Prelims Current Affairs includes International Mother Language Day, Bharat–Vistaar Platform, International Military Adventure Challenge Cup 2026, Gaza Board Of Peace Meeting, Galaxeye’s Mission Drishti Satellite, Kerala Nativity Card Bill, Vibrant Villages Programme – Ii & National Commission For Scheduled Tribes

Important Day

1. INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

Observed globally on 21 February.

• Aim : to promote linguistic diversity and preservation of native languages.
• Declared By: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• Year of Declaration: 1999

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

2. BHARAT–VISTAAR PLATFORM

Current Context: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Bharat–VISTAAR, an Artificial Intelligence-powered multilingual advisory platform, in Jaipur.

ABOUT BHARAT–VISTAAR

• Full Form: Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources
• Nature: Artificial Intelligence-based multilingual farmer advisory tool
• Purpose: Provides agriculture-related information in farmers’ native languages
• Access Mode: Mobile phones and voice-based interaction
• Service Scope: Crop planning, farming practices, pest management, weather updates, market information, schemes, eligibility, and grievances
• Operational Feature: Available twenty-four hours as a digital advisory system
• Institutional Role: Functions as Digital Public Infrastructure in agriculture

SCHEME INTEGRATION

• Coverage: Enables access to information on ten major Central Government schemes
• Key Schemes: Includes Prime Minister Kisan, Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Health Card, Kisan Credit Card, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund, and others
• Significance: Enhances farmers’ access to reliable, centralised, and multilingual agricultural services

DEFENCE

3. INTERNATIONAL MILITARY ADVENTURE CHALLENGE CUP 2026

Current Context: The Indian Army is hosting the first International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.

ABOUT IMACC 2026

• Hosted By: Indian Army
• Event Nature: International military adventure and endurance competition
• Objective: Assess physical endurance, mental resilience, teamwork, and leadership skills
• Participating Countries: Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia
• Indian Participants: Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, Indo-Tibetan Border Police
• Significance: Strengthens military cooperation and joint training exposure

INTERNATIONAL

4. GAZA BOARD OF PEACE MEETING

Current Context: India participated as an observer in the inaugural Gaza Board of Peace meeting convened by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.

ABOUT GAZA BOARD OF PEACE

• Convened By: President of the United States
• Focus Areas: Gaza reconstruction, stabilisation efforts, and peace framework
• Participation: Representatives from more than forty countries and the European Union
• Venue: Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace

INDIA’S PARTICIPATION

• Role: Observer status
• Representation: Namgya C Khampa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington, District of Columbia
• Diplomatic Significance: Reflects India’s balanced and cautious approach towards West Asian conflicts
• Other Observers: Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom
• Significance: Demonstrates India’s engagement in multilateral diplomatic initiatives without formal alignment

SPACE

5. GALAXEYE’S MISSION DRISHTI SATELLITE

Current Context: Bengaluru-based space startup GalaxEye announced the launch of Mission Drishti, an Artificial Intelligence-enabled OptoSAR satellite designed for real-time Earth observation.

ABOUT MISSION DRISHTI

• Developer: GalaxEye, Bengaluru-based space technology startup.
• Satellite Type: Artificial Intelligence-powered OptoSAR satellite.
• Core Technology: SyncFused Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar architecture
• Onboard Processor: NVIDIA Jetson Orin module
• Key Capability: In-orbit processing of Earth observation data
• Objective: Deliver faster and reliable insights without full ground dependency

TECHNOLOGICAL FEATURES

• SyncFused OptoSAR System: Integrates Electro-Optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar sensors on a single platform
• Electro-Optical Sensors: Capture high-resolution imagery in daylight and clear conditions
• Synthetic Aperture Radar Sensors: Enable imaging in all weather conditions, including night-time
• Operational Advantage: Ensures continuous data collection irrespective of weather constraints

STATE IN NEWS

6. KERALA NATIVITY CARD BILL

Current Context: The Kerala Cabinet approved the Kerala Nativity Card Bill to introduce Nativity Cards as an official identity document for State services.

ABOUT NATIVITY CARD BILL

• Approved By: Kerala State Cabinet
• Purpose: Provide authoritative identity document for availing State government services
• Model Basis: Similar to existing Nativity Certificate
• Legislative Status: Expected to be introduced in Kerala Legislative Assembly

DEFINITION OF NATIVE

• Eligibility: Person born in Kerala who has not acquired foreign citizenship
• Extended Coverage: Individuals with Kerala-born ancestors retaining Indian citizenship
• Exclusion: Persons who voluntarily relinquished Indian citizenship
• Validity Condition: Card becomes void upon renunciation of citizenship

SIGNIFICANCE

• Administrative Utility: Simplifies verification for State-level benefits and services
• Legal Role: Functions as officially recognised nativity proof

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

7. VIBRANT VILLAGES PROGRAMME – II

Current Context: The Union Home Minister will launch the Vibrant Villages Programme–II in Cachar district of Assam.

ABOUT VIBRANT VILLAGES PROGRAMME – II

• Scheme Type: Central Sector Scheme with full Central Government funding
• Objective: Promote comprehensive development of border villages
• Approach: Saturation-based and convergence-driven development model
• Coverage: Implemented across multiple border States and Union Territories
• Exclusion: Northern border villages already covered under Vibrant Villages Programme – I
• Financial Outlay: Rupees 6,839 crore up to Financial Year 2028–29

KEY FEATURES

• Infrastructure Development: Education facilities, Smart classes, tourism circuits
• Livelihood Support: Focus on value chain development through cooperatives and Self-Help Groups
• Community Engagement: Fairs, festivals, awareness programmes, celebration of national events.

POLITY

8. NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES

Current Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi.

ABOUT NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED TRIBES

• Status: Constitutional body under Article 338A
• Established Through: Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003
• Operational Since: 19 February 2004
• Headquarters: New Delhi

COMPOSITION

• Chairperson: Rank equivalent to Union Cabinet Minister
• Vice-Chairperson: Rank equivalent to Minister of State
• Members: Rank equivalent to Secretary to Government of India
• Tenure: Three-year term

KEY FUNCTIONS

• Safeguard Monitoring: Oversees constitutional and legal protections for Scheduled Tribes
• Complaint Inquiry: Examines rights-related grievances
• Advisory Role: Guides socio-economic development policies
• Reporting Duty: Submits annual reports to the President

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