Prelims Mantra – (26/02/2026)

Indian Polity & Governance

UIDAI Partners with Google for Aadhaar Service Visibility:

Context: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) partnered with Google to display authorised Aadhaar Seva Kendras on Google Maps.

• • UIDAI was established under the Aadhaar Act, 2016.
  • It functions under the Ministry of Electronics and IT.
  • Aadhaar provides a 12-digit unique identity number.
  • Aadhaar authentication uses biometric and demographic data.
  • The partnership helps citizens identify genuine service centres.
  • Prevents fraud by reducing dependence on unauthorised operators.
  • Supports India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) framework.
  • Aadhaar is used in DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
  • Supreme Court (2018 judgment) upheld Aadhaar’s constitutional validity with restrictions.
  • Aadhaar cannot be mandatory for private services without legal backing.

 

(PIB)

DNPA Conclave on Digital News & AI:

Context: The Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) organised a conclave discussing AI regulation and the future of digital journalism.

• • AI governance involves transparency, accountability, fairness.
  • Generative AI raises copyright and misinformation concerns.
  • India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act regulates data handling.
  • Algorithmic bias is a major regulatory concern.
  • OECD has AI principles framework.
  • Ethical AI supports democratic information ecosystems.
  • Digital platforms influence news dissemination.
  • Deepfakes pose election integrity risks.
  • Regulatory frameworks must balance innovation and safeguards.
  • Media literacy crucial in digital age.

 

(ET)

International Relations

PM Modi Awarded Israel’s ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’:

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred India’s first-ever ‘Speaker of the Knesset Medal’, Israel’s highest parliamentary honour, during his state visit, recognising his role in bolstering bilateral ties.

• • The Speaker of the Knesset Medal is a prestigious parliamentary honour in Israel.
  • Modi is the first Indian PM and first global leader to receive it.
  • Reflects deepening India–Israel relations in defence, technology and innovation.
  • Israel is a key partner in homeland security, IT and aerospace.
  • India balances relations with Israel and Arab states in West Asia policy.
  • India supported the Gaza ceasefire initiative while maintaining strategic autonomy.
  • Bilateral trade stood at ~$3.6 billion in 2025.
  • Cooperation includes agriculture tech, water management and cybersecurity.
  • Strategic ties have grown since diplomatic relations began in 1992.

• • Parliamentary diplomacy strengthens legislative engagement.

 

(ET)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Visit India:

Context: Canadian PM Mark Carney will visit India from 27 Feb to 2 Mar 2026, focusing on expanding bilateral ties including trade, investment, energy cooperation and innovation.

• • Canada is a major partner in energy, minerals and education sectors.
  • Bilateral trade includes goods and services.
  • Collaboration on climate change, clean technology and agriculture expected.
  • Strategic partnership dialogues may include security and diaspora issues.
  • Canada has a large Indian diaspora.
  • Trade relations governed under WTO rules.
  • Investment frameworks can include FDI and joint ventures.
  • Innovation partnerships cover AI, telecom and clean energy.
  • Visit underscores deepening India–Canada relations.
  • Enhances people-to-people and institutional linkages.
  • Canada is a G7 country.

 

(ET)

India’s WTO Trade Facilitation Engagement:

Context: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), along with India’s Mission at the World Trade Organization, organised trade facilitation sessions in Geneva.

• • WTO was established in 1995 (successor to GATT).
  • Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) came into force in 2017.
  • TFA aims to simplify customs procedures.
  • CBIC handles indirect taxes including customs and GST.
  • Trade facilitation reduces transaction costs.
  • India is a founding member of WTO.
  • Special & Differential Treatment (S&DT) benefits developing countries.
  • Dispute Settlement Body adjudicates trade disputes.
  • Geneva is WTO headquarters.
  • Trade facilitation improves export competitiveness.

 

(PIB)

Economy

Industrial Corridor Expansion Under Budget 2026–27:

Context: Government announced progress on new nodes under the East Coast Industrial Corridor (ECIC).

• • ECIC is part of India’s industrial corridor programme.
  • Implemented through National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT).

• • Industrial corridors integrate manufacturing, logistics and ports.
  • Inspired partly by the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
  • Improve ease of doing business and infrastructure quality.
  • Encourage FDI inflows.
  • Promote export-oriented industrialisation.
  • Enhance multimodal connectivity (rail, road, ports).
  • Corridor-based urbanisation leads to smart industrial townships.
  • Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat manufacturing push.

 

(PIB+ET)

Science & Technology

PM to Launch Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive:

Context: Prime Minister Modi will launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from Ajmer on 28 Feb 2026, aiming to reduce incidence of cervical cancer by immunising adolescent girls.

• • HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
  • Targeted at adolescent girls (14 years and younger).
  • Vaccination aligns with WHO’s Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer.
  • Gardasil (quadrivalent) protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
  • Cervical cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths in Indian women.
  • The drive emphasises early preventive health intervention.
  • Part of Government’s preventive healthcare strategy.
  • Could integrate with existing public health infrastructure.
  • Requires awareness, follow-up and community engagement for coverage.
  • Reduces future treatment burden on health systems.

 

(TOI)

Defence

MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise Successfully Concludes:

Context: The Indo-Pacific’s premier multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 concluded off Visakhapatnam with participation from 42 warships and submarines, and 29 aircraft, showcasing maritime cooperation.

• • MILAN is hosted biennially by the Indian Navy.

• • It aims to enhance interoperability with friendly navies.
  • Participating navies include countries from Asia, Africa and beyond.
  • Exercises cover seamanship, anti-submarine, air defence drills.
  • India’s rising maritime profile under SAGAR doctrine.
  • Strengthens regional security and anti-piracy cooperation.
  • Boosts humanitarian assistance and disaster response preparedness.
  • Visakhapatnam is a strategic Indian naval base on the east coast.
  • Naval diplomacy supports India’s Indo-Pacific engagement.
  • Participation reflects shared security interests among navies.

 

(TOI)

Miscellaneous

Delhi to Host First International Film Festival (IFFD):

Context: Delhi will host the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) from 25–31 March 2026, featuring 125+ Indian and global films, panels and masterclasses to promote cultural exchange and film tourism.

• • First major film festival in Delhi since IFFI moved to Goa in 2004.
  • Aims to position Delhi as a cultural and creative hub.
  • Includes screenings, premieres and industry expos.
  • Supports film tourism and creative industries.
  • Platforms like CineXchange Film Market promote industry networking.
  • Encourages digital and emerging cinema formats.
  • Enhances cultural diplomacy and soft power.
  • Single-window facilitation for film production supply chains.
  • Aligns with government’s creative economy promotion.

• • Likely to attract global filmmakers and investors.

 

(TOI)

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