Current Affairs 19 February 2026

Kerala Launched India's 1st Graphene Policy To Become Global Tech Hub.

• Kerala launched India's first graphene policy unifying research, pilot production, innovation, and commercialization efforts in advanced materials.
• Focus areas include cutting-edge R&D, nurturing specialized startups, integrating into global value chains etc.
• Backs funding, IP, standards, and market development across electronics ETC. to position state as a graphene industry leader.

Smriti Mandhana Named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025.

• Star cricketer Smriti Mandhana received the 2025 BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 award after leading India to a historic Women’s World Cup win.
• Other contenders included chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Paralympic medalist Preethi Pal, with shooter Anjali Bhagwat getting the Lifetime Achievement Award.

TASL Inaugurate India’s 1st Private-Sector Airbus H125 Helicopter Line.

• Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) opened India’s first private-sector helicopter Final Assembly Line for the Airbus H125 in Vemagal, Karnataka.
• The partnership boosts AatmaNirbhar Bharat, enabling manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of the H125 helicopters in India, with localised support for operators.
• H125 is the world’s best-selling single-engine helicopter.

NGT Upholds ₹81,000 Cr Great Nicobar Project with Strict Rules.

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) cleared the ₹81,000 crore Great Nicobar mega project including a port, airport, power plant, & township despite legal challenges, insisting on compliance with all green norms.
• The project will use 130.75 sq km forest & affect 84.1 sq km of tribal territory; authorities must fully enforce Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) rules & environmental conditions.

NPCI Partners With NVIDIA For AI Infrastructure for Payments Ecosystem.

• National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and NVIDIA partnered to build advanced, sovereign AI models tailored for India’s massive digital payments infrastructure.
• Enhances real-time payment system trust, security, & ecosystem innovation using NVIDIA’s AI and computing platforms.
• Leverages NPCI’s payments domain expertise with NVIDIA’s technology for scalable payment solutions in India.