India AI Impact Summit 2026:

• Venue: New Delhi, Bharat Mandapam
• Three Core Pillars: "People, Planet, and Progress"
• Motto: "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya"
• Key Component: AI Impact Expo (will showcase practical applications of AI in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, climate change, energy efficiency, and accessibility)
• This Summit positions India as a leading country in the Global South
• Seven Circles (Working Groups): Health, Agriculture, Safe and Trusted AI, Science, Inclusion, Democratization of AI Resources, and Economic Growth

WAVES Creators Corner:

• A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).
• Designed to foster innovation in the Creative Economy
• Key Focus: AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) and Artificial Intelligence in the Media Tech sector Demonstrating the Transformative Potential of AI
• Definition: AI is technology that enables computers to learn from data and perform complex tasks.
• History: The term was first used in 1956 by John McCarthy, who is considered the father of AI. In India, Dr. Raj Reddy is called the father of AI.
• Major Types:
• Narrow AI: Can perform only one specific task (e.g., Alexa or Google Assistant)
• General AI: Can perform all kinds of intellectual tasks like humans (currently being developed)
• Super AI: Can exceed human intelligence

• States and Seats Up for Election: Maharashtra: 7 seats, Odisha: 4 seats, Tamil Nadu: 6 seats, West Bengal: 5 seats, Assam: 3 seats, Bihar: 5 seats, Chhattisgarh: 2 seats, Himachal Pradesh: 1 seat, Telangana: 2 seats, Haryana: 2 seats

Rajya Sabha Elections:

• Total Members: The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members.
• Currently, the total number is 245.
• The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved.
• Term: Each member serves a six-year term.
• Retirement: One-third (1/3) of its members retire every two years.

Election Process:

• Indirect Election: Rajya Sabha members are not directly elected by the public. Instead, elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories (MLAs) vote for them.
• Voting System: The election is conducted through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system under the Proportional Representation system.

Related Articles:

• Article 79: Composition of the Indian Parliament (President + Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha)
• Article 80: Composition and Membership of the Rajya Sabha
• Article 83(1): Rajya Sabha being a permanent house and the tenure of its members
• Article 84: Qualifications for becoming a Member of Parliament
• Article 89: Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
• Article 90: Vacancy/Resignation/Removal of the Deputy Chairman
• Article 92: Non-presiding on a motion against the Chairman or Deputy Chairman
• Articles 101–104: Vacancy of Seat, Disqualifications, and Punishments Provisions
• Article 102: Conditions for disqualification of a Member of Parliament
• Article 324: Election Commission of India vests control, direction, and supervision of elections
• Articles 327–329: Legislative powers of Parliament/State Legislatures relating to elections and prohibition of judicial interference
• Article 249: Special power of Rajya Sabha: Allows Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in the national interest
• Article 312: Power to create All-India Services (by special resolution of Rajya Sabha)

• This is an increase of 11.55 percent compared to ₹4.49 lakh crore allocated for the welfare of women and girls in FY 2025-26.
• A total of 53 ministries/departments and 5 Union Territories have been allocated funds this year, compared to 49 ministries/departments and 5 Union Territories in FY 2025-26.
• Four new ministries/departments have been allocated funds in the Gender Budget Statement for FY 2026-27.

• Total Pledges: A total of 250,946 valid pledges were received during the 24-hour period (February 16-17).
• Participation: More than 2.5 lakh students, primarily students, participated in the campaign and took a pledge for the ethical and responsible use of AI.
• Target: The initial target for the campaign was only 5,000 pledges, but the actual number was many times higher.

• Location: The museum is located on the campus of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University in Mathura.
• Objective: To showcase the religious, cultural, and spiritual significance of cows, as well as their scientific and economic utility.
• Project Initiated by: Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad.
• Approximately 100 digital and physical models will be displayed in the museum.

• The first phase of this vision will begin with a state-of-the-art research and innovation campus spanning 500,000 square feet in Sarjapura, Bengaluru.
• Key Partners: Prestigious Indian institutions such as IIT Kanpur (Airvat Research Foundation), IISc (SPARC), BITS Pilani, and IIT Ropar are participating as initial research partners in this initiative.

• One of the world's most important and sensitive waterways, this narrow channel connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
• Iran lies to its north, and Oman (Musandam Peninsula) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lie to its south.
• This waterway is the world's most important oil chokepoint, carrying approximately 20-30% of the world's energy supply, including oil and gas.
• Major Exporters: Major oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
• About 40% of India's crude oil imports come through this channel.

• In the recently held 13th parliamentary election, the BNP won a landslide victory, winning 209 seats.
• He became Bangladesh's first male Prime Minister in 35 years.
• Previously, the country was led for long periods by Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.
• India was represented at the ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
• Dr. Muhammad Yunus served as the Chief of Staff (Chief Advisor) of the Interim Government of Bangladesh from August 8, 2024, to February 16, 2026.

Bangladesh:

• Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
• President: Mohammad Shahabuddin
• Capital: Dhaka
• Independence Day: March 26, 1971 (independence from Pakistan)
• National Anthem: Amar Shonar Bangla – composed by Rabindranath Tagore
• Major Rivers: Ganges (Padma), Brahmaputra (Jamuna), Meghna

• Virtual inauguration of the H-125 helicopter final assembly line in Vemagal, Karnataka:
• This is the first helicopter manufacturing facility of its kind to be set up by a private company in India.
• Manufactured by: Tata Advanced Systems in partnership with Airbus.
• H125 helicopter: This is the world's best-selling single-engine helicopter. It is known for its versatility and is extremely effective for search and rescue, and passenger transport in high-altitude areas (such as the Himalayas).
• Innovation Year 2026: The two leaders announced the celebration of 2026 as the 'India-France Year of Innovation', aimed at institutionalizing collaboration between startups, researchers, and technology giants.
• Economic and Trade Agreements: To promote investment, the two countries have signed an agreement to avoid double taxation. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was also cited as a new impetus for the relationship.
• Horizon 2047 Roadmap: This new partnership is based on the 'Horizon 2047' roadmap, which outlines cooperation in areas such as defense, space, nuclear energy, and climate change by the time India celebrates its 100th anniversary of independence.
• Cooperation on the Global Stage: France has invited India to the G7 Summit in 2026.

France:

• Capital: Paris
• Continent: Europe
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Official language: French
• National Day: July 14 (Bastille Day)
• National symbol: Gallic Rooster
• Borders: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Andorra
• Famous landmark: Eiffel Tower

• Chair: Dr. Adonijah Ayebare (Uganda)
• Agenda: Review of matters related to enterprise risk management, organizational culture, combating racial discrimination, and audit.

UN Women Executive Board:

• It is the main governing body of this United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment.
• In operation since January 1, 2011, this 41-member board (elected by ECOSOC) oversees UN Women's operational activities, policies, and budget.
• Headquarters: New York

• Cub Status: The number of surviving Indian-origin cubs in the park now stands at 27.
• Successful Birth: This is the ninth successful litter of cheetahs on Indian soil.

'Project Cheetah':

• Start: September 17, 2022
• Objective: Reintroduce cheetahs, declared extinct in 1952, into Indian forests (primarily Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh).
• This is the world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project, bringing cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa.

• The bank has committed to settling claims up to ₹15 lakh within 15 days.
• No third-party collateral will be required for claims up to ₹15 lakh.
• Claimants can enter the deceased customer's account details and upload the required documents directly to the IOB Death Claim Portal from the comfort of their homes.

Indian Overseas Bank:

• Type: Public Sector Bank
• Established: February 1937
• Founder: M.C.T.M. Chidambaram Chettiar
• Headquarters: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Nationalized: 1969

• Review Ship: The President inspected the fleet at sea aboard the indigenously built warship INS Sumedha.
• Participants: Navies from over 70 countries participated in this historic event. A total of 71 warships were on display, including 45 Indian Navy ships and 19 foreign warships from friendly countries.
• Key Displays: The Fleet Review featured a 'steam past' of warships and submarines (such as INS Shankul and INS Sindhukirti), a flypast by naval aircraft, and daring combat displays by Marine Commandos (MARCOS).
• Note: Visakhapatnam is hosting the International Fleet Review for the second time after 2016.

• Born: February 18, 1836, Kamarpukur, West Bengal, India
• Death: August 16, 1886, Kolkata
• Real Name: Gadadhar Chattopadhyaya
• Identity: A great saint of the 19th century, spiritual guru, and prominent propagator of the Vedanta and Bhakti traditions
• Main Place of Work: Dakshineswar Kali Temple, where he served as a priest and engaged in intense meditation
• Primary Disciple: Swami Vivekananda
• Wife: Mother Sarada Devi—considered a collaborator in his spiritual work.
• Organization: Inspired by his teachings, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission

• Crucial Wicket: Rashid Khan dismissed UAE batsman Mohammad Arfan hit-wicket in the 16th over to take his 700th T20 wicket.
• Fastest Achievement: He reached this milestone in just 518 matches (513 innings), much faster than any other bowler.
• Edge over competitors: Rashid broke Dwayne Bravo's record of 631 wickets last year (February 2025) and has now significantly surpassed other bowlers.

Cricket:

• Began in England in the 16th century.
• Played on a circular field between two teams of 11 players each.
• With a 22-yard pitch in the center.

Regulatory bodies:

• ICC (International Cricket Council): It governs cricket globally. Its current president is Jay Shah (starting in office on December 1, 2024).
• BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India): It manages cricket in India and is the world's richest cricket board. Mithun Manhas was elected the new president of the BCCI in September 2025.