Daily Current Affairs: 13 February 2026

PM Modi pays tribute to Swami Dayanand Saraswati on 202nd birth anniversary

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati on his 202nd birth anniversary on 12 February 2026.
• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born on 12 February 1824.
• He founded Arya Samaj in 1875 to counter prevalent social inequities.
• He gave the call for Swaraj as 'Indian for India' in 1876.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered him as the pioneer of Swaraj, Swadeshi, and self-reliance.

Gen MM Naravane authored unpublished memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny'.

Key Updates:

• Gen MM Naravane served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from December 2019 to April 2022.
• Penguin agreed to publish his memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny' after a casual conversation at a March 2023 book launch for General Bipin Rawat.
• The memoir was scheduled for publication in April 2024 but remains unpublished pending Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance since 2023.
• The unpublished book contains 448 pages and covers events from Galwan to the Agnipath scheme.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated the book is withheld because its contents are not factually correct.
• On 4 February 2026 Rahul Gandhi displayed a printed copy in Parliament and quoted Naravane’s claim that the PM’s message during the 2020 border tensions was 'Jo uchit samjho, woh karo'.

Andrey Gyurov appointed interim Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

[Bulgaria]

Key Updates:

• Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova appointed Andrey Gyurov as interim Prime Minister on Thursday.
• Gyurov serves as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).
• The caretaker government will organise national elections scheduled for April 19.
• Gyurov must propose cabinet members within seven days for presidential approval.
• He previously served as a lawmaker and floor leader of the reformist 'We Continue the Change' group in parliament.
• Bulgaria joined the eurozone at the beginning of 2026.

Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa Passes Away at 31

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

• Brazilian MMA fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa passed away at the age of 31 in São José.
• The death occurred due to an electrocution accident involving a metal ladder and a high-voltage power line while he was installing an air-conditioning unit.
• Costa competed in amateur and semi-professional bouts in Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu, and had previously won a champion's trophy in Jiu-Jitsu.
• His coach, Mateus Nascimento, stated that Costa was being prepared for a professional career in combat sports prior to the accident.
• His wake was held on 7 February 2026 in São José.

James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Key Updates:

• James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48, as confirmed by his publicist Whitney Tancred and announced by his wife Kimberly on Instagram.
• He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024 and had auctioned career items to help pay for treatment.
• Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on 'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003) and starred in the 1999 film 'Varsity Blues'.
• He married Kimberly Brook in 2010 and they have six children together.
• An online fundraiser had pledged almost $1.3 million to his family as of Thursday morning.

India-US trade deal locks 18% tariff on $900 billion US global imports, zero duty on $150 billion

[United States]

Key Updates:

• India secured 18% tariff on nearly $900 billion worth of US global imports and zero-duty access on $150 billion.
• Indian exports to the US stood at $86.35 billion in 2024.
• Tariffs on $30.94 billion of Indian goods slashed from up to 50% to 18%.
• $10.03 billion of Indian exports now enjoy zero-duty access to the US.
• Silk products secured zero-duty access to a $113-billion US market.
• Textiles and apparel tariffs reduced from peaks of 50% to 18%.
• Machinery and engineering exports tariffs cut to 18% in a $477-billion market.
• India’s current machinery exports to the US are $2.35 billion.
• $1.36 billion worth of Indian farm exports enter the US with zero additional duties.
• Products valued at $1.035 billion assured zero reciprocal tariffs including spices, tea, coffee, fruits, nuts, and processed foods.
• Dairy, meat, poultry, cereals, millets, and oilseeds remain fully protected under exemption.
• Gems and jewellery tariffs reduced from 50% to 18% for a $61-billion market.
• Diamonds and platinum secured 0% duty access covering a $29-billion segment.
• Home décor tariffs dropped to 18% for a $52-billion market; 0% duty for $13-billion segment including chandeliers and seats.
• Toy sector tariffs cut from 50% to 18% for an $18-billion market.
• Leather and footwear industry gains 18% tariff cap in a $42-billion market.
• India is the 5th largest exporter of digitally delivered services with exports of $0.28 trillion in 2024, up 10.3% year-on-year.
• Zero additional duty access secured for industrial exports valued at $38 billion covering aircraft parts, generic drugs, and elementary auto parts.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases January 2026 CPI at 2.75% under new 2024=100 base

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]

Key Updates:

• Retail inflation stood at 2.75 per cent in January 2026 under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with base year 2024=100.
• Year-on-year inflation based on the All India CPI (Base 2024) for January 2026 stood at 2.75 per cent (provisional) compared with January 2025.
• The corresponding inflation rates were 2.73 per cent for rural areas and 2.77 per cent for urban areas.
• Food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.13 per cent, with rural food inflation at 1.96 per cent and urban food inflation at 2.44 per cent.
• Housing inflation for January 2026 stood at 2.05 per cent, with rural housing inflation at 2.39 per cent and urban housing inflation at 1.92 per cent.
• The new CPI series replaces the earlier 2012 base and is based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
• The revised framework adopts 12 consumption divisions in place of six earlier groups, in line with the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) 2018 framework.
• The total number of weighted items has increased to 358 from 299 earlier, with goods items rising to 308 from 259 and services items increasing to 50 from 40.
• The series introduces rural house rent for the first time and strengthens coverage of modern consumption patterns such as online services and cleaner fuels like CNG and PNG.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank loans to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as Priority Sector Lending (PSL)

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, has announced that loans sanctioned by banks to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) classification.
• This eligibility is applicable for loans sanctioned with effect from 19 January 2026.
• The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
• These loans must be for purposes and activities as laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
• The measure aims to strengthen the financial health, governance, and digital inclusion of cooperative banks while enhancing deposit security and credit availability.

Ministry of Education (MoE) reports 31 per cent decline in Indian students studying abroad between 2023 and 2025

[Ministry of Education (MoE)]

Key Updates:

• According to data shared by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education fell from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
• The Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry recorded 7.7 lakh students going abroad in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 31 per cent over the three-year period.
• Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar cited affordability, access to bank loans, and aptitude for specific disciplines as key determinants for overseas study decisions.
• Major study destinations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have implemented tighter immigration rules, higher financial proof requirements, and caps on certain visa categories.
• The MoE linked the decline to domestic strengthening of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on infrastructure, accreditation, and research.
• A total of 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up campuses in India, while five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• The University of Surrey is among the international institutions that have announced plans to establish a physical presence in India.
• Indian students are increasingly diversifying to alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France due to lower tuition costs and clearer post-study work frameworks.

Adani Power forms nuclear energy unit as India opens sector to private players

[Adani Power]

Key Updates:

• Adani Power has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary to undertake nuclear power generation activities.
• The move follows the Government of India allowing private sector participation in nuclear power generation.
• The subsidiary will explore opportunities in nuclear energy as part of India’s clean energy transition.

Union Budget 2026-27 announces seven new bullet train corridors with ₹16 lakh crore investment

[Union Budget]

Key Updates:

• Indian Railways is finalising Detailed Project Reports for seven high-speed rail corridors announced in Union Budget 2026-27.
• The seven corridors are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
• National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has been directed to take immediate action for timely progress.
• Railway Board estimates the combined length of the corridors at nearly 4,000 km and projected investment of approximately ₹16 lakh crore.
• Standardisation of high-speed rail systems, creation of dedicated core teams and initiation of pre-construction activities have been approved.
• Planning for trained technical manpower for upcoming high-speed rail projects has been emphasised.
• India’s first bullet train, the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, is planned to operate on a 100 km stretch by 2027.

White Revolution 2.0: Target to Increase Milk Procurement to 1,007 Lakh Kilograms Per Day

Key Updates:

• The Minister of State (MoS) for Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced the targets for White Revolution 2.0 in the Rajya Sabha.
• The initiative aims to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50 per cent from the present level over the next five years.
• The government has set a target to increase milk procurement from 660 lakh kilograms per day to 1,007 lakh kilograms per day by the end of 2028-29.
• The government proposes to establish 75,000 new multipurpose Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) across the country to strengthen market access and enhance income opportunities.
• The programme focuses on bringing more women dairy farmers into the organised dairy cooperative sector to promote women’s empowerment and inclusive growth.
• The initiative aims to boost dairy cooperative coverage, generate employment, and improve nutritional availability across India.

Odisha Government to Introduce QR Codes on Land Ownership Documents for Instant Verification

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Revenue and Disaster Management in Odisha will introduce Quick Response (QR) codes on land ownership documents, known as Record of Rights (RoR) or pattas.
• The QR codes will allow users to instantly verify a property’s full profile, including its location, parcel map, and transaction history beyond the standard 30-year window of an Encumbrance Certificate (EC).
• This initiative is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), a 100% centrally funded scheme launched by the Union Government in 2016.
• The digitally generated records will be tamper-proof, and any unauthorised modifications to the RoR will trigger automatic alerts to revenue inspectors and tehsildars.
• The state will conduct a comprehensive land survey integrating spatial data from satellite imagery with maps from the Survey of India (SoI) and Forest Survey of India (FSI) onto a unified Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.
• The GIS platform will represent each plot as a closed polygon identified by a unique plot number linked to the RoR database to synchronise map data with textual records.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approves procurement of 114 Rafale jets worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore

Key Updates:

• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
• The government-to-government deal with Dassault Aviation is estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore, making it India’s biggest defence deal since Independence.
• About 20 aircraft will be bought in fly-away condition and are expected to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet by 2030.
• The remaining jets will be manufactured in India with Dassault-HAL collaboration and up to 50-60% indigenous content.
• IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets; Indian Navy has ordered 26 naval variants, bringing the eventual total to 150 Rafales.
• DAC also cleared procurement of P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing, combat missiles, high-altitude pseudo satellite, anti-tank mines (Vibhav), overhaul of T-72 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles and armoured recovery vehicles, and an electro-optical infra-red system for Coast Guard Dorniers.
• The combined value of all acquisitions approved on Thursday is Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

India and Thailand to conduct joint air exercise near Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026

[Thailand]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
• The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
• India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
• The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
• The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
• Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
• The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.

Ministry of Defence signs Rs 2,312 crore deal with HAL for 8 Dornier 228 aircraft on 12 February 2026

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi under the Buy (Indian) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• The aircraft will be manufactured by the Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division of HAL and will include Operational Role Equipment.
• The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft used for maritime surveillance, marine pollution contingency, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.
• The ICG currently operates this aircraft in two variants, specifically the 228-100 and 228-200 series.
• This is the second major deal with HAL in the current financial year, following a Rs 62,370 crore contract signed in September 2025 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A.
• The LCA Mk1A procurement for the Indian Air Force (IAF) includes 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027-28.
• The programme is expected to support a network of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and create opportunities in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and life cycle technical support.

Indian Air Force (IAF) instructors to train British pilots at Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley for first time

[United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy three Qualified Flight Instructors (QFI) to Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley under an agreement reached at the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi.
• The deployment marks the first time Indian QFIs will impart fast jet training to British pilots at RAF Valley and will initially last for two years.
• IAF instructors will instruct on the BAE Hawk T2 or Texan T1 aircraft while remaining under IAF command and working for RAF commanders on instructional duties.
• An agreement on cooperation in military training was signed between the UK and India during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai in October 2025.
• The development follows the maiden deployment in January 2026 of an IAF officer as an instructor to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
• Indian officers now serve as instructors at all three British military academies: Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth (Indian Navy officer since May 2024), Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Indian Army officer since May 2025), and Royal Air Force College Cranwell (IAF officer since January 2026).

Assam Rifles to induct Indian dog breeds under Atmanirbhar Bharat push

Key Updates:

• Assam Rifles will induct Indian dog breeds into its squad as part of the central government’s indigenisation drive.
• The Tangkhul Hui breed from Manipur has already been introduced as a pilot project.
• The Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu will begin induction in April.
• Full induction of both breeds is expected by March 2027.
• Training will be conducted at the Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC) in Jorhat, Assam.
• The ARDTC currently houses 104 dogs and 174 handlers in various stages of training.
• Assam Rifles currently operates 253 dogs against an authorised strength of 344 across Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
• The force has four breeds: Labrador, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Tangkhul Hui.
• Six Tangkhul Hui dogs inducted in 2022 are deployed in narcotics detection.
• Selected handlers receive advanced training at CRPF Bengaluru and the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to visit India from February 18-22, 2026

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

• Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• He will participate in the 2nd AI Summit scheduled in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, 2026.
• Formal bilateral talks between India and Brazil are scheduled for February 21, 2026.
• On February 21, 2026, President Lula will be hosted by the President of India as part of the official programme.
• Vice President of India and other dignitaries are expected to call on President Lula during the visit.
• President Lula will be accompanied by ministers and representatives from the Brazilian business community.
• Events to engage the visiting Brazilian business delegation aim to expand economic and commercial cooperation.

Pune marks World Radio Day 2026 with UNESCO theme Radio and Artificial Intelligence

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

• World Radio Day 2026 was observed in Pune with an evening of talks and a documentary screening at Firodia Hall, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
• The event aligned with UNESCO’s theme for the year — Radio and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
• Marathi author and Akashvani content creator Mangala Godbole spoke on radio’s role in shaping daily routines and nurturing local talent.
• Filmmaker Makarand Waikar presented the 68-minute documentary My Radio My Life, which has been screened in 36 countries and recognised at over 80 international film festivals.

Indian Air Force to demonstrate firepower in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran on 27 February 2026

Key Updates:

• Exercise Vayushakti-26 will be held at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on 27 February 2026.
• The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft.
• A total of 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives will be used during day, dusk and night missions.
• Platforms participating include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
• Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be showcased.
• The exercise reaffirms the IAF’s role in long-range precision targeting and multi-domain operations using indigenous platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Saudi Arabia to host HCI Conference 2026 in Riyadh

[Saudi Arabia]

Key Updates:

• The HCI Conference 2026 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• The conference focuses on human-computer interaction across healthcare, smart cities, education, accessibility, gaming, virtual reality, and future workplaces.
• Riyadh was selected for its smart infrastructure, modern venues, advanced connectivity, growing tech ecosystem, and strong government support for research and development.
• The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasising digital transformation, knowledge-based economies, and human-centred development.
• HCI 2026 will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, research presentations, workshops, and interactive exhibitions on artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, human-centred AI, smart cities, digital health, immersive experiences, accessibility technologies, and future user interfaces.
• The conference will bring together thousands of participants from universities, corporations, research institutes, and startups worldwide.
• Hosting the event is expected to generate economic benefits for Riyadh through hospitality, tourism, transport, and local business activity.
• Saudi universities and innovation centres anticipate increased global collaboration and opportunities for local talent to showcase work on an international stage.

Bangladesh holds first election since Gen Z protests ousted Sheikh Hasina

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

• Over 2,000 candidates contested 300 parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s first election since Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student-led protests.
• The Awami League, Hasina’s party, was banned from contesting the polls.
• The main contest is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
• Results are expected on Friday, with 49% turnout reported by 14:00 local time.
• Nearly 120 million people were eligible to vote, with about 40% under the age of 37.
• Nearly a million police and soldiers were deployed for security during the election.
• Sheikh Hasina, currently in exile in India, was convicted and sentenced to death in absentia for ordering the crackdown that killed up to 1,400 protesters.
• Voters also cast ballots on a referendum for constitutional change proposed by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

India Ranks 3rd in Stanford University Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025

[Stanford University]

Key Updates:

• India secured the 3rd position in the Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025 published by Stanford University.
• The Artificial Intelligence (AI) market in India expanded from USD 2.97 billion in 2020 to USD 7.63 billion in 2024, with a projected growth to USD 131.31 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 42.2%.
• According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) AI Adoption Index, 87% of Indian enterprises were actively using AI solutions as of December 2025.
• India recorded 100.29 crore internet connections in June 2025 and possesses the world’s second-largest 5G subscriber base with over 400 million users.
• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognised more than 2,00,000 startups across the country.
• India leads the world in AI talent acquisition with an annual hiring rate of approximately 33% and was the second-largest contributor to GitHub AI projects globally in 2024, accounting for 19.9% of projects.
• The relative penetration of AI skills in India is 2.5 times greater than the global average across the same set of occupations.
• Major AI job hubs in India include Bangalore (11% share), Hyderabad (9.57%), Pune (6.95%), and Chennai (6.62%).
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) oversees the National Program on Artificial Intelligence, which rests on four pillars: National Center on AI, Data Management Office, Skilling in AI, and Responsible AI.
• The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative, delivered in partnership with Microsoft, HCL Technologies, and NASSCOM, enrolled 1.34 lakh students and teachers as of December 2025.
• India improved its position by four slots to reach the 45th rank in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025 report prepared by the Portulans Institute.
• The BHASHINI initiative, leveraging AI for over 36 languages, has recorded more than 1.2 million mobile app downloads to break communication barriers in the digital economy.

India approves two new telescopes and Himalayan Chandra Telescope upgrade in Ladakh

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

• Union Budget sanctioned National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), a 2-metre aperture solar telescope to be built in Merak near Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh.
• NLST will operate in visible and near-infrared wavelengths and help study solar dynamics, magnetism, energetic solar events, and space-weather processes affecting Earth and national space assets.
• NLST will be India’s third ground-based solar observatory, joining Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (Tamil Nadu, 1899) and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Rajasthan, 1975).
• National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 13.7-metre segmented-mirror telescope with 90 hexagonal segments, to be built in Hanle, Ladakh.
• NLOT will enable frontier research on exoplanets, stellar and galactic evolution, supernovae, and origins of the universe, leveraging Ladakh’s high altitude and clear skies.
• Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) will be upgraded from 2-metre to 3.7-metre segmented primary mirror and continue optical-infrared observations of transient astronomy.
• Upgraded HCT operations will complement international facilities like LIGO-India and the Square Kilometre Array.
• Hanle village in Ladakh is India’s first and only Dark Sky Reserve.

India launches first national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Key Updates:

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, funds the national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) led by the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology, Institute of Human Genetics (FRIGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• The biobank integrates biological samples and clinical-genetic data of 530 patients from 28 institutions across 15 states collected over 17 years (2008-2025).
• Of the 530 patients, 60% have died and only 8 are currently receiving treatment: 4 for Gaucher disease, 2 for Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), 1 for MPS IVA, and 1 for Fabry disease.
• The biobank covers 8 LSD subgroups encompassing 27 disorders, with Gaucher disease (70), Tay-Sachs disease (62), Mucolipidosis II/III (44), and Morquio-A (40) as the most common.
• Collaborations include the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru, for stem cell-based disease models, the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Hyderabad, for general therapies, and the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Bengaluru, for spectrometry-based screening technology.

2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered inside Egypt’s Valley of the Kings royal tombs

[Egypt]

Key Updates:

• Approximately 30 Tamil-Brahmi and Prakrit inscriptions dated to 2,000 years ago were documented inside six rock-cut royal tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.
• The inscriptions were recorded by Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne and Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies.
• The name ‘Cikai Korran’ appears in eight locations, with one inscription reading ‘Cikai Korran vara kanta’ meaning ‘Cikai Korran came and saw’.
• The discovery confirms that ancient Tamil traders travelled beyond Egyptian port cities and visited inland heritage sites during the early historic period.
• The findings were presented on 11 February at the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy organised by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology in Chennai.
• Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 30,000 documented inscriptions in India, providing an unbroken historical record from the 6th century BCE.

Russia blocks WhatsApp, promotes state-backed MAX messenger amid wider digital clampdown

[Russia]

Key Updates:

• Russia has blocked WhatsApp for alleged legal breaches, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
• Peskov attributed the ban to WhatsApp’s reluctance to comply with Russian law.
• Users are urged to switch to MAX, a state-backed platform offering messaging, e-government services and payments.
• MAX openly declares it will share user data with authorities and lacks end-to-end encryption, unlike WhatsApp.
• Since December, many Russians access WhatsApp only via VPN, Reuters reported.
• Russia had already limited WhatsApp and Telegram calls last year, accusing them of withholding information from fraud and terrorism probes.
• State regulator Roskomnadzor announced fresh restrictions on Telegram this week for similar legal non-compliance.
• Russia has also blocked Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and imposed curbs on Apple’s FaceTime and YouTube services.

Italy thrash Nepal by 10 wickets for first-ever T20 World Cup win

[Italy, Nepal]

Key Updates:

• Italy recorded their maiden men’s T20 World Cup victory by bowling Nepal out for 123 and chasing 124 without losing a wicket.
• Brothers Anthony Mosca (62 not out off 32 balls) and Justin Mosca (60 not out off 44 balls) shared an unbroken opening stand to finish the chase with 7.2 overs remaining.
• Ben Manenti returned 2 for 9 and Crishan Kalugamage 3 for 18 as Italy’s spinners restricted Nepal to 123 all out.
• The match was played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, and was only Italy’s second-ever T20 World Cup fixture after a 73-run loss to Scotland.

Cyclone Gezani strikes Madagascar with 195 km/h winds

[Madagascar]

Key Updates:

• Cyclone Gezani made landfall late Tuesday with wind speeds exceeding 195 km/h.
• The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported at least 31 deaths and 36 serious injuries.
• Over 6,000 people were displaced and four remain missing after the cyclone hit Toamasina.
• Colonel Michael Randrianirina, in power since an October military coup, surveyed damage in Toamasina.
• About 75 percent of Toamasina’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed according to the president’s office.
• Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar in two weeks, after Cyclone Fytia killed 12 people on January 31.

68th National Productivity Week 2026 observed from 12 to 18 February 2026 with theme Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs

Key Updates:

• National Productivity Council (NPC) will celebrate its 68th Foundation Day on 12 February 2026 and observe National Productivity Week from 12 to 18 February 2026 across the country.
• The theme for the 68th National Productivity Week is 'Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs'.
• Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and President, National Productivity Council, Shri Piyush Goyal, emphasised strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing manufacturing competitiveness and promoting sustainable industrialisation.
• NPC has 12 Regional Directorates located at Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna.
• Twenty-four Local Productivity Councils, concerned Ministries of the Government of India, State Governments, industry associations and academic institutions will collaborate in conducting outreach and awareness activities during the week.
• National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous society under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, was established in 1958.
• NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an inter-governmental body of which the Government of India is a founding member and the current Chair.