Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (11th February 2026)

National News

3 Hour Takedown Rule! Government Cracks Down on Online Content

• The government has amended the IT Rules, 2021, effective February 20, 2026, tightening regulations on social media intermediaries.
• Platforms must now display prominent, non-removable labels on AI-generated (synthetic) content to improve transparency and curb deepfakes.
• The content removal timeline has been sharply reduced from 36 hours to 3 hours, and to 2 hours for non-consensual intimate imagery, with non-compliance risking loss of safe harbour protection.
• The amendments also mandate technical safeguards, user disclosure of AI content, and swift action against unlawful synthetic media to strengthen digital accountability.

No-Confidence Motion Against Om Birla! Here’s What You Must Know Constitutional Path

• A no-confidence motion has been moved against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla under Article 94(c), which allows removal by a majority of all members.
• A 14-day notice is required, and at least 50 members must support the motion for it to be admitted.
• Debate is limited to the charges, and the Speaker can participate and vote in the first instance.
• Historically, such motions have been moved three times (1954, 1966, 1987) but none succeeded, and the Speaker continues in office even if the House is dissolved, until the first meeting of the newly elected Lok Sabha.

MHA Updates Rules on Order of National Song and Anthem

• The MHA has issued new guidelines on Vande Mataram. All six stanzas must be sung before the National Anthem at official events.
• The directive was released on January 28, 2026.
• The full rendition takes about 3 minutes and 10 seconds. Standing is mandatory during official performance. Schools must begin activities with the National Song.
• The Centre is celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram. The order brings uniform protocol and clarity across institutions.

Release Dates Announced for India’s New GDP, CPI, and IIP Series

• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has revised the base years for India’s key economic indicators: GDP and IIP to 2022-23 and CPI to 2024.
• The updated series will be released on 12 February 2026 (CPI), 27 February 2026 (GDP), and May 2026 (IIP).
• Base year revisions account for structural economic changes, new industries, and shifting consumption patterns, ensuring accurate, relevant, and globally comparable statistics.
• The exercise incorporates major surveys like PLFS, HCES, and ASUSE, with methodological improvements such as larger samples, updated survey tools, and revised sectoral weights, enhancing the reliability of India’s economic data.

State News

Assam to Strengthen Disaster Management with $182 Million ADB Funding

• The Asian Development Bank approved an additional $182 million loan to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion management in Assam, complementing the existing $200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra project.
• The funding will enhance embankments, early warning systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure to reduce recurring flood damage and displacement.
• Assam’s annual Brahmaputra floods threaten livelihoods, agriculture, and infrastructure, making long-term disaster resilience critical.
• This integrated approach focuses on both structural measures and community-based preparedness, aiming to safeguard rural communities, protect economic assets, and build sustainable climate adaptation strategies in the flood-prone region.

Uttar Pradesh Just Announced a Game Changing ₹9.13 Lakh Crore Budget 2026-27

• Uttar Pradesh’s 2026-27 budget totals ₹9.13 lakh crore, a 12.2% rise over last year, with the fiscal deficit capped at 3% of GSDP until 2030-31.
• Key allocations include education (12.4%), health (6%), and agriculture (9%), reflecting focus on human capital, healthcare, and rural development.
• The budget emphasizes infrastructure and capital investment, aiming to boost economic productivity, create jobs, and support Uttar Pradesh’s goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy.
• It balances growth-led spending with fiscal discipline, ensuring sustainable expansion while strengthening priority sectors.

International News

How the New India-UK Pact Cuts Social Security Burden for Workers

• India and the UK signed a Social Security Agreement on February 10, 2026, preventing temporary employees (up to 36 months) from paying double social security contributions.
• The pact protects workers home-country coverage, reduces employment costs, and benefits sectors like IT, finance, education, and consulting.
• It forms part of the broader India-UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, highlighting labour mobility as a key pillar of modern trade partnerships.
• By easing financial and administrative burdens, the agreement is expected to boost professional mobility, strengthen bilateral trade, and deepen economic ties.

Agreements News

AIIA Signs MoU with General Insurance Council for Cashless Ayurveda Coverage

• The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signed an MoU with the General Insurance Council, enabling cashless Ayurveda treatment under 32 general insurance companies.
• This historic step integrates Ayurveda into the mainstream health insurance system, allowing policyholders to access insured therapies like Panchakarma and chronic care without upfront payments.
• The move strengthens the Ministry of Ayush’s goal of mainstreaming traditional medicine within India’s healthcare ecosystem.
• A dedicated Ayush Health Insurance Helpline has also been launched to assist patients with coverage, claims, and insurance-related queries.

Ranks & Reports News

Global Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 Shows Decline in Average Score: Read Here All Data

• The Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 shows a global decline, with the average score falling to 42, the lowest in over a decade, and 122 countries scoring below 50.
• Denmark leads as the least corrupt nation with a score of 89, while conflict-affected countries like South Sudan and Somalia rank at the bottom.
• India is ranked 91st with a score of 39, slightly improving but still below the global average.
• The report highlights persistent governance challenges worldwide, even in high-scoring nations, and stresses the need for stronger transparency, accountability, and anti-corruption reforms to curb systemic public sector corruption.

Denmark Tops, Afghanistan Last! Where Do India and US Rank in Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26?

• The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025/26 measures women’s inclusion, justice, and security, scoring countries from 0 to 1.
• Denmark ranks first (0.939), followed by Iceland and Norway, while conflict-affected nations like Afghanistan (0.279) and Yemen rank lowest.
• India is placed 131st with a score of 0.607, showing progress in financial inclusion and maternal health but challenges remain in gender-based violence and workforce participation.
• The US ranks 31st, improving due to lower maternal mortality.
• The index highlights that political stability, legal equality, and security strongly influence women’s well-being globally, with fragile states showing the worst outcomes.

Global Billionaire Wealth Reaches $15.8 Trillion, Look At India’s Position

• In 2025, global billionaire wealth hit a record $15.8 trillion, rising 13% in a year, with nearly 3,000 billionaires worldwide. Self-made billionaires contributed $386.5 billion, driven by innovation and inheritance trends.
• The US leads with 924 billionaires and $6.89 trillion, followed by China (470 billionaires, $1.77 trillion) and India (188 billionaires, $888.2 billion).
• While India added three billionaires, its total wealth slightly declined by 1.9%.
• Other top countries include Germany, the UK, and Switzerland, while smaller economies like Singapore saw the fastest wealth growth.
• The report highlights shifting global wealth patterns and concentration in technology, finance, and manufacturing.

Schemes News

From Birth to Graduation: Delhi’s ₹1 Lakh Promise for Daughters

• The Delhi government launched ‘Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’ to provide long-term financial support for girl children from birth until graduation.
• Under the scheme, beneficiaries will receive ₹56,000 in phased instalments, which will mature into over ₹1 lakh after graduation, encouraging higher education.
• The process is fully digital and transparent, with online applications and direct benefit transfers, eliminating the need for office visits.
• By linking financial aid to educational milestones, the scheme promotes gender equity, financial inclusion, and long-term empowerment of girls in the national capital.

Science & Technology News

India Just Got Two Mega Telescopes – Here’s Why It Matters

• India’s 2026 Union Budget approves major astronomy projects in Ladakh, including the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT), and an upgraded Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT).
• NLST will study solar magnetism and space weather, while NLOT’s 13.7-metre segmented mirror will enable research on exoplanets, stellar evolution, and the universe’s origins.
• HCT’s upgrade to a 3.7-metre mirror will enhance transient astronomy and gravitational wave studies.
• Located in Hanle’s Dark Sky Reserve, these telescopes benefit from high altitude, dry climate, and clear skies, positioning India as a global leader in observational astronomy.

17 Year Old Aditya Pandya Becomes India’s Youngest Male Analog Astronaut

• Seventeen-year-old Aditya Pandya became India’s youngest male analog astronaut after completing a lunar-habitat simulation from February 1–8, 2026 in Dholavira, Gujarat.
• The mission by AAKA Space Studio replicated Moon-like isolation, testing psychological endurance, habitat systems, and crew autonomy. Aditya also led hardware and IoT integration, managing sensors, biometric monitoring, and real-time telemetry inside the modular habitat.
• A digital twin mirrored the habitat for continuous monitoring and analysis.
• The mission advanced India’s analog space research and youth participation, demonstrating how engineers can both design and test technology in simulated extraterrestrial environments.

New Dragonfly Species Lyriothemis keralensis Discovered in Kerala

• Kerala has revealed a new dragonfly species, Lyriothemis keralensis, endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Found in vegetated pools and shaded rubber and pineapple plantations in Ernakulam, it thrives even in human-modified landscapes. Males are bright red, females yellow, with distinct anatomical traits separating them from related species.
• This discovery enriches India’s Odonate diversity and highlights that plantations can support unique wildlife.
• Since much of its population exists outside protected forests, the species faces conservation risks from habitat changes and pesticide use, underscoring the need to document and preserve lesser-known insects for ecological balance.

Sports News

India Storms to 39 Gold! Indian Shooters Shine Bright at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship

• India strengthened its dominance at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 in New Delhi, raising its gold tally to 39 and total medals to 66 (39 gold, 15 silver, 12 bronze).
• Junior shooter Prachi Gaikwad won gold in the 50m rifle three-position event, while the junior women’s team also secured gold.
• In the senior category, Aakriti Dahiya claimed silver and Anjum Moudgil won bronze, with the team earning another silver.
• India remains comfortably at the top of the medal table, showcasing exceptional depth in both junior and senior shooting categories.

Important Days News

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: Why It Matters More Than Ever

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on 11 February to promote equal participation of women and girls in STEM fields.
• Declared by the United Nations, the day addresses persistent gender gaps in scientific research, leadership, and technology sectors despite progress in education.
• The 2026 theme “Synergizing AI, Social Science, STEM and Finance: Building Inclusive Futures for Women and Girls” — highlights the need for integrated, inclusive innovation.
• The observance supports the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing that gender equality in science drives stronger economies, better innovation, and sustainable global development.

Current Affairs Today | 11 February 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam