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India Pulse | February 24, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision
The India Pulse Newsletter for February 25, 2026 covers Piyush Goyal stating India’s youth innovation ecosystem drives growth; Vice President Radhakrishnan arriving in Kashmir; Jaishankar at UNHRC backing dialogue, zero tolerance on terrorism, human-centric development; CBI multi-state raids arresting three in Rs. 1 crore digital fraud case; Railways planning 1,244 special trains for Holi rush; Exercise MILAN 2026 concluding off Vizag coast; Nitin Gadkari launching upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH web portal; Scindia emphasising telecom regulations for innovation; Bhupender Yadav highlighting systemic reforms across four strategic pillars; and HD Kumaraswamy says over 28 lakh electric vehicles sold under PM E-Drive scheme.
NEWS IN DETAIL
India’s Youth and Innovation Ecosystem Driving Growth, AI to Boost Jobs and Exports: Piyush Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has said, India’s youth and innovation ecosystem are driving the growth story of the country. He said this while delivering the keynote address at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Mumbai.
The minister said, passion, innovation and skilled manpower are India’s biggest competitive strengths. He said, during the recent AI Summit held in New Delhi, strong global response reflected the depth and maturity of India’s technology ecosystem.
The Commerce Minister asserted that, AI will transform employment rather than eliminate it. He noted that India produces about 2.3 million STEM graduates every year and has a vast pool of young, adaptable talent.
Calling AI the next big inflection point after the Y2K era, he said it will create higher-value jobs, boost exports and increase demand for skills in cyber security, data protection and system governance. Mr Goyal also highlighted that India has signed nine Free Trade Agreements covering 38 countries, providing wider market access for Indian goods and services.
Congratulating the award winners, he said India’s growth journey will continue relentlessly, powered by its entrepreneurs and youth, and urged all stakeholders to work collectively to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Vice President Radhakrishnan Arrives In Kashmir
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on February 25, 2026 evening for a two-day official visit, his first to the Union Territory since taking office.
A business Boeing aircraft carrying the vice president landed at Srinagar International Airport, where he was received by Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, the Army’s General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat.
From the airport, VP Radhakrishnan proceeded in a secured motorcade to Raj Bhawan in the Chashma Shahi area, where he will stay during his visit.
On February 26, 2026, the vice president is scheduled to attend the 21st convocation ceremony of the University of Kashmir at its Hazratbal campus as the chief guest.
India Backs Dialogue, Zero Tolerance for Terrorism and Human-Centric Development: Jaishankar at UNHRC
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has stated that India has consistently underlined dialogue over confrontation, consensus over division, and human-centric development over narrow interests.
In his remarks at the High Level Segment of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, Dr Jaishankar emphasised that India seeks to find and expand common ground in a world marred by conflict, polarization and uncertainty. He elaborated that India’s vision is rooted in the understanding that the insecurity of any region, or the marginalization of any group, eventually undermines the rights and well-being of all.
Dr Jaishankar also highlighted that India remains firm and uncompromising in its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He said terrorism is among the most egregious violations of human rights and there can be no justification, especially when innocent lives are targeted. He called for collective resolve in confronting terrorism. He said India looks at this Council and to the United Nations to advocate zero-tolerance for terrorist acts.
The External Affairs Minister further stated that India has been investing in developing human capacities at an unprecedented scale. He added that the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has enabled hundreds of millions to access welfare benefits, financial services and public schemes, with transparency and minimal leakage.
CBI Conducts Multi-State Raids, Arrests Three in Rs. 1 Crore Digital Fraud Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out a massive search operation across six states and arrested three accused in a major digital fraud case. Searches were conducted at multiple locations in Delhi, Bengaluru in Karnataka, Palakkad in Kerala, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Hyderabad in Telangana and Goa.
In a statement, CBI said that the case pertains to the fraud of over one crore rupees from a senior citizen of Kottayam district in Kerala. During the searches, CBI seized digital devices, debit cards, bank account documentation, and other incriminating materials. CBI further said that investigation is ongoing to identify additional domestic and international collaborators.
Railways Plans 1,244 Special Trains For Holi Rush
Indian Railways has made elaborate arrangements to facilitate smooth, safe, and comfortable travel for passengers during the upcoming Holi festival.
To manage the anticipated surge in passenger traffic, 1,244 Holi Special train trips will be operated across various Railway Zones during the Holi period from February 25 to March 18. The number may increase up to 1,500 if additional demand is observed.
Holi, the festival of colours, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country, marking the arrival of spring and symbolising the victory of good over evil. The festival witnesses large-scale travel as people return to their hometowns to celebrate with family and friends, leading to a significant rise in passenger movement across major routes.
Exercise MILAN 2026 Concludes Off Vizag Coast
Exercise MILAN 2026, the Indian Navy’s premier multilateral maritime exercise, culminated on 25 February with a closing ceremony conducted onboard India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, off the coast of Visakhapatnam.
Held under the theme ‘Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration’, MILAN 2026 witnessed participation on an unprecedented scale, comprising 42 ships and submarines, and 29 aircraft. These included 18 ships from participating Friendly Foreign Countries.
Further, apart from integral helicopters onboard the Friendly Foreign Country ships, maritime patrol aircraft from France, Germany, and the USA also participated.
During the closing ceremony onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, Commanding Officers of all participating ships expressed deep appreciation for the professional conduct and meticulous planning that characterised MILAN 2026. They unanimously affirmed that the exercise had comprehensively achieved its training objectives and operational aims, significantly enhancing interoperability, mutual understanding, and collective maritime readiness.
Nitin Gadkari Launches Upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH Web Portal
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari launched the upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH web portal for hassle-free obtaining of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for fuel stations.
The Ministry, in a statement, informed that the portal has been developed to make the process of getting permissions simpler, faster and more transparent.
It added that, through the new portal, citizens, businesses, and organisations can apply online in a simple way for permissions related to access from National Highways for private properties, industries and wayside facilities. The Ministry further said that the portal is designed in line with the government’s commitment to improving ease of doing business.
Scindia Emphasises Telecom Regulations For Innovation
Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia stressed the need to put the right regulatory guardrails in the telecom sector to foster innovation while preserving transparency and public interest. He added that this is necessary as new technologies from 4G, 5G, 6G and Artificial Intelligence redefine the communications landscape.
In a video message released on the foundation day of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in New Delhi, the Minister noted the Authority’s role as a bedrock institution, ensuring fairness, equity and a level playing field across the country’s communications ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of TRAI, Anil Kumar Lahoti, said that technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, 5G, and future 6G networks are redefining network architecture and service delivery.
Mr Lahoti further said that as India stands at the edge of new technological frontiers, balanced and forward-looking regulation will continue to support inclusive digital growth.
The celebration marked the 29 years of establishment of TRAI. It included high-level deliberations on inclusive TV access and network slicing, along with emerging issues shaping India’s digital communications landscape.
India Is Advancing Systemic Reforms Across Four Strategic Pillars: Bhupender Yadav
Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said that India is advancing systemic reforms across four strategic pillars, which are energy transformation, sustainable economic transition, nature-based solutions and digital environmental governance.
Speaking at the inaugural session of The Energy and Resources Institute-TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) in New Delhi, Mr Yadav said that transformation does not mean abandoning development but redefining it within ecological limits, with social justice and intergenerational equity. He also mentioned that India aims to achieve 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity of its GDP by 45 per cent from 2005 levels and advance the National Green Hydrogen Mission and build climate-resilient industries.
Mr Yadav said India has consistently upheld the principles of common but differentiated responsibility, climate justice, equitable carbon space and inclusive carbon markets.
The Minister also congratulated TERI for launching the Himalayan Coalition, which reinforces the importance of community-centred and inclusive approaches to sustainable development. He made a special mention of Him-CONNECT, a structured platform to translate research supported under the National Mission of Himalayan Studies into scalable solutions. Mr Yadav said Him-CONNECT aligns with India’s broader sustainability approach, which places communities at the centre of environmental action. The three-day summit marks the 25th edition of WSDS. This year, the theme of the summit is “Transformations: Vision, Voices, and Values for Sustainable Development.
Over 28 Lakh Electric Vehicles Sold Under PM E-Drive Scheme: HD Kumaraswamy
Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy today said that more than 28 lakh electric vehicles have been sold under the PM E-drive scheme as of February this year. He said this while addressing the 3rd Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry’s National Conference on Electric Vehicles in New Delhi.
The Minister noted that the sold vehicles include over 20 lakh electric two-wheelers and nearly 3 lakh electric three-wheelers. Further, Mr Kumaraswamy underlined that public transport electrification has also gained momentum, with over 14 thousand electric buses sanctioned across major cities.
The Minister said that the inclusion of EVs in large numbers is improving urban air quality, ensuring policy continuity for domestic manufacturers. He further stated that India’s expanding network of Free Trade Agreements with the European Union, Australia and the United Arab Emirates is opening new pathways for electric vehicles and their components.
Mr Kumaraswamy noted that electric mobility is not merely a climate initiative but an industrial strategy, a manufacturing opportunity, and a technological leap aimed at building future industries while addressing present challenges.