13th February 2026

1. India chairs the first BRICS Sherpas’ Meeting in New Delhi
2. Agneevasthraa signs an MoU with the Indian Army to supply advanced defence materials
3. INSA and CSIR-NIScPR enter into an MoU to promote science communication and policy research
4. DRDO signs an agreement with CSIR for joint research and development initiatives
5. ICICI Prudential AMC receives RBI approval to acquire stakes in eight banks
6. EximPe secures RBI authorisation to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border entity
7. PNB announces ‘Soldierathon 2026’ to honour the Indian Armed Forces
8. Doctors Dr. Haripriya Aravind and Dr. R. Venkatesh from Puducherry receive the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026
9. IN-SPACe selects Astrome, Azista and Dhruva Space for development of satellite bus platforms
10. International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism marked globally
11. Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presents a ₹9.12 trillion Budget for FY27
12. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan launches the ‘Sthree Suraksha’ scheme to enhance women’s financial security
13. PM Modi inaugurates ‘Seva Teerth’, highlighting service-oriented governance
14. Zimbabwe defeat Australia by 23 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 match in Colombo
15. National Women’s Day in India commemorates the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu
16. AI Impact Summit 2026 focuses on indigenous AI models and data centre investments
17. India becomes the world’s second-largest smartphone market by user base
18. Delhi Government launches a scheme to help artisans access global markets
19. Naga community in Nagaland imposes a ban on pangolin hunting to support wildlife conservation
20. BNP claims a decisive electoral victory in Bangladesh, with Tarique Rahman projected for leadership
21. World Radio Day observed, underlining radio’s continued relevance in the digital age
22. SBI report indicates 75% of India’s agricultural exports to the US may attract zero tariff, boosting trade
23. Defence Acquisition Council clears a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal for procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale jets
24. AI@Work initiative highlights AI’s role in driving productivity, employment and innovation
25. Adani Power establishes a nuclear-focused subsidiary as India opens the sector to private participation
26. Swami Dayanand Saraswati remembered on his 202nd birth anniversary
27. Cyclone Gezani strikes Madagascar, causing fatalities and large-scale displacement
28. ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, the autobiography of Manoj Mukund Naravane, released
29. Actor James Van Der Beek passes away at 48 after battling cancer
30. Indian Railways begins viability studies for seven new bullet train corridors

National News

1. India Hosts First Meeting of BRICS Sherpas under 2026 Chairship

• What:
  • The first meeting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Sherpas and Sous Sherpas under India’s Chairship was held on 9-10 February 2026 in New Delhi to present India’s priorities and coordinate cooperation across thematic areas.
• Tell me more:
  • India presented its Chairship theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.
  • The meeting was chaired by Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela, India’s BRICS Sherpa, supported by Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations) Shambhu L. Hakki, India’s BRICS Sous Sherpa.

Source: MEA

2. Prime Minister to Inaugurate Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan Complexes

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan-1 & 2, marking a milestone in India’s administrative governance infrastructure.
• Tell me more:
  • Seva Teerth will house the Prime Minister’s Office and key secretariats. Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2 will accommodate major ministries like Finance, Defence and Health.
  • The new complexes bring offices from different Central Vista locations into one place. They have digital systems and follow 4-Star GRIHA green standards.

3. India to Host India–AI Impact Summit 2026

• What:
  • India will host the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to promote inclusive and accessible Artificial Intelligence (AI) development aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Tell me more:
  • The IndiaAI Mission was approved in March 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore.
  • Democratisation of AI means making computing power, data and AI models affordable and accessible. AIKosh hosts thousands of datasets and models.
  • India provides 38,000 GPUs at ₹65 per hour and 1,050 TPUs. The India Semiconductor Mission supports chip development. 5G covers most districts. India has over two lakh startups.

4. Prime Minister Pays Tribute to Swami Dayanand Saraswati on 202nd Birth Anniversary

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati, born on 12 February 1824, founded Arya Samaj in 1875, gave the call for Swaraj as “Indian for India” in 1876, promoted women’s education, opposed social evils and authored Satyarth Prakash to spread Vedic values.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi released commemorative coins marking his 200th birth anniversary.

Source: BS

5. Railway Board Directs DPR Preparation for Seven New High-Speed Rail Corridors

• What:
  • The Railway Board directed National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) to prepare detailed project reports for seven high-speed rail corridors announced in Union Budget 2026-27 to advance India’s high-speed railway programme.
• Tell me more:
  • The seven corridors are Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri.
  • NHSRCL was incorporated in 2016 as a special purpose vehicle.

Source: IE

State News

1. Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna presents a ₹9.12 trillion Budget for FY27

• Uttar Pradesh presented a ₹9.12 lakh crore Budget for 2026-27, the biggest ever, 12.9% higher than last year. Focus areas include education, health, agriculture and infrastructure.

Source: TH

2. Kerala Launches Sthree Suraksha Scheme Providing ₹1,000 Monthly Pension

• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched the Sthree Suraksha Scheme to provide ₹1,000 monthly pension to unemployed women and transwomen aged 35 to 60 from economically backward sections.

Source: TH

3. Delhi Approves Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme for Artisans

• What:
  • Delhi government approved the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme to provide training, financial support and digital market access to artisans in khadi, handloom, cottage industries and the unorganised sector.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme will be run by Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board. In 2025-26, 3,728 artisans will benefit with ₹8.95 crore support.
  • They will get 12 days training, stipend, meals and toolkits. Products will be listed on ONDC. Skilled workers will get RPL certificates. Aadhaar and age 18+ are required.

Source: TOI

4. Sangtam Naga Body Passes Resolution to Protect Pangolins in Nagaland

• What:
  • United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP) passed a resolution to protect pangolins in Nagaland under the Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project led by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
• Tell me more:
  • Indian Pangolin scientific name is Manis crassicaudata.
  • Chinese Pangolin scientific name is Manis pentadactyla.
  • USLP is the apex tribal body of the Sangtam Naga community.

Source: ET

Banking and Economy

1. RBI Approves ICICI Prudential AMC to Acquire Up to 9.95% in Eight Banks

• What:
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited, along with group entities of ICICI Bank Limited, to acquire up to 9.95% paid-up equity capital or voting rights in eight banks.
• Tell me more:
  • The banks include Bandhan Bank Limited, City Union Bank Limited, Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited, Federal Bank Limited, IDFC First Bank Limited, HDFC Bank Limited, The Karur Vysya Bank Limited and RBL Bank Limited.
  • The Reserve Bank of India allowed the share purchase under its consolidated Master Direction on acquiring shares or voting rights in banks.
  • The acquisition must be completed within one year from the approval letter. If not completed within this time, the approval will automatically lapse.

Source: ET

2. EximPe Receives RBI PA-CB Authorisation for Cross-Border Payments

• What:
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB) authorisation to EximPe, enabling it to help global merchants collect payments from Indian customers through Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other local methods.
• Tell me more:
  • The company was founded by Arjun Zacharia and is headquartered in Singapore with offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai.

Source: CNBC

3. PNB Announces ‘PNB Soldierathon 2026’ Ahead of 132nd Foundation Day

• What:
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB) announced ‘PNB Soldierathon 2026’ at its Dwarka corporate office, marking celebrations for its 132nd Foundation Day and honouring the Indian Armed Forces while promoting fitness and national pride.
• Tell me more:
  • PNB announced the second edition of its half marathon, ‘PNB Soldierathon 2026’, to be held on 5 April 2026.

4. India Ranks Second Globally in Active Smartphone Installed Base

• What:
  • India has the second-largest active installed base of smartphones globally with over 740 million devices, accounting for 14% of the world total, behind China’s 1,005 million devices.
• Tell me more:
  • Xiaomi leads in India. Globally, Apple Inc and Samsung each have over 1 billion devices. Apple holds one-fourth of active phones. Eight brands control over 80% worldwide.

Source: BS

5. Adani Power Forms Adani Atomic Energy Limited after SHANTI Act Passage

• What:
  • Adani Power Limited formed Adani Atomic Energy Limited as a wholly owned subsidiary to generate, transmit and distribute nuclear power following passage of Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act.
• Tell me more:
  • The subsidiary was incorporated with an initial investment of ₹5 lakh after the SHANTI Act amended the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 to allow private sector participation in nuclear energy.
  • India targets 100 gigawatts nuclear capacity by 2047 against the current installed capacity of 8.7 gigawatts.
  • Budget 2026-27 extended basic customs duty exemption for nuclear imports till 2035 and allocated ₹24,123.92 crore to the Department of Atomic Energy.

Source: ET

Reports and Indices

1. India Ranks 3rd in Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025

• What:
  • India ranks third in Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025, reflecting growth in research, talent, infrastructure and entrepreneurship supporting Artificial Intelligence adoption.
• Tell me more:

• India’s AI market grew from USD 2.97 billion in 2020 to USD 7.63 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 131.31 billion by 2032 at 42.2% CAGR, while the global market expanded from USD 103.6 billion to USD 288.8 billion.
• AI adoption is strong with 87% enterprises using AI, over 2,00,000 DPIIT-recognised startups, 33% annual AI talent hiring rate, 2,62,404 research publications during 2015–2025, and AI jobs offering 28% wage premium.
• India’s services sector contributes 55.3% of Gross Value Added in 2024–25.

Source: PIB

Defence News

1. Defence Acquisition Council Clears Procurement of 114 Rafale Jets for Indian Air Force

• What:
  • Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets for Indian Air Force (IAF) with an estimated value of ₹3.25 lakh crore.
• Tell me more:
  • Defence Acquisition Council approved 114 Rafale jets. Eighteen will come ready, and about 90 will be built in India.
  • The fleet will include 88 single-seat and 26 twin-seat jets, raising total to 176. The deal now moves to negotiations. Other defence purchases were also cleared.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. IN-SPACe Selects Three Start-ups under SBaaS for Indigenous Small Satellite Bus Development

• What:
  • Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) selected Astrome Technologies, Azista Industries and Dhruva Space to develop and test indigenous small satellite bus platforms under the Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative.
• Tell me more:
  • SBaaS was announced in April 2025 to invite proposals from Indian Non-Governmental Entities for hosted payload services.
  • SBaaS provides ready-to-use satellite bus platforms instead of customers building their own.

Source: BS

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. 75% of India’s Agricultural Exports to US to Get Zero Tariff Access, as per SBI Report

• What:
  • 75% of India’s agricultural exports to the United States will now receive zero tariff access, boosting competitiveness, market access and export volumes for Indian farmers and exporters.
• Tell me more:
  • India has a USD 1.3 billion agricultural trade surplus with the US, with USD 1.36 billion exports receiving zero additional duty and USD 1.035 billion assured zero reciprocal tariff. Key items include rice, spices, oilseeds, tea and coffee.
  • India holds 24.7% share in US rice imports, 9.6% in fish, 2.8% in coffee and spices, while overall share in selected categories is 3.5% of USD 81,950 million imports.

Source: ET

Awards

1. Aravind Doctors Selected for Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026

• What:
  • Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh of Aravind Eye Hospital were selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for service in cataract blindness and disability care.
• Tell me more:
  • The award will be presented at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation conference in Washington DC.
  • The award was instituted in 2017 by ASCRS Foundation through a gift from David and Victoria Chang. The $100,000 prize is donated to the awardee’s non-profit organisation of choice.

Source: TOI

Important Days

1. International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism – February 12

Source: UN

2. National Women’s Day in India – February 13

• Sarojini Naidu was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad. She was not only a gifted poet but also one of the strongest voices of the freedom struggle.

Source: SG

3. World Radio Day – February 13

• What:
  • World Radio Day is celebrated every year on February 13 to mark the creation of United Nations Radio in 1946.
• Tell me more:
  • The theme for World Radio Day 2026 is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.”
  • The first Community Radio Station was inaugurated on February 1, 2004, by Bharat Ratna Shri Lal Krishna Advani.
  • Ram Singh Bouddh of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, popularly called the “Radio Man of India,” was acknowledged by Guinness World Records in 2025 for possessing the world’s largest collection of 1,257 radios.
  • World Radio Day was proclaimed by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 and adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 2012.
  • All India Radio (AIR), Raipur will host a conclave in collaboration with UNESCO.

Source: PIB

Sports

1. T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Winner: Zimbabwe by defeating Australia
• Margin: Won by 23 runs
• Zimbabwe Captain: Sikandar Raza
• Australia Captain: Travis Head (in place of injured Mitchell Marsh)

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Agneevasthraa Signs MoU with Indian Army for Advanced Carbon Materials

• What:
  • Agneevasthraa, an Indian manufacturer of advanced carbon fabrics and high-performance composite materials, signed an MoU with the Indian Army.
• Tell me more:
  • Agneevasthraa has long-standing associations with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The collaboration enables custom design and manufacturing of advanced carbon and allied materials for critical, high-stakes defence applications.

Source: HBL

2. INSA and CSIR-NIScPR Sign MoU to Strengthen Science Policy Research

• What:
  • Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed an MoU in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU promotes joint research, publications, pilot projects, training and outreach to improve science communication and evidence-based Science, Technology and Innovation policy research.

Source: PIB

3. DRDO and CSIR Sign Agreement for Research in Extreme Environments

• What:
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) signed an agreement with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for collaborative research, technology development and resource sharing to advance human sustenance and performance in extreme environments.
• Tell me more:
  • It supports development of tools for high altitude survival, human performance restoration, off-grid energy and waste management in difficult terrains.

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. Tarique Rahman Becomes Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Source: DD

Miscellaneous

1. Tropical Cyclone Gezani Hits Madagascar

Source: TH

2. Army Chief General M. M. Naravane’s memoir “Four Stars of Destiny”

Source: TH

3. Hollywood Actor James Van Der Beek Passes Away

Source: TOI

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