Daily Current Affairs – 24-02-2026

Tamil Nadu News

You said: 46 Investment Projects Approved: Tamil Nadu Cabinet Gives Nod Tamil Content: 46 முதலீட்டுத் திட்டங்களுக்கு ஊக்கச் சலுகை: தமிழக அமைச்சரவை ஒப்புதல் சென்னை, பிப். 23: தமிழகத்தில் புதிதாக அமையவுள்ள 46 முதலீட்டுத் திட்டங்களுக்கு ஊக்கச் சலுகை அளிக்க தமிழக அமைச்சரவை ஒப்புதல் அளித்துள்ளது. முதலவர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் தலைமையில் அமைச்சரவைக் கூட்டம் தலைமைச் செயலகத்தில் திங்கட்கிழமை நடைபெற்றது. அப்போது, பல் வேறு முக்கிய விஷயங்கள் குறித்து விவாதிக்கப்பட்டன. தொடர்ந்து செய்தியாளர்களைச் சந்தித்த தொழில் துறை அமைச்சர் டி.ஆர்.பி.ராஜா, கூட்டத்தில் எடுக்கப் பட்ட முடிவுகள் குறித்து கூறியதாவது: தமிழ்நாட்டில் புதிதாக நிறுவப் படவுள்ள 46 முதலீட்டுத் திட்டங்களுக்கு ஊக்கச் சலுகைகள் வழங்க தமிழக அமைச்சரவை கூட்டத்தில் ஒப்புதல் அளிக்கப்பட்டது. இத்திட்டங்கள் மூலம் ₹31,592.39 கோடி முதலீடு செய்யப்படவுள்ளன. மேலும், இதன் மூலம் 61,521 பேருக்கு வேலை வாய்ப்புகள் கிடைக்கவும் வாய்ப்புள் ளது. இத்திட்டங்கள் சென்னை, செங்கல்பட்டு, காஞ்சிபுரம், திருவள்ளூர், விழுப்புரம், திருவண்ணாமலை, கிருஷ்ணகிரி, நாமக்கல், பெரியார், தேனி, திண்டுக்கல், கரூர், திருப்பூர், சேலம், கோவை, தூத்துக்குடி உள்ளிட்ட மாவட்டங்களில் அமைக்கப்படவுள்ளன. பயிற்சி விமான உபகரணங்கள் பராமரிப்பு, பல்வகை செயல்பாடுகளுக்கான செமிகண்டக்டர் உற்பத்தி, மின்னணுவியல் சாதனங்கள் உற்பத்தி, புதுப்பிக்கத்தக்க எரிசக்தி மின்கலன் சேமிப்பு அமைப்பு தொகுத்தல், கலசவாணங்கள் உற்பத்தி, மின்னாற்றல் கருவிகள் உற்பத்தி, தொழில் துறை தானியக்க சாதனங்கள் உற்பத்தி என பல்வேறு முக்கிய முதலீடுகளுக்கு அமைச்சரவைக் கூட்டத்தில் ஒப்புதல் அளிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது என்றார். English Translation: 46 Investment Projects Approved: Tamil Nadu Cabinet Gives Nod Chennai, Feb. 23: The Tamil Nadu Cabinet has approved incentives for 46 new investment projects to be set up in the state. The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, was held at the Secretariat on Monday. Various important issues were discussed during the meeting. Later, Minister for Industries T.R.B. Raaja, addressing reporters, stated that the Tamil Nadu Cabinet meeting approved incentives for 46 new investment projects to be established in the state. These projects are expected to bring in investments worth ₹31,592.39 crore. Additionally, these projects are likely to create 61,521 job opportunities. These projects will be set up in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Periyar, Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruppur, Salem, Coimbatore, Thoothukudi, and other districts. The Minister also mentioned that the Cabinet has approved various key investments including training aircraft equipment maintenance, multi-functional semiconductor manufacturing, electronic device manufacturing, renewable energy battery storage system assembly, glassware manufacturing, power equipment manufacturing, and industrial automation device manufacturing. “Convert the following news article into a TNPSC-focused current-affairs passage. Write the output in two passages — one in English and one in Tamil, each with a short factual title. Both passages should be written as single continuous paragraphs, NOT in points or sections. Include only the information relevant for TNPSC exams (Group 1, Group 2, Group 4, VAO). Remove all speeches, quotes, opinions, descriptions, emotional lines and keep only factual details such as names, designations, books, events, places, roles, and dates that are important for exams. Highlight important exam-worthy facts in bold (such as important personalities, books, positions, places, committees, acts, schemes, years). Keep the language simple, factual, and suitable for TNPSC Current Affairs. Do not add any new information that is not present in the original news.” ChatGPT said: Tamil Nadu Cabinet Approves 46 Investment Projects

• On February 23, the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister M.K.
• Stalin, approved incentives for 46 new investment projects in the state.
• The projects will attract a total investment of ₹31,592.39 crore and are expected to generate 61,521 employment opportunities.
• These projects will be established across districts including Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Periyar, Theni, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruppur, Salem, Coimbatore, and Thoothukudi.
• The approved sectors include training aircraft equipment maintenance, semiconductor manufacturing, electronic device manufacturing, renewable energy battery storage system assembly, glassware manufacturing, power equipment manufacturing, and industrial automation device manufacturing.
• The announcement was made by Industries Minister T.R.B.
• Raaja following the Cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat in Chennai.

National News

National Anti-Terrorism Policy and Strategy (NATP)

• Central Government released India’s first anti-terrorism policy titled the National Anti-Terrorism Policy and Strategy (NATP) through the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.
• The policy criminalizes all terrorist activities and provides a framework to counter terrorism at the central, state, and district levels through coordinated agencies.
• It addresses threats to national security and strengthens security measures across India.
• The policy operates in accordance with Indian laws and includes provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
• It also adopts a comprehensive social approach to address terrorism and extends support to persons affected by terrorist activities.

Economy News

RBI Restrictions on Mis-selling of Insurance

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held consultations with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Board following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27 on February 1 in New Delhi.
• During the meeting, concerns were raised regarding banks coercively selling insurance and other financial services to customers by providing incorrect information.
• It was stated that such practices create regulatory issues between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• To address this issue, the RBI imposed strict controls on February 11 and released draft rules inviting public comments until March 4, with the new regulations set to come into effect from July 1 of the financial year.
• In the recent RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the repo rate was kept unchanged at 5.25%.
• India was also noted as one of the largest importers of gold globally, with the Central Government and the RBI monitoring global developments related to gold imports.

International News

Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 Countries

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with representatives from 64 countries.
• These groups consist of elected Members of Parliament from the Lok Sabha and aim to strengthen bilateral relations and promote mutual understanding between India and various nations including Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Israel, the United States, Italy, and several African countries.
• A friendship group headed by Shashi Tharoor will include 11 Members of Parliament.
• Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad will head the friendship group for Israel, while Mayukesh Panda will lead the group for the United States.
• Senior Congress leaders N.T.
• Disambaram and Manichand Agniyuram will respectively head the friendship groups for Italy and Japan.

Sports News

Rio Open 2026 – Tomas Etcheverry Wins First ATP Title

• At the Rio Open men’s tennis tournament held in Brazil, Argentina’s Tomas Etcheverry won the singles title.
• In the final, the 8th-seeded player defeated Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo with a score of 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4, securing his first ATP title.
• Etcheverry had previously reached the finals of three ATP Tour tournaments but had finished as runner-up.
• In the doubles category of the same tournament, the Brazilian pair Marcelo Melo and Juan S.
• Ponce de Leon defeated the Netherlands pair Robin Haase and Constantin Stebe with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 10-8 to win the title.

25th Winter Olympics 2026 – Norway Tops Medal Tally

• The 25th Winter Olympics concluded on February 23 after being held for 16 days from February 6 in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina.
• A total of 2,871 athletes from 92 countries, including 1,533 men and 1,338 women, participated in 116 events across 8 sports.
• In the final medal tally, Norway secured first place with 41 medals (18 gold, 12 silver, 11 bronze), followed by the United States with 33 medals (12 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze) and the Netherlands with 20 medals (10 gold, 7 silver, 3 bronze).
• Host nation Italy finished fourth with 30 medals (10 gold, 6 silver, 14 bronze).
• A total of 29 countries featured in the medal table.
• India participated in two events.
• Sierra Kordun Koboltred of the United States won 6 gold medals, setting a record for the most gold medals won in a single Winter Olympics.
• The closing ceremony was held in Verona, Italy, and the next Winter Olympics 2030 will be hosted by France.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Netherlands – Rob Jetten Sworn in as Prime Minister

• Rob Jetten was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
• At the age of 38, he became the youngest Prime Minister in the history of the Netherlands.
• The oath of office was administered by King Willem-Alexander at the royal palace to the new cabinet led by Rob Jetten.
• The new government is a minority coalition government, formed after 117 days of negotiations following the elections.
• In the 150-member Dutch Parliament, the coalition holds 66 seats, requiring support from opposition parties to pass legislation.

Cargo Handling Capacity of Indian Ports to Reach 1,000 Crore Tonnes by 2030

• On February 23, at V.O.
• Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹1,500 crore.
• He stated that by 2030, the cargo handling capacity of Indian ports will increase to 1,000 crore tonnes.
• At present, Thoothukudi Port has a capacity of 35.97 million tonnes, which will be expanded through 18 additional projects.
• Under the Sagarmala Scheme and Amrit Bharat Scheme, works for port-rail connectivity are being implemented.
• The Central Government is executing 111 projects in Tamil Nadu at a cost of ₹12,600 crore, and outer harbour development projects worth ₹15,000 crore are planned.
• A shipbuilding yard project worth ₹30,000 crore is also proposed in Thoothukudi.
• The port is set to become India’s first Green Port, with wind energy projects planned, aligning with India’s target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• Development initiatives are being carried out under Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Maritime Business Development Plan 2047.
• During the event, a V.O.C.
• Maritime Heritage Museum and an AI-enabled Port Virtual Model Centre were inaugurated.

Tamil Nadu Electoral Rolls 2026 – 5.67 Crore Voters after SIR

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) published the final electoral rolls of Tamil Nadu after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, showing that the State has over 5.67 crore electors.
• The electorate includes 2,89,60,838 women, 2,77,38,925 men, and 7,617 third-gender electors.
• Since the publication of the draft rolls in December, 27.53 lakh eligible electors were added and 4.23 lakh ineligible electors were deleted, resulting in a net increase of about 24 lakh voters.
• The rolls had earlier been frozen in October with 6.41 crore electors, and the draft rolls published in December showed 5.43 crore voters.
• During the claims and objections period, 27,85,195 Form 6 applications were submitted, of which 27,53,796 were accepted, while 4,38,425 forms were filed for objections and deletions, and 4,23,172 were accepted.

BAFTA Awards 2026 – “One Battle After Another” Wins Best Film

• At the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at the Royal Festival Hall, London, the film “One Battle After Another”, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, won six awards, including Best Film.
• The film also received awards for Direction, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Sean Penn.
• The films “Sinners” and “Frankenstein” won three awards each, while “Hamnet” won two awards, including Best British Film.
• Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award for her role in “Hamnet”, becoming the first Irish performer to receive this award.
• Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress for “Sinners”.
• Robert Aramayo won the Best Actor award for his performance in “I Swear” and also received the Rising Star Award, which is decided by public vote.
• The award for Best Film Not in English went to “Sentimental Value”, and the Best Documentary award was given to “Mr.
• Nobody Against Putin”.
• Donna Langley, Chairwoman of NBC Universal Entertainment, was honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship, the Academy’s highest honour.

Bust of C. Rajagopalachari Unveiled at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• On Monday in New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a bust of Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Vice President C.P.
• Radhakrishnan and other ministers.
• Rajaji was the only Indian Governor-General of independent India.
• The bust has been installed at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap, opposite the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, replacing the bust of Edwin Lutyens, the architect of the building.
• Rajaji had served at Government House, now known as Rashtrapati Bhavan, during the Dominion period.
• The President also noted that the gallery named Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan displays portraits of Param Vir Chakra awardees, and that Granth Kutir has been established there to preserve manuscripts and classical language texts of India.

RBI Monitoring IDFC First and AU Small Finance Bank Issue

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that it is monitoring developments related to IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank, and clarified that there is no systemic concern.
• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra made this statement after the RBI Central Board meeting.
• The issue arose after IDFC First Bank disclosed a ₹590 crore fraud involving certain employees at its Chandigarh branch linked to Haryana government accounts, while AU Small Finance Bank reported ₹47 crore fraudulent transactions in a government account.
• Following this, the Haryana Government, led by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, de-empanelled both banks.
• As of February 17, 2026, AU Small Finance Bank held ₹735 crore in deposits from Haryana government departments, which reduced to ₹538 crore by February 21, 2026 after de-empanelment.

Natarajan Chandrasekaran to Get Third Term as Tata Sons Chairman

• Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran is set to receive a third five-year term from the company’s board, with his tenure expected to continue until February 2032, when he will be 70 years old.
• The reappointment will be placed before shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) convened by Tata Sons.
• The largest shareholder, Tata Trusts, had earlier expressed support for his continued leadership in October.
• Chandrasekaran will complete his second five-year term next year at the age of 65, which is the typical retirement age for top executives at Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata Group.

Amazon Opens Second-Largest Asia Office in Bengaluru

• On February 23, Amazon inaugurated its second-largest office in Asia in Bengaluru.
• The new campus spans 1.1 million square feet across 12 floors and is located on a five-acre site about 15 km from Kempegowda International Airport.
• The facility will support over 7,000 employees working in e-commerce, operations, payments, technology, and seller services.
• The office was officially opened by Dr M.B.
• Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, Government of Karnataka.
• Amazon has invested over $40 billion in India so far and has committed an additional $35 billion investment by 2030 as part of its continued expansion in the country.

National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 – ₹10 Lakh Crore Target (FY26–FY30)

• The Central Government has launched the second phase of the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 2.0), setting an asset monetisation target of ₹10 lakh crore for the period from FY26 to FY30, as announced in the Union Budget FY26.
• For FY26, the government has set a monetisation target of ₹2 lakh crore.
• Under NMP 2.0, 12 sectors have been identified, with highways, multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs), and ropeways accounting for ₹4.42 lakh crore (26%), followed by the power sector with ₹2.76 lakh crore (17%), and railways (₹2.62 lakh crore) and ports (₹2.63 lakh crore) contributing about 16% each.
• Coal assets are expected to generate ₹2.16 lakh crore, and mines about ₹1 lakh crore over five years.
• Other sectors include civil aviation, petroleum and natural gas, warehousing and storage, urban real estate, telecom, and tourism.
• The broader Total Monetisation Value (TMV) projected for the period is ₹16.72 lakh crore, including proceeds to the Consolidated Fund of India, state consolidated funds, public sector undertakings, port authorities, and private investment through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.