♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the grant of Miniratna Category-I status to Yantra India Limited (YIL), a defence public sector undertaking (DPSU), on 2 February 2026.
The Ministry of Defence stated that congratulating YIL on its rapid transition from a government organisation to a profit-making corporate entity within four years.
♦ He Ministry of Defence highlighted that after its inception, YIL has recorded significant growth in sales, rising from over 956 crore rupees in the second half of FY 2021-22 to 3 crore rupees in FY 2024-25.
♦ YIL manufactures key defence products including carbon fibre and glass composites, aluminium alloys, and assembly products for ammunition, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and main battle tanks. With Miniratna-I status, the YIL Board can now incur capital expenditure up to 500 crore rupees without government approval, enabling faster modernisation and growth.
Posted Date: February 2, 2026National
♦ The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC), the Quality Council of India (QCI), and HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES) to strengthen medicine safety, quality assurance, and capacity building across the country. The agreements aim to enhance pharmacovigilance systems, promote the rational use of medicines, improve professional competencies of pharmacists, and advance healthcare quality and patient safety standards.
♦ Under the MoU with the Goa State Pharmacy Council, IPC will collaborate on strengthening pharmacovigilance and promoting rational medicine use in Goa. The partnership focuses on improving adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting under the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), promoting the National Formulary of India among registered pharmacists, and enhancing awareness of drug safety and pharmacopoeial standards.
♦ The MoU aims to support the establishment and strengthening of ADR Monitoring Centres and improve systematic documentation and reporting practices across healthcare facilities in the state.
Posted Date: February 9, 2026♦ The Ministry of Steel signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for 85 projects involving 55 companies under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme 1.2 (third round) for specialty steel at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 9 February 2026. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy and senior officials of the Ministry of Steel.
♦ The signing of the MoUs marks a significant step towards advancing the government’s Make in India vision. Participating companies under this round have committed an investment of Rs.11,887 crore and a combined production capacity of 8.7 million tonnes in downstream steel and alloy manufacturing.
♦ The Production-Linked Incentive Scheme for Specialty Steel was launched in July 2021 to promote manufacturing, attract capital investment and support technology upgradation in the downstream segment of the steel sector. Under PLI 1.0, the committed outcomes include investment of Rs.27,106 crore, creation of 14,760 direct jobs and addition of 7.9 million tonnes of production capacity.
♦ Building on this, PLI 1.1, launched on January 6, 2025, is expected to attract investment of about Rs.17,000 crore, generate around 16,000 jobs and add 6.4 million tonnes of production capacity. So far, incentives amounting to Rs.236 crore have been disbursed to participating companies under the scheme.
♦ PLI 1.2 was launched on November 4, 2025, and covers 22 product sub-categories under four product categories: steel grades for strategic sector, commercial grades category 1, commercial grades category 2, and coated and wire products. The scheme offers incentive rates ranging from 4 percent to 15 percent for a period of five years, commencing from FY 2025–26, with incentive disbursement starting from FY 2026–27.
Posted Date: February 9, 2026♦ The National Statistics Office under Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched the beta version of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for eSankhyiki portal - the national portal for official statistics. MCP is a technology that allows users to connect directly with datasets through their own AI tools and applications.
♦ This launch is part of NSO's ongoing effort to make official statistics more accessible to citizens, researchers, and businesses.
♦ The MCP server allows users to query datasets directly without downloading large files, integrate official statistics into their own analysis tools, automate reports using current statistics, and access multiple datasets through a single connection. This means less time spent on data access and more time on actual analysis and decision making.
Posted Date: February 8, 2026♦ Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Pulse Self-Reliance Mission from the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP) in Amlaha, Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh on 7 February 2026.
♦ He said that the country will now move towards becoming a global exporter of pulses. During the meeting, the roadmap for the Pulses Self-Reliance Mission was finalised, with key components including a cluster-based production model, seed villages, establishment of 1,000 pulse mills across the country, and strengthening research-farmer linkages.
Posted Date: February 7, 2026♦ Alwar district in Rajasthan became the first district in the country to achieve 100% insurance coverage under the Centre's ‘Insurance for All by 2047' roadmap, an achievement in line with the vision of a ‘Secure India–Insured India' at the grassroots level. The roadmap is a joint initiative of the Govt of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Finance.
♦ A total of 1,367 uninsured people over the age of 10 from nine different villages were brought under insurance coverage after systematic door-to-door surveys, taking the district's total coverage to 100%. Insurance policies were formally handed over to the beneficiaries during a programme chaired by additional district collector Bina Mahawar.
♦ The nine villages — Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, Palankheda, Antapada, Hanumanta, Kalyanpura, Morodkhurd, Kodalka and Lalpur — have now been formally declared as fully insured.
Posted Date: February 7, 2026♦ India has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements with 23 countries to share and cooperate on its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), reinforcing the country’s growing role as a global leader in digital governance and fintech innovation. The agreements aim to facilitate the replication and adoption of India’s digital platforms under the India Stack framework, said Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada in a written reply to Rajya Sabha on 6 February 2026.
♦ India’s flagship digital payments platform, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), is now operational in more than eight countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, France, Mauritius, and Qatar.
♦ In addition, India has signed specific MoUs with Cuba, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, and Lao People’s Democratic Republic for cooperation on DigiLocker, the country’s digital document storage and verification platform.
Posted Date: February 6, 2026♦ Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off a joint mountaineering expedition to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina from South Block, New Delhi on 5 February 2026. Rising to 6,961 metres, Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America and the tallest mountain outside the Asian continent.
♦ The expedition is being jointly undertaken by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam. The mission aims to enhance high-altitude mountaineering expertise and strengthen India’s presence in global adventure and mountain exploration.
♦ The six-member expedition team comprises trained instructors Col Hem Chandra Singh, Capt G. Santhosh Kumar, Deep Bahadur Sahi, Vinod Gusain, Naib Subedar Bhupinder Singh and Havildar Ramesh Kumar. The team began its journey on February 6, 2026, and the expedition is expected to conclude by the end of the month.
Posted Date: February 5, 2026♦ Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-based taxi service, in New Delhi on 5 February 2026. This initiative aimed at providing ownership rights and welfare benefits to drivers working in the unorganised sector.
♦ Amit Shah said that within three years, Bharat Taxi would expand nationwide, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Dwarka to Kamakhya, and emerge as a major platform for the welfare of taxi drivers, referred to as Sarathis.
♦ The Minister said Bharat Taxi has signed Memorandums of Understanding with nine major institutions, including Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Airports Authority of India (AAI), State Bank of India (SBI), IFFCO Tokio Insurance, Paytm, and GMR. These partnerships aim to improve operational integration, digital payments, insurance coverage, financing, airport mobility and last-mile connectivity.
♦ Under the MoU with Delhi Traffic Police, Bharat Taxi will operate prepaid taxi booths at 21 locations in Delhi and run a Joint Command and Control Centre for real-time monitoring, SOS alerts and emergency response. Agreements with DMRC and AAI will facilitate last-mile connectivity at metro stations and regulated operations at airports across the country.
Posted Date: February 5, 2026♦ India has joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to provide integrated support services to manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises across BRICS countries. India joined the BCIC at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in New Delhi.
♦ The Commerce and Industry Ministry said that the National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BRICS Industrial Competencies. It said that the NPC will spearhead the country’s engagement with BCIC and contribute to capacity building, productivity enhancement and adoption of advanced manufacturing practices.
♦ The BCIC, launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, aims to support industrial innovation, modernisation, and international cooperation across BRICS economies and beyond.
Posted Date: February 5, 2026♦ Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur on 4 February 2026. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla administered the oath of office and secrecy at Lok Bhawan at Imphal. Along with him, Deputy Chief Ministers Nemcha Kipgen and Losii Dikho, and the state's new Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam took oath.
♦ The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification announcing the revocation of President’s Rule in Manipur with immediate effect. During the President's Rule, which came into effect after N Biren Singh resigned as chief minister in February 2025, Manipur's assembly had been in a state of suspended animation - inactive but not dissolved.
♦ Yumnam Khemchand Singh as the State’s second Chief Minister since the 2022 election. The first, Nongthombam Biren Singh, resigned on February 9, 2025, as a casualty of the ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities that broke out on May 3, 2023.
♦ Khemchand was elected from Singjamei Assembly Constituency in 2017 on BJP ticket and became Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly. He was again elected from the same constituency in the last general election and became minister to the then N. Biren led government.
Posted Date: February 4, 2026♦ Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh on 4 February 2026 launched the first open call of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, marking a major step towards strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem through structured, long-term financing for indigenous technologies. The initiative, unveiled under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), aims to support the commercialisation of high-risk, high-impact technologies and represents a significant shift from conventional government funding models.
♦ The RDI Fund has a total corpus of Rs.1 lakh crore and offers concessional financing at interest rates of around 2 - 4 percent, with repayment tenures of up to 15 years, including moratorium provisions.
♦ The RDI Fund was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2025 and formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2025 as part of the government’s long-term strategy to build indigenous technological capabilities and strengthen India’s innovation-driven economy.
Posted Date: February 4, 2026♦ The Government has notified the Baggage Rules, 2026 and issued the New Customs Baggage (Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2026 and a Master Circular for people travelling to and from India, which will make airport procedures easier and faster. The Ministry of Finance said the new rules aim to reduce paperwork, increase transparency, and speed up clearance at airports.
♦ Passengers will now be able to declare their baggage electronically and even in advance, saving time at customs counters. These changes will allow enhanced general free allowance, transfer of residence benefits and special allowances for jewellery. The government has also allowed one laptop to be brought duty-free by passengers above 18 years of age.
♦ New provisions have been added for temporary imports and re-imports, meaning items taken abroad and brought back will face fewer complications. Pets can also be brought in duty-free, following the prescribed rules. The Ministry said these measures reflect facilitative and revised provisions for international passengers, and in accordance with new economic conditions, rising travel volumes and passenger expectations.
Posted Date: February 3, 2026The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways signed two MoUs for the formation of the Bharat Container Shipping Line and for financing the development of the Outer Harbour Development Project, in New Delhi on 3 February 2026. The MoUs are aimed at strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure and reducing reliance on foreign shipping operators.
Posted Date: February 3, 2026♦ The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Directorate-General for Communication Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) of the European Commission have signed an Administrative Arrangement on Advanced Electronic Signatures. The cooperation will be implemented by MeitY through the Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), in line with India’s legal and regulatory framework according to the applicable provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000 within the established framework regulated by Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA).
♦ The arrangement provides a framework for cooperation on interoperability of electronic signatures, electronic seals, and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) systems, consistent with the laws of India and European Union with the aim to strengthen India–EU digital cooperation by promoting the use of secure and trusted electronic signatures and seals in cross-border digital transactions and trade.
♦ Under this cooperation, India and the European Union intend to link their respective trusted lists of recognised service providers thus helping in easier validation of electronic signatures and seals issued in India and the European Union for cross-border use. The arrangement lays the foundation for deeper cooperation in the future.
Posted Date: February 2, 2026♦ Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company promoted by NHAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) to foster collaboration in the fields of research, training and consultancy, particularly in cyber forensics, digital evidence integrity and advanced technological applications relevant to the National Highway management. The MoU aims to facilitate mutually beneficial academic and research-oriented cooperation between the two government bodies to enhance knowledge creation, technological resilience and institutional capacity building.
♦ The collaboration will contribute towards strengthening cyber security frameworks and forensic reliability in critical National Highway operations and digital platforms.
♦ Under the MoU, NFSU will provide technical guidance and support to IHMCL for the development of laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including CCTV, multimedia analysis, audio-video analysis and digital as well as cyber forensics laboratories.
Posted Date: February 3, 2026