Daily Current Affairs – 15-02-2026

National News

Brahmaputra Double Tunnel Project Approved by Union Cabinet

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a double tunnel project under the Brahmaputra River in Assam at an estimated cost of ₹18,662 crore. The tunnels will be constructed at a depth of 32 metres from Gohpur to Numaligarh, covering a length of 33.7 km, with one tunnel designated for railway transport and the other as a four-lane road tunnel for vehicular movement. The project aims to reduce the travel time between Gohpur and Numaligarh from 6 hours (240 km by road) to about 20 minutes. At present, there are three railway bridges and a total of five bridges over the Brahmaputra River in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and this will be the first railway tunnel constructed under the river. The project is significant for improving connectivity in the Northeast region and is considered important from a security perspective, especially in the context of the 1962 war. In the same Cabinet meeting, an allocation of ₹16 lakh crore for urban development and infrastructure over the next five years was approved, including ₹1 lakh crore for the Urban Challenge Fund.

States’ News

Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026–27 – ₹3.32 Lakh Crore Allocation

The Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister C.N. Kishore Reddy presented the 2026–27 Budget in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly with a total outlay of ₹3,32,205 crore. The budget allocates ₹6,000 crore for the capital Amaravati, ₹13,934 crore for electricity projects, ₹13,546 crore for roads, ports and airports, ₹3,161 crore for industrial projects, ₹28,000 crore for agriculture, ₹30,000 crore for the Rayalaseema Drinking Water Project, ₹13,598 crore for agriculture and allied sectors, ₹6,105 crore for public affairs, ₹9,165 crore for higher education, ₹2,161 crore for health aid programmes, and ₹32,308 crore for schools. The budget also announced the establishment of police stations in every district to curb online fraud and introduced the ‘Shakti’ mobile application for women, enabling police to reach the incident spot within 7 minutes of receiving the first complaint.

Kerala: Organ Donation by 10-Month-Old Infant

A 10-month-old girl from Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, who died following an accident on the 5th of this month, became an organ donor after her parents consented to donate her organs. The child’s two kidneys, two eyes and liver were donated for transplantation. The organs were allocated to patients at Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital and Amrita Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, including a 6-month-old child undergoing treatment. The incident was officially acknowledged by Kerala Health Minister Veena George, who stated that the Kerala State Government would extend support to the family and that information would be communicated to government hospitals.

Tamil Nadu News

₹24.30 Crore Allocated for Keeladi Museum Project

An allocation of ₹24.30 crore has been made for development activities at Keeladi, near Madurai, including archaeological works in Ramanathapuram district. As part of this project, the foundation stone for a new museum at the Keeladi excavation site was laid under the leadership of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The proposed museum will be constructed over 4.3 acres with a built-up area of 65,380 square feet comprising two buildings. Ministers including Industries Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Rural Development Minister Periyakaruppan, along with officials, participated in the event. The government also stated that renovation works are underway in the old buildings of Chennai, Thoothukudi and Tiruchirappalli airports.

ISRO to Launch 18 Satellites in the Current Year

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced in Chennai that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 18 satellites into space in the current year. The announcement was made at a two-day entrepreneurs’ conference organised by the Indian Industry Research Group (CISCO). He also stated that the Central Government has allocated ₹1,000 crore in the current budget for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and that around 2 lakh new enterprises have been started in India, generating employment for 21 lakh people. The event was attended by Union Minister of State S.L. Balakrishnan, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology N. Chandrasekharan, and Head of the Central Science Research Institute K. Chandraveeran.

Emergency Highway Runway in Assam and ₹5,450 Crore Development Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed on an emergency highway runway constructed on the Moron Highway in Assam, as there was no landing facility at the airbase in the Chaokhanna area. The runway has been built over a stretch of 4.2 km at a cost of ₹100 crore and is designed for emergency use. The Prime Minister travelled from Guwahati in a C-130J military aircraft and landed on the highway runway, which can accommodate 40-ton warplanes and aircraft weighing up to 74 tons. The first emergency runway in India was established in Rajasthan in 2021. During his visit, the Prime Minister inaugurated development projects worth ₹5,450 crore at an event held at Guwahati Airport, including a National Research Centre in the Lower Cauvery district, a new court complex in Guwahati, projects in the Meidiyam districts, and a health project worth ₹225 crore in the PM-D.E. region. He also addressed a public meeting in Kamrup district.

India’s First Underwater Road and Rail Double Tunnel in Assam

The Union Cabinet has approved India’s first 34 km long underwater road and rail double tunnel project in Assam at an estimated cost of ₹18,622 crore. The project will be constructed under the Brahmaputra River from NH-14 to Numaligarh, featuring a four-lane road along with a parallel rail tunnel. The project is expected to benefit Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and other North-Eastern states, and reduce freight transportation costs. Earlier, India’s first road transport tunnel was constructed in Kolkata, West Bengal, and the first undersea railway tunnel is being developed for the Bullet Train Project between Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and Mumbai (Maharashtra).

Continuous Cleaning Scheme for Long-Distance Trains

On February 14, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced in New Delhi that professionally trained private expert teams have been appointed to implement a new continuous cleaning scheme in all compartments of long-distance trains. Under the existing system, cleaning is carried out only at designated railway stations along the route; however, under the new plan, cleaning staff will attend to compartments at fixed intervals or whenever required throughout the journey. The staff will clean passenger compartments, toilets, washbasins, collect garbage, rectify minor defects, and ensure water refilling in trains. The scheme will be professionally monitored with feedback and performance management. In the first phase, 80 long-distance trains have been identified for implementation, and the scheme will later be extended to other trains based on experience. The Minister also stated that cargo handling facilities at railway stations will be strengthened through cargo sheds, authorised shops and new contracts.

Climate Action Allocation Increased to 5.6% of GDP

On February 14, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India’s allocation for climate change mitigation has been increased to 5.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), up from 3.7% six years ago. She made the announcement while inaugurating a discussion at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany. The increase is attributed to higher investments by the Central Government in recent years. She also stated that two-thirds of India’s national renewable energy targets have been set, and further investments will be made in the sector. Funds have been allocated in the Union Budget 2026–27 for carbon dioxide storage strategies, which will be implemented across the country.

Sports News

Indian Pair Wins Chennai Open ATP Challenger 50 Doubles Title

On February 14, the Indian pair Punchita–Ilaro won the doubles title at the Chennai Open ATP Challenger 50 held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam, Chennai. In the final, they defeated the Indian duo Mukesh–Sagar in straight sets 6–4, 6–4. This marked Punchita’s third doubles title. The winners received a prize money of ₹2.71 lakh and 50 ranking points, while the runners-up Sagar–Girnak received ₹1.59 lakh and 30 points. In the singles category, second-seeded Pelikas and Amira Alva qualified for the final.

International News

Trust Tech Alliance Formed for Technological Security

On February 14, a new international alliance named Trust Tech Alliance was formed in New Delhi and Munich to develop reliable and secure infrastructure in sectors such as telecommunications and artificial intelligence (AI). The alliance includes 15 global companies, such as Microsoft, Google, Ericsson, Nokia, Anthropik, and India’s Jio Planning. The objective of the alliance is to establish secure and transparent technological systems with emphasis on data protection and personal security. Member companies have signed an agreement to implement coordinated measures to strengthen trust in new technology products and services at the global level.

Airtel Launches AI-Based Security Feature to Prevent UPI Frauds

On February 14, Airtel introduced a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based security feature to prevent UPI frauds targeting customers’ bank accounts. The system is designed to detect fraudulent activities, including impersonation by individuals posing as company employees or bank officials to gain access to customers’ UPI accounts. The AI system monitors suspicious banking-related alerts received on customers’ mobile phones and immediately identifies potential fraudulent transactions, issuing instant warnings to users if a transaction appears suspicious. The feature is designed to prevent and stop UPI-related fraud attempts and will be rolled out to all Airtel customers across India within the next two weeks.

₹3,500 Crore Sanctioned for Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme 2025–26

The Tamil Nadu Government has accorded administrative sanction of ₹3,500 crore for the construction of one lakh houses under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Programme for the year 2025–26. As per the Government Order (G.O.) issued by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, the allocation includes ₹1,000 crore from the Scheme Component of Pooled Assigned Revenue (SCPAR), ₹1,000 crore from Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) devolution grants, and ₹1,500 crore as State Government grant. In March 2024, the State sanctioned ₹3,100 crore for constructing one lakh houses under the scheme for 2024–25, with a unit cost of ₹3.10 lakh per house. In March 2025, an additional ₹3,500 crore was sanctioned for another one lakh houses for 2025–26, with a unit cost of ₹3.50 lakh per house. In January 2025, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly the construction of one lakh houses under the scheme at a total cost of ₹3,500 crore.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Two West Bengal Academics Win A.K. Ramanujan Prize

Two academics from West Bengal, Sipra Mukherjee, Professor of English at West Bengal State University, and Mrinmoy Pramanick, Professor of Comparative Literature at Jawaharlal Nehru University, have won the prestigious A.K. Ramanujan Prize for translating the works of Dalit poet Kalyani Thakur Charal into English. The translated anthology titled “I Belong to Nowhere” is a collection of poems selected from five volumes written between the 1990s and the 2020s. They are the first Bengalis to receive this award for translation.

Economy News

RBI Approves Bain Capital’s 41.66% Joint Control in Manappuram Finance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to Bain Capital to acquire up to 41.66% joint control and shareholding in Manappuram Finance Limited. Bain Capital has committed to acquire an initial 18% stake for ₹4,385 crore, with equity shares allotted at ₹236 per share through its subsidiaries BC Asia Investments XXV Limited and BC Asia Investments XIV Limited. The transaction also triggers a mandatory open offer to purchase an additional 26% stake from public shareholders at ₹236 per share, in accordance with the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011. Post-investment, Bain Capital’s stake may range between 18% and 41.7%, and it will be classified as a promoter, jointly controlling the company along with the existing promoters, who will hold 28.9% on a fully diluted basis.

Department of Posts Issues ‘Puppets of India’ Commemorative Stamps

On 13 February 2026, the Department of Posts released a set of 8 Commemorative Postage Stamps on “Puppets of India” at the Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The stamps were released by Ms. Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts). The issue highlights India’s traditional puppetry forms, which are classified into string, glove, rod and shadow puppets. The eight stamps depict regional puppetry traditions, namely Kathputli (Rajasthan), Yakshagana Sutrada Gombeyatta (Karnataka), Daanger Putul (West Bengal), Kathi Kundhei (Odisha), Benir Putul (West Bengal), Pavakathakali (Kerala), Ravanachhaya (Odisha) and Tolu Bommalatta (Andhra Pradesh). The stamp denomination is 500p (Set of 8 Stamps). The stamp, First Day Cover, Brochure, Miniature Sheet, Sheetlets and Special Cancellation were designed by Shri Sankha Samanta, with artistic references and text support from Sangeet Natak Akademi, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Daricha Foundation, and Shri Dadi Pudumjee, Founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj to Showcase AI Solutions at India AI Impact Expo 2026

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will participate in the India AI Impact Expo 2026 to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 16 to 20 February 2026, to present Artificial Intelligence-enabled solutions aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving administrative efficiency. The Ministry will demonstrate key platforms including SabhaSaar, an AI-based system for recording, transcribing and summarising Gram Sabha and official meetings into structured Minutes of Meeting; PRAMAN (Panchayati Raj Asset Monitoring and Notification), an image analytics-based tool for automated validation and quality assessment of asset photographs; and eGramSaathi, an AI chatbot providing governance-related assistance to Panchayat officials and citizens. The exhibition will feature live demonstrations and simulations showcasing AI applications in Panchayat-level administration and public service delivery.

PM RAHAT Scheme Launched for Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims

On 14 February 2026, the Government of India launched the “PM RAHAT” (Road Accident Hospitalisation and Assured Treatment) Scheme to provide cashless medical treatment to road accident victims. Under the scheme, any person injured in a road accident is eligible for cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for a period of 7 days from the date of accident. First aid treatment will be provided for 24 hours in non-life-threatening cases and 48 hours in life-threatening cases, subject to police confirmation within the stipulated time. The scheme is integrated with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 112 helpline, enabling victims or bystanders to seek ambulance and hospital assistance during the golden hour. It is implemented through a digital framework integrating the eDAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) platform of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0) of the National Health Authority. Payments to hospitals will be made from the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF), with contributions from general insurance companies in insured cases and budgetary support from the Government of India in uninsured or hit-and-run cases. Claims approved by the State Health Agency will be settled within 10 days, and grievances will be addressed by the District Road Safety Committee under the chairmanship of the District Collector/District Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner.