Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

National Women’s Day

♦ National Women’s Day is observed annually on February 13 stands as a vibrant tribute to the multifaceted accomplishments of women across cultural, social, political and economic spheres. The celebration finds its roots in the birthday of Sarojini Naidu, a luminary figure in Indian history. Sarojini Naidu's was born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad. She became the first Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress in 1925 and later the first woman Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947. ♦ Notably, she made history as India’s first female governor, leading Uttar Pradesh after independence. She strongly advocated for women’s education and political participation, inspiring generations.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Startup India

♦ The government on 13 Febuary 2026 approved the second tranche of the Startup India Fund of Funds Scheme with a corpus of Rs.10,000 crore, aimed at encouraging early-stage startups and deep-tech research. ♦ These entities are eligible for incentives under the Startup India action plan. The scheme was designed to catalyse venture capital investments and is operationalised by Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which provides capital to Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in startups. ♦ AIFs supported under the Fund of Funds Scheme (FFS) are required to invest at least two times the amount committed under FFS in startups. DPIIT is the monitoring agency, while SIDBI is the operating agency for the FFS.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Lead Bank Scheme (LBS)

♦ The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 13 february 2026 released draft guidelines to revise the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS), aiming to streamline its operations and enhance its effectiveness in coordinating development activities at the district level. The scheme, introduced in 1969, seeks to improve credit flow to priority sectors while deepening financial inclusion across rural and semi-urban areas. Under the proposed guidelines, the structure, membership, and agenda of the various fora under LBS will be fine-tuned, with clear delineation of roles and responsibilities for key functionaries. ♦ The draft also focuses on strengthening State Level Bankers’ Committees (SLBCs) and Lead District Manager offices, ensuring better coordination among banks, government bodies, and other development agencies. ♦ According to the RBI circular, a designated commercial bank in each district will serve as the Lead Bank, responsible for coordinating credit activities of financial institutions and stakeholders to promote inclusive growth.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)

♦ The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is set to form the next government after sweeping the 13th national parliamentary election and crossing the two-thirds majority mark. According to official results released by the Election Commission for 297 seats, the BNP has won 209 seats on its own, comfortably crossing the 151-seat threshold required to form a government in the 300-member Parliament. BNP chairman Tarique Rahman is expected to become the next prime minister. ♦ These elections were held nearly 18 months after the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was forced out of office following massive student-led protests in July 2024. This was the country’s first national election since that dramatic political change.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Seva Teerth complex

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex on 13 February 2026, the new building which houses the PM's Office, the National Security Council Secretariat, and the Cabinet Secretariat. PM Modi unveiled the plaque of Seva Teerth at the new complex - the name inscribed in Devanagari script on the wall of the complex. Below it is the motto ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ (citizen is akin to God). ♦ The PMO shifted from the South Block on Raisina Hill to Seva Teerth, bringing together the offices of the Cabinet Secretariat and the National Security Council Secretariat that were located at different places.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

SBI

♦ India's export to the United States on agricultural commodities is set to witness a significant jump as 75 percent of such exports will now be at zero tariff, according to a report by SBI. The report said that India has a trade surplus of $1.3 billion in agricultural trade with the US. It noted that India's export of $1.36 billion worth of agricultural commodities will receive zero additional US duty access, which will significantly help Indian farmers and exporters scale up shipments. ♦ The report said "agricultural products valued at $1.035 bn have assured zero reciprocal tariff, which will significantly help Indian farmers and exporters to scale up" Some of the key agricultural items expected to benefit include rice, spices, oilseeds, tea and coffee. ♦ The US import share of Indian rice is almost 24 per cent, which the report said will support Indian farmers. Tea, coffee and spices currently have a share of around 3 per cent, and the new tariff structure is expected to strengthen the plantation economy.India's fishery sector, which was badly affected by US tariffs earlier, is also likely to benefit. ♦ The US imports around 10 percent from India in this category. The lower tariff of 18 percent is expected to support the sector and improve export prospects.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Balaghat

♦ Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh was selected as the pilot district under World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector (WLGSP). Under the pilot project one 500 MT godown was constructed at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit Parswada in Balaghat District. ♦ The project has been fully completed and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 24 February 2024. The godown has been hired by Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC). ♦ The Plan is being implemented at PACS/ other cooperative societies level through convergence of various existing schemes of the Government of India (GoI), such as, Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME), etc. Under the AIF Scheme the benefit of interest subvention is given to the PACS against the loan taken for construction of godowns and under AMI Scheme subsidy is given for the construction of foodgrain storage.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Indian Air Force

♦ For the first time, the Indian Air Force is set to train pilots of the UK's Royal Air Force under a new initiative. The decision was taken at the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks held in New Delhi on 12 February 2026. ♦ Under the latest agreement, the Indian Air Force will deploy three Qualified Flight Instructors (QFI) to Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley in the UK - the training base for British fast jet pilots. ♦ This marks the first time that Indian QFIs will impart fast jet training to British pilots at RAF Valley. The deployment will be initially for a period of two years. ♦ The signing of this Letter of Agreement is a significant step in strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Royal Air Force and the Indian Air Force.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Asian Shooting Championships 2026

♦ Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar set a new world record en route to winning the gold medal in the men’s 50 metre rifle 3 positions event at the Asian Shooting Championships 2026 in New Delhi on 12 February 2026. He defended his title with a score of 362.0 in the final. India completed a clean sweep of the podium in the event, with Niraj Kumar claiming silver with 361.8 and Akhil Sheoran taking bronze with 343.5. ♦ Earlier, the Indian trio of Neeraj, Aishwary, and Akhil also won the team gold with Japan and Kazakhstan winning the silver and bronze medals. In the junior men’s 50 metre Rifle 3 Positions finals, Adriyan Karmakar secured his second gold medal of the championship with a comfortable victory, shooting a score of 353.2, which was 4.7 more than silver medallist Dmitriy Kim of Kazakhstan.

Feb 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Indian Air Force (IAF)

♦ The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on 12 February 2026 accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs.3.60 lakh crore. The proposals include 114 Rafale fighter jets from France for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and six P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the United States for the Indian Navy. ♦ In November 2025, the central government was planning to acquire these missiles to refill the inventory used up during Operation Sindoor and stock more long-range and short-range surface-to-air delivery systems. Along with the Pantsir short-range system, the Indian Air Force is planning to purchase five more S-400 systems from Russia. The Russian missile system is capable of effectively countering both armed and kamikaze drones. When the S-400 and Pantsir missile systems are combined it can operate as a two-tier defence system to neutralise aerial threats fired from across the border.

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