UPSC current affairs · Wednesday

Current Affairs, 11 February 2026

12 issues picked from 126 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

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA / DAJGUA). PM-JUGA saturates 63,843 tribal villages with 25 interventions across 17 ministries, outlay Rs 79,156 crore.
Bharatiya Antariksh Station. ISRO plans a five-module space station; first module BAS-01 approved for launch by 2028 under Gaganyaan funding.
PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. PM JANMAN: 4.74 lakh houses sanctioned, 2.50 lakh built; roads, hostels lag.
Renke Commission and De-notified, Nomadic Tribes Welfare (SEED). Renke Commission report led to NCDNT, a Development Board and the ₹200 crore SEED scheme.
SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation). SMILE beggary rehabilitation covers 181 cities; 8,129 of 30,257 identified people rehabilitated; 23 Garima Grehs run.
Space Start-ups and IN-SPACe. Space start-ups rose from one in 2014 to over 400, backed by IN-SPACe schemes.
Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS). Lok Sabha reply: CPGRAMS average disposal 15 days against a 21-day limit; 71,887 grievances pending.
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). DST funds climate modelling at Andhra University under NMSKCC; no new Centres of Excellence planned.
Nafithromycin and Indigenous Antibiotics. Government backs homegrown antibiotics against AMR; Nafithromycin, an Indian macrolide for pneumonia, is approved.
AI in Judiciary. AI tools assist Indian courts under eCourts Phase III; humans keep judicial decision-making.
High-Speed Rail in India (MAHSR). Budget 2026-27 announced seven high-speed rail corridors; Mumbai–Ahmedabad remains India's first and the template.
Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes List (Modalities). Badaga ST-list inclusion stalled: RGI did not support Tamil Nadu's proposal; Madras High Court dismissed petition.

Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA / DAJGUA)

GS2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sectionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs told Rajya Sabha about PM-JUGA (launched as DAJGUA on 2 October 2024), its targets, interventions and outlay.
What it is: PM-JUGA, launched as Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, is a convergence scheme for tribal-majority villages. It closes gaps in infrastructure, health, education, Anganwadi access and livelihoods. Each participating ministry carries its own budget and targets.

Launch: Launched by the PM on 2 October 2024 as DAJGUA.
Coverage: Targets 63,843 tribal-majority villages in 549 districts, 2,911 blocks and 30 States/UTs, benefitting over 5 crore people in five years.
Interventions: 25 interventions implemented by 17 line ministries.
Outlay: Total outlay Rs 79,156 crore: Centre Rs 56,333 crore and States Rs 22,823 crore.
Implementation: Each ministry has its own budget and targets and implements its assigned intervention; the approach is saturation through convergence and outreach.

Don’t confuse with PM-JANMAN: A separate mission for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs); PM-JUGA covers tribal-majority villages generally.

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 yourselfMains

Source: PIB, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 11 Feb, 14:19 IST · Release 283972

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Bharatiya Antariksh Station

GS3 SpacePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha that ISRO has finalised a five-module configuration for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, with the first module due by 2028.
What it is: Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) is India's planned space station in low Earth orbit, being built by ISRO. It extends the Gaganyaan programme from crewed flights to a long-term orbital outpost for microgravity research and technology tests.

Configuration: The station has five modules; the design was reviewed by the National Level Review Committee.
Cabinet approval: In September 2024 the Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, by 2028, as a revision in scope of Gaganyaan.
Cost: The approval covers only the first module, estimated at ₹1763 crore for 2025 to 2028.
Timeline: Fully operational station with all five modules is targeted by 2035.
Technology goals: Goals include rendezvous and docking, robotics, in-orbit refuelling, crew quarters, intra-vehicular suit and microgravity racks.
Industry role: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre has invited Indian industry through an Expression of Interest to build the structure of the first module.
First module: The Union Cabinet approved development and launch of BAS-01 by 2028 in September 2024.
Collaboration: There are currently no specific technical collaboration agreements with other space agencies for BAS.
Purpose: Advanced life support systems will enable long-duration human habitation in Low Earth Orbit.

Don’t confuse with BAS vs ISS: BAS is India's planned station of five modules; the International Space Station is a multinational station already in orbit.

Don’t confuse with BAS-01 vs Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan is the crewed flight programme; BAS-01 is the first station module, added through its revised scope.

Don’t confuse with BAS vs International Space Station: BAS is India's planned national station with five modules; the ISS is a multinational station run by NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA and CSA.

Don’t confuse with BAS vs Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan is the crewed flight programme to LEO; BAS is the long-term orbital station whose first module is funded within Gaganyaan's revised scope.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 12

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

1.The Bharatiya Antariksh Station is planned to have five modules.
2.The Union Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, as part of a revision in scope of the Gaganyaan Programme.
3.The current Cabinet approval covers the development of all five modules of the station.
4.A fully operational station with all modules is targeted for 2028.
5.Rendezvous and docking and in-orbit refuelling are among the technology goals targeted for the station.
6.The estimated cost of the first module is ₹1763 crore for the period 2025 to 2028.
7.Microgravity research on the station is aimed only at astronomy and deep-space observation.
8.The Union Cabinet approved the first module, BAS-01, for launch by 2028.
9.BAS is currently being developed under a formal technical collaboration agreement with a foreign space agency.
10.BAS is planned as part of ISRO's Space Vision 2047.
11.Microgravity is the condition in which objects appear nearly weightless because they are in continuous free fall around Earth.
12.The Low Earth Orbit in which BAS is planned lies in the geostationary band about 36,000 km above Earth.

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

Source: PIB, Department of Space, 11 Feb, 12:48 IST · Release 283940

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

GS2 Welfare schemes for tribalsGS2 Jal Jeevan MissionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 Feb 2026, the Tribal Affairs Minister told Rajya Sabha that 4,73,939 houses are sanctioned under PM JANMAN and about 2.50 lakh are complete (as on 31 Dec 2025).
What it is: PM-JANMAN targets Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with a package of basic services such as housing, roads, water, power and health. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan is a tribal village development programme that covers a wider set of tribal villages. Drinking water in both is delivered through the Jal Jeevan Mission, which works in convergence with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Dedicated funds: ₹5,000 crore under JJM 2.0 is earmarked for drinking water gaps in PM-JANMAN and DA-JGUA villages.
Nodal departments: DDWS (Ministry of Jal Shakti) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs work together on the water component.
District platform: The District Water and Sanitation Mission, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate, is the main district platform for coordination and validation.
Joint Committee: Proposals go to a Joint Committee co-chaired by the Secretary, DDWS and the Secretary, MoTA.
SurveySetu: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs ran a State-wise SurveySetu exercise with household-level checks of Functional Household Tap Connection status.
Launch: The Prime Minister launched the mission on 15 November 2023.
Target group: It covers 75 PVTG communities in 18 States and one Union Territory.
Delivery model: The mission has 11 interventions run by 9 line ministries.
Services covered: Aims include safe housing, drinking water, education, health, nutrition, road and telecom links, electrification and livelihoods.
Gap survey: Habitation-level data was collected through the PM Gati Shakti mobile application to estimate PVTG population and infrastructure gaps.
Monitoring: A digital dashboard on the PM GatiShakti portal tracks works. The Ministry also has a Project Monitoring Unit.
Fund flow: States must follow Department of Expenditure instructions on SNA SPARSH along with applicable GFRs.
Implementation: Many ministries deliver their own components, with Tribal Affairs coordinating. Houses come under Rural Development and water under Jal Shakti.

Don’t confuse with PM-JANMAN vs DA-JGUA: PM-JANMAN is focused on PVTGs. DA-JGUA covers tribal villages more broadly.

Don’t confuse with DDWS vs MoTA: DDWS runs Jal Jeevan Mission and supplies the water. MoTA runs the tribal schemes and the SurveySetu verification.

Don’t confuse with PM-JANMAN vs Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: PM-JANMAN is for PVTGs only. Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan covers a wider set of tribal villages.

Don’t confuse with PM JANMAN vs Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: PM JANMAN is for PVTGs. Dharti Aaba covers a wider set of tribal villages.

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 Tribal Affairs, 11 Feb, 14:16 IST · Release 283968

Issue page →

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

Report or index

Renke Commission and De-notified, Nomadic Tribes Welfare (SEED)

GS2 Welfare schemes for vulnerable sectionsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Social Justice Ministry told the Rajya Sabha how the Renke Commission's recommendations on De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes have been followed up, including through the SEED scheme.
What it is: The Renke Commission was the first national commission set up to study the problems of De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs). These are communities once listed under colonial Criminal Tribes laws and later de-notified. Its report led to later institutions and schemes for their welfare.

Constituted: The Renke Commission was set up by the Social Justice Ministry in March 2005 to examine issues of DNTs, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.
Report: The Commission submitted its report in July 2008.
Follow-up body: The Centre set up the NCDNT for three years on considering the Renke recommendations.
Development Board: On NCDNT's recommendation, the Development and Welfare Board for these communities was established in February 2019.
Chairperson: The Renke Commission was chaired by Balkrishna Sidram Renke.

Don’t confuse with Renke Commission vs NCDNT: The Renke Commission (2005-08) was the first commission and gave the report. NCDNT was set up later by the Centre, after Renke's recommendations were considered.

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: Lasting topic on vulnerable groups with a commission, board and scheme; few testable facts and weak recent news link, so no question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 11 Feb, 11:46 IST · Release 283932

Issue page →

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

Scheme

SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation)

GS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026 the Social Justice Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that SMILE's beggary sub-scheme runs in 181 cities. It said 8,129 of 30,257 identified persons have been rehabilitated (as on 31 January 2026).
What it is: SMILE stands for Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise. It is an umbrella Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. One sub-scheme deals with the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging, through shelter, skills, education, healthcare and counselling.

Full name and ministry: SMILE is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as an umbrella scheme for marginalized individuals.
Coverage in cities: The beggary component works in 216 cities now. The target is 295 cities by FY 2030-31, with focus on metros, religious, tourist and historical places.
Who implements: Delivery is through the Centre, States, UTs, district administrations, urban local bodies, municipal corporations and implementing agencies, using a convergence approach.
Digital monitoring: The SMILE-Beggary National Portal registers and tracks rehabilitation centres and shelter homes.
Event: The guidelines were unveiled at a Chintan Shivir with States/UTs held in Chandigarh from 24 to 26 April 2026.
Coverage areas: The framework covers preventive healthcare and sanitation, infrastructure, nutrition and food safety, vocational training, legal aid, child and gender sensitivity, and accountability and oversight.
Convergence: The guidelines stress convergence with Central and State schemes to bring uniform implementation across States and UTs.
Implementation: The Ministry urged States and UTs to implement the guidelines in letter and spirit.
Scheme type: SMILE is a Central Sector scheme run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Launch and ministry: SMILE was launched on 12 February 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Beggary sub-scheme coverage: The beggary sub-scheme is operational in 181 selected cities, with Implementing Authorities such as district administrations and urban local bodies.
Transgender health cover: Transgender persons get health cover in convergence with PM-JAY, including gender-reaffirmation procedures at empanelled hospitals.
National Council for Transgender Persons: The Council is a statutory body that advises the Centre on policy and legislation and monitors welfare schemes.
Beggary sub-scheme reach: The beggary rehabilitation sub-scheme is operational in 181 selected cities.
Rehabilitation numbers: As on 31 January 2026, 30,257 persons were identified as begging and 8,129 were rehabilitated.
Monitoring: Centres and shelter homes are registered and monitored on the SMILE-Beggary National Portal; Garima Grehs are geotagged.
Goal: The objective is Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat (Begging-Free India).
Skilling gap: No beneficiary from the begging or transgender community was certified under PM-DAKSH in 2024-25.

Don’t confuse with Model guidelines vs law: Model guidelines are advisory for uniform practice; they are not a statute. Begging is dealt with under State laws, often based on the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.

Don’t confuse with SMILE vs PM-DAKSH: SMILE is the umbrella rehabilitation scheme; PM-DAKSH is a skill-training scheme for several groups that SMILE uses for transgender persons.

Don’t confuse with Garima Greh vs beggary shelter homes: Garima Grehs are shelters for transgender persons; the beggary sub-scheme uses separate shelter homes for rescued persons.

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

Gives a rehabilitation route, not just punishment, for a vulnerable group, in line with dignity under Article 21.
Gives States a common standard for shelter homes, which could improve dignity and quality of care for a vulnerable group.
Links shelter homes to health, skilling and legal aid schemes, supporting rehabilitation over punishment.
Gives marginalised groups one framework covering identity, health, skills, shelter and livelihood.
Supports the goal of a begging-free India and gives effect to the 2019 Transgender Act.
Gives a rights-based, rehabilitative approach to begging and transgender welfare instead of a punitive one.

Problems

Begging is still criminalised under many state anti-begging laws, which conflicts with a rehabilitation approach.
Guidelines are not binding; implementation rests with States, so uptake may vary.
Shelter homes often face weak funding, staff and monitoring.
Beggary sub-scheme reach is modest: 9,935 rehabilitated against 31,055 identified, in only 181 cities.
Stigma, lack of documents and weak state enforcement, such as cells set up in only 20 States/UTs, limit outcomes.
Only about 27% of identified persons are rehabilitated, and coverage is limited to 181 cities.
Zero PM-DAKSH certifications show weak convergence with skilling schemes.

Way forward

Decriminalise begging and tie rehabilitation to skilling, housing and social security convergence.
Tie guidelines to regular audits and public reporting by States.
Convergence with skilling, health and housing schemes with clear funding.
Expand coverage beyond selected cities and speed up documentation through the National Portal.
Build follow-up, de-addiction and job linkages, and ensure every State sets up protection cells and welfare boards.
Link beneficiaries to skilling, health and ID schemes, and expand shelters, including Garima Grehs, with portal-based monitoring.

Put in your answer

SMILE scheme: Umbrella Central Sector scheme with a sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.

Model guidelines 2026: Framework with accountability and oversight, legal aid and child and gender sensitivity for shelter homes.

NALSA judgment: The Supreme Court in NALSA v Union of India (2014) recognised transgender persons as a third gender with constitutional rights.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, 11 Feb, 11:47 IST · Release 283933

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Space Start-ups and IN-SPACe

GS3 Space technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Government told the Lok Sabha that registered space start-ups have grown from 1 in 2014 to over 400, and listed the schemes and policies that supported them.
What it is: IN-SPACe is the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre, set up under the Department of Space in 2020. It is a single-window body that authorises and promotes private space activity. Private firms are called Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs) and can use ISRO facilities and expertise through it.

Start-up growth: Registered space start-ups rose from 1 in 2014 to more than 400 now.
Private sub-orbital launches: Two private companies flew their launch vehicles to sub-orbital height, in November 2022 and May 2024.
POEM: The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module lets NGEs test the flightworthiness of their payloads in space. 25 payloads have flown or will fly on it.
NGE satellites: Six Indian NGEs have placed 18 satellites in orbit.
IN-SPACe status: IN-SPACe was created in 2020 as an autonomous agency under the Department of Space.

Don’t confuse with IN-SPACe vs NSIL: IN-SPACe authorises and promotes private space activity. NSIL is ISRO's commercial arm that handles the commercial side of ISRO's products and services.

Don’t confuse with IN-SPACe vs ISRO: ISRO builds and operates space systems. IN-SPACe is the regulator and promoter for private players.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on space sector reform; figures and lists, little for a statement to turn on.

Source: PIB, Department of Space, 11 Feb, 12:49 IST · Release 283941

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)

GS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news: In a written Lok Sabha reply on 11 February 2026, the government said CPGRAMS grievances for Central Ministries are disposed of in 15 days on average, against a 21-day limit. It also listed pendency figures and reform steps.
What it is: CPGRAMS is the Government of India's online platform for citizens to lodge and track complaints about public service delivery. It is run by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It covers Central Ministries, Departments, States and Union Territories on one portal.

Who runs it: DARPG runs the platform and has a Data Strategy Unit within it for analytics.
Redressal timeline: The August 2024 guidelines cut the time limit for resolving a grievance from 30 days to 21 days.
Appeal: An unsatisfied citizen can appeal to the Nodal Appellate Authority, who must decide within 30 days.
Exclusions: RTI matters, sub judice matters, religious matters and service matters of Government employees are not taken up.
10-Step Reform Programme: Introduced in 2022 after a review by the Prime Minister; it includes GRAI, a Feedback Call Centre and One Nation–One Portal.
Samadhan Didi: AI-enabled voice chatbot launched on 30 May 2026, built with BHASHINI's speech and translation tools.
Disposal time: Average disposal time for Central Ministries/Departments was 15 days as on 31.01.2026, against a prescribed limit of 21 days.
Pendency: 5,845 of 71,887 pending Central grievances were older than 90 days on 31.01.2026.
August 2024 guidelines: Comprehensive Guidelines cut the redressal timeline from 30 to 21 days, mandated dedicated grievance cells, and stressed root cause analysis and citizen feedback.
Sevottam training: DARPG funds Administrative Training Institutes under the Sevottam Scheme; 1,010 programmes in four years benefitted 33,775 Grievance Redressal Officers.
State matters: State and district grievances go to State Nodal officers, and pendency is kept state-wise.
Review module: A Review Meeting Module for senior-level review was operationalised in February 2025.

Don’t confuse with CPGRAMS vs RTI: CPGRAMS handles complaints about service delivery and does not take up RTI matters. RTI is a separate statutory right to information.

Don’t confuse with GRAI vs Sevottam: GRAI is an index that benchmarks Ministries on grievance redressal. Sevottam is a service-delivery framework under which grievance officers are trained.

Don’t confuse with CPGRAMS vs Sevottam: CPGRAMS is the grievance portal. Sevottam is a service-delivery excellence framework and, here, a DARPG scheme funding training of grievance officers.

Don’t confuse with CPGRAMS vs iGOT Karmayogi: iGOT Karmayogi is a capacity-building platform for government employees under Mission Karmayogi, not a grievance system.

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: Lasting governance topic; facts are 21-day timeline and pendency figures, which UPSC rarely tests.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, 11 Feb, 12:58 IST · Release 283948

Issue page →

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

Scheme

National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC)

GS3 Environment and climate changePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Minister of State for Science & Technology told the Lok Sabha in a written reply about NMSKCC work at Andhra University. The DST said it does not plan to set up any more Centres of Excellence under the Mission.
What it is: The National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008). The Department of Science and Technology runs it. It builds climate science knowledge, research capacity and data for policy and adaptation.

Implementing department: DST supported the Andhra University project under NMSKCC.
Climate datasets: The project produced 25 km and 10 km resolution datasets for 1970-2005 (hindcast) and the future periods 2020-2049 and 2070-2099.
Funding: Rs. 1.84 crore was sanctioned to Andhra University for the project.
Capacity building: The project trained over 300 researchers in regional climate modelling.
Vulnerability mapping: A district-level study placed Andhra Pradesh in the moderately vulnerable category. Key drivers were low forest area per 1,000 rural population and a high incidence of water-borne diseases.
Parent framework: NMSKCC is one of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

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: One of the NAPCC missions, a lasting topic; this release gives only project figures, so no question.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 11 Feb, 13:36 IST · Release 283958

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

Nafithromycin and Indigenous Antibiotics

GS3 Biotechnology and healthPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Science & Technology Minister told the Lok Sabha about government support for indigenous antibiotics, including the CDSCO-approved Nafithromycin tablets for pneumonia.
What it is: Nafithromycin is a new macrolide antibiotic developed by Wockhardt, an Indian company. It is meant for community acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP) in adults. It is part of India's push to build its own antibiotics against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Developer and use: Nafithromycin is a novel macrolide developed by the Wockhardt group for community acquired bacterial pneumonia.
BIRAC support: BIRAC, a Section 8 not-for-profit public sector enterprise of DBT, partly supported the Indian phase III trial.
Approval: CDSCO has permitted sale of Nafithromycin 400 mg tablets for adults aged 18 and above with CABP.
Indian Priority Pathogen list: DBT and the WHO country office developed a list to guide research and development of new antibiotics in India.
Bio-RIDE: DBT's Bio-RIDE scheme funds R&D on antimicrobial therapeutics, antibiotic combinations and drug repurposing for pathogens such as M. tuberculosis, S. aureus and E. coli.
PRIP scheme: The Department of Pharmaceuticals runs PRIP to support development and validation of new medicines.

Don’t confuse with BIRAC vs DBT: DBT is the government department; BIRAC is its Section 8 not-for-profit public sector enterprise that funds innovation and startups.

Don’t confuse with Bio-RIDE vs PRIP: Bio-RIDE is a DBT scheme; PRIP is a Department of Pharmaceuticals scheme.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Sci-tech first-of-kind drug linked to antimicrobial resistance; few stable facts beyond use for pneumonia, so card only.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Science & Technology, 11 Feb, 13:40 IST · Release 283960

Issue page →

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

Science and technology

AI in Judiciary: SUPACE and eCourts Phase III

GS2 Judiciary and e-governanceGS3 Science and technologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, PIB published an explainer on how AI is used in India's courts. It covers SUPACE, SUVAS, e-filing defect checks and the eCourts Phase III outlay of ₹7,210 crore.
What it is: SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency) is an AI-based tool meant to help identify relevant precedents and understand the factual matrix of cases. It is a research aid for judges and does not decide cases. It sits within the wider eCourts project, a Mission Mode Project run by the Department of Justice.

SUPACE: AI system to find relevant precedents and understand case facts. It is still experimental and not yet in regular judicial use.
eCourts Phase III outlay: ₹7,210 crore, with funds earmarked for future technology such as AI, ML and blockchain.
SUVAS: Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software, an AI translation tool. It translates English judgments into vernacular languages, and the translations are hosted on the e-SCR portal.
E-filing defect checks: The Supreme Court Registry built AI tools with IIT Madras to flag defects in e-filings. The tools are in a pilot phase.
AI Committee: The Supreme Court's AI Committee is chaired by a sitting Supreme Court judge. It reviews pilots before wider adoption.

Don’t confuse with SUPACE vs SUVAS: SUPACE helps with legal research and precedents. SUVAS translates judgments into regional languages.

Don’t confuse with SUPACE vs LegRAA: Both are research aids. LegRAA analyses documents and extracts legal references, while SUPACE identifies precedents and understands the factual matrix of cases.

Science and technology: 57 Prelims questions since 2013; most test the concept behind the news, not the news itself. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Explainer on AI in courts; useful background but few hard facts for a statement.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 11 Feb, 13:42 IST · Release 283961

Issue page →

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

Economy

High-Speed Rail in India (MAHSR)

GS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, PIB published an explainer on high-speed rail. It covers the seven corridors announced in Union Budget 2026-27 and the progress of the Mumbai–Ahmedabad line.
What it is: The Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) corridor is India's first high-speed rail project. It runs on a dedicated, segregated line and is built by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited. It serves as a learning model for later corridors.

Corridor length: MAHSR links Mumbai in Maharashtra with Ahmedabad in Gujarat over about 508 km.
Implementing agency: NHSRCL, a Government of India company under the Ministry of Railways, is building MAHSR.
Definition of HSR: For operational purposes, high-speed rail means trains running above 250 km per hour.
Budget 2026-27 corridors: Seven corridors span nearly 4,000 km and are expected to attract about ₹16 lakh crore of investment.
Railway capital outlay: The Budget gave Indian Railways a record capital outlay of ₹2,78,000 crore.

Don’t confuse with High-speed vs conventional rail: Conventional rail shares tracks with freight and slower passenger trains. High-speed rail runs on exclusive corridors with purpose-built infrastructure.

Don’t confuse with National Rail Plan vs Budget corridors: The National Rail Plan is a long-term plan to 2030 that recognises high-speed rail. The seven corridors are the specific Budget 2026-27 announcement.

Economy terms and data: 42 Prelims questions since 2013, rising in recent years; they test what a term or instrument means. In Mains, 12 news-triggered questions.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting infrastructure topic with Budget 2026-27 announcement of seven new corridors; project facts change often, so no question.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 11 Feb, 14:14 IST · Release 283965

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes List (Modalities)

GS2 Polity and ConstitutionPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 11 February 2026, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs told Rajya Sabha how claims to join the ST list are handled, and gave the status of Tamil Nadu's proposal to add the Badaga community.
What it is: Claims to add or remove communities from the Scheduled Tribes list follow set modalities first laid down in 1999. The State sends a justified proposal with an ethnographic report. The RGI and the NCST must concur before the Centre amends the law.

Modalities: The modalities for inclusion, exclusion and modification in SC/ST lists were issued on 15.6.1999 and amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022.
Process: The State or UT sends a justified proposal with an ethnographic report. The RGI and NCST concur before the Centre considers it and amends the law.
Badaga proposal: Tamil Nadu sent the Badaga proposal with an ethnographic report in January 2021.
Court outcome: The Madras High Court on 11.03.2025 dismissed the petition and said the State cannot be compelled to submit a revised proposal.
Constitutional basis: Article 342 lets the President specify tribes by public notification after consulting the Governor. Parliament alone can change the list by law.

Don’t confuse with Article 341 vs Article 342: Article 341 deals with the Scheduled Castes list. Article 342 deals with the Scheduled Tribes list.

Don’t confuse with RGI vs NCST: Both must concur on a proposal. The RGI is the census and demographic authority. The NCST is the constitutional commission under Article 338A.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Procedure under Article 342: State proposal, RGI and NCST concurrence, then Parliament amends. Lasting topic; low chance of a question now.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 11 Feb, 14:16 IST · Release 283967

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

Devnimori Buddha relics returned from their first international exposition at Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Budget 2026-27 announced NIMHANS-2 in northern India and upgrade of Ranchi and Tezpur mental health institutes to Regional Apex Institutions.
India was 'Country of the Year' at BIOFACH Germany 2026, Nuremberg; APEDA organised its participation.
Defence Minister expanded 'family' for government accommodation of service officers to include parents, dependent siblings and legally adopted children.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port became India's first major port to get the IGBC Platinum rating.

Source: PIB, 11 Feb

What we left out: 109 of 126 releases

Tributes and greetings (5)
Same issue as another release (19)
Routine parliament data (20)
Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
Same issue as already on file (37)
Speeches without a decision (5)
Routine administrative notices (1)
Routine data (2)
Small MoUs and events (1)
Routine administrative norms (1)
Visits and meetings (1)
Other releases (9)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA / DAJGUA)MCQ · 6 true or false
2Bharatiya Antariksh StationMCQ · 12 true or false
3PM-JANMAN and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh AbhiyanMCQ · 5 true or false
4SMILE Scheme (Beggary Rehabilitation)MCQ · 6 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

10 marks · 150 words

The Rajya Sabha was informed that the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan targets 63,843 tribal-majority villages through 25 interventions run by 17 line ministries, with an outlay of Rs 79,156 crore. Examine the main provisions of the scheme and discuss the challenges of delivering development to tribal areas through ministry-wise convergence.

From: Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA / DAJGUA)

Write and get it marked

Keep reading

The day before

Tuesday, 10 February 2026Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-G RAM G) · NITI Aayog Scenarios towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero · Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026 and 9 more

The day after

Thursday, 12 February 2026Defence Acquisition Council (AoN approvals) · Combined Maritime Forces and CTF 154 · Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) and 9 more

All days

Practice · 4 Mains question