1) 🇮🇳National

• India AI Impact Summit 2026: A landmark 5-day global summit begins today at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. It is the first major AI gathering hosted in the Global South, focusing on AI in education, data governance, and employability.
• NEET PG Counselling 2026: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has commenced the online stray vacancy round registration today. Candidates can check the revised schedule and complete choice filling on the official MCC website.
• Congress Sweep in Telangana: The Indian National Congress achieved a landslide victory in the Telangana urban body polls across 116 municipalities and 7 corporations, significantly ousting the BRS and BJP.
• IIM Guwahati Academic Session: Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the first academic session of IIM Guwahati, marking a major expansion of premier management education in Northeast India.

2) 🌍International

• Bangladesh Political Transition: The Indian government has deputed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February.
• US-Israel Strategic Meeting: President Donald Trump and PM Benjamin Netanyahu met at the White House to discuss reducing Iran's oil exports to China to increase regional pressure.
• UK Citizenship Warning: Individuals with dual citizenship have been warned that starting 25 February, they may be denied entry to the UK if they do not carry a valid British passport instead of just foreign travel documents.

3) 💰Economy

• Krishak Unnati Yojana Payout: The Chhattisgarh government has initiated a ₹10,000 crore direct transfer to paddy farmers to cover the price differential above the Central MSP, ensuring they receive ₹3,100 per quintal.
• 16th Finance Commission: Headed by Arvind Panagariya, the commission has recommended retaining the states' share in the divisible tax pool at 41% for the period 2026–2031.
• Air India DGCA Fine: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a ₹1 crore fine on Air India for operating a flight with an expired airworthiness certificate.
• NVIDIA Visit Cancelled: NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang has cancelled his high-profile visit to the AI Impact Summit in India citing unforeseen circumstances.

4) 🗓️Date’s importance

• Archaeological History (1923): On this day, archaeologist Howard Carter unsealed the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in Egypt, revealing the most intact royal tomb ever found.
• Invention of Nylon (1937): Wallace Carothers received the patent for Nylon, the world's first fully synthetic fibre, revolutionising the textile industry.
• Kyoto Protocol (2005): This international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions officially went into effect on 16 February.

5) 👱‍♂️👩‍🦳Person of the day

• Uday Kotak: The veteran banker has been appointed as the new Chairman of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City), succeeding Hasmukh Adhia to lead India’s premier financial hub.
• Nivedita Dubey: She has made history by becoming the first woman officer appointed to the Board of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

6) 🏅Sports

• T20 World Cup 2026: The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash took place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Tensions were high as captain Suryakumar Yadav’s side maintained a strict competitive stance.
• NBA History (1972): On this day, Wilt Chamberlain became the first player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points.

7) 🏆Awards

• MUAHS Awards 2026: The film ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ emerged as big winners at the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards.
• Suryadatta National Awards: Former CJI Uday U. Lalit was conferred with the Suryadatta National Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Indian judiciary.

8) ⭐️Other important significance

• National Productivity Week: India is currently observing this week (12–18 February) with the theme “Maximizing MSME Productivity through Industrial Clusters.”
• Mass Drug Administration (MDA): The Health Ministry launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) across 12 endemic states.

📚Word of the day

• Joybombasticness (Noun)
• Meaning: A spectacular, infectious, and larger-than-life form of happiness that fills its surroundings.
• Usage: "The atmosphere at Bharat Mandapam during the AI Summit launch was filled with joybombasticness as global leaders shared their vision."