17 February 2026 Current Affairs: Daily Analysis
Read the most comprehensive 17 February 2026 Current Affairs analysis for UPSC, SSC, Bank & State Exams. Stay updated with the latest headlines covering National and International events.
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TOP 10 ANALYSIS: 17 FEBRUARY 2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Below are the top questions and detailed explanations for 17 February 2026 Current Affairs.
Q1. Who will represent India at Tarique Rahman’s oath ceremony in Bangladesh?
Answer: Om Birla (Lok Sabha Speaker)
- Representation: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in of Tarique Rahman (BNP) as Prime Minister.
- Guests: Heads of government from 13 countries including China, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan were invited.
- Historical Fact: Bangladesh Liberation Year: 1971. Operation Trident (Indian Navy, 1971).
Q2. India’s first National Cow Culture Museum will be established in which city?
Answer: Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
- Location: Pt. Deendayal Pashu Parisar, Mathura.
- Focus: To showcase cow culture, milk products, and breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, and Red Sindhi.
- Context: Mathura/Barsana is also famous for the Lathmar Holi festival.
Q3. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley has won a historic third consecutive election victory. Which party does she belong to?
Answer: Barbados Labour Party (BLP)
- Victory: BLP won all 30 seats in the House of Assembly for the third time.
- Position: Mia Mottley serves as the Prime Minister of Barbados.
Q4. ‘Herath Poshte’, celebrated by the Kashmiri Pandit community, is primarily associated with which festival?
Answer: Maha Shivratri
- Local Name: “Night of Hara” (Herath). Celebrated on the 13th day of Phagun month.
- PM Message: PM Modi extended greetings for wellness and abundance.
- Region: Jammu & Kashmir (Key landmarks: Shankaracharya Temple, Dal Lake).
Q5. The WHO has pre-qualified the new nOPV2 vaccine for the elimination of which disease?
Answer: Polio
- Vaccine: Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).
- Significance: Allows UN agencies (UNICEF) to procure/distribute it for rapid eradication.
- India Context: India was declared Polio-free in 2014.
Q6. Which Indian company has won a US license to buy Venezuelan oil directly?
Answer: Reliance Industries Ltd
- License: Allows Reliance to bypass sanctions and purchase crude oil directly to boost Venezuela’s exports.
- Strategic Move: Helps replace Russian oil supplies.
- Venezuela: Capital: Caracas; President: Nicolas Maduro.
Q7. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attended a plenary session of the African Union at which place?
Answer: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Location: African Union (AU) Headquarters.
- About AU: 55 member states focusing on unity. AU is now a permanent member of G20 (G21).
- Chairperson: Joao Lourenco (current AU Chair mentioned).
Q8. The recently approved Rail-Road Twin Tunnel will be constructed under which river?
Answer: Brahmaputra River (Assam)
- Project: India’s 1st underwater rail-cum-road tunnel (2nd globally).
- Route: Connects Gohpur (NH-15) and Numaligarh (NH-715).
- Length: 15.79 km under the river (Total 33.7 km). Cost: ₹18,662 crore.
- Benefit: Massive reduction in travel time for Northeast connectivity.
Q9. The PM RAHAT Scheme launched by the Government of India is related to which sector?
Answer: Road Accident Victim Treatment
- Full Form: Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment.
- Benefit: Cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim for 7 days.
- Goal: “Golden Hour” protection to save lives. Helpline: 112.
Q10. The tiger named ‘Explorer’ was reintroduced into the wild at which national park under Operation Stripes?
Answer: Papikonda National Park (Andhra Pradesh)
- Journey: Walked 650 km from Central India to Eastern Ghats.
- Action: Tranquilized, labeled “innocent”, and released into the Godavari landscape.
- Mission: Operation Stripes.
WORLD & INDIA UPDATES: 17 FEBRUARY 2026
National Highlights
- Security: 16th All India Police Commando Competition inaugurated in Manesar, Gurugram.
- Renaming: PMO building renamed to “Seva Teerth” (Motto: Nagarik Devo Bhava).
- Digital Currency: Pilot for CBDC in PDS launched in Gandhinagar, Gujarat by Amit Shah.
- Mumbai: India’s first “Musical Road” plays ‘Jai Ho’ at 60-80 kmph.
International News
- Summit: International Dam Safety Conference 2026 held in Bengaluru.
- Index: India ranked 75th in Henley Passport Index (Feb 2026). Singapore tops.
- AI: India to host 1st Global South AI Impact Summit 2026.
- Defence: RAFALE deal approved (114 jets, ₹3.25 lakh cr).
Key Appointments
- Deepak Gupta: CMD of GEL India Limited.
- Rohit Rishi: MD of IIFCL.
- Nivedita Dubey: 1st female member of Airport Authority Board.
- Shatrujeet Kapoor: ITBP Chief.
- Uday Kotak: Chairman, GIFT City.
- Inderpal Singh Bains: Eastern Air Command Chief.
Science & Tech
- Astronomy: New solar telescopes (NLST & NLOT) approved for Ladakh (Hanle & Merak).
- Biobank: India’s 1st National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders inaugurated.
- Geology: Mud Volcano eruption reported on Baratang Island (Andaman).
STATE-WISE NEWS
Kerala
- Approved comprehensive State Urban Policy (First in India).
- Stree Suraksha Yojana: ₹1000/month pension for women.
- Declared Bacillus subtilis as State Microbe.
Assam
- Kumar Bhaskar Varman Setu: New bridge on Brahmaputra (Guwahati).
- Numaligarh Refinery: Granted “Navratna” status.
- Achieved Zero Rhino Poaching in 2025.
Delhi
- Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana: Total ₹56,000 financial aid for girls from birth to graduation.
- “Himmat” app launched by Delhi Police for women’s safety.
Nagaland
- Sangtsam Naga community banned hunting/trade of Pangolin.
- Focus on wildlife conservation in transit districts.
Sports Corner
- Cricket: Ishan Kishan (1st Indian WK 50 in T20 WC).
- Cricket: Smriti Mandhana (2nd Indian woman to score 10k runs).
- Winter Olympics: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won Brazil’s 1st medal.
Quick One-Liners
- China: World’s largest R&D spender.
- Odisha: Completely banned gutka/tobacco.
- Spain: Banned social media for < 16.
- Alwar: First fully insured district in India.
- Gujarat: Reduced tax on EVs to 1%.
IMPORTANT DATES: FEBRUARY 2026
| Date | Occasion | Context / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 16 | National Almond Day | Raise awareness on nutrition |
| Feb 15 | Int. Childhood Cancer Day | Support for families |
| Feb 14 | World Congenital Heart Defect Day | – |
| Feb 13 | World Radio Day | Also National Women’s Day |
| Feb 12 | Darwin Day | – |
| Feb 11 | Int. Day of Women in Science | – |
| Feb 10 | World Pulses Day | – |
| Feb 09 | Int. Epilepsy Day | – |
| Feb 04 | World Cancer Day | – |
| Dec 02 | Computer Literacy Day | Revision |
Trending Search Topics: Master your exam prep with our detailed 17 February 2026 Current Affairs breakdown. Today’s update highlights the transformational PM RAHAT Scheme Benefits ensuring Golden Hour treatment and the connectivity boost via the Brahmaputra Underwater Tunnel Assam. We explore cultural news like the National Cow Culture Museum Mathura and the Herath Poshte festival. Global updates feature Tarique Rahman Oath Bangladesh, Mia Mottley Barbados Victory, and the latest Henley Passport Index Feb 2026 rankings. Business news covers Reliance Venezuelan Oil Deal while science tracks the WHO Polio Vaccine approval. Download the Daily Current Affairs PDF Download link today. This resource is essential Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, and Banking aspirants.