Current Affairs Quiz - February 2026

Notes:
Archaeologists in Mexico found a 1,400-year-old tomb of the Zapotec culture with an owl sculpture holding a man, colorful murals, and calendar carvings. The Zapotec civilization lived in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, using irrigation from the Atoyac River. They shifted from hunting to farming and developed weaving, pottery, and stone building skills. By 200 Before Common Era to 100 Common Era, they formed a centralized state with Monte Albán as capital. Society had nobles, commoners, priests, rituals, human sacrifice, writing, and calendars. Decline began around 900 Common Era, but Zapotec culture still survives today.

Notes:
The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducted Exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh. It was a joint training exercise to improve coordination and combat teamwork between the two forces. This was the first exercise of its kind focusing on inter-force operational integration. Personnel from Spear Corps, artillery regiments, infantry battalions, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police took part. Non-artillery soldiers were trained in artillery procedures and firing missions.

Notes:
A new orchid species named Diplocentrum papillosum was discovered in Kanthalloor, Marayoor, in the Idukki district of Kerala. It belongs to the Diplocentrum genus, which is found only in the southern part of the Western Ghats. The orchid grows on rocks and tree branches and has strong roots to survive high winds. The name papillosum refers to the papillose, or small bump-like, texture of its flowers. It has unbranched flower clusters with pink and white, fragrant, and eye-catching blooms.

Notes:
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed every year on 30 January by the World Health Organization. It highlights the impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases on poor and underserved communities. Neglected Tropical Diseases affect about one billion people worldwide but are preventable and treatable. In 2024, around 1.4 billion people needed interventions, showing a 36 percent decline since 2010. By early 2026, 58 countries eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease.

Notes:
The Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association will host the 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit and Business-to-Business Expo on 5–6 February 2026 in Mumbai. The event will be held at the National Stock Exchange, Bandra Kurla Complex, Maharashtra. It will bring together policymakers, scientists, startups, industry leaders, and global experts. The theme is “Converge, Collaborate and Co-create” to strengthen India’s agri-input sector.

Notes:
A rare blood-red aurora was recorded at the Indian Astronomical Observatory using an all-sky camera in Hanle, Ladakh. Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is located at about 4,500 metres altitude in the Changthang region of Ladakh. It lies within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and has Bortle-1 category skies, the darkest level. It was notified in December 2022 and is India’s first International Dark Sky Reserve. The reserve is managed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics under the Department of Science and Technology. It aims to reduce light pollution and promote astro-tourism for local livelihoods.

Notes:
Paathara practice, also called Khoni, is an ancient method of storing grains in underground pits. It was followed by farmers along the Mahendratanaya River in the Uddanam region of Srikakulam district near the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border. Freshly harvested paddy was stored in rectangular pits plastered with straw and clay. The pit was sealed with cow dung to protect grains from moisture, rodents, and theft. Paathara was built in front of thatched houses and supported joint family food security. The tradition is declining due to lack of space, awareness, and changing rural housing styles.

Notes:
Oil India carried out seismic studies in blocks won under the ninth round to plan bidding for the tenth round. The Open Acreage Licensing Policy was introduced by the Government of India under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy. It replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy that operated for over eighteen years. Under this policy, companies can choose and explore oil and gas blocks on their own. Exploration can begin without waiting for government notifications. The policy also allows access to seismic data from the National Data Repository.

Notes:
State Bank of India launched CHAKRA, meaning Centre of Excellence, to finance sunrise sectors vital for India’s economic growth. It will act as a knowledge-based platform supporting technology-driven and sustainable industries. CHAKRA focuses on renewables, data centres, electric mobility, batteries, semiconductors, green hydrogen, decarbonization, and smart infrastructure. The centre aims to boost investments, global value chain integration, and Net Zero targets. It will promote technology and Artificial Intelligence innovation and provide advisory support. CHAKRA will collaborate with policymakers, banks, industry, startups, and global institutions.

Notes:
22 states and Union Territories have requested the Centre to increase honorarium for cooks and helpers under the PM-POSHAN scheme. PM-POSHAN, formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme run by the Ministry of Education. It provides one hot cooked meal per school day to children in Balvatikas (pre-primary) and Classes 1 to 8 in government and government-aided schools.