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Daily Current Affairs: 21 February 2026

Current affairs of 21 February 2026: M.A.N.A.V. Vision: India’s Human-Centric AI Framework; Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Load Test: DRDO and ISRO; SANKALP Scheme: PAC Flags Slow Implementation, and 19 more topics. Key facts for every exam, with a quiz.

Take the quiz (15 questions)February 2026

In this issue: 22 topics

National Affairs

NCST 23rd Foundation Day: Article 338A and Tribal Rights Body
Lengtekai Faith Bridge: Mizoram Opens ₹43.83 Crore Tlawng Link
Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium: UP–IOCL MoU
Shashi Tharoor’s Book on Sree Narayana Guru Released

Government Schemes

SANKALP Scheme: PAC Flags Slow Implementation
Vibrant Villages Programme-II: Border Village Scheme Launched in Assam
NIGRANI App Launched to Track PMJVK Projects

Banking & Finance

SMS-Free UPI Registration: NPCI Plans Silent Device Binding
ICICI Swasthya Pension Scheme Under PFRDA Sandbox

Economy

PFC–REC Merger: Power Ministry Oversight Panels

International Affairs

World Day of Social Justice 2026 on 20 February: Theme and Aims

Agriculture & Rural

Shalimar Wheat SW-3 and SW-4: Early Varieties for Kashmir
Salem Sago Reaches Canada in First Direct Export
Matir Srishti: West Bengal Gets FAO Recognition

Science & Technology

M.A.N.A.V. Vision: India’s Human-Centric AI Framework
Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Load Test: DRDO and ISRO
Tata–OpenAI Tie-Up: TCS HyperVault AI Data Centre in India
DRDO Drogue Parachute Test Validates Gaganyaan Safety Margins

Environment & Ecology

Bela Gram Net-Zero Panchayat at Mumbai Climate Week

Defence & Security

IFR 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 Held at Visakhapatnam
India-Israel Defence Industrial Cooperation MoU
Airbus H125 Helicopter Assembly Line at Vemagal Opens

National Affairs

Polity & Governance

1. NCST 23rd Foundation Day: Article 338A and Tribal Rights Body

NCST celebrated its 23rd Foundation Day in New Delhi.
It is a constitutional body under Article 338A.
Created in 2004 by the Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
Members are appointed by the President.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

2. Lengtekai Faith Bridge: Mizoram Opens ₹43.83 Crore Tlawng Link

Mizoram CM Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai Bridge, called the Faith Bridge, over the Tlawng River in Aizawl.
The bridge is 100 metres long and cost ₹43.83 crore, funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
It improves links between Aizawl, Lengpui Airport and Mamit district.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

3. Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium: UP–IOCL MoU

Uttar Pradesh signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation Limited for a cricket stadium in Gorakhpur.
Project cost is ₹339 crore, with seating for 30,000 spectators.
Funding comes from CSR contributions of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL.
Completion is expected by December 2027.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

History, Art & Culture

4. Shashi Tharoor’s Book on Sree Narayana Guru Released

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released Shashi Tharoor's book on Sree Narayana Guru.
The volume is called The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism, subtitled The Life, Lessons and Legacy of Sree Narayana Guru.
It was launched at India International Centre, New Delhi.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

5. SANKALP Scheme: PAC Flags Slow Implementation

Parliament's Public Accounts Committee faulted the government for sluggish SANKALP implementation.
A CAG audit report had flagged delays and funds left unspent.
The scheme's ₹4,455 crore outlay includes ₹3,300 crore as a World Bank loan.
Its deadline of March 2023 was pushed to March 2024.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

6. Vibrant Villages Programme-II: Border Village Scheme Launched in Assam

The Union Home Minister launched Vibrant Villages Programme-II at Nathanpur, Cachar district, Assam, in February 2026.
It is a Central Sector Scheme for border villages, outside northern areas under VVP-I.
Outlay ₹6,839 crore; 15 States, 2 UTs; 1,954 strategic villages.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

7. NIGRANI App Launched to Track PMJVK Projects

Kiren Rijiju launched the NIGRANI App at Nalanda University to oversee PMJVK.
It tracks infrastructure work in minority-concentrated areas live.
A digital Haj Wrist Band for pilgrims was also introduced by the Minority Affairs Ministry.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Banking & Finance

Banking & Finance

8. SMS-Free UPI Registration: NPCI Plans Silent Device Binding

NPCI is developing UPI registration without a verification SMS, possibly within 12-18 months.
Device binding would shift to the back end, invisible to users.
It may rely on tokenised checks and telecom network authentication.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Banking & Finance

9. ICICI Swasthya Pension Scheme Under PFRDA Sandbox

ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company launched the Swasthya Pension Scheme.
It was introduced under the PFRDA regulatory sandbox framework.
It joins retirement savings with funds for medical needs but does not replace health insurance.
The regulator may link account opening to existing health insurance cover.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Economy

10. PFC–REC Merger: Power Ministry Oversight Panels

The Ministry of Power set up a high-level committee and a Working Group for the proposed PFC–REC merger.
The panels will track progress and settle policy issues.
They will also oversee integration of personnel, pay scales and service conditions.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

International Affairs

International Relations

11. World Day of Social Justice 2026 on 20 February: Theme and Aims

World Day of Social Justice is observed every year on 20 February.
The 2026 theme: Renewed Commitment to Social Development and Social Justice.
It links to a 2007 UN General Assembly declaration.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Agriculture & Rural

Agriculture & Rural Development

12. Shalimar Wheat SW-3 and SW-4: Early Varieties for Kashmir

SKUAST-K scientists developed two early-maturing wheat varieties for Kashmir's rice-wheat system.
SW-4 matures by late May and SW-3 by early June.
Both resist yellow rust; SW-3 yields about 38 quintals per hectare.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Agriculture & Rural Development

13. Salem Sago Reaches Canada in First Direct Export

APEDA facilitated the first direct shipment of GI-tagged Salem Sago from Tamil Nadu to Canada.
Salem Sago got its GI tag in March 2023, registered by SAGOSERVE.
Sago is made from tapioca (cassava).

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Agriculture & Rural Development

14. Matir Srishti: West Bengal Gets FAO Recognition

FAO gave West Bengal an international certificate for its 'Matir Srishti' programme.
Started in 2020, the programme turns wasteland into farmland.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the recognition.
Three aromatic rice varieties, Gobindobhog, Tulaipanji and Kanakchur, were also acknowledged.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Science & Technology

Polity & Governance

15. M.A.N.A.V. Vision: India’s Human-Centric AI Framework

The Prime Minister presented the M.A.N.A.V. vision at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
It stands for PM Narendra Modi's Human-Centric AI Odyssey.
It has five pillars, from moral systems to valid, safe and legitimate systems.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Science & Technology

16. Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Load Test: DRDO and ISRO

DRDO successfully carried out a qualification-level load test of the Gaganyaan drogue parachute.
The test used the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility at TBRL, Chandigarh.
The drogue parachute steadies the crew module and slows it during re-entry, before the main parachutes open.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

17. Tata–OpenAI Tie-Up: TCS HyperVault AI Data Centre in India

The Tata Group partnered with OpenAI to set up an AI-ready data centre under the Stargate initiative.
TCS HyperVault will start at 100 MW capacity and can scale to 1 GW.
It will use green energy and AI-optimised hardware.
ChatGPT Enterprise is planned for rollout across Tata operations.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Science & Technology

18. DRDO Drogue Parachute Test Validates Gaganyaan Safety Margins

DRDO ran a qualification-level load test of the Gaganyaan drogue parachute at TBRL, Chandigarh.
ISRO and VSSC collaborated on it.
The trial confirmed strength, reliability and safety margins for stabilising the crew module in re-entry.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Environment & Ecology

Environment & Ecology

19. Bela Gram Net-Zero Panchayat at Mumbai Climate Week

Bela Gram, billed India's first net-zero panchayat, was showcased at Mumbai Climate Week 2026.
Sarpanch Sharada Gaydhane led it; it won the 2024 Rashtriya Panchayat Puraskar.
Steps: 90,000+ trees, LPG, solar panels.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Defence & Security

Defence & Security

20. IFR 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 Held at Visakhapatnam

International Fleet Review 2026 took place on 18 February with the theme 'United through Oceans', presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.
Exercise MILAN 2026 ran 19-25 February in the Bay of Bengal, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
MILAN 2026 theme was 'Camaraderie, Cooperation, Collaboration'.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

International Relations

21. India-Israel Defence Industrial Cooperation MoU

India and Israel signed a defence industrial cooperation MoU in Tel Aviv.
It covers joint seminars, technology sharing, co-development and industrial partnerships.
SIBAT and SIDM facilitated the pact, which stresses interoperability and manufacturing under DAP 2026.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Science & Technology

22. Airbus H125 Helicopter Assembly Line at Vemagal Opens

India's first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line for the Airbus H125 is at Vemagal, Karnataka.
It was set up by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd in partnership with Airbus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated it virtually.

Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Test yourself

15 questions from the news of 21 February 2026, with answers and explanations.