Asia Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 19 Feb 2026
India announces New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments with leading AI companies
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at the opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.
PM Modi meets leaders of Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Abu Dhabi; Switzerland to host next AI summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the leaders of Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Abu Dhabi in New Delhi on 19 February 2026, on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit, and welcomed Switzerland's initiative to host the next AI summit, to be followed by the UAE.
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes marks 23rd Foundation Day; NCST Handbook released
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi on 19 February 2026, where Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram released the NCST Handbook.
Civil Aviation Ministry updates on AAIB probe into Learjet 45 crash at Baramati
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on 19 February 2026 that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has downloaded the flight data recorder of the Learjet 45 (VT-SSK) that crashed at Baramati, Maharashtra, on 28 January 2026.
Vice President releases Shashi Tharoor's book on Sree Narayana Guru
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released Shashi Tharoor's book 'The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism: The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru' at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on 19 February 2026.
Shillong MP Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon dies at 54 after collapsing during a football game
Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon, Lok Sabha MP from Shillong, Meghalaya, died on 19 February 2026 after a cardiac arrest, having collapsed while playing football on the outskirts of Shillong.
President Murmu receives Estonian President Alar Karis on his first visit to India
President Droupadi Murmu received Estonian President Alar Karis at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 19 February 2026, on his first visit to India as President, for the India AI Impact Summit.
PM pays tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on his Jayanti on 19 February 2026, calling him a visionary leader, exceptional administrator, strategic thinker and champion of Swarajya.
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.
Tue, 17 Feb 2026
India and France elevate ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership; Modi and Macron launch Year of Innovation in Mumbai
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated India–France relations to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' and jointly inaugurated the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation in Mumbai on 17 February 2026.
NHAI to develop first-of-its-kind 'Bee Corridors' along National Highways
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced on 17 February 2026 a first-of-its-kind initiative to develop pollinator or 'Bee Corridors' along National Highways.
Om Birla represents India at swearing-in of Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman; hands over PM Modi's invitation
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka on 17 February 2026.
PM announces India–France National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics at NSTI Kanpur under PM-SETU
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur, with France, during the joint press statement with President Macron in Mumbai on 17 February 2026.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches AI-based Bharat-VISTAAR Phase 1 for farmers in Jaipur
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Phase 1 of the AI-based 'Bharat-VISTAAR' scheme for farmers in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 17 February 2026.
Rajnath Singh and Catherine Vautrin co-chair 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue; defence pact renewed for 10 years
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin co-chaired the 6th India–France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 17 February 2026.
Modi and Macron virtually inaugurate H125 helicopter final assembly line at Vemagal, Karnataka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated, from Mumbai, the Tata Advanced Systems final assembly line of the Airbus H125 light utility helicopter at Vemagal, Karnataka, on 17 February 2026.
J. P. Nadda launches SAHI and BODH initiatives for responsible AI in healthcare
Health Minister J. P. Nadda launched two digital health initiatives, SAHI and BODH, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on 17 February 2026.