CURRENT AFFAIRS 20-21 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 20-21 February, 2026

1. INDIA REVISES BASE YEAR OF MERCHANDISE TRADE INDICES TO 2022-23 –

• Government of India has revised the base year of India’s merchandise trade indices from 2012-13 to 2022-23. The update, announced on 20 February 2026, aims to improve the relevance, reliability, and analytical usefulness of trade data for policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders. The revision has been undertaken by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S) in view of structural changes in the economy and evolving global trade patterns.

Why Was the Base Year of India’s Merchandise Trade Indices Revised?

• The base year of India’s merchandise trade indices was revised to 2022-23 to reflect the current structure of India’s external trade.
• Since 2012-13, India’s economy has undergone major structural shifts, including changes in commodity composition, export diversification, and new trade partnerships.
• The government stated that updating the base year ensures better alignment with contemporary macroeconomic indicators and global best practices.
• The revision was carried out based on recommendations of a committee chaired by Professor Nachiketa Chattopadhyay of the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.

2. TRUMP SLAPS 10% GLOBAL TARIFF ON ALL IMPORTS AFTER SUPREME COURT SETBACK –

• In a major global trade development, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a 10% tariff on imports from all countries. The decision came after the US Supreme Court ruled against his earlier sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on 20 February 2026. The new tariff will take effect from 25 February 2026. The move is expected to increase global trade tensions and impact major economies, including India.

Why Did Trump Announce the 10% Global Tariff After SC Decision?

• The Trump 10% global tariff decision followed a 6-3 ruling by the US Supreme Court, which stated that the President did not have authority under IEEPA to impose broad global tariffs.
• The court judgment was delivered on 20 February 2026.
• After criticizing the ruling, Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
• This provision allows the President to impose temporary tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days to address balance-of-payments issues or trade deficits.
• Using this law, Trump announced a non-discriminatory 10% tariff on all imports. Any extension beyond 150 days would require Congressional approval.

3. INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY 2026: YOUTH VOICES ON MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION –

• International Mother Language Day 2026 will be observed on 21 February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide. Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 and later adopted by the UN General Assembly, the day highlights the importance of multilingual education and preservation of endangered languages. The 2026 theme, “Youth voices on multilingual education,” focuses on empowering young people to protect linguistic diversity. With nearly 40% of learners lacking education in their mother tongue, International Mother Language Day 2026 stresses inclusive education and cultural identity.

International Mother Language Day 2026: Theme and Focus

• The theme for International Mother Language Day 2026 is “Youth voices on multilingual education.”
• In recent years, migration, digital growth and globalization have reshaped the linguistic landscape.
• Young people are actively revitalizing endangered languages through digital platforms, cultural content, and advocacy.
• UNESCO multilingual education initiatives emphasise that learning in one’s mother tongue improves cognitive development, participation, and well-being.
• International Mother Language Day 2026 underlines that multilingualism is not just social reality but a fundamental human trait.

4. DEFENSE MINISTER RAJNATH SINGH INAUGURATES 13TH EDITION OF EXERCISE MILAN-2026 –

• India’s maritime outreach reached a significant milestone as Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the 13th edition of Exercise MILAN-2026 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The prestigious multilateral naval exercise witnessed participation from 74 nations, making it the largest and most inclusive edition in its history. Addressing naval chiefs, defense delegates, and officials, Mr. Singh described MILAN-2026 as a reflection of the global maritime community’s trust in India as a responsible and reliable maritime partner. The scale and diversity of participation highlight India’s growing stature in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

What is Exercise MILAN?

• Exercise MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
• It began in 1995 as a modest regional initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation among friendly navies in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Over the years, it has evolved into one of the world’s prominent naval engagements, expanding from a handful of regional participants to dozens of nations from across the globe.
• The 2026 edition is being conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command, headquartered in Visakhapatnam, which serves as India’s strategic naval hub on the eastern seaboard.

5. INDIA JOINS TRUMP’S GAZA PEACE BOARD AS OBSERVER AMID GLOBAL DIPLOMACY PUSH –

• India participated as an observer in US President Donald Trump’s inaugural Board of Peace meeting focused on Gaza reconstruction and stabilisation. Represented by Namgya C Khampa, Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, India joined over 40 countries and the European Union at the event. While India did not become a formal member of the board, its presence signals engagement with evolving diplomatic efforts related to the Gaza conflict and regional peace initiatives.

What Is Trump’s Gaza Board of Peace?

• Donald Trump convened the Board of Peace to,
• Focus on Gaza reconstruction
• Mobilise an international stabilisation force
• Promote a structured peace framework
• The meeting was hosted at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace and included leaders from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

India’s Role as an Observer

• India opted to attend as an observer rather than a board member. Other observer nations included,
• Germany
• Italy
• Norway
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom

MCQ QUIZ

Q1   A new meat-eating dinosaur named Spinosaurus mirabilis was discovered in which desert ?

1. a) Gobi Desert
2. b) Atacama Desert
3. c) Sahara Desert
4. d) Kalahari Desert

Q2.  The Strait of Gibraltar, that was recently seen in news, separates which two continents ?

1. a) Europe and Africa
2. b) Europe and Asia
3. c) Asia and Australia
4. d) Africa and Asia

Q3.  The ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative is associated with which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Rural Development
2. b) Ministry of Agriculture
3. c) Ministry of Finance
4. d) Ministry of Women and Child Development

Q4.  Which one of the following best describes the fundamental operational difference between a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and a Central Processing Unit (CPU) ?

1. a) GPUs are designed to handle fewer complex sequential tasks, whereas CPUs excel at repetitive, data-intensive computations.
2. b) GPUs utilize a parallel architecture to perform thousands of independent calculations simultaneously, unlike the sequential focus of CPUs.
3. c) CPUs rely on specialized Tensor cores for rendering, while GPUs use CUDA cores for general-purpose operating system management.
4. d) GPUs process data using a compute pipeline that converts geometric shapes into pixels, a task that CPUs cannot perform.

Explanation-

• The core distinction between a GPU and a CPU lies in their architecture and the type of tasks they are optimized for. Option (b) is the correct answer. A CPU is often called the “brain” of the computer, designed to handle a wide range of complex, sequential logic and branch operations.
• In contrast, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is built for parallel processing. It contains hundreds or thousands of smaller, more specialized cores (like CUDA or Tensor cores) that can handle “embarrassingly parallel” workloads—tasks where thousands of independent, simple calculations can be done at the same time.
• While CPUs can perform graphics tasks, they are significantly slower at it because they lack the parallel bandwidth of a GPU. The rendering pipeline (vertex processing, rasterization, shading) mentioned in option (d) is a process GPUs use, but saying CPUs cannot perform these tasks is technically inaccurate; they just do so inefficiently.
• In the context of Artificial Intelligence, GPUs are indispensable because modern neural networks rely on massive matrix multiplications. The high memory bandwidth (GDDR6X/HBM3) of GPUs allows them to move the massive datasets required for Large Language Models (LLMs) far more effectively than traditional CPUs.

Q5.  With reference to the Pax Silica initiaves, consider the following statements:

1. It is a multilateral initiative focusing on resilient supply chains for AI and semiconductor technologies.
2. It was launched to promote climate finance cooperation among developing countries.
3. It emphasises collaboration among trusted partners in critical minerals and advanced technologies.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 1 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: Pax Silica focuses on AI infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: It is not related to climate finance; it is a technology and supply chain security initiative.
• Statement 3 – Correct: It promotes cooperation among “trusted partners” in critical minerals and advanced tech sectors.

Answer Key