{"id":66393,"date":"2026-02-10T18:34:37","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T13:04:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=66393"},"modified":"2026-02-11T12:18:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T06:48:45","slug":"news-in-short-10-02-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/10-02-2026\/news-in-short-10-02-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 10-02-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bastar Pandum Festival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh for the special celebration of <strong>\u2018Bastar Pandum\u2019 festival.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Festival<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bastar Pandum is a cultural festival celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh showcasing tribal heritage and cultural traditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Held from <strong>February 7 to 9<\/strong>, the festival has emerged as a major cultural platform highlighting Bastar\u2019s tribal identity through <strong>art, music, dance, handicrafts, and indigenous cuisine<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than <strong>700 artists from 84 teams<\/strong> participated in divisional-level competitions across twelve cultural disciplines, including traditional tribal dances, folk music, handicrafts, indigenous musical instruments, and traditional cuisine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/pm-modi-hails-bastar-pandum-festival-says-bastar-now-symbol-of-culture-confidence-and-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DDNews<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Form 7 Controversy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Polity and Governance&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bulk submission of Form 7 applications by anonymous or fraudulent actors during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has triggered controversy over possible misuse of the voter deletion process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Form 7?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Form 7 is used to <strong>object to the inclusion of a name in the electoral roll<\/strong>, including one\u2019s own name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Grounds for objection include: death of the voter, duplicate entry, shifting of residence, ineligibility due to age, citizenship, or misrepresentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Legal Basis: <\/strong>Governed by Section 13(2) of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, framed under the Representation of the People Act, 1950.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An objection must be filed by a person whose name is already included in the electoral roll.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Booth Level Agents (BLAs)<\/strong> are also permitted to file objections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Recent Change:<\/strong> In <strong>2022<\/strong>, the Election Commission amended Form 7 rules to allow <strong>any voter within a constituency<\/strong> to file objections, instead of restricting it to voters from the same polling booth, thereby widening its scope.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Verification Process: <\/strong>After submission, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) conduct physical verification.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In case of death: <\/strong>Death certificate and confirmation by three neighbours are required.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>If the voter is absent: <\/strong>BLO must make three visits to verify shifting of residence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The concerned voter is issued a notice and given an opportunity for hearing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appeals against the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO)\u2019s decision can be filed before the District Magistrate within 15 days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do You Know<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Filing a false declaration is punishable under <strong>Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950<\/strong>, with imprisonment up to one year, or fine, or both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/what-is-the-current-controversy-around-form-7-explained\/article70612544.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bonded Labour Abolition Act 1976: 50 years of abolition law<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>February 9, 1976,<\/strong> marked an important milestone in equality in Indian society with the enactment of the <strong>Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act (BLSA).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bonded labour (or debt bondage)<\/strong> is defined as a <strong>condition <\/strong>where money is lent in such a way that the debtor is forced to <strong>pay back through labour instead of money.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>BLSA is enacted to give effect to<strong> Article 23 of the Constitution<\/strong> (prohibition of trafficking and forced labour).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bonded labour was deeply entrenched<\/strong> due to poverty, caste hierarchies, landlessness, and indebtedness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India ratified ILO Convention No. 29 <\/strong>(Forced Labour) in 1954, strengthening the legal obligation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Abolish the bonded labour system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free bonded labourers and extinguish their debts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevent economic and social exploitation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide a legal framework for rehabilitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India Announces 175-Million-Dollar Special Economic Package for Seychelles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles during the visit of Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie to India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India and Seychelles have also signed <strong>7 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) <\/strong>across various sectors, including Health, Meteorology, Electronics and Information Technology and Good Governance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The agreements include technical and scientific collaboration between the <strong>India Meteorological Department <\/strong>and the <strong>Seychelles Meteorological Authority.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic Importance of Seychelles for India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Geostrategic Location in the Indian Ocean:<\/strong> Seychelles lies near major sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) in the western Indian Ocean.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is critical for maritime domain awareness (MDA) and anti-piracy operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions):\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focuses on maritime security, sustainable development, and regional stability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Expands upon India\u2019s earlier <strong>SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)<\/strong> doctrine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthens India\u2019s role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About Seychelles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seychelles<\/strong> is an archipelago nation of <strong>115 islands<\/strong> in the<strong> western Indian Ocean, <\/strong>northeast of <strong>Madagascar<\/strong>, known as <strong>Africa&#8217;s smallest <\/strong>and least populous country.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Its capital<\/strong> is Victoria on <strong>Mah\u00e9 island.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biodiversity:<\/strong> It is known for rare species like the <strong>Coco de Mer, the Aldabra giant tortoise<\/strong>, and the <strong>rare black parrot.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dcecf3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dcecf3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"168\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-52.png\" alt=\"Seychelles\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-66394\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/pm-modi-highlights-importance-of-seychelles-in-indias-vision-mahasagar-announces-175-million-dollar-special-economic-package\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>\u2018Next-generation System\u2019: To Strengthen Tsunami Monitoring<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India is working towards setting up a <strong>Regional Service Centre (RSC)<\/strong> in the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar islands,<\/strong> aiming to strengthen its existing tsunami monitoring and warning system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Present System:<\/strong> The current system is designed to <strong>mainly detect tsunamis triggered by earthquakes.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) receives earthquake signals and processes<\/strong> its tsunami potential at its Hyderabad centre.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>But this method of marine data gathering <strong>poses limitations with surface buoys often getting stolen or vandalised.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sometimes, data from satellites is also <strong>insufficient.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is now working on developing a good strategy, where the system will be able to<strong> also detect tsunamis triggered by non-seismic causes.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This new centre will also <strong>offer services to partnering countries,<\/strong> including <strong>Sri Lanka, <\/strong>having coasts along the Indian Ocean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>INCOIS <\/strong>is the nodal agency operating the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Globally, <strong>80% of tsunamis<\/strong> are triggered by undersea earthquakes and the remaining occur following <strong>non-seismic causes<\/strong> like landslides, submarine volcanic activity and mudslides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance: <\/strong>The latest infrastructure can further facilitate the monitoring of acoustic signals, which are faster in capturing earthquake signals than the existing network.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reasons for Choosing Andaman &amp; Nicobar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s only known volcano, at the<strong> Barren islands<\/strong> located along the Andaman Sea, may be largely dormant but <strong>holds potential threat.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In case the epicenter of the earthquake or the volcanism is located close to the Andaman and Nicobar islands, then the <strong>severest to be affected by tsunami would be the islanders.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is why India is heavily investing in the Andaman and Nicobar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: IE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Right of Way (RoW) Delays<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Delays arising from Right of Way (RoW) issues have emerged as a major hurdle in India\u2019s power transmission expansion, particularly affecting renewable energy evacuation projects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Right of Way (RoW)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Right of Way refers to the<strong> strip of land beneath and adjacent to a transmission line required for construction, operation, and maintenance.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is also known as the<strong> transmission corridor,<\/strong> which ensures minimum safety clearances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>RoW ensures compliance with <strong>electromagnetic field exposure norms and safety standards.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It allows utilities to <strong>prevent obstruction from tall trees, buildings, or other structures<\/strong> that may interfere with transmission lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Constraints Leading to RoW Delays<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Land Acquisition Issues:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Resistance from landowners demanding higher compensation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disputes over valuation of land under transmission corridors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forest and Environmental Clearances:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Delays in forest clearances for lines passing through protected areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Restrictions in ecologically sensitive zones, including Great Indian Bustard (GIB) habitats.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/cities\/delhi\/25-transmission-projects-facing-delays-due-to-land-acquisition-clearance-majority-are-renewables-10523547\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Mangrove clam (Geloina erosa)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute achieved a global first by inducing captive breeding of <strong>Geloina erosa (mangrove\/mud clam)<\/strong>, offering hope for restoring overexploited populations in Indian mangroves.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Geloina erosa (also Polymesoda erosa) is a large bivalve (up to 10 cm shell width) inhabiting organic-rich, muddy intertidal zones of mangroves and estuaries across South and Southeast Asia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is known locally as <strong>&#8220;Kandal Kakka&#8221; in northern Kerala<\/strong>, it serves as an efficient filter feeder, recycling nutrients, stabilizing sediments via burrowing, and bolstering ecosystem resilience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ecologically, it acts as an efficient filter feeder, improving estuarine water quality through nutrient recycling.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its burrowing behaviour stabilises sediments, enhances nutrient cycling, and strengthens mangrove ecosystem resilience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Chhattisgarh for the special celebration of \u2018Bastar Pandum\u2019 festival. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About the Festival <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Bastar Pandum is a cultural festival celebrated in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh showcasing tribal heritage and cultural traditions. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Held from February 7 to 9, the festival has emerged as a major cultural platform highlighting Bastar\u2019s tribal identity through art, music, dance, handicrafts, and indigenous cuisine. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/10-02-2026\/news-in-short-10-02-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66393","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66393"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66393\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":66411,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66393\/revisions\/66411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66393"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66393"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66393"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}