Daily current affairs: 22 February 2026

Long Description : In the 131st episode of his monthly radio program, 'Mann Ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized India’s burgeoning role as a global technology hub. Highlighting the recent India-AI Impact Summit, he discussed how artificial intelligence is being harnessed to improve governance and rural livelihoods. The PM praised several grassroots innovators and stressed the importance of 'Skill-India' in preparing the youth for future industries. He also reflected on the 'Operation Sindoor' success, noting the maritime coordination exhibited by the Indian Coast Guard. The address encouraged citizens to support local manufacturing as a part of the 'Vocal for Local' initiative to strengthen the domestic economy.

Long Description : Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan undertook a significant cultural visit to Tamil Nadu. The highlight of the trip was the foundation stone laying ceremony for a grand statue of Thiru V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, popularly known as 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan', in Madurai. Chidambaram Pillai was a pioneer of the Indian independence movement and founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to challenge British maritime monopoly. During the visit, the Vice-President also visited the historic Sowmya Narayana Perumal Temple and the Rani Velu Nachiyar Palace in Sivaganga. This initiative aims to honor the legacy of regional heroes and educate the youth about their contributions to India's freedom struggle.

Long Description : The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 successfully concluded in New Delhi with the formal adoption of the 'New Delhi Declaration'. This landmark document outlines a collaborative framework for the ethical use of artificial intelligence, emphasizing transparency, data privacy, and inclusive growth. India led the consensus on prioritizing AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and education for developing nations. The declaration calls for the establishment of a global registry of open-source AI models and multilingual datasets to bridge the digital divide. Representatives from over 50 countries agreed to share compute resources and technical expertise, solidifying India's position as a 'vishwa bandhu' or global friend in the technological landscape.

Long Description : In a major boost to India's high-tech education sector, NIELIT has unveiled plans for a specialized university campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, exclusively dedicated to Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence. This first-of-its-kind institution will focus on advanced research, doctoral programs, and industry-aligned skill development. The campus aims to foster an ecosystem where academia and industry collaborate on quantum cryptography, drug discovery, and climate modeling. With an initial investment of over ₹1,500 crore, the university will house state-of-the-art labs and provide fellowships to 500 PhD scholars. This initiative is part of the government's broader strategy to create a workforce capable of leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Long Description : Strengthening India's semiconductor self-reliance, the Prime Minister participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the HCL-Foxconn joint venture semiconductor facility via video conferencing. This Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) unit in Uttar Pradesh is expected to create thousands of high-skilled jobs and reduce India's reliance on imported chips. The project is part of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and signifies the growing partnership between Indian conglomerates and global tech giants. The facility will cater to the rising demand for chips in automotive, consumer electronics, and telecommunications sectors. This move is projected to significantly enhance India’s electronics manufacturing value chain and boost regional industrial growth in North India.

Long Description : The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad played host to an electrifying ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match between India and South Africa. Led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team entered the match with a strong momentum. Key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy were instrumental in containing the South African batting lineup. The match served as a critical test for India’s middle order, with players like Shivam Dube and Abhishek Sharma looking to cement their roles. As co-hosts, India faces high expectations to reach the knockout stages. The tournament has seen a shift towards balanced pitches, making the tactical use of spinners a decisive factor in this high-profile encounter.

Long Description : In a display of exceptional skill and resilience, the Indian Women’s Cricket Team defeated Australia in a thrilling T20I match held in Adelaide. Smriti Mandhana played a match-winning innings, anchoring the chase with a composed half-century. The victory is significant as Australia has long been the dominant force in women’s cricket. Contributions from the bowling department, particularly the spin duo, helped India restrict the hosts on a batting-friendly pitch. This win marks a positive shift for the Indian side ahead of upcoming global tournaments. The victory was celebrated across India, highlighting the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s sports under the leadership of coach and captain.

Long Description : Revolutionizing the digital payment landscape, PhonePe has launched a new feature that enables biometric-based UPI authentication. This "one-touch" method allows users to authorize transactions up to ₹5,000 using their smartphone's native security features like fingerprint or face ID. By eliminating the need to enter a UPI PIN for every transaction, the feature aims to reduce 'shoulder-surfing' risks and PIN exposure in public places. However, transactions exceeding the ₹5,000 limit will still require traditional PIN entry to ensure high-value security. This innovation is expected to significantly improve transaction success rates by reducing failures caused by forgotten PINs, setting a new benchmark for fintech safety in India.

Long Description : The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, celebrated its 87th Raising Day with a grand parade in Guwahati. Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the personnel, commending their bravery in internal security operations, particularly in counter-insurgency and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) areas. He highlighted the force's evolving role in maintaining peace in the Northeast and its transition towards modern technology-driven policing. During the event, several personnel were awarded for their gallantry and distinguished service. The Home Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to the 'vishwa-shanti' (global peace) vision and the modernization of paramilitary equipment to meet contemporary security challenges effectively.

Long Description : In a major push towards a 100% digital economy on highways, NHAI has announced the phasing out of all cash payments at free toll plazas from April 2026. Currently, FASTag penetration has reached over 98%, and the government aims to eliminate the remaining cash lane processing to reduce congestion and improve operational efficiency. Commuters will be required to use FASTag or UPI-based digital modes for toll fee payments. This move is expected to streamline traffic flow and reduce the environmental impact of idling vehicles at plazas. The initiative also aligns with the 'Digital India' mission, ensuring transparency and accountability in revenue collection for national infrastructure projects.

Long Description : India and Rwanda have deepened their strategic partnership through high-level bilateral talks focusing on the digital economy and biotechnology. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Rwandan ICT Minister discussed the implementation of India-led AI solutions in healthcare and agriculture in Africa. The two nations explored collaborations in bio-manufacturing to develop affordable vaccines and precision medicine. Additionally, India offered its expertise in satellite-based remote sensing to assist Rwanda in urban planning and climate monitoring. This cooperation is part of India’s 'Africa Outreach' strategy, aiming to share technological advancements with Global South partners to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and foster long-term economic stability in the region.

Long Description : The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has introduced a digital 'National Access Pass' for fishing vessels operating in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This initiative aims to digitize the issuance of permits and track fishing activities in real-time using satellite-based monitoring. The system is designed to prevent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing while ensuring the livelihoods of traditional fishermen are protected. By creating a centralized database of active vessels, the government hopes to manage marine resources sustainably and enhance the security of Indian waters. The move is also seen as a step toward fulfilling international maritime obligations and promoting the 'Blue Economy' in the Indian Ocean region.

Long Description : Continuing the focus on regional connectivity, the Prime Minister visited Meerut to launch a suite of developmental projects. Key among these was the inauguration of new sections of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which aims to reduce travel time between Meerut and Delhi. He also laid the foundation for modern sports facilities under the 'Khelo India' mission and several smart city projects. In his address, the PM emphasized Meerut's historical significance and its current transformation into a modern industrial and educational hub. These projects are intended to boost local employment and provide world-class infrastructure to the residents of Western Uttar Pradesh, furthering the 'Viksit Bharat' 2047 vision.

Long Description : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has implemented the amended IT Rules 2026, significantly tightening the window for content removal. Under the new guidelines, social media platforms and digital intermediaries must remove content deemed illegal or harmful within three hours of receiving a government order or a court notice. Previously, this window was 24 to 36 hours. The move aims to curb the rapid spread of misinformation, deepfakes, and inflammatory content that could threaten public order or national security. Intermediaries failing to comply risk losing their 'safe harbor' protection, making them liable for user-posted content. This regulation reflects the government's proactive stance on digital governance.

Long Description : To provide a more accurate picture of India’s trade dynamics, MoSPI has updated the base year for the Unit Value Index (UVI) and Quantum Index (QI) of merchandise trade. Moving the base from 2012-13 to 2022-23 allows the government to capture the structural shifts in India’s export and import baskets, including the rise of electronic goods and renewable energy components. This statistical update is crucial for policymakers and researchers to analyze real growth in trade volumes and the impact of price changes on the trade balance. The new series will ensure that trade statistics align with the latest global trends and domestic economic realities, aiding in more informed trade policy decisions.

Long Description : In a bid to combat persistent air pollution, the CAQM has introduced tighter emission standards for industrial units operating in the National Capital Region (NCR). The new norms mandate a significant reduction in Particulate Matter (PM) emissions, forcing industries to upgrade to advanced air pollution control devices (APCDs). The commission has set a strict timeline for compliance, after which non-conforming units will face immediate closure and heavy environmental compensation. This move is part of the long-term 'Clean Air' action plan and targets pollution at the source before the peak winter season. The CAQM is also promoting the use of cleaner fuels like PNG and biomass to replace coal in industrial processes.