CURRENT AFFAIRS 10 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 10 February, 2026

1. OPPOSITION MOVE TO REMOVE LOK SABHA SPEAKER –

• Opposition parties of the INDIA bloc are considering moving a resolution for the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging partisan conduct amid repeated disruptions, suspensions of MPs.

Reason Behind the Proposed Resolution

• Partisan Functioning: Opposition leaders accused the Speaker of “acting in a partisan manner” and denying the Leader of Opposition, the opportunity to speak during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.
• MP Suspensions: The move follows the suspension of eight Opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha.
• Allegations Against Women MPs: The Opposition objected to “unsubstantiated” charges made against women Congress MPs.

About the Speaker of the Lok Sabha

• The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha, responsible for regulating its day-to-day functioning.
• The Speaker holds a constitutional office, functioning under the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• The Speaker’s salary and allowances are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, and are not voted upon by Parliament.

2. PM CARES, PMNRF AND NDF: WHY PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT IS BARRED –

• According to recent media reports, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has informed the Lok Sabha Secretariat that Parliamentary questions regarding the PM CARES Fund, Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and National Defence Fund (NDF) are not admissible under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.

Why Parliamentary Questions on These Funds Are Now Inadmissible?

• This is based on specific parliamentary rules:
• Rule 41(2)(viii): A question must relate to a matter that is primarily the concern of the Government of India.
• Rule 41(2)(xvii): It must not raise matters under the control of bodies/persons not primarily responsible to the Government.

The PMO’s Stand:

• These funds are financed through voluntary public contributions.
• They do not receive money from the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
• Therefore, they are considered outside direct budgetary accountability to Parliament, leading to non-admissibility of parliamentary questions.

3. ISRO SELECTS SOUTH POLAR SITE FOR CHANDRAYAAN-4 LANDER –

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a precise landing site on the Moon for its ambitious Chandrayaan-4 mission, even as the mission itself is scheduled for launch around 2028. The announcement signals a critical early milestone for India’s first lunar sample-return endeavour, approved by the Union government and described as the country’s most complex lunar mission to date.

Focus on the Moon’s South Polar Region

• ISRO has zeroed in on the Mons Mouton region near the Moon’s south pole, an area of high scientific interest due to its terrain characteristics and proximity to permanently shadowed regions. Scientists evaluated four candidate sites within Mons Mouton—designated MM-1, MM-3, MM-4 and MM-5—using extensive remote sensing data. After detailed analysis, site MM-4 was selected as the most suitable location for the Chandrayaan-4 lander.

4. UTTAR PRADESH PRESENTS ITS FIRST ECONOMIC SURVEY, LAYS OUT PATH TO $1 TRILLION ECONOMY –

• Uttar Pradesh has created history by presenting its first-ever Economic Survey 2025-26, similar to the Union government’s annual survey. Presented in the State Assembly by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, the survey outlines a clear, data-backed plan to transform Uttar Pradesh into a $1 trillion economy through investment-led growth, infrastructure expansion, and sector-wide reforms.

Uttar Pradesh Economic Survey 2025-26: A First for the State

• The Uttar Pradesh Economic Survey 2025-26 provides a comprehensive overview of the state’s economy, finances, and development sectors.
• This marks the first time Uttar Pradesh has released such a detailed annual economic document.
• The survey highlights consistent economic growth, improved fiscal discipline, and rising investor confidence.
• It positions Uttar Pradesh as a fast-emerging economic powerhouse, supported by reforms in governance, digital systems, and law and order.
• The document also aligns state growth goals with the long-term vision of Developed Uttar Pradesh 2047, focusing on sustainability, employment, and inclusive development.

5. INDIA’S BANKS ACHIEVE RECORD LOW NPAS, SIGNALING FINANCIAL STABILITY –

• India’s banking system has recorded one of its strongest recoveries in recent years. On February 9, 2026, Parliament was informed that gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of scheduled commercial banks declined to a historic low of 2.15% by the end of September 2025. This level is even lower than what was seen in 2010–11, marking a significant turnaround after years of stress caused by bad loans and corporate defaults.

What Are NPAs and Why They Matter

• Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) are loans where borrowers fail to repay principal or interest for over 90 days.
• High NPAs weaken banks by reducing profitability and restricting new lending.
• A fall in NPAs indicates better asset quality, stronger underwriting, and improved borrower discipline.
• The decline to 2.15% reflects a healthier banking system capable of supporting economic growth.

Break-up of NPAs Across Bank Categories

• As per RBI data for domestic operations up to September 30, 2025, public sector banks (PSBs) reported a gross NPA ratio of 2.50%, while private sector banks stood at 1.73%.
• Foreign banks operating in India recorded the lowest gross NPAs at just 0.8%.
• Notably, PSBs have shown a sharper improvement since March 2018, narrowing the gap with private banks.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was established under which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Science and Technology
2. b) Ministry of Earth Sciences
3. c) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
4. d) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q2.   Thwaites Glacier, that was recently seen in news, is located in which region ?

1. a) Antarctica
2. b) Himalayas
3. c) Nigeria
4. d) Greece

Q3.   What is the name of the fellowship programme launched to strengthen India–Netherlands cooperation in hydrogen technologies ?

1. a) Indo-Dutch Green Energy Mission
2. b) National Hydrogen Research Fellowship
3. c) Global Hydrogen Academic Exchange Scheme
4. d) India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme

Q4.   With reference to the recent India–Malaysia agreements, consider the following statements:

1. India and Malaysia agreed to promote bilateral trade using local currency settlement mechanisms.
2. The agreements include cooperation in semiconductor manufacturing and integration into global supply chains.
3. Malaysia is India’s largest trading partner within ASEAN.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The pacts explicitly promote local currency settlement to reduce dependence on third-country currencies.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Semiconductor cooperation aims at advanced manufacturing and integration into global value chains.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Malaysia is India’s third-largest trading partner in ASEAN, not the largest.

Q5.   With reference to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of India, consider the following statements:

1. The MPC is a statutory body established on the recommendation of the Urjit Patel Committee.
2. The primary objective of the MPC is to maintain inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of ±2%.
3. All members of the MPC are appointed by the Reserve Bank of India.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1: Correct. The MPC was established in 2016 following the recommendations of the Urjit Patel Committee to institutionalize rule-based monetary policy.
• Statement 2: Correct. The MPC follows Flexible Inflation Targeting, aiming for 4% inflation with a tolerance band of ±2% (i.e., 2%–6%).
• Statement 3: Incorrect. The MPC has six members:
• 3 from RBI (including the Governor and Deputy Governor)
• 3 external members appointed by the Government of India, not RBI alone.

Answer Key