NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
NITI Aayog and JICA Sign Record of Discussions for India–Japan Cooperation on SDGs
- The NITI Aayog and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) recently signed a Record of Discussions (RoD) for the project titled “Promotion of the Program for Japan–India Cooperative Actions Towards Sustainable Development Goals – Phase II.”
- The agreement aims to deepen India–Japan development cooperation and accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Objective of the Project: To strengthen policy frameworks and implementation systems to improve development outcomes, particularly in:
- Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP)
- Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)
- These programmes aim to accelerate socio-economic development in India’s most underdeveloped districts and blocks through data-driven governance and targeted interventions.
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NIFTEM-K Signs MoU with University of Saskatchewan for Food Science Collaboration
- The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management Kundli (NIFTEM-K), an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Saskatchewan (USask), Saskatoon, Canada.
- The agreement aims to strengthen academic and research collaboration in food sciences, food technology and agrifood innovation.
- The MoU gains special significance as it follows the announcement of establishing a Centre of Excellence in Pulse Protein through India–Canada collaboration.
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Yuva Sangam – Phase VI
Ministry of Education has launched the online registration portal for Yuva Sangam – Phase VI under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative.
- It is a flagship Youth Exchange Programme of the Department of Higher Education
- Objective: Promoting national integration and strengthening emotional bonds among youth from different States and Union Territories.
- It facilitates structured exposure visits between paired States and UTs to promote the spirit of “Unity in Diversity.”
- It is aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
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Central Warehousing Corporation celebrates its 70th Foundation Day.
- Central Warehousing Corporation recently celebrated its 70th Foundation Day.
- It is premier statutory body under the Warehousing Corporation Act, 1962.
- Established Year: 1957
- CPSE Status: Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE)
- Parent Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India.
- Mandate: To provide reliable, cost-effective, and integrated warehousing and logistics solutions.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Index of Industrial Production (IIP) – January 2026
- The Quick Estimate of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) is released on the 28th of every month (or the next working day if 28th is a holiday).
- The index is compiled based on data received from source agencies, which in turn collect data from producing factories and establishments.
- The Quick Estimates are subject to revision in subsequent releases as per the IIP revision policy.
- IIP Growth – January 2026
- IIP Growth Rate (Jan 2026): 4.8%
- IIP Growth Rate (Dec 2025 – Quick Estimate): 7.8%
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
- India and Canada have formally launched negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in New Delhi and agreed to finalise the agreement at the earliest.
- The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India–Canada CEPA were signed during the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to India.
- Under the proposed CEPA, both countries have set a target to increase bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030
- The ToR will define the format, frequency and approach for negotiations and provide a structured framework to conclude an ambitious, balanced and mutually beneficial CEPA.
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List of Outcomes: Canada’s PM visit to India
- During Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’sofficial visit to India (February 27 – March 2, 2026), several key agreements and strategic outcomes were announced to reset and strengthen bilateral relations.
- PM Carney’s visit to India marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, being the first by a Canadian PM since 2018.
- One of the key agreement signed is Commercial Contract between Department of Atomic Energy and Cameco (Canada)
- It provides for long-term supply of uranium ore concentrates to support expansion of India’s nuclear energy programme and target of 100 GW nuclear power by 2047
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Navy Signs contract Four Self-Propelled Fuel Barges
- The Indian Navy recently signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, an MSME shipyard based in Thane, Maharashtra, for the construction of four 500-tonne (500T) Self-Propelled Fuel Barges.
- Operational Role: The primary role of these fuel barges will be to:
- Replenish fuel to naval ships and submarines.
- Support vessels within harbour areas and at anchorage points.
- This capability is essential for improving the operational logistics and endurance of naval assets.
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Ministry of Defence signs Contracts for ALH Mk-III and Shtil missile systems
- The Ministry of Defence recently signed defence contracts worth ₹5,083 crore for the procurement of:
- Six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard
- Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch – Shtil missile systems for the Indian Navy
- The acquisitions aim to strengthen India’s maritime surveillance, air defence capabilities and indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
- The contract for six ALH Mk-III (MR) helicopters has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru.
- The contract worth ₹2,182 crore has been signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russia for procurement of Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch – Shtil missiles and associated missile holding frames.
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VSHORADS Missile System
- DRDO successfully conducted three successive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at the Integrated Test Range Chandipur (ITR), located off the coast of Odisha.
- The trials were aimed at revalidating the missile system’s capability to neutralise high-speed aerial threats across varying speed, range, and altitude profiles.
- Very Short-Rage Air Defence System (VSHORADS) is an indigenous, fourth-generation Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS)
- Developed indigenously by Research Center Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners.
- It is designed to neutralise low-altitude aerial threats such as helicopters, drones, and high-speed aircraft at short ranges, drones and other airborne targets.
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ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
Germany announces EUR 20 million New Large Grant project for India
- Germany recently announced a new Large Grant project for India, which has a funding volume of up to EUR 20 million under the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
- Objective of Project: To improve resilience in high-risk ecosystems across priority regions, including the Himalayas, island areas, the Western Ghats, the North-East, and the Lower Gangetic floodplains.
- International Climate Initiative (IKI) is a key financial instrument of the German government dedicated to supporting international climate action and biodiversity conservation in developing and emerging countries
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
New Study Challenges Long-Standing Model of Bacterial Gene Regulation
- A new scientific study has challenged a long-standing textbook model of bacterial gene regulation, offering fresh insights into how bacteria control gene expression.
- The findings could open new avenues for designing better antibiotics, regulatory inhibitors, and engineered microorganisms for industrial applications.
- The research was conducted by scientists from the Bose Institute, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with Rutgers University.
- The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
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30 kW Wide Band Gap-Based Integrated Drive System for EVs launched
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched an indigenously developed 30 kW Wide Band Gap (WBG)-based Integrated Drive System (IDS) for electric vehicle (EV) applications in Chennai.
- Developed by: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing Thiruvananthapuram (C-DAC), in collaboration with IIT Madras and Lucas TVS under the National Mission on Power Electronics Technology (NaMPET).
- Wide Band Gap (WBG) Technology refers to a class of semiconductor materials that possess a larger energy gap between their valence and conduction bands compared to traditional silicon (Si).
- While standard silicon has a bandgap of approximately 1.1 electron volts (eV), WBG materials typically range from 2.0 to 4.0 eV or higher.
- This allows electronic components to operate at much higher voltages, temperatures, and frequencies than silicon-based counterparts
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DAY & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Wildlife Day 2026 – 3 March
- World Wildlife Day is celebrated annually on 3 March to raise awareness about the conservation of the world’s wild fauna and flora and the need to protect biodiversity.
- Observance of this day highlights the importance of wild animals and plants and underscores our collective responsibility to conserve biodiversity for ecological balance and human well-being.
- Significance of the Date: 3 March marks the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
- The treaty aims to ensure that international trade in wildlife does not threaten species survival.
- Theme for 2026: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
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SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
ASMITA Athletics League
- Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is organising nationwide athletics league at 250 locations under the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) programme on the occasion of International Women’s Day (8 March) to celebrate women in sports.
- ASMITA Athletics League
- Objective: To promote greater participation of women in competitive sports and strengthen grassroots talent identification.
- Implementation Mechanism: The athletics league will be implemented in collaboration with MY Bharat, Khelo India Centres (KICs), SAI ecosystem and National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), State and District Sports Associations and District Youth Officers (DYOs)
- About ASMITA Programm: Launched in 2021 as a part of the broader Khelo India mission and focuses specifically on promoting women’s participation in sports through structured leagues and competitions.
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