18 February 2026 Current Affairs: Daily Analysis
Read the most comprehensive 18 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: 18 FEBRUARY 2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Below are the top questions and detailed explanations for 18 February 2026 Current Affairs.
Q1. Khorramshahr-4 Missile (Kheibar) belongs to which country?
Answer: Iran
- Details: Medium-range ballistic missile (Range: 2,000 km). Developed by AIO (Aerospace Industries Organization).
- Fuel: Liquid fuel.
- Geography: Iran Capital: Tehran. Strategic context involves US bases in Qatar (Al Udeid) and Saudi Arabia.
Q2. ‘Ol Chiki’ script for the Santhali language recently completed how many years?
Answer: 100 Years
- Milestone: Introduced in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu; centenary in 2025.
- Context: President Droupadi Murmu called it a powerful introduction to the Santhali community.
- Constitution: Santhali is in the 8th Schedule (Added by 92nd Amendment, 2003).
Q3. Piton de la Fournaise, which erupted recently, is located on which island?
Answer: La Réunion
- Location: French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean.
- Type: Shield volcano (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
- India Context: India’s only active volcano is on Barren Island (Andaman & Nicobar).
Q4. Which organization signed an agreement with PayNet (Malaysia) for cross-border QR payments?
Answer: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL)
- Collaboration: Enables seamless QR payments between India and Malaysia.
- Malaysia: Capital: Kuala Lumpur; Currency: Ringgit; PM: Anwar Ibrahim.
- Entity: NIPL is the international arm of NPCI.
Q5. IIT Bombay signed an agreement with which university to establish a Centre of AI for Manufacturing?
Answer: Columbia University (USA)
- Context: Announced during the AI Summit in Delhi (Bharat Mandapam).
- Focus Areas: Robotics, Semiconductors, and Technology.
- Related: French President Emmanuel Macron visited India during this period (Year of Innovation).
Q6. Which state became the first in India to approve a comprehensive State Urban Policy?
Answer: Kerala
- Target: Reaching 80% urbanization by 2050.
- Themes: Waste to wealth, Smart city, Sustainable development.
- Kerala Facts: First to present separate “Elderly Budget”. Top rubber producer.
Q7. According to ADR, which political party received 82% of electoral trust disbursements in 2024–25?
Answer: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Data: BJP received ₹3,157.6 Crore (82% of total ₹3,826 crore).
- Comparison: Congress received approx. 7.8%.
- Source: Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Q8. Under the ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’, households can receive a subsidy up to?
Answer: ₹78,000
- Scheme: Provides up to 300 units of free electricity/month.
- Subsidy Detail: ₹78,000 for a 3 kW solar system.
- Budget: Total outlay of ₹75,021 crore targeting 1 crore households.
Q9. The ‘Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award’ was launched by which organization?
Answer: Isha Foundation
- Launch: By Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev during Mahashivratri. Chief Guest: Rajnath Singh.
- Recipients: Includes Dr. Nambi Narayanan, A.S. Kiran Kumar (ISRO), Saina Nehwal (Sports), and Armed Forces (Op Sindoor).
- Purpose: To recognize “nation-builders”.
Q10. Who became the first player to take 700 wickets in T20 cricket?
Answer: Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
- Milestone: Achieved during a match against UAE at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
- Afghanistan Context: Identified as a food-insecure nation; Chess is banned there.
WORLD & INDIA UPDATES: 18 FEBRUARY 2026
Defense & Security
- Navy: “Milan Village” inaugurated in Visakhapatnam to promote cultural exchange.
- France Deal: Agreement signed to manufacture Hammer Missiles domestically (for Rafale).
- USA: Military successfully airlifted a Nuclear Micro Reactor for the first time.
State Highlights
- Telangana: Hosting BioAsia 2026. Chapata Chilli got GI Tag. Adani investing ₹2500 Cr.
- Andhra Pradesh: World Economic Forum to set up 4th Industrial Revolution Center. Tiger ‘Explorer’ released in Papikonda NP.
- Delhi: CM inaugurated 51 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Launched “Pink Saheli Smart Card”.
Sports & Awards
- Chess: Magnus Carlsen won FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026 (Germany).
- Grandmaster: Aryan Vas became India’s 92nd GM.
- Tech Award: Dharmendra Pradhan launched Bharat EduAI Stack at Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave.
Environment & Agri
- New Plant: Tetrathenium Paikade discovered in Kerala.
- Digital Agri: “Bharat Vistar” launched in Jaipur (Single call farming info).
- Telangana: Rare Blue Pinkgill Mushroom discovered in forests.
IMPORTANT DATES (FEB & REVISION)
| Date | Occasion | Context / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17 | World Human Spirit Day | Self-reflection & meditation |
| Feb 16 | National Almond Day | Nutritional awareness |
| Feb 15 | Int. Childhood Cancer Day | Support families |
| Feb 14 | Congenital Heart Defect Day | – |
| Feb 11 | Int. Day of Women in Science | – |
| Feb 09 | Int. Epilepsy Day | – |
| Dec 02 | Computer Literacy Day | Revision |
Trending Search Topics: Master your preparation with 18 February 2026 Current Affairs updates. Today’s analysis covers the strategic Khorramshahr-4 Missile Iran and the centenary of the Ol Chiki Script Santhali. Key governance updates include the Kerala State Urban Policy and the subsidy details under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. We also highlight the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award winners like Saina Nehwal and ISRO scientists. Financial news features the PayNet Malaysia NPCI agreement for cross-border QR payments. Don’t forget to use the Daily Current Affairs PDF Download link. This is your essential guide for Daily GK for UPSC SSC Banking, covering topics like Rashid Khan T20 Wickets and BioAsia 2026 Telangana.