Daily Current Affairs: 18 February 2026

Tarique Rahman sworn-in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

• Tarique Rahman took oath as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad.
• President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Tarique Rahman and his initial cabinet.
• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won over 200 of the 300 seats in the 12 February parliamentary elections.
• Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha (India), attended the ceremony and handed over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal letter to Tarique Rahman.
• Other foreign attendees included Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Nepal Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Sri Lanka Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, and UK Indo-Pacific Under Secretary Seema Malhotra.

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated centenary celebrations of Ol Chiki script.

Key Updates:

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the centenary celebration of the Ol Chiki script organised by the Ministry of Culture (MoC).
• Ol Chiki script was invented in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language.
• Santhali language was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India in 2003.
• President released a commemorative coin and postage stamp to mark 100 years of Ol Chiki.
• President felicitated 10 achievers from the Santal community for promoting Ol Chiki script.
• Constitution of India was officially translated into Santhali language in Ol Chiki script and released by President in December 2025.

Actor Pravina Deshpande passes away at 60.

Key Updates:

• Pravina Deshpande died on 17 February 2026 after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 60.
• Her cremation was held on 17 February 2026 at 3:00 pm at Hindu Crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, Andheri East.
• She was a member of Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) since 2008.
• Her Hindi film credits include Ready, Ek Villain, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran and Jalebi.
• Her television appearances include Ghar Ek Mandir, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Karam Apnaa Apnaa and Kulfi Kumar Bajewala.
• Her final screen appearance was in the Netflix web series Taskaree.

Nitai Roy Chowdhury sworn in as cabinet minister in Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government.

[Bangladesh, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)]

Key Updates:

• Nitai Roy Chowdhury is the only Hindu minister in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's cabinet.
• He was elected MP from Magura-2 on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ticket, defeating Jamaat-e-Islami rival.
• Chowdhury previously served as Minister of Youth and Sports for about three months from September 1990 in Hussain Muhammad Ershad's government.
• He is Vice Chairman of BNP's Central Committee and a senior advisor and strategist to the party leadership.
• Chowdhury is an alumnus of University of Dhaka and studied law there after early education at Magura Government College.
• His daughter Nipun Roy Chowdhury is an active BNP member and has held district-level leadership positions.

Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launches Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award

Key Updates:

• Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launched the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award to recognise individuals for their contributions to the growth and well-being of the nation.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the launch event as the chief guest and felicitated the award recipients during the Mahashivaratri celebrations.
• The award recognises contributions across seven categories: national security, business, arts and entertainment, sports, community welfare, science and technology, and literature and academia.
• Noted violinist N Rajam was among the individuals honoured with the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award.
• Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Kiran Kumar received the award as a representative of the organisation for its decades of work in space technology.
• The Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award is a national honour established by the Isha Foundation.

Robert Duvall passed away at age 95.

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Robert Duvall died at his home on Sunday, as announced by his wife Luciana Duvall on Monday.
• He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1983 film 'Tender Mercies'.
• Duvall portrayed Tom Hagen in 'The Godfather' and 'The Godfather Part II'.
• He received a total of seven Oscar nominations throughout his career.
• His debut film appearance was as Boo Radley in the 1962 adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
• He played Lt. Col. Kilgore in 'Apocalypse Now', a role that earned him an Oscar nomination.
• Duvall starred as Gus McCrae in the 1989 TV miniseries 'Lonesome Dove', which he called his favorite role.
• He directed and starred in 'The Apostle', which earned him his fifth Oscar nomination.

State Bank of India (SBI) notes cash in circulation hit record Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026.

[State Bank of India (SBI)]

Key Updates:

• Currency in circulation reached Rs 40 lakh crore in January 2026, 11% higher than January 2025.
• UPI transactions touched Rs 28.33 lakh crore in January 2026, up over 20% year-on-year.
• SBI attributes the cash spike to tax enforcement, lower interest rates boosting consumption, and high precious-metal prices prompting households to sell gold and silver.
• 18,000 Goods and Services Tax (GST) notices served to small vendors on UPI dealings coincided with higher ATM withdrawals in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.
• Rs 2,000 notes share fell to 0.02% by volume after withdrawal of Rs 3.56 lakh crore worth from 19 May 2023; share of Rs 100, 200 and 500 notes increased.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed banks in April 2025 to raise Rs 100/200 notes in ATMs and ensure 96% of ATMs dispense these denominations by end-March 2026.
• Cash-to-GDP ratio declined to 11% in FY26 from 14.4% in FY21.

All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) Reports 2.01 Lakh Tonnes Sugar Exports till February 2026

[All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA)]

Key Updates:

• India exported 2,01,547 tonnes of sugar through February in the 2025-26 marketing year.
• The central government approved a total export quota of 2 million tonnes for the 2025-26 marketing year, including a recent addition of 500,000 tonnes.
• White sugar accounted for 163,000 tonnes of total shipments, while refined sugar made up 37,638 tonnes.
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the top destination with 47,006 tonnes, followed by Afghanistan with 46,163 tonnes, Djibouti with 30,147 tonnes, and Bhutan with 20,017 tonnes.
• India's sugar production is estimated to rise by 13 per cent to 29.6 million tonnes in the 2025-26 marketing year, excluding diversion for ethanol.
• The All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA) noted that the additional 500,000-tonne export allocation is on a pro-rata basis and cannot be swapped between mills.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry reports India’s January trade deficit at 3-month high of $34.68 billion

[Ministry of Commerce and Industry]

Key Updates:

• India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to a three-month high of $34.68 billion in January 2026, up from $23.43 billion in the same month the previous year.
• Total merchandise imports for January rose by 19% to reach $71.24 billion, while merchandise exports grew by 0.6% to $36.56 billion.
• Gold imports during the month increased more than fourfold to $12.07 billion, while silver imports rose by 127% to reach $2 billion.
• Services exports are estimated to reach a record high of $43.9 billion in January, marking a 26.3% year-on-year increase.
• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry projects overall exports to reach nearly $860 billion in the current fiscal year, with services exports expected to exceed $410 billion.
• Cumulative exports, including both merchandise and services, rose by 6.15% to $720.76 billion during the April-January period.
• India’s imports from China were recorded at $108.18 billion during the April-January period of the 2025-26 fiscal year.
• Key drivers for goods exports included engineering goods, petroleum products, meat, dairy, and iron ore.
• The primary export destinations for Indian goods were the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, United Kingdom (UK), Italy, and the Netherlands.
• Exports to the United States (US) fell by 21.7% to $6.59 billion in January, attributed to the impact of tariff barriers.
• Non-petroleum and non-gems and jewellery exports contracted by 0.24% to $32.78 billion in January.
• According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), total merchandise exports for the April 2025 to January 2026 period fell by 4.4% to $36.6 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Payment Aggregator (PA) licences to In-Solutions Global Ltd (ISG)

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), In-Solutions Global Ltd (ISG)]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final authorisations to In-Solutions Global Ltd (ISG) to operate as a Payment Aggregator (PA).
• The authorisations cover three specific categories: Online (PA-O), Physical/Offline (PA-P), and Cross-Border (PA-CB).
• The combined licences will enable ISG to provide a unified onboarding and settlement environment for online transactions, in-person payments, and cross-border flows.
• The company also holds an International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) licence and international regulatory permissions to activate global payment corridors.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Bain Capital's acquisition of up to 41.7% stake in Manappuram Finance

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bain Capital, Manappuram Finance]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final approval on 13 February 2026 for the acquisition of up to 41.66 per cent of the paid-up equity capital of Manappuram Finance by Bain Capital.
• The acquisition will be executed through Bain Capital affiliates, BC Asia Investments XXV Ltd and BC Asia Investments XIV Ltd.
• Bain Capital committed to an investment of approximately ₹4,385 crore to acquire an initial 18 per cent stake through preferential allotment of equity shares and warrants at ₹236 per share.
• The transaction includes a mandatory open offer for an additional 26 per cent stake from public shareholders at ₹236 per share, as per the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011.
• Upon completion, Bain Capital will be classified as a promoter and will jointly control Manappuram Finance with the existing promoters.
• The existing promoters will retain a 28.9 per cent stake in the gold loan financier on a fully diluted basis post-investment.
• V P Nandakumar serves as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manappuram Finance.

SAHI and BODH initiatives launched to integrate ethical AI into India’s health system

Key Updates:

• Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched the Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI) and the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH) at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 Day 2.
• SAHI serves as a national guideline for responsible AI adoption in healthcare, covering governance, data management, validation and monitoring of AI tools.
• BODH was developed by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA) and operates under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to evaluate and benchmark AI models using privacy-preserving techniques.
• The summit features over 20 Heads of State, 60 ministers and hundreds of global AI experts, with an AI Expo hosting 300+ exhibition pavilions and 600+ startups across 70,000 square metres at Bharat Mandapam.
• Organisers expect more than 2.5 lakh visitors during the five-day event.

Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum to become world’s largest museum

Key Updates:

• The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) officially moved to the Seva Teerth complex, vacating South Block.
• The relocation clears the path for the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum project in Delhi.
• The museum will span 1.55 lakh square metres, surpassing the British Museum and the Louvre in scale.
• North and South Blocks on Raisina Hill are being retrofitted through adaptive reuse to house the museum.
• The museum is divided into eight thematic segments covering over 5,000 years of Indian civilisation.
• It will feature over 950 rooms, 30 galleries, and display between 80,000 and 100,000 artefacts.
• India has partnered with France Muséums Développement for technical collaboration on the project.
• The first gallery is scheduled to open by December 2026, with full operations expected within three years.
• The museum anticipates an annual footfall of nearly 10 million visitors once fully operational.

Jammu and Kashmir Government to Revive Tulbul Navigation Project and Chenab Water Lifting Scheme

[Jammu and Kashmir]

Key Updates:

• Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project (TNP) and a project to lift water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor for Jammu city.
• The TNP, also known as the Wular Barrage, involves a 135-metre long and 12-metre wide lock-and-control structure at the confluence of the Jhelum river and Wular lake in Sopore.
• The project is designed to store 30,000 acre-feet of water during high-discharge periods to maintain uniform water levels for year-round navigation in the Jhelum river.
• Construction of the TNP originally commenced in 1984 but was suspended in 1989 following objections from Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the eruption of militancy.
• The Government of India put the IWT in abeyance in May 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam and a subsequent four-day conflict under Operation Sindoor.
• The J&K government had previously launched the ₹389-crore centrally sponsored Wular Conservation Project in 2010 to increase the lake's water-holding capacity and promote tourism and fisheries.
• The proposed barrage in the Ningli neighbourhood of Sopore functions as a hydraulic structure combining a river control dam with a navigation lock.

Assam Government Approves 3% Reservation for Tea Tribes and Adivasis in Grade I and II Jobs

[Assam]

Key Updates:

• The Assam government has approved a 3 per cent reservation for tea tribes and Adivasi people in Grade I and Grade II government jobs.
• The reservation policy will extend to recruitment for the Assam Civil Service (ACS) and the Assam Police Service (APS).
• The state government has already implemented a 3 per cent reservation for tea and Adivasi communities under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) quota in Grade III and IV jobs.
• The Assam Cabinet approved ₹335 crore for the establishment of the state's second Sainik School at Langvoku in the Karbi Anglong district.
• Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision during the 19th biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Students’ Association (ATTSA).
• The initiative aims to integrate approximately 40 lakh people from the tea community into the mainstream of society.

CM Shri Schools project launched across Delhi

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

• Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the first CM Shri School at Sarojini Nagar on 17 February 2026.
• Foundation stones for 75 CM Shri School projects across Delhi were laid simultaneously.
• The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) and aims to provide modern, technology-integrated education and improved learning infrastructure.
• Education minister Ashish Sood announced that 7,000 classrooms will be converted into AI-enabled smart classrooms before the government completes its first year in office.
• 175 new ICT labs equipped with 7,000 computers, more than 100 digital libraries and over 175 language labs are being launched.
• The schools will serve children from economically weaker, lower and middle-income families with facilities comparable to private schools.

Supreme Court Recognises Menstrual Health as a Fundamental Right under Article 21

[Supreme Court of India]

Key Updates:

• The Supreme Court (SC) of India recognised access to menstrual health as a fundamental right under Article 21, expanding the constitutional meaning of life and dignity.
• A Bench led by Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan reframed menstrual health and hygiene as an enforceable constitutional entitlement rather than a matter of welfare or budgetary discretion.
• The ruling mandates all government and private schools to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary products to girls in classes 6 to 12.
• Schools are required to ensure access to functional girls’ toilets equipped with covered disposal bins, soap, clean water, and menstrual hygiene management corners.
• The judgement aligns sanitation and dignity with the Right to Education (RTE) under Article 21A and the principle of substantive equality under Article 14.
• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) are directed to integrate gender-responsive curricula.
• District Education Officers are tasked with conducting annual inspections and collecting anonymous student feedback to monitor ground-level compliance.
• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is designated to provide nationwide oversight for the implementation of these directives.
• Private institutions are subject to the ruling, and non-compliance may result in penalties such as derecognition.

Delhi Government launches Bhu-Aadhaar to assign 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)

[Delhi Government]

Key Updates:

• The Delhi government has launched the Bhu-Aadhaar initiative to assign a unique 14-digit identification number to every land parcel in the city to resolve boundary disputes.
• The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN), dubbed Bhu-Aadhaar, is part of the central government's Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) launched in 2021.
• The implementation of the project is being handled by the IT branch of the revenue department with support from the Survey of India (SoI).
• A new digital land map of Delhi will be prepared using drone surveys and high-resolution imaging to generate accurate ULPINs.
• Approximately 2 terabytes (TB) of geospatial data and drone-based Ortho Rectified Images (ORI) are being obtained from the SoI for the project.
• The initiative covers all areas of Delhi, including 48 villages already integrated under the Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.
• A pilot project was successfully completed in Tilangpur Kotla village in West Delhi district, resulting in the generation of 274 ULPIN records.
• The government has allocated ₹1.32 crore for the project to ensure transparency, curb fraudulent transactions, and facilitate coordination among departments.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) clears Rs 11,000 crore highway projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana

[Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana]

Key Updates:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved highway projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana.
• In Maharashtra, the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway-160A will be rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of Rs 3,320.38 crore.
• The 154.635-km NH-160A project in Maharashtra will be executed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
• In Gujarat, the CCEA approved four-laning of the 107.67-km Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha sections of National Highway-56 at a cost of Rs 4,583.64 crore.
• The NH-56 four-laning project in Gujarat is designed for 100 km per hour speed and is expected to cut travel time by 40 per cent.
• In Telangana, the CCEA cleared widening of the 80.01-km Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar stretch of National Highway-167 at a cost of Rs 3,175.08 crore.
• The NH-167 widening project in Telangana will be executed under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) through the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] scheme.

BEL AI Policy and CoE-AI launched to boost indigenous defence innovation

[Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)]

Key Updates:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
• He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
• Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and formally launched BEL’s AI Policy.
• BEL was commended for progress in electronic warfare systems, avionics, naval platforms, electro-optics, and tank electronics.
• Indigenous air defence and anti-drone systems developed by BEL were utilised during Operation Sindoor.
• The minister urged BEL, other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry partners to advance AI and quantum computing for real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, cyber defence, and precision operations.

Department of Posts (DoP) Releases Puppets of India Commemorative Stamp Series

[Department of Posts (DoP)]

Key Updates:

• The Department of Posts (DoP) issued a special set of eight commemorative postage stamps titled Puppets of India on 13 February 2026 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
• The stamps were formally released by Ms. Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), to honour the master puppeteers and the diverse puppetry heritage of India.
• The commemorative set features eight regional traditions: Kathputli (Rajasthan), Yakshagana Sutrada Gombeyatta (Karnataka), Daanger Putul (West Bengal), Kathi Kundhei (Odisha), Benir Putul (West Bengal), Pavakathakali (Kerala), Ravanachhaya (Odisha), and Tolu Bommalatta (Andhra Pradesh).
• The denomination of each stamp in the set is 500 paise (₹5), with the complete set comprising eight stamps.
• The stamp set and associated philatelic products were designed by Shri Sankha Samanta with artistic and textual inputs from Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
• The stamps are available at Philatelic Bureaus across the country and through the official online portal www.epostoffice.gov.in.

Tamil Nadu signs ₹5,980 Crore MoUs for Electronics and Aerospace Investments

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• On 16 February 2026, the Government of Tamil Nadu signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) totalling ₹5,980 crore to strengthen advanced manufacturing in electronics and aerospace.
• MinebeaMitsumi signed an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu (Guidance TN) to invest ₹1,980 crore in the Tiruvallur district for manufacturing precision mechanical and electronic components.
• The MinebeaMitsumi project is expected to generate approximately 1,400 high-end jobs in sectors including automotive, industrial, and electronics.
• Aequs Group signed an MoU worth ₹4,000 crore to establish India’s first fully vertically integrated aircraft engine manufacturing project.
• The Aequs Group project will be situated on a 250-acre site at the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) in Shoolagiri, Krishnagiri district.
• The aerospace initiative is projected to create 7,000 high-quality jobs and will feature an Aerospace and Defence Park for manufacturing aircraft engine and gearbox components.
• The investments aim to benefit local youth and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while positioning Krishnagiri as a high-technology manufacturing centre.

Eastern Naval Command (ENC) inaugurates MILAN Village ahead of International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam

[Eastern Naval Command (ENC)]

Key Updates:

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), inaugurated the MILAN Village at the ENC base in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
• The MILAN Village is set up at the ENC Sailors’ Institute and will serve as the social and cultural hub for Exercise MILAN 2026 and the International Fleet Review.
• The village features stalls from various Indian States and participating foreign navies, displaying traditional handicrafts, artwork and cultural exhibits.
• The International City Parade on RK Beach Road, Visakhapatnam, is scheduled for 19 February 2026 evening with over 70 countries participating.
• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will attend the parade as chief guest.
• The parade will begin at 4 p.m. with an aerial display by Indian Naval fighter aircraft and helicopters.
• Marching contingents and military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will participate, along with ceremonial units from foreign navies.
• Cultural troupes and thematic tableaux highlighting India’s maritime legacy and the traditions of visiting nations will be part of the event.
• The evening will conclude with synchronised fireworks, a laser light show and a drone display, with illuminated warships anchored off the Visakhapatnam coast.

Iran unveils Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile with 2,000 km range

[Iran]

Key Updates:

• Iran deployed the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, also called Kheibar, inside underground missile cities.
• The missile was publicly shown for the first time during the unveiling of a new missile city belonging to the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Khorramshahr-4 has a range of approximately 2,000 kilometres and can carry a 1,500-kilogram warhead.
• The missile uses an Arvand engine with self-igniting fuel, enabling launch from mobile platforms in under 15 minutes.
• It reaches speeds of about Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside it, with total flight time of 10 to 12 minutes.
• The missile features mid-flight guidance and a manoeuvring warhead with tactical engines to improve terminal accuracy and counter electronic warfare.

India and France elevate ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership and launch H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka

[France, Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• India and France upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting in Mumbai.
• The two leaders jointly inaugurated the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line of Tata Airbus in Vemagal, Karnataka.
• The H125 is claimed to be the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the height of Mount Everest and will be manufactured in India for domestic use and exports.
• The first Made-in-India H125 helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
• A total of 21 outcomes were announced covering defence, tech and innovation, startups, critical minerals, advanced materials, health and skilling.
• The facility will produce helicopters for civil and parapublic roles such as emergency medical services, law enforcement and passenger transport.
• Modi and Macron virtually launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.

African Union leaders gather for 39th annual summit amid Trump-era policy shifts

Key Updates:

• The 39th African Union leaders’ summit began with all 55 member states represented.
• US President Donald Trump did not attend the summit but his second-term policies dominated discussions.
• The White House National Security Strategy released in November devoted only three paragraphs to Africa at the end of its 29 pages.
• Trump has dismantled the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and cancelled billions in aid programmes that had provided an estimated 26 percent of Africa’s foreign aid.
• US direct foreign investment in Africa stood at USD 47.47 billion as of 2024.
• The Center for Global Development estimated Trump’s aid cuts could cause 500,000 to 1,000,000 deaths annually, with evidence already seen in rising malnutrition mortality in northern Nigeria and Somalia, food insecurity in northeast Kenya and malaria deaths in northern Cameroon.
• Service interruptions have hit the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programmes across Africa after Trump’s funding freeze.
• The Trump administration has pursued at least 16 preliminary bilateral public-health aid agreements with African countries including Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mozambique and Kenya under its 'America First global health strategy'.
• In April, the US imposed custom tariffs on 20 African countries ranging from 11 percent to 50 percent, with another 29 facing a baseline 10 percent tariff; Lesotho initially faced 50 percent and Madagascar 47 percent, later reduced to 15 percent each.
• Trump temporarily extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act only through the end of 2026, allowing eligible countries to export 1,800 products duty-free to the US.
• The US has stopped processing immigration visas for 75 countries, including 26 African Union member states, prompting three African nations to impose reciprocal travel bans on US citizens.

India hosts International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) in Bengaluru under DRIP Phase II & III

Key Updates:

• International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) held at J.N. Tata Auditorium, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru on 13-14 February 2026.
• Organised by Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti and Water Resources Department, Government of Karnataka in collaboration with Central Water Commission (CWC), IISc Bengaluru and World Bank.
• Inaugurated by Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister of Karnataka; presided over by D.K. Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka.
• Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudary stressed timely implementation of Dam Safety Act, 2021 for India’s 6,500+ specified dams.
• DAMCHAT AI-powered platform launched by International Center of Excellence for Dams (ICED), IIT Roorkee; Jal Shakti Data Management platform of National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) unveiled.
• Publications released: ACIWRM Karnataka publications and Central Water Commission’s Guidelines for Design Flood Estimation for Mini and Micro Catchment Areas.
• 750+ delegates and representatives from 12 countries—India, Austria, Australia, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Canada, Zambia, Zimbabwe, France, Japan, Philippines, United States of America—participated.
• 25 exhibitors showcased technologies, monitoring systems, rehabilitation materials and digital innovations in dam safety.

India inaugurates Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on 13 February 2026

[Goa]

Key Updates:

• Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), DG Paramesh Sivamani, inaugurated the Waterjet Production and Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
• India has become the third country globally, after the United States and South Korea, to host such a specialised production and testing capability.
• The facility was commissioned under a Manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework to establish a domestic supply chain for waterjet propulsion systems.
• The ICG currently operates over 100 MJP waterjet propulsion systems across its fleet, with 42 additional systems planned for ships under construction.
• The new facility will serve as a regional hub for South Asia and adjoining regions while enhancing indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities.
• DG ICG reviewed the progress of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
• The ACV project is India’s first indigenous programme of its kind, featuring approximately 50 per cent indigenous content with the first delivery scheduled for May 2026.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as a key component of the India AI Impact Summit.
• The Expo spans over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and is designed to scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) from demonstrations to industrial deployment.
• The event features over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations structured across three thematic chakras: People, Planet, and Progress.
• A total of 13 country pavilions are featured, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom (UK), Africa, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, and Tajikistan.
• More than 600 high-potential startups are participating to showcase working AI solutions already deployed in real-world settings.
• The five-day summit includes over 500 sessions with more than 3,250 speakers, including OpenAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sam Altman.
• Global leaders attending the summit include French President Emmanuel Macron, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
• The government estimates the event will attract over 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates and technology experts.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru

[Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)]

Key Updates:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
• He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
• Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
• He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
• BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
• Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

UIDAI expands Aadhaar into offline private verification with new app amid privacy concerns

[Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)]

Key Updates:

• Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched a new Aadhaar app and offline verification framework in late January.
• The app allows selective data sharing, such as confirming age without revealing full date of birth, to services like hotels, housing societies, workplaces, and payment devices.
• Ahmedabad City Crime Branch became the first police unit in India to integrate Aadhaar-based offline verification with its guest-monitoring platform PATHIK for hotels and guest accommodations.
• UIDAI is integrating Aadhaar with Google Wallet and discussing similar integration with Apple Wallet, in addition to existing support on Samsung Wallet.
• The new Aadhaar app overtook the older mAadhaar app in monthly downloads, with combined installs rising from nearly 2 million in October to nearly 9 million in December.
• Aadhaar has issued over 1.4 billion identity numbers and handles about 2.5 billion authentication transactions monthly.
• Civil liberties groups warn the expansion risks reintroducing private-sector Aadhaar use barred by a 2018 Supreme Court judgment and raises concerns over data protection and consent.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new Diplura hexapod species Lepidocampa sikkimensis in eastern Himalayas

[Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)]

Key Updates:

• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified the new Diplura species Lepidocampa sikkimensis near Ravangla in Sikkim.
• Additional specimens of Lepidocampa sikkimensis were later found in Kurseong in Bengal.
• The findings were published on 7 January 2026 in the international taxonomic journal Zootaxa.
• The study provides the first DNA barcode data for an Indian Lepidodcampa species.
• The research team rediscovered the rare sub-species Lepidocampa juradii bengalensis after nearly five decades.

5000-year-old Psychrobacter SC65A.3 from Scarisoara Ice Cave resists 10 modern antibiotics.

Key Updates:

• The Institute of Biology Bucharest team extracted a 25-metre ice core from Scarisoara Ice Cave in Romania’s Apuseni mountains.
• Psychrobacter SC65A.3, dormant for 5000 years, carries over 100 resistance-related genes and withstands 28 tested drugs including rifampicin, vancomycin, trimethoprim and metronidazole.
• The genome of SC65A.3 encodes 11 antimicrobial compounds and nearly 600 genes of unknown function, offering potential for new antibiotics and cold-active industrial enzymes.
• Researchers warn that melting ice could release these ancient resistance genes, which may spread to modern pathogens via horizontal gene transfer.

India inaugurates first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Karnataka

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• India’s first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) was inaugurated at Vemagal in the Kolar district of Karnataka.
• The facility is a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and the European aerospace major Airbus to manufacture H125 helicopters.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the facility, which was originally announced during the 2024 Republic Day celebrations.
• The plant will produce the civilian H125 helicopter and the military H125M version, which is intended to succeed the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters used by the Indian armed forces.
• The facility has an initial annual production capacity of 10 helicopters, with the first made-in-India delivery expected in early 2027.
• Helicopters manufactured at the Vemagal site will be compliant with standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
• Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus also operate a separate FAL for the C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• The project aims to serve the Indian market and the broader South Asia region, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
• The H125M variant is designed for high-altitude logistics, tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and medical evacuation operations.
• The collaboration builds on a 60-year industrial relationship between Airbus and the government undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).

National Green Tribunal (NGT) clears Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project

[National Green Tribunal (NGT)]

Key Updates:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) special bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, upheld the environmental clearance for the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project.
• The project covers 166 sq km and involves the construction of a transshipment port, an integrated township, a civil and military airport, and a 450-MVA gas and solar power-based plant.
• The development requires the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land and the felling of nearly one million trees on Great Nicobar Island.
• A High-Powered Committee (HPC) headed by former environment secretary Leena Nandan was constituted to review the project environmental clearance (EC) and compliance.
• The NGT confirmed that the project adheres to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification, 2019, and does not fall within prohibited coastal areas.
• The tribunal mandated specific conservation measures for endemic species, including the leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, robber crab, and Nicobar macaque.
• The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) reported that no coral reefs exist within the immediate project area and recommended the translocation of scattered coral reefs.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is directed to prevent shoreline erosion and protect sandy beaches used as nesting sites for turtles and birds.

Piton de la Fournaise volcano erupts again on Réunion, alert level 2-1 activated

[Réunion]

Key Updates:

• Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion island began a second eruption on 13 February 2026 at around 1:00 PM local time.
• The eruption is confined to the Enclos Fouqué caldera with lava flows descending the Grandes Pentes.
• Authorities activated the ORSEC Alert 2–1 protocol and closed all access to the Enclos Fouqué, including the Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob trail.
• By 9:30 PM on 13 February, the lava front was nearing National Road 2 (RN2) in the Route des Laves area; the road remains open but drivers are advised not to stop.
• Monitoring equipment recorded 551 volcano-tectonic earthquakes at the summit on 13 February 2026.
• GNSS stations detected inflation at both summit and distant locations, indicating magma pressure build-up beneath the surface.
• No significant ash emissions have been reported and no populated areas are currently at risk.
• The previous eruption occurred from 18 January 2026 at 7:42 PM local time, triggered by a seismic crisis that began at 4:34 PM beneath the summit.
• During the January eruption, four fissures opened between 7:45 PM and 8:54 PM along the northern flank of the terminal cone within the Enclos Fouqué.
• Lava discharge rates during the first 24 hours of the January eruption ranged between 2 and 27 cubic metres per second based on satellite thermal data.
• Between 21 and 28 January, monitoring networks recorded an average of about 20 shallow volcano-tectonic earthquakes per day at depths of 1.5–2.2 kilometres beneath the summit.
• On 6 February 2026, a swarm of 343 very small (magnitude <1.0) volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM beneath the summit, accompanied by slight ground deformation.

Annual survey records 17 active White-bellied Sea Eagle nests in Kannur and Kasaragod districts

[Kannur, Kasaragod]

Key Updates:

• The 2026 annual nest monitoring survey recorded 17 active White-bellied Sea Eagle nesting sites in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.
• The survey was conducted jointly by the Malabar Awareness and Rescue Centre for Wildlife (MARC) and the Social Forestry Divisions of Kannur and Kasaragod.
• Of the 17 nests, 10 are located in Kasaragod district and 7 in Kannur district.
• In Kasaragod, all nests were categorised as old, while in Kannur, 4 nests were newly recorded and 3 were old.
• Around 70% of the nests in Kasaragod were found within temple compounds.
• For the first time, a nest was found on a telephone tower at Kattampally.
• The eagles preferred large, mature trees for nesting, including Ficus religiosa (4 nests), Mangifera indica (6), Alstonia scholaris (2), and Casuarina species (3).
• The White-bellied Sea Eagle breeds between January and March and reuses the same nest each year after renovation.
• In Kerala, the species is known to nest only in Kannur and Kasaragod districts.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi performs India’s first telerobotic ultrasound in Antarctica

[Antarctica]

Key Updates:

• Doctors at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi successfully performed a telerobotic ultrasound on a patient at an Indian research station in Antarctica.
• The project is a collaborative initiative involving AIIMS, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR).
• The feasibility trials, which commenced in December 2025, were conducted at India’s operational research stations in Antarctica, Bharati and Maitri.
• The telerobotic system employs a haptic mechatronic device in Delhi and a robotic arm in Antarctica, linked through satellite-based Starlink internet.
• The technology manages a signal transmission delay of approximately 100 milliseconds and uses control algorithms to stabilise the robotic arm's movements.
• This achievement represents the first instance globally where a tele-operated ultrasound diagnostic examination has been performed with the patient physically located in Antarctica.
• The current system utilised an industrial robot, but the collaborating institutions plan to develop a custom medical-grade robot for future phases.

Paras Dogra becomes second batter to scale 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs

Key Updates:

• Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra reached 10,000 Ranji Trophy runs during the semifinal against Bengal at Bengal Cricket Academy ground.
• Dogra scored 58 in the first innings and shared a 143-run stand with Abdul Samad.
• Mumbai’s Wasim Jaffer is the only other batter to have previously achieved the 10,000-run mark in the Ranji Trophy.
• The 41-year-old had already accumulated 10,000 runs in overall First Class cricket before this Ranji milestone.

Smriti Mandhana wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of Year 2025

Key Updates:

• Smriti Mandhana was named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her key role in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory.
• Chess player Divya Deshmukh (20) received the Emerging Player award after her FIDE Women’s World Cup win.
• Preethi Pal won Para-Sportswoman award for two bronze medals at 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field.
• Anjali Bhagwat received Lifetime Achievement Award as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final.
• Award winners were chosen by jury of Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
• BBC Star Performers 2025: Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji, Preethi Pal, Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team.
• BBC Changemakers 2025: Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Rajbir Kaur, Savita Punia, Paani Devi.

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo anchors Norway to relay gold, becomes winningest Winter Olympian with nine golds

[Norway]

Key Updates:

• Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his ninth Winter Olympics gold medal in the men’s 4x7.5km cross-country skiing relay.
• Team Norway finished first, Team France took silver 22.2 seconds behind, and Team Italy claimed bronze 47.9 seconds behind.
• Italy’s bronze was its first cross-country skiing medal of the Milan Cortina Games.
• Klaebo’s gold tally surpasses fellow Norwegians Marit Bjorgen, Ole Einar Bjorndalen and Bjorn Daehlie.
• Norway’s relay team consisted of Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Einar Hedegart and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.
• The 4x7.5km relay was the fourth men’s cross-country event contested in Italy.

India tops Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 with 94 medals

[Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, Delhi]

Key Updates:

• India finished the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship, New Delhi 2026, at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range with 94 medals: 51 gold, 23 silver, 20 bronze.
• On the final day India added six gold, three silver, four bronze medals.
• Amanpreet Singh won 25m centre fire pistol gold with 589-24x; Gurpreet Singh took silver with 584-20x; Ankur Goel claimed bronze with 570-11x; the trio secured team gold.
• Suraj Sharma won 25m Pistol Junior gold with 585-25x; Mukesh Nelavalli secured silver with 582-21x; Abhinav Deshwal took bronze with 573-17x; the trio also won team gold.
• Sift Kaur Samra won 50m Rifle Prone women senior silver with 623.2; Tejaswani Sawant claimed bronze; Yelizaveta Bezrukova of Kazakhstan won gold; Sift, Tejaswani and Manini Kaushik combined for team gold.
• Dhavalika Devi Nyamurus secured 50m Rifle Prone women junior bronze with 614.1; Prachi Gaikwad, Anuskha Thokur and Devi combined for team gold.

India’s first Jain Chadar Mahotsav to be held in Jaisalmer from 6 to 8 March 2026

[Jaisalmer]

Key Updates:

• India’s first Jain Chadar Mahotsav will be organised from 6 to 8 March 2026 in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
• The 872-year-old garments of Dada Shri Jindatt Suri Maharaj will be displayed during the festival.
• Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat will attend on 6 March.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister for Art, Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal are expected on 7 March.
• Punjab Governor Gulab Chandra Kataria will join on 8 March.
• Over 150 Jain saints and more than 30,000 devotees are expected to attend.
• The garments have been preserved in Jaisalmer’s Gyan Bhandar since VS 1945 after being brought from Patan, Gujarat.

Global Tourism Resilience Day observed on February 17

Key Updates:

• Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed annually on February 17.
• The day was established by a United Nations General Assembly resolution led by Jamaica and first celebrated on February 17, 2023.
• The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General praised Jamaica’s leadership in initiating the day.
• Over 90 countries have supported the Global Tourism Resilience Day initiative.