State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 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

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.