NATIONAL NEWS

World’s First Doctor-Led AI-Powered Home Healthcare Ecosystem ‘iLive Connect’ Launched

India launched ‘iLive Connect’, the world’s first doctor-led, Artificial Intelligence-powered home healthcare ecosystem.

The initiative is aimed at providing round-the-clock medical monitoring from patients’ homes, with a special focus on senior citizens and high-risk patients.

iLive Connect has been developed by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Rahul Chandola and interventional cardiologist Dr Viveka Kumar.

The system is designed to function as a personalised Intensive Care Unit-like care system at home.

It uses Food and Drug Administration-certified and European Conformity-certified wearable medical devices.

The wearable devices include a chest-mounted biosensor patch and a wristband for continuous real-time monitoring.

The ecosystem tracks multiple vital health parameters such as two-lead Electrocardiogram, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, blood pressure trends, physical activity, and heart rate variability.

All collected health data is securely transmitted to a cloud-based platform.

The data is monitored round the clock by specialist doctors operating from a central medical command centre.

The launch of iLive Connect marks a major step in technology-driven healthcare delivery, strengthening home-based medical care and reducing dependence on hospital-based monitoring.

India Named Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026

India has been designated Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026, the world’s largest and most influential organic trade fair, to be held from 10–13 February 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany.

The recognition highlights India’s leadership in global organic agriculture and its growing role as a reliable supplier of certified organic products.

BIOFACH Germany is a premier global platform exclusively focused on organic food and agriculture, bringing together buyers, policymakers, certification agencies, and producers from across the world.

Being named Country of the Year provides India global visibility, strategic market access, and influence in sustainability and traceability discussions.

India’s participation is led by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

APEDA has participated in BIOFACH for over a decade, but BIOFACH 2026 marks India’s largest-ever presence, reflecting rapid growth in organic exports.

The India Country Pavilion spans 1,074 square metres, making it one of the largest national pavilions at BIOFACH 2026.

It will host 67 co-exhibitors, including organic exporters, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), cooperatives, organic laboratories, state government bodies, and commodity boards.

India will showcase a wide range of organic agricultural and value-added products, including organic rice, oilseeds, pulses, herbs, spices, cashew, ginger, turmeric, large cardamom, cinnamon, mango pulp, and essential oils.

The display reflects India’s strength across the entire organic value chain, from farm produce to processed foods.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India and Seychelles Adopt SESEL Framework

India and Seychelles adopted a Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL) during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Patrick Herminie.

The SESEL Vision was adopted during President Herminie’s State Visit to India (5–10 February 2026), coinciding with 50 years of Seychelles’ independence and 50 years of India–Seychelles diplomatic relations.

India announced a Special Economic Package of USD 175 million (USD 125 million Line of Credit and USD 50 million Grant) to support development projects, capacity building, defence cooperation, maritime security, employment, and skill development.

Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in digital transformation, with India supporting Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital payments and governance systems in Seychelles.

In health and food security, India pledged 10 ambulances, cooperation in affordable medicines and hospital infrastructure, and donated 1,000 metric tonnes of food grains to help reduce the cost of living.

Both sides enhanced cooperation in renewable energy, climate resilience, and disaster preparedness, with Seychelles agreeing to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and implement multi-hazard early warning systems.

 

BANKING

IIFL Capital Secures SEBI Nod to Set Up Wholly Owned Subsidiary at GIFT IFSC

IIFL Capital Services Limited received Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approval to establish a Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City – International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC).

The new entity will be named IIFL Capital Services (IFSC) Ltd and operate as a separate legal entity.

It will undertake permitted financial services and capital market activities within GIFT IFSC, subject to approvals from the RBI and other regulators.

The initiative aims to strengthen IIFL’s global financial services platform and expand its international market presence through India’s premier offshore financial hub.

IIFL Capital is one of India’s leading wealth management, broking, and investment banking firms, managing approximately $28 billion of assets under management and custody.

The firm is a leader in investment banking and institutional equities in India, with offices and sales teams in Mumbai, Singapore, London, and New York.

Its institutional customer base includes sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, private equity funds, mutual funds, insurance companies, hedge funds, and alternative investment funds.

ADB Approves USD 182 Million Funding to Strengthen Assam

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved USD 182 million in additional financing to expand support for strengthening Assam’s resilience to chronic flooding and riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra River.

This additional funding supplements the ongoing USD 200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project in Assam, approved in October 2023.

The expanded funding will extend integrated flood and riverbank erosion risk management measures into four additional high-priority reaches of the Brahmaputra River.

Under the expanded scope, the project will construct 63.5 kilometers of riverbank protection, undertake adaptive and emergency works to strengthen existing structures, and implement pro-siltation measures to promote sediment deposition and reclaim eroded land.

The project will upgrade and widen disaster-resilient flood embankments and implement nature-based solutions, such as reed propagation and wetland restoration, to reduce erosion, flooding, and improve ecological resilience.

The financing will enhance knowledge-based river management through flood risk maps, asset condition surveys, erosion prediction models, flood forecasting, early warning systems, and community disaster preparedness programs.

The project aims to directly benefit about 600,000 rural residents, particularly poor households, women, and disadvantaged groups along the Brahmaputra River.

The initiative will strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of vulnerable riverine communities through women-focused livelihood support, disaster-resilient agriculture, vocational training, and upgraded rural markets.

Women’s economic empowerment is a central feature, providing support to self-help groups, youth skills development, and market-driven business planning.

 

ECONOMY

Moody’s Forecasts India’s FY27 GDP Growth at 6.4%, Leading G20 Economies

Moody’s Ratings, an American rating agency, released the report titled ‘Banking System Outlook – India: Outlook stable, backed by strong economic growth and robust bank fundamentals’.

The report projected India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.4% in FY2026-27 (FY27).

India is expected to remain the fastest-growing economy among G20 nations, driven by robust domestic consumption, policy measures, and a stable banking system.

System-wide bank loan growth is projected to increase marginally to 11–13% in FY27, compared to 10.6% in FY26 year-to-date.

The overall system-wide loan-to-deposit ratio is expected to remain around 80%.

Net Interest Margins (NIMs) are expected to improve gradually as deposit costs decline, supporting banking sector profitability.

Loans are projected to grow in tandem with deposits, keeping the loan-to-deposit ratio around 80% through FY27.

Non-Performing Loan (NPL) ratio is expected to remain low at 2–2.5%, with a slight rise in slippages as loans mature.

Retail asset quality is expected to stay stable, particularly among prime borrowers.

Banking sector profitability will remain stable, with system-wide Return on Assets (ROA) projected to increase to 1.2–1.3% in FY27, compared to 1.2% in H1 FY26.

 

DEFENCE

India and Greece Ink Joint Declaration to Strengthen Defence Industry Collaboration

India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral defence industrial cooperation.

The agreement was signed after bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Greek Defence Minister Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre.

The declaration will serve as the foundation for developing a five-year roadmap for defence partnership between the two countries.

Both countries exchanged the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026, outlining future military engagements between their armed forces.

The initiative aims to expand collaboration between India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliance) initiative and Greece’s Hellenic defence reforms under Agenda 2030.

The signatories of the declaration were Union Minister Rajnath Singh on behalf of India and Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias on behalf of Greece.

Greece announced the deployment of a Greek International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, Haryana, to enhance maritime cooperation.

India–Tanzania Convene 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting in Zanzibar

The 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting between India and Tanzania was held in Zanzibar from 02–03 February 2026.

The meeting reviewed ongoing defence cooperation and discussed expanding collaboration in military training, service-to-service cooperation, maritime security, and defence industry cooperation.

Both sides explored new areas such as counter-terrorism, peacekeeping training, and capacity building in niche domains like Electronic Warfare (EW), Cyber Security, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Military medicine was identified as a new potential area of cooperation between the two countries.

India and Tanzania agreed to initiate Air Force-to-Air Force cooperation, complementing existing cooperation between their Navies and Armies.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (Defence Cooperation), along with senior officials from the Department of Defence and the Indian Defence Forces.

The Tanzanian delegation was led by Mr. Ibrahim Mhona, Chief of Operations and Training, TPDF (Tanzania People's Defence Force)..

 

MoUs & Agreements

Indian Army and IDFC FIRST Bank Ink Memorandum of Understanding

The Indian Army and IDFC FIRST Bank signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valid till February 2029 to provide specialised banking services and enhanced insurance benefits to serving and retired Army personnel.

Under the MoU, Personal Accidental Insurance (PAI) cover of ₹60 lakh will be available without mandatory salary or pension credit, instead linked to minimum monthly account credits.

Additional insurance benefits include ₹35 lakh nominee cover and ₹1 crore Air Accident Insurance, enhancing financial security for Army families.

The MoU also provides ₹4 lakh Higher Education Cover and up to ₹2 lakh Girl Child Marriage Cover, supporting education and social welfare needs.

The agreement ensures financial protection, social welfare support, and inclusive benefits for the Army community under a structured banking and insurance framework.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Kerala to Appoint Thanya Nathan C. as State’s First Visually Challenged Woman Judge

Thanya Nathan C. is set to become Kerala’s first visually challenged woman judge, marking a historic milestone in the State’s judicial history.

She secured first rank among persons with benchmark disabilities in the Civil Judge (Junior Division) examination of the Kerala Judicial Service.

The Kerala High Court has completed the selection process, and the appointment letter will be issued by the government.

Ms. Nathan, a first-rank holder in LLB from Kannur University, practised law using Braille and screen-reading software to overcome challenges of visual impairment.

A 24-year-old woman from Kannur, Kerala, cleared the Kerala Judicial Services examination for the post of Civil Judge (Junior Division).

She secured first rank in the maiden selection for differently-abled persons, following a Supreme Court order that differently-abled persons should not be barred from becoming judicial officers.

New Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer of City Union Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of R. Vijay Anandh as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of City Union Bank (CUB).

R. Vijay Anandh will serve a three-year term starting from May 1, 2026, subject to final ratification by the bank’s shareholders.

His annual remuneration as MD and CEO will be Rs 2.50 crore per annum.

R. Vijay Anandh currently holds the position of Executive Director (ED) at CUB and was previously Executive President in 2023, before being designated ED in 2024.

He will succeed Dr. N. Kamakodi, who has been serving as MD and CEO of CUB since May 2011, with his term ending on April 30, 2026.

Shikhar Dhawan Named Brand Ambassador for First Delhi Khel Mahakumbh

Former Indian cricketer and Arjuna Awardee Shikhar Dhawan was appointed as the Brand Ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh by the Government of Delhi.

The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh will be held on February 13, 2026, across 16 locations covering all 12 districts of Delhi.

It is a large-scale grassroots sports festival launched by the Directorate of Education and Sports, Government of Delhi.

The event aims to strengthen sports participation at the grassroots level and promote a sports culture among youth.

Sports disciplines included in the event are Basketball, Football, Athletics, Kabaddi, Wrestling, Squash, and Volleyball.

Shikhar Dhawan represented India in all three formats of international cricket — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

He scored over 6,700 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs), including 17 centuries and 39 fifties.

In Test cricket, he amassed more than 2,300 runs, with a highest score of 190.

In T20 Internationals (T20Is), he scored 1,759 runs in 68 matches.

Dhawan was the top scorer in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, playing a key role in India’s title victory.

He was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2018 for his outstanding achievements in cricket.

 

SPORTS

Asian Shooting Championships 2026

Indian shooter Manu Bhaker won the silver medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championships 2026, held in New Delhi.

This silver came five days after she finished 7th in the 10m air pistol final, marking a strong comeback at the continental level.

Manu Bhaker qualified with a score of 584, indicating solid form during the qualification round.

In the final, she scored 35 points, tying with Vietnam’s Thuy Trang Nguyen, which led to a double shoot-off.

Manu narrowly missed gold after dropping three targets in the second shoot-off, settling for silver.

The final saw an early lead by Esha Singh and Nguyen, but Manu moved into medal contention after Esha missed five shots in the ninth elimination series.

The performance highlighted Manu Bhaker’s improved finals temperament and mental strength, areas she has been focusing on in recent years.

The silver medal is Manu Bhaker’s first-ever individual silver in the 25m pistol event at the Asian level.

Earlier, she had won bronze medals in the 25m pistol at the ISSF World Cups in 2021 and 2023.

The year 2026 is crucial for Indian shooters, with the Asian Games ahead and qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics beginning from July 31, 2026.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Productivity Day

National Productivity Day 2026 is observed on 12th February.

National Productivity Day is commemorated to promote India's productivity culture.

National Productivity Day aims to increase awareness about the importance of productivity, innovation, and efficiency.

On February 12, 1958, the National Productivity Council of India was Registered under Societies Registration Act XXI, 1860.

To mark the council's establishment, its members decided to observe National Productivity Day every year on the same day.

So, apart from encouraging people to be more productive in their work, National Productivity Day also celebrates the anniversary of the establishment of the National Productivity Council.