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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs February 13 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ministry of Cooperation Launched ‘White Revolution 2.0’ to Boost Women’s Role in Dairy SectorIn February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) in a written reply to Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) informed that MoC has launched a cooperative-led initiative, ‘White Revolution 2.0’.

• This newly launched initiative aimed to expand cooperative coverage in the dairy sector, generate job opportunities and strengthen women’s empowerment.

Key Details of White 2.0 Revolution:
Key Target: Under this new initiative, the MoC has set the target to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50% over the next 5 years, which is expected to reach 1007 kilogram (kg) per day by 2028-29.
Two-pronged Strategy: As per the MoC, the target will be achieved through two-pronged strategies which include: expanding the coverage of dairy cooperatives; and strengthening the reach of existing dairy cooperatives in the organised sector.
Key Activities: To Establish and strengthen of nearly 1.20 lakh new/existing Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS)/ Multipurpose-DCS(M-DCS)/ Multipurpose-Primary Agricultural Credit Societies(M-PACS);

• To Link these cooperatives with new and expanded milk routes;
• To provide important infrastructure like: automatic milk collection units, testing equipment, bulk milk coolers, among others.

India Signed Bilateral pact with UK to Boost Strategic & Economic Ties In February 2026, India signed a bilateral Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom(UK) of Great Britain & Northern Ireland  focusing on social security contributions for cross-border workers. This pact prevents double taxation on social security payments and facilitates smoother mobility for Indian professionals working in the UK.
Key Details of the Social Security Agreement:
Prevention of Double Social Security Contributions: Under the agreement, employees on short-term assignments will not be required to pay social security contributions in both countries, thereby reducing the financial burden on individuals and employers.
Benefits & Impact: Around 75,000 Indian professionals, particularly in sectors such as Information Technology(IT), engineering, finance, and consultancy, are expected to benefit.

• Indian companies operating in the UK will also find it more cost-effective to deploy staff for short-term assignments.

Certificate of Coverage (CoC) Requirement: To claim exemption from dual contributions, workers must obtain a Certificate of Coverage (CoC).

• Indian workers can secure the CoC through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E) or via MEA, while UK workers will follow a similar process through their authorities.

About Ireland:
President – Catherine Connolly
Capital – Dublin
Currency – Euro (EUR)

MHA Issues Guidelines on Rendition of National Song ‘Vande Mataram’In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued comprehensive guidelines to standardise the official protocol for rendering India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ at government and public events.
Key Provisions:
Overview: The approved version includes all six stanzas of Vande Mataram, with a total duration of approximately 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
Sequence: Whenever both the National Song and the National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ are performed together, Vande Mataram must be rendered first.
Occasions: The National Song shall be sung or played during designated official events.
Mass Singing: The guidelines encourage collective singing of the official version during cultural or ceremonial events involving National Flag unfurling (excluding parades), with coordinated participation through choirs and public audio systems.
Protocol: Audience members must stand in attention when the National Song is rendered, however, standing is not mandatory if it is part of a newsreel or documentary.

India Chaired 1st BRICS Sherpas’ Meeting in New Delhi
The 1st meeting of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Sherpas’ and Sous Sherpas hosted by the Government of India (GoI) held from February 09 to February 10, 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi.

• Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sherpa, on behalf of the GoI chaired the meeting.
• He was supported by Shambhu L. Hakki, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations), India’s BRICS Sous Sherpa.

Key Details of Meeting:
Key Participants: The meeting saw the participation of BRICS Sherpas and senior officials from Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Theme for BRICS Summit 2026: During the meeting, India outlined the priorities for its BRICS Chairship in 2026 under the theme ‘Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability’.
Priority Areas of Cooperation: Also, various Ministries and Departments of the GoI presented India’s priorities and proposed activities under various thematic areas like: cooperation in health, agriculture, labour and employment, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, energy, innovation, among others.
BRICS Summit 2026: India will chair BRICS Summit for the 4th time in 2026.

• Previously, India chaired the summit in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

Agneevasthraa Signs MoU with Indian Army to Supply Defence Materials
On February 11, 2026, Agneevasthraa, a domestic manufacturer of carbon fabrics and advanced composite materials, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army (IA) to supply advanced carbon fabrics and composite materials for defence applications.
Key Details of MoU:
Products: The MoU covers carbon fabrics, light weight, high-strength textiles made from carbon fibers, and composite materials, which combine two or more constituent materials to achieve properties beneficial for defence use.
Material Utilization: The materials are commonly used in armour systems, protective gear, structural components and high-performance defence platforms.
Alignment: The initiative aligns with the Government of India (GoI)’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

INSA and CSIR-NIScPR Sign MoU to Strengthen Science Communication and Policy Research
In February 2026, the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at INSA in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The partnership aims to promote collaborative activities in science communication and evidence-based Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy research, strengthening informed policymaking in India.

Key Details of MoU :
Dignitaries: The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, President of INSA, Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, and others.
Initiatives: The MoU promotes joint policy research, co-authored publications, pilot projects, capacity-building, and outreach programmes.
Engagement: It facilitates collaboration with government bodies, international organisations, think tanks, researchers, and young scholars to strengthen India’s STI policy ecosystem.

DRDO Signs Agreement with CSIR to Jointly Undertake R&D Activities
On February 11, 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a collaborative agreement with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), to jointly undertake Research and Development (R&D) activities.
Key Details of Agreement:
Objective: The collaboration seeks to develop technologies that enhance human sustenance and performance in extreme and challenging environments.
Focus Areas: The collaboration targets high-altitude survival, human performance enhancement, off-grid energy systems, and waste management solutions for extreme and remote environments.
Shared Resources: The agreement envisages resource sharing, including personnel, laboratories, technology platforms, and scientific equipment.
Alignment: The initiative aligns with the Government of India (GoI)’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WIPO : India Ranks 7th in Global R&D Spending in 2024; China TopsIn February 2026, According to the latest data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) based on the Global Innovation Index 2025 (GII 2025) and related Research and Development (R&D) expenditure estimates, India ranked 7th in 2024, investing approximately USD 75.73 billion in research activities.

• As per the report, China ranked first with USD 785.9 billion in R&D spending, followed by the United States of America(USA)(USD 781.8 billion) and Japan (USD 186.0 billion).

Highlights of R&D Spending in 2024:
Global R&D Spending: World R&D expenditure rose to USD 2.87 trillion in 2024, up from USD 2.78 trillion in 2023, reflecting an approximate 3% year-on-year(Y-o-Y) growth, according to estimates.

• R&D spending as a share of global GDP has increased significantly, rising from around 1.48% in 2000 to about 2% in 2024.

Other countries in Top 10:  Germany ranked 4th with USD 132.2 billion, followed by South Korea with USD 126.4 billion. The list also includes the United Kingdom (6th, USD 86.5 billion), France (8th, USD 65.8 billion), Türkiye (9th, USD 43.2 billion), and Brazil (10th, USD 38.4 billion).

BANKING & FINANCE

EximPe Receives RBI Approval for PA-CB Licence
In February 2026, EximPe, a Singapore-headquartered cross-border payments fintech, secured final Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) authorization enabling international merchants to collect payments from Indian customers via Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cards, wallets, net banking.

• Notably, the approval was secured without holding a prior domestic PA licence. With this authorisation, the company is now permitted to operate under the PA-CB  framework for both import and export transactions.

Key Details:
Previous Role: Before this authorisation, EximPe operated as a technology service provider to banking partners and facilitated more than USD 500 million in bank-led cross-border trade payments across key Asia corridors.
Key Goal: The fintech company has set the target to achieve USD 1 billion in annualised UPI payments over the next 24 months driven by merchant adoption across Asia corridors.
About EximPe: Founded by Arjun Zacharia, EximPe with offices in Bengaluru(Karnataka) and Mumbai(Maharashtra). The company raised USD 5 million in a 2022 seed funding round, backed by Leo Capital, along with other venture funds and angel investors.

PNB Announces ‘Soldierathon 2026’ to Honour Indian Armed Forces
In February 2026, Punjab National Bank (PNB), India’s leading Public Sector Bank (PSB), announced the ‘PNB Soldierathon 2026’, a themed half marathon, at its Corporate Office in Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi.

• The announcement was made ahead of the bank’s 132nd Foundation Day Celebrations on April 12, 2026.

About PNB Soldierathon 2026:
Edition: Branded under the theme “PNB Soldierathon 2026 – Run with Soldiers, Run for Soldiers”, the initiative marks the second edition of PNB’s marquee half marathon.
Objective: It aims to honour the Indian Armed Forces while promoting fitness, discipline, national pride, and community engagement as part of the bank’s social responsibility and nation-building efforts.
Other Key Launch: During the event, PNB also unveiled the official name, theme, T-shirt and medal of PNB Soldierathon 2026.

• Also, a short film was showcased to highlight the rising scale and impact of PNB’s flagship fitness initiatives.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Puducherry Doctors Dr. Haripriya Aravind & Dr. R. Venkatesh Win Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026In February 2026, two senior ophthalmologists from Puducherry, Dr. Haripriya Aravind and Dr. R. Venkatesh, have been selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for their exceptional contributions in cataract blindness prevention and visual disability care. Both doctors are affiliated with the Aravind Eye Care System (AECS).

• The award will be presented during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation conference in Washington DC, the United States of America (USA), on April 11, 2026.

About Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award:
Establishment: The award was established in 2017 by the ASCRS Foundation,through a gift from David and Victoria Chang, to recognise outstanding humanitarian service in ophthalmology.
Prize Money: The award includes a financial grant of USD 100,000, which the recipients donate to a charitable ophthalmic organisation of their choice.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

ICICI Prudential AMC Receives RBI Approval to Acquire Stakes in Eight Banks
In February 2026, ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (AMC), along with group entities of ICICI Bank, received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to acquire up to 9.95% of paid-up share capital or voting rights in eight Indian banks, marking a strategic expansion of the group’s presence in the banking sector.

• The banks included in this approval are Bandhan Bank Limited, City Union Bank Limited, Equitas Small Finance Bank (SFB) Limited, Federal Bank Limited, IDFC FIRST Bank Limited, HDFC Bank Limited, Karur Vysya Bank(KVB) Limited, and RBL Bank Limited.

RBI Approval Framework for ICICI Group Stake Acquisition:
Conditions: The approval requires completion of major shareholding within the one-year validity period, maintaining aggregate holding below 9.95%, and obtaining fresh RBI approval if the stake falls below 5% and is later increased.
Compliance: The acquisition must strictly follow the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI (Commercial Banks – Acquisition and Holding of Shares or Voting Rights) Directions, 2025; Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999; and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
Coverage: The investment applies to equity acquisitions through schemes of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund (MF), Specialised Investment Fund (SIF), Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) clients

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IN-SPACe Selects Astrome, Azista and Dhruva Space for Satellite Bus Platforms
In February 2026, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), selected 3 Indian private startups : Astrome Technologies Private Limited; Azista Industries Private Limited and Dhruva Space Private Limited, to develop and test indigenous small satellite bus platforms under its ‘Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative’.
Key Details:
Satellite Bus: Under SBaaS, satellite buses provide essential services to payloads and act as a cost-effective, modular platform for hosting multiple payloads for domestic and international use.
Financial Support: Under the initiative, each selected company will get Rs 5 crore as a grant to support the development and demonstration of a robust, modular, and scalable small satellite bus.
Collaboration: The IN-SPACe will provide the firms with access to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Department of Space (DoS) infrastructure, testing facilities, and technical guidance.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026 – February 11The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS) is observed annually on February 11 to advocate for equal participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Background:
Development:  In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution recognizing that equal access to innovation is essential for achieving gender equality.
Proclamation: The UNGA passed resolution A/RES/70/212 on 22 December 2015, officially declaring February 11 as the IDWGIS.
Inception: The first-ever global observation of the day took place on 11 February 2016.
Leadership: The celebrations are led by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations Programme for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women(UN-Women), in collaboration with civil society.
2026 Event: On February 11 2026, IDWGIS was commemorated through a hybrid one-day event at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (France), under the theme:“From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap”.

International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism 2026 – February 12The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) as and when conducive to terrorism on 12 February each year to raise awareness about violent extremism and strengthen global cooperation against terrorism-related threats.

• 2026 Theme: “Preventing Violent Extremism in the Age of New and Emerging Technologies.”

Background:
Adoption: On 20 December 2022, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/77/243, officially designating 12 February as the International Day for PVE.

• The day was first observed on February 12, 2023.

Coordination: The UNGA mandated the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in collaboration with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact, to facilitate and support the annual observance.
2026 Event: On 12 February 2026, the UNOCT, through the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the UN, held a Special Dialogue titled: “From Principles to Practice: Special Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence and Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE)” in New York, the United States of America(USA).

STATE NEWS

UP FM Suresh Khanna Presents Rs 9.12 trillion Budget for FY27In February 2026, Suresh Kumar Khanna, Finance Minister (FM) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), presented a Rs 9,12,696.35 crore (Rs 9.12 trillion) budget for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), in the state legislative assembly in Lucknow, UP.

• The budget outlay for FY27 witnessed an increase of 12.9% compared to previous financial year (Rs 8.08 trillion) with a focus on infrastructure expansion, employment generation, and healthcare.
• The UP government allocated over Rs 45,000 crore for new schemes in the FY27 Budget, with major sectoral shares directed towards education (12.4%), followed by agriculture and allied activities (9%) and health (6%).

Key Estimates State’s Financial Indicators:
Fiscal Deficit: The state government has fixed the fiscal deficit limit at 3% for FY27, in line with the recommendations of the 16th Central Finance Commission (16th FC), applicable till 2030-31.
CapEx: The Capital Expenditure (CapEx) of the state has been estimated at 19.5% of the total budget outlay.
State’s GSDP: The budget has estimated the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at Rs 30.25 lakh crore for FY25, representing 13.4% growth.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Launches ‘Sthree Suraksha’ Scheme for Women’s Financial Security
On February 11, 2026, Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala launched the ‘Sthree Suraksha scheme’, a women’s social security pension initiative providing financial support to unemployed women and transgender women who are not covered under existing welfare pension programmes.
About Sthree Suraksha Scheme:
Financial Assistance: Under this scheme, the economically disadvantaged women and transgender women will receive a monthly pension of Rs1,000, aimed at strengthening their financial security and dignity.
Eligibility: 

• Vulnerable women and trans women, aged between 35 and 60 years, and must be a permanent resident of Kerala.
• They must hold Antyodaya Anna Yojana (Yellow) or Priority Household (pink) ration cards
• They must not be employed in government services or receiving any other pensions.

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