Legal Current Affairs for 14 February 2026

FFS 2.0 for startups, unveiled in the Budget 2025-26, focuses on the manufacturing and high-technology sectors, requiring longer-term funding.
About Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)
Flagship initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Startup India Action Plan.
Managed by: Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
It supports SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), which in turn invest in startups, expanding access to domestic risk capital and strengthening entrepreneurship.

Overview: Launched in November 2025 under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), anchored by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
Key Features & Focus Areas:
Aim: To bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale manufacturing (“Lab-to-Industry”).
It supports technologies Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above through a mix of equity, convertible instruments, and long-term debt.
Fund Manager: The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
Sectors: It complements the BioE3 Policy and targets next-generation products in Biopharma, Bio-industrial manufacturing, Bioenergy, etc.

India’s bioeconomy has grown from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, with a target of $300 billion by 2030.
Key Initiatives:
BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment): Aims to transform India into a global biotech powerhouse by fostering high-performance biomanufacturing.
National Biopharma Mission (NBM): To boost India’s capabilities in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines, biosimilars, medical devices, and diagnostics by fostering industry- academia collaboration
Biotech-KISAN (Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network): Scientist-farmer partnership programme to empower farmers through agricultural innovation and scientific interventions.

Type: Central Sector Scheme
Aim: To provide free of cost skills through quality institutions so that candidates from its target group can find employment.
Target group: SC, OBC, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and De-notified Tribes Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers, Transgenders.
Eligibility
Age Criterion: 18-45 years
OBC and EWS: Annual income family below Rs.3 lakh.

Type: statutory body under the APEDA Act 1985
Ministry: Apex body for agricultural export promotion under Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Chairman: Appointed by government.
Functions: Secretariat to National Accreditation Board for implementation of accreditation of Certification Bodies.
Other functions: Boost agri exports , inspection of meat products etc.
Important initiatives:
National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): Involves, standards for organic production, promotion of organic farming and marketing etc.
BHARATI (2025): To empower agri-food and agri-tech startups and boost agri-food exports.
Farmers connect Portal: 24X7 Online digital platform to bridge the gap between Farmer Producer Org./Cooperatives and exporters.

Origin: Based on the Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013 and Income Tax Rules, 1962 these are non-profit companies.
Objective: To receive contributions from donors and distribute them to registered political parties facilitating transparent political funding.
Transparency: Donations above ₹20,000 must be disclosed to Election Commission of India, but the amount given to each political party remains confidential.
Registration: By Central board of Direct Taxes.
They need to distribute at least 95% of the contributions received during the year to eligible political parties.