Current Affairs 26 February 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Cabinet Approves Proposal to Rename the State of ‘Kerala’ as ‘Keralam’On February 25 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved a proposal to officially change the name of the state of ‘Kerala’ to ‘Keralam’, during its first meeting held at the newly inaugurated Seva Teerth office complex in New Delhi, Delhi.
Renaming of Kerala to Keralam:
Approval: The approval was followed by unanimous resolutions passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in August 2023 and June 2024.
Procedure: Under Article 3 of the Constitution of India, the President refers the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026 to the State Legislature for its views before it is introduced in Parliament, after which it must be passed by a simple majority in both Houses and receive Presidential assent.
Amendment: The change requires modification of the First Schedule (listing states) and consequential updates to the Fourth Schedule (allocation of Rajya Sabha seats) of the Constitution.
Other Approval: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, fixed the MSP of Raw Jute (TD-3 grade, Fair quality) at Rs 5,925 per quintal (qtl) for the 2026–27 marketing season.

MHA Releases India’s First National Counter-terrorism Policy & Strategy ‘PRAHAAR’In February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released India’s new national counter-terrorism policy and strategy titled ‘PRAHAAR’, outlining a comprehensive and proactive framework to address evolving terror threats and strengthen measures to curb and counter terrorism.
About PRAHAAR:
Core Pillars: The term ‘PRAHAAR’ means ‘strike’, which represents 7 key pillars of the country’s counter-terrorism framework:

• Prevention of terrorist attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests;
• Response, which are swift  and proportionate to the threat posed;
• Aggregating internal capacities for achieving synergy in a whole-of-government approach;
• Human Rights and ‘Rule of Law’ based processes for mitigation of threats;
• Attenuating the conditions enabling terrorism, including radicalization;
• Aligning and shaping the global efforts to counter terrorism;
• Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.

Approach: The framework adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, encouraging coordination between law enforcement agencies, private sector stakeholders and civil society organisations.

GoI & France Sign Protocol to Amend India-France DTAC In February 2026, Government of India (GoI) and France signed a Protocol to amend the India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC), originally signed on 29 September 1992, to modernise tax provisions and align them with global standards.
Key Amendment to India-France DTAC:
Capital Gains on Sale of Shares: Following the amendment, capital gains from selling shares of a company will be taxed in the country where the company is resident, thereby granting full taxing rights to that jurisdiction.
Removal of MFN Clause: The Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause has been removed, resolving past disputes and bringing greater clarity and certainty to taxation matters between India and France.
Dividend Tax Rates Revised: Earlier, dividends were taxed at a single rate of 100%. Under the amended provisions, a 5% tax will apply where the shareholder holds at least 10% of the company’s capital and 15% in all other cases, creating a two-tier system based on the level of investment.
PE Expanded: A new concept of Service Permanent Establishment (Service PE) has been introduced, enabling certain service activities to constitute a taxable presence in a country.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Constitutes ‘Parliamentary Friendship Groups’ with 64 CountriesIn February 2026, Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha (the Lower House of Parliament) constituted ‘Parliamentary Friendship Groups(PFGs)’ with 64 countries to bolster inter-parliamentary cooperation and legislative dialogue.
About Parliamentary Friendship Groups:
Significance: This new initiative will enable the Indian lawmakers to interact directly with their counterparts abroad, share legislative experience.

• It will also facilitate regular dialogue, exchange of legislative practices, and will boost cooperation on trade, technology, culture, and shared global challenges.

Structure: Each Parliamentary Friendship Group typically consisted of 11 members, with a designated Chairperson/Group Leader leading the group.
Members: The groups comprise Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha across the political spectrum.

PWD, CSIR-CRRI & SPA Sign Four MoUs for Standard Framework & RAMS Implementation in NCROn February 24, 2026, Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Rajasthan along with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Road Research Institute (CSIR‑CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi(Delhi), signed four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to implement a Standard Framework and Road Asset Management System (RAMS) for dust‑free and sustainable urban roads in the National Capital Region (NCR).

• The MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), at Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Details of MoU:
Implementation: The MoUs will remain valid for three years and can be extended. Each state will appoint a Nodal Agency and create a Paving and Greening Cell for coordination.
Road Lengths Covered: The initiative will cover approximately 10,099 kilometre (km) in Delhi, 10,133 in Haryana, 6,891 km in UP, and 1,747 km in Rajasthan.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates and Lays Foundation Stones for Rs 1,500 Crore Projects at VOC Port, TNIn February 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth over Rs 1,500 crore at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), located in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu(TN).

• These initiatives are designed to modernize infrastructure, integrate renewable energy, and enhance digital security, aligning with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Key Details of Projects:
VOC Maritime Heritage Museum:Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum at VOC Port, Tuticorin, as an immersive institution dedicated to India’s maritime history and the contributions of freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaranar.
Infrastructure Projects:During the event, he also laid foundation stones for projects covering upgraded rail and road connectivity, enhanced power infrastructure, Renewable Energy(RE) initiatives such as solar, wind, battery storage and green hydrogen, along with advanced safety systems and digital platforms.

GoI & GCC Sign Joint Statement on India-GCC Free Trade AgreementOn February 24, 2026, Government of India (GoI) and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed a Joint Statement for a comprehensive India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step towards deepening economic integration between India and GCC.
About India-GCC Joint Statement:
Signatories: The Joint Statement was signed by the Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Background: The Joint Statement is built on a Terms of Reference (ToR) signed on February 5, 2026, which laid out the framework and modalities for talks.
Areas of Cooperation: 
Trade in Goods: It will focus on the reduction or elimination of tariffs and improved market access for exporters, enabling smoother and competitive trade.
Trade in Services: It aims to provide greater access for Indian professionals and enhance cooperation in sectors such as Information Technology (IT), finance, healthcare, and education.
India-GCC Relations: GCC is one of India’s important trading blocs, accounting for about 15% of India’s global trade with bilateral trade valued at about USD 178.56 billion in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).

16th Edition of India-USA Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR Commences in HPOn 24 February 2026, the Indian Army (IA) and the United States Army (USA) commenced the 16th edition of the India-the United States of America(USA) Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘VAJRA PRAHAR’ at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh (HP).

• The exercise will continue until 16 March 2026.

About Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2026:
Aim: The exercise is conducted to strengthen combined capabilities for carrying out joint Special Forces operations in mountainous terrain.
Participating Forces:

• IA: Represented by 45 personnel from its Special Forces units.
• USA: Represented by 12 personnel from the Green Berets of the US Special Forces.

Indian Army Conducts ‘Exercise Agni Varsha; in Pokhran, Rajasthan
On February 24, 2026, Indian Army (IA) conducted ‘Exercise Agni Varsha’ at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Pokhran, Rajasthan, to test and demonstrate its operational readiness and combat capabilities in a realistic battlefield environment.
About Exercise Agni Varsha:
Led by:The Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise was led by the IA’s Southern Command.
Validation: The exercise validated the coordinated use of combined arms, precision long-range firepower, and network-enabled command and control, demonstrating the effective synergy and combat readiness of mechanised forces across multiple domains.
Combat Elements: It includes T-90 Main Battle Tanks, Infantry Combat Vehicles, K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, Sharang and Bofors artillery systems, Rocket artillery systems, indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter(ALH) weapon system-integrated helicopters, Apache attack helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Systems(UAS) and drones, and networked surveillance and counter-drone systems.
Technology & Modernization: The exercise highlighted IA’s emphasis on technology infusion, indigenization of defence capabilities, network-centric command and control, and multi-domain warfare readiness.

IIRIS and NLU Jodhpur Sign MoU to Establish Chair in Infosec and Forensic Society
In February 2026, IIRIS Consulting, a leading global risk, security, and intelligence firm, and the National Law University, Jodhpur (NLUJ), Rajasthan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the IIRIS Chair of Information Security (Infosec) and Forensic Society.

• This is the first-ever dedicated Chair in Information Security(Infosec) and Forensic Science(FS) at an Indian law university, designed to bridge legal theory with practical digital investigative skills.

Key Details of MoU:
Signatories: The MoU was signed by Sagarika Chakraborty, CEO of IIRIS Consulting, and Professor (Dr.) Harpreet Kaur, Vice Chancellor of NLUJ, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Purpose: Promote research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration in information security (Infosec) and forensic science (FS) through the establishment of a Center of Excellence (CoE).
Programme: Launch a joint Certificate Programme on Cyber-Led Forensic Investigation and Diligence (CLFID) under the theme ‘Bridging Legal Theory & Investigative Practice in the Digital Age,’ equipping participants with skills at the intersection of law, technology, and investigations.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Indian Mountaineers Summit South America’s Highest Peak Aconcagua
In February 2026, a six-member team from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, (J&K), successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, marking a major significant achieved for Indian mountaineering.

• The expedition was formally flagged off by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) on February 05, 2026.

About Expedition to Mt. Aconcagua:
Expedition led by: The expedition team was led by Colonel (Col.) Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of NIM and JIM&WS.
Summit: Before launching their summit, the team 1st scaled Mt. Bonete Peak, at an altitude of 5,050 meters (m) above sea level.

• During their expedition, they faced extreme weather conditions, including strong winds and temperatures ranging from -20 degrees Celsius and -30 degrees Celsius.

About Mt. Aconcagua:
Highest Peak in South America: Mt. Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America and the 2nd-highest mountain peak in the world outside Asia at 6,967.15 meters (m) above mean sea level.
Significance: Mt. Aconcagua, known as the ‘Stone Sentinel’ is the highest peak in the Southern and Western Hemispheres, with extreme altitude and rapidly changing weather.
Seven Summits: It is one of the Seven Summits which include Mount Everest (Asia), Aconcagua (South America), Denali (North America), Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Mount Vinson (Antarctica), and Mount Kosciuszko (Australia).

BANKING & FINANCE

ADB Partners with Aavas Financiers to Expand Affordable Housing, MSME Lending in IndiaIn February 2026, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a senior secured debt financing package of up to USD 108 million (Mn) (about Rs 983 crore (Cr)) with Aavas Financiers Limited to expand affordable housing and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) lending in India.
Purpose: Apart from providing business loans for MSMEs in underserved states across India, the financing will support housing loans for self-built and green-certified homes, promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing solutions for lower-middle-income borrowers.
Capacity Support: The package includes concessional debt financing of USD 8 Mn through the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), Asian Development Bank (ADB).

• The transaction also includes up to USD 150,000 in technical assistance to strengthen capacity and promote green housing awareness.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

FSIB Recommends Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi as CMD of GIC ReIn February 2026, the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) recommended Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi for the position of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

• The final appointment will be confirmed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.

About Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi:
Profile: He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India and possesses several decades of extensive experience within the corporation, having handled diverse operational and strategic functions.
Current Position: He is serving as Executive Director (ED) of GIC Re since 9 July 2024 and has held additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) since 1 October 2025 following the superannuation of Ramaswamy Narayanan.

Legendary Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar Appointed as UN Global Road Safety Champion
On February 24, 2026, Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar was designated a Global Champion for Road Safety by the United Nations(UN), joining other international figures to support global road safety awareness efforts.
About Make a Safety Statement Campaign: 
Participation: He released a video promoting safe road practices under the UN-JCDecaux #MakeASafetyStatement campaign.
Launches:  Jean Todt, the Special Envoy for Road Safety of United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, launched “Make A Safety Statement”, in New Delhi, Delhi.
Safety Actions Promotion: The campaign promotes everyday safety actions such as wearing seat belts and helmets, observing speed limits, avoiding mobile phone use while driving, not driving under the influence, and respecting pedestrians and cyclists.
Digital Billboards: The digital billboards and posters with campaign messages will appear in New Delhi, Mumbai (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN), and Bengaluru (Karnataka).
Sustainable Road Safety Initiative: Alongside the campaign, the UN launched the ‘Sustainable Financing for Road Safety in India – A Collaborative Approach’ project under the UN Road Safety Fund, implemented with technical support from World Health Organization(WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), and UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP).

IIT-M Prof. B. Ravindran Appointed to UN International Panel on AI
In February 2026, Professor B. Ravindran, of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) was appointed to the United Nations (UN) Independent International Scientific Panel in Artificial Intelligence (AI), announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at India AI Impact Summit 2026 (New Delhi, Delhi). Represents India & Global South among 40 global experts.

• 1st global scientific body established by UN to provide detailed and independent scientific assessments of AI’s impact on society.

About Prof. B. Ravindran:
Current Role: At present, Prof. Ravindran works as Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI (WSAI).
Other Role: He is the founding head of Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT-M.
Experience: He has an experience of more than 30 years in AI, research interests span responsible AI and deep reinforcement learning.
About UN Independent Panel on AI:
Background: In August 2025, the panel was set up through a UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution adopted on August 26, 2025.
Objective: It aims to bolster global scientific cooperation, generate evidence-based information on AI deployment, and support global governance efforts by bringing together leading experts from diverse regions and disciplines to assess the impact of AI on lives and societies worldwide.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches AI Product Data Portal ‘SUJVIKA’ to Mark 40th Foundation Day of DBTOn February 24, 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) Independent Charge (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T) launched ‘SUJVIKA’, an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven biotech product data portal, to mark the 40th foundation day of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• During the event, Union MoS(IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the revamped website of the DBT aligned with the Government of India (GoI)’s Digital Brand Identity Manual(DBIM) Framework.

About SUJVIKA: 
Overview: It is a Trade Statistics Digital Intelligence Platform designed to create a comprehensive, searchable database of biotechnology products developed across India.
Developer: The portal was developed in collaboration with industry partner Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises (ABLE).
Sectors Covered: It covers multiple sectors such as healthcare and biopharma, agricultural biotechnology, industrial biotechnology, and environmental biotechnology.

STATE NEWS

Jharkhand Government Tables Rs 1.58 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27In February 2026, Radhakrishna Kishore, Finance Minister (FM) of Jharkhand presented a Rs.1,58,560 crore budget for Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) in the state legislative assembly in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The FY27 budget represents an increase over the Rs.1.45 lakh crore(9%) allocated in FY26.

• The FY27 budget, named ‘Abua Dishom(our own)’, has been presented as a tribute to the former Chief Minister(CM) Shibu Soren.

Highlights: 
Revenue Receipts: The budget estimated total revenue receipts at Rs 1,36,210.04 crore for FY27.

• Out of total revenue receipts estimated, Rs 46,000 crore will be raised from state’s own tax revenues, Rs 20,700 crore from non-tax sources.

Fiscal Deficit: The budget has estimated the fiscal deficit of the state at Rs 13,595.96 crore which accounts 2.8% of the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Sector-wise: Among all the major sectors, the social sector received the largest share of total budget i.e. Rs 67,459.54 crore; followed by Gender budget (Rs 34,211.27 crore) spanning 232 schemes across 17 state departments; Child Budget (Rs 10,793.16 crore) covering 138 schemes.

• Education ( overRs 18,000 crore); Healthcare (Rs 7,990.30 crore); Agriculture and Allied Sector (Rs 4,884.20 crore), among others.

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