February 2026
In short: India's culture, sports and awards this month — distilled for SI/Constable Prelims.
Current Affairs — India › Society, Culture, Sports & Awards · 12 min read · Free to read · English & Telugu
Bilingual study notes for the Andhra Pradesh Police SI & Constable exams (SLPRB AP) by AP Police Hub, a product of Anvil Academy.
A Global Teacher Prize for a Mumbai educator, a BAFTA for a Manipuri film, a new statue for C. Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Thaipusam and Bastar Pandum, the Devnimori relics, the Ol Chiki script, and the AI-in-education Bharat Bodhan Conclave.
Devotees with decorated kavadis on procession street at Batu Caves during Thaipusam — the Tamil Hindu festival honouring Lord Murugan that marked February 2026's cultural calendar · *angys* / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
February 2026 — At a Glance
February 2026 brought India two major global recognitions — a $1-million Global Teacher Prize for a Mumbai artist-educator, and a BAFTA award for a Manipuri children's film. Domestically, the month saw a new statue of C. Rajagopalachari at Rashtrapati Bhavan, archaeological finds at Devnimori, and cultural celebrations from Thaipusam to Bastar's Pandum festival — alongside a fresh push to teach AI literacy through the Bharat Bodhan Conclave.
1. Awards & Personalities
Global Teacher Prize 2026 — Rouble Nagi
- Who — Rouble Nagi, Mumbai-based artist-educator, won the Global Teacher Prize 2026 — often called the "Nobel Prize for teaching."
- Why — For setting up 800+ learning centres for out-of-school children across India through her Art Foundation.
- Prize & venue — $1 million award, presented at the World Governments Summit, Dubai.
BAFTA Award — Manipuri Film Boong
- What — The Manipuri film Boong won the BAFTA Award for Best Children's & Family Film in London — a notable recognition for regional Indian cinema on a global stage.
A New Statue for C. Rajagopalachari
- What — President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a statue of C. Rajagopalachari in the central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing a bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens.
- Who was he — Writer, freedom fighter, India's only Indian Governor-General (1948), first Home Minister (1950-51), and Bharat Ratna (1954).
2. Culture & Heritage
Thaipusam
- What — A Tamil Hindu festival honouring Lord Murugan, observed in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan-Feb) — marked by devotees carrying *kavadis* in processions, notably in Tamil Nadu and among the Tamil diaspora (Malaysia's Batu Caves).
Devnimori Relics
- What — Fresh archaeological attention on Devnimori, Gujarat — an important early-Buddhist stupa site, notable for a dated relic casket among the earliest inscribed Buddhist relics found in India.
Bastar Pandum Festival
- What — A tribal cultural festival of the Bastar region, Chhattisgarh, celebrating indigenous art, dance, music and crafts of local tribal communities.
Ol Chiki Script
- What — The Ol Chiki script, devised by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santali language (spoken by the Santhal tribal community), drew renewed attention for its role in tribal-language preservation and education.
3. Education & AI Literacy
Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026
- What — A national conclave bringing together educators, technologists and policymakers to plan the integration of AI literacy into India's school curriculum.
- Why it matters — Complements the Budget's Education-to-Employment Standing Committee and the AVGC push — part of a broader effort to prepare students for an AI-driven economy.