Introduction – Why in News?

The 17 February 2026 current affairs highlights significant policy decisions, infrastructure projects, digital reforms, energy milestones, banking penalties, international telecom partnerships, and state-level innovations.

Such developments are highly important for:

• UPSC Prelims & Mains (GS Paper II & III)
• SSC CGL/CHSL
• IBPS PO/Clerk
• RBI Grade B
• Railways & Defence Exams
• State PSC Exams

Staying updated through structured resources like Daily Current Affairs helps aspirants build strong General Awareness.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. PM Narendra Modi’s Visit to Assam (14 February 2026)

On 14 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Assam and inaugurated projects worth ₹5,450 crore.

Key Highlights

• Historic landing at Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Dibrugarh.
• Inauguration of Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu over River Brahmaputra.
• Virtual inauguration of:
  • National Data Centre (NDC) – North Eastern Region
  • Temporary campus of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Guwahati
• Flagged off 225 electric buses under PM-eBus Sewa Scheme.

Significance

• Boost to North-East infrastructure.
• Strengthening digital infrastructure.
• Promotion of green mobility.
• Reduction in travel time in Guwahati from 30 minutes to 7 minutes.

2. Cabinet Approves Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) & Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0

The Union Cabinet approved:

Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)

• 25% Central Assistance.
• 50% funding via market sources (Municipal bonds, PPPs).
• Focus: Urban infrastructure financing.

Startup India FoF 2.0

• Launched under Startup India (2016).
• Objective: Mobilise venture capital for startups.
• Strengthens innovation ecosystem.

3. Cabinet Approves ₹18,509 Crore Railway Projects

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved:

• Delhi–Ambala line expansion
• Kasara–Manmad section
• Ballari–Hosapete section

Impact

• Multitracking across 389 km.
• Improves freight efficiency.
• Boosts logistics & GDP growth.

4. BIRAC–RDI Fund: ₹2,000 Crore Biotech Push

Launched by Dr. Jitendra Singh.

• Total RDI Outlay: ₹1 lakh crore (6 years).
• First call open till 31 March 2026.
• Focus sectors:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Biotechnology
  • Deep-tech

TRL Scale (Technology Readiness Level)

• TRL 4–6: Prototype stage
• TRL 7–9: Commercial deployment

5. India Adds Record 52,537 MW Power Capacity (FY26)

The Ministry of Power announced record capacity addition.

Key Achievement

• Total installed capacity: ~521 GW.
• 50% installed capacity from non-fossil sources (achieved in June 2025).
• Target: 5 Million Tonnes Green Hydrogen by 2030.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

du & Datawave Launch SING Submarine Cable

The UAE telecom company du partnered with Datawave Networks.

About SING Cable

Importance

• Reduces Red Sea dependency.
• Boosts AI & Cloud connectivity.
• Strengthens UAE’s data hub status.

BANKING & FINANCE

1. CBDC-Based PDS Launched in Gujarat

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India’s first CBDC-based Public Distribution System.

Key Points

• e₹ (Digital Rupee) coupons.
• Implemented in 4 districts of Gujarat.
• Aims for leakage-free ration distribution.

2. RBI Penalises Banks & NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India imposed ₹1.35 crore penalty on:

• CSB Bank
• Bank of Maharashtra
• DCB Bank
• IIFL Finance
• Navi Finserv

Reason

• KYC violations
• Gold Loan LTV non-compliance
• Asset classification issues

3. DBS Partners Visa for AI Agent Payments

DBS became first Asia-Pacific bank to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce.

• AI-powered agent payments.
• Secure consent-based API system.
• Future expansion to travel & e-commerce.

APPOINTMENTS

Mia Mottley Re-elected as Barbados PM

Prime Minister Mia Mottley won third consecutive term.

Capital – Bridgetown
Currency – Barbadian Dollar (BBD)

Uday Kotak Appointed Chairman of GIFT City

Industrialist Uday Kotak appointed Chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT).

• Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
• Awarded Padma Bhushan (2026).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GalaxEye Partners with ISRO’s NSIL

GalaxEye signed MoU with NSIL (NewSpace India Limited).

• SyncFused OptoSAR imagery.
• Applications:
  • Agriculture
  • Disaster Management
  • Infrastructure Planning

IMPORTANT DAYS

National Women’s Day – 13 February

Observed on birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.

International Childhood Cancer Day – 15 February

• Established in 2002.
• Symbol: Gold Ribbon.
• 2026 Theme Cycle: Demonstrating Impact.

STATE NEWS

Kerala Approves India’s First Graphene Policy

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan approved Graphene Policy.

Incentives

• 50% land lease subsidy
• 45% CAPEX support
• Stamp duty exemption

Global Collaboration

• University of Oxford
• University of Manchester

What is Graphene?

• Single-layer carbon material.
• High conductivity & strength.
• Used in electronics & energy storage.

📌 One-Liner Revision Points

1. PM Modi inaugurated ₹5,450 crore projects in Assam.
2. Cabinet approved ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund.
3. Startup India FoF 2.0 corpus is ₹10,000 crore.
4. ₹18,509 crore railway multitracking projects approved.
5. India added record 52,537 MW capacity in FY26.
6. Gujarat launched India’s first CBDC-based PDS.
7. RBI imposed ₹1.35 crore penalties on 5 FIs.
8. Mia Mottley re-elected Barbados PM for 3rd term.
9. Kerala approved India’s first Graphene Policy.
10. SING cable connects UAE–India–Singapore corridor.

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