Current Affairs 23 February 2026

Current Affairs 23 February 2026

1. The government of Karnataka is looking into a plan to limit or ban the use of mobile phones by kids under 16 because they are worried about kids getting addicted to digital devices and seeing harmful content online. The problem was brought up in the State Assembly and at a meeting with university vice-chancellors. This shows that more and more people are worried about how social media and AI affect young people.

The Karnataka government is planning to limit or ban the use of mobile phones by children under the age of 16 over concerns that children may become addicted to digital devices and view harmful content online. The issue was raised in the state assembly and in a meeting with the vice-chancellor of the university. This shows that more and more people are concerned about how social media and AI affect young people.

2. IndiGo has named Captain Rohit Rikhye as the new Head of its Operations Control Center (OCC). This is a big change in leadership after the airline’s operations were disrupted in December 2025. The change comes at a time when India’s biggest airline by market share is under more regulatory scrutiny and is reorganizing its own operations. Rikhye is taking over for Jason Herter, who is leaving the airline.

IndiGo has appointed Captain Rohit Rikhya as the new head of its Operations Control Center (OCC). This is a major change in leadership after the airline’s operations were disrupted in December 2025. The change comes at a time when India’s largest airline by market share is under increased regulatory scrutiny and restructuring its operations. Rikhya replaces Jason Hurter, who left the airline.

3. At the 2026 Managing India Awards put on by the All India Management Association (AIMA), Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd and Adani Cement Ltd, was named Business Leader of the Year. During AIMA’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in New Delhi, which marked the organization’s 70th Foundation Day and 20th National Management Day, the award was given.

Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports & SEZ Limited and Adani Cement Limited, was adjudged the Business Leader of the Year at the 2026 Managing India Awards organized by the All India Management Association (AIMA). The award was presented at AIMA’s Platinum Jubilee Ceremony in New Delhi, which was organized to mark the 70th Foundation Day of the Institute and the 20th National Management Day.

4. The community-led restoration of a 475-year-old cathedral in Vasai has gotten attention from all over the world. The Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Papdy village won the Award of Merit at the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, which were announced in Bangkok. The award honors the successful restoration of a Portuguese-era building from the 16th century using traditional craftsmanship and community involvement.

The community-led restoration of the 475-year-old cathedral in Vasai has attracted worldwide attention. Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Papadi Village received the Merit Award at the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Cultural Heritage Conservation Awards announced in Bangkok. The award recognizes the successful restoration of a 16th-century Portuguese-era building using traditional craftsmanship and community involvement.

5. Soundala village in Maharashtra has declared itself a “caste-free” village as part of a major social reform effort. The Gram Sabha passed a unanimous resolution on February 5, 2026, saying that the community would not accept caste-based differences and would instead promote equality under the motto “Aamchi jaat… manav,” which means “my caste is humanity.” The move has gotten a lot of attention because it is a grassroots effort to change the way people see themselves in the community based on shared human values.

Saundla village in Maharashtra has declared itself a “caste-free” village as part of a larger social reform effort. The gram sabha passed a unanimous resolution on 5 February 2026, which stated that the community would not accept caste-based distinctions and instead promote equality under the motto “Aamchi Jaat… Manav”, which means “My caste is humanity”. This movement has attracted a lot of attention because it is a grassroots effort to change the way people see themselves in a community based on shared human values.

6. At the 2026 EE British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress, continuing her strong run of awards this season. The Royal Festival Hall in London hosted the event, which was a big step forward in Buckley’s career. The Irish actress won the same award at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards in Dublin just two days before this one. This solidified her position as the best this season.

At the 2026 EE British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress, continuing her strong streak of awards this season. The Royal Festival Hall in London hosted the event, which was a major step in Buckley’s career. The Irish actress won the same award at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards held in Dublin two days before the event. This cemented her position as the season’s best.

7. The “Vanjeevi Didi” program at the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand is a community-driven conservation effort that aims to give women the tools they need to protect forests and wildlife. The south division of PTR started the project to raise awareness at the grassroots level and get more people involved in protecting biodiversity.

The “Vanjivi Didi” program at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand is a community-driven conservation effort aimed at giving women the tools they need to protect forests and wildlife. South Division of PTR started this project to create awareness at the grassroot level and involve more people to protect biodiversity.

8. “Boong,” a Manipuri-language coming-of-age movie, won the Best Children’s & Family Film award at the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. This is a huge win for Indian cinema. The win is a big deal because it shows that regional Indian stories are getting a lot of attention around the world.

The Manipuri language film ‘Boong’ won the Best Children and Family Film award at the 2026 British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards. This is a big win for Indian cinema. This win is huge as it shows that regional Indian stories are getting a lot of attention around the world.