Daily Current Affairs: 21 February 2026

Nagaland University conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five chemists.

[Nagaland University]

Key Updates:

• Nagaland University presented the awards to prof AK Mallik, prof VS Raja, prof MA Quraishi, prof M Indira Devi, and prof Nitin Chattopadhyay during ICCMR–2026 held from Feb 18-20 at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami.
• Prof AK Mallik of Punjabi University, Patiala, is noted for advances in materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science.
• Prof VS Raja of IIT Bombay is acclaimed for corrosion science and engineering research.
• Prof MA Quraishi, formerly of IIT-BHU Varanasi, is credited with over 380 publications and over 15,000 citations in corrosion science and green chemistry.
• Prof M Indira Devi of Nagaland University specialises in lanthanide complexation and nanomaterials and has served as dean of the school of sciences.
• Prof Nitin Chattopadhyay, former professor and dean at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is renowned for photophysics, photochemistry, and fluorescence sensing and is a CSIR emeritus scientist.

Mani Shankar Mukherjee (Shankar) passes away at 92.

Key Updates:

• Mani Shankar Mukherjee, popularly known as Shankar, died at the age of 92 on Friday.
• He was born in 1933 in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
• Shankar received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021.
• Notable works include Chowrangi, Kato Ajanare, Simabuddha, Janaaranya, and Kumkum Prabhu.

Sameer Kanodia won CEO of the Year® Award for second consecutive year.

Key Updates:

• Sameer Kanodia is the Managing Director and CEO of Lumina Datamatics.
• He received the CEO of the Year® Award at Taj Lands' End, Mumbai.
• The award is part of The Business Leader of the Year®.
• Lumina Datamatics also holds the Great Place to Work Award®.

Eric Dane dies at 53 after Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Eric Dane passed away following a battle with ALS.
• He was 53 years old at the time of his death.
• Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
• He was best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria.
• He joined the board of Target ALS in December and helped one of its campaigns exceed a $500,000 fundraising target.
• Time magazine named him one of its 100 most influential people in health for his ALS advocacy.

Veteran filmmaker MM Baig found dead at his Mumbai home.

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• MM Baig was discovered dead at his residence after neighbours alerted police about a foul smell.
• Police broke in around 1:30-2:00 am and sent the body to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem.
• Baig directed Chhoti Bahu (1994) and the unreleased Massom Gawah (1990).
• He assisted directors J Om Prakash, Vimal Kumar and Rakesh Roshan on films including Aadmi Khilona Hai and Kala Bazaar.
• His daughter Shahinda Baig, known as Baby Guddu, acted in 1980s Hindi films such as Aakhir Kyon?, Nagina and Aulad.

Amazon overtakes Walmart Inc. as world’s largest company by revenue

[United States]

Key Updates:

• Amazon reported $717 billion in sales for calendar year 2025.
• Walmart Inc. reported $713 billion in sales for the fiscal year ended 31 January.
• Amazon’s revenue without cloud computing was $588 billion.
• Amazon is the world’s biggest data center owner.

Waaree Energies to Establish ₹8,175 Crore Lithium-ion Battery Gigafactory in Andhra Pradesh

[Andhra Pradesh, Waaree Energies]

Key Updates:

• Waaree Energies will set up an integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory at Rambilli in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The project involves a total investment of ₹8,175 crore and is expected to generate approximately 3,000 direct jobs.
• The greenfield facility will have a production capacity of 16 GWh, covering cell manufacturing, battery packs, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
• The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has granted in-principle approval for the project.
• The facility is designed to support renewable energy expansion, electric mobility, and grid stability while enhancing strategic manufacturing independence.

US President Trump signs 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of Trade Act 1974 effective 24 Feb.

[United States]

Key Updates:

• US President Donald Trump signed a 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974, effective 12:01 a.m. ET on 24 February.
• The new levy applies for up to 150 days and requires Congressional approval for extension.
• The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled 6–3 that Trump exceeded authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based import tariffs.
• The IEEPA tariffs of 10% to 50% were declared illegal as the 1977 statute does not explicitly authorise duties.
• Twelve US states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont—joined legal challenges against the IEEPA tariffs.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimated maintaining the tariffs could have an economic impact of roughly $3 trillion over the next decade.

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Secures $360 Million Contract from CMA CGM Group

[France, Cochin Shipyard]

Key Updates:

• Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed an international shipbuilding contract worth approximately $360 million (around ₹3,267 crore) with the France-based CMA CGM Group.
• Under the agreement, CSL will construct and deliver six Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered container vessels.
• Each vessel will have a capacity of 1,700 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and is estimated to cost approximately $60 million.
• The vessels will be designed by Korea Maritime Consultants Co., Ltd. (KOMAC) and manufactured at the CSL facility in Kerala.
• The first vessel is expected to be delivered by February 2029, with a subsequent delivery target of two vessels per year.
• This contract has increased the total order book of CSL to approximately ₹23,000 crore.
• The supply agreement was signed in the presence of Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launches India Grids of the Future Accelerator with $25 million funding

Key Updates:

• The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 to modernise power distribution and integrate renewable energy.
• The initiative is supported by the All India DISCOM Association (AIDA), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and designated Champion Utilities.
• GEAPP will deploy up to $25 million by 2028, aiming to unlock a total of $100 million by 2030 to support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of the Government of India.
• Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with AIDA and distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Delhi and Rajasthan as the first cohort of Champion Utilities.
• The accelerator aims to support 15 or more utilities and impact nearly 300 million people through its D4 framework of Digitalisation, Distributed energy resources, Democratisation, and Development.
• The third edition of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE 3.0) was launched to focus on energy storage and grid digitalisation.
• GEAPP was founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) grants final approval to ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group to operate as mutual fund investment manager.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group]

Key Updates:

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given final regulatory nod to ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group to commence operations as investment manager for its mutual fund business in India.
• ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group secured in-principle clearance from SEBI in March 2025 to enter the mutual fund space.
• The firm will offer active equity, passive strategies, hybrid, and fixed-income products.
• ASK Mutual Fund will cater to retail investors, long-term savers, HNIs and institutional participants.
• ASK has over four decades of experience in India’s equity markets through Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and alternative investment platforms.
• In 2022, Blackstone-managed private equity funds acquired majority stake in ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group.

Axis Bank partners IndiGo to launch two co-branded travel credit cards on RuPay and Visa networks.

[Axis Bank, IndiGo, RuPay, Visa]

Key Updates:

• Axis Bank and IndiGo launched the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card priced at ₹799 plus GST targeting mass retail customers.
• The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card is priced at ₹5,000 plus GST and is positioned for affluent customers.
• Both cards are linked to IndiGo’s loyalty programme IndiGo BluChip and allow users to earn reward points on eligible retail and travel spends.
• The IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card offers one BluChip per ₹100 spent on eligible categories, two BluChips per ₹100 on grocery and dining spends, and three BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo transactions.
• Cardholders of the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card receive a 1,200 BluChips voucher on joining, renewal and on achieving specified spending milestones.
• The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card offers seven BluChips per ₹100 spent on IndiGo bookings, three BluChips per ₹100 on hotel and grocery spends, and two BluChips per ₹100 on other eligible transactions.
• The premium variant provides vouchers worth 5,000 BluChips on joining, renewal and milestone spends, complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, and a reduced forex markup of 2.5% on international transactions.
• The products will be available on both the RuPay and Visa networks.

Bihar Cabinet Approves Sonepur International Airport Project and ₹1,302 Crore Land Acquisition Allocation

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• The Bihar state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar, approved the construction of an international airport at Sonepur in Saran district.
• The proposed airport will feature a 4,200-metre runway designed to handle wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
• The project is spread over 4,228 acres and is targeted for completion by the year 2030.
• The Bihar government has allocated ₹1,302 crore for the land acquisition process for the airport, which will be developed in the area between Hajipur and Dumaria.
• The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted site clearance and in-principle approval for the project, which was also mentioned in the Union Budget.
• The state cabinet sanctioned ₹70 crore for anti-erosion work along an embankment between Ismailpur and Bindtoli in Bhagalpur district.
• Bihar currently has operational airports at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, as well as in Gaya, Darbhanga, and Purnia.
• A total of 35 proposals from various departments were approved during the cabinet meeting.

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) Phase 2 Launched with ₹6,839 Crore Outlay

Key Updates:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in a border village in the Cachar district of Assam.
• The second phase of the programme has a total financial outlay of ₹6,839 crore and will be implemented until the financial year 2028-2029.
• The VVP Phase 2 aims to cover 1,954 villages across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
• A total of 140 villages located in Assam have been included for development under the second phase of the scheme.
• The first phase of the VVP was launched in April 2023 at Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh, covering 662 villages in 19 districts along the northern border.
• The programme focuses on comprehensive development through security-related initiatives, scheme saturation, and connectivity programmes to transform border villages into India’s first villages.

Kerala Cabinet approves Kerala Nativity Card Bill to certify state residency

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• The Kerala Cabinet approved the Kerala Nativity Card Bill to issue a formal card as an authorised document to certify a person as a Keralite.
• A native is defined as a person born in Kerala or whose parent or ancestor was born in Kerala, provided they have not acquired foreign citizenship.
• Persons born outside Kerala due to employment or livelihood-related reasons of their parents are also treated as natives if they do not hold foreign citizenship.
• Tahsildars will issue the card, and the Village Office will maintain a nativity card register to track the issued documents.
• The District Collector is empowered to review, modify, or cancel orders passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) regarding card applications.
• The Cabinet decided to establish new fire stations at Mavoor, Neriamangalam, Cheemeni, and Rajakkad, creating 18 posts for the Mavoor station.
• Specific posts sanctioned for the new stations include Assistant Station Officers (ASTO), Senior Fire and Rescue Officers, and Fire and Rescue Officers (Driver).
• The Cabinet approved the creation of 20 Police Constable Driver posts and two Assistant Professor posts in the Department of Forensic Science at Calicut University.
• The Forest Department will supply up to 5,000 metric tonnes of bamboo free of cost annually to the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2030.

Bihar Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme incentivises Maoist Suresh Koda with ₹11.71 lakh package

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• Under Bihar’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme, Suresh Koda will receive ₹3 lakh as the declared reward, ₹5 lakh as incentive assistance, and ₹3.6 lakh as vocational training allowance spread over 36 months.
• An additional ₹71,515 will be paid to Koda as incentive for the surrendered weapons and ammunition.
• The state government is processing further benefits under the rehabilitation policy for Koda and his family.

Three-day Itkhori Mahotsav inaugurated in Chatra

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

• State finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore inaugurated the three-day Rajkiya Itkhori Mahotsav in Chatra on Thursday.
• Excise minister Yogendra Prasad and Chatra MP Kalicharan Singh were also present on the occasion.
• The ministers launched the official website of Bhadrakali Temple and released a coffee table book.
• The first day featured colourful cultural performances, including traditional folk dances.
• Various cultural, spiritual and tourism-related activities have been lined up over the next two days.

IICA Forms Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business to Modernise Corporate Regulations

[Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has constituted a high-level Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
• The panel is chaired by Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IICA.
• The group was established following an MCA order dated 31 December 2025 and is aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• The primary objective of the initiative is to modernise India’s corporate regulatory framework and simplify compliance procedures under the Companies Act, 2013.
• The Advisory Group will focus on rationalising e-forms, reducing procedural duplication, and exploring event-based compliance systems.
• The panel includes representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), and Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).
• Industry bodies represented in the group include the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
• The School of Business Environment at the IICA will serve as the Secretariat for the Advisory Group.
• The IICA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MCA for a research study titled Re-envisioning Ease of Doing Business for Viksit Bharat 2047.

Tamil Nadu Interim Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 2.55 lakh crore

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented a Rs 2,55,391 crore interim budget for 2026-27.
• Rs 4,000 crore allocated for the DMK’s flagship scheme of free bus travel for women.
• Education sector received the highest allocation of Rs 57,039 crore.
• Urban development allocated Rs 35,773 crore and health department Rs 22,090 crore.
• Transport Department allocated Rs 13,062 crore in the Interim Budget Estimates.

United States Department of State launches $200 million Edge AI Package for Indo-Pacific

[United States Department of State]

Key Updates:

• The United States Department of State (US State Department) announced the Edge AI Package on 19 February 2026.
• The programme offers up to $200 million in competitive funding to support secure and affordable smartphones across the Indo-Pacific region.
• It is framed within the broader Pax Silica strategy launched in December 2025 to secure global AI and semiconductor supply chains.
• Pax Silica reportedly includes the United States, Japan and South Korea, with India set to join on 20 February 2026.
• Proposals are invited from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for distributing low-cost, AI-ready smartphones in designated Indo-Pacific countries.
• Interested parties must email EdgeAI@state.gov to request technical requirements and the submission window remains open for 90 days.

India attends inaugural meeting of Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction as observer on 19 February 2026

Key Updates:

• India participated as an observer in the first meeting of the Board of Peace convened by United States (US) President Donald Trump.
• The meeting was held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on 19 February 2026, focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and the mobilisation of an international stabilisation force.
• Namgya C Khampa, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, represented India at the proceedings.
• India is one of 12 countries participating as observers, a group that includes Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK).
• More than 40 countries and the European Union (EU) sent officials to the meeting, which the US President referred to as the Gaza peace plan.
• Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the event as a member of the board alongside other participating world leaders.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026

[International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Russian, Belarusian]

Key Updates:

• The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
• Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
• The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
• NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
• The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.

India hosts India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam featuring eight-year-old Ranvir Sachdeva as youngest speaker

Key Updates:

• The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Eight-year-old coder Ranvir Sachdeva became the youngest keynote speaker to address the summit.
• The keynote address covered the linkage of ancient Indian philosophies with modern Artificial Intelligence (AI), global approaches to AI development, and the application of a recently released Indian AI model.
• Sachdeva met global technology leaders including Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
• He previously met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
• He was recognised as the world’s youngest TEDx speaker at age six and won a gold medal as a Super Presenter in the 2022 Global Reading Challenge.
• The coder developed a prototype rocket ship for Mars exploration which was recognised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
• Sachdeva, who started coding at age three, met Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2023 during the launch of the Apple store in New Delhi.
• He discussed his contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and his role in driving AI literacy.

India formally joins United States-led Pax Silica Declaration during India AI Impact Summit 2026

[United States]

Key Updates:

• India signed the Pax Silica Declaration on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
• Pax Silica is the United States Department of State’s flagship framework for building a trusted technology and industrial partner network.
• Signatories to the Pax Silica Declaration include Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the UAE and the UK.
• Non-signatory participants include Canada, the Netherlands, the European Union (EU), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Taiwan.
• US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described India’s entry as a pivotal moment in the evolving global technology order.
• US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg stated the initiative rejects weaponised dependency and aims to secure the full technology stack from critical minerals to AI deployment.
• The declaration aligns with the India–United States COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership and Accelerated Commerce and Technology) framework.
• Both countries pledged to promote pro-innovation regulation, strengthen the physical AI stack and drive free enterprise under the Pax Silica framework.

India to inaugurate MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise in Visakhapatnam

Key Updates:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally inaugurate MILAN 2026 on Thursday at the Samudrika Auditorium inside the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam.
• Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will attend the inauguration.
• Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February.
• The harbour phase of MILAN 2026 began on Wednesday with cultural performances and a formal dinner for delegates.
• A two-day international maritime seminar starts on Thursday ahead of the official inauguration.
• The sea phase of MILAN 2026 is scheduled from 21 February to 25 February.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and conduct advanced drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and search-and-rescue operations.
• MILAN 2026 has drawn participation from 70 nations, up from 42 nations in the 2022 edition.
• Initiated by the Indian Navy in 1995, MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval engagement that began with Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
• The inaugural edition was held at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The venue was shifted to Visakhapatnam in 2020 due to its more extensive and advanced naval infrastructure.
• MILAN originally aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and later became part of the ‘Act East’ policy and the SAGAR vision.

India to commission third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridhaman by May

Key Updates:

• India is nearing the commissioning of its third homegrown nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, which is expected to enter service by May.
• The submarine was constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme in Visakhapatnam and weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.
• INS Aridhaman is powered by an 83-megawatt nuclear reactor and features advanced indigenous sonar systems named USHUS and Panchendriya.
• The vessel is designed to carry nuclear-capable missiles, including the K-15 Sagarika with a 750-km range and the K-4 missile with a 3,500-km strike range.
• Upon commissioning, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) will operate three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
• The submarine will eventually be stationed at Project Varsha, an ultra-secure naval base situated near Visakhapatnam.
• India is also scheduled to induct the Russian-built nuclear attack submarine Chakra III by 2027-28 and is negotiating with Germany for six submarines under Project-75(I).
• Pakistan is reportedly procuring eight Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines from China as part of a 5 billion dollar deal signed in 2015.

DRDO conducts successful qualification test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute

[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]

Key Updates:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the qualification level load test of the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan programme on 18 February 2026 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
• The test was jointly carried out by teams from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), DRDO and TBRL.
• The RTRS dynamic test simulated qualification level loads higher than maximum flight loads, demonstrating additional design safety margin of the parachute.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, ISRO and Industry on the achievement, stating it advances the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the teams involved in the successful test.

Nepal and India sign Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

[Nepal]

Key Updates:

• The Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in Kathmandu.
• The agreement enables Nepal and India to cooperate in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
• It aims to strengthen cooperation in investigation, prosecution and judicial processes related to criminal cases.
• The agreement facilitates exchange of legal assistance including evidence collection, information sharing and coordination between competent authorities.
• It is expected to help minimise financial crime in Nepal and make criminal investigation, accusation and judicial procedure more effective.
• The agreement will also help combat money laundering and financial investment in terrorist activities.
• Joint Secretary Binod Kumar Bhattarai signed on behalf of the Nepal government.
• Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava signed on behalf of the Indian government.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions and ALA Group sign MoU to target India’s $28 billion aerospace and defence market

[TVS Supply Chain Solutions]

Key Updates:

• TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) signed an MoU with Italy-based ALA Group to jointly pursue opportunities in India’s aerospace and defence supply chain sector.
• India’s aerospace and defence market is estimated at around $28 billion.
• TVS SCS will leverage its domestic presence and UK defence experience; its aerospace, defence and utilities business generates approximately $140 million in annual revenue.
• ALA Group reported revenues of $345 million in 2024 and will contribute aerospace and defence domain expertise, global technology platforms and OEM relationships across Europe, the US and the UK.
• The partnership will focus on integrated production and aftermarket services including production support, spare parts distribution, inventory optimisation, defence-grade logistics, logistics engineering, and MRO support.

Reliance to invest Rs 10 lakh crore in AI compute, green energy and applications

Key Updates:

• Reliance Industries and Jio will invest Rs 10 lakh crore over seven years to build India’s sovereign AI infrastructure, scale green energy and develop affordable AI applications.
• Jio Intelligence will create gigawatt-scale data centres and a nationwide edge network, with a 120 megawatt campus under construction in Jamnagar, Gujarat scheduled to go live in the second half of 2026.
• Reliance will utilise up to 10 gigawatts of green power surplus anchored by solar projects in Kutch, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh to power the AI infrastructure.
• Jio Shikshak provides AI-powered teaching assistance in 22 Indian languages, Jio Arogya AI delivers first medical guidance in under five minutes on any phone, Jio Krishi offers voice-first farm advisory to 140 million farmers, and Jio Bharat IQ serves as a voice-first AI companion.
• Jio Intelligence will follow five principles: AI for deeptech and advanced manufacturing, multilingual AI across Indian languages, responsibility and data residency, job creation through high-skill work, and ecosystem building with enterprises, startups, IITs, IISc and research institutions.

Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at India AI Impact Summit

Key Updates:

• Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, a voluntary framework adopted by global frontier AI companies and Indian innovators.
• The framework aims to promote inclusive and responsible AI development with a Global South perspective.
• The first pledge focuses on advancing understanding of real-world AI usage through anonymised and aggregated insights to support evidence-based policymaking on jobs, skills and economic transformation.
• The second pledge aims to strengthen multilingual and contextual evaluations of AI systems to ensure effective functioning across languages, cultures and practical use cases.
• The India AI Impact Summit was held in New Delhi and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global technology leaders.

GalaxEye's Mission Drishti to carry NVIDIA Jetson Orin for AI-driven Earth observation

Key Updates:

• GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space technology company, will deploy NVIDIA Jetson Orin on its upcoming satellite mission, Mission Drishti.
• Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, integrating Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on a single satellite platform.
• The satellite is designed to accelerate processing and interpretation of Earth observation data in space and quickly deliver insights to customers.
• Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource management.
• The mission will explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres (ODC), where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes.
• GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.

PM Modi announces India-France Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at Kanpur

Key Updates:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.
• The Centre will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• France will collaborate in establishing the Centre, which will offer advanced training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations, airport management, and defence production.
• A Letter of Intent was exchanged between MSDE and the French government to formalise cooperation under PM-SETU, building on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on vocational education and training.

Palaeontologists discover new dinosaur species Spinosaurus mirabilis in Niger’s Sahara

[Niger]

Key Updates:

• Spinosaurus mirabilis, a massive fish-hunting dinosaur, lived 95 million years ago in present-day Niger.
• The species features a rare curved, scimitar-shaped crest on its skull.
• University of Chicago palaeontologist Paul Sereno led the excavation that began with first bones found in 2019 and resumed in 2022.
• The findings were published in the journal Science.
• Unlike coastal relatives, this spinosaur was discovered hundreds of kilometres inland, indicating freshwater river hunting in a once forested landscape.

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) discovers 3-mm crab Galathea balasubramaniani in Lakshadweep coral reefs

[National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lakshadweep]

Key Updates:

• National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Kochi, discovered a 3-mm crab species named Galathea balasubramaniani from Agatti coral reefs in Lakshadweep.
• The species belongs to the genus Galathea, reef-dwelling anomuran crabs known as squat lobsters.
• The crab was identified through morphological comparison and DNA analysis, and findings published in Zootaxa.
• The new species honours T Balasubramanian, former director and dean of Faculty of Marine Sciences at Annamalai University.
• Galathea balasubramaniani differs from its closest relative G mauritiana in leg structure and genetic markers.
• The specimen has been deposited in the national depository of aquatic organisms maintained by NBFGR at Lucknow.

University of Auckland team discovers insulin-like growth factor (IGF) molecule that promotes lymphatic vessel growth, offering potential lymphoedema therapy.

[University of Auckland]

Key Updates:

• Scientists at the University of Auckland identified insulin-like growth factor (IGF) as a driver of lymphatic vessel growth in zebrafish and human cells.
• Approximately 20 percent of New Zealand women who undergo lymph-node removal during breast-cancer treatment develop lymphoedema.
• The research team included Dr Jonathan Astin, Dr Wenxuan Chen, Dr Kate Lee, Dr Justin Rustenhoven and Professor Stefan Bohlander from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland.
• The next experimental step is to test IGF-based therapy in mice with lymphoedema.

University of Warwick (UoW) astronomers discover unique inside-out planetary system around star LHS 1903

[University of Warwick]

Key Updates:

• Astronomers from the University of Warwick (UoW) have discovered a unique planetary system around a cool red dwarf star named LHS 1903.
• The discovery was made using the European Space Agency (ESA) CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS).
• The system consists of four planets arranged in an unusual rocky-gaseous-gaseous-rocky order, which challenges traditional planetary formation models.
• The research, published in the journal Science, proposes a theory of inside-out planet formation where planets develop one after another rather than simultaneously.
• The outermost rocky planet in the LHS 1903 system is believed to have formed in a gas-depleted environment after the system ran out of gas required for gaseous atmospheres.
• Scientists from the University of Birmingham contributed to the analysis and confirmation of the planetary system properties.

BioAsia 2026 Concludes with Record 4500 Delegates and 4000 B2B Meetings

Key Updates:

• BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded in Hyderabad with over 4500 delegates and 4000 high-impact B2B meetings.
• The event theme was ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution’.
• More than 120 startups were shortlisted and 40+ most innovative startups exhibited solutions in MedTech, Medical Devices, BioPharma, Cell and Gene Therapy, AI and ML, Nutraceuticals, and Biomarkers.
• BioAsia 2026 Innovation Awards were presented to Achala Health Services Private Limited, Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Helex, Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd.
• Achala Health Services Private Limited is building India’s first healthcare-focused Small Language Model (SLM) that automates hospital workflows and integrates with EMR, LIMS, RIS, HIS, and pharmacy data.
• Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd integrates next-generation digital vaccine vial monitors with AI-enabled authentication and real-time tracking to predict residual vaccine shelf-life and reduce wastage.
• Helex develops non-viral gene therapies for renal diseases using a proprietary kidney-targeting lipid nanoparticle to restore PKD1 gene expression for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).
• Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd offers Virulina, a triple-action herbal product targeting respiratory viruses, with patent-protected antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd develops BioMap Markers for biopsy procedures that are ultrasonography-sensitive, biocompatible, non-calcified, and metal-free to ensure accurate placement and diagnostic outcomes.

IIT Madras Global launches Applied AI Innovation Centre in Dubai CommerCity

[IIT Madras, United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

• IIT Madras Global Research Foundation will establish its inaugural Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity.
• MCA Gulf is the partner for the centre.
• The centre will initially onboard six early-stage applied AI startups backed by IIT Madras Global.
• The combined valuation of the six startups is estimated near USD 118 million.
• Projections indicate nearly USD 281 million in revenue over five years.
• Details of the centre’s formation were announced during WORLDEF Dubai 2026.
• Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras, stated the facility will scale academic research into industry adoption and advance responsible, people-oriented AI design.
• The centre will focus on local product development, solution deployment, intellectual property creation, and collaboration with government entities, industry stakeholders, and innovation ecosystem partners.
• Amna Lootah, Director-General of Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone, said the partnership reinforces Dubai’s role as a digital trade and advanced technologies hub.

Harmanpreet Kaur becomes most capped international player in women's cricket history

Key Updates:

• Harmanpreet Kaur surpassed Suzie Bates to become the most capped player in women's international cricket with 356 matches.
• She achieved the record during the second T20I of the three-match series against Australia on February 19.
• Ellyse Perry follows with 349 international appearances for Australia.
• Harmanpreet has played 6 Tests, 161 ODIs and 189 T20Is, scoring 200, 4,409 and 3,784 runs respectively.
• She has also featured in 35 Women's Premier League, 62 Women's Big Bash League and 10 Women's 100 matches.

United States of America (USA) defeats Canada to win 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games women's ice hockey gold

[United States, Canada, Italy]

Key Updates:

• The United States of America (USA) defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to secure the gold medal in women's ice hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
• Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal for the USA 4:07 into the overtime period.
• USA captain Hilary Knight scored her 15th career Olympic goal, setting a new record for the most goals in the history of the national team.
• Canada received the silver medal, with Kristin O'Neill scoring their only goal of the match.
• USA goaltender Aerin Frankel recorded 30 saves during the final, ending a tournament shutout streak of 352 minutes and 17 seconds.
• Switzerland won the bronze medal by defeating Sweden 2-1 in overtime, with Alina Muller scoring the decisive goal.
• The victory marked the third Olympic gold medal for the USA in women's ice hockey and their eighth consecutive win against Canada across all competitions.
• The USA and Canada have contested seven of the eight gold medal matches since the sport's Olympic debut at the 1998 Nagano Games.

Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Statehood Day celebrated on February 20

[Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram]

Key Updates:

• Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate their Statehood Day on February 20 every year.
• The article marks 12 years of transformative change in both states since 2015-16.
• Arunachal Pradesh recorded a 166% increase in GSDP since 2015-16.
• Mizoram maintained an average annual real GSDP growth of 10.1% between 2012 and 2022.

78th Zomi National Day celebrated in Manipur

[Manipur]

Key Updates:

• The 78th edition of Zomi National Day was celebrated at the Centenary Hall of the Evangelical Baptist Convention (EBC) in Churachandpur, Manipur.
• Manipur deputy chief minister Losi Dikho attended as chief guest, accompanied by Karong MLA K Kumo Sha, Autonomous District Council (ADC) members of Senapati, deputy commissioner Dharun Kumar S, and representatives from the 27 Sector Assam Rifles.
• The programme included cultural exchanges, special dance performances, choirs from different communities, choreography, mass prayers and a one-minute silence in honour of departed leaders.
• Dikho announced that the turf ground funded under Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been granted, with construction works set to begin soon.

World Day of Social Justice observed on 20 February 2026

Key Updates:

• World Day of Social Justice is observed globally on 20 February every year.
• Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) will observe the day on 20 February 2026 at National Law University (NLU), Dwarka, New Delhi.
• Shri B. L. Verma, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, will read the Preamble to the Constitution of India during the event.
• The observance aims to reaffirm constitutional values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity.
• Senior officers of DoSJE, officials of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), NLU faculty, and students will participate in the programme.

International Asperger’s Day observed on 18 February

Key Updates:

• International Asperger’s Day is observed annually on 18 February to raise awareness about the neurodevelopmental condition.
• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Hans Asperger, an Austrian paediatrician and researcher born in Vienna on 18 February 1906.
• Hans Asperger first described the syndrome in 1944, which is now classified under the broader umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• The condition is characterised by average intelligence and strong language skills, alongside challenges in social communication and understanding.
• Research indicates that ASD is more commonly diagnosed in males, while females often receive later diagnoses due to less visible symptoms.