Daily current affairs: 10 February 2026

Long Description : During his 24-hour state visit to Malaysia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with PM Anwar Ibrahim to elevate bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit is significant as it addresses previous diplomatic strains over Kashmir and extradition issues. Key outcomes include the signing of MoUs on semiconductor cooperation between IIT Madras and Malaysian academies, and an agreement on local currency trade settlement to reduce dollar dependency. Both nations issued a joint statement unequivocally condemning cross-border terrorism. This engagement strengthens India’s "Act East Policy" and positions Malaysia as a vital partner in the Indo-Pacific maritime security architecture and regional supply chain resilience.

Long Description : India and the United States have established a framework for an Interim Trade Agreement, acting as a precursor to a full Bilateral Trade Agreement. Under this deal, the US will cut reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, providing preferential access to its $30-trillion market. India has secured duty-free entry for several sectors, with some duties dropping from 50% to 0%. Crucially, India maintained its ban on Genetically Modified (GM) items, specifically blocking American GM corn and soybean imports to protect domestic biodiversity. This agreement is expected to significantly benefit export-oriented MSMEs while carefully balancing the interests of Indian farmers in the animal feed market.

Long Description : Moody's Ratings released its outlook projecting India as the fastest-growing G-20 economy with a real GDP growth of 6.4% for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The report attributes this resilience to strong domestic consumption and significant structural reforms, including the 2025 rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and earlier income tax cuts. While this estimate is slightly lower than the RBI’s 7.0% forecast, Moody’s emphasized that India’s banking system remains stable with resilient asset quality. The report anticipates that the RBI may further ease monetary policy, supporting credit growth of approximately 13% as inflation remains within the target range.

Long Description : Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, inaugurated Qualcomm’s advanced 2-nanometer semiconductor chip design center in Bengaluru. This launch signifies India’s transition from a backend services provider to a global leader in high-end chip design. The 2nm technology is critical for next-generation AI, 5G, and high-performance computing applications. The Minister also inaugurated Zetwerk Electronics’ new manufacturing facility at KIADB Hi-Tech Park, which focuses on R&D in quantum computing and aerospace. These developments align with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aiming to build a self-reliant electronics ecosystem and integrate Indian design capabilities into the global semiconductor value chain.

Long Description : Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh and AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for India’s first "Quantum Valley" in Amaravati. The project includes the launch of the WISER Quantum Talent Hub, a Centre of Excellence designed to provide specialized training to 35 lakh students by 2035. The complex, expected to be completed by August 2026, will house a quantum computer by December 2026. This initiative, supported by IBM and TCS Quantum Cloud Services, positions India as a global hub for quantum research, cybersecurity, and financial modeling, fostering a new generation of deep-tech entrepreneurs and skilled professionals.

Long Description : Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the "Pulse Self-Reliance Mission" (Atmanirbhar Dalhan Abhiyan) in Sehlore, Madhya Pradesh. The mission aims to end India’s dependency on imported pulses and turn the country into a net exporter. Key components include a cluster-based production model, the creation of "seed villages" for high-quality distribution, and a government subsidy of up to Rs 25 lakhs for establishing 1,000 pulse mills nationwide. By strengthening the linkage between researchers and farmers, the mission seeks to enhance crop variety and productivity, ensuring food security and higher income for pulse-growing farmers in semi-arid regions.

Long Description : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued revised guidelines for social media intermediaries, including Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, to tackle the menace of AI-generated deepfakes. The new rules mandate that platforms must detect and clearly label all AI-generated synthetic material with permanent, unalterable identifiers. In cases of unlawful or harmful deepfakes, platforms are now required to take down the content within a strict three-hour window of reporting. Additionally, companies must show cautionary pop-ups to users every three months about the legal penalties for AI misuse. This move aims to protect the integrity of digital information and ensure user safety in an era of rapid AI proliferation.

Long Description : India has been officially designated as the ‘Country of the Year’ at BIOFACH 2026 in Germany, recognizing its significant growth in the global organic market. APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) led a massive delegation to showcase India’s diverse organic offerings, from Himalayan millets to tribal-sourced honey. This recognition highlights India's adherence to international organic standards and its role as a major exporter of sustainable agricultural products. The designation is expected to boost India’s agricultural exports to the European Union and North America, fostering new trade partnerships and providing global visibility to Indian organic farmers and cooperatives.

Long Description : India has climbed four spots to secure the 45th rank in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025, according to the report released by the Portulans Institute. The index evaluates countries based on technology, people, governance, and impact. India’s improvement is largely credited to the massive expansion of 5G services, the global success of its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) like UPI, and its emerging "Sovereign AI" strategy. The report also noted India’s high performance in the ‘AI Talent Concentration’ and ‘Mobile Broadband Traffic’ categories. This ranking underscores India’s transformation into a digitally empowered society and its growing competitiveness in the global digital economy.

Long Description : As the world’s largest hub for diamond cutting and polishing, India has officially assumed the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP) for the year 2026. During its tenure, India aims to push for reforms to broaden the definition of "conflict diamonds" and improve the traceability of rough stones. The chairmanship provides India with strategic leverage to represent the Global South in diamond trade negotiations. A key focus area will be the integration of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs) into the regulatory framework and addressing the challenges posed by synthetic diamonds to the natural diamond market, ensuring ethical sourcing and industry transparency.

Long Description : India has introduced ‘iLive Connect’, touted as the world’s first doctor-led, AI-powered home healthcare ecosystem. This platform utilizes wearable sensors and predictive AI algorithms to monitor the vital signs of senior citizens and high-risk cardiac patients in real-time. In case of anomalies, the system automatically alerts the primary physician and emergency services. This initiative aims to reduce hospital readmission rates and provide affordable, high-quality care at home. The project is a collaboration between Indian health-tech startups and the Ministry of Health, showcasing India’s leadership in blending artificial intelligence with medical expertise to solve large-scale geriatric care challenges.

Long Description : Scientists at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) have successfully achieved the induced breeding of the mangrove clam, a vital species for estuarine ecosystems and local livelihoods. This breakthrough is critical as mangrove clam populations have been declining rapidly due to habitat loss and over-exploitation. The successful hatchery production of seeds will enable large-scale sea-ranching and restoration of mangrove habitats. This achievement not only supports biodiversity conservation but also provides a sustainable livelihood option for coastal communities through organized clam farming, reinforcing India’s commitment to blue economy goals and marine resource management.

Long Description : A team of researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and local universities has discovered a new species of dragonfly, named Lyriothemis keralensis, in the low-lying coastal wetlands of Kerala. This species belongs to a genus primarily found in East and Southeast Asia, making this discovery a significant addition to the known odonate fauna of the Western Ghats region. The discovery underscores the ecological importance of Kerala’s coastal wetlands, which act as critical habitats for unique species. Scientists emphasize that such findings highlight the need for stricter conservation measures to protect these fragile ecosystems from urban encroachment and pollution.

Long Description : Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated several key rail projects in West Bengal, including the new Asansol–Bokaro train service. This service connects two major industrial hubs of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), benefiting thousands of commuters and facilitating smoother trade between West Bengal and Jharkhand. Additionally, the Minister inaugurated the Siuri Road Overbridge (ROB) and the Kumarpur ROB. These infrastructure projects are designed to eliminate transit delays at level crossings, reduce traffic congestion in the industrial belt, and enhance overall regional logistics efficiency, aligning with the Gati Shakti National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity.

Long Description : The Indian Under-19 Women’s Football team emerged victorious in the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship 2026. In a high-stakes final held in Dhaka, the Indian team secured a clinical victory against Bangladesh, showcasing exceptional teamwork and tactical discipline. The tournament highlighted the rising talent in Indian women’s football, with several players receiving individual awards for their performance. This win follows a series of successful international outings for the youth squads and underscores the effectiveness of the AIFF’s grassroots development programs. The victory is seen as a significant boost for women’s sports in India ahead of major global tournaments.

Long Description : Hearing a plea on the rising cases of cyber-financial crimes, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government to formulate a uniform Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to assist digital fraud victims. The bench characterized large-scale digital theft as "dacoity" in a virtual space and emphasized the need for immediate freezing of accounts and faster recovery mechanisms. The court noted that current delays in police action and bank coordination often lead to the permanent loss of funds. The mandated SOP will require banks and law enforcement agencies to integrate their systems for real-time response to cybercrime reports.