Daily current affairs: 16 February 2026

Long Description : The India AI Impact Expo 2026, held from February 16–20, marks a significant milestone as the first global AI summit hosted in a Global South nation. During the inauguration at Bharat Mandapam, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the theme "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya," focusing on AI for social empowerment and economic growth. The summit brings together over 100 countries and 40 global CEOs, including leaders from OpenAI and Google. India is positioning itself as a primary hub for digital infrastructure, inviting global data residency while promoting its "IndiaAI Mission." The event features seven thematic "chakras," including safe AI and human capital development.

Long Description : A nine-judge Constitution Bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, is set to revisit the 2018 Sabarimala verdict which allowed women of all ages to enter the Kerala shrine. The court has scheduled oral submissions to begin on April 7, 2026, following a timeline that allocates specific days for petitioners and respondents. Beyond the specific temple entry issue, the bench will examine larger constitutional questions regarding "essential religious practices" and the interplay between religious rights and gender equality. This landmark proceeding aims to clarify the 1954 Shirur Mutt case precedent and define the boundaries of judicial interference in diverse religious traditions across India.

Long Description : Under the oversight of the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, India has introduced a CBDC-based Digital Food Currency pilot in Gujarat. This initiative utilizes "programmable e-Rupee" to issue digital coupons for PDS beneficiaries, ensuring that subsidies are used strictly for designated food items. The programmable nature of this digital currency prevents the diversion of funds and enhances transparency in the welfare delivery mechanism. By integrating blockchain-based e-Rupee into the ration system, the government aims to reduce leakages and streamline the verification process for fair-price shops, marking a significant step in India's digital banking evolution.

Long Description : The newly released Draft Income Tax Rules 2026 propose a major overhaul of various salary allowances, which have remained stagnant for decades. Key proposals include raising the Children Education Allowance from ₹100 to ₹3,000 per month and the Hostel Expenditure Allowance from ₹300 to ₹9,000 per month. Additionally, the list of cities eligible for 50% HRA exemption has been expanded to include Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. These changes, effective from April 1, 2026, are intended to make the old tax regime more competitive against the new simplified regime by providing realistic deduction limits for the modern middle-class taxpayer.

Long Description : Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian, inaugurated an Orientation-cum-Training Program at Vigyan Bhawan for deputationists assigned to Haj 2026. Approximately 1.75 lakh Indian pilgrims are expected to perform the pilgrimage this year. The 600 selected officials, including medical and administrative staff, will be stationed in Saudi Arabia for over two months to provide logistical and healthcare support. The government has emphasized a "whole-of-government" approach, involving ministries like External Affairs and Health. New reforms highlighted include enhanced facilities for elderly pilgrims and improved arrangements for women traveling without a "Mehram" (male companion), ensuring a safe and dignified pilgrimage experience.

Long Description : Highlighting India's resilient trade performance, the Commerce Secretary stated that cumulative exports for the April-January period rose by 2.22% to reach $366.63 billion. January 2026 saw a 0.61% year-on-year growth in goods exports, totaling $36.56 billion. The government attributes this steady growth to strong demand in non-traditional markets and the success of various Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. With services exports also showing robust momentum, India aims to surpass the $860 billion mark by the end of March 2026. This trajectory reinforces India's position as a reliable global supplier in sectors ranging from electronics to engineering goods and pharmaceutical products.

Long Description : Building on the success of the initial 2016 initiative, Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 aims to catalyze private equity and venture capital investments into emerging Indian startups. The revamped scheme focuses specifically on strategic sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and space technology. By providing "fund-of-funds" support, the government intends to de-risk investments for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), thereby encouraging a larger pool of domestic capital. This move is designed to reduce reliance on foreign funding and empower home-grown innovators to scale globally. The initiative aligns with the "Viksit Bharat" vision, targeting the creation of thousands of high-skilled jobs.

Long Description : The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, introduced the PM RAHAT scheme to minimize fatalities on Indian roads. The scheme guarantees cashless treatment up to a specified limit for any road accident victim during the critical first hour (Golden Hour) post-accident. This pan-India initiative covers stabilization and emergency surgeries at both government and empanelled private hospitals. By removing immediate financial barriers to emergency care, PM RAHAT aims to significantly reduce the high rate of trauma-related deaths in India. The scheme also includes a digital portal for real-time tracking of ambulance services and hospital bed availability.

Long Description : During a high-level diplomatic exchange, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) signed significant long-term LNG supply agreements with Indian Oil and HPCL. Simultaneously, Mubadala Investment Company committed $4 billion to Indian sectors including healthcare, tech, and renewables. A key highlight of this partnership is the "India-UAE AI Bridge," which focuses on building data centers and digital infrastructure in both nations. This collaboration positions India as a primary partner for the UAE's energy transition while leveraging Indian expertise in software and AI. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) also announced expanded operations within Gujarat's GIFT City to facilitate these large-scale investments.

Long Description : Held in the industrial hub of Mandi Gobindgarh, the Chintan Shivir brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to outline a roadmap for decarbonizing the Indian steel industry. The focus was on the "Secondary Steel Sector," which accounts for a significant portion of India's output. Discussions centered on adopting green hydrogen, increasing scrap utilization, and implementing Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies. The Ministry emphasized that shifting to Green Steel is essential for meeting India's Net Zero targets and overcoming international trade barriers like Europe's CBAM. The event highlighted fiscal incentives for small-scale steel plants to upgrade to energy-efficient induction furnaces.

Long Description : In conjunction with the AI Impact Summit, the government unveiled "Draft AI Governance Guidelines" to regulate the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems. These guidelines mandate transparency in algorithms, data privacy safeguards, and accountability for AI-generated outcomes. The framework introduces a "Risk-Based Classification" where high-impact AI applications in healthcare and finance will undergo stricter auditing. It also proposes the creation of an "AI Ethics Board" to monitor compliance. By balancing innovation with safety, India aims to create a "Trustworthy AI" ecosystem that protects citizens from deepfakes and algorithmic bias while encouraging startups to build inclusive, indigenous AI solutions for public service delivery.

Long Description : In a major policy shift for the 2025-26 academic session, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has declared that the "First Examination" is no longer optional. Under the new dual-exam system designed to reduce student stress, students must sit for the initial exam to qualify for the second phase. Missing three or more subjects in the first exam will result in ineligibility for the second. This rule ensures that students remain consistent in their learning throughout the year. The board emphasized that this structure provides two opportunities to improve scores, but only for those who participate in the full continuous evaluation process.

Long Description : The Brahmaputra Under-River Tunnel is a flagship infrastructure project aimed at providing all-weather connectivity between northern and southern Assam. Strategically located near the China border, this tunnel will facilitate the rapid movement of military equipment and personnel. The project utilizes advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) capable of navigating the complex Himalayan riverbed. Spanning approximately 15 kilometers, it will be India's first underwater rail-road tunnel. Once completed, it will significantly reduce travel time between key defense hubs and boost regional trade. The government has prioritized this project under the "PM Gati Shakti" framework to ensure integrated multi-modal connectivity in the Northeast.

Long Description : To bolster India's R&D capabilities, the government has institutionalized the Indian Scientific Service (ISS) as a dedicated cadre for scientific professionals. Similar to other civil services, recruitment for the ISS will be conducted through a national-level competitive examination. This move aims to provide scientists with a structured career path, better pay scales, and administrative roles within scientific ministries. By centralizing recruitment for organizations like the CSIR and DST, the government hopes to attract top-tier talent from global academia back to India. The ISS is expected to bridge the gap between scientific research and policy implementation, driving India's ambition to become a global science powerhouse.

Long Description : During the India AI Impact Summit, experts emphasized the growth of the "Orange Economy," which encompasses sectors like film, gaming, music, and digital content creation. With the advent of Generative AI, India's creative sector is projected to contribute significantly to the GDP. The government is drafting a dedicated "Creative Economy Policy" to provide institutional support to artists and creators. By leveraging AI for dubbing, animation, and personalized content, India aims to export its cultural heritage more effectively. The focus is on protecting intellectual property rights while using technology to democratize access to creative tools, thereby empowering millions of youth in the "creator economy" landscape.

Long Description : Building on the momentum of the India AI Impact Expo, the government announced a dedicated summit for the Global South. This event will focus on making AI resources, such as compute power and datasets, more equitable and accessible to developing countries. India plans to share its "Digital Public Infrastructure" (DPI) model as a template for other nations to implement AI-driven governance. The summit aims to prevent a "digital divide" where only a few nations control AI advancements. By leading this initiative, India reinforces its role as the "Voice of the Global South," advocating for fair international rules that prioritize human welfare over corporate profit.