• 23 Feb 2026

India’s First Private Helicopter Assembly Line Inaugurated in Karnataka

Why in News?

India’s first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) was inaugurated at Vemagal in Kolar district, Karnataka In February 2026.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the facility virtually, highlighting deepening India-France industrial cooperation.

Key Points:

• First-of-Its-Kind: The Vemagal FAL is the first helicopter assembly line in India set up by the private sector, strengthening the country’s manufacturing base in advanced aerospace technologies and reducing dependence on imports. 
  • The line will assemble the Airbus H125, a widely used single-engine civil helicopter known for its reliability and versatility. 
  • There are plans to also manufacture the military variant H125M, suitable for high-altitude and multi-role operations. 
• Strategic Partnership: The collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Airbus underscores India–France strategic cooperation in defence and aerospace sectors.
  • The project aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, promoting domestic industrial growth, technology transfers, and private sector participation in defence manufacturing.
• Production & Exports: The first Made-in-India H125 helicopter is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
  • Plans to scale up production to around 10 helicopters annually by 2029.
• Impact: The project involves an estimated investment of around ₹1,000 crore, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities and enhancing the skilled workforce in the aerospace sector.
• Applications: The H125 and H125M helicopters have a wide range of uses including civil operations, emergency medical services, disaster response, regional connectivity, and defence roles, particularly in challenging terrains such as the Himalayas. 

Read More: Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, India-France Relation

Glossopteris Fossils Discovered in Jharkhand

Why in News?

Open-cast coal mines in Jharkhand’s North Karanpura Basin have yielded an extraordinary collection of plant fossils, offering new insights into ancient ecosystems that existed nearly 290 million years ago, when India formed part of the southern supercontinent Gondwanaland.

Key Points:

• Fossil Discoveries: Researchers recovered fossils belonging to at least 14 species of Glossopteris and related plants from shale layers in the Ashoka Coal Mine. 
  • These include leaves, roots, spores, and pollen impressions indicating a rich prehistoric floral assemblage.
• Gondwanan Vegetation: Glossopteris was a dominant group of seed plants across the southern continents during the Permian period.
  • Its abundance in Jharkhand reflects dense swampy forests and interconnected river networks that once existed in the region.
• Juvenile Male Cone Discovery: A globally significant discovery at the site is the first documented juvenile male cone of Glossopteris in the Damodar Basin. 
• Marine Signatures: Petrographic and geochemical analyses (including framboidal pyrite and high sulphur content) suggest brackish water conditions and possible Permian marine incursions in the basin around 280–290 million years ago, advancing our understanding of past sea level changes.
• Scientific Importance: The findings were published in the International Journal of Coal Geology and contribute to reconstructing ancient climates and continental environments.

Assam Grants 3% Reservation to Tea Tribes and Adivasis

Why in News?

The Assam Cabinet has approved a 3% reservation quota for tea tribes and Adivasi communities in Grade-I and Grade-II government jobs.

Key Points:

• Reservation Policy: The 3% quota now applies to Grade-I and Grade-II posts, which include senior administrative and supervisory roles under the Assam State Services, extending beyond existing quotas.
  • The policy covers tea garden communities and indigenous Adivasi groups who have traditionally faced socio-economic disadvantages and limited representation in public employment.
• Earlier Coverage: Tea Tribes and Adivasi communities were already eligible for reservation in Grade-III and Grade-IV posts. 
  • The present decision expands representation in higher level positions of state services. 
• Demographic Significance: Tea Tribes constitute a significant population segment in Assam, primarily residing in tea garden areas across districts such as Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sonitpur, and Golaghat.
• Objective: To ensure inclusive governance, social justice, and equitable participation in policymaking and administrative processes.
  • The decision reflects an effort by the government to address long-standing demands of the tea tribes and Adivasi population, while integrating them more fully into the public workforce.

Read More: Reservation

Jain Chadar Mahotsav to be Held in Jaisalmer

Why in News?

Jaisalmer will host India’s first Jain Chadar Mahotsav, where 872-year-old sacred garments associated with Dada Shri Jindatt Suri Maharaj will be displayed for devotees.

Key Points:

• First-of-its-Kind Event: The Chadar Mahotsav is being organised for the first time in the country, making it a landmark religious gathering for the Jain community.
• Ancient Sacred Garments: The festival will exhibit 872-year-old garments, including a chadar and other ritual cloth items believed to have belonged to Dada Shri Jindatt Suri Maharaj and preserved as sacred relics.
  • According to Jain tradition, the garments remained intact after the Acharya’s final rites. 
  • They were later brought from Patan (Gujarat) to Jaisalmer during an epidemic and have since been carefully preserved.
• Religious Ceremonies: The three-day event will feature special prayers, spiritual discourses, rituals, and a grand Varghoda (religious procession) with participation of Jain monks and devotees from across India.
  • The Mahotsav is expected to promote religious tourism in Jaisalmer, strengthening Rajasthan’s identity as a centre of heritage, faith, and desert tourism.
• Significance: The Jain Chadar Mahotsav highlights the preservation of Jain heritage and reinforces India’s cultural diversity, while boosting religious tourism and community engagement in Rajasthan.

Read More: Jainism

NEST Sanctioned to Boost Innovation in North East

Why in News?

The Government of India has sanctioned a project to establish the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) aimed at boosting research, innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship across the North Eastern Region (NER).

Key Points:

• Project Approval: The NEST project was sanctioned in July 2025 under the Schemes of the North Eastern Council (NEC) and the Ministry of Development of North-East Region with an outlay of approximately ₹22.98 crore to strengthen science and technology infrastructure in the NER.
• Implementing Agency: The project will be implemented by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
• Four Thematic Verticals: NEST will operate through four key focus areas:
  • Innovation Hub on Grassroots Technologies – to promote tech solutions for local challenges.
  • Technology Hub for Semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence – aligning with future technology trends.
  • Centre of Excellence for Bamboo-Based Technology – leveraging regional strengths for product and process innovation.
  • Skill Development & Innovation Centre for Biodegradable and Eco-friendly Plastics – encouraging sustainable technology and entrepreneurship.
• Objectives: The NEST Cluster aims to empower youth in the NER—especially SC/ST, women, and Divyangjan—towards self-employment and entrepreneurship, while strengthening MSMEs through capacity building, research interventions, and commercialization of products.
  • It will adopt a hub-and-spoke approach connecting academia, research institutions, industry partners, and government agencies to promote R&D interventions, innovation ecosystems, and skill development at the grassroots level.
• Significance: The sanctioning of the North Eastern Science & Technology Cluster (NEST) represents a strategic initiative by the Government of India to harness science, technology, and innovation for inclusive development, employment generation, and entrepreneurial growth in the North Eastern Region, aligning with broader goals of regional empowerment and technology-driven economic transformation.

Read More: North Eastern Region (NER), North Eastern Council (NEC), Semiconductors , Artificial Intelligence, MSMEs

Vibrant Villages Programme-II Launched from Assam

Why in News?

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the ₹6,839 crore Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) from Nathunpur village, marking a major step towards comprehensive development of border villages and strengthening internal security through inclusive growth.

Key Points:

• Vibrant Villages Programme: The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) was initially announced in the Union Budget 2022-23. 
• The Shift to VVP–II: While Phase I focused exclusively on the northern borders (Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh), Phase II expands the scope to other international land borders.
  • Strategic Shift: This second phase, with a total outlay of ₹6,839 crore, marks a strategic shift in developing India's border regions from being viewed as "last villages" to the nation's "first villages".
• Geographical Coverage: 1,954 strategic villages across 334 blocks in 15 States and 2 Union Territories.
  • The programme will cover 140 villages across 9 districts and 26 blocks in Assam.
• Scheme Nature: VVP–II is a 100% Central Sector Scheme, meaning it is fully funded by the Union Government.
• Core Objectives: The programme is designed with a multi-dimensional approach to border management and rural development:
• Saturation-Based Development: It aims for 100% coverage of essential services including all-weather road connectivity (under PMGSY-IV), telecom, television, and 24x7 electrification.

Read More: Vibrant Villages Programme

First UN Small Arms Control Training Programme in Jabalpur

Why in News?

India hosted the first-ever United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the Asia-Pacific region in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points:

• UN SALW Training: For the first time in Asia, India hosted the United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on small arms control to strengthen regional cooperation against illicit arms proliferation.
  • Venue: The programme is being conducted by the Indian Army at the Military College of Materials Management (MCMM) in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
• Organisers: The training is organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) through its Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD), under the aegis of India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Defence.  
  • Delegates from 13 countries across the Asia-Pacific region are participating, making it a key platform for regional cooperation on disarmament and arms control.
• Capacity-Building:The training focuses on the implementation of two critical international instruments:
  • UN Programme of Action (PoA): A global commitment to prevent, combat, and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects.
  • International Tracing Instrument (ITI): A standard for the timely and reliable identification and tracing of illicit SALW.
  • Illicit small arms and light weapons (SALW) proliferation is a major driver of conflict, terrorism, and organised crime. 
• India’s Global Role: It underlines India’s growing role as a responsible stakeholder in global security governance, showcasing its expertise in arms control, safe stockpile management, and disarmament training. 
  • India has taken a significant step in enhancing regional security cooperation and reinforcing its contribution to global peace and responsible arms governance. 

Read More: UN , Asia-Pacific region

Jharkhand Economic Survey 2025-26

Why in News?

The Jharkhand Economic Survey 2025-26 was tabled in the State Assembly by Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore, providing a detailed evaluation of the state’s economic performance, structural transformations, social progress, and future outlook.

Key Points:

• Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP): For 2025–26, Jharkhand’s real GSDP is projected to reach approximately ₹3,21,892 crore, growing at about 6.17% — marking continued expansion after recovery from the pandemic phase.
  • At current prices, the state’s economy is expected to cross ₹5.6 lakh crore in 2025–26 and approach ₹6.1 lakh crore in 2026–27.
  • These estimates reflect moderation from earlier high post-pandemic growth, yet maintain a sustainable mid-6% expansion trajectory, consistent with structural consolidation and recovery.
• Growth Comparison and Context:Growth in 2024–25 is estimated at 7.02%, exceeding the national average (~6.5%), and marking four consecutive years over 7% — indicative of resilience and economic momentum.
• Per Capita Income: A notable outcome of the 2025–26 Survey is that Jharkhand’s per capita income has crossed the ₹1 lakh mark for the first time, reaching ₹1,16,663 at current prices in 2024–25.
  • Projections: At current prices, per capita income is projected to rise further to:
    • ₹1,25,677 in 2025–26, and
    • ₹1,35,195 in 2026–27.
  • In real terms, per capita income at constant prices is estimated to reach ₹71,944 in 2025–26 and ₹65,670 in 2026–27.
  • Significance: Crossing the ₹1 lakh per capita income threshold is a symbolic and economic milestone, reflecting enhanced productivity and improved household incomes in Jharkhand’s economy.

Sectoral Composition and Structural Change:

• Services Sector:The services sector has emerged as the largest contributor to the state’s economy, with its share in Gross State Value Added increasing significantly over the years, surpassing both agriculture and industry.
  • Construction activity within services has grown robustly, reflecting expanding urbanisation and infrastructure projects.
• Industrial Sector:The industrial sector remains central to Jharkhand’s development:
  • Historical data indicate that industrial activity contributed about 44.1% of the state’s GSVA in recent years — placing Jharkhand among the top three industrialised states in India alongside Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
  • This reflects the significance of mining, heavy industries, and medium and small enterprises in the state’s economic base.
• Agriculture and Allied Activities:Agriculture and allied activities contributed about 12.3% of GSVA in 2025–26, down from earlier shares but with absolute value growing — indicating diversification of the economy while maintaining expansion in agricultural output.
  • Absolute agricultural GSVA grew significantly from ₹28,470 crore to an estimated ₹38,200 crore over recent years, signalling productivity gains.
• Inflation and Price Stability:The Economic Survey notes significant declines in inflation, from around 6% in 2023–24 to lower levels in 2024–25.
  • The inflation gap between rural and urban areas has also narrowed, reflecting more equitable price stability across regions.
  • Containing inflation within or below the RBI’s upper tolerance band fosters consumer confidence and enhances the real purchasing power of citizens, especially in a state with significant rural populations.
• Multidimensional Poverty Reduction:Jharkhand has witnessed a sharp decline in multidimensional poverty:
  • From 42.10% in 2015–16 to about 28.81% in 2019–21 — a drop of over 13 percentage points.
  • This reduction, steeper than the national average, reflects the combined impact of economic growth and targeted social interventions across essential services such as electricity access, sanitation, clean cooking fuel, and drinking water.
  • Major Schemes:
    • Maiyan Samman Yojana: Allocated ₹13,363 crore (11% of budgeted revenue receipts) to provide ₹2,500 monthly assistance to women aged 18-50.
    • Education: Significant focus on the Jharkhand Student Research and Innovation Policy 2025 and the establishment of two new universities for skill and fin-tech.
• Social Progress:Consistent improvements in social infrastructure — including education, health facilities, and rural connectivity — underpin broader human development outcomes that often accompany sustained economic expansion.
• MSME Expansion: The state has witnessed rapid growth in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs):
  • Over 83,000 new Udyam registrations were recorded in the first nine months of 2025–26, employing over 3.34 lakh people, with micro enterprises constituting over 99% of these units.
  • A vibrant MSME ecosystem is crucial for job creation, especially in semi-urban and rural areas, and strengthens local supply chains.
• Industrial Diversification:Expansion in services and industry suggests a structural shift away from agricultural reliance towards diversified economic formation — vital for long-term employment generation.
• Fiscal Context:Though the official state Economic Survey document itself is the primary source for detailed fiscal tables, independent reporting indicates that:
  • Budget allocations have increased significantly over time — with the state’s overall fiscal size expanding nearly 20-fold since its formation.
  • Own revenue sources have grown at a strong average annual rate, indicating better revenue mobilisation.
• Growth Prospects:For the next fiscal year (2026–27), Jharkhand’s economy is projected to grow at about 5.96% — slightly lower than the current year — but remains within a sustainable medium-term growth path.
  • Growth moderation is interpreted as part of a transition from post-pandemic rebound to structural consolidation and long-term stability.
• Long-Term Goals:Earlier economic surveys project ambitious economic expansion goals — such as making Jharkhand a Rs 10 lakh crore (₹10 trillion) economy by 2029–30 — contingent on sustained policy support and investment flows. 
• Banking: Expanded to 3,449 branches and 3,338 ATMs by September 2025.
• Power: Installed generation capacity reached 3,212.95 MW as of August 2025. The state allocated ₹5,005 crore for power subsidies to consumers in the FY26 budget.

Thanya Nathan to Become Kerala’s First Blind Woman Judge

Why in News?

Thanya Nathan is set to make history by becoming Kerala’s first visually challenged (completely blind) woman judge.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement: Thanya Nathan will be the first fully blind woman to be appointed as a judge in Kerala’s judiciary.
• Success: She secured the top rank among persons with benchmark disabilities in the competitive Civil Judges (Junior Division) exam conducted for entry into the Kerala Judicial Service.
  • She pursued law despite visual impairment and completed her legal education with the assistance of accessible learning tools and digital support systems.
• Judicial Inclusivity: Her achievement follows a landmark 2025 Supreme Court ruling affirming that visually impaired candidates cannot be excluded from eligibility for judicial service.
  • Her appointment reflects the principles of equality and non-discrimination under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring equal opportunity in public employment.
• Significance: Thanya’s success not only inspires persons with disabilities but also contributes to ongoing efforts to make India’s legal profession more accessible and inclusive for all.

Read More: Supreme Court,  Indian Constitution, Persons with disabilities