Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 18th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 18th February 2026

1. Birth Anniversary of Ramakrishna Paramahansa

Today marks the birth anniversary of Ramakrishna Paramahansa, the 19th-century mystic saint from West Bengal known for his message of universal spiritual unity.

Key Teachings

  • Universal brotherhood

  • Religious harmony

  • Intense devotion (bhakti)

  • Simple and ethical living

Historical Significance

  • Guru of Swami Vivekananda

  • Influenced modern Hindu reform movements

  • Promoted “All religions lead to the same truth”

Exam Relevance

  • Indian socio-religious reform movements

  • Bhakti tradition revival

  • Spiritual nationalism roots

 2. J&K Proposes Ravi Water Diversion After Indus Treaty Abeyance

Following the Indus Waters Treaty being placed in abeyance (2025), the Jammu & Kashmir government proposed:

  • Diversion of surplus Ravi waters to Jammu

  • Revival of the Tulbul Navigation Barrage

Background

  • Ravi is one of the eastern rivers allocated to India

  • Tulbul project located on Jhelum (Wular Lake area)

  • Long-standing India-Pakistan water sensitivity

Why Important

  • Strategic water management

  • Enhances irrigation potential in Jammu

  • May have geopolitical implications

Exam Angle

  • Indus Waters Treaty provisions

  • Eastern vs Western rivers

  • India-Pakistan water disputes

 3. Iran Temporarily Closes Strait of Hormuz

Iran announced a temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz during live-fire drills amid indirect nuclear talks with the United States.

Geographic Importance

  • Lies between Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

  • One of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints

  • Handles ~20% of global oil trade

Strategic Concerns

  • Global energy security risk

  • Oil price volatility

  • West Asia geopolitical tensions

Exam Relevance

  • Major maritime chokepoints

  • Energy security

  • Iran-US relations

 4. Kerala Approves India’s First Graphene Policy

Kerala approved India’s first Graphene Policy, aiming to position the state as a global hub for graphene research, development, and manufacturing.

About Graphene

  • Single layer of carbon atoms

  • Extremely strong yet lightweight

  • Highly conductive and flexible

Policy Objectives

  • Promote high-tech manufacturing

  • Attract global investment

  • Build graphene innovation ecosystem

Why Important

  • Future electronics and semiconductor applications

  • Boost to knowledge economy

  • Supports India’s advanced materials mission

Exam Focus

  • Nanomaterials

  • Graphene applications

  • State innovation policies

 5. New Soil Micro-Arthropod Discovered in Eastern Himalayas

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered a new wingless soil micro-arthropod named Lepidocampa sikkimensis in the eastern Himalayas.

Key Facts

  • Belongs to order Diplura

  • Wingless, soil-dwelling organism

  • First formally described Diplura species in India in ~50 years

Ecological Importance

  • Indicator of soil health

  • Enhances biodiversity records

  • Highlights Himalayan micro-fauna richness

Exam Relevance

  • Biodiversity discoveries

  • ZSI role

  • Soil micro-arthropods

 6. PM Modi Invited to G7 Summit 2026

French President Emmanuel Macron invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G7 Summit 2026 in Evian (France).

About G7

Members:

  • USA

  • UK

  • France

  • Germany

  • Japan

  • Italy

  • Canada

Significance

  • India’s growing global stature

  • India-France strategic coordination

  • Voice of Global South in G7

Exam Angle

  • G7 vs G20

  • India’s role in global governance

  • Minilateral diplomacy

7. India Invites Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman and invited him to visit India.

Areas of Cooperation

  • Connectivity

  • Trade

  • Technology

  • People-to-people ties

Strategic Importance

  • Strengthens Neighbourhood First policy

  • Boosts sub-regional cooperation

  • Enhances BBIN connectivity prospects

Exam Focus

  • India-Bangladesh relations

  • Regional connectivity

  • Neighbourhood First

 8. Supreme Court Links Menstrual Health to Article 21

The Supreme Court ruled that menstrual health is part of the Right to Dignity under Article 21, marking a significant step against period poverty.

Key Observations

  • Menstrual health is a public policy issue

  • Linked to gender equality

  • Essential for dignified life

Why Landmark

  • Expands scope of Article 21

  • Pushes menstrual equity discourse

  • May influence welfare policies

Exam Relevance

  • Article 21 jurisprudence

  • Gender justice

  • Social policy evolution