“IMPORTANT DAYS”

Central Excise Day 2026

India will observe Central Excise Day 2026 on 24 February 2026 to mark the historic Central Excise Act, 1944. This day recognises the contribution of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in tax administration and revenue collection. Even after the introduction of GST, Central Excise remains important for specific goods like petroleum and tobacco. Central Excise Day 2026 highlights the role of CBIC officers in ensuring transparency, preventing smuggling and strengthening India’s financial system.

“AWARDS”

Shashi Tharoor Conferred Honorary D.Litt by St Xavier’s University, Kolkata

Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor was conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) degree by St Xavier’s University, Kolkata during its seventh convocation ceremony on 21 February 2026. Tharoor described the honour as his first honorary doctorate in India, calling it deeply special as a former Xaverian. The ceremony was held at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town, where over 1,000 students received degrees.

“SPORTS”

Pankaj Advani Wins Inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026, Named Brand Ambassador

Pankaj Advani won the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026, defeating Kamal Chawla 6–3 in the best-of-11 final held at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA), Bengaluru. The three-day invitational tournament featured 16 top professional cueists, with Advani displaying tactical mastery and break-building excellence to become the first-ever champion of the event.

“APPOINTMENTS”

Netherlands Gets Youngest-Ever Prime Minister in Rob Jetten

Rob Jetten has officially become the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The 38 year old leader of the D66 party was sworn in just two hours ago at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. His appointment marks a major political shift after a tight election battle in October. Jetten narrowly defeated populist Geert Wilders and quickly moved to form a new government. The Netherlands now enters a fresh political phase under its youngest Prime Minister in history.

“NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL NEWS”

Punjab Launches ‘Meri Rasoi’ Scheme: Free Food Kits for 40 Lakh Poor Families Ahead of Budget Session

The Punjab government has launched the ‘Meri Rasoi’ scheme to provide nutritional support to nearly 40 lakh economically weaker families across the state. Announcing the initiative after a Cabinet meeting in Chandigarh, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the scheme will offer free food kits to blue card holder families in addition to wheat supplied under existing welfare programmes. The announcement comes just ahead of the Punjab Budget Session scheduled from March 6 to March 16, 2026.

NHAI Plans 100% Digital Toll Collection from April 1, 2026

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is considering discontinuing cash transactions at National Highway toll plazas from April 1, 2026, with all payments proposed to be made through digital modes such as FASTag and UPI. The initiative aims to create a fully digital tolling ecosystem, improve ‘Ease of Commuting’, enhance lane throughput, reduce congestion at toll plazas, and ensure greater transparency and consistency in toll collection.