Daily Current Affairs 19 February 2026: Best For Competitive Exams
Daily Current Affairs 19 February 2026: | Important GK Updates for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railways
Welcome to your trusted source for daily current affairs, meticulously curated to boost your preparation for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and State PSC examinations. Staying updated with verified news is the most critical step in mastering the dynamic general awareness sections of modern competitive exams. In today’s comprehensive digest for 19 February 2026, we break down the most exam-relevant national and international events, ensuring you have the exact facts needed to score high. Whether you are looking for accurate quiz questions, a downloadable current affairs pdf for quick revision, or high-yield current affairs mcq practice, this post provides an all-in-one solution. Dive into today’s updates to strengthen your core general knowledge and ensure your gk foundation is rock-solid for the upcoming test season.
2. In-Short Summary Table – Today’s Key Events for GK
| Event | Category | Why Important for Exams |
| India AI Impact Summit 2026 | National | PM Modi addressed the plenary; highly relevant for Science & Tech and governance schemes. |
| 3 Cheetah Cubs Born at Kuno | Environment | Updates total cheetah count to 38; critical for biodiversity and Project Cheetah MCQs. |
| Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 | Economy | ₹10,000 crore cabinet approval; vital for banking and economy current affairs. |
| India-France NCoE in Kanpur | Defence / Tech | Bilateral aerospace skilling initiative; key for international relations and defence GK. |
| New Prime Minister of Bangladesh | International | Tarique Rahman sworn in; essential for India’s neighbourhood geopolitics questions. |
3. Major Headlines – Daily Current Affairs
National (India)
- PM Narendra Modi addresses the leaders’ plenary at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, emphasizing the democratization of AI technology.
- The Union Environment Ministry announces the birth of three new cheetah cubs at Kuno National Park, successfully raising India’s total cheetah count to 38.
International
3. Tarique Rahman is officially sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh following recent political transitions.
Economy & Banking
4. The Union Cabinet approves the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a massive budget outlay of ₹10,000 crore to mobilize venture capital for the national startup ecosystem.
5. The Cabinet approves a ₹1 Lakh Crore Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) to significantly strengthen urban infrastructure financing across India.
Sports
6. Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan creates history by becoming the first bowler to secure 700 wickets in T20 cricket.
7. Karnataka enters the Ranji Trophy 2026 final and will face Jammu & Kashmir in the title clash.
Science & Technology
8. The Central Government outlines the rollout of Bharat-VISTAAR, a newly announced AI-powered initiative aimed at transforming digital governance.
Defence & Security
9. PM Narendra Modi announces the establishment of an India–France Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics Skilling at NSTI, Kanpur under the PM-SETU scheme.
Appointments / Indices / Reports
10. Commodore Milind M. Mokashi of the Indian Navy formally assumes command of the multinational Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
4. Deep-Dive Explanations
1. India AI Impact Summit 2026 Inaugurated in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the global India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, focusing on the theme “सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय” (Welfare for all, happiness for all). For competitive exams, this summit is crucial as it highlights India’s official stance on global AI governance and digital public infrastructure. The static GK linkage involves understanding the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and India’s broader AI initiatives like the INDIAai portal.
2. Project Cheetah Expansion at Kuno National Park
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth of three new cubs to a South African cheetah named Gamini at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh. This event is highly exam-relevant as it brings the total number of surviving India-born cubs to 27 and the total cheetah population to 38. Students must link this to static environment GK, particularly the history of Project Cheetah (launched in 2022) and the geographical significance of Kuno National Park.
3. Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 Approved
The Union Cabinet recently approved the establishment of the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a massive budget outlay of ₹10,000 crore. This economic development is a critical data point for banking and UPSC aspirants, as it directly impacts venture capital mobilization and economic growth. The static linkage here traces back to the original launch of the Startup India initiative in 2016 and the role of SIDBI in managing the fund.
4. India-France Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics Skilling
Under the PM-SETU scheme, a new National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence is being established at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur, in collaboration with France. This is a high-priority topic for defence and international relations sections, reflecting strategic bilateral ties. The static GK connection involves understanding the mandate of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and historical India-France strategic agreements.
5. Tarique Rahman Sworn in as Bangladesh Prime Minister
Tarique Rahman has taken oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh following recent political developments in the nation. This is highly important for the international affairs segment of all major exams, as Bangladesh is a critical neighbor sharing the longest international border with India. Candidates should review static facts about Bangladesh, including its capital (Dhaka), currency (Taka), and joint military exercises with India like Sampriti.
5. Today’s Notable Days – 19 February
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti: Celebrated primarily in Maharashtra to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Maratha emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It is highly relevant for history sections of competitive exams, focusing on Maratha administration and military tactics.
- Soil Health Card Day: Observes the launch of the Soil Health Card Scheme by PM Modi on February 19, 2015, in Suratgarh, Rajasthan. This scheme aims to assess the nutrient status of soil and provide recommendations to farmers. It is a critical topic for agriculture and rural economy sections in banking and civil service exams.
6. This Day in History
- 1630: The birth of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Shivneri Fort. He laid the foundation of the Maratha Empire, introducing innovative administrative and military systems like the Ashtapradhan council and guerrilla warfare. His reign is frequently tested in the medieval history portions of state PSC and UPSC examinations.
- 2015: The Government of India launched the Soil Health Card Scheme. The scheme revolutionized soil testing and agricultural productivity by providing customized crop recommendations based on soil health. Understanding its objectives is crucial for answering questions on government schemes in economy and agriculture papers.
7. Famous Birthdays – 19 February
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (Born 19 February 1630): Founder of the Maratha Empire, recognized for his progressive civil rule and disciplined military organization. His administrative innovations and naval fleet building make him a pivotal figure in Indian history. Questions on his life, battles, and the Treaty of Purandar are staples in competitive exams.
- Nicolaus Copernicus (Born 19 February 1473): A Renaissance polymath and astronomer who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than Earth at its center. His heliocentric theory sparked the Scientific Revolution, forever changing the trajectory of astronomy. His contributions are frequently asked in general science and world history segments.
8. Today’s Top 3 Most Important News for Exams
- The Union Cabinet approved a ₹10,000 crore outlay for the Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 to mobilize venture capital.
- India’s total cheetah population at Kuno National Park reached 38 following the birth of three new cubs to South African cheetah Gamini.
- India and France are establishing a National Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics Skilling at NSTI Kanpur under the PM-SETU scheme.
9. Download Section – Current Affairs PDF
Maximize your revision efficiency by downloading our comprehensive current affairs pdf for February 2026. This neatly formatted, exam-focused document compiles all critical headlines, deep dives, and static linkages from today’s updates, allowing you to review the material offline. Accessing the daily PDF is an essential strategy for aspirants looking to retain high-yield facts just before the exam.
10. Quiz Questions Based on Daily Current Affairs
Testing your knowledge through quiz questions is the most effective way to utilize the psychological principle of active recall. By attempting a daily current affairs mcq set based on today’s reading, you solidify your memory retention and learn to navigate the tricky, option-based format of actual competitive exams. Make it a habit to solve the daily quiz to identify your weak spots immediately.
11. General Knowledge (GK) Linkage
Mastering today’s news is directly proportional to strengthening your overall general knowledge. Modern exams rarely ask isolated current events; instead, they test the static gk connected to the news. For instance, reading about the new India-France Centre in Kanpur should immediately prompt you to revise the capital of France, joint military exercises like Varuna, and the functions of the Ministry of Skill Development. Linking the dynamic present to the static past is the ultimate key to high scores.
12. 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.
13. Final Thought of the Day
“An exam is not conquered on the day of the test, but in the quiet discipline of daily, consistent preparation.”
14. Motivation for Exam Aspirants
Every single fact you learn today is a stepping stone toward your dream career. Stay consistent with your daily revision, trust in your hard work, and remember that smart preparation always outpaces sheer panic. Keep pushing forward!
15. FAQs
Q1: Why is reading daily current affairs important for competitive exams?
A: Reading daily current affairs helps candidates stay updated on national and international events, which form a major portion of the general awareness section in exams like UPSC, SSC, and Banking.
Q2: Where can I find a reliable current affairs pdf for today’s news?
A: You can download our verified current affairs pdf directly from the download section of this blog post to aid your offline revision.
Q3: How do current affairs mcq help in exam preparation?
A: Practicing a current affairs mcq set helps improve accuracy, time management, and the ability to eliminate incorrect options through active recall.
Q4: Can solving quiz questions daily improve my memory retention?
A: Yes, regularly solving quiz questions forces your brain to retrieve information, which significantly strengthens long-term memory retention.
Q5: What is the best way to link current events with static general knowledge?
A: The best way to link them is by researching the geographical, historical, or economic background of any news item to build a comprehensive general knowledge base.
Q6: Are today’s gk updates relevant for banking exams?
A: Absolutely. Topics like the ₹10,000 crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 are highly relevant for the economy and banking gk sections.
Q7: How many cheetahs are currently in Kuno National Park as of February 2026?
A: With the birth of three new cubs to the cheetah Gamini, the total population at Kuno National Park stands at 38.
Q8: What is the theme of the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
A: The theme of the summit is “सर्वजन हिताय, सर्वजन सुखाय,” which translates to “Welfare for all, happiness for all.”
Q9: Who recently became the first bowler to take 700 T20 wickets?
A: Afghanistan’s spinner Rashid Khan recently achieved the historic milestone of 700 wickets in T20 cricket.
Q10: Where is the India-France Centre of Excellence for Aeronautics Skilling being established?
A: The Centre of Excellence is being established at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
