P Prep Liberty
Updated · Today
Home› Archive› February 18, 2026

February 18, 2026

134 articles published on this date

18

Three More Cheetah Cubs Born at Kuno, India's Population Reaches 38

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth of three new cheetah cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh on February 18, 2026...

GS3 (Environment, Conservation) Environment & Ecology 3m
18

Reciprocal Airspace Closure Enters 11th Month as Pakistan Extends Ban on Indian Aircraft

Pakistan extended its ban on Indian airlines and aircraft over its airspace until March 24, 2026 (subsequently further extended to April 24, 2026), marking...

GS2 International Relations 4m
18

India Must Institutionalise Human Control Over AI Systems for Military Use

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Lt Gen Vipul Shinghal stated that India must institutionalise human control over AI systems deployed for military...

GS Paper 3 Internal Security Science & Technology 4m
18

Cheetah Gamini's Three Cubs at Kuno: India's Reintroduction Programme Marks Ninth Litter

South African cheetah Gamini delivered three cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, her second litter in India. India's cheetah count has risen...

GS Paper 3 Environment & Ecology 2m
18

Demwe Lower Hydropower Project Gets 11-Year Environment Clearance Extension

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted an 11-year extension of Environmental...

GS3 (Environment, Infrastructure) GS2 (Governance) Environment & Ecology Polity & Governance 5m
18

Baby Boom at Kuno: Cheetah Gamini's Litter Takes India's Count to 38

Cheetah Gamini, originally translocated from South Africa, gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This is Gamini's second litter...

GS Paper 3 Environment & Ecology 3m
18

ED vs Mamata Banerjee: Supreme Court Hears I-PAC Raid Row

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) approached the Supreme Court alleging obstruction during its January 8, 2026 raid at the Kolkata office of I-PAC (Indian...

GS2 Polity & Governance Internal Security 5m
18

India AI Impact Summit 2026: Shielding Democracies and Rule of Law from AI Threats

India hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026 from February 16–20, 2026 — the fourth in the global series of AI governance summits and the first held in the Global...

GS2 GS3 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 5m
18

EU Opens Legal Gateway Office in Delhi: Structured Migration and India-EU Mobility Partnership

The European Union inaugurated the first-ever European Legal Gateway Office (ELGO) in New Delhi, representing the first such office established in any...

GS Paper 2 (IR, India-EU Relations, Migration) GS Paper 1 (Population and Migration) International Relations Polity & Governance 5m
18

International Fleet Review 2026: Indian Navy's Maritime Diplomacy at Visakhapatnam

India conducted the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam on February 18, 2026 — the third such review hosted by India....

GS2 GS3 International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

India's Final Anti-Maoist Push: CRPF Operations Target Last 300 Operatives

With the Centre's March 2026 deadline to eliminate Left Wing Extremism (LWE) approaching, CRPF has identified only about 300 active Maoist operatives...

GS3 (Internal Security) Internal Security 4m
18

Bangladesh Gets New PM as BNP Wins Landslide: Time for Delhi-Dhaka Recalibration

Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was sworn in as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister on February 17, 2026, after the BNP secured a...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 4m
18

India's Climate Warning to Europe: The CBAM Equity Debate

India has raised strong objections to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), framing it as a climate warning that could reshape...

GS2 (International Relations) GS3 (Environment, Economy) Environment & Ecology International Relations 4m
18

The Architects of AI: Overlapping Roles, Safety Debates, and Governance Gaps

A close look at the global AI ecosystem reveals that a small group of researchers and entrepreneurs — often termed the 'architects of AI' — simultaneously...

GS3 (Science & Technology, Internal Security) Science & Technology 5m
18

Can India's Power System Keep Up with the Data Centre Boom?

India's data centre sector is experiencing explosive growth, with installed capacity expected to rise from 1.4 GW to 9 GW by 2030, potentially consuming...

GS Paper III (Infrastructure: Energy, Science & Technology) Science & Technology Economics 5m
18

Kerala Becomes First Indian State to Frame a Comprehensive Urban Policy

Kerala's Cabinet approved India's first state-level comprehensive Urban Policy on February 13, 2026, making it the pioneering state to formally frame such a...

GS2 GS1 Polity & Governance Geography 4m
18

Infosys-Anthropic Deal Highlights India IT's Bid to Close the AI Deployment Gap

Infosys and Anthropic (maker of Claude AI) announced a strategic collaboration on February 17, 2026, to develop and deliver advanced enterprise AI solutions...

GS3 (Science & Technology, Indian Economy, IT Sector) Science & Technology Economics 4m
18

Supreme Court Resumes Hearing on Challenges to Places of Worship Act, 1991

The Supreme Court indicated it will shortly take up final hearings on a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship...

GS Paper 2 Polity & Governance 4m
18

Maharashtra Formally Withdraws 5% Muslim Quota: Legal History and Constitutional Questions

The Maharashtra government issued a fresh Government Resolution (GR) in February 2026 formally withdrawing the 5% reservation for Muslims in government...

GS2 (Indian Polity, Reservation Policy, Social Justice, Constitutional Law) Polity & Governance Social Issues 5m
18

Sabarimala Review: Nine-Judge Bench and the Essential Religious Practices Doctrine

The Supreme Court of India has scheduled a nine-judge Constitution Bench to begin hearing review petitions against the 2018 Sabarimala judgment from April...

GS2 Polity & Governance 6m
18

NGT Clears Great Nicobar Mega Project: Strategic Ambition vs Ecological Cost

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) cleared the Rs 92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project on February 16, 2026, upholding environmental...

GS Paper 3 Environment & Ecology Internal Security Geography 5m
18

Higher Summer Crop Acreage May Compensate for Softer Kharif Pulses Output

Area sown under summer (Zaid) crops crossed 36.2 lakh hectares in early 2026, with pulses and oilseeds registering acreage gains that could help offset the...

GS3 Economics 4m
18

India Relaxes Restrictions on Chinese Equipment Imports for Power and Coal Sectors

India has relaxed its five-year-old restrictions on Chinese equipment imports, allowing state-run power and coal companies to begin limited procurement from...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 5m
18

Great Nicobar Project: Why Environmental Concerns Deserved a Fairer Appraisal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on February 16, 2026 upheld the 2022 environmental clearance for the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Development...

GS2 GS3 Environment & Ecology Polity & Governance 5m
18

Nvidia and OpenAI Forge Major Partnerships with Indian Industry and Educational Institutes at AI Impact Summit

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (held February 18, 2026), Nvidia and OpenAI announced major partnerships with Indian industry and educational...

GS3 Science & Technology Economics 5m
18

India's Trade Deals with US and EU: Opening a $60 Trillion Market

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that trade deals with the US and the EU will attract significant growth capital into India, describing...

GS2 (India's bilateral relations, international trade) GS3 (Indian economy, trade policy) Economics International Relations 4m
18

India's Copyright Law at a Crossroads: Balancing AI, Access, and Creativity

India's Copyright Act, 1957 is under review to address the tension between rigid copyright protections and the emerging needs of AI development, public...

GS2 GS3 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 5m
18

India's Taxpayer Base More Than Doubled in the Last Decade

India's individual taxpayer base more than doubled from 3.26 crore in Assessment Year 2013-14 to 7.26 crore in AY 2024-25, reflecting sustained expansion...

GS Paper III (Indian Economy, Mobilisation of Resources) Economics Polity & Governance 4m
18

SEBI Constitutes Working Group to Review Regulatory Framework for ESG Rating Providers

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constituted a multi-stakeholder working group on February 18, 2026 to review the regulatory framework...

GS3 Economics Environment & Ecology 4m
18

Andhra Pradesh Assembly Removes Leprosy Discrimination from State Laws

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly unanimously passed two Bills removing discriminatory references to persons affected by or cured of leprosy from...

GS1 GS2 Social Issues Polity & Governance 4m
18

India AI Impact Summit 2026: Sundar Pichai's Remarks, Global Commitments, and the Galgotias Robot Dog Row

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from February 16-21, 2026 — India's first major multilateral summit on Artificial...

GS3 Science & Technology International Relations 4m
18

India Adds Its Name to Countries Criticising Israel's Unilateral Measures on West Bank

India belatedly added its name to a group of countries criticising Israel's unilateral measures in the occupied West Bank, having initially not joined the...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 4m
18

APSEZ Signs IMEC Partnership with France's Port of Marseille Fos

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Port of Marseille Fos, France's largest port, to...

GS2 (India's foreign policy) GS3 (Infrastructure, ports, trade) International Relations Economics 4m
18

India Moves Toward Age Restrictions on Social Media for Minors

The Union Government confirmed it is in active discussions with major social media platforms to introduce age-based access restrictions, likely barring or...

GS2 (Government Policies & Interventions, Social Justice) GS3 (Cyber Security, IT) Polity & Governance Science & Technology 4m
18

From Automated Farm Tractors to Exam Paper Grading: AI Emerges as an Efficiency Tool in India

Artificial intelligence is being adopted across India's agriculture and education sectors, with real-world deployments ranging from autonomous tractor...

GS Paper 3 (Science & Technology) Science & Technology Economics 5m
18

India's Historic Trade Deals with US and EU Put It on Global Stage: But Challenges Remain

India concluded two landmark trade agreements in quick succession in early 2026: the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (signed January 27, 2026) and the...

GS2 (India's Foreign Policy, Bilateral Groupings) GS3 (Indian Economy, Trade Policy) Economics International Relations 5m
18

Over 5,300 Acres Set for Exclusion from Kolleru Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

The Andhra Pradesh government has moved to exclude more than 5,300 acres of land spread across 10 villages in West Godavari district from the protected...

GS3 (Environment, Conservation, Biodiversity) Environment & Ecology Polity & Governance 5m
18

India Faces Uphill Battle to Export 2.5 Million Tonnes of Wheat in 2025-26

After nearly four years of wheat export restrictions, India eased its ban in early 2026, allowing export of 2.5 million tonnes of wheat and 500,000 tonnes...

GS3 Economics 5m
18

CMA CGM Signs $360 Million Deal with Cochin Shipyard for Six LNG-Powered Vessels

French shipping giant CMA CGM signed a $360 million contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to build six LNG-powered feeder container vessels — India's...

GS2 (Infrastructure) GS3 (Indian Economy, infrastructure, maritime sector) Economics International Relations 5m
18

Operation KGH-2: 2,000 Security Personnel Launch Anti-Maoist Drive Along Chhattisgarh-Telangana Border

Approximately 2,000 security personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Police launched Operation KGH-2 (Kilo Green Hunter-2)...

GS Paper 3 Internal Security 4m
18

Europe Doubles Down on Big Tech Regulation, Risking US Trade Retaliation

The European Union moved ahead with aggressive enforcement of its Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA) in 2026, targeting major US...

GS2 (International Relations, bilateral groupings) GS3 (Science and Technology, digital economy) International Relations Science & Technology 5m
18

Russia Says No Reason to Believe India Changed Stance on Russian Oil Imports

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia has 'no reason to believe' India has changed its position on buying Russian...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

India-EU Now Natural and Preferred Partners: Jaishankar at Mobility Gateway Office Launch

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the European Legal Gateway Office in New Delhi, describing India and the EU as 'natural and preferred...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 4m
18

Alliance Bioversity-CIAT Promotes Over 20 Native Indian Crop Varieties

The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT (International Centre for Tropical Agriculture) is actively promoting over 20 native Indian crop...

GS3 (Agriculture, biodiversity, food security) Environment & Ecology Economics 4m
18

Sri Lanka's Ruling JVP Signals Paradigm Shift in India Relations Under New Government

Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of Sri Lanka's Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the ideological compass of the ruling National People's Power (NPP)...

GS2 (International Relations, India and its neighbourhood, bilateral agreements) International Relations 5m
18

Cheetah Gamini Delivers Three Cubs at Kuno National Park; India's Cheetah Population Rises to 38

South African cheetah Gamini gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh on 18 February 2026, marking her second successful...

GS Paper 3 Environment & Ecology 5m
18

India–UK Offshore Wind Task Force: Driving Strategic Clean Energy Cooperation Under Vision 2035

India and the United Kingdom launched an Offshore Wind Task Force on 18 February 2026 as a new platform under the India–UK Vision 2035 bilateral framework...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics Environment & Ecology 4m
18

Supreme Court Directs Attorney General to Examine Plea for Special Hate Crime Law

The Supreme Court of India asked Attorney General R. Venkataramani to examine a PIL seeking guidelines and a special law to address hate crimes and racial...

GS2 (Judiciary, constitutional provisions, social justice) Polity & Governance Social Issues 4m
18

ITC's ITCMAARS Platform Aims to Empower 10 Million Farmers Through AI

ITC Limited announced plans to expand its ITCMAARS (Metamarket for Advanced Agriculture and Rural Services) platform to reach 10 million farmers across...

GS3 Science & Technology Economics 4m
18

Marco Rubio's Foreign Policy Worldview: Civilisational Alliance and Regional Dominance

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, delivering a major address at the Munich Security Conference in February 2026, articulated a foreign policy vision...

GS2 (International Relations, bilateral agreements, US foreign policy and its implications for India) International Relations 5m
18

India's 'Third Way' for AI Governance: Between US Market Freedom and EU Regulation

A policy analysis circulating in Indian strategic and technology circles articulated India's emerging 'Third Way' for AI governance — a framework distinct...

GS2 (Governance, international organisations) GS3 (Science and Technology, AI policy) Science & Technology International Relations 4m
18

Digital Arrest Scams Show Decline After 465% Spike in 2024: MHA Data

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) data reveals that Indians lost Rs 1,918 crore to digital arrest scams in 2024, following a 465% spike in reported cases...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Internal Security Polity & Governance 4m
18

Military AI and the Push for Guardrails on Autonomous Weapons

Global debate over the regulation of military artificial intelligence has intensified, with multiple international institutions and states pressing for...

GS Paper 3 (Security, Science & Technology) Science & Technology Internal Security 5m
18

Afghanistan Releases Three Pakistani Soldiers Captured in October 2025 Cross-Border Clashes

Afghanistan's Taliban government announced the release of three Pakistani soldiers who had been captured during fierce cross-border fighting along the...

GS2 (India's Foreign Policy — Neighbourhood, South Asian Geopolitics) International Relations Internal Security 5m
18

Google Announces Direct Subsea Cable Link Between India and the United States

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the America-India Connect Initiative at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 18 — a new infrastructure effort to...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Science & Technology International Relations 4m
18

Can India Overtake Bangladesh in Textile Exports to the EU? The India-EU FTA Reshapes South Asian Trade

On January 27, 2026, India and the European Union concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), eliminating duties on nearly 99.5% of Indian exports —...

GS2 (International Relations) GS3 (Indian Economy, Trade) Economics International Relations 5m
18

India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce Launched as India Crosses 272 GW Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity

India and the UK launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce to provide strategic leadership and coordination for India's offshore wind ecosystem. Union...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Environment & Ecology Economics 4m
18

Israeli Minister Pushes for Palestinian 'Emigration' from West Bank and Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich publicly advocated for the 'emigration' of Palestinians from both the occupied West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and...

GS2 (International Relations, India's foreign policy, international humanitarian law) International Relations 4m
18

AI Set to Transform Science and Medicine: Experts Call for Global Governance Framework

Scientists and policy experts have highlighted AI's transformative potential in scientific research and medicine — including drug discovery, climate...

GS3 (Science & Technology) GS2 (International Relations, Global Governance) Science & Technology 5m
18

PM Modi Inaugurates India AI Impact Summit 2026: World Leaders Gather for Global AI Governance

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi — the world's largest AI summit to date The...

GS Paper 3 (science & technology, AI governance) GS Paper 2 (India's foreign policy, multilateral diplomacy) Science & Technology International Relations 5m
18

Decision on Agreed 18% US Tariffs on India Expected Within Days

The US had reduced tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 25% on 7 February 2026, as an interim step following the India-US trade framework announcement. The...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

Kremlin Denies Secret Nuclear Tests by Russia and China Amid US Accusations

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov denied that either Russia or China had conducted any secret nuclear tests, rejecting recent US accusations. The United...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

Security Forces Demolish 44 Maoist Monuments in Gadchiroli

Security forces comprising approximately 800 personnel from 18 teams — including C-60 commandos, CRPF, and district police — demolished 44 Maoist-built...

GS Paper 3 (Internal Security) Internal Security 4m
18

Centre Expands Vibrant Village Programme to 1,954 Border Villages Across All Land Borders

The Central Government announced the expansion of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) to cover 1,954 border villages, extending beyond the original China...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Polity & Governance International Relations Geography 4m
18

Spain Seeks Probe into X, Meta, TikTok Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material

The Spanish government asked its public prosecutor on February 17, 2026 to investigate TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta for allegedly spreading...

GS3 GS2 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 6m
18

India Plans Regulatory Sandboxes for Pharma Sector to Fast-Track Drug Approvals

The Indian government is planning to introduce regulatory sandboxes for the pharmaceutical and medical devices sector to accelerate drug and device approval...

GS3 GS2 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 6m
18

India Eases Restrictions on Chinese Equipment Imports for Power and Coal Sectors

India has begun easing five-year-old restrictions on procurement of Chinese equipment, allowing state-run power and coal companies to undertake limited...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

Venezuelan Crude Returns to India's Oil Basket as Supplementary Supply

Indian refiners have begun testing Venezuelan crude barrels as Russian crude supply to India declines, following the India-US trade deal framework....

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Economics International Relations 4m
18

India Directs Global Tech Platforms to Operate Within Constitutional Framework After Tighter Content Rules

Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that global technology platforms including Google's YouTube, Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), X...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Polity & Governance Science & Technology 5m
18

Prediction Markets: Explosive Growth, Systemic Risks, and Regulatory Challenges

Prediction markets — platforms that allow participants to bet on the probability of future events — have grown explosively, from less than USD 100 million...

GS3 Economics Polity & Governance 5m
18

Indian Railways Launches First LNG-Diesel Dual-Fuel DEMU at Sabarmati

Indian Railways operationalised the country's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and diesel dual-fuel Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train at...

GS3 Science & Technology Economics 5m
18

India-EU FTA: The Starting Point: Ireland Looking to India to Sell Its Services

Ireland's government has expressed strong interest in leveraging the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — concluded on January 27, 2026 — as the 'starting...

GS Paper 2 (India's international relations, bilateral trade) GS Paper 3 (Indian economy, trade policy, services sector) International Relations 5m
18

Corteva and BASF Launch Non-GM Herbicide-Tolerant Clearfield Mustard in India

BASF India and Corteva Agriscience India jointly introduced the Clearfield Production System for mustard cultivation in India on February 18, 2026, offering...

GS3 Economics Science & Technology 5m
18

PM Modi Meets Spain and Finland Leaders; India-EU FTA to Usher in Golden Era

PM Modi held separate meetings with President of Spain Pedro Sanchez and PM of Finland Petteri Orpo on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in New...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

India's FTA Concessions Given Only After Private Sector Approval: Commerce Minister

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that concessions under every Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by India have been given only after private sector...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

Poland Bans Chinese Vehicles from Military Premises Over Data Security Fears

Poland's army has banned Chinese-made vehicles from entering all military facilities, citing fears that onboard sensors and connected systems can collect...

GS Paper 2 (international security, tech nationalism) GS Paper 3 (cybersecurity, science & technology) International Relations Internal Security Science & Technology 5m
18

Jamaat-e-Islami's Electoral Surge Along Bangladesh-India Border Raises Security Concerns

In the 2026 Bangladesh general election, the Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and its allies secured significant victories in constituencies along the India-Bangladesh...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Internal Security International Relations 4m
18

Cochin Port Unions Oppose Centre's Move to Withdraw Cabotage Relaxation

Port worker unions at Cochin Port have come out against the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' proposal to withdraw the cabotage relaxation that was...

GS3 Economics Polity & Governance 5m
18

India's Sugar Output Cut Again, Limiting Export Ambitions for 2025-26

India's sugar output estimate for the 2025-26 season (October–September) has been revised sharply downward, with the All India Sugar Trade Association...

GS3 Economics Geography 4m
18

Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response on PIL Challenging Digital Personal Data Protection Act

The Delhi High Court issued notice to the Central Government on a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the constitutionality of key provisions of...

GS Paper 2 Polity & Governance Social Issues 5m
18

Biden-Era Official Cautions Washington: US Cannot Expect India to Walk Away from Russia Ties

A former Biden administration official has publicly cautioned Washington against expecting India to abandon its ties with Russia The statement reflects the...

GS Paper 2 (India's foreign policy, India-US relations, India-Russia relations, strategic autonomy) International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

China's Alleged 2020 Nuclear Test and the CTBT Debate in India's Parliament

Congress MP Manish Tewari raised questions in Parliament about a Washington Post report alleging that China conducted a low-yield nuclear explosive test on...

GS2 (International Relations, nuclear treaties, India's security doctrine) International Relations Internal Security 5m
18

Simultaneous Elections Panel Considers Bar on No-Confidence Motions in Final Year of Government's Term

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 on simultaneous elections is considering a proposal to bar...

GS Paper 2 Polity & Governance 5m
18

US Assembles Largest Middle East Military Force in Decades Ahead of Iran Campaign

The United States assembled its largest concentration of naval and air power in the Middle East in decades, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups —...

GS2 (International Relations, India's security interests) GS3 (Internal Security — maritime security) International Relations 5m
18

California Builds AI Oversight Unit and Presses xAI Investigation Over Deepfakes

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the creation of an AI oversight, accountability, and regulation program within his office — one of the first...

GS3 GS2 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 6m
18

Zelenskyy Accuses Trump of Applying Undue Pressure Over Ukraine Peace Terms

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly stated that the US was applying undue pressure on Ukraine over the terms of a potential ceasefire and...

GS2 (International Relations, bilateral agreements, geopolitical dynamics) International Relations 4m
18

Muslim Reservation Scrapped in Maharashtra: What It Means and the Constitutional Framework

The Maharashtra government cancelled the 2014 decision that had granted 5% reservation to socially and educationally backward Muslims in the State — a quota...

GS1 GS2 Polity & Governance Social Issues 6m
18

Iran and Russia Conduct Joint Naval Drills in the Sea of Oman

Iran and Russia announced and subsequently launched joint naval exercises in the Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, hosted by Iran's First Naval...

GS Paper 2 (international security, India's neighbourhood, Indian Ocean region) GS Paper 3 (internal security, maritime security) International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

Trump Challenges UK Over Diego Garcia as US Prepares Iran Military Options

US President Donald Trump publicly challenged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's decision to proceed with the Chagos Islands sovereignty deal with Mauritius...

GS2 (International Relations, bilateral groupings, effect of policies of developed countries on India's interests) International Relations 4m
18

NIMHANS Study Demonstrates Promise in Intranasal Therapy for Parkinson's Disease

Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, have demonstrated a novel intranasal therapy strategy for...

GS Paper 3 Science & Technology 5m
18

US Threatens to Quit IEA Over Climate Change Focus

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright urged the International Energy Agency (IEA) at its ministerial meeting in Paris to abandon its work on climate change and...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Environment & Ecology 4m
18

Iran Upbeat After US Talks in Geneva, But Vance Says Red Lines Not Met

Iran and the US concluded a round of Omani-mediated nuclear talks in Geneva, with both sides reporting some progress but diverging on the outcome. Iran said...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 5m
18

Bangladesh Reform Agenda Wins Voters' Backing in Referendum, But Party Rifts Remain

Bangladesh held a constitutional referendum alongside the February 12, 2026 general election, with 68% voting 'Yes' on a turnout of 60%, approving the...

GS Paper 2 International Relations Polity & Governance 5m
18

Andhra Pradesh Amends Panchayat Raj Act: Voter Registration Now Possible Four Times a Year

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly unanimously passed an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, allowing voter registration in Panchayat...

GS2 (Panchayati Raj, Elections, Democratic Participation) Polity & Governance 5m
18

NGT Orders Joint Committee Probe into Illegal Quarrying Near Tata Cancer Hospital, Kharghar

The National Green Tribunal's (NGT) Western Zone Bench — comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Expert Member Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee — ordered a joint...

GS3 (Environment) GS2 (Governance) Environment & Ecology Polity & Governance 5m
18

President Murmu Reviews International Fleet Review 2026 at Visakhapatnam with 74 Nations

President Droupadi Murmu, in her capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

Iran Drafts Framework for US Nuclear Talks as Negotiations Resume in Oman

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi that Iran is 'focused on drafting an initial and coherent framework to...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 6m
18

US and Uzbekistan Sign Critical Minerals Pact to Counter China's Supply Chain Dominance

The US and Uzbekistan signed a 'Joint Investment Framework' between the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Uzbekistan to advance...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 5m
18

Maharashtra Cancels 5% Muslim Quota: Constitutional Debate on Religion-Based Reservation Reignited

The Maharashtra government formally cancelled the administrative framework for a 5% reservation for socially and educationally backward Muslim communities...

GS2 (Reservation, Fundamental Rights, Social Justice, Governance) Polity & Governance Social Issues 5m
18

Bengaluru-based Sarvam AI Launches Two Large Language Models at India AI Impact Summit

Bengaluru-based AI startup Sarvam AI launched two large language models -- Sarvam-30B (30 billion parameters) and Sarvam-105B (105 billion parameters) -- at...

GS Paper 3 Science & Technology 4m
18

India Launches Digital Access Pass for Fishermen in Exclusive Economic Zone

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the digital Access Pass for Fishing in India's Exclusive...

GS3 Economics Polity & Governance 4m
18

Election Commission Announces Biennial Elections for 37 Rajya Sabha Seats Across 10 States: April 2026 Vacancies

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced biennial elections to fill 37 seats in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), as the terms of 37 members from...

GS2 (Parliament, Constitutional Provisions, Electoral System) Polity & Governance 5m
18

Trade Liberalisation Under India-US Deal to Boost Agriculture Exports: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand stated that the India-US trade deal will enhance India's agriculture exports, increase farmer income, and help India maintain...

GS Paper III (Indian Economy, Agriculture, External Trade) Economics 4m
18

Iran Partially Closes Strait of Hormuz for Military Drills Amid US Nuclear Talks

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted live-fire military drills in the Strait of Hormuz on February 17, 2026, partially closing parts of...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Internal Security 4m
18

WAVES 2025: India's Bid to Lead the Global Creative Economy

The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, organized by India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB), was held from 1 to 4 May...

GS Paper 1 GS Paper 3 Art & Culture Economics 5m
18

Gender Budget Allocation Rises to Rs 5.01 Lakh Crore in Union Budget 2026-27

The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) for FY 2026-27 reports an allocation of Rs 5.01 lakh crore for welfare of women and girls, an increase of 11.55% over the...

GS Paper I (Social Issues) GS Paper III (Government Budgeting) Social Issues Economics 4m
18

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic Meets PM Modi on Sidelines of AI Impact Summit

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 18, 2026 The meeting took place on the...

GS Paper 2 (India's foreign policy, bilateral relations, multilateral diplomacy) International Relations 4m
18

India and UK Launch Offshore Wind Taskforce Under Vision 2035 Energy Partnership

India and the United Kingdom jointly launched the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce on 18 February 2026, with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Environment & Ecology Economics 4m
18

Maharashtra Formally Cancels 5% Reservation for Muslims in Education and Jobs

The Maharashtra government formally cancelled the 5% reservation for Muslims in government and semi-government jobs as well as educational institutions...

GS Paper 2 Polity & Governance Social Issues 5m
18

India's Merchandise Imports from Russia Plunge Over 40% as Crude Oil Purchases Decline

India's merchandise imports from Russia fell 40.48% to $2.86 billion in January 2026, down from $4.81 billion in January 2025. Petroleum crude, which...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

India's Sugar Output to Decline in 2025-26 as Excessive Rainfall Hits Sugarcane Yields

India's sugar production for the 2025-26 season has been revised downward by 4.4% to approximately 28.3 million tonnes (from an earlier estimate of 29.6...

GS3 (Agriculture, Food Security, Government Regulation) Economics Geography 5m
18

ISA Showcases AI-Powered Solar Innovations at India AI Impact Summit

Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi visited the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit held at...

GS3 (Environment, Energy, International Relations) Science & Technology International Relations 4m
18

AI in India's Power Sector: Ministry of Power Pavilion at AI Impact Summit 2026

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the Ministry of Power Pavilion at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (16-21 February...

GS Paper 3 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 5m
18

Tamil Nadu Panel Report Recommends Diminishing Governor Powers and Strengthening Federalism

A high-level committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph submitted a 387-page report to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on 16...

GS Paper 2 Polity & Governance 5m
18

CRPF Sets Up 43 Temporary Operating Bases in J&K After Pahalgam Attack

Following the April 22, 2025 terror attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam — which killed 26 tourists — the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has...

GS3 (Internal Security, Insurgency, Border Management) Internal Security 5m
18

India Launches Interstate Peer-to-Peer Energy Trading Platform at AI Summit

India's first interstate peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading platform was launched at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 18, 2026. The...

GS Paper III (Infrastructure: Energy, Science & Technology) Science & Technology Economics 5m
18

Finland-India Strategic Partnership in Advanced Technology Highlighted at AI Impact Summit 2026

A session titled 'Building Sovereign Deep Tech for a Resilient Future' at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 highlighted the expanding India-Finland...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Science & Technology 4m
18

India and France Elevate Ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership

India and France elevated their bilateral relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during President Macron's fourth visit to India on February...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics Science & Technology 4m
18

FCI Signs 5-Year MoU with WFP to Supply 2 Lakh Tonnes of Rice for Global Hunger Relief

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed a 5-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to supply 2 lakh...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 5m
18

India-US Trade Deal Under Fire as Farmer Bodies Call It Anti-Farmer

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), a coalition of over 100 farm organisations, condemned the India-US Interim Trade Agreement framework as a 'total surrender'...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Economics International Relations 5m
18

Finland PM Meets PM Modi: Both Nations Aim to Double Trade, Cooperate on 6G and Clean Energy

Finnish PM Petteri Orpo met PM Modi on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi. Both leaders set a target to double bilateral trade...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Science & Technology 4m
18

Ukraine War Talks in Geneva End Without Agreement on Territory

Trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the US concluded in Geneva on 18 February 2026 after two days of negotiations, ending without a breakthrough...

GS Paper 2 International Relations 5m
18

Google Announces India–US Subsea Cable, $30 Million AI Science Challenge, and Major Skilling Drive

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the 'America–India Connect' initiative at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi — a new strategic subsea cable to...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Science & Technology International Relations Economics 4m
18

India and Canada Set to Finalise Terms of Reference for Free Trade Agreement Talks

India and Canada are expected to finalise Terms of Reference (ToR) for initiating free trade agreement negotiations during Canadian PM Mark Carney's...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 4m
18

India Seeks to Diversify Crude Oil and Coking Coal Sources with Focus on US Supplies

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated India's intent to diversify its crude oil and coking coal import sources, expressing specific interest in...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 Economics International Relations 4m
18

India-US Trade Deal and MGNREGA Changes: Concerns for Punjab's Farmers

Opposition political leaders and farmer unions in Punjab raised concerns that the proposed India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) could expose Punjab's...

GS2 (International Relations, Social Justice) GS3 (Agriculture, Trade Policy, Employment) Economics International Relations 6m
18

Sitharaman Pitches India to Norway: TEPA, Renewable Energy, and Sovereign Wealth Fund Investments

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Oslo on 17-18 February 2026 and met Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Economics 5m
18

Chinese Robot Row at AI Impact Summit: Galgotias University Evicted Over Misrepresentation

Galgotias University (Greater Noida) was ordered to vacate its pavilion at India's AI Impact Summit 2026 after one of its representatives publicly claimed a...

GS Paper 3 Science & Technology Polity & Governance 5m
18

Pichai: India Well-Positioned to Produce the Next Global AI Champion

At the India AI Impact Summit (February 18, 2026, Bharat Mandapam), Google CEO Sundar Pichai asserted that India is 'well positioned' with 'no impediments'...

GS3 (Science & Technology, Indian Economy) Science & Technology Economics 4m
18

Gujarat's Rs 4.08 Lakh Crore Budget: Sports Infrastructure Push for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented the state's Budget for 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 4,08,053 crore — an increase of Rs 37,803 crore...

GS2 (Federalism, State Finances) GS3 (Infrastructure, Sports) Economics Polity & Governance 5m
18

New India Co-operative Bank Excluded from Second Schedule to RBI Act, 1934

The Reserve Bank of India excluded New India Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai from the Second Schedule to the RBI Act, 1934, via Notification...

GS Paper III (Indian Economy, Banking) Economics 5m
18

Sundar Pichai at AI Impact Summit: US-India Subsea Cable and $15 Billion AI Hub Announced

Google CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (February 18, 2026) and met Prime Minister Modi on the...

GS3 (Science & Technology, Indian Economy, Infrastructure) Science & Technology Economics 4m
18

India-France Innovation Forum: Modi and Macron Launch Year of Innovation 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai on 17 February 2026...

GS Paper 2 GS Paper 3 International Relations Science & Technology 5m
18

RBI Mandates Unique Transaction Identifier for OTC Derivatives from January 2027

The Reserve Bank of India issued notification RBI/2025-26/222 on 18 February 2026, mandating the use of a Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for all...

GS Paper 3 Economics 5m