Current Affairs - February 16, 2026 Current Affairs

The Union Cabinet has approved the conversion of North Block and South Block into the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat’ National Museum, marking a historic transformation in India’s administrative landscape. These iconic buildings, constructed during British rule, have served as key centres of governance since Independence. With the inauguration of the new Prime Minister’s Office, Seva Teerth, by Narendra Modi, Cabinet meetings will shift from South Block. The proposed museum will showcase India’s civilisational journey, freedom struggle, post-independence development, and modern global aspirations, symbolising the transition from colonial legacy to citizen-centric governance.

The pilot project for distributing digital food coupons using Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) was launched in Gujarat. This initiative was introduced by the Government of India to enhance targeted welfare delivery through secure and transparent digital payments. By issuing coupons in digital rupee, the scheme ensures leakage-free subsidy transfers directly to beneficiaries. The pilot also promotes financial inclusion and strengthens India’s digital payment ecosystem. The move supports broader CBDC adoption efforts led by the Reserve Bank of India, aiming to modernise welfare distribution through innovative financial technology solutions.

The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state of Assam. The six-lane extradosed PSC bridge has been constructed over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati and provides a direct connection between Guwahati and North Guwahati. It is the first extradosed bridge in the Northeast region, marking a significant milestone in regional infrastructure development. The project is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate smoother transportation, and boost trade, tourism, and overall socio-economic integration across Northeast India.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) entered into an agreement with Synergy Quantum India Private Ltd. to enhance cybersecurity preparedness against emerging quantum threats. The collaboration focuses on developing a specialised tool capable of scanning digital devices, identifying existing security mechanisms, and classifying cryptographic algorithms as either quantum-safe or vulnerable. As quantum computing advances, traditional encryption methods may become susceptible to attacks. This initiative aims to safeguard critical sectors such as defence, telecommunications, banking, and government systems by proactively strengthening encryption standards and improving national cybersecurity resilience in the evolving technological landscape.

Magnus Carlsen secured the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship title after defeating Fabiano Caruana 2.5–1.5 in the final held in Weissenhaus. A draw in the fourth game was sufficient for him to clinch the championship. This victory marked his 21st world title across various chess formats and his first official FIDE-recognised title in the Freestyle (Chess960) category. The tournament carried historic significance as it was the first official FIDE-recognised Freestyle Chess World Championship, further cementing Carlsen’s legacy as one of the greatest chess players in history.

The Global South AI Impact Summit 2026 is being hosted by India at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This historic five-day summit marks the first global AI gathering held in the Global South, bringing together leaders, policymakers, industry experts, and international organisations from over 20 countries. The event focuses on shaping global Artificial Intelligence governance through three guiding pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—and seven thematic “Chakras.” By organising this large-scale international summit, India reinforces its position as a bridge between developed and developing nations and strengthens its leadership role in global digital governance and responsible AI development.

The CBDC-based Public Distribution System (PDS) was launched in Gandhinagar by Union Home Minister Amit Shah as part of a major reform in India’s food security framework. The initiative integrates Central Bank Digital Currency with ration distribution to ensure transparent, cashless, and leakage-free delivery of food grains. It aligns with the broader vision of Digital India and the governance principle of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ promoted by Narendra Modi. The system enhances accountability, eliminates middlemen, and strengthens welfare delivery for millions of beneficiaries across the country.

Article 324 of the Indian Constitution vests the superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the Election Commission of India (ECI). These plenary powers enable the Commission to oversee electoral rolls and conduct elections to Parliament, state legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President. The authority under Article 324 supplements statutory provisions such as the Representation of the People Act, 1950, ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and credible. It also empowers the ECI to adjust procedural timelines, including Special Intensive Revision processes, to maintain transparency and effective electoral roll management.

India’s first National Cow Culture Museum will be set up in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, within the campus of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University. The museum aims to present a comprehensive perspective on cattle by integrating cultural heritage with scientific understanding. It will showcase indigenous breeds, dairy production, sustainable agriculture practices, and cattle conservation techniques. Through digital and physical exhibits, the initiative seeks to highlight the economic and agricultural importance of cattle while also strengthening the cultural identity of the Braj region. The project is expected to promote education, tourism, and rural development.

India’s WPI inflation rose to 1.81% in January 2026, reaching a 10-month high and registering the third consecutive monthly increase. The rise was primarily driven by higher prices of food articles, non-food items, and manufactured products such as basic metals and textiles. Food inflation turned positive, and manufacturing inflation strengthened, indicating increasing producer-level price pressures. However, fuel and power remained in deflation, which helped moderate the overall surge. While WPI reflects wholesale-level price changes, the Reserve Bank of India mainly targets CPI inflation for monetary policy decisions, making this divergence significant for economic analysis.