National Waterway-2 Inland Waterways Projects
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated three major inland waterways projects on National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra) in Dibrugarh.
Key Highlights:
• The projects include Bogibeel Customs Complex, Dhubri Customs Complex, and IWAI Heritage Building.
• These projects aim to strengthen trade, tourism, and cross-border connectivity in Northeast India.
UPSC/BPSC
India’s 196-Run Chase in T20 World Cup 2026
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SPORTS
Why in News:
India’s 196-run chase against West Indies at Eden Gardens in the T20 World Cup 2026 ranks third among the highest successful run chases in T20 World Cup history.
Key Highlights:
• England’s 230-run chase against South Africa in 2016 remains the highest successful run chase in T20 World Cup history.
Full List of Successful Chase
• England scored 230/8 against South Africa at Wankhede in 2016 while chasing a target of 230.
• South Africa scored 208/2 against West Indies at Johannesburg in 2007 while chasing a target of 206.
• India scored 199/5 against West Indies at Kolkata in 2026 while chasing a target of 196.
• U.S.A. scored 197/3 against Canada at Dallas in 2024 while chasing a target of 195.
• West Indies scored 196/3 against India at Wankhede in 2016 while chasing a target of 193.
UPSC/BPSC
Deepak Gupta Appointed CMD of GAIL
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
Deepak Gupta has assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (India) Limited from March 1, 2026.
Key Highlights:
• He replaced Sandeep Kumar Gupta.
• His tenure will continue until February 28, 2029.
UPSC/BPSC
Khurda Road–Balangir Railway Line Project
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
The 301 km Khurda Road–Balangir railway line project in Odisha is nearing completion.
Key Highlights:
• The project was conceived before Independence.
• It passes through Khurda, Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur and Balangir districts.
• The estimated cost of the project is about ₹5,000 crore.
• It is expected to be completed by early next year.
UPSC/BPSC
Gujarat Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2026–2031
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
The Gujarat government has unveiled the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2026–2031.
Key Highlights:
• The policy announces a ₹1,000 crore dedicated innovation fund.
• It aims to accelerate indigenous technology development.
• The policy was launched in Gandhinagar by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
• It aims to create 1 lakh highly skilled research professionals.
• It also aims to achieve 1,000 intellectual property (IP) filings annually.
UPSC/BPSC
FPI Investment in Indian Equities – February 2026
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) invested ₹22,615 crore in Indian equities in February 2026.
Key Highlights:
• It marks the highest monthly inflow in 17 months.
• The surge came after three consecutive months of heavy selling.
• It reflects renewed foreign confidence following the interim India–US trade deal.
UPSC/BPSC
Forest Owlet Sighting in Kuno National Park
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NATIONAL
Why in News:
Just days before the arrival of eight Botswana cheetahs, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh recorded its first-ever sighting of the endangered Forest Owlet. The bird is listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN and had never been documented in Kuno earlier.
Key Highlights:
• The discovery expands the known range of the Forest Owlet.
• It indicates positive ecological changes in the region under Project Cheetah.
Background:
Forest Owlet
About:
• The Forest Owlet, also known as Blewitt’s Owl, is one of the world’s rarest raptors.
• It was first discovered in 1872 by Irish naturalist F. R. Blewitt in eastern Madhya Pradesh.
• After 1884, it was believed to be extinct.
• It was rediscovered in 1997 in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra after 113 years, creating global excitement in ornithology.
Distribution:
• Earlier in Madhya Pradesh, the Forest Owlet was found only in Khandwa, Burhanpur and Betul districts, which border Maharashtra.
• The new sighting in Kuno National Park marks a major expansion in its known geographical range.
UPSC/BPSC
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