February 2026 Current affairs Highlights

February 2026 Current affairs Highlights

February 2026 current affairs highlights, with a strong focus on India-relevant events (useful for exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, etc.). As of mid-February 2026, the month has been dominated by the Union Budget 2026-27, major AI-focused summits, bilateral ties, infrastructure approvals, and policy launches.

Key Dates and Observances

• 1 February: Union Budget 2026-27 presented; Indian Coast Guard Raising Day (50th anniversary).
• 13 February: National Women’s Day in India.
• 15 February: Mahashivratri.
• Other: PLASTINDIA 2026 exhibition (5-10 February, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi); Taj Mahotsav (18-27 February).

Economy and Union Budget 2026-27 (Presented 1 February)

The Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, themed around “Yuva Shakti-driven growth” and Viksit Bharat, emphasizes capex-led reforms, manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors, infrastructure, services, human capital, and balanced regional development.

• Capital expenditure: ₹12.2 lakh crore (3.1% of GDP).
• Fiscal deficit target: 4.3% of GDP (down from 4.4% in FY26 RE).
• Debt-to-GDP: Aiming for 50% ±1% by FY31.
• Key allocations: ₹20,000 crore over 5 years for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS); boosted renewable energy (₹32,914.7 crore, up 30%); PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana support.
• Other: Self-Reliant India Fund additional ₹2,000 crore; Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (₹10,000 crore corpus); Urban Challenge Fund (₹1 lakh crore); measures to deepen corporate bond market and reduce bank burden.
• Focus areas: Green steel roadmap for net-zero by 2070; textile/chemical parks; rural broadband; domestic clean energy manufacturing.

Major National Developments

• PM RAHAT Scheme (approved mid-February): Pradhan Mantri Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment scheme for immediate life-saving care to road accident victims.
• Highway Projects: CCEA approved ₹11,000+ crore projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana.
• Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) and Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 approved (₹1 lakh crore + ₹10,000 crore).
• NGT clears Great Nicobar Project (16 February): Approved citing strategic importance, with strict EC compliance; mega-infrastructure project worth ₹92,000 crore.
• PM Modi visits: Assam (14 February) – inaugurated projects worth ₹5,450+ crore; upcoming Israel visit (25-26 February) to address Knesset.
• Other: New squat lobster species (Leiogalathea samudragiri) discovered near Lakshadweep; SAHI and BODH initiatives launched at India AI Summit (health sector AI push); Yuva AI for All (MeitY’s National AI Literacy programme).

International and Bilateral Highlights

• India AI Impact Summit 2026 (Bharat Mandapam, extended to 19 February): Inaugurated by PM Modi; French President Emmanuel Macron participated; theme “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya”. Addressed by global tech leaders (Sundar Pichai, Sam Altman, Bill Gates). India-France elevated to “Special Global Strategic Partnership” till 2047; inaugurated India-France Year of Innovation 2026.
• PM Modi-France meeting (17 February, Mumbai): Reviewed strategic ties; Macron invited PM Modi to 52nd G7 Summit in France.
• India’s First Comprehensive AI Governance Framework (unveiled mid-February): Under IndiaAI Mission; 7 principles for safe/trusted AI in healthcare, education, agriculture, etc.
• Other global: India plans to halt Ravi River water flow to Pakistan post-dam completion.