Contents
- 1 18th February 2026 Daily Current Affairs
- 1.1 🇮🇳 NATIONAL NEWS
- 1.2 1. Sustainable & Strategic Projects
- 1.3 2. Gender Budget Expansion
- 1.4 3. CCEA Approvals
- 1.5 4. Events and Initiatives
- 1.6 5. Community & State News
- 1.7 🌍 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
- 1.8 6. Strategic Partnerships
- 1.9 7. Geopolitical Moves
- 1.10 📈 ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE
- 1.11 8. BeeCorridors & Highways
- 1.12 9. Highway Project Approvals
- 1.13 🏅 SPORTS & CULTURE
- 1.14 10. Athletics
- 1.15 11. Spiritual & Special Day
- 1.16 🛠️ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
- 1.17 12. INS Tarangini
- 1.18 📝 EXAM-ORIENTED TIDBITS
18th February 2026 Daily Current Affairs
🇮🇳 NATIONAL NEWS
1. Sustainable & Strategic Projects
The BeeCorridors initiative was launched by the National Highways Authority of India to build pollinator-friendly highway stretches to support honeybees and biodiversity.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) approved the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar Project with strict environmental safeguards for coral reefs and endangered species.
2. Gender Budget Expansion
India’s Gender Budget allocation increased by 11.55%, reaching ₹5.01 lakh crore in the 2026–27 Union Budget to boost women’s welfare in health, education, and economic empowerment.
3. CCEA Approvals
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved multiple infrastructure projects:
India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra in Assam.
Major highway upgrades in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana.
4. Events and Initiatives
International BioAsia 2026 summit began in Hyderabad focusing on biotechnology cooperation.
Losar Festival 2026 began in McLeod Ganj, celebrating the Tibetan New Year (Fire Horse Year) with cultural events.
5. Community & State News
Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the first Mumbai Climate Week to focus on climate solutions.
Assam approved 3% reservation in government jobs for tea tribes and Adivasi communities.
🌍 INTERNATIONAL NEWS
6. Strategic Partnerships
India and France elevated ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, strengthening defence, AI, nuclear energy, and Indo-Pacific cooperation.
7. Geopolitical Moves
Iran temporarily restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz during naval drills amid nuclear talks with the U.S., which could impact global energy trade.
📈 ECONOMY & INFRASTRUCTURE
8. BeeCorridors & Highways
NHAI’s BeeCorridors project will plant nectar-rich trees along highways to support pollinators and ecological balance.
9. Highway Project Approvals
Highway projects worth ₹11,000+ crore were approved, including upgrades and 4-laning work in key states.
🏅 SPORTS & CULTURE
10. Athletics
India’s Tejaswin Shankar won gold in men’s heptathlon at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026, setting a national indoor record.
11. Spiritual & Special Day
Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Jayanti 2026 was observed, marking the birth anniversary of the Indian saint known for promoting spiritual unity.
🛠️ OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
12. INS Tarangini
The sail training ship INS Tarangini, along with other naval vessels, arrived in Visakhapatnam for an international maritime exercise.
📝 EXAM-ORIENTED TIDBITS
BeeCorridors — first initiative to support pollinators along national highways.
Great Nicobar Project — environmental safeguards by NGT.
India-France Strategic Partnership – elevated cooperation.
Strait of Hormuz temporary closure highlights geopolitical sensitivities.