UPSC current affairs · Tuesday

Current Affairs, 10 February 2026

12 issues picked from 88 PIB releases · about 2 minutes each · written by UPSC Grade, each fact checked against its PIB release or by a second model

How to readRead “Why in news” and “What it is” for every issue. Open For Prelims or For Mains for the exam you’re preparing for, then Test yourself at the foot of each card. Half the news questions in Prelims are answered from background, not the news itself.

In 60 seconds

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G). VB-G RAM G Act guarantees 125 days of rural work, with women-focused provisions.
NITI Aayog Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero. NITI Aayog's eleven reports model growth to 2047 alongside net zero by 2070.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026. Draft DAP-2026 replaces DAP-2020 to speed up, indigenise and modernise India's capital defence procurement.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025. PMMSY funds satellite transponders for one lakh fishing vessels; states enforce fishing rules.
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination and Mass Drug Administration. India moves to one annual filariasis drug campaign, targeting elimination by 2027, ahead of the SDG 2030 goal.
Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD. Swadesh Darshan's Ramayana and Buddhist Circuit projects in Uttar Pradesh are complete; Shrawasti project sanctioned separately.
FSSAI and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI uses notified labs and mobile testing vans to curb food adulteration, with states enforcing.
PLI Scheme for Textiles. PLI Textiles registration extended to 31 March 2026; norms eased to draw MSMEs and mid-size firms.
India AI Impact Summit 2026 and IndiaAI Mission. PIB backgrounder shows how IndiaAI Mission widens access to compute, data and skills before the Delhi summit.
Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979. Re-employment rules amended so Military Nursing Service personnel count as ex-servicemen for central civil jobs.
National Task Force on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Supreme Court's student mental health task force finishes surveys, gets extra tasks and extended tenure.
World Bank B-READY and Ease of Doing Business. World Bank's B-READY replaced Doing Business; India joins 2026 edition, backed by BRAP, compliance cuts and decriminalisation.

Law and statutory body

Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

GS2 Welfare schemesGS3 Inclusive growthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, the Minister of State for Rural Development told the Lok Sabha that the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 raises guaranteed work to 125 days and has several women-centric provisions.
What it is: The Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 is a Central law on rural wage employment. It gives eligible rural households a statutory entitlement to guaranteed wage employment and aims at durable rural assets and livelihoods. It takes the place of the earlier rural employment guarantee framework under which households had 100 days of work.

Wage floor: No notified daily wage anywhere in the country will be below ₹300.
National average wage: The national average notified wage rose from ₹298.8 to ₹327.4 per day, an increase of over 10 per cent.
Interim allocation: The Centre has released an interim allocation of ₹95,692.31 crore to States and UTs.
Launch venue: The National Launch Programme is on 2 July 2026 at Mukkavaripalle Village, Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh.
Ministry: The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
Days of guaranteed work: The statutory guarantee rises from 100 to 125 days for every eligible rural household.
Commencement date: The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
Role of Gram Panchayats: The Act places Gram Panchayats at the centre, stressing durable assets, water conservation, SHGs and convergence with other rural programmes.
State readiness: 29 States/UTs have made budget provisions and 24 States have notified the VB-G RAM G State Scheme.
Job card transition: Existing e-KYC verified job cards stay valid until new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
Commencement: The Act is to be rolled out nationwide from 1 July 2026, notified on 11 May 2026.
Repeal of MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed from the date the new Act commences.
Guarantee: Each rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work is entitled to 125 days of wage employment every financial year.
Unemployment allowance: If work is not given within the prescribed time after demand, workers are entitled to unemployment allowance.
Funding pattern: Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Section 22. Sharing is 90:10 for North-Eastern States, Himalayan States and UTs (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, J&K), and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State scheme: Under Section 3(1), each State must notify a Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of its commencement.
Normative allocation: The Central Government decides State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Type of scheme: Section 22 makes the scheme a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Fund sharing: The Centre-State ratio is 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, and 60:40 for all other States and UTs with legislature.
State-wise allocation: Under Section 22(4), the Centre decides each State's normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes.
Special relaxations: In disasters or pandemics, States may recommend relaxations. The Centre can allow wider permissible works, relaxed documentation and temporarily more employment.
Plan approval: The Gram Panchayat prepares the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan and the Gram Sabha approves it (Schedule I, para 5(2)).
50% works through Gram Panchayats: At least half of the total works, by cost, must be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
Gati Shakti link: Village plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti, use geospatial systems, and are aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Guaranteed days: At least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year, up from 100 days.
Women's participation: At least one-third participation of women is mandatory, with special job cards for women-headed households and single women.
Crèche: A crèche is to be provided at worksites where five or more children under five accompany working women.
Councils: One-third women representation is mandatory in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
Work themes: Works are prioritised under four themes: water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure and mitigation of extreme weather events.
Nature of scheme: The scheme under the Act is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Allocation: The Centre fixes State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters, under Section 22(4).
Planning: Works are chosen through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans approved by the Gram Sabha and aggregated up to the national level, in four thematic domains.
Four thematic domains: Water security works, core rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and special works for extreme weather events and disaster preparedness.
Allocation to States: The Central Government determines State-wise normative allocation on objective parameters it prescribes (Section 22(4)).
Planning link: Works are planned through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
Wage payment: Wages must be paid within one week. If payment is delayed beyond 15 days, workers get 0.05 percent extra as interest on dues.
Role of Gram Sabha: The Gram Sabha takes the decision on which village-related works are to be undertaken.
Women's share: 33 percent of the work under the scheme is reserved for women.
Farm work window: State governments can notify deployment of workers for agricultural operations for a maximum of 60 days during sowing and harvesting.
Administrative expenditure: Administrative expenditure is raised from 6 percent to 9 percent to avoid delays in payments to employment assistants.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 guaranteed 100 days of work per household. VB-G RAM G raises the entitlement to 125 days and adds a focus on durable assets and livelihoods.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier rural employment guarantee law: The new Act raises the guarantee from 100 to 125 days and replaces the earlier framework; the 100-day figure belongs to the old one.

Don’t confuse with Interim allocation vs final allocation: The ₹95,692.31 crore is an interim sum for a smooth start, not the full annual allocation.

Don’t confuse with VB–G RAM G vs MGNREGA: MGNREGA, 2005 gave 100 days and is repealed; VB–G RAM G gives 125 days from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with Notification vs commencement: The notification was on 11 May 2026; the Act applies from 1 July 2026.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs earlier 100-day framework: The new Act raises the guarantee to 125 days, makes the scheme Centrally Sponsored with normative allocation, and adds an off-season employment guarantee.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs the earlier rural employment guarantee: The earlier framework gave 100 days of work. The 2025 Act guarantees 125 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G vs MGNREGS: MGNREGS gave 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G gives 125 days and adds Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans linked to PM Gati Shakti.

Don’t confuse with Gram Panchayat vs Gram Sabha: The Gram Panchayat is the elected village body that prepares plans and executes works; the Gram Sabha of village voters approves plans and conducts social audits.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs MGNREGA: The new Act gives 125 days of guaranteed work; the earlier framework gave 100 days.

Don’t confuse with VB-G RAM G Act vs earlier MGNREGA: The earlier framework guaranteed 100 days of work; VB-G RAM G guarantees 125 days and adds thematic works and a digital governance layer.

Don’t confuse with Centrally Sponsored vs Central Sector Scheme: Centrally Sponsored Schemes share cost with States; Central Sector Schemes are fully funded by the Centre.

Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.

Why it matters

Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days and lifts wages, supporting rural income and livelihood security.
Targets durable assets, natural resource conservation and women-led development.
Raises the legal guarantee of wage work to 125 days, improving rural income security.
Focus on durable assets, water conservation and convergence can build rural infrastructure and livelihoods.
Gram Panchayat-centred planning supports decentralised, participatory governance.
Raises the statutory guarantee from 100 to 125 days, strengthening livelihood security and rural incomes.
Keeps the legal right to work, with unemployment allowance and delay compensation as enforcement tools.
Makes Gram Panchayats central to rural development planning.
Raises the statutory wage guarantee, improving income and livelihood security for rural households.
Mandatory off-season work gives support when farm work is scarce.
Large outlay supports rural asset creation and demand.
Raises the statutory work guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural income security.
Demand-driven design with State partnership supports cooperative federalism.
Strengthens decentralised planning by making Panchayats at three tiers the principal authorities.
Raises the guarantee to 125 days, adding to rural livelihood security.
Geospatial, Gati Shakti-linked plans promote convergence and durable assets.
Higher guaranteed days raise rural income security and consumption smoothing.
Women-centric provisions promote gender-inclusive employment and support SHGs.
Focus on durable and climate-resilient assets links wage work to livelihoods.
Raises the statutory guarantee of rural work from 100 to 125 days, strengthening income security.
Links works to water security, rural infrastructure and disaster resilience through local plans.
Raises the statutory guarantee to 125 days, supporting rural income security.
Ties wage work to durable assets, water security and climate resilience.
Digital tools like biometrics, GPS monitoring and AI audits aim to cut leakages.
Gives rural households a stronger legal work guarantee and a safety net through more days and an unemployment allowance.
Gram Sabha control over works ties employment to local needs such as water conservation and disaster mitigation.

Problems

States must share costs and keep up timely wage payment, which strains finances.
Real delivery depends on demand-based work, administration capacity and transparent payments.
States must share costs and prepare schemes, and uneven readiness could delay work and wage payments.
Technology-based verification and new cards may exclude workers with poor connectivity or documents.
Transition risk: rules on transition, allocation and grievance redressal are still being drafted.
Fiscal burden on States, which share the cost, and dependence on Central normative allocation.
Technology-linked requirements such as e-KYC and DBT can exclude workers.
The 60:40 sharing and normative allocation may strain finances of poorer States.
Centrally fixed allocation may limit a demand-driven entitlement.
Timely wage payment, State scheme notification and capacity remain hurdles.
States must pay 40% in most cases, which strains finances.
Central fixing of normative allocations may limit the demand-driven character.
Panchayats may lack technical staff and capacity for geospatial planning and record-keeping.
Dependence on digital systems can exclude workers with poor connectivity.
Funding and timely wage payment depend on Centre-State coordination.
Timely wage payment and paying the unemployment allowance depend on state capacity and funds.
Critics may argue that changes to the earlier framework could weaken its demand-driven nature.
The 60:40 sharing may strain finances of poorer States.
Biometric and digital monitoring may exclude workers with poor connectivity or authentication failures.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work.
States must bear 40% (or 10%) of costs, straining finances of poorer States.
Centre-set normative allocation may limit demand-driven work and State autonomy.
Biometric and digital dependence can exclude workers in areas with poor connectivity.
Faster wage payment and interest on delays depend on states' capacity and fund flow.
Allowing farm work for up to 60 days must not dilute the purpose of creating durable rural assets.

Way forward

Release funds on time and pay wages without delay.
Use the new software platform for transparency and social audit of works.
Ensure timely wage payment and adequate funds to States, with regular social audits.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity for planning and asset creation, with support for digital access.
Publish the rules quickly after public consultation so the transition is smooth.
Support States with timely funds and e-KYC facilitation, never denying work for pending e-KYC.
Strengthen grievance redressal and social audit so wage payment and work demand are enforced.
Keep allocation flexible enough to meet actual demand.
Ensure timely payment of wages and the Centre's share.
Build State capacity and social audit to ensure assets are durable.
Use clear, objective allocation parameters and release funds on time.
Focus spending on durable rural assets.
Build Panchayat capacity with technical staff and training.
Ensure regular Gram Sabha social audits with public disclosure of records.
Keep offline options and grievance redressal for workers facing digital barriers.
Ensure time-bound wage payment and effective social audits.
Converge works with Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans and ensure strong grievance redressal.
Ensure fallback to manual verification so no worker is excluded.
Keep funds flowing on time and allocation responsive to actual demand.
Strengthen Gram Sabha role and social audits in planning.
Ensure timely fund release and wage payment, with fiscal support for weaker States.
Keep non-digital fallback for authentication and strengthen social audits and Gram Sabha role.
Issue clear instructions with states and strengthen monitoring and social audit so timely payment is enforced.
Build Gram Panchayat capacity to plan village-specific works.

Put in your answer

Interim allocation: Cite the ₹95,692.31 crore interim release as the Centre's funding for rollout.

Guarantee raised: Statutory entitlement increased from 100 to 125 days per eligible rural household.

State readiness data: 29 States/UTs made budget provisions and 24 States notified the State Scheme before rollout.

Fiscal federalism angle: Section 22 makes it a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 90:10 and 60:40 sharing, a case of cooperative federalism and cost burden on States.

Fund sharing: Centre-State ratio of 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States, 60:40 for others, shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Section 16 role of Panchayats: Panchayats at all three levels are the principal authorities for planning, implementation and monitoring, a decentralisation point in answers on grassroots governance.

Social audit: Records must be placed before the Gram Sabha for social audits, supporting transparency and accountability.

Women's participation: Women's participation under MGNREGS has been above 50% in the last three financial years and in 2025-26.

Livelihood infrastructure: Assets such as SHG buildings, work sheds, nurseries, livestock shelters and rural haats strengthen women and SHGs.

Digital governance: Biometric authentication, GPS or mobile worksite monitoring, real-time dashboards and AI for audits and fraud risk.

Funding split: 60:40 for most States and 90:10 for NE and Himalayan States shows differentiated cooperative federalism.

Accountability: Delayed wages now attract 0.05 percent extra interest on dues after 15 days, so those responsible bear the cost of delays.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 40

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Act keeps the earlier entitlement of 100 days of employment per eligible rural household.
2.Following the notification of revised rates, no notified daily wage in any State or UT is below ₹300.
3.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development.
4.The National Launch Programme of the Act is to be held in Tirupati district of Telangana.
5.The Act comes into force across rural India from July 1, 2026.
6.The Act makes Block Panchayats the central unit of rural transformation in place of Gram Panchayats.
7.The Act is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development, whose Union Minister also holds the Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare portfolio.
8.The interim allocation to States and UTs for the rollout is ₹95,692.31 crore.
9.The Act will come into force on 11 May 2026, the date of its notification.
10.MGNREGA, 2005 stands repealed when the new Act comes into force.
11.If work is not provided within the prescribed time after demand, the worker has no remedy under the Act.
12.Existing e-KYC verified MGNREGA job cards remain valid under the new Act until Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.
13.The ₹95,692.31 crore allocation for 2026–27 is the total programme outlay including State contributions.
14.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Centre.
15.For Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Centre-State sharing ratio is 90:10.
16.For States other than North-Eastern and Himalayan States, the Centre bears 90 per cent of the cost.
17.Each State must notify its own Scheme consistent with the Act within six months of commencement.
18.State-wise normative allocation is fixed by each State Government on its own parameters.
19.Under the Act, the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan is prepared by the Programme Officer and approved by the Block Panchayat.
20.At least fifty percent of the total works, in cost terms, are to be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
21.The intermediate-level Panchayat finalises the aggregate district-level plan under the Act.
22.The Gram Panchayat registers households and issues Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards under the Scheme.
23.Under the Act, muster rolls, bills and vouchers are placed before the Block Panchayat for social audit.
24.Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans are integrated with PM Gati Shakti and aggregated at Block, District, State and National levels.
25.The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 guarantees at least 125 days of wage employment per rural household per financial year.
26.Under the Act, an unemployment allowance is payable if work is not provided within the stipulated time.
27.The Act makes at least half of the participation of women mandatory.
28.Crèche facilities are required at worksites where five or more children under five years accompany working women.
29.The Act requires one-third women representation in the Central and State Rojgar Guarantee Councils.
30.The four priority themes of works under the Act include defence infrastructure.
31.For most States, the Centre and State share the cost in a 60:40 ratio.
32.The 90:10 sharing pattern applies to the North-Eastern and Himalayan States and the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
33.State-wise normative allocation under the Act is decided by each State Government on its own parameters.
34.Works under the Act are identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha.
35.The Act confines works to a single theme, rural roads.
36.The scheme under the Act is a Central Sector Scheme funded wholly by the Union Government.
37.Under the Act, the Centre-State funding ratio is 60:40 for most States, and 90:10 for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
38.Special works to mitigate extreme weather events and prepare for disasters are one of the thematic domains of works under the Act.
39.The Act provides for works to be identified through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans, which are integrated with PM Gati Shakti.
40.The Act has five thematic domains of works, including a separate domain for urban infrastructure.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Rural Development, 10 Feb, 17:50 IST · Release 283897

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

NITI Aayog Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero

GS3 Environment and EconomyGS2 International climatePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026 NITI Aayog released the second set of four of its eleven study reports on scenarios towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070, covering transport, industry, power and critical minerals.
What it is: NITI Aayog is the Government of India's policy think tank. These reports are its first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated scenario modelling that links Viksit Bharat 2047 with India's net zero pledge for 2070. They are meant to inform long-term policy planning.

Nature of study: India's first government-led, multi-sectoral, integrated study of development scenarios that meet Viksit Bharat 2047 and net zero GHG emissions by 2070.
Inputs: The study was informed by ten inter-ministerial working groups covering macroeconomics, sectoral transitions, finance, critical minerals, R&D and social implications.
Power findings: Electricity's share of final energy can rise to as much as 60% in 2070 from 21% in 2025; non-fossil generation share rises from 23% to 80-85%.
Coal: Coal consumption keeps rising till 2047 even as India meets net zero goals.
Transport: Electricity, biofuels and hydrogen can meet nearly 90% of transport energy demand by 2070.
Industry demand: Demand for steel, cement and aluminium is set to rise 4-6 times by 2070.
Scope: Eleven reports will be released on 9 and 10 February 2026. Three came out on the first day.
Publisher: NITI Aayog was set up in 2015 replacing the Planning Commission. The Prime Minister chairs it.

Don’t confuse with Viksit Bharat 2047 vs net zero 2070: Viksit Bharat targets a developed India by 2047; net zero emissions is India's pledge for 2070.

Don’t confuse with Net zero 2070 vs Viksit Bharat 2047: Viksit Bharat 2047 is the development goal for 100 years of independence. Net zero by 2070 is India's climate pledge made at COP26.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, NITI Aayog, 10 Feb, 18:57 IST · Release 283912

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Defence and security

Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026

GS3 Defence and securityGS3 IndigenisationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, the Ministry of Defence put the draft Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP)-2026 on its website and invited comments from stakeholders by 3 March 2026.
What it is: The Defence Acquisition Procedure is the Ministry of Defence rulebook for capital purchases for the armed forces. It sets procurement categories, approval steps, trials and indigenous content rules. DAP 2020 is the version now in force; it favoured Indian sources and was part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push.

Categories: Procurement categories fall from 5 to 4.
Indigenous content: Indigenous content in the Buy Indigenous Design, Development & Manufacturer category rises from 50% to 60%, with incentives.
TRL-based single vendor: Technology Readiness Level based categorisation is introduced. An ab-initio single vendor is allowed in Buy (Indian-indigenous design, development and manufacture) for TRL 6 to 9 equipment.
New procedures: Long Term Bulk Acquisition and Low-Cost Capital Acquisition are introduced.
Preferred category: The DAP gives institutional preference to the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category: indigenously designed, developed and manufactured.
DAP vs DPM: DAP covers capital procurement under the Capital head. The Defence Procurement Manual 2025 covers maintenance and sustenance under the Revenue head.
Import restriction: Imports are to be restricted to equipment that is not available domestically and is critical.

Don’t confuse with DAP vs DPP: DPP was the earlier Defence Procurement Procedure; it was renamed DAP in 2020.

Don’t confuse with Make vs iDEX: Make is a procurement route for industry-developed prototypes; iDEX is the Innovations for Defence Excellence scheme for start-ups and MSMEs.

Don’t confuse with DAP vs DPM: DAP governs capital acquisition (Capital head); DPM 2025 governs maintenance and sustenance (Revenue head).

Don’t confuse with IDDM vs Indian-IC: IDDM needs indigenous design, development and manufacture; other Buy (Indian) categories are judged mainly on indigenous content percentage.

Defence: Prelims tests exercises (with whom), equipment (who makes it) and firsts.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 10 Feb, 20:50 IST · Release 283920

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025

GS3 Agriculture and fisheriesGS2 SchemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026 the Fisheries Minister told the Lok Sabha that a Rs 364 crore national rollout of satellite transponders for one lakh fishing vessels has been approved under PMMSY, and that over 49,000 are installed.
What it is: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is the flagship scheme of the Department of Fisheries for fisheries and aquaculture development. It runs from 2020-21 and funds harbours, cold chains, insurance and climate-resilient fishing villages.

Outlay and start: PMMSY began in 2020-21 with an outlay of Rs 20,750 crore.
Fish production: India's fish production reached 183.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, with inland fisheries giving 75.57 percent.
Kisan Credit Card for fishers: The KCC facility was extended to fishers and fish farmers in 2018-19 for working capital.
Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages: The CRCFV programme builds fisheries infrastructure and promotes seaweed cultivation, artificial reefs and green fuel. Turtle Excluder Devices are a PMMSY component.
Seafood exports: Seafood exports rose from Rs 30,213 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 62,408 crore in 2024-25.
Potential yield of EEZ: An Expert Committee estimated India's EEZ potential yield at 53.1 lakh tons.
Training nodal agency: NFDB is the nodal agency for the PMMSY training component, working with CIFNET.
PMMSY start: PMMSY has been implemented from 2020-21 and includes support for acquiring deep-sea vessels for traditional fishermen.
EEZ extent: India's EEZ extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
Legal basis: The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
How it is issued: The pass is free and issued online via the ReALCRaft portal, built by NIC and the Department of Fisheries.
Export link: ReALCRaft is integrated with MPEDA for catch certificates and with the Export Inspection Council for health certificates.
Sea safety: One lakh free transponders are being fitted on fishing vessels; over 50,000 are installed.
Access Pass: A completely online, free-of-cost pass for authorised Indian vessels to fish in the EEZ, launched at Veraval, Gujarat.
EEZ Rules 2025: The 'Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ, 2025' Rules were notified on 4 November 2025, in line with the Budget 2025-26 announcement.
Foreign vessels: The Rules strictly prohibit entry of foreign fishing vessels into the Indian EEZ.
Fishing Harbour Cluster: Veraval has been designated a 'Fishing Harbour Cluster' under PMMSY.
Duty-free catch: Fish catch by any Indian vessel in the EEZ/high seas is duty-free as per Budget 2026.
VCSS rollout: The National Rollout Plan for VCSS covers one lakh mechanized and motorized marine fishing vessels in all 13 coastal states and UTs, with an outlay of Rs 364 crore.
ISRO role: VCSS is implemented with technical support from ISRO.
What VCSS does: It is a satellite-based two-way communication system giving weather alerts, No Fishing Zone alerts and IMBL geo-fencing, and it integrates with the Nabhmitra App.
Progress: More than 49,000 transponders have been installed so far.
Banned methods in EEZ: Bull trawling, pair trawling and artificial or LED lights for fishing are prohibited in the Indian EEZ. Purse seine fishing is not prohibited in the EEZ beyond territorial waters, on an Expert Committee's recommendation.
Enforcement: States and UTs enforce fishing rules under their Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts, including seizure, penalties and prosecution.

Don’t confuse with PMMSY vs Blue Revolution: The Blue Revolution scheme preceded PMMSY, which is the current flagship scheme from 2020-21.

Don’t confuse with Blue Revolution vs PMMSY: Blue Revolution was the earlier Centrally Sponsored Scheme; PMMSY (from 2020-21) is the later flagship Central sector scheme.

Don’t confuse with EEZ vs territorial sea: Territorial sea reaches 12 nautical miles with full sovereignty; EEZ reaches 200 nautical miles with sovereign rights over resources.

Don’t confuse with Territorial waters vs EEZ: Territorial waters extend up to 12 nautical miles; the EEZ lies from 12 to 200 nautical miles, where India has sovereign rights over resources.

Don’t confuse with ReALCRaft vs Access Pass: ReALCRaft is the online registration and licensing portal; the Access Pass is the permit for EEZ fishing issued through it.

Don’t confuse with EEZ vs territorial waters: Territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles with full sovereignty; the EEZ extends to 200 nautical miles with sovereign rights over resources.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Why it matters

Supports livelihoods of over 2.8 crore fishers and fish farmers.
Raises exports and value addition through post-harvest and cold-chain infrastructure.
Access passes bring larger vessels into a regulated system, helping track and manage EEZ fishing.
Deep-sea support shifts traditional fishers toward under-used EEZ resources.
Taps under-used EEZ resources such as tuna, raising fishers' incomes and seafood exports.
Gives a legal and traceable framework that supports conservation and compliance with international obligations.
Routes access through cooperatives and FFPOs, so small fishers gain from deep-sea fishing.
Opens under-used deep-sea resources such as tuna and raises fisher incomes.
Digital passes improve traceability and protect the EEZ from foreign vessels.
Transponders improve safety of fishers at sea and help stop accidental crossing of the IMBL.

Problems

Approved central share (Rs 9,189.79 crore) is well below the full outlay, and funds released lag approvals in many states.
Inland output dominates, leaving marine fisheries and coastal communities exposed to climate risk.
Actual EEZ catch is small against the 53.1 lakh tonne potential yield, and vessel costs are high.
Traditional fishers need skills and capital for deep-sea operations.
Deep-sea vessels, skills and capital are costly for small fishers, who may be crowded out by large operators.
Monitoring and enforcement across a vast EEZ is hard, with risks of overfishing and maritime boundary incidents.
Small fishers lack deep-sea vessels, capital and skills.
Overfishing and monitoring of far-off vessels are difficult.
Enforcement lies with states and rules differ across territorial waters, so harmful methods persist.
Small fishers may find it hard to maintain and use the devices.

Way forward

Speed up release of funds and project completion.
Expand insurance and credit coverage and climate-resilient livelihoods for coastal fishers.
Expand training and subsidised finance for deep-sea vessels.
Enforce monitoring of access passes while protecting fish stocks.
Expand training through CIFNET and FSI and finance cooperative-owned deep-sea vessels, including under PMMSY.
Strengthen vessel tracking, stock assessment and catch limits to keep harvesting sustainable.
Organise fishers into cooperatives and FFPOs and support vessel upgrades.
Expand training, transponder tracking and sustainable catch limits.
Harmonise state Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts and coordinate Coast Guard and state patrols.
Use transponder data for monitoring and stock management.

Put in your answer

Fish production: 183.93 lakh tonnes in 2023-24, 75.57% inland.

Seafood exports: Exports doubled from Rs 30,213 crore to Rs 62,408 crore between 2013-14 and 2024-25; value-added share rose from 2% to 11%.

EEZ potential yield: The Expert Committee put India's EEZ potential yield at 53.1 lakh tons.

Access passes issued: 707 access passes had been issued by 5 March 2026.

Fisher welfare data: Accident insurance cover is raised to ₹5 lakh, benefiting over 33 lakh fishers.

EEZ size: India's EEZ spans nearly 24 lakh sq km but is under-utilised.

Safety measures: Transponders for real-time tracking and PFZ advisories are cited as safety systems.

Banned practices: Bull trawling, pair trawling and LED-light fishing are prohibited in the EEZ.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 23

Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.

1.The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.
2.The National Fisheries Development Board is the nodal agency for the training component of PMMSY.
3.PMMSY has been implemented since 2020-21.
4.Access passes for EEZ fishing are applied for on the ReALCraft portal.
5.India's Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
6.The Access Pass for fishing in the EEZ is issued free of cost through the ReALCRaft portal.
7.Traditional non-motorised fishing crafts are exempt from the Access Pass requirement.
8.The EEZ of India extends from the coastline up to 200 nautical miles.
9.The ReALCRaft portal is integrated with MPEDA and the Export Inspection Council for export-related certificates.
10.Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ.
11.PMMSY is a scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
12.The Access Pass for fishing in India's EEZ is issued through an online portal free of cost.
13.The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules were notified in November 2025.
14.Veraval has been designated a Fishing Harbour Cluster under PMMSY.
15.PMMSY was launched in 2020-21 and is implemented by the Department of Fisheries.
16.India's Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.
17.The Vessel Communication and Support System is being implemented with technical support from ISRO.
18.The VCSS project is planned to cover one lakh marine fishing vessels in all coastal states and UTs.
19.VCSS is a one-way broadcast system that only sends weather alerts to fishers.
20.Purse seine fishing is prohibited in the Indian EEZ beyond territorial waters.
21.Enforcement against prohibited fishing is primarily done by State/UT governments under their Marine Fisheries Regulation Acts.
22.The Coast Guard and State Fisheries Departments conduct regular joint patrols to enforce fishing rules.
23.The Indian Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, 10 Feb, 14:05 IST · Release 283857

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination and Mass Drug Administration

GS2 HealthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign against lymphatic filariasis in 12 endemic States, aiming for elimination by 2027.
What it is: Lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) is a vector-borne disease spread by mosquitoes that damages the lymphatic system and causes swelling, hydrocele and disability. India's National LF Programme uses annual mass drug administration to cut microfilaria in the community, with morbidity management for patients. Its strategy is built on interrupting transmission and managing disability.

Vector: LF is spread by the female Culex mosquito, which breeds in polluted, stagnant water.
Target year: India aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem by end-2027, ahead of the SDG target of 2030.
Shift to one round: From February 2026 the programme moved to a single annual MDA, replacing the earlier biannual rounds on 10 February and 10 August.
Hydrocele surgery cover: Hydrocele surgery is included under AB-PMJAY, giving financial protection.
Current round: The 10 February 2026 round covers 124 districts (55 DA and 69 IDA) across 12 States.

Don’t confuse with LF vs dengue/malaria vectors: LF is spread by Culex; malaria by Anopheles; dengue by Aedes.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 10 Feb, 17:13 IST · Release 283893

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD

GS3 Tourism infrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 February 2026, the Tourism Minister told the Lok Sabha that all Swadesh Darshan projects on the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh are physically complete.
What it is: Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Tourism, launched in 2014-15, to develop themed tourist circuits in States and UTs. PRASHAD, launched in 2014-15, develops pilgrimage and heritage sites. Swadesh Darshan 2.0 shifts the focus from circuits to sustainable destinations.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0: The revamped scheme aims at sustainable and responsible destinations, with a tourist and destination centric approach, framed in consultation with States/UTs.
CBDD: Challenge Based Destination Development is a sub-scheme under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 for holistic development of destinations across the tourist value chain.
ACA: Assistance to Central Agencies gives support to bodies such as ITDC, WAPCOS, BECIL, ASI and Port Trust of India for tourism infrastructure.
CBSP: Capacity Building for Service Providers gives education, training and certification to hospitality service providers, to help move from informal to formal jobs.
Homestays: Budget 2025-26 announced collateral-free institutional credit through Mudra Loans for homestays.
Launch: Swadesh Darshan was launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism.
Scale: 76 projects worth Rs 5,290.33 crore have been sanctioned under thematic circuits.
Uttar Pradesh status: Projects on the Ramayana and Buddhist Circuits in Uttar Pradesh are physically complete.
Who develops destinations: Destination planning and development is mainly the responsibility of the State or UT government. The Centre's scheme complements this.
SASCI iconic centres: Under SASCI, the 'Integrated Buddhist Tourism Development in Shrawasti' project was sanctioned in 2024-25 for Rs 80.24 crore.
Funding type: Swadesh Darshan is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
Type of schemes: Swadesh Darshan, SD 2.0, PRASHAD and others are ongoing Central Sector Schemes of the Ministry of Tourism.
PRASHAD project in Assam: PRASHAD funds the Kamakhya Temple and pilgrimage destination development in and around Guwahati.
How funds flow: States, UTs or Central Agencies prepare proposals. Aid depends on guidelines, conditions and availability of funds.
Stated objectives: The schemes aim at holistic, sustainable infrastructure to boost tourism, conserve culture, create jobs and strengthen local economies.

Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs PRASHAD: Swadesh Darshan develops themed tourist circuits and now destinations; PRASHAD develops pilgrimage and heritage sites.

Don’t confuse with CBSP vs ACA: CBSP trains tourism service providers; ACA funds Central agencies for infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with Swadesh Darshan vs SASCI iconic centres: Swadesh Darshan covers thematic circuits. The SASCI scheme develops iconic tourist centres to global scale, with capital investment support to States.

Don’t confuse with SASCI vs ACA: SASCI gives special assistance to States for capital investment. ACA assists Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Tourism, 10 Feb, 11:57 IST · Release 283833

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

FSSAI and Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006

GS2 Health and regulationPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, the Minister of State for Health told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply how FSSAI is tackling food adulteration. It gave figures on notified labs, mobile testing vans and sample checks.
What it is: The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 merged earlier food laws into one law and set up the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). FSSAI lays down science-based standards for food and regulates its manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import. Enforcement in the field is mainly done by State Food Safety Authorities.

Role of FSSAI: FSSAI sets science-based food standards and regulates manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food.
Shared responsibility: The Centre and States share implementation and enforcement of the FSS Act, 2006.
Field enforcement: FSSAI coordinates and sets standards, while State Food Safety Authorities are mainly responsible for field-level enforcement.
Testing network: FSSAI has notified 246 NABL-accredited labs for primary analysis and 24 Referral Food Laboratories for appellate samples.
Food Safety on Wheels: 305 mobile labs operate across 35 States/UTs, doing basic tests for common adulterants and also spreading awareness and training.
Parent ministry: FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with headquarters in New Delhi.

Don’t confuse with NABL labs vs Referral Food Labs: NABL-accredited notified labs do primary analysis of samples. Referral Food Laboratories analyse appellate samples.

Don’t confuse with FSSAI vs State Food Safety Authorities: FSSAI sets standards and coordinates. States enforce in the field.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Statutory body with a lasting syllabus topic. Statutory bodies drew only 7 Prelims questions, so no practice question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 10 Feb, 13:49 IST · Release 283839

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Scheme

PLI Scheme for Textiles

GS3 IndustryPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, the Textiles Ministry told Lok Sabha that the application window for the PLI Scheme for Textiles now runs till 31 March 2026, after amendments made on 9 October 2025.
What it is: The PLI Scheme for Textiles gives production-linked incentives to firms that invest and raise turnover in Man-Made Fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles. It aims to build scale and global competitiveness in these segments. The Ministry of Textiles runs the scheme and its application portal.

Products covered: The scheme promotes MMF apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles.
Turnover criterion: Minimum turnover under the Part 2 category is cut from ₹200 crore to ₹100 crore, to help MSMEs and mid-sized units.
Tenure extension: The tenure is extended up to FY 2033-34, only for applicants approved under Round 4.
Migration: Round 1, 2 and 3 participants that have not claimed any incentive can migrate to Round 4 after withdrawing their earlier applications.
Product basket: 17 new MMF apparel and fabric products were added, and the condition of setting up a new company was relaxed.
New proposals: 84 new proposals, with Rs 10,789 crore investment, Rs 44,081 crore turnover and about 86,740 jobs envisaged.
Monitoring: Reviewed by the Ministry, DPIIT (nodal department for all PLI schemes) and the Empowered Group of Secretaries; a Project Management Agency does ground verification; linked to NITI Aayog's Output-Outcome Monitoring Framework.
Spread of units: 113 manufacturing units by 91 companies in 17 States and 1 UT.

Don’t confuse with PLI Textiles vs PM MITRA: PLI rewards production and turnover in MMF and technical textiles. PM MITRA parks build integrated textile infrastructure for the value chain.

Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Scheme with amended terms: investment limit cut 50%, turnover criterion 25% to 10%, deadline extended to 31 March 2026. Schemes are 16% of Prelims questions.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Textiles, 10 Feb, 13:49 IST · Release 283840

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

International relations

India AI Impact Summit 2026 and IndiaAI Mission

GS3 Science and TechnologyGS2 International groupingsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, PIB published a backgrounder, "Democratising AI in India", ahead of the India AI Impact Summit to be held from 16 to 20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It sets out how India is widening access to AI compute, data, skills and energy.
What it is: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was a global AI meeting hosted by India in New Delhi, organised by MeitY. It followed earlier international AI summits and focused on responsible, inclusive and development-oriented AI. The IndiaAI Mission is the government's programme to build national AI compute capacity and the wider AI ecosystem.

Declaration: The India AI Impact Summit Declaration was endorsed by 92 countries and international organisations. It acknowledges the work of seven thematic working groups.
Sovereign compute: The IndiaAI Mission has provisioned over 38,000 GPUs. Another 20,000 will be added in the coming weeks.
Global AI Impact Commons: A voluntary initiative to let nations share, replicate and scale successful AI use cases. It features 80+ impact stories across 30+ countries.
Equitable AI Transition Playbook: Released with the International Labour Organization to prepare workers for AI-driven opportunities.
Investment pledges: Over USD 200 billion in AI-related investment is expected across infrastructure, models, hardware and applications.
Dates and place: The Summit was held in New Delhi on 18–19 February 2026 and ended with the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact.
Endorsement: 91 countries and international organisations endorsed the Declaration.
Seven pillars (Chakras): The pillars are democratizing AI resources, economic growth and social good, secure and trusted AI, AI for science, access for social empowerment, human capital development, and resilient, efficient and innovative AI systems.
Legal nature: The deliverables are voluntary and the frameworks are non-binding. The Declaration respects national sovereignty.
Guiding principles: The Declaration draws on the principles 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' and 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
Named deliverables: These include the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, the Global AI Impact Commons, the Trusted AI Commons and the International Network of AI for Science Institutions.
Venue and inauguration: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Who announced the commitments: Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at the opening ceremony.
Nature of the commitments: The commitments are voluntary and aimed at aligning AI with equity, cultural diversity and real-world needs, particularly in the Global South.
First commitment: Advancing Understanding of Real-World AI Usage, using anonymized and aggregated insights to support policy on jobs, skills and productivity.
Second commitment: Strengthening Multilingual and Contextual Evaluations: datasets, benchmarks and expertise for under-represented languages and cultures.
Five layers of the AI stack: India's strategy covers applications, models, compute, talent and energy.
Mission outlay: The IndiaAI Mission was approved in March 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,371.92 crore over five years.
Indian foundation models: Over 500 proposals were received under the Mission. 12 startups were selected across the first two phases, including Sarvam AI and BharatGen led by IIT Bombay.
Democratizing AI Resources Working Group: The working group is co-chaired by India, Egypt and Kenya. It is one of seven thematic Chakras.

Don’t confuse with Declaration vs. Commitments: The Summit Declaration was endorsed by 92 countries and organisations. The New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments were made by 13 frontier model developers.

Don’t confuse with Declaration vs treaty: The New Delhi Declaration is voluntary and non-binding. A treaty creates legal obligations for its parties.

Don’t confuse with IndiaAI Mission vs the Summit: The Mission is a standing government programme for compute and the AI ecosystem; the Summit is a one-time global meeting hosted by India.

Don’t confuse with Voluntary commitments vs treaty: The New Delhi commitments are voluntary industry pledges, not a binding international treaty.

Don’t confuse with IndiaAI Mission vs India Semiconductor Mission: IndiaAI Mission (₹10,371.92 crore) builds AI compute, data and models. India Semiconductor Mission (₹76,000 crore) supports chip manufacturing, design and talent.

Don’t confuse with AIKosh vs MeghRaj: AIKosh is a platform for AI datasets and models. MeghRaj is the government's GI Cloud for e-governance services under Digital India.

International bodies and relations: the largest group of news questions in Prelims (61 since 2013), often about background, members and location. In Mains, 27 news-triggered questions, mostly on India's interests.

Why it matters

Positions India as a convener of the Global South's voice on inclusive AI governance.
Large compute and investment pledges can build domestic AI capacity and reduce import dependence.
It shows India shaping global AI governance with a development focus, speaking for the Global South.
The emphasis on affordable access, skills and energy-efficient AI reflects the concerns of developing countries.
Positions India as a voice for the Global South in shaping AI governance.
Multilingual evaluation helps AI work for India's many languages and diverse users.
Shared compute, data and models lower entry barriers for startups, researchers and public institutions.
Indian-language models and Global South leadership support self-reliance and India's voice in AI governance.

Problems

Declarations and guiding principles are voluntary, so compliance is hard to enforce.
Investment pledges are announcements, and their conversion into projects is uncertain.
The voluntary, non-binding frameworks have no enforcement mechanism.
Rules on safety, security and access differ across countries, so common standards are hard to reach.
Voluntary commitments have no enforcement mechanism.
Low-resource languages lack quality data and benchmarks.
Data centre capacity is about 3% of the global total although India hosts nearly 20% of the world's data.
AI data centres are energy intensive, and chips still depend on external supply chains.

Way forward

Turn voluntary principles into trackable commitments with periodic reporting.
Pair compute expansion with skilling, data access and local-language models.
Turn the voluntary platforms into working collaborations with clear follow-up and review.
Align the Declaration with domestic efforts such as the IndiaAI Mission on compute, skills and data.
Turn voluntary pledges into measurable, publicly reported targets.
Build open multilingual datasets with governments, academia and local communities.
Expand domestic chip, data centre and clean energy capacity together with AI compute.
Pair access with skilling and data protection safeguards so benefits reach smaller cities and informal workers.

Put in your answer

IndiaAI Mission compute: Over 38,000 GPUs provisioned, with 20,000 more planned, show the push for sovereign AI infrastructure.

Global cooperation example: The Summit Declaration drew 92 endorsements, showing broad support for responsible and inclusive AI.

New Delhi Declaration, 2026: Cite it as an example of India's push for 'AI for All' through voluntary, non-binding cooperation, endorsed by 91 countries and organisations.

Five-layer AI stack: India's approach covers applications, models, compute, talent and energy; use it to show a full-ecosystem strategy.

New Delhi Frontier AI commitments: Voluntary pledges on real-world usage evidence and multilingual evaluation, with a Global South focus.

Compute access: 38,000+ GPUs at ₹65 per hour, about one third of the global average cost.

Data protection law: The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 sets compliance requirements for entities handling personal data.

Test yourself

Source: PIB Headquarters, 10 Feb, 14:25 IST · Release 283859

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Law and statutory body

Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979

GS2 GovernanceGS3 DefencePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 9 February 2026 the Government notified the Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Amendment Rules 2026, announced on 10 February. It brings Military Nursing Service personnel clearly within the definition of ex-servicemen.
What it is: The Ex-servicemen (Re-employment in Central Civil Services and Posts) Rules, 1979 set out how retired defence personnel get reservation and age relaxation in central government jobs. Rule 2(c) defines who counts as an ex-serviceman. The rules are made under the proviso to Article 309, which lets the executive frame service conditions for central posts.

Reservation for ex-servicemen: Railways provides 10% horizontal reservation in Level-2/above posts and 20% in Level-1 posts for ex-servicemen.
Reservation for ex-Agniveers: Railways has earmarked 5% of Level-2/above posts and 10% of Level-1 posts for ex-Agniveers.
Who recruits: Level-1 recruitment is through Railway Recruitment Centres (RRCs) and Level-2/above through Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), by competitive exams.
Contract Pointsmen: Ex-servicemen will be hired as Pointsmen on contract until regular recruitment is completed; over 5,000 Level-1 posts are being processed.
Legal basis of the rules: The 1979 re-employment rules are framed under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution.
Legal basis: The amendment is notified under Article 309 of the Constitution, which covers recruitment and service conditions of persons serving the Union.
Key change: Rule 2(c)(i) now explicitly lists the Military Nursing Service of the Indian Union alongside the Regular Army, Navy and Air Force.
Coverage of rank: The definition covers service in any rank, combatant or non-combatant.
Reservation: Benefits for MNS personnel include 10% reservation in Group C and 20% in Group D central posts.
Reason: The change ends doubt over whether MNS officers, who are commissioned, got the same benefits as other veterans.

Don’t confuse with Horizontal vs vertical reservation: Vertical reservation applies to groups like SC/ST/OBC; horizontal reservation, as for ex-servicemen, cuts across those categories.

Don’t confuse with Ex-servicemen vs ex-Agniveers: Ex-servicemen are retired regular personnel under the 1979 rules; ex-Agniveers are those who complete the short Agnipath tenure and have separate, smaller quotas.

Don’t confuse with Article 309 vs Article 53/73: Article 309 empowers rules on recruitment and service conditions of Union services. Articles 53 and 73 deal with the extent of Union executive power.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Amendment under Article 309 puts Military Nursing Service within the ex-servicemen definition. Lasting rule but narrow; no question likely.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 10 Feb, 15:04 IST · Release 283861

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

In the news

National Task Force on Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

GS2 Social JusticePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026 the government reported progress of the Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force on student mental health: surveys, field visits and consultations are done, and its tenure now runs to 30 June 2026.
What it is: The National Task Force on Mental Health of Students and Prevention of Suicides in Higher Education Institutions is a body set up by the Supreme Court. It looks at why students die by suicide in colleges and universities. It reviews laws and institutional frameworks and proposes reforms, with attention to marginalised groups.

Who constituted it: The Supreme Court of India set up the NTF on 24 March 2025 to address rising student suicides and student well-being concerns in HEIs.
Three-fold remit: It identifies the main causes of student suicides, analyses laws, policies and institutional frameworks, and proposes legal and institutional reforms.
Deadline: By its order of 27 May 2026 the Supreme Court allowed the NTF until 31 October 2026 to file its Final Report.
Technical Consultant: Former Chief Statistician of India Prof. T.C.A. Anant was appointed Technical Consultant to analyse survey data, following the Supreme Court order of 6 February 2026.
Case behind it: The task force arises from the Supreme Court case Amit Kumar & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (Criminal Appeal No. 1425 of 2025).
Who set it up: The Supreme Court constituted the Task Force on 24 March 2025. It is a court-appointed body, not a statutory body created by Parliament.
Tenure: The Supreme Court extended the Task Force's tenure till 30 June 2026 so it can finish its expanded responsibilities.
Surveys: Five nationwide online surveys were launched in August 2025 and ended in December 2025. They covered students, faculty, parents, mental health service providers and the general public. HEIs gave institutional data through a separate survey.
Field visits: The Task Force visited 29 HEIs across 9 States to understand varied institutional and regional contexts.
Regulator engagement: It has consulted professional regulators: the NMC, AICTE, the Indian Nursing Council and the Dental Council of India, to improve coordination.
Added tasks: The Supreme Court asked it to develop model SOPs for periodic well-being audits, campus mental health services, and faculty sensitisation and training.

Don’t confuse with NTF vs. Tele-MANAS: The NTF is a Supreme Court-appointed body that studies causes and recommends reforms. Tele-MANAS is a government mental health helpline for the public.

Don’t confuse with Court-appointed vs statutory body: The Task Force was formed by a Supreme Court order and has no Act behind it. Bodies like the NMC or AICTE are statutory, created by Parliament.

Don’t confuse with Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: This Act is the law on mental health care and rights. The Task Force is a temporary body that reviews gaps and recommends reforms.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Task force set up by the Supreme Court on 24 March 2025; the surveys are relevant but give little for a question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Human Resource Development, 10 Feb, 15:12 IST · Release 284421

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Report or index

World Bank B-READY and Ease of Doing Business

GS3 EconomyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 10 February 2026, the Commerce Ministry told the Lok Sabha that India will be part of the World Bank's third B-READY report due in 2026. It also listed reforms under BRAP, RCB, Jan Vishwas and NSWS.
What it is: B-READY (Business Ready) is the World Bank Group's assessment of the business and investment environment in countries. It replaced the Doing Business Report, which was discontinued in 2020. It looks at both regulations and public services across the whole business lifecycle.

Replaces Doing Business: The World Bank discontinued the Doing Business Report in 2020 and launched B-READY in 2024.
Coverage: B-READY covers 180+ countries over three years and 10 topics, from business entry to insolvency.
India's last Doing Business rank: India ranked 63 in the 2019 Doing Business Report.
India in B-READY: India is to be part of the third B-READY report, scheduled for release in 2026.
BRAP: DPIIT launched the Business Reforms Action Plan in 2014. States/UTs are assessed on it.
Jan Vishwas Act, 2023: The Act decriminalises 183 provisions under 42 Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments.

Don’t confuse with Doing Business vs B-READY: Doing Business (ended 2020) ranked countries mainly on regulations. B-READY is its successor and, unlike it, also looks at public services and how rules work in practice.

Don’t confuse with BRAP vs RCB: BRAP assesses States/UTs on a reform action plan. RCB (2020) is a drive to reduce burdensome compliances by Centre and States.

Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: B-READY replaced the discontinued Doing Business Report; it covers 10 topics. Reports are 14 of 327 Prelims questions.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 10 Feb, 15:37 IST · Release 283865

Issue page →

Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.

Quick facts

India is the Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 (Nuremberg, 10-13 Feb), the world's largest organic trade fair; APEDA leads India's participation.

Source: PIB, 10 Feb

What we left out: 75 of 88 releases

Routine notices and schedules (1)
Speeches without a decision (4)
Same issue as another release (26)
Events with nothing new (2)
Routine parliamentary replies (21)
Routine MoUs and agreements (3)
Visits and delegations (4)
Routine project updates (2)
Routine data updates (4)
Ceremonies and campaigns (2)
Appointments of judges (1)
Other releases (5)

Practise the day’s news

In UPSC’s formats, inside each issue. The answer and why come after you choose.

1Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)MCQ · 40 true or false · Mains
2NITI Aayog Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net ZeroMCQ · 9 true or false · Mains
3Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026MCQ · 9 true or false · Mains
4Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and EEZ Fishing Rules 2025MCQ · 23 true or false · Mains
5Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination and Mass Drug AdministrationMCQ · 6 true or false
6Swadesh Darshan and PRASHADMCQ · 6 true or false
7India AI Impact Summit 2026 and IndiaAI MissionMCQ · 7 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 raises the statutory rural wage-employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days and adds women-centric provisions and a focus on durable assets. Examine its key provisions and discuss the challenges in implementing them effectively.

From: Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G)

Write and get it marked

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Monday, 9 February 2026Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) · NITI Aayog Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero · National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing and 9 more

The day after

Wednesday, 11 February 2026Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA / DAJGUA) · Bharatiya Antariksh Station · PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and 9 more

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Practice · 7 Mains question