TODAYS TOP NEWS
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1. Uttarakhand has surpassed 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed solar power capacity, marking a significant step in its clean energy transition. The state’s total installed solar capacity now stands at over 1,027.87 megawatts, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development and energy self-reliance.
2. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates the first Mumbai Climate Week at Jio World Convention Centre. The three-day event highlights actionable climate solutions, renewable energy expansion, PM Kusum solar pumps, and Maharashtra’s green transition targets toward 2030.
3. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology launched AI Impact Startup Book at India Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. The book captures the scale, diversity, and growing global footprint of India’s artificial intelligence and deep-tech startup ecosystem.
4. The 1,750 MW Demwe Lower hydel project in Arunachal Pradesh has received an 11-year extension of environmental clearance till 2037. The move, citing litigation delays, has sparked debate over NGT directives, wildlife clearance issues, and biodiversity concerns in the Lohit basin.
5. Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented a 4.08 lakh crore rupees Budget for the fiscal year 2026, with an estimated surplus of 974 crore rupees. Designed under the vision of ‘Viksit Gujarat @ 2047′.
6. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that the Legislative Assembly Election dates of Assam will be announced, considering the State’s biggest festival, Bihu, which falls in mid-April. Addressing the media persons in Guwahati after reviewing the State’s preparedness for the upcoming Assembly Elections, the Chief Election Commissioner said that at an appropriate time, the Commission will announce the election date for 126 Assembly Constituencies of Assam.
7. Mumbai will host the Earthshot Prize 2026 – the world’s most prestigious and impactful environmental award in November this year.
8. In Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation stone of the Shankaracharya Temple at Katra, marking a significant addition to the religious and spiritual infrastructure of the pilgrimage town.
9. The State Forest Department has set up anti-flammable protection measures in the Nilgiris forest area. The forest district, which has a sprawling area of 638 square kilometres, is a natural abode for tigers, elephants, bears, and wild bison. The forest area has been prone to mist and frost, drying the leaves, which will become vulnerable during summer, giving way to forest fires.
10. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma inaugurated the Lengtekai bridge over the Tlawng River, linking the capital Aizawl city with the lone Lengpui airport as well as the Mamit district bordering Tripura, a major infrastructure asset built under funding from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways at a cost of Rs. 43.83 crore.
11. Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu has announced that an exclusive Vande Bharat sleeper train will be launched between Delhi and Amritsar by next winter. It will travel through Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Jalandhar to further reach the holy city of Amritsar.
12. Exams for the 10th and 12th classes of Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, popularly known as UP Board, started amidst tight security. More than 53 lakh students of classes 10th and 12th are taking part in the exams.
13. The holy month of Ramzan will begin today as the moon was sighted this evening in many parts of the country. Tomorrow will be the first day of fasting of the holy month. Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated at the culmination of the fasting month.
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LEGAL REPORT
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1. In a relief to actor Rajpal Yadav, the Delhi high court suspended till March 18 his sentence in the cheque bounce cases and permitted him to be released from jail.
The case involves revision petitions against a 2019 decision upholding Yadav’s conviction in cheque bounce cases dating back to April 2018.
2. The Bombay High Court has imposed costs of Rs. 5 lakhs on a litigant who sought protection against demolition of an unauthorized structure situated on a public street, holding that a party seeking to perpetuate illegality on public land is not entitled to equitable relief. The Court observed that prolonged retention of such structures through litigation encourages similar encroachments and undermines municipal governance.
3. The Madras High Court on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) refused to extend the time granted to actor-producer Vishal for depositing ₹10 crore in the court as a condition to stay a single judge’s order directing him to pay ₹57 crore to Lyca Productions towards the repayment of a loan of ₹21.29 crore, along with interest at the rate of 30%, obtained by him in 2019.
4. In Kerala, the Kollam Vigilance Court has granted bail to Head Priest Thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru in Sabarimala gold misappropriation cases. Thantri had been under judicial custody in two separate cases related to the misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala Temple.
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DEFENCE News
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1. President Smt Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, yesterday reviewed the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off the coast of Visakhapatnam, underscoring India’s growing maritime capability and its commitment to global naval cooperation. Embarking on INS Sumedha, the Presidential Yacht, she inspected a formidable assembly of 71 Indian and foreign vessels anchored along the coastline.
2. Sail training ship INS Tarangini is among the prominent vessels arriving in Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the multinational naval exercise MILAN, commencing February 18. Around 75 naval vessels are expected to participate in the twin maritime events, including 20 foreign warships, underlining India’s expanding naval diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
3. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan visited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru on Tuesday, reaffirming the Armed Forces’ steadfast commitment to bolstering indigenous defence manufacturing.This engagement underscores the deepening collaboration between India’s military leadership and its burgeoning defence industry, aligning seamlessly with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
4. India’s strategic defence partnership with France appears poised for a major expansion. A recent report by the French financial daily La Tribune indicates that New Delhi is considering a new order for 31 Dassault Rafale Marine (Rafale M) fighter jets for the Indian Navy.
5. The fifth edition of the Goa Maritime Conclave will begin on 21st November in Goa, bringing together naval leaders and senior representatives from 14 Indian Ocean countries.
6. China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has marked a significant milestone with the emergence of its first Type-09V nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) at the Bohai Shipbuilding yard in Huludao,
FINANCE
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INDIAN RUPEE VALUE
💷 GBP ₹123(Approx)
€ Euro : ₹107(Approx)
USD ₹ 91(Approx)
🇨🇦 Canada :CAD ₹66
🇦🇺 Australia : ₹ 61
🇦🇪 UAE Dirham : ₹ 25
🇨🇳 China Yuan ¥ : ₹ 13
🇲🇻 Maldives Rufiya : ₹ 5.88
🇧🇹 Bhutan ngultrum : ₹ 1.00
🇳🇵 Nepal Rupee : ₹ 0.63
🇧🇩 B’desh Taka* : ₹ 0.70
🇵🇰 Pak Rupee : ₹ 0.32
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka Rupee : ₹ 0.29
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BSE SENSEX
83,450.96 +173.81 (0.21%)🌲
NIFTY
25,725.40 +42.65 (0.17%)🌲
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Rates in Financial Capital Mumbai
GOLD : ₹ 15,500/ 01gm (24 krt)
SILVER : ₹ 265,000/KG
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
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1. Actor Dhanush To Star in Two Major Biopics
The actor will take on the tremendous task of playing two iconic figures Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam and music maestro Ilaiyaraaja.
2. Bollywood actor Shatrughan Sinha has moved the Bombay High Court seeking to protect his ‘personality rights’ citing the unauthorised use of his name, image, and especially his iconic dialogue “Khamosh.”
19 Feb(Thursday)
Vedic Ritu/ Shishir
Drik Ritu : Vasant (Spring)
पक्ष :: Shuklapaksh
(In Purnimanta calendar)
Vikram Samvat – 2082
Month : Phlguna 18,
(In Amanta calendar)
Shaka Samvat – 1947
Month : Phlguna 02
Tithi : Dwitiya/Tritiya
Nakshatra:Purva Bhadrapada
Rahu : 02:05 PM – 03:31 PM
Yamaganda : 07:00 AM – 08:25 AM
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Ms. Pooja, |
