Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 18 February, 2026

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
18 February, 2026

National Affairs

1. Two Digital Initiatives to Boost Health AI Ecosystem Launched

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has launched two digital initiatives — SAHI and BODH — to strengthen the safe and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in India’s healthcare system.

Launched By

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda at the India AI Impact Summit.

Objective

To promote the ethical, secure, and evidence-based deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in India’s healthcare ecosystem.

Background Context

• India is building a comprehensive digital health ecosystem as envisioned in the National Health Policy, 2017.
• The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (2020) created digital public infrastructure for healthcare.
• AI development depends on:
  • Strong digital infrastructure
  • High-quality health data
  • Regulatory oversight

Key Initiatives

1. SAHI (Secure AI for Health Initiative)

Nature: Governance and policy framework

Purpose:

• Provide a national roadmap for responsible use of AI in healthcare.
• Ensure AI is:
  • Ethical
  • Transparent
  • Accountable
  • People-centric

Significance:

• Establishes standards for AI deployment in health services.
• Focuses on trust, safety, and regulatory oversight.

2. BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI)

Nature: Evaluation and validation platform

Purpose:

• Test and benchmark AI-based health solutions.
• Assess performance, reliability, and real-world effectiveness before large-scale deployment.

Significance:

• Prevents premature adoption of untested AI tools.
• Promotes evidence-based implementation.

2. Indian Army Showcases Homegrown Dual-Use AI Systems

Source: TH

Why in News?

The Indian Army unveiled a range of indigenous artificial intelligence (AI) solutions at the India AI Summit, highlighting its shift toward becoming a data-centric and AI-enabled force.

Objective

• Strengthen operational capability through AI.
• Promote technological self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• Develop dual-use platforms for both defence and civilian applications.
• Enhance cybersecurity and disaster response capacity.

Key Features of the Initiative

• Focus on indigenous innovation.
• Integration of AI across operations, training, logistics and security.
• Emphasis on data sovereignty and secure digital infrastructure.
• Support for both military operations and public welfare (disaster management, governance).

Major AI Systems Showcased

1. AI Examiner

• Automated assessment and feedback platform.
• Modernises military education and training systems.

2. SAM-UN

• Geospatial and AI-enabled situational awareness platform.
• Used for:
  • Mission planning
  • Disaster response
  • Smart command centre integration

3. EKAM (AI-as-a-Service)

• Secure, air-gapped indigenous AI cloud platform.
• Ensures:
  • Data sovereignty
  • Secure processing of sensitive information

4. PRAKSHEPAN

• AI-based climatology and disaster prediction system.
• Provides early warnings for:
  • Landslides
  • Floods
  • Avalanches

5. Security and Cyber Defence Systems

• XFace: AI facial recognition for identity verification.
• Deepfake Detection Systems: Counter synthetic media manipulation.
• AI Cyber Security Systems: Protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

6. Operational and Logistics Technologies

• Nabh Drishti: Real-time telemetry reporting and visualisation.
• Driver Fatigue Detection Device: Alerts for drowsiness.
• AI-in-a-Box: Portable AI solution for remote/disconnected environments.
• AI Vehicle Tracking System: Fleet monitoring and logistics optimisation.

3. AI Mission 2.0

Source: TH

Why in News?

The government announced plans to significantly expand computing infrastructure under the IndiaAI Mission, with the upcoming AI Mission 2.0 focusing heavily on research, innovation and AI adoption.

Announcement

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made the announcement at the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

Key Highlights

1. Expansion of Common Compute Infrastructure

• Government will procure 20,000 additional GPUs (Graphics Processing Units).
• These will be added to the government-run common compute cluster.
• Timeline: Installation within six months.

Purpose:
Provide shared high-performance computing resources to:

• Start-ups
• Researchers
• Academia
• Indian AI developers

2. AI Mission 2.0 — Focus Areas

The next phase of the IndiaAI Mission will emphasise:

• Artificial Intelligence research and development (R&D)
• Innovation and AI diffusion across sectors
• Strengthening computing infrastructure
• Development of impactful AI applications

3. Indigenous AI Development

• Government supporting development of an Indian foundational large language model (LLM).
• Objective: enable locally built AI solutions with real-world impact.

Objective of the Initiative

• Democratise access to advanced computing resources.
• Reduce dependence on foreign AI infrastructure.
• Promote domestic AI innovation ecosystem.
• Accelerate AI-driven economic and social applications.

What is “Common Compute”?

A shared national computing infrastructure that provides:

• High-performance GPUs
• AI training capability
• Large-scale data processing
• Affordable access to advanced computing

It supports smaller players who cannot build their own infrastructure.

4. 100 Years of Ol Chiki Script (1925–2025)

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The centenary of the Ol Chiki script is being inaugurated by the Ministry of Culture on 16 February 2026 in New Delhi, marking 100 years of the writing system of the Santhali language.

What is Ol Chiki?

• Official script of the Santhali language, a major tribal language of India.
• A scientifically designed script, created specifically to represent Santhali sounds.
• Not borrowed or adapted from other scripts (Roman, Bengali, Odia, Devanagari).
• Built to reflect the unique phonetics of Santhali.

Origin and Creator

• Developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
• Aim: provide Santhali speakers a distinct written identity.
• First major literary work: High Serena (1936).
• Revered among Santhals as Guru Gomke (Great Teacher).

5. United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on SALW Control

Source: ET

Why in News?

India is hosting the inaugural United Nations Fellowship Training Programme on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Control for the Asia-Pacific region, marking the first time the programme is being held in Asia.

What is the Programme?

A three-week capacity-building training initiative designed to strengthen government expertise in controlling the illicit trade and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

It supports implementation of key global disarmament frameworks:

• UN Programme of Action (PoA)
• International Tracing Instrument (ITI)

Host and Venue

• Host: Indian Army
• Venue: Military College of Materials Management, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh)

Organising Institutions

• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD)

Banking/Finance

1. RBI Proposes Easing Forex Transaction Norms

Source: BS

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft directions proposing to liberalise foreign exchange (forex) transaction norms, including allowing authorised dealers to trade on offshore electronic trading platforms, subject to safeguards.

Objective

• Deepen India’s forex and derivative markets.
• Align regulations with global electronic trading practices.
• Improve market efficiency and liquidity.
• Strengthen regulatory oversight and risk management.

Key Proposals

1. Trading on Offshore Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs)

• Authorised dealers (commercial banks and primary dealers) can transact on ETPs located outside India.
• Conditions:
  • Platform must be in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) member jurisdiction.
  • Must be regulated by authorities linked to:
    • Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI)
    • International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)

2. Rules for Rupee Transactions

• For rupee trades, authorised dealers can transact only with non-residents.
• Offshore ETP operators must publicly disclose transaction data.

3. Non-Deliverable Derivative Contracts (NDDCs)

• AD Category-I banks may undertake rupee NDDCs with:
  • Other authorised dealers
  • Overseas entities
  • IFSC Banking Units (IBUs)
  • Offshore Banking Units (OBUs)
• Settlement:
  • Cash-settled in rupees or foreign currency.
• Condition:
  • Bank or its non-resident parent must have an operating IBU.

4. Governance Requirements for Authorised Dealers

• Mandatory board-approved forex policy.
• Net Overnight Open Position (NOOP) limit:
  • Maximum 25% of total capital (Tier I + Tier II).
• RBI may prescribe separate rupee-specific limits depending on market conditions.

5. Overseas Borrowing Limits

• AD Category-I banks can borrow foreign currency up to:
  • 100% of Tier I capital or
  • $10 million, whichever is higher
• Exemptions include:
  • Export credit borrowings
  • Capital-raising funds
  • Certain head office funds
  • Short-term nostro overdrafts

6. Deployment of Surplus Foreign Currency Funds

Authorised dealers may invest in:

• Overnight placements
• Reverse repos (up to one year)
• Overseas sovereign or money market instruments (up to one year maturity)
• Lending in rupees or foreign currency under FEMA regulations

FCNR(B) funds may be invested in long-term overseas sovereign debt (subject to conditions).

Who Are “Authorised Persons”?

• AD Category-I banks
• Standalone Primary Dealers (AD Category-III)
  Authorised under Section 10(1) of FEMA, 1999.

What is Net Open Position (NOP)?

• Measures exposure of a bank or entity to foreign currency risk.
• Difference between foreign currency assets and liabilities.
• Used by regulators to monitor risk in forex markets.

Legal Framework

• Governed under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.
• RBI regulates foreign exchange transactions in India.

2. Airtel Money Gets RBI Approval to Operate as NBFC

Why in News?

Airtel Money, a subsidiary of telecom major Bharti Airtel, has received a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Type II Non-Deposit Taking Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC).

What RBI Approved

• Airtel Money can now function as a Type II NBFC (Non-Deposit Accepting).
• It is authorised to undertake financial activities permitted under RBI regulations for such NBFCs.

What is a Type II NBFC (Non-Deposit Taking)?

• Cannot accept public deposits.
• Can provide financial services such as:
  • Lending
  • Payments-related financial services
  • Other permitted non-banking financial activities

Type II classification generally involves entities with moderate asset size and regulatory requirements, compared to systemically important NBFCs.

Regulatory Framework

• NBFCs regulated by RBI under:
  • RBI Act, 1934
  • NBFC regulatory framework

3. Life Insurers Propose Deferment of Frontloaded Commissions

Source: BS

Why in News?

Life insurance companies have proposed changes to commission structures to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), including deferring a portion of frontloaded distributor commissions to reduce policy costs and improve customer value.

Who Proposed

• Life insurance industry representatives
• Through discussions with IRDAI Chairman Ajay Seth
• Recommendations reviewed by a committee under the Life Insurance Council

Key Proposal

1. Deferment of Frontloaded Commissions

• Currently, large commissions are paid to distributors in the first year of policy sale.
• Proposal: pay a portion of these commissions over 3–5 years instead of upfront.

Objective:

• Reduce initial acquisition costs.
• Lower premium burden on policyholders.
• Improve long-term customer value.

2. Cost Optimisation Measures

• Reduce fixed operational expenses.
• Improve operating expense-to-sales ratio.
• Strengthen value proposition for policyholders.

3. Possible Commission Caps

• Consider capping commissions or restructuring payouts.
• Ensure distributors remain incentivised (“skin in the game”) while controlling costs.

Reason for Reform

High Acquisition Costs

• Insurance sector facing scrutiny from:
  • Government
  • IRDAI
  • RBI
  • Economic Survey

High distributor commissions are:

• Increasing operational expenses.
• Making insurance less affordable.

Expense of Management (EoM) Norms

• Insurers must operate within overall EoM limits (percentage of premiums).
• Flexibility to set product-wise commissions within overall cap.
• Separate limits for:
  • First-year premium
  • Renewal premium

4. RBI Draft Consumer Protection Norms for Financial Products & Loan Recovery

Source: ET

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft amendment directions on:

• Advertising, marketing and sales of financial products
• Conduct of regulated entities in loan recovery

The rules are expected to take effect from July 1, 2026, aiming to strengthen consumer protection in banking and financial services.

Objective

• Curb mis-selling of financial products.
• Reform incentive structures that promote unsuitable sales.
• Prevent coercive loan recovery practices.
• Improve transparency and customer trust.

Key Provisions — Mis-selling and Product Sales

1. Ban on Incentive-Driven Third-Party Sales

• No incentives for bank employees to sell third-party products (e.g., insurance).

2. Restrictions on Product Bundling

• Forced bundling of financial products prohibited.
• Loan funds cannot be used to purchase bundled financial products.

3. Ban on Dark Patterns

• Manipulative digital interface designs prohibited.

4. Customer Suitability Assessment

Banks must evaluate:

• Age
• Income
• Risk tolerance
  before recommending products.

5. Explicit Customer Consent

• Separate consent required for each product.
• Option to buy third-party products from provider of choice.

6. Customer Feedback Mechanism

• Feedback to be collected within 30 days of sale.
• Half-yearly reports to identify recurring issues.

7. Compensation for Mis-selling

• Full refund of payments.
• Compensation for associated losses.

8. Expanded Definition of Mis-selling

Includes:

• Unsuitable products sold even with formal consent.
• Pressure or restricted choice of providers.

Key Provisions — Loan Recovery Practices

Prohibited Practices

• Harassment or threats
• Public humiliation
• Excessive or anonymous calls
• Contacting relatives
• Recovery outside permitted hours

Compliance Requirements

• Recording of recovery calls
• Training of recovery agents
• Clear grievance redress mechanisms

Agriculture

1. How the Fertiliser Industry Has Become Synonymous with Controls

Source: IE

Why in News?

An analysis explains why India’s fertiliser industry operates under extensive state control and examines the economic, fiscal and environmental consequences of this regulatory structure.

Core Theme

India’s fertiliser sector is one of the most heavily regulated industries due to its central role in:

• Food security
• Farmer welfare
• Agricultural productivity
• Political economy of subsidies

Government control ensures affordability but creates market distortions and long-term sustainability challenges.

Nature of Government Control

1. Price Control (Especially Urea)

• Urea price is fully controlled and highly subsidised.
• Other fertilisers receive subsidy under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime.
• Retail prices do not reflect actual production or import costs.

2. Subsidy-Driven Market Structure

• Government reimburses manufacturers for cost differences.
• Fertiliser demand becomes subsidy-driven rather than agronomy-driven.

3. Administrative Control of Supply

• Allocation of fertilisers across states and districts is regulated.
• Production, imports and distribution closely monitored.
• Companies cannot freely decide supply based on market demand.

4. Regulatory Oversight of Sales and Products

• Intervention even in non-subsidised fertiliser segments.
• Tight quality and distribution regulation under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO).

Facts To Remember

1. India Gets First Private Sector Helicopter Final Assembly Line in Kolar

India inaugurated its first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for the Airbus H125 helicopter at Vemagal, Kolar district, Karnataka.

2. Tarique Rahman Sworn in as New Bangladesh Prime Minister

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February 2026, marking a political transition after nearly 18 months of instability under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

3. CCEA Approves ₹11,000 Crore Highway Projects and Brahmaputra Tunnel

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Narendra Modi, approved highway projects worth over ₹11,000 crore across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana.
Key projects include:

• Upgradation of NH-160A (Ghoti–Trimbak–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar) in Maharashtra
• 4-laning of NH-56 stretches in Gujarat under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)
• Widening of 80.01 km NH-167 (Gudebellur–Mahbubnagar) in Telangana

The CCEA also approved India’s first underwater twin-tube road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore, aimed at improving connectivity in the Northeast.

4. International Conference on Dam Safety 2026 Held in Bengaluru

The International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) was held at IISc Bengaluru under DRIP Phase II and III. It was inaugurated by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Central Water Commission, Government of Karnataka, IISc, and the World Bank.
Key initiatives launched included DAMCHAT (AI-based knowledge platform) and the Jal Shakti Data Management Platform, aligned with the Dam Safety Act, 2021.

Rajnath Singh Unveils Mountain Fire Control Radar and BEL’s AI Policy

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a Missile Integration Facility, flagged off Akash 3rd & 4th Regiment Combat Systems, and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He also launched BEL’s AI Policy and remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for AI (CoE-AI) in Pune to strengthen AI-driven defence R&D and autonomous systems.

5. Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 and Bodhan AI CoE Launch

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 in New Delhi and inaugurated the Bodhan AI Centre of Excellence.
The conclave initiated the Bharat EduAI Stack to scale AI-powered learning solutions and promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in education, along with collaborations involving IIMs and global institutions.

6. President Launches ‘Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat’ Campaign

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an All-India Conference organised by the Brahma Kumaris and launched the ‘Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat’ campaign during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram.
The campaign promotes value-based development through principles of selfless duty, integrity, and service.

7. India Post Releases ‘Puppets of India’ Commemorative Stamps

The Department of Posts released a set of 8 commemorative postage stamps titled ‘Puppets of India’ at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The stamps feature traditional puppetry forms such as Kathputli (Rajasthan), Tolu Bommalatta (Andhra Pradesh), Ravanachhaya (Odisha), and Pavakathakali (Kerala), highlighting India’s rich cultural heritage.

8. NITI Aayog Releases Trade Watch Quarterly (TWQ) – Electronics Trade

NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery released the 6th edition of Trade Watch Quarterly for Q2FY26 focusing on electronics trade trends.
Key findings:

• Electronics exports reached USD 42.1 billion (5× growth since 2016)
• India among top 6 global e-commerce markets
• E-commerce exports may contribute 20–30% of merchandise exports by 2030
• Services exports at USD 102 billion with strong trade surplus

9. ICG Inaugurates India’s First Waterjet Production & Testing Facility in Goa

Indian Coast Guard DG Paramesh Sivamani inaugurated India’s first Waterjet Production & Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) in Goa under a Transfer of Technology framework.
The facility will strengthen indigenous naval manufacturing, MSME linkages, and domestic testing capacity for waterjet propulsion systems.

10. RBI Authorises In-Solutions Global as Payment Aggregator

Reserve Bank of India granted regulatory approval to In-Solutions Global (ISG) to operate as a Payment Aggregator across Online (PA-O), Physical (PA-P), and Cross-Border (PA-CB) categories under the RBI Master Directions framework.

11. Smriti Mandhana Named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025

Star cricketer Smriti Mandhana was honoured with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her key role in India’s ICC Women’s World Cup triumph and leadership in the Women’s Premier League.

12. RBI Approves Bain Capital’s Stake Acquisition in Manappuram Finance

The RBI approved Bain Capital’s acquisition of up to 41.66% stake in Manappuram Finance, an NBFC focused on gold loans. The investment deal involves ₹4,385 crore for an initial 18% stake, with promoter holding expected at 28.9% post-transaction.

13. India Tops Medal Tally at Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026

India topped the medal tally with 94 medals (51 gold, 23 silver, 20 bronze) at the 17th Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi, featuring over 300 athletes from 20 countries.

14. Magnus Carlsen Wins FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026

Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026 in Germany by defeating Fabiano Caruana 2.5–1.5, marking his 21st world title across formats.

15. Veteran Actor Robert Duvall Passes Away

Legendary American actor Robert Duvall, known for iconic roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, passed away at the age of 95. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1983 for Tender Mercies and was a 7-time Oscar nominee.

16. Global Tourism Resilience Day – 17 February

Global Tourism Resilience Day is observed annually on 17 February, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, to promote a resilient and sustainable global tourism sector.

17. Tamil Nadu Signs ₹5,980 Crore MoUs in Semiconductor & Aerospace

The Tamil Nadu government, led by CM M. K. Stalin, signed MoUs worth ₹5,980 crore to boost semiconductor and aerospace manufacturing.
Key projects include a semiconductor facility by MinebeaMitsumi in Tiruvallur and an aerospace & defence cluster by Aequs Group in Krishnagiri, aligning with India’s semiconductor self-reliance and defence indigenisation goals.

18. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates WAVES Creators’ Corner at India AI Impact Summit

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the WAVES Creators’ Corner at Bharat Mandapam on the second day of the India AI Impact Summit yesterday. 

19. South African Cheetah Gamini gives birth to 3 cubs at Kuno National Park

Gamini, a South African cheetah, has given birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, taking the country’s total cheetah population to 38.

20. India AI and Intel India create World Record for most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours

India AI and Intel India have created a new World Record under the category for most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours.

21. First Indigenous Cadet Training Ship Launched at L&T Kattupalli in Chennai

The first of three indigenous Cadet Training Ships, being built by M/s L&T Shipyard for the Indian Navy, was launched today.

22. Union Minister Nadda launches Strategy for AI in Healthcare at India AI Impact Summit

  Day two of the AI Impact Summit included panel discussions on themes like AI for Social Good and Global South collaboration, AI governance, ethics and regulatory frameworks, and Data Healthcare innovation with AI and Economic productivity and deployment in industry.