World Current Affairs — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Wed, 18 Feb 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.
Amit Shah holds Manthan Meeting with Cooperation Ministers of all States and UTs in Gandhinagar
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a Manthan Meeting with the Cooperation Ministers of all States and Union Territories in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on 17 February 2026, under the theme 'Sahkar se Samriddhi'.
India to add 20,000 GPUs to its existing 38,000 under the IndiaAI Mission, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on 17 February 2026, the second day of the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, that India will add 20,000 GPUs to its existing 38,000 in the coming weeks.
Vice President Radhakrishnan pays tributes to Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur on his death anniversary
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan paid floral tributes to Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur on his death anniversary at Uparashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 17 February 2026.
Mon, 16 Feb 2026
India AI Impact Summit 2026 begins at Bharat Mandapam; PM Modi inaugurates India AI Impact Expo
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 began at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 16 February 2026, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 there the same day.
President Murmu inaugurates centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Centenary Celebration of the Ol Chiki script, organised by the Ministry of Culture, in New Delhi on 16 February 2026.
Committee of Parliament on Official Language presents its 13th report to President Murmu
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with members of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language, called on President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on 16 February 2026 and presented the Committee's 13th report.
India's exports reach an estimated $720.76 billion in April–January 2025-26, up 6.15%
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported on 16 February 2026 that India's total exports of goods and services in April–January 2025-26 were an estimated US$ 720.76 billion, up 6.15% year on year.
Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at BEL Bengaluru, flags off Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment combat systems
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru, Karnataka, on 16 February 2026, and flagged off the combat systems of the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiments.
Indian Navy's first Cadet Training Ship, Krishna, launched at L&T Kattupalli
Krishna (Yard 18003), the first of three Cadet Training Ships being built for the Indian Navy, was launched at L&T's Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on 16 February 2026.
Amit Shah addresses Delhi Police's 79th Raising Day; inaugurates Safe City Project phase one
Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the 79th Raising Day ceremony of the Delhi Police as chief guest in New Delhi on 16 February 2026.
CAQM issues Statutory Direction to Punjab, Haryana and UP to eliminate wheat stubble burning in 2026
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued a Statutory Direction on 16 February 2026 to the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for time-bound implementation of State Action Plans to prevent and eliminate wheat stubble burning in the 2026 harvesting season.
Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS intercept boat with about 203 kg of suspected narcotics in the Arabian Sea
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in coordination with the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), intercepted a speed boat carrying about 203 kg of a suspected crystalline narcotic in the Arabian Sea near the International Maritime Boundary Line in an overnight operation on 16 February 2026.
PLFS: labour force participation rate at 55.9% in January 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation reported on 16 February 2026 that the labour force participation rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 and above was 55.9% in January 2026, against 56.1% in December 2025.
WPI inflation rises to 1.81% in January 2026
The annual rate of inflation based on the All India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) was 1.81% (provisional) for January 2026, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reported on 16 February 2026.