Current Affairs Quiz - February 2026

Notes:
Poland announced withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention to allow quick deployment of Anti-Personnel Landmines (APLs) along its eastern borders if needed. The Ottawa Convention, also called the Mine Ban Treaty, bans use, production, stockpiling and transfer of APLs. Member countries must destroy stockpiled APLs within 4 years and clear planted mines within 10 years. Extension of up to 10 years can be requested for mine destruction. Countries must submit annual reports on stockpiles, mine locations and destruction progress. The treaty came into force on 1 March 1999 and has unlimited duration.

Notes:
Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched indigenous Tetanus and Diphtheria vaccine at Central Research Institute, Kasauli in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh. Vaccine supports vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in health sector. India is known as Pharmacy of the World. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is world’s largest immunization programme. Central Research Institute will supply 5.5 million vaccine doses by April 2026 to strengthen immunization coverage.

Notes:
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurated National Divyangjan Cricket Sports Festival 2026 in Bhopal. Theme is “Not Out @ 100” and 350 Divyang players from 25 states will play cricket continuously for 100 hours to create record. It is first event of its kind in the world with non-stop 100-hour cricket. Event is dedicated to birth centenary of social reformer Kushabhau Thakre. Festival will run day and night till 26 February. Divyang term reflects inner strength and willpower as highlighted by Prime Minister.

Notes:
A recent study at Kole Wetlands recorded 12 species of pygmy grasshoppers. It is located in Kerala and is a Ramsar site since 2002. The name ‘Kole’ means “bumper crop” in Malayalam due to high productivity. It is one of the largest, most productive and threatened wetlands in Kerala. The area is low-lying with a narrow central strip and cultivated pockets. It faces seasonal saltwater ingression and monsoon submergence.

Notes:
India intensified action against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) through “Operation Demolishment”. The drive targets memorials and monuments linked to Naxal ideology. Aim is to weaken ideological influence and prevent youth recruitment. Total 203 memorials demolished in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. In Chhattisgarh, 149 structures removed from 2023–2026, with 130 in 2026 alone. In Maharashtra, 55 structures removed, including 45 in 2026. Memorials were used to glorify slain cadres and hold events. Operation is part of broader counterinsurgency strategy. Focus is on dismantling both armed network and ideological support base.

Notes:
The States’ Electricity Transition report by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and Ember analysed 21 States covering 95 percent of India’s power demand. Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan emerged as top performers in market enablers like green tariffs, Green Energy Open Access Rules 2022 and solar-hour-aligned Time-of-Day tariffs. Uttar Pradesh achieved 10 percent Electric Vehicle adoption in Financial Year 2025, targets 22 Gigawatt solar capacity by Financial Year 2027 and 1 Million Tonnes green hydrogen by 2028. Andhra Pradesh adopted an integrated Renewable Energy policy, deployed smart meters, has 1,440 Megawatt pumped hydro storage and 6.2 percent Electric Vehicle adoption.

Notes:
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH web portal to simplify issuance of No Objection Certificates for facilities along National Highways. The portal has been developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to improve transparency, speed and ease of doing business. It enables online applications for access permissions for fuel stations, wayside amenities, private properties, rest areas and connecting roads. Government and private entities can also seek approval for laying utilities like water pipelines, gas pipelines, optical fibre cables and electric lines along or across highways.

Notes:
National Science Day is celebrated every year on 28 February to honour the contribution of scientists in national development. It marks the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist C. V. Raman in 1928. For this discovery, he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. In 1986, the Government of India declared 28 February as National Science Day. The first celebration was held in 1987 and since then it is observed annually with a special theme. Theme for 202 is “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat.”

Notes:
Two Maoists were killed in an encounter in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh during an anti-Naxal operation along the Indravati river belt. Indravati River is a major tributary of the Godavari River. It rises from Kalahandi district of Odisha on the western slopes of the Eastern Ghats. It flows westwards and joins the Godavari River, forming boundary between Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh at some places. Most of its 535 kilometre course flows through dense forests of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh. It is called the lifeline of Bastar, one of the greenest districts of India.

Notes:
INS Anjadip commissioned into Indian Navy at Chennai Port on 27 February 2026. It is the fourth ship under Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. It is named after Anjadip island near Karwar, it is designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow coastal waters. It has over 80 percent indigenous content, promoting Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. The 77 metre, 1400 ton ship has advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare suite and Combat Management System. It follows INS Arnala and INS Androth in this series.