Master Your Preparation

India's ultimate digital ecosystem for IAS and PCS aspirants. Premium content, expert guidance, and daily precision.

```

Spardha Daily Brief (SDB) – 13 February 2026 | Daily Current Affairs for UPSC & PSC

Spardha Daily Brief - 13/02/2026
Daily Current Affairs

Spardha Daily Brief

13 February 2026

GEOGRAPHY 🌍

Continental Mantle Earthquakes

Why in News: Researchers from Stanford University have prepared the first global map of continental mantle earthquakes.

  • Definition: These earthquakes originate in the mantle beneath continents, deeper than the MohorovičiΔ‡ DiscontinuityThe boundary between the Earth's crust and the mantle where seismic waves change velocity significantly. (Moho).
  • Depth & Detection: Occur >80 km deep. Scientists detect them using Sn wavesHigh-frequency shear waves traveling through the uppermost mantle (3.8-4.5 km/s). and Lg wavesLong-lasting wave trains of trapped, reflected S-waves within the continental crust..
  • Global Hotspots: Clustered primarily beneath the Himalayas and the Bering Strait.
GEOLOGY πŸŒ‹

Mud Volcanoes

Why in News: A rare eruption occurred in Diglipur, Andaman Islands.

Key Mechanics

  • • Formed by mud forced upward by Hydrocarbon gasesOrganic compounds like methane that exert pressure to push mud upward..
  • • Ejects mud, water, & methane (No Lava).
  • Types: 'Porridge Pot' (Boiling) & 'Paint Pot' (Colored).

Indian Context

The only active mud volcanoes in India are located on Baratang Island (Andamans). They play a role in altering coastlines.

INFRASTRUCTURE πŸ’§

Idukki Hydroelectric Project: 50 Years

Milestone: Kerala's largest hydel project celebrates 50 years of operation (1976-2026).

  • πŸ“ Location: Periyar River, Idukki District.
  • ⚡ Capacity: 780 MW (6 x 130 MW).
  • πŸ—️ Engineering Marvel:
    • Idukki Arch Dam: Asia's first double-curvature Arch DamA concrete dam curved upstream in a plan, transmitting water pressure to the canyon walls..
    • Moolamattom Powerhouse: India's longest underground station.
  • 🀝 Partnership: Built with Canadian aid.
GOVERNANCE πŸ›️

Rashtriya Karmayogi Programme

Status: Phase-II concluded; 10.5 lakh civil servants trained.

Goal

Shift from Rule-based to Role-based governance under Mission KarmayogiA National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)..

Core Values

Promotes Seva Bhav (Service) & Svadharma (Duty).

Implemented by Capacity Building Commission (CBC)

HISTORY πŸ“œ

Inscriptions in Valley of the Kings

Discovery: 30 inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit found in Egyptian tombs (1st-3rd Century AD).

  • Significance: Hard evidence of ancient Indo-Egyptian trade and cultural exchange.
  • Location: Valley of the KingsAncient burial site in Thebes (Luxor) for New Kingdom Pharaohs (1539-1077 BC), replacing pyramids. (UNESCO Site).
  • Context: Rock-cut tombs of the New Kingdom era.
ECONOMY 🌿

India at BIOFACH 2026

Achievement: India designated 'Country of the Year' at BIOFACH 2026 (Germany), the world's largest organic trade fair.

Agency APEDAAgricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Ministry of Commerce).
Focus Spices, Pulses, Essential Oils
Water Disputes

🌊 Almatti Dam Dispute

Andhra Pradesh objects to Karnataka raising the dam height on the Krishna River.

Tech Spec: Vertical Kaplan TurbinesAdjustable blade propeller turbines ideal for low head/high flow.. 290 MW Capacity.
Environment

πŸ’ Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

News: Electrocution of a male gibbon in Jorhat, Assam.

Key Fauna: Hoolock Gibbon (India's only ApeTail-less primates with higher cognitive abilities than monkeys.) & Bengal Slow Loris.
BIODIVERSITY 🦁

Lion-Tailed Macaque

Status Endangered (IUCN)
Habitat Endemic to Western GhatsBiodiversity hotspot mountain range along India's west coast.
Behavior Arboreal (Tree-dwelling) & Diurnal. Known as 'Beard Ape'.
HEALTH 🧬

Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs)

New Initiative: India launches first national BiobankA facility that collects and stores biological samples for research. for LSDs.

Mechanism: Missing enzymes in the LysosomeThe cell's waste disposal system/recycling unit. cause toxic buildup.

Genetics: Mostly Autosomal RecessiveRequires two copies of the defective gene (one from each parent) to develop the disease. (e.g., Gaucher, Pompe).

CLIMATE πŸ“‰

Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)

Global leaders recognize India's role in corporate climate action.

  • Mission: Align corporate emissions with the Paris AgreementGlobal treaty to limit warming to 1.5°C..
  • Partners: CDP, UN Global Compact, WRI, WWF.
INDICES πŸ“Ά

Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025

India's Rank
45th
▲ Up 4 Places Publisher: Portulans Institute

Top Performance: #1 in AI Scientific Publications & ICT Services Exports.

POLICY 🍷

UP Excise Export Policy (2026-29)

First State to introduce a dedicated export framework for excise.

  • Incentives: Reduced duty on ENAExtra Neutral Alcohol: High purity ethanol used as the base for alcoholic beverages.. Export charges cut to 25%.
  • New Category: Allows production of "Heritage Wines" for export.

Rapid Revision

Geography 🌍

  • Mantle Quakes: Deep (>80km), Himalayas.
  • Mud Volcanoes: Methane driven, Baratang.
  • Moho: Crust-Mantle boundary.

Bio & Env 🌿

  • Macaque: W. Ghats Endemic.
  • Gibbon Sanctuary: Assam (Hoolock).
  • BIOFACH: Organic Fair (Germany).

Infra πŸ—️

  • Idukki: Arch Dam, 50 Yrs, Kerala.
  • Almatti: Krishna River dispute.
  • Valley of Kings: Egypt (Tamil Script).

Govt πŸ›️

  • Karmayogi: Civil Service Reform.
  • NRI 2025: India #45.
  • UP Policy: Export focus for liquor.
  • LSDs: National Biobank.

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically."

Spardha IAS - Excellence Through Practice | 13/02/2026










WhatsApp

0 Comments

Spardha AI Coach

Your 24/7 UPSC Study Partner

Need help with a topic? Our advanced AI Coach can analyze your query and explain concepts instantly.

Start Chatting ➜ Powered by ChatGPT