10 February 2026 Current Affairs

Banking, Monetary Policy & Financial Regulation

Risk-Based Premium (RBP) for Deposit Insurance – DICGC

• DICGC, with RBI approval, introduced a Risk-Based Premium framework for deposit insurance.

• Premiums payable by banks will now reflect their risk profile , incentivising better risk management.

• Exam relevance:

  • Banking supervision reforms

  • Strengthening depositor protection

  • Shift from uniform pricing to risk-sensitive regulation.

RBI Draft Rules on Credit Derivatives & Total Return Swaps (TRS)

• Draft framework covers derivatives on credit indices and TRS linked to corporate bonds .

• Aim: Deepen corporate bond market, enable hedging of credit risk.

• Useful for GS-III: Financial market development, risk management instruments.

NBFC Registration Relaxation Proposal

• RBI proposed exempting NBFCs with assets below ₹1,000 crore from mandatory registration.

• Rationale: Lower systemic risk; focus supervisory resources on larger entities.

• Exam angle: Proportionate regulation and financial stability.

59th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Meeting

• Held 4–6 February 2026 , chaired by RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra .

• Context: Sixth bi-monthly policy of FY 2025-26.

• Key relevance: Monetary policy transmission, inflation targeting framework.

Penalty on Vinayaka Capsec Pvt Ltd

• RBI imposed ₹1 lakh penalty for regulatory non-compliance.

• Demonstrates enforcement of supervisory discipline.

Measures for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs)

• RBI announced four steps to improve:

  • Credit expansion

  • Operational efficiency

  • Governance capacity

• Exam linkage: Financial inclusion and cooperative banking reform.

Digitalisation of FPI Onboarding

• Kotak Mahindra Bank became the first custodian to issue FPI licence via end-to-end e-signature onboarding .

• Reflects digitisation of capital market processes.

Insurance Distribution Expansion

• HDFC Life partnered with Muthoot FinCorp.

• Objective: Increase insurance penetration via NBFC distribution networks.

Mining, Infrastructure & Strategic Assets

Offshore Areas Mineral Rules, 2026

• Notified by the Ministry of Mines.

• Regulates illegal extraction, storage, transport, and export of offshore minerals (excluding hydrocarbons).

• Significance: Blue economy governance and mineral resource security.

VOC Port Anti-Drone System

• V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Thoothukudi) became the first Indian port to initiate installation of an advanced anti-drone system.

• Enhances protection of critical maritime infrastructure.

Trade, Economy & Institutional Developments

India–USA Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) Framework

• Agreement on a framework toward a future Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) .

• Strategic importance:

  • Market access

  • Supply-chain cooperation

  • Economic diplomacy.

IIFCL Leadership

• Rohit Rishi appointed Managing Director for three years.

• Relevant for infrastructure finance governance.

PFC–REC Proposed Merger

• In-principle approval aligns with Budget 2026 restructuring of public sector NBFCs.

• Objective: Improve capital efficiency and scale in infrastructure financing.

Innovation, Start-ups & Data Governance

IITM–Unicorn Frontier Fund I

• ₹600-crore venture capital fund launched by IIT Madras Research Park with Unicorn India Ventures.

• Focus: Deep-technology startups (AI, robotics, semiconductors).

• Exam relevance: Innovation financing ecosystem.

NSO Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server

• Beta version launched for eSankhyiki portal .

• Enables improved data interoperability and statistical dissemination.

• Important for digital governance and evidence-based policymaking.

Social Justice, Education & Inclusion

DoSJE–Physics Wallah Foundation MoU

• Free online coaching for 5,000 SC, OBC, and PM CARES for Children beneficiaries annually .

• Focus: Equity in access to competitive exam preparation.

International & Global Indicators

WIPO Global Data (2024)

• China ranked first with $785.9 billion , accounting for 27.4% global share.

• Reflects