19 February 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams

India’s Drone Ecosystem – 2026

India has moved from pilot drone projects to a regulated and scalable drone ecosystem, with 38,500+ registered drones under Unique Identification Number (UIN).

The drone ecosystem now supports public service delivery, agriculture, infrastructure, disaster management, and national security.

Key Applications

Measures to Accelerate Drone Adoption

Significance

• Public Service Delivery: Faster, accurate surveys and monitoring improve governance efficiency.
• Economic & Livelihood Impact: Women SHGs, rural entrepreneurs, and MSMEs benefit from drone-enabled opportunities.
• Safety & Security: Enhances border surveillance, disaster response, and critical infrastructure protection.
• Technological Advancement: Strengthens domestic manufacturing and research ecosystem under PLI and innovation challenges.

India–France Upgrade Ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership – 2026

The French President’s visit to India led to the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, with 21 key outcomes spanning defence, technology, critical minerals, energy, trade, innovation.

Key Areas of Cooperation

Strategic Context

Significance

• Defence Modernisation: Indigenous production of high-tech helicopters and missiles strengthens strategic autonomy.
• Technology & Innovation: AI, digital sciences, and health technologies benefit from multilateral collaboration.
• Energy & Critical Minerals: Ensures resilient supply chains and supports nuclear & renewable energy expansion.
• Economic & Educational Linkages: Trade agreements, student mobility, and skilling enhance bilateral economic integration.

SAHI & BODH Initiatives – India AI Impact Summit 2026

These initiatives mark a significant step towards a robust, responsible, and globally competitive healthcare AI ecosystem in India.

SAHI – Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India

BODH – Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI

Other AI in Healthcare Initiatives in India

Significance

1. Promotes responsible and ethical AI deployment in healthcare.
2. Ensures privacy and reliability via platforms like BODH.
3. Strengthens India’s position as a global hub for health AI innovation.
4. Bridges technology, ethics, and public health outcomes for scalable impact.

External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) Framework – 2026 Update

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) updated the ECB guidelines through the Foreign Exchange Management (Borrowing and Lending) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2026, amending the 2018 regulations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

What are ECBs?

1. Definition:

Borrowings by Indian entities from foreign sources through:

• Loans
• Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds
• Other financial instruments

2. Currency:

• Denominated in foreign currency (FCY) or Indian Rupee (INR)

3. Importance:

• Typically lower interest rates than domestic borrowing, provides access to global capital.

Key Features of ECB Framework (2026)

Significance

• Access to Cheaper Capital: Foreign borrowings can reduce cost of finance for Indian companies.
• Supports Manufacturing & Infrastructure: Encourages long-term investments.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures proper monitoring and accountability under FEMA.
• Flexibility: Allows conversion into non-debt instruments, facilitating corporate restructuring and equity infusion.

Bhirrana Site – Haryana

Recent radiocarbon dating at Bhirrana suggests the Harappan Civilization could be over 8,000 years old, pushing back its origin significantly.

Excavation and Location

• Excavated by: Shri L.S. Rao
• Location: Along paleo-channels of Ghaggar River, Haryana
• Significance: One of the earliest known settlements of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), showing pre-Harappan and Harappan phases.

Chronology and Cultural Periods

Antiquities Found

• Beads: Semiprecious stones (e.g., carnelian, agate)
• Terracotta Objects: Figurines, toys, and decorative items
• Copper Artifacts: Bangles and tools
• Bone Objects: Tools and personal ornaments

Significance

• Earliest Evidence: Confirms pre-Harappan settlements along Ghaggar river (~8,000 years ago).
• Urban Planning: Shows evolution from simple pit dwellings to fortified mud-brick towns.
• Cultural Continuity: Links Hakra Wares to early and mature Harappan phases.
• Material Culture: Demonstrates sophistication in craft, metallurgy, and urban lifestyle.

Project Vault – United States

U.S. recently unveiled Project Vault, aimed at securing strategic minerals critical for technology and defense.

Overview

• Type: Supply chain security initiative
• Governance: Public-private partnership with independent management
• Purpose: Establish a Strategic Critical Minerals Reserve to mitigate supply chain disruptions

Objectives

• Stockpile Critical Minerals: Secure 60 minerals listed in the USGS 2025 Critical Minerals List
• Support Industries: Ensure resilience for high-tech and defense sectors reliant on these minerals
• Focus Minerals Examples: Gallium, cobalt, and other rare earth elements

Funding

• Private Sector Seed Funding: $1.67 billion
• Government Funding: $10 billion via U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM)
• Combined Effort: Strengthen national security and industrial independence

Significance

• Reduces vulnerability to global supply chain shocks
• Secures critical materials for defense and technology sectors
• Demonstrates a strategic industrial policy combining public and private capital

Bharat VISTAAR – Key Facts

Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has launched the First Phase of the Artificial Intelligence-based ‘Bharat VISTAAR’ scheme in Rajasthan. 

Full Form

• Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources

Launch

• First Phase in Rajasthan by Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

Objective

• Promote AI-powered digital public infrastructure for farmers’ agriculture-related needs

Features

• Multilingual AI-based conversational advisory system
• Integrates AgriStack, ICAR, agricultural schemes, IMD, mandi prices, state systems
• Accessible via phones, including feature phones
• Provides instant agricultural solutions, advisories, and market price info

Strait of Hormuz – Key Facts

Iran closed the Strait temporarily for live-fire drills amid US-Iran talks in Geneva

Location

• Between Iran and Oman

Connection

• Links Persian Gulf → Gulf of Oman → Arabian Sea

Narrowest Width

• ~33 km
• Strategic Importance: Crucial global oil transit chokepoint
• 20–25% of world’s oil passes through it

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