Daily Current Affairs – 16 February 2026 | ExamCare
✅ Fact-Checked & Verified🏛️ Sources: PIB, RBI, Ministries📰 10 Topics Analyzed✍️ 10 Practice MCQs🖨️ Print / Save PDF
📌 Awards Item #1 of 10
President Confers Bharat Ratna on Veteran Statesman L.K. Advani and Former PMs
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, on former Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, socialist icon Karpoori Thakur (posthumous), former Prime Ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous), and agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan (posthumous).
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Bharat Ratna was instituted on 2 January 1954 by first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
First recipients in 1954: C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Sir C.V. Raman.
Non-Indians awarded: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990).
Decorations carry a Sanad (certificate signed by President) and a bronze Peepal leaf-shaped medallion; no monetary grant is attached.
📌 Appointments Item #2 of 10
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi Assumes Command as 26th Chief of the Naval Staff
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi formally assumed command as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy, succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar upon his superannuation. An alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy Khadakwasla, Admiral Tripathi previously served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Designation: 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
Headquarters: Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi.
Specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare; commanded INS Vinash, INS Kirch, and INS Trishul.
Key priority: Realizing the Indian Navy's vision of a 100% Atmanirbhar force by 2047.
📌 International Item #3 of 10
BRICS Summit Formally Welcomes New Full Members and Finalizes Kazan Declaration
The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia concluded with the formal adoption of the Kazan Declaration under the theme 'Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security'. Leaders endorsed expanding bilateral local currency trade and introducing partner country status.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
BRICS founded in 2006 (BRIC); South Africa joined in 2010 to form BRICS.
New full members officially admitted in 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS in 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, China (Current President: Dilma Rousseff).
Account for over 45% of the world's population and roughly 28% of global nominal GDP.
📌 Reports-indexes Item #4 of 10
India Ranks 39th in Global Innovation Index (GII) Published by WIPO
According to the Global Innovation Index (GII) published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), India climbed to the 39th position among 133 global economies. India continues to lead the Central and Southern Asia region and ranks 1st among lower-middle-income economies in innovation performance.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized UN agency based in Geneva.
Switzerland was ranked 1st globally for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Sweden and the United States.
India moved up dramatically from 81st position in 2015 to 39th position, reflecting vibrant startup growth and patent filings.
India ranks 1st globally in ICT services exports as a percentage of total trade.
📌 National Item #5 of 10
Union Cabinet Approves Major Infrastructure Corridor Under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved new multi-modal economic corridors spanning five states under PM Gati Shakti. The project aims to eliminate multi-modal freight bottlenecks, enhance logistics efficiency, and reduce transit turnaround times across high-density industrial corridors.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan was launched in October 2021 with ₹100 lakh crore outlay.
Integrates 16 Central Ministries and State planning departments on a unified GIS platform (BISAG-N).
Aims to reduce India's logistics costs from 13-14% of GDP down to global benchmark of around 8-9%.
Includes dedicated freight rail tracks, multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs), and industrial clusters.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) announced that the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana has crossed 1.3 crore household registrations on its national portal. The scheme provides substantial capital subsidies up to ₹78,000 for installing residential rooftop solar panels, providing up to 300 units of free electricity monthly.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana was launched in February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore.
Target: Solarize 1 crore residential households across urban and rural India.
Benefits: Up to 300 units of free electricity per month and surplus power feed-in tariffs.
Subsidy structure: ₹30,000 for 1 kW systems, ₹60,000 for 2 kW systems, and ₹78,000 for 3 kW and above.
According to the Reserve Bank of India's statistical supplement, India's foreign exchange reserves surged to surpass the historic $700 billion milestone for the first time. Robust foreign institutional investment (FII) inflows, solid non-resident Indian deposits, and strategic dollar purchases by the central bank bolstered external sector buffers.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Components of India's Forex Reserves: Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), Gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in IMF.
Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) form the largest multi-currency component.
SDR is an international reserve asset created by the IMF in 1969 based on a basket of 5 currencies (USD, EUR, CNY, JPY, GBP).
Reserves provide import cover of over 11 months, shielding the rupee against global capital volatility.
📌 Science-tech Item #8 of 10
Aditya-L1 Completes One Year at Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) Transmitting Solar Flares Data
India's maiden solar observatory Aditya-L1 marked successful operational milestones at the Sun-Earth Halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1), 1.5 million km from Earth. Its primary payloads—the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT)—have captured unprecedented high-resolution imagery of solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Launched on 2 September 2023 aboard PSLV-C57; successfully inserted into halo orbit on 6 January 2024.
Stationed at Lagrange Point 1 (L1) where gravitational forces of Sun and Earth produce an equilibrium position.
Studies solar corona dynamics, coronal heating, solar wind acceleration, and space weather events.
📌 Defence Item #9 of 10
India Successfully Tests Next-Generation Ballistic Missile 'Agni-Prime' off Odisha Coast
The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test of the new-generation ballistic missile 'Agni-Prime' (Agni-P) from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The two-stage canisterised solid-propellant missile has an operational strike range of 1,000 to 2,000 km.
Propulsion: Two-stage solid propellant rocket motor with composite motor casing.
Key Feature: Fully canisterised launcher system allowing rapid deployment via road or rail transport with minimal preparation time.
Equipped with dual redundant navigation and guidance systems (ring laser gyro based).
📌 Sports Item #10 of 10
Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver Medal at Diamond League Javelin Finals in Brussels
Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra concluded another stellar season by finishing second with a throw of 87.86 metres at the prestigious Wanda Diamond League javelin final in Brussels, Belgium. Chopra finished just one centimetre behind champion Julian Weber of Germany.
💡 KEY EXAM TAKEAWAYS & FACTS
Athlete: Neeraj Chopra (Subedar in the Indian Army, Rajputana Rifles).
Event: Wanda Diamond League Finals (Men's Javelin Throw).
Honours: Olympic Gold (Tokyo 2020), Olympic Silver (Paris 2024), World Athletics Championship Gold (Budapest 2023), Diamond League Champion (2022).
National Record: 89.94 m set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.
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Question 1 of 10Civilian Honours & Bharat Ratna
Who among the following was the pioneer of India's Green Revolution conferred with the Bharat Ratna in 2024?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Eminent geneticist and agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, widely hailed as the Father of India's Green Revolution, was posthumously conferred the Bharat Ratna.
🎯 Exam Relevance: SSC CGL, UPSC Prelims, Banking PO
Question 2 of 10Defence Appointments
Who was appointed as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) of the Indian Navy?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi assumed office as the 26th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, succeeding Admiral R. Hari Kumar.
🎯 Exam Relevance: CDS, NDA, AFCAT, SSC CGL
Question 3 of 10International Organizations & Summits
Where is the permanent headquarters of the New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS nations located?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, has its permanent headquarters in Shanghai, China.
Which organization publishes the annual 'Global Innovation Index' (GII) ranking global economies?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
The Global Innovation Index (GII) is published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in partnership with the Portulans Institute.
What is the primary target for reducing logistics cost in India as a percentage of GDP under the National Logistics Policy?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
The National Logistics Policy aims to reduce the logistics cost in India from the existing 13-14% of GDP to single digits (around 8-9%) to match global standards, boosting export competitiveness.
What is the total number of residential households targeted for rooftop solarisation under 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana'?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana targets the solarisation of 1 crore (10 million) residential households across India, providing capital subsidies and up to 300 units of free solar power per month.
🎯 Exam Relevance: UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, RRB NTPC
Question 7 of 10External Sector & Macroeconomics
Which of the following is NOT a constituent component of India's official Foreign Exchange Reserves managed by the RBI?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
India's foreign exchange reserves consist of Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs), Gold reserves, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) with the IMF, and Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in the IMF. Domestic treasury bills are not part of forex reserves.
At what distance from Earth is India's solar observatory 'Aditya-L1' stationed around the Lagrange Point 1 (L1)?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Aditya-L1 is stationed in a halo orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1), which is situated approximately 1.5 million kilometres from Earth towards the Sun (about 1% of the Earth-Sun distance).
What is the operational strike range of the canisterised ballistic missile 'Agni-Prime' developed by DRDO?
💡 Detailed Explanation & Analysis:
Agni-Prime is a two-stage canisterised solid-propellant ballistic missile with an operational range between 1,000 km and 2,000 km, designed to replace older generation Prithvi and Agni-I systems.
Daily current affairs compilation for 16 February 2026 featuring in-depth analysis of national, banking, defense, and science developments with 10 practice MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC exams.
📋 Consolidated High-Yield Facts for Quick Revision
1. President Confers Bharat Ratna on Veteran Statesman L.K. Advani and Former PMs
Bharat Ratna was instituted on 2 January 1954 by first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
First recipients in 1954: C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and Sir C.V. Raman.
Non-Indians awarded: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990).
Decorations carry a Sanad (certificate signed by President) and a bronze Peepal leaf-shaped medallion; no monetary grant is attached.
2. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi Assumes Command as 26th Chief of the Naval Staff
Designation: 26th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
Headquarters: Integrated Defence Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi.
Specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare; commanded INS Vinash, INS Kirch, and INS Trishul.
Key priority: Realizing the Indian Navy's vision of a 100% Atmanirbhar force by 2047.
3. BRICS Summit Formally Welcomes New Full Members and Finalizes Kazan Declaration
BRICS founded in 2006 (BRIC); South Africa joined in 2010 to form BRICS.
New full members officially admitted in 2024: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS in 2014, headquartered in Shanghai, China (Current President: Dilma Rousseff).
Account for over 45% of the world's population and roughly 28% of global nominal GDP.
4. India Ranks 39th in Global Innovation Index (GII) Published by WIPO
Published annually by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized UN agency based in Geneva.
Switzerland was ranked 1st globally for the 14th consecutive year, followed by Sweden and the United States.
India moved up dramatically from 81st position in 2015 to 39th position, reflecting vibrant startup growth and patent filings.
India ranks 1st globally in ICT services exports as a percentage of total trade.
5. Union Cabinet Approves Major Infrastructure Corridor Under PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan was launched in October 2021 with ₹100 lakh crore outlay.
Integrates 16 Central Ministries and State planning departments on a unified GIS platform (BISAG-N).
Aims to reduce India's logistics costs from 13-14% of GDP down to global benchmark of around 8-9%.
Includes dedicated freight rail tracks, multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs), and industrial clusters.
