National Affairs

DAC Approves Rs. 3.25 Lakh Crore Deal for 114 Rafale Fighter Jets

In February 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence, approved a proposal worth Rs. 3.25 lakh crore (approximately USD 40 billion) to acquire additional 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.

DAC also approved other defence purchases such as six additional Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy.

Significance: The approval grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), a key step in India's procurement process, enabling the government to proceed with detailed contract negotiations and pricing.

About the Proposal for Procurement of 114 Rafale Fighter Jets:

• Delivery: Under the deal, 18 Rafale jets will be delivered in fly-away condition by Dassault Aviation, France. The remaining 96 aircraft will be manufactured in India under the Make in India initiative.
• India's Rafale Fleet: With this move, India's total Rafale fleet will reach 176 jets, including the 36 already inducted by the IAF and 26 Rafale-M jets for the IN.

About Dassault Aviation:

• CEO: Eric Trappier
• Headquarters: Saint-Cloud, France
• Established: 1929

MoES Signs MoU with Puducherry Government to Strengthen Marine Cooperation

On February 12, 2026, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) signed an MoU with the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Puducherry, to strengthen marine research, coastal development, and blue economy activities in Puducherry.

Key Details of the MoU:

• Signatories: Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, MoES, and Dr. Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary of Puducherry, in New Delhi.
• Tenure: The MoU will remain valid for five years, extendable by mutual agreement.
• Implementation Framework: Each side will appoint a Nodal Officer, Joint Working Groups (JWGs) will oversee project execution, and annual reviews will monitor progress.
• Areas of Collaboration: The MoU focuses on six pillars:
• Sustainable Marine Fisheries
• Offshore Wind Energy Development
• Desalination and Water Security
• Ocean Climate Services & Real-Time Monitoring
• Coastal Erosion Management
• Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)

PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates Seva Teerth Complex in New Delhi

On February 13, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new integrated facility named 'Seva Teerth Complex' in New Delhi.

This new complex will house the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) (Seva Teerth-1), the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) (Seva Teerth-2), and the Cabinet Secretariat (Seva Teerth-3), which were previously located separately.

Key Details of the Complex:

• Unveiled Plaque: PM Modi unveiled the plaque of Seva Teerth, inscribed in Devanagari script on the wall of the complex. Below the plaque is the motto 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' (Citizen is akin to God).
• New Names: After the inauguration, the PMO will now be called Seva Teerth, while the Central Secretariat buildings have been named Kartavya Bhawan, and Rajpath has been renamed Kartavya Path.
• Ministry Hub: Several key Ministries — MoF, MoD, MoHFW, MCA, MoE, MoC, MoLJ, MIB, MoAFW — will now be housed at Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2.

NITI Aayog's Frontier Hub Releases 10-Year Roadmap 'Technology Services - Reimagination Ahead'

In February 2026, the NITI Aayog's Frontier Hub released a 10-year roadmap titled 'Technology Services - Reimagination Ahead'.

The roadmap was formally released by Union Minister Piyush Goyal (MoC&I), in the presence of S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY; Nidhi Chhibber, Director General of DMEO, among others.

Key Details of the Report:

• Key Target: This newly released roadmap outlines a strategy to help India's nearly USD 265 billion technology services sector achieve USD 750-850 billion by 2035.
• Priority Areas: The roadmap identifies 5 key priority growth levers:
• Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Software & Products
• Digital Infrastructure
• Innovation-led Engineering
• India-for-India solutions
• Key Suggestions: To tap the potential of these 5 growth levers, the roadmap suggests:
• Coordinated action across government and industry
• Accelerated enterprise AI adoption
• Enhanced investment in IP and R&D
• Workforce reskilling at national scale
• Regulatory predictability to enable global market access

About NITI Frontier Tech Hub: Supports the Viksit Bharat vision 2047 by preparing India for emerging technologies through a 10-year roadmap across 20+ sectors, with inputs from 100+ experts.

Indian Navy Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 154 in Bahrain

In February 2026, the Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), during a change of command ceremony held at the CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.

This marks the first time the IN has led this task force.

At the ceremony, Milind M. Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, IN, formally took charge as Commander CTF-154 from the outgoing Italian Navy commander.

About Combined Task Force (CTF) 154:

• Overview: CTF 154, established in May 2023 under the CMF, conducts multinational maritime training and capacity-building to strengthen security and tackle piracy, illegal trafficking, and irregular migration across the Middle East and surrounding regions.
• Training Focus Areas:
• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)
• Law of the Sea (LOS)
• Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO)
• Maritime Rescue and Assistance (MRA)
• Leadership Development (LD)
• Exercises: Conducted through Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) and exercises such as Compass Rose (CR), Northern Readiness (NR), and Southern Readiness (SR).

IIT Bombay Signs MoU with Columbia University to Establish AI Centre for Manufacturing

On February 12, 2026, IIT Bombay signed an MoU with Columbia University (USA) to establish the Columbia-IIT Bombay Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Manufacturing.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan (MoE) at an event held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

About Columbia-IIT Bombay Centre of AI for Manufacturing:

• Overview: This center will function as a joint research and translation center focused on developing robust, scalable, and human-centric AI systems tailored for real-world manufacturing applications.
• Focus Areas:
• Semiconductors
• Industrial production & robotics
• Pharmaceuticals and food processing
• Refining and petrochemicals
• Construction, infrastructure & logistics
• Customized AI Solutions: The center will deliver:
• Applied research and customized AI solutions
• Talent development and ecosystem building
• Production of public datasets, AI models, and tools

MoD Signs Rs. 2,312 Crore Deal with HAL for 8 Dornier Aircraft for ICG

In February 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth Rs. 2,312 crore with the Kanpur-based Transport Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 8 Dornier 228 Aircraft along with Operational Role Equipment (ORE) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

This deal is part of a mission to boost the Coast Guard's air fleet from 80 to 100 by 2030. The MoU was signed under the Buy (Indian) category in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD, in New Delhi.

About Dornier 228 Aircraft:

• Type: A 19-seater high versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft.
• Manufactured By: German-origin Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) twin turboprop aircraft manufactured by HAL at its Kanpur facility in Uttar Pradesh.
• Key Specifications:
• Engine: Garrett TPE 331
• Length: 16.56 metres
• Height: 4.86 metres

International Affairs

Henley Passport Index – February 2026: Singapore Tops; India Climbs to 75th

In February 2026, Henley & Partners, a British consultancy specialized in investment migration, released the Henley Passport Index (HPI) Global Ranking – February 2026.

India's passport improved its global position to 75th rank, up from 80th in January 2026 and 85th in 2025, reflecting gradual progress in travel freedom.

India, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 56 destinations, shares its ranking with Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania.

Highlights of HPI 2026:

• Topped By: Singapore topped the HPI 2026 with visa-free access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea with 187 destinations each.
• Other Top-Ranked Countries: The 4th rank is shared by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland with a visa-free score of 185. The 5th rank is held by Austria, Greece, Malta, and Portugal with a score of 184.
• Least Country: Afghanistan ranked last (101st) on the February 2026 Index, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 24 countries.

Banking & Finance

NIPL Signs Agreement with Malaysia's PayNet for Cross-Border QR Payments

In February 2026, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI, signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet), the national payments infrastructure operator of Malaysia.

Key Details of the Agreement:

• Purpose: The collaboration aims to enable QR code-based merchant transaction payments between India and Malaysia.
• Phased Implementation:
• Phase 1: Indian visitors in Malaysia will be able to use their UPI-enabled apps (such as Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) to pay at Malaysian merchants that accept Malaysia's DuitNow QR code by scanning the QR, without needing cash or foreign cards.
• Phase 2: Malaysians visiting India will be able to scan UPI QR codes at merchant locations in India and pay using their DuitNow-linked apps or wallets.
• Global Expansion of UPI: UPI payments can now be made in multiple countries, including Malaysia, UAE, Nepal, Mauritius, Singapore, France, and Bhutan, reflecting its growing international acceptance.

IOB, IIM-Kozhikode Sign Pact for Executive Education, Capacity Building

In February 2026, the Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K), Kerala, to foster collaboration on the design, delivery, and certification of customized training programmes and workshops for IOB's senior leadership and executives.

The newly signed MoU was part of the 90th foundation day (February 10) celebrations of IOB.

Key Highlights:

• Other Key Announcement: In addition to the MoU, the IOB also announced the setting up of a dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for training and capacity building.
• Key Roles: As per the MoU, IIM-K, through its Kochi campus, and IOB, through its staff college and new CoE, will jointly work to deliver and develop high-impact learning interventions that address the strategic and training requirements of IOB, using IIM-K's expertise across management segments.
• Programme Design: These programmes will be designed specifically for IOB's top executives, senior management, and selected officers, aligned with the bank's strategic priorities.

Appointments & Resignations

Bulgaria Appoints Andrey Gyurov as Acting PM

In February 2026, Iliana Malinova Iotova, President of Bulgaria, appointed Andrey Gyurov, Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), as interim Prime Minister to lead a caretaker government until national elections scheduled for April 2026.

About Andrey Gyurov:

• Political Career: Former lawmaker and parliamentary leader of the reformist group 'We Continue the Change'.
• Previous Experience: Served as a member of the National Assembly from 2021 to 2023 and has a professional background in academia and European financial institutions.
• Current Role: Deputy Governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) since 2023.

About Bulgaria:

• President: Iliana Malinova Iotova
• Capital: Sofia
• Currency: Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

CA Prasanna Kumar D Elected as the President of the ICAI

On February 12, 2026, Chartered Accountant (CA) Prasanna Kumar D was elected as the 74th President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, for the 2026-27 term, with immediate effect.

He succeeds CA Charanjot Singh Nanda. CA Mangesh Pandurang Kinare has been elected as Vice-President for the 2026-27 term.

About CA Prasanna Kumar D:

• Profile: A senior CA from Visakhapatnam with over four decades of professional experience in practice, institutional governance, policy involvement, and member welfare initiatives.
• Early Career & Qualification: Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984 and is a Fellow Member of ICAI, a distinction awarded to members with extensive professional experience and significant contributions to the accounting profession. He hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
• Leadership at Branch & Regional Level: Served as Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Branch of ICAI (2001–02). Subsequently, he was a Member of the Southern India Regional Council (SIRC) from 2007 to 2016 and held the position of Chairman of SIRC (2013–14).
• Role in ICAI Central Council: He was elected to the 24th, 25th, and 26th Central Councils of ICAI, serving multiple consecutive terms. Prior to becoming President, he served as the Vice President of ICAI for the 2025–26 term.

About Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA):

• Union Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha – Karnataka)
• Minister of State: Harsh Malhotra (Constituency – East Delhi, Delhi)

RBI Approves Reappointment of Sanjay Agarwal as MD & CEO of AU SFB

In February 2026, the Reserve Bank of India approved the reappointment of Sanjay Agarwal as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU SFB) for three years effective from 19 April 2026.

About Sanjay Agarwal:

• Profile: He is the Founder of AU SFB and spearheaded its transformation from an NBFC into India's largest SFB, with a strong focus on financial inclusion, innovation, and digital transformation.
• Leadership Journey: He first assumed office as the MD of AU Financiers (India) Limited in February 2008. Following the company's transition into a bank, he was appointed as the MD & CEO of AU SFB on April 19, 2017.
• Recognition: Honoured with the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2018) in the Financial Services category and named Business Leader of the Year (2016) by ICAI.

About AU SFB:

• Headquarters: Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Founded: 1996 as a vehicle finance company
• Converted: Into a SFB in April 2017
• Milestone: In 2025, became the first SFB to receive in-principle approval from the RBI for transition into a Universal Bank.

MoPNG Appoints Deepak Gupta as New CMD of GAIL

In February 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) appointed Deepak Gupta as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL (India) Limited (formerly known as Gas Authority of India Limited).

He will officially assume charge on or after March 1, 2026, and will hold the position till the date of his superannuation on February 28, 2029, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

He will succeed incumbent Sandeep Kumar Gupta, who is scheduled to retire on February 28, 2026.

About Deepak Gupta:

• Profile: He has extensive experience in natural gas pipeline projects, LNG operations, and large-scale energy infrastructure development.
• Current Role: He is currently serving as Director (Projects) of GAIL (India) Ltd., mainly responsible for overseeing major infrastructure expansion, including pipeline projects, petrochemicals, and capacity augmentation initiatives.
• Additional Roles: While serving at GAIL (India) Limited, he is also a member of the Board of Directors of several Joint Venture (JV) companies, including Chairman of Talcher Fertilizer Limited and Director of ONGC Petro-additions Limited, among others.

Important Days

National Productivity Day 2026 – February 12

National Productivity Day is observed annually on 12 February in India to mark the Foundation Day of the National Productivity Council (NPC). The day promotes productivity, efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness across industries and MSMEs.

12 February 2026 marked the 68th Foundation Day of NPC.

National Productivity Week 2026:

• Observance: 12–18 February 2026
• Theme: "Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs"
• Event 2026: The NPC celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on 12 February 2026 at a national-level programme held at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, marking the beginning of National Productivity Week 2026.
• Activities: Nationwide seminars, workshops, concept paper writing, debates, poster presentations, and youth and industry participation to promote innovation and productivity.

International Darwin Day 2026 – February 12

International Darwin Day is observed annually across the world on February 12 to commemorate the birth of Charles Robert Darwin, the British naturalist and geologist who proposed the 'Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection'.

Background:

• Origin: International Darwin Day was first championed by three passionate supporters: Dr. Robert Stephens, Professor Massimo Pigliucci, and Amanda Chesworth.
• Initial Celebration:
• In 1995, Dr. Robert Stephens led efforts to celebrate Darwin's legacy in Silicon Valley, USA.
• In 1997, Professor Massimo Pigliucci organised the first Darwin Day events at the University of Tennessee, USA.
• Formalisation: In 2000, Amanda Chesworth joined Robert Stephens to formalise the Darwin Day program in New Mexico, USA. By 2002, the initiative evolved into the Darwin Day Celebration, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational corporation based in California, USA.

World Radio Day 2026 – February 13

The United Nations' World Radio Day (WRD) is observed annually on 13 February across the globe to honour the role of radio as a trusted communication medium.

2026 Theme: "Radio and Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is a tool, not a voice"

Background:

• Resolution: In 2011, UNESCO proclaimed February 13 as WRD during its 36th General Conference, following a proposal by the Spanish Radio Academy in 2010.
• Adoption: In 2012, the UNGA adopted Resolution A/RES/67/124, formally endorsing UNESCO's proclamation.
• First Observance: 13 February 2012.

2026 Event:

• WRD Conclave: On 13 February 2026, Akashvani Raipur, a local broadcasting of All India Radio (AIR), in collaboration with UNESCO, organised the WRD Conclave 2026 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, focusing on AI-driven accessibility and inclusive broadcasting.

State News

Rajasthan Dy-CM and FM Diya Kumari Presents Rs. 6.11 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27

In February 2026, Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Rajasthan, presented a Rs. 6,10,956 crore budget for FY2026-27 during the budget session in the state legislative assembly in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Key Highlights of the Budget:

• Key Pillars: The state government has listed 10 pillars in the budget:
• Infrastructure expansion
• Enhanced civic amenities
• Industrial development and investment promotion
• Human Resource Development (HRD)
• Bolstering social security
• Tourism, art and cultural heritage
• Good governance and digital transformation
• Agriculture development and farmers' welfare
• Green growth and environmental sustainability
• USD 4.3 trillion economy by 2047
• Revenue Receipts & Expenditure: Total revenue receipts are estimated at Rs. 3,25,740 crore for FY27, against revenue expenditure of Rs. 3,50,740.14 crore, generating a revenue deficit of Rs. 24,313 crore.
• Fiscal Deficit: The state's fiscal deficit is pegged at Rs. 79,492.52 crore, constituting 3.69% of the GSDP.
• Infrastructure: Over Rs. 1,800 crore has been proposed for road construction, repairs, and the upgradation of state highways, railway bridges, flyovers, and elevated roads. Additionally, Rs. 500 crore for 250 Atal Pragati Paths, and Rs. 400 crore for approach roads to industrial areas and logistics parks.
• Drinking Water: The budget has proposed Rs. 5,000 crore for Jal Jeevan Mission-Urban (JJM–U), aimed to cover 6,245 villages along with those cities that have worked on master plans.
• Industrial Development: New industrial parks will be developed at a cost of Rs. 350 crore. Also, the Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar industrial region, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), will be developed on an area of around 3,600 hectares, with an estimated cost of Rs. 600 crore over the next two years.

Kerala Becomes India's First State to Draft and Approve Comprehensive Urban Policy

On February 13, 2026, Kerala became the first state in India to formally draft and approve a comprehensive Urban Policy, a long-term strategic plan to manage rapid city growth, infrastructure, sustainability, and governance.

The draft policy, prepared by the Local Self-Government Department (LSGD), was approved by the State Cabinet under Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala.

About Kerala Comprehensive Urban Policy:

• Vision for 2050: According to estimates by the Kerala Urban Policy Commission, the state's urban population is expected to reach nearly 80% by 2050.
• Scientific Planning: The policy envisions Kerala as a continuous network of climate-smart cities and towns, promoting scientific planning, good governance, and climate resilience. The policy emphasizes planning in environmentally sensitive areas and using urbanization to support economic growth.
• Reforms: The policy aims to:
• Promote inclusive development and reduce social/spatial inequalities
• Improve urban infrastructure quality
• Strengthen institutional systems, local governance, people-centric services, and strategic planning