UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 February 2026

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 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 1:

• China’s Population Woes

China’s Population Woes

GS Paper 3:

• Women led decentralised renewable energy India

Women led decentralised renewable energy India

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’

Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’

• Complaints Against Judges in India

Complaints Against Judges in India

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• 40 Years of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

40 Years of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

• Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2)

Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2)

• The Sangtam Community

The Sangtam Community

• Army Ant Species

Army Ant Species

• Military Exercises in News

Military Exercises in News

Mapping:

• Reynisfjara Beach

Reynisfjara Beach

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 February 2026

GS Paper 1 :

China’s Population Woes

Source: IE

Subject: Demography and associated issues

Context: China’s birth rate has plunged to a record low of 5.63 births per 1,000 people in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of population contraction.

• This decline persists despite the 2016 reversal of the One-Child Policy (OCP), highlighting deep-seated structural and social failures.

About China’s Population Woes:

What it is?

• China is currently facing a demographic death spiral where the population is not only shrinking but aging rapidly. Decades of the One-Child Policy created a “4-2-1” family structure (four grandparents, two parents, one child), placing an immense economic burden on the youth.

• The crisis has transitioned from a lack of permission to have children to a lack of ability or desire, driven by the high costs of housing, education, and healthcare.

Reasons for China’s Woes:

• The Key Schools Funnel: The state concentrated 70–80% of resources into a tiny tier of elite schools, making education a high-stakes competition.

• Housing as a “2+1” Debt Trap: Urbanization focused on small 50–70 sqm apartments designed specifically for a three-person family unit.

E.g. High price-to-income ratios and land-sale-dependent local budgets kept housing expensive and physically too small for more than one child.

• Privatized Healthcare Burden: Out-of-pocket medical expenses surged from 20% to 60% as the state-led welfare retreated in favor of a market economy.

• The Motherhood Penalty: In a hyper-competitive job market, women are often viewed as high-risk assets due to the lack of state-subsidized maternity leave.

E.g. Corporations favor men to avoid productivity gaps, forcing women to choose between career advancement and a second (or even first) child.

• The Social Reflex Mindset: Decades of reinforcement have made the one-child family a psychological and social norm that persists even after the laws changed.

E.g. Pro-natalist policies like the three-child limit are failing because the 4-2-1 family structure has become a social reflex hard-coded into the culture.

Key Data on India’s Population Issues

• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): India’s national TFR has fallen to 2.0, which is below the replacement level of 2.1.

• Regional Imbalance: Southern states like Sikkim (1.1) and Goa (1.3) are aging faster, while northern states like Bihar (3.0) still have high growth.

• Median Age: India’s median age is 28.2 years, significantly younger than China’s (~39), providing a demographic dividend window until approximately 2047.

• Working-Age Population: India is expected to add 144 million workers by 2050, while China is projected to lose nearly 239 million.

Challenges Associated:

• Job Creation Gap: A large youth population is a dividend only if there are enough jobs; otherwise, it becomes a demographic bomb.

E.g. High youth unemployment rates (above 20% in some brackets) lead to social unrest and brain drain of skilled professionals.

• Skilling Mismatch: The current education system often fails to produce industry-ready graduates.

E.g. Recent reports suggest only about 50% of Indian graduates are employable, necessitating massive re-skilling through initiatives like the Skill India Mission.

• Ageing Before Affluence: Unlike Western nations, parts of India are starting to age before the country has reached high-income status.

E.g. States like Tamil Nadu are already facing the need for increased geriatric care and pension funds before their per-capita GDP reaches global developed standards.

• Resource Strain: Rapid urbanization is putting a Malthusian strain on basic resources like water and air quality.

E.g. The water crisis in Bengaluru and the hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR are direct results of failing to scale infrastructure alongside population density.

• Dependency Ratio Shifts: As the youth population peaks and eventually declines, the burden of supporting the elderly will fall on a smaller workforce.

E.g. The Old-Age Dependency Ratio is projected to nearly double by 2050, which will strain India’s limited social security and pension systems.

Lessons for India from China’s Woes:

• Avoid Coercion: Population control should be achieved through education and healthcare (like the Kerala model) rather than rigid, top-down legislative mandates.

• Subsidize Social Pillars: The state must ensure that the costs of living—education, health, and housing—remain affordable so that family size is a choice, not a financial impossibility.

• Support Working Women: To maintain birth rates, India must bridge the motherhood penalty by subsidizing maternity leave and expanding the National Creche Scheme.

• Plan for Regional Divergence: India needs different policies for aging South India (elderly care) and youthful North India (primary education and job creation).

• Focus on ‘Quality’ without Scarcity: Instead of Key Schools that limit access, India must scale up quality education across the board to prevent the funnel of scarcity that bankrupted Chinese households.

Conclusion:

China’s crisis proves that once a society hard-codes low fertility into its economic and social architecture, cash incentives alone cannot reverse the trend. India must leverage its current youthful window to build inclusive systems that support families rather than penalizing growth. Ultimately, the goal should be to achieve wealth before wrinkles by investing in human capital today.

Q. “India is grappling with various demographic issues, including fertility decline and population ageing”. How can accurate and current Census data help in addressing these issues effectively in terms of policy planning and resource allocation? (15 M)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 February 2026 GS Paper 3:

Women led decentralised renewable energy India

Source: TH

Subject: Renewable Energy

Context: The India Distributed Renewable Energy Summit (IDRES) 2026 recently highlighted women-led decentralised renewable energy (DRE) as a strategic pillar for India’s net-zero transition.

• Concurrently, Chhattisgarh launched “Anjor Vision 2047,” aiming to establish 5,000 women-led DRE solutions and create 50,000 green jobs by 2030.

About Women led decentralised renewable energy India:

What it is?

• Women-led DRE is a transformative model that moves rural women from being passive last-mile consumers to active designers, owners, and operators of small-scale energy systems (like solar pumps, mini-grids, and solar dryers).

• It integrates energy access with gender equity, ensuring that clean energy infrastructure is managed by local women collectives, such as Self-Help Groups (SHGs), to power both domestic needs and rural livelihoods.

Key Data and Facts:

• Representation Gap: Women currently represent only 11% of India’s renewable energy workforce, compared to a 32% global average.

• Income Impact: 90% of women using DRE solutions report an income increase, with average earnings rising by one-third within a year.

• Health Crisis: Indoor air pollution from traditional biomass causes approximately 2,00,000 premature deaths annually in India, primarily among women.

• Economic Potential: Empowering women in the energy sector could add trillion to India’s economy by 2025-26.

• Scale of Impact: Technologies like solar silk-reeling have helped women increase monthly incomes from ₹1,500 to ₹6,000.

Needs for Women-Led DRE:

• Bridging the Reliability Deficit: While grid connectivity is high, rural consistency is low; DRE provides the reliable quality power needed for essential services.

E.g. In rural Chhattisgarh, forest-fringe villages use DRE to power health centers, ensuring refrigeration for life-saving vaccines during grid outages.

• Mitigating Time Poverty: Women spend 3–4 hours daily collecting fuelwood; DRE automates drudgerous tasks, freeing time for education or rest.

E.g. In Odisha, solar-powered silk-reeling machines have replaced manual thigh-reeling, saving hours of physical labor for tribal women weavers.

• Enhancing Rural Safety: Lack of reliable lighting restricts women’s mobility and safety after dark.

E.g. Solar-powered streetlights in Uttar Pradesh villages have reportedly increased women’s participation in evening community meetings and SHG activities.

• Productive Use of Energy (PURE): Affordable energy is required to mechanize small-scale rural enterprises to make them competitive.

E.g. Women-run dairies in Rajasthan use solar-powered bulk milk chillers to prevent spoilage, allowing them to sell to larger markets.

• Climate Resilience: Centralized grids are vulnerable to extreme weather; decentralized systems managed by locals ensure community resilience.

E.g. During the recent cyclones in coastal Andhra Pradesh, solar-powered micro-grids managed by women’s groups remained the only source of power for mobile charging and emergency lights.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• PM Surya Ghar (Solar Villages): Aims to establish 10,000 solar villages by 2030 with a focus on community and women-led management.

• Lakhpati Didi Scheme: Targets creating 3 crore Lakhpati Didis by integrating DRE technologies into SHG-led businesses like food processing and textiles.

• Anjor Vision 2047 (Chhattisgarh): A dedicated state roadmap to increase RE share to 66% through women-led green jobs and Solar Didis.

• Solar Urja Lamp (SoUL) Project: An IIT Bombay-led initiative that trained rural women (specifically in Bihar) to assemble and maintain solar lamps.

Key Challenges Associated:

• High Upfront Costs: DRE appliances like solar refrigerators or solar pumps require significant initial capital that rural women lack.

E.g. A solar bulk milk chiller can cost up to ₹25 lakh, a prohibitive sum for a typical village SHG without low-interest green credit.

• Technical Skill Gap: There is a shortage of local women technicians (Oorja Sakhis) to handle maintenance and repairs.

E.g. In many remote districts of Jharkhand, solar installations often lie defunct for months because the nearest technician is a man located in a distant city.

• Deep-Seated Patriarchy: Traditional gender roles often exclude women from technical decision-making or asset ownership.

E.g. Agriculture Census data shows women own only 13.9% of land in India, making it difficult for them to secure bank loans for energy assets like solar pumps.

• Limited Market Awareness: Many rural entrepreneurs are unaware of the profit potential or existence of DRE livelihood technologies.

E.g. Small-scale fruit processors in Himachal Pradesh often continue using expensive diesel generators because they lack information on solar-dryer subsidies.

• Service Infrastructure Deficit: Post-sale service and spare parts for DRE machines are rarely available at the village level.

E.g. In Western Odisha, seasonal demand for solar irrigation is high, but system downtime during peak harvest persists due to a lack of local spare-part depots.

Way Ahead:

• Asset Ownership: Policies should mandate women as primary or joint owners of energy assets, similar to the Ujjwala Yojana model.

• Green Credit Access: Launch dedicated credit lines and First Loss Default Guarantees (FLDG) for women-led clean-tech enterprises.

• Solar Didis: Scale up vocational training for women in STEM and technical roles to create a local cadre of maintenance sakhis.

• Panchayat Integration: Empower Gram Panchayats to use Own Source Revenue to partner with women’s collectives for Energy-as-a-Service.

• Mainstreaming DRE: Integrate DRE technologies into existing flagship schemes like the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

Conclusion:

India’s energy transition will only be truly just when the women at the last mile transition from being beneficiaries to being leaders of the system. By scaling women-led DRE, India can simultaneously address energy poverty, climate targets, and gender inequality. Turning the last mile into the front line of progress is the fastest way to a Viksit Bharat.

Q. “The integration of smart grids and renewable energy sources is crucial for India’s energy transition”. Examine the challenges in implementing smart grids in India and suggest policy measures to overcome them. (15 M)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 February 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’

Context: Prime Minister of India dedicated ‘Seva Teerth’ to the nation, emphasizing the guiding principle of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’ (Citizen is God).

• The initiative symbolically reinforces the government’s commitment to citizen-centric governance under the vision of India First.

About Spirit of ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’:

What it is?

• ‘Nagrikdevo Bhava’ translates to “May the citizen be treated as God”, drawing inspiration from the ancient Indian ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava.

• It places the citizen at the center of governance, redefining public service as a sacred duty rather than mere administrative responsibility.

Philosophical Foundation

• Rooted in Indian civilizational values, particularly the concept of Seva (selfless service) and Dharma (duty-bound conduct).

• Resonates with Gandhian philosophy of Antyodaya, which prioritizes the welfare of the last person.

• Aligns with the constitutional morality embedded in Articles 14 and 21, ensuring dignity and equality of every citizen.

• Reflects the ethical dimension of governance where public office is seen as a trust (Lok Seva).

Significance:

• Citizen-Centric Governance: Reinforces service delivery reforms like Digital India, Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity, and Direct Benefit Transfer.

• Administrative Accountability: Encourages transparency, responsiveness, and grievance redressal mechanisms.

• Moral Legitimacy of State Power: Shifts governance from authority-driven to service-driven administration.

• Inclusive Development: Supports the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by ensuring that growth benefits every citizen.

Relevance in UPSC Examination Syllabus

• GS Paper II: Polity & Governance

• Citizen-centric governance, transparency, accountability, and public service ethics. Role of civil services in a democracy; welfare schemes and inclusive development. Constitutional values and principles of justice, equality, and dignity.

• Citizen-centric governance, transparency, accountability, and public service ethics.

• Role of civil services in a democracy; welfare schemes and inclusive development.

• Constitutional values and principles of justice, equality, and dignity.

• GS Paper IV: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

• Concepts of Seva, Compassion, Duty, and Integrity in public service. Case studies related to citizen-first governance and moral leadership. Emotional intelligence and empathy in administration.

• Concepts of Seva, Compassion, Duty, and Integrity in public service.

• Case studies related to citizen-first governance and moral leadership.

• Emotional intelligence and empathy in administration.

Complaints Against Judges in India

Context: The Union Law Minister informed the Lok Sabha that the office of the Chief Justice of India received 8,630 complaints against sitting judges between 2016 and 2025.

About Complaints Against Judges in India:

What it is?

• Complaints against judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts relate to allegations of corruption, sexual misconduct, abuse of authority, or serious impropriety.

Key Data & Facts (2016–2025):

• Total Complaints: 8,630 complaints received by the CJI’s office.

• Year-wise Trends:

• Mechanism: Complaints can also be routed through CPGRAMS and are forwarded to the CJI or respective High Court Chief Justices.

• Legal Framework: Removal of judges is governed by Articles 124(4) and 217 of the Constitution and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968, requiring a special majority in Parliament.

Significance:

• Judicial Accountability: Rising complaints highlight the importance of maintaining public trust in the higher judiciary.

• Transparency Gap: Lack of publicly available data on action taken fuels concerns over opacity in the in-house procedure.

• Institutional Credibility: Ensuring ethical conduct is central to upholding judicial independence and rule of law.

Relevance in UPSC Examination

• GS Paper II – Polity & Governance

• Judiciary: Structure, appointment, removal, and accountability of judges. Separation of powers and checks and balances. Transparency and reforms in judicial institutions.

• Judiciary: Structure, appointment, removal, and accountability of judges.

• Separation of powers and checks and balances.

• Transparency and reforms in judicial institutions.

• GS Paper IV – Ethics

• Integrity in public office. Institutional ethics and public trust. Accountability vs independence dilemma.

• Integrity in public office.

• Institutional ethics and public trust.

• Accountability vs independence dilemma.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –14 February 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

40 Years of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)

Source: News on Air

Subject: Economics

Context: Union Minister extended greetings to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) on its 40th establishment day.

About 40 Years of Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA):

What it is?

• APEDA is a statutory export promotion authority established under the APEDA Act, 1985 (Act 2 of 1986) to promote the export of agricultural and processed food products from India. It replaced the Processed Food Export Promotion Council (PFEPC).

Established In:

• Act passed: December 1985

• Came into effect: 13 February 1986

Administrative Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

Key Functions of APEDA:

• Export Promotion & Market Development: Provides financial assistance, market intelligence, and global branding support to boost agri-exports.

• Registration of Exporters (RCMC): Registers exporters of scheduled products and ensures compliance with export norms.

• Quality Standards & Certification: Fixes export standards and monitors quality, including inspection of meat and processed products.

• Packaging & Value Addition Support: Promotes improved packaging, labeling, and value-added processing to enhance global competitiveness.

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Acts as Secretariat for certification and regulation of organic exports.

• Data Collection & Trade Statistics: Collects and publishes export data to support policy formulation and trade planning.

• Monitoring Imports of Sugar: Entrusted with oversight of sugar imports.

• Wide Product Coverage: Includes fruits, vegetables, basmati rice, meat, dairy, cereals, honey, guar gum, floriculture, herbal plants, cashew, beverages, and more.

Significance of APEDA:

• Boost to Agricultural Exports: India’s agricultural exports have crossed billion in recent years, with APEDA playing a pivotal facilitative role.

• Farmer Income Enhancement: By opening new international markets, APEDA strengthens rural livelihoods and aligns with the goal of doubling farmers’ income.

Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2)

Source: WHO

Subject: Science and Technology

Context: The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to strengthen global outbreak response.

About Novel Oral Polio Vaccine Type 2 (nOPV2):

What it is?

• nOPV2 is a next-generation oral polio vaccine designed specifically to combat outbreaks of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). It is used in outbreak response immunization campaigns across affected countries.

Developed by:

• The vaccine was developed under the framework of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).

• To stop transmission of poliovirus type 2 during outbreaks.

• To reduce the risk of vaccine-derived virus mutations.

• To accelerate progress toward global polio eradication.

Key Features:

• Genetically more stable than older oral polio vaccines, lowering the risk of seeding new outbreaks.

• Suitable for all age groups in outbreak settings.

• Available in multi-dose vials (20 and 50 doses) for large-scale campaigns.

• Flexible storage conditions, aiding immunization drives in diverse field settings.

• WHO prequalification ensures compliance with international safety, quality and efficacy standards, enabling procurement by agencies like UNICEF.

Significance:

• Strengthens global vaccine supply and manufacturing resilience.

• Supports rapid outbreak containment in under-immunized populations.

• Contributes to declining wild polio cases and reduction in cVDPV2 transmission.

The Sangtam Community

Source: TH

Subject: Miscellaneous

Context: The apex body of Nagaland’s Sangtam community has passed a resolution to protect pangolins within its jurisdiction.

About The Sangtam Community:

Who they are?

• Sangtam Naga are one of the recognized Naga tribes of Nagaland, primarily inhabiting Kiphire and Tuensang districts in eastern Nagaland.

• They are part of the larger Naga ethnic group of Northeast India and follow strong customary governance traditions.

Origin:

• According to oral traditions, the Sangtams trace their migration through regions of present-day Myanmar before settling in present eastern Nagaland.

• The term “Sangtam” is believed to have evolved from “Sangdang”, an ancestral village name that was later recorded in British administrative reports in the late 19th century.

Key characteristics:

• Strong traditional governance system led by village councils and apex tribal bodies.

• Organized into six major clan groupings (Shuh), reflecting deep-rooted lineage structures.

• Inhabit ecologically rich landscapes marked by dense forests, shifting cultivation, and biodiversity hotspots.

• Community resolutions play a decisive role in regulating social practices and natural resource use.

Significance:

• The Sangtam region lies near the India–Myanmar border, a critical wildlife trafficking route.

• Their collective decision-making system makes them crucial stakeholders in biodiversity protection.

• The recent pangolin protection resolution reflects the growing importance of indigenous community-led conservation in safeguarding threatened species.

Army Ant Species

Source: DH

Subject: Species in News

Context: Scientists from Karnataka and Odisha have discovered two new army ant species in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh.

About Army Ant Species:

What they are?

• Army ants are highly social, nomadic predatory ants known for their coordinated mass raids. The newly identified species — Aenictus chittoorensis and Aenictus lankamallensis — were discovered in the Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Eastern Ghats.

Habitat:

• Primarily found in tropical forest ecosystems.

• Thrive in dense forest floors with high arthropod diversity.

• Do not build permanent nests; instead form temporary living structures called bivouacs made from their own bodies.

Key Characteristics

• Highly aggressive and coordinated predators: They hunt in large, synchronized groups that can overpower much bigger prey.

• Large, sharp mandibles and stinging ability: Strong jaws and stings help them capture, kill, and defend against threats.

• Completely blind; rely on pheromones: They use chemical trails to communicate and navigate instead of vision.

• Move in straight columns during raids: They march in organized lines to efficiently sweep and hunt across the forest floor.

• Form massive colonies: Thousands of ants act together as one unit while foraging and relocating.

Significance:

• Act as keystone predators, regulating arthropod populations.

• Support ecological balance by driving insects out, making them prey for birds and reptiles.

• Contribute to nutrient cycling and forest biodiversity.

Military Exercises in News

Source: DD News

Subject: Security

Context: India and Thailand conducted a joint air combat exercise in the Indian Ocean Region to enhance interoperability and Indo-Pacific security cooperation.

• Simultaneously, the Indian Air Force announced Exercise Vayushakti-26, showcasing its full-spectrum combat capability at Pokhran.

About Military Exercises in News:

What it is?

• Military exercises are structured training operations conducted by armed forces, either bilaterally or multilaterally, to enhance combat readiness, interoperability, operational coordination, and strategic deterrence.

• They demonstrate military capability, strengthen defence diplomacy, and reinforce regional security partnerships.

About India–Thailand Joint Air Combat Exercise:

• What it is? A bilateral in-situ air combat exercise conducted in the Indian Ocean Region to deepen defence cooperation under India’s Act East Policy.

• A bilateral in-situ air combat exercise conducted in the Indian Ocean Region to deepen defence cooperation under India’s Act East Policy.

• Host & Location:

• Conducted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) IAF operated from Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• Conducted in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)

• IAF operated from Andaman & Nicobar Islands

• Nations Involved:

• Indian Air Force (IAF) Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)

• Indian Air Force (IAF)

• Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)

• Key Features:

• IAF Su-30MKI vs Thai SAAB Gripen fighters. Supported by IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers. Surveillance via IAF AWACS and Thai GCI units. Focus on maritime air combat & long-range reach. Boosts Indo-Pacific security and operational synergy

• IAF Su-30MKI vs Thai SAAB Gripen fighters.

• Supported by IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers.

• Surveillance via IAF AWACS and Thai GCI units.

• Focus on maritime air combat & long-range reach.

• Boosts Indo-Pacific security and operational synergy

About Exercise Vayushakti-26:

• What it is? A biennial firepower demonstration exercise by the Indian Air Force to display combat capability, precision strike ability, and multi-domain dominance.

• A biennial firepower demonstration exercise by the Indian Air Force to display combat capability, precision strike ability, and multi-domain dominance.

• Host & Location:

• Hosted by the Indian Air Force. Conducted at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

• Hosted by the Indian Air Force.

• Conducted at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan).

• Nation Involved: Solely conducted by the Indian Air Force (India).

• Key Features:

• Participation of platforms: Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, C-130J, C-17, Apache, Chinook, LCH, RPAs. Advanced weapons: Akash, SpyDer, SRLM, CUAS. Demonstrates day, dusk & night strike missions. Showcases indigenous capability under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Highlights lessons from Operation Sindoor. Core values: Achook (Accurate), Abhedya (Impenetrable), Sateek (Precise).

• Participation of platforms: Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, C-130J, C-17, Apache, Chinook, LCH, RPAs.

• Advanced weapons: Akash, SpyDer, SRLM, CUAS.

• Demonstrates day, dusk & night strike missions.

• Showcases indigenous capability under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

• Highlights lessons from Operation Sindoor.

• Core values: Achook (Accurate), Abhedya (Impenetrable), Sateek (Precise).

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 14 February 2026 Mapping:

Reynisfjara Beach

Source: ET

Subject: Mapping

Context: Reynisfjara Beach in southern Iceland has witnessed extensive erosion in February 2026, with large sections of its iconic black sand shoreline disappearing.

About Reynisfjara beach:

What it is?

• Reynisfjara is a world-famous black volcanic sand beach, known for its dramatic geological formations and powerful Atlantic waves. It is considered one of Iceland’s most iconic natural landmarks.

Location:

• Situated near the town of Vík í Mýrdal in southern Iceland.

• Part of the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark.

• Faces the North Atlantic Ocean along Iceland’s rugged south coast.

Origin:

• Formed from volcanic basalt lava flows that cooled rapidly upon contact with the ocean.

• The black sand is composed of eroded volcanic rock from nearby volcanoes like Eyjafjallajökull.

• The striking hexagonal basalt columns at Hálsanefshellir cave are products of columnar jointing, a volcanic cooling process.

Key Features:

• Black Volcanic Sand: Dark, charcoal-like sand created by pulverized basalt.

• Reynisdrangar Sea Stacks: Towering rock formations rising from the ocean.

• Basalt Columns & Caves: Natural geometric formations resembling organ pipes.

• Sneaker Waves: Sudden, powerful waves that surge inland unpredictably, making it one of Iceland’s most hazardous beaches.

Reason for Diminishing:

• Persistent Easterly Winds: Unlike usual southwesterly winds, strong easterlies pushed sand westward along the coast.

• Natural Barrier Effect: The Reynisfjall mountain blocks westward sand movement, preventing replenishment.

• High-Energy Atlantic Swells: Heavy winter waves intensified coastal scouring.

• Landslide & Structural Collapse: Part of the basalt formation beneath Reynisfjall collapsed, narrowing the shoreline.

• Climate Variability: Changing wind and wave patterns may be linked to broader climatic instability.

Facts for Prelims – 14th Feb 2026 Current Affairs Video

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