Daily Current Affairs- 23rd February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 23rd February 2026

Big Change at Rashtrapati Bhavan! Lutyens Statue to Be Replaced by C Rajagopalachari

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the bust of Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the existing bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens. The event was held as part of the Rajaji Utsav, celebrating Rajaji's life and legacy as part of India's ongoing decolonisation efforts

Key Points:

• The Change: The bust of Edwin Lutyens at the Grand Open Staircase near Ashok Mandap — opposite the statue of Mahatma Gandhi — has been replaced by the bust of C. Rajagopalachari. This is part of a broader initiative to shed colonial vestiges and embrace India's cultural heritage.
• Significance of Placement: Rajaji's bust is positioned opposite the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting their close bond of deep mutual trust and friendship. The replacement of Lutyens' bust is described as an important act of mental decolonisation.
• Rajaji Utsav: A cultural event at Rashtrapati Bhavan featuring a photo and book exhibition, a film on Rajaji's life, and cultural performances. The exhibition will be open to the public from February 24 to March 1, 2026 at Amrit Udyan.
• About C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji): Born on December 10, 1878, in Salem, Madras Province (now Tamil Nadu), he was the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India. He led the Vedaranyam Salt Satyagraha (1930), mirroring Gandhi's Dandi March, and authored the C.R. Formula (1944) to resolve the constitutional deadlock between the INC and the Muslim League. He served as Governor of West Bengal, Union Home Minister, and Chief Minister of Madras State, and founded the Swatantra Party (1959), advocating for a free-market economy. He won the Sahitya Akademi Award (1958) for his Tamil retelling of the Ramayana, Chakravarthi Thirumagan, and was one of the first three recipients of the Bharat Ratna (1954), alongside Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and C.V. Raman.
• About Edwin Lutyens: A British architect who, alongside Sir Herbert Baker, designed Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block, South Block, and India Gate in New Delhi. A part of New Delhi is called Lutyens' Delhi in recognition of his architectural legacy.

India Launches 'PRAHAAR': New National Counter-Terrorism Policy Sets Zero-Tolerance Framework

In the News: India unveiled its National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy, titled 'PRAHAAR', establishing a comprehensive zero-tolerance framework against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. The policy outlines a multi-agency, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to prevent, respond to, and recover from terrorist threats.

Key Points:

• India's Stance on Terrorism: India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilization. It has consistently opposed terrorism unambiguously and unequivocally, standing firmly by the victims of terrorism with the principle that there can be no justification for violence.
• What is PRAHAAR? PRAHAAR is India's counter-terrorism strategy, with each letter representing a pillar — Prevention of terror attacks; Responses that are swift and proportionate; Aggregating internal capacities for a whole-of-government approach; Human rights and Rule of Law-based processes; Attenuating conditions enabling terrorism including radicalization; Aligning and shaping international counter-terrorism efforts; and Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.
• Threat Profile Identified: India faces sponsored cross-border terrorism by Jihadi outfits, threats from global groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS through sleeper cells, drone-based infiltration especially in Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, misuse of social media, encrypted apps, dark web, and crypto wallets for funding and coordination, nexus between organized criminal networks and terrorist groups, and threats from CBRNED (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, Digital) materials and cyber-attacks.
• Prevention Mechanism: India follows an Intelligence-Guided pro-active approach. The Multi Agency Centre (MAC) along with the Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) serve as nodal platforms for real-time intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism coordination.
• Response Framework: Local police are the first responders, supported by specialised State and Central anti-terror forces. The National Security Guard (NSG) under MHA is the nodal national Counter-Terror Force for major attacks. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducts CT investigations with high prosecution rates to deter future incidents.
• Legal Framework: The principal legislation is the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, supplemented by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002, and others. India is also a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
• Countering Radicalization: Intelligence agencies disrupt terrorist recruitment of Indian youth. Community leaders, moderate preachers, and NGOs are engaged to spread awareness. De-radicalization programs are undertaken, including in prisons. Government schemes address poverty and unemployment to prevent exploitation by extremist elements.

Operation Demolishment Targets Naxal Memorials

In the News: India's intensified campaign against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has entered a decisive new phase with the launch of Operation Demolishment, under which security forces have been dismantling memorials and monuments erected by Naxal operatives to glorify their leaders and propagate extremist ideology. A total of 203 such structures have been demolished across Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh so far, with 2026 witnessing an unprecedented surge in demolitions.

Key Points:

• Operation Demolishment: A targeted counterinsurgency initiative aimed at dismantling Naxal memorials and monuments used to commemorate slain cadres, organise gatherings, and recruit local youth — particularly in remote forested areas. It targets not just armed cadres but also the ideological and psychological foundations of Naxalism.
• Scale of Demolitions — Chhattisgarh: 0 structures in 2023, 8 in 2024, 11 in 2025, and 130 in 2026 — bringing the state total to 149 structures demolished.
• Scale of Demolitions — Maharashtra: 1 structure in 2023, 2 in 2024, 7 in 2025, and 45 in 2026 — bringing the state total to 55 structures demolished. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Gadchiroli police, calling it a victory of democracy over fear.
• Combined Total: 203 memorials and monuments demolished across both states, with the bulk occurring in 2026, signalling a sharp escalation in the anti-Naxal campaign.
• Ideological & Psychological Impact: Security agencies maintain that these memorials served as tools of ideological outreach — used to glorify slain Naxal cadres, hold commemorative events, and influence vulnerable youth. Dismantling them aims at eroding the psychological grip of extremist organisations and curbing their narrative-building and recruitment mechanisms.
• Broader Counterinsurgency Strategy: Operation Demolishment complements ongoing combing operations against active cadres and efforts to disrupt recruitment and support networks. Authorities have indicated that similar measures may be extended to other LWE-affected regions.
• About Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India: Commonly associated with the Naxalite or Maoist insurgency, the "Red Corridor" refers to LWE-affected districts spread across central and eastern India. Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra are among the most severely affected states. Counterinsurgency strategy includes both security operations and developmental initiatives targeting poverty, unemployment, and governance deficits.

India-US Vajra Prahar 2026: Special Forces Gear Up for 16th Joint Exercise in Himachal

In the News: India and the United States commenced the 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar from February 23 to March 15, 2026, at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The annual joint Special Forces exercise aims to deepen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability, and strengthen combined counter-terrorism capabilities between the two nations.

Key Points:

• About Exercise Vajra Prahar: A bilateral Special Forces exercise conducted alternately in India and the United States, focusing on promoting military cooperation through enhanced interoperability, jointness, and mutual exchange of advanced special operations tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• 16th Edition — Key Details: Held from February 23 to March 15, 2026, at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The Indian contingent comprises Indian Army Special Forces units while the US side is represented by the US Army Green Berets.
• Training Focus Areas: The exercise covers close-quarter battle drills, counter-terrorism operations, urban warfare simulations, high-altitude and desert/semi-desert environment scenario training, and exchange of advanced special operations tactics and techniques.
• Previous Editions: The 15th edition (2024) was held in Idaho, USA with 45 personnel from each side. The 14th edition (2023) was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya, featuring helocasting operations and joint drills using Mi-17 helicopters at Umiam Lake.
• Other Major India-US Joint Military Exercises: Yudh Abhyas (Army), Malabar (Naval), and Cope India (Air Force).
• Exercise Vayushakti-26 (Related Development): The Indian Air Force will demonstrate its operational prowess at the Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer on February 27, 2026, featuring full-spectrum operations with platforms including Tejas, Rafale, Sukhoi-30MKI, Mirage-2000, Jaguar, MiG-29, C-130J, C-17, Apache, Chinook, and RPAs. Advanced weapon systems such as Akash, SpyDer, SRLM, and Counter-UAS systems will also be demonstrated alongside day, dusk, and night missions and HADR capabilities.

‘One Battle After Another’ Dominates 2026 BAFTAs with Six Wins: Check Full List of Winners

In the News: The 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2026) were held on February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall, hosted by Alan Cumming. Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' emerged as the biggest winner of the night, sweeping six awards including Best Film and Best Director. The ceremony was notable for Robert Aramayo winning both Best Actor and the Rising Star Award.

Key Points:

• About BAFTA: An annual award ceremony honoring excellence in British and international films, presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. First held on May 29, 1949 in the UK, it has been officially known as the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2013 and has been broadcast by the BBC since 1956.
• 'One Battle After Another' — Six Wins: The top film of the night won Best Film, Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson — his first-ever BAFTA Best Director win), Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Sean Penn), Cinematography (Michael Bauman), and Editing (Andy Jurgensen).
• Sinners — Three Wins: Original Screenplay (Ryan Coogler), Supporting Actress (Wunmi Mosaku), and Original Score (Ludwig Göransson).
• Hamnet — Two Wins: Outstanding British Film and Leading Actress (Jessie Buckley).
• Frankenstein — Three Wins (Crafts): Costume Design (Kate Hawley), Make Up & Hair, and Production Design.
• Key Acting Honours: Leading Actor — Robert Aramayo (I Swear); Leading Actress — Jessie Buckley (Hamnet); Supporting Actor — Sean Penn (One Battle After Another); Supporting Actress — Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners); EE Rising Star Award (public vote) — Robert Aramayo.
• Other Major Category Winners: Film Not in the English Language — Sentimental Value; Documentary — Mr. Nobody Against Putin; Animated Film — Zootropolis 2; Children's & Family Film — Boong (historic win for India); Outstanding Debut — My Father's Shadow; Sound — F1; Special Visual Effects — Avatar: Fire and Ash; British Short Film — This Is Endometriosis; British Short Animation — Two Black Boys In Paradise.
• Special Honours: BAFTA Fellowship — Donna Langley; Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema — Clare Binns.
• Notable Highlights: Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another) was nominated for Leading Actor but did not win. Boong winning Best Children's & Family Film was celebrated as a historic win for India.

India-US trade deal: Why a ‘modify commitments’ clause in framework agreement offers New Delhi wriggle room

In the News: India's trade negotiations with the United States have entered a complex phase following a US Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Trump's sweeping tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This development has activated a critical 'modify commitments' clause (Clause 8) in the India-US Framework for an Interim Trade Agreement, potentially allowing India to recalibrate its concessions and pause or renegotiate the deal.

Key Points:

• Background — India-US Trade Framework: India and the US reached a Framework for an Interim Trade Agreement earlier in February 2026, based on a US-India Joint Statement dated February 6, 2026. The deal was still under negotiation — no legal text had been signed yet. Indian trade negotiators were headed to Washington DC for three-day talks to finalise the legal text but aborted the trip as New Delhi pushed for rescheduling.
• The Critical Clause 8 — 'Modify Commitments': Clause 8 states that in the event of any changes to agreed-upon tariffs by either country, the other country may modify its commitments. This clause was an insertion from the Indian side, anticipating legal challenges to Trump's tariffs. Following the Supreme Court ruling, India can potentially invoke it to argue that America's commitments now stand "modified", giving India room to recalibrate its own tariff and non-tariff concessions.
• US Supreme Court Ruling — Impact on Tariffs: The US Supreme Court ruled that President Trump overstepped his powers by imposing tariffs under the IEEPA. The earlier 18% "concessional" tariff offered to India has now been replaced with a flat 15% tariff for all US trading partners, imposed under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. This 15% tariff is temporary — valid for only around 150 days (5 months), after which Congressional approval is required.
• India's Tariff Journey — Timeline: Since August 2025, India faced a cumulative tariff of 50% (reciprocal tariff + Russian oil penalty). After the framework deal, it reduced to 25% (Russian oil penalty removed). After the Supreme Court ruling, it now stands at a flat 15%. India's weighted average effective tariff into the US has fallen from ~34% to approximately 9%.
• India's Strategic Position: Under the earlier deal, India was expected to offer major concessions — cutting tariffs, aligning economic policies with US interests, easing regulations, and committing to large purchases of American products — all in exchange for the 18% rate. Now, even without a deal, India faces only 15%, making the negotiated arrangement appear burdensome and one-sided. Former trade negotiator Ajay Srivastava (GTRI) advised India to proceed with "caution and strategic clarity" and invoke Clause 8 to pause negotiations.
• Legal Uncertainty Around US Trade Authority: The White House's legal authority to execute these agreements — none approved by Congress — is now unclear. The 15% Section 122 tariff is also open to legal challenge, as the administration must prove balance-of-payments difficulties as justification. Any new preferential deal must offer a rate lower than 15% to be meaningful for trade partners.
• Eye on China: US President Trump is set to visit China from March 31 to April 2, 2026, with trade talks expected. India will closely watch the outcome before finalising its own position. China currently faces cumulative tariffs of ~45%. With the flat 15% rate, most major economies — India, China, Japan, South Korea, most of ASEAN, Brazil, and Mexico — are now at a lower tariff rate than before the Supreme Court ruling.