News of The Day : 17th February 2026

News of The Day – 17th Feb 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: Geography)

• About Lake Suwa 
• Lake Suwa is known for the rare “Omiwatari” ice ridge phenomenon.
• Climate change affecting freezing patterns.
• Indicator of global warming trends & regional climatic shifts.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About PM RAHAT Scheme
  • Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims.
• Supports Good Samaritan framework & emergency care reforms.
• Strengthens trauma care network & aligns with Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act provisions.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance )

• Supreme Court seeks response from Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
• Aims to curb obesity & NCDs. 
• Linked to consumer rights, public health & regulatory transparency.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• G4 nations India, Japan, Germany & Brazil renew calls for permanent UNSC seats.
• Advocates expansion reflecting contemporary geopolitical realities.
• Opposed by the Uniting for Consensus group.

• Sixth India–France annual defence dialogue
• Strengthens India–France Strategic Partnership.
• Cooperation in Rafale jets, submarines, Indo-Pacific maritime security & defence manufacturing.
• Supports diversification of defence ties & technology transfer.

(GS-3: Economy)

• What is the Winter Economy?
  • Refers to economic activities driven by winter tourism, sports & seasonal industries.
• Important for Himalayan & northeastern states.
• Linked to climate variability, livelihood diversification & sustainable tourism planning.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About CBDC-based Public Distribution System
  • Integrates Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into PDS delivery.
• Issued by Reserve Bank of India.
• Enhances transparency, reduces leakages & promotes digital payments ecosystem.
• Linked to financial inclusion & DBT reforms.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0
• Successor to Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS). Managed by SIDBI.
• Expands capital access for deep-tech, AI & manufacturing startups.
• Strengthens innovation ecosystem & job creation.

(GS-3: Science & Tech)

• About SAHI & BODH initiatives
  • leverage AI for healthcare diagnostics, disease surveillance & digital health records.
• Align with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission & responsible AI frameworks.
• Promotes tech-enabled public health governance.

• What is a Single genome-editing strategy? 
• Potential applications in agriculture, rare diseases & bio-manufacturing.
• Raises ethical and biosafety concerns.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Clearance by the National Green Tribunal for strategic infrastructure in Great Nicobar.
• About Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project 
• The project includes transshipment port, airport, township & power plant.
• Concerns: biodiversity loss, impact on tribal communities (Shompen, Nicobarese), coastal regulation & seismic vulnerability.
• Balances strategic interests with environmental safeguards.

(GS-3: Environment)

• District cooling systems centralise chilled water supply for multiple buildings.
• Reduces energy demand & peak load. Supports India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).
• Aligns with climate mitigation, urban heat reduction & sustainable city planning.