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Daily Current Affairs – 21 February, 2026

    NITI Aayog Releases Report on Apprenticeship in India

    Context

  • NITI Aayog launched a policy report titled “Revitalizing Apprenticeship Ecosystem: Insights, Challenges, Recommendations and Best Practices.”

    • About

  • The report presents a comprehensive analysis of India’s apprenticeship landscape. 
  • It provides critical insights, identifies challenges, and outlines actionable recommendations to strengthen the apprenticeship system as a cornerstone of India’s skilling and employment strategy.
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    International Mother Language Day

    Context

  • International Mother Language Day is observed on February 21, under the theme “Youth voices on multilingual education”.

    • About

  • International Mother Language Day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1999, it was the initiative of Bangladesh. 
  • The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.
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    Govt. Announces 7 Additional Measures under Export Promotion Mission

    Context

  • The Ministry of Commerce introduced seven additional interventions under the Export Promotion Mission.

    • Export Promotion Mission

  • In the Union Budget for 2025-26, the Finance Minister announced an Export Promotion Mission.
  • It would facilitate easy access to export credit, cross-border factoring support, and support to MSMEs to tackle non-tariff measures in overseas markets.
  • Ministries: Driven jointly by the Ministries of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, and the Ministry of Finance.
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    Supreme Court’s Ethical Push for Sensitive Judiciary

    Context

  • The Supreme Court of India has constituted an expert committee to develop guidelines that infuse sensitivity and compassion in judicial functioning, especially in cases involving sexual offences and vulnerable victims.

    • Background

  • The issue arose from a 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court that used explicit language while narrating sexual assault on a minor.
  • The High Court had diluted charges from attempt to rape to a lesser offence.
  • Following a petition by civil society groups, the Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance.
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    India Joins Pax Silica, a US-led Tech Alliance

    Context

  • Recently, India has formally entered the US-led Pax Silica coalition, marking a significant moment in the geopolitics of semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical mineral supply chains.

    • About ‘Pax Silica’

  • Pax Silica (launched in December, 2025) is a coalition comprising the United States, Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and now India.
  • Key Objectives: Securing semiconductor supply chains, coordinating AI innovation standards, strengthening critical mineral processing networks, reducing dependence on non-aligned or adversarial states, and building a durable AI-driven economic order.
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    Maritime Security of India

    In News

  • Recently, the Defence Minister called on the global maritime community to cooperate in addressing evolving and complex challenges at sea while inaugurating Exercise MILAN 2026 in Visakhapatnam, emphasizing mutual trust, shared responsibility, and adherence to international law.

    • Maritime Security of India

  • Maritime security involves protecting the nation's sovereignty from threats arising from the oceans and seas. 
  • It includes protecting coastal areas, safeguarding the available ocean resources such as fish, offshore oil and gas wells, port facilities, etc.
  • It also means maintaining freedom at sea for movement of our ships and facilitating and protecting trade
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    News In Short 21-02-2026

    Context

  • The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament criticised the government for implementation of the Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) scheme.

    • SANKALP Scheme

  • It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
  • It was launched in 2018, SANKALP was originally scheduled for completion by 2023 but was later extended to 2024. 
  • It was designed to strengthen short‑term skill training through better institutional frameworks, enhanced industry linkages, and targeted inclusion of marginalised communities. 
    • Read More
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