Current Affairs - February 26, 2026 Current Affairs

To Boost Digital Governance is the central objective behind the launch of the ‘Blockchain India Challenge’ by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The initiative encourages Indian startups to build secure, permissioned blockchain solutions tailored for government use cases. It focuses on enhancing regulatory control, transparency, auditability, and tamper-proof record management across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, land records, and public distribution systems. Implemented with support from C-DAC, the programme provides stage-wise funding to selected startups, aiming to create scalable, field-ready solutions that strengthen efficiency and trust in public service delivery systems across India.

Article 3 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to alter the name, area, or boundaries of a State by law. In the case of renaming Kerala as “Keralam,” the constitutional procedure requires the President to refer the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for expressing its views. After receiving those views, the Central Government may proceed to introduce the Bill in Parliament with the President’s recommendation. The proposal also involves amending the First Schedule of the Constitution, where the names of States are officially listed, ensuring that any change follows due constitutional process.

New Delhi is the host city for ‘Him-CONNECT’, which will be organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the sidelines of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2026. The platform aims to connect researchers from the Indian Himalayan Region with startups, investors, and policymakers to scale climate-resilient innovations. More than 24 technologies developed under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies will be showcased, focusing on water security, renewable energy, waste-to-wealth solutions, sustainable building, and nature-based livelihoods, reinforcing India’s commitment to sustainable mountain development and climate action.

₹5,925 is the Minimum Support Price approved for Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) for the 2026-27 marketing season. The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to ensure better remuneration for jute farmers. This price guarantees a return of 61.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production, in line with the government’s commitment to fix MSP at least 1.5 times the production cost. The revised MSP represents an increase over the previous season and aims to promote jute cultivation, strengthen rural incomes, and support the overall jute industry supply chain.

Israel is the nation that awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Speaker of the Knesset Medal in Jerusalem, marking the first time this highest parliamentary honour was presented to a global leader. The recognition highlights his contribution to strengthening strategic relations, expanding cooperation in defence, agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, and innovation, and advancing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. The award symbolizes deep mutual trust and growing diplomatic engagement, reflecting the steady expansion of bilateral ties since full diplomatic relations were established in 1992.

Sweden is the country that partnered with India by signing a Statement of Intent during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to strengthen cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies. The agreement led to the launch of the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC), a structured framework aimed at promoting collaboration among governments, industries, startups, and research institutions. The partnership focuses on developing, deploying, and scaling AI solutions across sectors while encouraging trade, investment, innovation, and responsible AI practices aligned with sustainable development goals.

South Central Railway is the zone that launched the next-generation Rail Parcel App to modernise parcel booking and freight logistics. The app functions as a digital freight e-marketplace, enabling customers to book shipments online with features such as doorstep pickup and delivery, real-time tracking, automated notifications, and secure digital payments. Initially rolled out as a pilot project in seven cities, the initiative supports the broader national goal of achieving 3,000 million tonnes of cargo loading by 2030. It also aligns with Indian Railways’ digital transformation strategy to improve efficiency, transparency, and customer convenience in freight services.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is the nodal agency responsible for overseeing and implementing India’s first compliance-based Carbon Credit Trading Scheme. The programme aims to regulate and monitor industrial emissions by assigning emission targets to nearly 490 industrial units across seven sectors for the 2025–26 period. Units emitting below prescribed limits can earn carbon credits, while those exceeding limits must purchase credits or face penalties. The initiative is designed to promote energy efficiency, encourage adoption of cleaner technologies, enhance transparency through verification processes, and strengthen India’s commitment to climate action and sustainable industrial growth.

Uttarakhand is the state where the 7th edition of the India–Japan Joint Military Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ is being held at the Foreign Training Node in Chaubattia. The exercise involves participation from the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force, with 120 personnel from each side. The drill focuses on enhancing interoperability, strengthening military collaboration, and improving joint operational capabilities in semi-urban environments. Activities such as heliborne operations, cordon and search missions, intelligence grid development, and house intervention drills are conducted to ensure combat readiness and coordinated response to regional security challenges.

Himachal Pradesh is the host state for the 16th edition of the India–US Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Vajra Prahar’, being held at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh from 24 February to 16 March 2026. The exercise involves personnel from the Indian Army’s Special Forces and the United States Army’s Green Berets. It focuses on enhancing interoperability, strengthening joint operational capabilities, and exchanging expertise in special operations tactics. Special emphasis is placed on conducting coordinated missions in mountainous terrain, improving combat readiness and reinforcing the growing defence partnership between the two nations.