In Current Affairs for 17 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 17 February 2026
Magnus Carlsen Wins 2026 FIDE Freestyle World Championship
World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen secured the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship title after defeating Fabiano Caruana by 2.5–1.5 in the final held in Weissenhaus. A draw in the fourth game was enough for Carlsen to clinch the championship.
This victory marked his 21st world title across various formats and his first official world championship recognized by FIDE in the Freestyle format.
Freestyle Chess, also known as Chess960, features randomized starting positions for pieces on the back rank. The format minimizes heavy opening preparation and places greater emphasis on creativity, adaptability, and calculation skills. Carlsen had previously attempted to win the Fischer Random world title but had fallen short, making this triumph especially significant.
Brazil Creates History at Winter Olympics 2026
The Winter Olympics 2026 witnessed a groundbreaking achievement as Brazil secured its first-ever medal in Winter Olympic history.
Brazilian alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold in the giant slalom event, creating history not just for Brazil but for South America in winter sports. Giant slalom is an alpine skiing discipline where competitors navigate a course marked by widely spaced gates, demanding high-speed precision, technical control, and consistency across two timed runs.
As per the latest medal standings:
- Norway – 20 medals (10 gold)
- Italy – 18 medals
- United States – 17 medals
Johannes Klaebo Sets New Winter Olympic Record
Norwegian cross-country skiing star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo claimed his ninth Winter Olympic medal as Norway captured gold in the men’s 4×7.5 km relay at the Milano Cortina Games.
With this victory, Klaebo became the most decorated athlete in Winter Olympic history. Norway finished ahead of France and Italy in an intense race held in Tesero, Italy. At just 29 years old, Klaebo described the win as the perfect way to celebrate a record-breaking milestone with his teammates.
Notably, he secured four gold medals at Milano Cortina 2026 alone, underlining his dominance in cross-country skiing.
Rashid Khan Becomes First Bowler to Reach 700 T20 Wickets
Afghanistan’s star spinner Rashid Khan achieved a historic milestone during an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against the UAE in Delhi. He became the first bowler in cricket history to take 700 wickets in T20 matches.
Rashid reached the landmark by dismissing UAE batter Muhammad Arfan. Earlier, in February 2025, he had surpassed Dwayne Bravo to become the highest wicket-taker in the format.
Key highlights of his record:
- First bowler to claim 700 T20 wickets
- Achieved in 518 matches
- 432 different batters dismissed (most in T20 history)
- 191 T20 International wickets (highest in T20I history)
- 11 four-wicket hauls in T20Is (record)
- 22 four-wicket hauls overall in T20 cricket
His achievement establishes a new global benchmark in the shortest format of the game.
Centenary Celebrations of Ol Chiki Script in Delhi
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 100-year celebrations of the Ol Chiki script in New Delhi on February 16, 2026. The programme was organized by the Ministry of Culture to commemorate a century since the script’s creation in 1925.
The Ol Chiki script was developed by Raghunath Murmu, a writer and educator from Mayurbhanj (present-day Odisha). Designed specifically for the Santali language, the script plays a crucial role in preserving the linguistic and cultural identity of the Santal community.
Key features of Ol Chiki:
- Invented in 1925
- Fully phonetic writing system
- Contains 30 letters
- Publicly showcased in 1939 at the Mayurbhanj State exhibition
During the celebrations, the President emphasized that the script represents not only a writing system but also a powerful symbol of cultural pride and unity.
These events from 2026 highlight excellence in sports, record-breaking performances, and the preservation of cultural heritage, reflecting a year of remarkable global achievements.
Review Questions
1. Who won the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship?
A) Fabiano Caruana
B) Hikaru Nakamura
C) Magnus Carlsen
D) Ding Liren
Answer: C) Magnus Carlsen
2. Magnus Carlsen defeated whom in the final of the 2026 Freestyle Championship?
A) Ian Nepomniachtchi
B) Fabiano Caruana
C) Alireza Firouzja
D) Wesley So
Answer: B) Fabiano Caruana
3. Freestyle Chess is also known as:
A) Rapid Chess
B) Blitz Chess
C) Chess960
D) Armageddon Chess
Answer: C) Chess960
4. Which country won its first-ever Winter Olympics medal in 2026?
A) India
B) Brazil
C) Argentina
D) Chile
Answer: B) Brazil
5. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold in which event at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
A) Downhill
B) Slalom
C) Giant Slalom
D) Super-G
Answer: C) Giant Slalom
6. Johannes Klaebo won his record ninth Winter Olympic medal in which event?
A) Individual Sprint
B) 50 km Classic
C) Men’s 4×7.5 km Relay
D) Skiathlon
Answer: C) Men’s 4×7.5 km Relay
7. Rashid Khan became the first bowler to achieve which milestone in T20 cricket?
A) 500 wickets
B) 600 wickets
C) 650 wickets
D) 700 wickets
Answer: D) 700 wickets
8. Rashid Khan surpassed which cricketer to become the leading T20 wicket-taker in 2025?
A) Lasith Malinga
B) Sunil Narine
C) Dwayne Bravo
D) Imran Tahir
Answer: C) Dwayne Bravo
9. The Ol Chiki script was invented in 1925 by:
A) Birsa Munda
B) Raghunath Murmu
C) Rabindranath Tagore
D) Jaipal Singh Munda
Answer: B) Raghunath Murmu
10. The centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script were inaugurated by:
A) Prime Minister of India
B) Chief Minister of Odisha
C) President Droupadi Murmu
D) Union Education Minister
Answer: C) President Droupadi Murmu
