• 20 Feb 2026

Union Government Launches ‘Bharat‑VISTAAR’ Platform in Rajasthan

Why in News?

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, launched ‘Bharat‑VISTAAR’, an artificial intelligence (AI)‑driven digital platform for farmers, in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Key Points:

• Digital Platform: Bharat‑VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) is a multilingual, AI-powered platform.
  • It integrates weather forecasts, market prices, crop advisories, pest alerts, soil health information, and government schemes into a single accessible interface.
• Accessibility: The platform uses voice-first technology, allowing farmers to access information via helpline 155261, voice commands, or text chatbots, even on feature phones.
  • It is initially available in Hindi and English, with plans to expand to 11 more languages.
• Farmer ID: A digital Farmer Identity Card will store farmer data and integrate services like PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Soil Health Card.
• Focus Areas: The platform aims to support farmers in decision-making for sowing, harvesting, and marketing. 
  • Provide scientific crop management guidance, and improve income through real-time data. 
  • It targets inclusivity by helping farmers in regions with limited internet access or digital literacy.
• Impact: It is expected to boost farmers’ productivity and income, support agri-tech MSMEs, and promote data-driven, climate-smart farming.
• Government Vision: The initiative aligns with India’s Digital India and AI for Agriculture missions, aiming to modernize farming practices and bridge information gaps in rural India.

Read More: Bharat‑VISTAAR,  PM Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, MSMEs, AI

Sant Kabir State Awards Honour 39 Weavers in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

A Sant Kabir State Awards ceremony was held in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) to honour skilled handloom weavers (bunakar) from across the state, recognising their contribution to traditional weaving and craftsmanship.

Key Points:

• Awardees: A total of 39 weavers from 13 different regions (parikṣhetra) of Uttar Pradesh received awards based on performance in handloom and weaving work.
  • Winners were categorised into first, second, and third places. 
  • They received cash awards of ₹20,000, ₹15,000, and ₹10,000 respectively, along with a shield, honorary angavastram (shawl) and a certificate. 
• Chief Guest: The event was inaugurated by Rakesh Sachan, Minister of MSME and Khadi Gramodyog. 
• Winners:
  • Neeraj Devi (Aligarh) — First prize
  • Latish Tenguria (Agra) — Second prize
  • Saroj (Hathras) — Third prize
• Government Support: The awards are part of Uttar Pradesh government initiatives to support khadi, handloom, and traditional crafts, ensuring sustainability of weaving communities and MSME artisans.
• Significance: The awards aim to promote handloom weaving, encourage skilled artisans, and preserve traditional crafts in Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Recognition and financial incentives help in motivating craftsmen and enhancing livelihoods.

Read More: MSMEs

Cross-Border Digital Payments: India–Malaysia

Why in News?

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL) has signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) — the national payments network of Malaysia — to enable seamless QR‑based merchant payments between India and Malaysia.

Key Points:

• Partnership: NPCI International and PayNet have entered a strategic agreement to link India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Malaysia’s DuitNow QR payment system. 
• Phased Rollout: The initiative will be rolled out in two phases:
  • Phase I: Indian travellers in Malaysia can use their UPI‑enabled apps to scan DuitNow QR codes at merchant locations for seamless payments.
  • Phase II: Malaysian visitors to India will be able to scan UPI QR codes to make payments using their DuitNow‑enabled apps once the integration is further expanded. 
• Coverage: Indian tourists will gain access to millions of DuitNow QR acceptance points in Malaysia, including restaurants, retail outlets, and tourist attractions. 
  • Similarly, Malaysian visitors will benefit from acceptance at millions of UPI QR‑enabled merchant locations across India.
• Payment Infrastructure: DuitNow QR is Malaysia’s national QR payment standard operated by PayNet, while UPI is India’s real‑time digital payments interface. 
  • Linking these systems creates interoperable infrastructure for cross‑border merchant payments without requiring foreign cards or complex currency exchange procedures. 
• Strategic Vision: NPCI International’s collaboration with PayNet is part of India’s broader strategy to expand UPI’s international footprint and build interoperable real‑time payment ecosystems globally, under the guidance of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India.

Read More: NPCI, UPI

Magnus Carlsen Clinches 2026 FIDE Freestyle World Chess Title

Why in News?

Norwegian chess legend Magnus Carlsen won the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship by defeating American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana. 

Key Points:

• Event: The 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship was the first official freestyle world championship. 
• Organised by: International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Freestyle Chess Operations.
• Venue: Schloss Weissenhaus, Wangels, Germany.
  • This title marks his 21st world championship victory across different formats of chess.
• Winner: Magnus Carlsen won the championship 
• Runner-up: Fabiano Caruana (USA).
• Freestyle Chess Format: Also known as Chess960, this format randomises the starting position of pieces (except pawns), reducing the role of memorised openings and emphasising creativity and calculation.
• Format & Participants: Eight top grandmasters qualified via world rankings and tours to compete in the championship. 
• Strategic Importance: The official recognition of Freestyle Chess by FIDE signals increasing acceptance of innovative formats in international chess competitions.

Read More: International Chess Federation (FIDE),  Freestyle Chess Operations

Russia Blocks WhatsApp, Promotes State-Backed App

Why in News?

The Russian government has blocked access to the Meta-owned messaging app WhatsApp and imposed restrictions on Telegram, Russia’s two most widely used foreign messaging platforms. 

Key Points:

• WhatsApp Ban: Russia has fully blocked WhatsApp, citing the platform’s alleged refusal to comply with Russian laws and regulatory requirements. 
  • The ban was implemented because WhatsApp did not meet local legal and security obligations. 
• Regulator: The restrictions are enforced by Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications regulator.
• Shift to State App: The Russian government is actively promoting Max, a state-supported messaging and super-app, as a replacement for foreign-owned services. 
• Restriction on Telegram: Telegram has not been fully banned. 
  • Authorities have introduced restrictions on the platform’s functionality and accused it of failing to remove extremist or prohibited content. 
• National Security Narrative: Russian authorities argue that restricting foreign messaging apps is necessary for national security.
  • These platforms allegedly facilitate criminal activity, fraud, and foreign intelligence access. 
• Public Reactions: Digital rights groups criticised the WhatsApp ban and Telegram restrictions, saying they undermine privacy and free communication while promoting state-controlled platforms as part of Russia’s push for digital sovereignty.

India-France National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics to Be Set Up at Kanpur

Why in News?

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points:

• National Centre of Excellence (NCoE): This centre will focus on advanced skill training in aeronautics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), airport operations, defence manufacturing, and allied domains, aiming to build a strong talent pipeline for India’s aerospace and defence sectors.
• Collaboration: The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of India and the Government of the French Republic. 
  • The collaboration envisages co-designed curricula, structured training-of-trainers programmes, periodic joint reviews, exchange initiatives, language training, and the development of structured mobility pathways to global standards.
  • Strengthening bilateral cooperation in skills development and vocational training, particularly in emerging high-technology sectors.
• PM-SETU Scheme: The NCoE is being established under the PM-SETU scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • With an overall outlay of ₹60,000 crore, the PM-SETU scheme seeks to transform and upgrade 1000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with industry-aligned curricula and infrastructure.
• Strategic Partnership: A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been exchanged between the MSDE and the Government of France to collaborate on the establishment and functioning of the centre.
• Significance: It strengthens India–France strategic cooperation while building a skilled workforce for India’s growing aerospace and defence sectors.

Read More: India-France Relation, Centre of Excellence,  PM-SETU

Odisha Economic Survey 2025-26

Why in News?

Tabled by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on 19th February, 2026, the Odisha Economic Survey 2025–26 presents a narrative of a fast-expanding state economy outperforming national averages.

Key Points:

• Macro-Economic Indicators:Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at current prices is estimated at around ₹9.9 lakh crore in 2025–26, approaching the ₹10 lakh crore milestone.
  • Real GSDP Growth: Projected at 7.9% for 2025-26, surpassing the national average of 7.4%.
  • GSDP Size: Estimated at ₹9.9 lakh crore (current prices), a 9.5% increase over the previous year.
  • Per Capita Income (PCI): Increased by 9.2% to ₹1,86,761, significantly narrowing the gap with India's average PCI.
  • Fiscal Prudence: Debt-to-GSDP ratio remains healthy at 13.6%, well within FRBM limits.
• Sectoral Performance:The survey highlights a robust manufacturing ecosystem alongside significant agricultural resilience.
• Agriculture and Allied Activities: Agriculture contributed 19.6 % to the state economy in 2025–26, above the national share of 16.8 %.
  • Sector growth in 2025–26 was 5.3 %, outpacing the national average.
  • Record foodgrain production of 150.5 lakh tonnes in 2024–25 demonstrates strong agricultural performance, aided by expanded procurement, MSP support and irrigation improvements.
  • Increased irrigation potential, livestock outputs, fisheries expansion and marine exports further strengthen the primary sector.
• Industry: The industry sector accounted for roughly 41.3 % of Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in 2025–26, contributing about ₹3.6 lakh crore.
  • The sector grew by 6.4 %, bolstered by manufacturing, which is expected to expand by 8.3 %, above the national manufacturing average.
  • Odisha approved 244 investment projects worth ₹5.66 lakh crore with the potential to generate 3.35 lakh jobs; 80 projects worth ₹1.75 lakh crore were implemented in the year, creating 1.4 lakh direct jobs.
  • Business reforms under BRAP 2024 achieved a 98 % implementation rate, reflecting an enabling regulatory environment for industry.
• Services and Digital Economy:The services sector contributed around 39.1 % of GSVA and is projected to grow at 9.3 %.
  • Financial services are expected to expand around 11.9 %, supported by expanding banking, insurance and fintech penetration.
  • Emerging policy frameworks — such as Odisha AI Policy 2025, Odisha GCC Policy 2025 and Odisha Semiconductor & Fabless Policy 2025 — signal the state’s aspiration to evolve into a digital and high-tech growth hub.
• Infrastructure and Connectivity:Infrastructure development emerged as a key pillar of Odisha’s growth strategy:
  • Capital outlay increased significantly, rising to around 6.6 % of GSDP, the highest among major Indian states, with robust spending on roads, bridges, irrigation and other long-term assets.
  • The rail network expanded to over 3,243 km, and aviation links now connect Odisha to 30 cities, enhancing passenger and freight mobility.
  • Programs like B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network) with planned investment of over ₹4,000 crore will further elevate aviation infrastructure.
• Debt and Fiscal Health:Total state debt is estimated to rise to ₹1.34 lakh crore in 2025-26 (≈13.6 % of GSDP), remarkably low compared with many other Indian states, reflecting prudent fiscal management.
  • This debt level remains comfortably within the state’s fiscal responsibility thresholds, with interest payment to revenue receipts ratio around 2.8 %, far below the 15 % benchmark.
  • Future projections anticipate a slight increase in the debt-to-GSDP ratio up to about 15.7 % by 2029–30, driven by planned capital expenditures but remaining sustainable.
• Education and Skills: Odisha reported education as the second-highest household expense after food, reflecting rising awareness of educational investment but also indicating affordability challenges.
  • Increased state allocations for education and strengthened school infrastructure are part of wider human capital investment.
  • Skill development outcomes improved with high placement rates at the Odisha World Skill Centre and newer centres planned in multiple cities.
• Health and Welfare:Public health spending tripled since 2019–20, reaching nearly ₹19,700 crore, improving access to healthcare.
  • Targeted initiatives like SUBHADRA and Lakhpati Didis focus on women’s financial inclusion; around 16.42 lakh Lakhpati Didis (self-help entities) have been created.
  • Social inclusion measures reduced disparities in education and employment among SC, ST and marginalised communities, signalling broader welfare progress.
• Labour Market and Demographic Dividend:Odisha’s labour force participation improved significantly, with overall participation increasing from 58.1 % in 2022 to 64.5 % in 2024, above the national average.
  • Female labour force participation surged to 48.7 %, indicating stronger gender inclusion in productive activities. 
• Livelihoods: 16.42 lakh "Lakhpati Didis" were created through various livelihood initiatives.
• Poverty Reduction: Extreme poverty has declined to 5.3% under revised international poverty lines.
• Digital Hub:Odisha is positioning itself as a hub for emerging technologies and modern logistics.
  • Digital Economy: New policies including the AI Policy 2025, Odisha GCC Policy 2025, and Semiconductor & Fabless Policy 2025 aim to build a future-ready digital ecosystem.
• Maritime Power: Paradip Port handled 18% of India's total cargo in 2024-25 and has been identified as a Green Hydrogen Hub.