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.

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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• Amendment Constraint: The motion cannot be withdrawn if an amendment to it has already been proposed and remains pending before the House.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.

Read More >Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero

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{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.

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.

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.

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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.