Legal Current Affairs for 21 February 2026

Launched by: Minister for Electronics and Information Technology at the India AI Impact Summit.
About: It is a voluntary framework by leading frontier AI companies and domestic innovators to advance inclusive, responsible, and equitable AI development and deployment, with emphasis on democratizing access, innovation, and benefits for the Global South.
Outcome: Following two Commitments announced
2nd Commitment (Strengthening Multilingual and Contextual Evaluations): to ensure effectiveness of AI systems across languages, cultures, and real-world use cases.
Organizations will collaborate with governments and local ecosystems to develop datasets, benchmarks, and expertise that support evaluation in under-represented languages and cultural contexts.
1st Commitment (Advancing Understanding of Real-World AI Usage): focuses on data-driven analysis of AI use, helping governments design informed strategies on the impact of AI on jobs, skills, productivity, and economic transformation.

RBI defined freebies as “a public welfare measure such as that is provided free of charge”.
As per RBI, freebies can be distinguished from public or merit goods such as education which have wider and long-term benefits.
Concerns related to freebies
Fiscal Burden: Combined gross fiscal deficit of States rose from 2.6% of GDP in FY22 to 3.2% in FY25. (Economic Survey 2025-26)
Derails Development: Instead of investing in infrastructure and job creation, money is spent on short-term gains. (Economic Survey 2025-26)
Undermines Sustainability: E.g., CAG report flagged free electricity to groundwater depletion (Punjab Case).
Weakens Institutions: E.g., Loan waivers & free power weaken banks, DISCOMs.

Objective: Demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to a Low Earth Orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
Components of the Mission
Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM-3): Formerly known as the GSLV Mk-III, it is a three-stage rocket:
First stage: Two solid-fuel boosters strapped to the rocket core.
Second stage: Powered by two liquid-fuelled, clustered Vikas 2 engines.
Third stage: Equipped with the CE-20 indigenous cryogenic engine, using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as fuel and oxidiser, respectively.
The Orbital Module: two main parts
Crew module: Include environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS), parachutes.
Service module: An unpressurised bus carrying propulsion, power, thermal radiators, and water and oxygen tanks.

MAHASAGAR (2025): Strategic shift from SAGAR doctrine that integrates maritime security with sustainable development on a global scale based on partnership and shared responsibility.
SAGAR (2015) was the foundational vision to ensure a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while promoting the blue economy.
Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): Established in Gurugram (2018), serves as a regional hub for real-time information sharing.
National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC): Appointed to streamline coordination between various ministries (Navy, Coast Guard, MHA) and manage maritime border guarding more effectively.
Multilateral engagements and coordinated patrols: E.g., Exercise MILAN
Space-Based Surveillance: Integration of NavIC and ISRO satellite data for real-time tracking of vessels.

Phase-II of VVP to be launched on February 20, 2025 from Assam’s Cachar district by Union Minister of Home Affairs.
About VVP
Aim: to saturate all villages in such blocks in 4 thematic areas – all-weather road connectivity, telecom connectivity, television connectivity and electrification through scheme convergence.
VVP-I: Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2023 for select villages adjoining the northern border.
VVP-II: Central Sector Scheme approved in 2025, covering identified villages adjoining international land borders of 15 States and 2 UTs, other than northern border already covered under VVP-I.
Objective: to ensure prosperous and safe borders, control trans-border crime and assimilate the border population with the nation and inculcate them ‘as eyes and ears of the border guarding forces’, crucial for internal security.

Aim: To create integrated, closed-loop research platforms where AI-based predictions and laboratory validation operate in a unified framework.
The hubs will focus on genomics diagnostics, biomolecular design, synthetic biology and Ayurveda-based research, aligned with BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Environment, Economy and Employment).
Implementing agency: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

It is a national umbrella initiative toshowcase India’s unique GI products to the globe.
Launched by: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of commerce.
Benefits: provides stronger international recognition, premium positioning, and market access for Indian artisans and farmers.

It is a type of metal-ion battery, similar in some ways to the widely known lithium-ion batteries.
Significance: Zinc ion battery is comparatively cheaper, more environment friendly and safer as compared to lithium ion battery
Basic Components of batteries
Cathode: Common materials used- Nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminium etc.
Anode: Common materials used- Graphite, zinc, silicon, lithium etc.
Electrolyte: A solution that facilitates the flow of ions between the anode and cathode.

Military factions: Sudanese Armed Forces (official military) vs Rapid Support Forces (paramilitary group)
Major Places affected
Khartoum (Capital city)
Darfur Region (West Sudan)- El Fasher (capital of North Darfur), El Geneina, Zamzam Displacement Camp etc.
Other regions: Kordofan region(capital- El Obeid), Blue Nile state
Communities affected: Masalit, Zaghawa, Fur

Conservation status
IUCN Status: Endangered
CITES Listing: Appendix I
WPA Status: Schedule I and IV
Characteristics: Sometimes called bearded monkeys due to grey mane around their face.; tail resembles a lion’s tail.
Habitat: Evergreen rainforests of southern Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka).
Nilgiri-Silent Valley landscape, the Anamalai-Parambikulam complex, the Sharavathi Valley in Karnataka and the Agasthyamalai ranges spanning southern Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Two genetically distinct subpopulations of the species have been identified north and south of Palghat Gap.
Threats: Extensive agriculture, Urbanization and Mining, Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals Logging & wood harvesting etc.

Genesis: Founded in 1974 following the 1973 oil crisis within the OECD framework
Aim: Provides analysis, data, policy recommendations, and solutions to help countries provide secure and sustainable energy for all.
Membership: 32 Member countries and 13 Association countries (India is an associate member)
To become a member of IEA, a country must be a member of OECD in addition to other requirements.

It was established in January 2026.
It originated from the US President’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza (endorsed by UN Security Council through Resolution 2803)
Objective: To transform Gaza into a demilitarized and economically stable territory.
Membership: Chaired by US President with an executive board of select global leaders; invitation-based members, including fixed-term and paid permanent members.