Daily current affairs: 20 February 2026

Long Description : India officially signed the agreement to join the US-led Pax Silica coalition during the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. This strategic alliance, involving "friendly and trusted" nations, focuses on securing global supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and AI infrastructure. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that this partnership is pivotal for establishing India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem and ensuring technological sovereignty. By aligning with Pax Silica, India aims to mitigate risks associated with over-reliance on non-transparent markets while boosting its own manufacturing capabilities. The coalition is expected to foster deeper research collaboration and standardized security protocols for emerging technologies among member states.

Long Description : During the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, PM Modi unveiled the MANAV framework, representing Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Sovereignty, Accessible/Inclusive, and Valid/Legitimate AI. Departing from the trend of treating AI as a "confidential asset," India advocates for an open-source, collaborative model to benefit the Global South. The framework ensures that data ownership remains with the generators and that AI acts as a societal multiplier rather than a monopoly. PM Modi emphasized that India views AI as a "fortune and the future" rather than a threat, urging global leaders to adopt human-centric governance to ensure AI safety and trustworthiness.

Long Description : The Gender Budget Statement for the Union Budget 2026–27 revealed a significant push toward women-led development, with total allocations rising to ₹5.01 lakh crore. This 11.55% increase over the previous year is aimed at fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). The funds are distributed across schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), as well as health and education missions. The budget emphasizes bridging the digital divide for women and supporting female entrepreneurs through enhanced credit access. Experts note that this record allocation signals a strategic shift from mere women’s welfare to empowering women as active drivers of India’s economic growth and inclusive social progress.

Long Description : India joined several global powers as an observer at the first meeting of the Board of Peace, a new institution established by US President Donald Trump. The meeting, held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, focused on the Gaza crisis, with the US promising $10 billion toward reconstruction. While Muslim-majority nations discussed funding and troop contributions, India’s observer status allows it to monitor regional developments and protect its strategic interests in West Asia, including energy security and connectivity projects like the IMEC. This diplomatic engagement underscores India’s balancing act in global conflicts while maintaining its commitment to humanitarian aid and regional stability without direct military involvement.

Long Description : The Election Commission of India has initiated the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists for 22 States and Union Territories where the process is pending. Scheduled to begin in April 2026, the exercise involves door-to-door verification to remove duplicates, update addresses, and register new voters who have reached the age of 18. The ECI has directed state poll authorities to utilize digital tools and AI-driven verification to enhance roll purity. This administrative cleanup is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring that the electoral database reflects the current demographic reality ahead of several crucial state assembly elections and local body polls.

Long Description : Speaking at the biennial multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh called for global naval forces to unite against unconventional maritime threats. The exercise, which includes participants from 74 countries, focuses on interoperability and mutual trust. Singh highlighted that the Indian Ocean Region faces complex challenges including piracy, drug trafficking, and the impacts of climate change on coastal security. He reiterated India’s role as a "First Responder" and a preferred security partner in the region. MILAN 2026 serves as a platform for navies to share best practices, conduct complex sea maneuvers, and strengthen the collective resolve for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific."

Long Description : The Food Corporation of India (FCI), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide 2 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) of rice for global hunger relief operations. To ensure humanitarian quality, the agreement stipulates a maximum of 25% broken rice. The price has been fixed at ₹2,800 per quintal until March 31, 2026, ensuring cost predictability for WFP’s aid delivery. This five-year contract underscores India's commitment to global food security and its role as a major exporter of staples. The partnership allows India to contribute significantly to the UN’s Zero Hunger goal by leveraging its surplus grain stocks.

Long Description : During Mumbai Climate Week 2026, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) unveiled the India Grids of the Future Accelerator. With a $25 million initial investment, the program aims to provide strategic leadership and coordination for India’s offshore wind sector. Key offshore zones in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have been earmarked for early development to enhance industrial competitiveness and energy security. The initiative aligns with India’s 500 GW renewable energy target and complements the government’s Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme of ₹7,453 crore. By modernizing grid infrastructure, the accelerator seeks to facilitate the seamless integration of offshore wind power into the national energy mix.

Long Description : In a major milestone for India’s human spaceflight program, the DRDO successfully conducted the qualification test for the high-speed drogue parachutes of the Gaganyaan mission. These parachutes are designed to stabilize the Crew Module and reduce its velocity to safe levels during the critical re-entry phase into the Earth's atmosphere. The test validated the structural integrity and deployment mechanics under extreme load conditions. Developed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), the drogue parachutes work in tandem with the main parachutes to ensure a soft splashdown for Indian astronauts. This success brings ISRO closer to the scheduled manned mission by proving the reliability of the re-entry recovery system.

Long Description : Under the PM-SETU (Skills Enhancement and Technology Upgradation) initiative, India and France have agreed to establish a dedicated Aeronautics Excellence Centre. The announcement, made following high-level bilateral talks, focuses on bridging the skill gap in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. The center will provide advanced training in aircraft maintenance, engine technology, and aerospace engineering, utilizing French expertise from giants like Dassault and Safran. This collaboration is part of a broader strategic partnership aimed at making India a global hub for aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. It also supports the goal of training 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030, enhancing educational and technical ties.

Long Description : Observed annually on February 20, the World Day of Social Justice 2026 focuses on overcoming barriers and unleashing opportunities for social justice in a post-Doha development landscape. In India, various government departments organized seminars to discuss the integration of social justice into national policies, particularly concerning labor rights and the gig economy. The theme emphasizes that social justice is a prerequisite for peaceful and prosperous coexistence. The day serves as a reminder to address issues such as poverty, exclusion, and unemployment through systemic reforms. India’s focus remains on leveraging Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to ensure that social welfare benefits reach the most marginalized communities effectively and transparently.

Long Description : In a significant move ahead of local polls, the Assam Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister approved a 3% reservation in state government jobs for the Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities. This quota is designed to provide better employment opportunities and ensure social justice for the community, which forms a substantial part of the state’s population and labor force. Additionally, the cabinet expanded the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan (MMUA) to benefit an additional 1 lakh women. These measures are part of a larger state policy to empower historically neglected sectors through targeted affirmative action and financial support, fostering more inclusive growth and representation in the state's administrative framework.

Long Description : Union Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the India-US interim trade agreement is on track for an April 2026 launch. Negotiators will meet in the US next week to finalize the legal text of the pact. The framework settles contours for lowering tariffs on select goods, deepening energy cooperation, and expanding market access for services. Goyal also indicated that trade agreements with the UK and Oman are likely to follow a similar timeline. This interim deal is viewed as a "stepping stone" toward a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA). By reducing trade barriers now, both nations aim to solidify their economic ties and provide immediate relief to exporters in key sectors like textiles and technology.

Long Description : To address discrepancies in current satellite data, ISRO is testing a "tweaked" algorithm designed specifically for monitoring farm fire events. Existing systems often struggle to distinguish between small-scale stubble burning and other heat signatures, leading to inaccurate fire counts. The new algorithm will undergo pilot testing ahead of the wheat harvest season in March-April. By providing more precise data on the scale and timing of fires, ISRO aims to help state governments and pollution control boards implement more effective mitigation strategies. This technical upgrade is vital for tackling seasonal air quality issues in Northern India and ensuring that policy decisions are based on high-fidelity environmental data.

Long Description : India’s digital empowerment mission reached a new milestone with the debut of the VoicERA AI stack on the Bhashini platform. VoicERA is an open-source tool designed to provide high-accuracy, real-time voice-to-voice translation across multiple Indian languages. By integrating with the Bhashini ecosystem, it allows developers and government agencies to build applications that are accessible to citizens in their native tongues. The launch at the India-AI Summit highlighted its potential for use in parliamentary proceedings, healthcare, and education. This indigenous technology reduces reliance on foreign translation services and ensures that India’s diverse linguistic landscape is accurately represented in the digital economy, furthering the "Digital India" vision.

Long Description : Strengthening its maritime partnership with the Maldives, India formally handed over a high-speed ferry to the Maldivian government. The vessel is intended to improve inter-island connectivity and boost local tourism and trade. This gift comes under India’s broader "Security and Growth for All in the Region" (SAGAR) initiative and the "Neighborhood First" policy. The high-speed ferry will significantly reduce travel time between key atolls, providing a vital link for the local population. Indian officials noted that such collaborative infrastructure projects are essential for a stable and prosperous Indian Ocean Region. The move also counters competing regional influences by demonstrating India’s commitment to being a reliable and practical developmental partner for its neighbors.