News of The Day : 28th February 2026

News of The Day – 28th Feb 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• 16th Finance Commission (FC) constituted under Article 280; award period 2026–31.
• Greater emphasis on urban local bodies (ULBs) amid rapid urbanisation (~40% projected by 2036).
• Focus on performance-linked grants, property tax reforms, municipal capacity building.
• Strengthening fiscal decentralisation & 74th Constitutional Amendment implementation.
• Linked to SDG-11 (Sustainable Cities) & urban infrastructure financing gaps.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Removal of disqualification linked to more than two children.
• Earlier justified under population stabilisation goals.
• The Supreme Court earlier upheld such norms (Javed v. State of Haryana, 2003).
• Debate: reproductive rights vs eligibility for public office. 
• Impacts grassroots democracy & women’s political participation.

• About Casebook on AI and Gender Empowerment
• Launched under IndiaAI Mission (MeitY).
• Highlights AI use-cases for women’s economic inclusion, health, skilling & safety.
• Promotes ethical AI, reducing algorithmic bias & digital gender divide.
• Aligns with Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) & SDG-5 (Gender Equality).
• Supports responsible AI governance framework in India.

• About Durand Line.
• Border tensions along the Durand Line.
• Pakistan’s concerns over Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) safe havens.
• Strikes & counter-strikes escalate instability.
• Implications for regional security & India’s strategic calculus in Afghanistan.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Revision based on updated base year & improved data methodology.
• Higher real growth estimate (7.6%) but downward revision of nominal GDP size.
• Implications for fiscal deficit ratio, debt-to-GDP, per capita income.
• Compiled by National Statistical Office (NSO).
• Important for macroeconomic credibility & global investor perception.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Pilot integrates Reserve Bank of India’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
• Digital vouchers for food subsidy distribution.
• Enhances transparency, reduces leakage in welfare schemes.
• Linked to DBT ecosystem & financial inclusion reforms.

(GS-3: Defence & Security)

• Israel’s air defence includes: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow systems.
• Integrated radar & interception network.
• Designed to counter short, medium & ballistic missile threats.
• Demonstrates layered air defence doctrine relevant for India’s BMD programme.

(GS-3: Defence)

• About INS Anjadip Survey Vessel Large (SVL).
• Enhances hydrographic survey capacity for navigation safety.
• Supports SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• Boosts indigenous shipbuilding under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

(GS-3: Science & Tech 

• About Meningococcal infection
  • Caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacteria.
  • Spreads via respiratory droplets; can cause meningitis & septicemia.
• Symptoms: fever, stiff neck, rash; rapid progression.
• Vaccination available (MenACWY, MenB types).
• Public health surveillance & outbreak control measures are critical.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• About Amorphous metals (metallic glass)
  • High strength, corrosion resistance, magnetic efficiency.
• Applications: transformers, defence equipment, electronics
• Reduces energy losses in power transmission
• Boost to advanced materials manufacturing ecosystem.

(GS-3: Environment )

• Study on macaque social isolation & behavioural stress.
• Highlights primate cognition, hierarchy & bonding.