Indian Polity
Supreme Court on Governor’s Powers over State Bills:
Context: Judicial scrutiny of Governor’s delay in assent to Bills.
-
- Article 200 governs Governor’s options.
- Governor cannot exercise absolute discretion.
- “Withholding assent” is not a veto power.
- SC held indefinite delay unconstitutional.
- Reservation for President must be reasoned.
- Judicial review is not barred.
- Federalism is a basic structure.
- Governor acts as constitutional head, not political agent.
- Assent is part of legislative process.
-
- Misuse disturbs cooperative federalism.
(TH)
Cooperative Federalism and Fiscal Transfers:
Context: Centre-State fiscal balance.
-
- Finance Commission is constitutional.
- Tax devolution ≠ grants.
- States depend on GST compensation.
- Cesses not shareable.
- Cooperative federalism stressed.
- Centrally Sponsored Schemes dominate.
- States’ borrowing linked to reforms.
- Vertical imbalance exists.
- Horizontal equity addressed by FC.
- Fiscal autonomy affects governance.
(TH)
Economy
Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Credibility:
Context: Credibility of fiscal consolidation claims, off-budget borrowings, and FRBM deviations.
-
- India follows the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, 2003.
- FRBM targets include fiscal deficit, revenue deficit, and debt-GDP ratio.
- Budget 2026 projected fiscal deficit reduction path without amending FRBM Act.
- Use of extra-budgetary resources (EBRs) affects real deficit.
- CAG has repeatedly flagged off-budget borrowings.
- Revenue deficit implies borrowings used for consumption, not asset creation.
- Escape clause under FRBM allows deviation during:
- National calamity
- Structural reforms
- Sharp output contraction
- Debt sustainability depends on growth–interest rate differential.
- Medium-Term Fiscal Policy Statement is mandatory under FRBM.
- States also follow state-level FRBM Acts.
(TH+PIB)
Capital Expenditure Push and Crowding-In Effect:
Context: Capex-led growth strategy.
-
- Capital expenditure creates productive assets.
- Capex has higher fiscal multiplier than revenue spending.
- Crowding-in occurs when public investment stimulates private investment.
- Infrastructure reduces logistics cost.
- Capex differs from subsidies in growth impact.
- States encouraged via interest-free capex loans.
- Railways & roads dominate capex.
- Long gestation but durable impact.
- Inflationary impact is lower than revenue spending.
- IMF supports capex-led recovery.
(TH)
Geography, Mapping, Ecology & Environment
Environmental Clearance and Retrospective Approvals:
Context: Post-facto environmental clearances.
-
- EIA Notification, 2006 governs clearances.
- Post-facto clearance allows approval after violation.
- SC earlier disallowed blanket post-facto approvals.
- Polluter Pays principle invoked.
- Precautionary principle weakened.
- Public consultation diluted.
- Environmental jurisprudence is judge-made.
- NGT has compensatory powers.
- Clearance ≠ immunity from liability.
(TH)
NITI Aayog Reports on “Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat & Net Zero”:
Context: On 9–10 February 2026, NITI Aayog released 11 reports on achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Net Zero emissions, offering sectoral insights into buildings, agriculture, waste, and social implications.
-
- Eleven reports outline paths to Viksit Bharat and Net Zero by 2047.
- Buildings sector: 86% of future floor space is yet to be built – focus on passive design and low-carbon materials.
- Agriculture: Emphasises climate resilience, yield improvement, soil health, and circularity.
- Waste: Universal solid waste collection, segregation, and bio-methanation are key strategies.
- Social implications: Equity and inclusive transition are highlighted.
- Reports stress resource efficiency before energy substitution.
- Roadmaps emphasise urban transformation and sustainable infrastructure.
- Net Zero pathways require behaviour change and circular economy adoption.
- Reports provide data-backed strategies for policy planning.
- Aligns with India’s global climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
(PIB)
Assam Disaster Management Funding by ADB:
Context: The Asian Development Bank approved USD 182 million for strengthening disaster management in Assam to mitigate flood and riverbank erosion impacts on communities.
-
- ADB approved $182 million for Assam’s flood and erosion resilience.
- Funds complement an ongoing $200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra project.
- Enhances early warning systems and embankments.
- Aims to reduce recurring flood damage and displacement.
- Focuses on structural measures (infrastructure) and community preparedness.
- Assam is annually affected by Brahmaputra floods impacting agriculture and livelihood.
- Project aligns with climate adaptation strategies.
- Such assistance underlines multilateral cooperation in disaster resilience.
(ADB)
Science & Technology
“Kaushal Rath” for AI Literacy:
Context: On 10 February 2026, the Government of India flagged off “Kaushal Rath” under the National AI Literacy campaign “Yuva AI for All,” aiming to democratise AI awareness across India.
-
- Kaushal Rath is a mobile AI literacy initiative flagged off by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY).
- It operates under “Yuva AI for All”, part of the IndiaAI Mission.
- Targets students, youth, educators, and learners in underserved and semi-urban areas.
- The vehicle is equipped with internet-enabled computers and AV tools for structured AI modules.
- Seeks to bridge the digital divide and expand foundational AI education.
- Reinforces AI literacy as a key enabler for future skills and employability.
- Focuses on responsible, inclusive, and scalable AI adoption.
- Promotes awareness beyond tech hubs into remote areas.
- Aligns with government’s vision for digital empowerment and innovation ecosystems.
- Supports broader initiatives like the India AI Impact Summit.
(PIB)
Important data/facts
Society & Social Justice
International Day of Women & Girls in Science:
Context: 11 February is observed globally as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, emphasising gender parity in STEM.
-
- The day celebrates women and girls in science
- It aims to reduce gender gaps in STEM education and careers.
- Supports UN SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
- Encourages female participation in research and innovation.
- Highlights under-representation of women in tech and science roles.
- Inspires policies to enhance access to STEM for girls.
- Promotes inclusive scientific ecosystems.
- Recognises role of science in sustainable development.
(TH)
Economy
Inflation Measurement and CPI Nuances:
-
- CPI measures retail inflation.
- Food weight ~46%.
- Core inflation excludes food & fuel.
- WPI ≠ consumer inflation.
- Monetary policy targets CPI.
- Rural-urban baskets differ.
- Base effect can distort trends.
- Inflation affects real income.
- RBI tolerance band ±2%.
- Supply shocks dominate food inflation.
(TH)
Miscellaneous
India Named “Country of the Year” at BIOFACH 2026:
Context: On 10 February 2026, India was named Country of the Year at BIOFACH Germany 2026, the world’s biggest organic trade fair, highlighting India’s growing global presence in organic agriculture and its export potential.
-
- India was honoured as Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany.
- BIOFACH is recognised as the largest international organic food and agriculture trade fair.
- India’s presence was organised by APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) under the Ministry of Commerce.
- Highlighted India’s organic product portfolio – spices, rice, pulses, herbs, oils.
- India emphasised strengthening organic regulatory framework via the updated National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP).
- The trade fair provided a platform to enhance bilateral trade and investment in organic goods.
- India advanced its organic exports amidst evolving global supply chain priorities.
- Discussions highlighted the need for a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the EU on organic standards.
- India’s recognition supports export diversification and agricultural value addition.
- India’s organic sector contribution enhances sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.
(TOI)
India’s Performance at Asian Indoor Athletics:
Context: Indian athletes excelled at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, China, on 10–11 February 2026, winning five medals and setting a national record.
-
- India finished sixth overall in the medal tally.
- Tejaswin Shankar won gold in Men’s heptathlon, scoring 5,993 points – a national indoor record.
-
- Previous record was 5,650 points (2021).
- Pooja won silver in high jump.
-
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured silver in shot put.
-
- Ancy Sojan won bronze in long jump.
- Championships held in Tianjin, China.
- Reflects India’s growing athletic prowess regionally.
(TOI)
Spread the Word
