Banking Awareness of 22, 23, 24 and 25 February 2026

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

1. The Centre has launched the second phase of the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP 2.0).

• The program targets asset monetization of ₹10 lakh crore from FY2025–26 to FY2029–30.
• For FY2025–26, monetization of approximately ₹2 lakh crore is expected.
• The annual monetization target will gradually increase in the coming years.
• NMP 2.0 has identified 12 sectors for asset monetization.
• Highways, multi-modal logistics parks, and ropeways account for the largest share (₹4.42 lakh crore, or 26% of the total pipeline).
• The power sector is second with ₹2.76 lakh crore (17%).
• Railways are expected to contribute ₹2.62 lakh crore (approximately 16%).
• Ports are estimated to contribute ₹2.63 lakh crore (approximately 16%).
• Coal assets are expected to produce ₹2.16 lakh crore. Mines are expected to contribute approximately ₹1 lakh crore over five years.
• Other sectors include civil aviation, petroleum and natural gas, warehousing, urban real estate, telecom, and tourism.
• The headline monetization target is ₹10 lakh crore. The detailed framework projects a broader total monetization value (TMV) of ₹16.72 lakh crore.
• The total monetization value (TMV) includes government proceeds as well as private capital raised through PPP projects.
• NMP 2.0 builds on NMP 1.0. NMP 1.0 had set a target of ₹6 lakh crore for FY22–FY25.
• Approximately 89% of NMP 1.0 targets have been achieved. It raised ₹5.3 lakh crore in four years. The coal sector exceeded its target in the first phase.
• Asset monetization is not privatization or sale of ownership. It involves leasing brownfield public assets for a specified concession period.
• The first phase of the NMP was launched by NITI Aayog in 2021 for FY2022–25.
• NMP 1.0 aimed to raise ₹6 lakh crore by leasing brownfield public infrastructure to private investors.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

2. AI-powered search built using Microsoft Foundry has been launched by PhonePe.

• The AI-powered natural language search feature, built using Microsoft Foundry, allows users to perform in-app tasks using text commands.
• This feature also works with voice commands, improving user convenience.
• It adds personalization to the app experience.
• This feature replaces traditional navigation with intent-based routing using capabilities enabled by Microsoft Foundry.
• Users are guided directly to the action they want to take.
• For example, the command "Pay Hemant 20 rupees" opens the payment interface. The receiver is pre-selected, if applicable.
• The system can detect whether a user wants to make a payment, complete a purchase, or seek support.
• It uses a hybrid AI model. Processing occurs both on the device and in the cloud.
• All processing is secure. No personal or transactional data leaves the PhonePe environment.
• This feature will be rolled out in phases across India.
• Microsoft Foundry is a unified Azure platform-as-a-service offering for enterprise AI operations, model builders, and application development.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

3. Amazon has opened its second-largest Asia office at Kattigenahalli in Bengaluru.

• The campus covers 1.1 million square feet. It will house over 7,000 employees.
• The campus was inaugurated by M B Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development.
• This is Amazon’s second-largest single-building corporate office in the world.
• The campus supports Amazon’s net-zero carbon goal under The Climate Pledge by 2040.
• Amazon has invested over $40 billion in India so far. The company has pledged an additional $35 billion by 2030.
• Amazon is an American multinational technology company.
• It is the world's largest e-commerce and cloud computing company. Jeff Bezos is its founder.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. India and France signed amending protocol to revise DTAC.

• The Amending Protocol to revise the India–France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India.
• The protocol was inked by CBDT Chairperson Ravi Agrawal and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou.
• Under the amended provisions, full taxing rights on capital gains from the sale of shares have been granted to the country where the company is resident.
• The Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause was deleted from the protocol, thereby resolving all related issues.
• The definition of ‘Fees for Technical Services’ was modified by aligning it with the India US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement provisions.
• The Amending Protocol also updated the rules for the exchange of information and introduced a new article on assistance in tax collection in accordance with international standards.
• The revised framework is expected to facilitate seamless exchange of tax information between the two countries.
• The changes will further strengthen mutual tax cooperation and transparency between India and France.
• The amended protocol will come into force after completion of internal legal procedures in both countries.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. The seventh edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue 2026 will be held in Pune.

• The event will run from February 26th to 28th. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The Pune International Centre is its co-organizer.
• This year's theme is "Geoeconomics Beyond Globalization: Tariffs, Technology, and Strategic Alignment."
• This international conference will span three days.
• It will feature 12 structured sessions. More than 45 speakers are expected to take part.
• Participants include academics, policymakers, and industry experts from nine countries.
• These nine countries include India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore, Kenya, Australia, Israel and Norway.
• The discussions aim to address the changes taking place in the global geo-economic environment.
• They are expected to foster the exchange of new ideas and policy perspectives.

Topic: Indian Economy/Financial Market

6. Giriraj Singh announced a target of US$10 billion in handloom exports by 2031.

• He made this statement at the 43rd Foundation Day event of the National Handloom Development Corporation.
• The event was held in New Delhi. He emphasized the important role of the handloom sector in earning livelihoods.
• He said that this industry sustains traditional and indigenous production systems.
• He appealed to citizens to support Swadeshi textiles.
• He inaugurated a special handloom expo during the event. This expo will run until March 2.
• He outlined the future roadmap for NHDC's initiatives. He praised the corporation's continued efforts to strengthen the weaving community.
• The National Handloom Development Corporation was established by the Government of India on February 22, 1983.
• Its purpose was to create a national-level agency to support the rapid development of the handloom sector.
• On 27 September 2010, NHDC Limited was upgraded from a Schedule 'C' to a Schedule 'B' Central Public Sector Enterprise.

Topic: Banking/Financial/Govt Schemes

7. The nationwide campaign ‘Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai’ launched to boost digital skilling.

• The nationwide campaign “Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai” was launched by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary.
• The campaign has been launched to accelerate India’s digital skilling movement through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
• The campaign was unveiled on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to deepen the country’s digital skilling ecosystem.
• Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan was brought on board to enhance awareness and participation in the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
• SIDH has already onboarded more than 1.5 crore registered candidates, emerging as one of India’s largest unified digital skilling platforms.
• The initiative aims to expand citizen access to upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning opportunities in the AI-driven economy.
• The minister stated that platforms such as India Stack and now SIDH have expanded access to public services and skill development at unprecedented scale.
• Built as a mobile-first AI-enabled platform, SIDH integrates multiple government skilling initiatives with industry-aligned courses.
• The platform provides features such as LMS-enabled learning hub, digitally verified credentials, QR-enabled digital CVs and Aadhaar-based eKYC registration.
• It caters to students, graduates, working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs by removing barriers of access, language and credibility.
• The campaign will be rolled out across digital media, social platforms and QR-enabled touchpoints to promote lifelong learning and support India’s goal of becoming a global skill capital.

Topic: Miscellaneous

8. Google’s America-India Connect Subsea Initiative announced.

• A major subsea connectivity initiative titled America-India Connect was announced by Google at the India AI Impact Summit.
• India will be connected with the United States through new subsea cables under a $15-billion investment planned over five years.
• A new international subsea gateway is to be established at Vizag as part of the collaborative infrastructure project.
• The initiative will also create three new subsea routes linking India with Singapore, South Africa and Australia along with four strategic fibre-optic paths.
• CEO Sundar Pichai stated that the project will significantly enhance AI connectivity between India, the US and the southern hemisphere.
• He expressed confidence that India is likely to witness an extraordinary growth trajectory in artificial intelligence.
• Additionally, Google is also partnering with AIIMS in India to explore how patients can report their symptoms or provide information, and how AI can generate a report to help doctors.