Daily GK Update- 15th Feb, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Indian National Science Academy and CSIR-NIScPR Sign MoU to Strengthen Science Communication and Evidence-Based Policy Research: Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed an MoU in New Delhi to enhance science communication and evidence-based policy research.The agreement promotes collaborative policy research, joint publications, pilot projects, capacity-building programmes, outreach initiatives, and stakeholder consultations to strengthen India’s science and technology ecosystem.The partnership aims to advance robust, inclusive, and forward-looking Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies through research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and national and global dialogue.

 

2. Gujarat’s Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Records Over 6.42 Lakh Birds of 270 Species in Bird Census 2026: A bird census by the Gujarat Forest Department recorded 6,42,232 birds of 270 species at the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, located near Ahmedabad.The sanctuary was divided into 50 survey zones, and teams conducted two systematic counts (morning and evening) to ensure accurate estimation of bird populations.The exercise saw participation from 220 bird experts and wildlife enthusiasts, 12 forest officials, and 99 local boatmen and guides, reflecting strong community involvement.Recognised as a Ramsar site in 2012, Nalsarovar is Gujarat’s largest wetland and is protected under the international framework of the Ramsar Convention for conservation and sustainable use.

 

3. RBI Proposes Strict Rules to Curb Harsh and Coercive Debt Recovery Practices: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines to curb harsh and coercive debt recovery practices, explicitly banning abusive language, threats, harassment, public humiliation, misleading claims, and excessive or anonymous calls by banks or recovery agents.Under the proposed norms, recovery calls and visits will be permitted only between 8 am and 7 pm, agents must avoid sensitive occasions (such as bereavement or festivals), and recovery agents can interact only with borrowers or guarantors, not relatives or associates.Banks are required to establish a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism, document and record all recovery calls, notify borrowers in writing when a case is assigned to or changed between recovery agents, and pause recovery if a genuine grievance is pending.For microfinance loans, collections must take place at a mutually agreed location, with home or workplace visits allowed only after repeated failure by the borrower to appear at the designated place.RBI has mandated training and certification of recovery agents through the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, enforcement of a code of conduct, public disclosure of empanelled agents, safeguards for borrower data, and has invited public feedback on the draft guidelines by March 4, with implementation proposed from July 1.

 

4. Brahmaputra Rail-Road Twin Tunnel Gets Cabinet Approval: The Union Cabinet has approved a major infrastructure project featuring India’s first underwater rail-cum-road tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra river. The 33.7-kilometre greenfield corridor will connect Gohpur on NH-15 with Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore. Executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode, the project aims to transform connectivity across the Northeast. The centrepiece is a 15.79-kilometre twin-tube tunnel under the Brahmaputra. One tube will accommodate rail provision, while the other will serve a four-lane access-controlled highway. The design also includes a 1.26-kilometre road cut-and-cover section and a 4-kilometre rail cut-and-cover stretch.Once completed, it will be India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second such structure globally. The corridor will significantly shorten travel between Gohpur and Numaligarh, which currently spans nearly 240 kilometres via the Kaliabhomora bridge route and takes around six hours.

 

5. Sangtam Resolution Boosts Pangolin Protection in Nagaland: The apex body of Nagaland’s Sangtam community has adopted a resolution to protect pangolins within its jurisdiction, marking a significant step in combating wildlife trafficking along the India–Myanmar border. The initiative covers areas in Kiphire and Tuensang districts, which lie close to Myanmar and are known transit routes for illegal wildlife trade.Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked wild mammals, targeted primarily for their scales and meat. The 1,643-km India–Myanmar border has emerged as a major corridor for smuggling pangolins from northeastern India to international markets.The resolution was passed by the United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, the apex organisation of the Sangtam tribe. Conservationists have termed it a major milestone under the Countering Pangolin Trafficking Project led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).The project is supported by the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Pangolin Crisis Fund and focuses on reducing illegal trade through community engagement and enforcement coordination.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Andrey Gyurov Takes Charge as Interim PM Amid Repeated Elections in Bulgaria: Iliana Yotova, President of Bulgaria, has appointed central bank deputy governor Andrey Gyurov as interim prime minister to lead a caretaker government ahead of national elections scheduled for April 19.The caretaker government’s primary mandate is to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections amid prolonged political instability, as Bulgaria prepares for its eighth election in five years following repeated failures to form a stable parliamentary coalition.

 

2. 14 February – World Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day: 14 February is observed as World Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day to spread awareness about heart defects that are present at birth.The day highlights the importance of early detection, proper medical treatment, and lifelong care for individuals affected by congenital heart defects.It also aims to support patients and families, promote research, and improve access to quality cardiac healthcare worldwide.

 

3. Philippine Eagle Among World’s Largest Raptors: The Philippine eagle, scientifically known as Pithecophaga jefferyi, is one of the largest and most powerful birds of prey on Earth. Often nicknamed the “monkey-eating bird”, it is endemic to the Philippines and serves as a national symbol. However, the species is now listed as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 500 mature individuals believed to survive in the wild. The eagle earned its popular nickname from early reports of it hunting monkeys in forest canopies. While monkeys form part of its diet, the bird also preys on flying squirrels, civets, bats, snakes and other small vertebrates. It is a daytime hunter and functions as an apex predator within its ecosystem, helping maintain ecological balance in tropical forests.

 

4. Indus Valley Civilisation May Date Back 8,000 Years: Fresh archaeological research suggests that the Indus Valley Civilisation could be far older than previously believed. New radiocarbon dating from the site of Bhirrana in northern India indicates that organised settlement in the region may date back nearly 8,000 years. If confirmed, this would place its origins well before the era of Egypt’s earliest pharaohs, potentially reshaping long-held assumptions about the chronology of ancient civilisations. Researchers examined pottery fragments and animal remains recovered from deep cultural layers at Bhirrana. Radiocarbon analysis suggests human occupation stretching back almost 9,000 years before present. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, indicate that early agrarian communities may have developed in the region thousands of years before the mature urban phase of the Indus civilisation.The Indus Valley Civilisation, also known as the Harappan civilisation, is traditionally dated between 2600 and 1900 BC. The new evidence pushes its formative phase much earlier, suggesting gradual cultural evolution rather than a sudden urban emergence.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Agneevasthraa Signs MoU with Indian Army to Supply Advanced Carbon & Composite Materials: Agneevasthraa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to supply advanced carbon fabrics and high-performance composite materials.The collaboration focuses on the custom design and manufacturing of specialised carbon and allied materials tailored for critical, high-stakes defence applications.The MoU strengthens access to cutting-edge, locally developed carbon technologies for the Indian Army, ensuring compliance with the most stringent global quality and performance standards.

 

2. Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility Inaugurated in Assam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) at Moran in Assam’s Dibrugarh district. The strategic infrastructure, located on the Moran Bypass, marks a major boost to India’s defence preparedness and disaster response capability in the region. The Prime Minister made a historic landing at the facility and witnessed a 40-minute aerial display by the Indian Air Force, showcasing fighter jets, transport aircraft and helicopters. The Emergency Landing Facility is a specially designed highway airstrip constructed in coordination with the Indian Air Force. It enables the landing and take-off of military and select civil aircraft during emergencies. This is the first such facility in Northeast India, a region of high strategic importance due to its proximity to international borders. The ELF enhances rapid deployment capability and strengthens national security infrastructure in the region.

 

3. Indian Army to Host IMACC 2026: The Indian Army will host the inaugural International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 from February 18 to 23 in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas. The Ministry of Defence stated that the event will bring together military teams from India and friendly foreign nations for a week-long series of rigorous adventure and endurance competitions.IMACC 2026 is designed to test the core attributes of soldiers, including physical fitness, mental resilience, teamwork, leadership and decision-making under pressure, in demanding mountain terrain conditions.Military teams from seven friendly countries — Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia — will participate in the competition. Indian representation will include teams from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force,Indian Coast Guard and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).The multinational participation underscores India’s growing defence engagement and military diplomacy with partner nations.

 

SPORTS

 

1. India Dominates Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026: India finished atop the medal standings at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, securing a commanding 94 medals, including 51 gold, 23 silver and 20 bronze. The championship concluded at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, with the hosts delivering a dominant performance on the final day.India added six gold, three silver and four bronze medals on the concluding day, underlining its supremacy in continental shooting competitions.Indian shooters swept the podium in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event. Amanpreet Singh clinched gold with a score of 589-24x, followed by Olympian Gurpreet Singh, who secured silver with 584-20x. Ankur Goel completed the sweep with bronze at 570-11x. The trio also combined to win team gold.In the 25m Pistol Junior event, Suraj Sharma continued his impressive run by winning gold with 585-25x. Mukesh Nelavalli secured silver with 582-21x, while Deaflympics medallist Abhinav Deshwal claimed bronze with 573-17x. The Indian trio also captured team gold in the junior category.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. IN-SPACe selects Astrome, Azista and Dhruva Space for satellite bus plan: The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three Indian start-ups—Astrome Technologies, Azista Industries, and Dhruva Space—to develop and test indigenous small satellite bus platforms under its Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative.The SBaaS initiative, announced in April 2025, invited proposals from Indian Non-Governmental Entities to create modular satellite buses capable of hosting diverse customer payloads; out of 15 proposals received by July 2025, these three firms were selected after a rigorous multi-stage evaluation.

Each selected company will receive a ₹5 crore grant to build robust, scalable satellite buses that can support multiple hosted payloads, providing cost-effective solutions for both domestic and global space.

 

2. DAC Clears High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites for IAF: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procuring Air-Ships Based High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (AS-HAPS) systems for the Indian Air Force. The approval forms part of a capital acquisition package worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, which also includes Rafale fighter aircraft and missile systems. Estimated at around ₹15,000 crore, AS-HAPS will significantly upgrade India’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.The proposal will now move to cost negotiations before being placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security for final approval.HAPS are solar-powered unmanned aerial platforms designed to operate in the stratosphere at altitudes of 18–20 km, nearly twice the cruising altitude of commercial aircraft. Unlike satellites orbiting at over 200 km above Earth, HAPS platforms can remain airborne for months using solar panels during the day and high-density batteries at night.They offer satellite-like capabilities at lower cost and with greater flexibility. Equipped with optical and infrared sensors, they function as “towers in the sky” for persistent monitoring and telecommunications.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. CCI Approves Innomotics India’s Acquisition of Low Voltage Motor Business of Siemens Limited: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of the low-voltage motor business of Siemens Limited by Innomotics India Private Limited through a slump sale arrangement.The approved combination strengthens Innomotics India’s presence in the industrial motors segment by expanding its portfolio to include low voltage motors, complementing its existing high and medium voltage motor and large drive systems business.Innomotics India, part of KPS Capital Partners LP, supplies industrial motors and drive systems to key sectors such as oil & gas, metals, cement, power, and marine industries.

 

2. CCI Approves Fidelity Funds’ 6.63% Minority Stake Acquisition in Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited: Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of around 6.63% minority shareholding in Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited by the Fidelity Funds.The approved combination involves the acquisition of shares on a fully diluted basis through primary subscription and secondary acquisition of compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) of Valuedrive Technologies.Valuedrive Technologies is the operating-cum-holding company of the Spinny Group, while Fidelity Funds operate as global investment vehicles under the Fidelity Group with a diversified international portfolio.

 

3. CCI Imposes ₹27.38 Crore Penalty on Intel Corporation for Anti-Competitive Practices: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of ₹27.38 crore on Intel Corporation for engaging in anti-competitive practices related to its India-specific warranty policy.The Commission found that Intel abused its dominant position in the market for Boxed Micro Processors (BMPs) for desktops in India by enforcing unfair business practices. The ruling reinforces CCI’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and preventing misuse of market dominance in India’s technology and semiconductor sector.