UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 14 February 2026

India believed that Panchsheel Pact settled Border with China: CDS

Context

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) mentioned that India believed the 1954 Panchsheel Agreement effectively addressed the northern boundary question, even though China viewed it differently.

Panchsheel Agreement

In 1954, India recognised Tibet as part of China, and both countries signed the Panchsheel Agreement.

The Panchsheel Agreement stated the five principles as:

Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Rural Transformation Through Decentralization

Context

India’s rural development trajectory over the past decade indicates a structural transition from fragmented welfare provision towards an integrated, decentralised, and community-led development paradigm.

Decentralisation in Governance

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) institutionalised Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as vehicles of grassroots democracy, enabling communities to participate directly in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of development initiatives.

Participation is increasingly supported through capacity building, technology-enabled engagement, strengthened community institutions, and participatory planning and budgeting processes.

Direct fiscal transfers to panchayats have been increased from around ₹2.36 lakh crore under the 15th Finance Commission (2021-2026) to nearly ₹4.35 lakh crore under the 16th Finance Commission (2026-2031).

Reframing India’s Foreign Policy in a Fragmented Global Order

Context

In Parliament, PM Modi acknowledged the undergoing structural shift from rules-based multilateralism to power-driven, transactional geopolitics.

Erosion of Multilateralism

Decline of Consensus-Based Institutions: For decades, institutions like the United Nations and World Trade Organization anchored global rule-making through collective decision-making and diplomacy.

However, this rule-based order has weakened as major powers increasingly bypass consensus mechanisms, rendering institutions less effective.

Rise of Transactional Power Politics: Multilateral platforms are being supplanted by transactional diplomacy where power and bilateral leverage outweigh collective norms.

Renewables to Lead India’s Power Mix by 2070

Context

A study titled “Scenarios Towards Viksit Bharat and Net Zero” by NITI Aayog projects a shift in India’s electricity mix from coal dominance to renewable leadership by 2070.

Present Electricity Landscape of India

Coal remains the backbone of India’s power system, accounting for nearly 74% of electricity generation, ensuring dependable and low-cost base-load supply.

As per IRENA RE Statistics 2025, globally, India stands 3rd in Solar Power installed capacity, 4th in Wind Power capacity and 4th in total Renewable Energy capacity.

India’s total installed capacity stands at 513 GW, of which 48% is fossil-based, 50% is from renewable energy sources and 1.7% is from nuclear energy.

India’s AI Stack For Population-Scale Impact

In News

India is hosting the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi focusing on practical AI deployment and measurable societal outcomes rather than broad policy discussions.

Developments and Applications

Agriculture: AI-driven advisory tools are being used to guide sowing decisions, optimise input use and improve yields.

AI innovations are helping farmers make data-driven, sustainable decisions.

Neoperk provides rapid soil health analysis for optimized fertiliser use,

News In Short 14-02-2026

Context

Kerala has become the first Indian state to designate an official "State Microbe," selecting Bacillus subtilis, a beneficial, soil-dwelling bacterium.

About Bacillus subtilis

It is a non-pathogenic, rod-shaped, gram-positive bacterium found commonly in soil, water, and the human gut.

Bacillus subtilis is a probiotic or good bacterium that plays a vital role in improving gut health and strengthening immunity.