1) 🇮🇳National   INS Aridhaman Commissioned: India has officially commissioned its third indigenous Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, significantly strengthening the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad. Gaganyaan Milestone: DRDO successfully conducted the qualification level load test of the drogue parachutefor the Gaganyaan mission. This ensures the stability of the crew module during its high-speed atmospheric re-entry. Rajkiya Itkhori Mahotsav: The annual three-day cultural festival began in Chatra, Jharkhand, celebrating the unique confluence of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain heritage at the Itkhori temple complex. Vande Mataram Protocol: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued the first-ever formal protocol for singing the National Song, Vande Mataram, specifying that all six stanzas be sung in 3 minutes and 10 seconds during official functions. 2) 🌍International Global AI Dialogue: The UN General Assembly has appointed a 40-member Independent International Scientific Panel on AI to assess global risks. Notable Indian representation includes Professor Balaraman Ravindran from IIT Madras. Winter Paralympics 2026: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, allowing them to compete under their national flags at the Milano-Cortina Games. India-Antarctic Expedition: Researchers from the UAE have joined the Maitri Research Station as part of India's 45th Antarctic Expedition, marking a new chapter in bilateral polar research. 3) 💰Economy IndiaAI Mission Funding: The Government of India has allocated $1.25 billion to the IndiaAI Mission to build indigenous foundation models and democratise access to computing power for startups. New GDP & IIP Base Year: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has officially updated the base year for GDP and Index of Industrial Production (IIP) to 2022-23 (previously 2011-12). Rice Export Pact: India has signed a five-year agreement with the World Food Programme (WFP) to supply rice for global hunger relief, reinforcing its role as a key contributor to global food security. 4) 🗓️Date’s importance World Day of Social Justice: Observed annually on 20 February to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, gender inequality, and unemployment. 2026 Theme: "Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice." 5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Gyanesh Kumar: He has been appointed as India's 26th Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), taking charge of the constitutional body ahead of significant state and local polls. Tarique Rahman: The newly sworn-in Prime Minister of Bangladesh, whose leadership marks the end of the interim administration following the 2024 political shift. 6) 🏅Sports T20 World Cup 2026: India remains unbeaten in the group stages and has officially qualified for the Super 8 stage. Ski Mountaineering Debut: The sport made its historic Olympic debut at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, with Marianne Fatton (Switzerland) winning the first-ever gold medal in the event. Chennai Open: Indian men's tennis saw a major update as Kyrian Jacquet clinched the singles title at the recent Chennai Open. 7) 🏆Awards Meghalaya’s Organic Award: The state of Meghalaya was honoured at BIOFACH 2026 in Germany for its excellence as an institution-backed organic sourcing destination in Northeast India. Laurel Award 2026: The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has named legendary filmmaker James Cameron as the recipient of the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. 8) ⭐️Other important significance Bee Corridors: NHAI has launched a unique green initiative to develop "Pollinator/Bee Corridors" along National Highways, planting flowering clusters at 500m intervals to support local biodiversity. Deepfake 3-Hour Rule: The Centre's mandate for social media platforms to remove flagged AI-generated deepfake content within three hours is now in effect under the updated IT Rules. 📚Word of the day Quiddity Meaning: The inherent nature or essence of someone or something; a distinctive feature. Usage: "The quiddity of the IndiaAI Mission lies in its focus on democratising advanced technology for the common man."  

1) 🇮🇳National Delhi Declaration Adopted: At the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, world leaders formally adopted the 'Delhi Declaration', positioning India as a global leader in responsible AI governance. Bee Corridors on Highways: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched a unique initiative to establish "Bee Corridors" along national highways to promote biodiversity and support pollination. Mizoram Rail Connectivity: The Northeast Frontier Railway announced the commencement of the Silchar–Sairang passenger train service, significantly enhancing rail links to Mizoram. New Species Discovered: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India discovered a new species of wingless soil-dwelling micro-arthropod named Lepidocampa sikkimensis in the Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim). Uttarakhand Solar Milestone: Uttarakhand has officially surpassed the 1 GW milestone in installed solar energy capacity, marking a major step in the state's green energy transition. 2) 🌍International Japan’s Leadership: Sanae Takaichi has been formally reappointed as the Prime Minister of Japan following a landslide victory in the snap lower house elections. UN AI Scientific Panel: The UN General Assembly appointed a 40-member Independent International Scientific Panel on AI to assess global risks; IIT Madras professor Balaraman Ravindran is a key member. Poland Security Ban: Poland has banned Chinese-made vehicles from entering its military installations, citing national security concerns regarding modern automotive data technology. India at UN: India endorsed a United Nations statement alongside 100 other countries condemning certain actions in the West Bank, reaffirming its stance on regional stability. 3) 💰Economy India’s 2047 Vision: Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated that India is on track to add USD 26 trillion to its economy by 2047, highlighting the "India Opportunity" as the most significant global growth driver. GDP Base Year: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced 2022-23 as the new base year for calculating GDP and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP). Digital Banking Portal: Indian Overseas Bank launched an 'Online Death Claim Settlement Portal' to digitise and expedite the process for legal heirs, covering claims up to ₹15 lakh. 4) 🗓️Date’s importance Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti: 19 February marks the birth anniversary of the legendary Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, celebrated widely for his bravery and administrative skills. Historical Event (1878): Thomas Edison received a patent for the phonograph on this day, the first machine capable of recording and reproducing sound. Space History (1986): The Soviet Union launched the 'Mir' space station, the world’s first modular space station. 5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Gyanesh Kumar: Highlighted in recent appointments as India’s 26th Chief Election Commissioner, leading the constitutional body responsible for conducting national and state elections. 6) 🏅Sports Project Cheetah Success: Three new cubs were born to a South African cheetah named 'Gamini' at Kuno National Park, taking the total cheetah population in India to 38. Olympic Hockey: In a thriller, the U.S. defeated Sweden 2-1 in overtime to reach the semifinals, with Quinn Hughes scoring the winning goal. Chennai Open: Kyrian Jacquet clinched the men's singles title at the Chennai Open Tennis tournament. 7) 🏆Awards WGA Laurel Award: Legendary filmmaker James Cameron has been named the recipient of the 2026 Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement by the Writers Guild of America (WGA). Stone Award 2026: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Natasha Trethewey has been named the recipient of the Stone Award for Literary Achievement by Oregon State University. 8) ⭐️Other important significance Guinness World Record: The India AI Impact Summit 2026 set a new Guinness World Record for the highest number of 'Responsible AI Pledges' taken by citizens in a single day. Ancient Rock Art: A 2,300-year-old rock art site at Kumittipathi in Coimbatore gained national attention as calls for its preservation intensified following its protected status declaration. 📚Word of the day Meticulous (Adjective) Meaning: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. Usage: The researchers conducted a meticulous study of the new species discovered in the Himalayas.  

1) 🇮🇳National   IMACC 2026 Begins: The Indian Army is hosting the inaugural International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 starting today, 18 February, in the Eastern Himalayas. Military teams from seven friendly nations, including Bhutan, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia, are competing alongside Indian forces. AI Impact Summit 2026: Day 3 of the summit continues at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The focus today is on "Safe & Trusted AI" and "Inclusion for Social Empowerment," featuring global tech leaders discussing the responsible deployment of AI in the Global South. New PMO "Seva Teerth": The Prime Minister’s Office has officially completed its transition to the new Seva Teerth complex on Dara Shikoh Road. This facility also houses the National Security Council and Cabinet Secretariats. Menstrual Health Ruling: In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court has held that menstrual health is a fundamental right under the Right to Dignity (Article 21), mandating all states to ensure free sanitary products in government schools. 2) 🌍International Bangladesh Swearing-in Ceremony: Following the general elections, Tarique Rahman was officially sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. India was represented at the ceremony by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, signaling a focus on regional stability. Annular Solar Eclipse: A spectacular "Ring of Fire" solar eclipse was observed today primarily over Antarctica and the Southern Hemisphere. This is the first of two solar eclipses scheduled for 2026. India-France Year of Innovation: PM Modi and President Emmanuel Macron jointly launched the "India-France Year of Innovation 2026" at the Gateway of India, Mumbai, to boost startups and deep-tech research. 3) 💰Economy New CPI & GDP Base Year: The government has officially transitioned to 2024 as the new base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and 2022-23 for GDP calculations to better reflect modern consumption patterns. Deepfake Regulation: A strict three-hour deadline has been mandated for social media intermediaries to remove flagged AI-generated deepfake content or face legal penalties under the updated IT Rules. Airbus H125 Facility: India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) has been operationalised at Vemagal, Karnataka, through a partnership between Tata and Airbus. 4) 🗓️Date’s importance National Battery Day: Observed on 18 February to celebrate the birthday of Alessandro Volta (born 1745), the Italian physicist who invented the electric battery. Historical Significance (1930): On this day, American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh discovered Pluto while examining photographs taken at the Lowell Observatory. Discovery of Pharaoh Tutankhamun's Tomb (1923): Anniversary of the unsealing of the burial chamber by archaeologist Howard Carter. 5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Alessandro Volta: The scientist behind the invention of the chemical battery (Voltaic pile). The unit of electric potential, the Volt, is named in his honour. Tarique Rahman: The newly appointed Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who is under international spotlight as he begins his tenure during a period of political transition. 6) 🏅Sports T20 World Cup 2026: South Africa secured a thrilling victory against Afghanistan after two Super Overs, one of the most intense matches in the tournament's history so far. Ranji Trophy Milestone: Paras Dogra (Himachal Pradesh) has become the second-highest run-scorer in Ranji history, joining the elite 10,000-run club alongside Wasim Jaffer. Winter Olympics 2026: Competition intensifies in Milano-Cortina; the Women’s Monobob and Mixed Team Snowboard Cross events are the highlights for today. 7) 🏆Awards Vikramaditya International Award: The Madhya Pradesh government has announced this new honour with a prize of ₹1.01 crore to recognize global excellence in Indian culture and heritage. 68th Grammy Awards: Recognition continues for the best in global music, with a strong focus on "Best Global Music Performance" where several Indian fusion artists were nominated. 8) ⭐️Other important significance ZSI Discovery: Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new wingless, soil-dwelling species of Diplura in the Eastern Himalayas. National Productivity Week: Concluding events for the week (12-18 Feb) are being held, focusing on the theme of "Maximizing MSME Productivity through Industrial Clusters." 📚Word of the day Equanimity (Noun) Meaning: Calmness and composure, especially in a difficult or stressful situation. Usage: "An aspirant must maintain equanimity while appearing for highly competitive exams like UPSC."