1) 🇮🇳National Earthshot Prize 2026: Prince William has announced that India will host the 2026 Earthshot Prize in Mumbai. This marks the first time these prestigious environmental awards will be held in India, highlighting the country's role in climate leadership. Ramsar Site Expansion: India recently added two new wetlands to its Ramsar network—Patna Bird Sanctuary(Uttar Pradesh) and Chhari-Dhand Wetland Reserve (Gujarat)—bringing the total count to 98 sites. JEE Main Updates: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the provisional answer key for Paper 2 (B. Arch & B. Planning), with the objection window concluding on 20 February. 2) 🌍International U.S. Tariff Ruling: The United States Supreme Court ruled 6–3 against the use of emergency powers to justify global trade tariffs, striking down measures enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Linguistic Diversity: UNESCO reports that approximately 40% of the world's 7,000 languages are currently vulnerable or at risk of extinction, leading to renewed global calls for multilingual education. 3) 💰Economy Trade Deficit: India's merchandise trade deficit widened to $34.68 billion in January, primarily driven by a surge in gold imports compared to December figures. Energy Trends: China’s imports of Russian oil are projected to reach record highs in February as independent refiners take advantage of discounted rates following a shift in India's purchasing patterns. 4) 🗓️Date’s importance International Mother Language Day: Observed annually on 21 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity. It commemorates the 1952 Language Movement in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) where students sacrificed their lives for the recognition of the Bangla language. 5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day Dr. Basant Goel: Known as the "Medicine Man of India," he was recently conferred with the Swabhiman Bharat Samman 2026 and a U-N Book of World Records title for his extensive humanitarian work in healthcare and rural development. 6) 🏅Sports 2026 Winter Olympics: The ice hockey tournament in Milan reaches its peak with the Bronze Medal Gamescheduled for today, 21 February, following high-intensity semi-finals involving Canada, Finland, USA, and Slovakia. Padma Awards in Sports: Recent recipients include Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (Cricket), Rohit Sharma(Cricket), and Savita Punia (Hockey) for their distinguished service to Indian sports. 7) 🏆Awards Champion for Change Award: Brittany Mahomes has been named the inaugural recipient of this award by United WE, recognising her leadership in women’s professional sports and her role in building the first stadium dedicated to a women’s team. 8) ⭐️Other important significance Chandra Grahan 2026: Astronomers have highlighted that a rare total lunar eclipse (Blood Moon) will occur on 3 March 2026, which will be visible from India and coincides with the Holi festival. 📚Word of the day Quiddity (Noun) Meaning: The inherent nature or essence of someone or something; a distinctive feature. Usage: "The quiddity of a true democracy lies in its commitment to the rule of law and equality."  

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.