News of The Day : 18th February 2026

February 18, 2026 0

News of The Day – 18th Feb 2026

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

News Headline 

(with Syllabus Relevance)

Source What to Know?
What is ‘Snowball Earth’? (GS-1: Geography) The Hindu
  • What is ‘Snowball Earth’? 
  • Geological hypothesis that Earth was entirely or nearly frozen during the Cryogenian Period (~700 million years ago).
  • Evidence: glacial deposits in tropical latitudes.
  • Impacts understanding of climate evolution & atmospheric changes.
Political parties, leaders must strive to foster fraternity in country: Supreme Court 

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

The Hindu
  • The Supreme Court emphasised Fraternity as a core constitutional value in the Preamble.
  • Constitutional Provision
    • Linked to Articles 14, 19 & 21 ensuring equality, liberty & dignity.
    • Upholding Fraternity as a Fundamental Duty.
  • Highlights role of political speech in maintaining social harmony.
  • Reinforces constitutional morality and responsibility of public representatives.
Why the new Digital Personal Data Protection Act faces a constitutional challenge in the Supreme Court 

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

Indian Express
  • Challenge to Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 over exemptions to government & limits on RTI disclosures.
  • Concerns: proportionality test (Puttaswamy judgment), surveillance risks & dilution of transparency.
  • Raises balance between privacy (Art 21) & accountability.
Indo-French partnership 

(GS-2: International Relations)

The Hindu
  • India–France Strategic Partnership (since 1998) expanding in defence, space, nuclear energy & Indo-Pacific cooperation.
  • Key areas: Rafale jets, Scorpene submarines, maritime security, climate action & civil nuclear cooperation (Jaitapur).
  • France supports India’s UNSC permanent membership bid.
What is Trump’s Project Vault? (GS-2: International Relations) The Hindu
  • About Project Vault
    • Proposed U.S. strategic initiative focusing on safeguarding critical national assets/data. Linked to digital sovereignty, cybersecurity & strategic reserves.
  • Reflects global trend of techno-nationalism & supply chain security.
India’s aviation is in need of data-driven oversight 

(GS-3: Economy)

The Hindu
  • Rapid aviation growth requires stronger DGCA oversight.
  • Focus on safety audits, predictive analytics & accident prevention.
  • Linked to UDAN scheme, airport privatization & rising passenger traffic.
  • Highlights need for institutional capacity & aviation safety regulation reforms.
UPI-like AI service for MSMEs on common platform: Vaishnaw (GS-3: Economy ) Indian Express
  • Proposal for interoperable AI platform for MSMEs similar to UPI architecture.
  • Enables AI-as-a-service for small enterprises. Boosts digital public infrastructure (DPI) ecosystem.
  • Supports innovation, productivity & formalisation of MSME sector.
Kerala declared tidal flooding a State-specific disaster 

(GS-3: Disaster Management)

The Hindu
  • Kerala recognises tidal flooding as state-specific disaster under State Disaster Response Fund norms.
  • About Tidal Flooding
    • Linked to sea-level rise, climate change & coastal erosion.
  • Important for localised disaster classification under Disaster Management Act, 2005.
H125 project 

(GS-3: Defence)

The Hindu
  • About H125 project
    • Refers to Airbus H125 helicopter manufacturing project in India.
  • Boosts indigenous defence production under Make in India.
  • Enhances civil aviation & high-altitude operational capabilities.
  • Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in aerospace manufacturing.
Dual-use AI systems of Armed Forces 

(GS-3: Security)

The Hindu
  • Dual-use AI refers to technologies serving both civilian & military purposes.
  • Applications: surveillance, logistics, autonomous systems & cyber defence.
  • Raises concerns of AI weaponisation, regulation & global AI governance.

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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