UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2026
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 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:
• 50th Year of Ending Bonded Labour
50th Year of Ending Bonded Labour
GS Paper 3:
• Forest Fires in North East India
Forest Fires in North East India
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• A.N.A.V. vision
A.N.A.V. vision
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute
Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
• The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)
The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)
• Shalimar Wheat
Shalimar Wheat
• Salem Sago (Javvarisi)
Salem Sago (Javvarisi)
• MILAN 2026 Naval exercise
MILAN 2026 Naval exercise
Mapping:
• Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary
Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2026
GS Paper 2 :
50th Year of Ending Bonded Labour
Source: TH
Subject: Governance
Context: February 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
• Despite five decades of the law, recent reports from Odisha highlight a disturbing trend where rescued labourers are slipping back into bondage due to delayed rehabilitation
About 50th Year of Ending Bonded Labour:
What it is?
• The year 2026 commemorates half a century since India took a landmark legal step to eradicate modern-day slavery.
• While the Act successfully criminalized the practice, the milestone is a somber reminder of the gap between legal release and social rehabilitation, as thousands of workers in sectors like brick kilns and poultry farms still face debt-induced exploitation.;
Features of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976:
• Abolition of Liability: All obligations of a bonded labourer to repay “bonded debt” were extinguished upon the commencement of the Act.
• Release and Freedom: Any labourer trapped in the system stands discharged from the obligation to provide forced labour.
• District Responsibility: The Act mandates District Magistrates (DMs) and Vigilance Committees to identify, release, and rehabilitate labourers.
• Cognizable Offense: Forcing someone into bondage is a punishable crime, intended to act as a deterrent for creditors and contractors (Thekedars).
• Caste and Economic Scope: The law specifically covers both economic debt-bondage and hereditary, caste-based servitude (such as customary services by barbers or washermen).
Data & Facts on Bonded Labour:
• National Release Figures: According to the SECC-2011, approximately 1.65 lakh bonded labourers were legally released across India.
• Odisha Specifics: In Odisha alone, over 8,304 bonded labourers (mostly from tribal communities) were identified and rescued as per the last major assessment.
• Financial Corpus: Every district is required to maintain a ₹10 lakh corpus fund for immediate relief; however, nearly 50% of districts in Odisha lack this fund.
• Rehabilitation Scale: The 2022 revised Central Scheme provides graded assistance ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh depending on the severity of exploitation.
• Work Hours: Reports show that labourers in bondage often work 14–15 hours a day in makeshift shelters with restricted movement.
Challenges Associated with the Elimination of Bonded Labour:
• Relapse into Bondage: Rescue without immediate financial support forces victims back to their exploiters.
E.g. Panchanan Muduli of Odisha migrated back to a brick kiln just five months after his official rescue because promised help never arrived.
• Bureaucratic Delays & Accountability: Coordination gaps between source and destination states stall rehabilitation.
E.g. Labourers rescued in Andhra Pradesh or Telangana often wait years for the Odisha government to process their Release Certificates for financial aid.
• Lack of Awareness and Monitoring: Many districts fail to conduct the mandatory periodic surveys to identify hidden bondage.
E.g. The last comprehensive data source remains the SECC-2011, indicating a 15-year gap in updated national statistics on bonded labour.
• Caste-Based Institutionalization: Customary servitude is often denied by local officials, leading to the revocation of release certificates.
E.g. In Puri district, certificates of 1,283 people were revoked because officials claimed they stopped performing services, failing to recognize the systemic nature of caste-bondage.
• Debt Trap & Lack of Alternatives: Rescued workers lack land or skill-based livelihoods in their home villages.
E.g. Jayaraj Jagat received ₹19,000 in assistance but was forced to migrate again by 2017 because there were no sustainable income opportunities in his village.
Way Ahead:
• Immediate Relief: Ensure every district activates its ₹10 lakh corpus fund to provide spot-payment to rescued labourers within 48 hours.
• Convergence of Schemes: Link survivors to MGNREGS, PMAY (Housing), and Ration Cards immediately upon rescue to prevent migration.
• Digital Tracking: Implement a real-time inter-state tracking portal to monitor the status of release certificates and fund transfers between states.
• Skill Development: Provide handholding support and vocational training (e.g., tailoring, masonry) to help survivors start local small businesses.
• Strengthening Vigilance Committees: Reconstitute District and Sub-divisional Vigilance Committees with active participation from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Conclusion:
The 50th anniversary of the Bonded Labour Abolition Act serves as a call for Rehabilitation, not just Rescue. Legal freedom is meaningless without economic dignity, and unless the state addresses the underlying debt and caste barriers, the cycle of bondage will continue. India must shift from a reactive rescue-only approach to a proactive, welfare-driven model of permanent reintegration.
Q. Discuss why bonded labour persists in India despite a comprehensive legal framework. Evaluate the major bottlenecks in detection and prosecution. Also suggest measures to resolve the problem in a time-bound manner. (15 M)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2026 GS Paper 3:
Forest Fires in North East India
Source: DTE
Subject: Environment/Disaster Management
Context: Massive forest fires have been raging across Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for over a week, necessitating high-altitude aerial firefighting by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Operations are concentrated in the Lohit Valley and Dzukou Valley, where helicopters are dropping thousands of litres of water to protect fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
About Forest Fires in North East India:
What it is?
• Forest fires in the North East are primarily surface fires that feed on dry leaf litter, grass, and forest debris. Unlike the crown fires seen in the West, these spread rapidly across steep slopes during the dry winter months (December–March).
• The region is a global biodiversity hotspot, and such fires threaten rare species, indigenous livelihoods, and the stability of the mountain soil.
Key Data & Facts on Forest Fires:
• Increased Frequency: Arunachal Pradesh recorded nearly 200 times more fire incidents in early 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
• High-Altitude Operations: The IAF is conducting water-bucketing missions at altitudes exceeding 9,500 feet, a rare and technically challenging feat.
• Water Deployment: Over 1.4 lakh litres of water were dropped by Mi-17 V5 helicopters in the Walong sector alone within a single week.
• Ecological Sensitivity: The North-East forest cluster contributes nearly 36% of India’s total forest cover, making it the country’s most critical fire hotspot.
• Seasonal Peak: Roughly 80% of annual forest fires in this region occur between March and April, though 2026 saw an unseasonably early peak in February.
Reasons for Forest Fires:
• Dry Weather & Climate Variability: Prolonged dry spells and a lack of winter rain (Western Disturbances) desiccate the forest floor.
E.g. In 2026, a severe moisture deficit in the Lohit Valley turned the undergrowth into a tinderbox, allowing small sparks to grow into massive blazes.
• Shifting Cultivation (Jhum): The traditional slash-and-burn farming practice involves clearing land with fire, which can escape into deep forests.
E.g. Local authorities in Anjaw district identified uncontrolled Jhum fires as a primary trigger for the current Walong inferno.
• Accumulation of Fuel Load: Dry bamboo and pine needles act as highly inflammable fuel.
E.g. In the Dzukou Valley, the accumulation of dry alpine grasses and dwarf rhododendrons provided the fuel load necessary for the fire to reach Japfu Peak.
• Accidental Human Ignition: Negligence by trekkers, poachers, or villagers often sparks fires.
E.g. The recent Dzukou Valley fire was reportedly exacerbated by visitor negligence, leading to the emergency evacuation of 30 trekkers.
• Topographic Wind Patterns: Steep slopes and valley winds create a chimney effect, pushing flames rapidly uphill.
E.g. High-velocity winds near Japfu Peak acted as a bellows, causing the fire to spread across steep ridges despite firefighting efforts.
Initiatives Taken So Far:
• IAF HADR Missions: (IAF): Deployment of Mi-17 V5 helicopters equipped with Bambi Buckets for precision water drops.
• Synergized Response: Coordinated ground operations involving the Indian Army’s Spear Corps, State Forest Departments, and local Disaster Management authorities.
• FSI Monitoring: The Forest Survey of India (FSI) provides real-time satellite-based fire alerts via the SNPP-VIIRS system to local forest guards.
• Central Funding: Financial aid under the Forest Fire Prevention and Management (FPM) scheme for creating fire lines and engaging fire watchers.
Challenges Associated with Elimination:
• Inaccessible Terrain: Rugged Himalayan ridges make it impossible for fire trucks to reach hotspots.
E.g. In Anjaw, ground teams took days to reach fire points that were only accessible via aerial reconnaissance.
• Rarefied Air & Poor Visibility: High-altitude firefighting is limited by thin air and smoke-induced low visibility.
E.g. IAF pilots in Nagaland had to draw water from Padumpokhiri Lake amid rarefied air, which reduces helicopter lift and maneuverability.
• Shortage of Water Sources: Finding large water bodies near high-altitude fires is difficult.
E.g. Helicopters in the Dzukou mission have to travel significant distances to Dimapur’s lakes, increasing the turnaround time between water drops.
• Communication Gaps: The last-mile delay between satellite detection and ground response often allows fires to spiral out of control.
E.g. By the time a fire point alert reached remote guards in Nagaland, the fire had already transitioned from a surface to a more dangerous slope fire.
• Socio-Cultural Factors: Balancing traditional farming rights with forest conservation remains a sensitive policy challenge.
E.g. Despite bans, Jhum cultivation continues in Arunachal as it is tied to the food security and culture of indigenous tribes.
Way Ahead:
• Community-Led Fire Brigades: Incentivize local village councils to act as first responders through Joint Forest Management.
• Technology Integration: Use of drones for night-time monitoring and AI-based fire spread modeling to predict movement.
• Infrastructure Development: Construct high-altitude static water tanks (water holes) for easier access during bucket operations.
• Fuel Management: Promote the commercial collection of dry biomass (like pine needles) for bio-fuel, reducing the forest’s tinderbox effect.
• Inter-State Coordination: Establish a North-East Fire Task Force for seamless resource sharing between Arunachal, Nagaland, and Manipur.
Conclusion:
The 2026 forest fires in the North East underscore the growing threat of climate-amplified disasters in ecologically fragile zones. While the IAF and Army’s intervention has been heroic, the long-term solution lies in bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern fire management. Protecting these lungs of the East is essential for India’s climate commitments and regional environmental security.
Q. As forest fires become more frequent in India, it’s crucial to implement measures to combat them effectively in both the short term and long term. Discuss. (250 words)
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
M.A.N.A.V. vision
Context: Prime Minister of India presented the M.A.N.A.V. vision at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, outlining India’s human-centric approach to Artificial Intelligence governance.
About M.A.N.A.V. vision:
What it is?
• A.N.A.V. (PM Narendra Modi’s Human-Centric AI Odyssey) is India’s guiding framework for AI development that places human values, ethics, inclusivity, and trust at the core of technological advancement.
Aim / Objectives
• To ensure AI development remains ethical, inclusive, and accountable.
• To balance innovation with human dignity, safety, and legal safeguards.
• To democratize AI access across sectors such as governance, education, healthcare, and agriculture.
Key Features (Five Pillars of M.A.N.A.V.)
• Moral and Ethical Systems
• Emphasizes fairness, transparency, and human oversight in AI design. Integration of AI literacy and ethics through National Education Policy 2020.
• Emphasizes fairness, transparency, and human oversight in AI design.
• Integration of AI literacy and ethics through National Education Policy 2020.
• Accountable Governance
• Establishes transparent oversight through IndiaAI Mission and AI governance guidelines. Promotes explainable, lawful, and responsible AI deployment.
• Establishes transparent oversight through IndiaAI Mission and AI governance guidelines.
• Promotes explainable, lawful, and responsible AI deployment.
• National Sovereignty
• Focus on secure data, domestic compute capacity, and indigenous AI models. Supported by initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission and trusted digital infrastructure.
• Focus on secure data, domestic compute capacity, and indigenous AI models.
• Supported by initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission and trusted digital infrastructure.
• Accessible and Inclusive AI
• Democratizes AI through Digital Public Infrastructure. Platforms like IndiaAI Compute Portal, MeghRaj Cloud, IndiaAI Kosh enable affordable access for startups and researchers.
• Democratizes AI through Digital Public Infrastructure.
• Platforms like IndiaAI Compute Portal, MeghRaj Cloud, IndiaAI Kosh enable affordable access for startups and researchers.
• Valid, Safe and Legitimate Systems
• Ensures AI systems are trustworthy, legal, and verifiable. Supported by IT Amendment Rules 2026 regulating synthetic media and deepfakes.
• Ensures AI systems are trustworthy, legal, and verifiable.
• Supported by IT Amendment Rules 2026 regulating synthetic media and deepfakes.
Relevance for UPSC Exam
• GS Paper II – Governance & Policy
• Digital governance, ethical regulation, and policy frameworks for emerging technologies. Role of state in regulating AI and digital platforms.
• Digital governance, ethical regulation, and policy frameworks for emerging technologies.
• Role of state in regulating AI and digital platforms.
• GS Paper III – Science & Technology
• Artificial Intelligence, digital public infrastructure, semiconductor mission, and innovation ecosystem. Technology and inclusive development.
• Artificial Intelligence, digital public infrastructure, semiconductor mission, and innovation ecosystem.
• Technology and inclusive development.
• Essay / Ethics (GS Paper IV)
• Ethical dimensions of AI, responsible innovation, technology vs morality, public good in governance.
• Ethical dimensions of AI, responsible innovation, technology vs morality, public good in governance.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –20 February 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute
Source: NIE
Subject: Science and Technology
Context: India achieved a key milestone in its human spaceflight programme as DRDO successfully conducted a qualification-level load test of the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan mission.
About Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute:
What is it?
• The Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute is a crucial component of the deceleration system of India’s Gaganyaan Crew Module.
• It is deployed during re-entry to stabilize and reduce the velocity of the module before the main parachutes open.
Developed by:
• Developed collaboratively by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Tested at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh using the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility.
• To stabilize the Crew Module during atmospheric re-entry.
• To reduce descent velocity to safe levels before deployment of main parachutes.
• To ensure safe splashdown/landing of astronauts in the Gaganyaan mission.
How it Works?
The Gaganyaan deceleration system consists of 10 parachutes (4 types):
• Apex Cover Separation Parachutes (2) – Remove protective cover.
• Drogue Parachutes (2) – Stabilize and reduce velocity at high altitude.
• Pilot Parachutes (3) – Extract main parachutes.
• Main Parachutes (3) – Provide final deceleration for safe landing.
The drogue parachutes act as the critical transition stage, ensuring controlled descent before main canopy deployment.
Key Features:
• High-strength ribbon parachute design: Ribbon-type fabric structure allows controlled airflow, reducing shock loads while providing high tensile strength needed to safely slow the Crew Module during high-speed descent.
• Tested under qualification loads higher than maximum flight loads: The parachute was tested beyond expected real flight stresses to ensure reliability and performance even in worst-case scenarios, improving mission safety margins.
• Designed for extreme aerodynamic and ballistic conditions: It can function effectively under rapid speed changes, turbulence, and varying atmospheric pressures encountered during re-entry from space.
• Provides additional design safety margin: Engineering margins ensure that even if actual flight conditions deviate from predictions, the parachute system still performs safely without structural failure.
• Validated using high-speed dynamic testing at RTRS facility: Testing at DRDO’s Rail Track Rocket Sled simulates real flight dynamics, confirming parachute stability and deployment behaviour under near-mission conditions.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
Source: PIB
Subject: Polity
Context: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi, highlighting its role in safeguarding tribal rights and promoting inclusive development.
About National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST):
What it is?
• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is a constitutional body established under Article 338A of the Constitution of India to protect, monitor and promote the rights and welfare of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• It acts as a watchdog institution ensuring implementation of constitutional safeguards and addressing grievances related to tribal communities.
Established in:
• Established in 2004 following the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
• It separated tribal affairs from the earlier combined commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to ensure focused attention on tribal issues.
History:
• 1978: Government set up a multi-member Commission for SCs & STs.
• 1992: Constitutional status granted through the 65th Constitutional Amendment, forming the National Commission for SCs & STs.
• 2003–04: 89th Constitutional Amendment bifurcated the body into: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)
• National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)
Members:
• The NCST consists of:
• Chairperson Vice-Chairperson Three Members
• Chairperson
• Vice-Chairperson
• Three Members
• All are appointed by the President of India and generally include persons with expertise in tribal administration, social justice and policy.
Key Functions:
• Monitoring safeguards: Investigates and monitors constitutional and legal safeguards provided to Scheduled Tribes and evaluates their effectiveness.
• Inquiry into complaints: Examines complaints regarding deprivation of rights, land alienation, atrocities, or denial of benefits meant for tribal communities.
• Advisory role in development planning: Participates in policy formulation and advises governments on socio-economic development programmes for STs.
• Reporting to the President: Submits annual and special reports to the President regarding implementation of safeguards and policy recommendations.
• Civil court powers: While investigating cases, the Commission has powers similar to a civil court such as summoning individuals, calling documents, and recording evidence.
• Policy consultation: Union and State Governments are expected to consult the Commission on major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II)
Source: TP
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: Union Home Minister launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) in Assam’s Cachar district to promote comprehensive development of border villages.
About The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II):
What it is?
• The Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP-II) is a Central Sector Scheme focused on the comprehensive development of villages located in blocks abutting India’s International Land Borders (ILBs) (excluding northern border areas already covered under VVP-I).
Launched in:
• Approved by the Central Government for implementation during FY 2024-25 to 2025-26, with financial support extending up to 2028-29.
• Officially launched in February 2026 at Nathanpur village, Cachar district, Assam.
History:
• 1986-87: Border Area Development Programme (BADP) launched to fill infrastructure gaps in border regions.
• Over time, border villages continued to face migration, livelihood insecurity and development deficits.
• 2023: Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) launched for northern borders to reverse out-migration and strengthen strategic villages.
• VVP-II: Extended the model to other international land borders (Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Nepal, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Pakistan etc.) across 15 States and 2 UTs with area-specific strategies.
• To address infrastructure gaps, improve living conditions and create sustainable livelihood opportunities in border villages.
• To integrate border populations with mainstream development and enable them to act as “eyes and ears” for border guarding forces.
Key Features:
• Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028-29.
• Implemented across 15 States and 2 Union Territories.
• Saturation-based approach: Ensures coverage of all eligible households under existing government schemes.
• Convergence model: Integrates multiple flagship schemes for efficient resource use.
• Focus on 4 core infrastructure themes: All-weather road connectivity (PMGSY-IV) Telecom connectivity (Digital Bharat Nidhi) Television connectivity (BIND scheme) Electrification (RDSS)
• All-weather road connectivity (PMGSY-IV)
• Telecom connectivity (Digital Bharat Nidhi)
• Television connectivity (BIND scheme)
• Electrification (RDSS)
• Identification of 1,954 strategic villages for intensive development.
• Livelihood promotion through tourism, SHGs, FPOs, skill development and financial inclusion.
• Border-specific outreach activities to build trust between communities and border security forces.
Shalimar Wheat
Source: TH
Subject: Miscellenous
Context: Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST-K) have developed two new early-maturing wheat varieties to support the rice–wheat cropping system in Kashmir.
About Shalimar Wheat:
What it is?
• Shalimar Wheat refers to newly developed early-maturing wheat varieties bred by SKUAST-K through conventional breeding techniques to suit Kashmir’s climatic conditions.
• They are designed specifically to fit into the rice–wheat cropping system, allowing timely wheat harvest before paddy transplantation.
Variety Names:
• Shalimar Wheat-4 (SW-4) – matures by the last week of May
• Shalimar Wheat-3 (SW-3) – matures by the first week of June
Key Features:
• Early maturity: Developed to mature earlier than traditional varieties, enabling timely field preparation for rice cultivation.
• Suitable for Kashmir climate: Adapted to mid-altitude regions up to about 1,850 m, unlike earlier varieties sourced from subtropical regions.
• Rice–wheat rotation compatibility: Ensures smooth crop sequencing by preventing delays in paddy transplantation.
• Disease resistance: Shows resistance to yellow rust, a major fungal disease affecting wheat in Kashmir.
• High productivity potential: SW-3 offers productivity up to 38 quintals per hectare, balancing yield with early maturity.
• Nutritional enhancement (Biofortification): SW-3 contains higher iron and zinc (>40 ppm) and around 12% protein, improving nutritional value.
• Developed through conventional breeding: Created using cross-breeding, pedigree selection and multi-year field testing over nearly a decade.
Significance:
• Strengthens food security by stabilizing the rice–wheat cropping system in Kashmir.
• Helps farmers avoid delays in paddy cultivation due to late wheat harvest.
Salem Sago (Javvarisi)
Source: News on Air
Subject: Miscellaneous
Context: APEDA facilitated the first direct export consignment of GI-tagged Salem Sago from Tamil Nadu to Canada, marking a major milestone for producer-led exports.
About Salem Sago (Javvarisi):
What it is?
• Salem Sago (Javvarisi) is a starch-based food product made from tapioca roots (cassava), where wet starch is processed into small pearl-like granules.
• It is widely consumed as a staple and is also used in multiple industries such as food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and construction.
Origin:
• Originates from Salem district, Tamil Nadu, known as the “Land of Sago”.
• The region has favourable conditions such as high tapioca yield, abundant sunshine and established processing units.
• Over 80% of India’s sago production comes from the Salem region and nearby belts like Erode, Namakkal and Dharmapuri.
GI Tag:
• Geographical Indication (GI) tag granted in March 2023.
• GI registration obtained by The Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers’ Service Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd (SAGOSERVE) under the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Key Characteristics:
• Tapioca-based product: Produced from starch extracted from tapioca roots containing about 30–35% starch.
• High regional productivity: Tapioca yield in Salem reaches 25–30 tonnes/ha, among the highest globally.
• Distinct physical traits: Small granules generally ranging between 2–4.5 mm in size with low calorific value (~310 kcal/100 g).
• Efficient processing: Around 1 kg of sago can be produced from about 5 kg of tapioca tubers.
• Multi-sector usage: Used in food, paper, textile, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, construction and alcohol industries.
Significance:
• Enhances export opportunities for GI-certified Indian agri products.
• Improves price realisation and income for farmers, including tribal communities involved in tapioca cultivation.
MILAN 2026 Naval exercise
Source: DD News
Subject: Security
Context: Raksha Mantri interacted with Navy Chiefs and delegations from nine ASEAN countries during the MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise held in Visakhapatnam.
About MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise:
What it is?
• MILAN is a multilateral naval exercise initiated by the Indian Navy to enhance maritime cooperation, interoperability and trust among friendly navies in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It serves as a platform for joint training, operational coordination and strategic dialogue on maritime security challenges.
Host: Hosted by the Indian Navy.
• MILAN 2026 is being conducted at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Nations Involved:
• Largest-ever edition with participation from 74 nations.
• Includes nine ASEAN member states, reflecting strong regional engagement.
• To strengthen maritime cooperation and collective security in the Indo-Pacific region.
• To improve interoperability and operational coordination among participating navies through joint drills and exchanges.
Key Features:
• Theme: “Camaraderie, Cooperation and Collaboration.”
• Includes Sea Phase exercises such as: Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Air Defence drills Search and Rescue (SAR) operations
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
• Air Defence drills
• Search and Rescue (SAR) operations
• Conduct of International Fleet Review 2026 and IONS Conclave of Chiefs.
• Platform for defence diplomacy and strategic engagement under India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.
• Showcases India’s indigenous naval capabilities such as INS Vikrant and Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.
Significance:
• Strengthens India’s role as a key maritime security partner in the Indo-Pacific.
• Enhances cooperation with ASEAN and other friendly navies.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 20 February 2026 Mapping:
Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary
Source: NIE
Subject: Mapping
Context: Smooth-coated otters were officially recorded for the first time in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, marking a significant conservation milestone.
About Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary:
What it is?
• Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area forming part of the Terai Arc Landscape, serving as a crucial biodiversity corridor between India and Nepal.
Located in:
• Situated in Nainital district, Uttarakhand.
• Lies between the Gola and Sharda Rivers.
• Connects forests of Ramnagar with Shuklaphanta National Park in Nepal.
History:
• Established in 2012.
• Part of the Shivalik Elephant Reserve (since 2002).
• Recently prescribed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as Uttarakhand’s third Tiger Reserve.
Key Features:
• Area: 269.96 sq. km.
• Dominated by Sal forests with over 100 tree species including shisham, bamboo, teak, and chir pine.
• Hosts ~25 mammal species, 250 bird species, 15 reptiles, and 20 fish species.
• Major fauna include tiger, leopard, Asian elephant, and sloth bear.
• Functions as an ecological corridor in the Terai-Bhabar region.
About Smooth-Coated Otter:
What it is?
• The smooth-coated otter is a semi-aquatic mammal and one of the largest otter species in Asia, known for its sleek body and strong swimming ability.
Scientific Name: Lutrogale perspicillata
Conservation Status
• Listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Habitat
• Found in freshwater rivers, wetlands, mangroves, and estuaries.
• Requires clean water bodies with abundant fish and amphibians.
• Acts as a bio-indicator species, indicating healthy aquatic ecosystems.
Key Characteristics:
• Total length: ~1.3 metres; weight: 7–11 kg: The smooth-coated otter is one of the larger otter species, giving it strength and agility for aquatic hunting.
• Smooth, sleek fur; flattened tail; large webbed paws: These adaptations reduce water resistance and help in fast swimming and efficient underwater movement.
• Strong swimmers; often hunt cooperatively in groups (V-formation): Group hunting improves coordination and increases success in catching fish in flowing waters.
• Sensitive whiskers detect prey movement even in murky waters: Their whiskers act as sensory tools, allowing them to locate prey through vibrations when visibility is poor.
• Primarily fish-eating but occasionally omnivorous: Although fish form the main diet, they may also consume crustaceans or small aquatic animals when available.
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