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India Chaired 1st BRICS Sherpas’ Meeting in New DelhiThe 1st meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Sherpas’ and Sous Sherpas hosted by the Government of India (GoI) held from February 09 to February 10, 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi.Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sherpa, on behalf of the GoI chaired the meeting.He was supported by Shambhu L. Hakki, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sous Sherpa.Key Details of Meeting:Key Participants: The meeting saw the participation of BRICS Sherpas and senior officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Theme for BRICS Summit 2026: During the meeting, India outlined the priorities for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’.Priority Areas of Cooperation: Also, various Ministries and Departments of the GoI presented India’s priorities and proposed activities under various thematic areas like: cooperation in health, agriculture, labour and employment, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, energy, innovation, among others.BRICS Summit 2026: India will chair BRICS Summit for the 4th time in 2026.Previously, India chaired the summit in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
India Chaired 1st BRICS Sherpas’ Meeting in New DelhiThe 1st meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Sherpas’ and Sous Sherpas hosted by the Government of India (GoI) held from February 09 to February 10, 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi.Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sherpa, on behalf of the GoI chaired the meeting.He was supported by Shambhu L. Hakki, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sous Sherpa.Key Details of Meeting:Key Participants: The meeting saw the participation of BRICS Sherpas and senior officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Theme for BRICS Summit 2026: During the meeting, India outlined the priorities for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’.Priority Areas of Cooperation: Also, various Ministries and Departments of the GoI presented India’s priorities and proposed activities under various thematic areas like: cooperation in health, agriculture, labour and employment, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, energy, innovation, among others.BRICS Summit 2026: India will chair BRICS Summit for the 4th time in 2026.Previously, India chaired the summit in 2012, 2016 and 2021.
India Chaired 1st BRICS Sherpas’ Meeting in New DelhiThe 1st meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Sherpas’ and Sous Sherpas hosted by the Government of India (GoI) held from February 09 to February 10, 2026 in New Delhi, ...
MHA Issues Guidelines on Rendition of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued comprehensive guidelines to standardise the official protocol for rendering India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at government and public events.Key Provisions:Overview: The approved version includes all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, with a total duration of approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds.Sequence: Whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ are performed together, Vande Mataram must be rendered first.Occasions: The National Song shall be sung or played during designated official events.Mass Singing: The guidelines encourage collective singing of the official version during cultural or ceremonial events involving National Flag unfurling (excluding parades), with coordinated participation through choirs and public audio systems.Protocol: Audience members must stand in attention when the National Song is rendered, however, standing is not mandatory if it is part of a newsreel or documentary.
MHA Issues Guidelines on Rendition of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued comprehensive guidelines to standardise the official protocol for rendering India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at government and public events.Key Provisions:Overview: The approved version includes all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, with a total duration of approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds.Sequence: Whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ are performed together, Vande Mataram must be rendered first.Occasions: The National Song shall be sung or played during designated official events.Mass Singing: The guidelines encourage collective singing of the official version during cultural or ceremonial events involving National Flag unfurling (excluding parades), with coordinated participation through choirs and public audio systems.Protocol: Audience members must stand in attention when the National Song is rendered, however, standing is not mandatory if it is part of a newsreel or documentary.
MHA Issues Guidelines on Rendition of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued comprehensive guidelines to standardise the official protocol for rendering India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at govern...
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India Signed Bilateral pact with UK to Boost Strategic & Economic Ties In February 2026, India signed a bilateral Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom(UK) of Great Britain & Northern Ireland focusing on social security contributions for cross-border workers. This pact prevents double taxation on social security payments and facilitates smoother mobility for Indian professionals working in the UK.Key Details of the Social Security Agreement:Prevention of Double Social Security Contributions: Under the agreement, employees on short-term assignments will not be required to pay social security contributions in both countries, thereby reducing the financial burden on individuals and employers.Benefits & Impact: Around 75,000 Indian professionals, particularly in sectors such as Information Technology(IT), engineering, finance, and consultancy, are expected to benefit.Indian companies operating in the UK will also find it more cost-effective to deploy staff for short-term assignments.Certificate of Coverage (CoC) Requirement: To claim exemption from dual contributions, workers must obtain a Certificate of Coverage (CoC).Indian workers can secure the CoC through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) or via MEA, while UK workers will follow a similar process through their authorities.About Ireland:President – Catherine ConnollyCapital – DublinCurrency – Euro (EUR)
India Signed Bilateral pact with UK to Boost Strategic & Economic Ties In February 2026, India signed a bilateral Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom(UK) of Great Britain & Northern Ireland focusing on social security contributions for cross-border workers. This pact prevents double taxation on social security payments and facilitates smoother mobility for Indian professionals working in the UK.Key Details of the Social Security Agreement:Prevention of Double Social Security Contributions: Under the agreement, employees on short-term assignments will not be required to pay social security contributions in both countries, thereby reducing the financial burden on individuals and employers.Benefits & Impact: Around 75,000 Indian professionals, particularly in sectors such as Information Technology(IT), engineering, finance, and consultancy, are expected to benefit.Indian companies operating in the UK will also find it more cost-effective to deploy staff for short-term assignments.Certificate of Coverage (CoC) Requirement: To claim exemption from dual contributions, workers must obtain a Certificate of Coverage (CoC).Indian workers can secure the CoC through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) or via MEA, while UK workers will follow a similar process through their authorities.About Ireland:President – Catherine ConnollyCapital – DublinCurrency – Euro (EUR)
India Signed Bilateral pact with UK to Boost Strategic & Economic Ties In February 2026, India signed a bilateral Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom(UK) of Great Britain & Northern Ireland focusing on social security contributions for...
Ministry of Cooperation Launched ‘White Revolution 2.0’ to Boost Women’s Role in Dairy SectorIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) in a written reply to Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) informed that MoC has launched a cooperative-led initiative, ‘White Revolution 2.0’.This newly launched initiative aimed to expand cooperative coverage in the dairy sector, generate job opportunities and strengthen women’s empowerment.Key Details of White 2.0 Revolution:Key Target: Under this new initiative, the MoC has set the target to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next 5 years, which is expected to reach 1007 kilogram (kg) per day by 2028-29.Two-pronged Strategy: As per the MoC, the target will be achieved through two-pronged strategies which include: expanding the coverage of dairy cooperatives; and strengthening the reach of existing dairy cooperatives in the organised sector.Key Activities: To Establish and strengthen of nearly 1.20 lakh new/existing Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS)/ Multipurpose-DCS(M-DCS)/ Multipurpose-Primary Agricultural Credit Societies(M-PACS);To Link these cooperatives with new and expanded milk routes;To provide important infrastructure like: automatic milk collection units, testing equipment, bulk milk coolers, among others.
Ministry of Cooperation Launched ‘White Revolution 2.0’ to Boost Women’s Role in Dairy SectorIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) in a written reply to Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) informed that MoC has launched a cooperative-led initiative, ‘White Revolution 2.0’.This newly launched initiative aimed to expand cooperative coverage in the dairy sector, generate job opportunities and strengthen women’s empowerment.Key Details of White 2.0 Revolution:Key Target: Under this new initiative, the MoC has set the target to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next 5 years, which is expected to reach 1007 kilogram (kg) per day by 2028-29.Two-pronged Strategy: As per the MoC, the target will be achieved through two-pronged strategies which include: expanding the coverage of dairy cooperatives; and strengthening the reach of existing dairy cooperatives in the organised sector.Key Activities: To Establish and strengthen of nearly 1.20 lakh new/existing Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS)/ Multipurpose-DCS(M-DCS)/ Multipurpose-Primary Agricultural Credit Societies(M-PACS);To Link these cooperatives with new and expanded milk routes;To provide important infrastructure like: automatic milk collection units, testing equipment, bulk milk coolers, among others.
Ministry of Cooperation Launched ‘White Revolution 2.0’ to Boost Women’s Role in Dairy SectorIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) in a written reply to Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) informed that MoC h...
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World Unani Day 2026 – February 11World Unani Day is observed annually across the globe on 11th February to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, also known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, an eminent Indian Unani physician and social reformer.
World Unani Day 2026 – February 11World Unani Day is observed annually across the globe on 11th February to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, also known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, an eminent Indian Unani physician and social reformer.
World Unani Day 2026 – February 11World Unani Day is observed annually across the globe on 11th February to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, also known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, an eminent Indian Unani physician and social reforme...
Safer Internet Day 2026 – February 10Safer Internet Day (SID) is observed worldwide on the second Tuesday of February to encourage awareness and advocate for the safe and responsible use of the internet, particularly among children and youth.SID 2026, observed on 10th February, marks the 23rd edition of the global event.Theme 2026: “Smart Tech, Safe Choices”Background:Origin: In 2004, SID was launched by the European Union’s SafeBorders project and later adopted in 2005 by the Insafe network, a European Network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs).Organisers: SID is organised by the Insafe network and INHOPE (the International Association of Internet Hotlines) on behalf of the European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL).First Celebration: SID was first observed on 6 February 2004.2026 Highlights:Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI)2026: India secured first place in the 2026 DWBI, released by Snap Inc. (Snapchat). This marks India’s fourth consecutive year at the top, credited to strong family-led support systems.2026 Events: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under its Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project, has proposed to celebrate SID on 10th February 2026.
Safer Internet Day 2026 – February 10Safer Internet Day (SID) is observed worldwide on the second Tuesday of February to encourage awareness and advocate for the safe and responsible use of the internet, particularly among children and youth.SID 2026, observed on 10th February, marks the 23rd edition of the global event.Theme 2026: “Smart Tech, Safe Choices”Background:Origin: In 2004, SID was launched by the European Union’s SafeBorders project and later adopted in 2005 by the Insafe network, a European Network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs).Organisers: SID is organised by the Insafe network and INHOPE (the International Association of Internet Hotlines) on behalf of the European Commission under the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL).First Celebration: SID was first observed on 6 February 2004.2026 Highlights:Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI)2026: India secured first place in the 2026 DWBI, released by Snap Inc. (Snapchat). This marks India’s fourth consecutive year at the top, credited to strong family-led support systems.2026 Events: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under its Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project, has proposed to celebrate SID on 10th February 2026.
Safer Internet Day 2026 – February 10Safer Internet Day (SID) is observed worldwide on the second Tuesday of February to encourage awareness and advocate for the safe and responsible use of the internet, particularly among children and youth.SID 2026...
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PB Pay Receives RBI Certificate to Operate as Payment AggregatorIn February 2026, PB Pay Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PB Fintech Limited (parent of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar), received a Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).About PA License:Approval: PB Pay received a CoA from RBI under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act(PSS Act), 2007, completing a regulatory process that began with incorporation in 2024 and in-principle approval in April 2025.Integration: The approval enables vertical integration for PB Fintech Limited, allowing Policybazaar and Paisabazaar to process payments internally, reducing reliance on third-party gateways and improving efficiency.Significance: This regulatory approval allows PB Pay to legally onboard merchants and offer digital payment services, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI), credit/debit cards, and digital wallets, marking its formal entry into India’s regulated payments sector.
PB Pay Receives RBI Certificate to Operate as Payment AggregatorIn February 2026, PB Pay Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PB Fintech Limited (parent of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar), received a Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).About PA License:Approval: PB Pay received a CoA from RBI under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act(PSS Act), 2007, completing a regulatory process that began with incorporation in 2024 and in-principle approval in April 2025.Integration: The approval enables vertical integration for PB Fintech Limited, allowing Policybazaar and Paisabazaar to process payments internally, reducing reliance on third-party gateways and improving efficiency.Significance: This regulatory approval allows PB Pay to legally onboard merchants and offer digital payment services, including Unified Payments Interface (UPI), credit/debit cards, and digital wallets, marking its formal entry into India’s regulated payments sector.
PB Pay Receives RBI Certificate to Operate as Payment AggregatorIn February 2026, PB Pay Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PB Fintech Limited (parent of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar), received a Certificate of Authorisation (CoA) from the...
BOBCARD Launches Braille-Enable ‘BOBCARD Premier Credit Card’On February 10, 2026, BOBCARD Limited, the credit card issuing arm of Bank of Baroda (BOB), introduced a Braille-enabled version of its Premier Credit Card at an event held in Manipal, Karnataka.About Braille-Enabled BOBCARD Premium Credit Card:Enhanced Accessibility: The card incorporates braille elements to help visually impaired users identify and use their credit card with greater ease and confidence in everyday transactions.Features: The card integrates an inclusive Braille design with premium features, providing accelerated rewards on travel, lifestyle, dining, and international transactions.Benefits: The card includes travel perks including complimentary domestic airport lounge access and curated lifestyle privileges.About BOBCARD: BOBCARD, established in 1994 in Mumbai (Maharashtra), offers various cards to different customer needs. It was the first Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India to issue credit cards.
BOBCARD Launches Braille-Enable ‘BOBCARD Premier Credit Card’On February 10, 2026, BOBCARD Limited, the credit card issuing arm of Bank of Baroda (BOB), introduced a Braille-enabled version of its Premier Credit Card at an event held in Manipal, Karnataka.About Braille-Enabled BOBCARD Premium Credit Card:Enhanced Accessibility: The card incorporates braille elements to help visually impaired users identify and use their credit card with greater ease and confidence in everyday transactions.Features: The card integrates an inclusive Braille design with premium features, providing accelerated rewards on travel, lifestyle, dining, and international transactions.Benefits: The card includes travel perks including complimentary domestic airport lounge access and curated lifestyle privileges.About BOBCARD: BOBCARD, established in 1994 in Mumbai (Maharashtra), offers various cards to different customer needs. It was the first Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) in India to issue credit cards.
BOBCARD Launches Braille-Enable ‘BOBCARD Premier Credit Card’On February 10, 2026, BOBCARD Limited, the credit card issuing arm of Bank of Baroda (BOB), introduced a Braille-enabled version of its Premier Credit Card at an event held in Manipal, Karn...
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MoF: FDI Flow in Banking Sector Declined to USD 115 Million in FY25In February 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows into the banking sector declined to USD 115 million in Financial Year 2024‑25(FY25), down from USD 898 million in FY23.He further highlighted that total FDI inflow includes equity inflow, equity capital of unincorporated bodies, re-invested earnings, and other capital.Key Details:RBI’s Approval: As per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Master Directions on ‘Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies,’ prior approval from the RBI is mandatory for acquiring 5% or more of the paid-up capital of a banking company.FDI Inflow in PSBs: According to MoF data, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), recorded the highest foreign shareholding among state-owned banks at 11.07% by the end of FY25, including investments from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)/Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).SBI was followed by Canara Bank (10.55%); Bank of Baroda (BoB) (9.43%); Union Bank of India (UBI) (7.48%) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) (5.85%).Mudra Loans: Union MoS Chaudhary further revealed that since the inception of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), over 56.31 crore loan accounts have been sanctioned, amounting to Rs 37.31 lakh crore as of 2 January 2026.
MoF: FDI Flow in Banking Sector Declined to USD 115 Million in FY25In February 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflows into the banking sector declined to USD 115 million in Financial Year 2024‑25(FY25), down from USD 898 million in FY23.He further highlighted that total FDI inflow includes equity inflow, equity capital of unincorporated bodies, re-invested earnings, and other capital.Key Details:RBI’s Approval: As per the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Master Directions on ‘Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights in Banking Companies,’ prior approval from the RBI is mandatory for acquiring 5% or more of the paid-up capital of a banking company.FDI Inflow in PSBs: According to MoF data, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), recorded the highest foreign shareholding among state-owned banks at 11.07% by the end of FY25, including investments from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs)/Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).SBI was followed by Canara Bank (10.55%); Bank of Baroda (BoB) (9.43%); Union Bank of India (UBI) (7.48%) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) (5.85%).Mudra Loans: Union MoS Chaudhary further revealed that since the inception of the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), over 56.31 crore loan accounts have been sanctioned, amounting to Rs 37.31 lakh crore as of 2 January 2026.
MoF: FDI Flow in Banking Sector Declined to USD 115 Million in FY25In February 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) Pankaj Chaudhary, Ministry of Finance (MoF), informed the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ...
CPI 2025: India Ranks 91st Among 182 Countries; Denmark Retains Top Position In February 2026, Germany-based International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Transparency International (TI) released the annual edition of ‘2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI 2025)’. As per the report, India has improved its ranking by 5 places to the 91st spot out of 182 countries with a score of 39 out of 100.This marks a marginal increase of one point in India’s score compared to last year (96th sport with a score of 38).Global CPI Average: For the 1st time, the global CPI average has declined to just 42 out of 100, the lowest in more than a decade.Top 3 Countries: Denmark retained the top position in CPI for an 8th consecutive year, with the highest score of 89. It is followed by Finland (score: 88) and Singapore (score: 84)ranked at 2nd and 3rd position, respectively.
CPI 2025: India Ranks 91st Among 182 Countries; Denmark Retains Top Position In February 2026, Germany-based International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Transparency International (TI) released the annual edition of ‘2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI 2025)’. As per the report, India has improved its ranking by 5 places to the 91st spot out of 182 countries with a score of 39 out of 100.This marks a marginal increase of one point in India’s score compared to last year (96th sport with a score of 38).Global CPI Average: For the 1st time, the global CPI average has declined to just 42 out of 100, the lowest in more than a decade.Top 3 Countries: Denmark retained the top position in CPI for an 8th consecutive year, with the highest score of 89. It is followed by Finland (score: 88) and Singapore (score: 84)ranked at 2nd and 3rd position, respectively.
CPI 2025: India Ranks 91st Among 182 Countries; Denmark Retains Top Position In February 2026, Germany-based International Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Transparency International (TI) released the annual edition of ‘2025 Corruption Perceptio...
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