Daily current affairs: 9 February 2026

Long Description : During President Patrick Herminie's state visit to India, both nations launched the Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth, and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL). A significant highlight was India’s announcement of a $175 million Special Economic Package, including a $125 million Rupee-denominated Line of Credit. The partnership focuses on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), maritime security in the Indian Ocean, and blue economy cooperation. India will assist Seychelles in digitizing governance and expanding parliamentary exchanges, cementing its role as a reliable development partner for the island nation.

Long Description : India and Malaysia have significantly upgraded their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The nations signed 11 MoUs covering high-priority sectors like semiconductors, digital technologies, and renewable energy. A key outcome is the agreement to promote bilateral trade settlement in Indian Rupee (INR) and Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), aimed at reducing dollar dependency. Furthermore, Malaysia reiterated its support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council. India also announced the opening of a new Consulate General in Malaysia to bolster diaspora engagement and consular services.

Long Description : The newly finalized India-US trade agreement is expected to provide a substantial boost to India’s export-oriented Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). By rationalizing tariffs and reducing non-tariff barriers, the deal aims to integrate Indian manufacturers more deeply into American supply chains. Moody's Ratings noted that this agreement will help mitigate risks for the MSME segment, which had been facing global trade headwinds. The deal marks a strategic shift towards more stable trade relations with the US, India’s largest trading partner, focusing on electronics, textiles, and engineering goods.

Long Description : Moody's Ratings has forecasted that India’s real GDP will expand by 6.4% in fiscal year 2026-27. This growth is attributed to strong domestic demand, bolstered by the 2025 rationalization of GST and increased personal income tax thresholds. The agency highlighted that India's banking system remains resilient with healthy capital buffers, capable of supporting credit expansion between 11-13%. While the projection is slightly lower than the government’s Economic Survey estimate of 6.8-7.2%, it confirms India’s position as a global growth leader amidst a stable monetary policy environment.

Long Description : In collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), the MSDE has initiated the Swavalambini programme. The pilot project targets 1,200 female students across Higher Education Institutions in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. Implemented through NIESBUD and IIE Guwahati, the scheme provides a structured multi-stage training module to help women transition from ideation to enterprise creation. The project aims to build an entrepreneurial mindset and provide awareness of government support mechanisms, ensuring that young women consider entrepreneurship a viable and sustainable career path.

Long Description : A Supreme Court bench led by CJI Surya Kant has ordered a one-week extension for filing objections in the West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, moving the deadline beyond February 14. The court also directed 8,505 state Group-B officers to report to district electoral offices for duty as EROs/AEROs. This follows a petition by CM Mamata Banerjee alleging that the SIR process was being used for targeted deletions. The apex court emphasized that the Election Commission must ensure a transparent verification process and asked the state to respond to allegations of violence against EC officials.

Long Description : The local body election results in Maharashtra have seen the BJP making significant gains. In Pune, BJP corporator Manjusha Nagpure was elected Mayor unopposed, while Parshuram Wadekar of RPI(A) secured the Deputy Mayor post. The elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis saw a voter turnout of approximately 52%. These results are viewed as a crucial indicator of rural political sentiment ahead of future state-level contests. The counting process covered 1,462 Panchayat Samiti seats, with a high percentage of seats reserved for women and OBC candidates.

Long Description : Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the success of the IndiaAI Mission, stating that India’s strategy to build sovereign AI models is yielding tangible benefits. By focusing on indigenous computing capacity and local datasets, the government aims to ensure AI benefits citizens inclusively. Several homegrown startups and institutes have released advanced models that are now being tested for governance, agriculture, and healthcare. The strategy emphasizes "AI for All," ensuring that technology empowers citizens rather than replacing them, while maintaining data sovereignty and ethical standards in the rapid digital transformation of the country.

Long Description : In a major boost to marine conservation, the ICAR-CMFRI has successfully bred the mangrove clam (*Geloina erosa*) under controlled laboratory conditions. This species, a vital estuarine resource, has been facing a rapid decline due to habitat loss and over-exploitation. The breakthrough in induced breeding will allow for large-scale seed production and ranching in depleted mangrove areas. This initiative not only supports the restoration of estuarine ecosystems but also provides a sustainable livelihood for coastal communities that depend on clam harvesting. It marks a significant step in India's efforts toward marine biodiversity conservation.

Long Description : The Ministry of Tourism has accelerated the redevelopment of major pilgrimage sites and temple corridors across India. Under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and Swadesh Darshan schemes, several projects were sanctioned in 2025-26, focusing on states like Madhya Pradesh and Bihar. The initiative aims to enhance infrastructure while preserving the spiritual integrity of the sites. These projects involve extensive stakeholder consultation to ensure sustainable tourism. Financial assistance is being extended to State Governments to improve amenities, connectivity, and the overall experience for pilgrims, promoting domestic spiritual tourism.

Long Description : According to a report by CyberMedia Research, shipments of 5G smartphones in the affordable segment (under ₹15,000) surged by over 1,900% in 2025. This explosion in growth is attributed to the aggressive pricing strategies of manufacturers and the wider availability of low-cost 5G chipsets. The rapid nationwide expansion of 5G networks by major telecom players has further fueled consumer demand. This shift indicates that 5G has moved from a premium feature to a mass-market standard in India, positioning the country as one of the world's most rapidly evolving digital economies.

Long Description : The Lok Sabha faced multiple adjournments and was eventually called off for the day following a heated dispute between the treasury and opposition benches. The conflict arose when the opposition demanded that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak before the formal discussion on the Union Budget commenced. Despite efforts by the Chair to initiate the debate through Congress member Shashi Tharoor, the House remained in turmoil. This deadlock reflects the ongoing political friction during the Budget Session, with the opposition focusing on issues of economic policy and parliamentary procedure before allowing the financial business to proceed.

Long Description : Tensions in Parliament have escalated with opposition leaders discussing a potential no-confidence motion against Speaker Om Birla. The move comes amidst allegations that the Speaker has not been providing adequate time to opposition members to raise critical issues and has been selective in allowing speeches during the Budget Session. While a formal notice has not yet been submitted, the deliberation marks a significant rift in parliamentary functioning. Such a motion requires the support of at least 50 members to be admitted, and if pursued, it would lead to a major constitutional and political showdown in the lower house.

Long Description : The 29th Punjab Science Congress successfully concluded in Chandigarh, serving as a platform for interdisciplinary research and scientific innovation. The event saw participation from over 1,000 academicians and students who discussed cutting-edge developments in neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and environmental technology. The Congress emphasized finding practical solutions for societal challenges, particularly in the context of "Viksit Bharat." High-impact sessions and plenary lectures by leading Indian scientists highlighted the importance of mentorship for young researchers and the integration of technology with sustainable development goals to drive the state’s and nation’s scientific progress.

Long Description : Vertical Aerospace is betting big on the Indian market through a strategic agreement with JetSetGo to transform urban travel. The partnership aims to deploy electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to connect Indian cities, offering a sustainable and faster alternative to road travel. This move aligns with India’s push for green mobility and reduced carbon emissions in the aviation sector. By leveraging JetSetGo’s local expertise and Vertical Aerospace’s advanced technology, the collaboration seeks to build the infrastructure necessary for advanced air mobility, potentially revolutionizing intra-city and inter-city commutes in congested urban areas.

Long Description : In its latest review, the RBI updated its growth forecasts for the upcoming financial year. The central bank now expects real GDP to grow by 6.9% in Q1 and 7.0% in Q2 of FY 2026-27, up from previous estimates of 6.7% and 6.8%. This revision is supported by sustained momentum in private consumption and a recovery in investment cycles. The RBI’s optimistic stance reflects a resilient domestic economy despite global uncertainties. With inflation largely under control, the central bank’s focus remains on supporting growth while maintaining financial stability through a calibrated monetary policy approach.