NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team - Current Affairs

Context

The Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister called upon Agri Scientists to develop Integrated farming models for small farmers.

About

He mentioned models that integrate poultry, fisheries, animal husbandry, horticulture and other agriculture-based cultivation will help small farmers to get better income.

He also asked them to reduce the number of years for the varieties and hybrids developed in labs to reach farmers from four to five years to just two years.

India to Commit Zero Tax on Digital Services in Trade Pact

Context

India has committed to zero tax on digital services and to refrain from imposing customs duties on digital transmissions under the India–US trade pact.

What Are Digital Services and Digital Transmissions?

Digital services include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms such as Canva and Salesforce, online gaming, e-books, streaming services, automated digital advertising, and cloud-based solutions.

Digital transmissions refer to the cross-border movement of data, including emails, software downloads, cloud services, AI model access, and other electronically delivered content.

No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker of Lok Sabha

Context

A no-confidence motion (resolution for removal) has been submitted against the Lok Sabha Speaker under Article 94(c) of the Constitution of India.

Speaker of Lok Sabha

The presiding officer of India’s Lower House of Parliament, the Lok Sabha Speaker, is the constitutional and ceremonial head of the House.

In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker discharges his/her functions.

SC Seeks Centre’s Report On Action Taken On Its SC/ST Sub-classification Verdict

Context

Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Union Government to submit an affidavit along with an Action Taken Report detailing steps taken to implement its August 1, 2024 Constitution Bench judgment permitting sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SCs) for reservation purposes and extending the creamy layer principle to SCs and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Background: State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024)

Issue Before the Supreme Court: Can states sub-classify Scheduled Castes (SCs)within the Presidential List for the purpose of distributing reservation benefits more equitably?

Can the creamy layer principle be applied to SCs and STs?

Govt Amends IT Rules, with focus on AI content

Context

The Government has introduced the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2026.

About

The amendments are set to come into effect on February 20, 2026, and are aimed at countering the rapid spread of deepfakes, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) across digital platforms.

Synthetic Media: It has defined “synthetic media” as content that can appear like a real person or real event in a manner that may deceive viewers into believing it is genuine.

A Reckoning For India’s Aviation Sector

Published on: 11 February, 2026

Recent disruptions in India’s aviation sector like the Ahmedabad plane crash in June 2025 and large-scale IndiGo flight cancellations and delays in December 2025, exposed deeper structural risks that the problem is no longer temporary or airline-specific.