UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 2:

• India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership

India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership

GS Paper 3:

• Circular Economy in Agriculture

Circular Economy in Agriculture

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

• Bee Corridor

Bee Corridor

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

• Government Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives

Government Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives

• 80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt

80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt

• Beat the Heat Programme

Beat the Heat Programme

• G7 Summit 2026

G7 Summit 2026

• AI-Preneurs of India

AI-Preneurs of India

Mapping:

• Ravi River

Ravi River

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026

GS Paper 2 :

India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership

Source: NDTV

Subject: International Relations

Context: French President Emmanuel Macron visited India, to participate in the AI Impact Summit and inaugurate the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation.

• During this visit, both nations elevated their bilateral ties to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” to guide cooperation until 2047.

About India–France Special Global Strategic Partnership:

What it is?

The “Special Global Strategic Partnership” is a high-level diplomatic upgrade that shifts the relationship from sectoral cooperation to a comprehensive, long-term alliance aimed at global stability. It focuses on:

• Strategic Autonomy: Strengthening the sovereignty and independent decision-making of both nations.

• Global Governance: Acting as a force for global good to address macroeconomic imbalances and climate crises.

• Security & Innovation: Deepening the co-development of advanced technologies (AI, Space, Nuclear) while securing resilient, trusted supply chains.

History of India-France Relations:

• Early Foundations (1947): India established diplomatic relations with France immediately upon independence, sharing a vision of non-alignment and sovereignty.

• Strategic Milestone (1998): France was the first Western power to sign a Strategic Partnership with India and notably did not impose sanctions following India’s nuclear tests.

• Nuclear Cooperation (2008): France was the first country to sign a civil nuclear agreement with India after the NSG waiver, highlighting deep trust in high-tech sectors.

• Horizon 2047 Roadmap: Adopted in 2023, this plan charts the course for the next 25 years, coinciding with India’s 100th year of independence.

• Recent Reciprocity: The relationship is marked by high-level honors, such as Prime Minister of India being the Guest of Honor at Bastille Day (2023) and President Macron attending India’s Republic Day (2024).

Key Agreements under the New Partnership:

• Year of Innovation 2026: Launching a series of high-impact collaborations in AI, healthcare, and sustainable development across both nations.

• Defence Industrial Roadmap: Focus on the co-production of fighter jet engines (Safran-HAL) and the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine jets.

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A commitment to co-develop SMRs and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) to bolster India’s 100 GW nuclear target.

• Indo-Pacific Synergy: Strengthening the Indo-Pacific Triangular Development Cooperation to support third-country projects in health and digital public infrastructure.

• AI & Digital Health: Establishing a research centre involving AIIMS New Delhi and the Paris Brain Institute to integrate AI into healthcare.

• Space Autonomy: Expanding cooperation in human spaceflight, satellite launchers, and space situational awareness through the CNES-ISRO partnership.

• Migration & Mobility: Introducing visa-free transit for Indian nationals through French airports (6-month pilot) and targeting 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.

Challenges Associated with the Partnership:

• Divergent Views on Global Conflicts: While both seek peace, their specific approaches to major conflicts can differ based on regional priorities.

E.g. India’s nuanced stance on the Ukraine war differs from the more direct Western condemnation, requiring careful diplomatic balancing during joint statements.

• Trade and Regulatory Barriers: Complexities in finalizing broad trade agreements can slow down economic integration.

E.g. Long-standing hurdles in the India-EU FTA negotiations often stem from differing standards on labor, environment, and data privacy.

• Implementation Delays in Nuclear Energy: High-tech projects often face prolonged timelines due to technical and liability issues.

E.g. The Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project has seen decades of discussions without final ground breaking due to civil nuclear liability concerns.

• Technological Protectionism: Sharing sensitive military source codes or high-end engine tech remains a hurdle despite the Make in India push.

E.g. Challenges in the full Transfer of Technology (ToT) for jet engines often require intense high-level political intervention to resolve.

• Rising Regional Instability: Conflict in the Middle East can disrupt planned connectivity projects.

E.g. Security concerns in the Red Sea and surrounding areas pose direct threats to the viability of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Way Ahead:

• Operationalizing IMEC: Prioritize the first Ministerial Meeting in 2026 to turn the India-Middle East-Europe corridor into a physical reality.

• Democratizing AI: Work together to bridge the global AI divide, ensuring developing nations have access to secure and trustworthy AI tools.

• UNSC Reforms: Intensify joint lobbying for the reform of the UN Security Council, with France actively backing India’s permanent membership.

• Green Energy Transition: Leverage the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to fund and train personnel in third-world countries for climate resilience.

• Deepening People-to-People Ties: Use the International Classes initiative to make French education more accessible to Indian students from diverse backgrounds.

Conclusion:

The elevation to a Special Global Strategic Partnership marks a transformative shift from buyer-seller dynamics to a collaborative alliance for global security and innovation. By aligning the Horizon 2047 roadmap with shared democratic values, India and France are positioning themselves as the twin pillars of a stable, multipolar world.

Q. “India-France defence cooperation is a cornerstone of their strategic partnership”. Discuss the significance of defence ties between the two nations their impact on India’s security. (10 M)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026 GS Paper 3:

Circular Economy in Agriculture

Source: PIB

Subject: Agriculture

Context: The Government of India recently highlighted the progress of the “Waste-to-Wealth” mission, the GOBARdhan scheme has covered over 50% of India’s districts.

About Circular Economy in Agriculture:

What is it?

• A circular economy in agriculture is a regenerative system where waste is minimized and resources are kept in use for as long as possible. Instead of the traditional take-make-dispose model, it focuses on the 6 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refurbish, Recover, and Repair) to transform crop residues, animal manure, and food waste into valuable inputs like bio-CNG, compost, and biochar.

Key Data & Facts:

• Waste Volume: India generates approximately 350 million tonnes of agricultural waste every year.

• Energy Potential: Agricultural residues have the potential to generate over 18,000 MW of power annually.

• Market Value: India’s circular economy is projected to reach a market value of trillion and create 10 million jobs by 2050.

• Food Waste: Globally, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are wasted; in India, 60% of food waste occurs at the household level.

• GOBARdhan Progress: As of January 2026, there are 979 operational biogas plants across India under the GOBARdhan scheme.

Importance of Circular Economy in Agriculture

• Soil Health Restoration: Reintegrating organic waste reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

E.g. The use of biogas slurry under ICAR guidelines is helping farmers restore soil carbon levels depleted by intensive farming.

• Climate Mitigation: Capturing methane from decomposing waste reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

E.g. The Unified GOBARdhan Portal tracks compressed biogas (CBG) production, directly contributing to India’s Net Zero targets by preventing open decomposition.

• Enhanced Farm Income: Converting waste into wealth creates new revenue streams for farmers.

E.g. Farmers in Punjab and Haryana are now selling crop residue for ex-situ management instead of burning it, earning additional profit per acre.

• Water Security: Reusing treated wastewater reduces the pressure on dwindling groundwater reserves.

E.g. The Jal Shakti Mission encourages using treated domestic greywater for village orchards and kitchen gardens, preserving potable water for drinking.

• Resource Efficiency: It aligns with global sustainability goals like SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).

E.g. The adoption of Biochar helps sequester carbon in the soil for centuries while simultaneously improving water retention in drought-prone regions.

Initiatives Taken So Far:

• GOBARdhan Scheme: Converts cattle dung and food waste into Compressed Biogas (CBG) and organic manure.

• Crop Residue Management (CRM): Provides subsidies for machines (like Happy Seeders) and establishes over 42,000 Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs).

• Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF): Sanctioned ₹66,310 crore for post-harvest assets, including 545 organic input production projects.

• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): A ₹15,000 crore fund supporting meat/dairy processing and scientific management of animal by-products.

• Jal Jeevan Mission & Swachh Bharat 2.0: Focuses on solid and liquid waste management in rural areas to ensure ODF Plus status for villages.

Challenges Associated with Circular Agriculture:

• High Initial Investment: Setting up biogas plants or purchasing residue machinery requires significant capital.

E.g. Despite AIF support, small and marginal farmers often struggle to provide the collateral needed for high-tech bio-CNG infrastructure.

• Logistical Bottlenecks: Collecting and transporting bulky biomass from fragmented landholdings is expensive.

E.g. In stubble-burning hotspots, the window between harvesting and sowing is so short (2-3 weeks) that ex-situ collection often cannot keep pace with the farmers’ needs.

• Technological Gaps: Efficient conversion of diverse types of engineered biochar or specific modular reactors is still in early stages.

E.g. While Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are being discussed, their deployment for localized agricultural power is currently limited by technical expertise and regulatory frameworks.

• Behavioral Inertia: Deep-rooted practices like burning stubble for quick land clearing are hard to change.

E.g. Despite subsidies, many farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plain still prefer fire over machinery due to the perceived labor cost and time advantage.

• Market Linkages: There is often a lack of a ready market for waste-derived products like organic manure.

E.g. Organic fertilizers often struggle to compete with highly subsidized chemical urea, making it economically difficult for Waste-to-Wealth plants to remain viable.

Way Ahead:

• Incentivizing Carbon Credits: Integrate small-scale farmers into the carbon credit market for using biochar or biogas.

• Strengthening FPOs: Empower Farmer Producer Organizations to manage Custom Hiring Centres and bio-CNG clusters at the village level.

• R&D in Bio-Innovation: Invest in engineered biochar and microbes that can accelerate in-situ decomposition of stubble.

• Policy Parity: Ensure organic fertilizers receive similar policy support and distribution networks as chemical fertilizers under the Fertiliser Control Order.

• Awareness Campaigns: Scale up Jan Andolan (People’s Movement) to educate households and farmers on the economic benefits of waste segregation.

Conclusion:

The transition to a circular economy in Indian agriculture is no longer a choice but a necessity for long-term food security and climate resilience. By successfully scaling initiatives like GOBARdhan and AIF, India is effectively turning an environmental liability into a trillion economic opportunity. This Waste-to-Wealth paradigm will ultimately serve as the cornerstone of a sustainable and prosperous Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Q. Explain the concept of circular economy. Giving examples, discuss its utility in India. (250 words)

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Bee Corridor

Context: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced India’s first dedicated ‘Bee Corridors’ along National Highways.

About Bee Corridors:

What it is?

• ‘Bee Corridors’ are linear stretches of pollinator-friendly vegetation developed along National Highways.

• They will consist of flowering trees and plants that provide year-round nectar and pollen support to honeybees and other pollinators.

Aim: To reduce ecological stress on pollinators and ensure sustained availability of nectar sources, thereby strengthening agricultural productivity and ecological balance through climate-sensitive highway plantation planning.

Key Features:

• Native, Nectar-Rich Plantation Mix: Includes species like Neem, Karanj, Mahua, Palash, Jamun and Siris to support biodiversity.

• Staggered Blooming Cycle: Ensures near-continuous flowering across seasons to maintain pollinator food supply.

• Strategic Spacing Along Highways: Flowering clusters planted every 500 m–1 km, aligned with average bee foraging distance.

Significance:

• Enhances Ecological Services: Strengthens pollination critical for agriculture and horticulture.

• Promotes Sustainable Infrastructure: Integrates biodiversity conservation into highway development.

Relevance in UPSC Syllabus

• GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology

• Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services. Climate-resilient infrastructure development. Sustainable land-use planning and green corridors.

• Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.

• Climate-resilient infrastructure development.

• Sustainable land-use planning and green corridors.

• GS Paper III – Agriculture

• Role of pollinators in crop productivity and food security.

• Role of pollinators in crop productivity and food security.

• Essay / Ethics

• Balancing development with ecological responsibility. Sustainable growth models in public policy.

• Balancing development with ecological responsibility.

• Sustainable growth models in public policy.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS –18 February 2026 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Government Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives

Source: PIB

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Union Health Minister launched SAHI and BODH initiatives at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to promote safe and responsible use of AI in healthcare.

About Government Launch SAHI and BODH Initiatives:

• What it is? The Government of India has introduced two major digital health frameworks:

• The Government of India has introduced two major digital health frameworks:

• SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI)

• SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India) BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI)

• SAHI (Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India)

• BODH (Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI)

• Together, they aim to create a safe, transparent, accountable, and evidence-based AI ecosystem in India’s healthcare system.

• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

About SAHI Initiative:

What is SAHI?

• SAHI is a national governance framework and roadmap for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare.

• It acts as a policy compass guiding ethical, transparent, and people-centric use of AI technologies in the health sector.

Aim of SAHI:

• Promote responsible AI in healthcare: Ensure ethical, transparent, and accountable deployment of AI systems across the health sector.

• Align innovation with public health goals: Integrate AI tools in a way that safeguards data privacy and supports national healthcare priorities.

Key Features of SAHI:

• Governance Framework: Establishes clear policy guidelines for adoption and regulation of AI at both Union and State levels to ensure uniform standards.

• Ethical AI Standards: Mandates consent-based data use, transparency in algorithms, and accountability mechanisms to prevent misuse or bias.

• Interoperability Focus: Ensures AI solutions integrate seamlessly with India’s existing digital health infrastructure like ABDM platforms.

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Facilitates cooperation among government bodies, academic institutions, startups, and industry to foster responsible innovation.

• Policy Roadmap: Provides a long-term strategic direction for scaling AI in healthcare while maintaining safety and public trust.

About BODH Initiative:

What is BODH?

• BODH is a national benchmarking platform designed to evaluate and validate AI solutions in healthcare before large-scale deployment.

• It has been developed by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority.

Aim of BODH:

• Ensure safe and reliable AI deployment: Systematically test health AI tools for accuracy, safety, and clinical robustness before large-scale use.

• Promote unbiased and scalable innovation: Use real-world anonymized datasets to reduce bias and enhance generalizability across populations.

Key Features of BODH:

• Open Data Benchmarking: Evaluates AI systems using diverse, anonymized real-world health datasets to ensure broader applicability and fairness.

• Performance Validation: Measures accuracy, consistency, and operational reliability of AI tools under practical healthcare conditions.

• Bias and Risk Assessment: Detects algorithmic bias and unintended risks to prevent inequitable outcomes before deployment.

• Clinical Relevance Testing: Verifies that AI solutions align with medical standards and address real public health

• Standardized Evaluation Framework: Establishes national benchmarking norms to create uniform quality standards for health AI systems.

80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt

Source: TH

Subject: History

Context: February 18, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt, a major uprising against British rule.

About 80th Anniversary of the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt:

What Was the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Revolt?

• The Royal Indian Navy (RIN) Revolt was a five-day armed uprising (February 18–23, 1946) by Indian naval ratings against British colonial authority.

• It began as a protest over poor conditions but soon evolved into a wider anti-colonial rebellion involving sailors, workers, and civilians.

Historical Background:

• Indian ratings faced racial discrimination, poor food, low wages, and harsh treatment.

• Inspired by the Quit India Movement (1942) and the trials of the Indian National Army (INA).

• Appointment of openly racist officers, such as Arthur Frederick King at HMIS Talwar, further fuelled anger.

Leaders Associated:

• Prominent leaders of the uprising included: B. C. Dutt, M. S. Khan, Madan Singh, Salil Shyam, and Rishi Dev Puri.

• A Naval Central Strike Committee was formed to coordinate actions and present demands.

Events of the Revolt:

• Beginning at HMIS Talwar (Bombay):

• Started with a hunger strike over poor food quality on February 18, 1946. Raised nationalist slogans such as “Quit India” and “Jai Hind.”

• Started with a hunger strike over poor food quality on February 18, 1946.

• Raised nationalist slogans such as “Quit India” and “Jai Hind.”

• Rapid Spread:

• Spread to 78 ships and 20 shore establishments across Bombay, Karachi, Madras, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and the Andamans. Nearly 20,000 naval ratings participated.

• Spread to 78 ships and 20 shore establishments across Bombay, Karachi, Madras, Vishakhapatnam, Kolkata, and the Andamans.

• Nearly 20,000 naval ratings participated.

• Popular Support:

• Workers, students, and civilians joined in solidarity. Hindu-Muslim unity was visible as Congress, Muslim League, and Communist flags were hoisted together. The Bombay Uprising of 1946 – refers to the mass protests and street battles that erupted in Bombay (now Mumbai), in support of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolt against British rule.

• Workers, students, and civilians joined in solidarity.

• Hindu-Muslim unity was visible as Congress, Muslim League, and Communist flags were hoisted together.

• The Bombay Uprising of 1946 – refers to the mass protests and street battles that erupted in Bombay (now Mumbai), in support of the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) revolt against British rule.

• Armed Confrontation:

• British troops opened fire in Bombay. Street battles erupted in mill districts like Kamatipura and Madanpura. Around 200 civilians were killed during suppression efforts.

• British troops opened fire in Bombay.

• Street battles erupted in mill districts like Kamatipura and Madanpura.

• Around 200 civilians were killed during suppression efforts.

End of the Revolt:

• Political leaders, including Congress and Muslim League leadership, urged restraint.

• Naval ratings surrendered on February 23, 1946.

• Leaders were arrested, and the uprising was militarily suppressed.

However, the revolt deeply shook British confidence in maintaining control over India.

Significance:

• The revolt signalled that even the armed forces, the backbone of colonial control, could no longer be fully trusted by the British, accelerating their decision to transfer power.

• At a time of growing communal tensions, the uprising witnessed rare solidarity across religious lines, with joint protests and shared nationalist symbols.

• The movement extended beyond naval ratings, drawing workers, students, and civilians into coordinated street resistance against colonial authority.

Beat the Heat Programme

Source: IE

Subject: Environment

Context: Maharashtra has announced that 30 cities have joined the global “Beat the Heat” programme during Mumbai Climate Week 2026.

About Beat the Heat Programme:

What is Beat the Heat?

• Beat the Heat is a global climate initiative aimed at accelerating action against extreme heat through sustainable cooling and urban resilience strategies.

• It translates the Global Cooling Pledge into practical, city-level implementation.

Launched In:

• Announced under the COP30 Presidency (Brazil).

• Supported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the Cool Coalition.

• Cut greenhouse gas emissions from cooling systems while promoting energy-efficient and low-carbon technologies.

• Protect vulnerable populations by integrating affordable cooling and climate-adaptive measures into city planning.

Key Features:

• Heat Risk Assessment: Supports cities in mapping heat vulnerability and identifying hotspots.

• Nature-Based Cooling: Promotes urban greening, tree cover expansion, and shaded public spaces.

• Passive Cooling Solutions: Encourages cool roofs, reflective surfaces, and climate-sensitive building design.

• Efficient Cooling Technologies: Pushes for low-energy air-conditioning and low global-warming refrigerants.

• Policy Integration: Integrates heat resilience into urban planning, building codes, and infrastructure design.

• Financial and Institutional Support: Assists cities in accessing climate finance and strengthening implementation capacity.

Significance:

• Climate Adaptation Imperative: Addresses extreme heat, which causes more annual deaths globally than floods and storms combined.

• Urban Focus: Targets urban heat island effects, where temperatures can be up to 10°C higher than rural areas.

NOTE: There are actually two distinct global initiatives with the exact same name, each run by a different organization.

• The UNEP “Beat the Heat” – Focus on urban infrastructure and cooling.

• The WHO “Beat the Heat” – Focus on human health and safety in sports event.

G7 Summit 2026

Source: NDTV

Subject: International Organisation

Context: French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Prime Minister of India to attend the 52nd G7 Summit (2026) in France.

About G7 Summit 2026:

What is it?

• The G7 Summit 2026 is the annual meeting of leaders of the world’s seven advanced democracies to deliberate on global economic stability, security, climate change, and geopolitical issues.

• Host Country: France

• Venue: Évian, France

About the G7:

What is the G7?

• The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of leading industrialized democracies that meet annually to coordinate responses to global economic and political challenges.

Members of G7: United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Canada.

• The European Union (EU) participates as a non-enumerated member represented by the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission.

Origin and History:

• Established: 1975 (Rambouillet Summit, France). The first summit was convened by France to bring together major industrial economies.

• The first summit was convened by France to bring together major industrial economies.

• 1973 Oil Crisis and Financial Instability: It emerged as a response to global recession, inflation, and energy shocks following the oil embargo, requiring collective economic stabilisation.

• G6 to G7 (1976): Canada’s inclusion transformed the original G6 into the G7, strengthening North American representation and economic coordination.

• G8 Phase (1997–2014): Russia joined post-Cold War to encourage integration with Western economies, but was suspended after the Crimea annexation in 2014.

• Expansion of Agenda: Over time, the G7 evolved from a financial coordination forum into a platform addressing climate change, security, development, and global governance.

Key Functions:

• Macroeconomic Coordination: Aligns fiscal and monetary policies among major economies to manage inflation, debt crises, and financial instability.

• Global Governance Influence: Shapes norms on trade, development finance, debt restructuring, and multilateral institutional reforms.

• Security Dialogue: Provides a platform to coordinate responses to geopolitical crises, sanctions regimes, and global security challenges.

• Climate Leadership: Advances climate mitigation targets, clean energy transitions, and global environmental commitments.

• Ministerial Tracks: Specialized ministerial meetings prepare detailed policy inputs for leaders’ communiqués across sectors like finance, health, and digital governance.

Significance:

• Represents Nearly 40% of Global GDP: The collective economic weight of G7 nations gives it significant influence over global markets and financial systems.

• Shapes International Norms and Crisis Response: Its communiqués and coordinated actions often guide global responses to economic shocks, pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts.

AI-Preneurs of India

Source: PIB

Subject: Miscellaneous

Context: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog launched AI-Preneurs of India at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

About AI-Preneurs of India:

What is AI-Preneurs of India?

• AI-Preneurs of India is a flagship coffee table book that documents the journeys of 45 pioneering AI startups solving real-world problems.

• It is the 7th edition of AIM’s Innovations For You series and showcases India’s growing deep-tech and AI startup ecosystem.

Aim of the Initiative:

• Showcase purpose-driven AI innovation: Highlight startups building AI solutions aligned with national development goals and real societal needs.

• Position India as a responsible global AI contributor: Promote inclusive, ethical, and impact-oriented AI entrepreneurship on the global stage.

Key Features:

• Founder-First Storytelling: Captures the journeys, challenges, and motivations of entrepreneurs, moving beyond pure technological narratives.

• Sectoral Diversity: Features AI applications across 30+ sectors, reflecting the breadth of India’s innovation landscape.

• Nationwide Representation: Showcases startups nurtured through Atal Incubation Centres across multiple states, beyond metro hubs.

• Purpose-Led Innovation: Emphasizes AI solutions solving real-world issues in healthcare, sustainability, education, and governance.

• Policy-Ecosystem Linkage: Demonstrates synergy between public incubation platforms and private AI innovators.

Significance:

• Advances AI for social good: Reinforces India’s commitment to using AI as a tool for inclusive development.

• Strengthens innovation infrastructure credibility: Highlights the role of AIM in building a robust, mission-driven startup ecosystem.

#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 18 February 2026 Mapping:

Ravi River

Source: TOI

Subject: Mapping

Context: India is set to utilise surplus waters of the Ravi River through the Shahpur Kandi Dam, preventing unused flows into Pakistan.

About Ravi River:

What is the Ravi River?

• The Ravi River is one of the five rivers of the Indus river system, which give Punjab its name (“Land of Five Rivers”).

• It is an eastern river under the Indus Waters Treaty, allocated exclusively to India.

Origin:

• Originates near the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh.

• Rises at an elevation of around 4,400 metres above sea level.

• Initially flows as two streams — Budhil and Tantgari — which later merge.

Course of the River:

• Countries: Flows through India and Pakistan.

• Within India:

• Himachal Pradesh (mainly Chamba district). Punjab (Gurdaspur, Amritsar districts). Forms part of the India–Pakistan international boundary before entering Pakistan.

• Himachal Pradesh (mainly Chamba district).

• Punjab (Gurdaspur, Amritsar districts).

• Forms part of the India–Pakistan international boundary before entering Pakistan.

• In Pakistan:

• Flows past Lahore. Eventually joins the Chenab River.

• Flows past Lahore.

• Eventually joins the Chenab River.

Tributaries of Ravi River:

• Right Bank Tributaries: Siul River, Baira River, Budhil River, and Tant Gari

• Left Bank Tributaries: Ujh River and Chirchind Nala.

• Other Tributaries / Streams: Bhadal River, Sewa River, Bein and Basantar.

Ravi is a Tributary of: The Ravi River ultimately joins the Chenab River, which is a major western tributary of the Indus River.

Key Features of the Ravi River:

• Total length: Approx. 720 km (about 320 km in India) – The river flows through both India and Pakistan, with nearly half its course lying within Indian territory.

• Catchment area in India: Around 5,957 sq km – A significant drainage basin in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab supports irrigation and hydropower projects.

• Flow is sustained by Himalayan snowmelt in summer and intensified by heavy monsoon rains from June to September.

• Intense rainfall often leads to high discharge levels, causing seasonal flooding in downstream areas.

• Controlled by major dams like Chamera I, II, III and Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam – These projects regulate water flow for hydropower generation, irrigation, and flood management.

• Shahpur Kandi Dam: A multipurpose project on the Ravi River near the Punjab–J&K border, aimed at utilising surplus eastern river waters for irrigation and reducing flow into Pakistan.

Facts for Prelims – Feb 18 Current Affairs Video

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