Welcome to Daily Current Affairs for 17 February 2026. In this article, you will get the most important national and international current affairs with short explanations. Additionally, you will find exam-important one-liners and MCQs for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways and State government exams.
1. India-AI Impact Summit 2026 Begins in Delhi.
India hosted the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. It became the first global AI summit in the Global South. Moreover, PM Modi highlighted the theme “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” to promote human-centric AI for welfare and happiness for all.
2. PM Modi Inaugurates India AI Impact Expo
PM Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam. The expo showcased AI innovations and startups. Additionally, it strengthened India’s global leadership in responsible AI development and encouraged collaboration among nations for future technology-driven growth.
3. Amit Shah Launches CBDC-Based Digital PDS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a CBDC-based Public Distribution System in Gandhinagar. This system ensures transparent and cashless food grain distribution. Furthermore, it supports Digital India and improves governance through reduced leakage and better accountability.
4. Cabinet Approves ₹1 Lakh Crore Urban Challenge Fund
The Union Cabinet approved the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund. It aims to shift urban development from grant-based funding to reform-driven growth. Consequently, it will attract private participation and mobilize ₹4 lakh crore investment over five years to transform cities.
5. Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 Gets Approval
The Cabinet approved Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a ₹10,000 crore corpus. It will mobilize venture capital for deep tech and innovative manufacturing. As a result, it will strengthen India’s startup ecosystem and boost innovation-led economic development.
6. North and South Block to Become National Museum
The government approved converting North Block and South Block into the ‘Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum.’ Earlier, PM Modi dedicated the new PMO building “Seva Teerth.” Therefore, Cabinet meetings will stop in South Block, ending 95 years of administrative use.
7. India to Build First National Cow Culture Museum
India will establish its first National Cow Culture Museum in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The project will be built inside Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University. This step aims to promote cultural awareness and highlight the role of cows in Indian traditions.
8. Uday Kotak Appointed Chairman of GIFT City
The Gujarat government appointed Uday Kotak as Chairman of GIFT City in Gandhinagar. He is the founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank. This move will strengthen leadership in India’s global financial hub and accelerate fintech growth and international investment.
9. India Approves ₹3.25 Lakh Crore Rafale Fighter Deal
India approved a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to procure 114 Rafale multirole fighter jets from France. The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the proposal. Notably, 18 jets will arrive in fly-away condition, ensuring quick induction and boosting India’s air power.
10. WHO Prequalifies Additional Oral Polio Vaccine
The World Health Organization prequalified another novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). This decision strengthens global capacity to fight vaccine-derived polio outbreaks. Therefore, UN agencies like UNICEF can procure and distribute the vaccine worldwide for better immunization coverage.
11. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan scripted history in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup by becoming the first bowler to claim 700 wickets in men’s T20 cricket. The landmark was achieved during Afghanistan’s group-stage match against the United Arab Emirates at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
✅ 10 One-Liner Current Affairs
- PM Modi inaugurated the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi with the theme “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya.”
- India AI Impact Expo was inaugurated by PM Modi at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- Amit Shah launched CBDC-based Digital PDS in Gandhinagar for transparent cashless ration distribution.
- The Union Cabinet approved a ₹1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund to transform cities through reform-driven growth.
- The Cabinet also approved Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 with a ₹10,000 crore corpus.
- North Block and South Block will be converted into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum.
- India will establish its first National Cow Culture Museum in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
- Gujarat appointed Uday Kotak as the Chairman of GIFT City in Gandhinagar.
- India approved a ₹3.25 lakh crore deal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
- WHO prequalified an additional nOPV2 vaccine to fight vaccine-derived polio outbreaks globally.
✅ 10 MCQs with Answer + Explanation
Q1. India-AI Impact Summit 2026 was inaugurated in which city?
A) Mumbai
B) Bengaluru
C) New Delhi
D) Hyderabad
✅ Answer: C) New Delhi
📌 Explanation: The five-day India-AI Impact Summit 2026 began in New Delhi.
Q2. The theme of India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is:
A) One Nation One AI
B) Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya
C) Digital India for All
D) AI for Defence
✅ Answer: B) Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya
📌 Explanation: PM Modi said the theme means welfare and happiness for all.
Q3. India AI Impact Expo 2026 was inaugurated at:
A) Pragati Maidan
B) Bharat Mandapam
C) India Gate
D) Rashtrapati Bhavan
✅ Answer: B) Bharat Mandapam
📌 Explanation: PM Modi inaugurated the expo at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
Q4. CBDC-based Public Distribution System (Digital PDS) was launched in:
A) Jaipur
B) Lucknow
C) Gandhinagar
D) Surat
✅ Answer: C) Gandhinagar
📌 Explanation: Home Minister Amit Shah launched it in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Q5. CBDC-based Digital PDS aims to ensure:
A) Free transport facilities
B) Cashless and transparent ration distribution
C) AI-based farming
D) Online education
✅ Answer: B) Cashless and transparent ration distribution
📌 Explanation: The Digital PDS reduces corruption and improves transparency.
Q6. The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) approved by the Cabinet is worth:
A) ₹50,000 crore
B) ₹75,000 crore
C) ₹1 lakh crore
D) ₹2 lakh crore
✅ Answer: C) ₹1 lakh crore
📌 Explanation: The Cabinet approved a ₹1 lakh crore fund to reform urban development.
Q7. Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 has a corpus of:
A) ₹5,000 crore
B) ₹10,000 crore
C) ₹15,000 crore
D) ₹20,000 crore
✅ Answer: B) ₹10,000 crore
📌 Explanation: The Fund of Funds 2.0 aims to support deep tech and innovation startups.
Q8. North Block and South Block will be converted into:
A) Defence Headquarters
B) Space Museum
C) Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum
D) Parliament Archive Centre
✅ Answer: C) Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum
📌 Explanation: The Cabinet approved the transition into a national museum project.
Q9. India’s first National Cow Culture Museum will be built in:
A) Varanasi
B) Mathura
C) Prayagraj
D) Ayodhya
✅ Answer: B) Mathura
📌 Explanation: The museum will be developed in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.
Q10. WHO prequalified an additional vaccine for:
A) Measles
B) Dengue
C) Polio type 2 outbreaks
D) Malaria
✅ Answer: C) Polio type 2 outbreaks
📌 Explanation: WHO prequalified another nOPV2 vaccine to fight vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2.
FAQ – Daily Current Affairs 17 February 2026
Q1. Which exams require daily current affairs preparation?
UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence and State PSC exams require daily current affairs preparation.
Q2. How can I revise current affairs quickly?
You should revise one-liners daily and practice MCQs regularly for better retention.
Q3. Is this current affairs useful for UPSC prelims?
Yes, it is useful for UPSC prelims as it includes national, international, economy, schemes and sports updates.
✅ Conclusion
Daily Current Affairs 17 February 2026 provides important news updates with exam-focused revision points and MCQs. Keep visiting our website daily for the latest updates and PDF notes.Images are not actual its only for imaginarily purpose.