APPSC Daily Current Affairs 18th February 2026
Relevance:
Prelims – Defence Exercises, Important Events, Indian Navy; GS Paper II – International Relations & Diplomacy; GS Paper III – Security & Maritime Affairs
Important Keywords
International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026, Visakhapatnam, Presidential Banquet, President Droupadi Murmu, Eastern Naval Command INS Sumedha (Presidential Yacht), United through Oceans (theme/spirit), Fleet Review, Indo-Pacific Cooperation, Naval Soft Power, Strategic Maritime Engagement, Andhra Pradesh Maritime Hub, SAGAR Vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
Why in News?
- International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 commenced at Visakhapatnam with a Presidential Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Eastern Naval Command Naval Base.
- The event marks a major international naval gathering showcasing maritime cooperation and naval diplomacy.
Key Highlights
- The Presidential Banquet served as the official curtain raiser for IFR-2026.
- Conducted at the Eastern Naval Command Officers’ Mess, Visakhapatnam.
- The fleet review is being held in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 22 km off the Visakhapatnam coast.
- President Droupadi Murmu will review the assembled naval fleet from the Presidential Yacht – INS Sumedha.
Dignitaries Present
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Andhra Pradesh Governor Justice Syed Abdul Nazeer
- Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu
- Senior naval officials and international naval representatives
About International Fleet Review (IFR)
- A ceremonial gathering of naval ships from India and friendly foreign nations.
- Conducted periodically by the Indian Navy.
- Aims to:
- Strengthen maritime cooperation
- Enhance naval diplomacy
- Promote goodwill among participating nations
- Showcase naval capabilities
Theme
- Promotes the spirit of “United through Oceans”, highlighting cooperation, peace, and maritime security.
Significance of IFR-2026
1. Maritime Diplomacy
- Provides a platform for interaction among global naval leadership.
- Strengthens India’s strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. Strategic Importance
- Demonstrates India’s naval strength and operational readiness.
- Enhances cooperation on maritime security and disaster response.
3. Cultural Diplomacy
- Combines naval engagement with Indian cultural performances and hospitality.
- Promotes India’s heritage and soft power globally.
4. Regional Importance
- Highlights Visakhapatnam as a major naval and maritime hub.
- Showcases Eastern Naval Command’s strategic role.
Key Events of IFR-2026
- Presidential Banquet (Opening Ceremony)
- Fleet Review by the President
- Address to participating naval forces
- Cultural and diplomatic interactions
- International naval engagements
CARE MCQ
Q. International Fleet Review (IFR) is best described as:
A. A joint military exercise conducted only by Indian armed forces
B. A ceremonial assembly of naval ships from various countries reviewed by the Head of State
C. A maritime trade conference
D. A naval recruitment programme
Answer: B
The International Fleet Review (IFR) is a ceremonial gathering of naval ships from India and other countries, formally reviewed by the Head of State. It promotes maritime diplomacy, cooperation, and showcases naval capabilities.
B. A ceremonial assembly of naval ships from various countries reviewed by the Head of State
C. A maritime trade conference
D. A naval recruitment programme
Answer: B
The International Fleet Review (IFR) is a ceremonial gathering of naval ships from India and other countries, formally reviewed by the Head of State. It promotes maritime diplomacy, cooperation, and showcases naval capabilities.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims, GS Paper III: Science & Technology (AI applications)
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- India–AI Impact Summit 2026, IndiaAI Mission, Digital India, Global South AI cooperation, Three Sutras & Seven Chakras, AI for ALL / AI by HER / YUVAi, AI Compendium.
For Mains:
- AI Compute Infrastructure, Indigenous AI Models, Bharat Mandapam, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Inclusive AI, Safe & Trusted AI, Democratizing AI Resources
Why in News?
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo on 16 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- India hosted the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit in the Global South.
- The summit focuses on responsible, inclusive, and development-oriented Artificial Intelligence aligned with Viksit Bharat@2047.
- Participation included 20+ Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and 500+ global AI leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Over 20 Heads of State, 60 Ministers, and 500 Global AI Leaders Gather in New Delhi for AI Impact Summit 2026.
- AI Impact Summit anchored in 3 foundational pillars, or ‘Sutras’: People, Planet and Progress.
- The India AI Impact Expo is expected to feature over 300 exhibitors, from 30 Countries, across more than 10 thematic pavilions.
Significance of AI for India
AI is a transformative technology capable of accelerating economic growth, strengthening governance, and improving citizens’ quality of life based on the principles of People, Planet, and Progress.
1. People
- Expands healthcare access through telemedicine and AI diagnostics.
- Enables personalized education using adaptive learning systems.
- Strengthens financial security through AI-based fraud detection.
2. Planet
- Supports sustainable agriculture through crop prediction and precision farming.
- Enables drone-based monitoring and resource optimization.
3. Progress
- Improves governance through language translation and automation.
- Enhances service delivery and digital efficiency across sectors.
Sector-wise Applications of AI
AI in Healthcare
- Remote diagnostics and portable testing tools improve rural healthcare access.
- AI-powered telemedicine connects patients with doctors.
- Medical image analysis assists early detection of TB, cancer, and other diseases.
- Predictive analytics enables disease outbreak forecasting.
- AI-driven drug discovery and personalized treatment improve affordability and outcomes.
AI in Agriculture & Rural Economy
- Weather prediction and pest monitoring guide farmers through mobile advisories.
- Drone and satellite data improve crop monitoring and yield forecasting.
- Market prediction models help farmers make informed decisions.
- Platforms like Mossum GPT and Kisan E-Mitra deliver localized advisories in regional languages.
AI in Education
- Personalized learning platforms adapt to student capabilities.
- AI translation removes language barriers in education.
- AI tutoring systems provide continuous learning support.
- Platforms such as DIKSHA deliver accessible digital learning content.
AI in Finance & Commerce
- AI detects fraud and secures digital transactions.
- Credit scoring expands financial inclusion.
- Banking chatbots provide round-the-clock services.
- Personalized financial products improve customer experience.
AI in Governance & Public Services
- AI translation of court judgments enhances access to justice.
- Smart city systems optimize traffic, waste, and safety management.
- Automation reduces delays in government services.
- AI improves judicial case management and transparency.
Government Initiatives Supporting AI Ecosystem
- IndiaAI Mission for AI development and innovation.
- Expansion of AI compute infrastructure.
- Promotion of indigenous AI models.
- Nationwide skilling and capacity-building programmes.
- Integration with Digital India for large-scale adoption.
Foundational Framework: Three Sutras & Seven Chakras
The Summit follows a people-centric and impact-oriented AI framework based on guiding principles called Sutras, operationalised through Seven Chakras representing areas of global cooperation.
Seven Chakras
- Human Capital – AI skilling and workforce readiness.
- Inclusion for Social Empowerment – Citizen-centric AI solutions and last-mile delivery.
- Safe and Trusted AI – Governance frameworks and ethical AI deployment.
- Resilience, Innovation & Efficiency – Sustainable and environmentally responsible AI.
- Science – AI-driven research and scientific collaboration.
- Democratizing AI Resources – Equitable access to datasets, compute, and infrastructure.
- AI for Economic Growth & Social Good – Inclusive economic development through AI.
AI Impact Events at the Summit
Pre-Summit Events
- Consultations involving governments, academia, industry, and civil society.
Regional AI Conferences
- Conducted across eight states between Oct 2025–Jan 2026.
- Identified regional AI needs, policy inputs, and capacity gaps.
Main Summit
- Organized around the Seven Chakras.
- Received over 700 global proposals.
AI Compendium
- Released as a knowledge resource documenting real-world AI application.
Flagship Global Impact Challenges
1. AI for ALL
- Identifies scalable AI solutions across sectors.
- Implemented with Startup India and Digital India Bhashini.
- Awards up to ₹2.5 crore.
- Promotes women-led AI innovation.
- Supported by NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform.
- Encourages youth innovators (13–21 years).
- Implemented with MyBharat and NIELIT.
- Awards worth up to ₹85 lakh.
- Academic platform with IIIT Hyderabad as knowledge partner.
- Received ~250 research submissions from Global South countries.
- Focus areas: AI governance, safety, research collaboration, and compute access.
- Organized by MeitY with STPI.
- Spread over 70,000 sq. metres.
- Showcases large-scale AI deployment and investment opportunities.
- National bootcamp for Classes 6–12 students.
- Builds AI and entrepreneurial skills through mentorship and hands-on learning.
Key Institutional Frameworks
Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)
- Provides policy leadership and coordination.
IndiaAI Mission
- Drives AI infrastructure, datasets, and innovation ecosystem.
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI)
- Supports startups, incubation, and industry linkages.
Digital India Initiative
- Provides digital public infrastructure enabling AI adoption at scale.
Expected Outcomes
- Practical deployment of AI across sectors.
- Strengthened governance and regulatory frameworks.
- Assessment of regional AI readiness.
- Workforce reskilling and capacity building.
- Enhanced collaboration among government, academia, startups, and industry.
- Expansion of responsible and inclusive AI ecosystem.
Conclusion
The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 marks a significant step in positioning India as a global hub for responsible and development-oriented artificial intelligence. By promoting collaboration, innovation, and ethical AI deployment, the Summit aims to accelerate inclusive economic growth, strengthen governance systems, and advance India’s vision of a digitally empowered and technology-driven nation.
CARE MCQ
Q. India–AI Impact Summit 2026 is significant because:
- It is the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South
- It focuses only on private-sector AI innovation
- It promotes responsible and inclusive AI adoption
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct – It is the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South
Statement 2 is incorrect — summit includes governance and public-sector focus.
Statement 3 is correct – It promotes responsible and inclusive AI adoption
Relevance:
GS Paper II: Governance, Environmental Regulation, Tribal Rights, Strategic Affairs
GS Paper III: Infrastructure, Environment & Biodiversity, Disaster Management, Maritime Security
Important Keywords
For Prelims:
- Great Nicobar Island (GNI), National Green Tribunal (NGT), Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ), International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT), Galathea Bay, Campbell Bay National Park, Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Shompen, Nicobarese, AAJVS, UNCLOS
For Mains:
- Sustainable Development, Strategic Infrastructure, Maritime Security, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Biodiversity Hotspot, Tribal Safeguards, Compensatory Afforestation, Coastal Regulation, Ecological Governance
Why in News?
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has upheld the environmental clearance granted to the ₹80,000–81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Project, stating that there were “adequate safeguards” and no “good ground” to interfere.
The tribunal also recognised the strategic importance of the project, marking a significant development in the debate between national security objectives and environmental protection.
What is the Great Nicobar Project?
- Background:
The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project, conceptualised by NITI Aayog and launched in 2021, is a large-scale infrastructure initiative designed to transform the southernmost island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into a major strategic and economic hub. The project aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and the broader Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. - Project Scope:
Development is planned across Galathea Bay, Pemmaya Bay, and Nanjappa Bay. Owing to its strategic location—nearly equidistant from Colombo (Sri Lanka), Port Klang (Malaysia), and Singapore—the island occupies a central position in regional maritime trade routes. - Major Infrastructure Components:
- International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT):
Intended to position Great Nicobar as a key node in the regional and global shipping network by facilitating cargo transshipment. - Greenfield International Airport:
Aimed at boosting civilian connectivity and tourism, while also offering dual-use defence capabilities. - Greenfield Township:
Planned to accommodate the anticipated population growth and associated economic activities. - Gas and Solar-Based Power Plant:
Designed to fulfil the energy demands of the proposed infrastructure.
- International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT):
- Tribal Safeguards:
The project mandates consultations with tribal welfare institutions, including the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in accordance with the Jarawa (2004) and Shompen (2015) Policies. Additionally, consultation with the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) under Article 338A(9) ensures protection of tribal rights and interests. - Environmental Measures:
The proposal incorporates eight wildlife corridors to ensure safe movement of fauna. As part of mitigation efforts, compensatory afforestation for trees cleared under the project is planned in Haryana, given that the island already maintains over 75% forest cover.
Strategic Importance of the Great Nicobar Project
- Control Over Key Maritime Gateways:
Great Nicobar lies close to the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits, which are among the busiest sea lanes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This geographical advantage enables India to oversee vital maritime routes that carry a significant portion of global trade and energy supplies.- Its proximity to Sabang Port (Indonesia) and the proposed Kra Canal (Thailand) further elevates its importance within the broader Indo-Pacific strategic landscape.
- Strengthening Maritime Surveillance Capabilities:
The project enhances India’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) by improving its ability to monitor naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This is particularly relevant amid China’s expanding naval presence and the reported military infrastructure development on Myanmar’s Coco Islands, located near India’s Andaman & Nicobar chain. - Forward Defence Positioning:
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands function as India’s strategic maritime outpost, sharing sea boundaries with Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.- This positioning strengthens India’s control over its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf rights as provided under the UNCLOS, 1982.
- Enhanced Military Preparedness and Deterrence:
Development under the project allows for the stationing of larger naval platforms, advanced aircraft, missile systems, and additional troops, thereby reinforcing India’s deterrence capability and operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific theatre. - Reducing Dependence on Foreign Ports:
The proposed International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) aims to minimise India’s reliance on external ports such as Singapore and Colombo for cargo transshipment, thereby integrating India more firmly into global maritime trade networks.
Concerns Associated with the Great Nicobar Project
1. Impact on Indigenous Communities
- The project raises fears of displacement of the Nicobarese tribal community, whose ancestral lands were already severely affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
- The proposed development may disrupt traditional habitation patterns, livelihoods, and cultural identity rooted in the island ecosystem.
2. Environmental and Ecological Risks
Large-Scale Deforestation:- Approximately 130 sq km of primary tropical rainforest (around 15% of the island’s land area) is proposed for diversion.
- The scale of tree felling could exceed 10 million trees, threatening a fragile island ecosystem.
- The project site overlaps with critical habitats, including areas once part of the Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, known for leatherback sea turtle nesting.
- Denotification of protected zones has intensified conservation concerns.
- Petitions have claimed that nearly 700 hectares fall within prohibited zones under the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) Notification, 2019, where development is restricted.
- Forest diversion is proposed to be offset through afforestation in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, which critics argue cannot substitute the ecological complexity of Nicobar’s endemic rainforest biodiversity.
3. Geological and Disaster Vulnerability
- The island’s substratum—comprising sandstone, limestone, shale, and volcanic formations—is highly seismic.
- The region is prone to earthquakes, liquefaction, and tsunamis, raising questions about long-term infrastructural stability.
4. Legal and Procedural Issues
- The Shekhar Singh Commission (2002) had recommended a strict ban on tree felling in tribal reserves and national parks, along with prior afforestation requirements.
- Concerns persist regarding compliance with these earlier judicial safeguards.
Measures to Ensure Long-Term Sustainability
1. Ecological Safeguards
- Explore innovative legal approaches such as granting legal personhood status to the Great Nicobar ecosystem to prioritise ecological integrity.
- Establish continuous ecological monitoring for coastal erosion, carbon emissions, biodiversity health, and soil stability, with adaptive mitigation measures.
2. Protection of Tribal Rights
- Develop culturally sensitive rehabilitation frameworks reflecting pre-tsunami habitation patterns.
- Ensure mandatory consultation and participation of Tribal Councils in decision-making, in line with the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
3. Institutional Transparency
- Constitute an independent multi-stakeholder oversight body including environmental scientists, tribal representatives, and government officials to monitor compliance with safeguards.
4. Sustainable Development Pathways
- Promote green employment avenues such as renewable energy, sustainable tourism, and low-impact maritime activities.
- Align development with India’s biodiversity conservation goals and climate commitments.
Conclusion
The National Green Tribunal’s clearance of the Great Nicobar Project reflects an attempt to reconcile strategic imperatives with environmental safeguards. However, the true test lies in implementation. Robust ecological protection, meaningful tribal consultation, and transparent institutional oversight are essential to ensure that national development does not result in irreversible ecological and cultural loss.
UPSC PYQ
Q. Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in the Indian territory.
- Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
- The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
-
- 1 only
- 2 and 3
- 3 only
- 1 and 3
- Barren Island is India’s only active volcano.
- It is located in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
- Barren Island is situated about 135 km northeast of Port Blair (Andaman Islands).
- It is not located 140 km east of Great Nicobar (which lies much further south).
- Although a major eruption occurred in 1991, the volcano has erupted multiple times afterward (including eruptions in 2005, 2017, 2018, and later phases).
- Hence, it has not remained inactive since 1991.
CARE MCQ
Q. Which among the following island pairs are separated by the Ten Degree Channel?
- Andaman and Nicobar
- Nicobar and Sumatra
- Maldives and Lakshadweep
- Sumatra and Java
- Eight Degree Channel: This channel forms the maritime boundary between India and the Maldives. It lies between Minicoy Island (India) and the Maldives.
- Nine Degree Channel: It separates Minicoy Island from the rest of the Lakshadweep group of islands.
- Ten Degree Channel: It divides the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.