- On 17 February 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the AI-powered, multilingual farmers’ digital companion “Bharat Vistaar” in Jaipur, Rajasthan, designed to provide real-time crop advisories, weather alerts, mandi prices, pest-disease information, and government scheme details, integrated with AgriStack and ICAR systems to empower farmers with smart, inclusive digital support.
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- On 17 Feb 2026, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced India’s first ‘Bee Corridors’ along national highways, planting 40 lakh trees with 60% bee‑friendly species to support pollinators and boost agriculture and ecology.
- The Government of India unveiled its first comprehensive AI Governance Framework on 16 February 2026. It is based on seven guiding principles (sutras) to ensure safe, trusted, and inclusive AI innovation. The framework establishes new oversight bodies like the AI Governance Group and AI Safety Institute.
- In Feb 2026, nearly 30 Tamil-Brahmi, Prakrit, and Sanskrit inscriptions (1st–3rd CE) were found in six tombs at Egypt’s Valley of the Kings, Thebes. Scholars Prof. Charlotte Schmid and Prof. Ingo Strauch presented the findings at the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy, Chennai.
- On 17 Feb 2026, Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented a ₹62,295 crore interim budget for FY27, projecting Assam’s economy to reach ₹10 lakh crore by 2028 and seeking a vote on account ahead of elections.
- On 18 Feb 2026, South African cheetah Gamini gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh, raising India’s cheetah population to 38 under the ambitious Cheetah Reintroduction Project.
- On 11 Feb 2026, India launched its first National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) at the FRIGE Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, to aid drug discovery, diagnostics, and genetic research for rare diseases.
- On 17 Feb 2026, Mizoram CM Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai (Faith) Bridge over the Tlawng River, a ₹43.83 crore project linking Aizawl with Lengpui airport and Mamit district to boost regional connectivity and trade.
- On 18 February 2026, the Uttar Pradesh Government launched District-Level Manuscript Digitisation under the Gyan Bharatam Mission to preserve and digitally archive rare manuscripts over 75 years old.
- On 13 Feb 2026, RBI approved Airtel Money Limited as a Type‑II NBFC‑ND (Non‑Deposit taking NBFC) under Section 45‑IA of the RBI Act, enabling it to offer regulated financial services without accepting public deposits.
- On 16 Feb 2026, IDFC First Bank launched the FD‑linked Hello Cashback Credit Card, offering up to 5% cashback on online spends, designed to help young customers build credit history while enjoying assured rewards.
- On 16 Feb 2026, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd. (RCPL) formed a majority‑owned joint venture with Nigeria’s Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group to expand its FMCG footprint in Africa, leveraging TGI’s manufacturing and distribution network.
- On 18 Feb 2026, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR–NIIST) showcased 11 technology transfers and signed one MoU at its “Lab to Market” event in New Delhi, highlighting the push to move research from laboratories to industry and society.
- On 17 Feb 2026 in New Delhi, Air India and Lufthansa Group signed an MoU to strengthen India–Europe air connectivity through a joint business framework, enabling coordinated routes, aligned schedules, and seamless single‑ticket travel across partner airlines, thereby boosting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
- The Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed an MoU with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on 18 February 2026 in New Delhi. The agreement is for the supply of 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice to support global food security initiatives. It strengthens India’s role as a reliable partner in humanitarian aid and international cooperation.
- Oscar‑winning American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away on 16 February 2026 at the age of 96 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Over a career spanning six decades, Wiseman directed more than 45 acclaimed documentaries.
Questions:
Q.1 India’s first National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders was established at which institution?a) AIIMS Delhi
b) ICMR-NIV Pune
c) FRIGE Institute of Human Genetics
(d) IISc Bengaluru
Answer: c) India launched its first National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) at the FRIGE Institute of Human Genetics, Ahmedabad, to aid drug discovery, diagnostics, and genetic research for rare diseases.
Q.2 India’s first ‘Bee Corridors’ initiative along national highways was announced by which organisation?
a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
b) National Highways Authority of India
c) National Biodiversity Authority
d) ICAR
Answer: b) the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced India’s first ‘Bee Corridors’ along national highways.
