Current Affairs 13th February 2026

1. Retail inflation at  2.75% in new CPI

GS paper III-Economy

Context: MoSPI released the first set of retail inflation data under the 2024 base year in February 2026.

• Modernization Drive: Update fixes “data lag” and aligns with the latest Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24.
• First Reading: January 2026 retail inflation at 2.75% under new series—much lower than previous trends.

 Background: What is CPI?

• Definition: Measures average change over time in prices paid by retail consumers for a fixed basket of goods/services.
• Purpose: Acts as proxy for cost of living and purchasing power of the Indian Rupee.
• Compiler: Released monthly by National Statistical Office (NSO) under MoSPI.
• Types: CPI-Rural, CPI-Urban, and CPI-Combined (headline inflation figure).

 Key Highlights of New CPI Series (Base 2024)

• Item Expansion: Basket now has 358 items (up from 299 in 2012 series).
• Digital Inclusion: First-time price data from 12 online markets for cities with 25 lakh+ population.
• Broader Coverage: Price collection from 1,465 rural and 1,395 urban markets across India.
• Revision Frequency: Government plans updates every 3–5 years to avoid data obsolescence.

 Major Structural Changes in New CPI

• COICOP Alignment: Follows international Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (2018) framework.
• 12 Divisions: Basket split into 12 divisions (vs. 6 earlier), e.g., “Information & Communication” for granularity.
• Rural Housing: Included for first time to capture rural cost of living better.
• Additions: OTT subscriptions, babysitters, pen-drives, gym equipment.
• Deletions: Obsolete items like VCR/DVD players, tape recorders, radio.

 Changes in Weightage

• Crucial Note: 9% drop in Food weight shows richer Indians spend less on basics, more on services.

 Why Base Year Revision Matters

• Relevance: Reflects current behavior (e.g., more smartphones than in 2012).
• Accuracy: Avoids overestimating inflation from food price spikes due to high old weights.
• Global Standards: Matches IMF/UN best practices for national stats.
• Policy Impact: Gives realistic data for welfare spending and subsidies.

 Implications for RBI & Policy

• Lower Volatility: Reduced food weight stabilizes headline inflation.
• Core Focus: RBI emphasizes core inflation (non-food, non-fuel) for demand pressures.
• Interest Rates: 2.75% print allows supportive rates for growth.
• Anchored Expectations: Accurate data steadies business/household inflation views.

 Key Concept: Linking Factor

• Definition: Mathematical multiplier to convert New Series (2024) index to Old Series (2012) level.
• Purpose: Ensures continuity for comparing 2010 vs. 2026 data without graph breaks.
• Method: Arithmetic Conversion based on overlapping year’s average.

2. 114 Rafales for IAF, Six p-81 aircrafts for Navy

GS paper III-S&T

Context: DAC cleared one of India’s largest single-day procurement packages.

• Strategic Timing: Addresses IAF’s declining squadron strength and boosts maritime dominance.
• Indigenization Focus: Significant portion of high-value projects to be manufactured in India.

 Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)

• First Step: Official “green signal” acknowledging operational need for equipment.
• Initiates Procurement: Enables tendering, bidding, and technical trials.
• Policy Validation: Confirms financial and strategic justification at policy level.

 Key IAF Approvals

• 114 MRFA: Approval for 114 multi-role jets (understood as Rafales) to restore squadrons.
• Domestic Manufacturing: ~90 jets made in India with 50% indigenous content.
• Combat Missiles: Enhances stand-off ground-attack and precision strike capabilities.
• AS-HAPS: “Pseudo satellites” for persistent surveillance and electronic intelligence.

 AS-HAPS Explained

• Pseudo Satellites: UAVs at 18–20 km altitude.
• Solar Powered: Airborne for months using solar energy.
• Persistent ISR: Continuous intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance; telecom relays.
• Cost Effective: Satellite capabilities at lower cost, easier redeployment.

 Key Navy Approvals

• P-8I Aircraft: Six additional for maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare.
• Marine Gas Turbines: 4 MW generators under Make-I category.
• Reduced Dependency: Indigenous systems cut reliance on foreign manufacturers.

 Key Army Approvals

• Vibhav Mines: Indigenous anti-tank mines to disrupt enemy forces.
• Vehicle Overhauls: T-72 tanks, BMP-II vehicles, ARVs for extended life.
• Life Extension: Boosts service life and operational readiness.

 Key ICG Approvals

• Surveillance Systems: EO/IR for Dornier aircraft.
• Coastal Security: Improves efficacy in coastal/offshore areas.

 Self-Reliance Dimensions

• Make in India: High-end platforms like Rafale, P-8I with domestic production.
• Technology Transfer: MRFA includes airframe and systems integration transfers.
• Indigenous Categories: “Make-I” and “Buy (Indian-IDDM)” for home-grown tech.
• Supply Chain Growth: Builds sustainable aerospace/defence industrial base.

3. Bacteria are multilingual

GS paper III-Biotechnology

 Context: Prof. Bonnie Bassler delivered ‘A chemical language that enables communication between diverse organisms’.

• Occasion: Held at IISc, Bengaluru, for International Day for Women and Girls in Science.
• Scientific Insights: Detailed bacterial coordination via “quorum sensing”.

 Why Important?

• Evolutionary Insight: Explains collective behaviors through microscopic interactions.
• Life-Sustaining Roles: Gut bacteria digest food, provide nutrients.
• Dual Nature: Bacteria as “magical microbes”—disease-causing or life-supporting.
• Agricultural Potential: Promises new environmental and farm management methods.

 Core Concept: Quorum Sensing

• Definition: Chemical process for bacteria to sense population density.
• Coordination: Colonies act unison, like multi-cellular organisms.
• Signal Detection: Release/detect chemical molecules to monitor neighbors.
• Action Trigger: At “quorum” density, launch collective behavior.

 Multilingual Bacteria

• Diverse Languages: Different chemical “dialects” for own species/others.
• Intra-species Talk: Chemicals for family/species communication.
• Inter-species Talk: “Universal” language across bacterial types.
• Complex Interpretation: Distinguishes friend from foe in gut-like environments.

 Example: Vibrio Species

• Vibrio cholerae: Uses quorum sensing for coordinated deadly attacks.
• Vibrio fischeri: Bioluminescent, symbiotic with Hawaiian bobtail squid.
• Camouflage Role: Glows to mimic moonlight, hides squid shadow from predators.
• Collective Light: Glows only at high density via quorum sensing.

 Medical Implications

• Anti-Quorum Therapies: Drugs “jam” signals, not kill bacteria.
• Antibiotic Alternative: Lowers resistance risk.
• Precision Targeting: Hits specific harms like toxins, spares beneficial bacteria.

 Awards and Recognition

• Wolf Prize: 2022 winner in Chemistry.
• Gairdner Award: 2023 Canada Gairdner Award.
• Academic Standing: Princeton professor, molecular biology leader.

4. Bodhan AI

GS paper III-S&T

 Context: Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave launched on February 12, 2026, to set national AI roadmap for education.

• Bodhan AI Launch: Centre of Excellence established at IIT Madras to lead AI transformation in education.
• National Budget Support: Backed by ₹500 crore from Union Budget 2025-26.
• Six-Month Pilot: Plans to pilot AI tools in schools across 2–3 states within the next year.

 Background and Context

• Viksit Bharat 2047: Key pillar to empower 30 crore students with AI skills for “Developed India.”
• Technological Shift: Moves from static “one-size-fits-all” to dynamic, personalized learning.
• Digital Infrastructure Legacy: Builds on “India Stack” (Aadhaar, UPI) success for education.

 What is Bodhan AI?

• Centre of Excellence: Non-profit IIT Madras Bodhan AI Foundation for India-centric AI research.
• Multilingual Foundational Model: Sovereign AI supporting Indian languages and dialects.
• Application Aggregator: Platform for edtech startups to integrate, avoiding parallel systems.
• Sovereign Capability: Hosts educational data and models within India for data sovereignty.

 What is Bharat EduAI Stack?

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Open-source, interoperable architecture for nationwide AI learning.
• Shared Technology Layer: Common base for states/institutions to build customized tools.
• Unified Ecosystem: Analyzes student responses, provides teacher/parent insights, real-time analytics.
• Safe by Design: Includes data protection, privacy, and bias controls.

 Why AI in Education?

• Personalized Tutors: 24/7 feedback and practice tailored to student pace.
• Teacher Support: Automates admin tasks/grading for focus on mentorship.
• Bridging Gaps: Predictive analytics for early learning gap detection.
• Democratizing Quality: Equal access to high-quality content for remote students.

 Public Digital Infrastructure (DPI) Model

• Interoperability: Seamless integration via open APIs for government/private/local systems.
• Scalability: Handles 260 million+ annual school enrolments.
• Inclusive by Design: Accessible across socio-economic/linguistic backgrounds.
• Non-Monopolistic: Free tech stack to boost competitive startup ecosystem.

 Alignment with National Policies

• NEP 2020 Compliance: Supports 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035 via digital tools.
• AI Literacy: Introduces age-appropriate AI from Class 3.
• NIPUN Bharat: Strengthens foundational literacy/numeracy.
• DIKSHA and APAAR: Syncs with DIKSHA for content and APAAR for student IDs.

5. Tangkhul Hui and Kombai breeds

GS paper III-S&T

 Context: In February 2026, Assam Rifles (AR) announced full-scale induction of Tangkhul Hui dogs after a successful pilot.

• New Addition: AR will start inducting Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu from April 2026.
• National Directive: Follows Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandate for all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to adopt two Indian dog breeds.

 Background and Context

• Atmanirbhar Push: Aligns with government’s self-reliance drive in defense assets.
• Shift from Foreign Breeds: Indian forces previously relied on German Shepherds, Labradors, and Belgian Malinois.
• Modern Identification: AR Dog Training Centre (ARDTC) identified local breeds with combat-level intelligence and stamina.

 The Two Breeds: Tangkhul Hui and Kombai

Tangkhul Hui (Haofa)

• Origin: Native to Ukhrul district, Manipur; raised by Tangkhul Naga tribe.
• Role: Hunting traditionally; now specialized in narcotics detection for AR.
• Traits: Highly intelligent, extremely loyal, resistant to local diseases.

 Kombai

• Origin: Ancient breed from Theni district, Tamil Nadu; known as Indian Bore Hound.
• Role: Guarding and hunting wild boar; valued for ferocious guarding instincts.
• Traits: Extremely powerful, courageous, high athletic stamina for clearing obstacles.

 Role of Assam Rifles

• Oldest Paramilitary: Established 1835; “Sentinels of the North East” for border security and counter-insurgency.
• Operational Areas: Dogs deployed in high-risk Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir zones.
• Specialized Tasks: Tracking, explosives detection, narcotics smuggling prevention from Myanmar.

 Why Shift to Indigenous Breeds?

• Climate Adaptability: Suited to India’s diverse, harsh weather unlike foreign breeds.
• Disease Resistance: Less prone to genetic issues and common illnesses.
• Low Maintenance: Require less medical care and no expensive imported diets.
• Strategic Self-Reliance: Cuts dependency on foreign breeding programs, reducing asset lag.

 Training and Implementation

• Training Hub: ARDTC in Jorhat, Assam; houses over 100 dogs.
• Course Duration: 12 weeks basic handling + 36 weeks advanced specialization.
• Dual-Purpose Training: Exploring “assault + tracking” and “assault + explosive detection.”
• Gender Inclusion: First-time induction of women dog handlers.

6. Vande Mataram, its stanzas and a settles question

GS paper I-History

Context: Issued on January 28, a 10-page protocol for the 150th anniversary of the National Song.

• New Mandate: Requires playing/singing all six stanzas (previously only two) at official and school functions.
• Equal Status: National Song to be played before National Anthem when both performed.
• Standing Protocol: Mandatory standing to attention for full duration (~3 min 10 sec).

 Historical Background

• Composition: Written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1870s, included in novel Anandamath (1882).
• Freedom Struggle: Rallying cry in 1905 Anti-Partition movement; first sung by Tagore at 1896 Congress session.
• Revolutionary Symbol: Used by revolutionaries like Madam Bhikaji Cama and Madan Lal Dhingra.

 The 1937 Settlement (CWC Resolution)

• The Conflict: Objections from Muslim League over religious imagery in later stanzas.
• CWC Resolution: Congress Working Committee (Calcutta, 1937) adopted only first two stanzas for gatherings.
• Rationale: First two verses focus on motherland/nature; later invoke Hindu deities like Durga, Lakshmi.
• Unity Strategy: Supported by Gandhi, Nehru to maintain communal harmony.

 Constituent Assembly Positions

• Anthem vs. Song: January 24, 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad announced Jana Gana Mana as National Anthem.
• Equal Status: Vande Mataram granted “equal status” as National Song for freedom struggle role.
• Limited Adoption: Carried forward 1937 logic, using only non-religious stanzas.

 Constitutional Framework (Article 51A)

• Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(a) mandates respect for Constitution, Flag, Anthem.
• Notable Omission: National Song not mentioned, unlike Anthem.
• Legal Distinction: Indicates less rigid protocol historically.

 Landmark Judgment: Bijoe Emmanuel vs. State of Kerala (1986)

• Right to Silence: SC ruled no forced singing of Anthem if religious objections.
• Respect vs. Participation: Standing respectfully suffices; forced singing violates Article 25.
• Standard of Law: Departmental instructions cannot override fundamental rights.

 Why the 2026 MHA Order is Problematic

• Religious Sensitivity: All six stanzas include Hindu imagery, conflicting with minority faiths.
• Legal Force: Executive order mandates what Article 51A/Prevention Act do not explicitly require.
• Duration & Decorum: 3-min standing in schools seen as excessive enforced nationalism.
• Historical Reversal: Unsettles 90-year consensus for inclusivity.

Core Constitutional Logic

• Voluntary vs. Forced: Favors voluntary patriotism over coercion.
• Secular Ethos: Symbols must include all citizens regardless of beliefs.
• Precedence of Rights: Fundamental Rights (Art 19, 25) prevail over non-enforceable Duties (Art 51A).

7. Farmer pulse

GS paper III-Agriculture

Context: India announced mission targeting 350 lakh tonnes pulse production by 2030-31.

• Trade Tension: U.S. documents suggest India opening markets to American pulse imports.
• Farmer Skepticism: Domestic producers fear depressed local prices contradicting self-sufficiency goals.

 Why Pulses Matter for India

• Protein Source: Account for ~25% of non-cereal protein in Indian diet.
• Livelihood: Support ~5 crore farmers and families.
• Food Security: Key to managing household costs amid global supply tightness.

 Key Issues and Demand-Supply Gap

• Output vs. Demand: Production ~2.5 crore tonnes vs. demand 3.0 crore tonnes.
• Import Reliance: Annual gap of 0.5 crore tonnes filled via imports.
• Vulnerability: Exposed to global trade decisions and price shocks.

 How India Manages Pulses Demand

• Import Policy: Mix of open/restricted imports for supply stability.
• Price Stabilization: Interventions to curb retail price spikes.
• Conditional Procurement: MSP encourages sales to state agencies.

 Structural Problems in Pulse Sector

• Rain-fed Cultivation: Relies on unpredictable rainfall, causing yield volatility.
• Weak Procurement: Price Support Scheme coverage fluctuates 2.9%-12.4%.
• Lack of Centers: Inadequate centers force sales to private traders below MSP.
• Yield Gap: Lower than major international competitors.

 The U.S. Trade Controversy

• Obligation Claims: U.S. documents imply deal mandating American pulse purchases.
• Policy Contradiction: Undermines domestic self-sufficiency efforts.
• Political Sensitivity: Echoes past farm law protests, seen as “anti-farmer.”

 Government’s New Initiative

• Outlay & Scale: ₹11,440 crore mission for 310 lakh hectares cultivation.
• Production Goal: 350 lakh tonnes by decade-end.
• Mission 2025: Addresses procurement deficits in key growing belts.

 Structural Reforms Needed

• MSP Guarantees: Legally-backed to boost farmer investment.
• Infrastructure: Expand procurement centers to cut middlemen reliance.
• Productivity Gains: High-yield, drought-resistant seeds for rain-fed areas.
• Market Incentives: Reward pulses over water-intensive crops.