Daily Current Affairs Feb 12, 2026 | 114 Rafale Jets Approved & CPI Base Year Shift

Here is the comprehensive Current Affairs and GK brief for February 12, 2026, for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railway exam preparation.

National & Polity

Retail Inflation (January 2026): India’s retail inflation for January 2026 accelerated to 2.75%, marking the first data print under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series. The base year has been officially shifted from 2012 to 2024.
Removal Notice Against Lok Sabha Speaker: In a major political development, 118 MPs from the opposition parties submitted a formal notice for a resolution to remove Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging "partisan conduct" and denial of opportunities for the opposition to raise public issues.
National Productivity Day: The National Productivity Council (NPC) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day today. This marks the beginning of "Productivity Week" (Feb 12–18), focusing on the theme of enhancing efficiency for a Viksit Bharat.
Vande Mataram in Schools: The Union Government has issued directions mandating the recitation of six verses of Vande Mataram at official functions and in schools. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has formally objected to the move, citing religious freedom.

Rafale Fighter Jet Deal: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) officially cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation. Approximately 18 jets will be acquired in "fly-away" condition, while the remaining will be manufactured in India.
India–US Trade Deal Update: The US revised its official factsheet regarding the interim trade deal with India, notably removing references to digital services taxes and tariff cuts on pulses. The MEA stated this reflects "shared understandings" from the recent joint statement.
Bangladesh General Elections: Polling concluded today across 299 constituencies in Bangladesh for the 13th parliamentary elections. Counting is currently underway to elect a successor to the interim administration.
Operation Sarvashakti: The Indian Army intensified Operation Sarvashakti, a major counter-terrorism initiative in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu & Kashmir, aimed at neutralizing terror threats along the Pir Panjal range.

India Post & NSE Partnership: The Department of Posts signed an MoU with the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to enable the distribution of mutual fund products through its network of 1.64 lakh post offices, targeting last-mile financial access in rural India.
Mumbai’s Musical Path: Mumbai’s Coastal Road introduced India’s first "musical path," designed to play the tune of "Jai Ho" when motorists drive at the prescribed speed limit, using specialized road grooves to enhance safety and experience.
Unemployment Rate: Latest data from the NSO showed India's unemployment rate declined to a three-quarter low of 4.8% in the October–December 2025 quarter (Q3 FY26).
Garment Export Benefits: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India will receive garment export benefits similar to Bangladesh under the new trade pact with the US, provided the products use American yarn and cotton.

Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination: Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global SDG target of 2030.
H5N1 Vaccine Milestone: The Serum Institute of India (SII) received WHO pre-qualification for its first indigenous H5N1 avian flu vaccine for humans, a critical step for global pandemic preparedness.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Group Stage):
- India vs Namibia: India won by 93 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
- Sri Lanka vs Oman: Sri Lanka secured a clinical 105-run victory in Pallekele.
- Italy vs Nepal: Italy created history with a 10-wicket win over Nepal in Mumbai.
Santosh Trophy: Services clinched their 8th Santosh Trophy title after defeating Kerala in the final.

Day	Context / Significance
Darwin Day	Birth anniversary of Charles Darwin (1809), the father of evolutionary biology.
National Productivity Day	68th anniversary of the National Productivity Council (NPC).
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday	Honoring the 16th US President's legacy of democracy and freedom.
Hug Day	Part of the traditional Valentine’s Week.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Previously used 2012 as the base year; the shift to 2024 reflects more modern consumption patterns (e.g., higher weightage to health and digital services).
Rafale Jets: India already operates 36 Rafale jets; the new deal for 114 jets is part of the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) program.
Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923: A colonial-era law primarily used for national security and anti-espionage; it has been in the news recently regarding military memoirs.