Prahaar — India’s First Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Policy
India launched “Prahaar”, its first-ever comprehensive counter-terrorism policy framework, released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The framework covers prevention and response across land, air, and maritime domains.
Key threats identified: Cross-border terrorism from western frontiers; drone-based smuggling in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir for arms and narcotics; cyber attacks on critical infrastructure (power grids, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space assets, atomic energy); CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) materials; dark web and cryptocurrency-based terrorist recruitment and financing.
Key components: Legal experts integrated throughout investigation and prosecution to improve conviction rates; enhanced international intelligence-sharing; youth prevention programmes; prison-based de-radicalisation; community engagement through religious leaders and NGOs; graded response mechanism.
Key agencies: Ministry of Home Affairs, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB).
UPSC angle: National Investigation Agency (NIA Act 2008), UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act), MHA, counter-terrorism governance structure, CBRN threats, drone regulation (NDRF, DRDO anti-drone systems), dark web and cryptocurrency in terror financing, FATF (India’s grey-listing history), de-radicalisation programmes.
Rob Jetten — Netherlands’ Youngest and First LGBTQ+ Prime Minister
Rob Jetten, age 38, was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands, becoming the country’s youngest-ever PM and its first openly LGBTQ+ Prime Minister. He was formally installed by King Willem-Alexander at The Hague.
Jetten’s centrist Democrats 66 (D66) party led the formation of a new Dutch government following a period of political instability in which Geert Wilders’ far-right Freedom Party (PVV) had previously led an unsuccessful coalition. Jetten was formally installed by King Willem-Alexander as PM in early 2026.
Policy priorities: Counter populism, return Netherlands to “the heart of Europe,” maintain Ukraine support, NATO 2% defence spending commitment, stricter migration control, budget discipline.
UPSC angle: Netherlands (capital The Hague — home of ICC, ICJ, Europol), LGBTQ+ rights in European governance, NATO 2% GDP commitment, far-right political wave in Europe (context), EU immigration policy tensions, D66 (social-liberal party).
BAFTA 2026 — One Battle After Another Dominates
The 79th BAFTA Awards (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) were held on February 23, 2026 at the Royal Festival Hall, London. BAFTA President Prince William attended.
Key winner:
- Best Picture + Best Director: One Battle After Another (dir. Paul Thomas Anderson) — won 6 awards from 14 nominations
UPSC angle: BAFTA (founded 1947, UK charity; based at 195 Piccadilly, London), India-UK cultural ties, film industry governance, CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) in India.
Vaishnavi Adkar — First Indian Woman in W100 Final Since Sania Mirza (2009)
Vaishnavi Adkar (21, born December 14, 2004, Pune) reached the singles final of the ITF Women’s Open in Bengaluru (W100 category), entering as a wildcard ranked World No. 690. She became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 or higher singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009 — a 17-year gap.
She lost 6-0, 6-1 to Belgium’s Hanne Vandewinkel (ranked No. 124). Her world ranking improved by 200+ places to approximately No. 466. Coach: Kedar Shah (Bounce Tennis Academy); Mentor: Rohan Bopanna.
Previous achievements: Won Fenesta Women’s Nationals 2025; won bronze at the 2025 World University Games — ending India’s 46-year medal drought in that event (India’s first tennis medal at World University Games since 1979).
UPSC angle: Women’s sports participation, Khelo India scheme, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Arjuna Award (Sania Mirza’s tennis legacy), World University Games (FISU), wildcard entry system in professional tennis.
Vanjeevi Didi — Palamu Tiger Reserve’s Women Forest Ambassadors
The south division of Palamu Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand) launched the “Vanjeevi Didi” initiative in the Garu range on February 17, 2026. The programme selects 18 educated women from each of 17 identified villages near the reserve as forest ambassadors.
Each “Vanjeevi Didi” receives Rs 3,000/month stipend during an initial 2-month pilot. The women — most of whom are graduates, postgraduates, or diploma holders — serve as bridges between communities and forest authorities: discouraging poaching and deforestation, promoting school enrollment, and disseminating government welfare schemes.
Palamu Tiger Reserve is one of the original 9 reserves under Project Tiger (launched 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi). Located in Jharkhand’s Latehar, Garhwa, and Palamu districts.
UPSC angle: Project Tiger 1973, Palamu Tiger Reserve (original 9), National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), community forest rights vs. conservation, eco-development committees, women’s empowerment in conservation, Joint Forest Management (JFM), forest rights under FRA 2006.
Amaravati — India’s First Quantum Valley with IBM Quantum System Two
Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s upcoming greenfield capital, will host India’s first Quantum Valley — a dedicated tech park anchored by a IBM Quantum System Two facility (IBM’s most advanced superconducting quantum processor). TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) will develop quantum algorithms, applications, and workforce skills.
This aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), approved in April 2023 with a budget of Rs 6,003 crore (2023-24 to 2030-31). NQM targets development of 50–1,000 qubit intermediate-scale quantum computers and focuses on quantum computing, secure quantum communications, quantum sensing, and advanced materials.
Quantum computers operate at temperatures near absolute zero in dilution refrigerators. Strategic implications include post-quantum cryptography — the ability to break or withstand current encryption standards.
UPSC angle: National Quantum Mission (April 2023, Rs 6,003 crore), Amaravati capital project (AP Reorganisation Act 2014 context), IBM-India tech partnerships, post-quantum cryptography and national security, DST (nodal ministry for NQM), quantum supremacy, qubits.
Poland Withdraws from Ottawa Convention (Mine Ban Treaty)
Poland announced its withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention (formally: the Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines) in February 2026, citing the need to deploy anti-personnel landmines along its eastern borders (facing Russia and Belarus).
The Ottawa Convention entered into force on March 1, 1999. It requires signatories to: destroy stockpiled mines within 4 years; clear all planted mines from territories within 10 years; refrain from producing, transferring, or using anti-personnel mines. Poland joins the USA, Russia, China, India, and Pakistan among major countries outside the treaty.
UPSC angle: Ottawa Convention (Mine Ban Treaty, 1999), anti-personnel mines vs. anti-tank mines distinction, Poland’s NATO membership and eastern flank defence, Russia-Ukraine war’s effects on European security architecture, humanitarian disarmament treaties (also: Chemical Weapons Convention, Biological Weapons Convention, TPNW).
Exercise Vajra Prahar — 16th Edition at Bakloh
The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar, a joint India–US Special Forces exercise, was held at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The exercise focuses on interoperability and advanced tactics between Indian and US Special Forces in counter-terrorism and unconventional warfare scenarios.
UPSC angle: India-US defence exercises (Vajra Prahar, Yudh Abhyas, Tiger Triumph, Tasman Saber), Special Forces Training School Bakloh, India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), LEMOA/COMCASA agreements enabling interoperability.
Arisaema siahaense — New Cobra Lily Species in Mizoram
A new species of Cobra Lily named Arisaema siahaense was discovered in Siaha District, Mizoram — the southernmost district of Mizoram, adjacent to Myanmar. The species is an evergreen herb growing up to 1.08 metres with an exceptionally long spadix appendix with brownish-green bristles (21 cm). It is named after Siaha district.
UPSC angle: Biodiversity of northeast India (hotspot region under Eastern Himalayas biodiversity hotspot), Arisaema genus (jack-in-the-pulpit/cobra lilies, family Araceae), Mizoram geography, endemic species, Wildlife Protection Act, BSI (Botanical Survey of India), IUCN assessment of new species.
Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana — Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh expanded the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, a state welfare scheme providing Rs 3,000 per month for 10 months to daughters of widows pursuing professional higher education at government institutions outside the state. Age limit: 18-27 years.
UPSC angle: State social welfare schemes, women’s education support, HP’s social sector expenditure, constitutional provisions on welfare (Directive Principles — Article 39, 41, 45), centrally sponsored vs. state schemes.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Prahaar Anti-Terror Framework:
- Released by: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
- India’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy
- Key agencies: NIA (National Investigation Agency, Act 2008), IB (Intelligence Bureau)
- NIA: Established under NIA Act 2008 after 26/11 Mumbai attacks; HQ: New Delhi
- UAPA 1967 (as amended 2019): Designates individuals as terrorists; bans organisations
Netherlands Political Facts:
- Capital: Amsterdam (seat of government: The Hague)
- Parliament: States-General (bicameral — Senate + House of Representatives, 150 seats)
- International organisations based in The Hague: ICC, ICJ, OPCW, Europol, Eurojust
- Rob Jetten: Age 38; D66 (Democrats 66) party; first LGBTQ+ Dutch PM; youngest PM
BAFTA 2026:
- Best Picture + Director: One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson) — 6 awards total
- Venue: Royal Festival Hall, London | BAFTA President: Prince William
- BAFTA founded: 1947 | HQ: 195 Piccadilly, London
Vaishnavi Adkar:
- Hometown: Pune | Born: December 14, 2004 | Age: 21
- Achievement: First Indian woman in W100+ singles final since Sania Mirza (2009) — 17-year gap
- World University Games 2025: Bronze medal — ended 46-year medal drought in tennis
- Coach: Kedar Shah | Mentor: Rohan Bopanna
Palamu Tiger Reserve + Vanjeevi Didi:
- Location: Latehar, Garhwa, Palamu districts, Jharkhand
- One of original 9 Project Tiger reserves (1973)
- Project Tiger launched: 1973 by PM Indira Gandhi | Now under NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority)
- Vanjeevi Didi: 18 women/village × 17 villages | Rs 3,000/month | Garu range, south division
National Quantum Mission:
- Approved: April 2023 (Cabinet) | Budget: Rs 6,003 crore | Period: 2023-24 to 2030-31
- Nodal ministry: DST (Department of Science and Technology)
- Target: 50–1,000 qubit quantum computers; quantum secure communications; quantum sensing
- Amaravati Quantum Valley: IBM Quantum System Two + TCS
- Qubits vs. classical bits: Quantum superposition allows simultaneous 0 and 1 states
Ottawa Convention (Mine Ban Treaty):
- Full name: Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines
- In force: March 1, 1999 | Parties: 164 countries
- Non-signatories: USA, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel (major military powers)
- Poland’s withdrawal: To use APMs on eastern border (Russia/Belarus)
- Anti-personnel mine: Targets persons | Anti-tank/anti-vehicle mine: Ottawa Convention does NOT cover these
Exercise Vajra Prahar:
- Type: India-US Special Forces exercise
- Location: Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh
- 16th edition (2026)
- India-US exercises also include: Yudh Abhyas (Army), Tiger Triumph (tri-service), Tasman Saber (with Australia too)
Other Relevant Facts:
- Arisaema siahaense: Cobra Lily, discovered Siaha District (southernmost Mizoram, borders Myanmar); genus Arisaema, family Araceae; BSI (Botanical Survey of India) — surveys plant species in India
- Bhavani River: Tributary of Cauvery; originates in Nilgiri Hills; Tamil Nadu’s second-largest river; merges with Cauvery at Bhavani town, Erode district
- Eastern Himalayas Biodiversity Hotspot: One of 36 global biodiversity hotspots (Conservation International); includes northeast India, Nepal, Bhutan, south Tibet, SW China