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Feb 13, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 13 February 2026

Content DIGITIZATION OF COURTS (e-Courts Mission Mode Project) PROJECTS UNDER PMKSY, PMFME & PLISFPI DIGITIZATION OF COURTS (e-Courts Mission Mode Project) Basics & Context Meaning and Rationale Digitization of courts means systematic use of ICT tools for filing, records, hearings, and payments, targeting faster disposal, transparency, cost reduction, and access to justice, reducing dependence on paper-based systems. Anchored in Digital India and e-Governance, it addresses pendency, delays, and procedural inefficiencies, aligning justice delivery with the constitutional promise of timely and affordable justice under Article 21. Evolution of e-Courts Project Started 2007 under NeGP; Phase I computerised district courts, Phase II expanded services; Phase III (2023–27) aims at paperless, interoperable, end-to-end digital judiciary. Phase III outlay: ₹7,210 crore; focus on legacy digitisation, AI tools, cloud storage, universal e-filing, virtual hearings, and integration with police–prison–forensics systems. Why in News ? Major scale-up: 637.85 crore pages digitised, 3.93 crore VC hearings, 1.03 crore e-filed cases, AI-enabled Digital Courts 2.1, and stronger NJDG dashboards for pendency management. Relevance GS II – Polity & Governance Judicial reforms & pendency reduction Access to justice: Art. 21, 39A E-Governance & transparency (NJDG, e-filing) Cooperative federalism in court infrastructure Practice Question “Digitization of courts is not merely a technological reform but a structural judicial reform.” Examine in the context of pendency and access to justice in India.(250 Words) Constitutional / Legal Dimension Article 21 (speedy trial) jurisprudence supports digital courts reducing delays via automated scheduling, digital records, and e-service of summons, improving procedural efficiency. Article 39A (legal aid) strengthened through e-Seva Kendras and mobile apps, enabling litigants to access case status, orders, and services without repeated physical court visits. Supreme Court e-Committee ensures technology adoption respects due process, open courts, privacy safeguards, and evidentiary reliability under modern evidence laws. Governance / Administrative High Courts implement, NIC develops, BSNL connects, Centre funds; reflects cooperative federalism, but creates capacity and coordination gaps across states and court complexes. CIS 4.0 universalisation standardises case data nationwide, enabling interoperability with NJDG, e-filing, ICJS, supporting data-driven judicial administration and policy decisions. 2,283 district and 48 High Court e-Seva Kendras provide assisted access for litigants, bridging digital divide and ensuring technology does not exclude vulnerable populations. Economic Dimension E-payments processed ₹1,234 crore court fees and ₹63 crore fines, improving transparency, audit trails, and revenue tracking, reducing leakages in court fee systems. 29 virtual courts handled 9.81 crore challans, disposed 8.74 crore, realising ₹973.32 crore, showing cost-effective adjudication of petty offences and docket decongestion. Paperless systems reduce storage, stationery, logistics costs, and cut litigant travel and opportunity costs, improving overall economic efficiency of justice delivery. Social / Ethical Video conferencing and e-services enhance inclusion for women, elderly, disabled, and remote litigants, reducing intimidation and logistical burdens in sensitive or family-related disputes. NJDG public dashboards increase transparency, enabling citizens and researchers to track pendency and disposal trends, strengthening accountability and public trust. Ethical issues include digital exclusion, algorithmic bias in AI tools, and privacy risks, requiring strong safeguards and human oversight. Technology / Security Digital Courts 2.1 uses AI-based translation and transcription, addressing India’s linguistic diversity and improving judicial productivity in multilingual proceedings. NSTEP processed 6.21 crore e-processes, with 1.61 crore successfully delivered, using GPS-enabled service, reducing delays and manipulation in summons delivery. Hosted on NIC cloud, protected by role-based access and SOC training; yet judiciary remains vulnerable to ransomware and data breaches. Data & Evidence 637.85 crore pages digitised; states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh contribute large shares, showing progress but also inter-state disparities. 3,240 court complexes and 1,272 jails VC-enabled; 3.93 crore hearings conducted, reducing prisoner transit and security burdens. 35 lakh daily portal hits, 3.5 crore app downloads, and crores of SMS/email alerts indicate strong citizen adoption of digital judicial services. Challenges Digital divide and poor connectivity in rural areas risk creating unequal access to digital justice, undermining equity. Resistance from bar, limited training, and legacy mindsets slow optimal utilisation of digital platforms. Lack of judiciary-specific data governance framework creates ambiguity on data retention, anonymisation, and reuse. Pendency driven by judge vacancies, investigation delays, forensic backlogs, beyond mere digitisation. Way Forward Institutionalise hybrid courts with SOPs limiting adjournments and standardising virtual hearings for procedural matters. Develop judicial data protection protocols aligned with national data laws, including regular cyber audits and AI oversight. Invest in last-mile connectivity, multilingual interfaces, and continuous capacity-building for judges and staff. Use NJDG analytics for scientific case allocation and targeted reforms in high-pendency districts. PROJECTS UNDER PMKSY, PMFME & PLISFPI Basics & Context Meaning & Policy Rationale Food processing sector links agriculture with industry, reducing post-harvest losses (5–15% range in perishables), raising farmer incomes, enabling value addition, exports, and nutrition security, aligning with Doubling Farmers’ Income vision. MoFPI operationalises sectoral growth via PMKSY, PMFME, PLISFPI, targeting infrastructure gaps, micro-enterprise formalisation, and global-scale manufacturing, supporting Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and supply-chain modernisation. Why in News ? Government reported scale: 1,607 PMKSY projects, 1.72 lakh PMFME micro-units, 274 PLISFPI locations, showing accelerated investment, subsidy support, and infrastructure creation across states for food processing expansion. Relevance GS III – Economy & Agriculture Value addition & farmer income Agro-processing, exports, MSMEs Supply chains & wastage reduction GS II – Governance Scheme design & implementation gaps Cooperative federalism, ODOP Practice Question How does the food processing sector contribute to farmer income, employment, and value addition in Indian agriculture?(150 Words) Scheme Architecture PMKSY (Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana) Central Sector Scheme, ₹6,520 crore outlay (15th FC cycle), supports mega food parks, cold chains, agro-processing clusters, preservation infrastructure, aiming integrated farm-to-market value chains and reduction of wastage. 1,607 approved projects, 1,196 operational, 411 ongoing; ongoing projects involve ₹10,983 crore cost with ₹3,005 crore grants, reflecting substantial public leverage over private agri-processing investments. PMFME (PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises) Centrally Sponsored Scheme, ₹10,000 crore outlay till 2025-26, provides credit-linked subsidy, training, branding, and ODOP support, formalising unorganised micro food units and enhancing rural entrepreneurship. 1,72,707 micro-enterprises supported, ₹5,009 crore subsidies approved, with major uptake in Bihar, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, indicating strong rural enterprise response and decentralised food processing growth. PLISFPI (PLI for Food Processing Industry) ₹10,900 crore outlay (2021–27), incentivises large investments, branding abroad, and global champions, targeting segments like ready-to-eat foods, marine products, processed fruits and vegetables. 274 approved locations, ₹7,462 crore committed investments, concentrated in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, signalling industry clustering and scale-driven competitiveness in processed food exports. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Advances Article 39(b) DPSP by promoting equitable distribution of material resources through value addition in agriculture and rural industries, indirectly strengthening livelihood security for farmers and agro-workers. Supports cooperative federalism, as states provide land, approvals, and facilitation while Centre offers financial incentives, creating shared responsibility model in agro-industrial development. Governance / Administrative Dashboard monitoring, site inspections, promoter reviews, and bank coordination ensure implementation oversight; penal clauses for delays create accountability mechanisms in public-funded private infrastructure projects. Delays mainly due to statutory clearances from pollution boards, utilities, and planning authorities, highlighting regulatory bottlenecks in India’s infrastructure and agro-industrial project ecosystems. Economic Dimension Food processing raises value addition in agriculture (India ~10% vs global ~20–30%), with schemes aiming to narrow this gap, enhance agro-exports, and stabilise farmer price realisation. Generates non-farm rural employment, supports MSMEs, FPO linkages, and women entrepreneurs, and reduces import dependence in processed foods, strengthening domestic value chains and forex earnings. Ethical Dimension PMFME’s ODOP approach promotes local specialties, traditional foods, and GI-linked products, preserving culinary heritage while creating income opportunities for rural and women-led enterprises. Inclusive design benefits small farmers, SHGs, and micro-entrepreneurs, but unequal state capacity may skew benefits toward administratively stronger states, raising regional equity concerns. Environmental Dimension Cold chains and processing reduce food wastage, indirectly lowering embedded water, energy, and carbon losses, supporting climate-resilient agri-food systems. However, processing expansion may raise energy use, packaging waste, and water demand, requiring greener technologies and circular economy practices. Data & Evidence Maharashtra leads PMKSY with 242 projects, ₹1,255 crore grants; shows clustering in agro-industrial states with strong market linkages and logistics ecosystems. PMFME leaders: Bihar (28,648 units), Maharashtra (27,360), Uttar Pradesh (22,060), indicating scheme success in populous agrarian states with large informal food sectors. PLISFPI investments highest in Gujarat (₹1,343 crore) and Uttar Pradesh (₹1,052 crore), reflecting investor preference for infrastructure-ready and market-accessible regions. Challenges Regulatory delays, credit constraints, and compliance burdens slow project execution, particularly affecting small entrepreneurs with limited administrative capacity. Fragmented supply chains, weak branding, and limited R&D restrict India’s move toward high-value processed food exports compared to global leaders. Way Forward Streamline single-window clearances, standardise state regulations, and fast-track approvals for agro-processing infrastructure to reduce gestation delays. Promote green processing technologies, branding support, export facilitation, and FPO integration, aligning schemes with SDGs, nutrition security, and climate-smart agriculture.

Feb 13, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 13 February 2026

Content: Farmers’ pulse Farmers’ pulse Source : The Hindu Basics and context What are pulses? Pulses = edible dried seeds of leguminous crops (family Fabaceae), harvested for grain; distinct from oilseeds (soybean, groundnut) and green vegetable legumes (beans, peas consumed fresh). FAO definition: crops harvested solely for dry grain, naturally high in protein (18–25%), fibre, micronutrients, and capable of biological nitrogen fixation. Nutritional and strategic importance Pulses supply about 25% of India’s non-cereal protein, provide essential amino acids, and support dietary diversity for millions, making them central to nutrition security in a cereal-dominated food system. As nitrogen-fixing legumes, pulses reduce fertiliser use, improve soil health, and fit climate-smart agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions where water and input constraints limit cereal sustainability. Demand–supply realities India’s pulse production remains around 2.5 crore tonnes annually, while demand is near 3 crore tonnes, creating a 4–5 million tonne structural deficit routinely bridged through calibrated imports. Over 70% pulse area is rain-fed, making output highly sensitive to monsoon variability, yield shocks, and climate stress, unlike irrigated rice-wheat systems enjoying stronger procurement and policy backing. Relevance GS III – Agriculture & Economy Food & nutrition security Cropping pattern & diversification MSP, procurement, price policy Agri trade & import dependence Climate-resilient agriculture Practice Question “India’s pulse policy must balance farmer income and consumer prices.” Discuss.(250 Words) Why in news ? Trade sensitivity and farmer concerns Indications of U.S. pulse exports to India raised alarms because assured imports during harvest season depress mandi prices, directly affecting incomes of nearly five crore pulse-growing farmers and families. After the 2020–21 farm law protests, farmers view trade-linked agricultural commitments cautiously, fearing policy bias toward cheap imports and consumers rather than remunerative and stable domestic farm-gate prices. New self-sufficiency push The 2025 Pulse Self-Sufficiency Mission allocates ₹11,440 crore, targeting 310 lakh hectares and 350 lakh tonnes production by 2030-31, signalling a major scale-up in state support for pulses. However, past missions delivered mixed results due to weak procurement, delayed payments, and limited extension, creating scepticism among farmers about whether announced targets will translate into reliable incomes. Governance and policy architecture MSP and procurement gaps Although MSPs are declared for major pulses annually, actual procurement under the Price Support Scheme ranged only 2.9%–12.4% of production during 2019-24, limiting real price support impact. Many States lack adequate procurement centres, storage, and assaying facilities, forcing farmers into distress sales to private traders below MSP, weakening credibility of official price assurances and diversification incentives. Policy dualism Government frequently uses imports and tariff changes to cool prices for consumers, but repeated interventions create uncertainty, discouraging farmers from investing in productivity, quality seeds, and better agronomic practices. Economic, social and environmental relevance Farm economics and diversification Pulse yields in India remain below several global benchmarks due to limited irrigation, input use, and R&D diffusion, reducing profitability compared to cereals backed by assured procurement and input subsidies. Weak returns push farmers toward rice, wheat, or cash crops, undermining diversification, increasing water stress, and perpetuating import dependence that exposes India to global price and supply fluctuations. Nutrition and equity Pulses are the cheapest protein source for large vegetarian and low-income populations; unstable availability or high prices worsen protein deficiency, directly affecting child nutrition and public health outcomes. Ensuring affordable pulses supports nutrition equity, linking agricultural policy with human development goals, mid-day meals, and food-based welfare programmes targeting vulnerable populations. Environmental sustainability Pulses enhance soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation, reduce chemical fertiliser demand, and lower greenhouse gas footprints relative to fertiliser-intensive cereals, supporting sustainable intensification strategies. Yet, heavy concentration in marginal rain-fed areas exposes pulse farmers to climate risks, making resilience investments in seeds, water management, and advisories crucial for stable production. Challenges and way forward Structural challenges Import reliance and price crashes: Large tur imports in 2016–17 after domestic output recovery led to mandi prices falling below MSP in Maharashtra and Karnataka, discouraging farmers from expanding pulse acreage next seasons. Low procurement credibility: With PSS procurement only 2.9%–12.4% of output (2019–24), many farmers in MP and Rajasthan report selling chana and masur below MSP due to absent or delayed procurement operations. Policy unpredictability: Frequent tariff changes and stock limits under the Essential Commodities framework for pulses like tur and urad create uncertainty, making farmers risk-averse about allocating land to pulses. Seed and R&D gaps: Adoption of improved varieties such as Pusa-372 (chickpea) or IPM-02-3 (moong) remains uneven because certified seed distribution and last-mile extension are weak in major pulse belts. Weak extension example: Rain-fed pulse farmers in Bundelkhand and Vidarbha often rely on traditional practices due to limited agri-advisory reach, leading to yields significantly below research-station potential. Reform priorities Decentralised MSP procurement: States like Madhya Pradesh under Bhavantar-type price support showed that price deficiency payments and local procurement can reduce distress sales when implemented transparently and on time. Digital and localised systems: Expanding e-NAM linked procurement and FPO-led aggregation, as seen in parts of Karnataka, can improve farmer access to MSP operations and reduce trader intermediation. Trade aligned to crop cycles: Imposing or raising duties on tur during peak arrivals, as India has periodically done, helps prevent import-led price crashes and stabilises domestic markets. Productivity-led model: Success of short-duration moong in rice fallows in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha shows how improved varieties and advisories can raise pulse output without expanding net sown area. Irrigation and advisories: Micro-irrigation support under PMKSY (irrigation) in pulse belts of Gujarat and Telangana has demonstrated higher and more stable yields compared to purely rain-fed plots. Seed systems strengthening: Scaling breeder–foundation–certified seed chains through ICAR and State Agricultural Universities can replicate successes seen in wheat and rice seed replacement gains. Major pulses in India Pulse (Common name) Season Key Producing States Key Facts (Data & Static Points) Chana (Chickpea/Bengal gram) Rabi MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, UP ~40–45% of India’s pulse output; Desi & Kabuli types; 20–22% protein; thrives in cool, dry winters Tur/Arhar (Pigeon pea) Kharif Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP, Gujarat Long duration (160–200 days); deep-rooted, drought tolerant; major source of dal in India Urad (Black gram) Kharif/Zaid UP, MP, Tamil Nadu, AP Short duration (70–90 days); used in idli/dosa batter; suitable for intercropping Moong (Green gram) Kharif/Zaid Rajasthan, Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka Very short duration (60–70 days); ideal for rice-fallow cultivation; highly digestible protein Masur (Lentil) Rabi UP, MP, Bihar, WB Rich in iron and protein; fits well in rice–lentil systems; cool-season crop Field pea (Matar) Rabi UP, Punjab, Haryana, MP Dual use (vegetable + pulse); used in mixed cropping with wheat

Feb 13, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 13 February 2026

Content Govt. unveils new CPI series; retail inflation in Jan. at 2.75% Dal Lake – environmental degradation and conservation challenges Substantive motion in Parliament Pothole-related road fatalities jumped 53% in 5 years How Tamil, Sanskrit, Prakrit names ended up on walls of Egyptian tombs Civil society, scientists raise alarm over safety gaps in WHO pandemic pact Govt. unveils new CPI series; retail inflation in Jan. at 2.75% Source :The Hindu Why in news ? New base year and latest inflation MoSPI released a new CPI series with base year 2024, replacing 2012, reporting January 2026 retail inflation at 2.75%, within RBI’s tolerance band. As it is the first release under the new base, long-term comparison with old series is limited, a common transition issue seen in statistical rebasing globally. Relevance GS III (Indian Economy): Inflation measurement, monetary policy, RBI inflation targeting, statistics in policymaking. Practice question Discuss the importance of accurate inflation measurement for monetary policy and welfare delivery in India.(250 Words) Basics and static context What is CPI and why it matters ? Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures change in retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services consumed by households; it is India’s main indicator of inflation and cost of living. CPI is used by the RBI for inflation targeting (4% ±2%) under the Monetary Policy Framework Agreement, guiding repo rate decisions that affect loans, savings and growth. Who compiles CPI ? CPI is compiled by MoSPI’s National Statistical Office (NSO) through nationwide price collection; methodology aligns with international standards used by UN, IMF and ILO for comparability. India publishes multiple CPIs (Rural, Urban, Combined), but CPI-Combined is the key headline number for macroeconomic policy and RBI targeting. What changed in the new CPI ? Updated consumption basket Total items increased from 299 to 358, reflecting diversification of consumption; goods rose to 308 and services to 50, capturing modern spending like telecom and services better. Basket weights are derived from HCES 2023–24, ensuring CPI mirrors current household spending, unlike outdated baskets that may over/understate inflation. Wider data coverage Rural price collection expanded to 1,465 markets (from 1,181) and urban to 1,395 (from 1,114), improving geographical representation and statistical reliability. Larger sample sizes reduce volatility and bias, similar to how periodic updates improved accuracy in GDP and IIP series. Economic rationale for rebasing Reflecting structural change Over a decade, rising incomes, urbanisation and digitalisation shift spending toward services, health, education and communication, requiring updated CPI weights. Without rebasing, inflation may be mismeasured; for example, over-weighting cereals when diets diversify could distort true cost-of-living changes. Policy credibility Accurate CPI strengthens monetary policy credibility, as RBI decisions depend on realistic inflation signals. Investors and rating agencies rely on credible inflation data for macroeconomic assessments. Limitations and cautions Comparability issues New base breaks direct comparison with older series; analysts often create back-casted series later for continuity. Short-term movements may reflect methodological shifts as well as real price changes. Data challenges Informal markets, quality changes and new products complicate price measurement, a universal CPI challenge noted by statistical agencies worldwide. Rapid tech evolution (e.g., smartphones) requires frequent basket updates to avoid substitution bias. Way forward Strengthening price statistics Regular 5-year rebasing cycles can keep CPI aligned with fast-changing consumption patterns. Greater use of digital price collection and scanner data can improve timeliness and coverage. Communication and transparency Clear public communication on methodology helps avoid misinterpretation of inflation trends during base changes. Publishing concordance tables between old and new series aids researchers and policymakers. CPI vs WPI Feature CPI (Consumer Price Index) WPI (Wholesale Price Index) Meaning Measures change in retail prices faced by consumers Measures change in wholesale prices at producer/wholesaler level Compiled by NSO (MoSPI) Office of Economic Adviser, DPIIT (Ministry of Commerce) Base Year (latest) 2024 (new series) 2011–12 Purpose Measures cost of living & inflation for consumers Measures price trends in bulk trade/production Coverage Goods + Services Only Goods (no services) No. of items ~358 items (new series) ~697 items Major weight Food & beverages have high weight (~45% earlier series) Manufactured products have highest weight (~64%) Population scope CPI-Rural, CPI-Urban, CPI-Combined Single national index Policy relevance RBI uses CPI for inflation targeting (4% ±2%) Used for business decisions, deflator in national accounts Reflects Demand-side inflation (consumer impact) Supply-side/producer inflation Volatility More volatile due to food & fuel Less volatile than CPI in many cases Global comparability Internationally used for inflation targeting Less used globally for policy targeting Example use DA revision, wage indexation Industrial price trends, contract escalation Dal Lake – environmental degradation and conservation challenges Source :The Hindu Why in news ? Policy shift in conservation J&K government shelved the ₹416.72-crore Dal restoration plan (approved 2009) and proposed an in-situ conservation approach, allowing dwellers to continue living on the lake. The earlier plan targeted relocation of ~9,000 families, but only 1,808 families were rehabilitated in 17 years, achieving about 27% of intended conservation outcomes. Relevance GS III (Environment): Wetland degradation, eutrophication, urban ecology, conservation policy. GS I (Geography): Lakes, catchment impacts, land-use change. Practice question What is eutrophication and how does it affect urban lakes like Dal?(250 Words) Basics and static context Location and physical features Dal Lake is an urban freshwater lake in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, fed by springs and channels from the Zabarwan range, historically covering ~22–25 sq km including marshes and floating gardens. It is divided into basins like Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal and Nigeen, with interconnected channels; shallow depth and slow flushing make it naturally vulnerable to pollution accumulation. Ecological and economic significance Dal Lake supports tourism, fisheries, lotus cultivation and houseboat livelihoods, forming a key part of Kashmir’s economy and cultural identity. It functions as an urban ecological buffer, moderating microclimate, supporting biodiversity, and storing floodwaters in the Jhelum basin. Environmental pressures Sewage and pollution load Untreated sewage from households, hotels and houseboats enters the lake through point and non-point sources; SKUAST (2022) flagged “extreme pollution loads” and deteriorating water quality. High organic load raises BOD and nutrient levels, accelerating eutrophication, a pattern also observed in other urban lakes like Bengaluru’s Bellandur. Eutrophication and weed growth Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from sewage and fertilisers cause algal blooms and macrophyte overgrowth, choking open water and reducing dissolved oxygen for fish. Proliferation of weeds like Eichhornia (water hyacinth) reduces water spread and impedes navigation and recreation. Catchment degradation Deforestation, grazing and agriculture in the catchment increase silt and nutrient inflow, shrinking effective water area and altering lake morphology. Land use change in the Zabarwan foothills has increased runoff and sedimentation, a common driver of lake ageing. Encroachment and population pressure Expansion of settlements, houseboats and floating gardens (raad) leads to encroachment and solid waste generation, converting water areas into marshy land. Urban lakes worldwide show similar stress where shoreline regulation is weak, e.g., Dal-like pressures on Nainital Lake. Reduced inflows and circulation Blocked or reduced inflows and internal channels lower water circulation and flushing, concentrating pollutants and accelerating stagnation. Hydrological fragmentation disrupts natural self-cleansing capacity of the lake. Invasive species and biodiversity loss SKUAST noted invasive plants and animals altering native biodiversity; invasive macrophytes outcompete native flora and change habitat structure. Biodiversity simplification reduces ecological resilience and fisheries productivity. Substantive motion in Parliament Source : The Hindu Basics and concept What is a substantive motion ? A substantive motion is a self-contained, independent proposal submitted for the decision of the House, drafted to express a definite opinion, will, or order of Parliament. It is different from subsidiary or procedural motions because it does not depend on another motion and itself becomes the subject of debate and voting in the House. Source in parliamentary practice Not explicitly in the Constitution but derived from Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and classical texts like Kaul & Shakdher: Practice and Procedure of Parliament. Rooted in the Westminster parliamentary tradition, where motions are primary tools for the House to articulate collective decisions and hold members or government accountable. Relevance GS II (Polity & Governance): Parliamentary procedures, legislative accountability, deliberative democracy. Practice question What is a substantive motion? How is it different from other motions?(150 Words) Types and scope Common examples Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, election/removal motions for Speaker or Deputy Speaker, and motions on matters of public importance are classic substantive motions. Substantive motions can relate to privileges, conduct of members, or policy positions, provided they meet admissibility rules and are framed in proper parliamentary language. Who can move it ? Usually moved by any member who gives prior notice; in certain cases (like motions concerning ministers), conventions and rules determine who may move it. Notice period and format are regulated by the Rules of Procedure, ensuring seriousness and preventing frivolous use. Procedure Admissibility and listing The Speaker/Chairman decides admissibility, checking relevance, clarity, and conformity with rules; motions cannot raise matters sub judice or violate privilege norms. Once admitted, it is listed for business, and time for discussion is allocated by the Business Advisory Committee or by the Chair. Debate and voting Members debate the motion; the mover has a right of reply at the end of discussion, a key feature of substantive motions. The motion is then put to vote; if passed, it becomes the formal decision or opinion of the House. Constitutional and governance relevance Link with collective responsibility Though distinct from a no-confidence motion, substantive motions contribute to the system where the executive is accountable to the legislature under Article 75 (collective responsibility). They provide a structured way for Parliament to record positions on governance, ethics, and institutional matters. Instrument of deliberative democracy They enable discussion on public issues beyond routine law-making, strengthening Parliament’s role as a deliberative forum, not merely a legislative factory. By requiring formal notice and voting, they promote reasoned debate and recorded decisions, key to transparent governance. Distinction from other motions Vs. no-confidence motion A no-confidence motion targets the Council of Ministers and, if passed, has direct political consequences; a substantive motion may not necessarily test government majority. All no-confidence motions are substantive, but not all substantive motions are no-confidence motions, showing broader scope. Vs. adjournment and calling attention Adjournment motions are exceptional devices to discuss urgent matters and interrupt normal business; they have stricter admissibility and are not routine substantive expressions of House opinion. Calling attention is informational and does not culminate in a formal decision of the House, unlike substantive motions that end in a vote. Significance Institutional accountability Substantive motions can address conduct of high authorities or members, helping maintain ethical standards and institutional integrity within Parliament. They create a formal parliamentary record, which can guide future conventions and interpretations. Democratic value They operationalise the idea that Parliament is the sovereign deliberative body in a parliamentary democracy, expressing the will of the people through elected representatives. Their structured nature balances free speech of members with procedural discipline. Types of Motions in Indian Parliament Type of Motion Meaning / Purpose Key Features Example / Use Substantive Motion Independent, self-contained proposal for House decision Needs notice; debated and voted; expresses definite opinion/will of House Motion of Thanks to President’s Address Substitute Motion Moved in place of original motion If adopted, replaces original; must relate to same subject Alternative version of a policy motion Subsidiary Motion Depends on another motion Cannot stand alone; aids discussion or disposal of main motion Amendments, procedural motions Amendment Motion Seeks to modify a motion Can add/delete/alter words; voted before main motion Amending Motion of Thanks No-Confidence Motion Tests majority of Council of Ministers Lok Sabha only; needs 50 members’ support to admit; if passed, govt resigns Used to remove government Confidence Motion (Trust Vote) Govt proves majority Initiated by govt; simple majority required During coalition uncertainty Adjournment Motion Raises urgent matter of public importance Interrupts normal business; exceptional device; LS mainly Major accident/scam issue Calling Attention Motion Draws minister’s attention to urgent matter Minister makes statement; no voting; informational Law & order issue Privilege Motion Addresses breach of parliamentary privilege Against MP/minister for misleading House False statement in House Censure Motion Expresses strong disapproval of govt policy Must state reasons; LS; political pressure but not removal Policy failure criticism Cut Motions Reduce demands in Budget Types: Policy, Economy, Token; tool for financial control Reduce demand for a ministry Half-Hour Discussion Motion Clarifies matters needing explanation Based on starred/unstarred questions; short duration Clarifying policy detail Closure Motion Ends debate If accepted, House votes on main motion To avoid prolonged debate Pothole-related road fatalities jumped 53% in 5 years Source : Indian Express Basics and static context What counts as pothole-related accidents ? Pothole-related accidents are crashes where road surface defects directly cause loss of control, recorded in police FIRs and compiled by MoRTH in its annual Road Accidents in India reports. They fall under infrastructure-related causes, alongside poor signage and road design; globally, WHO notes road infrastructure quality significantly influences crash risks, especially for two-wheelers and pedestrians. Scale of the problem in India India records about 1.7 lakh road deaths annually (2024), the highest in the world; even small shares from potholes translate into thousands of preventable deaths. India has the second-largest road network (~63 lakh km), including ~1.46 lakh km of National Highways, making maintenance a massive governance and fiscal challenge. Relevance GS III (Infrastructure): Road safety, public infrastructure management. GS II (Governance): Accountability of agencies, urban governance. Practice question Road accidents in India are as much a governance failure as a transport issue. Discuss with reference to pothole deaths.(250 Words) Why in news ? Sharp rise in fatalities Lok Sabha data show pothole deaths rose from 1,555 (2020) to 2,385 (2024) — a 53% jump, signalling worsening road maintenance outcomes despite rising infrastructure spending. Total pothole-linked deaths over 2020–24 reached 9,438, averaging nearly 5 deaths daily, highlighting that potholes are not minor defects but serious safety hazards. Data and trends Accident and injury pattern Pothole accidents increased from 3,713 (2020) to 5,432 (2024); grievous injuries also remained high, showing that many victims survive with long-term disabilities. Minor injuries crossed 10,000 cases in five years, indicating a broader safety burden beyond fatalities, including healthcare costs and productivity losses. State-wise concentration Uttar Pradesh contributes the largest share of deaths, consistent with its overall high road fatality numbers and vast road network. MP, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Assam together account for over 80% of pothole deaths, showing regional clustering linked to traffic density and maintenance gaps. Governance and policy dimension Maintenance vs construction bias India’s road policy has prioritised new highway construction, but maintenance budgets and monitoring often lag, leading to rapid deterioration, especially after monsoons. Contracts sometimes focus on asset creation, not lifecycle upkeep; performance-based maintenance is less uniformly enforced across states and urban local bodies. Accountability issues Multiple agencies (NHAI, PWDs, municipalities) share responsibility, causing diffused accountability when pothole deaths occur. Though courts have occasionally held authorities liable, routine criminal or financial accountability for negligence remains rare. Economic and social implications Economic costs Road crashes cost India an estimated ~3–5% of GDP annually (various government and World Bank estimates); pothole crashes add to repair costs, medical bills and productivity losses. Logistics delays from poor road quality raise transport costs, indirectly affecting inflation and competitiveness. Social justice angle Victims are often two-wheeler riders and lower-income commuters, who are more exposed and less protected than car occupants. Families of victims face sudden income shocks, linking road safety with poverty and social protection concerns. Environmental and urban angle Urban flooding and potholes Poor drainage and waterlogging accelerate pothole formation; cities with clogged stormwater systems see roads degrade quickly after heavy rains. Climate change–linked extreme rainfall events can worsen this cycle, raising maintenance demands. Challenges and way forward Structural challenges Reactive “patchwork repairs” dominate over scientific resurfacing, leading to recurring potholes within a single season. Weak data integration between police, transport and road agencies limits targeted interventions on blackspots. Reform priorities Adopt performance-based maintenance contracts with penalties for defects, as used in some highway PPP models. Use geo-tagging, citizen-reporting apps and third-party audits to monitor road quality; some cities already pilot such digital grievance systems. Integrate road safety with Safe System Approach (safer roads, vehicles, speeds, users, post-crash care) recommended by WHO. How Tamil, Sanskrit, Prakrit names ended up on walls of Egyptian tombs Source : Indian Express Why in news ? New academic findings Recent publication of the 30-inscription corpus strengthens evidence of early India–Egypt links, moving beyond speculative trade theories to direct epigraphic proof of Indian presence in Egypt. It feeds into broader debates on ancient globalisation, showing mobility across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean two millennia ago, comparable to Roman–Indian trade evidenced by Muziris finds. Relevance GS I (Ancient History & Culture): Indo-Roman trade, cultural contacts. Practice question What do Indian inscriptions in Egypt reveal about ancient trade networks?(150 Words) Basics and historical context What are these inscriptions Graffiti-style inscriptions in Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit and Sanskrit found in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings (c. 300 BCE–200 CE), showing visiting foreigners carved names, origins, and devotional messages, like ancient travel records. Unlike royal hieroglyphs, these are informal visitor inscriptions, similar to pilgrimage graffiti at Indian Buddhist sites like Sanchi, where travellers recorded names, places, and religious sentiments. Who deciphered them ? A 2024–25 study by Charlotte Schmid (EFEO, Paris) documented 30 Indian-language inscriptions, using epigraphy and comparative linguistics to identify Tamil-Brahmi scripts and Indo-Aryan linguistic features. Cross-referencing letter forms with Sangam-era Tamil-Brahmi (3rd BCE onward) helped date inscriptions, as shapes of “ra,” “na,” and vowel markers match early South Indian cave inscriptions. What the names show ? Names like “Korran,” “Kopan,” and “Saman” resemble Tamil and Prakrit naming traditions; for example, “Korran” parallels Sangam titles for chieftains and warriors in Chera–Pandya regions. Some inscriptions include place-based identifiers, implying travellers linked identity to homeland, similar to donative inscriptions in India stating “so-and-so from Karur or Madurai.” Trade and connectivity dimension Indian Ocean trade networks Between 1st BCE–2nd CE, Indo-Roman trade flourished; Roman coins found in Tamil Nadu and the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea describe Indian merchants sailing to Egyptian Red Sea ports like Berenike. These inscriptions suggest some traders or pilgrims travelled onward to the Nile valley, showing routes were not just maritime but linked to inland cultural landmarks. Cultural cosmopolitanism Ancient port cities like Alexandria and Berenike were multicultural hubs; archaeological finds include Indian beads and pepper, supporting textual evidence of Indo-Mediterranean exchange. Multilingualism was common among merchant groups; Prakrit and Tamil functioning as trade languages parallels use of Aramaic or Greek across West Asian trade corridors. Social and cultural insights Travel motivations Not all travellers were merchants; some inscriptions resemble pilgrimage-style declarations, suggesting curiosity, ritual travel, or status display, similar to elites visiting sacred or famous sites. Valley of the Kings was a famed site even in antiquity; Greek and Latin graffiti there show it functioned as an early tourist destination by 1st millennium BCE–CE. Identity expression Writing one’s name in native script abroad signals strong cultural identity; comparable to Indian merchant guild inscriptions in Southeast Asia asserting community presence. Scripts acted as cultural markers; Tamil-Brahmi use abroad indicates literacy among sections of early South Indian trading communities. Historiographical significance Rethinking isolationist views Findings challenge older views that ancient Indian societies were regionally confined, instead supporting models of long-distance mobility and interaction across Afro-Eurasia. They complement evidence like Indian cotton in Egypt and Roman gold in South India, forming a multi-source case for deep connectivity. Limits of evidence Small sample size (≈30 inscriptions) means presence, not population scale; like Roman coins in India, they indicate contact but not large migration. Epigraphy shows who left marks, not entire communities; absence of evidence elsewhere doesn’t negate wider interaction networks. Civil society, scientists raise alarm over safety gaps in WHO pandemic pact Source : Down to Earth Why in news ? Ongoing WHO negotiations WHO members are negotiating the PABS annex before the 79th World Health Assembly (May 2026), making it the last unresolved operational pillar of the first global pandemic treaty. February 2026 open letters from scientists and civil society flagged weak biosecurity and diluted benefit-sharing, warning current draft may prioritise speed over safety and fairness. Relevance GS II (IR): Global health governance, WHO reforms, equity in global commons. GS III (S&T + Health): Biosecurity, biotechnology risks. Practice question COVID-19 exposed inequities in global health governance. Discuss how new pandemic agreements can address these gaps.(250 Words) Basics and static context What is pathogen sharing and why it exists ? Pathogen sharing involves countries providing virus samples and genetic sequences to global databases for surveillance, vaccine R&D and diagnostics; e.g., rapid SARS-CoV-2 sequencing in 2020 enabled mRNA vaccine design within months. WHO-led systems like GISRS for influenza since 1952 show pathogen sharing accelerates risk detection; seasonal flu vaccines are reformulated biannually using globally shared strains, demonstrating long-standing public-health value. What is PABS under the Pandemic Agreement ? Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS) links rapid sharing of pathogens with fair access to vaccines, drugs and diagnostics; conceptually similar to WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework. The Pandemic Agreement (2025) emerged after COVID-19 exposed governance gaps; despite COVAX, high-income countries pre-purchased large shares of early doses, leaving low-income countries dependent on donations and delayed supply. Global equity dimension COVID-era lessons During COVID-19, over 70% of people in low-income countries had not received a first dose by mid-2021, while many rich countries had surplus contracts, illustrating structural inequity in vaccine access. Countries like South Africa shared variant data (e.g., Omicron) but later faced travel bans and delayed vaccine access, creating distrust around “share-now, benefit-later” arrangements. Biosecurity and technology risks Misuse of genetic data Public genetic sequences can enable synthetic reconstruction of viruses; in 2017, researchers recreated horsepox virus, showing feasibility of synthesising large viral genomes using commercially available DNA fragments. Costs of DNA synthesis have fallen sharply over two decades, lowering entry barriers for advanced labs and raising dual-use concerns when oversight and identity verification are weak. AI and synthetic biology AI tools can assist in protein design and sequence optimisation; while beneficial for vaccines, the same tools could hypothetically help design more transmissible or immune-evasive variants if misused. Experts note bio-risk now combines digital (cyber + data) and biological domains, requiring cybersecurity standards for genomic databases similar to those used in critical digital infrastructure. Governance and legal concerns Accountability gaps Civil society letters argue draft PABS makes benefit sharing optional, allowing companies to choose contribution types; contrast this with PIP Framework where manufacturers commit specific benefit contributions. Lack of mandatory reporting for lab accidents or cyber breaches contrasts with biosafety norms in many countries where notifiable incidents are legally reportable to regulators. Transparency deficits Critics highlight limited pre-sharing of negotiation texts and restricted civil society participation, unlike some climate negotiations where draft texts are circulated widely for stakeholder input. Public health and development implications Trust and cooperation If countries fear unfair returns, they may delay sharing samples; Indonesia in 2007 withheld H5N1 samples over vaccine access concerns, showing how equity disputes can hinder surveillance. Reduced sharing slows variant detection, undermining early warning systems that saved time during Ebola, Zika and COVID-19 responses. Way forward Stronger safeguards Mandate verified identities and access logs for genomic databases, similar to controlled-access clinical data repositories used for human genome research. Require reporting of lab incidents and risky research, aligning with Biosafety Level (BSL) norms already applied in high-containment laboratories worldwide. Fair benefit sharing Create binding financial and product commitments from companies, with predefined shares for WHO stockpiles, learning from advance market commitments used in pneumococcal vaccines. Guarantee technology transfer and licensing during emergencies, as seen in mRNA tech-transfer hubs supported by WHO in countries like South Africa.

Feb 12, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 12 February 2026

Content CATCH LIMITS FOR FISHING BEST PERFORMING PANCHAYATS CATCH LIMITS FOR FISHING Why in News ? ICAR–CMFRI recommended Minimum Legal Size (MLS) for key species like pomfret; States advised to enforce via Marine Fishing Regulation Acts (MFRAs) using mesh-size norms and MLS to curb juvenile fishing. Relevance GS III (Environment & Economy) Sustainable fisheries, marine biodiversity, blue economy, resource governance Links to IUU fishing, climate change, coastal livelihoods, EEZ management Static areas: EEZ, MSY concept, stock assessment, precautionary principle Practice Question “Catch limits and size regulations are essential for ensuring marine sustainability, but enforcement remains India’s biggest challenge.” Discuss in the context of India’s fisheries governance framework.(250 Words) Basics Legal–Institutional Framework Fisheries managed by States in territorial waters (up to 12 nm) under MFRAs; Centre regulates EEZ (12–200 nm) and issues advisories for conservation-aligned practices. ICAR–CMFRI Role Conducts periodic stock assessments, species-wise advisories, and ecosystem studies guiding MLS, gear regulations, and conservation measures. Minimum Legal Size (MLS) MLS sets size thresholds to prevent capture of juveniles before first maturity, protecting recruitment and spawning biomass. Policy Tools for Sustainable Fishing Gear & Effort Controls Mesh-size regulations reduce juvenile bycatch; bans on Bull/Pair Trawling and LED-light fishing in EEZ curb destructive, high-effort fishing. Spatial Zoning Traditional zones reserved for non-mechanised/small motorised boats; mechanised vessels restricted to reduce conflict and overfishing nearshore. Seasonal Closures Uniform 61-day annual fishing ban on both coasts during peak breeding protects spawning stocks and aids stock rebuilding. Data & Facts Stock Health 91.1% marine fish stocks healthy per MFSS Report 2022 (latest assessment 2023)—suggests benefits of regulations but needs continued compliance. Species Focus—Silver Pomfret Maharashtra’s ‘State Fish’ to spotlight conservation; notified MLS ~135–140 mm to protect juveniles in breeding grounds. Welfare During Bans Under PMMSY, support of ₹3,000 (Govt) + ₹1,500 (beneficiary); ₹4,500 released during three-month lean/ban period. Blue Economy Linkages Livelihood–Conservation Balance Combining MLS, bans, zoning, welfare transfers aligns income stability with long-term stock sustainability. Habitat Enhancement Artificial Reefs funded under PMMSY improve habitat complexity, fish aggregation, and local productivity in coastal/traditional zones. Challenges Enforcement Gaps Monitoring MLS and gear norms across dispersed fleets is difficult; requires vessel tracking, port inspections, and community co-management. IUU Fishing Risks Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated (IUU) fishing can undermine stock gains and distort data-driven management. Climate Variability Warming seas shift species distribution, affecting stock assessments and MLS relevance over time. Way Forward Science-Led Adaptive Management Update MLS and closures using real-time stock data, climate indicators, and participatory research. Tech-Enabled Compliance Scale VMS/AIS tracking, e-logbooks, QR landing slips for traceability and MLS enforcement. Co-Management Models Empower fisher cooperatives for self-regulation, reporting, and stewardship to reduce IUU and conflicts. BEST PERFORMING PANCHAYATS Why in News ? Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) announced National Panchayat Awards 2023–25 under Incentivisation of Panchayats (IoP) aligned with Localisation of SDGs (LSDGs), rewarding PRIs with ₹50 lakh–₹5 crore grants. Relevance GS II (Polity & Governance) 73rd Constitutional Amendment, decentralisation, local governance Performance-linked grants, SDG localisation Fiscal decentralisation & accountability Practice Question “Performance-based incentives to Panchayats can deepen decentralisation but may also widen inter-regional disparities.”Critically examine.(250 Words) Basics Constitutional Basis Panchayats derive authority from Part IX (Articles 243–243O); promote democratic decentralisation, local planning, social justice, economic development via elected rural bodies. Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) Centrally Sponsored Scheme to strengthen PRIs’ capacity, infrastructure, and training; supports Panchayat Bhawans, digital systems, institutional development. Incentivisation of Panchayats (IoP) Performance-based competitive grants encouraging outcomes in poverty reduction, health, climate action, governance, livelihoods, water sufficiency. Award Architecture LSDG Alignment Themes mapped to SDGs: poverty, livelihoods, health, WCD, water, climate action, sanitation, infrastructure, social security, governance. Types of Awards DDUPSVP, NDSPSVP, and special categories like Carbon Neutral Panchayat, Gram Urja Swaraj, Climate Action, Atmanirbhar Panchayat. Incentive Size Financial awards from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore, tier-based; funds reinvested in local development and model replication. Data & Facts Digital Planning Scale 2,53,992 Gram Panchayats uploaded GPDPs (FY 2025–26), showing near-universal digital local planning adoption. Financial Digitisation PRIs transferred ₹44,000+ crore via eGramSwaraj–PFMS, ensuring real-time payments, reduced leakages, transparent fund flow. Punjab Snapshot 12,807/13,236 GPs service-ready under BharatNet. 759 GP Bhawans, 4,300 computers, 500 CSCs approved under RGSA. Digital Governance Ecosystem eGramSwaraj Platform for planning, accounting, monitoring, online payments; integrated with PFMS for seamless fiscal management. Meri Panchayat App Public access to plans, works, progress, strengthening transparency and social audits. AuditOnline & Panchayat NIRNAY Online audit & Gram Sabha management tools; 13,272 GP audit reports in Punjab (2023–24) generated. Governance Significance Deepening Decentralisation Performance-linked incentives convert PRIs into outcome-oriented local governments, reinforcing subsidiarity and accountability. SDG Localisation LSDGs make Panchayats frontline actors for achieving Agenda 2030 targets. Digital India Convergence BharatNet + CSC 2.0 + e-Panchayat reduce rural digital divide and improve last-mile service delivery. Challenges Capacity Deficit Gaps in data literacy, planning skills, trained manpower affect effective utilisation. Fiscal Dependence Limited own-source revenue, high dependence on grants-in-aid. Inter-State Variations Panchayat is a State subject, causing uneven devolution and support. Way Forward Capacity Building Continuous training in digital governance, SDG planning, financial management. Fiscal Empowerment Strengthen property tax, user charges, local revenue mobilisation. Best Practice Replication Scale award-winning models via peer learning and MoPR platforms.

Feb 12, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 12 February 2026

Content The CPI base revision exercise measures a slice of life The Constitution enters the sanctum The CPI base revision exercise measures a slice of life Source :The Hindu Why in News? CPI Base Revision (2012 → 2024) MoSPI revising CPI base year to 2024 using HCES 2023–24, reflecting new consumption patterns, digital spending, and services share, improving inflation measurement for better monetary policy and welfare indexation. Revision captures structural changes like urbanisation, income growth, platform-based consumption, ensuring CPI mirrors current household budgets and prevents policy errors arising from outdated consumption weights and baskets. Relevance GS III (Economy) Inflation measurement, monetary policy transmission, real incomes, macroeconomic stability Links to RBI inflation targeting, fiscal policy calibration, poverty estimation, wage indexation Static areas: CPI vs WPI vs GDP Deflator, demand-pull vs cost-push inflation Practice Question “Accurate inflation measurement is as important as inflation control.” Discuss in the context of CPI base revision in India.(250 Words) Basics Inflation — Meaning Inflation is a sustained increase in general price levels, reducing purchasing power and real incomes, especially harming fixed-income earners and poor households, making inflation control a core macroeconomic objective. It differs from temporary price shocks; persistent inflation influences savings, investments, interest rates, and exchange rates, shaping overall macroeconomic stability and growth prospects. Consumer Price Index (CPI) CPI measures retail inflation by tracking price changes in a representative basket of goods and services consumed by households across rural and urban India, reflecting cost-of-living pressures. It converts everyday expenses like food, housing, fuel, and services into a statistical index, linking household experience with official inflation measurement for policy decisions. CPI vs WPI CPI captures retail and services inflation faced by consumers, whereas WPI measures wholesale price movements, largely goods-centric, making CPI more relevant for welfare and monetary policy targeting. RBI prefers CPI because it reflects final consumer prices and service-sector inflation, which dominate modern consumption patterns and directly affect household budgets. CPI Base Year Concept Base Year Role Base year (index = 100) provides a benchmark to compare price changes over time, enabling consistent inflation measurement and long-term trend analysis for policymaking and research. Periodic revision ensures the reference reflects current consumption realities rather than outdated economic structures. Need for Revision Rising incomes, urban lifestyles, digital payments, and service-sector expansion alter spending patterns, making older baskets unrepresentative and distorting inflation signals used for policy calibration. Without revision, CPI risks over- or underestimating real inflation, leading to inappropriate interest-rate and welfare decisions. Features of CPI 2024 Series Updated Weights Weights derived from HCES 2023–24 assign higher importance to services, telecom, and transport, and lower weight to declining-share items, improving representativeness of actual household spending. Reflects diversification of consumption beyond food toward services and lifestyle expenditures. Expanded Basket Basket updated to include emerging services and digital consumption categories, capturing modern lifestyle changes, rising discretionary spending, and platform-based purchases across urban and semi-urban households. Ensures inflation reflects evolving consumption realities. Online Price Inclusion Incorporates online prices for airfares, telecom, and digital services, complementing physical surveys and aligning CPI with e-commerce-driven consumption patterns and dynamic pricing realities. Improves coverage of modern markets. Methodological Upgrades Computer-Assisted Collection CAPI-based price collection reduces manual errors, enables real-time validation, and improves timeliness, strengthening reliability of high-frequency inflation data used in policy decisions. Enhances data accuracy. Administrative Data Use Greater reliance on official sources for rail fares, fuel, postal charges, and PDS prices reduces survey bias and increases precision in regulated-price items. Improves consistency and credibility. Data Integration Integration of survey data, administrative records, and digital prices creates a wider database, enabling cross-verification and improving robustness of inflation estimates. Supports evidence-based policymaking. Policy Significance Monetary Policy Anchor RBI’s flexible inflation targeting framework uses CPI to guide repo-rate decisions, aiming to balance growth and price stability while anchoring inflation expectations. Accurate CPI improves policy transmission. Welfare & Indexation CPI guides DA revisions, pensions, wage contracts, and social benefits, protecting real incomes of salaried and vulnerable groups against inflation erosion. Critical for welfare calibration. Global Comparability Alignment with international standards improves cross-country inflation comparisons while retaining India-specific features, aiding investors and multilateral assessments. Enhances credibility globally. Challenges Informal Market Capture Large informal markets and regional diversity complicate uniform price capture, risking localized mismeasurement and representational gaps in the index. Requires adaptive sampling. Rapid Consumption Shifts Fast-evolving digital economy and changing preferences may outpace revision cycles, necessitating more frequent updates to maintain relevance. Calls for agile statistics. Cost–Quality Trade-off High-frequency, tech-driven data improves quality but requires greater resources, training, and infrastructure investments in statistical systems. Balancing cost and precision remains key. Way Forward Frequent Updates Shorter revision cycles reduce structural bias, ensuring CPI reflects evolving consumption and improves policy responsiveness. Keeps index contemporary. Big Data Integration Leveraging GST data, scanner data, and digital transactions can provide granular, real-time price signals. Enhances timeliness and coverage. Statistical Literacy Public understanding of inflation metrics reduces misinterpretation and builds trust in official statistics. Supports informed discourse. Can we police AI fakes in the age of whizzy tech? Source : Live Mint Why in News? Amended IT Rules, 2026 on AI Content Amended IT Rules 2026 mandate takedowns of non-consensual intimate imagery within 2 hours, other unlawful content within 3 hours, compulsory AI-content labelling, and safeguards against CSAM, explosives, and fraudulent deepfakes. Shift from earlier calibrated restraint to stricter compliance, signalling India’s move toward harder AI regulation amid rising deepfake harms, impersonation frauds, and synthetic content misuse. Relevance GS II — Polity & Governance Fundamental Rights & Regulation – Article 19(1)(a) vs 19(2): free speech vs reasonable restrictions; proportionality in regulating deepfakes, misinformation, AI harms. Digital Governance : Tests state regulation of Big Tech, platform liability, and IT Act rule-making, reflecting governance in the digital public sphere. GS III — Science & Tech + Internal Security Emerging Technology Governance : AI regulation as frontier S&T governance balancing innovation, ethics, and safety-by-design. Cybersecurity & Information Integrity : Deepfakes threaten elections, national security, and finance, making AI misuse a hybrid security risk. Practice Question “Regulating AI-generated content requires balancing free speech with harm prevention.” Discuss in the context of India’s amended IT Rules, 2026.(250 Words) Basics What is Generative AI? Generative AI creates text, images, audio, or video autonomously using large datasets and models, enabling realistic impersonation and synthetic media that blur lines between reality and fabrication.Expands innovation but raises risks. Deepfakes — Meaning Deepfakes are AI-generated or manipulated media that convincingly mimic real persons’ faces or voices, enabling misinformation, reputational harm, political manipulation, and financial fraud.Major governance concern. Existing Legal Framework IT Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and IT Rules provide platform liability and data safeguards, but no dedicated AI law exists yet.Regulation remains evolving. Key Provisions Takedown Timelines Platforms must remove NCII/deepfakes within 2 hours of complaint and other unlawful content within 3 hours of valid orders, creating one of the world’s strictest response timelines.Prioritises harm prevention. Mandatory Labelling AI-generated content must be clearly labelled, aiming to improve transparency and reduce deception in public discourse and political communication.Supports informed consumption. Prohibited Content Controls Platforms must prevent creation or spread of CSAM, explosives-related content, and fraudulent deepfakes, embedding safety-by-design obligations into AI systems.Focuses on high-risk harms. Grievance Redressal User complaints must be resolved within 7 days, strengthening accountability and time-bound remedies.Enhances user protection. Global Comparisons International Benchmarks Germany’s NetzDG mandates 24-hour removal of manifestly illegal content; EU DSA requires expeditious compliance; Australia eSafety allows 24-hour takedowns.India’s deadlines are stricter. Regulatory Trend Democracies are converging on platform accountability and rapid takedowns to address online harms without fully stifling innovation.Balancing act continues. Implementation Challenges False Positives Risk Tight deadlines may push platforms to remove first, verify later, raising wrongful removals and delayed restoration appeals.Risks chilling speech. Contextual Judgement India’s linguistic diversity and cultural nuance complicate automated detection, especially distinguishing satire, art, or political commentary from harmful deepfakes.AI moderation limits exist. Traceability Limits Metadata stripping, watermark degradation, and open-source models reduce traceability; provenance tools may be bypassed by sophisticated actors.Enforcement complexity rises. Surveillance Concerns Traceability mechanisms could expose whistleblowers or lawful speakers, creating privacy and civil-liberty risks if misused.Needs safeguards. Constitutional & Governance Angle Free Speech Balance Article 19(1)(a) protects speech; restrictions under 19(2) must be reasonable, targeting clearly unlawful content like CSAM, fraud, or incitement.Proportionality essential. Due Process Clear definitions, transparency in takedowns, and independent oversight ensure legitimacy and prevent arbitrary censorship.Builds trust. Way Forward Clarity & Definitions Precise legal definitions for deepfakes, NCII, and harmful AI content reduce ambiguity and over-compliance.Improves predictability. Transparency & Appeals Publish takedown statistics, reasons, and swift appeal mechanisms to correct false positives.Strengthens accountability. Tech + Legal Mix Combine cryptographic provenance, watermarking, platform monitoring, and deterrent penalties to raise cost of deception.Layered defence works better. Independent Oversight Empower neutral regulators or appellate bodies to review platform actions, ensuring balanced enforcement.Protects rights

Feb 12, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 12 February 2026

Content Tamil Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egypt shed light on ancient trade links India gets first ‘musical path’; Mumbai’s Coastal Road plays ‘Jai Ho’ for motorists Have States gained from the 16th Finance Commission? Vande Mataram to be played before National Anthem: govt There are 765 dolphins of six species along Odisha’s coast, latest census reveals Nature’s renewal has slowed down despite rising temperatures: Study Tamil Brahmi inscriptions discovered in Egypt shed light on ancient trade links Source : The Hindu Why in News? 2024–25 Discovery in Egypt Researchers identified ~30 Indian inscriptions (Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, Sanskrit) in Valley of the Kings tombs, dated 1st–3rd century CE, indicating direct Indian presence in elite Egyptian funerary spaces. Study by Charlotte Schmid (EFEO, Paris) and Ingo Strauch (Lausanne) documented inscriptions across six Theban Necropolis tombs, expanding evidence beyond Red Sea ports into the Nile valley. Relevance GS I — History & Culture Ancient Indian maritime trade, Indo–Roman trade, Sangam age economy, early globalisation Cultural diffusion, epigraphy, Indian Ocean trade networks Correlation between literature (Sangam) and archaeology Practice Question “Recent discoveries of Tamil Brahmi inscriptions in Egypt reframe our understanding of ancient Indian trade networks.” Discuss how archaeological evidence complements literary sources in reconstructing India’s early maritime history. (250 Words) Historical Context Tamil Brahmi Script Tamil Brahmi (c. 3rd century BCE onward) is earliest Tamil writing system, used in trade, donations, and memorial inscriptions across Tamilakam, Sri Lanka, and Indian Ocean networks. Script reflects early literacy, mercantile culture, and mobility of South Indian traders, monks, and artisans in transregional exchange systems. Indo–Roman Trade Background 1st–3rd century CE marked peak Indo–Roman maritime trade, linking Tamilakam’s Malabar and Coromandel coasts with Roman Egypt via monsoon-driven routes. Classical sources like Periplus of the Erythraean Sea and Pliny the Elder note Indian exports—pepper, pearls, ivory, textiles—flowing to Roman markets. Key Findings Nature of Inscriptions Visitors carved names and short graffiti inside tomb corridors, following established multilingual graffiti traditions dominated by Greek inscriptions documented since 1926. Indian names appear alongside Greek, showing participation in shared commemorative practices by foreign visitors to royal necropolis sites. Repeated Name — Cikai Korran Name “Cikai Korran” appears 8 times across 5 tombs, sometimes at ~4 metres height, suggesting deliberate, visible self-marking by literate visitors. “Korran” linked to Tamil root korram (victory/slaying), associated with Chera warrior culture and goddess Korravai, indicating cultural identity retention abroad. Corroborative Parallels Name elements appear in Berenike sherd (1995) and Pugalur Tamil Brahmi inscriptions (2nd–3rd century CE), aligning Egyptian finds with known Chera-era onomastics. Other names like Kopan, Catan, Kiran match Tamil Nadu epigraphic records, strengthening attribution to Tamilakam visitors. Trade & Cultural Implications Beyond Port Trade Evidence shows Indians travelled beyond Red Sea ports (e.g., Berenike) into Egypt’s cultural heartland, indicating deeper socio-cultural interactions, not mere commercial docking. Suggests merchant mobility along Nile corridors tied to trade logistics, diplomacy, or pilgrimage-like curiosity. Diaspora Footprints Graffiti functioned as identity markers, similar to modern travel inscriptions, revealing presence of an early Indian mercantile diaspora in Roman domains. Reinforces idea of Indian Ocean as a connected commercial-cultural zone. Wider Historical Significance Early Globalisation Evidence Demonstrates people-to-people mobility, linguistic plurality, and cultural exchange in antiquity, predating modern globalisation by two millennia. Highlights Tamilakam as an active node in Afro–Eurasian trade circuits. Reframing Tamil History Moves narrative from regional to transcontinental connectivity, validating Sangam references to Yavanas (Westerners) and maritime wealth. Supports archaeological-economic reading of Sangam literature. Challenges & Cautions Attribution Limits Graffiti are brief and lack occupational details; linking individuals to specific trade guilds or missions requires cautious interpretation. Epigraphy must be corroborated with material culture. Preservation Bias Survival of inscriptions depends on tomb conservation; absence elsewhere may reflect erosion, not absence of Indians. Archaeological record remains partial. Way Forward Interdisciplinary Research Combine epigraphy, archaeobotany, numismatics, and maritime archaeology to map Indo–Mediterranean networks more precisely. Multi-proxy methods improve historical reconstruction. Indian Ocean Studies Strengthen research on monsoon navigation, port archaeology, and trade diasporas to contextualise findings within broader oceanic history.Enhances global history scholarship. India gets first ‘musical path’; Mumbai’s Coastal Road plays ‘Jai Ho’ for motorists Source : The Hindu Why in News? India’s First Musical Road (2026) Mumbai Coastal Road launched India’s first ‘musical path’, where calibrated rumble strips play ‘Jai Ho’ when driven at 60–80 kmph, showcasing innovation in road engineering and behavioural nudges. Implemented by BMC on the Nariman Point–Worli stretch, making India the 5th country globally after Hungary, Japan, South Korea, and UAE to adopt musical roads. Relevance GS III — Science & Tech / Infrastructure Urban mobility innovation, behavioural nudges in public policy Road safety engineering, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Application of physics in civic infrastructure Practice Question “Behavioural nudges are emerging as effective public policy tools.”Examine the role of behavioural insights in improving urban governance and public safety, citing examples. (250 Words) Basics What is a Musical Road? A musical road uses precisely spaced rumble strips that generate musical notes through tyre friction and vibration, producing melodies when vehicles maintain designated speeds. Works on physics of vibration frequency and acoustic resonance, converting mechanical motion into audible musical patterns. Rumble Strips — Purpose Traditionally used for speed calming, lane discipline, and driver alerts, rumble strips improve road safety by creating tactile and auditory feedback. Musical adaptation adds behavioural incentives. Technology & Design Engineering Principle Groove depth, width, and spacing determine pitch and rhythm; consistent speed ensures correct melody sequence. Small deviations distort tune, nudging drivers toward steady speeds. Hungarian Technology Base Concept derived from Hungarian road-safety innovation, adapted locally by BMC for Indian traffic conditions and road materials. Demonstrates tech transfer in urban infrastructure. Governance & Policy Relevance Behavioural Public Policy Musical roads apply nudge theory, encouraging voluntary speed compliance without coercive enforcement or penalties. Aligns with behavioural economics in governance. Urban Mobility Innovation Reflects shift toward smart mobility solutions, integrating safety, user experience, and technology in city infrastructure. Supports sustainable urban transport planning. Road Safety Significance Speed Management Designed for optimal listening at 60–80 kmph, indirectly discouraging overspeeding and promoting uniform traffic flow. Complementary to signage and enforcement. Driver Engagement Interactive infrastructure can reduce monotony on long stretches, potentially lowering fatigue-related accidents.Psychological engagement aids safety. Challenges Noise Concerns Repeated musical output may create noise pollution for nearby residents if deployed in dense urban areas. Requires zoning prudence. Limited Impact Scope Effectiveness depends on driver awareness and compliance; reckless drivers may ignore intended speed ranges. Not a standalone solution. Way Forward Pilot-Based Expansion Deploy on expressways, accident-prone corridors, and tourist routes, evaluating behavioural outcomes before scaling. Evidence-based rollout preferred. Integration with ITS Combine with Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), speed sensors, and signage for holistic traffic management. Enhances impact. Have States gained from the 16th FC?- Explained Source : The Hindu Why in News? 16th Finance Commission Report (2026–31) 16th Finance Commission (Chairman: Dr. Arvind Panagariya) submitted report for 2026–31, and Union government accepted devolution recommendations, reviving debates on fiscal federalism, equity, and efficiency. Introduced State GDP contribution as a new horizontal devolution criterion, signalling gradual shift toward recognising growth and efficiency alongside equity. Relevance GS II — Polity Fiscal federalism, Centre–State relations Constitutional bodies (Art 280, 270) Equity vs efficiency debate GS III — Economy Tax devolution, divisible pool, cess & surcharge issue Political economy of resource distribution Practice Question “Finance Commissions must balance equity and efficiency in fiscal transfers.” Discuss in the context of recent Finance Commission recommendations. (250 Words) Constitutional Basis Finance Commission — Article 280 Article 280 mandates a Finance Commission every five years to recommend tax devolution, grants-in-aid, and measures to strengthen fiscal federalism. Acts as key constitutional body for Centre–State fiscal balance. Tax Devolution — Article 270 Article 270 governs distribution of net tax proceeds between Centre and States through the divisible pool. Operationalises fiscal sharing framework. What Taxes are Shared? Included in Divisible Pool Shared taxes include corporation tax, personal income tax, CGST, and Centre’s share of IGST, forming bulk of sharable revenues. Core revenue-sharing sources. Excluded Taxes Cess and surcharge are excluded from divisible pool; Centre retains full proceeds. For 2025–26, divisible pool ~81% of gross tax revenue after such exclusions. Evolution of Vertical Devolution Pre-14th FC Till 13th FC, vertical share was 32%, with large tied transfers under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) carrying conditionalities. Limited State autonomy. 14th FC Shift 14th FC raised devolution to 42% and reduced CSS conditional transfers, strengthening fiscal autonomy and cooperative federalism. Landmark decentralisation. Why 41% in 15th FC? 15th FC reduced to 41% due to Jammu & Kashmir reorganisation, where Union Territories do not receive State share. Technical adjustment. Demands by Industrialised States Efficiency Recognition States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana sought weight for GDP contribution, arguing contribution to national growth deserves fiscal recognition. Push for efficiency. Income Distance Debate Many developed States opposed excessive weight to income distance, claiming it penalises better performers and disincentivises reforms. Equity–efficiency tension. What 16th FC Recommended? Vertical Devolution Retained 41% share, citing States’ existing tax share, CSS transfers routed to States, and Centre’s needs for defence and infrastructure spending. Status quo maintained. Cess & Surcharge FC held it neither permissible nor desirable to cap or include cess/surcharge in divisible pool under current constitutional scheme. Preserves Union flexibility. Horizontal Devolution Approach Guiding Principles Emphasised gradual changes in State shares and due recognition to efficiency and growth contribution. Avoids fiscal shocks. New GDP Criterion Added State GDP contribution as criterion with moderate weight, creating directional shift without drastic redistribution. Efficiency signal. Distribution Impact Southern and western States’ shares marginally increased, while big northern/central States saw slight decline. Balanced recalibration. Key Observations by 16th FC For the Centre Recommended progressive reduction in reliance on cess and surcharge for transparency and fairness. Encourages clean tax sharing. For States Urged targeted subsidies, power-sector reforms, and fiscal discipline to manage deficits and debt sustainably. Promotes fiscal prudence. PSU Reforms Called for public sector enterprise reforms at both Union and State levels to improve efficiency and fiscal health. Structural strengthening. Governance Significance Fiscal Federalism Reflects balance between equity (redistribution) and efficiency (growth incentives) in India’s cooperative federal framework. Political Economy Devolution debates shape Centre–State relations, regional equity, and development politics. Vande Mataram to be played before National Anthem: govt Source : The Hindu Why in News? MHA Guidelines Union Home Ministry (MHA) issued fresh instructions stating Vande Mataram should precede Jana Gana Mana when both are played, clarifying protocol, decorum, and occasions for singing/playing. Guidelines uploaded February 6, 2026, without formal announcement, but triggered debate on symbolism, constitutional status, and protocol hierarchy between National Song and National Anthem. Relevance GS II — Polity National symbols, constitutional morality Fundamental Duties (Art 51A) Legal vs moral obligations GS I — Culture Freedom movement symbolism Nation-building and identity politics Practice Question “National symbols play a role in nation-building but can also raise questions of inclusivity.” Discuss with reference to constitutional values. (250 Words) Historical & Cultural Background Origin of Vande Mataram Vande Mataram, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Anandamath (1882), became a rallying cry in the freedom movement, symbolising devotion to the motherland. Strong nationalist association. Constituent Assembly Position In 1950, Constituent Assembly accorded Jana Gana Mana as National Anthem and recognised Vande Mataram as National Song with equal respect but distinct constitutional status. Political compromise. Constitutional & Legal Status National Anthem Article 51A(a) makes respect for National Anthem a Fundamental Duty; Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 enforces legal protection.Legally enforceable. National Song No specific constitutional or statutory provision mandates National Song; its status is cultural-symbolic, though officially recognised. Moral respect expected. Key Provisions in Guidelines Order of Playing When both played, National Song precedes National Anthem, reinforcing ceremonial sequencing but not altering constitutional hierarchy. Protocol clarity. Standing Protocol Audience must stand to attention when official version (~3.1 minutes) is sung or played, except during film/newsreel where standing may disrupt proceedings. Practical decorum. Ceremonial Occasions Played on arrival/departure of President or Governor, flag unfurling, cultural and ceremonial functions, and other government-notified occasions. State functions focus. Band & Choir Use Band performances preceded by drum roll; mass singing allowed with trained choirs ensuring coordination and dignity. Structured presentation. Schools Schools may begin day with community singing of Vande Mataram, promoting civic values and patriotic education. Civic culture. Governance & Policy Significance Symbolic Nation-Building Reflects role of national symbols in fostering collective identity, patriotism, and cultural unity. Soft power domestically. Centre–State Coordination Protocols guide uniform practices across States, reducing ambiguity in official ceremonies. Administrative standardisation. Debates & Sensitivities Pluralism Concerns Some communities historically expressed discomfort with certain verses; debate centres on balancing cultural symbolism with inclusivity. Diversity management. Legal vs Moral Duty Unlike Anthem, National Song observance is not legally enforceable, raising questions on voluntary patriotism vs mandated symbolism. Constitutional nuance. Way Forward Sensitivity & Inclusion Promote respectful observance while ensuring pluralistic accommodation and avoiding coercive nationalism. Harmony focus. Civic Education Increase awareness on history and protocol of national symbols, strengthening informed patriotism. Knowledge-based respect. There are 765 dolphins of six species along Odisha’s coast, latest census reveals Source : Down to Earth Why in News? Record Dolphin Count Odisha recorded 765 dolphins in 2026, highest in five years, marking an increase of 55 individuals from previous year, credited to conservation, habitat protection, and community participation. Census conducted 20 January 2026 by Odisha Forest Department, showcasing India’s only annual marine dolphin monitoring programme at state scale. Relevance GS III — Environment Marine biodiversity conservation Schedule I species protection Ramsar wetlands (Chilika) Community-based conservation models Practice Question “Scientific monitoring is crucial for wildlife conservation.” Evaluate the role of periodic biodiversity assessments in conservation policy. (250 Words) Species Composition Species-wise Numbers Humpback dolphins: 497, Irrawaddy: 208, Bottlenose: 55, Spinner: 3, Finless porpoise: 2, reflecting species diversity along Odisha’s coast and estuaries. Humpbacks dominate coastal waters. Trend Over Time Dolphin numbers rose from 544 (2020–21) to 765 (2026), indicating gradual recovery despite marine ecosystem pressures. Suggests conservation gains. Irrawaddy Dolphin Focus Status & Protection Irrawaddy dolphin listed under Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and IUCN Endangered, receiving highest legal protection.Flagship conservation species. Chilika Stronghold 159 Irrawaddy dolphins in Chilika, Asia’s largest brackish lagoon and a Ramsar site, making it the world’s largest single-site population. Global significance. Distribution Beyond Chilika Sightings in Balasore (15), Berhampur (13), Puri (12), Rajnagar mangroves (9) show range expansion along Odisha coast. Habitat connectivity important. Conservation Framework Protected Areas Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary hosts 474 Humpback dolphins, also famous for Olive Ridley turtle rookeries. Multi-species conservation zone. Monitoring System Dolphin estimation began in Chilika (2008), expanded coastwide in 2015, using boat and shore transects for scientific accuracy. Long-term dataset. Capacity Building Training on species identification and survey methods builds institutional expertise among frontline staff. Strengthens governance. Governance Significance Model for Marine Conservation Odisha’s annual census seen as a national model for evidence-based marine biodiversity management. Data-driven policy. Community Participation Local fisher engagement reduces conflict and supports habitat stewardship. Co-management success. Challenges Habitat Stress Prawn gheries, nylon fishing nets, and boat traffic degrade habitats and increase bycatch risks. Major threats. Slow Breeding Irrawaddy dolphins have low reproductive rates, limiting rapid population growth. Recovery takes time. Stagnation in Chilika Population stable at 159 for two years, indicating carrying-capacity or disturbance issues. Needs habitat regulation. Way Forward Habitat Regulation Control illegal aquaculture, destructive fishing gear, and pollution in lagoon and coastal zones.Reduce stressors. Technology Use Employ acoustic monitoring, satellite tagging, and GIS mapping for precise tracking.Improves science. Community Incentives Promote eco-tourism and compensation schemes to align livelihoods with conservation. Sustainable approach. Nature’s renewal has slowed down despite rising temperatures: Study Source : Down to Earth Why in News? Nature Communications Study Study from Queen Mary University London, published February 3, 2026, finds species turnover has slowed in many ecosystems over the past century despite accelerating climate change. Challenges assumption that warming automatically speeds biodiversity reshuffling. Relevance GS III — Environment & Ecology Biodiversity loss, ecosystem resilience Climate change vs habitat degradation Ecological regime shifts Practice Question “Climate change is not the only driver of biodiversity change.”Analyse the role of anthropogenic pressures in altering ecosystem dynamics. (250 Words) Basics What is Species Turnover? Species turnover is the rate at which species disappear and are replaced within ecological communities over time, reflecting ecosystem dynamism, resilience, and adaptive capacity. Core biodiversity indicator. Why Turnover Matters ? Continuous turnover allows ecosystems to adapt to climate shifts, disturbances, and invasions, maintaining functional diversity and stability. Supports resilience. Key Findings Overall Trend Turnover decelerated in significantly more ecosystems than it accelerated, with rates typically declining by ~one-third over the last century. Indicates global pattern. Dataset Scope Analysis used BioTIME database, covering land, freshwater, and marine biodiversity surveys over decades. Large-scale evidence. Community Patterns Slowdown observed in birds, benthic, and mixed communities; fish showed inconsistent signals due to fisheries management distortions. Human pressure factor. Ecological Interpretation Not Climate-Driven Short-term species changes often driven by internal ecosystem dynamics, not directly by climate change. Counters common narrative. Shrinking Species Pools Environmental degradation reduces regional species pools, limiting new colonisers and slowing community reshuffling. Biodiversity erosion link. Causes of Deceleration Anthropogenic Pressures Habitat destruction, pollution, fragmentation, and overexploitation reduce biodiversity reservoirs necessary for natural turnover. Human footprint dominant. Fisheries Impact Exploited fish communities show distorted turnover patterns due to harvesting and management interventions. Alters natural dynamics. Implications for Ecosystems Reduced Resilience Lower turnover reduces ecosystems’ ability to self-repair and adapt, increasing vulnerability to climate variability. Weakens buffers. Regime Shift Risk Stagnant communities face higher chances of abrupt ecological regime shifts, such as coral collapse or forest dieback. Tipping-point concern. Conceptual Insight “Self-Repairing Engine” Analogy Nature works like a self-repairing engine replacing species over time; slowdown suggests this mechanism is weakening. Powerful exam metaphor. Governance & Policy Relevance Conservation Focus Emphasises restoring habitat quality and connectivity, not just climate mitigation, to sustain biodiversity dynamics. Policy shift needed. Monitoring Importance Long-term biodiversity datasets crucial for evidence-based conservation planning. Science-led governance. Way Forward Habitat Restoration Expand protected areas, corridors, and wetland restoration to rebuild species pools. Enhances colonisation. Pollution & Fragmentation Control Reduce chemical pollution and land-use fragmentation to maintain ecological connectivity. Supports turnover. Sustainable Resource Use Strengthen fisheries and wildlife regulations to reduce overexploitation pressures. Balance use and conservation.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 10 February 2026

Content Artificial Intelligence for Culture and Languages Swavalambini Scheme Artificial Intelligence for Culture and Languages Concept & Rationale Meaning and Scope Artificial Intelligence for culture and languages uses computational tools for preservation, translation, and dissemination of heritage, enabling inclusive access to knowledge systems, governance, and public services in multilingual societies. India’s Linguistic Context As per Census 2011, India has 22 Scheduled languages, 99 Non-Scheduled languages, and thousands of mother tongues, necessitating technology-driven preservation and access frameworks for linguistic diversity and cultural continuity. Relevance GS I (Indian Society & Culture) Language preservation, cultural heritage digitisation, and protection of intangible heritage strengthen India’s pluralism, identity diversity, and intergenerational knowledge transmission. GS III (S&T, Economy) AI, NLP, OCR, speech tech applications in language ecosystems promote digital economy, creative industries, GI-based markets, and technology-driven livelihood generation. Practice Question “Artificial Intelligence can become a tool of cultural preservation as well as cultural homogenisation.” Critically examine. (250 Words) Constitutional–Legal Foundations Constitutional Support Articles 29–30, Eighth Schedule, and Directive Principles protect linguistic and cultural rights, legitimising state-led digitisation, language promotion, and technological preservation as instruments of constitutional morality. Democratic Pluralism Linguistic diversity strengthens unity in diversity, safeguards minority identities, and deepens participatory democracy, making language technologies tools for substantive equality and inclusive citizenship. Governance & Administrative Dimensions Language as Digital Public Infrastructure Under Digital India and National Language Translation Mission, language is treated as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), embedding multilingual AI into e-governance, judiciary, and citizen service platforms for accessibility. Administrative Efficiency Multilingual AI improves last-mile delivery, reduces interface complexity, standardises multilingual records, and enables vernacular governance, supporting cooperative federalism and citizen-centric administration. Key National Platforms BHASHINI (NLTM, 2022) BHASHINI builds multilingual AI addressing language, digital, and literacy barriers through translation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, transliteration, and document understanding, functioning as foundational language DPI. BHASHINI – Scale & Data Supports voice in 22 languages, text in 36 languages, hosts 350+ AI models/datasets, and has crossed 4+ billion language inferences, indicating large-scale multilingual digital adoption. BHASHINI – Use Cases Enabled real-time Hindi–Tamil translation at Kashi Tamil Sangamam 2.0 and powered Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot at Maha Kumbh 2025 providing multilingual assistance in 11 languages. TDIL (Technology Development for Indian Languages) TDIL developed foundational Indian language computing tools like machine translation, OCR, speech systems, and transliteration, creating datasets and standards enabling scalable multilingual digital ecosystems. Anuvadini (AICTE) Anuvadini provides AI-based multilingual translation for textbooks and technical materials, integrates with e-KUMBH, and expands regional-language access to higher education and skilling ecosystems. Gyan Bharatam Mission National mission for survey, digitisation, and dissemination of manuscripts using HTR, OCR, and metadata extraction, enhancing discoverability and long-term preservation of traditional knowledge. Gyan Bharatam – Data 44 lakh+ manuscripts documented in Kriti Sampada; mission outlay ₹482.85 crore (2024–31) supports scaling digitisation, digital repositories, and public cultural access. Gyan-Setu National AI Innovation Challenge promoting solutions for cataloguing, script deciphering, and archival restoration, creating deployable prototypes and linking AI innovators with heritage institutions. Adi Vaani AI platform for tribal language preservation enabling real-time translation, speech transcription, and learning modules, covering languages like Santali, Bhili, Mundari, and Gondi to enhance inclusion. Economic Dimensions Creative Economy Multilingual AI boosts handicrafts, tourism, publishing, and GI products through better market visibility, storytelling, branding, and price discovery, integrating artisans into digital value chains. Livelihoods Voice-first vernacular interfaces reduce digital exclusion, enable e-commerce onboarding and skilling, and monetise traditional knowledge, strengthening sustainable livelihoods and dignity of labour. Social & Ethical Dimensions Inclusion Language AI supports mother-tongue education under NEP 2020, reduces the digital divide, and preserves intangible heritage, but requires safeguards against algorithmic bias and exclusion. Cultural Identity AI documentation of oral traditions, folklore, and indigenous knowledge strengthens intergenerational transmission, identity preservation, and cultural resilience amid globalisation and linguistic homogenisation. Challenges Structural Gaps Low-resource languages, dataset scarcity, limited digitisation capacity, connectivity gaps, and archival sustainability issues constrain the scalability of inclusive multilingual AI ecosystems. Ethical Concerns Risks of data extraction without consent, misappropriation of community knowledge, and cultural misrepresentation demand benefit-sharing, community ownership, and ethical AI governance frameworks. Way Forward Policy Measures Promote open interoperable datasets, community-led corpus creation, and archival capacity-building, aligning language AI with education, tourism, and creative economy policies for convergence. Inclusive AI Model Develop public-funded, open-source multilingual AI aligned with SDGs, preventing monopolisation of linguistic data and treating language infrastructure as a digital public good. Swavalambini Scheme Concept & Rationale Purpose and Vision Swavalambini Scheme is a women-focused entrepreneurship programme promoting entrepreneurial mindset, self-reliance, and enterprise creation among female students by combining training, mentoring, funding support, and institutional ecosystem linkages. Policy Context Aligns with Skill India, Startup India, and Women-Led Development vision, recognising female entrepreneurship as driver of inclusive growth, employment generation, and demographic dividend utilisation in emerging knowledge economy. Relevance GS I (Society) Promotes women empowerment, changing gender roles, and entrepreneurship culture among young women, aiding social transformation and reducing gender-based occupational gaps. GS II (Governance) Example of targeted policy intervention for women-led development, inter-institutional collaboration (MSDE–NITI Aayog), and outcome-based governance models. Practice Question Women entrepreneurship is key to achieving women-led development in India. Evaluate in the context of recent government initiatives. (250 Words) Institutional Framework Nodal Ministry & Partners Implemented by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform as knowledge partner, ensuring policy convergence, mentoring support, and innovation-driven ecosystem development. Implementing Agencies Executed through NIESBUD (Noida) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE, Guwahati), leveraging their expertise in entrepreneurship training, incubation support, and capacity-building for scalable programme delivery. Coverage & Target Group Beneficiary Base Targets female students in HEIs and Universities, aiming to convert youth potential into entrepreneurial ventures, with structured exposure to schemes, credit access, compliance norms, and market ecosystems. Geographic Spread Pilot launched across Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana, reflecting focus on regional inclusion, North-East empowerment, and balanced spatial entrepreneurship development. Programme Design Multi-Stage Model Structured pipeline moves from Entrepreneurship Awareness (EAP) to Entrepreneurship Development (EDP) and finally 21-week mentorship, ensuring progression from ideation to sustainable enterprise formation with institutional support. Training Components Covers skilling, access to finance, legal compliance, market linkages, networking, and business services, addressing major entry barriers faced by first-generation women entrepreneurs in formal and semi-formal sectors. Capacity Building Faculty Development Faculty Development Programme (FDP) trains educators through five-day modules, creating in-campus mentors who institutionalise entrepreneurship culture and provide continuous guidance to aspiring women entrepreneurs. Mentorship Ecosystem Industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs provide practical mentoring, sharing real-world insights on risk management, resilience, market adaptation, and scaling strategies, strengthening experiential learning. Data & Performance Training Targets vs Achievement Out of 1,200 EAP target, 1,110 trained; from 600 EDP target, 302 trained; 75 FDP target fully achieved, showing strong awareness outreach but moderate conversion to advanced training. State-wise Overview Uttar Pradesh leads with 491 EAP and 254 EDP trainees, while North-Eastern states show high awareness participation but EDP still under implementation, indicating phased programme maturity. Financial Dimensions Budgetary Support ₹40.46 lakh allocated for training; ₹10.11 lakh released, indicating cautious pilot-stage financing with scope for scale-up based on outcome evaluation and demonstrated success. Governance & Monitoring Oversight Mechanism MSDE and NITI Aayog maintain monitoring and evaluation frameworks tracking progress, outcomes, and impact, ensuring accountability, data-driven policy refinement, and evidence-based scaling decisions. Socio-Economic Significance Women Empowerment Promotes financial independence, leadership roles, and decision-making capacity among women, directly contributing to SDG-5 (Gender Equality) and enhancing female labour-force participation. Economic Multiplier Women-led enterprises generate local employment, diversified incomes, and community-level growth, strengthening grassroots economies and reducing gender gaps in entrepreneurship and asset ownership. Challenges Structural Constraints Barriers include credit access limitations, socio-cultural norms, risk aversion, limited networks, and market uncertainties, often discouraging women from transitioning from training to actual enterprise creation. Implementation Gaps Lower EDP conversion rates, limited scale, and pilot-restricted geography suggest need for stronger handholding, credit linkages, and post-training incubation support for sustainability. Way Forward Policy Measures Expand programme nationally, integrate with MUDRA, Stand-Up India, and Digital India platforms, and strengthen credit guarantees, incubation hubs, and market access support for women-led startups. Ecosystem Approach Encourage public-private partnerships, alumni networks, and digital mentorship platforms, ensuring continuous support beyond training and building resilient women entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily Editorials Analysis

Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 10 February 2026

Content Back on track Neither Surrender nor Triumph, Trade Pacts Mark India’s Growth as Negotiator Back on track Historical & Civilisational Context Diaspora and Cultural Linkages India–Malaysia ties originate from Chola maritime contacts (11th century) and British-era migration; today ~2.9 million Persons of Indian Origin (≈7–8% of Malaysia’s population) anchor cultural diplomacy, remittances, and business networks. Policy Continuity Malaysia has been a consistent partner since Look East Policy (1991) and Act East Policy (2014), supporting India’s sustained integration with ASEAN-led regional architecture and Southeast Asian supply chains. Relevance GS II (International Relations) Covers Act East Policy, ASEAN centrality, Indo-Pacific strategy, counter-terrorism cooperation, and maritime diplomacy in Strait of Malacca — core IR syllabus areas. Practice Question “Diaspora diplomacy has become a strategic asset in India’s foreign policy.” Examine in context of India–Malaysia relations. (250 Words) Geostrategic Importance Strait of Malacca Significance Malaysia borders the Strait of Malacca, a chokepoint carrying ~25% of global trade and majority of East Asia-bound energy shipments, making bilateral cooperation vital for SLOC security and anti-piracy coordination. Indo-Pacific Convergence Both countries endorse a Free, Open, Inclusive Indo-Pacific, ASEAN centrality, and UNCLOS-based maritime order, aligning with India’s SAGAR doctrine (2015) and Malaysia’s interest in stable sea-lane governance. Political–Diplomatic Dimension Diplomatic Reset PM Modi’s 24-hour Kuala Lumpur visit after postponing a 2025 trip signals political intent to stabilise ties despite friction over Malaysia’s calls for “dialogue and de-escalation” on India–Pakistan issues. Counter-Terrorism Alignment Joint statement condemning “terrorism including cross-border terrorism” marks convergence; cooperation spans intelligence sharing, UN coordination, and FATF frameworks to curb terror financing and safe havens. Economic & Trade Relations Bilateral Trade Profile Bilateral trade ~USD 19–20 billion annually; India imports palm oil, LNG, electronics, while exporting petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, machinery, positioning Malaysia among India’s top ASEAN trade partners. AITIGA Review Stakes Review of ASEAN–India Trade in Goods Agreement (2010) focuses on rules of origin, non-tariff barriers, and trade deficits, as India seeks to prevent rerouting of Chinese goods via ASEAN. Technology & Emerging Sectors Semiconductor Cooperation MoU linking IIT Madras Global and Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia supports India’s USD 10 billion Semicon India Programme, aiming at design collaboration, skill development, and supply-chain diversification. Digital & Energy Collaboration Cooperation in digital economy, fintech, and energy transition leverages India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar stack) and Malaysia’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem for mutually beneficial innovation. Multilateral & Regional Diplomacy ASEAN Signalling Visit reassures ASEAN after India skipped a summit; Malaysia matters as a founding ASEAN member (1967) and voice in consensus-based regional diplomacy affecting Indo-Pacific stability. BRICS Interface India “noting” Malaysia’s BRICS membership aspirations reflects cautious diplomacy; Malaysia is a BRICS partner country, while Indonesia’s entry increases ASEAN presence in BRICS. Challenges & Frictions Political Sensitivities Malaysia’s past remarks on Kashmir, Pakistan mediation offers, and hosting Pakistan PM (2025) created trust deficits, showing domestic politics can influence bilateral atmospherics. Irritants in Legal–Security Domain Continued presence of Zakir Naik, wanted under UAPA in India, remains a sensitive issue, though both sides avoided public confrontation to protect broader strategic ties. Way Forward Strategic Deepening Institutionalising cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, semiconductors, and cyber security can shift ties from personality-driven diplomacy to stable, sectoral partnerships. Economic Consolidation Fast-tracking AITIGA review, supply-chain integration, and MSME partnerships can reduce trade imbalances and anchor ties in long-term economic interdependence within Indo-Pacific value chains. Neither Surrender nor Triumph, Trade Pacts Mark India’s Growth as Negotiator Structural Shift in India’s Trade Strategy From Protectionism to Calibrated Liberalisation India moved from pre-1991 import substitution and 150%+ peak tariffs to calibrated FTAs, using trade agreements to secure market access, technology inflows, and value-chain integration while retaining policy space. Trade as Geoeconomic Statecraft Trade policy now serves strategic objectives where tariffs, standards, and supply chains influence power equations; economic agreements increasingly complement diplomacy, security partnerships, and technology alliances. Relevance GS II (International Relations) FTAs, WTO negotiations, and geoeconomic diplomacy show how trade policy intersects with foreign policy and strategic autonomy. GS III (Economy) Direct relevance to FTAs, tariff policy, non-tariff barriers (SPS, TBT, CBAM), export competitiveness, and supply-chain integration. Practice Question “India’s trade policy has shifted from protectionism to pragmatic liberalisation.” Critically examine. (250 Words) Core Drivers of India’s Negotiating Behaviour Strategic Autonomy India’s FTA stance reflects strategic autonomy, seen in continued discounted Russian oil imports post-2022, prioritising energy security, inflation control, and fiscal stability over geopolitical pressure. Domestic Growth Imperative Aspiration to reach USD 5 trillion GDP pushes India to secure FTAs for FDI, export markets, and technology transfer, while shielding agriculture, dairy, and MSMEs from import shocks. India’s Negotiation Leverage Market Power With 1.4+ billion population and a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers one of the world’s largest demand markets, strengthening bargaining capacity in tariff schedules and services negotiations. Reciprocity Over Concessions Earlier vulnerabilities during U.S. GSP withdrawal (2019) and tariff disputes shaped learning; current negotiations emphasise reciprocity, safeguards, and phased liberalisation instead of unilateral concessions. Logic of Recent Trade Pacts Diversified FTA Portfolio India signed UAE CEPA (2022), Australia ECTA (2022), and concluded India–EU FTA (2026) ,reducing overdependence and building multi-market export resilience. Beyond Tariffs New-age FTAs cover digital trade, IP rights, clean energy, and services mobility, integrating India into high-value technology and knowledge supply chains beyond traditional goods trade. Developmental Trade-offs Sectoral Sensitivities India protects dairy, agriculture, and MSMEs due to livelihood concerns; sudden liberalisation risks import surges, rural distress, and deindustrialisation without competitiveness buffers. Standards as Barriers Rising non-tariff measures—SPS, TBT, and carbon standards like EU CBAM—increasingly determine trade outcomes, making regulatory alignment and domestic capacity crucial. Geopolitical Dimensions Multi-Alignment India simultaneously advances FTAs with EU, UK, Gulf, and Indo-Pacific partners, aligning trade with strategic groupings like Quad and IPEF without entering rigid blocs. Global South Positioning India champions policy space for developing nations in WTO debates on agricultural subsidies and public stockholding, projecting itself as a voice of the Global South. Way Forward Data-Driven Negotiations Stronger trade analytics, sectoral modelling, and stakeholder consultations can align FTAs with industrial policy, PLI schemes, and export competitiveness goals. Domestic Competitiveness First FTAs yield gains only with logistics reforms, skilling, infrastructure upgrades, and regulatory predictability, ensuring Indian firms compete globally rather than depend on tariff protection.

Feb 10, 2026 Daily Current Affairs

Current Affairs 10 February 2026

Content On Gravity’s Role in the Earth’s Journey Through Space India and Greece Agree to Strengthen Defence Industrial Cooperation in Five-Year Road Map Remembering Leo D’Souza, Who Transformed the Cashew Industry Bonded Labour Continues Despite 50 Years of Its Abolition From Maritime to Digital: India–Seychelles Give Ties a Shot in the Arm Rs 54,000 Crore Lost in Digital Arrests, This is Dacoity: Supreme Court On Gravity’s Role in the Earth’s Journey Through Space Source : The Hindu Gravity — The Fundamental Force Newtonian Gravity Isaac Newton (1687, Principia) formulated universal gravitation: every mass attracts another with force F = Gm₁m₂/r², explaining falling bodies, planetary motion, and tides under one framework. Why We Stay on Earth ? Earth’s mass ≈ 5.97 × 10²⁴ kg produces surface gravity g ≈ 9.8 m/s², strong enough to hold oceans, atmosphere, and living beings against thermal motion and escape. Relevance GS I (Geography – Physical Geography) Earth–Sun dynamics, revolution, seasons, tides, and planetary motion basics. GS III (Science & Tech – Space Science) Gravity, inertia, vacuum, relativity, satellite orbits, escape velocity concepts. Practice Question Explain how gravity governs planetary motion and tides.(150 Words) Gravity and Orbital Motion Gravity as Centripetal Force For orbits, gravity supplies centripetal force (mv²/r), continuously bending motion into a curve; objects move forward by inertia while gravity pulls inward, creating stable revolutions. Earth–Sun System Average Earth–Sun distance ≈ 149.6 million km (1 AU); Earth’s orbital speed ≈ 29.8 km/s (~1,07,000 km/h) keeps it bound without spiralling into or escaping the Sun. Scale of Earth’s Space Journey Annual Distance Traveled Earth’s orbital path length ≈ 2πr ≈ 940–1,000 million km/year, meaning our planet travels ~1 billion km annually, far exceeding everyday terrestrial travel scales. Human Perspective At 100 km/h, covering 1 billion km would take ~1 million hours (~114 years) of non-stop driving; Earth completes it in 365.25 days due to vacuum and inertia. Motion Without Fuel Inertia in Vacuum In near-vacuum space, negligible drag allows uniform motion without continuous energy input; per Newton’s first law, velocity persists unless acted upon by external forces. Why Cars Need Fuel ? On Earth, friction and air drag dissipate kinetic energy, requiring fuel to maintain speed; planets face minimal resistance, so no “fuel” is needed to keep moving. The Aether Hypothesis and Its Demise Aether Idea 19th-century physics proposed luminiferous aether as a medium for light and planetary motion, assuming space wasn’t empty but filled with an invisible substance. Michelson–Morley Experiment (1887) Precision interferometry found no directional change in light speed, delivering a null result that undermined aether and paved the way for Einstein’s relativity. Beyond Newton — Modern View General Relativity Einstein (1915) described gravity as spacetime curvature caused by mass–energy; orbits follow geodesics, explaining perihelion precession and gravitational lensing. Tides and Stability Solar–lunar gravity drives tides, redistributing oceans and affecting Earth’s rotation slightly; long-term orbital stability arises from conserved angular momentum and energy. Astrophysics and Indian Contributions Jayant Narlikar Prof. Jayant Narlikar, cosmologist and IUCAA founding director, advanced theoretical cosmology and public science; honoured with Padma Vibhushan (2004) for contributions. Scientific Temper Public outreach combating superstition aligns with Article 51A(h) duty to develop scientific temper, linking astrophysics education with constitutional values. India and Greece Agree to Strengthen Defence Industrial Cooperation in Five-Year Road Map Source : The Hindu Strategic Context of India–Greece Relations Civilisational and Maritime Legacy India and Greece are ancient seafaring civilisations with historical maritime trade links across the Mediterranean–Indian Ocean continuum, shaping long-standing cultural familiarity and strategic maritime consciousness. Strategic Partnership Framework Bilateral ties elevated to a Strategic Partnership (2023), reflecting convergence in defence, shipping, energy, and connectivity, and Greece’s support for India’s stronger engagement with Europe and the Mediterranean. Relevance GS II (International Relations) Strategic partnerships, defence diplomacy, Indo-Pacific–Mediterranean linkages. GS III (Security & Defence) Defence indigenisation, military cooperation, maritime security. Practice Question Analyse the role of defence diplomacy in strengthening India’s strategic autonomy. (150 Words) Defence & Security Cooperation Defence Industrial Collaboration Signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent launches a five-year defence industrial roadmap, aligning India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat with Greece’s Agenda 2030 defence reforms to co-develop capabilities. Military-to-Military Engagement A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (2026) institutionalises joint exercises, training, and staff talks, promoting interoperability and professional exchanges between armed forces. Maritime Dimension Convergence on Maritime Security Both nations share interest in secure Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs), freedom of navigation, and rule-based maritime order, vital for energy and trade flows. IFC-IOR Cooperation Greece deploying a Liaison Officer at IFC-IOR (Gurugram) strengthens information-sharing on piracy, trafficking, and maritime incidents across the Indian Ocean Region. Geopolitical Significance Mediterranean–Indo-Pacific Link Greece offers India a strategic gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and EU defence markets, while India provides reach into the Indo-Pacific security architecture. Balancing Regional Dynamics Cooperation reflects shared interest in stable multipolar order, maritime security, and diversified defence partnerships amid shifting global power balances. Defence Industrial Relevance Make in India in Defence Collaboration supports India’s push to raise defence manufacturing and exports (target USD 5 billion annually) through technology partnerships and co-production. Niche Technology Scope Potential areas include naval systems, aerospace components, shipbuilding, and electronics, where Greece has specialised maritime-industrial expertise. Challenges Scale Constraints Greece’s relatively small defence market and fiscal limits may restrict scale, requiring focused niche collaboration rather than broad-spectrum projects. Regulatory Complexities Defence deals must navigate export controls, technology transfer norms, and EU regulatory frameworks, affecting speed of implementation. Way Forward Institutionalisation Regular defence dialogues, industry-to-industry linkages, and joint R&D platforms can convert declarations into tangible outcomes. Maritime & Tech Focus Prioritising maritime domain awareness, shipbuilding, and defence electronics can yield quick, mutually beneficial results. Remembering Leo D’Souza, Who Transformed the Cashew Industry Source : The Hindu Cashew in India — Agronomic & Historical Context Origin and Agro-Ecology Cashew (Anacardium occidentale), native to Brazil, was introduced by the Portuguese in the 16th century to stabilise lateritic coastal soils, later evolving into a high-value plantation crop. Geographic Spread Cultivated mainly in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal, suited to tropical climate, 600–3500 mm rainfall, and poor lateritic soils. Relevance GS III (Agriculture & S&T) Plantation crops, biotechnology, tissue culture, value chains. GS I (Society) Women in agro-processing, rural livelihoods. Practice Question Discuss the role of biotechnology in improving plantation crop productivity. (150 Words) Economic Significance of Cashew Area and Production India has historically had ~5 lakh hectares under cashew (1980s baseline); today India remains among the top global producers and processors, though yield per hectare remains below potential. Export and Value Chain India is a major exporter of cashew kernels and cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) used in paints and lubricants; sector supports processing, packaging, and export-oriented MSMEs. Constraints in Cashew Productivity Biological Limitations Conventional propagation via seeds and grafting leads to genetic variability, uneven yield, and long gestation periods, limiting uniform orchard productivity. Structural Issues Challenges include ageing plantations, pest attacks (tea mosquito bug), climate variability, and smallholder dominance, reducing economies of scale. Role of Tissue Culture in Cashew Scientific Principle Tissue culture (micropropagation) produces genetically identical, disease-free plants under sterile conditions, enabling rapid multiplication of elite varieties and uniform orchard management. Why Cashew is Difficult ? Cashew is recalcitrant to tissue culture due to phenolic compound release that damages cells, making lab-to-soil transfer technically challenging compared to crops like banana or sugarcane. Leo D’Souza’s Contribution Early Biotech Pioneer Established a tissue culture lab in 1975 (pre-DBT era), showing how individual scientific leadership can overcome institutional scarcity and build frontier research in developing countries. Landmark Breakthrough Achieved world’s first successful lab-to-soil transfer of tissue-cultured cashew in 1990, published in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (1992) — a global scientific milestone. Socio-Economic Sensitivity Women-Centric Industry Cashew processing historically employed 80%+ women workers, often informal and underpaid; productivity gains can directly affect women’s incomes and rural welfare. Farmer Livelihoods Higher-yielding, uniform plants can stabilise farmer incomes, reduce risk, and improve raw nut supply for processors, strengthening the entire value chain. Static Policy Linkages Agricultural R&D Importance Case underlines role of ICAR, State Agricultural Universities, and DBT in crop improvement, biotechnology diffusion, and plantation crop research. Blue Economy & Coastal Development Cashew fits into coastal livelihood systems, agro-forestry, and soil conservation, linking with sustainable coastal development policies. Bonded Labour Continues Despite 50 Years of Its Abolition Source : The Hindu Concept & Legal Framework What is Bonded Labour ? Bonded labour refers to forced labour arising from debt, advance payments, or social obligations, where workers lose freedom of employment, mobility, and wages until debts—often inflated—are “repaid”. Legal Abolition The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, abolished bonded labour, extinguished bonded debts, criminalised enforcement, and mandated rehabilitation, release certificates, and legal protection for victims. Relevance GS II (Polity & Social Justice) Article 23, Bonded Labour Abolition Act, welfare state obligations. GS I (Society) Poverty, migration, caste-based vulnerability. Practice Question Why does bonded labour persist despite legal abolition? Suggest reforms. (250 Words) Constitutional & Human Rights Dimension Constitutional Violations Bonded labour violates Article 23 (prohibition of forced labour), Article 21 (right to life with dignity), and Directive Principles on humane working conditions and social justice. International Commitments India is signatory to ILO Conventions 29 and 105, obligating elimination of forced labour, making continued prevalence a breach of international labour and human rights norms. Scale & Data Evidence Sectoral Spread Bonded labour persists in brick kilns, construction, agriculture, mining, domestic work, garment units, and small manufacturing, largely within informal and subcontracted production chains. Regional Data West Bengal alone has ~11,000 brick kilns employing ~8 lakh workers (2020 estimate); between 2019–2024, 143 bonded labourers were rescued in multiple operations. Socio-Economic Drivers Poverty and Migration Seasonal distress migration from Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh fuels bondage, as migrants accept advances due to poverty, landlessness, and lack of social security. Wage and Work Conditions Low wages, long hours, restricted movement, workplace confinement, and denial of maternity and health benefits trap families into intergenerational bonded labour cycles. Intergenerational & Child Bondage Second-Generation Bondage Children inherit debt obligations, leading to second-generation bonded labour, violating Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and Right to Education (Article 21A). Recent Cases In March 2025, 28 children were rescued from brick kilns in South 24 Parganas, underscoring persistence of child bondage despite statutory safeguards. Governance & Implementation Gaps Weak Enforcement Poor inspections, delayed FIRs, low conviction rates, and local employer–official nexus weaken deterrence under the 1976 Act and IPC provisions. Rehabilitation Failures Delays in release certificates, inadequate compensation, poor livelihood support, and weak inter-state coordination lead to re-bondage after rescue. Federal & Administrative Challenges Source–Destination Disconnect Bonded labour involves inter-state migration, but weak coordination between source states (Bihar, Jharkhand) and destination states (West Bengal, Tamil Nadu) hampers monitoring and rehabilitation. Informal Economy Blind Spots Informality, subcontracting, and cash payments allow employers to evade labour laws, inspections, and digital wage tracking mechanisms. Ethical & Social Justice Dimensions Dignity of Labour Persistence of bondage reflects failure to uphold human dignity, equality, and freedom, reducing citizens to instruments of production rather than rights-bearing individuals. Structural Inequality Caste hierarchies, tribal marginalisation, illiteracy, and gender vulnerability deepen exploitation, making bonded labour a structural injustice, not an isolated crime. Way Forward Legal & Institutional Strengthen district vigilance committees, mandate time-bound release certificates, enhance convictions, and impose strict liability on principal employers and supply-chain beneficiaries. Rehabilitation & Prevention Ensure ₹20,000–₹3 lakh rehabilitation packages, link victims to MGNREGA, PDS, housing, skilling, and create migration support systems in source regions. From Maritime to Digital: India–Seychelles Give Ties a Shot in the Arm Source : The Indian Express Strategic Context of India–Seychelles Relations Indian Ocean Geopolitics Seychelles’ location in the Western Indian Ocean near key Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) makes it strategically vital for monitoring maritime traffic between Africa–Middle East–Asia corridors. SAGAR Framework Engagement aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region, 2015) vision, emphasising maritime security, capacity building, and cooperative regional order in the Indian Ocean. Relevance GS II (IR) SAGAR, Indian Ocean diplomacy, small island partnerships. GS III (Security) Maritime security, MDA, anti-piracy. Practice Question Evaluate the significance of island nations in India’s Indian Ocean strategy. (150 Words) Maritime & Security Cooperation Colombo Security Conclave Seychelles joining the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)—with India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh—strengthens regional architecture on maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security, and HADR. Defence Collaboration India supports Seychelles via coastal surveillance radars, patrol vessels, hydrographic surveys, and training, enhancing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) against piracy, trafficking, and illegal fishing. Digital & Development Partnership Digital Public Infrastructure Cooperation in digital governance, data-sharing, and digital transformation leverages India’s DPI model (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) to strengthen Seychelles’ public service delivery systems. Capacity Building Agreements on training, technical cooperation, and institutional capacity-building help Seychelles improve governance capability, maritime research, and disaster preparedness. Economic & Development Dimension Special Economic Assistance India announced a USD 15 million assistance package, including a USD 12 million Line of Credit and USD 3 million grant, targeting infrastructure, mobility, and maritime development. Blue Economy Linkages Cooperation supports blue economy sectors like fisheries, marine resources, and eco-tourism, aligning with Seychelles’ ocean-based economy and India’s Indo-Pacific outreach. Political & Diplomatic Significance High-Level Engagement Seychelles President’s visit within 100 days of assuming office signals priority to India ties; reflects mutual trust and continuity in diplomatic engagement. Shared Democratic Values Both nations emphasise rule-based order, sovereignty, and democratic governance, strengthening normative alignment in regional diplomacy. Regional & Global Implications Countering Extra-Regional Influence Strong India–Seychelles ties balance extra-regional naval presence in the Indian Ocean, ensuring smaller island states retain strategic autonomy and diversified partnerships. Western Indian Ocean Stability Cooperation contributes to stability in a region prone to piracy, trafficking, and climate vulnerabilities, reinforcing India’s role as a net security provider. Challenges Capacity Constraints Seychelles’ small population (~1 lakh) and limited fiscal capacity require sustained external support, making project execution and maintenance long-term challenges. Strategic Sensitivities Island states often balance multiple partners; India must ensure cooperation is transparent, demand-driven, and sovereignty-respecting to avoid perception of strategic overreach. Way Forward Institutionalised Cooperation Regular CSC exercises, joint patrols, and intelligence-sharing can institutionalise gains beyond leadership-level diplomacy. Sustainable Development Focus Integrating climate resilience, renewable energy, and coastal management into cooperation can align ties with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and island sustainability needs. Rs 54,000 Crore Lost in Digital Arrests, This is Dacoity: Supreme Court Source : Then Indian Express Understanding Digital Arrest Frauds Modus Operandi Digital arrest scams involve fraudsters impersonating police, CBI, ED, or RBI officials, using video calls, fake notices, and psychological pressure to coerce victims into transferring funds to “safe accounts”. Scale and Trend Reported losses of ₹54,000+ crore indicate cyber fraud’s systemic scale; NCRB data shows cybercrime cases rising annually, with financial fraud forming the largest category of complaints. Relevance GS III (Internal Security/Cyber Security) Cyber fraud, digital economy risks, financial security. GS II (Governance) RBI regulation, institutional coordination. Practice Question Examine the rise of cyber financial frauds and regulatory challenges in India. (250 Words) Constitutional & Legal Dimensions Property and Due Process Coerced fund transfers violate Article 300A (right to property) and principles of natural justice, since deprivation occurs without lawful authority, consent, or judicial procedure. Statutory Provisions Offences fall under IPC cheating, extortion, criminal intimidation, and IT Act Sections 66C/66D; yet low conviction rates reflect jurisdictional and evidentiary challenges in cybercrime. Banking Regulation & RBI Oversight Fiduciary Duty of Banks Supreme Court termed banks “trustees of public money”, implying higher duty of care in monitoring abnormal transactions, beyond profit-driven facilitation of high-volume digital transfers. KYC–AML Framework Under PMLA and RBI Master Directions on KYC (2016, updated periodically), banks must detect unusual patterns, but real-time interdiction remains uneven across institutions. Governance & Institutional Gaps Fragmented Response Cyber fraud control spans RBI, commercial banks, state police, I4C (MHA), CERT-In, but fragmented databases and delayed coordination weaken rapid fund-freezing within critical time windows. Recovery vs Prevention Bias Court criticism that banks act as loan recovery agents highlights asymmetry: robust systems to recover bank dues versus limited urgency in safeguarding depositors’ funds. Technology Dimension AI-Based Detection AI and machine learning can flag velocity anomalies, mule accounts, and behavioural red flags, enabling automated pauses, step-up authentication, and alerts before high-risk transfers. Adoption Constraints Uneven deployment of RBI-backed analytics tools and fear of customer inconvenience reduce proactive blocking, allowing fraudsters to rapidly layer and disperse stolen funds. Economic & Social Impact Trust in Digital Economy Large-scale fraud undermines confidence in UPI and digital payments, potentially slowing India’s fintech growth and financial inclusion drive in a country processing billions of UPI transactions monthly. Household Vulnerability Victims often include elderly, retirees, and first-generation digital users, meaning losses hit life savings, affecting consumption, health security, and social stability. Ethical Dimensions Profit vs Protection Ethical dilemma arises if banks prioritise ease and transaction volume over safeguards; fiduciary institutions must balance innovation with depositor protection. State Responsibility As per welfare-state principles, regulators must ensure safe digital financial architecture, since individual citizens cannot counter sophisticated, transnational cyber networks alone. Way Forward Regulatory Reforms Mandate real-time risk scoring, cooling-off periods for large transfers, and compulsory alerts for first-time high-value payments to new beneficiaries across banks. Institutional Strengthening Create time-bound fund-freezing protocols, statutory liability norms for negligence, and unified cyber-fraud command centres linking banks, telecoms, and law enforcement.

Feb 9, 2026 Daily PIB Summaries

PIB Summaries 09 February 2026

Content Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for Schoolchildren under Aadhaar Seven Chakras of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for Schoolchildren under Aadhaar Why in News? UIDAI announced completion of over 1 crore Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBUs) for schoolchildren through a nationwide mission-mode campaign, marking a major milestone in child-focused digital identity strengthening and lifecycle Aadhaar management. The update drive gained attention due to coverage of 83,000 schools in about 5 months, reflecting unprecedented administrative scale, cooperative federalism, and integration of identity services with the education ecosystem. Article relevance also arises from integration of Aadhaar with UDISE+ database, enabling real-time identification of children pending biometric updates and showcasing data-driven governance in the school education sector. Fee waiver for MBUs for children aged 7–15 from 1 October 2025 for one year highlighted government efforts to remove financial barriers and prevent exclusion from exams and welfare schemes. Relevance GS 2 (Polity & Governance) DBT efficiency and targeted welfare delivery. Cooperative federalism (UIDAI–States–Schools). Privacy, data protection, child rights. Data-driven education governance (UDISE+). Basics & Core Keywords Meaning and Concept Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) is compulsory capture and refresh of fingerprints and iris in Aadhaar after biological maturation at ages 5 and 15, ensuring reliable lifelong biometric authentication and identity continuity. UIDAI is a statutory authority under Aadhaar Act 2016 responsible for enrolment, authentication, and updates, managing demographic and biometric database and ensuring secure digital identity infrastructure across India. UDISE+ is a national digital school database of Ministry of Education capturing enrolment, infrastructure, and student data, enabling data-driven governance and integration with Aadhaar update status monitoring for children. Constitutional / Legal Dimension Aadhaar Act 2016 provides statutory basis; Supreme Court (Puttaswamy, 2018 Aadhaar judgment) allowed welfare-linked use but restricted private mandatory usage, embedding proportionality and legality in identity-based service delivery frameworks. Right to Privacy (Article 21) mandates lawful, necessary, and proportionate data collection, requiring purpose limitation, data minimisation, and safeguards, especially critical when collecting and storing children’s biometric information. Best-interest-of-child principle from constitutional jurisprudence and UNCRC obligations requires secure storage, limited retention, and grievance redressal, ensuring minors’ identity data is not misused or excessively processed by state systems. Governance / Administrative Dimension Campaign shows cooperative federalism, where UIDAI, State Education Departments, and district administrations align databases and logistics, improving last-mile identity service delivery through coordinated institutional efforts across states. School-based MBU camps reduce transaction costs, parental burden, and opportunity loss, bringing services to beneficiaries and improving inclusion in welfare, examination, and scholarship-linked identity requirements for students nationwide. UDISE+–Aadhaar integration enables real-time visibility of pending MBUs, supporting evidence-based targeting, dashboards, and monitoring, strengthening accountability and digital governance capacities in public education administration systems. Economic Dimension Updated biometrics strengthen Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) by preventing ghost and duplicate beneficiaries, improving fiscal efficiency of scholarships, nutrition schemes, and subsidies targeted at school-going children nationwide. Reliable Aadhaar enables smoother access to examinations, banking, and skilling, supporting human capital formation and future productivity, aligning with India’s demographic dividend and formalisation of the economy goals. Social / Ethical Dimension Free MBU for 7–15 years from 1 Oct 2025 for one year lowers financial barriers, promoting equity for poor, migrants, and marginalised groups, reducing risk of exclusion from welfare and education-linked services. Ethical governance demands informed parental consent, awareness on data usage, and child-friendly enrolment, ensuring identity systems empower rather than surveil, and preserve dignity and autonomy of minors. Technology / Security Dimension Fingerprints and iris biometrics rely on uniqueness and permanence; capturing after maturation improves matching accuracy, reducing false rejections in authentication for welfare, exams, and service delivery systems. Centralised identity databases require encryption, access controls, audit trails, and breach-response protocols to prevent identity theft, profiling, or unauthorised surveillance, especially given scale and sensitivity of children’s data. Data & Evidence Over 1 crore MBUs completed, covering 83,000 schools in 5 months, indicating strong administrative capacity, prioritisation of child identity updates, and scalability of mission-mode digital governance initiatives. About 1.3 crore MBU transactions at Aadhaar Seva Kendras and enrolment centres show high citizen demand and responsiveness when services are accessible, predictable, and free for children. Challenges Large biometric databases pose risks of data breaches, function creep, and profiling, particularly concerning for minors with limited consent capacity, necessitating strict oversight and enforcement of data protection norms. Device shortages, connectivity gaps, and operator deficits in remote areas may cause uneven coverage, creating regional disparities in update completion and risking exclusion of vulnerable populations. Low parental awareness on timelines and consequences leads to delays; sustained IEC campaigns through schools, anganwadis, and local governments are required for behavioural compliance and inclusion. Way Forward Implement Digital Personal Data Protection framework with child-specific protocols, shorter retention, and independent audits, building trust and legal robustness in children’s biometric identity ecosystem. Institutionalise lifecycle-based updates by linking MBUs to school admissions and health check-ups, creating automatic reminders and on-site facilities for universal compliance among children. Invest in secure devices, operator training, and grievance redressal, ensuring that scale does not dilute accuracy, dignity, or data security while maintaining inclusive and reliable service delivery. Aadhaar What is Aadhaar? Aadhaar is a unique digital identity number issued to residents of India, based on demographic + biometric data, designed to enable unique identification and authentication for service delivery. It is proof of identity, not citizenship, and is available to residents (person living in India ≥ 182 days in preceding 12 months). Legal & Institutional Basis Aadhaar has statutory backing under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016. It aims at targeted delivery of subsidies, benefits, and services funded from the Consolidated Fund of India, reducing leakages and duplication. Implementation Agency Implemented by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), a statutory authority. UIDAI functions under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). UIDAI responsibilities: Aadhaar enrolment and updates Authentication ecosystem Data security and storage Policy and regulation of Aadhaar usage Aadhaar Number – Structure Aadhaar is a 12-digit random number (not intelligence-based, no profile coding). Designed to be unique, portable, and lifelong. Data Collected Demographic Data Name Date of Birth/Age Gender Address Mobile number (optional but important) Email (optional) Biometric Data 10 fingerprints Both iris scans Photograph For children below 5 years: only demographics + photo; biometrics updated later at 5 and 15 years. Seven Chakras of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026 Context Global AI Diplomacy Moment India–AI Impact Summit 2026 announced as first global AI summit in the Global South, projecting India as agenda-setter in responsible AI governance and development-oriented technology diplomacy. Summit highlighted due to 100+ countries, 15–20 Heads of Government, 50+ ministers, 40+ CEOs, signalling broad multilateral consensus-building on inclusive, safe, and accountable AI ecosystems. Relevance GS 2 (IR & Governance) AI diplomacy and global norm-setting. International tech governance. AI regulatory frameworks. GS 3 (S&T / Economy / Environment) AI as emerging technology. AI-led economic growth & startups. R&D and innovation ecosystem. Green AI and energy-efficient data centres. Digital sovereignty & compute infrastructure. Core Keywords Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence refers to machine-based systems performing cognitive tasks like learning and decision-making using machine learning, neural networks, and big data, enabling predictive, adaptive, and autonomous functionalities. Global South Global South includes developing nations in Asia, Africa, Latin America facing developmental constraints; summit hosting signals geographical diversification of tech governance beyond traditional Western dominance. AI Governance AI governance comprises laws, ethical norms, standards, and institutions regulating AI lifecycle to ensure fairness, safety, accountability, and alignment with societal and developmental priorities. Chakras / Working Groups Seven Chakras are thematic working groups translating principles into policy and practice, enabling structured multilateral cooperation, norm-setting, and implementation pathways across AI domains. Philosophical Foundation: Three Sutras People Human-centric AI safeguards rights, dignity, and accessibility, ensuring equitable benefit distribution, trust-building, and augmentation of human capabilities rather than replacement across socio-economic segments. Planet Sustainable AI promotes energy-efficient algorithms, green data centres, and climate-focused AI applications, reducing ecological footprint of compute-heavy AI and supporting environmental resilience strategies. Progress Inclusive progress stresses innovation, productivity, and skilling, ensuring AI-driven growth generates employment, competitiveness, and SDG-aligned development without widening digital inequality. Chakra 1: Human Capital AI Skilling Ecosystem Focuses on reskilling, future-ready education, and workforce transition, minimizing technological unemployment and leveraging demographic dividend for knowledge-driven AI economy. Talent Indicators India shows 3× AI talent growth since 2016, 33% annual hiring growth, and targeted support for 500 PhDs, 5,000 PGs, 8,000 UGs, strengthening research pipelines. Chakra 2: Inclusion for Social Empowerment Inclusive-by-Design AI Encourages representative datasets, multilingual interfaces, and accessibility tools, reducing algorithmic bias and ensuring AI reflects India’s linguistic and social diversity. DPI Linkage Uses Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for scalable AI deployment in welfare, agriculture, and governance, ensuring affordability and last-mile access. Chakra 3: Safe and Trusted AI Responsible AI Promotes transparency, explainability, and auditability, making AI decisions interpretable and legally defensible, strengthening public trust. Governance Architecture Proposes AI Governance Group, Technology Policy Expert Committee, IndiaAI Safety Institute, creating layered oversight combining policy, expertise, and technical risk testing. Chakra 4: Resilience, Innovation & Efficiency Efficient AI Design Encourages low-energy, resource-optimized AI models, ensuring climate-conscious and scalable AI suitable for developing economies. Infrastructure Scale Data-centre capacity projected from 960 MW to 9.2 GW by 2030, backed by large private investments enhancing digital sovereignty. Chakra 5: Science AI in Research AI accelerates discovery in climate science, genomics, and health, improving modelling accuracy and collaborative research. R&D Push India’s R&D spending rose from ₹60,196 crore to ₹1.27 lakh crore; ANRF targets ₹50,000 crore, strengthening research ecosystem. Chakra 6: Democratising AI Resources Compute Sovereignty Promotes domestic access to GPUs, cloud, and supercomputers, reducing foreign dependence and ensuring strategic autonomy. Shared Infrastructure IndiaAI Kosh: 7,400 datasets, 570 AI Data Labs, and compute below ₹100/hour enable equitable innovation. Chakra 7: AI for Economic Growth & Social Good Sectoral Transformation AI improves productivity in agriculture, healthcare, education, and judiciary via analytics, diagnostics, and automation. Economic Impact AI sector projected at US$280 billion (2025); 1.8 lakh startups show widespread adoption and employment potential. Governance Significance Digital Diplomacy Summit enhances India’s soft power by shaping ethical AI norms and strengthening its global technology leadership. Development Model Export India promotes DPI + AI model, offering scalable governance solutions for developing nations. Challenges Global Inequality Unequal access to compute, data, and talent risks new digital divides and technological dependency. Regulatory Lag Fast AI evolution outpaces regulation, creating risks of misuse and accountability gaps. Way Forward Balanced AI Statecraft Align AI growth with constitutional values, human rights, and SDGs. South–South Cooperation Expand AI skilling and infrastructure collaboration among developing nations.

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