UPSC Current Affairs 18 February 2026

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS1: Art Forms GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

India-French ties a force for stability in the world, says PM, Pg1

India and France deepen ties, elevate partnership to 'special global strategic' level, focusing on defence, technology, and stability.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS1: Art Forms GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

India-French ties a force for stability in the world, says PM, Pg1

India and France deepen ties, elevate partnership to 'special global strategic' level, focusing on defence, technology, and stability.

GS 2: International Relations GS 2: Polity GS 1: World History GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

The new world disorder, from rules to might, Pg8

Global order erodes as major powers prioritize self-interest over international law, risking anarchy and geopolitical instability.

GS 2: International Relations GS 2: Polity GS 1: World History GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

The new world disorder, from rules to might, Pg8

Global order erodes as major powers prioritize self-interest over international law, risking anarchy and geopolitical instability.

GS 2: Governance GS 2: Social Justice GS 3: Economy GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: Health Sector

Front and centre, Pg8

Supreme Court directs FSSAI to consider mandatory front-of-package warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

GS 2: Governance GS 2: Social Justice GS 3: Economy GS 3: Science & TechnologyPrelimsGS2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: Health Sector

Front and centre, Pg8

Supreme Court directs FSSAI to consider mandatory front-of-package warning labels on foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: International Relations GS 1: Indian Society GS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Pressure Groups and Formal or Informal Associations

A Delhi move by the ‘Grand Mufti’, Pg9

Kerala Sunni leader's Delhi meeting with PM Modi sparks debate on minority concerns and political messaging before elections.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: International Relations GS 1: Indian Society GS1: Social Empowerment, Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism GS2: Pressure Groups and Formal or Informal Associations

A Delhi move by the ‘Grand Mufti’, Pg9

Kerala Sunni leader's Delhi meeting with PM Modi sparks debate on minority concerns and political messaging before elections.

GS 2: Social Justice GS 3: Economy GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Health Sector

Lower beedi taxes are short-term gain but long-term pain, Pg9

Lower beedi taxes disproportionately harm poor, rural men, increasing healthcare costs and exacerbating inequality despite short-term economic gains.

GS 2: Social Justice GS 3: Economy GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Health Sector

Lower beedi taxes are short-term gain but long-term pain, Pg9

Lower beedi taxes disproportionately harm poor, rural men, increasing healthcare costs and exacerbating inequality despite short-term economic gains.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Economy GS 3: Internal Security GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial Growth GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

India, France renew defence cooperation for 10 years, call to boost military partnership, Pg12

India and France extend defence cooperation for 10 years, focusing on indigenous content, joint production, and regional security.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Economy GS 3: Internal Security GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Changes in Industrial Policy and Effects on Industrial Growth GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

India, France renew defence cooperation for 10 years, call to boost military partnership, Pg12

India and France extend defence cooperation for 10 years, focusing on indigenous content, joint production, and regional security.

GS 2: Governance GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Social Justice GS2: Health Sector GS2: E Governance GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life

Two digital initiatives to boost health AI ecosystem launched, Pg13

Health Minister launches SAHI and BODH initiatives to promote ethical and safe AI deployment within India's healthcare system.

GS 2: Governance GS 3: Science & Technology GS 2: Social Justice GS2: Health Sector GS2: E Governance GS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life

Two digital initiatives to boost health AI ecosystem launched, Pg13

Health Minister launches SAHI and BODH initiatives to promote ethical and safe AI deployment within India's healthcare system.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Disaster Management GS 3: Internal SecurityPrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Disaster and Disaster Management GS3: Basics of Cyber Security

Indian Army puts up a show with homegrown dual-use AI systems, Pg13

Indian Army showcases indigenous AI solutions at India AI Summit, enhancing defence, disaster response, and cybersecurity capabilities.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Disaster Management GS 3: Internal SecurityPrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Disaster and Disaster Management GS3: Basics of Cyber Security

Indian Army puts up a show with homegrown dual-use AI systems, Pg13

Indian Army showcases indigenous AI solutions at India AI Summit, enhancing defence, disaster response, and cybersecurity capabilities.

GS 2: Governance GS 3: Economy GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: Health Sector GS3: Government Budgeting

Taxes prove futile to burn out cigarette use in India, PgII

India's cigarette taxes fail WHO benchmark, hindering consumption reduction, especially among low-income users, despite recent excise duty hikes.

GS 2: Governance GS 3: Economy GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: Health Sector GS3: Government Budgeting

Taxes prove futile to burn out cigarette use in India, PgII

India's cigarette taxes fail WHO benchmark, hindering consumption reduction, especially among low-income users, despite recent excise duty hikes.

GS 1: Physical Geography GS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS1: Salient Features of World's Physical Geography GS1: Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Water Bodies, Ice Caps, Flora and Fauna

Snowball earth: not quite still, PgII

Study reveals climate cycles persisted during 'snowball earth' period, challenging the idea of a static frozen world.

GS 1: Physical Geography GS 3: Environment & EcologyPrelimsGS1: Salient Features of World's Physical Geography GS1: Changes in Critical Geographical Features, Water Bodies, Ice Caps, Flora and Fauna

Snowball earth: not quite still, PgII

Study reveals climate cycles persisted during 'snowball earth' period, challenging the idea of a static frozen world.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

Iran briefly closes Strait of Hormuz as US, Tehran nuclear talks unfold, Pg2

Iran briefly closes Strait of Hormuz amidst US nuclear talks, signaling tensions and impacting global oil supply routes.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: EconomyPrelimsGS2: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India's Interests GS2: Important International Institutions, Agencies and Fora

Iran briefly closes Strait of Hormuz as US, Tehran nuclear talks unfold, Pg2

Iran briefly closes Strait of Hormuz amidst US nuclear talks, signaling tensions and impacting global oil supply routes.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Indian Constitutional Evolution, Features, Amendments, Basic Structure Doctrine GS2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Data law: SC to examine privacy, public interest & press freedom, Pg4

Supreme Court to examine Digital Personal Data Protection Act's impact on privacy, RTI, press freedom, and potential state overreach.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Governance GS 2: Social JusticePrelimsGS2: Indian Constitutional Evolution, Features, Amendments, Basic Structure Doctrine GS2: Separation of Powers and Dispute Redressal Mechanisms GS2: Statutory, Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies GS2: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability

Data law: SC to examine privacy, public interest & press freedom, Pg4

Supreme Court to examine Digital Personal Data Protection Act's impact on privacy, RTI, press freedom, and potential state overreach.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Disaster ManagementPrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Despite damage, black boxes hold key to Pawar air crash probe, Pg4

Ajit Pawar's plane crash investigation hinges on damaged 'black boxes'; foreign help sought for data retrieval after fire damage.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Disaster ManagementPrelimsGS3: Science and Technology in Everyday Life GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development

Despite damage, black boxes hold key to Pawar air crash probe, Pg4

Ajit Pawar's plane crash investigation hinges on damaged 'black boxes'; foreign help sought for data retrieval after fire damage.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Internal Security GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS3: Role of External State and Non State Actors GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

India's challenges as Myanmar gets new govt under shadow of old conflicts, Pg4

Myanmar's new government faces old conflicts, posing challenges for India with refugee flows, arms trafficking, and stalled infrastructure projects.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Internal Security GS2: India and its Neighbourhood Relations GS3: Role of External State and Non State Actors GS3: Security Challenges and Management in Border Areas

India's challenges as Myanmar gets new govt under shadow of old conflicts, Pg4

Myanmar's new government faces old conflicts, posing challenges for India with refugee flows, arms trafficking, and stalled infrastructure projects.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Economy GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Space Technology

India and France upgrade ties to strategic partnership, Pg5

India and France deepen ties, forging 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' with focus on defence, tech, and innovation.

GS 2: International Relations GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Economy GS2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements GS3: Indigenization of Technology and New Technology Development GS3: Space Technology

India and France upgrade ties to strategic partnership, Pg5

India and France deepen ties, forging 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' with focus on defence, tech, and innovation.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Social JusticeEthicsGS2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary GS2: Vulnerable Sections

SC asks academy to form panel for norms on judges' approach, Pg6

Supreme Court directs judicial academy to form expert panel for judge sensitization guidelines in sexual offence and vulnerable victim cases.

GS 2: Polity GS 2: Social JusticeEthicsGS2: Structure and Functioning of Executive and Judiciary GS2: Vulnerable Sections

SC asks academy to form panel for norms on judges' approach, Pg6

Supreme Court directs judicial academy to form expert panel for judge sensitization guidelines in sexual offence and vulnerable victim cases.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Economy GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: E Governance GS3: E Technology in Aid of Farmers

AI-powered tool, offering farmers help in their languages, goes live, Pg11

Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-powered multilingual tool launched to empower farmers with personalized agricultural information and scheme access via mobile and phone.

GS 3: Science & Technology GS 3: Economy GS 2: GovernancePrelimsGS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors GS2: E Governance GS3: E Technology in Aid of Farmers

AI-powered tool, offering farmers help in their languages, goes live, Pg11

Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-powered multilingual tool launched to empower farmers with personalized agricultural information and scheme access via mobile and phone.