{"id":67248,"date":"2026-02-21T18:48:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:18:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=67248"},"modified":"2026-02-21T18:55:30","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T13:25:30","slug":"news-in-short-21-02-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-02-2026\/news-in-short-21-02-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 21-02-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament criticised the government for implementation of the <strong>Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) scheme.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The panel was examining a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report that highlighted significant delays and shortfalls in both financial and physical progress under the scheme.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>SANKALP Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a flagship programme of the <strong>Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was launched in <strong>2018<\/strong>, SANKALP was originally scheduled for completion by <strong>2023 but was later extended to 2024.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was designed to strengthen <strong>short\u2011term skill training<\/strong> through better institutional frameworks, enhanced industry linkages, and targeted inclusion of marginalised communities.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding:<\/strong> The scheme was slated to be financed through a World Bank loan of \u20b93,300 crore, State leverage of \u20b9660 crore, and industry leverage of \u20b9495 crore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/pac-pulls-up-govt-for-poorly-planned-implementation-of-4455%E2%80%90crore-sankalp-scheme\/article70657077.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Vice President of India, stated that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has moved from being a peripheral activity to becoming central to national progress, at the National CSR Summit 2026 in New Delhi.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Is Corporate Social Responsibility?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business\u00a0 operations and interactions with their stakeholders.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Types of Corporate Social Responsibility:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Environmental responsibility:<\/strong> Sustainability, climate action, waste management, and conservation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ethical responsibility: <\/strong>Fair business practices, transparency, and governance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Philanthropic responsibility: <\/strong>Donations, education, healthcare, and community welfare.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic responsibility:<\/strong> Long-term value creation while supporting social objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CSR Applicability in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The CSR in India is<strong> statutory obligation<\/strong> and is governed by <strong>Section 135<\/strong> of the <strong>Companies Act, 2013.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It encourages companies to spend<strong> 2%<\/strong> of their average net profit in the previous three years on CSR activities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The provisions of CSR applies to every <strong>company fulfilling <\/strong>any of the following conditions in the preceding financial year:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Net worth of more than <strong>Rs.500 crore<\/strong>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Turnover of more than <strong>Rs.1000 crore,<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Net profit of more than <strong>Rs.5 crore.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/vice-president-c-p-radhakrishnan-says-csr-is-central-to-national-progress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump lacked authority under the<strong> International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 <\/strong>to impose broad import tariffs, citing limits on presidential power over taxation and the &#8220;major questions&#8221; doctrine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enacted in 1977, IEEPA empowers the President to address &#8220;unusual and extraordinary&#8221; foreign threats to national security, foreign policy, or the economy after declaring a national emergency.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has been used historically for sanctions, asset freezes, and blocking transactions, but the Court held it does not extend to unilateral tariffs, which encroach on Congress&#8217;s constitutional taxing authority.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In response, the President invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to proclaim a new 10% temporary tariff on goods from all countries, effective immediately, as a balance-of-payments measure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India assumed the chairmanship of the <strong>Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from Thailand.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a<strong> voluntary naval forum<\/strong> launched by the <strong>Indian Navy in 2008<\/strong> to boost maritime cooperation among littoral states of the <strong>Indian Ocean Region (IOR).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>IONS promotes <strong>mutual understanding<\/strong> among navies through biennial conclaves of chiefs, working groups, and activities like workshops and exercises.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Key focus areas include maritime security (anti-piracy), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and capacity building to address regional threats collaboratively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It features a rotating chairmanship (India held it multiple times) and divides 25 member states into four sub-regions: South Asian (e.g., India, Bangladesh, Maldives), West Asian, Southeast Asian\/Australian, and East African. Nine observers participate; no fixed headquarters exists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Smooth-Coated Otters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Species in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Uttarakhand Forest Department recently confirmed the presence of <strong>smooth-coated otters<\/strong> in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, signaling a healthy freshwater ecosystem as these animals serve as key bio-indicators.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>\u200bAbout Smooth-Coated Otters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Smooth-coated otters (Lutrogale perspicillata)<\/strong> thrive only in pristine rivers and wetlands with abundant fish and minimal pollution.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In India, the populations are mostly located in protected areas like <strong>Corbett, Kaziranga, and southern reserves.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are <strong>classified as vulnerable by IUCN<\/strong> and under Schedule I of India&#8217;s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The species faces threats from habitat loss, pollution, and human-wildlife conflict.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bela Gram Emerge as First Net-zero Village<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Recently, Bela Gram has become India\u2019s first net-zero panchayat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Do you know<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Net zero<\/strong> means reducing carbon emissions to a minimal level that can be absorbed by nature or other removal methods, leaving no excess in the atmosphere.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Achieving net zero requires a major transformation in production, consumption, and transportation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The energy sector, responsible for about three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions, is crucial; switching from coal, gas, and oil to renewable energy like wind and solar can significantly cut emissions and help combat climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bela Gram<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is situated in the Bhandara district of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was recognized as<strong> India\u2019s first net-zero panchayat during Mumbai Climate Week 2026<\/strong> for its sustainable and carbon-neutral initiatives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The panchayat leadership plays a vital role in shaping localised climate action and combating climate change.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It planted over 90,000 trees, transitioned from smoky chulhas to LPG.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u00a0 installed solar panels, promoted waste segregation, and eliminated single-use plastics.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It received the 2024<strong> Rashtriya Panchayat Puraskar.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other panchayat-led climate initiatives across India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Perinjanam, Kerala <\/strong>\u2013 \u201cSolar Gramam\u201d project: 850 households became rooftop solar prosumers, reducing bills by 80% and lowering emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Siyari, Jharkhand <\/strong>\u2013 Water conservation, revived lakes, solar irrigation, streetlights, and plantation of thousands of fruit and shade trees using District Mineral Fund support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Badakichab, Odisha <\/strong>\u2013 Indigenous women mapped commons and planted over 16,000 trees on 10 hectares of unused land, restoring forests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Garhi, Bihar <\/strong>\u2013 Built 45 mud check dams, 90 boulder dams, and ponds to tackle water scarcity, flash floods, and soil erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kolar, Karnataka <\/strong>\u2013 Revived lakes and groundwater, reduced chemical fertilizer use, and implemented climate-resilient agriculture practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/maharashtra\/mumbai-climate-week-2026-bela-gram-emerges-as-maharashtras-first-net-zero-village-through-panchayat-leadership\/article70652931.ece#:~:text=Bela%20Gram%20in%20the%20Bhandara,action%20and%20combating%20climate%20change\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Red Sanders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The busy Tirupati pilgrimage route has made Red Sanders smuggling easier in southern Andhra Pradesh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Endemic Species: <\/strong>Found only in three districts of southern Andhra Pradesh \u2014 Chittoor, Nellore, and YSR Kadapa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Largest Reserve: <\/strong>Located in the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, part of the Eastern Ghats, covering about 4,755 sq km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Growth: <\/strong>A slow-growing species that takes 25\u201340 years to reach maturity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conservation Status:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Included under CITES, which strictly regulates international trade.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do you know<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Red Sanders gained global attention in the 1960s when Japanese instrument makers discovered its exceptional tonal quality for crafting the shamisen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/forests\/busy-tirupati-pilgrimage-route-makes-red-sanders-smuggling-easy-in-south-andhra-pradesh\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament criticised the government for implementation of the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) scheme. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> SANKALP Scheme <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It was launched in 2018, SANKALP was originally scheduled for completion by 2023 but was later extended to 2024.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It was designed to strengthen short\u2011term skill training through better institutional frameworks, enhanced industry linkages, and targeted inclusion of marginalised communities.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-02-2026\/news-in-short-21-02-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67248"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67254,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67248\/revisions\/67254"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}