Daily Current Affairs- 19th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 19th February 2026

Gujarat Paves the Way for Women’s Workforce Expansion with Landmark Bill

In the News: The Gujarat Assembly unanimously passed the Gujarat Shops and Establishments (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introduced by Labour Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya. The landmark amendment permits night shifts for women, increases daily working hours, and raises the overtime limit — replacing an ordinance issued in December 2025.

Key Points:

• Night Shifts for Women: The amendment formally permits women to work night shifts between 9 pm and 6 am, with employment strictly subject to the woman employee's consent. Mandatory safeguards include rest rooms and ladies' toilets, night crèche facilities, protection of dignity and honour, measures against sexual harassment, and transportation from workplace to residence.
• Revised Working Hours: Daily working hours have been increased from 9 to 10 hours, while the weekly cap remains unchanged at 48 hours. No employee can work continuously beyond 6 hours without a mandatory 30-minute break. This change provides operational flexibility to establishments while retaining worker protection norms.
• Overtime Limit Raised: The quarterly overtime limit has been raised from 125 hours to 144 hours per quarter (3 months). Overtime wage protection remains intact — overtime must be paid at twice the ordinary wage rate, safeguarding workers' compensation rights during peak-staffing periods.
• Government Oversight Retained: Despite permitting night shifts for women, the state government retains authority to prohibit or regulate women's employment between 9 pm and 6 am, based on public interest considerations. This ensures flexibility for future restrictions in specific sectors or regions if required.
• Legislative Background: The provisions were first introduced via an ordinance in December 2025, when the Assembly was not in session. The Amendment Bill now replaces that ordinance with formal legislative backing. While the Bill was passed unanimously, the Opposition extended support in implementation, and the government assured strict enforcement of all safeguards.

Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026: Why 19 February Is a Day of Pride, Courage and Swarajya

In the News: Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 was celebrated on February 19, 2026, across India — especially in Maharashtra — to honour the 396th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The day commemorates his ideals of Swarajya (self-rule), military brilliance, just governance, and cultural pride.

Key Points:

• Birth & Early Life: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort in present-day Maharashtra, to Shahajiraje Bhosale and Jijabai. His mother Jijabai was instrumental in shaping his values of courage, justice, and discipline. His mentor Dadoji Konddev provided military training and administrative knowledge from an early age. He captured Torna Fort at just 16 years of age, marking the beginning of his Swarajya campaign.
• Coronation & Reign: Shivaji Maharaj was crowned Chhatrapati on June 6, 1674, at Raigad Fort — becoming the first Chhatrapati of the Maratha Empire. His reign (1674–1680) established a strong, people-centric kingdom built on merit-based appointments, fair governance, and protection of all communities regardless of religion.
• Military Genius: He pioneered guerrilla warfare (Ganimi Kava), using surprise attacks, speed, and the strategic advantage of the Sahyadri mountain ranges. He built or strengthened over 300 forts, including Raigad, Sinhagad, and Pratapgad. Notably, he also established a powerful naval force to protect India's western coastline — making him one of India's earliest naval strategists.
• Administrative Excellence: Shivaji Maharaj established an efficient revenue system, appointed ministers based on merit rather than caste or religion, protected farmers, and ensured justice without discrimination. He promoted Marathi and Sanskrit as official languages, reviving Indian court culture and traditions. His governance model is still studied for its fairness and efficiency.
• History of the Jayanti Celebration: Social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule first initiated the public celebration of Shivaji Jayanti in 1870 to highlight his contributions to society. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak later popularised it in the late 19th century as a tool to inspire nationalism and unity during the freedom movement, making it a symbol of resistance and self-respect.

Death Penalty in India

In the News: The Square Circle Clinic (formerly Project 39A) at NALSAR University of Law published the "Death Penalty in India: Annual Statistics Report 2025," revealing alarming systemic failures — including the Supreme Court not confirming a single death sentence for the third consecutive year, and acquittal rates far outpacing confirmation rates across Indian courts.

Key Points:

• Report's Key Findings: For the third consecutive year, the Supreme Court confirmed zero death sentences in 2025. It acquitted 10 death row prisoners — the highest in a decade — and decided in favour of acquittal in over 50% of cases it heard. Over the last decade, High Courts acquitted 326 persons (34.65%) from death row, a rate nearly four times the confirmation rate of 8.31%. The death row population stands at 574 as of December 2025, the highest since 2016, with Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra holding the largest shares.
• About the Death Penalty in India: Capital punishment is the execution of an offender convicted by a court of law, rooted in retributive justice. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, approximately 14 offence categories attract the death penalty, including murder, terrorism, mob lynching resulting in death, and rape of a minor. Juveniles, pregnant women, and mentally ill persons are exempt from execution.
• Appellate Process & Legal Recourse: A Sessions Court death sentence must be confirmed by the High Court; the accused can further appeal to the Supreme Court. Additional remedies include a Mercy Petition to the President (Article 72) or Governor (Article 161), and a Curative Petition (evolved in Rupa Ashok Hurra v. Ashok Hurra, 2002) to cure a gross miscarriage of justice.
• Key Supreme Court Judgements: Jagmohan Singh v. State of U.P. (1973) upheld the constitutional validity of the death penalty. Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) established the "rarest of rare" doctrine, requiring courts to weigh aggravating against mitigating circumstances. Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India (2014) ruled that undue delay in execution amounts to torture and is grounds for commutation. Manoj v. State of M.P. (2022) made mitigation reports mandatory before sentencing.
• Life Without Remission (LWOR) Concerns: A growing trend sees courts imposing "life imprisonment without remission" or fixed-term sentences (some up to 60 years) as an alternative to death. 58.83% of High Court commutations and 61.97% of Supreme Court commutations resulted in LWOR sentences.
• Law Commission's Evolving Stance: The 35th Report (1967) strongly supported the death penalty. The 187th Report (2003) acknowledged procedural flaws without advocating abolition. The 262nd Report (2015) recommended abolishing the death penalty for all crimes except terrorism and waging war against the state.

Rajya Sabha Elections

In the News: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for biennial elections to fill 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states. Notifications will be issued on February 26, nominations can be filed till March 5, and polling is scheduled for March 16, 2026.

Key Points:

• Election Schedule & Seats: 37 seats are falling vacant across 10 states — Maharashtra (7), Tamil Nadu (6), Bihar (5), West Bengal (5), Odisha (4), Assam (3), Telangana (2), Chhattisgarh (2), Haryana (2), and Himachal Pradesh (1). Notable outgoing members include Union Ministers Ramnath Thakur and Ramdas Athawale, Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Sharad Pawar, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and M. Thambidurai.
• About Rajya Sabha: The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. Under Article 80, its maximum strength is 250 — 238 elected representatives of States/UTs and 12 members nominated by the President for expertise in literature, science, art, and social service. Currently, it has 245 members. Seats are allocated to States/UTs based on population as per the Fourth Schedule.
• Eligibility (Article 84): A candidate must be an Indian citizen, at least 30 years of age, and take a prescribed oath. Post the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2003, a candidate can be an elector from any parliamentary constituency in India (domicile requirement removed).
• Tenure & Continuity: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved. Members serve a six-year term, with one-third retiring every two years. Bye-elections fill vacancies caused by resignation, death, or disqualification, with the elected member serving only the remainder of the original term.
• Open Ballot System: Voting is not secret for MLAs belonging to political parties — they must show their marked ballot to the party's authorized agent before submitting it, to prevent cross-voting. Independent MLAs are exempt from this requirement.
• Anti-Defection & NOTA: The Supreme Court ruled that voting against the party whip in Rajya Sabha elections does not attract disqualification under the 10th Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), though the party may take disciplinary action. NOTA was scrapped for Rajya Sabha elections by the Supreme Court in 2018 (Shailesh Manubhai Parmar vs. Union of India), as it defeats the principle of proportional representation.

India & UK Launch Offshore Wind Taskforce Under Vision 2035

In the News: India and the United Kingdom launched the India-UK Offshore Wind Taskforce on February 18, 2026, during the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue. The initiative, operating under Vision 2035, aims to accelerate offshore wind development in India by combining UK expertise with India's large-scale renewable energy ambitions.

Key Points:

• Launch & Leadership: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi launched the taskforce alongside UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron. Joshi described it as a "Trustforce" — focused on measurable milestones and outcomes aligned with Indian conditions, rather than symbolic partnerships.
• Framework & Purpose: The taskforce operates under Vision 2035 and the Fourth India-UK Energy Dialogue to provide strategic leadership for building India's offshore wind ecosystem. The UK contributes experience in scaling offshore wind and mature supply chains, while India offers market scale and rapidly growing clean energy demand.
• Three Key Pillars: The taskforce focuses on three priority areas — (1) Ecosystem planning and market design, including seabed leasing frameworks and revenue certainty mechanisms; (2) Infrastructure and supply chains, covering port modernisation, domestic manufacturing, and specialised marine vessels; and (3) Financing and risk mitigation through blended finance models and long-term institutional capital.
• Identified Wind Zones & VGF Support: Promising offshore wind zones have been identified off the coasts of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, backed by surveys from the National Institute of Wind Energy. To support early-stage projects, the government has approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme worth ₹7,453 crore (approximately £710 million).
• Link with Green Hydrogen Mission: The taskforce aligns with India's National Green Hydrogen Mission. Offshore wind can supply high-quality renewable power to coastal green hydrogen clusters. India leads the Hydrogen Breakthrough Goal under the international Breakthrough Agenda, with green hydrogen prices falling to ₹279 per kg and green ammonia to ₹49.75 per kg.

Kerala Declares Tidal Flooding a State-Specific Disaster

In the News: Kerala became the first state in India to officially declare tidal flooding a State-specific disaster, enabling victims to receive financial assistance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The decision was prompted by recurrent sea incursions causing loss of life, property, and livelihoods along the state's coastline

Key Points:

• Historic Declaration: Kerala is the first state in India to classify tidal flooding (coastal high-tide flooding/sea incursion) as a State-specific disaster, unlocking SDRF-based compensation and relief for affected coastal families.
• What is Tidal Flooding? It occurs when the Arabian Sea level temporarily rises above an identified threshold, inundating low-lying coastal areas. Unlike cyclone-induced storm surges, it happens twice daily and intensifies during full and new moon phases (spring tides). The situation worsens when high tides coincide with coastal storms, with seawater entering inland through rivers, backwaters, and canals.
• Legal Basis: Section 2(d) of the Disaster Management Act permits a state to classify a natural event as a disaster if it causes substantial damage to life, livelihood, and property. Kerala invoked this provision, arguing that coastal high-tide flooding exceeds normal limits in many areas.
• Why Kerala is Uniquely Vulnerable: Kerala's distinct topography sets it apart — parts of Alappuzha (Kuttanad region) lie below sea level, and Kochi is barely above sea level. Frequently affected areas include Vypin, Chellanam, Edakochi, Perumbadappu, and Kumbalanghi. Nine coastal districts are particularly at risk.
• Scale of Impact: At least 10% of Kerala's population is affected by high-tide flooding. Aggravating factors include excessive river siltation, reduced depth of lakes, and poor land-use patterns with structures built in floodplains. Unlike rainfall flooding, tidal flooding is a year-round hazard.
• Other State-Specific Disasters in Kerala: Apart from nationally notified disasters, Kerala has previously notified coastal erosion, lightning, strong winds, soil piping, heatwave/sunstroke/sunburn, human-wildlife conflict, and a shipwreck (MSE Elsa 3, which capsized on May 25, 2025, off the Kerala coast) as State-specific disasters.