State PCS - Assam (APSC)

• 10 Feb 2026

Delhi Police Launched Operation Shastra

Why in News? 

Delhi Police has launched Operation Shastra, a major campaign targeting the growing glorification and display of guns and weapons on social media, aiming to curb gun culture and enhance public safety. 

Key Points: 

• Objective: The operation is focused on preventing the normalisation and celebration of firearms and violent imagery online, which police believe can influence youth and contribute to unsafe behaviour. 
• Implementing Agencies: The initiative is led by the Delhi Police, with directives from the Police Commissioner and coordinated involvement of cyber units and field teams.  
  • Under Operation Shastra, authorities monitored thousands of social media accounts and short‑form videos where individuals were seen displaying guns, knives, or other weapons for influence or thrill‑seeking.  
• Technological Approach: The operation incorporated digital scanning and behavioural analysis of publicly available content on social platforms to identify problematic posts that promote weapon glorification. 
• Significance: Operation Shastra marks a modern policing approach that combines online surveillance with on‑ground action to address emerging threats to public safety. 
  • The campaign also seeks to educate communities and discourage youth from engaging in or sharing content that glamorises weapons and violence.

Goa Becomes Second Indian State to Publish a Bird Atlas

Why in News? 

Goa has become the second Indian state to publish its own comprehensive state-level bird atlas, marking a major step in avian documentation and biodiversity conservation. 

Key Points: 

• State: The Bird Atlas of Goa was released in the coastal state of Goa making it the second Indian state. 
  • Kerala was the first Indian state to publish a state-level bird atlas. 
• Launch: The atlas was unveiled during the ninth Bird Festival of Goa, highlighting the state’s emphasis on biodiversity awareness and community participation. 
• Purpose: The bird atlas provides a systematic and spatial mapping of bird species and their distribution across Goa.  
  • It is expected to support long-term ecological monitoring, scientific research, and conservation planning. 
• Methodology: The atlas was developed through citizen science collaboration involving ornithologists, researchers, birdwatchers, and volunteers who contributed field observations and data. 
• Significance: 
  • It fills critical gaps in avian biodiversity data at the state level. 
  • It will assist policymakers and conservationists in designing informed strategies for habitat protection and species management. 
  • The project promotes greater public engagement in wildlife conservation.  

 

Read More: Goa 

VOC Port Becomes India’s First to Deploy Anti-Drone Security

Why in News? 

Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) has become the first port in India to initiate the deployment of an advanced Anti-Drone Security System. 

Key Points: 

• System: The Anti-Drone Security System integrates radar, radio frequency detection, and optical tracking technologies to detect, monitor, and respond to unauthorized drone activities near the port vicinity. 
  • This move was implemented by the Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port) in Tamil Nadu. 
• Purpose: The system aims to strengthen maritime infrastructure security, protect critical assets, and prevent potential threats posed by unmanned aerial systems in key operational zones.  
  • This initiative represents a significant advancement in port security measures, aligning with national priorities to safeguard trade routes and maritime installations against emerging technological threats.  
• Security concern: Increasing use of commercial drones globally has prompted security agencies to adopt counter-drone systems to mitigate risks linked to espionage, smuggling, or accidental airspace incursions near sensitive infrastructure. 

Read More: Anti-Drone Security System 

Kotak Becomes India’s First to Enable Fully Digital FPI Registration

Why in News? 

Kotak Mahindra Bank has become the first custodian in India to facilitate the entire Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) registration and account opening process using electronic signatures, marking a major digital milestone in capital market access.  

Key Points: 

• Institution: The achievement was announced by Kotak Mahindra Bank. 
  • One of India’s leading private sector banks, when its custody arm enabled fully digital onboarding for FPIs.  
• Innovation: This is the first instance in India where an FPI licence and associated client account opening documentation have been executed entirely with electronic signatures (eSign) without requiring physical “wet signatures”. 
  • The move follows SEBI’s introduction of a unified digital workflow in January 2026, which allows digital signatures to be used within the Common Application Form (CAF) portal for FPI registration.  
• Purpose: The initiative aims to simplify and accelerate the process for foreign investors to enter the Indian market by reducing paperwork, lowering operational risks, and modernising the onboarding experience. 
• Benefits: Paperless onboarding significantly reduces time and logistical overhead for global investors. 
  • Enhances ease of doing business and supports India’s aspiration to attract greater foreign investment. 
  • Strengthens India’s digital infrastructure for capital markets. 
• Significance: This development reflects India’s shift toward digital transformation in financial markets and aligns with broader reforms by SEBI to streamline investor registration and compliance processes. 

Read More: SEBI, Ease of doing business 

Walmart Becomes First Retailer to Hit $1 Trillion Market Value

Why in News? 

Walmart has achieved a landmark financial milestone by crossing a $1 trillion market valuation, emerging as the first traditional retail company to join the elite trillion-dollar club that has largely been dominated by major global technology firms. 

Key Points: 

• About Walmart:It is a US-based multinational retail corporation known for its extensive chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores and grocery outlets.  
• Historic Benchmark: Walmart’s market capitalisation exceeded $1 trillion for the first time. 
  • Placing it among elite companies like Nvidia, Alphabet (Google’s parent), and other tech giants. 
• Factors Driving Growth: 
  • Expansion of its online marketplace and e-commerce services. 
  • Boost from digital and AI-driven capabilities integrated into operations. 
  • Strengthening of subscription services like Walmart+ and rapid delivery offerings. 
  • Growth in Walmart’s advertising business and supply-chain innovations. 
• Significance: 
  • Marks a shift in retail industry dynamics, where a traditional retailer has joined ranks usually held by technology and digital-centric firms. 
  • Signals investor confidence in Walmart’s omni-channel strategy and ability to innovate in a competitive landscape traditionally led by tech companies. 

Read More: AI 

India’s First ‘Elderly Budget’ in Kerala

Why in News?

In the Kerala State Budget 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on 29 January 2026, Kerala became the first state in India to introduce a specialized ‘Elderly Budget’ document alongside the main budget to address the needs of senior citizens. 

Key Points:

• Key Pillars of the Elderly Budget: The state has earmarked specific funds and policy frameworks to address the geriatric demographic shift: 
• Financial Security: Social security pensions have been increased to ₹2,000 per month, benefiting over 60 lakh individuals. 
  • Total allocation for social security and welfare fund pensions stands at ₹14,500 crore. 
• Health & Geriatric Care: 
  • Menopause Clinics: Established in district hospitals with an initial outlay of ₹3 crore. 
  • Insurance for the 'Missing Middle': A ₹50 crore allocation for a health insurance scheme targeting families above the poverty line who are not covered by existing schemes. 
  • Palliative Care: Enhanced funding for the community-based palliative care network, a hallmark of the Kerala health model. 
• Housing & Infrastructure: 
  • Retirement Homes: ₹30 crore allocated to subsidize the construction of modern retirement homes by private and cooperative sectors. 
  • Elderly Friendly Cities: Special grants for local bodies to create "age-friendly" public infrastructure, including parks and walkways. 
• The Care Economy: 
  • On-Call Volunteer Services: ₹10 crore to develop a digital platform and cadre of volunteers to assist the elderly living alone with daily chores and medical visits. 
  • Vayomithram Scheme: Expanded to all municipal and panchayat wards to provide free medicines and check-ups at the doorstep. 
• Significance: Kerala’s elderly population is among the highest in India, creating pressure on health, social security and caregiving systems.  
  • The Elderly Budget represents a proactive policy response to demographic reality rather than reactive welfare spending. 

Airbus-GSV Centre of Excellence: Advancing Sustainable Aerospace

Why in News?

Global aerospace leader Airbus inaugurated a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat. 

Key Points: 

• Collaboration: This collaboration between Airbus and GSV aims to strengthen India’s aerospace research ecosystem, particularly in sustainable aviation technologies, and deepen industry–academia engagement in the sector.  
• Objectives of the CoE: Focused research on decarbonizing the aviation sector, including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and hydrogen-based propulsion systems. 
  • Skill Development: Creating a specialized workforce for the Indian aerospace ecosystem, specifically targeting aviation operations, maintenance, and logistics. 
• Research & Innovation: Advancing collaborative projects between industry and academia to solve real-world aerospace challenges. 
• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV): A Central University established under the Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India. 
  • Location: Based in Vadodara, it acts as the primary academic driver for the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. 
• Significance: The CoE complements the C-295 aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara (a Tata-Airbus collaboration), strengthening the domestic supply chain. 

Read More: Gati Shakti National Master Plan 

World Pulses Day 2026

Why in News?

On 10th February, 2026, World Pulses Day was celebrated globally to recognize the vital role of pulses (dried seeds of leguminous plants) in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Key Points:

• Designation: The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2019, building on the success of the International Year of Pulses (2016). 
  • Theme: “Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence” 
  • Focus:  This theme was selected by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to reframe pulses from being seen as humble, traditional foods to being recognised for their nutritional richness, culinary diversity and value in sustainable diets. 
• India’s Pulse Scenario (2025-26): India remains the world's largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses.  
• Production Targets: Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), India has targeted a record production of 28-29 million tonnes for the 2025-26 crop year to achieve Atmanirbharata (self-reliance). 
• Importance of Pulses: Pulses are a rich source of plant-based proteins, fiber, and essential minerals (iron, potassium, magnesium). They are critical for combating malnutrition in developing nations. 
  • Soil Health (Nitrogen Fixation): Legumes possess nitrogen-fixing properties that improve soil fertility, reducing the dependency on synthetic fertilizers and lowering the carbon footprint of agriculture. 
• Climate Resilience: Pulses have a low water footprint compared to other protein sources and are highly adaptable to drought-prone environments, making them essential for Climate-Smart Agriculture.