India’s latest navigation satellite, NVS‑02, failed to reach its intended orbit due to a tiny electrical glitch, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) revealed this week. The satellite, launched on an LVM3 rocket, was supposed to strengthen India’s navigation system but couldn’t complete a critical orbital manoeuvre.

Investigators found that a small broken circuit in the satellite’s onboard system stopped key commands from reaching the propulsion unit. Without this, the satellite couldn’t perform the orbit‑raising burn required to reach its operational position. Though the rocket performed perfectly and delivered the satellite into space, the mission could not succeed.

ISRO described the issue as “minor but mission-critical,” highlighting how even a tiny component can decide the fate of an entire space mission. The satellite is now stuck in a lower orbit and cannot carry out its navigation functions.

The space agency stressed that lessons from the failure will be used to improve design and testing for future missions. “We are examining every step of the mission to make sure a similar problem doesn’t happen again,” an ISRO official said.

Experts noted that space missions demand extreme precision, and even the smallest anomaly can have big consequences. While the setback is disappointing, ISRO’s quick identification of the problem is seen as a sign of the agency’s growing experience and transparency in mission management.

ISRO is already working on upcoming launches and continues to refine satellite engineering, testing, and quality controls to ensure future missions succeed.

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India’s aviation sector has scored a major global achievement, with Mumbai and Mangaluru international airports winning prestigious honours at the latest Airports Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards, based entirely on passenger feedback.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai was named the Best Airport in the Asia-Pacific for departures among hubs handling over 40 million passengers a year. The award recognises its efficiency in check-in and security, easy navigation, terminal ambience and overall traveller experience, key improvements at one of India’s busiest gateways.

Officials said technology upgrades, smoother passenger movement and a strong customer-service focus helped deliver a seamless departure experience. The ASQ programme is considered the world’s leading benchmark for airport services as it relies on real-time surveys of travellers.

Mangaluru International Airport matched the success, winning an ASQ award for the second consecutive year in its passenger category in the Asia-Pacific region. The recognition reflects its better facilities, streamlined processes and consistently high satisfaction scores.

Authorities credited teamwork and ongoing upgrades for the back-to-back win, reaffirming their commitment to comfortable and safe travel.

Together, the honours highlight India’s rising global standing in airport service standards and the sector’s push towards modern, passenger-friendly infrastructure.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed 100 million followers on Instagram, becoming the first world leader to achieve the milestone. The feat highlights his strong digital connect, with his account drawing far greater engagement than other international political figures on the platform.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has presented a ₹80,952-crore budget for 2026–27, its biggest ever, with a strong focus on completing infrastructure works, improving public hospitals and making the city more prepared for heavy rains and climate challenges.

The new budget is about 9% higher than last year’s and, like previous years, does not propose any new taxes. Civic officials said the corporation’s stable finances and steady income from existing sources have allowed it to increase spending without putting extra burden on citizens.

A major portion of the money has been set aside for capital projects. This includes road construction and concretisation, bridges, stormwater drains and other transport-related works. The idea is to speed up ongoing projects, reduce waterlogging during the monsoon and make daily travel smoother for Mumbaikars.

Healthcare is another key area. The civic body plans to upgrade its hospitals, add modern medical equipment and expand services so that more people can access affordable treatment closer to home. Funds have also been earmarked to strengthen public health systems and improve facilities in major civic hospitals.

In education, the BMC has promised better infrastructure in municipal schools, along with digital classrooms and new learning tools. The aim is to attract more students to civic schools and improve the overall quality of education.

The budget also reflects a growing emphasis on climate resilience. Several projects linked to sewage treatment, solid waste management, flood prevention, renewable energy and protection of coastal areas have been given priority. These steps are meant to help Mumbai cope with extreme rainfall and rising temperatures.

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A 65-year-old tourist from Bhopal was killed and two of his family members were injured after a speeding SUV rammed their car in North Goa, police said. The accident took place at the busy Happy Bar junction in Assagao, a narrow stretch that often sees heavy traffic.

The victim, Bhagatram Sharma, was travelling with his family in a Hyundai i20 when a Mahindra Thar hit the vehicle from behind with great force. The impact badly damaged the car and left Sharma critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead. Two other occupants of the car suffered minor injuries and are recovering. An infant who was also in the vehicle escaped unharmed.

According to the police, the Thar was allegedly being driven by a Delhi-based BBA student. A case of rash and negligent driving causing death has been registered. The SUV has been seized and all the occupants are being questioned.

Investigators are trying to establish who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash. Local residents who gathered at the spot claimed that the people inside the SUV attempted to change seats immediately after the accident. Police said they are verifying these claims using CCTV footage, videos recorded by bystanders and forensic evidence.

Preliminary findings suggest the SUV was moving at high speed when it hit the car. The vehicle was reportedly rented and had several passengers.

The incident has once again raised concerns about reckless driving in Goa, especially in areas that are popular with tourists but have narrow roads and sharp turns.

Sharma had travelled to Goa with his family for a holiday. His body will be taken back to Bhopal for the last rites.

Police said further action will depend on the outcome of the investigation and the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.

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The Supreme Court of India has raised serious concerns about a section in the new Class 8 Social Science textbook from NCERT that discusses “corruption in the judiciary.” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said such content should not be taught to young students, stressing that the judiciary as an institution must be respected.

The chapter, part of a unit on the role of the judiciary, described issues like case backlogs, shortage of judges, and instances of corruption in courts. While intended to explain challenges faced by the legal system, the Supreme Court felt the content went too far and could create a negative impression of the judiciary among students.

During a hearing on February 25, 2026, the CJI said he was “disturbed” by the material and noted that several judges had expressed concern. He emphasized that the court “will not allow anyone to defame the institution,” and the matter was taken seriously at the highest level. Senior lawyers also weighed in, saying that highlighting only judicial corruption, without mentioning challenges in other branches of government, could be misleading for students.

In response, government sources confirmed that the controversial portions would be removed from the textbook before the start of the 2026–27 academic year. NCERT acknowledged the issue and said the chapter would be revised, noting there was no intention to undermine any constitutional institution.

The controversy has sparked wider debate on how schools should present sensitive topics about democratic institutions. While it is important for students to understand real-world challenges, experts say textbooks must strike a balance so young learners can learn without forming a distorted view of vital national institutions.

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Veer Soren, the 19-year-old grandson of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren, passed away unexpectedly on February 24, 2026, while on a vacation in Simsa near Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The sudden loss has left his family and friends in shock, as the circumstances around his death remain unclear.

Veer had traveled to Manali with five friends from Panipat, enjoying the scenic beauty of Solang Valley, Sethan, and Hamta Pass. Friends said he had complained of a severe headache the previous day, but no one anticipated how serious it would become. On the afternoon of February 24, he was found unresponsive in his room. Despite rushed efforts by doctors at Civil Hospital Manali, including CPR, Veer could not be revived.

Local authorities noted that Veer showed no visible injuries and there were no signs of foul play. However, his family chose not to have a post-mortem examination, and the body was released to them for transportation. Authorities mentioned that high-altitude sickness could be a possible factor, as the condition can be dangerous even for young and healthy individuals when the body struggles to adjust to mountainous environments.

The tragedy has deeply affected both the Soren family and the wider community. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expressed profound grief, offering condolences and prayers for strength to the bereaved family. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also conveyed sympathies, calling it a painful loss for all involved.

Veer’s sudden passing is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, even during moments of leisure and adventure. Authorities continue to look into the circumstances surrounding his death, though for now, the focus remains on supporting his grieving family as they mourn a young life cut tragically short.

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India is taking a major step in women’s health with a nationwide programme offering free HPV vaccinations to 14-year-old girls. Scheduled to begin later this month, the initiative aims to protect adolescents from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the country.

The programme provides a single dose of the Gardasil vaccine, which protects against four HPV strains, including types 16 and 18, responsible for most cervical cancer cases, as well as types 6 and 11. Vaccinations will be available at government health centres, hospitals, and medical colleges, and participation is completely voluntary. Families can also book slots through the U-WIN digital portal, simplifying access and registration.

Health experts say vaccinating girls at this age ensures protection well before potential exposure to the virus, significantly lowering future risk. The government plans to reach as many eligible girls as possible through an initial 90-day high-intensity drive. Vaccine doses have already been distributed to all states and Union Territories with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Officials emphasise that the programme is safe, with trained medical officers supervising each session and systems in place to handle rare side effects. By adding HPV vaccination to the national immunisation schedule, India joins over 160 countries taking proactive measures against cervical cancer.

This initiative represents a major stride in safeguarding adolescent girls’ health and reflects India’s commitment to global public health goals, giving families a simple yet powerful tool to protect the next generation.

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Nvidia is set to introduce a new line of artificial-intelligence-ready laptop processors in the first half of 2026, in a move that will take the company beyond its core graphics chip business and into the mainstream PC CPU market.

The upcoming chips are expected to use Arm architecture and will combine central processing and graphics capabilities in a single system-on-chip. This approach is designed to deliver strong performance with better power efficiency, which is crucial for slim and portable laptops.

A key focus of the new platform will be running AI applications directly on the device. This will allow features such as live language translation, AI assistants, image and video creation, and intelligent productivity tools to work faster and more smoothly without relying heavily on cloud services. Local processing also improves privacy and reduces response time.

With this launch, Nvidia will compete more directly with established laptop processor makers Intel and AMD. The timing aligns with the tech industry’s push toward “AI PCs,” where computers are built to handle artificial-intelligence tasks natively.

Although the company has not confirmed an exact release date, the first laptops powered by these processors are likely to arrive in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for faster, more efficient and AI-capable personal computers.

The new chips are also expected to leverage Nvidia’s strong AI software ecosystem, which is already widely used for machine learning and high-performance computing. This could help laptop brands quickly add advanced AI features to their devices.

For Nvidia, the move marks a major strategic shift toward becoming a full computing platform provider rather than only a GPU manufacturer. For the PC market, it introduces a powerful new competitor with deep expertise in AI hardware and software.

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A powerful winter storm has caused widespread disruption across the northeastern United States, forcing the cancellation of more than 11,000 flights and leaving over 500,000 homes and businesses without electricity.

The storm brought heavy snowfall, strong winds and freezing temperatures to major cities such as New York City and Boston, making travel dangerous and slowing down daily life. Airports were among the worst hit, with thousands of passengers stranded as airlines struggled to restart operations after weather conditions led to mass cancellations and long delays.

Road and rail transport were also affected as thick snow and ice covered highways and tracks. Authorities issued travel advisories in several states, urging people to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Many schools and government offices were shut as a safety measure.

Power supply was badly impacted when snow and ice damaged power lines and brought down trees. Utility companies sent emergency repair teams to restore electricity, but officials said it could take time in areas that were hit the hardest. In the meantime, residents were asked to conserve power wherever possible.

With temperatures dropping sharply, local administrations opened warming centres and emergency shelters for people in need, especially the elderly and those without heating. Weather agencies warned that strong winds and extremely low wind-chill levels could make outdoor conditions dangerous.

Although the snowfall has started to ease in some places, flight operations are expected to take several days to return to normal because of the backlog. Transport authorities are working to clear snow from runways, roads and railway lines to restore services.

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