Daily Current Affairs- 13th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 13th February 2026

Indian Navy Assumes Command of Combined Task Force 154

In the News: The Indian Navy assumed command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, a key multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Commodore Milind M Mokashi, Shaurya Chakra, formally took over as Commander CTF 154 from the outgoing Commander of the Italian Navy at a ceremony held at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti and Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command, Vice Admiral Curt A. Renshaw.

Key Points:

• About CTF 154: Established in May 2023, CTF 154 is a multinational maritime training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), specifically oriented towards training and capacity building of its 47 member nations. It operates alongside CTF 150 (Maritime Security), CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy), CTF 152 (Maritime Security in Arabian Gulf), and CTF 153 (Maritime Security in Red Sea).
• India's Role: India's assumption of command reflects the region's growing trust in India's professional expertise, operational experience, and its recognition as a Preferred Security Partner among the 47 CMF member nations, underscoring India's commitment to collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
• Training Focus — Five Core Pillars: Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, Leadership Development.
• Key Activities: CTF 154 conducts Maritime Security Enhancement Training (MSET) events, exercises such as Compass Rose and Northern/Southern Readiness, and outreach programs to build partner nations' operational capabilities against common threats like illegal trafficking, piracy, and irregular migration.
• Inclusive Approach: The task force enables CMF partner nations to participate in training opportunities without requiring ships or aircraft, by facilitating shore-based courses at locations across the Middle East — making maritime training more accessible to a wider range of nations.

Parliament Passes Industrial Relations Code Amendment Bill 2026

In the News: Parliament passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026, bringing legal clarity to labour-related provisions under India's four labour codes. The Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on February 11, 2026, and passed by voice vote in both Lok Sabha (February 12, 2026) and Rajya Sabha amid sharp exchanges between the government and the opposition. The Bill was moved by the Ministry of Labour and Employment under Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Key Points:

• Purpose of the Amendment: The Bill seeks to amend the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, and explicitly clarifies that the three Acts replaced by the Code — the Trade Unions Act, 1926; the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 — stand repealed from November 21, 2025. It contains savings provisions to ensure continuity and legal certainty, and aims to avoid any "future unwarranted complication" over the continuity of these replaced laws.
• Background — Industrial Relations Code, 2020: The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 consolidated three major labour laws as part of a broader reform exercise to simplify India's complex labour regulatory framework into four comprehensive codes covering: Wages, Social Security, Occupational Safety, and Industrial Relations.
• Government's Stand: Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the four Labour Codes, implemented nearly three months ago, guarantee minimum wages, mandate compulsory issuance of appointment letters, and ensure uniform wages for the same work irrespective of gender.

India Hosts First BRICS Sherpas Meeting 2026

In the News: India hosted the first meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas under its 2026 Chairship in New Delhi from February 9–10, 2026. The meeting was chaired by Secretary (Economic Relations) Mr. Sudhakar Dalela, India's BRICS Sherpa, supported by Joint Secretary (Multilateral Economic Relations) Mr. Shambhu L. Hakki, India's BRICS Sous-Sherpa. The BRICS Sherpas and Country Representatives jointly called on External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on February 10, 2026.

Key Points:

• Participants: Senior officials and Sherpas from BRICS member and partner countries participated, including Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the UAE. BRICS currently includes 11 emerging economies serving as a platform for dialogue on global political and economic governance.
• Theme of India's Chairship: India presented its priorities under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability", reflecting India's people-centric and humanity-first approach to its BRICS leadership. Member and Partner countries appreciated the theme and shared their perspectives on advancing these priorities.
• Key Focus Areas: Cooperation was discussed across a wide range of thematic sectors including health, agriculture, labour and employment, disaster risk reduction, environment, climate change, energy, innovation, ICT, security and counter-terrorism, and economic and financial domains.
• People-Centric Approach: In line with India's "people-centric" Chairship, presentations were also made on cooperation in sports, youth connect, cultural engagements, BRICS Academic Forum, BRICS Think Tank Council, BRICS Civil Forum, BRICS Business Council, and the BRICS Women's Business Alliance.
• India-China Strategic Dialogue: On the sidelines of the Sherpa meeting, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held the India-China Strategic Dialogue with China's Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu. Both sides reviewed progress in stabilising bilateral ties, discussed peace and tranquillity along the border, trade, people-to-people exchanges, visa facilitation, and the early conclusion of an updated Air Services Agreement.

Tarique Rahman’s Win Bangladesh General Elections

In the News: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a sweeping victory in Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Elections held on February 12, 2026, winning more than two-thirds majority with at least 212 of the 299 contested seats. Tarique Rahman is set to become Bangladesh's Prime Minister for the first time, replacing interim government chief and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman and reaffirmed India's commitment to a democratic and progressive Bangladesh.

Key Points:

• Election Overview: Voting was held across 299 parliamentary constituencies (1 seat postponed due to a candidate's death) from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM local time. A total of 50 political parties, 1,755 candidates, and 273 independents contested the polls.
• Election Results: BNP and its allies won at least 212 of 299 seats, securing a landslide majority. The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats. Tarique Rahman personally won two seats — Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6. The Election Commission postponed results in Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 seats.
• New Political Landscape: A reconfigured political landscape emerged with BNP pitted against an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the youth-centric National Citizen Party (NCP).
• India-Bangladesh Relations: India shares a 4,000-km border and deep historical ties with Bangladesh. Under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, Dhaka's relations with New Delhi witnessed a significant downturn. PM Modi's congratulatory call to Rahman signals New Delhi's readiness to engage with the new leadership.
• BNP's Historical Stance Towards India: Under Khaleda Zia's leadership (1991–96 and 2001–06), BNP had a contentious relationship with India over cross-border insurgency, water-sharing disputes, and transit rights. India had accused Dhaka of sheltering insurgent groups such as ULFA and NDFB. BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami further complicated ties.

Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared an article titled "Carbon Capture Can Power India's Next Steel Revolution," authored by Union Minister for Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, highlighting the role of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in decarbonizing India's heavy industries. Simultaneously, the Union Budget 2026-27 earmarked Rs 20,000 crore for a new CCUS scheme across five key sectors — Power, Steel, Cement, Refineries, and Chemicals — signalling a decisive policy shift from research to commercial deployment.

Key Points:

• What is CCUS? According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS refers to a suite of technologies that capture CO2 from large point sources (power plants, industrial facilities) or directly from the atmosphere. The captured CO2 is then compressed, transported, and either utilized in products or injected into deep geological formations for permanent storage.
• Why CCUS is Crucial for India — Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Sectors like Steel, Cement, and Chemicals cannot simply switch to renewable energy as their emissions are process-intrinsic. CCUS is currently the only viable technology to decarbonize these processes. India is the world's 2nd-largest crude steel producer in FY 2024–25, and the sector contributes nearly 10–12% of India's total greenhouse gas emissions.
• India's Steel Ambitions: Under the National Steel Policy 2017, India aims to achieve 300 million tonnes of crude steel capacity by FY 2030–31, and 500 million tonnes by 2047 under the Viksit Bharat vision. CCUS acts as a vital bridge technology enabling "Low-Carbon Steel" using existing infrastructure while hydrogen-based steelmaking scales up.
• Other Key Benefits of CCUS: Energy Security: Allows continued use of coal (which accounts for ~55–60% of India's primary energy) with reduced environmental impact during the transition phase. Circular Economy: Captured CO2 can be converted into Methanol or used in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), turning waste into a revenue stream. Countering Carbon Taxes: Helps Indian exports comply with the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and attract climate-aligned international investments.
• India's Key Initiatives:  Union Budget 2026-27: Rs 20,000 crore allocated over five years for CCUS across Power, Steel, Cement, Refineries, and Chemicals.

From Puducherry to Washington DC! Doctors Win Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026

In the News: Two senior ophthalmologists from Puducherry, Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh of the Aravind Eye Care System, have been selected for the prestigious Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for their outstanding contributions in combating cataract blindness and improving access to affordable eye care. They will receive the honour at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation conference in Washington DC on April 11, 2026. The $100,000 grant accompanying the award will be donated back to the Aravind Eye Care System to strengthen its non-profit initiatives.

Key Points:

• About the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award: Instituted in 2017 through an endowment by David and Victoria Chang, the award honours exceptional humanitarian contributions in the field of cataract care across the world. It carries a grant of $100,000 and is presented by the ASCRS Foundation. Both awardees have decided to reinvest the prize money into the Aravind Eye Care System, reflecting their commitment to sustainable and community-focused healthcare delivery.
• About Dr Haripriya Aravind: She serves as Chief of Cataract and Intraocular Lens (IOL) Services at the Aravind Eye Care System. She began her career in paediatric ophthalmology before transitioning to adult cataract and IOL services. Working in a high-volume hospital environment, she has focused on improving surgical outcomes and streamlining large-scale patient care.
• About Dr R Venkatesh: He serves as the Chief Medical Officer at the Aravind Eye Care System. He completed his residency in 1997 and joined the general cataract unit, specialising in Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) — a cost-effective and high-volume surgical technique widely used in low-resource settings. He has also trained young ophthalmologists and led outreach programmes.
• Role in Expanding Affordable Eye Care: Dr Venkatesh played a key role when Aravind established its Puducherry facility in 2003, after completing a glaucoma fellowship in Madurai. Over the past two decades, both doctors have strengthened programmes providing affordable cataract surgeries to underserved communities, combining clinical excellence, innovation, and large-scale service delivery.

National Women’s Day 2026 India: Significance of 13 February and Sarojini Naidu

In the News: India celebrated National Women's Day 2026 on February 13, 2026, marking the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu — poet, freedom fighter, and political leader. Born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, she is fondly remembered as the "Nightingale of India" (Bharat Kokila) for her lyrical and patriotic poetry. The Government of India designated February 13 as National Women's Day to honour her lifelong contributions to women's empowerment, social justice, literature, and India's freedom struggle.

Key Points:

• About Sarojini Naidu: Born as Sarojini Chattopadhyay in Hyderabad on February 13, 1879, she was a child prodigy with extraordinary literary talent. Her father, Aghore Nath Chattopadhyay, was a scientist and educationist, while her mother was a poet. She studied at King's College London and Girton College, Cambridge, before returning to India to dedicate her life to the freedom movement and women's rights.
• Historic Firsts and Achievements: First Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress (1925). First woman Governor of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) in 1947. One of the most influential women leaders in India's struggle for independence
• Why Called the Nightingale of India: Sarojini Naidu earned the title "Nightingale of India" for her lyrical, patriotic, and culturally rich poetry that beautifully captured Indian nature, culture, and nationalism. Her major literary works include — The Golden Threshold (1905), The Bird of Time (1912), The Broken Wing (1917), and The Gift of India.
• Role in India's Freedom Struggle: She worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in major national movements including the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement. She was imprisoned multiple times by the British government. Her powerful speeches encouraged youth and women to join the freedom struggle and significantly increased women's participation in politics.