National News

President Droupadi Murmu Flags Off Ol Chiki 100 Year Celebrations in Delhi

• On February 16, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi, organised by the Ministry of Culture.
• Created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language, Ol Chiki provides a phonetic, 30-letter system that preserves Santali pronunciation and cultural identity.
• The President highlighted the importance of promoting Santhali among younger generations, encouraged literary enrichment and translations, and released a commemorative coin and postage stamp.
• She also felicitated 10 Santal achievers. Over 100 years, Ol Chiki has become central to Santal identity, safeguarding language and literature.
• Santhali, part of the Munda branch of Austroasiatic languages, is spoken across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

14M Downloads, 1M Mobile Updates: Aadhaar App’s Massive Growth Story

• The Unique Identification Authority of India reported nearly 14 million downloads of the Aadhaar App since its launch on January 28, 2026, averaging one lakh downloads daily, reflecting strong public adoption of secure digital identity services.
• Over one million users updated mobile numbers through the app, which also recorded 357,000 biometric lock/unlock transactions and nearly 800,000 e-Aadhaar downloads, highlighting its growing everyday utility.
• Key features include face verification, authentication history, QR-based sharing, and consent-based data minimisation, ensuring privacy-first identity management for Aadhaar Number Holders.
• With its “One Family-One App” feature and expanding offline verification ecosystem, the Aadhaar App strengthens India’s digital governance framework and supports the broader Digital India vision.

JP Nadda to Launch SAHI & BODH at India AI Summit

• Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda will launch SAHI and BODH at the India AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam, marking a major push for responsible AI adoption in healthcare.
• SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) is a national framework guiding ethical, safe, and evidence-based AI deployment.
• It focuses on governance, data stewardship, validation, and alignment with public health priorities to ensure transparent and inclusive AI integration.
• BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI), developed by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur with the National Health Authority, enables privacy-preserving evaluation of AI models using real-world health data under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
• Together, SAHI and BODH aim to strengthen trust, innovation, and global competitiveness in India’s digital health ecosystem.

International News

Tarique Rahman Takes Charge! BNP Chief Sworn in as Bangladesh’s New Prime Minister

• Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on February 17, 2026, after his party’s landslide win in the 13th Parliamentary Elections.
• The oath was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad in Dhaka, marking a break from tradition as the ceremony was held outside Bangabhaban to accommodate around 1,200 guests.
• Rahman’s party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), secured 209 of 297 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami won 68.
• The Awami League was barred from contesting.
• He succeeds Muhammad Yunus, who led an interim government after political unrest in 2024. Rahman’s leadership begins amid economic strain and calls for national reconciliation.

Banking News

SBI Report Flags Record Currency Circulation Amid Digital Push

• Currency in circulation (CiC) in India touched a record ₹40 lakh crore in January 2026, according to a report by the State Bank of India, marking 11.1% year-on-year growth compared to 5.3% last year.
• The rise is driven by strong rural and urban consumption, lower interest rates, tax cuts, and replacement of withdrawn ₹2000 notes with lower denominations like ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500.
• Despite rapid growth in UPI and digital payments, cash demand remains firm as overall economic expansion increases money usage.
• The digital rupee accounts for just 0.03% of total currency value, while paper notes dominate.
• The Reserve Bank of India has also directed banks to increase ₹100 and ₹200 note availability in ATMs, further supporting higher cash circulation.

Economy News

Sugar Exports Cross 2 Lakh Tonnes in 2025-26 Marketing Year

• India’s sugar exports have crossed 2.01 lakh tonnes (2,01,547 tonnes) till February in the 2025-26 marketing year (October–September), according to the All India Sugar Trade Association (AISTA).
• White sugar accounted for 1,63,000 tonnes and refined sugar 37,638 tonnes. The United Arab Emirates emerged as the top destination (47,006 tonnes), followed by Afghanistan, Djibouti, and Bhutan.
• The government has approved 2 million tonnes of exports this year, including an additional 5 lakh tonnes under a pro-rata quota system.
• Meanwhile, sugar production is projected to rise 13% to 29.6 million tonnes, strengthening export capacity while maintaining domestic supply stability.

India’s Trade Deficit Jumps to $34.68 Billion! Why Did Imports Rise 19% in January?

• India’s trade deficit widened to $34.68 billion in January 2026 as imports surged 19% year-on-year to $71.24 billion, while exports rose just 0.6% to $36.56 billion.
• The sharp rise was driven mainly by higher gold and silver imports amid global uncertainty and investment demand, pushing the deficit above December’s $25 billion and far higher than $23.43 billion a year ago.
• Weak export growth reflected soft global demand, though cumulative April–January exports grew 6.15% to $720.76 billion.
• Despite the monthly spike, officials say overall merchandise and services exports remain resilient, with total exports projected to approach $860 billion this fiscal year.

Unemployment Rises to 5%! Why India’s Jobless Rate Hit a 3-Month High in January 2026

• India’s unemployment rate rose to 5% in January 2026, a three-month high, according to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey released by the National Statistics Office.
• Urban unemployment increased to 7% from 6.7% in December, while rural unemployment reached 4.2%, reflecting seasonal labour market adjustments.
• The rise is mainly attributed to post-harvest slowdown in rural areas, reduced temporary farm jobs, and slightly weaker labour force participation, as fewer individuals actively sought work during the period.
• The data is measured under the Current Weekly Status (CWS) method, where a person is considered employed if they worked at least one hour in the previous seven days.
• While 5% unemployment remains moderate by global standards, the uptick signals short-term rural contraction and mild urban job pressure, though seasonal recovery is expected in coming months.

Awards News

What Is Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award? Sadhguru Launches New National Honour on Mahashivaratri

• The Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award was inaugurated by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev during the Mahashivaratri celebrations in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
• Instituted by the Isha Foundation, the national honour recognises outstanding contributions in national security, science and technology, sports, arts, business, literature, and community welfare, aiming to celebrate excellence and inspire nation-building.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended as chief guest and presented the awards.
• Notable recipients included renowned violinist N. Rajam and former Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman S. Kiran Kumar, who highlighted ISRO’s achievements in space exploration.
• The award blends cultural celebration with national recognition, promoting leadership, innovation, and service aligned with India’s holistic development vision.

Defense News

What Is HAMMER? Inside the Precision Weapon India Will Co-Produce with France

• India and France are set to sign an MoU during the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, with Rajnath Singh and Catherine Vautrin formalising plans to manufacture the HAMMER (AASM) air-to-surface weapon in India.
• Developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, HAMMER is already integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Dassault Rafale fleet and enhances stand-off strike capability with precision guidance (INS/GPS, optional IR/Laser) and a rocket booster for extended range.
• Production will occur via a 50:50 joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran, targeting up to 60% indigenisation and boosting India’s Make in India defence manufacturing push.

Rajnath Singh Unveils Missile Integration Facility & AI Push at BEL

• On February 16, 2026, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration Facility at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru, marking a major push for indigenous defense manufacturing.
• He flagged off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat Systems, unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar, and highlighted the Akash missile’s role in strengthening India’s air defense.
• Singh also remotely inaugurated BEL’s Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence in Pune and launched the company’s AI Policy, emphasizing AI for threat prediction, autonomous systems, and real-time decision-making.
• The visit showcased progress in indigenous projects including QRSAM, LCA Mk II, AMCA, Project Kusha, counter-drone systems, and network-centric operations.

MILAN Village Opens in Visakhapatnam For Indian Navy Kicks Off Exercise MILAN 2026

• Indian Navy inaugurated MILAN Village at the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, marking the start of Exercise MILAN 2026, one of the largest multilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific.
• Presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, the village serves as a cultural and social hub for delegates from over 70 countries, featuring folk performances, handicrafts, naval exhibits, and regional cuisine, reflecting the theme “Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration.”
• Held from February 15–25, the exercise includes anti-submarine, air defense, search-and-rescue, and cooperative maritime operations, supporting India’s MAHASAGAR vision and strengthening its role as a responsible maritime security partner while promoting cultural diplomacy.

Summits & Conferences News

PM Modi Unveils India AI Impact Expo 2026 – A New Era of Artificial Intelligence Begins

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam, describing it as a powerful convergence of ideas, innovation, and intent.
• He said the Expo highlights India’s extraordinary AI talent and commitment to shaping Artificial Intelligence for global good.
• The event brings together policymakers, startups, researchers, and global tech leaders, showcasing AI applications in governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and financial inclusion.
• It emphasizes ethical development, data privacy, and inclusive digital access.
• PM Modi reiterated that India’s AI journey will focus on responsible, scalable, and citizen-centric solutions, positioning the country as a leading and trusted innovator in the global AI ecosystem.

Sports News

Norway’s Johannes Klæbo Wins Stunning Relay Gold, Claims 9th Olympic Medal

• Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won his record ninth Winter Olympic medal as Norway captured gold in the men’s 4×7.5km relay at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Tesero, Italy, on February 15, 2026.
• The Norwegian team Klæbo, Emil Iversen, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, and Einar Hedegart finished in 1:04:24.5, ahead of France and Italy.
• With four gold medals at Milano Cortina 2026 alone, Klæbo became the most decorated athlete in Winter Olympic history.
• Calling it the “perfect way” to break the record, he described the relay gold as redemption after Norway’s silver in Beijing and hinted at possibly adding more medals in upcoming events.

Rashid Khan Creates History No Bowler Has Ever Touched

• Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan became the first bowler in history to claim 700 T20 wickets during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against UAE in Delhi, setting a new global benchmark in the shortest format.
• He achieved the milestone in 518 matches, having earlier surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become T20’s leading wicket-taker, and has dismissed a record 432 different batters across leagues and international cricket.
• Rashid also holds 191 T20I wickets, four T20 hat-tricks across major leagues, and the most four-wicket hauls in the format, underlining his dominance and consistency.
• With success spanning Asia, India, Australia, and global franchise leagues, his 700-wicket feat highlights unmatched adaptability, captaincy impact, and sustained excellence in world T20 cricket.

Smriti Mandhana Wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025

• Indian cricket star Smriti Mandhana was named the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year, honoring her key role in India’s historic Women’s World Cup triumph.
• The award was presented in New Delhi on February 16, 2026.
• Mandhana, 29, enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, recording one of the fastest ODI centuries by an Indian and ranking among the leading run-scorers in women’s international cricket.
• Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh won the Emerging Player award after her victory at the FIDE Women’s World Cup at age 20, highlighting India’s rising dominance in global chess.
• Other winners included Preethi Pal (Para-Sportswoman), Anjali Bhagwat (Lifetime Achievement), and the Indian Women’s Cricket Team among the Star Performers.

J&K Captain Paras Dogra Enters Elite Club with Historic Feat

• Jammu & Kashmir captain Paras Dogra created history in the Ranji Trophy by becoming the fastest batter to reach 10,000 runs.
• He achieved the milestone in just 147 innings during the semi-final against Bengal, surpassing Wasim Jaffer, who took 196 innings.
• Dogra scored 58 runs in the match, which marked J&K’s first-ever Ranji semi-final appearance.
• He is only the second player after Jaffer (12,038 runs) to cross 10,000 runs in Ranji history, moving ahead of stalwarts like Amol Muzumdar and Devendra Bundela.
• With 33 centuries and a career spanning over two decades since 2001/02, Dogra’s achievement highlights remarkable consistency and longevity in Indian domestic cricket.

17 February 2026 Current Affairs | Current Affairs Today | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam