Legal Current Affairs for 17 February 2026

It is a set of methods that uses the rules of quantum mechanics to securely encrypt, transmit, and decode information.
It employs quantum devices, such as sensors capable of recording individual particles of light (photons), to protect data from an adversarial attack.
Types:
Quantum key distribution (QKD): It is a secure communication method for exchanging encryption keys only known between shared parties.
Quantum coin-flipping: It is a type of cryptographic primitive (something of a building block for algorithms) that allows two parties who do not trust each other to agree on a set of parameters.

It is a digital form of fiat currency issued and regulated by the Central Bank (Reserve Bank of India).
It is a legal tender and a liability of the central bank, appearing on its balance sheet, as per Section 26 of the RBI Act, 1934.
Denominated in sovereign currency (₹ in India) and available in the same denominations as physical currency
It was launched in pilot mode in India since December 2022 [Digital Rupee -Wholesale (e₹-W) and Digital Rupee-Retail (e₹-R)].

India and South Korea Hold 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD), Reaffirming Special Strategic Partnership.
Political Features
Location: East Asian country occupying the southern Korean Peninsula.
Boundaries: North Korea (North).
38°N latitude/parallel separates it from North Korea.
Maritime boundaries: Surrounded by water on 3 sides i.e. East Sea or Sea of Japan (East), East China Sea (South), Yellow Sea (West).
To the southeast it is separated from the Japanese island of Tsushima by the Korea Strait.

Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Statutory Body: Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Mandate: Lays down science-based standards and regulates food manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import ensuring safety.
Key Initiative: Eat Right India.
Governing Structure: Food Authority with Chairperson and 22 members (one-third being women).

Membership: India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan.
G4 demands reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories.
Objective: make UNSC more representative, democratic and reflective of present geopolitical realities.
G4 supports greater representation for developing regions, especially Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

It is a multipurpose project with the twin objectives of power generation and flood moderation.
Proposed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited.
Location: The project is located on River Kamla (a major right bank tributary of Subansiri River) in Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh.
Subansiri River is a tributary of mighty Brahmaputra River.
Total installed capacity of the project is 1800 MW (1728 MW in the underground powerhouse and 72 MW in the surface powerhouse).

Habitat: Mainly found in mid-montane grassland of western Himalayas across its global range (Pakistan, India, and Nepal).
“Cheer” refers to the birds’ occurrence near Chir Pine forests and “Pheasant” means a member of the game-bird family which mostly include ground dwelling birds.
Conservation Status: IUCN (Vulnerable); CITES (Appendix I); Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 (Schedule I).

About: The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with a central assistance of Rs 1,00,000 crore for FY 2025–26 to 2030–31, with an extendable implementation period up to FY 2033–34.
It aims to support bankable urban infrastructure projects through a challenge-based approach, catalysing nearly Rs 4 lakh crore in investment over five years.
The scheme represents a paradigm shift from grant-based financing to market-linked, reform-driven, and outcome-oriented urban development, recognising that public finance alone cannot meet urban infrastructure needs.

About: A Substantive Motion is a self-contained proposal that stands on its own and is drafted to express a clear decision of the House without referring to any other motion.
It is used for discussing the conduct of persons in high authority or for making major decisions.
Example: All resolutions are substantive motions because they are complete in themselves and express the decision of the House.
It is used for:
Impeachment of the President.
Removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court.
Election of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
Adjournment motion on a matter of public importance.
Confidence or No-Confidence motion in the Council of Ministers.
Resolution for removal of the Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
Motion declaring a member’s seat vacant.
Motions for discussion on matters of general public interest.

Historical Significance: This shift, ending nearly 8 decades of the PMO functioning from South Block (now part of Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum), occurred on the 95th anniversary of New Delhi’s formal inauguration (13th February, 1931) as India’s modern capital.
Philosophical Meaning: The name derives from Sanskrit: “Seva” means “service” or selfless dedication, while “Teerth (Tirtha)” signifies a “sacred place” or “crossing point” enabling liberation from obstacles.
The complex bears the inscription “Nagrik Devo Bhava” (citizen is akin to God).
Architectural Influences: Designed by Dr Bimal Patel, the entrance portal features stone screen-work from Chalukyan temples (11th-13th centuries), while floral stone motifs derive from square-based geometric temple patterns.
Metal-clad domes inspired by Buddha stupas serve as contemporary accent elements.
It forms a key component of the Central Vista redevelopment project and is clad in white and red sandstone. The facility features modern open workspaces, the high-tech ‘India House’ for international summits, and 4-star green building standards.