Current Affairs – February 13, 2026

{GS2 – Polity} Notice of Substantive Motion Filed against the Leader of the Opposition

Context (IE): A notice of a substantive motion was filed against the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of “unethical conduct” in his recent parliamentary speeches.

About Substantive Motion

A substantive motion is a self-contained, independent proposal submitted to the House of Parliament for formal approval.
Independence: It is drafted to express a distinct decision of the House without reference to other motions or ongoing business.
Decisive Action: The text is framed to enable the House to express a clear opinion or decision on a significant matter.
Drafting Criteria: The content must be factual, clearly defined, and limited to a single issue to ensure focused debate.
Conduct Scrutiny: The conduct of persons in high authority can be discussed only through a substantive motion.
- Protected Offices: This protection covers the President, Vice-President, Judges (SC & HC), Governor, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), and CAG.

Procedural Framework

Notice Requirement: The mover must give written notice to the Secretary-General before introducing the motion.
Admissibility Authority: The Presiding Officer has absolute discretion to admit or reject a substantive motion based on the Rules of the House.
- For motions involving complex allegations or misconduct, the Presiding Officer typically refers the matter to the Ethics Committee, the Privileges Committee, or a Special Inquiry Committee.
Voting Requirement: While most substantive motions are adopted by a simple majority, specific motions, such as the impeachment of the President or the removal of Judges, require a special majority.
Mover’s Privilege: The mover of a substantive motion is entitled to a “right of reply” at the conclusion of the debate.
Seconder Exemption: Generally, a substantive motion does not require a seconder, except for cases like the Motion of Thanks and the Election of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.

Restrictions & Limitations

Rule of Anticipation: A substantive motion is inadmissible if it “anticipates” a matter already scheduled for discussion in the same session.
Sub-Judice Rule: It cannot be moved on any matter currently under active judicial consideration, as discussion might prejudice the case.
Amendment Constraint: The motion cannot be withdrawn if an amendment to it has already been proposed and remains pending before the House.

Substantive Motion vs. Resolutions

Relationship: All Resolutions are substantive motions, but not all substantive motions are Resolutions.
Repetition Bar: A resolution cannot be moved again on the same subject for one year, whereas substantive motions generally cannot be repeated only within the same session.
Voting Mandate: All resolutions are put to a vote, while some substantive motions may be discussed and concluded without a formal vote.

{GS3 – IE} RBI Draft Guidelines for Loan Recovery Agents **

Context (TH): The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued comprehensive draft guidelines to strictly regulate the conduct of bank employees and loan recovery agents.

Scope: The directions apply to all Commercial Banks (including RRBs and Small Finance Banks) and are proposed to take effect from July 1, 2026.

Key Highlights of the Draft Guidelines

Civil Conduct: Bank employees and agents must interact strictly in a civil manner; it prohibits harsh recovery practices like abusive language or threats.
Contact Restrictions: Recovery calls and visits are restricted to the 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM window; agents are prohibited from calling during occasions such as bereavement or weddings.
Authorisation Protocols: Banks must notify borrowers in writing before assigning an agent, who must carry an authorisation letter and an ID card during visits.
Agent Certification: Recovery agents must complete ethical debt collection training and obtain certification from the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF).
Privacy Protection: Agents should respect the borrower’s Right to Privacy by communicating only with the borrower or the guarantor, and not with family or colleagues.
Grievance Redressal: Recovery cases can be forwarded by the banks to an agent only after resolving pending grievances of the borrower.
Incentive Reform: Banks are to ensure that their incentive structures do not induce or encourage unethical recovery practices.

{GS3 – Envi} India’s Power Mix Transition

Context (IE): NITI Aayog’s Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero’ projects structural shift from coal-led to renewables-led electricity system.

Power Mix Projections of India

Renewables Expansion: Renewable energy share projected to rise from ~20% (2024–25) to ~80% by 2070, signalling deep decarbonisation of electricity generation.
Coal Decline: Coal share expected to fall sharply from ~74% currently to 6–10% by 2070.
Insurance Role of Coal: Coal-based plants increasingly act as backup capacity rather than dominant energy generators in future grids.

Nuclear Capacity Projections

Nuclear Growth: Nuclear contribution projected to increase from ~3% today to 5–8% by 2070.
Capacity Surge (CPS): Nuclear capacity projected to rise from 8.18 GW (2025) to 90–135 GW by 2070.
Net Zero Scenario (NZS): Under the accelerated pathway, capacity may reach 295–320 GW by 2070.

Policy Recommendations by NITI Aayog

Nuclear Scaling Roadmap: The study recommends expanding nuclear capacity to ~100 GW by 2047 and 200–300 GW by 2070 to ensure firm low-carbon baseload power.
SMR Deployment: Accelerated development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) is emphasised to deliver flexible, land-efficient, and reliable clean power generation.
Private Sector Participation: Expanding private participation in nuclear technology & manufacturing for mobilising capital and accelerating innovation. E.g., Policy shift enabled by the SHANTI Act, 2025.
Indigenous Reactor Development: Strengthening domestic capability in advanced reactors is vital for technological self-reliance. E.g., BARC-led indigenous reactor & fuel-cycle development programmes.

{GS3 – Envi} Waste Sector Decarbonisation & Methane Mitigation Strategy

Context (PE | NA): NITI Aayog’s report “Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero – Sectoral Insights: Waste” highlights the waste sector as a critical methane-intensive emissions source.

Waste Sector & Emissions Profile

Emission Contribution: The waste sector accounts for only ~2.56% of India’s total GHG emissions, yet its climate impact is disproportionately high due to methane intensity.
Methane Dominance: Methane (CH₄) forms the primary emissions driver in the waste sector, with a global warming potential ~25 times higher than CO₂.
Wastewater Emission Burden: ~74% of waste-sector emissions originate from wastewater systems, reflecting gaps in sewer coverage and treatment capacity.
Net Zero Scenario Impact: Under the Net Zero Scenario (NZS), waste-sector emissions are projected to decline by ~95.9%, reaching only ~10.9 MtCO₂e by 2070.

Strategic Pillars for Waste Decarbonisation

Universal Methane Recovery: Achieve 100% methane recovery by 2040 across industrial wastewater systems and prioritise anaerobic treatment with energy recovery pathways for sewage management.
Decentralised Circularity: Scale biodegradable waste processing through bio-methanation and Bio-CNG production systems, while stabilising long-term per capita waste generation.
Wastewater Reuse Expansion: Expand sewerage networks toward ~85% national coverage levels, alongside systematic reuse of treated wastewater in various activities.
Legacy Waste Remediation: Prioritise accelerated scientific closure of open dumpsites and transition toward engineered sanitary landfills.
IoT-Based Monitoring Framework: Deploy a unified national waste-data architecture using IoT-enabled sensors for real-time tracking and regulatory transparency improvements.

Aerobic vs Anaerobic Wastewater Treatment

Aerobic Treatment: Uses oxygen to decompose organic matter, primarily producing CO₂ with comparatively lower climate impact due to reduced methane generation.
Anaerobic Treatment: Occurs in the absence of oxygen, generating methane (CH₄), which is ~25× more potent than CO₂, creating a higher emissions risk if unmanaged.
Emission Trade-Off: Anaerobic systems are more energy-efficient and enable biogas recovery but require strict methane capture mechanisms to prevent leakages.

Challenges Faced

Segregation Deficit: Source segregation remains limited, with only ~75–78% waste collection efficiency nationally, weakening recycling and methane control.
Treatment Gap: India generates ~72,000 MLD of sewage, but treatment capacity is only ~31,000 MLD, leaving large volumes untreated.
Legacy Waste Burden: India hosts 3,000+ dumpsites, with legacy waste continuously emitting methane.
Infrastructure Deficit Link: Limited scientific waste processing, incomplete landfill management, and inadequate treatment facilities amplify uncontrolled greenhouse gas release.

Suggestions by NITI Aayog

Methane Recovery Expansion: Prioritise large-scale methane capture from anaerobic wastewater and organic waste treatment systems. E.g. SATAT scheme promoting Bio-CNG production.
Source Segregation: Improve segregation at source to enhance recycling efficiency. E.g. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 focusing on decentralised waste processing.
Wastewater Infrastructure Scaling: Expand scientific Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capacity to address emissions intensity. E.g. AMRUT urban sanitation investments.
Rural Circular Economy: Promote Bio-CNG production to generate decentralised clean energy while creating stable rural income streams. E.g., GOBAR-dhan initiative.

{GS3 – Envi} Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) *

Context (TH): The climate action organisation, the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), seeks to expand its presence in India’s private sector.

About SBTi: SBTi defines and promotes best practices for emissions reduction and for net-zero targets aligned with Paris Agreement, for businesses and financial institutions.
Partnership: Founded in 2015 as a joint initiative of CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI), and WWF, it is now an independent UK charity.
Core Objective: It aims to mobilise the private sector for urgent climate action by independently assessing and validating corporate emissions targets.
Mitigation Hierarchy: The initiative requires companies to adhere to a strict hierarchy that prioritises deep emission cuts over carbon offsetting.
- Near-Term Targets: Participating companies must set initial 5- to 10-year goals to reduce their carbon footprint rapidly.
- Net-Zero Standard: To formally claim “Net-Zero,” a company must reduce its absolute emissions by at least 90% by 2050.
- Residual Neutralisation: Only the final residual emissions (approximately 10%) can be neutralised through permanent carbon removal technologies.
Assessment Criteria: To receive validation, companies must account for their carbon footprint across three specific scopes – direct emissions, purchased energy, and value chain emissions.
Corporate Advantage: Commitment to SBTi targets enhances brand reputation among global investors and future-proofs operations against upcoming climate regulations.
Global Adoption: Over 11,000 companies and financial institutions are engaged with SBTi, representing nearly 40% of global market capitalisation and approximately 30% of GHG emissions.
- Indian Context: While India leads emerging economies in engagement, fewer than 500 Indian companies are committed or validated.

{GS3 – S&T} Davos Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025 **

Context (WEF): The World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the Davos Compact on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2025 to address the global health crisis of drug resistance.

Non-State Members: It serves as a voluntary non-state counterpart to the UNGA 2024 Political Declaration on AMR.
Dual Target: The pact aims to prevent 100 million deaths and mitigate a projected $1.7 trillion loss by 2050 from unchecked drug resistance.
Implementation Arm: The Unified Coalition for the AMR Response (UCARE) serves as the dedicated body to execute the goals; it focuses on 4 pillars –
1. Innovation: R&D for new antibiotics and diagnostic tools,
2. Awareness: Public advocacy and policy engagement,
3. Agri-Food: Reduce antibiotic use in livestock,
4. Funding: Close the investment gap by mobilising private and philanthropic capital.
One-Health Alignment: Signatories pledge to align their operations with the “One Health” approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health.
Equitable Access: The agreement ensures affordable access to essential and newly developed antibiotics for low- and middle-income countries.
Pollution Control: It includes measures to minimise the discharge of antimicrobial waste from manufacturing facilities into water bodies.
Regional Epicentre: South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa were identified as the crisis epicentres due to high population density and antibiotic consumption patterns.

About Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to withstand medications, making standard treatments ineffective and allowing infections to persist.
Primary Drivers: The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials in human medicine, agriculture, and livestock sectors accelerate the development of resistance.
Health Impact: AMR increases mortality, prolongs hospital stays, and escalates economic burdens due to drug-resistant infections.
Mortality Projection: It is projected to cause 39 million deaths between 2025 and 2050.

Read More > Antimicrobial Resistance

{Prelims – Disease} National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

Context (IE): India established the first government-supported national biobank dedicated to LSDs.

Although individually rare, LSDs impose a significant cumulative burden due to high mortality, lifelong disability, and underdiagnosis, with India estimated to host 12,000+ patients.

About Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

Disease Category: LSDs comprise 70+ rare inherited metabolic diseases caused by genetic defects affecting lysosomal enzyme activity.
Pathological Mechanism: Defective or deficient lysosomal enzymes lead to progressive accumulation of toxic substrates such as lipids and complex sugars, resulting in widespread cellular damage.
Clinical Complexity: LSDs exhibit highly variable multi-system symptoms including neurodegeneration, skeletal abnormalities, and organ enlargement.
Treatment Limitations: Disease-modifying therapies exist for only a limited subset of LSDs, with available treatments like Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) often costing ₹1 crore+ per patient annually.

About National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Sample Repository: The biobank integrates biological samples from 530 patients across 15 states, linked with detailed clinical, biochemical, and genetic datasets for comprehensive analysis.
Data Integration Role: Combines genomic DNA, plasma, urine samples, enzyme activity profiles, and mutation information, enabling multi-dimensional disease investigation.
Institutional Collaboration: Developed through coordination among 28 medical and research institutions, reflecting a nationwide cooperative approach.
Funding & Leadership: Funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and led by FRIGE (Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology), Ahmedabad.

{Prelims – Defence} Ministry of Defence Procures Dornier 228 Aircraft *

Context (TOI): The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure eight Dornier 228 aircraft.

These aircraft are intended for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to enhance maritime surveillance and search-and-rescue operations.
The contract was finalised under the “Buy (Indian)” category, with over 71% indigenous content.
Significance: The acquisition reinforces the Government’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India, while strengthening India’s maritime security.

About Dornier 228 Aircraft

The Dornier 228 is a multi-role twin-engine turboprop aircraft that can carry up to 19 passengers.
It was originally designed by German company Dornier GmbH & is now manufactured in India by HAL.
Key Feature: It has Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) capability, enabling operations on semi-prepared runways and in rough terrain.
Defence Role: The Indian Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard utilise the aircraft for maritime surveillance, intelligence gathering, and disaster relief operations.
Civil Application: A modified civilian version, Hindustan-228, supports regional connectivity under the UDAN scheme, particularly in the North-East.
Diplomatic Engagement: India has gifted Dornier 228 aircraft to Sri Lanka and Seychelles.

{Prelims – Species} Lion-Tailed Macaque Population Rising in Human Landscapes

Context (TH): Recent studies reveal a surge in lion-tailed macaque populations in human-dominated landscapes, particularly in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats.

About Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)

The Lion-Tailed Macaque, also known as the Wanderoo, is an Old-World monkey endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats.
Physical Appearance: It is distinguished by a silver-white mane encircling its face and a tail ending in a lion-like black tuft.
Habitat Preference: The species exclusively inhabits the upper canopy of tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests.
Geographic Range: Its fragmented population is found in the Anamalai, Nilgiri, and Ashambu hills across Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and the Sirsi-Honnavar rainforests in Karnataka.
Unique Behaviour: It is the most arboreal of all macaque species, spending nearly its entire life in trees and rarely descending to the ground.
Social Structure: Unlike aggressive urban macaques, these are shy, diurnal animals that live in small, hierarchical groups and avoid human contact.
Ecological Role: As a frugivorous omnivore, it plays a vital role in seed dispersal for indigenous rainforest trees, aiding ecosystem regeneration.
Key Threats: Habitat fragmentation from tea and coffee plantations, road kills, and poaching.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Endangered; CITES: Appendix I; WPA: Schedule I

{Prelims – In News} Vidyanjali Programme *

Context (PIB): Vidyanjali programme has onboarded ~8.5 lakh schools and 5+ lakh volunteers, strengthening government schools through structured community participation.

About Vidyanjali Programme

Launch & Alignment: Launched in September 2021 by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Core Objective: Designed to strengthen Government and Government-aided schools, the initiative aims to improve learning environments and student support through voluntary contributions.
Digital Platform Model: Functions as a structured digital interface connecting volunteers, alumni, civil society organisations (CSOs), and CSR partners directly with schools.
Governance & Accountability: Operates through approval, monitoring, validation, and feedback mechanisms, ensuring transparency while allowing states to review progress via dashboards.

Types of Contributions

Service Activities: Includes subject mentoring, career counselling, AI & coding workshops.
Student Support: Volunteers assist Children with Special Needs (CWSN), sports & life-skills development.
Asset Contributions: Provision of Teaching Learning Materials, ICT facilities, and sanitation infrastructure.
Sustainability Inputs: Contributions include renewable energy solutions, improving long-term resilience.

{Prelims – In News} Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan

Context (NOA | PIB): PM Narendra Modi has inaugurated Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan-1 and 2 in New Delhi.

Seva Teerth (formerly Executive Enclave) will house the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS).
Kartavya Bhavan-1 & 2 constitute the new Common Central Secretariat (CCS), which hosts key ministries, including Finance, Defence, Health, and Education.
The complexes meet 4-Star GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) standards and feature renewable energy and water conservation systems.
Significance: The project replaces ageing infrastructure with a modern, efficient ecosystem to break down silos and improve coordination for citizen-centric governance.