Current Affairs Quiz - February 2026

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.

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Bharat-VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) is a proposed multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered platform for farmers, announced in Union Budget 2026-27 by Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman. It will integrate AgriStack portals and ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) agricultural practices with AI systems. The platform aims to enhance farm productivity and reduce risks for farmers by providing customised, real-time advisory support to improve decision-making based on local conditions.

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India’s first Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Advocate Training and Research Centre was inaugurated at Taloja, Navi Mumbai. The centre has been established by the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Council. It aims to strengthen the legal profession by bridging the gap between legal education and courtroom practice. The academy will focus on advocate training, legal research, and practical skill development. The initiative is seen as a landmark step for improving professional standards in law.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day is observed every year on 2 February to spread awareness about rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting millions of people worldwide. The day was started in 2013 by the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation to educate the public and break myths. The organisation is now inactive, leading to limited global observance of the day. The awareness day highlights the need for early diagnosis and timely treatment. It promotes advocacy, support systems, and research for better care.

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Union Budget 2026–27 launched a new Khelo India Mission to transform India’s sports sector over the next decade. The focus areas are talent development, sports infrastructure creation, and manufacturing-led employment generation. Mission builds on the earlier Khelo India programme with a mission-mode approach to nurture talent and strengthen the sports ecosystem. ₹500 crore allocated for promotion of sports goods manufacturing, research, and innovation to boost domestic capability and global competitiveness. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ budget increased by ₹1,133 crore, from ₹3,346 crore to ₹4,479.88 crore, supporting athlete development, coaching, sports science, and infrastructure.

Notes:
More than 26 lakh households in India have benefited from PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSG: MBY) since its launch in February 2024. 20,85,514 rooftop solar (RTS) systems have been installed nationwide, providing clean energy access. Rs 14,771.82 crore in Central Financial Assistance (CFA) has been disbursed up to December 2025. The scheme allows eligible grid-connected residential consumers to install solar panels via the national portal. Gujarat leads with 5.15 lakh installations benefiting 7.41 lakh households, followed by Maharashtra (3.92 lakh) and Uttar Pradesh (3.26 lakh). The programme promotes affordable household solar energy and supports India’s clean energy transition.

Notes:
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Samikshya’ portal for real-time monitoring of projects funded under State Finance Commission (SFC) and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants. State Finance Commission (SFC) emphasized equity, regional disparities, and differing needs of rural and urban local bodies, offering financial and non-financial development measures. The portal aims to improve transparency, accountability, timely execution, and better service delivery of SFC- and CFC-funded works at the grassroots level.

Notes:
Odisha government partnered with deep-tech startup BonV Aero to create a National Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Test and Innovation Corridor. The corridor will be set up at Rangeilunda in Ganjam district. It will be India’s first commercial airport repurposed as a real-world drone testing facility. The agreement was signed at the Wings India 2026 summit in Hyderabad. BonV Aero will lead indigenous research, development, and testing of unmanned aviation systems. The corridor will allow live UAV trials in low-altitude airspace up to 1,000 metres.

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Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment implements Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) as a Central Sector Scheme. It provides skill training to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis. Training is conducted in National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant courses aligned with local market demand. Training institutes must ensure at least 70 percent wage or self-employment outcomes.

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The United States has launched Project Vault, a $12-billion critical minerals stockpiling initiative. It was announced by Donald Trump. The project is a public–private programme. It aims to secure supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements. These minerals are essential for defence, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. The initiative seeks to reduce US dependence on China. It also helps protect industries during global supply disruptions. Project Vault functions like the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It stabilises prices and strengthens national security.