Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 21th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 21th February 2026

1. Trump Announces 10% Global Tariff

US President Donald Trump announced a 10% global tariff on imports after the US Supreme Court invalidated earlier trade measures. The move signals renewed protectionist trade policy and economic nationalism in US strategy.

Key Points

  • Tariff imposed under alternative legal provisions

  • Aims to protect domestic industries

  • Reflects shift toward economic nationalism

Global Implications

  • Possible trade tensions

  • Impact on global supply chains

  • Potential WTO concerns

Exam Relevance

  • Protectionism vs free trade

  • US trade policy trends

  • Global trade governance

 2. 78th Zomi National Day Observed in Manipur

The 78th Zomi National Day was celebrated in Manipur with cultural programmes and community participation.

Significance

  • Reinforces Zomi ethnic identity

  • Promotes cultural heritage

  • Platform to highlight regional concerns

Key Issues Highlighted

  • Peace and reconciliation

  • Rehabilitation of displaced persons

  • Long-term regional stability

Exam Angle

  • Ethnic groups in Northeast

  • Identity politics

  • Internal security and rehabilitation

 3. Amit Shah Launches ₹6,900-Crore Border Village Initiative

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a ₹6,900-crore programme under the Vibrant Villages Programme for comprehensive development of border villages.

Focus Areas

  • Infrastructure development

  • Livelihood generation

  • Connectivity improvement

  • Security integration

Strategic Importance

  • Strengthens border population retention

  • Enhances national security

  • Promotes inclusive frontier development

Exam Relevance

  • Border Area Development

  • Internal security strategy

  • Northeast and frontier policy

4. NITI Aayog Report on Apprenticeship Ecosystem

NITI Aayog released a report recommending reforms to revitalise India’s apprenticeship ecosystem.

Major Recommendations

  • Simplify regulatory framework

  • Incentivise industry participation

  • Align skills with market demand

  • Strengthen education-employment linkages

Why Important

  • Addresses skill gap

  • Improves employability

  • Supports demographic dividend

Exam Focus

  • Skill India ecosystem

  • Apprenticeship reforms

  • Labour market alignment

5. DGCI&S Revises Base Year of Trade Indices

The Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) revised the base year of merchandise trade indices to FY 2022–23.

Purpose

  • Reflect current trade structure

  • Capture structural economic changes

  • Improve policy analysis accuracy

Significance

  • Better trade trend assessment

  • More realistic export-import analysis

  • Supports evidence-based policymaking

Exam Relevance

  • Base year revisions

  • Trade statistics

  • External sector analysis

 6. 87th CRPF Raising Day Parade in Guwahati

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will attend the 87th CRPF Raising Day Parade in Guwahati — the first time the event is hosted in the Northeast.

Key Highlights

  • 1,400 personnel participating

  • Eight marching contingents

  • Demonstration of operational readiness

Importance

  • Highlights Northeast focus

  • Showcases CRPF capabilities

  • Boosts morale of forces

Exam Angle

  • CAPFs in internal security

  • CRPF role and mandate

  • Northeast strategic importance

 7. Td Vaccine Launched to Boost Immunization

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will launch the Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli.

About Td Vaccine

  • Protects against tetanus and diphtheria

  • Part of Universal Immunization Programme

  • Replaces older TT schedule in many cases

Significance

  • Strengthens disease prevention

  • Improves adolescent immunization

  • Supports public health goals

Exam Relevance

  • UIP vaccines

  • Preventive healthcare

  • Vaccine policy

 8. Supreme Court Warns West Bengal DGP Over Electoral Roll Revision

The Supreme Court cautioned the West Bengal DGP regarding violence and political interference during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

What is SIR?

  • Comprehensive updating of voter lists

  • Verification and purification exercise

  • Ensures electoral integrity

Court’s Concern

  • Law and order during revision

  • Political neutrality

  • Timely corrective action

Why Important

  • Electoral integrity issue

  • Strengthens democratic processes

  • Highlights role of police neutrality

Exam Focus

  • Election administration

  • Electoral rolls

  • Constitutional governance