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IPC Lifts Ban on Russia & Belarus for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter ParalympicsIn February 2026, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus, confirming that they will be allowed to compete under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, scheduled from 6–15 March 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.The decision permits the display of national flags and the playing of national anthems if athletes win medals.Key Highlights:Background : Russian athletes were initially banned in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict and previously competed only as neutrals. This marks the first return of Russia’s flag at the Winter Paralympics since 2014, following earlier doping and geopolitical bans.Russia Quota: The IPC allocated six quota slots to Russia, including one male and one female athlete each in para-alpine skiing and para-cross country skiing, along with two male athletes in para-snowboard.Belarus Quota: The IPC allocated four quota slots to Belarus, comprising one male and three female athletes in cross-country skiing.Scope: The IPC ruling applies only to the Winter Paralympics and does not automatically extend to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
IPC Lifts Ban on Russia & Belarus for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter ParalympicsIn February 2026, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus, confirming that they will be allowed to compete under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, scheduled from 6–15 March 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.The decision permits the display of national flags and the playing of national anthems if athletes win medals.Key Highlights:Background : Russian athletes were initially banned in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict and previously competed only as neutrals. This marks the first return of Russia’s flag at the Winter Paralympics since 2014, following earlier doping and geopolitical bans.Russia Quota: The IPC allocated six quota slots to Russia, including one male and one female athlete each in para-alpine skiing and para-cross country skiing, along with two male athletes in para-snowboard.Belarus Quota: The IPC allocated four quota slots to Belarus, comprising one male and three female athletes in cross-country skiing.Scope: The IPC ruling applies only to the Winter Paralympics and does not automatically extend to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
IPC Lifts Ban on Russia & Belarus for Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter ParalympicsIn February 2026, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifted the ban on athletes from Russia and Belarus, confirming that they will be allowed to compete under their...
Padma Awardee Pankaj Advani Wins Inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026In February 2026, Pankaj Advani, Indian billiards, snooker player and Padma awardee, won the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026 by defeating Kamal Chawla 6–3 in a best-of-11 final at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) in Bengaluru (Karnataka).Following his victory, Pankaj Advani was named Liber Win’s Indian Brand Ambassador, joining global stars Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Shaun Murphy.About Liber Win Champions Cup 2026: Overview: It is a professional invitational snooker tournament sponsored by Liber Win Cloth that features top cue sport players while promoting elite competition and supporting the growth of cue sports in India.Highlights: The three-day invitational event featured 16 top professional cueists, Kamal Chawla registering the highest break of 140, and both finalists staging 5–4 comeback wins in the semi-finals against Laxman Rawat and Sourav Kothari respectively.
Padma Awardee Pankaj Advani Wins Inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026In February 2026, Pankaj Advani, Indian billiards, snooker player and Padma awardee, won the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026 by defeating Kamal Chawla 6–3 in a best-of-11 final at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA) in Bengaluru (Karnataka).Following his victory, Pankaj Advani was named Liber Win’s Indian Brand Ambassador, joining global stars Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Selby, and Shaun Murphy.About Liber Win Champions Cup 2026: Overview: It is a professional invitational snooker tournament sponsored by Liber Win Cloth that features top cue sport players while promoting elite competition and supporting the growth of cue sports in India.Highlights: The three-day invitational event featured 16 top professional cueists, Kamal Chawla registering the highest break of 140, and both finalists staging 5–4 comeback wins in the semi-finals against Laxman Rawat and Sourav Kothari respectively.
Padma Awardee Pankaj Advani Wins Inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026In February 2026, Pankaj Advani, Indian billiards, snooker player and Padma awardee, won the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026 by defeating Kamal Chawla 6–3 in a best-of-11 f...
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DRDO Conducts Successful Qualification Test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute in ChandigarhIn February 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which works under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully conducted a qualification-level load test of the drogue parachute for Gaganyaan, India’s 1st human spaceflight mission, at its Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.The successful test demonstrates India’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-strength ribbon parachutes.Key Details of Test:Key Agencies Involved: As per the MoD, the test was conducted with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) of DRDO alongside various TBRL’s dedicated teams.Qualification Test: The RTRS dynamic test simulated qualification-level loads exceeding maximum flight conditions, validating the parachute’s structural strength, safety margins, and reliability for stabilising and decelerating the crew module before main parachute deployment.Gaganyaan Mission: It is an ambitious space programme of ISRO, which aims to send 3-member Indian crew into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 400 kilometer (km) for a 3-day expedition and ensure safe re-entry and recovery in the Indian Ocean.
DRDO Conducts Successful Qualification Test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute in ChandigarhIn February 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which works under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), Ministry of Defence (MoD), successfully conducted a qualification-level load test of the drogue parachute for Gaganyaan, India’s 1st human spaceflight mission, at its Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.The successful test demonstrates India’s expertise in the design and manufacture of high-strength ribbon parachutes.Key Details of Test:Key Agencies Involved: As per the MoD, the test was conducted with Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO); Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) of DRDO alongside various TBRL’s dedicated teams.Qualification Test: The RTRS dynamic test simulated qualification-level loads exceeding maximum flight conditions, validating the parachute’s structural strength, safety margins, and reliability for stabilising and decelerating the crew module before main parachute deployment.Gaganyaan Mission: It is an ambitious space programme of ISRO, which aims to send 3-member Indian crew into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 400 kilometer (km) for a 3-day expedition and ensure safe re-entry and recovery in the Indian Ocean.
DRDO Conducts Successful Qualification Test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute in ChandigarhIn February 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which works under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D), Ministry...
Tata Group and OpenAI Partner to Build India’s 1st Large-Scale AI Data Centre In February 2026, Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to establish India’s first large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready data centre under the global Stargate initiative, with OpenAI becoming the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) HyperVault data centre business.About Tata–OpenAI AI Infrastructure Partnership:Infrastructure: TCS HyperVault data centre unit will host AI-ready systems beginning with 100 megawatts (MW) capacity scalable to 1 gigawatt (GW), powered by green energy and AI-optimised hardware to support large-scale training and inference workloads.Investment: TCS plans to invest up to USD 7 billion to build 1 GW data centre capacity in India as part of the USD 500 billion Stargate global initiative.Enterprise: Tata Group also intends to roll out ChatGPT Enterprise, a product offered by OpenAI, across the organisation over the coming years, initially covering hundreds of thousands of employees.Certification: OpenAI will expand its certification programme in India, with TCS becoming the first participating organisation outside the United States of America (USA), and plans to establish offices in Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) in 2026.
Tata Group and OpenAI Partner to Build India’s 1st Large-Scale AI Data Centre In February 2026, Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to establish India’s first large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready data centre under the global Stargate initiative, with OpenAI becoming the first customer of Tata Consultancy Services(TCS) HyperVault data centre business.About Tata–OpenAI AI Infrastructure Partnership:Infrastructure: TCS HyperVault data centre unit will host AI-ready systems beginning with 100 megawatts (MW) capacity scalable to 1 gigawatt (GW), powered by green energy and AI-optimised hardware to support large-scale training and inference workloads.Investment: TCS plans to invest up to USD 7 billion to build 1 GW data centre capacity in India as part of the USD 500 billion Stargate global initiative.Enterprise: Tata Group also intends to roll out ChatGPT Enterprise, a product offered by OpenAI, across the organisation over the coming years, initially covering hundreds of thousands of employees.Certification: OpenAI will expand its certification programme in India, with TCS becoming the first participating organisation outside the United States of America (USA), and plans to establish offices in Mumbai (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) in 2026.
Tata Group and OpenAI Partner to Build India’s 1st Large-Scale AI Data Centre In February 2026, Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to establish India’s first large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI)-ready data centre under the global Stargate initiativ...
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GIFT City and AJNIFM Sign MoU to Build FinTech and International Finance Talent for IFSCIn February 2026, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM), Faridabad (Haryana) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.The MoU facilitates joint postgraduate (PG) and executive programmes, collaborative research, and academic exchanges in International Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech), strengthening capacity building under the GIFT International FinTech Institute.Key Details of MoU:Objective: The partnership aligns advanced financial education with the evolving needs of India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City to build a future-ready talent pipeline for global and cross-border finance.Immersion: A five-day Industry Immersion Programme was launched for second-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) students of AJNIFM, offering exposure to regulatory frameworks, capital markets, cross-border financial services, and digital finance innovations.Capacity: AJNIFM trains officers of Government Financial and Accounts Services (GF&AS) and delivers postgraduate and executive education, while GIFT City offers a dynamic global financial ecosystem for applied learning.
GIFT City and AJNIFM Sign MoU to Build FinTech and International Finance Talent for IFSCIn February 2026, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM), Faridabad (Haryana) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.The MoU facilitates joint postgraduate (PG) and executive programmes, collaborative research, and academic exchanges in International Finance and Financial Technology (FinTech), strengthening capacity building under the GIFT International FinTech Institute.Key Details of MoU:Objective: The partnership aligns advanced financial education with the evolving needs of India’s only International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) at GIFT City to build a future-ready talent pipeline for global and cross-border finance.Immersion: A five-day Industry Immersion Programme was launched for second-year Master of Business Administration (MBA) students of AJNIFM, offering exposure to regulatory frameworks, capital markets, cross-border financial services, and digital finance innovations.Capacity: AJNIFM trains officers of Government Financial and Accounts Services (GF&AS) and delivers postgraduate and executive education, while GIFT City offers a dynamic global financial ecosystem for applied learning.
GIFT City and AJNIFM Sign MoU to Build FinTech and International Finance Talent for IFSCIn February 2026, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financ...
India and Israel Sign MoU to Deepen Defence Industrial CooperationIn February 2026, India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen defence ties and advance joint initiatives, including future seminars, collaborative industrial programmes, and technology sharing.The agreement was formalised during a strategic seminar and series of Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings facilitated by the International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) under Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), in collaboration with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Tel Aviv, Israel.About India–Israel Defence Industry Seminar:Seminar: A strategic seminar led by Brigadier General (Reserve) Yair Kulas, Director of the SIBAT, brought together representatives from 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence companies for Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements.Delegation: The Indian delegation was headed by Ramesh K, Director General (DG) of the SIDM, and included J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, and Group Captain Vijay Patil, Defence Attaché.Focus: Discussions centred on India’s defence industrial ecosystem and the updated Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, aimed at strengthening co-development, co-production, technology sharing, and interoperability.
India and Israel Sign MoU to Deepen Defence Industrial CooperationIn February 2026, India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen defence ties and advance joint initiatives, including future seminars, collaborative industrial programmes, and technology sharing.The agreement was formalised during a strategic seminar and series of Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings facilitated by the International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) under Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD), in collaboration with Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Tel Aviv, Israel.About India–Israel Defence Industry Seminar:Seminar: A strategic seminar led by Brigadier General (Reserve) Yair Kulas, Director of the SIBAT, brought together representatives from 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence companies for Business-to-Business (B2B) engagements.Delegation: The Indian delegation was headed by Ramesh K, Director General (DG) of the SIDM, and included J P Singh, Ambassador of India to Israel, and Group Captain Vijay Patil, Defence Attaché.Focus: Discussions centred on India’s defence industrial ecosystem and the updated Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, aimed at strengthening co-development, co-production, technology sharing, and interoperability.
India and Israel Sign MoU to Deepen Defence Industrial CooperationIn February 2026, India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen defence ties and advance joint initiatives, including future seminars, collaborative industrial ...
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UP Government and IOCL Sign MoU for International Cricket Stadium in GorakhpurIn February 2026, the Government of Uttar Pradesh(UP) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a proposed International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur, UP.The agreement was formalised in the presence of Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister(CM) of UP, in Lucknow, UP.Project Highlights:Overview: The project, estimated at Rs.339 crore, includes a 30,000‑seating capacity venue equipped with modern facilities such as pitches, practice areas, floodlights, advanced dressing rooms and media infrastructure under international norms.Funding Structure: The project has a total oil sector commitment of Rs 100 crore, including Rs 60 crore from IOCL through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, Rs 30 crore from Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and Rs 10 crore from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).Completion Timeline: The project is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
UP Government and IOCL Sign MoU for International Cricket Stadium in GorakhpurIn February 2026, the Government of Uttar Pradesh(UP) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a proposed International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur, UP.The agreement was formalised in the presence of Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister(CM) of UP, in Lucknow, UP.Project Highlights:Overview: The project, estimated at Rs.339 crore, includes a 30,000‑seating capacity venue equipped with modern facilities such as pitches, practice areas, floodlights, advanced dressing rooms and media infrastructure under international norms.Funding Structure: The project has a total oil sector commitment of Rs 100 crore, including Rs 60 crore from IOCL through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, Rs 30 crore from Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), and Rs 10 crore from Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).Completion Timeline: The project is scheduled for completion by December 2027.
UP Government and IOCL Sign MoU for International Cricket Stadium in GorakhpurIn February 2026, the Government of Uttar Pradesh(UP) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a propose...
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Inaugurates Lengtekai Bridge Over Tlawng River in AizawlOn February 17, 2026, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, named ‘Faith Bridge’, over the Tlawng River in Aizawl, Mizoram, designed to strengthen the road connectivity network in Mizoram.About Lengtekai Bridge:Funding: The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs.43.83 crore, is financed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).Structure: It is a 100-metre (m)-long and 7.5m wide steel bridge including 1.5m footpaths on both sides and can carry loads up to 385 metric tons(MT), enhancing transport capacity and safety.Replacement: It replaces aging Bailey structures which previously limited roads were prone to frequent damage, ensuring continuous and safer traffic flow.Connectivity: The new bridge enhances connectivity between Aizawl, Lengpui Airport, and the Mamit district near Tripura, strengthening movement of people, goods, and services.
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Inaugurates Lengtekai Bridge Over Tlawng River in AizawlOn February 17, 2026, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, named ‘Faith Bridge’, over the Tlawng River in Aizawl, Mizoram, designed to strengthen the road connectivity network in Mizoram.About Lengtekai Bridge:Funding: The bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs.43.83 crore, is financed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).Structure: It is a 100-metre (m)-long and 7.5m wide steel bridge including 1.5m footpaths on both sides and can carry loads up to 385 metric tons(MT), enhancing transport capacity and safety.Replacement: It replaces aging Bailey structures which previously limited roads were prone to frequent damage, ensuring continuous and safer traffic flow.Connectivity: The new bridge enhances connectivity between Aizawl, Lengpui Airport, and the Mamit district near Tripura, strengthening movement of people, goods, and services.
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Inaugurates Lengtekai Bridge Over Tlawng River in AizawlOn February 17, 2026, Chief Minister (CM) of Mizoram, Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, named ‘Faith Bridge’, over the Tlawng River in Aizawl, Mizoram, designed to...
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MoP Constitutes Oversight Panels for PFC-REC MergerOn February 19, 2026, the Ministry of Power (MoP) constituted a three-member high-level committee and a three-member Working Group to oversee and steer the proposed merger of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC Limited (formerly known as Rural Electrification Corporation Limited), under MoP.About High-Level Committee:Members: It comprises Parminder Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of PFC; Jitendra Srivastava, CMD, REC along with Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary (Distribution), MoP as convenor.Functions: It will oversee and track the overall merger process, review weekly progress reports, address policy-level and structural issues, ensure alignment with government objectives, and coordinate between stakeholders and regulatory bodies.About Working Group on Merger Modalities: Members: It is headed by Pranav Tayal, Director (Distribution), MoP, with one Executive Director (ED) from PFC and REC as members.Role: The Working Group will review and recommend measures for personnel integration, including the harmonisation of pay scales, service conditions, and promotion policies.
MoP Constitutes Oversight Panels for PFC-REC MergerOn February 19, 2026, the Ministry of Power (MoP) constituted a three-member high-level committee and a three-member Working Group to oversee and steer the proposed merger of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and REC Limited (formerly known as Rural Electrification Corporation Limited), under MoP.About High-Level Committee:Members: It comprises Parminder Chopra, Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of PFC; Jitendra Srivastava, CMD, REC along with Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary (Distribution), MoP as convenor.Functions: It will oversee and track the overall merger process, review weekly progress reports, address policy-level and structural issues, ensure alignment with government objectives, and coordinate between stakeholders and regulatory bodies.About Working Group on Merger Modalities: Members: It is headed by Pranav Tayal, Director (Distribution), MoP, with one Executive Director (ED) from PFC and REC as members.Role: The Working Group will review and recommend measures for personnel integration, including the harmonisation of pay scales, service conditions, and promotion policies.
MoP Constitutes Oversight Panels for PFC-REC MergerOn February 19, 2026, the Ministry of Power (MoP) constituted a three-member high-level committee and a three-member Working Group to oversee and steer the proposed merger of Power Finance Corporatio...
Union Minister Amit Shah Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II in Assam to boost border development and securityIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of Cooperation, launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam, to strengthen development in border regions.The initiative focuses on improving access to basic services, generating sustainable livelihoods, enhancing border security, and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.About Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II): Outlay: The scheme has a total financial allocation of Rs 6,839 crore up to Financial Year 2028–29 (FY29), with an estimated expenditure of around Rs 3 crore per village.Coverage: It will cover 1,954 border villages across 15 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs), including Arunachal Pradesh (AR), Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and West Bengal (WB).
Union Minister Amit Shah Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II in Assam to boost border development and securityIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of Cooperation, launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam, to strengthen development in border regions.The initiative focuses on improving access to basic services, generating sustainable livelihoods, enhancing border security, and supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.About Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II): Outlay: The scheme has a total financial allocation of Rs 6,839 crore up to Financial Year 2028–29 (FY29), with an estimated expenditure of around Rs 3 crore per village.Coverage: It will cover 1,954 border villages across 15 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs), including Arunachal Pradesh (AR), Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and West Bengal (WB).
Union Minister Amit Shah Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II in Assam to boost border development and securityIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of Cooperation, launched the Vibrant Villages Pr...
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