Current Affairs - February 11, 2026 Current Affairs

Madurai is the city where the manufacturing facility for advanced Type IV and Type V composite pressure vessels will be established under the indigenous hydrogen storage project. The Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology has signed an agreement with Gudlyf Mobility to support 700 bar hydrogen storage systems. The project includes funding for the development of advanced composite pressure vessels and setting up a manufacturing unit in Madurai. This initiative promotes Aatmanirbhar Bharat by reducing import dependence and supporting hydrogen mobility, UAV, CNG, and defence applications.

India is the country designated as the Country of the Year at BIOFACH 2026 held in Nuremberg. This recognition highlights the nation’s leadership and growing prominence in the field of organic agriculture. APEDA is spearheading India’s participation by organising a large pavilion that showcases a wide range of organic products, including rice, spices, oilseeds, herbs, and value-added items. The involvement of over 20 States and Union Territories demonstrates the country’s rich agricultural diversity and its expanding footprint in the global organic export market, strengthening its position internationally.

February 11 is observed annually as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science by the United Nations. The day promotes equal participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. It aims to address the persistent gender gap in scientific research, leadership roles and emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence. By highlighting the importance of inclusive access to science education and careers, the observance supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Encouraging women’s participation in STEM strengthens innovation, economic growth and sustainable global development.

Kerala is the state where the new dragonfly species Lyriothemis keralensis was discovered. The species was identified by researchers near Kothamangalam and has been named to honour the state’s rich biodiversity. It primarily inhabits shaded plantation canals and pools and is mostly seen during the Southwest monsoon season. For nearly a decade, the species had been misidentified, highlighting the importance of detailed taxonomic research. The discovery also raises conservation concerns because most of its known populations are located outside protected areas, making habitat preservation and ecological monitoring crucial for its survival.

Ashok Kumar has been appointed as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the National Capital Territory of Delhi by the Election Commission of India. He is an IAS officer and has been directed to assume charge immediately. He replaces R Alice Vaz in this important administrative role. His selection followed the submission of a panel of three IAS officers by the Delhi government. The appointment is significant as it aims to strengthen the electoral administration in Delhi, especially in preparation for upcoming electoral processes and to ensure smooth and efficient conduct of elections.

New Delhi is the city where the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited to partner with Bharat Taxi. This initiative makes Delhi the first state to collaborate with Bharat Taxi for providing technology-enabled and transparent taxi services. The partnership aims to enhance tourism and urban mobility by offering curated sightseeing circuits, improving last-mile connectivity, and deploying trained driver-ambassadors. The move is expected to modernize transportation services, ensure better commuter experiences, and strengthen the capital’s tourism infrastructure.

India is the country that clinched the SAFF U-19 Women’s Championship title with a dominant 4–0 victory over Bangladesh in the final held at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal. The team delivered an impressive performance, with Captain Julan Nongmaithem opening the scoring, followed by goals from Elizabeth Lakra, Pearl Fernandes, and Anwita Raghuraman. The triumph also served as redemption for an earlier setback and provided valuable competitive exposure for the U-17 squad. The tournament acted as crucial preparation for the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup, strengthening the team’s international prospects.

The United Kingdom is the country that signed the Social Security Agreement with India to prevent double social security contributions for employees posted on short-term assignments of up to 36 months. The agreement applies to the UK and Northern Ireland and is intended to facilitate workforce mobility by reducing financial and administrative burdens on professionals working in each other’s territories. It will come into effect along with the India–UK Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation and deepening strategic ties between the two nations.

Somalia is the country that signed a military cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia to strengthen defence ties in the Horn of Africa. The pact focuses on areas such as military training, technical assistance, and broader defence support aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Somali armed forces and safeguarding its airspace. This agreement comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in the region, including issues related to Somaliland, Red Sea security, and shifting alliances among Gulf nations. The move reflects Somalia’s efforts to bolster its national security framework amid evolving regional dynamics.

Second is India’s global rank in LEED-certified real estate space outside the United States. According to data from the US Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc., India stands just after Mainland China in terms of certified green building space. The country has recorded around 16 million square meters of LEED-certified space, reflecting significant progress in sustainable construction practices. Much of this growth has been driven by increased adoption of LEED Operations and Maintenance (O&M), highlighting a strong focus on improving energy efficiency in existing buildings across sectors such as offices, industry, retail, and education.