{"id":67377,"date":"2026-02-23T19:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:36:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=67377"},"modified":"2026-02-23T19:10:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T13:40:22","slug":"news-in-short-23-02-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-02-2026\/news-in-short-23-02-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 23-02-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Unearthing the Silent Splendour of Hoysalas<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/History<\/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>In the rural parts of Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru in Karnataka, overlooked <strong>Hoysala-era temples<\/strong> reveal a thriving medieval kingdom\u2019s sculptural mastery.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These were built between the 11th and 13th centuries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Temple architecture style: <\/strong>The Hoysala temples are constructed in<strong> Vesara style<\/strong> of architecture.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The temple has a\u00a0 Dravidian morphology along with substantial influences from the<strong> Bhumija style <\/strong>prevalent in Central India,<strong> and the Nagara traditions<\/strong> of northern and western India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The material used <\/strong>in temple construction is choloritic schist also known as <strong>soapstone.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The temple has a distinct style following a <strong>stellate plan<\/strong> built on a raised platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Hoysala Empire<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Hoysala Empire was a Kannadiga power that ruled most of what is now Karnataka, between the <strong>10th and the 14th centuries.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Hoysala rulers were originally from <strong>Malenadu, <\/strong>an elevated region in the Western Ghats.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By the 13th century, they governed most of Karnataka, entire northwestern parts of Tamil Nadu and parts of western Andhra Pradesh in the Deccan Plateau.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The capital of the Hoysalas was initially located at <strong>Belur,<\/strong> but was later moved to<strong> Halebidu.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bcd1ba\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bcd1ba;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"203\" height=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-124.png\" alt=\"hoysala empire\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-67379\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/photos\/in-frames-unearthing-the-silent-splendour-of-hoysalas\/article70662399.ece#:~:text=In%20the%20rural%20parts%20of,imagination%20continues%20to%20whisper%20through\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India&#8217;s Indigenous Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health<\/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 Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare launched the indigenously manufactured<strong> Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) Vaccine <\/strong>at the Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the Td Vaccine?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Td vaccine protects <\/strong>against <strong>tetanus and diphtheria,<\/strong> two potentially fatal <strong>bacterial <\/strong>diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It replaces the earlier <strong>Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine<\/strong>, expanding protection to include <strong>diphtheria.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2006, the<strong> World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong> recommended that countries transition from Tetanus Toxoid (TT) vaccine to Td vaccine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s <strong>National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) <\/strong>also advised this shift for all age groups.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\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>Tetanus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tetanus is a<strong> non-contagious infection <\/strong>that <strong>affects the nervous system,<\/strong> leading to painful muscle stiffness and spasms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cause: <\/strong>It is caused by the<strong> bacterium Clostridium tetani<\/strong>, which is commonly found in soil, dust, and animal manure.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transmission:<\/strong> The bacteria typically enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a deep cut, puncture wound (like stepping on a rusty nail), or burn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diphtheria<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Diphtheria is a <strong>highly contagious infection<\/strong> that primarily <strong>affects the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The toxin released by the bacteria can travel through the bloodstream and damage the heart (myocarditis), kidneys, and nerves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cause: <\/strong>It is caused by <strong>Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Transmission: <\/strong>It spreads from person to person <strong>through respiratory droplets <\/strong>(coughing or sneezing) or by touching contaminated objects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231147&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Polity and 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>On February 5 2026, the Union Government signed a <strong>tripartite agreement<\/strong> with the Government of Nagaland and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples\u2019 Organisation (ENPO) to create the <strong>Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The ENPO had demanded a separate State,<strong>\u201cFrontier Nagaland\u201d,<\/strong> since <strong>2010.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The demand stems from <strong>colonial-era policies <\/strong>that treated the<strong> eastern hills as a minimally administered frontier.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After <strong>Nagaland was carved out of Assam as a State in 1963,<\/strong> eastern tribes felt politically and economically marginalised compared to western Nagaland.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The eight tribes inhabiting the region argued that development gaps widened due to <strong>limited infrastructure, poor connectivity, and weaker political representation.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features of the FNTA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The FNTA grants <strong>semi-autonomous governance<\/strong> to <strong>six eastern districts<\/strong> of Nagaland, allowing local administration to function with reduced dependence on the State capital.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Districts Covered Under FNTA:<\/strong> Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak and Shamator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A mini-Secretariat <\/strong>will be established within the region, headed by a senior officer, to improve administrative efficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The authority will exercise legislative and executive powers over <strong>46 subjects, <\/strong>enabling local leaders to make decisions on matters such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Land use and management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Agriculture and allied activities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rural development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infrastructure and local planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Welfare schemes suited to tribal needs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Development funds<\/strong> will be allocated proportionately<strong> based on population and geographical area.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The FNTA arrangement <strong>does not alter Article 371(A)<\/strong> of the Constitution, thereby <strong>preserving Naga customary laws, traditional institutions, and social practices.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/nagaland\/eastern-nagaland-autonomy-frontier-nagaland-territorial-authority-explained\/article70660996.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>PRASHAD Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/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>Union Civil Aviation Minister announced plans to enhance pilgrimage tourism in Andhra Pradesh under the <strong>PRASHAD scheme<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It\u00a0 is a <strong>Central Sector Scheme launched in 2014\u20132015<\/strong> by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Central Sector Scheme (CS) is an initiative fully funded\u00a0 and implemented by the Union Government.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It focuses on <strong>developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India<\/strong> to enrich the religious tourism experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It improved <strong>infrastructure in tourism areas<\/strong>\u2014roads, transport, sanitation, and utilities\u2014and enhanced both residents\u2019 quality of life and the overall experience for tourists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Increase Employment Opportunities &amp; Tourism Revenues: <\/strong>Tourism development under the PRASHAD Scheme generates local employment across hospitality, transport, guiding, handicrafts, and retail, boosting livelihoods and economic empowerment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Income Generation:\u00a0 <\/strong>Tourism boosts income for local artisans, vendors, homestays, and small businesses by increasing demand for their goods and services, improving livelihoods and living standards.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Preservation of Cultural Heritage: <\/strong>PRASHAD-funded preservation of heritage sites helps communities maintain cultural identity while fostering education and cultural exchange with visitors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Promotion of Local Culture and Traditions: <\/strong>The PRASHAD Scheme promotes local culture through festivals, exhibitions, and traditional performances, enhancing community pride and cohesion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skill Development and Capacity Building: <\/strong>The PRASHAD Scheme supports skill development and capacity-building programs for local communities, enabling them to engage in tourism and drive sustainable development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/centre-plans-temple-tourism-development-in-andhra-pradesh-under-prashad-scheme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Air<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Prime Minister Launches Full Delhi-Meerut RRTS Corridor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy&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>The Prime Minister inaugurated<strong> India\u2019s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)<\/strong> and dedicated the 82-km Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor to the nation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Namo Bharat&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is<strong> India\u2019s first Regional Rail connecting key urban nodes<\/strong> across the National Capital Region via high-speed rail corridors (82-km long corridor).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a<strong> rail-based, high-speed, high-frequency and sustainable transit system<\/strong> with a design speed of 180 Kmph and an average speed of 100 Kmph which aims at bringing people and places closer to NCR.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC)<\/strong> is the<strong> implementing agency<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Namo Bharat will provide fast, safe, and comfortable regional commute and encourage more people to switch to public transport by way of seamless integration among public transit systems in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/pm-modi-inaugurates-indias-first-namo-bharat-rrts-dedicates-delhi-meerut-corridor-to-nation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Biopharma Shakti<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy<\/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>India announced a massive investment of \u20b910,000 crore in the Union Budget <strong>2026-27 for the biotechnology sector.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The aim is to focus on boosting the production of biologics and biosimilars through a<strong> new initiative called the Biopharma Shakti.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The initiative aligns with the <strong>aim of transforming India into a leading global biopharma industry <\/strong>and capturing <strong>5% of the global biopharmaceutical market <\/strong>share.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The National Biopharma Mission and other schemes<\/strong> launched over the past few years are working towards the same goal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The initiative is designed to<\/strong> support domestic development and manufacturing of high-value biopharmaceutical products and medicines, reduce import dependence, and enhance India\u2019s competitiveness in global biologics supply chains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biopharma involves <\/strong>production, manufacturing, or extraction of therapies through biological organisms, such as human cells, fungi, or microbes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Some examples of biopharmaceuticals include<\/strong> vaccines, antibody treatments, gene therapies, cell implants, modern insulin, and recombinant protein drugs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/172437\/OPS\/G4UFJDCQC.1+GUBFKI05N.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> In the rural parts of Hassan, Mandya and Mysuru in Karnataka, overlooked Hoysala-era temples reveal a thriving medieval kingdom\u2019s sculptural mastery. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Temple architecture style: The Hoysala temples are constructed in Vesara style of architecture. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The temple has a\u00a0 Dravidian morphology along with substantial influences from the Bhumija style prevalent in Central India, and the Nagara traditions of northern and western India. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The material used in temple construction is choloritic schist also known as soapstone. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/23-02-2026\/news-in-short-23-02-2026 \" 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-67377","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\/67377","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=67377"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67377\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67384,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67377\/revisions\/67384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67377"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67377"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67377"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}