Nation

New Delhi, February 19, 2026: Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s new “MANAV Vision” for Artificial Intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, outlining a human-centric blueprint for managing AI in the coming decades. Addressing global policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society representatives, PM Modi explained that “MANAV” stands for “human” and represents ethical, accountable, and inclusive AI governance. Decoding MANAV M – Moral and Ethical Systems: AI should operate on ethical guidance. A – Accountable Governance: Transparent rules and robust oversight are essential. N – National Sovereignty: Data ownership and digital self-determination must be ensured. A – Accessible and Inclusive Systems: AI should be multipolar, avoiding monopol...

Following the terror attack in the Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam on April 22 last year, militants in Jammu and Kashmir have changed their operational patterns. They are increasingly targeting high-altitude, snow-covered areas, which are harder for security forces to access and frequently visited by tourists. CRPF Adopts New Strategy In response, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have revised their deployment strategy. The CRPF is now establishing Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) on snow-covered mountain peaks to maintain a permanent security presence. According to CRPF sources, 43 high-altitude TOBs—at around 6,000 feet and above—have been set up across the region since last year’s Baisaran attack, with 17 in Jammu and 26 in Kashmir. The first TOB wa...

A technical glitch at major airports in Delhi and Mumbai caused significant disruption for passengers on Thursday, affecting multiple flights and creating long queues at check-in counters. What Happened The issue originated from a server malfunction in the Navitaire system, which airlines use for booking, check-in, and boarding operations. This sudden failure left hundreds of passengers stranded and caused operational delays across terminals. At Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, the glitch was reported around 6:45 AM. Technical teams managed to restore the system by 7:30 AM, but during the outage, airline staff had to manually update passenger information, resulting in long lines and delayed flights during the morning rush. Similarly, at Chhatrapati Shivaji M...

Following the recent India-France defense deal, momentum has accelerated for India’s fifth-generation indigenous stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The advanced Mk2 variant, planned with engines developed jointly with France, promises significantly enhanced performance over the Mk1. AMCA Development Plan While India continues to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is eagerly awaiting the arrival of a domestic fifth-generation stealth platform to meet modern combat requirements. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has already initiated the AMCA program, which will consist of two versions: Mk1 and Mk2. According to ADA officials, the final test unit is expected by 2031, with the first prototypes ready by late 20...

As the nation celebrates Shivaji Jayanti on February 19, large crowds gathered at Shivneri Fort in Pune district, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, commemorating his historic Rajyabhishek (coronation). The celebrations, however, were marred by a stampede in which several women and children were injured. Pandit Gag Bhatt’s Message to Shivaji In 1674, Pandit Gag Bhatt, a revered scholar from Varanasi, conveyed to Shivaji: "Only you have demonstrated true valor by defeating Muslim sultans, pacifying Aurangzeb, and defeating his advisors. You have secured a vast kingdom, an army of one lakh cavalry, 360 forts, and immense wealth. Yet, you remain without a formal throne. We wish to crown you, so that other rulers may honor you as the king of kings. Only with a formal coron...

The Supreme Court of India has directed the National Judicial Academy (NJA) to prepare comprehensive draft guidelines aimed at making the trial of sexual offense cases more sensitive and victim-centric. The court emphasized that these guidelines should reflect the realities and cultural values of Indian society, rather than merely replicating foreign legal terminology or models. Background of the Case The order was issued by a bench led by Chief Justice of India Sunil Suryakant, which was hearing a case taken suo motu in 2025. The matter involved an Allahabad High Court order that had refused to classify the attempted molestation of a minor girl—including grabbing her breasts, breaking the drawstring of her pajama, and attempting to drag her under a bridge—as rape or attempted rape. ...

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat spoke extensively about the organization’s achievements, challenges, and vision for the future. Addressing an audience at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, Bhagwat engaged in a 2.5-hour interactive session, discussing the RSS’s stance on contemporary social, economic, and political issues. Tariff Disputes On recent trade conflicts, Bhagwat expressed confidence in India’s ability to withstand pressure from powerful nations. “The recent tariff challenges will not deter India from leading the Global South. No country can intimidate us; we will stand firm, and matters will normalize soon,” he said, referring to the initial 50% tariffs imposed by the U.S. and the subsequ...

Following the controversy surrounding his name in the Epstein files, Bill Gates will no longer lead the Gates Foundation’s participation at the AI Impact Summit. The foundation announced that Gates will not deliver his scheduled speech on February 19. Instead, Ankur Vora, President of the foundation’s India and Africa offices, will represent the organization at the summit. The statement reaffirmed the Gates Foundation’s commitment to shared goals in health and development. Background Just two days prior, reports surfaced indicating that Gates would not attend the summit, and his name was removed from the list of speakers on the event website. The Indian government did not provide an official response regarding his absence. Government Response In a press briefing, Union IT Minis...

In a landmark ruling aimed at curbing the rising tide of financial frauds such as Ponzi schemes, the Supreme Court of India has declared that swindling people’s hard-earned money will now be treated as a heinous crime. Importantly, the Court clarified that the principle of “bail is the rule, jail is the exception” will not apply to such offenses. Bail Will No Longer Be Easy for Financial Fraudsters The Court’s verdict comes as a response to increasing incidents of financial scams across the country. Offenders involved in cheating schemes that exploit ordinary citizens will now be classified under serious criminal offenses, making it far more difficult for them to secure bail. The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, which...