Daily Current Affairs: 23 February 2026

Carl Grillmair, NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal awardee, fatally shot at 67.

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States]

Key Updates:

• Carl Grillmair, 67, was found shot dead on his porch in Llano, Antelope Valley on 16 February 2026.
• He was a research scientist at Caltech's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC).
• Grillmair received NASA's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 2011 for his 2007 paper detecting water on an exoplanet.
• His research focused on dark matter, Milky Way structure, stellar populations and exoplanets.
• Freddy Snyder, 29, was arrested and charged with Grillmair’s murder, carjacking and first-degree burglary.
• On 20 December 2025 Grillmair had called deputies to remove Snyder from his property.

Captain Rohit Rikhye appointed Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) of IndiGo.

[IndiGo]

Key Updates:

• Captain Rohit Rikhye replaced Jason Herter as Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) at IndiGo with immediate effect.
• He will report to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Isidre Porqueras.
• Rikhye has served IndiGo for over 11 years and was previously Chief Pilot -- Standards, QA & Ops Safety.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed penalties totalling Rs 22 crore on IndiGo and directed dismissal of a senior vice-president after December flight disruptions.
• The OCC oversees real-time flight operations including flight planning, tracking, dispatch, crew scheduling and rostering in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Karan Adani received Business Leader of the Year award from All India Management Association (AIMA).

[All India Management Association (AIMA), Adani Group]

Key Updates:

• Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, was honoured as Business Leader of the Year at the Foundation Day of All India Management Association (AIMA).
• He dedicated the award to employees of the Adani Group, stating they work day and night at plants and remote sites across the country.
• Karan Adani credited his father for teaching him perseverance, hard work and long-term thinking.
• He thanked his mother for teaching him compassion, humility and the need to be a better human being.
• He acknowledged the support of his three brothers and his wife Paridhi for their constant encouragement.
• He expressed gratitude to his three daughters for inspiring him daily to be a better father and person.
• The award recognised leadership that combines business growth with strong human values.

Rajan Bajaj appointed MD and CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank

[Slice Small Finance Bank]

Key Updates:

• Rajan Bajaj assumed the post of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Slice Small Finance Bank on 17 February 2026.
• The appointment was approved by the Slice Board, shareholders and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Bajaj, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, founded Slice in 2016 in Bengaluru.
• He previously served as Executive Director of the company.
• He led Slice’s transition from a consumer fintech startup to a regulated bank after its 2024 merger with North East Small Finance Bank.

Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) guarantees $197.67 million to Citibank N.A. for SBI rooftop solar refinancing.

[Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), Citibank N.A., State Bank of India (SBI)]

Key Updates:

• Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) issued a five-year guarantee of $197.67 million to Citibank N.A. for its loan to State Bank of India (SBI).
• The guarantee supports refinancing of a $500 million World Bank facility for grid-connected rooftop solar photovoltaic systems for commercial and industrial users across India.
• SBI launched the programme in 2016 with World Bank financing and technical assistance and has achieved 1,004 MW of rooftop solar installations.
• Citibank acted as sole lender and coordinator, building on a 2024 collaboration.
• The refinancing is expected to reduce borrowing costs and diversify funding sources while shifting loan exposure to commercial lenders.
• SBI must allocate 7.5% of domestic advances to green financing as India requires $160 billion to $300 billion annually to reach net zero by 2070.

ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company launches Swasthya Pension Scheme under PFRDA sandbox

[ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)]

Key Updates:

• ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company introduced the Swasthya Pension Scheme under the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) regulatory sandbox framework.
• Subscribers can make multiple withdrawals of up to 25 per cent of their own contributions.
• In medical emergencies exceeding 70 per cent of the corpus, premature closure is allowed with payments made directly to the healthcare provider.
• For the sandbox phase, the healthcare network is anchored by Apollo Hospitals and services are accessible through the Apollo 24/7 app, pharmacies, hospitals and diagnostic centres.
• Physical pharmacies and hospitals under the scheme are currently limited to Bengaluru and Hyderabad during the pilot.
• KFin Technologies is the digital partner for the initiative.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launches UPI One World wallet for foreign delegates at India AI Impact Summit 2026

[National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)]

Key Updates:

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) extended UPI One World wallet service to international delegates attending India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16-20 February.
• The wallet enables inbound foreign travellers from over 40 countries to perform real-time Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions across India without a local bank account or Indian mobile number.
• Maximum loading limit is Rs 25,000 per transaction and Rs 50,000 per month; remaining balance can be transferred back to the original payment source per foreign exchange regulations.
• Wallet accessible at New Delhi International Airport and NPCI Pavilion; loading done via international debit or credit cards and payments made by scanning standard UPI QR codes.
• UPI processed 21.70 billion transactions in January 2026.

Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) Launches Vanjeevi Didi Initiative for Wildlife Conservation

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

• The south division of the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) introduced the Vanjeevi Didi initiative to involve educated local women in safeguarding forests and wildlife.
• The project was launched on 17 February in the Garu range, initially covering 17 identified villages including Henar, Surkumi, Hasua, Armu, Kotam, and Pandra.
• Under the initiative, 18 women from each village, mostly college graduates or postgraduates, serve as PTR ambassadors to motivate their communities against habitat destruction.
• Each participant, known as a Vanjeevi Didi, receives a monthly incentive of ₹3,000 for their services.
• The ambassadors are also responsible for promoting school enrolment and sharing information about state government employment notices and developmental schemes.
• The initiative is patterned after Sakhi Mandals and is initially scheduled for a two-month period, subject to review for further extension.

Davem–Sanvordem Bridge Project: ₹29.9 Crore Infrastructure Development in Goa

[Goa]

Key Updates:

• Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant laid the foundation stone for a new two-lane bridge connecting Davem and Sanvordem villages in Sattari.
• The project, valued at ₹29.9 crore, is being executed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) for the Public Works Department (PWD).
• The infrastructure will feature a two-lane bridge with footpaths on both sides and includes the construction of approach roads.
• The new bridge will replace an existing narrow single-lane bridge, reducing travel distance by 7–8 km for commuters travelling towards Ponda and South Goa.
• The project is designed to ease traffic congestion by allowing motorists to bypass the Valpoi market, saving time and fuel.

Karnataka government mulls social media and mobile phone ban for children under 16

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sought views from vice chancellors on banning social media and mobile phones for children below 16 years during an interaction at the Karnataka State Higher Education Council.
• The proposal cites Australia and other Western countries that have implemented similar bans to curb gadget overuse affecting learning, behaviour, and mental health.
• Some vice chancellors noted that elite private schools assign homework via mobile phones, while the CM emphasised protecting government school students from being misled.
• IT Minister Priyanka Kharge had earlier stated in the Assembly that the government is considering a ban on social media for minors.

Soundala Gram Panchayat passes resolution to become caste-free

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The Gram Sabha of Soundala village in Maharashtra passed a resolution on 5 February to declare the village caste-free and end discrimination based on caste, religion, creed, or race.
• Led by Sarpanch Sharad Argade, the resolution adopts the principle of My religion — humanity and mandates equal rights for all residents.
• The policy ensures that all public places, government services, water sources, temples, crematoriums, and schools remain open to every member of the community.
• Village authorities are authorised to take action against social media posts that incite caste-based tension or hatred.
• Soundala has a population of approximately 2,500, consisting of 65 per cent Marathas and 20 per cent Scheduled Caste (SC) residents.
• The Gram Sabha previously passed a resolution in September 2024 to provide ₹11,000 for widow remarriage to combat social exclusion.
• In November 2024, the village banned the use of derogatory curse words against women and implemented a fine of ₹500 for violators.
• The village dispute resolution council, known as the Tanta-Mukti Samiti, is headed by Sanjay Gore from the SC community.

Export Promotion Mission (EPM) ₹25,060-crore seven-point plan to boost exports

Key Updates:

• Export Promotion Mission (EPM) launched by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal with ₹25,060-crore outlay over six years.
• Live Events Direct E-Commerce Credit Facility offers up to ₹50-lakh credit with 90% guarantee for digital exporters.
• Overseas Inventory Credit Facility provides up to ₹5-crore credit, 75% guarantee and 2.75% interest subvention capped at ₹15-lakh per year.
• Interest subvention of 2.75% on export factoring through RBI- or IFSCA-recognised entities, capped at ₹50-lakh per MSME annually.
• Trade Regulations, Accreditation and Compliance Enablement (TRACE) reimburses 60% of certification costs under Positive List and 75% under Priority Positive List with annual ceiling of ₹25-lakh per entity.
• Facilitating Logistics, Overseas Warehousing and Fulfilment (FLOW) gives up to 30% support for approved overseas warehousing costs over three years.
• Logistics Interventions for Freight and Transport (LIFT) reimburses up to 30% of eligible freight expenses, capped at ₹20-lakh per year for exporters in northeastern and hilly regions.
• INSIGHT programme covers 50% of project costs for trade intelligence, up to 100% for government or Indian mission proposals.

88 countries sign New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact at India AI Impact Summit

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

• 88 countries and international organisations, including the United States, China, France, Australia and the UK, signed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact on Friday.
• The declaration was the key outcome document of the five-day India AI Impact Summit held in New Delhi.
• Signatories endorsed a Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI to promote access to foundational AI resources and support locally relevant innovation.
• The Global AI Impact Commons was noted as a voluntary platform to encourage adoption and scale-up of successful AI use cases across regions.
• The Trusted AI Commons was endorsed as a collaborative platform consolidating technical resources, tools, benchmarks and best practices.
• The declaration backed creation of an International Network of AI for Science Institutions to connect scientific communities and pool AI research capabilities.
• Signatories endorsed voluntary guiding principles for reskilling in the age of AI and a playbook on AI workforce development.
• Voluntary Guiding Principles on Resilient, Innovative, and Efficient Artificial Intelligence were also noted in the declaration.

Israel conducts air strikes in Lebanon on 21 February 2026; senior Hezbollah leader killed

[Israel, Lebanon]

Key Updates:

• At least 12 people were killed and 24 wounded in Israeli air strikes targeting Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley.
• Senior Hezbollah leader Hussein Yaghi, the son of former lawmaker Mohamed Yaghi, was killed in the strikes targeting command centres.
• An Israeli strike on the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in the port city of Sidon resulted in the deaths of two members of Hamas.
• The military actions occurred despite a fragile United States (US)-brokered ceasefire established in 2024 to end cross-border hostilities.
• The Israeli military stated the strikes targeted command centres of Hezbollah and Hamas, while Hamas claimed the targeted building in Sidon belonged to a joint security force.

Indian Army Konark Corps tests Strela-10 VSHORADS in Pokhran on 19 February 2026

Key Updates:

• The Blazing Skies Brigade of the Indian Army (IA) Konark Corps conducted a high-intensity test firing of the Strela-10 Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS).
• The exercise was carried out at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan to validate combat readiness against low-altitude aerial threats.
• The Strela-10 is a Soviet-designed surface-to-air missile system launched from a BMP-based mobile platform.
• The system has an effective engagement range of approximately 6 to 10 kilometres and is designed to neutralise helicopters and drones.
• Unlike radar-dependent systems, this VSHORADS relies significantly on visual target acquisition for operational success.
• India is currently developing an indigenous version of the VSHORADS with an approximate engagement range of 6 kilometres.
• The IA drill in the desert terrain aimed to sharpen crew coordination and test engagement protocols under realistic battlefield conditions.

UAE unveils two gene therapy projects targeting monogenic autism and paediatric neurodegenerative disorders

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

• Emirates Health Services (EHS) announced two gene therapy initiatives for rare neurological and genetic disorders in children.
• The first project targets monogenic autism and epilepsy, including Beta-Propeller Protein-Associated Neurodegeneration (BPAN).
• Enhanced gene delivery systems will target specific brain cells to improve efficacy and safety.
• The second project will develop genetic interventions, repair faulty genes, and use cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Artificial intelligence and Emirati Genome Programme data will identify at-risk children for earlier diagnosis.
• Both projects are developed in collaboration with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Norway breaks own gold medal record at Milano Cortina Winter Olympics

[Norway]

Key Updates:

• Norway won its 17th gold medal of the Milano Cortina Winter Games when Johannes Dale-Skjevdal claimed victory in the 15-kilometre mass start biathlon race.
• Dale-Skjevdal hit all 20 targets and finished in 39 minutes, 17.1 seconds on 20 February 2026 in Anterselva, Italy.
• Sturla Holm Laegreid of Norway took silver, 10.5 seconds behind, for his fifth medal of these Games.
• Quentin Fillon Maillet of France secured bronze, 25.6 seconds behind Dale-Skjevdal.
• Norway’s previous record was 16 golds at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
• Norway leads the overall medal table with 37 medals (17 golds), followed by Team USA with 27 medals (9 golds) and host Italy with 27 medals.

Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title

[Belgium]

Key Updates:

• Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the ITF Women’s Open W100 singles final in Bengaluru.
• Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009.
• Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 points and $8,147.

Ellyse Perry completes 350 international matches for Australia

[Australia]

Key Updates:

• Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry became the first player to represent Australia in 350 international cricket matches across all formats.
• She achieved this milestone during the third Women's Twenty20 International (WT20I) match against India held in Adelaide, Australia.
• Perry is the third most capped player in women's international cricket, trailing India's Harmanpreet Kaur (357) and New Zealand's Suzie Bates (355).
• She is the first woman to represent Australia in the World Cups of two different sports, having played in the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women's World Cup 2011.
• Her career honours include winning eight world championships with Australia, eleven Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) titles, two Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) titles, and one Women's Premier League (WPL) title.
• Perry debuted for Australia at the age of 16 in July 2007 against New Zealand, becoming the youngest player to represent the country.
• Her statistical record includes 930 runs in 14 Tests, 4505 runs in 165 Women's One Day Internationals (WODI), and 2200 runs with 126 wickets in 171 WT20Is.

Boong wins Best Children’s & Family Film award at BAFTA 2026

[British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

• Manipuri-language film Boong won the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) held at the Royal Festival Hall in London.
• Boong was produced by Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment and Suitable Pictures and beat Zootopia 2, Arco and Lilo & Stitch in the category.
• Director Lakshmipriya Devi and producers Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar and Alan McAlex received the award.

Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai wins UNESCO Award of Merit 2025

[UNESCO, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

• The 475-year-old Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Vasai, Maharashtra, received the Award of Merit at the 2025 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
• The restoration project, executed by conservation architect Ainsley Lewis between 2023 and 2024, cost approximately Rs 4.5 crore and was funded by the local community.
• The cathedral is a 16th-century stone structure built using mud instead of cement, representing the architectural legacy of Portuguese colonial architecture in India.
• The 2025 edition marked the silver jubilee of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards, with winners selected from 90 entries across 16 countries.
• The highest Award of Distinction was shared by the Iwami Ginzan Library Conservation Project in Japan and the Sihang Warehouse Conservation Project in China.

National Chintan Shivir concluded at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• The two-day National Chintan Shivir was organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs at Nalanda University in Rajgir, Bihar.
• Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the NIGRANI App, Haj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots during the event.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PMVIKAS), National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), UMEED Central Portal and Haj modernisation were showcased as key minority welfare initiatives.
• Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs George Kurian described PMJVK as a transformative scheme for infrastructure development in minority concentration areas.
• Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, acknowledged the support of the Bihar Government and Nalanda University officials for hosting the Shivir.
• State Ministers Imkong Mar (Nagaland), Kento Jini (Arunachal Pradesh), Samdup Lepcha (Sikkim) and Sukla Charan Noatia (Tripura) shared regional perspectives on minority welfare schemes.
• The Chintan Shivir focused on five thematic areas: Infrastructure Development (PMJVK), Socio-economic Empowerment (PMVIKAS + NMDFC), Waqf Management, Haj Management and Scholarship Schemes.

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 50th Anniversary on February 9, 2026

Key Updates:

• The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was enacted by the Parliament of India on February 9, 1976, to eradicate forced labour practices.
• The legislation will mark its 50th anniversary of implementation on February 9, 2026.
• The Government of Karnataka provides immediate financial assistance of ₹30,000 to rescued bonded labourers from the Bonded Labour Corpus Fund.
• Rescued bonded labourers in Karnataka are entitled to a monthly social security payment of ₹2,000 for a duration of 24 months.
• The Karnataka government has notified 52 authorities across 15 departments as bonded labour prohibition officers to enforce the Act.
• A seven-member committee has been constituted by the Karnataka government to study the prevalence of the bonded labour system and provide recommendations.
• Purusaala Lingamma, a survivor from the Chenchu tribe, was elected as the sarpanch of Amaragiri village in Telangana on December 14, 2025.
• Ranjita Rana, a survivor from Odisha, was appointed as a paralegal volunteer in September 2025 and serves as the secretary of the Shram Vahini organisation.
• The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) of Rajasthan Police honoured Ranjita Rana in July 2025 for her contributions to raising awareness against bonded labour.
• Govind, a survivor from Bihar, established the Nai Pehchan Sangathan Sitamarhi to advocate for the rights of rescued labourers and raise awareness.
• The state of Karnataka has implemented the 2016 revised and revamped guidelines to enhance the rescue and rehabilitation of bonded labourers.

World Pangolin Day 2026 highlights 500,000+ pangolins seized globally between 2016 and 2024

Key Updates:

• World Pangolin Day 2026 was marked by release of a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) report.
• The CITES report recorded 2,222 seizures of pangolins and their parts in 49 countries involving an estimated 553,042 pangolins during 2016-2024.
• China and Viet Nam were the main alleged destinations for illegally traded pangolin parts.
• India is home to two of the eight recognised pangolin species: Indian pangolin and Chinese pangolin.
• India did not provide data for the 2025 CITES reporting cycle.