CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Union Budget has approved the establishment of two new telescopes in Ladakh—one to study the Sun and another to explore the origins of the universe—along with the upgradation of an existing telescope. Ladakh, already a major astronomy hub and home to India’s first Dark Sky Reserve at Hanle, is set to play a transformative role in Indian and global astronomy.

India will host the AI ​​Impact Summit 2026 from February 16-20, 2026. This event is historic because for the first time, a significant forum on global AI governance is being held in the Global South.

The Union Government has notified amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, effective February 20, 2026. The amendments aim to strengthen regulation of AI-generated (synthetic) content and drastically reduce takedown timelines for unlawful material.

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is launching three new ocean information services—JellyAIIP, SAMUDRA 2.0 Mobile App, and SIVAS—along with a new institutional logo during its foundation day celebrations.

India is reconsidering its battery policy amid concerns about its high dependence on critical minerals associated with lithium-ion batteries, an import-dependent supply chain, and supply security concerns. In this scenario, sodium-ion battery technology is emerging as a viable alternative solution for EVMs.

Researchers have recently developed a sophisticated, flexible, and cost-effective biosensor capable of detecting myoglobin levels in the blood. Since myoglobin is associated with early signs of heart attack, this innovation could revolutionize medical diagnostics.

An emerging online platform called Moltbook has become a topic of discussion globally. This is because artificial intelligence (AI) agents are sharing content on their own, forming communities, and even developing their own belief systems and governance structures.

The Union Finance Minister has proposed the launch of Bharat-VISTAAR, a new digital tool for the agriculture sector, aimed at transforming farm advisory services through artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated data systems.

The recent death of a 29-year-old man in Karnataka has once again brought Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) into the spotlight.

Recently, Bengaluru-based defence equipment manufacturer Alpha Design Technologies Limited (ADTL) has successfully completed a major modernisation (upgrade) program of the Indian Air Force’s Pechora Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system.