Current Affairs Quiz — 19 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 19 February 2026 at which venue?
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Correct answer: B — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The PM inaugurated the Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
In the M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI outlined by PM Modi on 19 February 2026, what does the letter 'N' stand for?
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Correct answer: D — National Sovereignty
M.A.N.A.V. stands for Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, and Valid and Legitimate.
Which of the following was NOT among PM Modi's three suggestions for ethical AI at the Leaders' Plenary of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: A — A global tax on AI compute
The three suggestions were a trusted global data framework, transparent 'glass box' safety rules, and embedding human values in AI. A tax on compute was not proposed.
Consider the following statements about the inauguration of the India AI Impact Summit 2026: 1. PM Modi said AI must be democratised and become a tool for inclusion, particularly for the Global South. 2. The Summit drew representation from over 100 countries. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PM's inaugural address on 19 February 2026.
In the M.A.N.A.V. vision for AI, the letter 'V' stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Valid and Legitimate
'V' stands for Valid and Legitimate; the full vision is Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive, Valid and Legitimate.
A BSIP-led study announced in February 2026 reconstructed a 300-million-year-old Gondwanan ecosystem using fossils from a coal mine in which basin?
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Correct answer: A — North Karanpura Basin
The evidence came from the Ashoka Coal Mine in Jharkhand's North Karanpura Basin.
The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, which led the Jharkhand coal-mine fossil study, is an autonomous institute under which department?
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Correct answer: B — Department of Science and Technology
BSIP is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
How many countries took part in Exercise MILAN 2026, inaugurated at Visakhapatnam on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 74
Navy chiefs and delegations from 74 countries took part, making it the largest MILAN to date.
What was the theme of Exercise MILAN 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration
MILAN 2026 was held under the theme 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration'.
Consider the following statements about Exercise MILAN: 1. It began in 1995 at Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram). 2. The 2026 edition concluded with a closing ceremony aboard INS Vikrant. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Defence Minister recalled MILAN's start in 1995 at Sri Vijaya Puram (then Port Blair), and the 2026 edition closed aboard INS Vikrant on 25 February.
Researchers at CeNS Bengaluru reported a new cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries in February 2026. What is the material?
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Correct answer: D — 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂)
The team synthesised sulfur-vacancy-induced 1T-phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂) nanoflakes as the cathode.
Consider the following statements about aqueous zinc-ion batteries: 1. They use water-based electrolytes. 2. In the CeNS study, zinc metal was used directly as the anode. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries use water-based electrolytes, and zinc metal is used directly as the anode.
Who announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at the opening of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Ashwini Vaishnaw
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the commitments at the opening ceremony.
While announcing the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, Ashwini Vaishnaw described India's approach across five layers of the AI stack. Which of these is NOT one of them?
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Correct answer: A — Regulation
The five layers named were applications, models, compute, talent and energy. Regulation was not one of them.
After the India AI Impact Summit 2026, which country took the initiative to host the next AI summit, to be followed by the UAE?
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Correct answer: B — Switzerland
PM Modi welcomed Switzerland's initiative to host the next AI Summit, to be followed by the UAE.
During PM Modi's meeting with Swiss President Guy Parmelin on 19 February 2026, the leaders welcomed the implementation of which trade agreement?
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Correct answer: D — India–EFTA TEPA
They welcomed the momentum from implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA); Switzerland is a key EFTA member.
Consider the following statements about PM Modi's meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on 19 February 2026: 1. The leaders noted that 18 February 2026 marked four years since the India–UAE CEPA was signed. 2. A term sheet among C-DAC, G42 and MBZUAI for a supercomputer cluster in India was finalised. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the MEA/PIB release on the Crown Prince's visit.
Who is the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, as of its 23rd Foundation Day on 19 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Antar Singh Arya
NCST Chairperson Antar Singh Arya attended the 23rd Foundation Day along with Members Nirupam Chakma and Dr. Asha Lakra.
Under which Article of the Constitution is the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes constituted?
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Correct answer: D — Article 338A
NCST is constituted under Article 338A. Article 338 covers the NCSC, Article 338B the NCBC, and Article 340 commissions on backward classes.
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: 1. It was created by the Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003, which split the combined National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 2. It is a statutory body set up under an Act of Parliament, not a constitutional body. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. NCST is a constitutional body under Article 338A, inserted by the 89th Amendment Act, 2003; it came into existence on 19 February 2004.
The investigation into the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) crash at Baramati on 28 January 2026 is being conducted in line with which ICAO Annex?
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Correct answer: C — Annex 13
The AAIB probe follows the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 and the SARPs in ICAO Annex 13, which covers aircraft accident and incident investigation.
Shashi Tharoor's book 'The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism', released on 19 February 2026, is about which social reformer?
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Correct answer: D — Sree Narayana Guru
The book covers the life, lessons and legacy of Sree Narayana Guru, whose message was 'One Caste, One Religion, One God for humankind'.
Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, who died on 19 February 2026, represented which Lok Sabha constituency?
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Correct answer: A — Shillong
Syngkon was the Lok Sabha MP from Shillong, Meghalaya, elected in 2024 on a Voice of the People Party ticket.
President Droupadi Murmu received Alar Karis, on his first visit to India as President, on 19 February 2026. Which country does he lead?
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Correct answer: A — Estonia
Alar Karis is the President of the Republic of Estonia.
On 19 February 2026, PM Modi paid tribute to which historical figure on his Jayanti, calling him a 'champion of Swarajya'?
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Correct answer: B — Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The PM paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti, calling him a champion of Swarajya.