Global Governance & Multilateral Diplomacy
BRICS Sherpas Meeting – India’s Chairship 2026
The first meeting of BRICS Sherpas & Sous Sherpas was convened in New Delhi.
Why it matters:
-
Sherpas shape summit agendas and negotiation priorities.
-
Reflects India’s leadership role in Global South diplomacy.
Exam relevance:
✔ BRICS institutional structure
✔ India’s multilateral engagement strategy
✔ Consensus-building diplomacy
Digital Governance & Regulation
Amendment to IT Rules (2026)
MeitY amended the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Core significance:
-
Strengthens intermediary accountability.
-
Addresses misinformation, compliance, and platform governance.
Exam angle:
✔ Digital regulation frameworks
✔ Safe harbour principles
✔ Platform liability debates
Science, Technology & Research Infrastructure
New National Telescope Projects
Government sanctioned:
🔭 National Large Solar Telescope (NLST)
🔭 National Large Optical-Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT)
Strategic importance:
-
Enhances India’s astronomical research capacity.
-
Supports solar physics & deep-space observation.
GS relevance:
✔ Scientific infrastructure development
✔ Space & astrophysics research
✔ Technology sovereignty
Environment & Biodiversity Governance
Pangolin Hunting Ban – Nagaland
United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) banned pangolin hunting & trade.
Why important:
-
Community-driven wildlife conservation.
-
Pangolins = highly trafficked endangered species.
Exam relevance:
✔ Biodiversity protection models
✔ Role of tribal governance institutions
✔ Wildlife trafficking control
Technology & Digital Economy
India – 2nd Largest Smartphone Installed Base (2025)
As per Counterpoint Research.
Implications:
-
Growth of digital consumer economy.
-
Expands fintech, e-commerce, DPI usage.
Exam angle:
✔ Digital penetration metrics
✔ Mobile-driven economic transformation
✔ Platform economy growth
Skill Development & Inclusive Economy
Delhi CM Skill Development Scheme
Targets artisans linked to:
-
Khadi
-
Handloom
-
Cottage industries
Core objective:
-
Traditional sector modernisation.
-
Livelihood & MSME support.
Exam relevance:
✔ Informal sector skilling
✔ Heritage industries & employment
✔ Inclusive growth policies
Administrative Reforms
Seva Teerth Inauguration – New Delhi
Launched by Prime Minister.
Significance:
-
Focus on governance modernisation.
-
Institutional capacity & public service delivery.
GS-II linkage:
✔ Administrative reforms
✔ Governance efficiency initiatives
Women Empowerment & Social Welfare
Kerala – Sthree Suraksha Scheme
Aims at women’s safety & social security.
Exam relevance:
✔ Gender-sensitive governance
✔ Welfare-state innovations
✔ Social protection architecture
Financial Inclusion & Digital Payments
DFS Report – RuPay & BHIM-UPI Incentive Scheme
Evaluates socio-economic impact of promoting:
-
RuPay Debit Cards
-
Low-value UPI transactions
Key relevance:
✔ Digital payments adoption
✔ Cashless economy policy tools
✔ Financial behaviour shifts
Banking & Institutional Capacity Building
IOB – IIM Kozhikode Partnership
Customised executive training programmes.
Why important:
-
Strengthens managerial capacity in PSBs.
Exam angle:
✔ Banking governance reforms
✔ Human capital development
Key Appointments & Leadership
✔ ICAI President → Prasanna Kumar D
✔ GAIL CMD → Deepak Gupta
✔ GIFT City Chairman → Uday Kotak
✔ AU Small Finance Bank MD & CEO → Sanjay Agarwal (Reappointed)
✔ Bulgaria Interim PM → Andrey Gyurov
Exam relevance:
-
Institutional leadership questions
-
Banking & corporate governance
Defence & Strategic Affairs
MILAN 2026 – MILAN Village
Indian Navy’s flagship multilateral naval exercise.
GS relevance:
-
Maritime diplomacy
-
Naval cooperation
Month: Current Affairs - Feb 17, 2026
Category: