1 Winter Olympics 2026
The 2026 Winter Olympics , officially known as the 2026 Winter Olympics (XXV Olympic Winter Games), were held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy , from February 6 to 22, 2026. Approximately 2,900 athletes from 92 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) participated in the Games. A total of 116 medal events across 8 sports and 16 disciplines were held at this global event, making it one of the most extensive and competitive editions in winter sports history. Norway once again proved its dominance in winter sports, topping the medal table . Norway won a total of 41 medals, including 18 gold medals . The United States , showcasing its strength in snowboarding, alpine skiing, and ice hockey, finished second with 33 medals . The Netherlands , maintaining its traditional dominance in speed skating, performed brilliantly. The team won a total of 10 gold medals and finished third in the overall medal table . Host nation Italy took full advantage of the home support to produce an impressive performance. Italy won a total of 30 medals, including 10 gold medals. Their bronze medal tally, with 14 bronze medals, was particularly high, reflecting their strong presence (fourth place) as the host nation . Several participating nations, including India , Argentina, South Africa, Portugal, etc., failed to secure a medal in this edition .
2 President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘Save Lives and Build a Healthy India’ campaign
President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the nationwide campaign ‘ Save Lives and Build a Healthy India ‘ organised by PD Hinduja Hospital at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai on February 24, 2026. The President said that the health of citizens is a collective responsibility and all stakeholders must work together to ensure that even the poorest of the poor have access to timely and appropriate medical care.
3 Prime Minister to visit Israel on February 25-26
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay a State Visit to Israel on February 25-26, 2026, at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . This will be the Prime Minister’s second visit to Israel . During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders will review progress in the India-Israel Strategic Partnership and discuss new opportunities for cooperation in various areas, including science and technology, innovation, defence and security, agriculture, water management, trade and economy.
4 Cabinet approves changing the name of Kerala state to ‘Keralaam’
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the proposal to change the name of the state of Kerala to ‘Keralaam’ . Following the Cabinet’s approval, the President of India will forward a bill, titled the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to the Kerala State Legislative Assembly for its opinion under Article 3 of the Constitution . After receiving the opinion of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly, the Government of India will take further action and obtain the President’s recommendation to introduce the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, in Parliament to change the name of the state of Kerala to ‘Keralaam’. The Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on 24.06.2024 to change the name of the state of Kerala to ‘Keralaam’, which reads as follows: ” The name of our state is ‘Keralaam’ in the Malayalam language . States were formed on the basis of language on November 1, 1956. Kerala Piravi Day is also on November 1.”
5 ‘Rain of Fire’ in the Desert: Indian Army’s Hi-Tech Exercise Begins
The Indian Army is commencing a comprehensive military exercise called “Agni Varsha” in Pokhran , Rajasthan , on February 24th . This exercise will incorporate the coordinated use of modern tanks, artillery, drones, robots, missiles, helicopters, and air power . “Agni Varsha” is a major military exercise conducted by the Indian Army under realistic war-like conditions. This significant military exercise is being conducted in the desert region on February 24th under the aegis of the Southern Command. International defense experts from 25 countries will witness the exercise live. This will provide a global showcase of India’s military capabilities and promote transparency and trust-building in the defense sector.
6 India-Japan joint military exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ begins
The Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force have commenced the 7th edition of the annual joint military exercise “Dharma Guardian.” The exercise is being conducted from February 24 to March 9 at the Foreign Training Center in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand . Exercise “Dharma Guardian” focuses on semi-urban combat situations, where cordon and search operations will be conducted in hostile environments. Helicopter-based operations, operations against enemy-held positions, and house intervention drills will also be practiced. 120 soldiers each from the Indian and Japanese armies are participating in the exercise. The Indian contingent comprises soldiers from the Ladakh Scouts , while soldiers from Japan’s 32nd Infantry Regiment are also participating. The exercise is conducted alternately in India and Japan.
7 Joint special military exercise Vajra Prahar between India and America begins
The 16th edition of the joint special forces exercise Vajra Prahar between India and the US has begun in Himachal Pradesh . The exercise will continue till the 16th of next month . The Defence Ministry said that the exercise is being conducted at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh , Himachal Pradesh . 45 soldiers from Special Forces units are participating in the exercise from the Indian Army side, while 12 soldiers from the Green Berets of the Special Forces are participating from the US side. The aim of this exercise is to enhance military cooperation between the two countries by improving interoperability, jointness and exchange of special operations strategies.
8 National Health Fair 2026 to be held from 25th to 28th February 2026 at Shegaon, Buldhana, Maharashtra
The Union Ministry of AYUSH , in collaboration with the All India Ayurveda Congress, will organize the four-day National Health Fair 2026 from February 25 to 28, 2026 , in Shegaon , Buldhana district , Maharashtra . President Smt. Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the fair on February 25, 2026, at Visava Maidan, Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, Shegaon. The event will be attended by the Governor of Maharashtra, Minister of AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, senior officials of the Maharashtra Government, and other distinguished guests. The fair is being organized as a comprehensive public awareness campaign to increase access to AYUSH-based preventive and promotive healthcare services. Visitors will be provided with free consultations, health checkups, and medicines related to Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy systems. The fair will also include yoga demonstrations, expert lectures, demonstrations of medical practices, and exhibitions by prestigious AYUSH institutions and industry stakeholders.
9 India gives up Most Favoured Nation status in France in 9 tax agreements
India has removed the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause from its tax treaty with France . The revised India-France tax treaty was signed during French President Emmanuel Macron ‘s recent visit to India. This change significantly alters dividend tax, capital gains taxation, and global anti-tax avoidance (BEPS) rules . With the removal of the MFN clause, France will no longer be able to automatically claim tax benefits based on other tax treaties with India . This move aims to reduce tax disputes and bring clarity to cross-border taxation between India and France. The India-France tax treaty, officially known as the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) , was signed in 1992. Its main objective is to prevent double taxation in two countries on the same income.
10 PM Modi congratulates newly appointed PM of Netherlands Rob Jetten
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten on the start of his term. The King administered the oath of office to 38-year-old Rob Jetten as Prime Minister. This is the third time in four years that a new Dutch cabinet has been sworn in. Jetten is leading a minority government formed by a three-party coalition. King Willem-Alexander administered the oath of office to the Jetten cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. Rob Jetten leads the liberal-progressive, pro-Europe D66 party . He formed a government with the conservative Christian Democrats and the right-wing VVD, which has only 66 seats in the 150-seat lower house.
11 91 countries and international organizations endorsed the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ issued at the 11th AI Summit.
The ” New Delhi Declaration, ” issued at the conclusion of the AI Summit held in New Delhi last week, has so far received the endorsement of 91 countries and international organizations. According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, India has successfully led the way in advancing its vision of ” AI for All ” based on equitable access and global cooperation through this platform . As of February 21st , the Declaration had been agreed upon by 88 countries and two major international organizations (the European Union and the International Fund for Agricultural Development). Countries supporting this shared global vision include powerful nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. As of the latest update, three more countries have joined, including Bangladesh, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, bringing the total number of signatories to 91 countries and organizations . According to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Declaration focuses on seven key achievements. These include the Declaration on Democratic Expansion, the Global Impact Sharing Platform, the Trusted Systems Sharing Platform, the International Network for Scientific Collaboration, the Social Empowerment Platform, the Workforce Development Guide, and the Guiding Principles for Flexible and Efficient AI.
12 Cabinet increases equity investment limit of Power Grid
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved increasing Power Grid’s equity investment limit . The company can now invest up to ₹7,500 crore per subsidiary . Previously, this limit was ₹5,000 crore. However, the CCEA retained the existing limit of 15 percent of the company’s total assets. This approval was granted under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)’s existing guidelines on delegation of powers applicable to Maharatna CPSEs dated February 4, 2010. An official statement said that this approval will help Power Grid, the country’s largest and most experienced transmission service provider, increase investment in its core business and promote the use of renewable energy capacity, thereby contributing to achieving the target of 500 gigawatts from non-fossil-based sources.
13 Tourism Leadership Summit 2026
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan addressed the ” Tourism Leadership Summit 2026 ” in New Delhi , saying tourism is a bridge between cultures, a driver of economic opportunities, and a powerful tool of soft diplomacy. The summit was organized by the US-India Partnership Forum in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation .
14 World Day of Peace and Understanding 2026
World Peace and Understanding Day , celebrated every year on 23 February , emphasizes dialogue, mutual respect, and intercultural understanding to promote global harmony, which is closely associated with Rotary International. That historic meeting later laid the foundation for the establishment of Rotary International, which today is one of the world’s largest humanitarian service networks. The day is celebrated during World Understanding Month and promotes global peace, ethical leadership, and international cooperation. World Peace and Understanding Day marks the anniversary of Rotary’s founding by Paul P. Harris in Chicago in 1905 .
15 Central Excise Day 2026
Central Customs and Excise Day is celebrated every year on February 24th . The purpose behind this day is to honor the contribution of the Central Board of Excise and Customs of India to the economy. Furthermore, this day is celebrated to recognize the hard work of the officers of the organization. Central Excise Day is celebrated every year on February 24th because the Central Excise and Salt Act was enacted on February 24th, 1944. It should be noted that the Central Customs and Excise Board falls under the Revenue Department of the Union Ministry of Finance and is an indirect tax. The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is responsible for the administration of customs, GST, central excise, service tax, and narcotics in the country. This is an indirect tax levied on all types of products manufactured in factories . The Excise Department was established in 1855 during British rule .