🗞️ Why in News PM Modi held bilateral talks in Malaysia on semiconductors and anti-terrorism; India-US interim trade agreement defended with protected agricultural commodities listed; rescue operations continued at Meghalaya’s illegal coal mine with more bodies recovered; Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan set a world record at the Asian Shooting Championship; and Bangladesh announced its 13th Jatiya Sangsad elections for February 12, 2026.
PM Modi’s Malaysia Visit — Bilateral Talks with PM Anwar Ibrahim
PM Modi held bilateral talks with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, covering: defence and security, semiconductor industry, digital economy, energy, education, tourism, and trade. Modi reiterated India’s firm stance on terrorism — “no double standards and no compromise.” The visit was PM Modi’s third official visit to Malaysia.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: India’s third PM Modi visit to Malaysia, sectors discussed, bilateral trade USD 19.86 billion, 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum. Mains GS-2: Act East Policy; ASEAN engagement; anti-terrorism diplomacy.
India-US Interim Trade Agreement — Agricultural Safeguards Confirmed
Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the India-US interim trade agreement as “fair, equitable, and balanced.” Agricultural products protected from adverse impact (designated “adequately produced in India”): maize, wheat, rice, sugar, soybean, poultry. The diamond sector welcomed tariff reductions — over 10 lakh workers benefit. The PIB Fact Check Unit debunked an AI-generated viral video falsely claiming the deal harms Indian farmers.
CBDT opened Draft Income Tax Rules and Forms under the new Income Tax Act 2025 for public consultation with a February 22, 2026 deadline via the official IT portal.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Piyush Goyal (Commerce Ministry), CAIT, protected agricultural items, PIB Fact Check Unit, CBDT, Income Tax Act 2025 (replaces IT Act 1961), implementation date April 1, 2026. Mains GS-3: Trade policy, agricultural protection, direct tax reform.
Seychelles President’s State Visit to India
Seychelles President Patrick Herminie (and First Lady Veronique Herminie) was on a five-day official visit to India — visiting Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Met Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping and Waterways) at the India-Seychelles Business Roundtable, with focus on port-led development and coastal management.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Patrick Herminie (Seychelles President), India-Seychelles relations, Assumption Island (India’s coast guard facility), CSC (6th member). Mains GS-2: India’s IOR diplomacy, SAGAR vision, blue economy.
Meghalaya Illegal Coal Mine Explosion — Rescue Operations Continue
Search and rescue operations continued at Mynsngat, Thangsko area, Meghalaya where an explosion occurred in an illegal coal mine. Two additional bodies were recovered. Agencies deployed: NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF, Special Rescue Team (SRT).
Key facts: Meghalaya’s coal mining is dominated by rat-hole mining — a method where tunnels as narrow as a person are dug sideways into hillsides. The NGT (National Green Tribunal) had banned rat-hole coal mining in Meghalaya since April 2014, but illegal mining has continued.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Rat-hole mining (definition, Meghalaya), NGT ban (April 2014), NDRF mandate, Thangsko area. Mains GS-3: Mining regulations, disaster management, environmental governance in Northeast India; GS-2: NGT’s enforcement powers.
UIDAI Completes 1 Crore Biometric Updates for Schoolchildren
UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) completed over 1 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for schoolchildren, covering 83,000 schools in collaboration with UIDAI Regional Offices and state education departments. MBUs are required for children as their biometrics change during growth.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: UIDAI, MBU (Mandatory Biometric Update), 1 crore updates, 83,000 schools. Mains GS-2: Digital governance, identity infrastructure, Aadhaar ecosystem.
Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan Set World Record
Shooting pair Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan won gold in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 held in New Delhi, scoring 505 points — both a championship record and world record.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 (New Delhi), Arjun Babuta, Elavenil Valarivan, 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team, 505 points. Persons in News / Sports.
Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad Elections — February 12, 2026
Bangladesh announced its 13th Jatiya Sangsad (national parliament) elections for February 12, 2026 — the first election after the ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024. A total of 2,034 candidates from 51 political parties plus 275 independents are contesting.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Jatiya Sangsad, 13th election, 2,034 candidates, 51 parties, February 12 2026, Muhammad Yunus-led interim government (post-August 2024). Mains GS-2: India’s neighbourhood policy, India-Bangladesh relations, political transition in Bangladesh.
Delhi Flags Off 500 Electric Buses
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta flagged off 500 electric buses, launching a new route Delhi–Panipat. Delhi’s total bus fleet now exceeds 4,000 buses.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Delhi EV bus fleet (4,000+), Delhi-Panipat new route. Mains GS-3: Sustainable urban mobility, EV adoption, PM e-bus sewa yojana, public transport policy.
Japan’s Snap Elections — Sanae Takaichi’s LDP Wins
Japan’s snap parliamentary elections were held on February 8, 2026. PM Sanae Takaichi’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a fresh mandate. PM Modi congratulated Takaichi, referencing the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Japan’s snap election Feb 8, LDP 316 seats, 465-seat lower house, India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership. Mains GS-2: India-Japan relations, Quad grouping.
NSA Ajit Doval in Ottawa — India-Canada Security Dialogue
NSA Ajit Doval met his Canadian counterpart (National Security and Intelligence Advisor to the Canadian PM) in Ottawa to strengthen bilateral security cooperation — signalling diplomatic re-engagement after India-Canada relations deteriorated sharply following the Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing controversy in June 2023.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: NSA Ajit Doval, Ottawa talks, Hardeep Singh Nijjar (June 2023), CEPA suspension. Mains GS-2: India-Canada bilateral relations, sovereignty vs. diaspora politics.
RSS Centenary — 100 Years (1925–2025)
RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) celebrated its centenary year in 2025 — founded on September 27, 1925 by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar in Nagpur. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat spoke at a centenary event in Mumbai, describing “Hindu” as “an adjective, not a noun — a cultural and civilizational umbrella.”
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: RSS founding year (1925), founder K.B. Hedgewar, founding city (Nagpur). Mains GS-1/GS-4: Cultural nationalism, Indian identity, diversity debates.
Dr. Zakir Hussain Birth Anniversary (February 8, 1897)
President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to former President Dr. Zakir Hussain on his birth anniversary. Dr. Zakir Hussain (February 8, 1897 – May 3, 1969) was India’s 3rd President (May 13, 1967 – May 3, 1969) — the first Muslim President of India — and died in office. He was a key figure at Jamia Millia Islamia (he was its Vice Chancellor, then founded the Jamia Millia).
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Zakir Hussain — 3rd President, first Muslim President, dates, died in office, Jamia Millia connection. Persons in News.
India Wins T20 World Cup Match vs USA
India defeated USA by 29 runs in Match 3 of the T20 World Cup 2026 (India as host) at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Scores: India 162; USA 132/8.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: T20 World Cup 2026 (India as host), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), USA in cricket, ICC expansion. Persons in News / Sports.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
India-US Trade (Protected Agriculture):
- Protected items: maize, wheat, rice, sugar, soybean, poultry (designated “adequately produced in India”)
- Diamond sector: 10 lakh workers benefit from tariff reductions
- PIB Fact Check Unit: Debunked AI-generated disinformation about the deal
Income Tax Act 2025:
- Replaces: Income Tax Act 1961 (60-year-old legislation)
- Presidential assent: August 2025; Implementation: April 1, 2026
- CBDT consultation deadline: February 22, 2026
Meghalaya Coal Mining:
- Method: Rat-hole mining — narrow horizontal tunnels dug into hillsides
- NGT ban on rat-hole mining in Meghalaya: April 2014
- Incident location: Mynsngat, Thangsko area, Meghalaya
- Agencies deployed: NDRF, SDRF, SRT
UIDAI Biometric Updates:
- Completed: 1 crore MBUs (Mandatory Biometric Updates) for schoolchildren
- Coverage: 83,000 schools across India
- UIDAI = Unique Identification Authority of India (set up under Aadhaar Act 2016)
Shooting World Record:
- Athletes: Arjun Babuta + Elavenil Valarivan (10m Air Rifle Mixed Team)
- Score: 505 points (championship + world record)
- Tournament: Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, New Delhi
Bangladesh Elections:
- Parliament: Jatiya Sangsad; Edition: 13th; Date: February 12, 2026
- Candidates: 2,034 from 51 parties + 275 independents
- Context: First elections post-Sheikh Hasina government ouster (August 2024)
- Interim govt: Muhammad Yunus-led
Dr. Zakir Hussain:
- Born: February 8, 1897; Died: May 3, 1969 (in office)
- India’s 3rd President (May 13, 1967 – May 3, 1969)
- First Muslim President of India
- Key institution: Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
RSS Centenary:
- Founded: September 27, 1925 by Dr. K.B. Hedgewar, Nagpur
- Chief (2026): Mohan Bhagwat
Sources: NewsOnAir — All India Radio, Drishti IAS