UPSC Current Affairs Deep-Dive: February 15, 2026
Expert analysis of today's headlines from The Indian Express and The Hindu for GS Papers 1, 2, and 3.
1. Strategic Autonomy: Defying Global 'Thinking' (GS-2)
At the 2026 Munich Security Conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered a definitive rebuttal to claims that India's strategic autonomy has been compromised by recent Western trade agreements. He emphasized that India remains "wedded to strategic autonomy" and will continue to make choices that "may not agree with someone's thinking."
Critical Data: Russian Oil Imports
- January 2026: 1.15 million barrels per day (bpd) — a three-year low.
- Peak (June 2025): 2.09 million bpd.
- Analysis: While imports have dropped, the Minister clarified this is due to "commercial considerations" (cost and risk) rather than political mandates from the US-India trade deal.
UPSC Analysis:
This highlights India's **Multi-alignment Strategy**. By balancing a major trade deal with the US while maintaining independent energy ties with Russia, India is asserting its role as a 'Vishwa-Mitra' that prioritizes national interest over bloc politics. Aspirants should note how "Strategic Autonomy" has evolved from Non-Alignment into a more proactive, interest-based diplomacy.
2. Urban Challenge Fund (UCF): Financing Future Cities (GS-3)
The Union Cabinet has approved the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), a massive ₹1 lakh crore central scheme aimed at revolutionizing urban infrastructure through market-linked financing.
Key Features of UCF:
- The 25-50-25 Rule: The Centre provides 25% of project costs as a grant. Cities must raise 50% from the market (bonds/PPPs/loans), and the remaining 25% comes from State/ULB funds.
- Credit Guarantee: A ₹5,000 crore corpus is dedicated to helping smaller (Tier 2/3) cities improve their credit ratings to access market capital.
- Target Areas: High-impact projects like waste-to-energy plants, climate-resilient water systems, and automated traffic management.
This scheme is critical for **GS-3 (Infrastructure)** and **GS-1 (Urbanization)**, as it addresses the massive ₹38 lakh crore investment gap required for Indian cities by 2035.
3. The Pannun Plot: Legal & Diplomatic Fallout (GS-2)
In a significant legal development in New York, Indian national Nikhil Gupta has pleaded guilty to three counts related to a 2023 assassination plot against a Khalistani separatist. Crucially, the US Department of Justice has now named Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee (Cabinet Secretariat), as the recruiter.
Diplomatic Implications:
- Extradition & State Responsibility: The case tests the limits of India-US intelligence cooperation. While India has dissociated itself from the plot, the naming of a government official creates a "Complex Interdependence" challenge.
- Sentencing: Gupta faces up to 40 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 29, 2026.
4. India AI Impact Summit 2026: Technology & Governance (GS-3)
Starting tomorrow (Feb 16), the India AI Impact Summit will bring together global leaders to discuss the socio-economic impacts of Artificial Intelligence.
The Two Pillars of the Debate:
- AI as a Catalyst: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has hailed AI as a bridge for the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, helping to fill learning gaps in remote areas.
- The Threat of Digital Feudalism: Economists warn of a new era where global platforms extract "rent" from digital activity, potentially displacing millions of white-collar jobs in India’s IT and finance sectors.
For your GS-3 (Science & Tech) answers, focus on the need for a "Human-Centric AI Regulatory Framework" to prevent economic inequality.
5. Neighborhood First: The Transition in Dhaka (GS-2)
The return of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) under Tarique Rahman marks a pivotal shift in India-Bangladesh relations. The new leadership has signaled that bilateral ties—including the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty due this December—will be guided strictly by "National Interest."
India must now navigate a new political landscape in Dhaka while ensuring the security of the **Siliguri Corridor** and the continuity of the **IMEC** connectivity projects.
6. Daily Snippets: Environment & Social Justice
- Brahmaputra Tunnel: Cabinet has cleared an ₹18,662 crore, 34-km road-cum-rail tunnel connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh. Strategic importance for LAC troop movement.
- Wildlife: Over 300 Indian tent turtles rescued in Bihar; highlighting the rampant illegal trade in Schedule-I species.
- Social Justice: Reports of a Dalit cook's boycott in Odisha underscore the persistent challenge of caste-based exclusion in rural governance (Relevant for GS-1).
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