11 February 2026

• AI regulation: The IT Rules Amendment 2026, notified yesterday, is analysed; platforms are warned that failing labelling requirements strips Section 79 safe harbour.
• Governance: India ranked 91st in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 with a score of 39, up from 96th the previous year.
• International: India designated "Country of the Year" at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, the world's largest organic trade fair.
• Polity: India-UK Social Security Agreement prevents double social security contributions for Indians on temporary assignments in the UK.

GS area: Governance, Social Justice

Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025. India ranked 91st out of 182 countries with a score of 39 (on a 0 to 100 scale where 100 is highly clean).

• Improvement: India rose from 96th position the previous year. The 39 score is below the global average of 42.
• Top performers: Denmark (score 89) leads the index. South Sudan and Somalia are at the bottom (score 9).
• Two-thirds rule: About two-thirds of the 182 countries score below 50, indicating that corruption is the norm rather than the exception globally.
• India flagged: India is specifically identified as dangerous for journalists investigating corruption. This relates to attacks on and arrests of investigative reporters.
• Four structural challenges for India: Bureaucratic red tape (regulatory complexity that creates discretion), weak whistleblower protection, inconsistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and opacity in political funding (electoral bonds were struck down by the Supreme Court in 2024 but the system's alternatives are still debated).

Static linkage: Anti-corruption legislation, Prevention of Corruption Act, governance indices (Governance).

GS area: International Relations, Economy (Labour)

India and the United Kingdom signed a Social Security Agreement (SSA) linked to the implementation of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

• What it prevents: Double social security contributions. An Indian national on a temporary assignment in the UK (up to 36 months) will contribute only to the Indian social security system (EPF/ESI) and not to the UK's National Insurance scheme. The reverse applies for UK nationals in India.
• Certificate of Coverage: The mechanism is a Certificate of Coverage issued by the EPFO. An employer presents this to the UK authority to claim exemption.
• Benefits: Reduces the effective labour cost for Indian IT firms deploying staff in the UK. India's IT sector relies heavily on temporary on-site staffing in the UK.
• CETA connection: The India-UK CETA negotiations have been underway since 2022. The Social Security Agreement is an early deliverable while the full trade deal is negotiated.
• EPFO: The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation operates under the Ministry of Labour and Employment. It administers the Employees' Provident Fund and Employees' Pension Scheme.

Static linkage: India-UK relations, EPFO, labour agreements (IR/Economy).

GS area: Polity (Parliament)

Parliamentary discussion examines the three historical no-confidence motions against Lok Sabha Speakers, all unsuccessful.

• G.V. Mavalankar (1954): The first Speaker of independent India. A motion was moved but defeated.
• Balram Jakhar (1987): Motion moved; defeated.
• G.M.C. Balayogi (2001): Motion moved; defeated.
• P.A. Sangma (1966): A motion was also moved against N.G. Ranga for procedural reasons. This is sometimes cited incorrectly as a fourth instance.
• Why they all failed: In each case the ruling party had sufficient numbers in the House. The Speaker's removal requires a majority of all members (not just present and voting), which is a higher bar than a simple majority.
• Casting vote: The Speaker does not vote in the first instance. If there is a tie, the Speaker casts a casting vote. In a removal motion where the Speaker is the subject, the Speaker can speak in their defence and vote. This is an unusual constitutional provision.

Static linkage: Article 94, Lok Sabha procedures, parliamentary conventions (Polity).

GS area: Economy (Agriculture, Exports), Environment

India was designated "Country of the Year" at BIOFACH 2026, the world's leading organic trade fair held in Nuremberg, Germany.

• India's organic sector: Approximately 2.78 million organic farmers (APEDA data). India has the highest number of organic farmers globally but relatively low per-hectare organic area.
• Certified organic area: Roughly 4.4 million hectares.
• Top organic products for export: Oilseeds, cereals, tea, pulses, spices, fresh vegetables and processed food.
• GI heritage rice: India showcased GI-tagged heritage rice varieties at BIOFACH. GI (Geographical Indication) tags protect traditional products linked to a specific place of origin.
• APEDA role: The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, under the Ministry of Commerce, promotes organic product exports.
• Export target: Organic exports were approximately ₹9,000 crore in 2023-24. The 2026 target under the National Organic Mission is significantly higher.

Static linkage: Organic farming, APEDA, GI tags, agricultural exports (Economy/Environment).

GS area: International Relations, Economy (Trade)

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement negotiations entered their fourth year. The Social Security Agreement is the first signed deliverable.

• Negotiation history: Started in January 2022. Deadlines missed in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Elections in both countries delayed agreement.
• Key sticking points: UK demand for lower tariffs on Scotch whisky (India charges 150 per cent); Indian demand for more work visas for professionals; UK's carbon border tax (CBAM) implications for Indian steel exports.
• Bilateral trade: India-UK trade is approximately ₹58,000 crore. The CETA is expected to double this over seven years.
• UK as export destination: The UK is among India's top 15 export destinations. Key Indian exports include pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods and IT services.

Static linkage: FTA negotiations, India-UK relations, trade policy (IR/Economy).

• Vande Mataram new protocol: The Centre's directive requires all six stanzas (duration 3 minutes 10 seconds) at Presidential events, state functions and school assemblies. The song must be preceded by a drumroll and sung while standing at attention. Cinema halls remain exempt.
• Continental mantle earthquakes: Rare seismic events below 80 kilometres depth beneath the Moho discontinuity. A cluster was recently identified under the Himalayan collision zone. They are studied through the comparison of Sn (mantle) and Lg (crustal) seismic wave behaviour.