) and 13 Shaurya Chakras (1 posthumous) were awarded.

Administrative Reforms - two important committees

On January 26, 2026 (77th Republic Day), two committees were formed to enhance state employees' efficiency and resolve service problems: (1) Efficiency and Competency Committee (Chair: Secretary, Department of Personnel); (2) Cadre Disparity Resolution Committee (Chair: Chief Secretary).

V.O. Chidambaranar Port - IGBC Platinum Rating

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, Tuticorin, received the IGBC Platinum Rating for sustainable, eco-friendly buildings and an Energy Efficiency Certification. It is the first port in India to receive the Platinum rating from the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council). An advanced anti-drone system was also installed for the first time at any Indian port.

Manipur Assembly constitutional deadlock

The Manipur Congress president approached the High Court, alleging unconstitutional actions by the Governor and seeking dissolution of the Assembly under Article 174.

Conservationists raise concerns over 'Turtle Trails'

Budget 2026-27's proposal to develop 'turtle trails' along key turtle nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala triggered concerns among conservationists.

Code on Wages, 2019: the new framework replacing four old wage laws

The Code on Wages, 2019, one of the four labour codes, took effect on 21 November 2025. Draft rules under it were prepublished for comments on 30 December 2025.

Menstrual health as a fundamental right

The demand and judicial observations to recognise menstrual health as a fundamental right under Article 21 (right to life and dignity) were in the news.

Krishna Kumar Gupta - Swachh Bharat (Urban) State Brand Ambassador third time

The Rajasthan government appointed Krishna Kumar Gupta as State Brand Ambassador for Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) for the third time. His 'Dungarpur Model' of cleanliness and garbage-free awareness made Dungarpur an open defecation free (ODF) city.

Ajmer - Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy University Bill 2026

On February 25 the State Cabinet approved the draft of 'The Rajasthan Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy University, Ajmer Bill, 2026'. The university will give new direction to teaching and research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and Homeopathy. It will be the state's second Ayurveda-based university after Jodhpur.

'Gaon Gwal' Scheme

For conservation and prosperity of cattle, the Rajasthan government launched the 'Gaon Gwal' scheme on February 22, 2026, by Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar from Kherli village, Ramganj Mandi (Kota). One 'village cowherd' will be appointed for every 70 cows; cowherds were appointed in 14 villages initially. They receive a ₹10,000/month honorarium, borne by Bhamashah (philanthropists), not the government.

Sahakar Manthan - 'Prosperity through Cooperation'

On February 17, 2026, 'Sahakar Manthan' was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, chaired by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah. Rajasthan was represented by MoS Cooperation Gautam Kumar Dak. Rajasthan ranked first in effective implementation of the Grain Storage Scheme and in Life Insurance Cooperative Society membership, and second in formation of new M-PACS.

PM's Visit to Assam

On February 14, 2026, PM Narendra Modi launched several projects in Assam: Moran Airport (Northeast India's first Emergency Landing Facility-ELF); the Kumar Bhaskar Verma Setu over the Brahmaputra (first 6-lane extradosed bridge, ~2.86 km); and a hyperscale data center at Amingaon, Kamrup. India's first ELF was built in 2021 on the Barmer-Jalore highway in Rajasthan.

Indigenous Waterjet & Tele-Robotic Ultrasound

The Indian Coast Guard inaugurated an indigenous Marine Jet Power waterjet production facility in Panjim, Goa; India is the 3rd country (after the USA and South Korea) to develop this technology. Also, in a demonstration in Goa, AIIMS Delhi was connected to the Maitri Research Centre in Antarctica via tele-robotic ultrasonography (led by NCPOR, with IIT and AIIMS Delhi).

NDMA Guidelines for Disaster Victim Identification

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) guidelines for the dignified, scientific identification of the dead in disasters.

Biomaterials

Biomaterials — materials used in medical implants, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine — were in the news amid research advances.

DRDO successfully demonstrates SFDR technology

DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology, enhancing the capability of long-range air-to-air missiles.

Miniratna status for Yantra India Limited

The Defence Minister granted Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited, recognising its transformation into a profit-making DPSU within four years.

Ad hoc judges under Article 224A

The appointment of retired judges as ad hoc judges under Article 224A to tackle the backlog of pending cases in High Courts was in the news.

Circular economy in mobility

Sustainability through a circular economy in the mobility sector — battery recycling, vehicle scrapping and resource efficiency — was in the news.

Exercise KHANJAR

The 13th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan joint special forces Exercise KHANJAR commenced in Missamari, Assam.

Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0

NITI Aayog launched the three-month Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 (28 January-14 April 2026) to fast-track full coverage of key development indicators in Aspirational Districts and Blocks.

NBDSA flags communal code violations

Data revealed that nearly 60% of orders by the News Broadcasting & Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) over three years cited communal harmony code violations.

Sajjangarh Biological Park, Udaipur - Rajasthan's second Lion Safari

Rajasthan's second Lion Safari launched at Sajjangarh Biological Park, Udaipur, on February 16, inaugurated by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. It is developed over about 20 hectares within the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Attractions include 'Samrat' and 'Sunena', a pair of Asiatic lions from Junagadh, Gujarat. A modern Reptile House and Wildlife Rescue Centre were also inaugurated. Rajasthan's first Lion Safari is at Nahargarh Biological Park, Jaipur.

Ajmer - 'Christian Ganj' renamed 'Krishna Ganj'

By an order of the Rajasthan Home Department, Ajmer's 'Christian Ganj' police station and outpost were renamed 'Krishna Ganj'. Other changes: Foy Sagar → Varun Sagar, King Edward Memorial → Maharishi Dayanand Rest House, Hotel Khadim (RTDC) → Hotel Ajaymeru, Elevated Road → Ram Setu.

'PM e-Bus Service' - 8 cities in Rajasthan

Under the 'PM e-Bus Service' launched by the Government of India on August 16, 2023, a total of 675 e-buses were approved across 8 major cities in Rajasthan. The first-phase trial in Jaipur was held on February 26-28, 2026. City-wise: Jaipur 150; Jodhpur, Ajmer, Kota 100 each; Bikaner 75; Alwar, Bhilwara, Udaipur 50 each.

'Gram Sansad' and Pipalantri Model

On February 23, 2026, at the sarpanches' 'Gram Sansad', the Governor described them as 'Carriers of Development - True Bhagiraths'. The Pipalantri environmental conservation model of Rajsamand was appreciated, initiated by former Sarpanch Dr. Shyam Sundar Paliwal (Padma Shri). In this 'Father of Eco-Feminism' model, 111 trees are planted and a ₹31,000 FD made for every daughter's birth.

Lakhpati Didi & Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

The PM doubled the Lakhpati Didi target to create 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' by March 2029 (previous target 3 crore, achieved ahead of deadline). Launched in 2023 under DAY-NRLM; nodal ministry: Rural Development. A Lakhpati Didi is an SHG member with annual household income of ₹1 lakh+. The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) outlay was also doubled from ₹1 to ₹2 lakh crore (2020-21 to 2029-30; loans up to ₹2 crore, 3% interest subvention).

Winter Olympics 2026 (Milan-Cortina)

The 25th Winter Olympics 2026 (Feb 6-22) were hosted by Milan & Cortina, Italy; motto 'IT's your vibe', mascots Tina and Milo. Norway (18 gold) topped the medal tally, followed by the USA and Netherlands. India's 2-member contingent had Arif Mohammad Khan (Alpine Skiing, 39th, opening flag-bearer) and Stanzin Lundup (Cross-Country, 104th, closing flag-bearer). It was India's 11th Winter Olympics participation.

ISRO Launches 3 Satellites via SSLV-D3

ISRO placed 3 small satellites in LEO using SSLV-D3 rocket.

India AI Stack

The India AI Stack — a layered framework of AI services, compute, data and models — was in the news under the IndiaAI Mission.

Defence in Union Budget 2026-27

Budget 2026-27 gave the defence sector enhanced allocation for modernisation, indigenisation and capital acquisition, reflecting a focus on self-reliance.

Sacred Groves

Sacred groves — forest patches protected by communities on religious grounds — were in the news for biodiversity conservation.

Jhodia Community and Soura Language

Odisha's proposal to include the Jhodia community in the ST list and the demand for Soura language inclusion came into focus after the Centre said ORGI did not support it.

Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries — a cheaper, more abundant alternative to lithium-ion — were in the news in the context of energy storage and EVs.

India expands Kavach 4.0 coverage

Indian Railways commissioned a record 472.3 route km of Kavach Version 4.0 in a single day, the highest-ever rollout in a day.

Sunlight-powered self-charging energy device

Researchers developed a sunlight-powered self-charging energy device that harvests and stores solar energy.

End of the New START Treaty

The end of the New START Treaty — the last major nuclear arms control pact between the US and Russia — was in the news amid concerns over global strategic stability.

Akanksha Sharma, Kota - summited Mount Kilimanjaro

Mountaineer Akanksha Sharma of Kota successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft / 5,895 m), Africa's highest peak in Tanzania, on January 30, 2026. Earlier in September 2025 she hoisted the Indian flag on Mount Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, in Russia. She is the first mountaineer from Kota to achieve this.

PM-KKKY - Rajasthan Update

Under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PM-KKKY), NITI Aayog and the Rajasthan government aim to raise mineral production capacity through development works in 27 aspirational blocks and 5 aspirational districts. Implementation is through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). The 5 aspirational districts are Sirohi, Jaisalmer, Baran, Karauli and Dholpur.

Sambhar Bird Festival

On February 27, 2026, the Forest Department organized the Sambhar Bird Festival at the Kochya Ki Dhani and Jhapok region of Sambhar Lake. It aimed to raise awareness about Sambhar Lake's biodiversity, wetland ecology and conservation of migratory birds (especially flamingos). A live demo of traditional salt production was held, along with the launch of the 'Wetland Friend Registration Campaign'.

Women Entrepreneurship Program (WISE-2026)

On February 27-28, WISE-2026 was held at the Constitution Club of Rajasthan, Jaipur, on the theme 'Empowered Women, Developed Rajasthan'. It was organized by RAJIVIKA and COWE (Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs). Former CM Vasundhara Raje was the guest, while Smriti Irani addressed virtually.

First Semiconductor Unit in UP (HCL-Foxconn)

On February 21, 2026, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the HCL-Foxconn Semiconductor Unit in Jewar (Gautam Buddha Nagar), UP. Established as 'India Chip Private Limited', it is North India's first chip packaging and testing (OSAT) unit. It is a JV between HCL Group (60%) and Taiwan's Foxconn (40%); cost ~₹3,700 crore.

President Lula's Visit to India

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was on a state visit to India from February 18-22, 2026. Brazil is India's largest trade partner in Latin America; the target is beyond $20 billion over the next 5 years. An agreement was reached on critical minerals and rare earths. India and Brazil share multilateral platforms like BRICS, BASIC, IBSA and G4.

Revised startup recognition framework

India revised the startup recognition framework under the Startup India Action Plan, as the initiative enters its second decade.

Union Budget 2026-27 push for chemical parks

Budget 2026-27 pushed for developing chemical parks to strengthen India's chemicals industry and reduce import dependence.

Private Bill seeks mandatory 10-year census

A Private Member's Bill sought to make the census legally mandatory every 10 years, to ensure a regular and timely census.

Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya

Rat-hole mining in Meghalaya — a hazardous, environmentally damaging coal mining method — was in the news amid accidents and the NGT ban.

Anti-Defection Law

The Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule of the Constitution), its provisions and the role of the Speaker/Chairman were in the news.

Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-III

India successfully conducted a training trial of the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-III, strengthening its nuclear deterrence.

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority

The Centre, Nagaland government and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) signed a historic tripartite agreement to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

SC flags delay in regular DGP appointments

The Supreme Court flagged delays by states in appointing regular Directors General of Police (DGP) and the trend of appointing acting DGPs.

RBI MPC keeps repo rate unchanged (Feb 2026)

The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the repo rate unchanged, balancing inflation and growth.

RBI approves reappointment of MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank

The Reserve Bank of India approved the reappointment of AU Small Finance Bank's MD & CEO for a period of three years, with the new term commencing April 19, 2026. AU Small Finance Bank is headquartered in Jaipur.

Indigenous Heavy Drop System-20L (HDS-20L)

On February 17, 2026, the indigenous 'Advanced 28-foot Heavy Drop System-20S (Type V)' was successfully tested at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Bikaner. Developed jointly by ADSL and DRDO lab ADRDE (Agra) under 'Make in India', the test achieved the first airdrop of an approximately 15-ton BMP armoured vehicle, giving the Army unprecedented capability to rapidly deploy heavy equipment in inaccessible areas like Ladakh or Arunachal.

Alwar Bird Festival

On February 7, 2026, the Alwar Bird Festival was held at Siliserh Lake (Alwar), inaugurated by Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav and Minister of State Sanjay Sharma. Over 200 native and migratory bird species were recorded. A new Biological + Science Park was announced for the Kattighati region in Alwar.

PM RAHAT Scheme

On February 13, 2026, the PM launched PM RAHAT (Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment Yojana) as his first decision at Seva Teerth. The nodal ministry is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Road accident victims get cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days from the accident date. Reimbursement is through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF); linked to helpline 112 (ERSS).

French President Macron's Visit to India

French President Emmanuel Macron visited India from February 17-19, 2026, and attended the AI Impact Summit 2026. Bilateral ties were elevated to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership'. India was invited to the G7 Summit 2026 hosted by France. An 'India-France Year of Innovation 2026' was announced; UPI is operational in France (the first European country). France is emerging as India's 2nd-largest arms supplier after Russia.

4th Women's Premier League (WPL)

In the 4th Women's Premier League (WPL), Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won a 2nd title; runner-up Delhi Capitals. Player of the Match: Smriti Mandhana; Orange Cap (most runs) also Mandhana. Player of the Tournament and Purple Cap: NZ's Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants). Venue: Vadodara.

Hem Singh Bhadana - former cabinet minister passes away

Former BJP cabinet minister in the Vasundhara Raje government, Hem Singh Bhadana, passed away on February 2. He was a two-time MLA from Thanagazi (Alwar) in 2008 and 2013.

Alwar - country's first 100% insured district

Under the 'Insurance Campaign-2047', Alwar became the country's first 100% insured district. It is part of the Government of India and IRDAI's 'Insurance for All by 2047' vision. Through a door-to-door survey, 1,367 eligible citizens above age 10 were provided insurance cover. The insurance provider is United India Insurance Company Limited. Desula village in Alwar was declared the country's first 100% insured village in August 2025.

PM's Rajasthan Visit (February 28, 2026)

On February 28, 2026, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth ₹16,686 crore in Rajasthan. At a Rojgar Utsav, appointment letters were given to 21,863 newly recruited youth across government departments. He also launched the National HPV Vaccination Campaign from Kayad Vishram Sthal, Ajmer.

'Malani Festival'

Minister of State Krishna Kumar Vishnoi announced on February 14, 2026 that a 'Malani Festival' will be organized in Balotra district on the lines of Jaisalmer's famous 'Maru Mahotsav'. The main cultural centre will be the Kiradu Temple complex (Barmer), known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan. Barmer's 'Malani' region is named after the great warrior-saint Rawal Mallinath Ji.

'Save Khejri Movement 2026' - Bikaner

In Bikaner, the 'Save Khejri Movement 2026' began on February 2 as a symbol of the struggle between environment and development (a solar plant). Protesting the felling of Khejri trees for a solar power project, it lasted 11 days, after which the government accepted the demands. It was led by Bishnoi-community saints, women and environmentalists. The inspiring slogan was 'Sar Saate Rukh Rahe To Bhi Sasto Jaan'. On the 11th day the government promised a special law for Khejri conservation.

Yantra India Limited - Miniratna Category-I

Yantra India Limited (YIL) was granted Miniratna Category-I status with approval from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. YIL was established in 2021 under the Department of Defence and is an 'A' category Defence PSU (DPSU). For Miniratna Category-I, a PSU must have made profits for 3 consecutive years with a profit of ₹30 crore in at least one of those years.

National HPV Vaccination Campaign

On February 28, 2026, the PM launched the National HPV Vaccination Campaign from Kayad Vishram Sthal, Ajmer, to protect girls aged 9-14 against cervical cancer. Mandatory registration is on the U-WIN portal; a single dose of Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent HPV vaccine) will be administered, protecting against HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11. About 1.15 crore girls nationwide will be vaccinated free every year.

PM-SETU Scheme - Rajasthan first in implementation

Rajasthan ranks first in the country in implementing the PM-SETU (Prime Minister's Skill Development and Employability Upgradation) scheme and is the only state to achieve all 'green indicators' on the Ministry of Skill Development dashboard. PM-SETU is a three-tier partnership model between central, state and private industries to modernize government ITIs; duration is 10 years (financial support for the first 5 years) with a mandatory provision for direct employment of trained youth.

MedLEaPR Digital System

Per a Rajasthan High Court order in the Mukesh Kumar alias Mangej case (2025), MedLEaPR (Medico-Legal Examinations and Post-Mortem Reporting System) became mandatory from February 1, 2026. All MLC and postmortem reports will now be generated only through MedLEaPR, TEAM-PR and CCTNS; manual reports are no longer legally valid. The case arose from doctors' illegible handwriting.

Alwar Tiger International Half Marathon-2026

On February 8, 2026, the 'Alwar Tiger International Half Marathon-2026' was held in Alwar, flagged off by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and other ministers. The brand ambassador was actor Randeep Hooda; theme was the 'Fit India Mission', tiger conservation and Alwar tourism. Simon Maiwa (Kenya) won the men's and Diana Wanja (Kenya) the women's category. Total prize money of over ₹90 lakh was announced.

Science conferences & initiatives (February 2026)

Science initiatives of February 2026: at INCOIS's 27th Foundation Day in Hyderabad, 3 initiatives - Jelly AIIP, the Samudra 2.0 app and SNAS (Storm Warning System); the RISE Conclave 2026 in Chennai (inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh); the SUJVIKA portal (the Department of Biotechnology's AI-powered biotech data portal); and the Blockchain India Challenge (MeitY and C-DAC).

RPSC RAS Prelims 2026 — Exam Date Announced

RPSC announced RAS Prelims 2026 exam date. Lakhs of aspirants in preparation.

Union Budget 2026-27 Record Spending on Infrastructure and AI

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 12 lakh crore for infrastructure and Rs 25,000 crore for AI.

Network Readiness Index Report 2025

India improved by four ranks to 45th in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025, released by the Portulans Institute.

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0

Budget 2026-27 announced India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, building on ISM 1.0 with a transition to consolidation, technological depth and global integration.

Breakthrough in CAR T-Cell Therapy

A breakthrough in CAR T-Cell therapy for cancer treatment, which engineers a patient's immune cells to fight cancer, was in the news.

Colombo Security Conclave

At the India-Seychelles meeting, India highlighted the strategic significance of Seychelles joining the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), an expansion of India's regional maritime security architecture.

India as Chair of the Kimberley Process 2026

India assumed the chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026, placing it at the forefront of global diamond governance.

RBI enhances collateral-free lending for MSEs

The RBI enhanced the limit for collateral-free lending to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to improve credit access for small businesses.

Right to Disconnect Bill 2026

The Right to Disconnect Bill 2026, giving employees the right to disconnect from work communication outside working hours, was in the news.

India's next-generation tsunami warning system

India unveiled its next-generation tsunami warning system, providing faster and more accurate alerts.

Agricultural safeguards in India-US Interim Trade Agreement

The need for agricultural safeguards to protect India's farmers and dairy sector in the India-US Interim Trade Agreement was in the news.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme - Rajasthan 2026 Update

Per Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's Lok Sabha answer, 1337 stations are identified nationally under the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana, including 85 in Rajasthan. So far 12 stations in Rajasthan are fully developed: Barmer, Bundi, Deshnok, Fatehpur Shekhawati, Gangapur City, Gogamedi, Govindgarh, Jaisalmer, Khairthal, Mandalgarh, Mandawar Mahwa Road, Rajgarh. The PM inaugurated 8 stations from Deshnok. Budget 2026-27 gave Rajasthan Railways a record ₹10,228 crore.

Menstrual Health recognized as Fundamental Right

In Dr. Jaya Thakur vs Union of India (2026), the Supreme Court recognized menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) as a fundamental right under Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity). The Court directed governments to provide free biodegradable sanitary napkins in all schools across states/UTs and to ensure separate functional toilets for boys and girls in every school.

PRAHAAR - first national counter-terrorism policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs released the first comprehensive national counter-terrorism policy and strategy, 'PRAHAAR'. Based on India's 'Zero Tolerance' policy, it rests on seven principles: P-Prevention, R-Response, A-Aggregation, H-Human Rights, A-Attenuating, A-Aligning, R-Recovery.

Science & Technology one-liners (February 2026)

Science one-liners for February 2026: the WHO pre-qualified the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (NOPV2) made in India (Biological E); SBI launched the 'CHAKRA' Centre of Excellence for sunrise sectors like green hydrogen, EVs and semiconductors; INS Anjadeep (4th ship of the ASW-SWC project) was launched at Chennai; CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP developed bio-bitumen from paddy straw; and China announced a space-based AI data center.

Important Books (February 2026)

Important books and authors of February 2026: 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee: The Eternal Statesman' (Vijay Goyal); '100 Ways to See India: Stats, Stories, and Surprises' (Rohit Saran); 'The Sage Who Reimagined Hinduism: ...Sree Narayana Guru' (Dr. Shashi Tharoor); and 'Smarter Than the Storm: ...the AI-climate Nexus' (Amitabh Kant and Siddharth Sinha).

New dragonfly species discovered in Kerala

Researchers identified a new dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis, in Kerala, extending its known range beyond northeast India.

Gravitational control of Earth's motion

A scientific reflection explained how gravity governs Earth's motion, revisiting planetary motion and centripetal force.

India-Netherlands Green Hydrogen Partnership

India and the Netherlands strengthened clean energy cooperation by launching a Hydrogen Fellowship Programme and signing an MoU for green hydrogen research.

Thwaites Glacier

Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier (the 'Doomsday Glacier'), whose melting could cause a major rise in global sea levels, was in the news.

India-Greece Relations

India-Greece relations — defence, maritime cooperation, trade and the Indo-Pacific amid a strategic partnership — were in the news.

PMO's directive on PM CARES and relief funds

The PMO informed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that questions on the PM CARES Fund, PMNRF and National Defence Fund (NDF) are inadmissible in the Lok Sabha.

Capital goods sector

India's capital goods sector — the backbone of manufacturing — was in the news regarding production, import dependence and policy support.

P-8I Anti-Submarine Warfare

The Indian Navy's P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft was in the news for surveillance in the Indian Ocean.

Rajasthan Sea-Side Startup Summit-2026

From February 27 to March 1, 2026, the 'Rajasthan Sea-Side Startup Summit-2026' was held at Hotel Taj Amer, Jaipur, inaugurated by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. It aimed to develop Rajasthan as a global startup hub and connect Indian entrepreneurs with investors from South Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Armenia's Ambassador Vahag Afyan attended; over 50 startups were from Rajasthan.

President's Rule ends in Manipur

President's Rule in Manipur was removed on February 4, 2026, having been imposed under Article 356 on February 13, 2025. President's Rule has been imposed 11 times in Manipur so far. A new Council of Ministers was formed, with Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh (BJP). Deputy CMs: Nemcha Kipgen (the state's first woman Deputy CM, Kuki community) and Losi Dikho (Naga community).

Important Days (February 2026)

Important days and themes in February 2026: Feb 1 - Indian Coast Guard Foundation Day; Feb 2 - World Wetlands Day; Feb 4 - World Cancer Day ('United by Unique'); Feb 10 - World Pulses Day; Feb 11 - World Unani Day; Feb 13 - World Radio Day and Indian National Women's Day (Sarojini Naidu's birth anniversary); Feb 20 - World Social Justice Day; Feb 21 - International Mother Language Day; Feb 28 - National Science Day ('Women in Science').

Space technology updates (February 2026)

NASA postponed the Artemis-II mission to March due to a hydrogen leak in the SLS rocket; it will be the first crewed mission carrying 4 astronauts to lunar orbit. HAVEN-1, developed by US firm VAST, is the world's first commercial space station (to launch in 2027 via SpaceX Falcon-9). A qualification load test of the 'drogue parachute' for the Gaganyaan mission was done in Chandigarh by DRDO and ISRO.

Major military exercises (February 2026)

Major military exercises in February 2026: the 13th MILAN (Feb 15-25, Visakhapatnam, 75 friendly nations, closing on INS Vikrant); the International Fleet Review (reviewed by President Droupadi Murmu, 70+ nations, theme 'United through the sea'); the 7th Dharma Guardian (India-Japan, Uttarakhand); the 16th Vajra Prahar (India-US Green Berets, Bakloh HP); the 13th Khanjar (India-Kyrgyzstan); and Agni Varsha (Pokaran, Rajasthan).

Death Anniversary of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya

The death anniversary of Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya, a thinker and the originator of 'Integral Humanism' (Ekatma Manavavad), was commemorated.

Arctic Sentry Mission

NATO announced the launch of a mission called 'Arctic Sentry' to bolster its presence in the strategically sensitive Arctic region.

Regulation of books by Armed Forces personnel

New rules regulating the publication of books and articles by Armed Forces personnel were in the news, balancing freedom of expression and military discipline.

Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2026

MeitY notified the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules 2026, tightening norms for synthetic media (deepfakes).

New MHA protocol on Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana

The MHA issued instructions that the National Song, Vande Mataram, must be played/sung before the National Anthem, Jana Gana Mana, when both are part of an event.

India's aviation sector

India's rapidly growing aviation sector — the world's third-largest domestic market — was in the news regarding infrastructure, connectivity and challenges.

Tamil Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egypt

Recent findings of nearly 30 inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit and Sanskrit at tombs in Egypt's Valley of the Kings highlight trade links between ancient Tamilagam, India and the Roman Empire.

Mobile Veterinary Unit Scheme

536 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) are active in Rajasthan; by February 15, 2026, 61,30,856 animals were treated through on-call service camps. The scheme launched on February 24, 2024, with toll-free helpline 1962. Standard: 1 unit per 1 lakh livestock. Centrally sponsored: 100% vehicle cost by Centre, operating expenses Centre:State 60:40.

India AI Impact Summit-2026 (Rajasthan Pavilion)

The 'India AI Impact Summit-2026' was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on February 16-20, 2026, with 3 themes (People, Planet, Progress) and 7 'Chakras'. The Rajasthan Pavilion was represented by the Department of IT & Communications (DoIT-C), presenting three policies - Rajasthan AI/ML Policy-2026, Data Center Policy and AVGC-XR Policy. AI technologies like RajKisan, SMART and RajGPT were showcased.

Project Cheetah - 9 cheetahs from Botswana

Under Project Cheetah, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav released 9 cheetahs from Botswana into Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, on February 28, 2026. This is the third time African cheetahs have been reintroduced to India (2022-Namibia, 2023-South Africa). It is the world's first intercontinental translocation of a large wild carnivore. Implementing agency: NTCA; technical support: WII.

Inauguration of 'Seva Teerth' and 'Kartavya Bhavan'

On February 13, 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Seva Teerth', 'Kartavya Bhavan-1' and 'Kartavya Bhavan-2' under the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. Seva Teerth houses the PMO (Seva Teerth-1), Cabinet Secretariat (Seva Teerth-2) and NSA office (Seva Teerth-3); it bears the message 'Nagrik Devo Bhava'. On the first day, the PM approved the PM RAHAT scheme, doubling the Lakhpati Didi target to 6 crore, raising AIF allocation to ₹2 lakh crore, and Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (₹10,000 crore).

Asian Shooting Championship (New Delhi)

The Asian Shooting Championship was held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi from February 2-14, 2026, where India topped with 94 medals (51 gold, 23 silver, 20 bronze). Rajasthan's medallists: Shiksha Saharan (Bikaner) - 2 gold in 10m Air Pistol; Manini Kaushik (Jaipur) - gold in Women's 50m Rifle team; Khwaish Sharma (Sikar) and Manvendra Singh Shekhawat - bronze.

India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue Defence Cooperation

India-Japan 2+2 dialogue agreed on next-generation defence and technology cooperation.

Bodhan AI & Bharat EduAI Stack

The government launched Bodhan AI to build an open-source Bharat EduAI Stack to embed AI across the education system from kindergarten to research.

Ricin in bioterrorism

Ricin, a highly toxic protein from castor beans, was in the news as a potential bioterrorism agent.

Arctic warming amplifies invasive species threat

Studies showed that Arctic warming amplifies the invasive species threat, as warming waters bring new species into the region.

Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project

Pakistan formally requested information and consultations from India on the Sawalkot hydroelectric project on the Chenab River, invoking the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960.

US-Bangladesh cotton deal: implications for India

Bangladesh and the US signed a reciprocal trade deal, with implications for India's cotton and textile exports in the news.

IAF to train British pilots

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will train pilots of the British Royal Air Force, a significant step in India-UK defence cooperation.

CPI Base Year Revised to 2024

The Ministry of Statistics revised the Consumer Price Index (CPI) base year to 2024 to better reflect changing consumption patterns.

Indigenous dogs for the Assam Rifles dog squad

The Assam Rifles plans to phase out foreign dog breeds by 2050, following the 2025 MHA directive to induct more Indian canine breeds.

Sex-Sorted Semen Scheme

On August 11, 2025, Rajasthan's first state-of-the-art 'Sex-Sorted Semen Lab' was inaugurated by Animal Husbandry Minister Joraram Kumawat in Bassi, Jaipur. The scheme aims to ensure birth of only female calves with up to 85% accuracy, reducing stray animals and boosting milk production. Operated with RCDF, RLDB and NDDB; the state raised the subsidy from 50% to 75%. National context: Rashtriya Gokul Mission (2014).

'Puppets of India' - 8 commemorative stamps

On February 13, 2026, the Indian Postal Department released a set of 8 commemorative stamps themed 'Puppets of India' on the occasion of the 22nd Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival (New Delhi). Each stamp is priced at ₹5; designed by Shankha Samanta. It includes Rajasthan's traditional string puppets (Kathputli) and puppets of West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra.

PM Modi's Israel Visit

India and Israel established full diplomatic relations in 1992, now elevated to a 'Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation & Prosperity'. PM Modi received the Israeli Parliament (Knesset)'s highest honour, the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal' - the first Indian PM to do so. He addressed the Knesset, met President Isaac Herzog and planted a tree under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'. The first round of India-Israel FTA negotiations concluded successfully.

India's total installed power capacity 520 GW

As of January 31, 2026, India's total installed power generation capacity reached 520 GW. This includes 248541.62 MW of fossil-fuel-based capacity and 271969.33 MW of non-fossil capacity (renewables ~263,189 MW, nuclear 8,780 MW). A record 52,537 MW was added in FY 2025-26.

Australian Open 2026

At the Australian Open 2026 (Melbourne), Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) won the men's singles for the first time at age 22, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam; runner-up Novak Djokovic. Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) won the women's singles (runner-up Aryna Sabalenka). The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year.

Valentine Day — Tourism Record in Rajasthan

Tourism record in Rajasthan on 14 February 2026. Crowds in Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur.

Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) PLI Scheme

A report highlighted serious implementation challenges in India's Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme.

Removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker

The process of removing the Lok Sabha Speaker and its constitutional provisions were in the news.

Desert dust bacteria's impact on Himalayan health

Research showed that bacteria carried with desert dust affect Himalayan ecosystems and human health.

Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero

Studies on pathways and scenarios to simultaneously achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Net Zero by 2070 were in the news.

India leads CTF-154 maritime training force

For the first time, the Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a major multinational maritime training force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

New telescopes in Ladakh to boost space research

Budget 2026-27 sanctioned two world-class telescopes in Ladakh — NLST and NLOT — along with upgrading the existing Himalayan Chandra Telescope.

Reforming India's power distribution sector

Reforms in India's power distribution sector (DISCOMs) — amid losses, AT&C losses and schemes like RDSS — were in the news.

RBI tightens norms on recovery agents' conduct

The RBI issued draft guidelines regulating the conduct of recovery agents engaged by banks and regulated entities, effective from 1 July 2026.

13th 'India Stonemart-2026'

The 13th 'India Stonemart-2026', India's largest international stone industry exhibition, was held at JECC, Sitapura, Jaipur on February 5-8, 2026, inaugurated by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. Theme: 'Stone for Sustainability'. The CM also launched the 'India Stonemart Mobile App'. In the State Pavilion, Gujarat came first and Odisha second.

Rajasthan - major awards of February 2026

Key Rajasthan-linked awards in February 2026: the Nasirabad Cantonment Board (Ajmer) received the 'Defence Minister Excellence Award 2025' from Rajnath Singh; Namita Gokhale (JLF co-founder) won the 'Bhartendu Harishchandra Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Banaras Literature Festival; Dr. Norbert Peabody (England) received the 'Maharaj Sir Pratap Singh Ji Samman (International Marwar Ratna)'; and Major Rajendra Singh Shekhawat received the Army Medal (Gallantry).

Seychelles President's visit to India

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie visited India from February 5-10. Both adopted the 'Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL)'. India announced a $175 million Special Economic Package, comprising a $125 million Line of Credit and $50 million in grant assistance.

PM Modi's Malaysia Visit

PM Narendra Modi visited Malaysia (PM Anwar bin Ibrahim) on February 7-8, 2026; ties are a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He attended the 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum in Kuala Lumpur. The 'Thiruvalluvar Centre' was set up to promote Tamil language and culture. NPCI International and Malaysia's PayNet signed a UPI-DuitNow agreement for QR-based cross-border payments.

Change in base year for GDP, IIP and CPI

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) changed base years: GDP and IIP from 2011-12 to 2022-23, and CPI from 2012 to 2024. The committee was chaired by Biswanath Goldar. In CPI, groups rose from 6 to 12 and items from 299 to 358. The new GDP series projects FY 2025-26 growth at 7.6%. January 2026 CPI inflation was 2.75%.

Mahashivratri 2026 — Grand Celebrations in Rajasthan

Grand celebrations at major temples of Rajasthan on Mahashivratri. Pushkar, Nathdwara, Somnath.

Siliserh Lake, Alwar - Rajasthan's first 'model wetland'

At the State Wetland Authority's Technical Committee meeting on February 10, it was decided to develop Siliserh Lake as Rajasthan's first 'model wetland'. In December 2025 it received international recognition as India's 96th and Rajasthan's 5th Ramsar site. The objective is to make it a model for wetland conservation and management for other districts; at least one wetland will be developed in each district, listed, digitized and regularly monitored.

5 new stations of 'My FM'

On February 16, 2026, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched 5 new 'My FM' stations in Pali, Bhilwara, Sriganganagar, Alwar and Sikar. Under the Centre's FM Phase-III policy expanding radio reach to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, Dainik Bhaskar (My FM) purchased the licenses for these cities.

Major fairs and festivals of Rajasthan (February 2026)

Several fairs were held in Rajasthan in February 2026: the State-Level Forest Fair (Feb 9-10, Jaipur, slogan 'Van Dhan - Jan Dhan'); Hadoti Forest Fair (Kota); Maa Katyayani Cattle Fair (Feb 15-19, Sayla-Jalore); Shri Nimbeshwar Cattle Fair (Feb 13-17, Sanderao-Pali, after 35 years); and the Mewar Heritage Festival at the 'bird village' Menar, Udaipur (Feb 15-16).

Bee Corridor Initiative (NHAI)

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced developing pollinator or bee corridors along national highways. Each regional office will develop at least three corridors in 2026-27, consisting of bee-friendly vegetation. NHAI's plantation target is about 4 million trees in 2026-27, with ~60% under the 'Bee Corridor' initiative.

India-US Interim Trade Deal Framework

On February 7, 2026, the India-US Interim Trade Deal Framework emerged, under which the US will reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian imports from 50% to 18%. India 'intends' to purchase $500 billion of US goods over five years and agreed to address non-tariff barriers on US food and agricultural products. Separately, on February 20 the US Supreme Court ruled the President lacked authority to impose broad import tariffs under IEEPA, 1977.

Rajasthan New Mineral Policy 2026

Rajasthan released New Mineral Policy 2026 with transparent e-auctions and environmental standards.

LHS 1903 System

Astronomers using ESA's Cheops Space Telescope discovered a unique four-planet system orbiting the red dwarf LHS 1903, challenging planet formation theories.

Urban Challenge Fund

The Union Cabinet approved the Urban Challenge Fund to transform cities into growth hubs and promote municipal finance reforms.

SC affirms spectrum as a public resource

The Supreme Court affirmed that spectrum is a public/national resource, to be allocated transparently and in the public interest.

Seva Teerth

The PM inaugurated 'Seva Teerth', an integrated administrative complex housing the PMO, National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and Cabinet Secretariat.

Nitric Oxide against drug-resistant pneumonia

Researchers found that Nitric Oxide (NO) could be effective against bacteria causing drug-resistant pneumonia, promising in tackling AMR.

Chirality-based electronics

Chirality-based electronics — using the 'left/right' handedness of molecules to build more efficient devices — was in the news.

Judicial oversight of religious practices in India

Issues around judicial oversight of religious practices and the doctrine of 'essential religious practices' were in the news.

Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: India ranked 91st of 182 countries

In Transparency International's CPI 2025, India scored 39 and ranked 91st of 182 countries; Denmark topped the list with 89.

Substantive Motion in Lok Sabha

The Substantive Motion in parliamentary procedure — an independent motion concerning an important matter — was in the news.

Jaipur - Rajasthan's first 'NAFED Bazaar'

Rajasthan's first 'NAFED Bazaar' was established at Nehru Sahakar Bhawan, Jaipur, inaugurated by Minister of State for Cooperation (Independent Charge) Gautam Kumar Dak. Based on 'From Farmer to Kitchen' and operated by NAFED, it aims to ensure fair prices for farmers and pure products for consumers. NAFED was established on October 2, 1958 (Gandhi Jayanti).

Rajasthan - Final Voter Lists for 199 Assembly Constituencies

After a Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Rajasthan Election Department published final voter lists for 199 Assembly constituencies on February 21, 2026. Total voters: 5,15,19,929 (about 5.15 crore); the voter sex ratio improved from 909 to 911. During SIR, 12.91 lakh names were added and 44.27 lakh removed. The Chief Electoral Officer of Rajasthan is Naveen Mahajan. The list for Anta constituency will release on March 12, 2026.

'India's World Heritage: Rajasthan' Exhibition

The 'India's World Heritage: Rajasthan' exhibition was held at Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK), Jaipur from February 22 to March 3, 2026, organized by the National Archives of India (NAI) and Ministry of Culture. It showcased Rajasthan's UNESCO-listed sites - the 6 hill forts (Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambore, Amer, Jaisalmer, Gagron) plus Jantar Mantar and Jaipur's Walled City.

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026

The Union Ministry of Environment (MoEFCC) issued the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, effective from April 1, 2026. Four-way source-based segregation is mandatory: wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste (bulbs, batteries, medicines). A centralized online portal will be developed.

Launch of Bharat Taxi

Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally launched Bharat Taxi on February 5, 2026, in New Delhi. It is India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform (established June 6, 2025). Nodal ministry: Ministry of Cooperation; society: Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited. 80% of net profits go to drivers; backed by top cooperatives like Amul, IFFCO, NAFED and KRIBHCO. It runs on a zero-commission, surge-free pricing model.

India-Thailand Air Exercise

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an in-situ exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in the Indian Ocean Region, expanding strategic partnership under India's Act East Policy.

International Conference on Dam Safety 2026

The International Conference on Dam Safety 2026 was held, focusing on the safety, monitoring and management of dams.

Eurasian Otter in Kashmir

A chance sighting of the Eurasian Otter along the Sindh Canal provided the first direct photographic evidence of the species in the Kashmir Valley, once considered locally extinct.

India-Bangladesh Relations

India-Bangladesh relations — trade, connectivity, water-sharing and border issues amid recent political developments — were in the news.

PM RAHAT Scheme

The Centre launched the PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme, providing immediate cashless treatment to road accident victims.

Exercise Vajra Ghaat

The Indian Army conducted Exercise Vajra Ghaat at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, demonstrating the K9 Vajra self-propelled artillery system in desert warfare.

Ol Chiki Script

The Ol Chiki script of the Santali language was in the news in the context of its preservation and promotion.

NGT approved Great Nicobar Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ruled on the matter concerning the Great Nicobar Holistic Development Project amid environmental and tribal concerns.

Rajasthan Homestay (Paying Guest House) Scheme-2026

Amendments were made keeping 'Ease of Doing Business' in mind. The maximum rooms in a homestay unit were raised from 5 to 8 (max 24 beds). It is no longer mandatory for the owner/family to reside on the premises; the guest register must be kept for at least 7 years. Two categories - Silver (₹1,000) and Gold (₹2,000). Temporary permission within 7 working days and permanent registration for 2 years after inspection.

Bharat-VISTAAR Scheme Phase-1

Announced in Union Budget 2026-27, Bharat-VISTAAR was launched on February 17, 2026 by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at SIAM, Durgapura, Jaipur, with CM Bhajan Lal and Agriculture Minister Dr. Kirori Lal Meena present. Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) is an AI-powered multilingual tool. It integrates the 'Bharati' AI chatbot, an internet-free helpline 155261, IMD weather information and market prices.

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) agreement

A tripartite agreement was signed in New Delhi among the Government of India, the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO). It provides for the formation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) to administer the six districts of Eastern Nagaland, with a mini-secretariat and transfer of powers over 46 state-government subjects. ENPO is the apex body of the eight major tribes of eastern Nagaland.

'Krishna' - first indigenous Cadet Training Ship

The Indian Navy launched its first indigenously designed and built Cadet Training Ship (CTS), 'Krishna', at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli (Chennai). Named after the Krishna River, it is the first of 3 CTSs being built under a Ministry of Defence contract (Yard No. 18003) and will be delivered to the Navy by end-2026.

Khelo India Mission & Sports Budget 2026-27

The Indian Budget 2026-27 announced the 'Khelo India Mission' to transform the sports sector, based on 5 pillars, aiming to make India a global sporting powerhouse in 10 years. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoY&S) was allocated ₹4,479.88 crore (up ₹1,133 crore); Khelo India Mission ~₹924 crore, SAI ~₹917 crore. Goals: Top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and Top 5 by 2047.

Russia-Ukraine War — Peace Talks Attempt

US-mediated peace talks attempt in Russia-Ukraine conflict.

H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in India

New H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Kerala and Rajasthan, WHO issued vigilance alert.

Bharat VISTAAR

The Ministry of Agriculture launched Phase-1 of the AI-based 'Bharat VISTAAR' scheme in Jaipur (Rajasthan) to digitally empower farmers.

Exercise MILAN 2026

The Indian Navy established a dedicated 'MILAN village' in Visakhapatnam for the 13th Exercise MILAN 2026 (15-25 February 2026).

80 Years of the RIN Revolt

80 years were marked since the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt, a 1946 mutiny by Indian naval ratings against British rule.

Bee Corridor

The NHAI launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop pollinator or 'Bee Corridors' along National Highways to promote ecological infrastructure.

Bio-based chemicals

Bio-based chemicals — made from renewable biomass as an alternative to fossil fuels — were in the news in the context of green chemistry and sustainable industry.

SAHI & BODH Health AI Initiatives

The Union Health Minister launched two digital initiatives — SAHI and BODH — at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to strengthen India's health AI ecosystem.

India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership

The India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership — with cooperation in defence, nuclear, space and the Indo-Pacific — was in the news.

Tribal protests over the Forest Rights Act

Tribal community protests over the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, rejection of claims and evictions were in the news.

AI-Preneurs of India

India's AI-Preneurs — AI-based startups and innovation — were in the news in the context of the IndiaAI Mission and the startup ecosystem.

Bharatpur District - 293rd Foundation Day

The 293rd Foundation Day of Bharatpur district was celebrated on February 19. Bharatpur is known as the 'Lohagarh City'. A 7-day festival (Feb 13-19) was organized jointly by the District Administration and Tourism Department. The famous 'Birdman' Sunil Waghmare from Chandrapur, Maharashtra, was the special guest.

Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy-2026

Chaired by the Chief Minister, the State Cabinet on February 25 approved the 'Rajasthan Industrial Park Promotion Policy-2026'. RIICO is the nodal agency and applications go through the single-window 'RajNivesh Portal'. It has four development models (A-D); a private park needs at least 50 acres and 10 units. The first 10 developers get a 20% capital grant (max ₹20-40 crore). It offers a 100% electricity rebate for 7 years on captive renewable energy and a 25% stamp duty rebate.

Namo Bharat RRTS (Delhi-Meerut)

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the remaining RRTS sections including the 82-km Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. It is India's first rail-based regional rapid daily transit system (speed up to 180 km/h). The implementing agency is NCRTC, a joint venture of the Centre and Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi. Meerut Metro also runs on the same infrastructure (~120 km/h, India's fastest metro).

International awards (February 2026)

International awards in February 2026: at the 79th BAFTA, the Manipuri film 'Boong' (director Lakshmipriya Devi) won India's first-ever BAFTA (Best Children and Family Film); at the 68th Grammys the 14th Dalai Lama won Best Audiobook and K-Pop got its first Grammy; the Global Teacher Prize 2026 ($1 million) went to Indian educator Roubal Nagi. Vasai Cathedral (Maharashtra) won a UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Merit.

Other major sports tournaments (February 2026)

Other sports events in February 2026: the BWF Thailand Masters (Super 300) was won by Devika Singh; at the BWF Para World Championships (Bahrain) India won 15 medals (Pramod Bhagat 2 gold); India won 14 medals at the Zagreb Open wrestling (Croatia); India finished 6th at the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics (Tejaswin Shankar gold); and India won the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship, beating Bangladesh 4-0.

India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce

India and the UK launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce under India-UK Vision 2035 to accelerate cooperation in offshore wind energy.

Bank-centric to corporate bond-based finance

The need to shift from a bank-centric system to the corporate bond market for long-term financing in India was in the news.

Second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme

The Centre is set to launch the second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP), expanding beyond the China border to 1,954 strategic villages along the Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar borders.

India's expanding drone ecosystem

India's expanding drone (unmanned aerial vehicle) ecosystem, with applications in defence, agriculture and logistics, was in the news.

Sarvam-30B and Sarvam-105B

India's indigenous large language models Sarvam-30B and Sarvam-105B, developed under the IndiaAI Mission, were in the news.

Loggerhead Turtle

The loggerhead sea turtle, known for its large head and powerful jaws, was in the news in the context of conservation.

FCI-World Food Programme MoU on rice supply

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed an MoU to supply rice for global hunger relief operations.

Death penalty in India

Issues around the death penalty in India, its constitutionality and the 'rarest of rare' doctrine were in the news.

India-Germany cooperation in telecom and digital transformation

India and Germany enhanced cooperation in telecom and digital transformation — 5G/6G, cybersecurity and digital public infrastructure.

Rajya Sabha Elections

Elections to the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), its election process and composition were in the news.

Narendra Pratap Singh, Jodhpur - sole national selection in Sanskrit under PM-YUVA 3.0

Studying MA Hindu Studies at the Central Sanskrit University study centre under IGNOU's Jaipur Regional Centre, Narendra Pratap Singh became the only national selection in Sanskrit on the All India list under the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme. His approved topic is 'Maker of Modern India - Sachin Tendulkar', writing on Indian sports tradition and cricket terminology in Sanskrit.

6th Meeting of the Board of Investment (BoI)

Chaired by CM Bhajan Lal Sharma on February 14, the 6th Board of Investment (BoI) meeting approved investments worth ₹46,000 crore in Rajasthan. Special customized packages were approved for 10 ultra mega projects. Key sectors: energy, manufacturing, natural resources and services.

Rajasthan - Important One-Liners (February 2026)

Rajasthan one-liners for February 2026: foundation laid for a ₹30 lakh Ayurveda dispensary at Gram Panchayat Indraoka-Luni, Jodhpur (Feb 15, by Minister Jogaram Patel); Rajasthan's first e-Seva Kendra in the Pali District Court complex (inaugurated by Justice Kuldeep Mathur); and the district's first digital Panchayat learning centre (e-Library) at Gram Panchayat Anoppura, Pali, under RGSA.

Startup India FoF 2.0 & Recognition Framework

The Union Cabinet approved the Startup India Fund of Funds (FoF) 2.0 (corpus ₹10,000 crore); nodal DPIIT, managed by SIDBI. Startup recognition criteria were also amended: turnover limit raised from ₹100 to ₹200 crore (₹300 crore for deep tech); recognition period extended 10 to 20 years; a dedicated deep-tech category; and multi-state cooperatives recognized as startups.

International conferences & events (February 2026)

Major international events in February 2026: at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg (the world's largest organic trade fair), India received the 'Country of the Year' award (via APEDA); the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai (theme 'Shaping Future Governments'); the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi (Jan 31, co-hosted with the UAE, Delhi Declaration adopted); and the first-in-India World Seafood Congress 2026 in Chennai.

Birth Anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

19 February marks the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire and a great warrior-king.

Hate speech and hate crime

Issues around hate speech and hate crime, their legal provisions and balancing with freedom of expression, were in the news.

World Day of Social Justice 2026

20 February is observed as the World Day of Social Justice, promoting equality, decent work and social inclusion.

Iran temporarily closes the Strait of Hormuz

Iran temporarily closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict, posing a severe threat to global oil supply.

India's M.A.N.A.V. Vision for AI

The PM presented the M.A.N.A.V. vision at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 — a human-centric framework to guide AI development with ethics, inclusivity and national sovereignty.

Curbing freebies culture

The 'freebies' (revdi) culture in elections and the debate over its fiscal impact and populism vs welfare were in the news.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

The critical role of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) in AI and high-performance computing, in the context of the IndiaAI Mission, was in the news.

DRDO conducts Gaganyaan's drogue parachute test

DRDO conducted a successful qualification load test of the drogue parachute for the Gaganyaan programme at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility in Chandigarh.

Rajasthan tops the country in PMMVY Implementation

Rajasthan ranked first in India in the January 2026 monthly ranking for implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The state was also first in the September 2025 ranking.

State-Level Health Camp & 'Heal in Rajasthan' Policy

On completion of two years of the state government, a state-level health camp was held at the RUHS campus, Jaipur. The 'Heal in Rajasthan Policy, 2025' promotes medical tourism. Under the National Health Mission's 'Hub and Spoke Model', over 100 specialised tests (cancer markers, biopsy, thyroid) are free. The state has identified 42 mother labs, 137 hub labs and 1,333 spokes.

Board of Peace (Gaza) - India as observer

India attended the inaugural 'Board of Peace' meeting for Gaza reconstruction on February 19 as an observer. Mentioned in UNSC Resolution 2803, it oversees the Gaza peace plan. The Chairman is Donald Trump and the Director-General is Nickolay Mladenov. Of 62 invited countries, 25 signed the charter; 22 participated as observers.

Key national agreements (February 2026)

Key national agreements of February 2026: between the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the World Food Programme (WFP) to supply 200,000 metric tonnes of rice for global humanitarian operations; between UIDAI and Google to show authorised Aadhaar centres on Google Maps; between C-DOT and Synergy Quantum India for cybersecurity against quantum-computing threats; and between ICAR and Dr. Reddy's Foundation for agricultural vocational training.

International one-liners (February 2026)

International one-liners for February 2026: Walmart became the world's first retail company to reach a $1 trillion valuation; Spain banned social media for children under 16 (after Australia and France); Israel announced severing ties with 7 UN agencies including UN Women and UNCTAD; Russia blocked WhatsApp and promoted the indigenous MAX app; India and Greece issued a Joint Declaration of Intent on defence industrial cooperation; and India paid $35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget, joining the UN's 'honour roll'.

Private Member's Bill on judicial diversity

A Private Member's Bill was introduced in Parliament seeking a constitutional amendment to mandate social diversity in the higher judiciary.

Poland's exit from the Ottawa Convention

Poland decided to exit the Ottawa Convention (the treaty banning anti-personnel landmines), citing security concerns.

India attends Board of Peace meet as observer

India participated as an 'observer' in the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, while maintaining its commitment to a two-state solution on Israel-Palestine.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

The International Criminal Court (ICC), which prosecutes serious crimes like genocide and war crimes, was in the news.

RBI to revise Lead Bank Scheme (LBS)

The RBI released draft guidelines to revise the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) to streamline operations and strengthen coordination mechanisms.

India's foreign policy and erosion of multilateralism

Issues around India's foreign policy and the erosion of multilateralism amid weakening global institutions and rising protectionism were in the news.

Statehood Day of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh

Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh celebrated their Statehood Day on 20 February, marking when they became full states of India in 1987.

23rd Foundation Day of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) marked its 23rd Foundation Day; it monitors constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes.

7 new interventions under the Export Promotion Mission

The Ministry of Commerce & Industry launched 7 new interventions under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to empower MSMEs and enhance India's export competitiveness.

Jawai Dam Railway Station renamed 'Sumerpur-Jawai Dam'

Jawai Dam Railway Station in Pali district was renamed 'Sumerpur-Jawai Dam Railway Station', effective February 1, 2026, by a notification issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Science Festival-2026

The Rajasthan Science Festival-2026 was held at MNIT Jaipur on February 26-28 to commemorate National Science Day (Feb 28), inaugurated by Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani. The theme was 'Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat'. The day commemorates C.V. Raman's discovery of the Raman Effect on February 28, 1928.

Key national appointments (February 2026)

Key February 2026 appointments: Uday Kotak was appointed Chairman of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Limited (GIFTCL); Punit Agarwal became Ambassador of India to Thailand; and Hari Shankar Verma became Member (Operations and Business Development) of the Railway Board.

Brahmaputra Underwater Road-cum-Rail Tunnel, Assam

The Union Cabinet approved India's first road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam. Total capital cost ₹18,662 crore; total length 33.77 km including a 15.79 km twin-tube tunnel. It will connect Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715. It will be India's first and the world's second underwater road-cum-rail tunnel.

International organisations & agreements (February 2026)

International cooperation in February 2026: India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) (nodal: National Productivity Council); India and the UK signed a Social Security Agreement (ending dual contributions); EAM Jaishankar supported the FORGE initiative at the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington; India and the UK launched an 'Offshore Wind Taskforce'; and India launched the India-Spain Higher Education conference and the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship.

India Semiconductor Mission Tata-PSMC Fab Foundation Stone

Foundation stone of Tata-PSMC semiconductor fab plant laid at Dholera Gujarat.

39th Surajkund International Crafts Fair - Rajasthan's role

Rajasthan was officially included for the first time in 2026 at the 39th Surajkund International Crafts Fair in Faridabad, Haryana. Management was by the Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation (RAJSICO); 'Rajasthan Chowk' was the main attraction with 20 stalls. Regional products were displayed under ODOP. Rajasthan had earlier been the theme state in 1989 and 2010.

International persons in news (February 2026)

International persons in news in February 2026: Tarique Rahman became Bangladesh's 11th PM (BNP won a 2/3 majority); Sanae Takaichi became Japan's first woman PM; Anutin Charnvirakul the new Thai PM; Rob Jetten the Netherlands' youngest and first openly gay PM; Mia Mottley the PM of Barbados (third consecutive win). IIT Madras Professor B. Ravindran was appointed to the UN's scientific panel on AI.

CBDC-based Digital Food Currency Pilot

Home Minister Amit Shah launched the country's first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based transparent Public Distribution System (PDS) pilot from Gandhinagar, Gujarat on February 15. The programmable Digital Rupee (e-rupee) will credit beneficiaries' ration subsidy directly to their digital wallets, usable only to buy designated food grains via QR/coupon codes.

National campaigns (February 2026)

Major national campaigns of February 2026: the Indian edition of the 'Make A Safety Statement' road safety campaign in New Delhi (launched by Jean Todt, with Sachin Tendulkar as Global Champion; target to halve road deaths by 2030); and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched a Mass Drug Administration campaign to eliminate lymphatic filariasis from 12 affected states (filariasis-free India target 2027).

Rajasthan - sports achievements (February 2026)

Rajasthan's sports achievements in February 2026: at the 69th National School Games 2025-26, Rajasthan stood 7th with 174 medals (55 gold); its U-19 girls won their first-ever basketball national title. At the 5th Soft Hockey National Championship (SMS Stadium, Jaipur), Rajasthan won gold across Senior Men, Junior and Sub-Junior categories. In the Santosh Trophy, Rajasthan reached the quarter-finals. NCC Rajasthan finished 2nd in the equestrian competition medal tally.

Rajagopalachari statue to replace Lutyens at Rashtrapati Bhavan

The decision to replace Edwin Lutyens' statue with that of C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) at Rashtrapati Bhavan was in the news.

Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Meerut Metro

The PM inaugurated both the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Meerut Metro from a single platform — the first time in India a rapid rail and metro launched together.

Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine

The Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine, which is replacing the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine, was in the news in the immunisation programme.

SANKALP Scheme

Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed concern over delays in the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) scheme, based on a CAG report.

Hoysala Temples

The Hoysala Temples of Karnataka, renowned for their exquisite architecture and sculpture, were in the news.

North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster Project

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), via the North Eastern Council (NEC), sanctioned the NEST project to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of research, entrepreneurship and skilling.

Deepening India-Brazil cooperation

India and Brazil deepened cooperation in trade, defence, energy and agriculture, reflecting a strategic partnership and coordination in multilateral forums.

'Teal Carbon' Study - Keoladeo

The Central University of Rajasthan conducted India's first 'Teal Carbon' study on carbon management in freshwater wetlands at Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur). It revealed high CO2 and CH4 emissions linked to wetland degradation and warned of a shift from carbon sink to greenhouse gas source. 'Biochar' was suggested as a solution. 'Teal Carbon' is carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands.

Rajasthan Tourism-2025 Statistical Report

Per the Rajasthan Tourism-2025 report, over 1.52 crore domestic tourists visited 10 major historical monuments in 2025, 11.78% higher than 2024 (1.36 crore). Top 5 sites: Jaisalmer Fort (41.92 lakh), Hawa Mahal Jaipur (18.24 lakh), Amer Fort (18.15 lakh), City Palace Udaipur (15.23 lakh), Chittorgarh Fort (13.44 lakh). Chittorgarh saw the highest growth at +51.01%.

CCS-NIAM, Jaipur - Fifth Convocation

The Fifth Convocation of the Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (CCS-NIAM), Jaipur, was held on February 17, 2026, chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The 'Handbook of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems' was released and 5 startup products were launched.

International places & disputes (February 2026)

International places in February 2026: a UN mission reported signs of genocide at El-Fasher (capital of North Darfur), Sudan (conflict SAF vs RSF). The Takeshima/Dokdo island dispute between Japan and South Korea resurfaced. On the Chagos Archipelago, the US urged Britain not to hand Diego Garcia to Mauritius. The lost port 'Charax Spasinou' of Alexander's empire was revealed in Iraq; Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions were found in Egypt.

Major national conferences (February 2026)

Major national conferences of February 2026: the International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS) 2026 (IISc Bengaluru, Feb 13-14, under DRIP); the All India Official Language Conference (Agartala, Tripura); the SHe-Box National Conference on Safety of Women at Workplace (New Delhi, Feb 14, Ministry of Women and Child Development); and the National Conference on UDISE Plus (Bhubaneswar). The SHe-Box portal is a workplace sexual harassment complaint platform (launched August 2024).

Anjadip Vessel

The Indian Navy is set to commission the indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) 'Anjadip' at the Eastern Naval Command, Chennai Port.

India-France amend Double Taxation Avoidance Convention

India and France amended their Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) to enhance tax transparency and avoid double taxation.

International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is observed on 21 February, promoting linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

E175 Jets in India

In a push for 'Make in India' in aviation, Adani Defence & Aerospace and Brazil's Embraer signed an MoU to set up a Final Assembly Line (FAL) for E175 regional jets in India.

Freedom of speech in Parliament

Issues around freedom of speech in Parliament and parliamentary privileges — under Article 105 — were in the news.

National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0

The Finance Minister launched the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0), developed by NITI Aayog to operationalise the Asset Monetisation Plan 2025-30.

New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded with 89 countries and international organisations (including the US and China) signing the New Delhi Declaration.

Ramavtar Sharma - Accountant General (Audit-I), Jaipur

Ramavtar Sharma, a senior 2003-batch officer of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, assumed charge as Accountant General (Audit-I), Jaipur on February 13 and also holds the additional charge of Accountant General (Audit-II).

Tiger Range States Conference, Sariska

To review 50 years of tiger conservation and shape future strategy, a conference was held at Sariska Tiger Reserve (Alwar) on February 7-8, 2026. The convener was the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav (Alwar Lok Sabha constituency). Key directives: Active Management, Rescue-Rehabilitation-Release and AITE (All India Tiger Estimation).

Census-2027 State Level Training Conference

A state-level training conference for Census-2027 was held. For the first time the census will be digital. In Rajasthan it will be done in two phases: self-enumeration (May 1-15, 2026, via mobile app/portal), Phase 1 - Houselisting & Enumeration (May 16-June 14, 2026, with 33 questions), and Phase 2 - Population Enumeration (February 2027).

International indices & reports (February 2026)

Key indices in February 2026: in the Corruption Perception Index 2025 (Transparency International), India ranked 91st (up 5 places, score 39); Denmark topped for the 8th consecutive year. India ranked 75th in the Henley Passport Index (Singapore top). India was 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025 (USA top). In Global R&D Spending 2024, India ranked 7th (~$75.73 billion; China top).

National environment initiatives (February 2026)

National environment initiatives of February 2026: the Environment Ministry launched the 'Him-Connect' programme at WSDS, connecting Himalayan researchers with startups and policymakers (under NMHS); and the Chhattisgarh Forest Department set up a 'Hornbill Restaurant' in the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, where the rare Malabar Pied Hornbill (IUCN: Near Threatened) finds food.

New CDS Appointed for India

Government appointed India new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

Dharma Guardian Exercise

The India-Japan joint military exercise 'Dharma Guardian' was in the news, enhancing defence cooperation and interoperability between the two countries.

IEA Full Membership for India

The IEA welcomed progress on India's request for full membership, a significant step in integrating the world's 3rd-largest energy consumer into global energy governance.

Exercise Vajra Prahar

The 16th edition of the India-US joint special forces exercise 'Vajra Prahar' began at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

India's HPV vaccination drive

India's Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive to tackle cervical cancer was in the news.

Renaming Kerala to 'Keralam'

The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution to officially rename the state 'Keralam', which requires a constitutional amendment.

National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy: PRAHAAR

India's National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy 'PRAHAAR' — focused on intelligence-led policing and inter-agency coordination — was in the news.

India-GCC Free Trade Agreement

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed a Joint Statement to advance negotiations on the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Ramdev Singh Meel, Sikar - praised in 'Mann Ki Baat'

Ramdev Singh Meel of Kanwarpura village, Sikar, is an example of organ donation awareness and indomitable willpower. PM Narendra Modi praised his struggle and success in the 131st episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' on February 22, 2026. He won 1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals at the 'World Transplant Games 2025' in Germany. He underwent a kidney transplant in 2012, with his mother donating the kidney.

Key Rajasthan Government Agreements (climate & EVM)

In February 2026, the Rajasthan government signed several agreements: (1) Centre of Excellence for Climate Change between RSPCB and IIT Jodhpur (₹150 crore) - a climate map of Rajasthan and Early Warning System; (2) Clean and Green Technology Development Centre between RSPCB and MNIT Jaipur (₹250 crore); (3) EVM technical cooperation between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh (Feb 3) - MP to lease 30,000 CUs and 60,000 BUs to Rajasthan.

Two-child requirement for elections abolished

On February 25, 2026, the Rajasthan Cabinet removed the disqualification for having more than two children from contesting Panchayat and Municipal elections. The 'Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026' (Section 19) and 'Rajasthan Municipality (Amendment) Bill, 2026' (Section 24) were approved. The rule was implemented in 1995 under the Bhairon Singh Shekhawat government and is repealed after 31 years. Reason: the state's TFR fell from 3.63 (1991-94) to 2.0.

Major national conferences & festivals (February 2026)

Major national events of February 2026: the Silver Jubilee World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) (Feb 25-27, by TERI, Act4Earth Manifesto); the National Conference of State Election Commissioners (Feb 24, chaired by CEC Gyanesh Kumar, book 'Loktantron Ka Sangam'); Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela (IARI, New Delhi); and the Mamangam Festival in Kerala after 250+ years.

Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Chairmanship

India assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) during the 9th Conclave of Chiefs held in Visakhapatnam in February 2026. IONS is a voluntary multilateral forum of Indian Ocean Region navies, established in 2008, with 25 members, initiated by the Indian Navy.

Carbon Capture and Utilisation technologies

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies — especially for hard-to-abate sectors — were in the news for meeting climate targets.

CBDC pilot for food subsidy distribution

India launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based food subsidy distribution pilot under PMGKAY in Puducherry, integrating the Digital Rupee (e₹) into the DBT framework.

Reserve Bank of India's switch auction

The RBI announced a Rs 25,000 crore switch auction of Government Securities (G-Secs) to manage debt maturity and reduce redemption pressure in FY27.

Training of Large Language Models

The training of Large Language Models (LLMs) — data, compute, and its ethical and energy implications — was in the news.

ECI-SEC National Declaration 2026

The conference of the ECI and State Election Commissioners (SECs) adopted the National Declaration 2026 to enhance federal coordination in electoral processes after a 27-year gap.

Agreements on reciprocal trade

Reciprocal trade agreements were in the news amid the US reciprocal tariff policy and trade deal negotiations with India.

India-Sweden SITAC partnership

The IndiaAI Mission and Business Sweden signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in AI and digital technologies.

Adolescent mental health crisis

The growing mental health crisis among adolescents in India — stress, anxiety, depression and the impact of social media — was in the news.

Judicial Officers Association Building, Jaipur - India's first

In Vidyadhar Nagar (Vidyashram Industrial Area), Jaipur, the foundation stone for India's first Judicial Officers Association building and guest house was laid on February 4 by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.

Crafoord Prize 2026 - Veerabhadran Ramanathan

Indian-American scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan won the Crafoord Prize 2026 in Geosciences (Climate Science). It is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and is considered the 'Nobel Prize in Earth Sciences'.

3rd Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman 2025

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan presented the 3rd Ramnath Goenka Sahitya Samman 2025 in Chennai. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Kannada writer Dr. Chandrashekhar Kambara (Padma Bhushan, Jnanpith 2010). Best Debut went to Neha Dixit. Bestowed by The New Indian Express Group.

Persons in news & obituaries (national, February 2026)

Persons in news in February 2026: Thanya Nathan C (Kannur, Kerala) became India's second visually impaired and first 100% visually impaired woman judge (Rajasthan's Brahmanand Sharma was the first fully visually impaired judge in 2013). The President unveiled a statue of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (Rajaji), India's last Indian Governor-General, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Railway Minister and TMC founding member Mukul Roy passed away on February 23; sociologist André Beteille also passed away.

16th ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup

The 16th ICC U-19 Men's Cricket World Cup final was held at Harare (Zimbabwe), where India (captain Ayush Mhatre) beat England by 100 runs for a 6th title. Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bihar) scored 175(80) in the final and was Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Hosts were Zimbabwe and Namibia. BCCI announced ₹7.5 crore prize money for the winning team.

India-Israel Relations

India-Israel relations — cooperation in defence, agriculture, water and technology, amid the West Asia conflict — were in the news.

India-Nepal MoU for transboundary conservation

The environment ministries of India and Nepal signed an MoU for bilateral cooperation in forests, wildlife, biodiversity conservation and climate change.

Death Anniversary of VD Savarkar

The death anniversary (26 February) of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar — a freedom fighter, writer and originator of the 'Hindutva' ideology — was commemorated.

Rail Tech Policy and e-RCT digitization

The Ministry of Railways unveiled two major reforms under its '52 Reforms in 52 Weeks' initiative — the RailTech Policy and Railway Claims Tribunal (e-RCT) digitization.

CERT-In framework for space cyber security

CERT-In introduced a framework to protect India's space assets — satellites, ground stations and data — from cyber threats.

State of India's Environment 2026

The State of India's Environment (SOE) 2026 report, by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down To Earth, warned that multiple planetary boundaries are being breached.

Sustainable tourism push in Budget 2026-27

Budget 2026-27 initiatives to promote sustainable tourism — destination development, job creation and eco-friendly tourism — were in the news.

Ranjeet Shankar - new Regional Director, RBI Jaipur

Ranjeet Shankar took charge as the new Regional Director and Chief General Manager of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Jaipur in February 2026.

Kalibai Bhil Udaan Yojana (SC decision update)

In Dr. Jaya Thakur vs Union of India, 2026, the Supreme Court recognized menstrual health as part of the 'right to life and dignity' under Article 21. Following this, the Kalibai Bhil Udaan scheme must provide free biodegradable sanitary pads to Class 6-12 students in all government, aided and private schools, with mandatory safe disposal arrangements.

National Conference on Cyber Security and Justice

On February 20-22, the 'National Conference on Cyber Security and Justice' was held at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), Jaipur. Chief guests were Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. It aimed to make justice and security accessible in the digital age. RSLSA launched the 'e-Samadhaan' platform and the 'Mahila Panchayat Pan Rajasthan' campaign.

New national portals (Udyami Bharat & RailTech)

The MSME Ministry launched the 'Udyami Bharat Portal (UBP)' as a one-stop shop for MSME services, linked to the MTTP (MSME Technology Transfer Platform). Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the 'RailTech Portal' under the '52 Reforms in 52 Weeks' campaign, where any innovator/startup can present a technology idea to the Railways.

Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)

The Union Cabinet approved the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) to build resilient, productive, inclusive and climate-resilient cities. Nodal ministry: Housing and Urban Affairs; Centrally Sponsored Scheme; announced in Budget 2025-26 (2025-26 to 2030-31). 25% of project cost as central assistance; at least 50% from market sources. It also has a ₹5,000 crore Credit Enhancement Fund.

India Hosts Fifth ISA Assembly

India hosted the fifth assembly of International Solar Alliance in New Delhi.

India slams Pakistan at UNHRC on J&K

India strongly criticised Pakistan's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Industrial Corridors and NICDP

Budget 2026-27 prioritised the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) and announced an Integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor with a key node at Durgapur (West Bengal).

Reforming tribunals in India

Issues around reforming tribunals in India — vacancies, independence and the appointment process — were in the news.

Chandra Shekhar Azad

The death anniversary (27 February) of the great revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad, who played a key role in India's freedom struggle, was commemorated.

Total Lunar Eclipse

A total lunar eclipse ('blood moon') was in the news, occurring when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon.

India's AI revolution in rural development

The transformation of India's rural development using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in agriculture, rural governance and service delivery was in the news.

National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur - Golden Jubilee

Established in 1976, the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, celebrated its Golden Jubilee on completing 50 years on February 9, 2026. It is the country's first Ayurveda deemed university. Chief guests were Chief Minister Bhajan Lal and Union AYUSH MoS Pratap Rao Jadhav. The medicinal plant garden 'Dhanvantari Upvan' and new OPD block 'Sushruta Bhavan' were inaugurated.

REE Reserves in Rajasthan

Per the Ministry of Mines, after the MMDR Amendment Act 2015, the GSI established total Rare Earth Element (REE) resources of 83.59 million tonnes in Rajasthan. Major districts are Balotra (81.86 mt) and Sikar (Ladi ka Bas, 1.73 mt). REE blocks were auctioned in Balotra over the last 3 years, including Bhatikheda, India's first 'hard rock' potash block.

Guidelines on observance of Vande Mataram

The Union Home Ministry issued detailed guidelines on observing India's national song 'Vande Mataram'. The official version's duration will be about 3 minutes 10 seconds. When the national song and national anthem are sung together, the national song shall be sung first, followed by the anthem.

Kerala renamed 'Keralam'

On February 24, 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to rename the state of Kerala to 'Keralam'; the bill is the 'Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026'. This is under Article 3. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to change the name on June 24, 2024. Under Article 3, the bill is introduced in Parliament with the President's prior consent and passed by a simple majority.

Defence technology - missile tests (February 2026)

In February 2026, DRDO conducted 3 successful tests of VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System, range 6 km, MANPADS) from the ITR Chandipur, Odisha, and successfully tested the Agni-3 medium-range ballistic missile (range 3000-3500 km, 2-stage solid fuel). India successfully tested solid-fuel ducted ramjet technology, joining a select group of countries. The Army's Konark Corps tested the Strela-10 missile at Pokhran Range.