Daily current affairs: 26 February 2026

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his historic two-day visit to Israel on February 26, 2026. The visit marked a significant shift in diplomatic relations, with both nations formally elevating their bond to a "Special Strategic Partnership." Key agreements were signed in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and semiconductor research. A pivotal announcement included the integration of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) within the Israeli financial ecosystem to facilitate seamless digital transactions. Furthermore, PM Modi reiterated India’s support for the Gaza Peace Plan, emphasizing that "humanity must never become a victim of conflict." The visit also prioritized joint defense production under the "Make in India" initiative.

Long Description : Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the "PRAHAAR" policy document on February 26, 2026, outlining a proactive framework for national security. The strategy focuses on intelligence-led operations, strengthening the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), and creating a centralized database for terror-related financial activities. It specifically addresses "new-age" threats, including the use of drones by non-state actors and the spread of radicalization through deepfake technology. The policy mandates state-level counter-terrorism units to undergo standardized training under the National Investigation Agency (NIA). By fostering a "whole-of-government" approach, PRAHAAR aims to synchronize the efforts of central and state agencies to dismantle terror ecosystems and their funding networks effectively.

Long Description : A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant on February 26, 2026, issued a blanket ban on the reprinting and distribution of the latest NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook. The court took suo motu cognizance of a chapter titled "The Role of the Judiciary in Our Society," which contained allegations regarding systemic corruption within the Indian legal system. The Bench termed the content "misleading and derogatory," stating it could potentially undermine the public’s trust in the judiciary. The court has directed the NCERT to recall existing copies and submit a revised curriculum. This ruling highlights the judicial oversight on educational content that impacts the perception of constitutional bodies.

Long Description : In a significant move to provide more diversification options, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced new norms on February 26, 2026. Actively managed equity funds are now permitted to allocate up to 35% of their portfolio to gold and silver instruments, including ETFs and units of Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), once their core equity requirements are met. Previously, these funds were largely restricted to money-market and liquid securities for their residual portions. This policy shift aims to help investors hedge against inflation and market volatility through a single equity-oriented vehicle. The regulator also tightened classification norms to ensure transparency in India's $900 billion mutual fund industry.

Long Description : The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced the successful conclusion of the first round of India-Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations on February 26, 2026. Spanning four days, the talks covered merchandise trade, services, and investment protocols. Both nations identified key growth sectors, including medical devices, agriculture, and textiles. The proposed FTA aims to create a predictable and stable framework for businesses, building on the $3.62 billion bilateral trade recorded in FY 2024-25. The negotiators agreed on a "mutually beneficial" roadmap, with the next in-person round scheduled for May 2026 in Israel. This agreement is expected to significantly boost India’s access to high-tech Israeli innovations and agricultural technology.

Long Description : To combat the rising threat of "finfluencer" fraud and misinformation, SEBI issued a circular on February 26, 2026, making it mandatory for all regulated entities to disclose their registered name and SEBI registration number in their social media profiles. This rule applies to stockbrokers, mutual fund houses, research analysts, and investment advisers registered under Section 12 of the SEBI Act, 1992. The initiative is designed to enhance investor protection and ensure that digital communication remains transparent and verifiable. Intermediaries must implement these changes by May 1, 2026. Failure to comply will invite strict regulatory action, as SEBI aims to sanitize the digital financial advisory landscape.

Long Description : The Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC) India reported on February 26, 2026, that engineering exports have surpassed the $100 billion threshold within the first ten months of the current fiscal year. Reaching $101.13 billion, the sector has shown resilient growth despite global supply chain fluctuations. This surge is attributed to increased demand for Indian machinery, electrical equipment, and automotive components in the European and Middle Eastern markets. The "Viksit Bharat" vision and production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes have played a crucial role in enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. This achievement places the engineering sector as a primary driver of India’s objective to reach $2 trillion in total exports by 2030.

Long Description : On February 26, 2026, the Department of Health Research (DHR) kicked off the "Medical Colleges Research Connect 2026" at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi. The two-day event aims to strengthen the national health research ecosystem by connecting over 100 Medical Colleges Research Units (MRUs) established under a Central Sector scheme. Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel, emphasized a ₹4,800 crore allocation to reinforce biomedical research. The conference focuses on improving grant proposal writing, training medical faculty in high-quality research, and leveraging technology for better patient outcomes. This initiative is a step toward making India a global hub for cost-effective and innovative biomedical solutions.

Long Description : In a move to enhance citizen convenience, UIDAI announced a partnership with Google on February 26, 2026, to integrate the locations of authorized Aadhaar centres into Google Maps. This digital initiative allows users to find the nearest enrollment centre, check operating hours, and view available services directly on their smartphones. The project aims to reduce the dependency on third-party aggregators and prevent citizens from visiting unauthorized kiosks. By providing real-time navigation and verified location data, the government intends to streamline the process of biometric updates and new enrollments. This collaboration aligns with the "Digital India" mission to provide essential public services through widely accessible technology platforms.

Long Description : On February 26, 2026, the Union Cabinet highlighted the recent amendments to the India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC). The revised treaty eliminates the "Most-Favored-Nation" (MFN) clause, which had been a source of legal disputes. Under the new provisions, capital gains from the sale of shares will be taxed in the country of the company's residence, granting India more robust taxing authority over French investments. Additionally, a two-tier dividend tax system was introduced: 5% for shareholders with at least 10% capital and 15% for others. A new "Service Permanent Establishment" concept was also added, ensuring that cross-border service activities are taxed fairly based on their physical presence.

Long Description : During a meeting on February 25, 2026 (formally updated in records on Feb 26), the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved the renaming of Kerala to ‘Keralam’. This change aligns with the linguistic and cultural identity of the Malayalam-speaking population. The process follows Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, where the President refers the "Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026" to the state legislature for views before its introduction in Parliament. The Bill requires a simple majority in both Houses of Parliament and subsequent Presidential assent. Once finalized, the name ‘Keralam’ will be updated in the First Schedule of the Constitution, reflecting the state's traditional name.

Long Description : Exercise MILAN 2026 concluded with a grand closing ceremony onboard INS Vikrant off the Visakhapatnam coast. This edition saw unprecedented scale, involving 18 foreign warships and maritime patrol aircraft from the US, France, and Germany. The exercise focused on "Indo-Pacific Convergence," addressing maritime security challenges such as piracy, submarine proliferation, and grey-zone threats. Over two phases—Harbour and Sea—navies conducted complex anti-submarine warfare and tactical maneuvers. The event underscored India's "MAHASAGAR" vision for maritime security and its role as a "Preferred Security Partner" in the Indian Ocean Region. MILAN has evolved from a small 1995 initiative at Port Blair into a premier global naval congregation.

Long Description : On February 26, 2026, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) conducted a special session at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. The delegation highlighted India’s shift toward "TFA Plus" measures under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP 3.0). Key reforms discussed included the removal of the ₹10 lakh value cap on courier exports to benefit MSMEs and the implementation of a "Trust-based System" for recognized importers. By leveraging a digital-first mindset, India has achieved high compliance with WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) commitments. These reforms aim to lower compliance burdens, improve predictability, and integrate Indian small businesses more deeply into the global value chain.

Long Description : The Jharkhand State Assembly witnessed the presentation of the FY27 budget on February 26, 2026. Named "Abua Dishom" (Our Own Land) as a tribute to Shibu Soren, the budget reflects a 9% increase over the previous year's allocation. The government has prioritized social welfare, rural infrastructure, and tribal development. Significant funds have been earmarked for the "Paving and Greening Cell" to improve state-wide environmental cover. Revenue receipts are estimated at ₹1.36 lakh crore, with a target of raising ₹46,000 crore through the state's own tax revenues. This fiscal plan focuses on transitioning the state toward self-reliance while addressing the unique socio-economic needs of its diverse population.

Long Description : On February 26, 2026, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai hosted a do-or-die Super Eight encounter between India and Zimbabwe. After a heavy loss to South Africa, India needed a win to stay in contention for the semi-finals. Opening batsman Abhishek Sharma delivered a stellar performance, reaching his fifty in just 26 balls. Despite losing Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson early, India maintained a high run rate of over 11 per over. Zimbabwe's captain Sikandar Raza took key wickets to slow the momentum. The match is critical for India's Net Run Rate (NRR), as they prepare for their final Super Eight fixture against the West Indies.

Long Description : Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated several key projects at the VOC Port on February 26, 2026. These initiatives, valued at ₹1,500 crore, focus on modernizing rail and road connectivity and integrating renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and green hydrogen. The projects align with the "Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047," which aims to transform Indian ports into global logistics hubs. Enhancements include advanced digital safety systems and battery storage facilities to ensure carbon-neutral operations. These upgrades are expected to significantly increase the port's cargo handling capacity and improve its overall efficiency in the international shipping corridor.