Daily Current Affairs — 18 February 2026
4 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
A Separate Classification for Denotified Tribes
In News The Union government assured leaders of Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) that they will be enumerated in the second phase of the 2027 Census, but details of the process remain unclear. Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) Denotified, nomadic, and semi-nomadic tribes were once labeled “criminal” by colonial authorities under the Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871, which described certain communities as inherently predisposed to crime due to caste-based her
Strengthening Public Health Through Tobacco Tax Reforms
Context India, the world’s second-largest tobacco producer and consumer, continues to face a severe public health burden as cigarette taxes make up only about 53% of the retail price, well below WHO benchmark. About Tobacco Tobacco is a commercial crop obtained mainly from the plant Nicotiana tabacum, whose leaves contain nicotine, a highly addictive alkaloid that stimulates the central nervous system. It is used in smoking forms (cigarettes, cigars, beedis) and smokeless forms (gutka, khaini, c
AI and Future of Employability
Context At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a high-level discussion on “The Future of Employability in the Age of AI” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, educators and innovators. About The discussion examined which skills, roles, and mindsets will remain relevant as automation accelerates and what individuals must do to stay employable. Speakers emphasised the growing importance of creativity, systems thinking, adaptability, and lifelong learning over narrow task-based expertise.
India and France upgrade ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership
Context The French President arrived on a three-day official visit to India to participate in the AI Impact Summit. Major Outcomes PM Modi announced the establishment of a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’ with France. India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement for another 10 years at the sixth India-France Annual Defence Dialogue.