1. INDIA AND ISRAEL ELEVATE TIES TO ‘SPECIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP’
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu formally elevated bilateral relations to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation, and Prosperity” during the PM’s landmark visit to Jerusalem (Feb 25-26).
- The two nations signed 16 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) focusing on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), specifically in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and quantum computing.
- A major digital milestone was achieved with the partnership between NPCI International (NIPL) and Israel’s MASAV, enabling cross-border remittances using India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
- Both leaders emphasized the establishment of the India-Israel Innovation Centre for Agriculture (IINCA) to focus on precision farming and satellite-based irrigation.
- India reiterated its commitment to the “Two-State Solution” for the Israel-Palestine conflict while maintaining that humanitarian aid must reach Gaza unimpeded.
- Concepts: De-hyphenation Policy – India’s strategy of maintaining independent relationships with Israel and Palestine based on its own national interests; Strategic Autonomy – Navigating complex West Asian geopolitics without joining formal military blocs.
2. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS UNVEILS ‘PRAHAAR’ COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES / POLITY
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released ‘PRAHAAR’, India’s first comprehensive National Counter-terrorism Policy and Strategy, marking a shift to a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach.
- The policy codifies a “Zero-Tolerance” stance and targets evolving threats such as cyber-attacks, drone incursions, and terror financing via the dark web and cryptocurrencies.
- ‘PRAHAAR’ emphasizes aggregating internal capacities across state and central agencies (like the NIA and Multi-Agency Centre) to ensure synergy in intelligence and tactical operations.
- A key pillar includes attenuating radicalization through community engagement and counter-narrative programs, moving beyond just kinetic military action.
- The strategy mandates uniform counter-terror structures at the state level and shields critical infrastructure, including power grids and atomic installations, from hybrid warfare.
- Concepts: Internal Security Doctrine – The evolving set of principles guiding India’s response to non-traditional threats; Article 355 – Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance.
3. UNION MINISTER LAUNCHES ₹1,500 CRORE PROJECTS AT VOC PORT, TUTICORIN
SUBJECT: TAMIL NADU / ECONOMY
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for infrastructure projects worth over ₹1,500 crore at the V.O. Chidambaranar (VOC) Port in Tuticorin on February 27.
- The projects are aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, featuring India’s first Digital Twin deployment at a port to redefine operational efficiency and security.
- A significant portion of the investment is dedicated to Green Hydrogen production and renewable energy integration, positioning VOC Port as a green maritime hub.
- The Minister inaugurated the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum, dedicated to the maritime legacy of the Coromandel Coast and the contributions of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar.
- Advanced Anti-Drone Security Systems were initiated at the port, making it the first in India to deploy such a comprehensive tech-based security perimeter.
- Concepts: Blue Economy – Sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth; Sagarmala Programme – National initiative for port-led development.
4. DRAFT DEFENCE ACQUISITION PROCEDURE (DAP) 2026 PIVOTS TO ‘OWNED BY INDIA’
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- The Ministry of Defence released the Draft DAP 2026, marking a strategic shift from the ‘Made in India’ assembly model to an ‘Owned by India’ technology sovereignty model.
- The new policy mandates that for the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, equipment must be indigenously designed, and Intellectual Property (IP) rights must be held by Indian entities.
- The minimum Indigenous Content (IC) requirement for the IDDM category has been raised from 50% to 60% to reduce foreign component dependence.
- DAP 2026 introduces Technology Readiness Level (TRL) based categorization to prioritize the acquisition of mature, home-grown technologies.
- The draft proposes compensation for trial-qualified vendors, ensuring that private industry players are not financially drained by the lengthy military testing process.
- Concepts: Technological Sovereignty – The ability of a nation to create and control its own critical technologies; IDDM – Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured.
5. INDIA’S Q3 GDP GROWS 7.8% AMID TRANSITION TO NEW BASE YEAR
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s real GDP expanded by 7.8% in the October-December 2025 quarter (Q3), according to MoSPI data released on February 27.
- This data marks the formal introduction of the new GDP series with 2022-23 as the base year, replacing the outdated 2011-12 series.
- The NSO has revised the full-year growth forecast for FY26 upwards to 7.6%, reinforcing India’s position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
- Growth was driven by strong Gross Value Added (GVA) in manufacturing and services, despite a slight sequential moderation from the revised 8.4% in Q2.
- Nominal GDP (including inflation) grew by 8.9%, reaching approximately ₹90.91 lakh crore for the quarter.
- Concepts: Base Year Revision – Updating the benchmark year to reflect contemporary consumption patterns and structural shifts; GVA (Gross Value Added) – Measure of the value of goods and services produced in an economy.
6. O. PANNEERSELVAM JOINS DMK IN MAJOR TAMIL NADU POLITICAL REALIGNMENT
SUBJECT: POLITY (TAMIL NADU)
- In a major political shift ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, former three-time Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam formally joined the DMK on February 27.
- The move followed months of legal and political battles within the AIADMK, leading to his exclusion from the party leadership.
- Panneerselvam stated he was “happy to be part of the mother movement” (Thai Kazhagam), signaling a realignment of the Dravidian political landscape.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin welcomed the veteran leader, noting that the move strengthens the secular and federal front in the state.
- Political analysts suggest this transition may impact the vote share in southern Tamil Nadu, a traditional stronghold for the leader.
- Concepts: Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule) – While not directly applicable here (as he was an unattached member after expulsion), it governs the movement of elected members between parties.
