Weekly Important News (8Feb-14Feb)

Fresh  SSB batches start around 1st and 15 th of every month 

• The visit strengthened the India–Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through agreements in trade, fintech, defence, education, healthcare, and disaster management.The visit enhanced regional and global cooperation, including support within BRICS and ASEAN, and reinforced a rules-based Indo-Pacific order.Overall, it marked a shift from transactional trade ties to deeper strategic, technological, and security cooperation.
  
•  The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses aims to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030–31 through expanded cultivation, higher productivity, and reduced imports. It focuses on key crops like Tur, Urad, and Masoor to improve nutritional security and farmers’ income. The roadmap promotes quality seeds through the SATHI portal, assured procurement via National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation, and a cluster-based “seed to market” model. It also plans to establish 1,000 pulse mills and provide financial assistance to farmers for model farming.
  
•  India and Seychelles discussed strengthening maritime trade and blue economy cooperation during a business roundtable in Mumbai.The collaboration focuses on sectors such as tourism, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, skills development, and financial services.The partnership supports India’s neighbourhood-first policy and its MAHASAGAR vision, aiming to ensure a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Indian Ocean region.
• India has assumed the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process for 2026, strengthening its leadership in global diamond governance. The role comes at a critical time for the diamond industry and highlights India’s position as a major hub in the global diamond value chain. It also enhances India’s representation as a strong Global South voice while promoting transparency, ethical sourcing, and reforms in the diamond trade.
•  The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2026 aims to protect employees’ work–life balance by granting them the legal right to avoid work-related communication outside official hours without penalties. It addresses rising mental health concerns and excessive working hours, with data from the International Labour Organization highlighting long working hours in India. The Bill requires companies to create clear policies on working hours, emergency communication, and digital wellness. It follows global models adopted by France, Belgium, Portugal, and Australia.
• The Defence Minister of India held bilateral talks with the Minister of National Defence of Greece in New Delhi.The meeting resulted in the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.This step highlights the growing strategic convergence between the two ancient maritime nations and marks a significant boost to their strategic partnership.

1. Key highlights
   

India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation and establish a structured five-year roadmap, along with the Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026. The partnership aligns India’s self-reliance goals with Greece’s defence reforms to boost indigenous defence production and diversify strategic partnerships.

Greece also announced deploying a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region in Gurugram, enhancing maritime domain awareness and security cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.

• The Defence Procurement Board approved the acquisition of six additional P-8I aircraft from the United States to enhance the surveillance and combat capabilities of the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean Region. The procurement will be executed through an inter-governmental agreement under DAP 2020, which removes offset and technology transfer requirements due to strategic urgency. These aircraft strengthen maritime security, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and search-and-rescue operations, complementing existing deployments at INS Rajali and INS Hansa.
  

• The Ministry of Home Affairs directed that Vande Mataram must be played or sung before Jana Gana Mana when both are part of an official event. The audience must stand during the National Song, except when it is played in films or documentaries. The protocol mandates its use during high-level State functions, flag ceremonies, and broadcasts such as presidential addresses on All India Radio. Schools are also encouraged to begin the day with community singing to promote respect for national symbols.
  

•  The India is promoting Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) to decarbonize heavy industries, particularly the steel sector, as highlighted in an article shared by the Prime Minister. Supporting this transition, the Union Budget 2026–27 has allocated ₹20,000 crore for a dedicated CCUS scheme, marking a shift from research-focused efforts to large-scale commercial deployment and clean industrial growth.
  

•  Bodhan AI has been launched to develop the Bharat EduAI Stack, an open-source AI-based digital public infrastructure to integrate Artificial Intelligence across India’s education system. The initiative operates under the Ministry of Education and is developed by IIT Madras.The Bharat EduAI Stack aims to provide personalised AI tutors, AI-assisted teacher training, institutional support, and data-driven policymaking. It promotes inclusive, sovereign, and accessible education under the “AI for All” vision, helping students, teachers, and parents through improved learning and monitoring tools.
  

• The Indian Air Force will train British pilots at RAF Valley for the first time, marking a major step in defence training cooperation with the United Kingdom. Three Indian instructors will train fast-jet pilots on Hawk T2 and Texan T1 aircraft during a two-year deployment.Indian officers are now serving as instructors across key UK military academies, including Royal Air Force College Cranwell, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth. This initiative strengthens interoperability, trust, and long-term defence partnership between India and the UK.
  

•  The India has approved two advanced telescopes—the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) and the National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT)—along with upgrades to the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, strengthening India’s space and astronomy research capabilities.Located in Ladakh, the project leverages the region’s high-altitude and clear atmospheric conditions, especially near the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve, making it a major boost for observational astronomy and scientific leadership in the Global South.
  

• Indian Navy has taken command of Combined Task Force 154, marking India’s growing role in global maritime security and capacity building. • CTF-154 operates under the Combined Maritime Forces, headquartered in Bahrain, involving 47 nations ensuring security of key sea routes. • The task force focuses on maritime domain awareness, maritime law, interdiction operations, rescue missions, and leadership training. • It works alongside other CMF task forces combating piracy, trafficking, and regional maritime threats through joint training exercises.