Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026: Best For Competitive Exams

Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026 – Complete Exam-Oriented Summary

Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026: | Important GK Updates for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways

1. National Affairs: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: Prime Minister Unveils M.A.N.A.V. Vision at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Why in News: During the India AI Impact Summit held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled India’s new artificial intelligence vision titled ‘M.A.N.A.V.’ and spearheaded the adoption of the “New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact.”

Key Details: * The acronym M.A.N.A.V. stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Artificial intelligence, and Values, promoting a human-centric approach to AI.

The summit marked the adoption of the “New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact,” which was endorsed by 88 countries and international organizations by 21 February 2026.
The declaration focuses on democratizing AI resources while respecting the national sovereignty of individual states.
The summit was organized around seven thematic ‘Chakras’ (pillars), including Safe and Trusted AI, Human Capital, and AI for Economic Growth.
The event also featured the launch of the India-America Connect Initiative by Google to increase AI infrastructure and sub-scale cable routes across the Southern Hemisphere.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Crucial for questions on major national tech initiatives, AI governance frameworks, and international summits hosted by India.
Static GK Link: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) was established in 2016 (carved out of the Ministry of Communications and IT).

Headline: Union Home Minister Launches Vibrant Villages Programme-II in Assam

Why in News: Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, officially launched the Vibrant Villages Programme–II (VVP–II) at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam.

Key Details: * VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme designed to accelerate comprehensive development in border villages.

Unlike Phase I, which focused on northern borders, Phase II extends coverage to international land borders including the Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Nepal, Indo-Myanmar, and Indo-Bhutan borders.
The scheme covers 1,954 border villages spread across 15 States and 2 Union Territories (UTs).
The primary objective is to stem out-migration from border areas by enhancing infrastructure, road connectivity, and local livelihood opportunities, thereby bolstering national security.
The launch also included the inauguration of a new bridge enhancing connectivity between Aizawl, Lengpui Airport, and the Mamit district near Tripura.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): High probability of being asked in GS Paper 2 & 3 (UPSC) regarding border management and rural development schemes. State coverage and phase distinctions are highly relevant for SSC.
Static GK Link: The Vibrant Villages Programme (Phase I) was originally announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.

Headline: Vice-President Releases Updated Constitution in Gujarati and Tamil

Why in News: Marking International Mother Language Day on 21 February 2026, Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the updated Constitution of India in Gujarati and Tamil languages, alongside the 8th edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi).

Key Details: * The event took place at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi, driven by the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice.

The initiative aligns with the government’s push for linguistic inclusivity, ensuring the foundational document and legal frameworks are accessible to citizens in regional languages.
The 8th Legal Glossary simplifies complex English legal terminology into accessible Hindi words for broader administrative use.
The release follows a recent milestone on 25 December 2025, when the President released the first edition of the Santhali version of the Constitution.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Important for Polity sections, specifically regarding the Eighth Schedule and the digitization/translation of legal documents.
Static GK Link: The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains 22 recognized official languages, governed by Articles 344(1) and 351.

Headline: Supreme Court Constitutes Expert Committee for Sensitive Judiciary

Why in News: The Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognizance and set up an expert committee to draft guidelines aimed at infusing sensitivity into judicial functioning, particularly for cases involving sexual offences and vulnerable victims.

Key Details: * The intervention stems from a 2025 Allahabad High Court order that controversially used explicit and insensitive language while detailing a sexual assault on a minor.

The High Court had concurrently diluted the charges from attempted rape to a lesser offence, sparking petitions from civil society groups.
The newly formed committee is tasked with creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) for drafting judgments and conducting hearings to prevent the revictimization of survivors.
The guidelines will apply to all subordinate courts and High Courts across the country.Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Highly relevant for UPSC Mains (Paper II – Judiciary) and Prelims regarding Supreme Court committees and suo motu powers.Static GK Link: Article 131 to 147 of the Indian Constitution deals with the jurisdiction and powers of the Supreme Court.

2. State Affairs: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: UP Government and IOCL Sign MoU for International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur

Why in News: The Government of Uttar Pradesh and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed an MoU to construct a state-of-the-art International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur.

Key Details: * The estimated cost of the stadium project is Rs. 339 crore.

It is designed to have a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators.
The infrastructure will meet international norms, featuring modern pitches, advanced floodlights, practice areas, and media facilities.
The project acts as a major boost for sports infrastructure and tourism in the Purvanchal region of Uttar Pradesh.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Important for State PSCs (UPPSC) and SSC exams focusing on infrastructure developments and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Static GK Link: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise founded in 1959. Headquarters: New Delhi.

Headline: Bela Gram in Maharashtra Recognized as India’s First Net-Zero Panchayat

Why in News: Bela Gram, located in Maharashtra, has officially achieved the status of India’s first net-zero panchayat.

Key Details: * The panchayat reached this milestone by entirely balancing its greenhouse gas emissions with carbon offset measures.

Key initiatives included massive tree plantation drives, 100% adoption of solar energy for public utilities, and universal LPG usage replacing biomass cooking fuels.
The village also implemented a comprehensive solid and liquid waste management system.
This achievement aligns with India’s national target to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Direct relevance for environment and ecology current affairs (UPSC/State PSCs).
Static GK Link: The Panchayati Raj system was constitutionally recognized through the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992 (Part IX of the Constitution).

3. International Affairs: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: India Formally Joins US-Led ‘Pax Silica’ Coalition

Why in News: India has officially joined as the 12th member country in the United States-led ‘Pax Silica’ coalition, an alliance focused on securing critical technology supply chains.

Key Details: * Pax Silica was originally launched in Washington D.C. in December 2025.

The coalition aims to build secure and resilient supply chains for semiconductors, coordinate AI innovation standards, and reduce dependence on non-aligned adversarial states.
Founding members include the USA, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the UK, Israel, and Australia.
India’s inclusion strategically positions it in the global restructuring of critical mineral processing and AI-driven economic networks.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Highly critical for International Relations (UPSC GS Paper 2) and SSC tech/foreign policy questions.
Static GK Link: The semiconductor industry relies heavily on silicon, germanium, and gallium arsenide.

Headline: Brazilian President Lula da Silva Concludes State Visit to India

Why in News: President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, concluded his bilateral meetings and state visit to India, which ran alongside his participation in the India AI Impact Summit.

Key Details: * This marked President Lula’s fifth visit to India as the Head of State.

Bilateral trade between India and Brazil currently stands at $15.21 billion, making Brazil India’s largest trading partner in South America.
Leaders discussed expanding the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which currently covers 450 tariff lines.
Several MoUs were signed, including agreements on critical minerals exploration, an alliance between Vale Group and Tata, and cooperation on Scorpène submarine maintenance.
Brazil pledged to support India in exploring its critical minerals, noting that only 30% of Brazil’s own rare earth reserves have been mapped.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Essential for questions related to BRICS nations, MERCOSUR, and bilateral trade data.
Static GK Link: MERCOSUR is a South American trade bloc established in 1991. Current full members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

4. Economy & Finance: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: GIFT City and AJNIFM Sign MoU for FinTech Talent Development

Why in News: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) partnered with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM) to develop specialized human capital for the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).

Key Details: * The MoU was signed in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The partnership focuses on designing customized capacity-building programs in FinTech, international finance, and capital markets.
It aims to bridge the skill gap in India’s rapidly growing offshore financial ecosystem.
AJNIFM, located in Faridabad, operates under the Ministry of Finance.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Important for Banking and RBI Grade B exams concerning capacity building in the financial sector.
Static GK Link: The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) is the unified regulator for GIFT City, established under the IFSCA Act of 2019. Headquarters: Gandhinagar.

5. Banking & Financial Awareness: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: ICICI Prudential Launches ‘Swasthya Pension Scheme’ Under PFRDA Sandbox

Why in News: ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company Limited launched India’s first integrated scheme combining retirement planning with healthcare coverage, named “ICICI PF NPS Swasthya Equity Plus.”

Key Details: * The scheme integrates traditional pension wealth accumulation with health insurance benefits.

It operates under the regulatory sandbox framework of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) as a Proof of Concept (POC).
The product targets the dual needs of India’s aging demographic: post-retirement income and rising medical inflation.
It marks a significant innovation within the National Pension System (NPS) architecture.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Extremely relevant for Banking Awareness, RBI Grade B, and SEBI exams.
Static GK Link: PFRDA was established in 2003. Headquarters: New Delhi. It is the statutory regulatory body for the National Pension System.

Headline: NPCI Extends ‘UPI One World’ Wallet for Foreign Delegates

Why in News: The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) provided its ‘UPI One World’ wallet service to international delegates attending the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Key Details: * Delegates from over 40 countries utilized the facility to experience India’s seamless digital payment ecosystem without possessing an Indian bank account.

The prepaid wallet can be loaded with foreign exchange upon arrival in India.
It allows users to scan and pay at millions of merchant QR codes across the country.
NPCI also announced plans to introduce an SMS-less UPI onboarding system utilizing telecom network-based authentication to further enhance security.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Crucial for Banking and Finance exams regarding UPI expansion and NPCI initiatives.
Static GK Link: NPCI is an umbrella organization for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, founded in 2008. Headquarters: Mumbai.

6. Science & Technology: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: ISRO Successfully Tests Gaganyaan Mission’s Drogue Parachute

Why in News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the testing of the Drogue Parachute system intended for the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission at a facility in Chandigarh.

Key Details: * The test was conducted at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) / RTRS facility in Chandigarh.

The Drogue Parachute is a critical component of the Crew Module deceleration system.
Its primary function is to stabilize the crew module and significantly reduce its velocity during atmospheric re-entry before the main parachutes are deployed.
This successful test clears a major hurdle for the uncrewed and subsequent crewed orbital flights of the Gaganyaan program.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): High importance for Science & Technology segments in UPSC and SSC exams.
Static GK Link: The Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission.

Headline: Indigenously Manufactured Td Vaccine Launched in Himachal Pradesh

Why in News: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J.P. Nadda, launched the indigenously developed Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine at the Central Research Institute (CRI) in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh.

Key Details: * The Td vaccine provides dual protection against tetanus toxoid and diphtheria toxoid.

It was developed entirely domestically at CRI, receiving clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL).
The commercial production has commenced, with a commitment to supply 55 lakh doses by April 2026 for the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
The localized production significantly reduces import dependency for critical adult vaccines.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Important for health and science updates in UPSC Prelims and State PSCs.
Static GK Link: Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, was established in 1904 and is a pioneer in the field of vaccine manufacturing in India.

7. Defence & Security: Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026

Headline: India Assumes Chairmanship of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for 2026-2028

Why in News: The 9th Conclave of Chiefs of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) concluded on 20 February 2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where India officially assumed the chairmanship.

Key Details: * Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, took over the chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy.

India will lead the IONS for the 2026–2028 term.
This marks India’s second tenure as the Chair since the forum’s inception.
IONS provides a vital platform to increase maritime cooperation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Core defense current affairs for NDA, CDS, AFCAT, and UPSC Prelims.
Static GK Link: IONS was launched in 2008 in New Delhi. The Indian Navy’s motto is “Sam no Varunah” (May the Lord of the Water be auspicious unto us).

Headline: Defence Minister Inaugurates Multilateral Naval Exercise MILAN 2026

Why in News: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam, calling for enhanced global maritime security cooperation.

Key Details: * MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.

The 2026 edition witnesses participation from numerous friendly foreign countries, engaging in complex anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and surface warfare drills.
The exercise emphasizes mutual trust, shared responsibility, and strict adherence to international maritime law.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Expected in defense-related MCQs across SSC, Defence, and State PSCs.
Static GK Link: Exercise MILAN began in 1995 at the Andaman and Nicobar Command. It has since shifted to Visakhapatnam to accommodate larger fleets.

8. Environment & Ecology

Headline: CAQM Identifies PM2.5 as Key Pollutant in Delhi-NCR Winter

Why in News: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held its 27th meeting to review a Supreme Court-mandated expert report, identifying PM2.5 as the dominant winter pollutant in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Key Details: * A meta-analysis covering 2015–2025 highlighted that winter pollution is driven heavily by secondary particulates (27%) and biomass burning (20%).

In contrast, summer pollution is dominated by dust (27%).
The CAQM emphasized that Delhi’s pollution is regional, necessitating unified airshed management across Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP.
The commission has issued statutory directions for stricter industrial emission norms to mitigate transboundary impacts.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): High relevance for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Environment & Pollution) and related essay topics.
Static GK Link: CAQM was established as a statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.

9. Important Days

Headline: International Mother Language Day – 21 February

Why in News: The world observed International Mother Language Day on 21 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

Key Details: * Theme for 2026: “Youth voices on multilingual education.”

The day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999.
The initiative was originally driven by Bangladesh to commemorate the 1952 Bengali language movement in then-East Pakistan.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Standard question for SSC, Banking, and State PSC “Important Days and Themes” sections.
Static GK Link: UNESCO Headquarters is located in Paris, France. Founded in 1945.

10. Appointments & Resignations

Headline: Rajan Bajaj Appointed as MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank

Why in News: Slice Small Finance Bank (SFB) announced the appointment of its founder Rajan Bajaj as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 17, 2026.

Key Details: * Rajan Bajaj succeeds Satish Kumar Kalra in the leadership role.

The transition marks a pivotal moment for Slice as it evolves from a digital fintech startup to a fully licensed Small Finance Bank under RBI guidelines.
Bajaj’s leadership is expected to drive the bank’s digital lending and consumer finance models within the regulated framework.
Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC/Banking): Important for Banking Awareness (IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B).
Static GK Link: Small Finance Banks are registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013, and are licensed under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026: IMPORTANT ONE-LINERS

Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) was launched by Union Minister Amit Shah in Cachar district, Assam.
M.A.N.A.V., India’s new AI vision encompassing ethical governance, was unveiled by PM Modi at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact has been endorsed by 88 countries (as of Feb 21, 2026) focusing on democratizing AI.
Bela Gram in Maharashtra achieved the distinction of becoming India’s first net-zero panchayat.
India officially became the 12th member of the US-led Pax Silica coalition for securing semiconductor supply chains.
The Updated Constitution of India was released in Gujarati and Tamil languages by Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan.
ICICI Prudential launched India’s first retirement and health integration plan, the Swasthya Pension Scheme, under the PFRDA sandbox.
ISRO successfully tested the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan mission at the TBRL facility in Chandigarh.
India took over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) from the Royal Thai Navy for the 2026–2028 term.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh signed an MoU with IOCL to construct a Rs. 339 crore International Cricket Stadium in Gorakhpur.
GIFT City signed a capacity-building MoU with the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management (AJNIFM) for FinTech training.
NPCI expanded the ‘UPI One World’ wallet service for foreign delegates attending the AI summit in New Delhi.
Health Minister J.P. Nadda launched the indigenous Td (Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria) vaccine manufactured at the Central Research Institute in Kasauli.
Rajan Bajaj was appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank.
International Mother Language Day was celebrated globally on 21 February with the theme “Youth voices on multilingual education.”

Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2026: MCQs (Exam-Oriented Questions)

Q1. Which state became the launch site for the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) by the Ministry of Home Affairs in February 2026? A) Arunachal Pradesh

B) Uttarakhand

C) Assam

D) Sikkim

Correct Answer: C) Assam Explanation: Union Minister Amit Shah launched VVP-II at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam. Phase II extends to borders including Indo-Bangladesh and Indo-Myanmar.

Q2. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, PM Narendra Modi unveiled the AI vision ‘M.A.N.A.V.’. What does the ‘M’ stand for? A) Machine-learning

B) Moral and ethical systems

C) Multilingual capability

D) Modernization

Correct Answer: B) Moral and ethical systems Explanation: M.A.N.A.V. stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Artificial intelligence, and Values.

Q3. Bela Gram, recently recognized as India’s first net-zero panchayat, is located in which state? A) Gujarat

B) Karnataka

C) Kerala

D) Maharashtra

Correct Answer: D) Maharashtra Explanation: Bela Gram in Maharashtra attained net-zero status by balancing its emissions through solar energy, tree plantations, and eliminating biomass cooking fuels.

Q4. India formally joined the ‘Pax Silica’ coalition as its 12th member. What is the primary focus of this US-led coalition? A) Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific

B) Securing critical semiconductor and AI supply chains

C) Deep-sea mineral exploration

D) Joint space exploration missions

Correct Answer: B) Securing critical semiconductor and AI supply chains Explanation: Pax Silica aims to build secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chains for critical minerals, AI, and semiconductors, minimizing dependence on adversarial states.

Q5. The ISRO successfully tested the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan mission. What is its main function? A) To deploy solar panels in orbit

B) To launch the crew module from the rocket

C) To stabilize and slow down the crew module during atmospheric re-entry

D) To provide emergency oxygen supply upon landing

Correct Answer: C) To stabilize and slow down the crew module during atmospheric re-entry Explanation: The Drogue Parachute is deployed prior to the main parachutes to dramatically reduce the velocity of the re-entering crew module and keep it aerodynamically stable.

Q6. Which financial institution launched the ‘Swasthya Pension Scheme’ integrating retirement and healthcare under the PFRDA sandbox? A) SBI Pension Funds

B) HDFC Life Pension

C) LIC Pension Fund

D) ICICI Prudential Pension Funds

Correct Answer: D) ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Explanation: ICICI Prudential launched “ICICI PF NPS Swasthya Equity Plus” as a Proof of Concept combining retirement wealth generation with health coverage under the NPS.

Q7. India assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for the 2026–2028 term, taking over from which country’s navy? A) Royal Australian Navy

B) French Navy

C) Royal Thai Navy

D) Indonesian Navy

Correct Answer: C) Royal Thai Navy Explanation: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed the Chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy at the 9th IONS Conclave held in Visakhapatnam.

Q8. The updated versions of the Constitution of India were released on International Mother Language Day (2026) in which two languages? A) Bengali and Odia

B) Gujarati and Tamil

C) Marathi and Telugu

D) Kannada and Malayalam

Correct Answer: B) Gujarati and Tamil Explanation: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the updated Gujarati and Tamil versions of the Constitution, alongside the 8th Legal Glossary (English-Hindi).

Q9. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank? A) Satish Kumar Kalra

B) Rajan Bajaj

C) Sashidhar Jagdishan

D) Sandeep Bakhshi

Correct Answer: B) Rajan Bajaj Explanation: Rajan Bajaj, the founder of Slice, was appointed as the MD & CEO, succeeding Satish Kumar Kalra as the firm transitions into a fully licensed SFB.

Q10. What was the theme for International Mother Language Day observed on 21 February 2026? A) Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education

B) Youth voices on multilingual education

C) Fostering multilingualism for inclusion

D) Indigenous languages matter

Correct Answer: B) Youth voices on multilingual education Explanation: The 2026 theme selected by UNESCO highlights the importance of young people advocating for and participating in multilingual learning environments.

Conclusion

Consistency in tracking daily current affairs is the hallmark of a successful exam aspirant. By reviewing today’s verified headlines, downloading the current affairs pdf, and practicing the subsequent current affairs mcq and quiz questions, you ensure that your general knowledge remains sharp and exam-ready. Stay dedicated to this daily habit, and your gk scores will naturally improve.

FAQs

Q1. What is the M.A.N.A.V. vision recently unveiled by the Prime Minister?

Ans: M.A.N.A.V. is India’s new artificial intelligence vision launched at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. It stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Artificial intelligence, and Values, aiming to promote a human-centric approach to AI.

Q2. Where was Phase II of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-II) launched?

Ans: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched VVP-II at Nathanpur village in the Cachar district of Assam. Unlike Phase I, this phase extends to international land borders including the Indo-Bangladesh, Indo-Nepal, Indo-Myanmar, and Indo-Bhutan borders.

Q3. Which village has been recognized as India’s first net-zero panchayat?

Ans: Bela Gram, located in Maharashtra, achieved this status by entirely balancing its greenhouse gas emissions through massive tree plantations, 100% solar energy adoption, and universal LPG usage.

Q4. What is the ‘Pax Silica’ coalition that India recently joined?

Ans: Pax Silica is a United States-led coalition of 12 member countries designed to build secure and resilient supply chains for semiconductors and coordinate AI innovation standards globally.

Q5. In which languages did the Vice-President release the updated Constitution of India on 21 February 2026?

Ans: The updated Constitution of India was released in Gujarati and Tamil, alongside the 8th edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi).

Q6. What was the purpose of ISRO’s recent Drogue Parachute test?

Ans: ISRO tested the Drogue Parachute at the TBRL facility in Chandigarh. Its primary function is to stabilize the Gaganyaan crew module and significantly reduce its velocity during atmospheric re-entry before the main parachutes are deployed.

Q7. Which organization launched the ‘Swasthya Pension Scheme’?

Ans: ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Company Limited launched this scheme. It is India’s first integrated plan combining retirement wealth accumulation with health insurance benefits, operating under the PFRDA regulatory sandbox.

Q8. Who holds the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for the 2026-2028 term?

Ans: India officially assumed the chairmanship of IONS for the 2026–2028 term, taking over from the Royal Thai Navy at the 9th Conclave held in Visakhapatnam.

Q9. Where is the multilateral naval exercise MILAN 2026 taking place?

Ans: MILAN 2026, inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is being hosted by the Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam.

Q10. What is the theme for International Mother Language Day 2026?

Ans: Observed on 21 February, the theme for 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education,” as designated by UNESCO.

Q11. Who has been appointed as the new MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank?

Ans: Rajan Bajaj, the founder of Slice, has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO, succeeding Satish Kumar Kalra.

Q12. What did the CAQM identify as the dominant winter air pollutant in Delhi-NCR?

Ans: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) identified PM2.5 as the dominant winter pollutant in the National Capital Region, driven heavily by secondary particulates and biomass burning.

Q13: Why is reading daily current affairs essential for exams like UPSC and SSC?

A: Consistently reading daily current affairs builds your analytical skills and helps you connect dynamic national events—like the Supreme Court’s ruling on Bengal electoral rolls—to the static syllabus, which is crucial for high scores.

Q14: Where can I find the daily current affairs pdf for 21 February 2026?

A: You can easily download today’s comprehensive daily current affairs pdf from the dedicated download section of this post for quick and efficient offline revision.

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