Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 17th February 2026

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

1. Strategy for AI in Healthcare (SAHI) Launched

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the Strategy for AI in Healthcare for India (SAHI) along with the Benchmarking Open Data Platform in Health AI (BODH) at Bharat Mandapam.

Key Features

  • National roadmap for AI in healthcare

  • Creation of health AI data ecosystem

  • Focus on diagnostics and predictive healthcare

  • Promotes interoperable health datasets

Significance

  • Strengthens Digital Health Mission

  • Encourages AI-driven public health solutions

  • Boosts India’s health-tech innovation

Exam Relevance

  • AI in healthcare

  • Digital health governance

  • Open health data platforms

17th Feb 24 Hr News

2. President Murmu Reviews International Fleet Review 2026

President Droupadi Murmu, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, reviewed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 in Visakhapatnam.

About IFR

  • Multinational naval gathering

  • Showcases maritime capability

  • Promotes naval diplomacy

Importance

  • Enhances India’s maritime profile

  • Strengthens Indo-Pacific cooperation

  • Demonstrates blue-water navy capability

Exam Angle

  • Naval diplomacy

  • Indo-Pacific strategy

  • Role of President as Supreme Commander

17th Feb 24 Hr News

 3. CBSE Clarifies Two-Board Exam Policy

CBSE clarified that under the new policy, the first board exam for Class 10 is mandatory for all students to be eligible for the second attempt.

Key Points

  • Two-exam opportunity model

  • First attempt compulsory

  • Second attempt optional improvement

  • Aims to reduce exam stress

Why Important

  • Major school education reform

  • Impacts lakhs of students

  • Part of NEP 2020 reforms

Exam Relevance

  • School education reforms

  • NEP 2020 implementation

  • Assessment reforms

17th Feb 24 Hr News

4. Modi–Macron Summit and Year of Innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai to launch the India–France Year of Innovation.

Focus Areas

  • Technology cooperation

  • Start-up ecosystem

  • Defence innovation

  • Clean energy collaboration

Strategic Importance

  • Strengthens India–France strategic partnership

  • Boosts Indo-Pacific cooperation

  • Enhances innovation diplomacy

Exam Angle

  • India–France relations

  • Strategic partnerships

  • Innovation diplomacy

17th Feb 24 Hr News

 5. Indian Railways Blocks 17 Billion Bot Attacks

Indian Railways used AI shields and Aadhaar verification to block 17 billion bot attacks that were hoarding Tatkal tickets.

What Are Bot Attacks?

Automated scripts that bulk-book tickets within seconds.

Key Outcomes

  • Fairer Tatkal ticket access

  • Reduced black marketing

  • Improved digital security

Significance

  • AI in public service delivery

  • Cybersecurity in railways

  • Better passenger experience

Exam Focus

  • Digital governance

  • AI in transportation

  • Cyber fraud prevention

17th Feb 24 Hr News

6. African Union Faces ‘Youth Legitimacy Crisis’

At the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the AU discussed water and sanitation challenges but faced concerns over a growing Youth Legitimacy Crisis.

Background

  • AU established: 2002

  • Members: 55 countries

  • Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

What is the Crisis?

  • Young population demanding reforms

  • Questions over democratic representation

  • Governance legitimacy concerns

Exam Relevance

  • African Union

  • Demographic politics

  • Global governance challenges

17th Feb 24 Hr News

 7. Piton de la Fournaise Volcano Erupts

Piton de la Fournaise, among the world’s most active volcanoes, erupted on La Réunion (France) in the Indian Ocean.

Type of Eruption

  • Effusive eruption (lava flow, low explosivity)

  • Monitored using GNSS

Why Important

  • Major Indian Ocean geological event

  • Important for disaster monitoring

  • Useful case of shield volcano activity

Exam Angle

  • Types of volcanoes

  • Effusive vs explosive eruptions

  • Location-based questions

17th Feb 24 Hr News

 8. AIIMS Performs Remote Ultrasound in Antarctica

AIIMS New Delhi conducted the first remote ultrasound at Maitri station, India’s second permanent Antarctic research base, in collaboration with IIT Delhi.

Key Highlights

  • Telemedicine breakthrough

  • Supports extreme-environment healthcare

  • Demonstrates India’s polar capability

Significance

  • Boosts Antarctic research

  • Advances remote healthcare tech

  • Supports future space medicine

Exam Focus

  • India’s Antarctic stations

  • Telemedicine

  • Polar research

17th Feb 24 Hr News

9. US Successfully Airlifts Ward Microreactor

The US military airlifted the Ward microreactor using a C-17 aircraft, demonstrating rapid deployment of portable nuclear power.

What is a Microreactor?

  • Small modular nuclear reactor

  • Designed for remote power supply

  • Quick deployment capability

Strategic Importance

  • Military logistics revolution

  • Remote energy supply

  • Future battlefield energy systems

Exam Relevance

  • SMR technology

  • Nuclear innovation

  • Military energy systems

17th Feb 24 Hr News

 10. India’s First National Cow Culture Museum

Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) will host India’s first National Cow Culture Museum at the Veterinary University campus.

Objectives

  • Preserve indigenous cattle heritage

  • Promote research and awareness

  • Cultural and educational outreach

Significance

  • Links culture with livestock economy

  • Supports indigenous breeds

  • Promotes rural heritage

Exam Angle

  • Livestock sector

  • Indigenous breeds

  • Cultural institutions