Daily Current Affairs – 14-02-2026

Tamil Nadu News

Memorials Inaugurated for Tamil Leaders – February 2026

In February 2026, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated statues and memorial halls worth ₹7.16 crore through video conferencing under the Tamil Development and Information Department. A memorial hall with a bust statue of Dr. P. Subbarayan, former Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency, was constructed at Navani Thottakkurpatti village, Namakkal district at a cost of ₹2.66 crore. A memorial hall for Language Martyr Keezhapazhuvur A. Chinnasamy, who sacrificed his life opposing the imposition of Hindi, was built at Keezhapazhuvur village, Ariyalur district at a cost of ₹3 crore. A bronze equestrian statue of Freedom Fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai, who fought against the British and worked with Tipu Sultan against the East India Company, was installed at Odanilai, Arachalur, Erode district at a cost of ₹1 crore. A statue of C. Muthusamy, former Member of Parliament from Karur and a Cauvery Retrieval Committee activist, was installed at Ramachandrapuram village, Pugalur Taluk, Karur district at a cost of ₹50 lakh. The inauguration ceremony was held at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, Chennai, in the presence of Minister M.P. Saminathan, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and Information and Public Relations Director R. Vaithinathan.

Craft Bazaar 2026

The ‘Craft Bazaar 2026’ exhibition organised by the Crafts Council of India was inaugurated at the Mother Teresa Women’s Complex, Valluvar Kottam, Nungambakkam, Chennai. The exhibition was inaugurated by Council Chairperson Visalakshi Ramaswamy, in the presence of exhibition coordinators Iba Kapoor and Asha Ravi. The exhibition will be open to visitors till the 17th, from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM. A total of 64 sales stalls representing the culture of more than 25 States, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, have been set up. Handicraft products made of clay, stone, wood, leather, cotton, jute, and paper, along with home décor items, footwear, floor mats, wooden idols, silk and cotton sarees, embroidered sarees, readymade garments, and churidar fabrics are displayed for sale. The products are priced between ₹100 and ₹65,000.

Thaaimai App and Newborn Care Kit Scheme

The Newborn Care Kit Scheme and the ‘Thaaimai App’ were launched by Health Minister Ma. Subramanian at the Government Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Egmore, Chennai. The Newborn Care Kit Scheme has been implemented at a cost of ₹8.07 crore to provide care kits for underweight infants born in government hospitals. In Tamil Nadu, about 20% of babies born in government hospitals weigh below 2 kilograms, and around 52,000 underweight infants are currently under care. The kit includes iron drops, Vitamin B3, and multivitamin drops to improve nutrition and immunity. The Thaaimai App has been introduced under the Pregnancy and Infant Cohort Monitoring and Evaluation (PICME) system to monitor antenatal check-ups, delivery, postnatal care, child growth, and vaccination of pregnant women and infants. The app has been launched for the first time in India in Tamil Nadu.

KLA Corporation to Set Up R&D Centre in Chennai – ₹3,510 Crore Investment

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for KLA India, a subsidiary of the US-based KLA Corporation, to establish a Research, Development and Innovation Centre in Chennai with an investment commitment of ₹3,510 crore. KLA Corporation, headquartered in the United States, provides technology solutions for the semiconductor industry, including inspection, metrology and data analytics systems used in chip manufacturing. The new campus will be set up on 12 acres in Chennai and will focus on advanced research in high-performance computing, process control and engineering software. The project is expected to generate 4,000 high-quality jobs over the next 10 years. The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Industries Secretary V. Arun Roy, and Guidance Tamil Nadu Managing Director Tharez Ahmed.

National News

New Prime Minister’s Office (Seva Teerth) Inaugurated – ₹1,189 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new Prime Minister’s Office (Seva Teerth) built at a cost of ₹1,189 crore within the Parliament Complex, New Delhi. The new PMO complex has been constructed over an area of 5 acres and consists of three main buildings named Seva Teerth 1, Seva Teerth 2 and Seva Teerth 3. The Prime Minister’s Office will function from Seva Teerth 1, the Cabinet Secretary’s Office from Seva Teerth 2, and the National Security Council Secretariat along with the office of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval from Seva Teerth 3. As part of the Central Secretariat, Kartavya Bhavan 1 and Kartavya Bhavan 2 were also inaugurated, which will house the Ministry of Finance, Defence, Health, Corporate Affairs, Education, Culture, Law, Information and Broadcasting, Agriculture, Chemicals and Tribal Welfare departments. The new Parliament Building was inaugurated in May 2023. A new official residence for the Prime Minister is being constructed near the PMO at a cost of ₹467 crore over 36,000 square feet, along with a dedicated underground tunnel connecting it to the PMO and Parliament.

International News

Tarique Rahman to Become BangladeshPM

In the recent Bangladesh Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) alliance led by Tarique Rahman secured a majority in the 300-member Bangladesh Parliament by winning more than 200 seats. Following student unrest, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and an interim government was formed under Muhammad Yunus before the elections. With this victory, the BNP is set to form the government in Bangladesh after nearly 17 years, and Tarique Rahman is to become the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman, who founded the BNP and served as President of Bangladesh in 1977 until his assassination in 1981, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who served as Prime Minister during 1991–1996 and 2001–2006. In 2007, after a military-backed interim government took charge, Tarique Rahman was arrested on charges including corruption and money laundering, and after 17 months in prison, he went to the United Kingdom on medical bail and lived in London for about 17 years before returning to Bangladesh in December following the death of Khaleda Zia. He has since been cleared of the cases filed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman over the phone after the election victory.

Defence Acquisition Council Approves Purchase of 288 S-400 Missiles

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the procurement of 288 S-400 air defence missiles from Russia at a cost of ₹10,000 crore. During Operation Sindur conducted in May last year, S-400 systems were deployed at Adampur and Bhuj, and an S-400 missile reportedly intercepted a target at a distance of 314 km from the Indian border. As per the existing agreement with Russia, two additional S-400 missile units are scheduled for delivery in June and November this year. The DAC has also approved overall defence procurements worth ₹3.60 lakh crore. Approval has been given for the purchase of anti-tank mines (Vibhav), armoured vehicles and T-72 tanks for the Army, and 4 MW gas turbine-electric generators and P-8I surveillance aircraft for the Navy.

₹5,000 Credited under Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme

On February 13, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that ₹5,000 was credited to the bank accounts of 1.31 crore beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Scheme in Tamil Nadu. The scheme, implemented from September 2023, provides a monthly entitlement of ₹1,000 to women heads of families, and initially covered 1.13 crore beneficiaries before being expanded to 1.31 crore. The ₹5,000 credited in February includes the regular entitlement for February, March and April (₹3,000) along with an additional ₹2,000 special summer assistance. The amount was directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Sports News

Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship – India Tops with 94 Medals

India finished first at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship held in New Delhi on February 13, securing a total of 94 medals, including 51 Gold, 23 Silver and 20 Bronze. In the 25m Center Fire Pistol (Men’s Individual) event, Amanpreet Singh won Gold, Gurpreet Singh won Silver and Ankur Goel won Bronze, and the Indian team also secured Gold in the team event. In the 50m Rifle Prone (Women’s Individual) event, Sift Kaur Samra won Silver and Tejaswini Sawant won Bronze, while the Indian team comprising Sift Kaur, Tejaswini Sawant and Manini Kaushik won Gold in the team category. In the Junior Women’s category, Davalika Devi won Bronze, and the Indian team of Davalika Devi, Prachi Gaikwad and Anushka Thakur secured Gold in the team event.

Memorial Hall for Former Madras Presidency CM Dr. P. Subbarayan Inaugurated

On February 13, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated, through video conferencing from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, memorial projects implemented by the Department of Tamil Development and Information, including an auditorium with a bust statue of former Madras Presidency Chief Minister Dr. P. Subbarayan at Navani Thottakkurpatti village, Namakkal district, constructed at a cost of ₹2.66 crore. An auditorium for Keezhapazhuvur Chinnasamy, who sacrificed his life opposing Hindi imposition, was built at Keezhapazhuvur village, Ariyalur district at a cost of ₹3 crore. A bronze equestrian statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai was installed at the memorial complex in Odanilai, Arachalur, Erode district at a cost of ₹1 crore. A statue of former Karur Member of Parliament C. Muthusamy was installed at Ellaikattu Ramachandrapuram village, Karur district at a cost of ₹50 lakh. The event was attended by Minister M.P. Saminathan, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Department Secretary V. Rajaraman, and Director R. Vaithinathan.

State-Level Terrestrial Bird Census – February 14–15, Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department will conduct a synchronised Terrestrial Bird Census on February 14 and 15 across all forest divisions in the state. According to Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, the census will be carried out in a minimum of 25 locations in each forest division using the Line Transect method, with each transect measuring 2 km. Both direct count and acoustic survey methods will be used. The exercise will involve forest officials, birdwatchers, volunteers, NGO representatives and photographers. Tamil Nadu has implemented initiatives such as the Hornbill Conservation Centre, the Raptor Research Foundation at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), and the International Bird Conservation Centre at Marakkanam. In the previous census held on March 15 and 16, 2025, surveys were conducted at 1,093 locations across 38 districts, recording 401 bird species, with an estimated 2.3 lakh terrestrial birds.

First Open-Air Museum Inaugurated at Keezhadi – ₹24.3 Crore

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the first open-air museum at Keezhadi, Sivagangai district, through video conferencing from Chennai. The museum has been developed over an area of 4.5 acres at a cost of ₹24.3 crore. The project was announced in the 2024 State Budget by Minister Thangam Thennarasu, and the works commenced last year under the State Archaeology Department. The museum consists of two exhibition halls and showcases original structural remains unearthed during the Keezhadi excavations, including brick structures and ring wells. Named ‘Keezhadi Nam Thaaimadi’, the museum displays information in Tamil and English about archaeological excavations, water management systems, pottery, weaving and metal industries, local iron production, and black and red ware technology. Ministers Thangam Thennarasu and K.R. Periyakaruppan participated in the inauguration at Keezhadi.

Centre Lifts Wheat Export Ban After Four Years – 25 LMT Approved

The Central Government has approved the export of 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of wheat and an additional 5 LMT of wheat products after a four-year ban imposed in May 2022. The decision was taken based on market conditions and stock availability. For the 2026 Rabi season, wheat cultivation area has increased to 334.17 million hectares, compared to 328.04 million hectares in the previous year. In 2025–26, wheat stocks with private entities stand at 75 LMT, which is 32 LMT higher than last year. As of April 1, wheat stock with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is projected to be 182 LMT. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution stated that the increased production and stock levels ensure domestic food security. The government has also permitted the export of an additional 5 LMT of sugar during the 2025–26 sugar season, in addition to the earlier approval of 15 LMT.

UN General Assembly Approves 40-Member AI Scientific Panel

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has approved the formation of a 40-member global scientific panel to study the impacts and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The resolution was passed in the 193-member Assembly with a vote of 117–2, with the United States and Paraguay voting against it. The panel was established under the initiative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The panel aims to bridge the knowledge gap in AI and assess its economic and social impacts at the global level.

US Grants Licence to Reliance for Import of Venezuelan Crude Oil

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), headed by Mukesh Ambani, has received a US General Licence to directly import crude oil from Venezuela. The licence was granted in late January after the United States eased sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector. Earlier, following sanctions imposed in 2019–20, Venezuelan oil could be sold only through traders. Reliance operates the world’s largest single-site refining complex at Jamnagar, Gujarat. Venezuela, which holds the world’s largest oil reserves, supplies heavy and extra-heavy crude, particularly from the Orinoco Belt region. The Jamnagar refinery is configured to process heavy crude oil into products such as diesel, kerosene and LPG, enabling optimisation of refining margins.

Personalities, Awards and Events

RBI Approves Three-Year Extension for AU Small Finance Bank MD & CEO

AU Small Finance Bank (SFB) has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the reappointment of Sanjay Agarwal as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a further period of three years, effective from April 19. The reappointment follows approval by the Bank’s Board on October 17, 2025, and by shareholders on December 26, 2025, subject to RBI confirmation. Sanjay Agarwal first became MD of AU Financiers on February 14, 2008, and later assumed charge as MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank on April 19, 2017, when the institution transitioned into a bank. AU Small Finance Bank is the first SFB in over a decade to receive in-principle approval from the RBI to transition into a Universal Bank.

Economy News

RBI Raises M&A Financing Limit to 20% of Tier-1 Capital

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the limit for acquisition financing by banks to 20% of Tier-1 capital, compared to the earlier draft proposal of 10%. The RBI has specified that a bank’s aggregate Capital Market Exposure (CME) shall not exceed 40% of its eligible capital base, and direct capital market exposure shall not exceed 20%. The aggregate exposure to acquisition finance must remain within 20% of the eligible capital base, subject to the overall CME ceiling of 40%. Banks are permitted to fund up to 75% of the acquisition value for both listed and unlisted companies, and the acquisition must result in control of the target company within 12 months from the execution of the agreement. The RBI has also allowed banks to lend against Government Securities, Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs), Shares, Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs), Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and InvITs, with Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios fixed at 75% for Mutual Funds, 60% for Shares and NCDs, and 85% for Debt Mutual Funds. The guidelines permit funding for both domestic and overseas acquisitions.

Uday Kotak Appointed Chairman of GIFT City

The Government of Gujarat has appointed Uday Suresh Kotak, Founder and Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, as the new Chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). He succeeds Hasmukh Adhia in this position. The appointment was announced through a resolution issued by the Urban Development and Urban Housing Department of the Government of Gujarat, and it will take effect immediately.

IAF–Royal Thai Air Force Bilateral Air Combat Exercise

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted an in-situ bilateral air combat training exercise with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) from February 9 to 12. According to the Defence Ministry, the engagement was carried out as an air combat training exercise featuring the IAF’s Su-30MKI multirole fighter aircraft and the RTAF’s SAAB Gripen jets. The IAF’s IL-78 mid-air refuelling tankers also participated in the exercise.