Daily Current Affairs – 16-02-2026

National News

Shah Launches CBDC-Based PDS Pilot in Gujarat

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched India’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Public Distribution System (PDS) pilot in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The scheme digitalises the food subsidy distribution system by providing beneficiaries with e-Rupee (CBDC) credits through RBI-linked digital wallets, specifying ration items, quantity and subsidised price. The pilot covers beneficiary families in Ahmedabad, Surat, Anand and Valsad districts. Beneficiaries can redeem food grains at fair price shops using QR codes or Aadhaar-based OTP authentication. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that digital tokens issued in RBI-linked wallets can be used only for purchasing authorised ration items. As part of the launch, Amit Shah also inaugurated the 24×7 automated ‘Annapurti Grain ATM’, which from March 2026 will dispense 1 kg packets of tur dal, chana, sugar and salt, and up to 25 kg of wheat and rice directly to beneficiaries. The grain ATM, capable of dispensing up to 25 kg in about 35 seconds, has been manufactured in Gujarat.

Tamil Nadu News

CM Announces Initiatives to Honour Vallalar

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a series of initiatives to honour social reformer Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar) at an International Vallalar Conference organised by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department in Chennai. The initiatives include establishing a Vallalar Research Centre in Chennai, a Sanmarga Training School at Vadalur, and Annadhanam centres at Mettukuppam, Marudur and Karanakuzhi, which are associated with Vallalar. A memorial pillar will be erected to mark the international conference, and a herbal garden will be created in Vallalar’s name. An annual three-day celebration will be held on Vallalar’s birth anniversary, and a book titled “Spiritual Alchemy” will be published. A park will be established near Cuddalore. Vallalar’s birth anniversary has been declared as ‘Thaniperum Karunai Day’, and his residence at Marudur has been renovated. The Vallalar Nagar Bus Stand in Chennai has been renovated at a cost of ₹10 crore. The Chief Minister also stated that under the HR&CE Department, Kumbabishekam has been performed in 4,192 temples, 352 temples have been renovated, restoration works worth ₹29,479 crore are ongoing in 12,931 temples, properties worth ₹8,100 crore have been retrieved in 12,931 temples, and 8,106 acres of temple properties valued at over ₹8,423 crore have been recovered.

International News

International Naval Exercise Milan 2026 at Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy is hosting the International Naval Review and Milan Exercise at Visakhapatnam on the east coast, with participation from representatives of 74 countries in a 10-day maritime engagement. All members of the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)—India, United States, Japan and Australia—will take part in the exercise. The indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, which led the Carrier Battle Group during Operation Sindhur, will be a key attraction. The event also includes the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs and an international maritime seminar focusing on regional security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). For the first time, the Milan Exercise and IONS activities are being conducted simultaneously. The exercise is expected to witness participation of 65 ships, over 90 warships and around 50 aircraft. Countries including Russia, Iran, Bangladesh, Japan, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Maldives are participating. The QUAD members, apart from their annual Malabar Exercise, are engaging together in this large-scale maritime exercise.

Bar-Headed Goose Spotted in Panna South Forest Division

The Bar-headed Goose, one of the highest-flying birds in the world, has been spotted for the first time in the Panna South Forest Division in the Bundelkhand region of the state. The species, which breeds in Central Asia, is known for migrating across the Himalayas at extreme altitudes even in low-oxygen conditions. The bird was sighted and photographed in the Sunehi Beat of Pawai Range by Range Officer Nitesh Patel. According to officials of the Panna South Forest Division, the presence of the Bar-headed Goose indicates that the water bodies and wetlands in the area are environmentally safe, rich, and free from significant human interference.

Delhi Police 79th Raising Day – 2026

The Delhi Police observed its 79th Raising Day in 2026, marking the establishment of the police force in the national capital. The celebrations were held as part of Delhi Police Week from 16 to 22 February 2026. The event highlighted the core values of the Delhi Police, including Service, Security, Dedication, Courage, Sensitivity, Vigilance and Participation, under the theme “Service – With the People, at every step”, aimed at ensuring a safe and secure Delhi.

100 Years of the Olchiki Script Commemorated

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Olchiki Script, which was created by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language. The event marked the centenary celebration of the script as a symbol of Santhali culture and heritage. The programme was attended by Smt. Droupadi Murmu, President of India, as the Chief Guest, and was also associated with the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

GPAI AI Summit 2026 Held in New Delhi

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from February 16 to February 20. The summit is inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is delivering his address via video conference. Leaders and representatives from 45 countries are participating in the virtual summit, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, along with heads of major technology companies. The summit is organised around three core principles—advancing AI, responsible AI, and progress—with seven sub-themes, and over 700 AI-related concepts are being exhibited during the five-day event. India assumed the presidency of GPAI from France for the 2023–24 term, and India will chair the summit in 2024, followed by Brazil in 2025. Separately, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that India is one of the rapidly growing economies in the world during his participation in the G20 summit.

Sports News

Silver Medal for India in WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026

In the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2026 table tennis tournament held in Chennai, the Indian mixed doubles pair of Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade won the silver medal. The tournament was jointly organised by the Tamil Nadu Table Tennis Association, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Olympic Association, along with CEAT, Nippon Paint, Indian Oil and Stag Sports. In the mixed doubles final, the Indian pair lost 0-3 (9-11, 2-11, 8-11) to the second-seeded Romanian pair of Ovidiu Ionescu and Bernadette Szocs. In the men’s singles final, Benedikt Duda of the Czech Republic defeated Harmeet Desai 3-2 (13-15, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-9). In the women’s singles final, Japan’s Saki Ota and Miyu Hirano competed against each other.