Daily current affairs: 18 February 2026

Long Description : During French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India on February 18, 2026, both nations formally elevated their relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership." This upgrade marks a significant shift from the 1998 Strategic Partnership, reflecting deeper collaboration in cutting-edge sectors. Key agreements include the establishment of a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group and a Joint Declaration of Intent for critical minerals cooperation. The leaders emphasized a "third way" in global diplomacy, focusing on strategic autonomy and climate resilience. The partnership also prioritizes a 10-year defence cooperation roadmap and 50% indigenization in future Rafale manufacturing projects.

Long Description : The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the launch of the Pradhan Mantri (PM) RAHAT (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment) scheme on February 18, 2026. This pan-India initiative aims to provide cashless medical treatment to all road accident victims during the critical "Golden Hour." The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will oversee policy integration via the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) platform, while the National Health Authority (NHA) handles claims through the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0). The scheme is designed to drastically reduce fatalities by ensuring swift access to emergency care without financial barriers.

Long Description : On February 18, 2026, the IndiaAI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, achieved a Guinness World Record. This milestone was reached as thousands of students across the country took a digital pledge for the "Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence" within a single 24-hour window. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of ethical AI leadership. The summit also showcased the "Bharat EduAI Stack," an interoperable architecture for AI-powered learning. Due to massive public interest, the government has extended the summit's expo until February 21, allowing more citizens to witness the latest AI innovations.

Long Description : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by PM Narendra Modi, sanctioned the construction of India's first underwater twin-tube road-cum-rail tunnel project on February 18, 2026. Estimated to cost ₹18,662 crore, the tunnel will connect the north and south banks of the Brahmaputra River in Assam. This strategic infrastructure project is designed to provide all-weather connectivity and significantly reduce travel time between key regions. The twin-tube design will accommodate both vehicular traffic and rail lines, enhancing logistics and military mobility in the Northeast. It represents a major engineering feat, being the first of its kind in the Indian sub-continent.

Long Description : In a major boost to digital healthcare, the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) was inaugurated at AIIMS, New Delhi, on February 18, 2026. The facility is a collaboration between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and the Paris Brain Institute, with technical support from IIT Delhi. The centre aims to develop trusted AI systems for brain health, metabolic diseases, and global healthcare challenges. President Macron stated that the initiative ensures both nations build sovereign computing capacity rather than relying on external technologies. The centre will focus on AI-driven research, medical education, and clinical trials to provide equitable, technology-enabled healthcare solutions for Bharat.

Long Description : On February 17, 2026, Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took the oath as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a major political transition in the neighboring country. Indian Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka on February 18, 2026, representing the Indian government. During his visit, Speaker Birla conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations and extended an official invitation for Mr. Rahman to visit India. The election victory of the BNP is seen as a historic shift in Bangladesh's political trajectory, with India aiming to maintain stable and cooperative bilateral relations with its eastern neighbor.

Long Description : Director General Paramesh Sivamani of the Indian Coast Guard inaugurated India's first Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on February 18, 2026. Developed by Marine Jet Power (MJP) under a Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework, this facility marks a significant step toward "Atmanirbhar Bharat" in maritime defence. With this inauguration, India joins the United States and South Korea as the only countries capable of manufacturing such advanced propulsion systems. The facility will cater to the needs of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, enhancing the speed and maneuverability of patrol vessels while reducing dependence on foreign imports for critical maritime technology.

Long Description : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, concluded its first monetary policy meeting of 2026 on February 18 by maintaining the repo rate at 5.25%. The decision reflects a "neutral" stance as the bank balances growth with a benign inflation outlook of 2.1%. Citing the impact of recent trade deals with the US and EU, the RBI revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 upward to 7.4%. The central bank noted that India is currently in a "Goldilocks period" of high growth and low inflation. However, it warned of minor inflationary pressures from rising precious metal prices over the next year.

Long Description : In a thrilling match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 18, 2026, Canada’s Yuvraj Samra scripted history by scoring a century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Samra smashed 100 runs in just 58 balls against a formidable New Zealand bowling attack, becoming only the second centurion of the tournament. Despite his heroic performance, Canada faced a tough challenge from the Kiwis. Additionally, the Event Technical Committee approved Cole McConchie as a replacement for the injured Michael Bracewell in the New Zealand squad. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, continues to witness high-scoring games and record-breaking performances.

Long Description : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new Missile Integration Facility and unveiled the "Mountain Fire Control Radar" on February 18, 2026. This indigenously developed radar system by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is specifically designed for target tracking and fire control in rugged, high-altitude terrains like the Himalayas. During the event, the Minister also flagged off the 3rd and 4th regiments of the Akash Combat Systems, which have been upgraded for extreme weather conditions. These additions significantly bolster the Indian Army's air defence capabilities along the Northern borders. BEL also introduced its first formal AI Policy to integrate artificial intelligence across all defence platforms.

Long Description : During the AI Impact Summit on February 18, 2026, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the "Bharat EduAI Stack." This open and interoperable digital architecture aims to integrate AI into schools and higher education institutions nationwide. The initiative focuses on personalized learning, automated assessments, and teacher assistance. As part of the rollout, IIM Lucknow and IIM Ranchi announced new "Teaching with AI" programs. Furthermore, the "Bodhan AI Centre of Excellence" was established to lead research in educational technology. The stack is expected to bridge the digital divide by providing high-quality, AI-driven educational resources to students in remote areas, supporting the National Education Policy 2020.

Long Description : On February 18, 2026, the International Conference on Dam Safety (ICDS 2026) concluded in Bengaluru with the launch of "DamChat" and the "Jal Shakti Data Management Platform." DamChat is a specialized Artificial Intelligence knowledge tool designed to assist engineers and policymakers in monitoring dam health, predicting flood risks, and managing water release schedules. The platform was developed through a collaboration between the Central Water Commission, IISc Bengaluru, and the World Bank. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of AI in managing India's aging dam infrastructure. The platform aims to enhance disaster resilience and optimize irrigation water distribution across major river basins.

Long Description : In a significant observation on February 18, 2026, the Supreme Court of India directed political leaders and public officials to uphold the constitutional value of "Fraternity." A bench led by the Chief Justice highlighted that fraternity is not just a moral ideal but a legal obligation to ensure national unity and individual dignity. The Court expressed concern over the increasing frequency of hate speech and discriminatory rhetoric, noting that such actions violate Article 19(2) and the spirit of the Preamble. The ruling called for strict adherence to the Law Commission's 267th Report on hate speech and previous guidelines from the Tehseen Poonawalla case to protect social harmony.

Long Description : The Madhya Pradesh government tabled its Economic Survey for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the State Assembly on February 18, 2026. The report projects a stellar Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth of 11.14%, significantly higher than the national average. This growth is attributed to a 15% surge in the agriculture sector and the successful implementation of the "Atmanirbhar Madhya Pradesh" roadmap. The survey also highlighted a 12% increase in per capita income and substantial improvements in fiscal deficit management. The state’s focus on renewable energy and MSME clusters has been identified as the primary driver for sustained economic momentum in the coming year.

Long Description : At the BioAsia 2026 conference held in Hyderabad on February 18, 2026, industry leaders declared the city a premier global hub for Artificial Intelligence in healthcare. During a panel titled "Building Innovation-First GCCs," executives from multinational firms like Novartis highlighted how Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in Hyderabad are now leading AI-enabled drug discovery and marketing platforms. The summit emphasized that India’s talent pool is transitioning from service-oriented roles to core R&D and decision-making platforms. Telangana’s supportive ecosystem for biotechnology and IT has attracted major investment, making Hyderabad central to the digital transformation of the global life sciences and pharmaceutical industry.

Long Description : President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an all-india conference on February 18, 2026, where she officially launched the "Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat" campaign. This initiative aims to instill a sense of duty and ethical excellence among government employees and the wider workforce, aligning with the "Mission Karmayogi" framework. The campaign focuses on capacity building, citizen-centric governance, and the adoption of digital tools for transparent public service delivery. The President emphasized that a self-reliant India requires a workforce that is not only skilled but also deeply committed to the values of integrity and service. The program will include nationwide workshops and a new digital learning platform.