In Current Affairs for 19 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 19 February 2026
India AI Impact Summit 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, highlighting Artificial Intelligence as a defining force of the 21st century. He described AI as a transformative phase in human civilization that must be guided responsibly for the welfare of humanity.
The summit carried the theme “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya” (Welfare for All, Happiness for All), emphasizing inclusive, ethical, and human-centric AI development. It emerged as one of the largest global gatherings on AI governance and cooperation.
Global Participation
The summit witnessed:
- Delegations from over 100 countries
- More than 20 Heads of State and Government
- Around 60 Ministers and Vice Ministers
- Over 500 global AI industry leaders and CEOs
India’s M.A.N.A.V Framework
At the event, Prime Minister Modi introduced the M.A.N.A.V framework for AI governance:
- M – Moral and Ethical Systems
- A – Accountable Governance
- N – National Sovereignty (Data Ownership Rights)
- A – Accessible and Inclusive AI
- V – Valid and Legitimate AI Systems
The summit was structured around three foundational pillars: People, Planet, and Progress, along with seven thematic working groups focusing on economic growth, democratization of AI resources, social inclusion, safe and trusted AI, human capital development, scientific advancement, and resilience building.
The event reaffirmed India’s ambition to become a global leader in responsible AI innovation.
Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026
Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 will be observed on 19 February 2026 across India, particularly in Maharashtra, to honour Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire.
Born at Shivneri Fort to Shahajiraje Bhosale and Jijabai, Shivaji Maharaj was deeply influenced by his mother, who instilled in him values of courage, discipline, and devotion.
He was formally crowned on 6 June 1674 at Raigad Fort, becoming the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. His reign from 1674 to 1680 laid the foundation of a strong, efficient, and people-oriented administration.
Shivaji Maharaj is widely remembered for developing guerrilla warfare tactics, popularly known as Ganimi Kava. At just 16 years of age, he captured Torna Fort, marking the beginning of his expansion. Over time, he established or fortified more than 300 forts, including Sinhagad Fort and Pratapgad Fort.
His strategic use of the Sahyadri mountain terrain enabled him to challenge larger imperial forces effectively. Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti celebrates not only a brave warrior but also a visionary administrator and nation-builder.
Gaganyaan Programme: Drogue Parachute Milestone
India’s human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan achieved a crucial milestone with the successful qualification load testing of its drogue parachute system.
The test was conducted on 18 February 2026 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh, a premier testing center under DRDO. The RTRS is a specialized high-speed dynamic testing facility used for aerodynamic and ballistic assessments.
The test simulated loads greater than those expected during actual flight, thereby confirming an additional safety margin in the parachute’s design. The exercise was carried out with collaboration between Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO, the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (DRDO), and TBRL teams.
The success of the drogue parachute test strengthens India’s preparedness for safe crew recovery and highlights the country’s growing expertise in advanced aerospace technologies.
MILAN 2026 Naval Exercise
On the sidelines of the MILAN 2026 naval exercise, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interacted with naval chiefs and delegations from nine ASEAN member states in Visakhapatnam on 19 February 2026.
The discussions reinforced India’s commitment to its Act East Policy and the vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).
MILAN, which began in 1995 with participation from just four foreign navies, has evolved into a major multilateral naval engagement. The 2026 edition marked its largest gathering yet, with participation from 74 nations.
The engagement also highlighted cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok. ASEAN promotes regional stability, economic cooperation, and socio-cultural progress in Southeast Asia.
The organization comprises ten Southeast Asian nations and is headquartered in Jakarta.
MILAN 2026 underscored India’s growing maritime diplomacy and its strategic outreach across the Indo-Pacific region.
Review Questions
1. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was inaugurated by:
A) Rajnath Singh
B) Droupadi Murmu
C) Narendra Modi
D) Amit Shah
Answer: C) Narendra Modi
Explanation: The summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
2. The theme of India AI Impact Summit 2026 was:
A) Digital India for Global Growth
B) Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya
C) AI for Economic Revolution
D) Inclusive Technology for Tomorrow
Answer: B) Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya
Explanation: The theme emphasized welfare and happiness for all through inclusive and human-centric AI development.
3. Under the M.A.N.A.V framework, the letter ‘N’ stands for:
A) National Innovation
B) Network Governance
C) National Sovereignty
D) Neutral AI
Answer: C) National Sovereignty
Explanation: ‘N’ represents National Sovereignty, particularly data ownership rights.
4. Shivaji Maharaj was crowned as Chhatrapati in the year:
A) 1665
B) 1670
C) 1674
D) 1680
Answer: C) 1674
Explanation: He was crowned on 6 June 1674 at Raigad Fort.
5. The guerrilla warfare strategy pioneered by Shivaji Maharaj is known as:
A) Chakravyuha
B) Ganimi Kava
C) Blitzkrieg
D) Dhanurveda
Answer: B) Ganimi Kava
Explanation: Ganimi Kava refers to Shivaji Maharaj’s effective guerrilla warfare tactics.
6. The drogue parachute test for India’s human spaceflight mission was conducted at:
A) Sriharikota
B) Thiruvananthapuram
C) Chandigarh
D) Bengaluru
Answer: C) Chandigarh
Explanation: The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of TBRL in Chandigarh.
7. The drogue parachute is associated with which mission?
A) Chandrayaan-3
B) Aditya-L1
C) Gaganyaan
D) Mangalyaan
Answer: C) Gaganyaan
Explanation: The drogue parachute is part of India’s human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
8. MILAN 2026 naval exercise was hosted in:
A) Kochi
B) Mumbai
C) Visakhapatnam
D) Chennai
Answer: C) Visakhapatnam
Explanation: The exercise and related interactions were held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
9. MILAN naval exercise began in which year?
A) 1991
B) 1995
C) 2000
D) 2005
Answer: B) 1995
Explanation: MILAN started in 1995 with participation from four foreign navies.
10. The headquarters of ASEAN is located in:
A) Bangkok
B) Kuala Lumpur
C) Singapore
D) Jakarta
Answer: D) Jakarta
Explanation: ASEAN is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
