Daily Current Affairs — 12 February 2026
5 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
Democratising AI in India
In News Recently, it has been highlighted that the democratisation of AI requires fair access to computing resources, data, and AI models, which are crucial for innovation and competitiveness in the digital economy. What is Democratisation of AI? Democratisation of AI refers to making artificial intelligence accessible, affordable and usable for a wide and diverse set of users.
Biosecurity Threat in India
Context In 2025, the Gujarat ATS uncovered an alleged ricin-based bioterror plot, marking India’s first suspected ricin-linked bioterror case with possible international links. What are Biological Weapons? Biological weapons use pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) or toxins (like ricin, botulinum toxin) to cause disease or death in humans, animals, or crops.
Centre–State Fiscal Relations in a Changing Fiscal Landscape
Context The finance minister has said the Union government transferred 41% of the divisible pool to the states and the share of no state has been reduced. What is Tax Devolution? Tax devolution refers to the distribution of tax revenues between the central government and the state governments.
Protest Against Ken-Betwa Linking Project
Context Protests against the Ken–Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP), highlighting tensions over the implementation of the river interlinking project. About River Interlinking in India Historical Context: The concept of interlinking rivers dates back to the 19th century, with Sir Arthur Cotton’s designs for irrigation dams in the Godavari and Krishna river valleys. Over the years, this idea evolved, with notable contributions from engineers like M Visvesvaraya, KL Rao, and Captain Dinshaw J Dastu
Budget Gives Big Science Allocations, but Core Funding Gaps Remain
Context The Union Budget 2026–27 projects strong ambition in science-led growth, but experts caution that its success depends on effective delivery, timely funding, institutional autonomy, and transparent innovation financing. About In 2023-24, allocation for the Department of Biotechnology was revised down from ₹2,683.86 crore to ₹1,607.32 crore, and actual spending fell further to ₹1,467.34 crore. Likewise for the Department of Science and Technology, from ₹7,931.05 crore to ₹4,891.78 crore an