Daily current affairs: 11 February 2026

Long Description : Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister for Communications highlighted a paradigm shift in rural development, reclassifying "last villages" as "India’s first villages." Out of the country's total village count, only about 9,000 villages remain to be covered, with BSNL and private players aggressively deploying the final 4G saturation phase. Simultaneously, 5G has already reached 5 lakh villages. The initiative focuses on the "Ashtalakshmi" states (Northeast), specifically addressing geographical challenges like wildlife sanctuaries and Right of Way (RoW) issues in regions like Arunachal Pradesh to ensure no citizen is left behind in the digital revolution.

Long Description : The updated trade agreement highlights a strategic shift where India retains protection for its sensitive agricultural sectors, specifically pulses. The revised document emphasizes that India "intends" to buy, rather than "will" buy, $500 billion worth of energy, ICT, and coal over five years. Under the pact, US President Trump slashed reciprocal tariffs on India to 18%, removing the extra 25% penalty previously imposed over India's Russian oil purchases. While the US gets better market access for industrial goods, India has secured a 10-year phase-out period for intermediate food processing products to safeguard domestic interests.

Long Description : The amendment focuses on Section 104 of the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The government seeks to eliminate any "future unwarranted complications" or misconceptions that the power to repeal old laws was delegated to the executive rather than the legislature. By formally amending the Code, the government ensures a smooth continuity of regulations concerning trade unions, industrial employment, and dispute resolution. This legislative move is crucial for ease of doing business, as it provides absolute legal clarity to industries and workers' unions transitioning from the century-old 1926 Act and the 1947 Industrial Disputes Act to the new unified labor regime.

Long Description : A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and P B Varale reviewed the medical reports and legal grounds for Wangchuk’s detention. The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) informed the court that the detaining authority acted pre-emptively to maintain public order, claiming that failing to do so could have ignited nationwide instability. Wangchuk was detained in September 2025 following violent clashes in Ladakh that claimed four lives. The activist's legal team has contested the use of the NSA, citing his poor health and the peaceful nature of his environmental and constitutional demands. The court has requested further instructions on whether the detention order can be reconsidered.

Long Description : The notice, submitted by Opposition MPs, was found to have technical errors, including four references to events from February 2025 instead of current proceedings. Under parliamentary rules, such inaccuracies could lead to the rejection of the motion. Instead of outright dismissal, the Speaker exercised discretion by allowing the Secretariat to correct the document. This development occurs amidst high political drama over the India-US trade deal and disruptions in the House. A removal motion against a Speaker requires a 14-day notice period under Article 94 of the Constitution, making the March scheduling a significant procedural step in Indian parliamentary history.

Long Description : This agreement is a major win for the Indian IT and services sector. It allows Indian workers on short-term contracts in the UK to be exempted from paying local social security taxes, provided they continue making contributions in India. Conversely, it ensures that contributions made in the UK can be retrieved or integrated when the worker returns. This move reduces the cost of doing business for Indian firms and enhances the financial security of "digital nomads" and temporary migrants. It serves as a key pillar in the ongoing India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, addressing long-standing mobility concerns.

Long Description : As India aims for a "Viksit Bharat 2047," the steel sector, a major CO2 emitter, is under focus for decarbonization. The Prime Minister emphasized that adopting CCUS technology is essential for producing "Green Steel." The technology involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions at the source and either reusing them in industrial processes or storing them underground to prevent atmospheric release. This aligns with India’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The government is currently exploring policy incentives to subsidize CCUS infrastructure, making Indian steel globally competitive in an era of stringent international carbon taxes like the EU's CBAM.

Long Description : The 2026 theme emphasizes that individual MSMEs often lack the capital for high-end technology, but "clusters" can drive innovation and productivity. The NPC will conduct workshops on AI integration, lean manufacturing, and energy efficiency across various industrial hubs. By focusing on clusters, the government aims to enhance the export potential of local products under the 'One District One Product' (ODOP) scheme. This week-long event is a precursor to larger industrial reforms aimed at increasing the MSME sector's contribution to the GDP from the current 30% to a targeted 40% by 2030, leveraging economies of scale.

Long Description : Under the new system, once a customer completes KYC with one financial entity, the digital record is stored in the CKYC registry and can be accessed by any other bank, insurance company, or mutual fund with the customer’s consent. The integration with DigiLocker ensures that documents like Aadhaar, PAN, and driving licenses are pulled directly from issuing authorities, eliminating the risk of forgery. This "One-time KYC" model significantly reduces the onboarding time for financial services and lowers operational costs for banks. It represents a major step in India’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) evolution, enhancing financial inclusion.

Long Description : Exercise Vayushakti is a triennial event that demonstrates the IAF's capability to conduct precision strikes and day-night operations. The 2026 edition will feature over 100 aircraft, including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, and the indigenous LCA Tejas. A key focus this year is the integration of "Swarm Drones" and "Net-Centric Warfare" systems. The exercise aims to validate the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative in defense, as many of the munitions and electronic warfare suites used are developed by DRDO. It serves as a strategic signal of India's aerial dominance and readiness to protect its sovereign borders in a complex regional security environment.

Long Description : Around 30 crore workers from sectors including banking, insurance, transport, and electricity are expected to participate. Major unions like AIBEA and AITUC are leading the charge, supported by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM). The unions are demanding the withdrawal of the four labor codes, a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, and the halting of privatization in public sector undertakings. While essential services like hospitals may remain functional, banking and public transport are likely to face significant disruptions. The government has maintained that the labor reforms are essential for formalizing the economy and creating job opportunities.

Long Description : Previously, the definition of family for housing was restricted to spouses and dependent children. The new approval includes dependent parents and widowed/divorced sisters, provided they meet certain income criteria. This change ensures that service officers, who often serve in remote or field areas, can provide better care for their extended family members in peace stations. This welfare measure is expected to boost morale and address the long-standing grievances of the military community regarding housing eligibility. It reflects the Ministry's commitment to improving the "Ease of Living" for those serving in the Armed Forces.

Long Description : Under this system, answer sheets will be scanned and uploaded to a secure cloud platform. Examiners will then mark the scripts on computer screens using specialized software. This method prevents common errors like "unmarked questions" or "totalling mistakes," as the system automatically calculates the final score based on individual question marks. It also allows for real-time monitoring of evaluation progress. CBSE joins other global and domestic boards in adopting this technology, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on using technology to make assessment more transparent, reliable, and student-centric.

Long Description : Taking to social media and official channels, the PM extended his thoughts to the families of the victims and the people of Canada. The shooting occurred in a northeastern region of British Columbia, leading to an international outcry over school safety. Despite recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, the message underscored India's stance on humanitarian solidarity during tragedies. The incident has reignited debates on gun control in North America. India’s Ministry of External Affairs is also in touch with local authorities to verify if any Indian nationals or students were affected by the violence.

Long Description : This measure is designed to help aspirants who may have made typographical or clerical errors during the initial registration process. The window allows for modifications in the Common Application Form (CAF) and the Examination Application Form. UPSC emphasized that this is a "one-time" opportunity and no further requests for changes will be entertained after the deadline. This proactive step by the Commission aims to reduce the rejection of applications over minor technicalities and ensures that genuine candidates do not lose a year due to simple mistakes. Candidates are advised to cross-check their category, center, and optional subject choices.

Long Description : Addressing the Lok Sabha, the Finance Minister countered Opposition claims of "selling out" farmers. She argued that the 2013 agreement made by the previous government had restricted India's ability to provide food rations through public stockholding. Sitharaman explained that it was the Modi government's intervention in 2014 that secured a permanent "Peace Clause," ensuring that India cannot be challenged at the WTO for its food subsidy programs even if they exceed the 10% ceiling. This debate is central to the current geopolitical tension regarding the India-US trade deal and domestic demands for a legal guarantee of MSP.