Daily Current Affairs and GK | 13 February 2026

Topic: Defence

1. The Indian Navy has taken command of Combined Task Force 154.

• Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 is a multinational training task force under the Combined Maritime Forces.
• Commodore Milind M Mokashi assumed command of CTF 154.
• He took over from the outgoing commander of the Italian Navy.
• The change of command ceremony was organised at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
• Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti presided over the ceremony.
• Vice Admiral Kurt A. Renshaw, Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command, was also present at the event.
• CTF 154 is dedicated to training and capacity building of CMF member countries.
• The task force's objective reflects growing confidence in India's naval expertise.
• India’s leadership role strengthens its image as a Preferred Security Partner.
• The CMF has 47 member nations. It was established in February 2002.  CMF has five Combined Task Forces:
  • CTF 150 (Maritime Security Operations outside the Arabian Gulf)
  • CTF 151 (Counter-Piracy)
  • CTF 152 (Maritime Security Operations inside the Arabian Gulf)
  • CTF 153 (Red Sea Maritime Security)
  • CTF 154 (Maritime Security Training)

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

2. India’s first musical road created on Mumbai Coastal Road Corridor.

• The innovative road feature has been created on the northbound lane from Nariman Point to Worli.
• On 11 February, the initiative was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis.
• After exiting the underground tunnel at Worli, special grooves have been created on the first lane next to the divider for 500 metres.
• The grooves produce music through friction between vehicle tyres and the road.
• When the vehicles move on these grooves at a speed of 70-80 kmph, the song 'Jai Ho' from the movie Slumdog Millionaire can be heard inside the vehicle.
• The grooves are placed at fixed intervals with precise measurements.
• To alert drivers in advance, signboards have been installed at 500 metres, 100 metres and 60 metres inside the tunnel.
• The musical road aims to enhance driving experience while maintaining road safety.
• The concept was proposed by former Member of Parliament Rahul Shewale.

Topic: Personality in News

3. Doordarshan News Reader Sarla Maheshwari passed away at the age of 71.

• On February 12, 2026, former Doordarshan news reader Sarla Maheshwari passed away in Delhi.
• She was widely recognised as one of the most prominent faces of television news during the 1980s and 1990s.
• A distinguished career spanning nearly three decades was served by her at Doordarshan from 1976 to 2005.
• She also worked as a news reader with the BBC from 1984 to 1986 in UK.
• She rejoined Doordarshan in 1988 upon returning to India after the birth of her son.
• She was one of the first news anchors to read live news on Indian television.
• She witnessed and contributed to the transition of television news from black-and-white to colour broadcasting.

Topic: National News

4. The new Prime Minister’s Office, ‘Seva Teerth’, and central secretariat buildings inaugurated.

• The new Prime Minister’s Office ‘Seva Teerth’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister on February 13, 2026.
• The Central Secretariat buildings, Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2, also formally inaugurated.
• The final Union Cabinet meeting at the South Block presided over before the historic relocation.
• An era came to an end with the vacancy of the famous North and South Blocks.
• The North and South Blocks were originally designed by Herbert Baker and housed the British administration before 1947.
• The Prime Minister’s Office, along with key ministries, is being shifted to the newly constructed Seva Teerth complex.
• The new complex will also accommodate the National Security Council Secretariat and the Cabinet Secretariat.
• Kartavya Bhavan 1 and 2 will house multiple ministries including Finance, Defence, Health, Education, and Agriculture.
• The complexes have been designed with digitally integrated offices and in accordance with 4-Star GRIHA sustainability standards.

Topic: Defence

5. Defence acquisition proposals worth ₹3.60 lakh crore approved to strengthen the armed forces.

• On 12 February, the proposals worth nearly ₹3.60 lakh crore have been cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to enhance military capabilities.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded for the procurement of Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Rafale, Combat Missiles and Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The majority of the fighter aircraft proposed for procurement will be manufactured in India.
• Enhanced deterrence capability across the spectrum of conflict is expected to be achieved through these acquisitions.
• Combat missiles will strengthen long-range ground attack capability with high precision.
• Procurement approval has also been granted for anti-tank mines and overhaul of armoured recovery vehicles and tanks for the Army.
• For the Navy, clearance has been given for marine gas turbine-based generators and P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
• An electro-optical and infra-red system for Dornier aircraft has been approved for the Indian Coast Guard.
• A contract worth ₹2,312 crore has been signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for eight Dornier 228 aircraft.
• The acquisitions reinforce the commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and aim to strengthen India’s maritime and defence security architecture.

Topic: Indian Polity

6. The Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed by Parliament.

• The legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha on 12 February after being passed earlier by the Lok Sabha.
• The amendment has been introduced to provide greater legal clarity under the Labour Codes.
• Provisions ensuring structured compliance and worker welfare have been incorporated in the amendment.
• Annual health check-ups have been made mandatory for workers above 40 years of age.
• Equal pay for equal work for both women and men workers has been guaranteed.
• The issuance of appointment letters to every youth along with employment has been ensured.
• The government stated that opposition to the Labour Codes is politically motivated.
• Concerns were raised by opposition members who argued that the legislation may not facilitate ease of hiring.
• After passage of the Bill, the Rajya Sabha proceeded with Special Mentions and was adjourned until the next sitting.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. India's retail inflation in January stood at 2.75% year-on-year under the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) framework.

• This is the first major revision of the CPI series in more than a decade.
• The base year has been updated from 2012 to 2024.
• According to the previous series, retail inflation in December was 1.33%.
• Despite the higher rate, inflation remained within the Reserve Bank of India's tolerance band.
• According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, rural inflation stood at 2.73% in January.
• Urban inflation was slightly higher at 2.77% during the same period.
• According to the All India Consumer Price Index, food inflation reached 2.13%. Food prices had declined by 2.7% in December.
• The revised CPI reduces the weight given to food items. This reduces the overall impact of food prices on headline inflation.
• The increase in inflation in January was primarily due to rising prices of personal care products.
• Social security services also contributed to this increase. Prices for education services increased during the month.
• Clothing and footwear prices also increased. Restaurant and accommodation services became more expensive.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. Ministry of Earth Sciences and Government of Puducherry signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi.

• The agreement aims to strengthen marine research and coastal infrastructure in Puducherry.
• It also focuses on advancing blue economy initiatives in the Union Territory.
• The MoU was signed by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES.
• Dr. Sharat Chauhan, Chief Secretary of Puducherry, signed on behalf of the Union Territory.
• The collaboration follows high-level discussions between Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and Lieutenant-Governor K. Kailashnathan.
• The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation across six strategic areas:
  • Sustainable Marine Fisheries
  • Offshore Wind Energy
  • Desalination Technologies
  • Ocean Climate Advisory & Real-Time Monitoring
  • Permanent Coastal Management
  • Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
• Both sides will appoint nodal officers to oversee implementation. Joint working groups will supervise specific initiatives.
• The MoU will remain valid for five years. Progress will be reviewed at least once every year.

Topic: Important Days

9. World Radio Day: 13 February

• World Radio Day is observed on 13th February every year.
• This day commemorates the establishment of the United Nations Radio in 1946.
• This year, the theme of World Radio Day is “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.”
• On World Radio Day 2026, a World Radio Day Conclave is being organised by Akashvani Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in collaboration with UNESCO.
• The conclave will deliberate on how AI can strengthen content creation.
• It will also deliberate on audience engagement and accessibility while preserving the human voice at the core of radio broadcasting.
• This year's theme of World Radio Day highlights the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the broadcasting ecosystem.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced the first grants under a Quad-supported initiative.

• The program aims to integrate artificial intelligence into agriculture.
• It aims to modernize agricultural systems in the United States.
• This effort also aims to transform agriculture in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The initiative is known as 'Advancing Innovations for Empowering NextGen Agriculture,' or 'AI-ENGAGE.'
• A total of US$2.4 million has been allocated for this program.
• This funding round will support six international research projects.
• The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with partner agencies in Australia.
• It is also being implemented in collaboration with agencies in India.
• Japan is also a partner country in this program.
• The selected projects are being conducted by leading universities in the United States.
• Each project involves researchers from at least three Quad member countries.