CURRENT AFFAIRS 15-16 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 15-16 February, 2026

1. CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX 2025 –

• The Transparency International released the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025 that evaluated 182 countries based on perceived public sector corruption, using a scale from zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
• The report provides a comprehensive assessment of global corruption trends, their underlying drivers, societal impacts, and actionable recommendations.

What are the Key Findings of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025?

• Global Average Decline: For the first time in more than a decade, the global CPI average has dropped to just 42 out of 100. The vast majority of countries (122 out of 182) score below 50, indicating serious corruption problems worldwide.
• Shrinking High Performers: The number of countries scoring above 80 has shrunk from 12 a decade ago to just 5 this year (Denmark, Finland, Singapore, New Zealand, Norway).
• Top and Bottom Performers: Denmark (Score – 89) ranks highest for the 8th consecutive time, while Somalia and South Sudan (9) are at the bottom. Venezuela (10) and other conflict-affected or repressive regimes populate the lowest tiers.
• India’s Position: In 2025, India ranked 91st on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) with a score of 39/100, improving slightly from its 96th rank in 2024.
• India (score 39, rank 91) outperforms most South Asian neighbors but lags behind Bhutan (71, 18), and China (43, 76).
• India is tied with the Maldives (39, 91). Others rank lower: Sri Lanka (35, 107), Nepal (34, 109), Pakistan (28, 136), Bangladesh (24, 150), with Afghanistan and Myanmar (16, 169).

2. SEVA TEERTH –

• The Prime Minister inaugurated ‘Seva Teerth’, an integrated administrative complex that houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), and Cabinet Secretariat.
• Historical Significance: This shift, ending nearly 8 decades of the PMO functioning from South Block (now part of Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum), occurred on the 95th anniversary of New Delhi’s formal inauguration (13th February, 1931) as India’s modern capital.
• Philosophical Meaning: The name derives from Sanskrit: “Seva” means “service” or selfless dedication, while “Teerth (Tirtha)” signifies a “sacred place” or “crossing point” enabling liberation from obstacles.
• The complex bears the inscription “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (citizen is akin to God).
• Architectural Influences: Designed by Dr Bimal Patel, the entrance portal features stone screen-work from Chalukyan temples (11th-13th centuries), while floral stone motifs derive from square-based geometric temple patterns.
• Metal-clad domes inspired by Buddha stupas serve as contemporary accent elements.
• It forms a key component of the Central Vista redevelopment project and is clad in white and red sandstone. The facility features modern open workspaces, the high-tech ‘India House’ for international summits, and 4-star green building standards.
• First Official Acts: In its first decision at Seva Teerth, the PM launched the PM RAHAT Scheme to provide assured hospitalization and treatment for road accident victims, ensuring no life is lost due to lack of immediate medical care.

3. INDIA’S WPI INFLATION CLIMBS TO 1.81% IN JANUARY, HITS 10-MONTH HIGH –

• India’s WPI inflation (Wholesale Price Index inflation) rose to 1.81% in January 2026, marking a 10-month high. This is the third consecutive monthly rise in wholesale inflation. The increase was mainly driven by higher prices of food articles, non-food items, and manufactured products. However, retail inflation measured by CPI remained moderate at 2.75%, creating an interesting divergence in inflation trends.

What Is WPI Inflation?

• The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) measures price changes at the wholesale or producer level. It tracks prices of goods before they reach consumers.
• Major components of WPI,

1. Primary Articles
2. Fuel & Power
3. Manufactured Products

• WPI is released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Unlike CPI, it is not the primary inflation target for the Reserve Bank of India, but it reflects producer-level price pressures.

Why Did WPI Inflation Rise in January 2026?

• The rise to 1.81% (from 0.83% in December 2025) was mainly due to,
• Higher prices of manufactured basic metals
• Increase in textiles and food products
• Rise in non-food articles
• Food inflation turning positive
• The inflation rate last year in January 2025 was 2.51%, indicating that while inflation has risen recently, it remains lower compared to last year.

4. NORTH & SOUTH BLOCKS TO BECOME ‘YUGE YUGEEN BHARAT’ NATIONAL MUSEUM! –

• In a landmark decision, the Union Cabinet has approved the transition of North Block and South Block into part of the proposed ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum’. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicating the new Prime Minister’s Office, named Seva Teerth, to the nation on February 13, 2026. With this shift, Cabinet meetings will no longer be held in South Block, ending nearly 95 years of administrative use of the iconic colonial-era complex.

From Colonial Power Centres to Modern Governance Hubs

• Constructed during British rule, North Block and South Block have long served as the nerve centre of India’s governance.
• Since Independence in 1947, the Prime Minister’s Office functioned from South Block, and successive Cabinets under 16 Prime Ministers from Jawaharlal Nehru to Narendra Modi took crucial policy decisions within its chambers.
• The Cabinet described the final meeting in South Block as symbolic of India’s transition from a colonial administrative legacy to a modern, service-oriented governance framework aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

5. 2 YEARS OF PM SURYA GHAR SCHEME –

• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has completed two years since its launch, marking a significant phase in India’s rooftop solar journey. Launched with an ambitious outlay of ₹75,021 crore, the scheme aims to cover at least one crore households by promoting residential rooftop solar installations. Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive up to 300 units of free electricity per month and subsidies of up to ₹78,000 for a 3 kW solar system. On its second anniversary, the scheme shows impressive growth but also faces execution challenges.

What Is PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana?

• The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a flagship initiative promoting rooftop solar energy for households.
• Key benefits include,
• Subsidy up to ₹78,000 for 3 kW systems
• Up to 300 units of free electricity monthly
• Reduced electricity bills
• Contribution to clean energy transition
• The scheme aligns with India’s renewable energy goals and aims to decentralize power generation at the household level.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   The Lead Bank Scheme was introduced on the recommendations of which committee ?

1. a) Narasimham Committee
2. b) Nariman Committee
3. c) Rangarajan Committee
4. d) Urjit Patel Committee

Q2.   Rajaji National Park is located in which state ?

1. a) Uttarakhand
2. b) Madhya Pradesh
3. c) Rajasthan
4. d) Gujarat

Q3.   Which state government launched Sthree Suraksha Scheme to give monthly pension to unemployed women and transwomen ?

1. a) Kerala
2. b) Karnataka
3. c) Tamil Nadu
4. d) Maharashtra

Q4.   Consider the following statements regarding India–Bangladesh economic relations:

1. Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia.
2. Bilateral trade stood at approximately USD 14 billion in FY 2023–24.
3. India has extended over USD 8 billion in Lines of Credit (LoC) to Bangladesh.

          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 is correct: Bangladesh has consistently maintained its position as India’s largest trade partner in South Asia over the last several years.
• Statement 2 is correct: For the fiscal year 2023–24, total bilateral trade was reported at approximately USD 14.01 billion. This included roughly USD 12.05 billion in Indian exports and USD 1.97 billion in imports from Bangladesh.
• Statement 3 is correct: India has extended four Lines of Credit (LoC) to Bangladesh totaling approximately USD 8 billion. This represents the largest concessional credit assistance India has provided to any single country, primarily aimed at infrastructure projects like roads, railways, and ports.

Q5.   With reference to the newly revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series released in January 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The base year has been revised from 2012 to 2024.
2. The number of items in the consumption basket has been reduced.
3. The revision aims to better reflect changing consumption patterns and digitalisation.

          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 is correct: Base year updated 2012 → 2024.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Basket expanded from 299 to 358 items.
• Statement 3 is correct: Reflects structural shifts—digital consumption, cleaner fuels, services expansion.

Answer Key