India Pulse | February 24, 2026: Your Daily Digest of India's Governance, Progress, and Vision
The India Pulse Newsletter for February 24, 2026 covers first Cabinet meeting at Seva Teerth adopting resolution, key Cabinet approvals from the meeting, DGCA tightening norms for non-scheduled flight operators, India-Israel unequivocal condemnation of all terrorism forms, India-Gulf Cooperation Council signing joint statement on Free Trade Agreement, conclusion of National Round Table Conference of ECI & State Election Commissioners, and commencement of India-US joint special forces exercise VAJRA PRAHAR.
NEWS IN DETAIL
First Cabinet Meeting At Seva Teerth Adopts Resolution To Continue Nation Building
Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “the historic first meeting of the Union Cabinet was held at the new Prime Minister’s Office, ‘Seva Teerth’.
The Cabinet adopted a resolution to serve 1.4 billion Citizens and dedicated itself to the national resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047
“This meeting and this building are a direct expression of the reconstruction of New India,” the Cabinet said.
“We envisioned an India whose thought is indigenous, whose form is modern, and whose capability is boundless. Today, Seva Teerth is the embodied manifestation of that very vision, which will enhance India’s pride as the Mother of Democracy.”
Built “at the site of the temporary barracks from the British era,” Seva Teerth symbolizes “the transformation of New India.”
“Before the period of colonial rule, India was known as a nation recognized both for its material grandeur and for its human values. The concept of Seva Teerth is formed from the confluence of both these ideals. With the sacred confluence of duty, service, and dedication, this workplace is envisioned to be as sacred as a pilgrimage, this is its fundamental spirit.”
With this first meeting, the Union Cabinet reiterated its resolve that “every decision taken here will be inspired by a spirit of service toward 1.4 billion citizens and will be connected to the broader goal of nation-building”.
“For us, constitutional values are the expression of that moral commitment which connects governance with the dignity, equality, and justice of every citizen. The work culture of ‘Seva Teerth’ will be guided by this very spirit, where every policy will be in accordance with the fundamental ethos of the Constitution and every decision will be accountable to the aspirations of the people,” the Cabinet resolved.
Guided by the sentiment of “‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’,” Seva Teerth “will not be a center for the display of power, but rather a center for the empowerment of every Indian,” committed to “simplifying the life of the last person in the country.”
“We reaffirm that, in line with our vision, we will further strengthen the governance model that is transparent, aware, and sensitive to the emotions of citizens,” the Cabinet said.
‘Seva Teerth’ is described as “the answer to the need for governance infrastructure that promotes dynamism instead of stagnation, dedication instead of indifference, and solutions instead of doubt.”
The Cabinet notes that in the past decade, “by lifting more than 25 crores of citizens out of poverty,” and through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Swachh Bharat Mission, housing, and Jal Jeevan Mission, governance has focused on “simplifying the life of the citizen.”
Viewing economic transformation as “a continuous journey of reforms,” the Cabinet reaffirmed the mantra of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance,” and resolved that “with the new energy of ‘Seva Teerth’ and the rapid pace of the ‘Reform Express,’ we will fulfill our commitment to secure India’s place among the top three economies of the world in the near future”.
Finally, the Union Cabinet “again dedicated itself to the national resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” affirming that Seva Teerth “will form the foundation for advancing India as a capable, empowered, and self-reliant nation'“.
The Union Cabinet reiterated its commitment to make ‘Seva Teerth’ a global example of sensitive, accountable, and citizen-centric governance. The Cabinet resolved that in the journey to make India a prosperous, capable, and self-reliant nation by 2047, this premise will serve as a powerful center of national aspirations.
Read What Cabinet Approved In First Meet At Seva Teerth
The historic first Cabinet meeting was held at the new Prime Minister’s Office, ‘Seva Teerth’ under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Cabinet cleared following proposals:
Kerala To Keralam
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for the alteration of the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam.
Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that, after approval of the Cabinet, the President of India will refer a Bill, namely the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala for expressing its views.
The Minister said that, after receipt of the views of the State Legislative Assembly of Kerala, the Government of India will take further action, and the recommendation of the President will be obtained for the introduction of the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, for the alteration of the name of the State of Kerala to “Keralam” in Parliament.
He said the Legislative Assembly of Kerala had passed a resolution on 24th June 2024 to alter the name of the State of Kerala to Keralam.
Multitracking Projects
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved three multitracking projects covering eight districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand. The total estimated cost of the projects is nine thousand 72 crore rupees and will be completed by 2030-31.
Mr Vaishnaw said the projects are doubling the Gondia-Jabalpur railway line, adding the third and fourth lines between Punarakh and Kiul in Bihar and also the third and fourth lines between Gamharia and Chandil in Jharkhand. He said it will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 307 Kilometres.
Civil Enclave At Srinagar International Airport
The Minister said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also gave its approval for the development of the Civil Enclave at Srinagar International Airport, proposed at an estimated cost of 1,677 crore rupees.
He said it will mark a major milestone in strengthening aviation infrastructure and connectivity in the Kashmir Valley. Mr Vaishnaw said the project scope also includes the construction of barracks for security personnel. He said the project spread over 73 acres.
Extension Of North-South Corridor From GIFT City To Shahpur
The Cabinet approved the extension of the existing North-South corridor from GIFT City to Shahpur of Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
Mr Vaishnaw said it will be 3.33 kilometres long and include three elevated stations. He said the project is scheduled to be completed in approximately four years. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.1,067.35 crore.
POWERGRID
The Minister said the Cabinet approved enhanced delegation to POWERGRID from the extant guidelines on delegation of powers to Maharatna CPSEs for increasing the equity investment threshold from five thousand crore rupees per subsidiary to seven thousand 500 crore rupees per subsidiary.
He said the approval will enable POWERGRID to expand its investment in its core business and support the evacuation of renewable energy capacity, helping achieve the target of 500 Giga Watt from non-fossil-based sources.
Raw Jute MSP
Mr Vaishnaw said the Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Raw Jute for the marketing season 2026-27. He said the MSP of Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) has been fixed at five thousand 925 rupees per quintal for the 2026-27 season. The Minister said, this would ensure a return of 61.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production. He said the MSP of Raw Jute for the Marketing season 2026-27 is an increase of 275 rupees per quintal over the previous Marketing season 2025-26.
DGCA Tightens Norms For Non-Scheduled Flight Operators
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced stringent new safety mandates for non-scheduled flight operators following a high-level review meeting amid a recent rise in aviation incidents.
The regulator said safety must take precedence over commercial considerations, including charter and VIP commitments, and reaffirmed that a Pilot-in-Command’s decision on safety grounds will be final.
Under the new measures, operators must publicly disclose key safety details such as aircraft age, maintenance history and pilot experience.
The DGCA will introduce safety rankings, intensify cockpit voice recorder and data audits, and hold senior management accountable for systemic lapses.
Stricter penalties, including licence suspension and action against operator permits, have also been prescribed. The second phase of special safety audits of non-scheduled operators will begin next month after the current audit cycle concludes.
India, Israel Unequivocally Condemn All Forms Of Terrorism
India and Israel have strongly and unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. During the 10th meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi, both countries emphasised that confronting terrorism requires sustained, comprehensive and concerted action.
The Indian delegation was led by Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs, Dr Vinod Bahade.
The Israeli side was led by Nadav Eschar, Head of Bureau, Strategic Affairs Division, in Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The meeting underscored the importance of bilateral cooperation between India and Israel, as both nations reaffirmed their strong commitment to jointly combat terrorism in all its forms.
Both sides also denounced the 7 October 2023 terror attack in Israel and the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, along with other recent attacks.
In view of these attacks, the meeting stressed the urgent need to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The two countries emphasised sustained and comprehensive action against terrorism and renewed their commitment to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force.
They discussed emerging threats such as terrorist recruitment, misuse of technology, terror financing, and the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles, drones and AI for terror activities.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation through training, cybersecurity, exchange of best practices, and information sharing, as well as enhanced law enforcement and judicial coordination.
Both sides decided to hold the next meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism in Israel.
India & Gulf Cooperation Council Sign Joint Statement On India-GCC Free Trade Agreement
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council signed the Joint Statement on the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement in New Delhi. The statement was signed between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Goyal said that the Statement along with the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the FTA, which were signed on the 5th of this month, marks a significant milestone in the relationship between India and GCC countries. He underscored that the relationship between India and GCC countries is deeply rooted in shared history and cultural linkages, and it will get further impetus from a broad-based and mutually beneficial FTA. He underlined that, amidst global uncertainties, it is most opportune that discussions are starting on negotiating a robust trading arrangement which would harness mutual synergies and complementarities.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that the FTA holds significant potential to unlock and expand trade. It noted that the GCC is India’s largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade reaching over 178 billion dollars. The signing, which took place in the presence of the distinguished delegations and representatives of both parties, marked the formal launch of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement.
National Round Table Conference Of ECI & State Election Commissioners Concludes
The National Round Table Conference of the Election Commission of India and State Election Commissioners concluded in New Delhi with the unanimous adoption of the National Declaration 2026.
The declaration said the preparation of pure electoral rolls is the bedrock of democracy, and the transparent conduct of elections in an efficient manner strengthens democracy. It said, in the national and constitutional interest, the Commission suggested working out mutually acceptable mechanisms and legally viable frameworks to synergise with all State Election Commissioners across the country for all possible election processes, including the sharing of ECINET, EVMs, Electoral Rolls and the world-class Infrastructure at IIIDEM. It said ECI and SECs will work together to synergise the laws relating to the elections to the panchayats and municipal Bodies with those relating to the elections to the Parliament and State Legislatures.
The ECI also requested the SECs to come forward and participate in international engagements of the ECI and proposed to hold such a National Round Table Conference with the ECI once every year, preferably along with the international conferences being chaired by the ECI. The Poll Body said that all suggestions given by SECs in this National Round Table Conference will be studied in detail by a joint team of legal and technical officers led by concerned DECs of ECI. A state- and UT-wise way forward will be submitted to the Election Commission of India in the next three months for the best possible decision in the national interest.
The Round Table Conference was held after a gap of 27 years. The last such Conference was held in the year 1999.
India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR Begins
The 16th edition of the India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR commenced at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, which will continue till March 16, 2026
The previous edition of the exercise was held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA in November 2024.
The Indian Army contingent, represented by Special Forces units, comprises 45 personnel, while the United States will be represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces.
The aim of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is to promote military cooperation between India and the United States through enhanced interoperability, jointness and mutual exchange of special operations tactics. The exercise is designed to strengthen combined capabilities for conducting joint Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain.
The training will focus on a high degree of physical conditioning, joint mission planning and the execution of joint tactical drills. Participating troops will share best practices and operational experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and special operations tactics, techniques and procedures.
The exercise is expected to further deepen interoperability, mutual trust and professional camaraderie between the Special Forces of both nations, reinforcing the growing defence partnership between India and the United States.