📰 Weekly Current Affairs (15–21 February 2026) for Government Exams
The third week of February 2026 covered major developments in defence procurement, AI governance, digital payments, energy milestones, infrastructure expansion, international diplomacy, and key appointments.
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📘 Introduction
The Weekly Current Affairs (15–21 February 2026) highlights crucial developments across:
- National Infrastructure & Policy Decisions
- Defence Modernization & Naval Exercises
- Banking & Digital Payment Reforms
- AI & Technology Expansion
- International Strategic Partnerships
- State-Level Economic Initiatives
These topics are directly linked to General Studies (GS Paper II & III), Economy, Environment, Science & Tech, and International Relations sections of competitive examinations.
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📅 DAY-WISE CURRENT AFFAIRS (WITH LINKS)
📅 15 & 16 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 15 & 16 February 2026
✔ Explanation
The week began with a major defence procurement decision as the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved ₹3.25 lakh crore for 114 Rafale fighter jets. This move significantly strengthens the Indian Air Force (IAF) and promotes indigenous defence manufacturing under Make in India.
NITI Aayog released a 10-year technology roadmap targeting expansion of India’s tech services sector to USD 750–850 billion by 2035. Additionally, India improved its ranking in the Henley Passport Index 2026, moving to 75th position.
Kerala also became the first state to approve a comprehensive Urban Policy.
✔ Key Points
- ₹3.25 lakh crore Rafale procurement approved
- 96 jets to be manufactured in India
- NITI Aayog tech sector target: $850B by 2035
- India ranked 75th in Henley Passport Index
- NIPL–PayNet QR payment agreement
- Kerala Urban Policy approved
📅 17 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 17 February 2026
✔ Explanation
Major policy approvals included the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and ₹18,509 crore railway multitracking projects. India achieved record power capacity addition of 52,537 MW in FY26, crossing 50% installed capacity from non-fossil sources.
Gujarat launched India’s first CBDC-based Public Distribution System (PDS), marking a milestone in digital governance.
✔ Key Points
- Urban Challenge Fund: ₹1 lakh crore
- Railway projects worth ₹18,509 crore
- 50% power capacity from non-fossil sources
- CBDC-based PDS launched in Gujarat
- RBI penalised banks & NBFCs
📅 18 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 18 February 2026
✔ Explanation
The PM RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) Scheme was approved, providing ₹1.5 lakh cashless treatment during the golden hour. The Cabinet approved major highway projects including India’s first underwater twin-tube tunnel under the Brahmaputra River.
In banking, RBI granted Payment Aggregator approval to In-Solutions Global.
✔ Key Points
- PM RAHAT Scheme launched
- ₹11,000 crore highway approvals
- Dam Safety Conference 2026 held in Bengaluru
- RBI approved Payment Aggregator categories
- Smriti Mandhana won BBC ISWOTY 2025
📅 19 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 19 February 2026
✔ Explanation
India launched Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-powered digital agriculture platform integrating AgriStack and multiple schemes like PM-KISAN and PMFBY. The Supreme Court recognized Menstrual Health & Hygiene as part of Article 21 (Right to Life & Dignity).
India’s first National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) was also launched in Ahmedabad.
✔ Key Points
- Bharat-VISTAAR launched
- AI Governance Framework introduced
- Menstrual Health declared fundamental right
- Bee Corridors to be developed by NHAI
- Airtel Money approved as NBFC-ICC
📅 20 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 20 February 2026
✔ Explanation
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) approved the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Project. NABARD and NCDEX launched a Price Protection Scheme using put options for farmers. India–France Year of Innovation 2026 was launched to boost cooperation in AI and defence.
✔ Key Points
- Great Nicobar Project approved
- NABARD–NCDEX price hedge scheme
- India–France Year of Innovation 2026
- Indigenous CTS ‘Krishna’ launched
- World Day of Social Justice observed
📅 21 February 2026
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Daily Current Affairs – 21 February 2026
✔ Explanation
French President Emmanuel Macron visited India, strengthening strategic and defence ties. The Indian Navy hosted MILAN 2026 and International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026. Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to establish India’s first large-scale AI-ready data centre.
Vibrant Villages Programme–II was also launched for border area development.
✔ Key Points
- Macron’s 4th visit to India
- MILAN 2026 hosted at Visakhapatnam
- Tata–OpenAI 1 GW AI Data Centre
- VVP–II outlay ₹6,839 crore
- Gujarat Budget ₹4.08 lakh crore
📚 WEEK-WISE CONSOLIDATED REVISION
🏛 National Affairs
- PM RAHAT Scheme
- Urban Challenge Fund
- Vibrant Villages Programme–II
- Railway & Highway expansions
💰 Economy & Business
- Tata–OpenAI AI Data Centre
- Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0
- Gujarat Budget 2026–27
🏦 Banking & Finance
- CBDC-based PDS
- RBI penalties on banks
- Airtel Money NBFC approval
- IDFC FD-backed credit card
🛡 Defence & Security
- ₹3.25 lakh crore Rafale deal
- MILAN 2026
- Mountain Fire Control Radar
- UN SALW training
🧪 Science & Technology
- AI Governance Framework
- Bharat-VISTAAR
- National Biobank for LSDs
- DRDO Gaganyaan drogue parachute test
🌍 International Relations
- India–France Strategic Partnership
- India–Israel Defence MoU
- SING submarine cable project
📊 QUICK REVISION TABLE
| Topic | Key Facts | Exam Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Rafale Deal | ₹3.25 lakh crore, 114 jets | Defence procurement |
| Urban Challenge Fund | ₹1 lakh crore | Urban infrastructure |
| AI Governance Framework | 7 Sutras | AI ethics & policy |
| Henley Passport Index | India Rank 75 | International rankings |
| Great Nicobar Project | ₹81,000 crore | Environment & IR |
| MILAN 2026 | Naval Exercise | Indo-Pacific strategy |
| PM RAHAT | ₹1.5 lakh treatment | Social welfare scheme |
⭐ Weekly Key Highlights (15–21 Feb 2026)
- DAC approved ₹3.25 lakh crore Rafale deal.
- Urban Challenge Fund worth ₹1 lakh crore approved.
- India ranked 75th in Henley Passport Index 2026.
- CBDC-based PDS launched in Gujarat.
- AI Governance Framework introduced.
- PM RAHAT Scheme approved.
- Great Nicobar Project cleared by NGT.
- India added 52,537 MW power capacity in FY26.
- Tata–OpenAI AI Data Centre announced.
- MILAN 2026 hosted at Visakhapatnam.
- Menstrual Health declared Fundamental Right.
- Bharat-VISTAAR launched for farmers.
- RBI penalised banks for KYC violations.
- India–France Year of Innovation 2026 launched.
- Vibrant Villages Programme–II launched.
📝 One-Liner Revision (Very Important)
- DAC approved 114 Rafale jets procurement.
- India ranked 75th in Henley Passport Index.
- Urban Challenge Fund outlay ₹1 lakh crore.
- CBDC-based PDS launched in Gujarat.
- PM RAHAT covers ₹1.5 lakh treatment.
- AI Governance Framework has 7 principles.
- Great Nicobar Project cost ₹81,000 crore.
- Bharat-VISTAAR integrates AgriStack.
- Tata–OpenAI data centre scalable to 1 GW.
- MILAN 2026 theme: Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration.
- VVP–II covers 1,954 villages.
- India achieved 50% non-fossil capacity.
- National Biobank launched in Ahmedabad.
- Smriti Mandhana won BBC ISWOTY 2025.
- Tejaswin Shankar won gold in Heptathlon.
- India to chair IONS (2026–28).
- RBI penalised 5 financial institutions.
- Startup India FoF 2.0 corpus ₹10,000 crore.
- Railway projects worth ₹18,509 crore approved.
- DRDO tested Gaganyaan drogue parachute.
For continuous preparation, regularly revise:
- https://jobsme.in/category/weekly-current-affairs
- https://jobsme.in/category/monthly-current-affairs
- https://jobsme.in/quizzes/daily-current-affairs
Consistent weekly revision ensures strong performance in UPSC, SSC, IBPS, RBI, Railways, Defence and State PSC examinations.
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