Current Affairs, 19 February 2026

BADP coverage

BADP covers villages and towns within 0-10 km (aerial distance) of the first habitation at the international border, in 16 States and 2 UTs.

BADP status

BADP is in its sunset phase and funds are allocated only for committed liability.

BADP method

BADP provides infrastructure such as health, education, roads, agriculture, sports, drinking water and sanitation, by convergence of central, State, UT and local schemes.

VVP-I

VVP-I was approved on 15 February 2023 for 662 select villages in blocks abutting the Northern border, in 4 States and 1 UT.

VVP-II

VVP-II was approved on 2 April 2025 for 1954 villages along International Land Borders other than the northern border, in 15 States and 2 UTs, till FY 2028-29.

Nodal ministry

BADP is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Scheme type and outlay

VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6839 crore till FY 2028-29.

Coverage

1954 villages in blocks abutting international land borders, excluding the Northern Border covered under VVP-I.

Focus areas

Livelihood, roads, energisation, village infrastructure including health, financial inclusion, youth skills, cooperatives/SHGs/FPOs, tourism and culture, education, TV and telecom connectivity.

Implementing ministry

The scheme is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

BADP

BADP funds basic infrastructure in villages near international borders; it is also a Home Ministry scheme.

Outlay

VVP-II is launched at a cost of ₹6,839 crore.

Border covered

It targets blocks adjoining the international border.

Components

The programme includes schemes on security, saturation of welfare schemes and connectivity.

Ministry

The scheme is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Assam share

Assam has 140 villages in 26 blocks of 9 districts under the programme.

Launch

VVP-II is launched at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam, on 20 February 2026.

Type and outlay

VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.

Approach

It uses a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach to develop border villages.

Security role

Residents are meant to act as the eyes and ears of the nation, aiding border security and preventing cross-border crime.

Don’t confuse with BADP vs VVP: BADP funds basic infrastructure in a 0-10 km border strip and is now in sunset phase. VVP gives comprehensive development to select villages in border blocks and is the current programme.

Don’t confuse with VVP-I vs VVP-II: VVP-I covers the Northern border (662 villages, 2023). VVP-II covers other land borders (1954 villages, 2025, till FY 2028-29).

Don’t confuse with Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: Central Sector schemes are fully funded by the Centre. Centrally Sponsored Schemes share costs with States.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

1. 2024Mains GS3 · Q19Examine border conflicts and security challenges with China and Pakistan; discuss BADP and BIM development.
2. 2026Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss BADP and army civic actions to win locals in Ladakh; Sixth Schedule demand.
3. 2020Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss denying militants local support and managing locals' favourable perception at borders.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Declaration

The India AI Impact Summit Declaration was endorsed by 92 countries and international organisations. It acknowledges the work of seven thematic working groups.

Sovereign compute

The IndiaAI Mission has provisioned over 38,000 GPUs. Another 20,000 will be added in the coming weeks.

Global AI Impact Commons

A voluntary initiative to let nations share, replicate and scale successful AI use cases. It features 80+ impact stories across 30+ countries.

Equitable AI Transition Playbook

Released with the International Labour Organization to prepare workers for AI-driven opportunities.

Investment pledges

Over USD 200 billion in AI-related investment is expected across infrastructure, models, hardware and applications.

Dates and place

The Summit was held in New Delhi on 18–19 February 2026 and ended with the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact.

Endorsement

91 countries and international organisations endorsed the Declaration.

Seven pillars (Chakras)

The pillars are democratizing AI resources, economic growth and social good, secure and trusted AI, AI for science, access for social empowerment, human capital development, and resilient, efficient and innovative AI systems.

Legal nature

The deliverables are voluntary and the frameworks are non-binding. The Declaration respects national sovereignty.

Guiding principles

The Declaration draws on the principles 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.

Named deliverables

These include the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, the Global AI Impact Commons, the Trusted AI Commons and the International Network of AI for Science Institutions.

Venue and inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Who announced the commitments

Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at the opening ceremony.

Nature of the commitments

The commitments are voluntary and aimed at aligning AI with equity, cultural diversity and real-world needs, particularly in the Global South.

First commitment

Advancing Understanding of Real-World AI Usage, using anonymized and aggregated insights to support policy on jobs, skills and productivity.

Second commitment

Strengthening Multilingual and Contextual Evaluations: datasets, benchmarks and expertise for under-represented languages and cultures.

Five layers of the AI stack

India's strategy covers applications, models, compute, talent and energy.

Mission outlay

The IndiaAI Mission was approved in March 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore over five years.

Indian foundation models

Over 500 proposals were received under the Mission. 12 startups were selected across the first two phases, including Sarvam AI and BharatGen led by IIT Bombay.

Democratizing AI Resources Working Group

The working group is co-chaired by India, Egypt and Kenya. It is one of seven thematic Chakras.

Don’t confuse with Declaration vs. Commitments: The Summit Declaration was endorsed by 92 countries and organisations. The New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments were made by 13 frontier model developers.

Don’t confuse with Declaration vs treaty: The New Delhi Declaration is voluntary and non-binding. A treaty creates legal obligations for its parties.

Don’t confuse with IndiaAI Mission vs the Summit: The Mission is a standing government programme for compute and the AI ecosystem; the Summit is a one-time global meeting hosted by India.

Don’t confuse with Voluntary commitments vs treaty: The New Delhi commitments are voluntary industry pledges, not a binding international treaty.

Don’t confuse with IndiaAI Mission vs India Semiconductor Mission: IndiaAI Mission (₹10,371.92 crore) builds AI compute, data and models. India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore) supports chip manufacturing, design and talent.

Don’t confuse with AIKosh vs MeghRaj: AIKosh is a platform for AI datasets and models. MeghRaj is the government's GI Cloud for e-governance services under Digital India.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

1. 2025Mains GS2 · Q9Elaborate how India-Africa digital partnership achieves mutual respect, co-development, and institutional partnerships.
2. 2019Mains ESSAY · Q8Whether AI rise threatens jobs or creates reskilling-driven opportunities.
3. 2025Mains GS3 · Q16Challenges facing India's semiconductor industry and India Semiconductor Mission features.
4. 2015Mains GS3 · Q12Which labour areas robots can sustainably manage, and research initiatives to drive innovation.
5. 2026Mains GS4 · Q1AI-generated PhD evaluation report: accountability and integrity perspective.
6. 2024Mains GS4 · Q1Critically examine AI as dependable input for administrative decisions, ethically.
7. 2026Prelims Q65Statements on AI Impact Summit 2026's sutras, Democratising AI, and declaration.
8. 2025Prelims Q95Statements on AI Action Summit Paris 2025: co-chairing, predecessor summits, declaration signatories.

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Why retained

The government kept the law because it deals with the safety of life and property, while updating its provisions.

Commencement

The Boilers Act, 2025 has been in force since 1 May 2025.

Administering department

The Technical Adviser (Boilers) is also Secretary of the Central Boilers Board, in DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Third-party role

Third Party Inspecting Authorities and Competent Persons have defined roles under the framework, covered in the technical sessions.

Don’t confuse with Boilers Act, 1923 vs 2025: The 1923 Act is the older pre-Constitution law. The 2025 Act is its re-enactment, in force since 1 May 2025.

Don’t confuse with DPIIT vs NPC: DPIIT is the ministry department that runs the Act. The National Productivity Council was the partner that co-organised the event.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

Participation

Navy Chiefs and delegations from 74 countries are taking part in MILAN 2026, among the largest editions to date.

Two phases

The exercise has a Harbour Phase (seminar, expert exchanges, cross-deck visits) and a Sea Phase (operational drills at sea).

SAGAR to MAHASAGAR

India's maritime vision has moved from SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security And Growth Across Regions).

UNCLOS

The minister said UNCLOS gives a time-tested mechanism for dispute redressal and could be strengthened by a global naval architecture.

Aims

MILAN 2026 seeks interoperability, shared professional practices and stronger friendships among partner navies.

Don’t confuse with SAGAR vs MAHASAGAR: SAGAR is the earlier vision focused on the Indian Ocean region; MAHASAGAR widens it to partners across regions and oceans.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

1. 2025Mains GS3 · Q20Why is maritime security vital for India's sea trade; discuss challenges and way forward.
2. 2022Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss India's maritime security challenges and initiatives taken to improve them.
3. 2026Mains GS2 · Q9Critically assess IPMDA as a bridge between SAGAR and Quad strategy.
4. 2017Prelims Q68Which statements about IONS, India's naval cooperation forum for littoral states, are correct?

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Constitutional basis

NCST is a constitutional body under Article 338A, inserted by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003.

Separation from SC commission

Before 2004, one National Commission for SCs and STs existed under Article 338. It was split into two separate commissions, and NCST began functioning in 2004.

Composition

It has a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and three other Members, appointed by the President by warrant under hand and seal.

Powers

When inquiring into complaints, it has the powers of a civil court, for example summoning persons and requiring production of documents.

Reporting

It presents annual reports to the President, who has them laid before Parliament along with a memorandum on action taken.

Current leadership

The Chairperson is Antar Singh Arya, with Nirupam Chakma and Asha Lakra as Members.

Don’t confuse with NCST vs NCSC: NCST (Article 338A) deals with Scheduled Tribes; the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (Article 338) deals with Scheduled Castes.

Don’t confuse with NCST vs Tribal Affairs Ministry: NCST is a constitutional watchdog and adviser. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs designs and runs schemes.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2026Mains GS2 · Q5Do NCSC and NCST have adequate enforcement powers? Suggest effectiveness measures
2. 2022Mains GS2 · Q5Role of NCBC after transformation from statutory to constitutional body
3. 2020Mains GS2 · Q15Steps for constitutionalising a Commission; would it ensure gender justice?
4. 2021Prelims Q84Nodal national ministry for implementing the Forest Rights Act, 2006
5. 2026Prelims Q57Statements on constitutional provisions for SCs and STs, including Fifth Schedule and Panchayat reservation
6. 2012Prelims Q56Which reports the President must lay before Parliament, including the National Commission for SCs

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.

Investigating body

The AAIB is conducting the Baramati crash investigation under the 2025 Rules and ICAO Annex 13.

Preliminary report timeline

A Preliminary Report is due within 30 days of the accident, as per ICAO norms. The Final Report follows later.

Help from State of Design/Manufacture

The CVR was thermally damaged, so technical help was sought from the State of Design/Manufacture under Annex 13.

Regulator's role

DGCA is the aviation regulator. It audits operators and enforces rules. It is separate from the AAIB, which investigates the causes of accidents.

Don’t confuse with AAIB vs DGCA: AAIB investigates accident causes to improve safety, not to assign blame. DGCA regulates, audits and takes enforcement action.

Don’t confuse with ICAO Annex 13 vs the 2025 Rules: Annex 13 is an international standard under the Chicago Convention. The 2025 Rules are India's domestic legal framework for investigation.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

1. 2026Prelims Q44Which statements about aircraft black boxes are correct: beacon, recorded data, memory materials
2. 2026Prelims Q96Which statements on aviation hull insurance and Montreal Convention passenger liability are correct

UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.