UPSC current affairs · Saturday

Current Affairs, 14 February 2026

8 issues picked from 45 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

Tax Holiday for Foreign Cloud Service Providers (Budget 2026-27). Budget offers foreign cloud firms tax holiday till 2047 for serving global users from Indian data centres.
Urban Challenge Fund (UCF). Cabinet approves Rs one lakh crore fund linking urban project aid to market finance and reforms.
Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0. Cabinet approves Rs 10,000 crore Fund of Funds 2.0 for deep tech and early-growth startups.
PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment). PM RAHAT gives road accident victims cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days.
Gohpur-Numaligarh Brahmaputra Road-cum-Rail Tunnel. CCEA approves Rs 18,662 crore Gohpur-Numaligarh road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Bengaluru dam safety conference under DRIP II & III stresses Dam Safety Act implementation and digital tools.
Digital Agriculture Mission. PIB reviews AI tools and Digital Agriculture Mission progress, including Farmer IDs and Bharat-VISTAAR.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH) Act, 2013. Ministry pushes PoSH compliance through SHe-Box portal, new checklist, app integration and training link.

Economy

Tax Holiday for Foreign Cloud Service Providers (Budget 2026-27)

GS3 EconomyGS3 Science and TechnologyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 14 February 2026, PIB explained the Budget 2026-27 proposal of a tax holiday till 2047 for eligible foreign cloud service providers that use India-based data centres.
What it is: This is a proposed income tax exemption for foreign companies that sell cloud services worldwide using data centres located in India. It sits within the income tax law and works through a notified framework with conditions. Its aim is to anchor capital-intensive digital infrastructure in India and win a share of global AI compute investment.

Who gets it: The foreign company must be notified, buy data centre services from an Indian company running a data centre in India, and the facility must be notified by MeitY.
Indian customers: Services to Indian users must go through an Indian reseller company, so domestic sales stay taxable.
Safe harbour for data centres: A 15 percent margin on cost is proposed where the Indian data centre is a related cost-plus entity of the foreign company.
Unilateral APA: A unilateral APA is an agreement between a taxpayer and the CBDT fixing in advance the price for specified transactions for a fixed period.

Don’t confuse with Safe harbour vs Advance Pricing Agreement: Safe harbour is a prescribed margin accepted without detailed checking. An APA is a negotiated agreement with the CBDT fixing the price in advance.

Don’t confuse with Tax holiday vs tax exemption on all income: Only income from global cloud operations via Indian data centres is exempt. Domestic data centre and reseller profits stay taxable.

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.

Test yourselfMains

Source: PIB Headquarters, 14 Feb, 11:50 IST · Release 284289

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)

GS2 Urban development and schemesGS3 Infrastructure financingPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026 the Union Cabinet approved the Urban Challenge Fund with Central Assistance of Rs. one lakh crore; the release was posted on 14 February 2026.
What it is: The Urban Challenge Fund is a Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs fund for urban infrastructure. It gives limited central assistance to leverage municipal bonds, bank loans and PPPs, and rewards reform-driven, bankable projects. HUDCO's offering UiWIN helps urban local bodies prepare such projects.

UiWIN framework: The UiWIN Technical Assistance Framework was unveiled at a symposium on UCF and UiWIN.
Role of UiWIN: UiWIN is meant to help ULBs identify bankable projects and build revenue-generating infrastructure with proven financial viability.
Implementing agency link: HUDCO is a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and offers UiWIN as its new offering.
PPP focus: UCF is expected to open new avenues for public-private partnerships.
Urbanisation projection: Over 50% of India's population is expected to live in cities by 2050.
Central Assistance: Total central assistance is ₹1 lakh crore, meant to mobilise nearly four times the investment.
Funding pattern: Central share is capped at 25% of project cost; at least 50% must come from bonds, bank loans and PPPs.
Outlay split: ₹90,000 crore for projects, ₹5,000 crore for project preparation and capacity building, ₹5,000 crore for CRGSS.
Sectors: Covers redevelopment of old city areas and markets, mobility, non-motorised transport, water and sanitation, and climate-resilient development.
Period: The fund runs from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
Investment target: The fund is expected to lead to a total urban investment of Rs. four lakh crore in five years.
Duration: It runs from FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, extendable up to FY 2033-34.
Project verticals: Three verticals: Cities as Growth Hubs, Creative Redevelopment of Cities, and Water and Sanitation.

Don’t confuse with UCF vs UiWIN: UCF is the fund for urban infrastructure projects. UiWIN is HUDCO's offering that helps ULBs prepare bankable projects to access it.

Don’t confuse with UCF vs AMRUT: AMRUT is a largely grant-based mission for water, sewerage and urban services. UCF uses limited central aid to leverage market finance.

Don’t confuse with CRGSS vs project funding: CRGSS gives credit guarantees to help cities borrow. The ₹90,000 crore project component gives central assistance to projects.

Don’t confuse with Urban Challenge Fund vs Smart Cities Mission: The Smart Cities Mission was largely grant-based and area-focused. The UCF is market-linked, reform-driven and picks projects by competition.

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

Helps cities reduce dependence on grants by drawing in market finance and private capital.
Rewards reforms and bankable projects, improving urban local body finances.
Shifts urban finance from grants to market-linked, bankable projects.
Helps Tier-II and Tier-III cities borrow through credit guarantees.
Supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 aim of investment-ready cities.
Shifts urban financing from grants to market sources such as municipal bonds, bank loans and PPPs.
Makes ULBs bankable and helps smaller cities gain first-time market access through guarantees.
Ties funds to reforms and outcomes, which can improve urban governance.

Problems

Many ULBs have weak finances and low creditworthiness, limiting bankable projects.
Small cities lack technical capacity to prepare and manage PPP projects.
Many urban local bodies have weak finances and low creditworthiness.
Municipal bond markets are shallow and project preparation capacity is limited.
Private participation may favour revenue-generating projects over social ones.
Weak finances and low creditworthiness of many ULBs may limit their ability to raise 50% from the market.
Capacity gaps in project preparation may favour large, better-resourced cities.
Urban is a State subject, so reform adoption depends on State cooperation.

Way forward

Build ULB capacity through technical assistance and project preparation support.
Strengthen municipal revenues and credit rating to attract bonds and loans.
Strengthen ULB finances through property tax and user-charge reforms.
Build project preparation and credit rating capacity, and deepen the municipal bond market.
Track outcomes with transparent reform-linked disbursement.
Strengthen ULB finances through property tax and user charge reforms.
Build technical capacity for bankable project preparation, especially in smaller cities.
Use third-party verification and KPIs so that fund release stays tied to reforms.

Put in your answer

Urbanisation projection: Over 50% of Indians are expected to live in cities by 2050, which needs large urban infrastructure investment.

Ecosystem building: An e-directory links cities with banks, financial institutions and rating agencies.

Scale of fund: Rs. one lakh crore of Central Assistance aims to catalyse Rs. four lakh crore of urban investment over five years.

Guarantee for small cities: A Rs. 5,000 crore Credit Repayment Guarantee Scheme supports first-time borrowing by smaller ULBs.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Cabinet, 14 Feb, 13:09 IST · Release 284296

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0

GS3 Economy · Startups and venture capitalGS2 Government schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 14 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore to mobilise venture capital for startups.
What it is: Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 is a government fund that does not invest in startups directly. It commits money to SEBI-registered AIFs, which invest in DPIIT-recognised startups. It follows FFS 1.0, launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan, and aims to fill funding gaps and draw in private capital.

Corpus: The scheme has a corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
Route of funding: Money goes as commitments to SEBI-registered Category I and II AIFs, which invest in DPIIT-recognised startups.
Implementation Agency: SIDBI is the initial Implementation Agency. DPIIT will onboard one more agency.
AIF segments: AIFs are grouped into deep tech funds, micro VC funds for early-growth startups, funds for innovative and technology-led manufacturing, and sector- and stage-agnostic funds.
Selection process: Selection has two stages: screening and due diligence by the Implementation Agency, then evaluation by a Venture Capital Investment Committee.
Returns for ecosystem: A portion of returns can go to capacity-building such as mentorship and shared infrastructure.
Predecessor: FFS 1.0 was launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan.
Implementing agency: SIDBI starts operating the scheme as Implementation Agency from the date of notification. One more domestic agency will be selected.
Priority segments: Focus is on AIFs backing deep tech, early growth stage startups supported by smaller AIFs, technology-driven and innovative manufacturing startups, and sector or stage agnostic startups.
Governance: A Venture Capital Investment Committee screens AIFs. An Empowered Committee monitors implementation. DPIIT will issue the guidelines and the VCIC composition.
FFS 1.0 outcome: The whole Rs. 10,000 crore of FFS 1.0 was committed to 145 AIFs.
Startup base: DPIIT-recognised startups grew from fewer than 500 in 2016 to over 2 lakh now.
Mode of investment: A fund of funds invests via SEBI-registered AIFs, not directly in startups.

Don’t confuse with FoF vs direct startup investment: A Fund of Funds invests in AIFs. The AIFs then invest in startups. Do not treat it as a government venture fund buying startup equity.

Don’t confuse with FFS 1.0 vs FoF 2.0: FFS 1.0 was launched in 2016. FoF 2.0 is the new ₹10,000 crore scheme with segmented AIFs and guidelines issued in April 2026.

Don’t confuse with FoF 2.0 vs FFS 1.0: FFS 1.0 was launched in 2016. FoF 2.0 was notified in April 2026 with a ₹10,000 crore corpus and priority segments such as deep tech.

Don’t confuse with Fund of Funds vs venture fund: A Fund of Funds invests in other funds (AIFs). A venture fund invests directly in startups.

Don’t confuse with Fund of Funds vs direct venture fund: A fund of funds invests in other funds (AIFs). A venture fund invests directly in startups.

Don’t confuse with FoF 2.0 vs Startup India Seed Fund Scheme: The Seed Fund Scheme gives early grants and investment via incubators. FoF 2.0 gives capital to AIFs.

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

Crowds in private capital and deepens domestic venture capital.
Targets deep tech, early-stage and manufacturing startups where funding gaps exist.
Gives long-term domestic capital to deep tech and early-stage startups, where private funding is thin.
Supports manufacturing and innovation, and so jobs and economic resilience.
Gives long-term domestic capital to deep tech and manufacturing, which need patient funding.
Crowds in private capital and reduces dependence on foreign venture funds.
Spreads funding beyond metros and supports jobs and self-reliance.

Problems

Funds may still flow to a few cities and sectors despite the aim of wider access.
Success depends on the quality of AIF selection and monitoring.
Smaller AIFs may find it hard to raise matching private capital.
Returns are slow and uncertain, so fund selection and monitoring must be strong.
Returns and risk: deep tech has long gestation and high failure rates.
Fund managers may still favour metro-based startups, limiting regional spread.
Public money could crowd out private funds if not well targeted.

Way forward

Monitor outcomes by sector, stage and geography, and adjust the framework as experience builds.
Build capacity of the Implementation Agencies and strengthen the ecosystem through mentorship and shared infrastructure.
Issue DPIIT guidelines and the VCIC composition quickly, with clear and transparent selection criteria.
Track outcomes such as jobs and follow-on funding, and review them regularly.
Monitor AIF investments with clear outcome metrics, including regional spread.
Ease regulation and tax for domestic funds and pension and insurance money to join.

Put in your answer

FoF 2.0 corpus: ₹10,000 crore corpus, deployed through SEBI-registered AIFs.

Catalytic design: The scheme is a catalyst, not a direct investor, and mandates minimum private capital mobilisation.

Startup India FoF 2.0: A ₹10,000 crore corpus for AIFs, focused on deep tech, early growth stage and manufacturing startups.

FFS 1.0 (2016): The earlier Fund of Funds, launched under the Startup India Action Plan, is an example of state-backed catalysing of domestic capital.

Startup growth: DPIIT-recognised startups rose from under 500 in 2016 to over 2 lakh.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 18

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

1.Startup India FoF 2.0 invests directly in startups through equity purchases made by DPIIT.
2.The scheme works through commitments to SEBI-registered Category I and II Alternative Investment Funds.
3.SIDBI is the initial Implementation Agency, and DPIIT will onboard an additional agency.
4.The guidelines set minimum private capital mobilisation ratios for the AIF segments.
5.The first Fund of Funds for Startups was launched in 2016 under the Startup India Action Plan.
6.AIF proposals under the scheme are assessed only by the Implementation Agency, with no separate committee.
7.Startup India FoF 2.0 invests money directly in startups as equity.
8.The scheme has a total corpus of ₹10,000 crore.
9.NABARD has been named the Implementation Agency for the scheme.
10.The operational guidelines of the scheme will be issued by DPIIT.
11.Alternative Investment Funds are registered and regulated by the RBI.
12.Under the scheme, AIFs are screened by a Venture Capital Investment Committee, while an Empowered Committee monitors implementation.
13.Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 has a total corpus of Rs. 10,000 crore.
14.The Fund of Funds for Startups 1.0 was launched in 2016 to address funding gaps and catalyse the domestic venture capital market.
15.Under FFS 1.0, the corpus was committed to 145 Alternative Investment Funds.
16.Under FFS 1.0, only about half of the Rs. 10,000 crore corpus has so far been committed to AIFs.
17.The Fund of Funds invests directly in startups through equity purchases.
18.The Startup India initiative was launched in 2016.

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

Source: PIB, Cabinet, 14 Feb, 13:11 IST · Release 284297

Issue page →

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

Scheme

PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment)

GS2 Governance: health and road safety schemesGS3 InfrastructurePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 14 February 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced that the Prime Minister approved the launch of the PM RAHAT scheme, giving cashless treatment to road accident victims. It was his first decision after shifting to Seva Teerth.
What it is: PM-RAHAT is a cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims, run under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. It aims to cut deaths by ensuring prompt care, especially in the Golden Hour after injury. Claims are handled through State Health Agencies and hospitals designated under the scheme.

Legal basis: The scheme rests on Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Cover: Treatment cover is up to Rs 1.5 lakh per victim, for a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident, on any category of road.
Designated hospitals: Empanelled AB PM-JAY hospitals that follow National Health Authority guidelines count as designated hospitals under the scheme.
112 link: The scheme is linked to the 112 Emergency Response Support System so a victim or Good Samaritan can find the nearest designated hospital and get an ambulance.
Stabilisation treatment: Up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police response.
Funding: Hospitals are reimbursed through the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. General insurers fund insured cases; the budget funds uninsured and hit-and-run cases.
Platforms: The scheme merges eDAR (used by police) and the NHA's TMS 2.0 (used by hospitals).
Governance: District Road Safety Committees monitor at district level; the State Road Safety Council is the nodal agency in each State/UT; an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee oversees nationally.
Coverage: Every eligible victim on any category of road gets cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for 7 days from the accident.
Stabilisation and police check: Stabilisation care runs up to 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police authentication.
Digital backbone: The MoRTH eDAR platform is linked with the National Health Authority's TMS 2.0.
Who pays hospitals: Payment is made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. Insured cases draw on general insurers' contributions; uninsured and hit-and-run cases are paid from the Union budget.
Claim timeline: Claims approved by the State Health Agency are paid within 10 days.
Approval: The Prime Minister approved the launch of the PM RAHAT scheme.
Legal base: It operates under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
Delivery: Claims go through State Health Agencies and designated hospitals.

Don’t confuse with PM-RAHAT vs AB PM-JAY: AB PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme for poor families; PM-RAHAT covers road accident victims regardless of income, though it uses PM-JAY hospitals.

Don’t confuse with eDAR vs TMS 2.0: eDAR is the police accident reporting platform. TMS 2.0 is the NHA platform used by hospitals for treatment and claims.

Don’t confuse with PM RAHAT vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: PM-JAY is a health insurance scheme for eligible poor families. PM RAHAT covers road accident victims regardless of income, on any road.

Don’t confuse with Good Samaritan protections: Rah-Veer (Good Samaritan) protections shield helpers from harassment. PM RAHAT funds the victim's treatment.

Don’t confuse with PM-RAHAT vs Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY: PM-JAY is a general hospitalisation insurance for poor families. PM-RAHAT is limited to road accident victims.

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

Cashless care in the Golden Hour can cut road deaths and spare families from payment delays.
Cashless care in the Golden Hour can reduce deaths from road accidents.
A statutory scheme gives a legal right to treatment regardless of insurance status or road type.
Quick treatment in the Golden Hour can avert many preventable deaths; the release says nearly 50% could be averted with hospital admission in the first hour.
Assured payment within 10 days removes hospitals' fear of unpaid emergency care.
Integrating 112, eDAR and TMS 2.0 builds a single digital emergency response chain.
Cashless care in the Golden Hour can reduce road deaths.

Problems

Many cases were discharged from the scheme because police did not respond within the timelines, and some life-threatening cases were found ineligible by police.
Uptake is uneven: Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh account for most cases.
Treatment depends on police response on eDAR within 24 or 48 hours.
Availability of designated hospitals near accident sites varies across States.
Enough designated hospitals and ambulances are needed, especially in rural and highway areas.
Police authentication timelines may strain capacity and delay claims.
The Motor Vehicle Accident Fund needs steady funding from insurers and the Union budget.
Hospitals may delay care or reject claims, and awareness is low.

Way forward

Tighten police response timelines and link e-DAR with hospital systems.
Designate more hospitals and penalise denial of treatment.
Expand designation of hospitals and ambulance links via 112 ERSS.
Enforce the 10-day payment timeline and monitor grievances at district level.
Widen the network of designated trauma-capable hospitals and strengthen ambulance response under 112.
Train police and hospitals on the digital system and monitor claim timelines.
Spread awareness among citizens and Rah-Veers about 112 and cashless entitlement.
Pay hospitals promptly and train first responders.

Put in your answer

Hospital payment timeline: Payments are due within 10 days of State Health Agency claim approval.

Digital trail: A complete digital trail runs from 112 ERSS accident reporting to final payment.

Golden Hour data point: Studies cited by the Government say nearly 50% of road accident deaths can be averted with hospital admission within the first hour.

PM RAHAT cover: Cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims.

Test yourself

True or false?

1 of 21

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

1.PM-RAHAT was launched under a legal mandate in Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
2.The treatment cover is limited to a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident.
3.The scheme covers victims only of accidents on National Highways.
4.Hospitals empanelled under AB PM-JAY that comply with NHA guidelines are deemed designated hospitals under the scheme.
5.The Golden Hour is the period of one hour following a traumatic injury.
6.The PM-RAHAT scheme is notified under Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
7.Treatment cover under the scheme is up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim, subject to a maximum of 7 days from the date of accident.
8.Reimbursement to hospitals is made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, with budgetary support for uninsured and hit-and-run cases.
9.The scheme integrates the police's eDAR platform with the Transaction Management System of the National Health Authority.
10.Stabilisation treatment is provided for up to 48 hours in non-life-threatening cases and up to 24 hours in life-threatening cases.
11.The State Road Safety Council acts as the nodal agency for the scheme in each State or Union Territory.
12.Under the scheme, AB PM-JAY empanelled hospitals cannot be designated hospitals, as the scheme runs separately from it.
13.The scheme covers cashless treatment for road accident victims only on National Highways.
14.Cashless treatment is available up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for up to 7 days from the date of accident.
15.Police confirmation is required within 24 hours for life-threatening cases and 48 hours for non-life-threatening cases.
16.The scheme links the eDAR platform of MoRTH with the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority.
17.In hit-and-run and uninsured vehicle cases, hospitals are reimbursed from contributions by general insurance companies.
18.Grievances are handled by an officer nominated by the District Road Safety Committee, chaired by the District Collector or Magistrate.
19.Claims approved by the State Health Agency are to be paid to hospitals within 10 days.
20.PM RAHAT provides cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh to accident victims.
21.The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund loan target announced alongside was doubled from ₹1 lakh crore to ₹2 lakh crore.

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

Source: PIB, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, 14 Feb, 18:59 IST · Release 284316

Issue page →

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

Place in the news

Gohpur-Numaligarh Brahmaputra Road-cum-Rail Tunnel

GS3 InfrastructureGS1 GeographyPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 13 February 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved a 33.7 km road-cum-rail corridor with a twin-tube tunnel under the Brahmaputra in Assam, at Rs 18,662 crore (release dated 14 Feb 2026).
What it is: The Gohpur-Numaligarh project links Gohpur on NH-15 (north bank) with Numaligarh on NH-715 (south bank) in Assam. It uses a twin-tube tunnel bored by a tunnel boring machine under the Brahmaputra, with rail infrastructure in one tube. It is meant to cut the long detour via the Kaliabhomora bridge near Silghat.

Claimed first: It is described as the first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel in India and the second in the world.
Rail links: The alignment connects the Rangia-Mukongselek section (Rangia Division, NFR) on the Gohpur side and the Furkating-Mariani loop line (Tinsukia Division, NFR) on the Numaligarh side.
Present route: The current route is 240 km via the Kaliabhambhora bridge near Silghat, taking about 6 hours, through Numaligarh, Kaziranga National Park and Biswanath.
Jobs: About 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment.

Don’t confuse with Total length vs tunnel length: The whole project is 33.7 km; only 15.79 km is the twin-tube tunnel.

Don’t confuse with Civil cost vs capital cost: Civil cost is Rs 11,982.36 crore; total capital cost, including land and other items, is Rs 18,662.02 crore.

Places in the news: 26 Prelims questions since 2013, rising (12% of news questions in 2022–26); they test location and why it matters.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), 14 Feb, 12:56 IST · Release 284291

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)

GS3 InfrastructureGS1 Water resourcesPrelims and Mains

Why in news: The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) was held in Bengaluru on 13-14 February 2026 under DRIP Phase II & III. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Karnataka and the World Bank organised it.
What it is: DRIP is a World Bank-assisted programme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti to rehabilitate and improve ageing dams and strengthen the institutions that manage them. Its Phase II & III cover dams in many States, with the Central Water Commission as the key technical agency. It supports implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Organisers: The conference was organised by DoWR, RD&GR (Jal Shakti), the Karnataka Water Resources Department, with CWC, IISc Bengaluru and the World Bank.
Scale of dam stock: India has over 6,500 specified dams that need rehabilitation and modernisation.
DAMCHAT: An AI-powered platform from ICED, IIT Roorkee, was launched at the event.
Legal backing: The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for dam surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance, and set up the National Committee on Dam Safety and the National Dam Safety Authority.

Don’t confuse with DRIP vs Dam Safety Act, 2021: DRIP is a funded rehabilitation project with World Bank support. The Dam Safety Act, 2021 is the law that sets the safety regulatory framework.

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: Dam safety is a lasting topic with the Dam Safety Act on file, but this conference gives few testable facts and little debate.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Jal Shakti, 14 Feb, 10:36 IST · Release 284284

Issue page →

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

Scheme

Digital Agriculture Mission

GS3 AgriculturePrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 14 February 2026, PIB published an explainer on how AI is being used in Indian agriculture. It centres on the Digital Agriculture Mission, AgriStack and the Bharat-VISTAAR tool proposed in Budget 2026-27.
What it is: The Digital Agriculture Mission was launched in 2024 to build digital public infrastructure for farming. It rests on AgriStack (Farmer IDs, digital crop survey), the Krishi Decision Support System and soil profile maps. It uses data analytics, AI and remote sensing to give farmers reliable crop information.

Outlay: The Mission was launched in 2024 with a total outlay of ₹2,817 crore.
AgriStack and Farmer ID: AgriStack gives each farmer a unique Farmer ID linked to land records, livestock, crops and benefits. Over 7.63 crore IDs were issued by 27 Nov 2025, against a target of 11 crore by 2026-27.
Krishi Decision Support System: KDSS combines satellite, weather, soil, water and crop data to produce crop maps, soil maps, yield estimates and drought and flood monitoring.
Bharat-VISTAAR: Budget 2026-27 proposed Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool that links AgriStack portals and the ICAR package of practices with AI systems.
YES-TECH in PMFBY: YES-TECH uses remote sensing and AI for yield estimates under PMFBY, with a minimum 30 percent weightage to technology-based assessment.

Don’t confuse with YES-TECH vs CROPIC: YES-TECH estimates crop yield using remote sensing and AI. CROPIC uses geotagged farmer photos to monitor crop health and assess damage.

Don’t confuse with PMFBY vs RWBCIS: PMFBY is yield-based crop insurance. RWBCIS is weather index-based insurance that complements it.

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 scheme topic, but this release is a data roundup. Schemes are 16% of news-linked Prelims questions; this gives few distinct features.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 14 Feb, 10:52 IST · Release 284285

Issue page →

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

Law and statutory body

Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PoSH) Act, 2013

GS2 Women-related lawsPrelims and Mains

Why in news: On 14 February 2026 the Women and Child Development Ministry held a National Conference on workplace safety at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. It launched the SHe-Box logo, a PoSH Voluntary Compliance Checklist, SHe-Box integration with the Mission Shakti App and a Karmayogi Bharat PoSH training link.
What it is: The PoSH Act, 2013 is the central law against sexual harassment of women at work. It requires employers to set up complaint committees and sets out a process for inquiry and redressal. It built on the Vishaka guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in 1997.

Coverage: The Act covers all women, whatever their age, employment status or type of work, in public or private and organised or unorganised sectors.
Internal Committee: Every employer must set up an Internal Committee where the workplace has more than ten employees.
Local Committee: The appropriate government sets up a Local Committee in every district. It hears complaints from small establishments or complaints against the employer.
SHe-Box: The SHe-Box portal is a central platform to file and track workplace sexual harassment complaints under the Act.
Origin: The Act followed the Supreme Court's 1997 Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan judgment, which issued guidelines on workplace harassment.
Launches on 14 Feb 2026: Four items were launched: SHe-Box logo, PoSH Voluntary Compliance Checklist, SHe-Box integration with Mission Shakti App, and Karmayogi Bharat PoSH training link.
Reach of SHe-Box: The Minister said over 1.48 lakh institutions are registered on the portal and more than 60,000 Internal Committees function actively.
Informal sector gap: The Secretary noted women's labour force participation at 42 per cent and over 80 per cent of women in the informal sector, so coverage must widen.
Committee structure: The Act requires an Internal Committee at workplaces with 10 or more employees and a Local Committee in each district for other cases such as the informal sector.
Penalty: A first violation attracts a fine of Rs 50,000. Repeat violations attract double the fine and possible licence cancellation or non-renewal.
Nodal ministry and SHe-Box: The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal ministry. It launched the SHe-Box portal on 29 August 2024 as a single-window complaint platform.

Don’t confuse with Internal Committee vs Local Committee: The Internal Committee is set up by the employer. The Local Committee is set up by the district-level appropriate government for small units or complaints against the employer.

Don’t confuse with PoSH Act vs Mission Shakti: PoSH is a law on workplace harassment. Mission Shakti is a Ministry scheme for women's safety and empowerment, including One Stop Centres and helplines.

Don’t confuse with Vishaka guidelines vs PoSH Act: Vishaka (1997) was judicial guidance. The PoSH Act (2013) is a statute.

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

Gives statutory protection to women in both organised and unorganised work, going beyond the court-made Vishaka guidelines.
Makes employers accountable for a safe workplace and for awareness programmes.
A statutory complaint route and a digital portal make redressal more accessible and traceable.
Safe workplaces support women's labour force participation and economic empowerment.
Gives statutory backing to the rights to equality, dignity and practising a profession under Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(g) and 21.
Covers women in all sectors, including domestic workers and the unorganised sector, which supports women's workforce participation.

Problems

Many small and unorganised workplaces have no committee, and awareness of the Act is low.
Fear of retaliation and stigma discourage women from filing complaints.
Over 80 per cent of women work in the informal sector, where committees and awareness are weak.
Many workplaces have not set up committees or registered, so compliance remains uneven.
Many workplaces have not constituted ICs, and Local Committees are not set up in every district, which led to Supreme Court directions.
Underreporting and fear of retaliation, and the lack of national data before SHe-Box, weaken monitoring.

Way forward

Ensure Internal and Local Committees exist and function, with regular monitoring and public data on cases.
Train committee members and spread awareness, using the SHe-Box portal for tracking complaints.
Strengthen Local Committees and awareness at district level, especially for informal workers.
Use SHe-Box registration, training and compliance checklists to monitor and enforce committee formation.
Ensure ICs and LCs are constituted everywhere, with regular training of members and awareness drives.
Use SHe-Box data for monitoring, with nodal officers keeping committee details and annual reports updated.

Put in your answer

SHe-Box portal: A central platform to file and track workplace harassment complaints under the PoSH Act.

Vishaka judgment, 1997: The Supreme Court's guidelines on workplace sexual harassment that preceded the 2013 Act.

Vishaka guidelines, 1997: The Supreme Court laid down guidelines on workplace sexual harassment, which the 2013 Act later codified.

SHe-Box scale: Over 1.5 lakh workplaces onboarded and Local Committees active in every district, according to the Secretary.

Companies Act disclosure: Constitution of the IC is now a mandatory disclosure under the Companies Act, 2013.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Issue on file; SHe-Box portal and compliance checklist add detail to PoSH. Mostly a conference, so no fresh testable facts.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Women and Child Development, 14 Feb, 17:04 IST · Release 284311

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

C-DOT signed an agreement with Synergy Quantum to build a tool that finds quantum-vulnerable cryptographic algorithms in devices.
Cabinet approved shifting from North and South Blocks to Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavans, with the old blocks to become the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum.
The first Emergency Landing Facility in the northeast was inaugurated in Dibrugarh, Assam.

Source: PIB, 14 Feb

What we left out: 34 of 45 releases

Speeches without a decision (4)
Tributes and remembrance (4)
Same issue as another release (12)
Ceremonies and campaigns (4)
Routine project approvals (4)
Events and exhibitions (1)
Visits and review meetings (2)
Internal reforms and campaigns (1)
Internal meetings and workshops (2)

Practise the day’s news

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

1Tax Holiday for Foreign Cloud Service Providers (Budget 2026-27)MCQ · 5 true or false
2Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)MCQ · 8 true or false · Mains
3Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0MCQ · 18 true or false · Mains
4PM-RAHAT (Road Accident Victims' Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment)MCQ · 21 true or false · Mains
5Gohpur-Numaligarh Brahmaputra Road-cum-Rail Tunnel5 true or false

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

The Union Budget 2026-27 proposes a tax holiday till 2047 for eligible foreign cloud service providers that use India-based data centres. Examine the rationale and the conditions of this proposal. Discuss its likely benefits and the concerns it raises for India's digital infrastructure and tax base.

From: Tax Holiday for Foreign Cloud Service Providers (Budget 2026-27)

Write and get it marked

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