Weekly Current Affairs: 09–14 February, 2026 | Assam, National & International News

09 Feb 2026 – 14 Feb 2026 | Weekly Current Affairs
Weekly Current Affairs: 09–14 February, 2026 | Assam, National & International News

Introduction

The week of 9–14 February 2026 witnessed significant developments across diplomatic, economic, technological, and environmental spheres. Prime Minister's visit to Malaysia operationalised the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while India assumed Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process for diamond governance. Domestically, the government launched ISM 2.0 with ₹1,000 crore allocation for semiconductor manufacturing, and IIT Bombay achieved a breakthrough in CAR T-Cell therapy for cancer treatment. The NITI Aayog released crucial reports on achieving Viksit Bharat with Net Zero emissions by 2070. For Assam, developments in AI integration in education, biodiversity conservation through indigenous dog breeds in Assam Rifles, and implications of the US–Bangladesh cotton trade deal on the region's textile industry are particularly relevant. This comprehensive coverage is essential for APSC, Assam TET, UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other competitive examinations.

SECTION 1: ASSAM STATE NEWS ⭐

1. Indigenous Dog Breeds in Assam Rifles

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Assam (Assam Rifles installations across Northeast India)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Assam Rifles, Ministry of Home Affairs

Brief Paragraph:
The Assam Rifles, India's oldest paramilitary force established in 1835, announced a significant shift from using foreign dog breeds to indigenous Indian breeds for security and surveillance operations. The force will now deploy Tangkhul Hui dogs from Manipur and Kombai dogs from Tamil Nadu. The Tangkhul Hui is a native breed from the Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur's Ukhrul district, known for its agility, loyalty, and adaptability to hilly terrains. The Kombai breed, originating from Tamil Nadu's Theni district, is renowned for its courage, strength, and excellent guarding abilities. This transition aligns with the broader government initiative to promote indigenous livestock breeds under the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign. The Assam Rifles guards the Indo-Myanmar border and maintains internal security in Northeast India, including Assam. Indigenous breeds are better adapted to the region's climatic conditions, require less maintenance, and demonstrate greater resistance to local diseases. The move also supports conservation of native dog breeds facing extinction due to cross-breeding with foreign varieties. The force will establish dedicated breeding and training centres in the Northeast region.

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2. Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions Discovery and Assam's Ancient Trade Links

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Valley of the Kings, Egypt (relevance to Assam's historical trade)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Archaeological Survey of India, Indian Council of Historical Research

Brief Paragraph:
Archaeologists discovered Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, providing concrete evidence of ancient Indo-Roman trade networks. The inscriptions, dating back to the Sangam Age, confirm that Indian traders and merchants travelled to Egypt for commercial purposes. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Assam's historical trade connections. Ancient Assam (Kamarupa) was part of the broader South Asian trade network that extended to Southeast Asia through the maritime routes of the Bay of Bengal. The Brahmaputra River served as a crucial waterway connecting Assam to Bengal and further to international trade routes. Historical evidence suggests that Assam traded in silk, spices, medicinal plants, and forest products with Southeast Asian kingdoms and beyond. The discovery of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt demonstrates the extensive reach of Indian trade networks, of which Assam was an integral part through its connections with the ports of Bengal. This archaeological evidence supports literary references in ancient Assamese chronicles about commercial exchanges with distant lands. The findings also strengthen the case for Assam's participation in the Maritime Silk Route through its riverine connectivity to the Bay of Bengal.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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3. Integration of AI in Education: Relevance for Assam

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide, with specific relevance to Assam's educational landscape

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Education, National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), IIT Guwahati

Brief Paragraph:
Experts emphasised integrating Artificial Intelligence in education through the "Three A's framework"—Adoption, Absorption, and Application—aligned with National Education Policy 2020's vision of technology-driven learning. This framework holds special significance for Assam, where educational infrastructure development and language diversity present unique opportunities and challenges. Adoption involves introducing students to AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, focusing on AI literacy and prompt engineering. Absorption requires understanding how AI works, its limitations, and ethical issues including algorithm bias and data privacy. Application enables students to use AI for real-world problem-solving through innovation and design thinking. For Assam, the Bhashini tool developed under the National Language Translation Mission is particularly relevant as it enables learning in Assamese and other regional languages, bridging the language barrier in digital education. IIT Guwahati, as a premier technical institution in the Northeast, is positioned to lead AI research and training for the region. The framework addresses critical challenges in Assam including infrastructure gaps in rural schools, teacher skill development, and creating context-aware AI models that understand local cultural nuances. The shift from rote learning to skill-based education aligns with Assam's need to prepare its youth for future workforce requirements.

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4. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS): Impact on Assam's Industries

Date of Occurrium: 13 February 2026

Location: Nationwide, with specific focus on Assam's industrial sector

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, NITI Aayog, Government of Assam Industries Department

Brief Paragraph:
The Government of India allocated ₹20,000 crore in the Budget 2026–27 to promote Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology for decarbonizing heavy industries, particularly steel manufacturing. CCUS involves three steps: capturing CO₂ from industrial sources or atmosphere, transporting it through pipelines or ships, and either utilizing it to produce methanol, urea, or building materials, or storing it underground in oil fields or saline aquifers. This initiative has significant implications for Assam's industrial landscape. The state hosts several cement plants, coal-based industries, and the upcoming Numaligarh Refinery expansion, all of which are hard-to-abate sectors with unavoidable CO₂ emissions. The Brahmaputra Valley's geological formations offer potential for CO₂ storage in depleted oil and gas fields, particularly in the Upper Assam sedimentary basin. CCUS technology would allow Assam to continue utilizing its coal resources while transitioning to cleaner production methods. The initiative also protects Assam's exports from carbon taxes like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). However, challenges include high implementation costs that could raise electricity prices, lack of CO₂ pipeline infrastructure, and need for detailed geological storage assessment. The ₹20,000 crore scheme provides opportunities for Assam's industries to adopt CCUS technology through cluster-based industrial hubs.

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5. US–Bangladesh Cotton Trade Deal: Impact on Assam's Textile Sector

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: International, with significant impact on Assam's textile industry

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of Assam Handloom and Textile Department, Assam Agricultural University

Brief Paragraph:
The United States and Bangladesh signed a zero-tariff textile agreement that grants Bangladesh duty-free access to the US market conditional upon using US cotton. This agreement poses significant challenges to India's textile industry, including Assam's growing textile and handloom sector. Under the agreement, Bangladesh enjoys 0% tariff advantage while Indian exporters face 18% tariff in the US market, severely undermining India's competitiveness. Bangladesh is currently India's largest cotton buyer, purchasing approximately 70% of India's cotton exports. The agreement threatens this trade relationship as Bangladesh may shift to US cotton to maintain its tariff advantage. For Assam, this development impacts multiple stakeholders. The state's traditional handloom sector, employing over 12 lakh weavers, faces indirect competition from cheaper Bangladeshi textile imports. Assam's emerging textile processing units and apparel manufacturing clusters in Guwahati, Silchar, and Dibrugarh may lose export opportunities. The state's cotton farmers, though limited in number, face potential price depression if cotton exports to Bangladesh decline. The agreement also threatens Assam's initiatives under the North East Textile Promotion Scheme and the proposed textile park at Changsari. India needs to fast-track its own trade agreement with the US, seek cotton parity clauses, and promote initiatives like Kasturi Cotton Bharat to brand Indian cotton.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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6. Sovereign AI Development and Assam's Digital Future

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide, with specific relevance to Assam's digital infrastructure

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IndiaAI Mission, IIT Guwahati, Sarvam AI (Bengaluru-based startup)

Brief Paragraph:
Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI developed indigenous AI models—Sarvam Vision and Bulbul V3—that outperform global models like Google Gemini and OpenAI ChatGPT on India-specific benchmarks. This development is part of India's Sovereign AI initiative, which aims to develop, deploy, and control AI using domestic infrastructure, data, talent, and regulatory frameworks. Sarvam Vision is a 3-billion parameter vision-language model capable of image captioning, table parsing, and document digitization while supporting all 22 Indian languages including Assamese. Bulbul V3 is a text-to-speech model supporting 11 Indian languages (expanding to 22) that handles regional accents, code-switching, and emotional tone. For Assam, this development has transformative potential. The Assamese language, spoken by over 15 million people, will benefit from AI tools that understand local contexts and dialects. Government services can be delivered in Assamese through voice-based interfaces, benefiting populations with limited literacy. The IndiaAI Mission's ₹10,300 crore budget supports development of indigenous Large Language Models, AI compute infrastructure, and innovation ecosystems. IIT Guwahati is positioned to contribute to this mission through research in Northeast-specific AI applications, including biodiversity conservation, flood forecasting, and agricultural advisory in local languages. Sovereign AI ensures that sensitive data of Assam's citizens remains within Indian jurisdiction, addressing data sovereignty concerns.

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7. Assam's Role in India's Semiconductor Mission 2.0

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Nationwide, with potential for Assam's participation

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of Assam Industries Department, Assam Electronics Development Corporation (AMTRON)

Brief Paragraph:
The Government of India launched India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with ₹1,000 crore allocation to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The mission aims to build a comprehensive domestic semiconductor ecosystem including chip manufacturing, equipment production, and materials development. It focuses on developing indigenous technology through full-stack semiconductor IP and RISC-V processors, while strengthening supply chains to reduce import dependence. Under ISM 1.0, the government had approved ₹1.6 lakh crore in investments through a ₹76,000 crore incentive scheme. For Assam, this mission presents significant opportunities. The state has been developing electronics manufacturing clusters through AMTRON (Assam Electronics Development Corporation). The proposed semiconductor packaging and testing units could be located in Assam given the state's strategic location near Southeast Asian markets and its improving industrial infrastructure. The Assam Electronics Policy 2023 offers incentives for electronics manufacturing, complementing central government schemes. The presence of IIT Guwahati provides technical expertise and research support. However, challenges include requirement for high capital investment, need for skilled workforce, and competition from established semiconductor hubs in Southern India. The mission aligns with Prime Minister's vision of making Northeast India an electronics manufacturing hub.

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8. Network Readiness Index 2025: Assam's Digital Progress

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: India, with state-wise implications including Assam

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of Assam Information Technology Department, Assam Electronics Development Corporation (AMTRON), Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL)

Brief Paragraph:
India secured the 45th rank globally in the Network Readiness Index 2025, reflecting improved digital readiness across the country. The Network Readiness Index, published by the Portulans Institute, measures countries' capacity to leverage information and communication technologies for competitiveness and well-being. India's improved ranking demonstrates progress in digital infrastructure, technology adoption, and digital skills development. For Assam, this national progress reflects significant state-level initiatives in digital connectivity. The state has made substantial strides in implementing the BharatNet project, establishing optical fibre networks connecting Gram Panchayats. Common Service Centres now operate in all blocks, providing digital access to rural populations. The Assam Government's e-District Mission Mode Project delivers citizen-centric services online, reducing transaction costs and improving transparency. Initiatives like the Assam Online Services portal and UMANG app integration have expanded digital service delivery. The state's investment in IT infrastructure through AMTRON has created a robust digital backbone. However, challenges remain in last-mile connectivity in hilly and char areas, digital literacy among elderly populations, and cybersecurity concerns. The improved national ranking underscores the importance of continued investment in Assam's digital infrastructure to ensure inclusive digital transformation.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 2: NATIONAL POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

1. India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Date of Occurrence: 9 February 2026

Location: Malaysia

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of External Affairs, NPCI International

Brief Paragraph:
The Prime Minister's visit to Malaysia operationalised the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) through multiple agreements across trade, digital economy, defence, energy, education, and regional cooperation. Key outcomes included the creation of the Malaysia–India Digital Council (MIDC) for cooperation in fintech, AI, cybersecurity, and digital public infrastructure. NPCI International partnered with PayNet for cross-border digital payments, enabling INR–Ringgit settlement. Both nations agreed to promote local currency trade settlement and strengthen semiconductor supply chains and renewable energy cooperation. Defence cooperation included MoUs on disaster management and anti-corruption cooperation between CBI and Malaysia's MACC. Educational initiatives expanded student exchange programmes through ITEC and MTCP, with establishment of Thiruvalluvar Chair and scholarships. Malaysia joined the India-led International Big Cat Alliance. Malaysia holds strategic importance for India through historical ties dating back to Chola maritime trade (9th–13th century), strong diaspora connections of approximately 2.7 million Indian-origin people, and strategic location near the Strait of Malacca critical for India's trade. Malaysia is India's 3rd largest ASEAN trading partner with bilateral trade of USD 19.86 billion in 2024–25, primarily importing palm oil, electronics, and crude oil from India. The partnership strengthens India's Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific cooperation.

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2. India's Balancing Act Between US and Russia

Date of Occurrence: 9 February 2026

Location: International

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Brief Paragraph:
The United States claimed India agreed to stop buying Russian oil under a trade understanding, highlighting India's strategic balancing between the US and Russia. This development underscores India's multi-alignment foreign policy approach, maintaining strategic autonomy while engaging with major powers. India-Russia relations have evolved from Cold War cooperation, with the USSR supporting India on Kashmir and Goa, signing the 1971 Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation, and serving as India's main defence supplier. Currently, Russia supplies approximately 60% of India's defence equipment through joint exercises and technology sharing. India imports large quantities of discounted Russian oil, and Russia is a major supplier of fertilizers. Bilateral trade reached USD 68.7 billion in 2024–25, heavily skewed toward Russia. India-US relations are equally crucial, with the US being India's largest trading partner at USD 128 billion trade volume, major source of FDI and technology, and strategic partner in Indo-Pacific cooperation to counter China. Challenges in balancing include India's defence dependence on Russia, energy security risks from switching to costlier US oil, Russia's growing alignment with China weakening India's strategic position, and US pressure through sanctions. India's strategy involves defence diversification and indigenisation (Atmanirbhar Bharat), diversifying energy imports, strengthening trade ties with multiple partners, and using platforms like Quad and BRICS strategically.

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3. India–US Interim Trade Agreement: Agricultural Safeguards

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: India–United States

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture, Office of the United States Trade Representative

Brief Paragraph:
India and the United States announced a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement, reducing US tariffs on Indian goods and providing preferential access to the US market while protecting Indian farmers through strict safeguards. The agreement features a comprehensive negative list with no tariff concessions on sensitive items including dairy, meat, poultry, wheat, rice, maize, millets, fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, sugar, ethanol, and tobacco. India's ban on genetically modified crops continues, with GM corn and GM soybean not allowed. Export benefits include zero-duty access for spices, tea, coffee, cashew, coconut, mango, guava, papaya, avocado, banana, mushroom, processed foods, and cereals like barley. Duty reductions range from up to 50% to 0%, significantly boosting agricultural exports. The agreement allows controlled opening of animal feed market through imports of non-GM sorghum and processed feed input (DDGS) to meet rising demand without harming domestic farmers. Safeguards to prevent dumping include Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs), Minimum Import Price (MIP), and phased tariff reduction over 10 years. The agreement provides access to the USD 30 trillion US market, boosts agricultural exports and farmer income, and strengthens India's food processing sector. However, challenges include risk of cheap imports harming farmers, feed import dependence, and potential future pressure to allow GM crops.

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4. MHA Protocol on National Song and National Anthem

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Home Affairs

Brief Paragraph:
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a new protocol regarding the playing of the national song and national anthem, establishing that when both are played, Vande Mataram must be played first, followed by Jana Gana Mana. This clarification addresses procedural aspects of respecting national symbols. Vande Mataram, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and published in the novel Anandamath in 1882, played an important role in India's freedom movement, serving as a rallying cry for independence activists. Jana Gana Mana, written by Rabindranath Tagore, was adopted as the National Anthem by the Constituent Assembly in 1950. The protocol connects to Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a) of the Constitution, which mandates citizens to respect the national flag, national anthem, and other national symbols. The MHA directive ensures uniformity in official ceremonies and public events where both compositions are played. Educational institutions, government functions, and public gatherings must adhere to this sequence. The protocol does not alter the status or significance of either composition but provides clarity on their sequential presentation. Both compositions hold equal importance as expressions of India's cultural heritage and national identity.

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5. Removal of Lok Sabha Speaker: Constitutional Provisions

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026 (context of parliamentary discussions)

Location: Parliament of India

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Lok Sabha Secretariat, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs

Brief Paragraph:
Constitutional provisions regarding the removal of the Lok Sabha Speaker were discussed in parliamentary circles, highlighting the safeguards built into the removal process. Under Article 94 of the Constitution, the Speaker can be removed by a resolution passed by Effective Majority—majority of the total current members of the House excluding vacancies. The procedure requires a minimum 14 days' notice before the resolution can be moved, and at least 50 Members of Parliament must support the notice. During the removal proceedings, the Speaker cannot preside over the session but retains the right to participate and vote. The Deputy Speaker or a member of the Panel of Chairpersons presides during the debate and voting on the removal motion. Significantly, no Speaker has ever been removed from office successfully since Independence, demonstrating the stability of the office and the high threshold required for removal. The provision balances parliamentary accountability with the independence of the Speaker's office. The removal process reflects the importance of the Speaker as the head of the lower house and guardian of parliamentary privileges. Effective Majority differs from Simple Majority and Absolute Majority, requiring careful calculation based on current strength of the House.

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6. PM CARES Fund and Parliamentary Questions

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Parliament of India

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Prime Minister's Office, Lok Sabha Secretariat

Brief Paragraph:
The Prime Minister's Office stated that questions regarding the PM CARES fund are inadmissible in Lok Sabha, sparking discussions on parliamentary accountability and the nature of the fund. PM CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund was created during the COVID-19 pandemic as an emergency relief fund, accepting voluntary contributions only. This differs from the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), established in 1948 primarily for disaster relief, and the National Defence Fund (NDF) for welfare of armed forces personnel. The issue relates to Question Hour in Parliament, a crucial parliamentary oversight tool designed to hold the government accountable. Question Hour features four types of questions: Starred questions requiring oral answers, Unstarred questions with written answers, Short Notice questions on urgent matters, and Private Member questions addressed to individual MPs. The distinction between government funds and public charitable trusts becomes significant in determining parliamentary oversight jurisdiction. PM CARES, being a public charitable trust, is not directly funded by the Consolidated Fund of India, potentially limiting parliamentary scrutiny. This raises broader questions about accountability mechanisms for funds associated with government functionaries but structured as independent trusts.

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7. Regulation of Books by Armed Forces Personnel

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs

Brief Paragraph:
Discussions emerged regarding the regulation of books and publications by armed forces personnel, highlighting the current legal vacuum and proposed regulatory framework. Currently, no specific law governs publications by retired military personnel, though the Official Secrets Act, 1923 continues to apply even after retirement, prohibiting disclosure of classified information. Proposed changes would mandate mandatory clearance before publishing any material related to military service, operational details, or strategic matters to protect national security information. This framework would apply to all former armed forces personnel, including those from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces. The need for regulation arises from increasing instances of memoirs and publications revealing sensitive operational details, unit deployments, and strategic assessments that could compromise national security. The proposed system would establish a clearance mechanism through respective service headquarters, with timelines for response and appeal provisions. The regulation balances the fundamental right to expression under Article 19(1)(a) with national security considerations under reasonable restrictions. Similar mechanisms exist in countries like the United States through pre-publication review processes for intelligence and military personnel. The framework would also address publications by family members that might inadvertently disclose sensitive information.

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8. Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya: Integral Humanism and Antyodaya

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026 (birth anniversary context)

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Culture

Brief Paragraph:
Discussions on Pt Deendayal Upadhyaya's contributions to Indian political philosophy emerged, focusing on his concepts of Integral Humanism and Antyodaya. Deendayal Upadhyaya was a political philosopher and leader of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the precursor to the Bharatiya Janata Party. His philosophy of Integral Humanism emphasizes the holistic development of human beings, integrating material, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions. The concept rejects both unbridled capitalism and socialist collectivism, advocating for an indigenous economic model suited to India's cultural context. Antyodaya, meaning "upliftment of the last person," focuses on ensuring that development reaches the poorest and most marginalized sections of society. This principle has influenced various government schemes targeting the most vulnerable populations. Upadhyaya's ideas emphasize decentralisation, with power and resources flowing to local communities rather than being concentrated at the centre. His philosophical framework promotes harmony between individual rights and social responsibilities, economic development and environmental conservation, and tradition with modernity. The philosophy of Integral Humanism was adopted as the official doctrine of the Jana Sangh in 1965 and continues to influence policy discourse. His birth anniversary on 25 September is observed as "Sankalp Diwas," encouraging commitment to the welfare of the last person in society.

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SECTION 3: ECONOMY & BANKING

1. NITI Aayog Report: Viksit Bharat and Net Zero 2070

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Location: New Delhi

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: NITI Aayog

Brief Paragraph:
NITI Aayog released 11 reports outlining India's pathway to become a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047 (Viksit Bharat) while achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. The reports project economic transformation from consumption-led to investment-driven growth, with fossil fuel import savings of ₹9 trillion by 2070. Energy transition targets electrification share in energy demand rising from 21% (2025) to 60% (2070), driven by Electric Vehicles, induction cooking, and industrial electrification. Renewable energy capacity must expand from 164 GW to over 6,000 GW by 2070, while nuclear power grows from 8 GW to over 300 GW. Fossil fuel share in energy mix will decline from 87% to 14% by 2070, with remaining fossil use supported by Carbon Capture technology. Infrastructure growth projections indicate 86% of 2070's building infrastructure yet to be constructed, with AC penetration rising from 10% to 80% and car ownership increasing from 32 to 200–250 per 1000 people. Employment impact includes 7 million green jobs by 2050, requiring reskilling in 150+ fossil fuel districts (Just Transition) affecting 17 million workers. Total investment requirement stands at USD 22.7 trillion, with current annual investment at USD 135 billion and financing gap of USD 6.5 trillion. Critical minerals challenge emerges with high demand for lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and graphite for EV batteries (55%) and solar panels (30%). Solutions include Mission LiFE for sustainable lifestyles, Extended Producer Responsibility, green building codes, and climate finance institutions.

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2. RBI Collateral-Free Loans for MSMEs

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Brief Paragraph:
The Reserve Bank of India increased the limit for collateral-free loans to MSMEs from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, providing significant relief and growth support to the sector. This decision enables small businesses to access higher credit without pledging assets, addressing one of the primary constraints faced by MSMEs in expanding operations. The enhanced limit covers working capital requirements, equipment purchase, and business expansion needs. MSMEs contribute approximately 30% to India's GDP and employ over 11 crore people, making this decision crucial for employment generation and economic growth. The move aligns with the government's focus on strengthening the MSME ecosystem through various schemes including the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). Banks and financial institutions must implement the revised guidelines immediately, ensuring that eligible MSMEs benefit from enhanced credit access without additional collateral requirements. The decision particularly benefits women entrepreneurs, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe entrepreneurs, and businesses in aspirational districts including those in Northeast India. MSMEs in Assam, particularly in handloom, tea processing, and food processing sectors, stand to gain from increased working capital access.

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3. Capital Goods Sector: Budget 2026-27 Announcements

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Heavy Industries

Brief Paragraph:
Budget 2026-27 announced significant measures to strengthen India's capital goods sector, defined as machinery used to produce other goods including industrial equipment, machines, and construction equipment. Public capital expenditure was set at ₹12.2 lakh crore to drive infrastructure development and industrial growth. A dedicated container manufacturing scheme with ₹10,000 crore allocation aims to boost domestic production and reduce import dependence. Tax incentives include exemptions for electronics manufacturing and customs duty relief for battery and critical minerals equipment. The capital goods sector serves as the backbone of manufacturing, supporting all industries through machinery and equipment supply. Its high multiplier effect means every ₹1 invested generates ₹2.5 to ₹3.5 of economic output, making it crucial for employment generation and infrastructure development. The sector supports energy transition through equipment for EVs and renewable energy. Current challenges include import dependence, low R&D investment (less than 1% of turnover), fragmented MSME sector, and high logistics costs (13-14% of GDP versus 8-9% in developed countries). Solutions focus on promoting indigenous manufacturing, investing in R&D, improving logistics infrastructure, and expanding shared manufacturing facilities. The sector's growth is critical for Assam's industrialisation, supporting tea processing machinery, food processing equipment, and emerging electronics manufacturing clusters.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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4. Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive Scheme (ACC-PLI)

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Heavy Industries, NITI Aayog

Brief Paragraph:
The Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme, launched in 2021 with a budget of ₹18,100 crore, aims to promote domestic battery manufacturing with a target of 50 GWh capacity by 2026. The scheme offers incentives of ₹2,000 per kWh to manufacturers, supporting the entire value chain from cell manufacturing to battery pack assembly. However, implementation challenges persist with only 1.4 GWh commissioned so far, far below the target, and low job creation in the sector. The scheme is critical for supporting India's electric vehicle ecosystem, energy storage requirements for renewable energy integration, and achieving Net Zero targets through reduced import dependence on batteries. ACC manufacturing involves producing lithium-ion cells and other advanced chemistry batteries, requiring significant capital investment and technical expertise. The scheme's success is essential for India's energy security, given the projected demand for batteries in EVs, grid storage, and consumer electronics. Slow implementation reflects challenges in technology acquisition, high capital costs, and global supply chain disruptions. The scheme offers opportunities for Assam's emerging industrial sector, particularly through proposed electronics manufacturing clusters and the state's lithium exploration potential in the Karbi Anglong region.

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5. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: India Semiconductor Mission, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Brief Paragraph:
The Government launched India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 with ₹1,000 crore allocation to strengthen domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The mission aims to build a comprehensive domestic semiconductor ecosystem including chip manufacturing fabs, equipment production, and materials development. It focuses on developing indigenous technology through full-stack semiconductor IP and RISC-V processors, while strengthening supply chains to reduce import dependence. Under ISM 1.0, the government approved ₹1.6 lakh crore in investments through a ₹76,000 crore incentive scheme, attracting proposals from multiple global and domestic players. The Indian semiconductor market is projected to reach $110 billion by 2030, driven by electronics manufacturing growth, digital infrastructure expansion, and rising demand for automotive electronics. Strategic importance includes reducing dependence on foreign chips (currently over 90% imported), improving national security through indigenous chip production, and positioning India in global semiconductor value chains. Economic benefits include boosting manufacturing, generating employment, and supporting the entire electronics ecosystem. Challenges include high capital investment requirements (a single fab costs $5-10 billion), intense global competition from established hubs in Taiwan, US, and China, and the need for skilled workforce with semiconductor design and fabrication expertise.

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6. Reforming India's Power Distribution Sector (DISCOMs)

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Power, State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, Power Finance Corporation

Brief Paragraph:
India's power distribution companies (DISCOMs) have shown significant financial and operational improvement, recording a profit of ₹2,701 crore in 2024-25 compared to a loss of ₹67,962 crore in 2013-14. Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses reduced from 22.62% to 15.04%, while outstanding dues plummeted from ₹1.39 lakh crore to ₹4,927 crore. Major government schemes driving this turnaround include the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY), launched in 2015, under which states took over 75% of DISCOM debt to improve financial stability. The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) with ₹3.03 lakh crore budget aims to reduce losses to 12-15% and improve operational efficiency. The Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) strengthens urban power infrastructure. However, persistent challenges include dependence on state subsidies, non-cost-reflective tariffs (tariffs below supply cost), free power schemes to agriculture, unmetered agricultural electricity consumption, and political resistance to reforms. Way forward includes Direct Benefit Transfer for subsidies to targeted beneficiaries, smart metering implementation, cost-reflective tariffs, solarisation of agricultural feeders, and strengthening regulatory institutions. DISCOM reforms are critical for India's energy security, renewable energy transition (requiring grid stability and financial health), and overall fiscal stability of states including Assam where power sector reforms remain priority.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 4: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. Breakthrough in CAR T-Cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Mumbai

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Department of Biotechnology

Brief Paragraph:
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay developed a safer method to recover lab-grown T-cells, significantly improving CAR T-cell therapy efficiency for cancer treatment. CAR T-cell therapy is an advanced cancer immunotherapy where patients' T-cells (immune cells) are genetically modified to attack cancer cells, primarily used for leukemia and lymphoma. The traditional cell extraction process damages T-cells, reducing treatment efficacy. The new breakthrough uses an enzyme called Accutase to safely recover T-cells without damage, resulting in higher survival rates, better immune function, and improved treatment success. India's first indigenous CAR T-cell therapy, NexCAR19, was developed in 2023, marking India's entry into advanced cancer therapeutics. This new breakthrough further enhances treatment outcomes while maintaining cost advantages. The medical benefits include improved cancer treatment success rates and safer therapy protocols. Economic significance includes drastic cost reduction, making advanced cancer therapy affordable in India compared to international alternatives costing several lakh rupees. Strategically, this strengthens India's biotech capabilities and positions the country as a global leader in affordable advanced therapies. For Assam, where cancer incidence is significant particularly in the Brahmaputra Valley, affordable CAR T-cell therapy could transform cancer care access. The breakthrough demonstrates India's growing capabilities in cutting-edge medical research and biotechnology innovation.

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2. Sovereign AI and Sarvam AI Models

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Bengaluru

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IndiaAI Mission, Sarvam AI

Brief Paragraph:
Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI developed indigenous AI models—Sarvam Vision and Bulbul V3—that outperform global models like Google Gemini and OpenAI ChatGPT on India-specific benchmarks. This development is part of India's Sovereign AI initiative, defined as a nation's ability to develop, deploy, and control AI using its own infrastructure, data, talent, and regulatory frameworks for strategic autonomy and technological independence. Sarvam Vision is a 3-billion parameter vision-language model capable of image captioning, table parsing, and document digitization while supporting all 22 Indian languages. It performs knowledge extraction (not just OCR) with 84.3% accuracy on olmOCR benchmark and 93.28% on OmniDocBench. Bulbul V3 is a text-to-speech model supporting 11 Indian languages (expanding to 22) that handles regional accents, code-switching, and emotional tone for multilingual voice interaction. The IndiaAI Mission with ₹10,300 crore budget aims to develop indigenous Large Language Models (70-billion parameter), build AI compute infrastructure, and promote AI innovation ecosystem. Sarvam AI plans variants including Sarvam-Large, Sarvam-Small, and Sarvam-Edge for different applications. Importance includes data security (preventing sensitive data storage abroad), strategic autonomy (reducing foreign AI dependence), cultural relevance (Indian language and context-aware AI), digital inclusion (voice-based AI for illiterate population), and cost efficiency (smaller, energy-efficient models). Challenges include lack of Indian language datasets, AI bias risks, dependence on foreign AI chips, and competition from global tech giants.

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3. New Telescopes in Ladakh

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Location: Ladakh, Union Territory

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Department of Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences

Brief Paragraph:
India will build major new telescopes in Ladakh, significantly enhancing its astronomical research capabilities. The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) is a 2-metre solar telescope designed to study solar flares, solar magnetism, and space weather, supporting satellite protection through improved space weather prediction. The National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 13.7-metre telescope, positioning it among the world's largest optical telescopes, capable of studying exoplanets, stellar evolution, and the origin of the universe. The existing Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) will be upgraded to 3.7-metre capacity, enhancing its observation capabilities. Ladakh's high-altitude, cold desert environment with clear skies and low atmospheric water vapour provides ideal conditions for astronomical observations. These telescopes strengthen India's scientific leadership in astronomy, enable space weather monitoring crucial for satellite and communication infrastructure, ensure data sovereignty through indigenous observation capabilities, and facilitate scientific cooperation with Global South countries. The project represents significant investment in fundamental science infrastructure, creating research opportunities for Indian scientists and students. For competitive examinations, this demonstrates India's growing capabilities in space science beyond ISRO's missions, encompassing ground-based astronomical observation infrastructure.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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4. Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2026

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Brief Paragraph:
The Government notified the Information Technology Amendment Rules, 2026, introducing stringent provisions for content regulation on digital platforms. Key features include faster content removal timelines, requiring platforms to remove illegal content within 3 hours and deepfakes within 2 hours of notification. Mandatory labelling of AI-generated content is now required, with clear identification of synthetic content defined as AI-generated or modified realistic media. Platforms failing to comply risk losing safe harbour immunity, which protects intermediaries from liability for user-generated content. The rules aim to control the spread of deepfakes and manipulated media, improve accountability of social media platforms, and protect users from AI misuse including misinformation and identity fraud. Social media platforms, messaging apps, and digital news platforms must establish mechanisms for rapid content takedown and clear labelling of AI-generated material. The amendments respond to growing concerns about deepfake technology enabling realistic but fake videos and images that can damage reputations, spread misinformation, and influence elections. Platforms must maintain records of content removal and AI-generated content labelling for regulatory scrutiny. The rules apply to all significant social media intermediaries with substantial user base in India, including global platforms operating in the country.

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5. Bhashini and Bharat EduAI Stack

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Education, IIT Madras, National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)

Brief Paragraph:
The Government launched AI-based education infrastructure through Bodhan AI and the Bharat EduAI Stack. Bodhan AI is a non-profit organisation established under the Ministry of Education and developed by IIT Madras to promote AI-driven education. The Bharat EduAI Stack is an open-source AI infrastructure for education, enabling development of AI tutors, teacher training modules, student progress tracking systems, and education policy analytics. This initiative aligns with NEP 2020's vision of technology-integrated education and the "AI for All" objective of democratising AI access. The platform leverages Bhashini, the National Language Translation Mission, to enable education delivery in all 22 Indian languages including Assamese. For Assam, this means students can access AI-powered educational content in their mother tongue, bridging language barriers that currently limit digital education access. Teachers can receive training in local languages, and educational administrators can use analytics for evidence-based policy decisions. The open-source nature allows state governments, including Assam, to customise the platform for local curriculum needs and integrate with existing educational technology infrastructure. The initiative addresses challenges of educational access in rural areas, teacher shortages through AI tutoring support, and personalised learning at scale.

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6. P-8I Poseidon Aircraft Acquisition

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Nationwide (Naval bases)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence

Brief Paragraph:
India will acquire 6 additional Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy's maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The P-8I is a long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, radar, and weapons systems for detecting and tracking submarines. Its functions include anti-submarine warfare (tracking and neutralising enemy submarines), maritime surveillance (monitoring ship movements and Exclusive Economic Zone), intelligence gathering through electronic intelligence systems, and search and rescue operations. The acquisition strengthens India's surveillance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), critical for protecting sea lanes of communication through which most of India's trade passes. The aircraft can detect submarines attempting to approach Indian waters, countering threats from naval forces in the region. The P-8I fleet operates from Indian Naval bases, covering the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For Assam and Northeast India, while the aircraft operate primarily in maritime domains, the enhanced surveillance capabilities contribute to overall national security, protecting India's eastern seaboard and approaches to the Bay of Bengal that connect to Northeast India through strategic ports. The acquisition demonstrates India's focus on building comprehensive maritime domain awareness.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 5: ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY

1. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Scheme

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, NITI Aayog

Brief Paragraph:
The Government allocated ₹20,000 crore in Budget 2026–27 to promote Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology for decarbonizing heavy industries, particularly steel manufacturing. According to the International Energy Agency, CCUS involves three steps: capturing CO₂ from industrial sources or atmosphere, transporting it through pipelines, ships, or tankers, and either utilizing it to produce methanol, urea, fuels, and building materials, or storing it underground in oil fields or saline aquifers. For India, CCUS is crucial for decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals that produce unavoidable CO₂ emissions. India is the world's 2nd largest steel producer, making CCUS essential for emissions reduction. The technology supports India's Net-Zero target (2070) and helps meet Paris Agreement climate goals. It ensures energy security by allowing cleaner use of fossil fuels (coal constitutes 55–60% of India's energy mix) during the transition period. CCUS promotes green steel production (defined as emissions below 2.2 tCO₂e per tonne) and protects exports from carbon taxes like the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Utilization options promote circular economy through CO₂ conversion to methanol, fertilizers, and enhanced oil recovery. India's initiatives include the ₹20,000 crore scheme, Green Steel classification system, NITI Aayog CCUS framework, and National Centres at IIT Bombay and JNCASR Bengaluru. Challenges include high cost (raises electricity cost by 60–80%), lack of CO₂ pipeline infrastructure, land acquisition issues, limited geological storage data, and regulatory gaps. Solutions include carbon credit trading, cluster-based industrial hubs, tax incentives, and CCUS-based PLI schemes.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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2. Arctic Warming and Invasive Species Threat

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Arctic Region (Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Europe)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change, Arctic Council (observer)

Brief Paragraph:
Rapid Arctic warming is increasing the risk of invasive plant species establishment in the region, with a major scientific finding indicating that 2,554 plant species could potentially invade Arctic ecosystems. Vulnerable regions include Alaska, Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Europe, where warming temperatures make conditions suitable for species that previously could not survive the harsh climate. Invasive Alien Species are non-native species that spread rapidly, harm ecosystems, and displace native species. The impact on Arctic biodiversity threatens mosses, Arctic fox populations, and polar wildlife dependent on stable ecosystems. This global phenomenon has parallels in India, where invasive species like Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, and Chromolaena odorata have already caused significant ecological damage. Threat regions in India include Northeast India (biodiversity hotspots facing species invasion), Western Ghats (another biodiversity hotspot), and Ganga plains where invasive species disrupt agriculture and native ecosystems. The Arctic warming trend accelerates biodiversity loss globally, demonstrating the interconnectedness of climate change impacts. For Assam and Northeast India, which host rich biodiversity including one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga and diverse flora in the Eastern Himalayas, the threat of invasive species is particularly acute. Climate change enables invasive species to expand their range into previously inhospitable areas, outcompeting native species and altering ecosystem dynamics.

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3. Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Chenab River, Jammu & Kashmir

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Ministry of Power

Brief Paragraph:
The Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project, with 1,856 MW capacity on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir, represents India's strategic utilisation of its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. The Chenab is classified as a Western River under the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, with the treaty allocating Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) primarily to Pakistan while granting India certain rights for hydroelectric development. India can construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects on Western Rivers with restrictions on storage capacity. The Sawalkot project will generate significant power for the northern grid, improving India's energy security and development in Jammu and Kashmir. Strategically, the project demonstrates India's optimal utilisation of treaty entitlements, generating clean energy while complying with treaty provisions. The project contributes to India's renewable energy targets and reduces dependence on fossil fuels. For competitive examinations, understanding Indus Waters Treaty provisions and India's hydroelectric development on Western Rivers is crucial. The project also highlights the technical and diplomatic aspects of transboundary water management in South Asia.

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4. Tsunami Warning System in Andaman & Nicobar

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences

Brief Paragraph:
India established a new tsunami warning system centre in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, enhancing capabilities to detect both seismic and non-seismic tsunamis. The centre strengthens India's early warning infrastructure in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly critical given the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that caused massive devastation. The system can detect seismic tsunamis generated by earthquakes under the ocean floor, as well as non-seismic tsunamis caused by underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, or meteorological events. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands' location along active tectonic plate boundaries makes them both vulnerable to tsunamis and strategically positioned for early detection. The centre integrates data from seismic networks, tide gauges, and ocean-bottom pressure sensors to provide timely warnings to coastal communities. For India's eastern coast and the Bay of Bengal region, including West Bengal and potentially impacting Assam through river systems connected to the Bay, improved warning capabilities enhance disaster preparedness. The system supports the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS), contributing to regional cooperation in disaster risk reduction. For competitive examinations, this represents India's investment in disaster management infrastructure and scientific capabilities for public safety.

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5. Arctic Sentry Mission

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Arctic Region

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: NATO, Arctic Council member states

Brief Paragraph:
NATO launched the Arctic Sentry mission to strengthen security in the Arctic region, focusing on improved surveillance, infrastructure protection, and countering emerging threats. The Arctic's strategic importance has grown due to climate change-induced ice melt opening new shipping routes (Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route) and revealing vast natural resource deposits including oil, gas, and minerals. The mission aims to monitor military activities, protect critical undersea infrastructure like communication cables and energy pipelines, and respond to potential security challenges from major powers seeking to expand Arctic presence. The Arctic is increasingly becoming a theatre of strategic competition, with Russia having significant Arctic coastline and military assets, China declaring itself a "near-Arctic state" and investing in polar research and infrastructure, and NATO members including US, Canada, Norway, and Denmark (through Greenland) having Arctic territories. For India, which has observer status in the Arctic Council, the mission highlights the growing geopolitical importance of the Arctic and the need to monitor developments that could impact global shipping, climate patterns, and strategic balances. India's Arctic policy, articulated in 2022, focuses on scientific research, climate monitoring, and economic cooperation.

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6. Green Hydrogen Partnership: India–Netherlands

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: India–Netherlands

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of Netherlands

Brief Paragraph:
India and the Netherlands launched a hydrogen research partnership to promote cooperation in green hydrogen development, research collaboration, and technology exchange. The partnership supports India's National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make India a global hub for green hydrogen production and export. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis of water using renewable energy, is crucial for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like steel, cement, fertilizers, and heavy transport. The Netherlands, with its advanced hydrogen infrastructure and position as Europe's energy hub, offers strategic partnership for technology development and potential export routes to European markets. The partnership includes joint research projects, exchange of scientists and experts, and collaboration on hydrogen standards and safety protocols. For India, this supports the Net Zero 2070 target by enabling clean energy alternatives in industrial sectors. For Assam, where the Numaligarh Refinery has announced green hydrogen projects and the state has renewable energy potential from solar and biomass, such international partnerships open technology access and investment opportunities. The partnership also strengthens India-EU cooperation on clean energy under the broader India-EU Strategic Partnership.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 6: AWARDS & HONOURS

1. India as Chair of Kimberley Process 2026

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: International (India assumes Chairmanship)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council

Brief Paragraph:
India assumed Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2026, strengthening its leadership in global diamond governance. The Kimberley Process was launched in 2003 to prevent trade in conflict diamonds (rough diamonds used to fund armed conflicts against legitimate governments) through an international certification scheme. It covers 60 participants representing 86 countries and accounts for 99.8% of global rough diamond production. India's position in the global diamond industry is paramount as the world's largest diamond processing hub, handling 90% of world diamonds by volume and 75% by value, with major processing centres in Surat and Mumbai. India is also a global leader in lab-grown diamonds, producing over 15% of global supply, supported by government initiatives including IIT Madras research centre, duty removal on carbon seeds, and 100% FDI allowance. The Kimberley Process faces challenges including narrow definition of conflict diamonds (only covering diamonds funding rebel movements, not state-sponsored conflicts or human rights abuses), traceability loopholes allowing "mixed origin" diamonds, consensus-based veto system blocking reforms, application only to rough diamonds (not polished), and lack of permanent institutional structure. As Chair, India has opportunities to introduce blockchain-based certification for improved traceability, expand the definition of conflict diamonds, strengthen transparency and auditing, support African diamond-producing countries, and promote ethical and sustainable diamond trade. India's chairmanship can transform KP into a modern, transparent, and ethical diamond governance system.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 7: SPORTS

1. Colombo Security Conclave (Regional Security, not sports but placed here for completeness)

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Indian Ocean Region

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy

Brief Paragraph:
The Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) is a regional maritime security grouping in the Indian Ocean Region comprising India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh, and Seychelles. Its objectives include maritime security cooperation, counter-terrorism coordination, cyber security collaboration, and disaster relief cooperation. For India, the CSC strengthens Indian Ocean security architecture, counters China's growing influence in the region through its String of Pearls strategy, and establishes India as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. The conclave conducts coordinated patrols, joint exercises, information sharing on maritime domain awareness, and capacity building for member states. Bangladesh's recent inclusion expands the conclave's coverage to the Bay of Bengal region, critical for India's eastern seaboard and connectivity to Northeast India through ports. The CSC complements other Indian Ocean initiatives like the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and India's bilateral maritime partnerships. For competitive examinations, understanding India's role in regional security architecture and countering strategic competition in the Indian Ocean is essential.

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SECTION 7: SPORTS (Continued from Part 1)

2. Indian Air Force Training British Pilots

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: United Kingdom

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Indian Air Force, Royal Air Force (UK), Ministry of Defence

Brief Paragraph:
Indian Air Force instructors have been deployed to a United Kingdom training base to train British pilots, marking a significant milestone in India-UK defence cooperation. This unprecedented arrangement demonstrates the high level of trust and interoperability between the two air forces. The deployment enhances India-UK defence ties under the UK-India Vision 2035 roadmap, which outlines comprehensive cooperation across defence, security, trade, and technology sectors. Indian instructors bring expertise in diverse operational conditions, including hot-weather and high-altitude flying, which is valuable for RAF pilots operating in various global theatres. The cooperation enables both air forces to learn from each other's experiences, tactics, and procedures, improving combined operational capabilities for future joint missions. This initiative follows several joint exercises between India and the UK, including Exercise Indradhanush (army), Exercise Konkan (navy), and increasing air force collaborations. For India, this represents a shift from being a traditional defence technology recipient to becoming a provider of training and expertise, consistent with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The deployment also opens opportunities for deeper defence industrial collaboration, including co-development and co-production of defence equipment.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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6. India–Greece Defence Cooperation

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026

Location: Greece

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Government of Greece

Brief Paragraph:
India and Greece signed significant defence cooperation agreements including a Joint Declaration of Intent and a military cooperation plan for 2026, strengthening bilateral strategic relations. Greece will post a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, enhancing maritime domain awareness and cooperation. Greece holds strategic importance for India as a gateway to European Union markets, a key node in the proposed India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC), and a counter to the Turkey-Pakistan axis in regional geopolitics. Maritime cooperation links Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean security concerns, both critical for global trade routes. However, challenges remain including low bilateral trade (approximately USD 2 billion), lack of direct connectivity, Chinese control of major Greek ports (Piraeus port operated by COSCO), and institutional cooperation gaps. The way forward includes operationalizing the IMEC corridor, expanding defence cooperation beyond declarations, improving shipping connectivity through direct maritime routes, and increasing trade and labour cooperation. India and Greece share historical connections dating back to ancient times, with diplomatic relations established in 1950. Greece has consistently supported India on issues like Kashmir at international forums, while India supports Greece on Cyprus-related matters.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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SECTION 9: ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT NEWS

1. Right to Disconnect Bill

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Labour and Employment, Parliament of India

Brief Paragraph:
Discussions on the proposed Right to Disconnect Bill gained prominence, aiming to protect employees from work-related communication outside working hours. The bill would give workers the legal right to ignore emails, messages, and calls from employers after their designated work hours without facing adverse consequences. This legislation addresses growing concerns about always-on work culture, particularly with the rise of digital communication tools and hybrid work arrangements post-pandemic. The bill aims to improve work-life balance, reduce employee burnout and stress-related health issues, and clearly demarcate work time from personal time. Similar laws exist in several countries including France (which pioneered the concept in 2017), Germany where many companies have voluntary agreements, and Italy which introduced legislation in recent years. The bill would apply to both public and private sector employees, with potential exemptions for emergency services and critical infrastructure roles. For India's IT and services sectors, where extended work hours and after-hours communication are common, this legislation would mandate significant workplace practice changes. Employers would need to establish clear communication policies, respect designated non-work hours, and ensure that performance evaluation does not penalize employees for exercising their right to disconnect. The bill represents evolving labour rights in the digital age.

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2. Ricin and Bioterrorism Concerns

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: India

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Home Affairs, National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau

Brief Paragraph:
The first alleged ricin-based bioterror plot in India came to light, highlighting emerging bioterrorism threats and the need for enhanced preparedness. Ricin is a highly toxic protein derived from castor beans (Ricinus communis) that blocks protein synthesis in cells, leading to organ failure and death. It has no known antidote and is effective in very small amounts, making it a potential bioterrorism agent. Ricin is classified as a Schedule 1 substance under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits its development, production, and stockpiling. The castor plant is widely cultivated in India for castor oil production, making raw material readily available. Bioterrorism risk involves potential use for assassination or mass casualty attacks through contamination of food, water, or air. Security agencies have heightened surveillance of castor bean facilities, chemical supply chains, and individuals with toxicology expertise. The incident underscores the need for strengthening biosafety regulations, enhancing laboratory security, training first responders for chemical-biological incidents, and international cooperation on biosecurity. India is a signatory to the Biological Weapons Convention and has the Disaster Management Act provisions for handling such threats. For competitive examinations, understanding bioterrorism agents, related international conventions, and India's preparedness mechanisms is essential.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

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3. Gravity and Earth's Motion

Date of Occurrence: 12 February 2026 (scientific discussion)

Location: Global

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Department of Science and Technology

Brief Paragraph:
Scientific discussions on gravity and Earth's motion highlighted fundamental concepts relevant for space science and competitive examinations. Gravity is the fundamental force that keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun and the Moon in orbit around Earth, resulting from the curvature of spacetime caused by massive objects as described by Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. Earth moves at an astonishing speed of approximately 107,000 kilometres per hour in its orbit around the Sun, covering nearly 1 billion kilometres in its annual journey. The Michelson–Morley experiment (1887) was historically significant as it disproved the existence of "aether"—a hypothetical medium once believed necessary for light propagation. This experiment paved the way for Einstein's theory of relativity by demonstrating that the speed of light is constant regardless of the observer's motion. Understanding these concepts is crucial for space missions, satellite navigation, and comprehending phenomena like tides (caused by Moon's gravity), seasons (resulting from Earth's axial tilt combined with orbital motion), and time variations. For India's space programme, precise knowledge of gravitational interactions and orbital mechanics enables accurate satellite positioning, interplanetary missions like Mangalyaan, and lunar exploration like Chandrayaan missions.

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4. Network Readiness Index 2025

Date of Occurrence: 10 February 2026

Location: Global (India ranking)

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Portulans Institute

Brief Paragraph:
India secured the 45th rank globally in the Network Readiness Index 2025, reflecting improved digital readiness across the country. The Network Readiness Index (NRI), published by the Portulans Institute (formerly part of World Economic Forum), measures countries' capacity to leverage information and communication technologies (ICT) for competitiveness and well-being. The index assesses four pillars: technology (infrastructure, access, and future technologies), people (individual, business, and government ICT usage), governance (trust, regulation, and inclusion), and impact (economic and social contributions of ICT). India's improved ranking demonstrates progress in digital infrastructure expansion through BharatNet, increased internet penetration, growth of digital payments via UPI, and government service digitization through platforms like UMANG and DigiLocker. The ranking also reflects India's strengths in AI readiness, mobile phone manufacturing, and digital talent pool. However, challenges remain in rural-urban digital divide, cybersecurity preparedness, and digital literacy among elderly and marginalized populations. For Assam, this national progress translates to state-level initiatives in digital connectivity, e-governance, and skill development, though the state must accelerate efforts to match national averages. The improved ranking positions India favourably for digital trade and investment in technology sectors.

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5. National Large Solar Telescope (Detailed scientific addition)

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Location: Ladakh

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Department of Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Astrophysics

Brief Paragraph:
The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), a 2-metre aperture solar telescope being established in Ladakh, represents India's significant investment in solar physics research. The telescope is designed to study solar phenomena including solar flares (sudden eruptions of electromagnetic radiation), solar magnetism (magnetic fields governing solar activity), and space weather (conditions in space affected by solar activity). Understanding space weather is crucial for protecting satellites, communication systems, navigation networks, and power grids from solar disturbances. The high-altitude, cold desert location in Ladakh offers excellent viewing conditions with minimal atmospheric distortion and high number of clear days annually. The NLST will be one of the world's largest solar telescopes, enabling Indian scientists to conduct cutting-edge research on the Sun-Earth connection. The telescope's adaptive optics system will correct for atmospheric turbulence, providing images comparable to space-based observatories. Data from NLST will support international collaborations on solar physics and space weather prediction. For India's growing space assets, including communication satellites, navigation satellites (NavIC), and earth observation satellites, improved space weather prediction enhances mission safety and operational reliability.

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6. Advanced Chemistry Cell PLI Scheme Challenges

Date of Occurrence: 14 February 2026

Location: Nationwide

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Ministry of Heavy Industries, NITI Aayog

Brief Paragraph:
The Advanced Chemistry Cell Production Linked Incentive (ACC-PLI) scheme faces significant implementation challenges with only 1.4 GWh capacity commissioned against the 50 GWh target for 2026. The scheme, launched in 2021 with ₹18,100 crore budget, offers incentives of ₹2,000 per kWh to promote domestic battery manufacturing for electric vehicles and energy storage. The slow progress reflects multiple challenges including high capital investment requirements (battery gigafactories cost $1-2 billion), technology acquisition difficulties (most advanced cell technology held by Chinese, Korean, Japanese companies), global supply chain disruptions for raw materials (lithium, cobalt, nickel), and skilled workforce shortages in advanced chemistry manufacturing. The low commissioning also results in minimal job creation in the sector, affecting the employment potential of the green transition. For India's ambitious EV targets (30% electrification by 2030) and renewable energy integration requiring grid-scale storage, domestic battery manufacturing is critical to avoid import dependence similar to crude oil. The challenges underscore the need for technology transfer agreements, raw material security through international partnerships (like lithium exploration in Argentina, Australia), and workforce development programmes. For Assam, where lithium exploration potential exists in Karbi Anglong, success of ACC-PLI could create downstream opportunities.

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7. Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project - Technical Details

Date of Occurrence: 13 February 2026

Location: Chenab River, Jammu & Kashmir

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: NHPC, Ministry of Power, Central Water Commission

Brief Paragraph:
The Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir is a run-of-the-river hydroelectric scheme that utilizes the river's flow without significant storage, generating 1,856 MW of clean electricity. Run-of-the-river projects divert a portion of river flow through tunnels or channels to turbines, returning water to the river downstream, with minimal reservoir storage. This design complies with Indus Waters Treaty restrictions on Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) where India has limited storage rights. The project includes a diversion dam, headrace tunnels, underground powerhouse, and tailrace channel. Power generated will evacuate through the northern grid, benefiting Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and neighbouring states. The project's strategic importance extends beyond power generation—it demonstrates India's full utilization of treaty entitlements, creates employment in the region, and supports development in Jammu and Kashmir. Construction involves significant engineering challenges including tunneling through Himalayan geology, seismic considerations in earthquake-prone zone, and environmental management in ecologically sensitive area. The project contributes to India's hydropower capacity, which provides grid stability and complements intermittent solar and wind power. For Assam, while geographically distant, understanding such projects is crucial for water resource management, inter-state river issues, and India's energy mix.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

Key Facts:

8. Michelson–Morley Experiment (Detailed Scientific Explanation)

Date of Occurrence: Historical context (1887), discussed 12 February 2026

Location: Global scientific context

Key Facts & Figures:

Government Body / Organisation Involved: Scientific community

Brief Paragraph:
The Michelson–Morley experiment, conducted in 1887 by physicists Albert Michelson and Edward Morley at what is now Case Western Reserve University, stands as one of the most famous and important experiments in physics history. The experiment aimed to detect the "luminiferous aether"—a hypothetical medium believed to permeate space and serve as the carrier for light waves, similar to how air carries sound waves. Using an interferometer (now called Michelson interferometer), they measured the speed of light in perpendicular directions, expecting to detect differences caused by Earth's motion through the aether. Remarkably, they found no difference—the speed of light was constant in all directions, regardless of Earth's motion. This null result disproved the existence of aether and posed a fundamental challenge to 19th-century physics. The experiment's implications were revolutionary: it led to the development of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity (1905), which postulated that the speed of light is constant for all observers and that space and time are relative rather than absolute. The Michelson interferometer principle continues to be used in modern applications including gravitational wave detection (LIGO), optical coatings testing, and precision measurements. Michelson received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1907, becoming the first American to win a Nobel in sciences.

Why it is important for competitive exams:

Key Facts:

IMPORTANT NEWS SUMMARY TABLE (All Sections)

Topic

Category

Key Importance

India–Malaysia CSP

International Relations

Act East Policy, ASEAN ties

India–US Trade Agreement

Economy

Farmer protection, export boost

Sovereign AI (Sarvam AI)

Science & Tech

Digital sovereignty, Indian languages

CAR T-Cell Therapy

Science & Tech

Affordable cancer treatment

Semiconductor Mission 2.0

Economy

Tech sovereignty, manufacturing

CCUS Scheme

Environment

Net Zero, industrial decarbonisation

Kimberley Process Chair

Awards & Honours

Diamond governance leadership

Assam Rifles Indigenous Dogs

Assam

Biodiversity, security forces

US-Bangladesh Cotton Deal

Assam Impact

Textile sector threat

Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions

Assam/History

Ancient trade evidence

NITI Aayog Viksit Bharat

Economy

Long-term development goals

DISCOM Reforms

Economy

Power sector turnaround

Ladakh Telescopes

Science & Tech

Scientific leadership

Colombo Security Conclave

International Relations

Indian Ocean security

P-8I Aircraft

Defence

Maritime surveillance

Right to Disconnect Bill

Social Issues

Labour rights, work-life balance

Ricin Bioterrorism

Internal Security

Bioterrorism threat awareness

Network Readiness Index

Economy/Technology

India's digital progress

EXAM-FOCUSED REVISION POINTS

Assam-Specific Quick Revision

    1. Assam Rifles Indigenous Dogs: Tangkhul Hui (Manipur), Kombai (Tamil Nadu); India's oldest paramilitary force (1835)
    2. Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions: Found in Egypt; evidence of Indo-Roman trade; connects Assam to ancient maritime routes
    3. AI in Education: Three A's framework; Bhashini supports Assamese; IIT Guwahati role
    4. CCUS Impact: ₹20,000 crore scheme; affects Assam's cement and coal industries
    5. US-Bangladesh Cotton Deal: 0% tariff for Bangladesh; Assam's handloom sector (12+ lakh weavers) threatened
    6. Sovereign AI: Sarvam AI supports Assamese language; data sovereignty benefits Assam
    7. Semiconductor Mission 2.0: AMTRON role; Assam Electronics Policy 2023
    8. Network Readiness Index: India 45th; Assam's BharatNet progress; Common Service Centres

National Quick Revision

    1. India-Malaysia: USD 19.86 billion trade; Malaysia-India Digital Council; Thiruvalluvar Chair
    2. India-US Trade: Strict negative list protects farmers; zero-duty for spices, tea, coffee
    3. India-Russia: 60% defence supplies; USD 68.7 billion trade; multi-alignment strategy
    4. CAR T-Cell: NexCAR19 (2023); Accutase enzyme breakthrough; affordable cancer therapy
    5. ISM 2.0: ₹1,000 crore allocation; ₹1.6 lakh crore investments approved; $110 billion market by 2030
    6. NITI Aayog Report: USD 30 trillion economy by 2047; Net Zero 2070; USD 22.7 trillion investment needed
    7. DISCOM Reforms: ₹2,701 crore profit (2024-25); AT&C losses 15.04%; UDAY scheme
    8. Ladakh Telescopes: NLST (2-metre solar); NLOT (13.7-metre optical); space weather monitoring
    9. P-8I Aircraft: 6 additional; anti-submarine warfare; Indian Ocean surveillance
    10. Kimberley Process: India Chair 2026; 90% diamonds processed in India; lab-grown diamond leader

International Quick Revision

    1. India-Greece Defence: IFC-IOR officer; IMEC corridor; counter Turkey-Pakistan axis
    2. India-Netherlands Hydrogen: Green hydrogen research; supports National Green Hydrogen Mission
    3. Arctic Sentry: NATO mission; Arctic security; India observer in Arctic Council
    4. US-Bangladesh Deal: Zero-tariff textile; threatens Indian exports

Related MCQs (Sample)

Showing 2 sample MCQs out of total MCQs

Q. Which indigenous dog breed from Manipur is being deployed by Assam Rifles as part of shifting to Indian breeds?

  • A. Tangkhul Hui
  • B. Kombai
  • C. Rajapalayam
  • D. Mudhol Hound

Q. What is the name of the indigenous CAR T-cell therapy developed in India in 2023?

  • A. NexCAR19
  • B. Accutase
  • C. Bodhan AI
  • D. Sarvam Vision
Practice All MCQs
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