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UPSC current affairs · Sunday

Current Affairs, 15 February 2026

5 issues picked from 24 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

  1. India AI Governance Guidelines. India adopts principle-based AI governance guidelines with seven sutras and new national institutions, favouring innovation over restraint.
  2. CBDC-based Public Distribution System Pilot. Amit Shah launches CBDC-based PDS in Gujarat, with Annapurna grain machine; nationwide rollout planned in 3-4 years.
  3. Armed Forces in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). Armed forces act as first responders in disasters, backed by NDMA guidelines and the Disaster Management Act.
  4. India-France Annual Defence Dialogue. India and France hold 6th defence dialogue in Bengaluru, focusing on industrial collaboration and renewing a defence pact.
  5. National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing. NBA released ₹10.40 lakh ABS benefits to 24 districts; total payouts exceed ₹145 crore.
1

Science and technology

India AI Governance Guidelines

GS3 Science and Technology: AI governanceGS2 GovernancePrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 15 February 2026, PIB explained the India AI Governance Guidelines, a seven-sutra framework released at the AI Impact Summit 2026. It proposes new bodies: the AI Governance Group, the Technology & Policy Expert Committee and the AI Safety Institute.
What it is
The India AI Governance Guidelines are a framework drafted by a committee set up by MeitY. They favour a principle-based, techno-legal approach built on existing laws rather than a single new AI statute. They have four parts: principles, recommendations across six pillars, an action plan, and practical guidelines for industry and regulators.
Drafting body
MeitY set up a drafting committee in July 2025 to frame the guidelines.
Structure
The framework has four parts: principles, issues and recommendations, action plan, and practical guidelines.
New institutions
The guidelines recommend the AI Governance Group, the Technology & Policy Expert Committee and resources for the AI Safety Institute.
Compute under IndiaAI Mission
Over 38,000 GPUs are onboarded against a target of 100,000, with subsidised access through the IndiaAI Compute Portal.
Six pillars
Recommendations cover infrastructure, capacity building, policy and regulation, risk mitigation, accountability and institutions.
Data protection enforcer
The Data Protection Board of India is the statutory enforcement body under the DPDP Act, 2023.
Publisher
The white paper was released by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. PSA Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood spoke at the release.
Techno-legal approach
It embeds governance into the design and operation of AI systems by default. It is meant as a practical, ecosystem-wide model.
Layers of safeguards
The approach combines baseline legal safeguards, sector-specific rules, technical controls and institutional mechanisms. It is described as pro-innovation.
Series position
This is the second paper in the series on Emerging Policy Priorities for India's AI Ecosystem. The first, in December 2025, covered democratising access to AI infrastructure.
Nature of the papers
The papers are explanatory knowledge documents, not binding rules. They aim to inform policy debate and support India's role in global AI governance.

Don’t confuse with AI Governance Group vs Technology & Policy Expert Committee: The AIGG coordinates overall AI policy. The TPEC only advises it with expert inputs.

Don’t confuse with IndiaAI Mission vs these Guidelines: The Mission builds compute, data and skills. The Guidelines set governance principles and institutions.

Don’t confuse with White paper vs Guidelines: The OPSA white paper is an explanatory document. The India AI Governance Guidelines are a framework drafted by a MeitY committee. Do not treat them as one document.

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 yourselfMains

Source: PIB Headquarters, 15 Feb, 11:12 IST · Release 284326

Issue page →

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

2

Scheme

CBDC-based Public Distribution System Pilot

GS3 Economy: Digital currency and PDSGS2 Welfare schemesPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 15 February 2026, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched a CBDC-based Public Distribution System in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and inaugurated the 'Annapurna' grain-dispensing machine.
What it is
The Public Distribution System supplies subsidised food grains to eligible households through fair price shops under the National Food Security Act, 2013. The new pilot links ration delivery to Central Bank Digital Currency, the digital form of the rupee issued by the RBI. It aims to cut leakage and middlemen in grain delivery.
Launch
The CBDC-based PDS was launched in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, with the Gujarat CM and the Union Food Minister present.
Annapurna machine
The Annapurna machine dispenses 25 kg of grain in 35 seconds.
Rollout plan
The system is to be implemented across the country in the next 3-4 years.
Entitlement
Each beneficiary gets 5 kg of free food grains per month; the release cites 80 crore people covered.
Ministry in charge
The initiative is by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
CBDC issuer
CBDC, the digital rupee, is issued by the Reserve Bank of India as legal tender.

Don’t confuse with CBDC vs cryptocurrency: CBDC is legal tender issued by the central bank; private cryptocurrencies are not.

Don’t confuse with CBDC vs UPI: UPI is a payment system moving bank money; CBDC is the central bank's own digital currency.

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 Home Affairs, 15 Feb, 15:51 IST · Release 284336

Issue page →

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

3

Defence and security

Armed Forces in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)

GS3 Disaster management and securityGS2 International relationsPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 15 February 2026, PIB published an explainer on the role of the Indian Armed Forces in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), at home and abroad.
What it is
HADR means using military assets such as airlift, ships, field hospitals and engineers to rescue and relieve people when disasters overwhelm civil capacity. Domestically it runs under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 as aid to civil authorities. For overseas missions India follows NDMA's International HADR Guidelines, with MEA as the nodal ministry.
Domestic legal basis
The Disaster Management Act, 2005 sets up NDMA, SDMAs and district authorities. States carry primary responsibility and the Centre supports.
Overseas HADR guidelines
NDMA issued International HADR Guidelines in October 2024. They recognise the Armed Forces as enablers of rapid response.
Nodal bodies
MEA is the nodal ministry for overseas HADR. MHA is the nodal ministry for disaster response at home.
Operation Sagar Bandhu
Launched on 28 November 2025 to help Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah, including a Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi.
Tiger Triumph 2025
Fourth edition of the India-US tri-service HADR exercise, held 1-11 April 2025.

Don’t confuse with NDMA vs NDRF: NDMA is the apex policy body that frames guidelines. NDRF is the specialised response force deployed on the ground.

Don’t confuse with Operation Samudra Setu vs Operation Ganga: Samudra Setu was a naval sea evacuation during Covid-19 in 2020. Operation Ganga evacuated Indians from Ukraine in 2022, mainly by flights.

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

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Lasting topic on the syllabus, but mostly operation names and figures. Defence reaches Mains rarely (3 of 161 news-set questions), so no question.

Source: PIB Headquarters, 15 Feb, 11:32 IST · Release 284327

Issue page →

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

4

International relations

India-France Annual Defence Dialogue

GS2 International relations: India-FranceGS3 DefencePrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 15 February 2026, the Defence Ministry announced that Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin will co-chair the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on 17 February 2026.
What it is
The India-France Annual Defence Dialogue is a structured ministerial-level meeting held between the two countries' defence ministers. It reviews and guides bilateral defence and security cooperation. Defence is a long-standing pillar of the India-France strategic partnership.
Dialogue edition and venue
The 6th Annual Defence Dialogue was held in Bengaluru on 17 February 2026, co-chaired by Rajnath Singh and Catherine Vautrin.
Defence cooperation agreement
The 10-year defence cooperation agreement was renewed. The Indian Defence Secretary and a French Deputy Director General signed it.
Hammer missile JV
Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence signed an MoU on a joint venture to make Hammer missiles in India.
Officer deployments
The two sides announced reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
Exercise Shakti
Exercise Shakti, the India-France Army exercise, has been changed from biennial to annual.
India-EU link
India said the recent India-EU Security and Defence Partnership deepens collective engagement, and both ministers agreed to use it bilaterally and in the wider European context.
Nature of the dialogue
It is a structured ministerial-level bilateral meeting that reviews and guides defence and security cooperation.
Three service exercises
Shakti is the Army exercise, Varuna the Navy exercise and Garuda the Air Force exercise.
Expected outcomes
A defence cooperation agreement is likely to be renewed for 10 years, and an MoU on a joint venture to make Hammer missiles is likely to be signed.
H125 helicopter line
The Tata Airbus H125 Light Utility Helicopter final assembly at Vemagal, Karnataka is to be inaugurated virtually by the two leaders.

Don’t confuse with Exercise Shakti vs Exercise Varuna: Shakti is the India-France Army exercise. Varuna is the India-France Navy exercise.

Don’t confuse with Hammer vs BrahMos: Hammer is a French-origin air-to-ground weapon that Safran makes. BrahMos is an Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile.

Don’t confuse with Shakti vs Varuna vs Garuda: Shakti is India-France Army, Varuna Navy, Garuda Air Force. Do not mix up the services.

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.

No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Bilateral dialogue with expected renewals, but nothing signed yet. International items are 19% of Prelims, but facts here are thin and uncertain.

Source: PIB, Ministry of Defence, 15 Feb, 14:55 IST · Release 284335

Issue page →

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

5

Law and statutory body

National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit Sharing

GS3 Environment · BiodiversityGS2 Statutory bodiesPrelims and Mains

Why in news
On 15 February 2026 the National Biodiversity Authority released ₹10.40 lakh in Access and Benefit Sharing funds to Biodiversity Management Committees in 24 districts. Cumulative ABS disbursement has crossed ₹145 crore.
What it is
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai. It regulates access to India's biological resources and associated knowledge by commercial users and foreign entities. Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) requires users to share benefits with the providers and local communities, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol.
Amount and recipients
Rs 1.19 crore went to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one UT Biodiversity Council.
Basis of allocation
Because resources were bought through markets or traders, individual benefit claimers could not be identified. Shares were set in proportion to estimated cultivation areas.
Use of funds
Funds must be used only for activities under Section 32(2) of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Legal basis and seat
NBA was set up under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is headquartered in Chennai.
COP 17
COP 17 of the CBD is scheduled for 19-30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
Top sector
The agri-seed sector gave the largest share, Rs 7.16 crore, followed by food and beverages.
Cumulative since 2008
NBA has realised about Rs 278 crore through ABS and disbursed over Rs 200 crore for conservation and benefit claimers.
Disbursal route
Funds go through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils to support People's Biodiversity Registers and Biodiversity Management Committees.
Legal basis and HQ
NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai.
Amended framework
The Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024 have strengthened the framework under the 2002 Act. States are urged to align their rules with it.
ABS funds shared
The NBA has shared over ₹200 crore of ABS funds with farmers, communities, BMCs, SBBs, UTBCs and research institutions.
Local bodies
The Minister called for making the more than 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees functional.
International reporting
India submitted its 7th National Report to the CBD and its 1st National Report on the Nagoya Protocol.
NBA basis and seat
The NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, headquartered in Chennai.
Amount sanctioned
₹8.23 crore was sanctioned to 27 State Biodiversity Boards and 5 UT Biodiversity Councils, from bitter gourd, okra, chilli and onion.
Distribution basis
The resources came from the open market or traders, so no individual providers could be traced. Shares go to States by area under cultivation, as published by the Agriculture Ministry.
Legal basis
The NBA was established in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and is headquartered in Chennai. It is a statutory, autonomous body.
Three-tier structure
The Act sets up the NBA at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards in States, and Biodiversity Management Committees at local body level.
Okra component
The largest part is for okra: Rs. 3.51 crore released to 32 SBBs and UTBCs, from money paid by Nunhems India.
Distribution modality
Since the resources came from markets and traders, the share is split among States and UTs where the resource is cultivated, as recommended by an Expert Committee and approved by the Authority.
Cumulative total
Total ABS disbursed by the NBA has crossed Rs. 191 crore.
Amount and source
Rs. 15.52 crore came from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, which developed ten mustard hybrids using Indian biological resources.
Intermediary rule
Where the resource came through intermediaries, ABS is shared among the SBBs/UTBCs of the areas where it is cultivated.
Unidentified source of access
Where resources were accessed via markets, traders or intermediaries, the source could not be identified, so the NBA used benefit-sharing modalities prepared by an Expert Committee.
Basis of distribution
Money was shared among SBBs/UTBCs of States where the crops are grown, using cultivation-area data of the Agriculture Ministry.
Local structures
State Biodiversity Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees are set up under the Act; the NBA is at the national level.
Payer
The money came from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, an international seed company that used Indian rice varieties to develop hybrids.
State share basis
Rs 5.75 crore went to 33 State Biodiversity Boards and UT Councils, allocated by each State's rice-growing area. Uttar Pradesh got the most.
Global link
The initiative contributes to Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, on fair and equitable benefit sharing.
Headquarters
The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
Where the money goes
If the geographical source of a resource can be established, the ABS amount goes to the State Biodiversity Boards. If not, it stays in the National Biodiversity Fund under Section 27 of the Act.
Basis of State shares
State allocation is proportional to each State's area under cotton, using AICRP (ICAR) data.
Total released
Total ABS funds released by the NBA have reached Rs 152.24 crore.
Effect of notification
Notification regulates or prohibits collection of the species and provides for its rehabilitation and conservation. The Centre may delegate the power to States.
Numbers notified
159 plant and 173 animal species notified as threatened, across 17 States and 3 UTs.
Who the SOP helps
It assists State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils, which recommend species to the State Government for notification.
Link to ABS Regulations
The 2025 ABS Regulations treat benefit-sharing differently where the resource belongs to a species notified as threatened under Section 38.
Money realized
NBA has realized over Rs 266 crore through ABS since 2008, including Rs 21.26 crore in FY 2025-26.
Transfer rule
Under the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, NBA transfers 85-90 per cent of the ABS amount to State Biodiversity Boards for disbursal.
Reach
Benefits reached over 10,500 Biodiversity Management Committees across 23 States and 4 Union Territories.
Leadership
Dr P. L. Gautam, a former head of the NBA and PPVFRA, chairs the committee. The PPVFRA Chairperson is Co-Chair.
Age of the committee
It has been an advisory body of the NBA since 2005 and is reconstituted periodically.
Scope of work
It examines seed sector issues, reviews guidelines for international collaborative research, and recommends measures to conserve threatened native crop varieties and livestock breeds.
International link
The committee gives inputs on India's engagement with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
NBA headquarters
The NBA is headquartered in Chennai.
People's Biodiversity Register
A BMC prepares the PBR in consultation with local people. It records resources, habitats, landraces and traditional knowledge.
National Biodiversity Authority Fund
The NBAF is a statutory fund created under section 27 of the Act. It supports benefit sharing and conservation.
Section 39 repositories
The Central Government can designate institutions as repositories for biological resources. Twenty institutions have been designated so far.
Nagoya Protocol
It is a legally binding supplementary agreement to the CBD, adopted in October 2010 at COP-10 in Nagoya, on fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
Prior registration for IPR
Applicants covered under Section 7 must get a Certificate of Registration from the NBA before seeking IPR, including patents, based on Indian biological resources.
2025-26 numbers
The NBA received 1,077 IPR applications and issued 885 CoRs between April 2025 and March 2026.
2024-25 numbers
Around 857 IPR applications were received and 792 CoRs issued from April 2024 to March 2025.
International basis
The Act implements the Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992; the Nagoya Protocol (2010) deals with access and benefit sharing.
Who got the money
Biodiversity Management Committees in 24 districts across nine States and one Union Territory received the current release. One Haryana dairy farmer was also paid for supplying Murrah buffalo.
Cumulative ABS
Total ABS disbursements at the national level have crossed ₹145 crore, about USD 16 million.
Resources behind the funds
The funds came from commercial use of microorganisms, marine microalgae and seaweed, among others, plus plants such as Tulsi, Moringa, neem and ashwagandha.
International commitments
The NBA implements India's obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, and contributes to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Who receives benefits
Benefits go to institutes, local communities, farmers and Biodiversity Management Committees that provided the parental lines of seeds.
Payout
NBA released Rs 45.05 lakh through State Biodiversity Boards and UT Biodiversity Councils to benefit claimers.
Resources used
Benefits came from insects, soil and water microorganisms and cultivated Red Sanders.
International links
NBA advances India's obligations under the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol on ABS.
Amount released
The NBA released Rs 17 lakh to the Mumbai civic body's Biodiversity Management Committee, routed through the Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board.
Source of benefit
The money comes from the commercial use of soil micro-organisms of the Bacillus genus in probiotic products.
National total
Cumulative ABS disbursements have crossed Rs 144.37 crore, about USD 16 million.
Maharashtra's position
Maharashtra is the second major beneficiary State, next to Andhra Pradesh, whose figure is driven by Red Sanders.
Global frameworks
The outcomes are linked to Targets 13 and 19 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Latest payout
The NBA released ₹45 lakh to Andhra Pradesh farmers through the State Biodiversity Board.
Statutory status and seat
The NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, with headquarters in Chennai.
Red Sanders share
Over ₹104 crore of the total has gone to Andhra Pradesh for Red Sanders conservation, protection and benefit claimers.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs SBB vs BMC: NBA is the national body. State Biodiversity Boards work at State level. Biodiversity Management Committees are local bodies under the same Act.

Don’t confuse with CBD vs Nagoya Protocol: The CBD is the parent treaty. The Nagoya Protocol is its supplementary agreement on access and fair benefit sharing.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Board: NBA is the national regulator at Chennai. State Biodiversity Boards regulate use by Indians at the state level and channel benefits.

Don’t confuse with Nagoya Protocol vs Cartagena Protocol: Nagoya concerns access and benefit sharing of genetic resources. Cartagena concerns the biosafety of living modified organisms.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs National Green Tribunal: The NBA is a regulator under the Biological Diversity Act. The NGT is a judicial body under the NGT Act, 2010.

Don’t confuse with Nagoya Protocol vs Kunming-Montreal Framework: Nagoya is a legal protocol on ABS under the CBD; the Kunming-Montreal Framework is a 2022 global target set, with Target 13 on benefit sharing.

Don’t confuse with Section 38 vs IUCN Red List: Section 38 notification is a legal act under Indian law that restricts collection. The IUCN Red List is a global assessment with no legal force in India.

Don’t confuse with Section 38 vs Wild Life (Protection) Act Schedules: Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act covers threatened species and regulates collection; the Wild Life (Protection) Act uses Schedules to protect wild animals and plants.

Don’t confuse with Rs 266 crore vs Rs 145 crore: Rs 266 crore is realized from users; Rs 145 crore is what has been disbursed to beneficiaries so far.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs PPVFRA: The NBA works under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and regulates access and benefit sharing. The PPVFRA works under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 and registers plant varieties and protects farmers' rights.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Boards: The NBA is the national body. State Biodiversity Boards regulate certain uses within their states, and Biodiversity Management Committees work at the local level.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs State Biodiversity Boards vs BMCs: The NBA is national, the SBBs work at state level, and BMCs are local bodies that prepare PBRs.

Don’t confuse with Convention on Biological Diversity vs Nagoya Protocol: The CBD is the parent treaty of 1992. The Nagoya Protocol is its supplementary agreement dealing specifically with access and fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs SBB: NBA is the national regulator. State Biodiversity Boards regulate at State level, and BMCs work at local body level.

Don’t confuse with NBA vs Biodiversity Management Committees: Biodiversity Management Committees are local-level bodies that document local biodiversity. The NBA and State Boards sit above them.

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.

Test yourself

Source: PIB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change., 15 Feb, 20:32 IST · Release 284344

Issue page →

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

Quick facts

  • India added a record 52,537 MW of generation capacity in FY 2025-26 up to 31 January 2026, including 39,657 MW from renewables; total installed capacity was 520,510.95 MW.

Source: PIB, 15 Feb

What we left out: 18 of 24 releases
  • Greetings and tributes (3)
  • Same issue as another release (5)
  • Ceremonies and campaigns (8)
  • Visits and speeches (1)
  • Speeches without a decision (1)

Practise the day’s news

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

  1. 1India AI Governance GuidelinesMCQ · 7 true or false
  2. 2CBDC-based Public Distribution System PilotMCQ · 6 true or false
  3. 3National Biodiversity Authority and Access and Benefit SharingMCQ · 53 true or false · Mains

Mains question of the day

15 marks · 250 words

India has released the India AI Governance Guidelines, a seven-sutra, principle-based framework that builds on existing laws and proposes new bodies such as the AI Governance Group, the Technology & Policy Expert Committee and the AI Safety Institute. Examine the main provisions of the guidelines and discuss the challenges in governing AI without a dedicated statute.

From: India AI Governance Guidelines

Write and get it marked

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