Current Affairs – 17 February 2026

Correct Answer: C

India’s first ‘cow culture’ museum will be established in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, on the campus of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Veterinary Science University.

Correct Answer: B

The Ol Chiki script was developed in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu specifically for the Santhali language. The script was designed to accurately represent Santhali phonetics and consists of 30 letters.

Correct Answer: B

Petitions have been filed challenging provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, arguing that it weakens citizens’ right to information under the RTI Act.

Correct Answer: C

Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act, 2023 is being challenged as it allegedly imposes a blanket ban on disclosure of ‘personal information’ under the RTI Act.

Correct Answer: C

The Supreme Court agreed to refer the petitions challenging the DPDP Act provisions to a Constitution Bench as they involve important constitutional questions.

Correct Answer: C

Section 44(3) of the DPDP Act amends Section 8(1)(j) of the RTI Act, which earlier allowed disclosure of personal information if public interest outweighed privacy concerns.

Correct Answer: A

The petitioners argue that Section 44(3) violates Article 19 (freedom of speech and expression) and Article 14 (right to equality) of the Constitution.

Correct Answer: B

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) cleared the ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project, stating there were no sufficient grounds to interfere with the environmental clearance.

Correct Answer: C

The Great Nicobar Island mega infrastructure project is estimated to cost ₹92,000 crore and is considered strategically important.

Correct Answer: C

The project includes a transshipment port, airport, power plant, and township. A metro rail system is not part of the project.

Correct Answer: C

The NGT stated that development should strictly follow the ICRZ Notification, 2019 while allowing strategic infrastructure at the location.

Correct Answer: B

The Nicobarese and Shompen communities, both Scheduled Tribes, have raised concerns regarding their forest land rights and alleged coercion in surrendering ancestral lands.

Correct Answer: C

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the five-day AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, calling it a matter of pride for India.

Correct Answer: B

The AI Impact Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, which was packed with attendees during the inaugural event.

Correct Answer: C

According to MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, the summit received more than 2.5 lakh registrations, leading to overcrowding at the venue.

Correct Answer: C

Digi Yatra was piloted at the entry gates, allowing attendees to use facial recognition for automated access to the venue.

Correct Answer: B

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was listed as a keynote speaker for the plenary session of the AI Impact Summit.