February 2026 was dominated by two landmark fiscal events — the Economic Survey and Union Budget 2026-27 — alongside watershed moments in defence (SFDR test, 114-Rafale deal, Exercise MILAN), diplomacy (India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership, India-GCC FTA Terms of Reference), technology (Chandrayaan-4 landing site, AI Impact Summit), polity (Kerala→Keralam renaming, FNTA agreement), and environment (98 Ramsar sites, Great Nicobar Project approval). UPSC aspirants must master the Budget’s macro numbers and new missions, India’s evolving strategic partnerships, the semiconductor-quantum technology push, and the ecology-versus-development debate at Great Nicobar.

This compilation covers 94 articles across 28 days in February 2026.

Polity & Governance

Union Budget 2026-27 — Constitutional Architecture

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, 2026 from Kartavya Bhawan (renamed from North Block) — her eighth consecutive Budget presentation. The Budget is governed by Article 112 of the Constitution (Annual Financial Statement) and is classified as a Money Bill under Article 110, introduced exclusively in the Lok Sabha with Presidential recommendation. The FRBM Act, 2003 mandates fiscal consolidation targets; Budget 2026-27 set a fiscal deficit of 4.3% of GDP, continuing the consolidation path from 5.1% (FY24) to 4.4% (FY26 RE) to 4.3% (FY27 BE). The Budget also implemented the New Income Tax Act, 2025 effective April 1, 2026, replacing the 64-year-old Income Tax Act, 1961 which had accumulated unwieldy provisos and amendments over six decades.

Kerala → Keralam — Article 3 Renaming Process

The Union Cabinet approved renaming the state of Kerala as “Keralam” in February 2026, following a 2023 resolution by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The constitutional mechanism is Article 3, which grants Parliament the power to alter a state’s name — but with the mandatory proviso that the President must refer the bill to the state legislature for its opinion (Parliament is not bound by that opinion). The renaming requires amending the First Schedule of the Constitution (which lists all states and UTs), but proceeds as a simple majority bill, not a special majority under Article 368. Previous precedents include Madras→Tamil Nadu (1969), Mysore→Karnataka (1973), Uttaranchal→Uttarakhand (2007), Orissa→Odisha (2011), and Pondicherry→Puducherry (2006). Kerala was formed on November 1, 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 on linguistic (Malayalam) lines; November 1 is celebrated as Kerala Piravi.

Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA)

A tripartite agreement signed on February 7, 2026 between the Union Government, Nagaland Government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) established the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) — granting 46 state subjects (education, health, agriculture, roads, water supply) and dedicated financial autonomy to six eastern Nagaland districts: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator. ENPO represents 8 recognised Naga tribes (Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimchunger, Zeliang). Article 371(A) protections — which safeguard Naga customary law, land rights, and social practices from Parliamentary legislation without state assembly consent — remain fully intact. This was the 12th northeast peace/autonomy agreement since 2019 and is analogous to the Bodoland Territorial Council (2003), though FNTA falls short of full statehood (which requires Article 3 amendment by Parliament). The NSCN(IM) Framework Agreement of August 2015 — seeking a separate Naga flag and constitution — remains unimplemented separately.

Seva Teertha — New PMO Complex and PM RAHAT

India inaugurated Seva Teertha in February 2026 — a new integrated administrative complex designed by Dr. Bimal Patel housing the Prime Minister’s Office (ST-1), National Security Council Secretariat (ST-2), and Cabinet Secretariat (ST-3). The complex marks the end of governance from the British-era South Block (1930s; designed by Herbert Baker). North and South Blocks are now to become the “Yuge Yugeen Bharat” National Museum (India Across the Ages). The inscription at Seva Teertha’s entrance reads “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (Citizens are God). The first policy signed from the new complex was the PM RAHAT Scheme — providing assured cashless hospitalisation up to Rs 1.5 lakh for road accident victims within the first 7 days of an accident, regardless of ability to pay.

IT Amendment Rules 2026 — Deepfakes Regulation

MeitY notified the IT (Intermediary Guidelines) Amendment Rules, 2026 effective February 20, 2026, amending the IT Rules 2021 under Section 79 of the IT Act 2000 (safe harbour provision). Key provisions: mandatory prominent labelling of all AI-generated content; 2-hour takedown window for non-consensual nudity and deepfakes; 3-hour window for court/government-ordered illegal content (down from 24–36 hours in 2021 Rules). Platforms that “knowingly permit, promote, or fail to act” on violative synthetic media lose Section 79 safe harbour. The rules are grounded in Article 19(1)(a) (free speech) and Article 21 (privacy, per K.S. Puttaswamy 2017). India’s approach is compared with the EU AI Act 2024 (legally binding, risk-based) and China’s Deepfake Regulations 2022 (real-name registration, mandatory watermarking). Decentralised enforcement: states may designate multiple takedown officers.

📌 Facts Corner — Polity & Governance

Budget Constitutional Framework:

  • Governed by: Article 112 (Annual Financial Statement) | Money Bill: Article 110
  • Article 265 (no tax without law) | Article 266 (Consolidated Fund) | Article 267 (Contingency Fund: Rs 500 crore)
  • Article 280 (Finance Commission) | FRBM Act 2003 | 16th Finance Commission: Dr Arvind Panagariya
  • Fiscal deficit target: 4.3% of GDP (FY27 BE) | FRBM goal: 50% Debt-to-GDP by March 2031
  • New Income Tax Act, 2025: Replaces IT Act 1961; effective April 1, 2026

Kerala Renaming:

  • Article 3: Parliament alters state names; President must refer bill to state legislature
  • Amendment type: Simple majority (not Article 368 special majority)
  • Schedule affected: First Schedule | Linguistic basis: Malayalam name “Keralam” (terminal “m”)
  • Formation: November 1, 1956 (States Reorganisation Act) | Fazl Ali Commission

FNTA:

  • Districts: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, Shamator (6)
  • Subjects transferred: 46 | Tribes: 8 (ENPO umbrella)
  • Article 371(A) preserved | 12th northeast peace agreement since 2019
  • Analogue: Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC, 2003; 4 Assam districts; 46 subjects)

Seva Teertha:

  • Architect: Dr. Bimal Patel | Green rating: 4-star | Inscription: “Nagrik Devo Bhava”
  • ST-1 = PMO | ST-2 = NSCS | ST-3 = Cabinet Secretariat
  • PM RAHAT: Rs 1.5 lakh cashless hospitalisation | Window: 7 days post-accident

IT Rules 2026:

  • Deepfake/NCN takedown: 2 hours | Court-ordered illegal: 3 hours
  • Safe harbour lost if platform “knowingly permits/promotes/fails to act” on violative synthetic content
  • Constitutional basis: Article 19(1)(a) + Article 21 (K.S. Puttaswamy 2017)

Economy & Development

Union Budget 2026-27 — Macro Framework

Budget 2026-27 set total expenditure at Rs 53.47 lakh crore (+7.7% over FY26 RE), with capital expenditure at Rs 12.2 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP) and effective capex (including grants to states) at Rs 17.1 lakh crore (4.4% of GDP). Fiscal deficit was targeted at 4.3% of GDP (debt-to-GDP: 55.6%, against FRBM goal of 50% by March 2031). Gross market borrowings: Rs 17.2 lakh crore. Interest payments consume 26% of total expenditure — a critical constraint. The Budget is structured around three “Kartavyas”: (1) Accelerate growth, (2) Fulfil aspirations (Yuva Shakti), (3) Ensure inclusive development. Key new missions: Biopharma SHAKTI (Rs 10,000 crore; 3 new NIPERs + 7 upgrades; 1,000+ clinical trial sites), CCUS Mission (Rs 20,000 crore; hard-to-abate sectors), Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme scaled to Rs 40,000 crore, Container Manufacturing Scheme (Rs 10,000 crore), and SME Growth Fund (Rs 10,000 crore). Seven High-Speed Rail Corridors were announced (Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi, Varanasi–Siliguri), along with the Surat–Dankuni Freight Corridor and 20 new National Waterways.

Economic Survey 2025-26 — Key Macroeconomic Data

Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran tabled the Economic Survey 2025-26 on January 30, 2026, one day before the Budget. India recorded 7.4% real GDP growth in FY26 (NSO First Advance Estimate), maintaining its position as the world’s fastest-growing major economy for the third consecutive year; FY27 projection: 6.8–7.2%. CPI inflation April–December 2025: 1.7% — a historic low, driven by vegetable price normalisation and a good kharif harvest. Forex reserves: USD 701.4 billion (11 months import cover). Gross NPA of Scheduled Commercial Banks fell to 2.2% (September 2025) from 11.5% in 2017-18 — a 12-year low, largely due to the IBC 2016 resolution framework. Services exports reached a record USD 387.6 billion (+13.6%); total exports USD 825.3 billion. Remittances: USD 135.4 billion (world’s largest). Female LFPR rose from 23.3% (FY18) to 41.7% (FY24), one of the sharpest increases globally.

RBI MPC — Repo Rate Hold at 5.25%

The RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) held the repo rate at 5.25% in its February 2026 review, retaining a “neutral” stance. This followed a cumulative easing of 125 basis points from the 6.50% peak. Headline CPI in December 2025 was 1.33% — well below the 4% target. MPC revised the FY26 GDP forecast to 7.4%. The MPC is a 6-member statutory body under the RBI Act, 1934 (amended 2016), meeting 6 times a year; it targets 4% CPI with a ±2% tolerance band (2–6%). Since October 2019, all floating-rate retail and MSME loans must be linked to an external benchmark (RLLR) — the most significant monetary policy transmission improvement of the decade. Key rates: CRR 4%, SLR 18%, MSF 5.50%.

India-GCC FTA — Terms of Reference Signed

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed Terms of Reference for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on February 6, 2026 — the first formal framework agreement after nearly 20 years of on-off negotiations (since 2006). India-GCC bilateral trade stands at USD 178.56 billion (15.42% of India’s global trade); India exports engineering goods, rice, textiles, pharmaceuticals; imports crude oil, LNG, gold, petrochemicals. India has approximately 10 million citizens in GCC countries remitting USD 40–45 billion annually. The GCC (6 members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman; HQ Riyadh; founded 1981) also provides India ~35–40% of crude oil imports. India-UAE CEPA (signed February 18, 2022; implemented May 1, 2022) — negotiated in a record 88 days — is the precedent template. Key tension points: GCC wants petrochemical market access; India protects its domestic industry; kafala system (employer-tied visas for migrant workers) needs separate welfare negotiation.

CBDC-Based PDS — e-Rupee for Food Security

India launched the world’s first CBDC-based Public Distribution System on February 15, 2026, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The e-Rupee (e₹) retail CBDC — launched in pilot in December 2022 by RBI — is now used to deliver food grain entitlements. e₹ tokens are programmable: encoded to be usable only for food grain purchase at registered Fair Price Shops, auto-expiring if unused, and generating a full audit trail. India’s PDS under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 serves ~81 crore beneficiaries through 5.4+ lakh FPS shops; annual food grain distribution: ~61 million tonnes; annual subsidy: ~Rs 2 lakh crore. The CBDC-PDS model eliminates leakage (historically 30–40%), ghost beneficiaries, and diversions. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provides free food grains through December 2028. Initial pilot districts: Ahmedabad, Anand, Valsad, Surat; expansion to UTs (Puducherry, Chandigarh) follows.

Namo Bharat RRTS and Infrastructure Push

PM Modi inaugurated the first Delhi–Meerut RRTS (Rapid Rail Transit System) segment as “Namo Bharat” in February 2026, extending the high-speed regional rail corridor. Separately, Waaree Energies laid the foundation stone for a battery gigafactory in India — part of India’s battery storage ecosystem needed for the 210 GW+ renewable energy deployment. The Export Promotion Mission for MSMEs launched in February under MSME Ministry + DPIIT + Commerce Ministry integrates export credit, insurance (ECGC), logistics support, and market access through a single operational platform — addressing the structural constraint that prevents most MSMEs from entering export markets despite product competitiveness.

📌 Facts Corner — Economy & Development

Budget 2026-27 Macro:

  • Total Expenditure: Rs 53.47 lakh crore (+7.7%) | Capex: Rs 12.2L crore (3.1% GDP)
  • Effective Capex (incl. grants): Rs 17.1L crore (4.4% GDP)
  • Fiscal Deficit: 4.3% GDP | Revenue Deficit: 1.5% GDP | Debt-to-GDP: 55.6%
  • Gross Borrowings: Rs 17.2L crore | Interest payments: 26% of expenditure
  • New Income Tax Act 2025: Replaces IT Act 1961 from April 1, 2026
  • MAT: 15% → 14% | STT Futures: 0.02% → 0.05% | Overseas TCS: 5%/20% → 2%
  • Major new missions: Biopharma SHAKTI Rs 10,000 crore; CCUS Rs 20,000 crore; ECMS Rs 40,000 crore; Container Mfg Rs 10,000 crore; SME Growth Fund Rs 10,000 crore

Economic Survey 2025-26:

  • CEA: V. Anantha Nageswaran | Tabled: January 30, 2026
  • India GDP FY26: 7.4% | FY27 projection: 6.8–7.2%
  • CPI Apr–Dec 2025: 1.7% (historic low)
  • Forex Reserves: USD 701.4B (11 months import) | CAD: ~1.3% GDP
  • Services Exports: USD 387.6B (+13.6%; all-time high) | Remittances: USD 135.4B (world’s largest)
  • Gross NPA (Sept 2025): 2.2% (vs 11.5% in 2017-18) | Credit Growth: 14.5%
  • Female LFPR FY24: 41.7% (vs 23.3% FY18) | Unemployment FY24: 3.2% (vs 6% FY18)

RBI MPC (Feb 2026):

  • Repo Rate: 5.25% (hold; neutral stance) | Cumulative easing: 125 bps from 6.50% peak
  • CPI target: 4% (band: 2–6%) | MPC: 6 members (RBI Act 1934, amended 2016)
  • CRR: 4% | SLR: 18% | MSF: 5.50%
  • RLLR: Mandatory for floating-rate loans since October 2019

India-GCC FTA:

  • Trade: USD 178.56B (15.42% of India’s global trade)
  • GCC: 6 members (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman); HQ Riyadh; founded 1981
  • India diaspora in GCC: ~10 million | Annual remittances: USD 40–45B
  • India-UAE CEPA: Signed February 18, 2022; implemented May 1, 2022 (fastest India FTA: 88 days)

CBDC-PDS:

  • e₹ pilot: December 2022 (RBI) | CBDC-PDS launch: February 15, 2026 (Gandhinagar)
  • PDS under: NFSA 2013 | Beneficiaries: ~81 crore | FPS: 5.4+ lakh
  • Programmable e₹: Single-use tokens; auto-expire; full audit trail; cannot be diverted
  • DBT total since 2013: Rs 36+ lakh crore | Ghost beneficiaries eliminated: ~9 crore

Environment & Ecology

India Reaches 98 Ramsar Sites

On World Wetlands Day (February 2, 2026), India added Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah district, Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand Wetland Reserve (Kutch district, Gujarat) to the Ramsar List, taking the total to 98 — the highest in South Asia, representing a 276% expansion since 2014. The Ramsar Convention was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran (Caspian Sea); it has 172 contracting parties and 2,520+ listed sites globally, operating on the principle of “wise use” (sustainable management). India has been a party since 1982. Patna Bird Sanctuary is a seasonal freshwater jheel hosting Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, and migratory waterfowl from Central Asia and Siberia. Chhari-Dhand is a saline marsh in the Rann of Kutch ecosystem hosting Greater and Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) and the critically rare Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur). India’s leading state by Ramsar sites: Tamil Nadu (20); followed by Uttar Pradesh (10). India’s wetlands cover ~15.9 million hectares (~5% of land area), governed by the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 under EPA 1986.

Meghalaya Rat-Hole Mining Tragedy — NGT Ban Fails Again

A gas explosion at an illegal rat-hole mine at Thangkso area, East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya killed at least 27 workers in February 2026 — the worst single mining tragedy in Meghalaya since the December 2018 flooding disaster (15 miners trapped, Ksan village, East Jaintia Hills; no survivors). The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole mining in 2014 (All Dimasa Students Union vs. State of Meghalaya) citing environmental degradation (acid mine drainage, River Lukha turning bright blue) and violations of the Mines Act, 1952 (DGMS) and MMDR Act, 1957. The ban has been systematically unenforced for over a decade. Meghalaya is a Sixth Schedule area under Article 244 — its Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) have governance powers over land and minor minerals; coal in Meghalaya lies under privately-owned tribal land (unique in India). Workers are overwhelmingly inter-state migrants from Assam, West Bengal, Bihar — outside the coverage of the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 and Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923.

Great Nicobar Project — NGT Gives Conditional Approval

The NGT approved the Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Holistic Development Project in February 2026 — India’s most ecologically contentious mega-infrastructure project. Conceived by NITI Aayog (2021) and implemented by ANIIDCO, it comprises four components: International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), Greenfield Airport, Township, and Gas/Solar Power plant. The project requires clearing 130 sq km of tropical rainforest (~10 million trees). Great Nicobar is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (designated 2013) and home to the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea; IUCN Vulnerable; WPA Schedule I; CITES Appendix I), Nicobar Megapode (Endangered; endemic), and Saltwater Crocodile. The Shompen tribe (PVTG; ~400 individuals; hunter-gatherer; first friendly contact only in 2001) faces habitat loss from the township component. India has 75 PVTGs. The island sits on the Sunda Megathrust (site of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that killed ~2.28 lakh people). Strategically, Great Nicobar is equidistant from Colombo, Port Klang, and Singapore; the Campbell Bay Naval Air Station is India’s southernmost military base; the Andaman & Nicobar Command is India’s only tri-service command.

Congo Basin Peatlands — Ancient Carbon Release

Research from ETH Zurich published in Nature Geoscience (February 2026) found that up to 40% of CO₂ emissions from DRC’s Lake Mai-Ndombe and Lake Tumba originates from peat older than 3,000 years. The Congo Basin’s Cuvette Centrale peatland (145,500 km²; discovered comprehensively in 2017) stores approximately 30 billion tonnes of carbon — equivalent to 20 years of US fossil fuel emissions, and about one-third of global tropical peatland carbon. Globally, peatlands cover ~3% of Earth’s land surface but store ~550 Gt C (twice all forests combined). The release mechanism: climate warming + deforestation lower the water table → aerobic conditions develop → ancient peat oxidises → CO₂ released. This creates a positive feedback loop (more warming → more peat drying → more CO₂) that is irreversible on human timescales. The Ramsar Convention and REDD+ are the primary policy frameworks; CAFI (UK/US/Norway) funds Congo Basin conservation. India’s own peatlands in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland face similar pressures.

CCUS Mission and Carbon Capture Strategy

Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 20,000 crore over 5 years for a Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Mission — targeting India’s hard-to-abate sectors: cement, steel, and fertiliser manufacturing, which cannot easily electrify. CCUS involves capturing CO₂ at emission sources, then either utilising it industrially (e-fuels, carbonation, enhanced oil recovery) or storing it underground. India’s NDC (Nationally Determined Contribution) targets a 45% reduction in emissions intensity vs 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero by 2070. The Economic Survey 2025-26 confirmed India’s non-fossil fuel power capacity at 46.8% of total installed capacity (NDC target: 50% by 2030). Carbon sink created (2005–2023): 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent (target: 2.5–3 billion tonnes by 2030).

📌 Facts Corner — Environment & Ecology

Ramsar — India:

  • Total sites: 98 | Highest in South Asia | 276% expansion since 2014
  • Latest: Patna Bird Sanctuary (Etah, UP) + Chhari-Dhand (Kutch, Gujarat)
  • Tamil Nadu: 20 sites (most) | Convention signed: Feb 2, 1971 (Ramsar, Iran) | In force: 1975
  • Chilika Lake: India’s first Ramsar site (1981); largest coastal lagoon in Asia
  • Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur): Last large habitat = Rann of Kutch
  • Wetlands Rules: 2017 (under EPA 1986); requires states to create Wetland Authority + Wetland Health Cards

Meghalaya Mining:

  • NGT ban: 2014 (All Dimasa Students Union case) | 27 dead (Feb 2026 Thangkso blast)
  • 2018 tragedy: 15 miners, Ksan, East Jaintia Hills — flooded; no survivors
  • Sixth Schedule area: Article 244 | ADCs have land/forest/minor mineral powers
  • Unique: Coal under privately-owned tribal land (unlike rest of India)
  • Workers: Unregistered inter-state migrants; outside Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979

Great Nicobar:

  • Cost: Rs 81,000 crore | Approved: NGT, Feb 2026 | Conceived by: NITI Aayog (2021)
  • Forest cleared: 130 sq km (~10 million trees)
  • UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: 2013 | Leatherback: IUCN Vulnerable | WPA Schedule I | CITES Appendix I
  • Shompen: PVTG | ~400 individuals | India’s total PVTGs: 75
  • Andaman & Nicobar Command: India’s only tri-service command; Campbell Bay: southernmost military base

Congo Peatlands:

  • Study: ETH Zurich | Journal: Nature Geoscience | Lakes: Mai-Ndombe + Tumba (DRC)
  • Key finding: 40% of CO₂ from peat >3,000 years old
  • Cuvette Centrale: 145,500 km² (size of England) | Carbon: 30 billion tonnes
  • Global peatland carbon: ~550 Gt C (~2× all forests) | 3% of land area

CCUS:

  • Budget 2026-27 allocation: Rs 20,000 crore (5 years) | Sectors: cement, steel, fertiliser
  • India NDC: 45% emissions intensity reduction (vs 2005) by 2030 | Net-zero: 2070
  • Non-fossil fuel capacity: 46.8% (NDC target: 50% by 2030)

Science & Technology

Chandrayaan-4 Landing Site Identified

ISRO identified Mons Mouton-4 (MM-4) at 84.289°S, 32.808°E near the lunar south pole as the primary candidate landing site for Chandrayaan-4 — India’s first lunar sample-return mission. The site selection used imagery from the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter’s High Resolution Camera (OHRC) analysed by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. Chandrayaan-4 aims to land near the south pole, collect ~3 kg of regolith (soil/rock), and return it to Earth — making India only the fourth country after the USA, USSR, and China to achieve this milestone. The mission requires mastery of six critical technologies: precision landing, sample collection, Moon ascent, rendezvous and docking in lunar orbit, re-entry, and Earth recovery. The prerequisite is SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment) — launched December 2024 with SDX01 Chaser and SDX02 Target spacecraft demonstrating orbital docking. China’s Chang’e 5 (2020) returned 1.731 kg from Mons Rümker; Chang’e 6 (2024) returned ~1.9 kg from the lunar far side — the benchmark Chandrayaan-4 targets. The south pole’s permanently shadowed regions contain confirmed water-ice (temperature ~40 Kelvin / –233°C) — a future resource for crewed missions.

India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and Quantum Valley Amaravati

Budget 2026-27 allocated Rs 1,000 crore to India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 (ISM 2.0), building on ISM 1.0 launched in December 2021 with a Rs 76,000 crore outlay. ISM 1.0 approved 10 projects worth Rs 1.60 lakh crore: key units include Tata Electronics (28nm fab in Dholera, Gujarat), Micron Technology and CG Power (ATMP in Sanand, Gujarat). ISM 2.0 targets 70–75% semiconductor self-sufficiency by 2029 and 3nm/2nm advanced fab capability by 2035. India currently imports 95%+ of semiconductors. India’s semiconductor market: USD 45–50 billion (FY25), projected USD 100–110 billion by 2030. Separately, the foundation stone of India’s first Quantum Valley was laid at Uddandarayunipalem, Thullur, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh in February 2026 — featuring a 133-qubit quantum computing centre (IBM hardware, TCS integration, L&T construction) operational by December 2026. India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM), launched April 2023 with Rs 6,003.65 crore (2023-31), sets targets for 50–1,000 qubit systems and 2,000 km quantum communication. The WISER Quantum Talent Hub aims to train 35 lakh students by 2035.

IT Amendment Rules 2026 — AI Governance

MeitY’s IT Amendment Rules 2026 create India’s first framework for AI-generated content governance. “Synthetic media” is defined as audio-visual content created/altered algorithmically appearing indistinguishable from a natural person or real event. Mandatory labelling obligations apply to all platforms; user disclosure at upload is required. Non-compliance = loss of Section 79 safe harbour. This positions India alongside the EU AI Act (2024) (world’s first legally binding AI regulation; risk-based; fines up to €35 million) and China’s 2022 Deepfake Regulations (real-name registration, watermarking), while remaining more flexible than the EU model. Detection technology gap is a challenge: current AI-detection tools have only 60–85% accuracy.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 — New Delhi Declaration

India hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi (February 22, 2026), resulting in the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact endorsed by 88 countries. Built on seven “Chakra” pillars — democratising AI resources, economic growth, secure/trusted AI, AI for science, social empowerment, human capital development, and resilient AI systems — the Declaration also includes a Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI proposing shared compute access and open foundational models. India AI Mission (approved 2024; Rs 10,372 crore; 5 years; nodal ministry MeitY) funds public compute infrastructure, Indian language AI models, and AI safety research. This follows Bletchley Park (2023, UK; 28 nations), Seoul (2024, South Korea; frontier AI safety), and Paris (2025, France) summits, but differs in prioritising access and inclusion over existential AI risk — reflecting India’s Global South leadership identity. The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI, founded 2020; India assumed presidency in 2023) provides complementary multilateral framework.

DRDO SFDR Test — India Joins 5-Nation Club

DRDO successfully tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion technology on February 3, 2026 at ITR Chandipur, Odisha — making India the 5th country globally to master SFDR after the USA, Russia, France, and China. SFDR enables air-breathing supersonic cruise (using atmospheric O₂), eliminating the need to carry oxidiser on board — delivering dramatically higher range and sustained supersonic speed compared to conventional solid rockets. Key subsystems validated: nozzle-less booster, SFDR motor, and Fuel Flow Controller (FFC). DRDO labs involved: DRDL (Hyderabad), HEMRL (Pune), RCI (Hyderabad). This is the propulsion backbone for Astra Mk-3 air-to-air missile (150–300+ km range), India’s answer to China’s PL-15 (200–300 km). The Meteor missile (France, on India’s Rafales) is the current gold standard; DRDO SFDR aims for domestic self-sufficiency under MTCR constraints (India member since 2016).

📌 Facts Corner — Science & Technology

Chandrayaan-4:

  • Type: India’s first lunar sample-return mission | Target: Mons Mouton-4 (84.289°S, 32.808°E)
  • Site tool: OHRC (Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter) | Analyser: SAC, ISRO, Ahmedabad
  • Sample target: ~3 kg | Planned: ~2028 | Prerequisite: SPADEX (docking, Dec 2024)
  • SPADEX: SDX01 Chaser + SDX02 Target (demonstrated orbital docking)
  • South Pole PSR temp: ~40 Kelvin (–233°C); water-ice confirmed (Chandrayaan-1 M³, 2008)
  • Chang’e 5 (2020): 1.731 kg | Chang’e 6 (2024): ~1.9 kg (lunar far side) | Apollo total: 382 kg

Semiconductors + Quantum:

  • ISM 1.0: Launched Dec 2021 | Outlay: Rs 76,000 crore | 10 projects (Rs 1.60L crore)
  • ISM 2.0 (Budget 2026): Rs 1,000 crore | Self-sufficiency: 70–75% by 2029 | 3nm/2nm by 2035
  • India semiconductor import dependency: 95%+
  • Quantum Valley: Amaravati, AP | 133-qubit (IBM hardware) | Partners: TCS, L&T, C-DAC, C-DOT
  • NQM: Launched April 2023 | Rs 6,003.65 crore | Target: 50–1,000 qubits; 2,000 km quantum communication
  • WISER Talent Hub: 35 lakh students by 2035

SFDR Test:

  • Date: February 3, 2026 | Site: ITR Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha
  • Nations with SFDR: USA, Russia, France, China → India = 5th
  • Future missile: Astra Mk-3 (150–300+ km BVR) | China’s PL-15: 200–300 km (threat parity goal)
  • DRDO labs: DRDL (Hyderabad, lead) + HEMRL (Pune, propellant) + RCI (Hyderabad, guidance)

India AI Summit 2026:

  • Declaration: New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact | Nations: 88 | Date: Feb 22, 2026
  • 7 pillars (“Chakras”) | Non-binding, voluntary
  • India AI Mission: Rs 10,372 crore (2024, Cabinet) | Nodal: MeitY
  • EU AI Act (2024): Binding; fines up to €35M; risk-based framework

International Relations

India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership

French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in February 2026 saw the bilateral relationship upgraded to “Special Global Strategic Partnership” — placing France at the same tier as the USA and Russia in India’s diplomatic hierarchy. The partnership (originally established as a “Strategic Partnership” in 1998) was deepened by three landmark agreements: (1) finalisation of 26 Rafale-Marine jets for the Indian Navy to operate from INS Vikrant (commissioned September 2, 2022, Cochin Shipyard Limited — India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier); (2) India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility in Karnataka (Airbus H-125 + Tata Group, 10 helicopters/year); (3) reaffirmation of the 100 GW nuclear power target by 2047 — Jaitapur, Maharashtra (6 EPR units × 1,650 MW = 9,900 MW; world’s largest planned nuclear park). France’s bilateral trade with India: €12.67 billion; French FDI in India (2000–2025): €9.79 billion. France backs India’s permanent UNSC membership and maintains strategic Indo-Pacific presence through overseas territories (New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Réunion).

India-GCC Free Trade Agreement — ToR Signed

(See Economy section for detailed treatment.) Key IR significance: India-GCC FTA ToR signing addresses the China factor — China has been deepening Gulf presence through BRI investments and the China-GCC FTA framework (signed 2023). India’s FTA push is partly competitive, ensuring preferential access for Indian exports and services. The IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) — announced at G20 New Delhi (September 2023) — envisions India as a trade corridor node, and an FTA strengthens institutional linkages. The Kafala system’s worker protections will be handled through separate bilateral agreements rather than the FTA itself.

India-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

PM Modi’s visit to Malaysia in February 2026 saw the bilateral relationship upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). Key agreements: joint production of defence equipment, semiconductor supply chain cooperation, palm oil trade normalization (India had imposed import restrictions), and enhanced Halal food exports to India. Malaysia is an important node in the Malacca Strait corridor and a significant source of palm oil imports for India. The CSP aligns with India’s Act East Policy (2014) and reflects the deepening of India’s ASEAN-facing diplomacy.

Colombo Security Conclave — Seychelles Joins

Seychelles was admitted as a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) — a trilateral maritime security grouping originally comprising India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. The CSC focuses on maritime security, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles’ location in the western Indian Ocean and proximity to the East African coast make its inclusion strategically significant for monitoring choke points around the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean shipping lanes. India serves as the informal anchor of the CSC.

India-Russia-US Balancing Act

India’s foreign policy in February 2026 continued to reflect strategic autonomy. India maintained oil imports from Russia (which surged post-2022 sanctions) at approximately 30–35% of total crude imports — exploiting discounted prices — while simultaneously deepening defence (Rafale) and technology (semiconductor, AI, quantum) ties with Western partners. The India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) was activated through a new Joint Technical Group (JTG) for defence R&D cooperation — a signal of deepening US-India defence-tech alignment despite India’s Russia posture. India’s ability to operate across this spectrum without formal alliances reflects the strategic autonomy doctrine articulated in PM Modi’s 2015 SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) framework.

Indus Waters Treaty Suspension — Sawalkot Project Accelerated

Following India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Pahalgam terror attack (April 2025), India in February 2026 floated a Rs 5,129 crore NHPC tender for the Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project (1,856 MW) on River Chenab, Ramban, J&K — the most concrete manifestation of the IWT suspension. Pakistan formally invoked IWT consultation procedures for Sawalkot, asserting the treaty remains operative. The IWT (signed September 19, 1960; brokered by World Bank; between PM Nehru and President Ayub Khan) divides the Indus basin into Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi → India) and Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab → Pakistan). India’s right on Western Rivers is limited to run-of-river hydropower, domestic use, and limited agriculture. The IWT has no exit clause; India’s legal position invokes Vienna Convention Article 62 (fundamental change of circumstances) — contested by international water law scholars.

📌 Facts Corner — International Relations

India-France SGS Partnership:

  • Est.: 1998 (Strategic Partnership) | Upgraded: 2026 (Special Global Strategic Partnership)
  • 26 Rafale-Marine: Carrier variant; replaces MiG-29K on INS Vikrant (commissioned Sept 2, 2022)
  • H-125 helicopter: Karnataka | Airbus + Tata | 10/year | First private-sector helicopter mfg in India
  • Nuclear: 100 GW by 2047 | Jaitapur: 6 EPR × 1,650 MW = 9,900 MW (world’s largest planned park)
  • NSG waiver (India): September 6, 2008 | 123 Agreement India-US: 2008
  • Bilateral trade: €12.67B | French FDI: €9.79B | France UNSC: P5 (backs India’s permanent seat bid)

India-GCC FTA:

  • ToR signed: February 6, 2026 | FTA talks started: 2006 (20 years)
  • GCC: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman | HQ: Riyadh | Founded: 1981
  • Trade: USD 178.56B (15.42% of India’s global trade)

Colombo Security Conclave:

  • Original members: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives | Seychelles joined Feb 2026 (4th member)
  • Focus: Maritime security, anti-piracy, HADR in Indian Ocean

IWT:

  • Signed: September 19, 1960 | Brokered: World Bank | Parties: Nehru + Ayub Khan
  • Eastern (India): Sutlej, Beas, Ravi | Western (Pakistan): Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
  • Sawalkot: 1,856 MW | River: Chenab | Location: Ramban, J&K | NHPC tender: Rs 5,129 crore
  • Baglihar (890 MW, 2007 Neutral Expert ruling: India won) | Kishanganga (330 MW, 2013 PCA ruling: India can build with flow conditions)

History, Art & Culture

International Mother Language Day 2026 — Ekushey

International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is observed annually on February 21 — commemorating the Bengali Language Movement (Ekushey) of February 21, 1952, when students protesting at Dhaka University against Pakistan’s imposition of Urdu as the sole state language were shot by police. Martyrs: Abul Barkat, Rafiquddin Ahmed, Abul Jabbar, Shafiqur Rahman. Bengali was recognised as a co-official language of Pakistan in 1956 after sustained agitation. The 1952 movement’s legacy was central to the founding of Bangladesh in 1971; India recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971. UNESCO proclaimed IMLD in November 1999; first observed globally in 2000. UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/317 (August 2021) formally designated it as an international day. The 2026 theme: “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society.” India has ~6,000+ languages/dialects; 22 Eighth Schedule languages (Articles 344 and 351); ~197 endangered languages (UNESCO Atlas). NEP 2020 mandates mother tongue medium instruction up to Class 5 (preferably Class 8) and recognises Indian Sign Language as a subject.

Sulawesi Rock Art — World’s Oldest Cave Art

Research confirmed that rock art at Sulawesi Island, Indonesia — a pig painting at Leang Karampuang cave — dates to at least 51,200 years ago, making it the world’s oldest known figurative cave art (older than the previously record-holding Altamira cave paintings in Spain at ~36,000 years). The significance: it pushes back the emergence of symbolic, narrative thinking in Homo sapiens by tens of thousands of years, and suggests that complex artistic cognition emerged in Southeast Asia contemporaneously with (or before) Europe. For UPSC, this article is significant for GS1 (world history, pre-history, art and culture) and for understanding human cognitive evolution.

Indus Waters Treaty — Historical and Cultural Significance

The IWT (1960) also carries cultural dimensions: the Indus (Sindhu) is the river from which “India” and “Hindu” derive etymologically. The Rig Veda’s geography centres on the Indus basin. Pakistan’s agricultural heartland (Punjab — land of five rivers, three of which are Western Rivers under IWT) is existentially dependent on IWT waters. Understanding IWT’s cultural and civilisational weight alongside its strategic and legal dimensions is essential for a nuanced Mains answer.

📌 Facts Corner — History, Art & Culture

IMLD:

  • Date: February 21 (annually) | Origin: Bengali Language Movement, February 21, 1952, Dhaka
  • Martyrs (1952): Abul Barkat, Rafiquddin Ahmed, Abul Jabbar, Shafiqur Rahman
  • UNESCO proclamation: November 1999 | First observed: 2000 | UNGA: A/RES/75/317 (Aug 2021)
  • 2026 Theme: “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”
  • Bangladesh “Shaheed Dibas” (Language Martyrs Day) = Feb 21
  • Bengali as Pakistan co-official language: 1956 | Bangladesh independence: 1971
  • Eighth Schedule languages: 22 (Constitution Articles 344, 351)
  • NEP 2020: Mother tongue instruction to Class 5 (preferably Class 8)
  • Classical Languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia (6 total)
  • Indian Sign Language: Recognised as a subject under NEP 2020

Sulawesi Rock Art:

  • Cave: Leang Karampuang, Sulawesi, Indonesia
  • Age: 51,200+ years — world’s oldest known figurative cave art
  • Significance: Pushes back origin of symbolic/narrative thinking; Southeast Asia as an early locus of art
  • Previous record: Altamira cave (Spain) ~36,000 years

Language Constitutional Framework:

  • Article 343: Hindi (Devanagari) as Union Official Language
  • Article 350-A: Instruction in mother tongue at primary stage (state duty)
  • Article 350-B: Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities (reports to President)
  • Article 29: Right of minorities to conserve language/script/culture
  • Article 30: Minorities’ right to establish/administer educational institutions

Geography

Brahmaputra Rail-Road Tunnel — India’s First Underwater Transport Corridor

The Union Cabinet approved India’s first underwater rail-cum-road twin tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River in Assam — connecting Gohpur (Biswanath district, NH-15) on the north bank to Numaligarh (Golaghat district, NH-715) on the south bank. The 15.79 km dual-tube tunnel (Rail + 4-lane road) and 33.7 km total corridor cost Rs 18,662 crore (EPC mode; ~80 lakh person-days employment). The project is flood-proof and all-weather; reduces a 240 km detour via Kaliabhomora Bridge to a direct 33.7 km corridor. The Brahmaputra is a braided river — width 10–15 km in Assam — in Seismic Zone V (1897 and 1950 earthquakes among the most powerful in recorded history). The tunnel connects 4 railway stations, 2 airports, 2 inland waterway terminals, and provides direct access to Numaligarh Refinery (3 MMTPA, expanding to 9 MMTPA). It is the second combined underwater rail-road tunnel in the world. The Brahmaputra originates as the Tsangpo in Tibet (Chemayungdung glacier), enters India as Siang/Dihang in Arunachal Pradesh, and exits as the Jamuna in Bangladesh, merging with the Padma to form the Meghna before reaching the Bay of Bengal.

Indus Waters Treaty — River Geographies

The Indus basin’s six rivers (from east to west): Sutlej → Beas → Ravi → Chenab → Jhelum → Indus main. The Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi drain entirely or primarily through Punjab (India) before entering Pakistan. The Chenab originates in Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul-Spiti; confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers at Tandi). The Jhelum originates from Verinag spring, Anantnag, Kashmir. The Indus main originates from the Sengge Khabab/Singi Khamban glacier in Tibet, passing through Ladakh before entering Pakistan. All Western Rivers flow through J&K before entering Pakistan — making India’s J&K hydroelectric potential substantial even under IWT constraints.

Congo Basin — Geography

The Congo Basin covers ~3.7 million km² across the Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, and Equatorial Guinea. The Congo River (length ~4,700 km; 2nd largest by water discharge after the Amazon) drains most of this basin. The Cuvette Centrale — the vast central depression of the Congo Basin — is the site of the world’s largest tropical peatland complex (145,500 km²). The Congo Basin straddles the equator; its year-round rainfall and lack of strong dry seasons historically maintained the waterlogged conditions preserving peat. Climate-driven changes in rainfall seasonality now threaten this stability.

📌 Facts Corner — Geography

Brahmaputra Tunnel:

  • Type: First underwater rail-road tunnel in India | Second globally
  • North terminal: Gohpur (Biswanath district) | South terminal: Numaligarh (Golaghat district)
  • Length: 15.79 km (main tunnel) | Total: 33.7 km | Cost: Rs 18,662 crore | Mode: EPC
  • Connects: 4 stations, 2 airports, 2 IWT terminals, Numaligarh Refinery (3 MMTPA → 9 MMTPA)

Brahmaputra River:

  • Origin: Chemayungdung glacier, Tibet → Tsangpo (Tibet) → Siang/Dihang (Arunachal) → Brahmaputra (Assam) → Jamuna (Bangladesh)
  • Total length: ~2,900 km | Width: 10–15 km (Assam) | Seismic: Zone V
  • Bogibeel Bridge (Dibrugarh): Longest rail-road bridge in India, 4.94 km (opened Dec 2018)
  • Sela Tunnel (Arunachal): All-weather access to Tawang (opened 2024)

Indus Basin Rivers:

  • Eastern (India): Sutlej (Himachal/Punjab) + Beas (Himachal/Punjab) + Ravi (HP/Punjab) → ~33 MAF
  • Western (Pakistan): Indus (Tibet→Ladakh→Pakistan) + Jhelum (Verinag, Kashmir) + Chenab (Tandi, Lahaul-Spiti) → ~80 MAF
  • IWT signed: September 19, 1960 | Brokered: World Bank

Social Issues

Great Nicobar — Shompen Tribal Rights

The NGT approval of the Great Nicobar project raises fundamental questions about tribal rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956. The Shompen — a PVTG of ~400 individuals — have historically had no contact with outside society (first friendly contact only in 2001) and have subsisted as hunter-gatherers. The township component of the project threatens their habitat even without direct displacement. India’s 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) are defined by pre-agricultural subsistence, declining/stagnant population, low literacy, and geographical isolation. Their rights include a restricted zone (no outsider access), but these protections face erosion from mega-infrastructure projects driven by strategic logic.

CBDC-PDS — Digital Welfare and Inclusion

The CBDC-PDS pilot (Gandhinagar, February 2026) demonstrates the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) 2.0 architecture — programmable e₹ tokens that cannot be diverted, eliminating the ~30–40% leakage historically associated with India’s PDS. DBT since January 2013 has transferred Rs 36+ lakh crore to beneficiaries and eliminated ~9 crore ghost/duplicate beneficiaries, saving ~Rs 2.73 lakh crore. The PDS under NFSA 2013 serves 81 crore people; PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (merged with NFSA, January 2024) provides free food grains through December 2028 (5 kg/person/month to Priority Households; 35 kg/household/month to Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries). CBDC’s key social inclusion advantage: wallets work on feature phones, extending financial access beyond bank account holders.

International Mother Language Day — Linguistic Exclusion

UNESCO data shows 40% of global students lack access to education in their home language — a structural driver of school dropout and social exclusion, particularly for tribal communities. India’s tribal (ST) communities face a compound disadvantage: teachers often speak a different language; educational materials may not exist in the child’s mother tongue; economic pressures push toward dominant-language schools for employment prospects. NEP 2020’s mother tongue medium instruction policy (Class 5, preferably Class 8) addresses this structurally, but implementation requires teacher training in hundreds of languages and production of quality learning materials — a decade-long project. India has ~197 endangered languages (UNESCO Atlas), of which many are tribal languages with fewer than 10,000 speakers.

Lenacapavir — HIV Prevention Breakthrough

Lenacapavir, a twice-yearly injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) drug developed by Gilead Sciences, was approved for rollout in Zimbabwe in February 2026 — one of the first African nations to introduce it at scale. In clinical trials (PURPOSE-1 and PURPOSE-2), lenacapavir showed 100% efficacy in preventing HIV infection among women aged 16–25 in sub-Saharan Africa (PURPOSE-1) — an unprecedented result for an HIV prevention intervention. India’s relevance: India has ~2.4 million people living with HIV (NACO, 2024); ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) coverage under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) is a key health target. Lenacapavir’s pricing and generic manufacturing rights for low-income countries are critical for universal access.

📌 Facts Corner — Social Issues

Great Nicobar — Tribal Rights:

  • Shompen: PVTG | ~400 individuals | Hunter-gatherer | First contact: 2001
  • Protected by: ANI Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation 1956 + FRA 2006
  • India’s PVTGs: 75 (across 18 states + 1 UT) — defined by pre-agricultural subsistence, declining population, low literacy, isolation

CBDC-PDS:

  • PDS leakage (historical): ~30–40% | CBDC fixes: Programmable, single-use, auditable tokens
  • NFSA 2013: 81 crore beneficiaries | PMGKAY: Free grains through December 2028
  • DBT since 2013: Rs 36+ lakh crore transferred | Ghost beneficiaries eliminated: ~9 crore

IMLD — Social Inclusion:

  • 40% of global students lack mother tongue instruction (UNESCO)
  • India endangered languages: ~197 (UNESCO Atlas)
  • India ST dropout rate: High at secondary level; linguistic mismatch is a contributor

HIV — Lenacapavir:

  • Drug: Lenacapavir (Gilead Sciences) | PrEP type: Twice-yearly injectable
  • Efficacy: 100% prevention in PURPOSE-1 trial (women, sub-Saharan Africa)
  • Rollout: Zimbabwe (February 2026) | India HIV burden: ~2.4 million people living with HIV (NACO 2024)
  • National AIDS Control Programme (NACP): India’s ART delivery framework; 4th phase ongoing

Security & Defence

114 Rafale Jets — India’s Largest Defence Deal

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the procurement of 114 Rafale jets at Rs 3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40 billion) — the largest single defence procurement deal in India’s history. Structure: 18 fly-away (direct from France) + 96 Made-in-India (HAL–Dassault partnership). India’s total Rafale fleet after this deal: 176 jets (36 IAF from 2016 deal + 26 Navy approved + 114 new IAF). The IAF currently has ~31 operational squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons — the minimum for a two-front war. The MiG-21 fleet (inducted 1963) is being phased out. LCA Tejas Mk1A (83 ordered from HAL) production is delayed; AMCA (5th-generation) expected ~2035. The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) route was chosen — same as the 2016 deal. Rafale’s key weapons: METEOR BVR missile (ramjet; 100+ km range), SCALP/Storm Shadow (cruise; 300+ km), RBE2-AA AESA radar, SPECTRA EW suite. Offset requirements under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020: minimum 30% investment back into India’s defence/aerospace sector.

Agni-III Ballistic Missile Test — Nuclear Deterrence

India successfully test-fired Agni-III (Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile; range 3,000–5,000 km) from ITR Chandipur, Odisha, under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) — the tri-service command responsible for nuclear delivery systems, established in January 2003 under the Nuclear Command Authority (NCA). The NCA comprises a Political Council (chaired by PM — sole authority to authorize nuclear use) and an Executive Council (chaired by NSA). India’s Draft Nuclear Doctrine (1999) rests on five pillars: No First Use (NFU), Minimum Credible Deterrence, Massive Retaliation, Civilian Control, and Safety/Security. The IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme), launched 1983 under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, developed Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag. Agni-V (ICBM; 5,000–8,000+ km; inducted 2024) provides intercontinental reach; Agni-VI (10,000–12,000 km; MIRV capable) is under development.

DRDO SFDR Test — BVR Missile Propulsion

(See Science & Technology section.) Defence significance: SFDR validates propulsion for Astra Mk-3 (150–300+ km BVR range), directly addressing the China PL-15 range gap (200–300 km). India already operates the French Meteor missile on its Rafales, but SFDR provides domestic self-sufficiency. India’s defence exports: ~Rs 21,000–23,000 crore (FY25), working toward the Rs 35,000 crore target.

Exercise MILAN 2026 — 74 Nations

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN at Visakhapatnam on February 20, 2026 — the largest MILAN in history with 74 participating nations. MILAN (biennial; founded 1995 at Port Blair; original 4 nations: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand) is now hosted by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Visakhapatnam. The 2022 edition (first at Vizag) had 42 nations; MILAN 2026 nearly doubled this. Key activities: PASSEX, CASEX, GOPLAT protection, underwater domain awareness (UDA), and HADR seminars. MILAN is a key expression of India’s SAGAR doctrine (Security and Growth for All in the Region, PM Modi 2015 Mauritius) and Act East Policy (2014). India’s IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Centre — Indian Ocean Region), launched 2018 at Gurugram, underpins maritime domain awareness that MILAN exercises operationalise. India operates 2.37 million sq km of EEZ; 95% of India’s trade by volume moves through sea lanes.

LCH Prachand — Induction Milestone

DRDO and HAL completed delivery of the full sanctioned fleet of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force in February 2026. The LCH is India’s first indigenous attack helicopter — designed for high-altitude operations (ceiling: 6,500 m, can operate effectively at 4,500 m) with a 20 mm turret gun, 70 mm rockets, and Helina air-to-ground missiles. Its operating ceiling makes it uniquely suited to the Siachen Glacier, Ladakh, and Arunachal Pradesh terrains. It reduces India’s dependency on the Apache helicopter (US) for mountain warfare. HAL (founded 1940, HQ Bengaluru) is India’s largest defence PSU.

📌 Facts Corner — Security & Defence

Rafale 114-Jet Deal:

  • Value: Rs 3.25 lakh crore (~USD 40B) — India’s largest ever defence deal
  • Structure: 18 fly-away + 96 Made in India (HAL–Dassault)
  • Route: IGA (Inter-Governmental Agreement) | DAC chaired: Rajnath Singh
  • Total Rafale fleet post-deal: 176 (36 IAF 2016 + 26 Navy + 114 new)
  • IAF: ~31 squadrons (sanctioned: 42) | MiG-21 retirement: ~2025-26
  • METEOR missile: Ramjet BVR; 100+ km range | SCALP: Cruise; 300+ km range

Agni-III:

  • Type: IRBM | Range: 3,000–5,000 km | Payload: ~1.5 tonnes | Solid-fuel, 2-stage
  • Test site: ITR Chandipur, Balasore, Odisha | Inducted: ~2011-12
  • SFC: Established January 2003 | NCA: Political Council (PM) + Executive Council (NSA)
  • India Nuclear Doctrine: NFU + Minimum Credible Deterrence + Massive Retaliation
  • Draft Doctrine: 1999 | CCS formalisation: January 2003
  • Agni-V: ICBM; 5,000–8,000+ km; inducted 2024 | Agni-VI: 10,000–12,000 km; MIRV; development
  • IGMDP (1983): Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag | Led by: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Exercise MILAN 2026:

  • Edition: 13th | Venue: Visakhapatnam (ENC) | Nations: 74 (largest ever)
  • Founded: 1995 | Original venue: Port Blair | Inaugural 4 nations: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand
  • SAGAR: 2015, PM Modi, Mauritius | Act East Policy: 2014 | IFC-IOR: 2018, Gurugram
  • India’s EEZ: 2.37 million sq km | Sea trade: ~95% by volume

LCH Prachand:

  • India’s first indigenous attack helicopter
  • Ceiling: 6,500 m (operational: 4,500 m) — Siachen/Ladakh/Arunachal capable
  • Weapons: 20mm gun + 70mm rockets + Helina ATGMs
  • Manufacturer: HAL (founded 1940, HQ Bengaluru)

Reports, Indices & Schemes

Economic Survey 2025-26 — All Key Data

The Economic Survey 2025-26 (tabled January 30, 2026; CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran) serves as the intellectual framework for Budget 2026-27. Key headline data: India GDP FY26 7.4%; CPI inflation Apr–Dec 2025 1.7% (historic low); Forex reserves USD 701.4 billion (11 months cover); Gross NPA 2.2% (12-year low); PLI scheme: Rs 2.0 lakh crore investment, Rs 18.7 lakh crore output, 12.6 lakh jobs; India’s patent rank (WIPO 2022): 6th globally (55.2% domestic filings — first majority domestic); R&D spending 0.64% of GDP (needs to rise); EPFO net additions FY24 131 lakh (vs 61 lakh FY19); Social sector spending FY25 Rs 25.7 lakh crore (+15% CAGR FY21-25); Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY savings to beneficiaries Rs 1.25 lakh crore; Jal Jeevan Mission coverage 79.1% of households. For Viksit Bharat 2047, India needs sustained 8%+ GDP growth for two decades.

India 520 GW Power — Milestone Crossed

India crossed 520 GW total installed power capacity in February 2026, with renewables contributing ~218 GW. Renewable energy milestones from the Economic Survey: non-fossil fuel capacity at 46.8% of total (NDC: 50% by 2030); Solar capacity: 100+ GW (target: 280 GW by 2030); Wind: 48+ GW (target: 140 GW); the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (rooftop solar) has installed 7 lakh systems against a 1 crore household target. Budget 2026-27’s CCUS mission (Rs 20,000 crore) and 7 HSR corridors complement the energy transition narrative.

Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana — Farmer Price Deficiency Payments

The Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (BBY) — originally piloted in Madhya Pradesh under Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in 2017 for oilseeds and pulses — was discussed for national revival in February 2026. BBY is a price deficiency payment system: if the market price of a notified crop falls below the MSP, the government pays the farmer the difference directly to their bank account (DBT). This avoids the inefficiency of government procurement while still providing income support. India’s MSP policy has historically relied on NAFED/FCI procurement, which has poor coverage of non-food-grain crops. BBY is seen as a model for pulses (arhar, urad, moong) and oilseeds (soyabean, groundnut) where market prices frequently fall below MSP but government procurement is minimal.

Export Promotion Mission for MSMEs

The Export Promotion Mission launched in February 2026 integrates MSME Ministry, DPIIT, and Commerce Ministry under a single operational platform providing: export credit access (ECGC guarantee), trade fair participation support, logistics subsidies for MSME exporters, regulatory simplification for MSME exports (including the budget’s removal of the Rs 10 lakh courier export cap), and market intelligence. MSMEs contribute ~50% of India’s total exports and employ 23.24 crore people; their export penetration is constrained by access to finance, market intelligence, and logistics at competitive rates.

📌 Facts Corner — Reports, Indices & Schemes

Economic Survey 2025-26:

  • Tabled: January 30, 2026 | By: CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran
  • GDP FY26: 7.4% | FY27 projection: 6.8–7.2% | Viksit Bharat needs: 8%+ annually
  • CPI Apr–Dec 2025: 1.7% | Forex: USD 701.4B (11 months) | CAD: ~1.3% GDP
  • GNPA (Sept 2025): 2.2% | Credit growth: 14.5% | RoE: 14.1%
  • PLI: Rs 2.0L crore investment | Rs 18.7L crore output | 12.6 lakh direct jobs
  • India patent rank: 6th (WIPO 2022) | R&D: 0.64% of GDP (needs to double)
  • Jal Jeevan Mission: 79.1% households | Ayushman PM-JAY: Rs 1.25L crore saved

India Power:

  • Total installed: 520 GW+ (February 2026) | Renewables: ~218 GW
  • Non-fossil fuel share: 46.8% (NDC target: 50% by 2030)
  • PM Surya Ghar installations: 7 lakh | Target: 1 crore households

Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana:

  • Type: Price Deficiency Payment | Original pilot: MP, 2017 (CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan)
  • Crops: Oilseeds, pulses | Mechanism: DBT of MSP minus market price to farmer’s bank account
  • Advantage over procurement: No government purchase, storage, or disposal costs

MSMEs:

  • MSME employment: 23.24 crore | Export share: ~50% of India’s total exports
  • Export Mission 2026: Integrates MSME Ministry + DPIIT + Commerce under one platform
  • Budget 2026: Courier export cap (Rs 10 lakh/consignment) removed — major MSME boost

Persons & Awards in News

French President Macron — State Visit to India

Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India in February 2026 resulted in the India-France relationship being upgraded to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” — the most significant India-France diplomatic event since the original 1998 Strategic Partnership. Macron and PM Modi jointly announced the 114-Rafale deal, Jaitapur nuclear cooperation, and H-125 helicopter manufacturing — along with cultural ties (30,000 Indian students in France by 2030) and multilateral alignment (UNSC reform, G7 outreach, Africa engagement).

Bangladesh — First Post-Yunus Election

Bangladesh held its first elections under the National Coordination Committee (NCC) governance framework in February 2026, following the removal of PM Sheikh Hasina (August 2026) and the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman (son of former PM Khaleda Zia, residing in UK) emerged as the largest party. The Awami League was barred from contesting. India-Bangladesh relations had been strained since Yunus’s government took over — India’s historically close ties with the Hasina government created diplomatic friction; the new BNP-dominated government is seen as more critical of India’s water management (Farakka Barrage concerns) and connectivity projects.

India AI Impact Summit — Key Participants

Elon Musk (xAI/Tesla), Sundar Pichai (Google), Yann LeCun (Meta AI Chief Scientist), and Sam Altman (OpenAI) attended the India AI Impact Summit on February 22, 2026 — a signal of India’s growing centrality in global AI governance and the commercial AI ecosystem. PM Modi’s personal engagement with AI company leaders and the 88-nation endorsement of the New Delhi Declaration positioned India as a credible multilateral AI governance broker, distinct from the US-led or EU-led frameworks.

Exercise MILAN 2026 — Naval Leadership

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi (Chief of Naval Staff, appointed April 2024) presided over Exercise MILAN 2026 — the 13th edition and the largest in history. The Indian Navy’s hosting of 74 nations reflects its growing capacity as a “net security provider” and the success of India’s engagement with the Global South through maritime diplomacy. Separately, INS Anjadip — a new multi-role support ship commissioned by the Eastern Naval Command — was commissioned at Visakhapatnam in February 2026, enhancing the Navy’s logistics and operational sustain capability.

📌 Facts Corner — Persons & Awards

Emmanuel Macron:

  • Position: President of France (since 2017; re-elected 2022)
  • India visit: February 2026 | Outcome: Special Global Strategic Partnership (upgraded from 1998 Strategic Partnership)

Muhammad Yunus:

  • Role: Head of Bangladesh Interim Government (since August 2025)
  • Background: Nobel Peace Prize (2006) for Grameen Bank microfinance
  • Bangladesh elections: Feb 2026 | BNP emerged largest party | Awami League barred

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi:

  • Position: Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) | Appointed: April 2024
  • MILAN 2026: Presided over 13th edition (74 nations, Visakhapatnam)

India AI Summit — Key Attendees:

  • Elon Musk (xAI/Tesla), Sundar Pichai (Google), Yann LeCun (Meta), Sam Altman (OpenAI)
  • 88 nations endorsed New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact

INS Anjadip:

  • Type: Multi-role support ship | Command: Eastern Naval Command
  • Commissioned: February 2026, Visakhapatnam

Other Relevant Persons:

  • V. Anantha Nageswaran: CEA (Chief Economic Adviser), Ministry of Finance — authored Economic Survey 2025-26
  • Nirmala Sitharaman: Finance Minister — 8th consecutive budget (2026-27); FM since May 2019
  • Rajnath Singh: Defence Minister — chaired DAC approval for 114-Rafale deal; inaugurated MILAN 2026
  • Dr. Bimal Patel: Architect of Seva Teertha (and new Parliament, other Central Vista buildings)