Current Affairs 12 February 2026

China Tops Global Research & Deve;opment; India Ranks 7th.

• World Intellectual Property Organization says global R&D hit $2.87 Trillion in 2024, up 3% YoY, nearly tripling since 2000; Asia holds 45% share.
• China leads with $785.9 Billion, narrowly ahead of United States at $781.8 Billion; China’s share surged sharply.
• India ranks 7th at $75.7 Billion, over threefold rise since 2000, but ~10% of China’s outlay.

India’s Doctor Ratio Beats WHO Norm.

• Govt informed Rajya Sabha doctor-population ratio improved to 1:811, surpassing World Health Organisation norm of 1:1000.
• Based on Health Dynamics 2022–23, with 13.88 lakh allopathic & 7.51 lakh AYUSH doctors; 80% active availability assumed.
• Nurse ratio at 2.23/1000; India has 39.40 lakh nursing personnel.
• Centre aids states via the National Health Mission for human resource gaps.

India has assumed the chair of the Kimberley Process for 2026.

• A tripartite initiative involving governments, diamond industry & civil society.
• The KPCS is not a legally binding treaty with an independent supranational enforcement authority; it is a voluntary, participant-driven certification scheme implemented through domestic laws.
• Decisions in the Kimberley Process are taken by consensus & compliance is ensured through national-level implementation.

India-Malaysia to promote bilateral trade in local currencies.

• Aim: Reducing vulnerability to exchange rate volatility, external monetary tightening, and over-reliance on dominant reserve currencies.
• FTAs boost trade via tariffs and market access but don’t enable local currency settlement; this requires central bank tools like swaps and vostro accounts.
• RBI allows global trade invoicing in INR through the Special Rupee Vostro Account framework.

All India Institute of Ayurveda Ink MoU with General Insurance Council.

• AIIA inked an MoU with the General Insurance Council, empanelling it with 32 insurers for cashless Ayurveda treatment.
• Move integrates Ayurveda into mainstream health insurance, boosting access, affordability & patient trust.
• Ministry of Ayush launched Ayush Health Insurance Helpline to assist beneficiaries on coverage and claims.