Daily Current Affairs- 12th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 12th February 2026

Swami Dayanand Saraswati Remembered on His 202nd Birth Anniversary

In the News: India observed the 202nd birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati (born 1824)—Vedic scholar, social reformer, and founder of the Arya Samaj.

Key Points:

• Legacy & Identity: Swami Dayanand Saraswati is regarded as a leading figure of India’s 19th-century social and cultural awakening, known for reform, rational thought, and Vedic scholarship.
• Early Call for Swaraj: He was among the first to give the call for “Swaraj” in 1876, promoting the idea of “India for Indians,” which later inspired nationalist leaders such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• Arya Samaj Founded (1875): Established the Arya Samaj to strengthen society through reforms and a return to core values.
• Core Focus Areas of Arya Samaj: Emphasised Vedic teachings, social reforms, women’s education, opposition to social evils, and the spread of Sanskrit learning.
• National Recognition: Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier released commemorative coins to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and the 150th anniversary of Arya Samaj, recognising his contributions to reform and national awakening.

Balaghat Chosen for Grain Storage Plan Pilot

In the News: Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh has been selected as the pilot district under the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in Cooperative Sector (WLGSP). Under the pilot, a 500 MT godown was constructed at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit, Parswada, inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 24 February 2024, and hired by the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation (MPWLC).

Key Points:

• Pilot Location: Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh) is the pilot district for WLGSP, focused on decentralised grain storage at the PACS/cooperative society level.
• Pilot Infrastructure: A 500 metric tonne (MT) storage godown has been constructed at Parswada under a PACS (primary cooperative society), and the project has been fully completed. The godown has been hired by MPWLC, enabling professional warehousing/logistics linkage for local storage assets.
• Scheme Convergence Approach: Implementation is through convergence of existing GoI schemes such as Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI) Scheme, SMAM, and PMFME, enabling multiple supports through one integrated plan.
• AIF Support for PACS: PACS receive interest subvention on loans for godown construction; the loan repayment period for PACS under AIF has been extended from 2+5 years to 2+8 years.
• Reforms under AMI Scheme: Margin money requirement reduced from 20% to 10%, making participation easier for PACS and improving project viability.

New MHA Protocol on Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana

In the News: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) uploaded fresh guidelines on February 6, 2026 (based on a directive dated January 28, 2026) instructing States and government bodies that when both are included in an event, the National Song “Vande Mataram” must be played/sung before the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana.”

Key Points:

• Sequence of Play: If both are part of the same event, Vande Mataram first, followed by Jana Gana Mana, establishing a clear order of precedence for ceremonies.

• Official Version & Duration: The protocol refers to the official version of Vande Mataram, with a duration of about 3 minutes 10 seconds.
• Mandatory Respect (Standing): Whenever the official version is sung/played, the audience shall stand to attention. If Vande Mataram appears within a newsreel/documentary/film, the audience is not expected to stand, as it may interrupt the screening and cause confusion.
• Occasions Mandated (High-level Functions): The song is to be sung/played on occasions such as:Arrival/departure of the President at formal State functions, before and after the President’s address to the nation on AIR/TV, arrival/departure of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor at formal State functions,when the National Flag is brought on parade and other occasions as specially ordered by the Government of India.
• Band Protocol: When played by a band, Vande Mataram should be preceded by a roll of drums to alert the audience (unless there is another clear indication).
• Mass Singing & Public Participation: On flag unfurling at cultural/ceremonial functions (other than parades), it may be accompanied by mass singing, using a choir and adequate public-audition arrangements; lyrics can be circulated if needed.
• Constitutional Link: The protocol aligns with the Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(a) to respect national symbols (especially the National Anthem and the Constitution).

Saudi Arabia to Host HCI Conference 2026 in Riyadh

In the News: Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program (HCDP) announced the 3rd edition of the Human Capability Initiative (HCI) Conference 2026, to be held in Riyadh on 3–4 May 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, under the theme “The Human Code.” The United Kingdom has been named the Country of Honor, reflecting deepening Saudi–UK cooperation in education, workforce development, and economic collaboration.

Key Points:

• Patronage & Leadership: The conference will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also chairs the HCDP Committee, signalling high-level priority for human capital development. 
• Vision 2030 Link: HCI is positioned as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 drive to build a knowledge-based, diversified economy through investment in people and skills.
• Dates, Venue, Theme: 3–4 May 2026, Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Conference Center; theme: “The Human Code.”
• UK as Country of Honor: The United Kingdom designation highlights expanding collaboration in higher education, vocational training, workforce readiness, and economic cooperation.
• Continuation of ‘Skills of the Future’: Organisers and officials linked the UK partnership to initiatives such as “Skills of the Future,” launched at HCI 2025, focused on workforce development and innovation-driven growth.
• Track Record of HCI: Across the first two editions, the conference reportedly attracted 23,000+ participants, hosted 550+ speakers, and announced 156 partnerships/initiatives, indicating growing global traction.

Arctic Sentry Mission

In the News: NATO has launched a new Arctic-focused initiative called “Arctic Sentry” (launched February 2026) to strengthen its posture in the Arctic and the High North, consolidating and coordinating Allies’ activities under a coherent NATO approach amid rising strategic competition in the region.

Key Points:

• What it is: Arctic Sentry is a multi-domain NATO vigilance activity designed to strengthen collective defence, coordination, and stability in the Arctic/High North by bringing visibility and coherence to Allies’ national activities in the region.
• Command & Coordination: The initiative coordinates highlights and ongoing national activities under NATO’s framework; reporting indicates coordination through NATO structures linked to Joint Force Command Norfolk for the region’s operational approach.
• Modelled on Earlier Efforts: Arctic Sentry is framed in line with NATO’s broader pattern of “sentry”-style enhanced vigilance/coordination efforts (similar conceptually to other region-focused vigilance activities).
• Exercises & Preparedness: The mission initially oversees and aligns ongoing and upcoming Arctic exercises by Allies (e.g., Denmark- and Norway-linked activities) to improve readiness for Arctic operations and protection of critical infrastructure. 
• Why the Arctic matters: NATO highlights the Arctic/High North as increasingly important due to security competition, new operational realities, and the need to keep sea routes and reinforcement lines open; 7 of the 8 Arctic states are NATO Allies.
• Arctic basics (for map clarity): The Arctic lies north of the Arctic Circle (66°34′ N) and includes the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the USA.

IAF–RTAF Joint Air Exercise Near Malacca Strait Amid Saab’s MRFA Pitch

In the News: The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a joint in-situ air exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) near the Strait of Malacca, involving IAF Su-30MKI and RTAF JAS 39 Gripen aircraft, aimed at boosting interoperability and operational coordination in the Indo-Pacific.

Key Points:

• Participating Platforms: IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighters along with enabling assets like AWACS, AEW&C, and IL-78 mid-air refuellers; RTAF fielded Gripen (C/D) fighters.
• Exercise Nature: Described as an in-situ (on-site) joint air exercise, focused on strengthening interoperability and coordination between the two air forces. 
• Operational Geography: Conducted near the Strait of Malacca, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Indian Ocean with the Pacific, central to Indo-Pacific security calculus.
• Why Malacca Strait Matters: The strait is among the world’s most strategic sea lanes—vital for global trade flows and energy shipments (oil/LNG)—making security and surveillance in the region geopolitically significant.
• MRFA Context (114 Fighters): The exercise occurred amid renewed attention on India’s MRFA programme (114 multirole fighters), where multiple global OEMs are competing.
• Saab’s Gripen-E/F Pitch: Saab has again promoted Gripen E/F for MRFA, highlighting claims around modern systems, sensor fusion/networking, and cost-effectiveness, alongside proposals aligned with Make in India (local production/industry build-up).

AI@Work: Driving Productivity, Jobs, and Innovation in India

In the News: AI is powering India’s productivity, job creation, skilling, and innovation, noting that India ranks 3rd globally in Stanford University’s 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Ranking, behind the U.S. and China.

Key Points:

• Global Standing (AI Readiness): India ranks 3rd in Stanford’s 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Ranking, reflecting strong momentum in R&D, talent, and AI-driven economic activity.
• AI Skills Advantage: As per Stanford’s AI Index findings cited, India’s relative penetration of AI skills is 2.8. Minor discrepancy.
• Enterprise Adoption: 87% of enterprises are actively using AI solutions (as per the NASSCOM AI Adoption Index), indicating mainstream deployment across business functions.
• 2032 Projection: India’s AI market is projected to reach USD $400 bn GDP contribution by 2030, with an expected CAGR of 42.2%, suggesting rapid scale-up of AI-led economic value.
• Digital Infrastructure Boost: NIC’s National Data Centres (Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad) have expanded storage to around 100 PB, supporting AI model training, deployment, and hosting.
• Connectivity Scale: Internet connections reached 100.29 crore (June 2025) (up from 25.15 crore in March 2014); India also has 400M+ 5G users and expanded OFC length to 42.36 lakh route km, with 2,14,843 Gram Panchayats connected to broadband.

National Programmes for AI: Key initiatives include MeitY’s National Programme on AI (4 pillars: National Center on AI, Data Management Office, Skilling, Responsible AI), BHASHINI (36+ languages, 1.2M+ downloads), YUVAi, FutureSkills Prime (25.3 lakh learners, 3000+ courses), SOAR, and IndiaAI FutureSkills (labs + fellowships + Tier-2/3 expansion).