Daily Current Affairs and GK | 22 and 23 February 2026

Topic: Indian Economy

1. A growth of 4 per cent has been registered in the combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) in January 2026 on an annual basis.

• This is a decline from a revised 4.7% in December 2025 and 5.1% in January 2025.
• As per the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, the decline was mainly due to weaker performance in energy-related sectors.
• On the other hand, steel, cement and electricity continued to register positive growth.
• Cement production increased by 10.7 per cent during the month.
• Steel production increased by 9.9 per cent and electricity generation recorded a growth of 3.8 per cent.
• Fertiliser production grew by 3.7 per cent. Coal production increased by 3.1 per cent.
• Crude oil production declined by 5.8 per cent. Natural gas output fell by 5 per cent.
• Petroleum refinery products showed no growth compared to January 2025.
• The cumulative growth of the core industries from April to January stood at 2.8 per cent on a provisional basis.
• These eight core sectors account for over 40 per cent of the weight in the Index of Industrial Production.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

2. Td Vaccine launched at Central Research Institute, Kasauli.

• On 21 February 2026, the Tetanus and Adult Diphtheria (Td) vaccine launched at the Central Research Institute, Kasauli by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• The Td vaccine (Tetanus and adult Diphtheria Vaccine – Adsorbed, Reduced D-Antigen Content) provides protection against both tetanus and diphtheria.
• In 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that countries transition from tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine to Td vaccine.
• This recommendation was reaffirmed in the WHO Tetanus Vaccine Position Paper (2017) and in the 2002 and 2016 Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) consultations.
• It was noted that immunity against diphtheria may decline over time, making booster-based Td vaccination necessary.
• The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization also recommended replacing TT with Td in India’s immunization programme, including for pregnant women.
• The Central Research Institute completed developmental studies, licensing processes and commercial manufacturing preparations for the vaccine.
• The vaccine has received clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory and is ready for supply under the Universal Immunization Programme.
• Following the launch, about 55 lakh Td vaccine doses are planned to be supplied to the programme by April 2026.
• The Td vaccine combines purified diphtheria and tetanus toxoids adsorbed on aluminium phosphate with thiomersal as preservative.
• Its introduction is expected to reduce morbidity and mortality from these vaccine-preventable diseases while strengthening India’s domestic vaccine capacity.
• Tetanus (T) is a serious illness that causes painful muscle stiffness and spasms and can lead to serious health complications, such as inability to open the mouth (lockjaw), difficulty swallowing and breathing, and can even lead to death.
• Diphtheria (D) is a life-threatening infection that can cause breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and death.

Topic: State News/Delhi

3. Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor and Meerut Metro Services flagged off by PM Modi.

• On 22 February, the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat Train were flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat Station in Meerut.
• The Prime Minister also took a metro ride to Meerut South station, during which he interacted with students and passengers.
• The entire 82-kilometre Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat Corridor was dedicated to the nation.
• He also inaugurated the remaining sections of India’s first Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS)
• The system was designed with a top speed of 180 km per hour to connect major urban centres like Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Modinagar and Meerut with Delhi at high speed.
• Meerut Metro services between Meerut South and Modipuram were also flagged off on the same infrastructure in a first-of-its-kind initiative.
• The Meerut Metro, with an operational speed of about 120 km per hour, is capable of covering the entire stretch in nearly 30 minutes.
• Development projects worth around ₹12,930 crore were also inaugurated and dedicated to the nation in Meerut.
• The Prime Minister stated that these projects will accelerate the vision of Viksit Uttar Pradesh and Viksit Bharat and reflect the double-engine growth model.
• He noted that metro services which earlier existed in only five cities have now expanded to more than 25 cities, making India the third-largest metro network globally.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. Bangladesh became 89th Signatory to New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact.

• The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, adopted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, has been ratified by 89 countries and international organizations.
• Bangladesh ratified the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact, becoming the 89th signatory to the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
• The declaration was adopted at the summit in New Delhi to promote the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence for economic growth and social good.
• A broad global consensus on equitable AI benefits was reflected through endorsements by 89 countries and international organisations.
• The declaration was guided by the principle of “Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya,” emphasising that AI benefits must be shared across humanity.
• The summit and expo served as a common platform for policymakers, industry leaders, innovators and start-ups to deliberate on AI-driven solutions.
• More than 500 AI leaders, over 100 founders and CEOs, 150 academicians and researchers, and nearly 400 Chief Technology Officers participated in the event.
• The programme also attracted an overwhelming public response with a footfall of more than five lakh visitors.

Topic: Sports

5. The National Divyangjan Cricket Sports Festival 2026 inaugurated in Bhopal.

• On 22 February, the National Divyangjan Cricket Sports Festival-2026 was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Bhopal.
• The event, themed “Not Out @ 100,” was organised as the first initiative of its kind in the world.
• Around 350 Divyang players from 25 states were brought together to play continuous cricket for 100 hours to create a new record.
• The opening match of the tournament was flagged off between the Ortho teams of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Dr. Yadav stated that Madhya Pradesh is steadily emerging as a global hub for Divyang sports.
• He referred to the term “Divyang,” coined by the Prime Minister, highlighting its meaning of strong willpower and inner strength.
• The festival has been dedicated to the birth centenary of late social reformer Kushabhau Thakre.
• The tournament is being conducted continuously day and night until 26 February.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. The nationwide campaign ‘Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai’ launched to boost digital skilling.

• The nationwide campaign “Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai” was launched by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary.
• The campaign has been launched to accelerate India’s digital skilling movement through Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
• The campaign was unveiled on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to deepen the country’s digital skilling ecosystem.
• Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan was brought on board to enhance awareness and participation in the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
• SIDH has already onboarded more than 1.5 crore registered candidates, emerging as one of India’s largest unified digital skilling platforms.
• The initiative aims to expand citizen access to upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning opportunities in the AI-driven economy.
• The minister stated that platforms such as India Stack and now SIDH have expanded access to public services and skill development at unprecedented scale.
• Built as a mobile-first AI-enabled platform, SIDH integrates multiple government skilling initiatives with industry-aligned courses.
• The platform provides features such as LMS-enabled learning hub, digitally verified credentials, QR-enabled digital CVs and Aadhaar-based eKYC registration.
• It caters to students, graduates, working professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs by removing barriers of access, language and credibility.
• The campaign will be rolled out across digital media, social platforms and QR-enabled touchpoints to promote lifelong learning and support India’s goal of becoming a global skill capital.

Topic: National News

7. On 23^rd February, Rajaji Utsav celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

• In his Mann ki Baat programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the installation of a statue of C. Rajagopalachari.
• C. Rajagopalachari was the first Governor-General of independent India.
• The new statue will replace the statue of Edwin Lutyens in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Edwin Lutyens was the British architect linked to the design of the presidential complex.
• The announcement was made during the 131st episode of Mann ki Baat.
• The Prime Minister praised Rajagopalachari’s discipline and independent thinking.
• An exhibition on Rajagopalachari will also be organised from 24 February to 1 March.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. Manipuri film Boong won the BAFTA for Best Children’s & Family Film in London.

• It was produced by produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment.
• Debut director Lakshmipriya Devi accepted the award. The Manipuri film stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam.
• Boong outperformed nominees such as ‘Lilo and Stitch’, ‘Arco’ and ‘Zootropolis 2’.
• The film One Battle After Another dominated the 79th British Academy Film Awards.
• It won six awards including Best Film. Paul Thomas Anderson won Best Director for the film.
• He also received awards for Adapted Screenplay and Cinematography.
• Vampire saga “Sinners” won three awards. Gothic horror “Frankenstein” also collected three awards.
• Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for Sinners.
• Wunmi Mosaku won the award for Supporting Actress.
• Sean Penn won Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another.
• Jessie Buckley was named Best Actress for Hamnet. Hamnet also received Best British Film.
• Robert Aramayo won Best Actor for 'I Swear'.
• Alia Bhatt appeared as a guest presenter. She presented the award for Best Film Not in the English Language to Nordic drama ‘Sentimental Value’.

Topic: State News/ Nagaland

9. Nagaland will host the first ‘North East Festival of Rice: Grains of Heritage’.

• The festival will be organised at the Agri Expo centre in Chümoukedima.
• The festival will be held on the 26th and 27th of February.
• It aims to promote traditional rice varieties from the region.
• It also aims to promote traditional farming tools, and seed preservation practices from across the region.
• Communities from Northeastern states will take part in the programme.
• Sikkim will also be part of the celebration.
• The festival will emphasise rice as a core element of indigenous culture.
• It will underline the link between rice cultivation and sustainable living.
• A special crafts section will be set up at the venue.
• It will highlight bamboo products and handloom textiles.
• The craft section will also highlight artisanal products inspired by agrarian life.

Topic: Indian Polity

10. The creation of a “National Legislative Index” has been proposed by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta.

• The index is intended to evaluate the performance of state legislatures across India.
• He said the initiative would improve transparency in legislative functioning.
• He added that it would strengthen accountability before citizens.
• He noted that performance could be assessed through measurable outcomes.
• Gupta spoke at the 15th Indian Student Parliament in Pune. He attended the programme as Chief Guest.
• The event was jointly organised by MIT World Peace University and MIT School of Government in Pune.
• Climate change management expert from Hamburg, Germany, Walter Leal Filho participated in the programme.