1. WINTER SESSION: INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS REFORMS AND ‘RIGHT TO RECALL’ DEBATE
SUBJECT: POLITY & GOVERNANCE
- Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026: The government introduced this bill in the Lok Sabha on February 11, aiming to streamline dispute resolution and prevent legal misinterpretations that hinder labor-management harmony.
- ‘Right to Recall’ Proposal: In a significant push for democratic accountability, AAP MP Raghav Chadha has formally urged Parliament to enact a law allowing voters to remove elected representatives before their term ends if they fail to perform.
- Assam Electoral Roll Scrutiny: Following a Special Summary Revision, Assam has dropped over 2.4 lakh names from its final voter list, emphasizing a transition toward a “leaner and verified” electoral database to prevent fraud.
- Digital Governance Mandates: The Ministry of Electronics & IT notified new rules today requiring all digital platforms to use prominent labels for AI-generated content to combat “deepfake” misinformation.
- Judicial Accessibility: A new Private Member’s Bill, the Virtual Court Proceedings Bill, 2026, was discussed in the Rajya Sabha to mandate virtual hearings across all tribunals to reduce the litigation cost for common citizens.
- Concepts to Focus: Article 123 (Ordinance making powers during recess) and the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (for recall and disqualification norms).
2. HEALTH SECURITY AND QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY LEAPS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
- TB Treatment Breakthrough: A landmark study released today by the ICMR confirmed that a new six-month all-oral regimen for drug-resistant Tuberculosis is highly cost-effective, potentially replacing the longer, more painful injection-based treatments currently used in India.
- India’s First Quantum AI Valley: Established in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh, this facility began operations today to develop high-speed, miniaturized AI devices, marking India’s entry into the “Quantum Era” of computing.
- Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the 2026 Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign, targeting 124 endemic districts to eliminate “Elephantiasis” as a public health problem by 2027.
- UP Economic Survey: Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in India to release its own independent Annual Economic Survey (2025-26), highlighting a record budget allocation of ₹9.13 lakh crore with a focus on higher education in rural clusters like Mirzapur.
- Solar Research Network: The government announced the expansion of the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) network, which will integrate data from the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (TN) and Aditya-L1 to study solar flares.
- Concepts to Focus: National Health Policy 2017 (Targets for TB and Filariasis) and the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
3. DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY: BRICS PRESIDENCY AND INDO-FRENCH ROADMAP
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- BRICS Sherpa Meeting: India, holding the BRICS Presidency for 2026, hosted the first Sherpa meeting in Delhi today under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
- India-France “Horizon 2047”: Preparations were finalized for French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit on February 17, where a 25-year strategic roadmap for innovation and green energy will be signed.
- India-US Trade Framework: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed today that the joint statement on the interim trade agreement reflects “shared understandings” to finalize reciprocal tariff reductions (from 25% to 18%) on Indian exports.
- Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025: Transparency International’s latest report ranks India at 91st (out of 182), showing a slight improvement in public sector transparency compared to previous years.
- Humanitarian Aid to Seychelles: During the Seychelles President’s visit to Chennai, India announced a $175 million economic package, including a $125 million Line of Credit for maritime security.
- Concepts to Focus: Multipolarity in the context of BRICS and Strategic Autonomy in India-France bilateral ties.
4. FISCAL MOMENTUM: 8.2% GDP GROWTH AND NEW INVESTMENT CHANNELS
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- GDP Performance: India’s real GDP growth for the current quarter hit 8.2%, outstripping the 7.3% estimates, primarily driven by a 9% expansion in the services sector and robust public infrastructure spending.
- Goldman Sachs Upgrade: Global brokerage Goldman Sachs upgraded India’s 2026 growth outlook to 6.9%, citing the positive impact of the India-US trade deal and a narrowing Current Account Deficit (CAD) to 0.8% of GDP.
- Financial Inclusion via India Post: A new partnership between India Post and NSE will now allow citizens to invest in Mutual Funds through 1.64 lakh post offices, utilizing the e-KYC framework to bring formal finance to rural India.
- PM-SURAJ Portal: The digital credit portal for marginalized entrepreneurs surpassed its target today, disbursing over ₹1,389 crore to 1.39 lakh beneficiaries from disadvantaged communities.
- Rupee Stability: Following the trade tariff relief from the US, the Indian Rupee (INR) emerged as the best-performing emerging market currency this week, stabilizing against the USD.
- Concepts to Focus: Current Account Deficit (CAD), Foreign Indirect Investment (FII) flows, and Inclusive Growth through fintech.
5. INDIGENIZATION: DAC CLEARS RAFALE DEAL & NEW DEFENCE RULES
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- 114 Rafale Jets Cleared: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) today gave the “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN) for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft. While 18 will be in fly-away condition, the remaining 96 will be manufactured in India.
- Draft DAP 2026: The Ministry of Defence unveiled the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026, which pivots from “Made in India” to “Owned by India,” emphasizing intellectual property (IP) and source code retention by Indian entities.
- SCALP Cruise Missiles: India is set to finalize the acquisition of French SCALP long-range cruise missiles (Storm Shadow) to enhance the strike capability of its existing fighter fleet.
- Strategic Shield (S-400): The Indian Air Force has operationalized three “Sudarshan” (S-400) squadrons, with the final two batteries expected to arrive by late 2026 to complete the national air defense umbrella.
- INS Aridaman: Reports indicate that India’s third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has entered its final sea-trial phase before commissioning, strengthening the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad.
- Concepts to Focus: Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence and the Nuclear Triad (No-First-Use policy).
6. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MARITIME TIES
SUBJECT: TAMIL NADU FOCUS
- Kodaikanal Solar Observatory Centenary: The facility is being integrated into the global “Real-time Solar Storm Warning System” alongside NASA and ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission.
- Seychelles President in Chennai: Dr. Patrick’s arrival in Chennai today marks a strengthening of the “Chennai-Victoria” maritime axis, focusing on Blue Economy cooperation and fisheries management.
- Comic Con Chennai 2026: The state government announced the kickoff of the city’s largest cultural and tech summit today, aiming to position Chennai as a hub for the AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) industry.
- Rural Road Resilience: Following the recent moderate rainfall from the remnants of Cyclone Ditwah, the state has fast-tracked the “Rain-Proof Rural Roads” initiative to improve drainage in Cuddalore and Ranipet.
