UPSC Daily Current Affairs: 10th February, 2026

Stay Ahead of the curve: Comprehensive Analysis For IAS Aspirant (UPSC Current Affairs: 10th February 2026)

In the dynamic landscape of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, staying updated with daily events is non-negotiable. Today’s news landscape is dominated by India’s expanding footprint in the Indian Ocean, strategic defense collaborations in Europe, and landmark domestic governance reforms.

Our February 10, 2026 briefing decodes complex international treaties and policy shifts into bite-sized, exam-oriented insights to help you master GS Papers II and III.

1. International Relations (GS Paper II)

India-Seychelles: A Strategic Partnership for the Indian Ocean

In a significant move for maritime security, India and Seychelles adopted a Joint Vision for SESEL (Sustainability, Economic Growth, and Security through Enhanced Linkages).

• Economic Package: India announced a $175 million package, including a $50 million grant for social housing and e-mobility.
• Security: Seychelles has become a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), joining India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, and Bangladesh.
• Blue Economy: Cooperation in sustainable fisheries and maritime surveillance was reinforced, highlighting Seychelles’ role in India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.

India-Greece Defence Cooperation

India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence-industrial ties.

• 5-Year Roadmap: A plan was set to align India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ with Greece’s ‘Agenda 2030’.
• Maritime Impact: Greece will deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, enhancing Mediterranean-Indian Ocean connectivity.

2. Economy (GS Paper III)

Launch of India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0

The Union Budget 2026-27 officially transitioned to ISM 2.0, aiming to make India a global hub for high-value chip design.

• Objective: 70–75% self-sufficiency in domestic chips by 2029.
• IP Creation: Focus on “Full-Stack Indian IP,” shifting from just assembly to owning the intellectual property of semiconductor designs.
• Infrastructure: The Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali, is being upgraded for indigenous prototyping.

Banking Stability: NPAs at Historic Low

Data released shows the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) of Scheduled Commercial Banks fell to a historic low of 2.45% as of September.

• Significance: This indicates improved asset quality and financial stability, essential for supporting the “Viksit Bharat” investment cycle.

3. Science & Technology (GS Paper III)

AI Impact Summit 2026 & New IT Rules

India is hosting the Global AI Impact Summit, the first of its kind in the Global South.

• Policy Update: The IT Ministry has mandated that AI-generated content must be labeled.
• Takedown Timelines: New rules (effective Feb 20, 2026) reduce the timeline for removing unlawful content/deepfakes to 2–3 hours.

Health: Breakthrough in CAR-T Cell Therapy

Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed a safer, more efficient method to recover lab-grown T-cells using 3D electrospun scaffolds.

• Impact: This could significantly lower the cost of indigenous therapies like NexCAR19, which currently costs roughly 1/10th of international prices.

4. Environment & Ecology (GS Paper III)

NITI Aayog’s Net-Zero Pathways

NITI Aayog released a study titled “Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero,” detailing India’s journey to Net-Zero by 2070.

• Key Insight: Transition requires massive structural shifts in power sectors and massive investment in green finance.
• Coastal Resilience: The REEFS project in Kerala was highlighted as a model for coastal disaster management.

5. Prelims-Specific “Quick Facts”

• Kimberley Process (KP): India is advocating for a broader definition of “conflict diamonds” to include state-linked violence, not just rebel groups.
• Bastar Pandum: A major cultural festival in Chhattisgarh (Feb 7–9) showcasing tribal heritage.
• Ethylene Glycol: Recently in the news due to syrup adulteration; it is an organic compound used in antifreeze and polyesters.
• SCALP Missile: India is finalising a deal with France for these long-range, air-launched cruise missiles (also known as Storm Shadow).

The Hindu Editorial Analysis: 10th February 2026

Editorial 1: Polishing the Kimberley Process (GS Paper II – International Relations)

Context: India, as a major voice for the Global South, is leading the call for structural reforms in the Kimberley Process (KP) to ensure “conflict diamonds” are better regulated.

• The Problem: The current definition of “conflict diamonds” is narrow. It only includes diamonds used by rebel groups to fund wars against legitimate governments. It ignores state-sponsored violence or human rights abuses by governments themselves.
• The India Factor: As a global leader in diamond processing, India wants to balance the interests of African producer nations with the ethical demands of global consumers.
• Proposed Reforms:
  • Redefining Conflict: Expanding the scope to include systemic human rights violations.
  • Technological Shift: Implementing Blockchain-based tracking to provide a digital, tamper-proof history of every stone.
  • Empowering Africa: Shifting focus toward “Developmental Diamonds” that support local livelihoods rather than just imposing sanctions.

Editorial 2: The Mineable Self (GS Paper III – Economy & Ethics)

Context: A philosophical yet economic look at how modern capitalism has shifted from extracting “labor” to extracting “identity.”

• Data as the New Oil: The editorial argues that human behavior, emotions, and social relationships have become the “newest commodity.”
• AI & Identity: With the rise of Generative AI, the line between an authentic self and a digital construct is blurring. AI systems now compete in “companionship” and “decision-making,” mining our psychological profiles.
• The “Visibility” Trap: There is a cultural logic where “visibility equals economic opportunity.” This forces individuals to participate in digital systems, often at the cost of privacy and mental well-being.
• Policy Need: The piece calls for a “Digital Bill of Rights” to protect the “internal self” from being treated as raw material for profit.

Key Headlines from The Hindu (National & Science)

1. Judiciary: Curbing “Restrictive” Software (GS Paper II)

The Supreme Court expressed concern over software tools used for Strategic Intervention Research (SIR).

• The Issue: The Court noted that certain algorithms are being used to “stifle ideas” or monitor dissent under the guise of security research.
• Ruling: It emphasized that technology must not become a tool for “ideological policing” and asked for transparency in algorithmic audits.

2. Urban Governance: Monitoring “Foul Air” (GS Paper III)

• Context: Persistent air quality issues in metro cities.
• News: New monitoring stations were unveiled to track specific pollutants like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are often missed by standard AQI sensors.

3. Science: Gravity’s Role in Earth’s Journey (GS Paper III)

• Discovery: A new study on how gravity acts as a “centripetal force” during Earth’s transit through space, preventing collisions with interstellar debris.
• Copernicus Sentinel-2: This mission’s data was highlighted for its role in tracking methane emissions and land-use changes with high-frequency “revisit times.”

  Conclusion: Strategic Signals for UPSC 2026

• The developments of 10th February 2026 reflect India’s evolving position as a confident global power balancing strategic security, technological self-reliance, economic stability, and ethical governance. From strengthening maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean to pushing semiconductor self-sufficiency and regulating Artificial Intelligence, India is navigating a complex global environment shaped by multipolarity and digital transformation.
• For UPSC aspirants, the key takeaway is not just to memorize facts but to understand the larger themes emerging from these events:
• India’s strategic autonomy in global geopolitics
• Technological sovereignty and innovation-led growth
• Ethical regulation of AI and digital capitalism
• Climate commitments and sustainable development pathways
• Institutional reforms in global governance frameworks
• Aspirants preparing for IAS 2026 should focus on interlinking current affairs with static syllabus topics, practicing answer writing from these themes, and developing balanced, solution-oriented perspectives.
• In the UPSC examination, depth of understanding and analytical clarity matter more than information overload. This day’s developments offer multiple entry points for GS II, GS III, Essay, and Ethics papers — making it highly relevant for serious civil services preparation.