12th February 2026

1. NSO data shows India’s unemployment rate falling to a three-quarter low of 4.8% in Q3 FY26
2. Department of Posts and NSE sign an MoU to widen mutual fund access across the country
3. GFTN and Startup Policy Forum enter into an MoU to promote fintech and digital innovation
4. Finance Ministry reports FDI inflows into the banking sector declining to USD 115 million in FY25
5. BOBCARD introduces a Braille-enabled ‘BOBCARD Premier Credit Card’
6. PB Pay receives RBI certification to operate as a Payment Aggregator
7. Safer Internet Day observed to promote responsible online behaviour
8. World Unani Day commemorated to highlight contributions of the Unani system of medicine
9. IAF and Royal Thai Air Force hold a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait amid Saab’s MRFA pitch
10. Mumbai introduces India’s first ‘Musical Road’ along the Coastal Road
11. National Productivity Council celebrates its 68th Foundation Day alongside National Productivity Week 2026
12. Indian shooters achieve 39 gold medals at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship
13. Release schedule announced for India’s updated GDP, CPI and IIP series
14. MHA revises guidelines regarding the order of the National Song and National Anthem
15. Global billionaire wealth reaches USD 15.8 trillion, with analysis of India’s standing

National News

1. National Productivity Council to Mark 68th Foundation Day and National Productivity Week

• What:
  • National Productivity Council (NPC) will celebrate its 68th Foundation Day on 12 February 2026 and observe National Productivity Week from 12 to 18 February 2026 across India.
• Tell me more:
  • The theme is “Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)”.
  • NPC is an autonomous society under Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • NPC was established in 1958 to promote productivity and global competitiveness.
  • NPC is a constituent of Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), where India is a founding member and current Chair.

Source: PIB

2. MHA Issues Guidelines on Observance of Vande Mataram

• What:
  • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued guidelines on observance of National Song Vande Mataram, directing that all six stanzas be rendered first when performed with the National Anthem.
• Tell me more:
  • The six-stanza Vande Mataram must be sung at major state events like President’s arrival and flag unfurling.
  • People must stand when it is played, except in newsreels. Mass singing is encouraged at public events and schools. The government is marking 150 years of Vande Mataram.

Source: ET

State News

1. Mumbai Introduces India’s First Musical Road

• What:
  • Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) inaugurated India’s first musical road on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road in Mumbai.
• Tell me more:
  • The 500-metre stretch is located on the northbound carriageway between Nariman Point and Worli, after the Coastal Road tunnel.
  • The sound recreates the tune of ‘Jai Ho’, composed by A.R. Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire.
  • Melody roads were first identified in Japan in 2007 and later implemented in Hungary, South Korea, and United Arab Emirates.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. Unemployment Rate Falls to Three-Quarter Low in Q3 2025–26

• What:
  • India’s unemployment rate eased to 4.8% in the third quarter (October–December) of 2025–26, marking a sequential decline through the financial year, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
• Tell me more:
  • National Statistics Office (NSO) revised PLFS sampling in January last year to provide monthly and quarterly estimates using CWS at the all-India level.

2. FDI in Banking Falls; Updates on Foreign Holdings, Mudra Loans, and SEBI Action

• What:
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflow in the banking sector declined from USD 898 million in FY23 to USD 115 million in FY25, as informed in Parliament.
• Tell me more:
  • The update also covered foreign shareholding in public sector banks, Mudra loan disbursements, and enforcement actions by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • Total FDI includes equity inflow, equity capital of unincorporated bodies, re-invested earnings, and other capital.
  • As per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Master Directions, acquisition of 5% or more paid-up capital in a bank requires prior RBI approval.
  • Foreign holding in State Bank of India stood at 11.07%, followed by Canara Bank at 10.55%, Bank of Baroda at 9.43%, Union Bank of India at 7.48%, and Punjab National Bank at 5.85%.

Source: ET

3. BOBCARD Launches Braille-Enabled Credit Card to Promote Financial Inclusion

• What:
  • BOBCARD Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, launched a Braille-enabled BOBCARD PREMIER Credit Card at Manipal Academy of Higher Education to promote accessibility and inclusion in financial services.
• Tell me more:
  • The launch coincided with the felicitation of the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team, winners of the inaugural Blind Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup held in November.
  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education hosted the launch event.
  • BOBCARD Limited, established in 1994, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda and offers shopping, co-branded, professional, premium travel, and lifestyle credit cards.

Source: CNBC

4. PB Fintech Receives Payment Aggregator License from RBI

• What:
  • PB Fintech announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, PB Pay Private Limited, received a Payment Aggregator license from Reserve Bank of India (RBI), effective 6 February.
• Tell me more:
  • The license allows PB Pay Private Limited to operate as a Payment Aggregator under RBI regulations.
  • PB Fintech is the parent company of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar platforms.

Source: ET

5. MoSPI to Revise Base Year for GDP, IIP and CPI

• What:
  • Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) will revise the base year of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), and Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• Tell me more:
  • The proposed base year is 2022-23 for GDP and IIP, and 2024 for CPI.
  • The revision is guided by Technical Advisory Committees and Expert Groups with members from academia, governments, and Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • Periodic Labour Force Survey, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey, and Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises data are used.
  • New GDP series will release on 27 February 2026, CPI on 12 February 2026, and IIP in May 2026.
  • MoSPI uses digital platforms with validation, Advance Release Calendar, e-Sankhyiki portal, and National Meta Data Structure for transparency.

Source: PIB

Reports and Indices

1. UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025 – India’s Billionaire Count Rises

• What:
  • India’s billionaire count increased from 185 to 188, while overall billionaire wealth saw a mild decline, according to UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Heirs in India are expected to receive nearly USD 382.4 billion over the next 15 years, highest in South and East Asia.
  • Growth sectors include artificial intelligence, marketing software, genetics, crypto, and infrastructure.

Source: N18

Defence News

1. Indian Air Force Conducts Joint Air Exercise with Royal Thai Air Force

• What:
  • Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting a joint in-situ air exercise with Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) to enhance operational coordination and interoperability.
• Tell me more:
  • IAF deployed Su-30MKI, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), and IL-78 refuelling aircraft.
  • RTAF participated with Gripen aircraft in the exercise.

Source: RW

Important Days

1. Safer Internet Day – Second Tuesday of February (Feb 10)

• Theme: “Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI”

Source: N18

2. World Unani Day – February 11

Sports

1. India Wins Two More Golds at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship

• What:
  • Indian shooters won two more gold medals at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship in New Delhi, raising India’s gold tally to 39.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s total medal count reached 66 medals, including 39 gold, 15 silver, and 12 bronze, leading the medal table.
  • Kazakhstan secured gold in women’s individual and team events.

Source: NOA

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Department of Posts Signs MoU with NSE to Distribute Mutual Funds

• What:
  • The Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) to distribute mutual fund products through over 1.64 lakh post offices.
• Tell me more:
  • Department of Posts will offer mutual funds through post offices using National Stock Exchange of India Limited’s digital mutual fund platform.
  • The three-year agreement, signed in New Delhi, will begin with a pilot phase.

Source: PIB

2. GFTN and Startup Policy Forum Partner to Boost Fintech and Digital Innovation

• What:
  • Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and Startup Policy Forum (SPF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Black Swan Summit India 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership will promote knowledge exchange in digital finance infrastructure, responsible artificial intelligence, digital assets, cross-border payments, and regulatory innovation.

Source: BW

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