11th February 2026

1. USGBC LEED List highlights China at the top, with India rising to second position
2. IPC signs three MoUs with GSPC, QCI and HITES to enhance drug safety and quality standards
3. India and Greece sign a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation
4. ADB approves a USD 182 million loan to scale up flood control and soil erosion management in Assam
5. Moody’s projects India’s GDP growth at 6.4% in FY27, the fastest among G-20 economies
6. GRSE and HSL sign an MoU to form a consortium under the National Shipbuilding Programme
7. RBI approves the appointment of Vijay Anandh as MD and CEO of City Union Bank
8. Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is named brand ambassador for the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh
9. ISRO selects Mons Mouton-4 as the landing site for the Chandrayaan-4 mission
10. Aditya Pandya becomes India’s youngest male analog astronaut
11. National Deworming Day is observed to promote child health awareness
12. Gujarat signs a Letter of Intent with Starlink to improve digital connectivity
13. India commissions two major telescopes, boosting its astronomical research capacity
14. Delhi announces a ₹1 lakh financial support scheme for daughters from birth to graduation
15. AIIA signs an MoU with the General Insurance Council to enable cashless Ayurveda treatment coverage
16. A new India-UK agreement reduces the social security burden for workers in both countries
17. Government introduces a three-hour takedown rule to curb harmful online content
18. International Day of Women and Girls in Science
19. Goldman Sachs upgrades India’s growth outlook, turning optimistic on the 2026 economic trajectory
20. Thanya Nathan becomes Kerala’s first woman judge with a disability after topping the civil judge exam
21. India is named Country of the Year at BIOFACH for leadership in organic farming
22. Manu Bhaker wins silver in the 25m pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championships
23. Uttar Pradesh presents its first Economic Survey, outlining a roadmap toward a USD 1 trillion economy
24. India and Seychelles announce the SESEL Joint Vision focusing on sustainability and security
25. India rolls out a USD 175 million special financial assistance package for Seychelles

National News

1. Government amends IT Rules to regulate AI-generated content

• What:
  • Government amended Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2026 to regulate AI-generated content, mandating clear labelling, traceable metadata, and faster compliance by digital platforms from February 20.
• Tell me more:
  • Online platforms must clearly label AI-made content and add tracking details that cannot be removed. They must quickly check and act on such content within shorter time limits.
  • Harmful deepfakes related to crime or misuse will face strict legal action. Routine edits are not covered under these rules.
  • Intermediaries retain safe harbour protection under Section 79 of Information Technology Act if rules are followed.

Source: TOI

2. India and Seychelles announce SESEL Vision during State Visit

• What:
  • President of Seychelles Dr. Patrick Herminie visited India and both leaders announced Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL).
• Tell me more:
  • India announced Special Economic Package of USD 175 million, including USD 125 million Line of Credit and USD 50 million grant assistance.
  • Seychelles will join Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and become full member of Colombo Security Conclave.
  • 2026 marks 50 years of Seychelles’ Independence and diplomatic relations with India.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves $182 million for Assam flood resilience

• What:
  • ADB approved $182 million additional financing to expand support for Assam’s flood and riverbank erosion management along Brahmaputra River, supplementing the $200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project approved in October 2023.
• Tell me more:
  • ADB is a multilateral development bank founded in 1966 and owned by 69 members, including 50 from Asia and the Pacific region.

Source: ADB

2. Gujarat signs LoI with Starlink for satellite internet in remote areas

• What:
  • Gujarat government signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, subsidiary of SpaceX, to provide high-speed satellite internet in remote, border, and underserved areas facing limited telecom connectivity.
• Tell me more:
  • A joint working group will manage the project. The pilot will connect Common Service Centres, schools, e-Governance centres, disaster rooms, ports, and wildlife areas.
  • The plan will also improve school education, tele-medicine at Primary Health Centres, industrial parks, highway safety, and coastal and maritime connectivity.

Source: IE

3. Union Budget approves two new telescopes and HCT upgrade in Ladakh

• What:
  • Union Budget approved two new telescopes in Ladakh, National Large Solar Telescope and National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope, and upgrade of Himalayan Chandra Telescope to boost solar and space research.
• Tell me more:
  • National Large Solar Telescope will be a 2-metre solar telescope in Merak near Pangong Tso, studying solar dynamics and space weather.
  • National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope will be a 13.7-metre segmented mirror telescope in Hanle for exoplanets and universe origins research.
  • Himalayan Chandra Telescope will be upgraded to a 3.7-metre segmented mirror operating in optical-infrared wavelengths.

4. Delhi launches Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana to support girls’ education

• What:
  • Delhi government launched Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana from April 1, replacing Ladli Yojana, to provide phased financial support of ₹56,000 for girls from low-income families to ensure education continuity and financial security.
• Tell me more:
  • Ladli Yojana was launched in 2008 and will be discontinued under the new scheme.
  • Money will be given in small parts from birth till graduation and can grow to about ₹1 lakh with interest in an Aadhaar-linked account.
  • The girl will receive the final amount at 21 years or after finishing graduation or diploma. Only Delhi-born girls from low-income families can apply.

Source: TOI

5. Uttar Pradesh Economic Survey outlines path toward $1 trillion economy

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh Economic Survey 2025-26 presents investment-led growth strategy aiming to make state a $1 trillion economy, highlighting strong Gross State Domestic Product growth and expanding infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • Debt to Gross State Domestic Product ratio stands at 28%, below national average.
  • Uttar Pradesh ranks fourth in Export Preparedness Index 2024 and leads in Ayushman Bharat coverage.

Source: MoC

Reports and Indices

1. India ranks second globally in LEED-certified building space in 2025

• What:
  • India ranked second globally outside the United States in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified building space in 2025, with 16 million gross square meters.
• Tell me more:
  • The United States leads globally with over 50 million gross square meters of LEED-certified space.
  • China topped the list outside the United States with 26 million gross square meters, while India recorded 16 million gross square meters.

Source: TOI

GDP Forecasts

1. Moody’s projects 6.4% GDP growth for India in fiscal 2026-27

2. Goldman Sachs upgrades India growth forecast after India-US trade deal

• What:
  • Goldman Sachs upgraded India’s real GDP growth forecast for calendar year 2026 to 6.9%, and lowered current account deficit estimate to 0.8% of GDP after United States reduced tariffs on Indian exports.
• Tell me more:
  • Tariffs on Indian exports to United States were reduced from 25% to 18% under interim trade framework announced on February 6.
  • Goldman Sachs expects Reserve Bank of India to keep policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in calendar year 2026.
  • Current account deficit estimate was reduced by 0.25% of GDP to to 0.8% of GDP for calendar year 2026.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. India and Greece sign Joint Declaration to boost defence industrial cooperation

• What:
  • India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.
• Tell me more:
  • Both sides agreed to expand indigenous defence industries through India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Hellenic defence reforms under Agenda 2030.
  • Both parties will begin a five-year roadmap, exchange Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026, and enhance maritime cooperation through an International Liaison Officer at Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram.

Source: IE

Science and Technology

1. ISRO selects Mons Mouton site for Chandrayaan-4 lunar landing

• What:
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) selected MM-4 site in Mons Mouton region near Moon’s South Pole for Chandrayaan-4 lunar sample-return mission, targeted for 2028 and approved by Union Government.
• Tell me more:
  • Four landing sites were studied using high-resolution camera images, and MM-4 was selected as the safest location.
  • Chandrayaan-4 has five parts, including propulsion, landing, ascent, transfer, and return modules. The combined landing and ascent modules will soft land on the Moon using navigation, guidance, and control systems.

Source: TH

2. AAKA Space Studio conducts lunar-habitat analog astronaut mission in Dholavira

• What:
  • AAKA Space Studio, a registered Indian Space Research Organisation Space Tutor, conducted a lunar-habitat analog astronaut mission from February 1 to 8 in Dholavira, Kutch.
• Tell me more:
  • The purpose was to simulate Moon-like living conditions, test isolation and habitat systems, study crew performance and system reliability, and strengthen India’s analog research ecosystem for future human spaceflight and planetary habitation.
  • Aditya Pandya, aged 17, became India’s youngest male analog astronaut and led hardware, Internet of Things systems, and habitat intelligence development.

Source: ANI

Awards

1. India named Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026

• What:
  • India has been designated Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) organising a large pavilion showcasing organic products.
• Tell me more:
  • India will set up a large pavilion at BIOFACH 2026 with 67 exhibitors from over 20 States and Union Territories. Many organic products like rice, spices, pulses, and oils will be displayed.
  • BIOFACH Germany is the world’s largest trade fair dedicated to organic food and agriculture.

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. World National Integration Day 2025 – November 19

• Theme: Embracing Unity In Diversity

Source: MB

2. World Heritage Week 2025 – November 19 to 25

• World Heritage Day was observed each year on April 18 on the theme of “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions”.

Source: MoC

3. National Cashew Day 2025 – November 23

Sports

1. Manu Bhaker wins silver in 25m pistol at Asian Shooting Championships

• What:
  • Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker won silver medal in 25m pistol final at Asian Shooting Championships after finishing seventh earlier in 10m air pistol event.
• Tell me more:
  • This is her first 25m pistol silver medal.
  • She has competed in both 10m and 25m events since 2018. Olympic qualification starts July 31, with Asian Games ahead.

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission signs MoUs to strengthen drug safety and quality systems

• What:
  • Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), signed MoUs with the following parties to strengthen drug safety, quality assurance, and capacity building across the healthcare sector.
    • Goa State Pharmacy Council (GSPC),
    • Quality Council of India (QCI), and
    • HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES)
• Tell me more:
  • Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission will work with Goa State Pharmacy Council to improve medicine safety, promote correct use of medicines, train pharmacists, strengthen adverse drug reaction reporting, and establish monitoring centres in Goa.
  • It will also partner with Quality Council of India for training and public health quality initiatives.

2. GRSE and HSL sign MoU for national shipbuilding consortium

• What:
  • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) signed an MoU in Kolkata to form a consortium for a national shipbuilding programme to construct maritime platforms and strengthen India’s maritime infrastructure and operational capability.
• Tell me more:
  • Director (Shipbuilding) at GRSE – Cdr Shantanu Bose (Retd. from Indian Navy)
  • Officiating Chairman and Managing Director at HSL – Capt Ganti Venkateswarlu (Retd. from Indian Navy)

Source: ET

3. AIIA signs MoU with GIC to enable cashless Ayurveda treatment

• What:
  • All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), under Ministry of Ayush, signed Common Empanelment MoU with General Insurance Council (GIC) to provide cashless Ayurveda treatment under 32 general insurance companies.
• Tell me more:
  • AIIA is now empanelled with all 32 insurers under GIC, allowing eligible patients to access cashless Ayurveda healthcare services.
  • Ministry of Ayush launched Ayush Health Insurance Helpline at 1800-11-0008, available on working days from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

4. India and UK sign agreement to avoid double social security payments

• What:
  • India and United Kingdom signed an agreement to avoid double social security deductions for employees on short-term assignments up to 36 months, under India-United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement was signed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and United Kingdom High Commissioner Lindy Cameron in New Delhi.
  • The deal ensures that Indian and UK employees on short-term postings do not pay social security in both countries. It will begin with CETA in 2026.
  • Workers can get a Certificate of Coverage to claim this benefit. India signs such agreements to protect its professionals working abroad.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. RBI approves R Vijay Anandh as next MD and CEO of City Union Bank

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved appointment of R Vijay Anandh, Executive Director of City Union Bank, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for three years from May 1, 2026, subject to shareholder approval.

Source: HBL

2. Shikhar Dhawan appointed brand ambassador of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh

• What:
  • Former India cricketer and Arjuna Awardee Shikhar Dhawan was appointed brand ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, an initiative of Directorate of Education and Sports, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, to promote grassroots sports participation and talent identification.
• Tell me more:
  • Competitions will include basketball, football, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, squash, and volleyball.
  • Shikhar Dhawan is a former India cricketer and Arjuna Awardee.

Source: TOI

3. Kerala to get first blind woman judge after judicial exam success

• Thanya Nathan C topped benchmark disability category in Civil Judges Examination 2025, becoming Kerala’s first blind woman judge following Supreme Court judgment allowing visually impaired candidates in judicial services.

Source: IE

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