Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Daily Quiz — February 13, 2026
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10 questions based on today’s current affairs & editorials
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Question 1 of 10
Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 20,000 crore for CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage). Which of the following is NOT among the five target hard-to-abate sectors under this scheme?
The five target sectors under India’s CCUS scheme are Power, Steel, Cement, Refineries, and Chemicals. Textiles is not included.
Steel and cement are targeted because their CO2 emissions are process-linked (chemically unavoidable through calcination and blast-furnace reduction), not just energy-related.
Steel and cement are targeted because their CO2 emissions are process-linked (chemically unavoidable through calcination and blast-furnace reduction), not just energy-related.
💡 Concept Note
Hard-to-abate sectors are industries where electrification alone cannot eliminate CO2 because it is a chemical by-product of the production process. In cement, calcination of limestone (CaCO3 to CaO + CO2) is unavoidable.
In steel using blast furnaces, coke (carbon) reduces iron ore, producing CO2. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) effective from 2026 will levy charges on Indian exports of cement, steel, aluminium, and fertilisers based on embedded carbon content.
In steel using blast furnaces, coke (carbon) reduces iron ore, producing CO2. The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) effective from 2026 will levy charges on Indian exports of cement, steel, aluminium, and fertilisers based on embedded carbon content.
Question 2 of 10
Pakistan invoked the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960 over the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project. On which river is the Sawalkot project located?
The Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (1,856 MW) is located on River Chenab in Ramban, Reasi, and Udhampur districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It is being developed by NHPC at a cost of Rs 31,380 crore.
The Chenab is a Western River under IWT, allocated primarily to Pakistan; India may only build run-of-river projects on it.
The Chenab is a Western River under IWT, allocated primarily to Pakistan; India may only build run-of-river projects on it.
💡 Concept Note
Under IWT 1960, the six rivers are divided: Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) go to India; Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) go to Pakistan. India can use Western Rivers for run-of-river hydro, domestic use, and limited agriculture.
Other Chenab projects: Baglihar (890 MW — Neutral Expert 2007 ruled largely in India’s favour), Ratle (850 MW — Court of Arbitration case ongoing), Dulhasti (390 MW, operational), Salal (690 MW, operational).
Other Chenab projects: Baglihar (890 MW — Neutral Expert 2007 ruled largely in India’s favour), Ratle (850 MW — Court of Arbitration case ongoing), Dulhasti (390 MW, operational), Salal (690 MW, operational).
Question 3 of 10
Bodhan AI was launched to build the Bharat EduAI Stack. Which institution developed it under the Ministry of Education?
Bodhan AI (formally the IIT Madras Bodhan AI Foundation) was developed by the AI Centre of Excellence for Education at IIT Madras under the Ministry of Education. It is a non-profit organisation building an open-source Bharat EduAI Stack covering kindergarten to PhD level (K-to-PhD).
The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 was held on February 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 was held on February 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
💡 Concept Note
Bodhan AI represents India applying the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model to education. DPI refers to shared digital utilities that operate like public goods — India Stack (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) is the global benchmark.
NEP 2020 mandates AI integration in education. The Bharat EduAI Stack includes personalised tutors, teacher training AI, institutional administration systems, and data-driven policy tools.
NEP 2020 mandates AI integration in education. The Bharat EduAI Stack includes personalised tutors, teacher training AI, institutional administration systems, and data-driven policy tools.
Question 4 of 10
The IWT dispute resolution has three tiers. Which body handles technical disputes (called "questions") that cannot be resolved by the Permanent Indus Commission?
The Neutral Expert (appointed through the World Bank) handles technical disputes or “questions” under IWT Tier 2. In the Baglihar Dam case (2007), Neutral Expert Raymond Lafitte largely ruled in India’s favour.
The Court of Arbitration at The Hague handles legal disputes or “differences” (Tier 3).
The Court of Arbitration at The Hague handles legal disputes or “differences” (Tier 3).
💡 Concept Note
IWT Tier 1 is the Permanent Indus Commission (bilateral, annual meetings). Tier 2 is the World Bank Neutral Expert for technical questions.
Tier 3 is the Court of Arbitration at The Hague for legal differences. The ICJ has no role in IWT — it is governed by the treaty’s own dispute resolution mechanism.
Pakistan took Ratle and Kishanganga cases to the Court of Arbitration; India contested jurisdiction.
Tier 3 is the Court of Arbitration at The Hague for legal differences. The ICJ has no role in IWT — it is governed by the treaty’s own dispute resolution mechanism.
Pakistan took Ratle and Kishanganga cases to the Court of Arbitration; India contested jurisdiction.
Question 5 of 10
Ricin, involved in India's first alleged bioterrorism case, is classified under which international legal instrument as a Schedule 1 substance?
Ricin is classified as a Schedule 1 substance under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Although derived from a biological source (castor beans), its mechanism of action (blocking ribosomal protein synthesis at cellular level) places it under chemical weapons law.
No known antidote exists. The NIA took over the probe from Gujarat ATS in what is described as India’s first alleged ricin bioterrorism case.
No known antidote exists. The NIA took over the probe from Gujarat ATS in what is described as India’s first alleged ricin bioterrorism case.
💡 Concept Note
CWC (1993, entered into force 1997) bans chemical weapons. Schedule 1 substances have few legitimate uses and high weapons risk (ricin, nerve agents, mustard gas).
The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC, 1972) bans biological weapons but lacks a verification mechanism. Ricin from castor beans (Ricinus communis) is dual-use — castor is commercially grown in India for castor oil.
The NIA Act 2008 gives NIA jurisdiction over terror offences including CBRN attacks.
The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC, 1972) bans biological weapons but lacks a verification mechanism. Ricin from castor beans (Ricinus communis) is dual-use — castor is commercially grown in India for castor oil.
The NIA Act 2008 gives NIA jurisdiction over terror offences including CBRN attacks.
Question 6 of 10
Assam Rifles is phasing out foreign dog breeds and inducting indigenous Indian breeds. Which of the following is an indigenous Indian breed selected under this MHA directive?
The Tangkhul Hui (native to Ukhrul district, Manipur; named after the Tangkhul Naga tribe) is one of the two indigenous breeds selected. The other is Kombai (Tamil Nadu).
Six Tangkhul Hui dogs have been trained and inducted at the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre, Jorhat, Assam, and are deployed in narcotics detection roles. Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and Labrador are the foreign breeds being replaced.
Six Tangkhul Hui dogs have been trained and inducted at the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre, Jorhat, Assam, and are deployed in narcotics detection roles. Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, and Labrador are the foreign breeds being replaced.
💡 Concept Note
Assam Rifles is India’s oldest paramilitary force, established in 1835 as the Cachar Levy. It operates under dual control: MHA (administrative) and Ministry of Defence (operational).
It patrols the India-Myanmar border and maintains internal security in Northeast India. The MHA directive mandated all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to include at least two Indian dog breeds in their canine units under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
It patrols the India-Myanmar border and maintains internal security in Northeast India. The MHA directive mandated all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to include at least two Indian dog breeds in their canine units under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Question 7 of 10
India chaired the 1st BRICS Sherpas Meeting of 2026. Which of the following is the theme of India's 2026 BRICS Chairship?
India’s 2026 BRICS Chairship theme is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability.” India is chairing BRICS for the 4th time (previous: 2012, 2016, 2021). India assumed the chairmanship on January 1, 2026 succeeding Brazil.
BRICS Sherpa: Sudhakar Dalela. The logo and website were launched by EAM Jaishankar.
BRICS Sherpa: Sudhakar Dalela. The logo and website were launched by EAM Jaishankar.
💡 Concept Note
BRICS was originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. Expanded (BRICS+) at the Johannesburg Summit (August 2023) by adding Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE (from January 2024).
Indonesia joined in January 2025. The four pillars of India’s BRICS theme: building institutional resilience, promoting innovation, enhancing cooperation, and advancing sustainable development.
India uses BRICS to project multipolarity and push for reform of Bretton Woods institutions.
Indonesia joined in January 2025. The four pillars of India’s BRICS theme: building institutional resilience, promoting innovation, enhancing cooperation, and advancing sustainable development.
India uses BRICS to project multipolarity and push for reform of Bretton Woods institutions.
Question 8 of 10
India ranked 7th globally in R&D spending in 2024 per WIPO data. Which country ranked 1st in global R&D expenditure in 2024?
China ranked 1st with an estimated USD 785.9 billion in R&D spending in 2024, narrowly ahead of the USA (USD 781.8 billion) — a historic first. India ranked 7th with approximately USD 76 billion.
World total R&D: USD 2.87 trillion in 2024. Per WIPO end-of-year R&D estimates.
World total R&D: USD 2.87 trillion in 2024. Per WIPO end-of-year R&D estimates.
💡 Concept Note
China’s R&D spending has grown almost 20-fold from USD 40.7 billion (2000) to USD 785.9 billion (2024). India’s R&D/GDP ratio is ~0.64% — far below the government target of 2% of GDP. The ranking after China and USA: Japan (3rd, ~USD 186 billion), Germany (4th, ~USD 132 billion), South Korea (5th), UK (6th, ~USD 86 billion), India (7th, ~USD 76 billion).
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) publishes the Global Innovation Index (GII) annually; India was 39th in GII 2024.
WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) publishes the Global Innovation Index (GII) annually; India was 39th in GII 2024.
Question 9 of 10
IN-SPACe selected three startups for its Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative. What is the grant amount per selected startup?
Each of the three selected startups (Astrome Technologies — Bengaluru, Azista Industries — Hyderabad, Dhruva Space — Hyderabad) receives Rs 5 crore under IN-SPACe’s SBaaS initiative announced in February 2026. Grants will be disbursed on a milestone-linked basis.
IN-SPACe received 15 proposals before selecting these three.
IN-SPACe received 15 proposals before selecting these three.
💡 Concept Note
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) was established in 2020 as an autonomous body under the Department of Space to promote, authorise, and supervise space activities by non-government private entities (NGPEs). It is separate from ISRO (which builds and launches) and NewSpace India Limited — NSIL (which commercialises ISRO technologies).
SBaaS helps startups develop small satellite bus platforms needed for commercial LEO constellations and earth observation missions.
SBaaS helps startups develop small satellite bus platforms needed for commercial LEO constellations and earth observation missions.
Question 10 of 10
The White Revolution 2.0 targets milk procurement of 1007 lakh kg per day by 2028-29. Which Union Ministry announced this scheme?
White Revolution 2.0 was announced and launched by the Ministry of Cooperation under Union Minister Amit Shah (September 2024). The scheme aims to increase milk procurement from 660 lakh kg/day (2023-24) to 1007 lakh kg/day by 2028-29 (a 50% increase) through 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and strengthening existing ones.
💡 Concept Note
White Revolution (Operation Flood, 1970-1996) was led by Dr. Verghese Kurien through NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), making India the world’s largest milk producer. The cooperative model (Amul/GCMMF as template) is the core approach.
India currently produces ~230 million tonnes of milk annually (world no. 1). The Ministry of Cooperation was newly created in 2021 under Amit Shah to revitalise the cooperative sector.
India currently produces ~230 million tonnes of milk annually (world no. 1). The Ministry of Cooperation was newly created in 2021 under Amit Shah to revitalise the cooperative sector.
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