Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 16th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 16th February 2026

1. India AI Impact Summit 2026 Inaugurated

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, described as the world’s largest AI expo. Leaders from nearly 20 countries participated, highlighting India’s growing role in global artificial intelligence governance. UN Secretary-General António Guterres termed India the “right place” for this global AI gathering.

Key Points

  • Positions India as a global AI hub

  • Focus on responsible and inclusive AI

  • Strengthens India’s leadership in Global South tech discourse

  • Boosts innovation ecosystem and AI startups

Exam Relevance

  • India’s digital diplomacy

  • AI governance and ethics

  • Emerging technologies in international relations

2. BharatVistaar: AI Advisory for Farmers

The Government launched BharatVistaar, a multilingual AI-powered advisory system for farmers. The platform integrates AgriStack and credit services to provide real-time guidance to farmers.

Key Features

  • Multilingual AI interface

  • Integration with AgriStack

  • Credit linkage for farmers

  • Personalized farm advisories

Significance

  • Promotes precision agriculture

  • Enhances financial inclusion in agriculture

  • Supports Digital Agriculture Mission

Exam Angle

  • AgriStack ecosystem

  • AI in agriculture

  • Farmer welfare schemes

 3. Dosmochey and Stromochey Festivals in Ladakh

Ladakh celebrated the traditional Dosmochey and Stromochey festivals, marking the end of winter and the beginning of the agricultural season. These festivals involve elaborate monastic rituals.

Cultural Importance

  • Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist traditions

  • Conducted in monasteries

  • Symbolizes removal of evil and renewal

Exam Relevance

  • Important Himalayan festivals

  • Cultural geography of Ladakh

  • Buddhist traditions in India

 4. Indus Valley Civilisation May Be 8,000 Years Old

New radiocarbon dating from Bhirrana (Haryana) suggests the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) could be around 8,000 years old, potentially older than previously believed.

Why Important?

  • May push back origins of IVC

  • Challenges earlier timeline (c. 3300 BCE)

  • Strengthens indigenous urbanisation narrative

Exam Focus

  • Sites of IVC

  • Chronology debates

  • Archaeological methods (radiocarbon dating)

 5. Om Birla Attends Bangladesh Oath Ceremony

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of Bangladesh’s new government led by Tarique Rahman, along with foreign ministers from SAARC countries.

Diplomatic Significance

  • Reinforces India-Bangladesh ties

  • Demonstrates regional engagement

  • Highlights parliamentary diplomacy

Exam Angle

  • India’s neighbourhood policy

  • SAARC dynamics

  • India-Bangladesh relations

6. India’s First CBDC-Based Public Distribution System

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India’s first CBDC-based Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The system uses digital rupee tokens for ration distribution.

Key Benefits

  • Greater transparency

  • Reduced leakages

  • Real-time tracking

  • Strengthened DBT ecosystem

Why It Matters

  • First real-world welfare use of CBDC

  • Boosts fintech governance

  • Supports Digital India

Exam Relevance

  • Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

  • PDS reforms

  • Financial digitisation

 7. India’s First Underwater Road-Cum-Rail Tunnel Approved

The Centre approved a ₹18,662 crore underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam connecting Gohpur and Numaligarh.

Key Features

  • First underwater combined tunnel in India

  • Strategic connectivity in Northeast

  • Travel time reduced: 6 hours → 20 minutes

Strategic Importance

  • Boosts military logistics

  • Enhances Northeast connectivity

  • Promotes regional economic growth

Exam Angle

  • Infrastructure in Northeast

  • Strategic transport corridors

  • Brahmaputra river projects

 8. 3rd International AYUSH Conference in Dubai

The 3rd International AYUSH Conference commenced at the Dubai World Trade Centre, promoting India’s traditional medicine systems globally.

Focus Areas

  • Ayurveda

  • Yoga

  • Unani

  • Siddha

  • Homeopathy

Significance

  • Medical diplomacy

  • Global wellness market

  • Promotion of traditional knowledge

Exam Relevance

  • AYUSH soft power

  • Traditional medicine globalization

 9. Northeast’s First Emergency Landing Facility

PM Modi inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, Assam.

Key Features

  • Dual-use (military + civilian)

  • Highway airstrip model

  • Enhances air defence readiness

Strategic Value

  • Improves border preparedness

  • Strengthens Northeast infrastructure

  • Supports disaster response

Exam Focus

  • Dual-use infrastructure

  • Airstrip highways in India

  • Defence preparedness

10. India Defeats Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026

India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in Colombo, becoming the second team after West Indies to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • Major sporting milestone

  • Boosts team momentum

  • High public and media attention

Exam Note

(Useful mainly for sports current affairs sections.)

11. ‘Prakriti ki Baat’ Environmental Series Launched

Akashvani launched ‘Prakriti ki Baat’, a new environmental awareness series featuring Union Minister Bhupender Yadav to promote Mission LiFE.

Objectives

  • Promote sustainable lifestyle

  • Raise environmental awareness

  • Support behavioural change

Exam Relevance

  • Mission LiFE

  • Environmental governance

  • Public awareness campaigns