1) 🇮🇳National

• Opposition Motion in Lok Sabha: Opposition parties have submitted a formal motion seeking the removal of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, citing disagreements over the functioning of the House.
• J&K Hydropower Projects: Two major hydropower projects in Jammu and Kashmir are set to accelerate following the suspension of specific provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.
• CBSE Digital Marking: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the introduction of digital screen-based marking for Class 10 and 12 board exams starting in 2026 to reduce evaluation errors.
• IIT Kanpur Philanthropy: The 1976 alumni batch of IIT Kanpur has donated ₹13.40 crore to strengthen academic infrastructure and student support.

2) 🌍International

• US-India Trade Deal: The White House released a detailed fact sheet regarding a landmark bilateral trade agreement with India, focusing on tariffs, market access, and strategic economic cooperation.
• Trilateral Talks in Abu Dhabi: A second round of trilateral discussions involving Ukraine, Russia, and the USA has commenced in Abu Dhabi to explore de-escalation pathways for the ongoing conflict.
• UAE AI Surge: Demand for Artificial Intelligence professionals in the UAE has reached record highs, leading to increased salaries and more stringent verification norms for tech hiring.

3) 💰Economy

• Income Tax Rule Changes: The Indian government has proposed raising the threshold for mandatory PAN disclosure in high-value transactions, including property deals and hotel payments.
• Mutual Funds Growth: Domestic mutual funds in India are rapidly narrowing the ownership gap with Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) in NSE-listed companies.
• Railway Modernisation: Indian Railways has announced plans to manufacture 260 Vande Bharat sleeper trainsets to modernise long-distance overnight travel.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Observed globally on 11 February. The 2026 theme is "From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap."
• Promise Day: Celebrated as the fifth day of Valentine’s Week, focusing on the importance of commitments in personal relationships.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Om Birla: The Lok Sabha Speaker is in the spotlight due to the ouster motion moved by the opposition.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi: The young Indian cricketer received high praise from England's Jos Buttler, who described him as one of the best young talents he has ever witnessed.

6) 🏅Sports

• Winter Olympics 2026 Prep: Organisers have officially outlined the venues and schedules for the upcoming Winter Olympics opening ceremony and key sporting events.
• PCB Force Majeure: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering invoking the Force Majeure clause with the ICC following their withdrawal from the T20 World Cup game against India in Colombo.

7) 🏆Awards

• BITS Pilani Endowment: The institute announced a $34 million (approx. ₹285 crore) student aid endowment, one of the largest philanthropic gestures in Indian technical education history.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• Skill India Crackdown: The government registered FIRs against 41 Skill India training centres following a CAG report flagging irregularities in the implementation of skill development schemes.
• Free Electricity in J&K: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha approved 200 units of free electricity for AAY households in Jammu and Kashmir, fulfilling a key poll promise.

📚Word of the day

• Elegiac: (Adjective)
  • Meaning: Having a mournful or sorrowful quality; expressing sorrow for something past.
  • Usage: The film was praised for its elegiac beauty and emotional intensity.