In Current Affairs for 18 February 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 18 February 2026
Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti 2026
Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti 2026 is being observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, one of India’s most revered spiritual figures. He was born on 18 February 1836 in Kamarpukur, West Bengal, and was originally named Gadadhar Chattopadhyay. His life and teachings continue to inspire millions across the world.
According to the Hindu calendar, the Jayanti falls on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna. On this day, devotees visit temples and centres of the Ramakrishna Mission to offer prayers and participate in devotional activities. Bhajans, meditation sessions, and spiritual discourses form an integral part of the celebrations.
Sri Ramakrishna emphasized devotion, universal love, and self-realization. He believed that personal spiritual experience was more meaningful than mere theoretical knowledge. He also taught that all religions ultimately lead to the same supreme truth and that inner purity and freedom from ego and greed are essential for spiritual progress.
Tejaswin Shankar Wins Gold in Men’s Heptathlon
Indian athlete Tejaswin Shankar secured a historic gold medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026 held in Tianjin, China. Competing in the men’s heptathlon, he delivered a record-breaking performance by scoring 5,993 points, setting a new national indoor record.
His achievement marked India’s only gold medal at the championship. The performance surpassed his previous best of 5,650 points recorded in the United States in 2021. Overall, India concluded the tournament with five medals and finished sixth in the standings.
Other Indian medal winners included:
- Pooja – Silver in High Jump
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor – Silver in Shot Put
- Ancy Sojan – Bronze in Long Jump
Host nation China topped the medal tally with 34 medals, including 10 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze medals.
Paras Dogra Enters Elite Ranji Trophy Club
Jammu & Kashmir captain Paras Dogra achieved a remarkable milestone in the Ranji Trophy by completing 10,000 runs during a semi-final match against Bengal. The right-handed batter scored 58 runs in the match and became the fastest player in the tournament’s history to reach this landmark.
Paras Dogra accomplished the feat in just 147 innings, surpassing the previous record held by Wasim Jaffer, who had taken 196 innings.
Top run-scorers in Ranji Trophy history include:
- Wasim Jaffer – 12,038 runs
- Paras Dogra – 10,000* runs
- Amol Muzumdar – 9,202 runs
- Devendra Bundela – 9,201 runs
- Yashpal Singh – 8,700 runs
The Ranji Trophy, launched in 1934–35 and named after Kumar Shri Ranjitsinhji, remains India’s premier domestic first-class cricket competition. It has produced legendary cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been honoured with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award. The recognition comes after her significant contribution to India’s Women’s World Cup triumph in 2025. At 29, she played a crucial role in what has been described as a historic moment for Indian women’s cricket.
Young chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh received the Emerging Player of the Year award following her victory at the FIDE Women’s World Cup at the age of 20.
Special recognitions were also given to:
- Indian Women’s Cricket Team – Women’s World Cup champions
- Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind – World Cup winners
- Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team – World Cup champions
- Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji, Preethi Pal – Para athletics achievements
Changemaker honours were presented to the Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Rajbir Kaur, Savita Punia, and Paani Devi for their impactful contributions to sports.
Iran’s Temporary Shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz
Iran briefly restricted movement in parts of the Strait of Hormuz during live-fire naval exercises. The restriction, described as a short-term safety measure, lasted only a few hours. However, the move triggered global concern due to rising tensions between Iran and the United States and ongoing nuclear discussions in Geneva.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered the world’s most vital maritime chokepoint. It links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and further to the Indian Ocean. At its narrowest point, it measures nearly 33 kilometres in width and handles approximately 13 million barrels of oil per day, accounting for nearly one-third of global seaborne crude trade. Even brief disruptions can significantly impact global oil markets and shipping costs.
NGT Clears ₹81,000 Crore Great Nicobar Project
The National Green Tribunal has approved the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Project, finding no substantial grounds to overturn the environmental clearance granted earlier. The decision was delivered by a six-member bench headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava on February 16, 2026.
The tribunal upheld the Environmental Clearance issued in November 2022, stating that sufficient safeguards were incorporated. It emphasized the need to balance national security and strategic interests with environmental conservation.
The project, conceptualised by NITI Aayog in 2021, aims to transform Great Nicobar Island into a major economic and strategic hub under Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Key components include:
- An International Container Transshipment Terminal
- A greenfield international airport
- Township development
- A 450 MVA gas- and solar-based power plant
The island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar group, is separated by the Ten Degree Channel. It houses Indira Point, India’s southernmost tip, located close to Sumatra, Indonesia. With over 75% forest cover and tropical rainforests, the region is ecologically sensitive and falls under the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019. It has also been included in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme since 2013.
India-France Year of Innovation 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly launched the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 during Macron’s visit to India from 17 to 19 February. The initiative aims to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, defence, digital infrastructure, and Indo-Pacific strategy.
This step builds upon the India-France Strategic Partnership established in 1998, which has grown to include collaboration in defence, climate action, advanced technologies, and regional security. Defence ties remain central, with India’s Defence Acquisitions Council approving a proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, further deepening bilateral defence engagement.
Review Questions
1. Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti is celebrated on which tithi according to the Hindu calendar?
A) Amavasya of Phalguna
B) Dwitiya of Shukla Paksha in Phalguna
C) Purnima of Magha
D) Ekadashi of Chaitra
Answer: B) Dwitiya of Shukla Paksha in Phalguna
Explanation: Sri Ramakrishna Jayanti is observed on the Dwitiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the month of Phalguna.
2. What was the original name of Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa?
A) Ram Mohan Roy
B) Narendranath Dutta
C) Gadadhar Chattopadhyay
D) Dayanand Saraswati
Answer: C) Gadadhar Chattopadhyay
Explanation: Sri Ramakrishna was born as Gadadhar Chattopadhyay in 1836 in Kamarpukur, West Bengal.
3. Tejaswin Shankar won gold in which event at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026?
A) Decathlon
B) High Jump
C) Heptathlon
D) Long Jump
Answer: C) Heptathlon
Explanation: Tejaswin Shankar secured gold in the men’s heptathlon with 5,993 points.
4. Tejaswin Shankar’s record-breaking score at the 2026 championship was:
A) 5,650 points
B) 5,800 points
C) 5,993 points
D) 6,100 points
Answer: C) 5,993 points
Explanation: He set a new national indoor record with 5,993 points.
5. Paras Dogra became the fastest player to score 10,000 runs in which tournament?
A) Vijay Hazare Trophy
B) IPL
C) Duleep Trophy
D) Ranji Trophy
Answer: D) Ranji Trophy
Explanation: Paras Dogra achieved 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy in just 147 innings.
6. Who previously held the record for fastest 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy before Paras Dogra?
A) Rahul Dravid
B) Sachin Tendulkar
C) Wasim Jaffer
D) Amol Muzumdar
Answer: C) Wasim Jaffer
Explanation: Wasim Jaffer reached the milestone in 196 innings before Dogra broke the record.
7. Who won the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award?
A) Mithali Raj
B) Smriti Mandhana
C) Harmanpreet Kaur
D) Divya Deshmukh
Answer: B) Smriti Mandhana
Explanation: Smriti Mandhana received the award for her contribution to India’s Women’s World Cup victory.
8. The Strait of Hormuz connects which two water bodies?
A) Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea
B) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
C) Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
D) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
Answer: B) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Explanation: The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean.
9. The Great Nicobar Project was conceptualized by:
A) Ministry of Defence
B) ISRO
C) NITI Aayog
D) Ministry of Tourism
Answer: C) NITI Aayog
Explanation: NITI Aayog conceived the Great Nicobar Project in 2021.
10. The India-France Year of Innovation 2026 was launched by:
A) Narendra Modi and Joe Biden
B) Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron
C) Rajnath Singh and Emmanuel Macron
D) S. Jaishankar and French PM
Answer: B) Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron
Explanation: The initiative was jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron to enhance technological cooperation.
