Many top voices in Congress found recent Youth Wing’s protests in the AI summit as ‘distasteful’?
Youth Congress workers disrupted the India AI Impact Summit on February 19, 2026, by going shirtless in Hall 5 at Bharat Mandapam, chanting “PM compromised” against the India-US trade deal while waving T-shirts with Modi-Trump images. Police detained 4-10 protesters, calling it a planned stunt with concealed objectionable attire. BJP leaders like Amit Malviya, Sambit Patra, Piyush Goyal, and Shivraj Chouhan condemned it as “national shame” and anti-India sabotage. Congress defended the action as voicing youth anger, with no public criticism from top leaders like Rahul Gandhi or Mallikarjun Kharge; reports show party justification rather than disapproval. No verified insider news confirms top Congress figures found the manner distasteful.
BJP likely to drop 30 per cent sitting MLAs in Assam
In Assam, political parties have started searching for the winning candidates and taking feedback about sitting MLAs. Sources said that the BJP may not allot tickets to 25-30 per cent sitting MLAs. The sources further said that some new inductees from congress may be obliged this time.
BUREAUCRACY
Five senior Supreme Court judges are due to retire in 2026
At least five Supreme Court Judges are due to retire in 2026. Accordingly, Justice Rajesh Bindal will be retiring on April 15 while Justice Pankaj Mithal is due to retire on June 16 and Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari is going to retire on June 28. Besides, Justice Sanjay Karol will be retiring on August 22, 2026 and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma is scheduled to retire on November 29, 2026.
MEA on alert as uncertainties rise post US Supreme Court Striking Down Trump Tariffs & New 10% Levy being Announced?
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20, 2026, that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by imposing sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs, invalidating duties on global imports including those affecting India. In response, Trump immediately announced a new executive order for a 10% “global tariff” on top of surviving Section 232 and 301 levies, invoking Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act for a temporary 150-day measure pending Congress. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is in full alert mode, closely monitoring these developments amid ongoing bilateral trade talks. Prior MEA statements emphasized vigilance on US tariff threats to protect India’s $500B+ exports, energy security, and negotiations for a balanced deal, with no specific February 21 comment yet but heightened bureaucratic readiness confirmed via sources. This escalation risks higher costs for Indian exporters in textiles, pharma, and IT hardware, prompting Delhi to prepare retaliatory options and diversify markets.
Anand Khare to be next DG, Telecom
Anand Khare has been appointed new DG, Telecom. According to the order issued by the DoT, his promotion order shall be effective from March 1, 2026. He is an ITS officer.
(We said this on Feb 6, 2026)
Satyan Kumar selected as Director (S&CA), ONGC
Satyan Kumar, Executive Director Chief Executive Officer- ONGC Green Limited, has been selected for the post of Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) at a Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) meeting held on February 20, 2026. As many as 12 candidates were interviewed for the same.
Post of Manish Raj Gupta re-designated as Director (Mining), SAIL
The post of Manish Raj Gupta as Director (Technical, Projects & Raw Materials), SAIL, has been re-designated as Director (Mining), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). He was appointed Director (Technical, Projects & Raw Materials), SAIL on January 14, 2026.
India-US AI to sign 2 MoUs on Silicon Manufacturing at sidelines of AI Impact Summit
India is set to deepen strategic tech ties with the United States by signing two new MoUs on artificial intelligence and advanced silicon manufacturing on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, positioning itself as a core partner in Washington’s emerging Pax Silica architecture for secure AI and semiconductor supply chains. The agreements, to be fronted by Union IT and Electronics Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will build on India’s entry into the US‑led Pax Silica framework unveiled at the summit, tying New Delhi more closely into American-led networks for chips, critical minerals and AI infrastructure.
For Washington, bringing India into this “Pax America” tech compact strengthens efforts to derisk supply chains away from strategic rivals; for New Delhi, it signals intent to move from being a large digital market to a full-stack silicon and AI power.
No Joint Secretary level empanelment of 2010 batch from Uttarakhand
No Joint Secretary level empanelment belonging to 2010 batch IAS officers has been made from Uttarakhand cadre.
Tax Collection Model Evolution Foe Average Earners
Whispers predict a move to near-zero income tax for average earners, offset by transaction taxes, aligning with Budget 2026’s reforms.
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