Current Affairs — 18 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 18 Feb 2026
President Murmu reviews International Fleet Review 2026 off Visakhapatnam with 74 countries
President Droupadi Murmu reviewed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 18 February 2026, with participation from 74 countries.
Cheetah Gamini gives birth to three cubs at Kuno; India's cheetah population reaches 38
Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on 18 February 2026 that Gamini, a South African cheetah, had given birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, taking India's cheetah population to 38.
FCI signs five-year MoU to supply 2 lakh tonnes of rice to the World Food Programme
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding on 18 February 2026 for the supply of rice for global humanitarian operations.
Election Commission announces biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats in 10 states on 16 March
The Election Commission of India announced on 18 February 2026 biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats from 10 states, with polling and counting on 16 March 2026.
PM Modi meets Croatian PM Andrej Plenković on first-ever Croatian prime ministerial visit, and Finland's Petteri Orpo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit.
Nadda and Macron inaugurate Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi
Health Minister J. P. Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, on 18 February 2026.
CMA CGM and Cochin Shipyard sign contract for six LNG-fuelled container vessels
French shipping major CMA CGM and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) signed a contract in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 for six 1,700 TEU LNG-fuelled feeder container vessels to be built in Kochi, Kerala.
DRDO conducts qualification level load test of Gaganyaan drogue parachute at TBRL Chandigarh
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful qualification level load test of the drogue parachute for the Gaganyaan programme at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of TBRL, Chandigarh, on 18 February 2026.
PM Modi holds talks with Spain's Pedro Sánchez; leaders highlight India–Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and AI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Pedro Sánchez, President of the Government of Spain, in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 during his official visit for the AI Impact Summit.
Amit Shah addresses 152nd birth anniversary celebrations of Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur in Nadia
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the 152nd birth anniversary celebrations of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur as chief guest in Nadia, West Bengal, on 18 February 2026.
VoicERA, an open-source voice AI stack, launched on BHASHINI at India AI Impact Summit
The Digital India BHASHINI Division launched VoicERA, an open-source, end-to-end voice AI stack, on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 18 February 2026.
CAQM revokes GRAP Stage-II across Delhi-NCR as air quality improves
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee on GRAP revoked all Stage-II actions across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect on 18 February 2026 as Delhi's air quality improved.
India sets Guinness World Record with over 2.5 lakh AI Responsibility Pledges in 24 hours
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 18 February 2026 that India had set the Guinness World Records title for the most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours.
India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce launched; Pralhad Joshi calls it a 'Trustforce'
New and Renewable Energy Minister Pralhad Joshi addressed the launch of the India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce on 18 February 2026, in the presence of UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.