UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 2:
• NITI Aayog Study: Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero (Waste Sector)
NITI Aayog Study: Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero (Waste Sector)
GS Paper 3:
• The States and the 16th Finance Commission
The States and the 16th Finance Commission
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• PAIMANA Web Portal
PAIMANA Web Portal
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
• Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
• Official Secrets Act, 1923
Official Secrets Act, 1923
• India is Set to Get Two New Telescopes
India is Set to Get Two New Telescopes
• Dolphin Census in Odisha
Dolphin Census in Odisha
Mapping:
• Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions in Egypt
Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions in Egypt
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026
GS Paper 2 :
NITI Aayog Study: Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero (Waste Sector)
Source: NITI Aayog
Subject: Governance
Context: NITI Aayog released a landmark series of 11 reports detailing India’s first government-led integrated study to align the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision with the Net Zero 2070 climate commitment.
• Volume 8 of this series specifically provides a strategic roadmap for transforming the waste sector into a resource recovery powerhouse.
About NITI Aayog Study: Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero (Waste Sector)
What it is?
• The study entails a scenario-based analytical modelling exercise developed by 10 inter-ministerial working groups over 18 months.
• It evaluates “Current Policy” versus “Net Zero” pathways to ensure economic growth is decoupled from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• For the waste sector, the report emphasizes bridging structural gaps through universal collection, 100% door-to-door segregation, and the large-scale adoption of bio-methanation.
Overview of the Waste Sector in India:
• Emission Growth: The waste sector’s GHG emissions grew by 226% between 1994 and 2020 due to rapid urbanization and industrial activities.
• Current Contribution: In 2020, the waste sector contributed approximately 76 MtCO2e, making it the fourth-largest contributor to India’s overall emissions.
• Daily Generation: India currently produces around 170,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) every day, totaling roughly 62 million tonnes annually.
• Recycling Inefficiency: While India generates nearly 6.2 MMT of e-waste annually, only 18% of the extractable value is currently recovered due to informal sector inefficiencies.
• Economic Opportunity: Processing just 50% of wet waste through bio-methanation could contribute ₹2,460 crore annually to the economy.
Current Trajectory of Waste:
• Massive Generation Surge: Annual waste generation is projected to jump from 62 million tonnes currently to 165 million tonnes by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050.
E.g. Metros like Delhi struggle with rising waste, where legacy dumpsites like Ghazipur continue to expand despite remediation efforts.
• High Organic Methane Potential: Indian MSW contains 40-60% organic material, which leads to massive methane leaks in unscientific landfills.
E.g. Poorly managed landfills in Mumbai and Chennai often experience spontaneous fires due to trapped methane gas from decomposing organic matter.
• Rising E-Waste and Battery Volumes: E-waste is expected to rise to 14 MMT by 2030, while Lithium-ion battery spent volumes are projected to rise ninefold.
E.g. The rapid adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in states like Karnataka and Maharashtra is creating a surge in battery waste that current facilities cannot handle.
• Increasing Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste: India generates 10–12 million tonnes of C&D waste annually, much of which is dumped illegally.
E.g. Rapid infrastructure expansion in Bengaluru has led to C&D waste being dumped in lake beds, causing urban flooding during monsoons.
• Steady Growth in Industrial Effluents: Industrial wastewater emissions are rising sharply as manufacturing expands under Make in India.
E.g. Industrial clusters in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu face increasing pressure to adopt zero-liquid discharge systems to prevent groundwater contamination.
Challenges in the Waste Sector:
• Limited Processing Capacity: India currently loses thousands of crores because formal recycling systems cannot absorb the pace of waste generation.
E.g. Only 10% of e-waste is processed through authorized channels, with the rest handled by unregulated informal workers in places like Moradabad.
• Inefficient Source Segregation: A lack of door-to-door segregation ruins the quality of recyclables and increases processing costs.
E.g. In many tier-2 cities, dry and wet waste are still mixed in a single bin, making bio-methanation plants technically unfeasible.
• Lack of Quality Standards: There are no national standards for many recycled products, leading to a loss of revenue.
E.g. The waste tyre sector loses roughly ₹7,500 crore in revenue annually because recycled rubber lacks the certification needed for high-value industrial use.
• Urban-Rural Disparity: While urban areas face a scale problem, rural regions struggle with a total absence of organized collection systems.
E.g. Villages in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar often resort to open burning of plastic waste due to a lack of municipal pick-up services.
• Workforce and Skill Gaps: The transition to a circular economy is hindered by a lack of skilled workers and a fragmented informal sector.
E.g. Informal scrap dealers in Jaipur lack the technology and safety training required to safely extract rare earth metals from modern electronics.
NITI Aayog Recommendations:
• Universal Collection: Achieve 100% door-to-door solid waste collection and treatment of all collected wastewater by 2047.
• Waste-to-Resource: Transition from simple disposal to high-value recovery, transforming waste into Bio-CNG, compost, and treated wastewater.
• Policy Upheaval: Ban the pyrolysis of imported end-of-life tyres to encourage high-value domestic recycling and prevent environmental damage.
• Circular Economy Integration: Formalize the informal sector and strengthen the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for batteries and e-waste.
• Behavioral Change: Leverage Mission LiFE to drive citizen participation in source segregation as a national movement (Jan Andolan).
Conclusion:
NITI Aayog’s 2026 reports clarify that reaching Net Zero by 2070 is a strategic economic necessity rather than just an environmental goal. By viewing waste as embodied energy and bridging structural gaps through technology and circularity, India can secure its material supply chains and boost its GDP. Achieving these targets will require a massive shift in urban governance and active participation from every Indian household.
Q. “The mismanagement of waste and sewage in urban and peri-urban areas poses serious challenges to public health and environmental sustainability”. Analyze the socio-economic implications of poor waste management and suggest effective remedial measures. (15 M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026 GS Paper 3:
The States and the 16th Finance Commission
Source: TH
Subject: Economy/Polity
Context: The 16th FC is in the news because it has submitted its recommendations for the 2026-31 period, introducing a landmark “Contribution to GDP” criterion and enforcing strict fiscal discipline on States by capping deficits and ending off-budget borrowings.
About The States and the 16th Finance Commission:
What it is?
• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body (Article 280) that recommends how the Divisible Pool of central taxes should be shared between the Union and the States (Vertical Devolution) and among the States themselves (Horizontal Devolution).
Taxes Shared: These include Corporation Tax, Personal Income Tax, Central GST (CGST), and the Centre’s share of Integrated GST (IGST).
Demands of the States:
• Higher Vertical Share: 18 States demanded an increase from 41% to 50% to meet rising welfare costs.
E.g. Kerala has repeatedly cited its high second-generation expenditures in health and education as a reason for needing a larger share of the tax pool.
• Inclusion of Cess/Surcharge: States demanded that cesses (like the Health and Education Cess) be included in the divisible pool.
E.g. Tamil Nadu argued that the Centre’s increasing reliance on cesses reduces the effective share States receive to below 30%.
• Reward for Efficiency: Industrialised States demanded that GDP Contribution be a factor in horizontal distribution.
E.g. Maharashtra and Gujarat, contributing nearly 25% of India’s GDP combined, argued they face higher urban infrastructure costs due to rapid industrialisation.
• Flexible Grants: States asked for fewer tied grants and more unconditional transfers.
E.g. Karnataka pointed out that rigid Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) often don’t align with the specific needs of a highly urbanised state.
Major Recommendations of the 16th FC:
• Vertical Devolution: Retained at 41% for the period 2026-31.
• New Horizontal Criterion: Introduced “Contribution to GDP” with a 10% weight, rewarding states with higher economic output.
• Fiscal Deficit Caps: States’ fiscal deficit is capped strictly at 3% of GSDP.
• End of Off-Budget Borrowings: All liabilities of state-owned entities must now be shown in the main State budget.
• Discom Reforms: Recommended the privatisation of DISCOMs (Power Distribution Companies) to reduce state debt.
• Local Body Grants: Recommended ₹9.47 lakh crore for local bodies and disaster management, but discontinued state-specific/sector-specific grants.
Positives of the Recommendations:
• Reward for Growth: The GDP contribution criterion incentivises states to improve their business environment.
E.g. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are expected to see a marginal rise in their shares due to their high industrial output.
• Transparency in Debt: Ending off-budget borrowings ensures a true picture of a state’s financial health.
E.g. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which used corporations to borrow heavily, will now have more transparent debt levels.
• Urban Focus: New Urbanisation Premium grants help cities manage rapid growth.
E.g. Cities like Ahmedabad or Pune can use these for integrating peri-urban areas into formal city planning.
• Forest Protection: Rewarding the increase in forest cover (not just existing cover) promotes active conservation.
E.g. States like Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh are incentivised to expand green cover beyond their current baselines.
Negatives of the Recommendations:
• Vertical Stagnation: Keeping the share at 41% ignores the States’ plea for more fiscal space.
E.g. States like Bihar struggle to fund basic infrastructure without a higher percentage of the central tax pool.
• Penalising Welfare: The warning against unconditional cash transfers is seen as interfering with state policy.
E.g. Schemes like Gruha Lakshmi (Karnataka) or Majhi Ladki Bahin (Maharashtra) might face funding scrutiny under these new guidelines.
• One-Size-Fits-All Power Reforms: Mandatory DISCOM privatisation may not work in all political contexts.
E.g. In Punjab, where free power to farmers is a sensitive issue, forced privatisation could lead to significant social unrest.
• Equity Concerns: Reducing the weight of Income Distance (from 45% to 42.5%) may hurt the poorest states.
E.g. Uttar Pradesh might see its absolute share decrease slightly to accommodate the rewards given to richer, efficient states.
Conclusion:
The 16th Finance Commission marks a pivot toward Compliance-driven Federalism by prioritizing economic efficiency and fiscal discipline over pure equity. While industrialised states have finally gained recognition for their GDP contributions, the overall fiscal autonomy of States remains under pressure due to the stagnation of the 41% devolution limit and the continued exclusion of cesses.
Q. “The structure of the Finance Commission appointment process creates the perception of partisanship”. Critically examine. How does this affect cooperative federalism in India? (15 M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
PAIMANA Web Portal
Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has shared updated data in Lok Sabha on the PAIMANA Web Portal, which monitors central infrastructure projects worth ₹150 crore and above.
About PAIMANA Web Portal:
What It Is?
• PAIMANA (Project Assessment Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-Building) is a web-based monitoring system developed to track ongoing Central Sector Infrastructure Projects costing ₹150 crore and above.
• It replaces the earlier OCMS-2006 (Online Computerized Monitoring System).
Organisation Involved:
• Developed and managed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• Integrated with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Integrated Project Monitoring Portal (IPMP) through APIs.
Key Features:
• One Data One Entry Principle: Automatic data flow from IPMP to PAIMANA via APIs, reducing duplication.
• Covers High-Value Projects: Tracks projects costing ₹150 crore and above across 17 Ministries.
• Real-Time Monitoring: Ministries and implementing agencies update progress digitally.
• Reduced Manual Entry: Around 60% of projects in major sectors (Roads, Petroleum, Coal) auto-updated.
Relevance for UPSC Examination:
• GS Paper II – Governance:
• E-governance initiatives and digital public infrastructure. Transparency and accountability in public administration.
• E-governance initiatives and digital public infrastructure.
• Transparency and accountability in public administration.
• GS Paper III – Infrastructure & Economy:
• Infrastructure monitoring and public investment management. Role of technology in improving project implementation efficiency.
• Infrastructure monitoring and public investment management.
• Role of technology in improving project implementation efficiency.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –12 February 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Ayushman Sahakar Scheme
Source: PIB
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: The Union Minister for Home and Cooperation, provided an update in the Rajya Sabha regarding the implementation and funding framework of the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme.
About Ayushman Sahakar Scheme:
What it is?
• Ayushman Sahakar is a dedicated scheme of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to provide financial assistance to cooperative societies for establishing and expanding healthcare infrastructure across India.
Launched in:
• 2020 (Notified by NCDC in alignment with National Health Policy 2017)
Ministry:
• Implemented by NCDC
• Under the administrative control of the Ministry of Cooperation
• To promote affordable, holistic, and community-owned healthcare through cooperative societies.
• To strengthen AYUSH and digital health participation in line with India’s public health objectives.
Key Features:
• Eligible Institutions: Any Cooperative Society registered under State or Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act with healthcare provisions in its bye-laws is eligible.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Supports infrastructure, modernization, AYUSH services, digital health, telemedicine, insurance, and working capital for diverse healthcare facilities.
• Flexible Financial Assistance: Provides term/investment loans up to 8 years (with 1–2 year moratorium) based on actual project requirements.
• Women Incentive: Offers 1% interest rebate to women-majority cooperatives, subject to timely repayment compliance.
• Structured Funding & Security: Funding through State or direct NCDC route (up to 90% loan) with defined collateral/guarantee mechanisms.
Significance:
• Strengthens Cooperative Federalism: Promotes decentralized healthcare delivery through grassroots cooperative institutions.
• Community Ownership in Health: Encourages participatory governance and accountability in service delivery.
• Boost to AYUSH Sector: Enhances infrastructure for traditional systems of medicine, aligning with India’s integrative healthcare model.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)
Source: DD News
Subject: Economy
Context: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has approved new guidelines for the injection of Compressed Biogas (CBG) into Natural Gas Pipeline (NGPL) and City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks.
About Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB):
What it is?
• PNGRB is a statutory regulatory body responsible for regulating the downstream petroleum and natural gas sector in India.
Established In: 2006 under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006
Headquarters: New Delhi
• To protect consumer interests in petroleum and natural gas markets.
• To promote fair trade and competition among entities.
• To ensure uninterrupted and adequate supply of petroleum, petroleum products, and natural gas across the country.
Key Functions:
• Regulatory Oversight: Authorizes and regulates entities to build and operate pipelines, LNG terminals, and CGD networks.
• Market & Consumer Protection: Monitors prices, ensures fair competition, and prevents restrictive trade practices.
• Access & Tariff Regulation: Specifies pipeline access codes and regulates transportation rates for common/contract carriers.
• Technical & Safety Standards: Lays down technical standards, specifications, and safety norms for petroleum and gas infrastructure.
• Data & Infrastructure Governance: Maintains sectoral data bank and oversees infrastructure expansion for equitable distribution.
Significance of Recent Approval:
• Mainstreams Green Gas: Enables integration of domestically produced CBG into NGPL and CGD networks.
• Enhances Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported LNG by promoting indigenous bio-gas production.
• Boosts Project Viability: Assured pipeline-based evacuation improves financing and investment prospects for CBG projects.
Official Secrets Act, 1923
Source: TH
Subject: Government Acts and Bill
Context: The Ministry of Defence is framing fresh guidelines for serving and retired armed forces personnel regarding publication of books, following controversy over the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief M. M. Naravane.
• The proposed framework will incorporate provisions of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, which continues to apply even after retirement.
About Official Secrets Act, 1923:
What it is?
• The Official Secrets Act, 1923 is a colonial-era law enacted to consolidate and amend laws relating to protection of official information, particularly concerning national security and state interests.
• To safeguard the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the State.
• To prevent espionage, unauthorized disclosure, and wrongful communication of classified information.
Who are covered?
• The Official Secrets Act, 1923 applies to all persons, including government servants, defence personnel, private individuals, and companies, and extends to Indian citizens even outside India.
• It also covers those holding or having held office under Government and anyone in possession of classified or sensitive official information.
Key Features:
• Penalty for Spying (Section 3): Criminalizes approaching prohibited places, making sketches, or collecting information to aid an enemy; punishment may extend up to 14 years in sensitive defence cases.
• Communication with Foreign Agents (Section 4): Contact or association with foreign agents can be used as evidence in prosecution for offences against State security.
• Wrongful Communication of Information (Section 5): Punishes unauthorized sharing, retention, or misuse of official codes, documents, or information affecting sovereignty or security.
• Protection of Prohibited Places: Defines “prohibited places” including defence establishments, military infrastructure, and other notified sensitive installations.
• Search and Seizure Powers (Section 11): Empowers magistrates and, in emergencies, senior police officers to issue search warrants in suspected offences.
• Restriction on Trial (Section 13): Courts can take cognizance only upon complaint authorized by the appropriate Government, ensuring executive oversight.
• Exclusion of Public Proceedings (Section 14): Courts may exclude the public during trial if publication of evidence may prejudice State security.
Significance:
• Acts as a foundational national security legislation protecting classified defence and strategic information.
• Applies for life, including to retired officials and armed forces personnel.
• Balances freedom of expression with national security considerations.
Source: NIE
Subject: Species in News
Context: Low snowfall in Uttarakhand has disrupted bear hibernation cycles, leading to increased bear attacks and human-wildlife conflict in early 2026.
About Bear:
What it is?
• A bear is a large, short-tailed omnivorous mammal belonging to the family Ursidae.
Scientific Name:
• Family: Ursidae
• Ursus arctos (Brown Bear), Ursus maritimus (Polar Bear)
Habitat:
• Bears are found across North America, Europe, and Asia, primarily in temperate and Arctic regions; in India, species like the Sloth Bear inhabit forested and hilly landscapes.
Key Characteristics:
• Large Omnivorous Mammals: Most species consume fruits, roots, insects, fish, and small mammals; the polar bear is largely carnivorous.
• Strong Climbers & Swimmers: Despite bulk, many species climb trees and swim efficiently.
• Keen Sense of Smell: Olfactory ability is highly developed, compensating for moderate vision and hearing.
• Solitary Behaviour: Mostly solitary except during mating or cub rearing.
• Seasonal Dormancy: Many species undergo winter sleep (often termed hibernation).
About Hibernation:
What it is?
• Hibernation is a seasonal state of metabolic slowdown where animals conserve energy during cold periods with scarce food availability.
Reasons for Hibernation:
• Food Scarcity in Winter: Reduced plant growth and prey availability.
• Extreme Cold Conditions: Conserves body heat and energy.
• Survival Strategy: Ensures energy efficiency during harsh environmental conditions.
How it Works?
• Pre-hibernation Fat Accumulation: Bears consume excess food to build fat reserves.
• Metabolic Slowdown: Heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature reduce (though bears are not true deep hibernators).
• Energy from Stored Fat: Brown fat helps generate heat during brief arousals.
• Occasional Arousal: Bears may wake intermittently, unlike true hibernators.
In Uttarakhand, insufficient snowfall has failed to trigger proper dormancy, leaving bears active and increasing human-bear interactions.
India is Set to Get Two New Telescopes
Source: IE
Subject: Science and Technology
Context: The Union Budget 2026 has approved two new major telescopes and the upgrade of an existing facility in Ladakh, strengthening India’s global position in observational astronomy.
About India is Set to Get Two New Telescopes:
• India will establish two advanced ground-based astronomical observatories in Ladakh to study the Sun and the deep universe, alongside upgrading the existing Himalayan Chandra Telescope.
• These facilities aim to enhance India’s capabilities in heliophysics, exoplanet research, stellar evolution, and cosmology, leveraging Ladakh’s high altitude, dry climate, and dark skies.
About National Large Solar Telescope (NLST):
What It Is?
• The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) is a 2-metre aperture ground-based solar telescope that will observe the Sun in visible and near-infrared wavelengths. It will be located in the Merak region near Pangong Tso in Ladakh.
Key Features:
• 2-Metre Aperture Solar Telescope: Designed specifically for high-resolution solar observations.
• Visible & Near-Infrared Observation: Enables study of solar magnetism and dynamic processes.
• High-Altitude Location: Reduced atmospheric distortion enhances image clarity.
• India’s Third Ground-Based Solar Observatory: After Kodaikanal and Udaipur observatories.
• Synergy with Space Missions: Will complement data from Aditya-L1.
Significance:
• Strengthens India’s leadership in heliophysics and space weather prediction.
• Helps monitor solar flares and coronal mass ejections affecting satellites and power grids.
About National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT):
What It Is?
• The National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 13.7-metre segmented-mirror telescope built in Hanle, Ladakh, making it one of the largest optical-infrared telescopes in the world.
Key Features:
• 13.7-Metre Segmented Primary Mirror: Comprising 90 hexagonal mirror segments working as one large mirror.
• Optical & Near-Infrared Capability: Ideal for deep-space and faint-object observations.
• High-Altitude, Dry Climate Advantage: Minimal atmospheric diffraction ensures superior data quality.
• Global Collaboration Experience: Builds on India’s participation in the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT).
• Frontier Science Potential: Enables research on exoplanets, supernovae, galaxy formation, and origins of the universe.
Significance:
• Positions India among leading nations in large-aperture astronomy.
• Improves access to telescope observation time for Indian scientists.
• Supports Global South leadership in astrophysical research.
Dolphin Census in Odisha
Source: DTE
Context: Odisha has recorded its highest marine dolphin population in five years, with 765 individuals counted in the 2026 state-wide census.
About Dolphin Census in Odisha:
What It Is?
• The Dolphin Census is an annual scientific population estimation exercise to assess the abundance, distribution, and diversity of dolphins and other cetaceans in Odisha’s marine and estuarine ecosystems.
Conducted By: It is conducted by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha, involving forest officials, marine experts, and field personnel using boat- and shore-based transect surveys.
Outcomes of 2026 Census:
• Total Population: 765 dolphins (highest in 5 years).
• Species-wise Distribution: Humpback dolphins – 497 Irrawaddy dolphins – 208 Bottlenose dolphins – 55 Spinner dolphins – 3 Finless porpoise – 2
• Humpback dolphins – 497
• Irrawaddy dolphins – 208
• Bottlenose dolphins – 55
• Spinner dolphins – 3
• Finless porpoise – 2
• Key Conservation Zones: Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally). Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally).
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Indicates stable to improving trends due to habitat protection and community participation.
About Dolphin:
What It Is?
• Dolphins are aquatic marine mammals belonging to the order Cetacea and are known for their intelligence, social behavior, and echolocation abilities.
Habitat: They inhabit oceans, coastal waters, estuaries, and some freshwater systems. In India, major habitats include Chilika Lake and coastal marine zones.
IUCN Status:
• The Irrawaddy Dolphin is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
• Dolphins are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Types Found in Odisha:
• Humpback Dolphin
• Irrawaddy Dolphin
• Bottlenose Dolphin
• Spinner Dolphin
• Finless Porpoise (closely related cetacean)
Key Characteristics of Dolphins:
• Highly intelligent with advanced communication systems: Dolphins exhibit problem-solving skills and communicate using clicks, whistles, and body movements.
• Use echolocation for navigation and hunting: They emit sound waves that bounce off objects, helping them detect prey and obstacles underwater.
• Social animals living in pods: Dolphins live in structured groups (pods) for protection, hunting cooperation, and social bonding.
• Slow breeding rate (especially Irrawaddy dolphins): They have long gestation periods and produce few offspring, limiting rapid population growth.
• Indicators of marine ecosystem health: Their presence reflects healthy water quality, fish abundance, and balanced coastal ecosystems.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 12 February 2026 Mapping:
Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions in Egypt
Source: TOI
Subject: Mapping
Context: Researchers have identified nearly 30 Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit inscriptions in tombs at the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, dating to the 1st–3rd centuries CE.
About Tamil Brahmi Inscriptions in Egypt:
What It Is?
• The discovery refers to ancient Indian inscriptions—primarily in Tamil Brahmi script—found inside Egyptian tombs, indicating the presence of Indian visitors or traders in Roman-era Egypt.
Located In: The inscriptions were documented in six tombs within the Valley of the Kings, part of the Theban Necropolis along the Nile River in Egypt.
Key Discoveries:
• Nearly 30 Inscriptions Identified (1st–3rd Century CE): Written in Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit, suggesting diverse Indian origins.
• Repeated Tamil Name ‘Cikai Korran’: Found inscribed eight times across five tombs, indicating a Tamil individual’s repeated presence.
• Other Tamil Names Recorded: Names such as Kopān, Cātan, and Kiran were identified, linking to Sangam-era Tamil culture.
• Parallel Evidence from Berenike: Similar Tamil names found earlier at the Red Sea port of Berenike reinforce maritime trade links.
• Graffiti Tradition Followed: Indian visitors carved their names alongside Greek graffiti, following local commemorative customs.
Significance:
• Evidence of Indo-Roman Trade Networks: Confirms active maritime trade between ancient Tamilagam and Roman Egypt.
• Cultural Interaction Beyond Ports: Suggests Indian traders travelled beyond coastal ports into Nile valley regions.
About Valley of the Kings:
What It Is?
• The Valley of the Kings is a major ancient Egyptian burial site where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were interred in rock-cut tombs deep within desert hills.
Located In:
• It lies on the west bank of the Nile River near modern-day Luxor in Upper Egypt, forming part of the ancient city of Thebes.
• In 1979, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Ancient Thebes complex.
History:
• Period of Use: Primarily used during the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties (c. 1539–1075 BCE).
• Royal Burials: Served as the burial ground for pharaohs from Thutmose I to Ramses X, along with some queens and high officials.
• Shift in Burial Practice: New Kingdom rulers chose this hidden valley to prevent tomb robbery, moving away from pyramid burials.
• Architectural Features: Tombs include descending corridors, pillared halls, burial chambers, and deep shafts designed to deter robbers.
• Religious Significance: Walls were decorated with funerary texts like the “Book of the Dead,” “Book of Gates,” and “Book of That Which Is in the Underworld,” guiding the king through the afterlife.
• Archaeological Importance: Over 60 tombs have been discovered, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62).
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