🌍 International Affairs
🔹 Global Climate Adaptation Fund Expansion
The Green Climate Fund approved USD 2.4 billion for climate adaptation projects.
Beneficiary regions include South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Pacific Island nations.
Focus areas: coastal protection, drought-resistant agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
India welcomed the decision as it strengthens climate financing support for developing countries.
🔹 India–France Defence Cooperation Dialogue
India and France held strategic defence consultations in Paris.
Discussions focused on:
Joint production of next-generation fighter jet engines.
Expansion of cooperation in maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Enhancing submarine technology collaboration.
France reaffirmed support for India’s defence indigenisation initiatives.
🔹 UN Security Council Debate on AI Governance
The UN Security Council conducted a high-level debate on risks posed by artificial intelligence in warfare.
Member states discussed creating global norms to regulate autonomous weapons.
India emphasized ethical AI deployment and sovereign data governance.
🇮🇳 National Affairs
🔹 Cabinet Approval for National Logistics Efficiency Program
Union Cabinet approved ₹18,500 crore logistics modernization plan.
Objective: reduce logistics cost from 13–14% of GDP to below 9%.
Includes:
AI-enabled freight tracking.
Multimodal cargo hubs.
Integration with PM Gati Shakti digital platform.
🔹 Digital Agriculture Mission Expansion
Ministry of Agriculture expanded digital farm registry coverage to 12 additional states.
Farmers receive:
satellite-based crop monitoring,
AI advisory services,
direct integration with crop insurance schemes.
Over 8.7 crore farmers now enrolled nationwide.
🔹 Supreme Court Guidelines on Digital Privacy
The Supreme Court issued guidelines strengthening data protection in mobile apps.
Mandatory:
explicit consent for data usage,
transparency in data storage,
grievance redressal mechanisms.
Non-compliance may attract penalties under IT regulations.
💰 Economy & Banking
🔹 RBI Digital Rupee Pilot Expansion
RBI expanded CBDC retail pilot to 5 additional cities, taking the total to 20 cities.
Participating banks increased to 18 banks.
Use cases include:
offline transactions,
programmable payments,
government subsidy transfers.
🔹 India’s Wholesale Inflation Update
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation stood at 2.9% (January 2026).
Decline driven by:
falling fuel prices,
easing food inflation,
improved supply chains.
🔹 Public Sector Banks Credit Growth Data
PSB credit growth recorded 11.3% year-on-year.
MSME lending rose 14.8%, reflecting credit demand revival.
Retail loan portfolio remains the fastest growing segment.
🛡 Defence & Security
🔹 DRDO Successfully Tests Advanced Loitering Munition
DRDO tested an indigenous loitering munition system with a range exceeding 50 km.
Features:
real-time surveillance,
precision strike capability,
autonomous navigation.
🔹 Indian Navy Conducts Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise
Conducted in the Arabian Sea.
Participating assets:
P-8I maritime patrol aircraft,
stealth frigates,
submarine hunting helicopters.
Objective: enhance underwater threat detection capability.
🏗 Infrastructure & Development
🔹 Inauguration of Eastern Freight Corridor Section
A 128 km rail freight section was inaugurated connecting industrial clusters.
Expected to:
reduce freight transit time by 40%,
improve coal and cement supply efficiency.
🔹 Smart City Mobility Project Launch
Electric bus rapid transit system launched in Indore.
Fleet includes 150 electric buses.
Expected reduction: 22,000 tonnes CO₂ annually.
👩⚖️ Appointments & Resignations
🔹 New Chief Election Commissioner Appointed
Rajiv Kumar Verma appointed as the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
Previously served as Election Commissioner.
Known for introducing digital voter verification initiatives.
🔹 CEO Appointment in Banking Sector
Anita Mehra appointed Managing Director & CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank.
Over 30 years of banking experience in retail credit and risk management.
🏆 Awards & Honours
🔹 Global Energy Leadership Award
Indian renewable energy pioneer Dr. Ajay Mathur received the award for contributions to global clean energy transition.
Recognized for scaling solar energy adoption in developing nations.
🔹 Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize
Awarded to Dr. Meenakshi Iyer for translating classical Tamil literature into Hindi.
⚽ Sports News
🔹 ICC Champions Trophy 2026 Preparations
ICC confirmed final venue upgrades in Lahore and Dubai.
Tournament scheduled to begin March 2026.
🔹 Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 Auction Highlights
Pawan Sehrawat became the most expensive player at ₹2.9 crore.
Over 500 players participated in the auction.
🔹 ISSF Shooting World Cup – India Wins Gold
Rudrankksh Patil won gold in 10m Air Rifle event.
India’s medal tally: 2 Gold, 1 Silver.
📚 Important Days Observed
🔹 18 February – Global Tourism Resilience Day
Promotes sustainable and resilient tourism practices.
First observed in 2023 following UN resolution.
📊 Key Facts for Exams
Logistics cost target: below 9% of GDP
Digital agriculture coverage: 8.7 crore farmers
RBI CBDC pilot cities: 20
WPI inflation (Jan 2026): 2.9%
Loitering munition range: 50+ km
Electric bus fleet launched: 150 buses
