Daily Current Affairs – 11-02-2026

National News

World Day of the Sick - February 11

February 11 is observed as the World Day of the Sick, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by those suffering from illness and the importance of healthcare and compassion. This day was instituted by the Catholic Church in 1992 and is celebrated to honor the sick and those who care for them, including healthcare workers, families, and volunteers. The observance aims to promote solidarity and encourage actions that improve the lives of the sick, as well as to offer prayers for their healing. It also focuses on the importance of healthcare systems and the need for accessible medical care for all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Reliance Acquires ‘Manna’ Brand

Reliance Consumer Products Limited, the FMCG arm of Reliance Group, acquired Southern Health Foods, a leading health food manufacturer based in Tamil Nadu. The popular 'Manna' brand, known for its range of health food products, has been a dominant player in the health food market in Tamil Nadu for over 20 years. Manna offers products such as millet-based flours, balanced nutritional foods for children, and multi-grain health drinks. With this acquisition, Reliance aims to leverage its strong distribution network and modern research facilities to make Manna products available to households across India. Reliance already owns other well-known food brands such as Udhayam, Independence, and SIL, and the addition of Manna strengthens its presence in the health food segment.

Strict Restrictions on AI and Deepfake Social Media Posts

The Central Government introduced new rules imposing strict restrictions on social media posts created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and modern technologies, including deepfakes. The amendments to the Information Technology Rules, 2021 will come into effect on February 20, 2026. A press release from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology stated that posts created using AI or manipulated content, including audio, video, or audio-video information, must clearly indicate that AI technology has been used. Social media platforms like X and Instagram are required to ensure this. The new rules also mandate that platforms ban illegal posts, including those related to sexual harassment, obscenely portraying children, fake documents, and deepfakes. If a post is deemed illegal by a court, it must be removed by the platforms within 3 hours—a significant reduction from the previous time limit of 36 hours. Furthermore, posts marked as "Created by AI" should not be removed or hidden by social media platforms.

Important Days

International Day of Women and Girls in Science - February 11

February 11 is celebrated as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, aiming to recognize the vital role of women and girls in the field of science and technology. This day seeks to address the gender gap in science and encourage women and girls to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. It highlights the importance of empowering women and girls to contribute to scientific advancements and innovation. The day is celebrated globally, with various activities, discussions, and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality in science, technology, and innovation.

Tamil Nadu News

Women’s Higher Education Enrolment Rises by 34% Due to Pudhumai Penn Scheme

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the enrolment of women in higher education in Tamil Nadu has increased by 34% due to the Pudhumai Penn scheme, under which ₹1,000 is provided monthly to college-going female students. This was revealed during an event organized by the All India Association for Christian Higher Education (AIACHE) and Women’s Christian College (WCC) in Chennai. According to recent data, the scheme has benefited about eight lakh girls. A study by the State Planning Commission showed that rural girls benefited more from the scheme than those from urban areas. The Chief Minister also stated that his government is committed to fulfilling the demands of educational institutions in Tamil Nadu, including AIACHE. He highlighted the significant industrial growth in Tamil Nadu, with Ford resuming manufacturing operations and the state emerging as the second-largest economy in India. Tamil Nadu has progressed from being one of the poorest states in the 1950s to a state with minimal poverty.

New Anti-Drone Security Facility at Thoothukudi VOC Port

An anti-drone security system was announced to be installed at the Thoothukudi VOC Port to intercept unauthorized drones. This is the first time such a modern security system is being introduced at an Indian port to strengthen coastal security. The system, equipped with radio frequency and radar technology, can detect drones within a 5 km radius and disable them using a jamming method. It will provide 24-hour surveillance in all directions around the port. The agreement for this project was signed by VOC Port Authority Chairman Sushanta Kumar Purohit, Deputy Chairman Rajesh Soundararajan, and Chief Mechanical Engineer A. Ganesan. The contract was signed with Central Electronics Limited, operating under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology, represented by Anurag Agarwal. The system is expected to be fully operational within the next three months.

Tamil Nadu has the Lowest Poverty Rate

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin stated that Tamil Nadu has become the state with the lowest poverty rate in the country, in addition to being India's second-largest economy. The statement was made at a thanksgiving ceremony organized by the All India Association for Christian Higher Education at Women’s Christian College, Chennai. The DMK government implemented the 'Pudhumaipenn' scheme, providing ₹1,000 per month to girl students in government schools who enroll in college, resulting in a 34% increase in women's enrollment in higher education. The government also extended 7.5% reservation to government school students in engineering, agriculture, law, and veterinary science courses, covering tuition and hostel fees, with ₹911 crore spent for 40,613 students in the last 5 years. Tamil Nadu has also launched the Morning Breakfast Scheme, benefiting over 19 lakh students. In the past 6 months, two major factories were inaugurated, and Ford is set to resume production in the state. Tamil Nadu is now competing globally, beyond just competing with other states in India.

Tamil Nadu Leads in Electronics Exports

Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa stated that Tamil Nadu is the leading state in India for the production and export of electronic goods. He highlighted that when the DMK government took office, Tamil Nadu's electronics exports were valued at $1.65 billion, which has now increased to $18 billion. The Minister also mentioned that the state is working towards becoming a major electronics manufacturing hub for global markets under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The Electronic Industries Association of India organized a two-day exhibition titled 'Source India - Electronics Supply Chain' at the Chennai Nandambakkam Trade Centre. Various key figures, including Arun Roy, Secretary of the Industries Department, and Sasikumar Kentham, President of the Electronic Industries Association of India, attended the event. The Minister emphasized that Tamil Nadu is making full use of central government schemes to achieve proper growth in this sector.

International News

Cuba Bans Refueling of Foreign Aircraft Amid Severe Fuel Crisis

Cuba imposed a ban on refueling foreign aircraft at its airports due to a severe fuel shortage caused by pressure from the United States.

The USA had blocked oil tankers traveling from Venezuela to Cuba, significantly impacting Cuba's energy sector.

As a result, Cuba must now prioritize its fuel stocks for domestic needs.

Officials have announced that foreign aircraft will no longer be permitted to refuel in Cuba.

This decision has forced foreign aircraft to carry enough fuel for their entire round trip, increasing operational costs.

Several major international airlines, including Air Canada, have temporarily suspended services to Cuba.

The tourism sector, which is a vital source of income for Cuba, is also affected, potentially leading to further economic decline.

In response, China has expressed its readiness to provide assistance to Cuba during this crisis.

Bill to Scrap H-1B Visa Program Introduced in US Congress

A private member's bill was introduced in the US Congress to completely scrap the H-1B visa program. The bill was introduced by Greg Steube, a Congressman from Florida, representing the ruling Republican Party. The bill proposes an amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act to fully discontinue the H-1B visa program. This program has been a primary method for US companies to hire skilled workers from across the world, with Indians being the largest group benefiting from it. The bill was introduced at a time when US President Donald Trump's administration had already raised the H-1B visa fee from ₹1.47 lakh to ₹90 lakh. The Trump administration has faced strong opposition from 19 US states, which have filed lawsuits against the fee hike. The decision to cancel the H-1B program is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to prioritize American workers and employment opportunities.

US Agricultural Products to Enter Indian Market Tax-Free

A report released by the White House revealed that India and the US have finalized an interim trade agreement, under which India will import agricultural and food products, including pulses, from the US without any tax. The report mentioned that India will not impose taxes on certain specific pulses. Additionally, India is expected to reduce or remove taxes on other US farm and food products, including red sorghum, processed fruits, soybean oil, and wine. This agreement is part of a larger plan, with the two countries planning to trade $500 billion worth of goods, including agriculture and food products, over the next five years. Previously, India had agreements in place to import pulses with a reduced tax rate. Farmer groups had raised concerns about the potential negative impact on Indian farmers, but the US report now confirms that India will import certain pulses tax-free.

French President Macron to Visit India on Feb 17

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit India on February 17 for a three-day official state visit. A major event during his visit will be a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi where they will discuss strengthening bilateral relations, including matters related to trade, economy, and defense cooperation. Macron will also participate in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in Delhi. Additionally, the two leaders are expected to address issues of bilateral interest in regional and international affairs and Indo-Pacific cooperation. President Macron will also take part in the India-France Year of Innovation-2026 event in Mumbai. Prime Minister Modi had visited France in February 2025 and attended the AI summit in Paris, where he met with Macron. The AI summit this year will take place in India.

Sports News

Medals for Aakriti and Anjum in Asian Shooting Championship

India's Aakriti Dahiya and Anjum Moudgil won the silver and bronze medals respectively at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship.

In the women's 50m rifle 3 positions final, held on the 7th day of the competition, Kazakhstan's Sofia Shulzhenko won the gold medal with 358.2 points.

India's Aakriti secured the silver medal with 354.2 points, while Anjum Moudgil earned the bronze with 340.4 points.

In the team category, the Indian team, comprising Aakriti, Anjum, and Ashi, won the silver medal with a total of 1,756 points.

In the junior women’s category, India’s Prachi Gaikwad won the gold with 353.3 points, and Anushka Thakur won bronze with 341.1 points. Kazakhstan's Tomiris Ammonova took the silver with 351.4 points.

In the junior team category, the Indian team of Prachi, Anushka, and Hazel won the gold with 1,748 points.

So far, India leads with a total of 65 medals, including 36 gold, 15 silver, and 14 bronze.

Reports and Indices

India Ranks 91st in Corruption Perceptions Index

Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for the year 2025 was released, with India ranked 91st. India has improved by 5 places compared to last year's ranking of 96th. The CPI is published annually by Transparency International, an organization based in Berlin, Germany, which evaluates countries based on corruption-free governance and anti-corruption measures. In the 2025 CPI, India scored 39 points. The highest-ranking country in the index is Denmark, with 89 points, followed by Finland (88 points) and Singapore (84 points). On the other end of the spectrum, Somalia and South Sudan are ranked as the most corrupt nations, both with 9 points. Pakistan is ranked 136th with 28 points, while China holds the 76th spot with 43 points. The United States ranked 29th with 64 points, and Russia is ranked 157th with 22 points. The report also highlights that India is among the countries where journalists investigating corruption face threats.