NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
IIRIS Chair of Infosec and Forensic Society Established at NLU Jodhpur (nation)
In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, global risk, security, and intelligence firm IIRIS has signed a MoU with National Law University Jodhpur (NLUJ) to establish the IIRIS Chair of Infosec and Forensic Society.
The Chair aims to create a dedicated centre of excellence that promotes research, innovation, and structured industry-academia collaboration in the domains of information security (Infosec) and forensic science. It is: First Chair of Its Kind in India:
- Focused specifically on the law–technology–investigation interface.
- Designed to institutionalise long-term collaboration between legal academia and investigative industry.
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BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Monthly review: Accounts of Government of India upto January 2026 (FY 2025-26)
Government of India’s fiscal deficit for the period of April to January 2026 (FY 2025-26) stood at ₹9.81 lakh crore, which accounts for 63% of the full-year Revised Estimate (RE) target of ₹15.58 lakh crore.
- This reflects an improved fiscal position compared to the same period in the previous financial year, where the deficit had reached 74.5% of the annual target.
- The monthly accounts released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) highlight steady revenue mobilisation and front-loaded capital expenditure:
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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Cabinet Hikes Raw Jute MSP to ₹5,925 per Quintal for 2026–27
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Narendra Modi, has approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute (TD-3 grade) at ₹5,925 per quintal for the 2026–27 marketing season. This represents an increase of ₹275 per quintal over the previous season. India remains the largest producer of jute globally.
Jute Corporation of India (JCI):
- Will continue as the Central Government Nodal Agency.
- Undertakes Price Support Operations (PSO).
- Any losses incurred during procurement will be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.
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National Arogya Fair 2026
The four-day National Arogya Fair 2026 was organised by the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, in collaboration with the All India Ayurvedic Congress, at Shegaon, District Buldhana, Maharashtra. The event was aimed at promoting India’s traditional systems of medicine while also linking healthcare outreach with rural livelihood development.
Aim of National Arogya Fair is to:
- Promote Ayush-based preventive and promotive healthcare.
- Encourage diversification towards medicinal crop cultivation as a sustainable income source for farmers.
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INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
India–Israel MoU on Fisheries & Aquaculture Cooperation (2026)
India and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of Fisheries and Aquaculture during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel.
Objective: The agreement aims to
- Strengthen India’s fisheries and aquaculture sector
- Promote technology-driven and sustainable practices
- Enhance the Blue Economy
- Improve livelihoods of coastal and fishing communities
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UN Launches Road Safety Financing Project in Four Indian States
United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) has launched a Sustainable Road Safety Financing Project in India to strengthen financial mechanisms and institutional capacity for road safety interventions.
- The project will be implemented in: Rajasthan, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
- It will operate under the coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office
- Project Title: “Sustainable Financing for Road Safety in India – A Collaborative Approach”
- Project Funding: The project is funded through the UNRSF and implemented with technical support from: WHO, UNICEF,and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
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Paris Agreement: UNFCCC Approves First-Ever Carbon Credits
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has approved the first issuance of carbon credits under the Article 6.4 mechanism of the Paris Agreement (2015). This marks a historic transition of the global carbon market from rule-making to live operation under the Paris framework. It also establishes the benchmark for high-quality, Paris-aligned carbon credits, with over 165 projects transitioning from the older CDM to the new Article 6.4 mechanism.
First Approved Project
- Clean‑cooking project in Myanmar: It distributes efficient cookstoves that reduce harmful household air pollution and lessen pressure on local forests.
- Cooperation: The project was developed in cooperation with South Korea.
- Use of Carbon Credits: Credits authorized for Korea
- Can be transferred to Korean entities
- Usable under the Korean Emissions Trading System (ETS)
- Contribute to Korea’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)
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DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
‘Dharma Guardian’ 2026: 7th India–Japan Joint Military Exercise
The 7th edition of the annual Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.
About Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’
- Type: Annual bilateral military exercise
- Nature: Counter-terrorism and semi-urban warfare training
- Hosted alternately in India and Japan
- Aim: Strengthening military collaboration and enhancing combined capabilities for conducting joint operations in a semi-urban environment.
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ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
44th Meeting of Central Zoo Authority
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav recently chaired the 44th Meeting of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) held at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Second Cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)
- Target set to complete the second cycle of MEE for large and medium category zoos by May 2026
- MEE is:
- Evidence-based
- Comprehensive and independent
- Designed to maintain high operational and conservation standards
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NIRANTAR Platform
The meeting of the High Powered Steering Committee under the NIRANTAR Platform (Vertical III – Capacity Development Support) was under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, at Bhopal.
The NIRANTAR Platform (National Institute for Research & Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience) is
- A collaborative coordination mechanism established by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Designed to integrate the scientific resources and expertise of various autonomous and subordinate institutions under the Ministry without creating new administrative structures or increasing manpower.
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89th meeting of Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav recently chaired the 89th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), in Bhopal.
The Standing Committee considered proposals relating to:
- Protected Areas
- Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Tiger Reserves
- Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
All proposals were examined considering:
- Ecological sensitivity
- Statutory compliance
- Prescribed mitigation measures
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MoEFCC Organises Him-CONNECT at WSDS 2026
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised Him-CONNECT in New Delhi on sidelines of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026, hosted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
Him-CONNECT is a dedicated platform to connect researchers working in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) with start-ups, investors, industry partners, and policymakers to accelerate scaling and on-ground deployment of climate and sustainability innovations.
The initiative builds upon National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), under which:
- More than 250 action-oriented research initiatives have been supported.
- Research has focused on conservation, biodiversity, water security, sustainable livelihoods, waste management, and climate adaptation.
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POLITY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Soundala: Maharashtra’s ‘Caste-Free’ Village
The Gram Sabha of Soundala unanimously passed a resolution declaring itself a ‘caste-free’ village, aiming to eliminate caste-based discrimination and promote equality among all residents. This grassroots social reform initiative seeks to strengthen communal harmony and uphold constitutional values.
Core Declaration
- The Gram Sabha resolved that: “There will be no discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, creed, or race.”
- The village adopted the motto: “My religion is humanity.”
- Universal Access to Public Spaces
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive Launched
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, to prevent cervical cancer through early immunization.
About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
- HPV refers to a group of 200+ related viruses.
- It is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- In about 90% of cases, the body clears the infection naturally.
- Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types (especially 16 and 18) can cause cervical cancer.
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STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Sikkim’s Pakyong Airport to Be Renamed After Trilochan Pokhrel
Sikkim’s only airport, Pakyong Airport, will be renamed Trilochan Pokhrel Airport in 31st Foundation Day celebration of the Akhil Sikkim Khas Chettri Bahun Kalyan Sangh at Rangpo ground near the West Bengal border.
Trilochan Pokhrel
- Popularly known as “Gandhi Pokhrel”, is regarded as the first independence activist from Sikkim.
- He belonged to the Khas, Chettri, Bahun community, a sub-group within the Gorkha community.
- Spread nationalist ideas in Sikkim during the freedom movement era.
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AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
National Science Day 2026- 28 February
India observed National Science Day 2026 on 28 February 2026 to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by C. V. Raman. For this groundbreaking discovery, Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in the sciences.
- Theme of National Science Day 2026: “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”
- The theme aligns with global initiatives such International Day of Women and Girls in Science, promoting gender equality and increased participation of women in scientific research.
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PM Modi Receives Top Honours from Israel and Palestine
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has joined a rare group of global leaders who have received the highest state honours from both Israel and Palestine. During his two-day state visit to Israel- his second visit after 2017- he was awarded the top honour of the Israeli Parliament. Earlier, in 2018, he received the highest civilian award from Palestine.
- Highest Israeli Honour
- The Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Prime Minister Modi after his address to the Israeli Parliament
- Highest Palestinian Honour
- In 2018, PM Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, the highest Palestinian honour awarded to foreign dignitaries.
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PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Sachin Tendulkar Appointed as UN Global Road Safety Champion
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been designated as a Global Champion for Road Safety by the United Nations. He joins a group of prominent international figures advocating safer roads as part of global efforts to reduce road traffic fatalities. The announcement included a video message from Tendulkar urging citizens to adopt responsible driving habits and prioritise road safety.
- The appointment coincides with the launch of the Indian edition of the #MakeASafetyStatement global road safety campaign.
- The campaign was unveiled in New Delhi by Jean Todt, United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety.
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B Ravindran Appointed to UN’s Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
Professor B Ravindran from the IIT Madras was appointed to the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence, a newly constituted global body tasked with providing rigorous and independent scientific assessments of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its societal impact.
This marks an important moment for India’s representation in global AI governance frameworks. UN Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
- Was established through a resolution of the UN General Assembly in August 2025.
- Is the first global scientific body dedicated exclusively to Artificial Intelligence.
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PLACES IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Mountaineers Summit South America’s Mt Aconcagua
A six-member joint expedition team from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam, successfully summited Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America.
Standing at 6,961 metres, Aconcagua is:
- The highest mountain in South America
- The highest peak in the Western Hemisphere
- The highest mountain outside Asia
- The second-highest mountain in the world after Mount Everest
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