NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kempegowda International Airport Signs MoU with Frankfurt Airport
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR Airport), operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Frankfurt Airport to strengthen air cargo connectivity between South India and Europe.
This partnership links two major cargo gateways:
- BLR Airport: serving one of India’s fastest-growing manufacturing and export regions
- Frankfurt Airport: one of Europe’s most connected global cargo hubs
Mangaluru International Airport Wins 2025 Global ASQ Best Arrivals Award
Mangaluru International Airport has been named the winner of the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for ‘Best Airport at Arrivals – Globally’ by Airports Council International (ACI World). The airport is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Ltd.
- This is the second consecutive year Mangaluru Airport has won the global arrivals award (also won in 2024).
- In 2025, only six airports worldwide were selected in the ‘Best Airport at Arrivals – Globally’ category.
- A total of 100 airports globally were recognised across categories. 195 awards will be presented overall.
Rail Tech Policy and e-RCT System launched
Ministry of Railways under its “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative has recently launched
- Rail Tech Policy: To engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Indian Railways.
- e-RCT System: For End-to-End Digitisation of Railway Claims Tribunal
Rail Tech Policy Reform
- Objective: To engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Indian Railways.
- It simplifies the selection of innovators and introduces a dedicated “Rail Tech Portal” for innovation.
5th National MSME Council Meeting
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) organised the 5th meeting of the National MSME Council in New Delhi. The meeting saw launch of Udyami Bharat Portal (UBP) and MSME Technology Transfer Platform (MTTP).
Udyami Bharat Portal (UBP)
The Udyami Bharat Portal was launched as an integrated digital platform.
Key Features:
- Developed as a One Stop Shop for MSME services
- Aligned with the Digital India Mission
- Integrates:
- All MoMSME portals
- Portals of other Central Ministries/Departments
- State Government portals
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
IRFC Raises $400 Million ECB from Japanese Lenders
State-owned Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd (IRFC) has signed a loan agreement to raise an External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) of JPY equivalent $400 million.
The agreement was executed on 25 February 2026 with:
- Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, GIFT City Branch
- MUFG Bank Ltd, GIFT City Branch
This marks IRFC’s second ECB in FY26, following a JPY equivalent $300 million ECB raised in December 2025.
NSE IX Launch ‘Global Access’ Platform for Indian Retail Investors
In a major move to connect Indian retail investors with global capital markets, the NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) has soft-launched its ‘Global Access’ platform.
The platform enables Indian investors to directly trade in:
- Equities
- Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Select debt instruments
This initiative strengthens India’s outward investment ecosystem through GIFT City under a regulated framework.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
First State Innovation Mission launched
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog has launched the first State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura for embedding Innovation and Entrepreneurship into the State’s long-term development framework.
- Launched: As a part AIM 2.0 programme, under the aegis of NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission (SSM).
- Designed as a long-term institutional mechanism to support States/UTs in building robust, inclusive, and context-specific innovation ecosystems aligned with national priorities and local strengths.
Revamped RAJMARG PRAVESH Portal
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways recently launched the upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH web portal for hassle free obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for fuel stations, wayside amenities, private properties, rest area complexes, connecting roads, and other such facilities along National Highways.
About Revamped Portal
- Objective: To make the process of getting permissions simpler, faster, and more transparent, in line with the Government’s commitment to improving ease of doing business.
- Through it, citizens, businesses, and organizations can apply online in a simple way for permissions related to access from National Highways for private properties, industries, and wayside facilities.
CBDC-Based Food Subsidy Distribution Pilot under PMGKAY
The Government of India will launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Food Subsidy Distribution Pilot under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in the Union Territory of Puducherry
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
- Enhance transparency and accountability in subsidy delivery
- Improve efficiency of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ecosystem
PAIMANA Portal
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has operationalised a new web-based portal — PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) — for mandated monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects worth ₹150 crore and above. PAIMANA replaces the earlier OCMS-2006 (Online Computerized Monitoring System).
About PAIMANA
- Functions as a centralised national repository of infrastructure projects, enabling web-generated analytical reports and enhancing data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Operationalised in coordination with over 20 Ministries/Departments, DEA and DPIIT.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India–Brazil Cooperation on Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
The National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Brazil and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India, have signed a cooperation arrangement granting INPI access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL).
This marks a significant step in:
- Strengthening global efforts to prevent biopiracy
- Misappropriation of traditional knowledge, while supporting Brazil in enhancing the quality of its patent examination process.
List of Outcomes: PM Modi’s visit to Israel
India and Israel have unveiled 27 outcomes following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Israel in February 2026. These outcomes include 17 agreements/MoUs and 10 key announcements aimed at expanding the bilateral partnership across strategic and people-centric domains.
Announcements
- Elevation of relationship to Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity
- JCM on Science and Technology elevated to Ministerial level
- Initiative to collaborate in Critical and Emerging Technologies led by National Security Advisors
- Financial Dialogue
- Tech-Gateway Initiative
India–France sign amending Protocol to DTAC
During the recent visit of the President of France to India, India and France signed a Protocol amending the India–France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC), originally signed in 1992.
Key Amendments Introduced
- Capital Gains Taxation
- Deletion of Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) Clause
- Revised Dividend Taxation Structure
India–GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) – Negotiations Launched
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have formally launched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the signing of a Joint Statement in New Delhi. The Joint Statement, along with the Terms of Reference (ToR) signed in February 2026, marks a major milestone in strengthening India–GCC economic relations.
The GCC is India’s largest trading partner bloc. Bilateral Trade (FY 2024–25)
- Total Trade: US$ 178.56 billion
- Exports: US$ 56.87 billion
- Imports: US$ 121.68 billion
- Accounts for 15.42% of India’s global trade
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Bharat RanBhoomi Darshan Expedition
Bharat RanBhoomi Darshan Expedition was flagged in at the National War Memorial by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Led by the Regiment of Artillery, the expedition holds national significance and strategic outreach value. It was conceived to preserve India’s military heritage, promote awareness of historic battlefields, and strengthen the bond between the Armed Forces and citizens.
Objective of Bharat RanBhoomi Darshan
The initiative aims to:
- Highlight historically significant battlefields
- Promote awareness of India’s security narrative
- Honour the sacrifices of fallen soldiers
POLITY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kerala renamed as ‘Keralam’
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to alter the name of the State of Kerala to “Keralam.” This approval initiates the constitutional process for changing the name of the State under Article 3 of the Constitution of India.
Constitutional Procedure Under Article 3
Article 3 empowers Parliament to:
- Form new States
- Alter areas, boundaries, or names of existing States
Key Provisions:
- A Bill for alteration of a State’s name can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President.
Ajay Sawhney Committee Constituted to Review Regulatory Framework for DigiLocker
Government has constituted a Committee to review and strengthen the Regulatory Framework for DigiLocker. The Committee will examine the existing Digital Locker Rules and align them with the current technological and legal landscape, while preparing a future roadmap for the evolution of the DigiLocker ecosystem.
Terms of Reference (ToR)
The Committee will focus on:
- Legislative review of Digital Locker Rules
- Alignment with emerging technology and data protection frameworks
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
SUJVIKA – AI-Driven Biotech Product Data Portal
On the occasion of the 40th Foundation Day of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Ministry of Science & Technology launched “SUJVIKA”, an AI-driven Biotech Product Data Portal. The portal has been developed in collaboration with industry partner Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE).
About SUJVIKA
It is a Trade Statistics Digital Intelligence Platform designed to provide authenticated biotechnology product import data in a structured and user-friendly format.
Blockchain India Challenge Launched
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the Blockchain India Challenge to promote blockchain-based digital governance solutions. The initiative is being implemented by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) with support from MeitY.
About Blockchain India Challenge
Objective
It is a national initiative aimed at:
- Encouraging Indian startups to develop blockchain-based governance solutions
- Promoting permissioned blockchain systems for government use
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
World NGO Day: 27 February
World NGO Day is observed every year on 27 February to recognise the contribution of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the individuals working behind them.
- The day celebrates their achievements, raises awareness about social causes, and promotes cooperation among governments, civil society and communities.
- It is not merely a ceremonial observance but an opportunity to reflect on the role of NGOs in addressing social, economic and humanitarian challenges across the globe.