Daily Current Affairs – 13-02-2026

Tamil Nadu News

₹36,968 Crore Investment and MoU Implementation Conclave

On February 12, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone for new manufacturing projects of 71 private companies that had signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Government of Tamil Nadu, involving an investment of ₹36,968 crore and expected to generate employment for 60,823 persons. At the MoU Implementation Conclave organised by the Department of Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce in Chennai, he also inaugurated 52 completed projects with an investment of ₹31,934 crore, providing jobs to 82,664 persons. These projects were linked to MoUs signed during the Thoothukudi Investors’ Meet, Coimbatore Investors’ Meet, 2024 Global Investors Meet, and the Chief Minister’s official visits to the United Kingdom and Germany. The projects will function in districts including Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Villupuram, Dharmapuri, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Coimbatore, Namakkal and Erode. Tamil Nadu’s economic growth rate was stated as 11.19%, while the State’s manufacturing growth was 14.7%, compared to India’s 4.5%. Tamil Nadu accounts for 41% of India’s electronics exports, and nearly 60% of Central Government approvals under the electronic components manufacturing scheme are for Tamil Nadu. Through SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu), 55,278 acres of land have been identified for industrial parks in 35 districts over the past five years, and tourism investment parks are planned in Kanyakumari, Mayiladuthurai and The Nilgiris. The State has opened 7 TIDEL and Mini TIDEL Parks in the last five years and is establishing 11 more, with focus on emerging sectors such as semiconductors and aerotech, and has set a target to achieve a One Trillion Dollar Economy by 2030. Two key MoUs were signed with Bharat Biotech for a ₹5,000 crore biological and pharmaceutical manufacturing project in Kanchipuram district creating 5,000 jobs, and with Hyundai Motor India Foundation for a skill development training programme for 7,000 students, in the presence of Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Prof. J. Jeyaranjan, and Department Secretary V. Arun Roy.

Government Hospice Centre for End-Stage Cancer Patients

On February 12, the Government of Tamil Nadu approved the establishment of a government-run hospice centre for end-stage cancer patients at Madras Medical College, marking the first such initiative by a State government in India. The centre will function in a ground-plus-two-floor building constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic within the Government Hospital campus near Tambaram Sanatorium, Chennai, following a Government Order issued by Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar. In Tamil Nadu, more than 1 lakh cancer cases are diagnosed annually, with data indicating higher prevalence among women and breast cancer accounting for 16.7% of cases. The State Government has sanctioned ₹7.44 crore for electricity, water supply and other infrastructure facilities for the centre. The facility will have 180 beds, including general wards, intensive care units and private wards, and will provide palliative care, mental health support and nutritional counselling to terminally ill cancer patients. Doctors and nurses will be deployed from Madras Medical College, and approval has been given to appoint 45 personnel through outsourcing for cleaning and security services. The centre is to be inaugurated by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian.

States’ News

₹5,396 Crore Interim Budget Presented in Puducherry

On February 12, Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presented an Interim Budget (Vote on Account) of ₹5,396 crore in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly to meet government expenditure for the first five months (April to August) of the 2026–27 financial year. As the term of the Puducherry Union Territory Legislative Assembly is nearing completion and assembly elections are to be announced, a full budget for 2026–27 could not be presented. The Assembly convened at 9:30 AM, and the Interim Budget was approved through a voice vote conducted by Speaker R. Selvam. In addition, the Chief Minister sought approval for ₹537.38 crore as supplementary expenditure for various government departments for the 2025–26 financial year, which was also approved by voice vote. After the proceedings, at 11:55 AM, Speaker R. Selvam adjourned the Assembly sine die. A full budget for 2026–27 will be presented after the formation of a new government following the Assembly elections.

National News

Approval for Procurement of 114 Rafale Fighter Jets

Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of 114 Rafale Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) from France at a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The approval is part of a larger military procurement plan worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, covering various defence equipment for the armed forces. The aircraft are manufactured by Dassault Aviation, and formal contract signing is expected after price negotiations, likely by the end of the year. Under the plan, 18 aircraft will be manufactured and delivered from France in the first phase, while the remaining jets will be produced in India with 50% indigenous components. The estimated cost of the Rafale procurement is expected to be between ₹2.90 lakh crore and ₹3.15 lakh crore. Earlier, in April 2019, the Indian Air Force (IAF) issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to procure 114 MRFA at an estimated cost of ₹1.6 lakh crore (18 billion US dollars). The Indian Air Force has a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, of which only 31 squadrons are currently operational. India has already procured 36 Rafale fighter jets, which are in service with the IAF. The approved procurement plan also includes anti-tank weapons, recovery vehicles, T-72 tanks for the Army and P-8I surveillance aircraft and 4-megawatt marine gas turbines for the Indian Navy.

India Gifts 270 Vehicles to Nepal for General Elections

India gifted 270 vehicles, including 50 trucks, to Nepal as the third phase of assistance to support election-related work ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled on the 5th of next month. The handover ceremony was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Kathmandu, where the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, presented the vehicles to Nepal Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal. Earlier, in January, India had provided 310 vehicles and equipment in two phases following Nepal’s request for assistance for the elections. With this third phase, the total assistance included 270 additional vehicles for election duties.

International News

Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Visit India

On February 18, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will arrive in India for a five-day official State visit. He will participate in the International Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit scheduled to be held in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, and will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 21, as per the Ministry of External Affairs. The President will be accompanied by a delegation including 14 Ministers and CEOs of Brazilian companies. This will be his sixth official State visit to India since 2004. He previously visited India as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations and last visited in 2023 for the G20 Summit. India and Brazil have been Strategic Partners since 2006, and Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in Latin America, with cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, defence and energy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier visited Brazil on a two-day official visit in July last year.

Sports News

Ukrainian Athlete Disqualified at Winter Olympics

At the Winter Olympics held in Italy, Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych was disqualified from the men’s skeleton event by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for displaying images of Ukrainian sportspersons killed in the Russia–Ukraine war on his helmet. The issue was identified during practice sessions, and discussions were held between the IOC and the athlete before the event. The IOC, represented in negotiations by member Kirsty Coventry, ruled that displaying such images violated the Olympic rule prohibiting political statements during the Games. As a result, Heraskevych did not compete in the event but was allowed to remain with the Ukrainian team. The Ukrainian Olympic Association decided to challenge the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Switzerland, while continuing participation in the Games.

Adani Atomic Energy Launched in Nuclear Power Sector

Adani Power, one of India’s leading private power generation companies, launched a new wholly owned subsidiary named ‘Adani Atomic Energy’ to undertake activities related to nuclear power generation and distribution. The company was incorporated with an initial capital of ₹5 lakh, and Adani Power holds 100% equity stake in the new entity, as informed to the stock exchange regulatory authority. This development follows the recent passage of the ‘Shanti’ Bill, which removed the 60-year restriction on private sector participation in India’s nuclear energy sector. The legislative amendment allows private companies to directly establish nuclear power plants and use small-scale nuclear reactor technology in the country.

Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Passed in Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha passed the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to ensure legal continuity and avoid confusion regarding laws replaced by the Industrial Relations Code, 2020. The Amendment Bill includes ‘savings’ provisions to provide legal certainty in continuation of earlier enactments. The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 had replaced the Trade Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. Provisions under Section 104 of the Code deal with repeal and continuity of the earlier laws. The amendment was introduced to remove any possible confusion that the power to repeal these enactments was delegated to the executive. The four Labour Codes, implemented nearly three months ago, provide for minimum wage guarantee, mandatory issuance of appointment letters, and equal wages for equal work irrespective of gender, as stated by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during the discussion.

Tangkhul Hui and Kombai Breeds to Join Assam Rifles Dog Squad

India’s oldest paramilitary force, the Assam Rifles, established in 1835, has planned to phase out foreign dog breeds from its dog squad by 2050 and induct indigenous breeds including the Tangkhul Hui from Manipur (Ukhrul district) and the Kombai from Tamil Nadu. The move follows a 2025 directive of the Union Home Ministry directing all armed forces to induct more Indian canine breeds into their dog squads. The Assam Rifles had earlier initiated a pilot project to induct six Tangkhul Hui dogs. The Tangkhul Hui breed is known for high disease resistance and traditional hunting use. The Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu has been identified as a suitable complementary breed, and as part of the first phase, two male and eight female Kombai dogs will be inducted in April. The induction process involves a 15-year phased programme, including breeding and training at the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC), Jorhat, and the two indigenous breeds are expected to be fully integrated into the Assam Rifles dog squad by March 2027.

Economy News

RBI Draft Guidelines on Loan Recovery Agents – 2026

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued draft guidelines to regulate the conduct of bank employees and recovery agents during loan recovery under the ‘Reserve Bank (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Second Amendment Directions, 2026’, which will come into effect from July 1, 2026. The guidelines prohibit the use of abusive or threatening language, sending inappropriate messages through mobile phones or social media, making excessive or anonymous calls, contacting borrowers outside prescribed hours, and adopting intimidating or humiliating practices against borrowers, guarantors, their relatives, friends or co-workers. Bank employees and recovery agents are barred from issuing threats of violence or causing harm to the borrower’s family, assets or reputation, and from providing false or misleading information regarding the extent of debt or consequences of non-repayment. The RBI has also mandated that all banks establish a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism for recovery-related complaints and has invited public comments on the draft guidelines.