News of The Day : 16th February 2026

News of The Day – 16th Feb 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

( GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• New competitive funding mechanism for urban reforms.
• Encourages innovation in mobility, climate resilience & infrastructure.
• Supports Smart Cities Mission & AMRUT objectives.
• Promotes fiscal discipline & outcome-based urban governance.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• Tension between Right to Information (RTI) and data protection norms.
• Balance between accountability & individual privacy.
• Linked to Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• The Supreme Court recognised privacy as Fundamental Right (Article 21).

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Strengthening India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• CEPA (2022) boosted bilateral trade & services.
• Focus on logistics, ports, fintech, food corridors & energy cooperation.
• UAE key partner in IMEC (India–Middle East–Europe Corridor).

(GS-2: International Relation)

• Summit on ethical & inclusive Artificial Intelligence adoption.
• Focus on regulation, AI safety & public service delivery.
• Supports IndiaAI Mission & digital public infrastructure.
• Highlights global cooperation on responsible AI frameworks.

(GS-2: International Relations )

• United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDO-PACOM) oversees US military operations in the Indo-Pacific.
• Key to US strategy countering China’s influence.
• India engages via QUAD & defence exercises.
• Impacts maritime security & regional balance of power.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs clears strategic connectivity project.
• First underwater tunnel in India under Brahmaputra River.
• Boosts connectivity in Northeast & defence mobility.
• Supports Act East Policy & regional integration.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• About Bio-based chemicals and Enzymes (plants, algae, microbes).
• Enzymes act as biological catalysts in industrial processes.
• Reduce fossil-fuel dependence & carbon footprint.
• Used in biofuels, biodegradable plastics, pharmaceuticals & textiles.
• Align with circular economy & green chemistry principles.

(GS-3: Environment)

• About Sangtam community of Nagaland
  • Commits to pangolin conservation.
• About Pangolins
  • Protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Schedule I).
• Threats: illegal wildlife trade & habitat loss.
• Example of community-led conservation model.

(GS-3: Environment )

• New army ant species recorded in Eastern Ghats. Indicates rich but underexplored biodiversity hotspot.
• Relevant for ecological research & environmental impact assessments.