TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ What is a Type II Non-Deposit Taking NBFC? Airtel Money's New Role Explained (Banking)
➤ Indian Overseas Bank launches online death claim settlement portal (Banking)
➤ India's Tejaswin Shankar won gold in the men's heptathlon (sports).
➤ Famous actress Praveena Deshpande passes away (Shruti)
➤ Devendra Fadnavis inaugurates first Mumbai Climate Week (State in News)
➤ NHAI to build bee corridor on national highway
➤ PM Modi and Macron inaugurate H125 helicopter assembly line (International)
➤ Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Formation Day (Published Date)
1. What is a Type II Non-Deposit Taking NBFC? Airtel Money's New Role Explained
The Reserve Bank of India has granted Airtel Money a Certificate of Registration (CoR), allowing it to operate as a Type II, non-deposit-taking non-banking financial company (NBFC). With this approval, Airtel Money will now be able to expand its financial products and services within the RBI's regulatory framework.
2. Indian Overseas Bank Launches Online Death Claim Settlement Portal
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched an online death claim settlement portal for legal heirs and family members of customers. This initiative aims to simplify, transparently, and timely the process of settling accounts, deposits, and other claims after death. This move is part of the bank's digital transformation program, which aims to make service delivery more accessible and customer-centric.
3. India's Tejaswin Shankar wins gold in the men's heptathlon
Tejaswin Shankar brought glory to India by winning the gold medal in the men's heptathlon event at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026 with a score of 5,993 points. Held in Tianjin, China, this was India's only gold medal at the championships. His 5,993 points set a new national indoor record, breaking his previous record of 5,650 points set in 2021.
4. Famous actress Praveena Deshpande passes away
Praveena Deshpande passed away on February 17, 2026, in Mumbai at the age of 60. She had been suffering from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, and had been undergoing treatment since 2019. Her funeral was held in the Andheri area of Mumbai. Multiple myeloma is a serious blood cancer that affects plasma cells and develops in the bone marrow, weakening the immune system.
5. Devendra Fadnavis Inaugurates First Mumbai Climate Week
Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the first Mumbai Climate Week 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. This three-day global conference aims to steer discussions on climate change towards practical and actionable solutions. The event was organized by Project Mumbai in collaboration with the Maharashtra Government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
6. NHAI to Build Bee Corridors Along National Highways
The National Highways Authority of India announced the development of "Bee Corridors" along national highways on February 17, 2026. This initiative aims to promote the conservation of bees and other pollinators, strengthen biodiversity, and encourage sustainable and green highway development.
7. PM Modi and Macron Inaugurate H125 Helicopter Assembly Line
Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the final assembly line of the H125 helicopter in Vemgal, Karnataka. The plant, established as a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited, is considered India's first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility.
8. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Foundation Day
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate their Foundation Days every year on February 20, as both attained full statehood on this day in 1987. Arunachal Pradesh was formerly known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and was made a Union Territory in 1972. It is India's northeastern border state, bordering China, Bhutan, and Myanmar, and holds immense strategic importance due to the McMahon Line.
QUIZ – WITH EXPLANATION (EXACT)
1. Which institution granted Airtel Money a Certificate of Registration?
A - SEBI
B - Ministry of Finance
C - Reserve Bank of India
D - NITI Aayog
The Reserve Bank of India has granted Airtel Money a Certificate of Registration, allowing it to operate as a Type-II, non-deposit-taking NBFC. The company will now be able to provide lending, micro-credit, digital loans,
2. Which new portal has Indian Overseas Bank launched?
A - Digital Loan Portal
B - Online Death Claim Settlement Portal
C - Kisan Credit Portal
D - Investment Advice Portal
Indian Overseas Bank has launched an online death claim settlement portal for legal heirs of customers, ensuring a simple, transparent, and timely settlement of claims related to accounts and deposits after death.
3. Tejaswin Shankar won the gold medal in which event?
A - Decathlon
B - Heptathlon
C - Shot Put
D - Long Jump
Tejaswin Shankar set a new national indoor record by winning the gold medal in the men's heptathlon event at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026 with a score of 5,993 points. This was India's only gold medal at the event held in Tianjin.
4. Which Netflix series did Praveena Deshpande work in before his death?
A - Mirzapur
B - Panchayat
C - Taskaree
D - Delhi Crime
Praveena Deshpande died on February 17, 2026, in Mumbai at the age of 60 from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer. She had been undergoing treatment since 2019, and her last rites were performed in Andheri, Mumbai.
5. Who inaugurated the first Mumbai Climate Week 2026?
A - Narendra Modi
B - Devendra Fadnavis
C - Prahlad Joshi
D - Eknath Shinde
Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the first Mumbai Climate Week 2026 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The conference focused on practical solutions to climate change, urban resilience, and promoting renewable energy.
6. Which organization launched the "B Corridor" initiative?
A - Forest Survey of India
B - National Highways Authority
C - Ministry of Environment
D - NITI Aayog
The National Highways Authority of India has announced the development of "Bee Corridors" along national highways, aimed at conserving bees and other pollinators and promoting biodiversity.
7. Where has the H125 helicopter assembly line been established?
A - Vadodara
B - Bengaluru
C - Vemgal, Karnataka
D - Pune
Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the final assembly line of the H125 helicopter in Vemgal, Karnataka, India's first private helicopter manufacturing unit, established under a joint venture between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems Limited.
8. When did Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram gain full statehood?
A - August 15, 1987
B - January 26, 1987
C - February 20, 1987
D - March 1, 1987
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate their foundation day on February 20, as both attained full statehood on this day in 1987. Arunachal Pradesh, formerly known as NEFA, is strategically important, while Mizoram gained statehood after the 1986 peace accord.
ONE LINER (EXACT)
Who inaugurated the first Mumbai Climate Week 2026? - Devendra Fadnavis
In which state in India has the H125 helicopter assembly line been established? - Karnataka (Vemgal)
Pravina Deshpande died due to which disease? - Multiple myeloma (blood cancer)
In which event did Tejaswin Shankar win the gold medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026? - Men's heptathlon
How many aircraft have been ordered under the Airbus C295 project? - 56 aircraft
Which organization granted Certificate of Registration (CoR) to Airtel Money? - Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
How many additional solar pumps were announced for Maharashtra under the PM-KUSUM scheme? - 1 lakh
When did Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram gain full statehood? - February 20, 1987
What is the main objective of NHAI's "Bee Corridor" initiative? - Conservation of bees and pollinators
For what purpose is the new digital portal launched by Indian Overseas Bank? - For online death claim settlement