Current Affairs - February 14, 2026 Current Affairs

Rajasthan recorded the highest wool production in India during FY24, contributing 16,013.50 thousand kg, which accounted for approximately 47.53% of the total national output of 33.69 million kg. The state’s arid climate and vast grazing lands create favourable conditions for sheep rearing. Indigenous breeds such as Marwari and Chokla produce mainly coarse wool, widely used in carpet and blanket manufacturing. With India ranking ninth globally in wool production and second in sheep population, Rajasthan’s dominant contribution significantly strengthens rural livelihoods, textile industries, and the broader wool economy.

The Gujarat government has appointed Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, as the new Chairman of GIFT City, India’s first operational Smart City and maiden International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) located in Gandhinagar. He replaces Hasmukh Adhia in this role. GIFT City plays a significant role in strengthening India’s global financial presence, with substantial banking assets and international participation. The appointment of an experienced banking leader like Uday Kotak is expected to enhance the city’s global competitiveness, attract more international financial institutions, and support the continued expansion of India’s IFSC ecosystem.

The International Military Adventure Challenge Cup (IMACC) 2026 will witness participation from seven friendly foreign nations alongside Indian armed forces teams. These countries include Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia. The event is scheduled to take place in the challenging terrain of the Eastern Himalayas and is aimed at enhancing defence cooperation and operational coordination. By bringing together multiple nations, the competition promotes interoperability, endurance, and camaraderie among participating forces. The presence of seven foreign nations highlights India’s expanding defence diplomacy and growing engagement in international military sports cooperation initiatives.

Vast Space has signed an agreement with NASA for its first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, targeting a launch no earlier than summer 2027. The mission will use SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, with astronauts expected to spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS. This collaboration marks a major milestone in the transition toward commercial space stations. Vast is also developing Haven-1, projected to become the world’s first commercial space station, supporting long-term goals of expanding the orbital economy and enabling a sustained human presence in space.

The 18th Foundation Day of the National Statistical Systems Training Academy (NSSTA) was organised at Mahalanobis Auditorium, Knowledge Park-II, Greater Noida, in Uttar Pradesh. NSSTA operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and serves as a premier training institute for strengthening India’s official statistical system. The event emphasized AI-driven capacity building, digital transformation, and improved data governance aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. The inauguration of the Digital Data Lab and focus on advanced analytics highlighted efforts to modernize statistical infrastructure and enhance evidence-based policymaking in India.

Seychelles received a USD 175 million Special Economic Package from India during the visit of President Patrick Herminie to New Delhi. The package covers social housing, e-mobility, health infrastructure, vocational training, defence, and maritime security. In addition, seven Memoranda of Understanding were signed to enhance cooperation in digital transformation, meteorology, governance, and health sectors. The initiative reflects India’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships in the Indian Ocean region under Vision MAHASAGAR, reinforcing maritime security cooperation and deepening long-standing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Oil India Limited was honoured with the FIPI Award 2025 for ‘Oil & Gas Production Company of the Year’ (more than 1 MTOE) during India Energy Week in Goa. The award was presented by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry in recognition of the company’s strong production growth and contribution to India’s energy security. As a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, OIL has expanded exploration activities, enhanced recovery from mature fields, and adopted advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and strengthen domestic energy production.

The World Health Organisation has prequalified an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) to enhance global outbreak response against circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). This vaccine is genetically more stable than older oral polio vaccines and carries a lower risk of mutating into virulent strains while maintaining its ability to quickly stop virus transmission. The prequalification confirms that it meets international standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness, enabling global procurement and distribution. It also diversifies vaccine supply and strengthens worldwide efforts aimed at the final eradication of polio.

Reliance Industries Limited has obtained a general licence from the United States government that enables it to directly import crude oil from Venezuela without violating U.S. sanctions, a significant development for India’s energy sector. This move diversifies Reliance’s crude supply options, especially for heavy crude suited to its Jamnagar refinery, which is among the world’s most complex refining facilities. The licence boosts refining flexibility and supports India’s energy security by allowing the company to access discounted heavy Venezuelan crude, improving feedstock options and potentially lowering refining costs, while navigating shifting global geopolitics.