Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 28th February 2026

Himachal Pradesh expanded Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana to support daughters of widows pursuing higher education within and outside the state. Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana was launched by Himachal Pradesh government. Scheme earlier covered children of widows, destitute or divorced women and disabled parents up to 18 years. Now eligible daughters can receive benefits up to 27 years of age.
Financial aid of Rs 3,000 per month for 10 months for professional courses in government institutions outside state.

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.

An Right to Information (RTI) activist filed an online petition to the Prime Minister’s Office seeking criminal, departmental and regulatory action over pollution of the Bhavani River. Bhavani River is a major tributary of the Cauvery River. It flows through Kerala and Tamil Nadu and is the second largest river of Tamil Nadu. It originates in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. It passes through Silent Valley National Park in Kerala, then re-enters Tamil Nadu. It merges with the Cauvery at Bhavani near Bhavani Sangameshwarar Temple.

Indian Army and United States Army conducted 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. It is a joint Special Forces exercise between India and United States. The objective is to strengthen defence cooperation and improve interoperability and joint operational readiness. It promotes exchange of advanced Special Operations Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs). Year 2026 marks the 16th edition of this exercise. Training is conducted in realistic combat situations.

Researchers discovered a new Cobra Lily species named Arisaema siahaense in Siaha District of Mizoram, Northeast India. It is an evergreen herb growing up to 1.08 metre (about 3.5 feet) tall. Cobra Lilies are known for spathe shaped like a cobra hood. This species has an exceptionally long spadix appendix up to 21 centimetre with brownish-green hair-like bristles. It grows from a rounded tuber, not creeping rootstock, and has exactly three leaf segments.

Union Civil Aviation Minister said Centre plans to develop tourist areas around major temples in Andhra Pradesh under PRASHAD scheme. PRASHAD means Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. It was launched in 2014–2015 by the Ministry of Tourism. It is a Central Sector Scheme for integrated development of selected pilgrimage destinations. The objective is to improve tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites. Central Government gives 100% funding for approved public projects. States and Union Territories get financial assistance for infrastructure development. It also allows Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Private Partnership contributions

A 10-year artificial reef project at Vaan Island created socio-ecological benefits worth ₹61.67 crore, more than double its inflation-adjusted cost. The study was done by the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission and its partners. Vaan Island is located in the Gulf of Mannar. It is part of the Tuticorin group of islands in Tamil Nadu. The island faced severe coastal erosion and shrinking land area.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy tested the Sayyad-3G air defense missile. Sayyad-3G is a naval surface-to-air missile developed by Iran. It is derived from the land-based Sayyad-3 missile and modified for maritime use. It provides medium-range air defense to warships and naval vessels. It is launched through a Vertical Launch System, giving 360-degree coverage. It can quickly respond to aerial threats. It can intercept warplanes, maritime patrol aircraft, and high-altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

India achieved a major milestone in organ donation through the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization. It works under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi. It was established under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Act, 2011. It has two divisions: National Human Organ and Tissue Removal and Storage Network, and National Biomaterial Centre. It is the apex body for coordination, organ allocation, and national registry. It frames policy guidelines and protocols. It compiles and publishes national transplant data.

The south division of Palamu Tiger Reserve launched ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ in 17 villages to train educated women as reserve ambassadors. The objective of initiative is to prevent forest destruction and illegal wildlife activities by fostering local, women-led conservation efforts. It is located on the Chhotanagpur Plateau in Jharkhand. It is part of Betla National Park. It was among the first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger.

National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), Brazil and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India signed a cooperation arrangement for access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). TKDL was established in 2001 by Government of India through CSIR and Ministry of AYUSH. Its main objective is to prevent wrongful patents on Indian traditional knowledge and protect knowledge heritage. It documents Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Yoga from authoritative texts.

Zimbabwe has started rolling out Lenacapavir for HIV prevention. It is the first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). PrEP is a medicine taken by HIV-negative individuals to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Clinical studies show it prevents about 99.9 percent of HIV transmission. It is developed by Gilead Sciences and marketed as Yeztugo. Lenacapavir is a capsid inhibitor that blocks the virus’s protein shell needed for replication.

The Government of West Bengal has launched the Banglar Yuva Sathi Scheme 2026 to support unemployed youth in the state. The scheme was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the state’s interim budget presentation. Under this initiative, eligible unemployed youth will receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 as transitional financial support. The scheme aims to assist educated but unemployed individuals by providing a financial support while they search for employment, rather than serving as a permanent income source. Although initially planned for launch in August 2026, the programme has been fast-tracked and will officially begin on April 1, 2026.

The Chief Minister of Delhi, Rekha Gupta, launched the CM Jan Sunwai Portal and a mobile app to enable citizens to submit complaints online. The portal serves as an integrated, user-friendly platform where people can register grievances related to any government department without technical difficulties. Complaints, jurisdictions, and departmental officers have been pre-mapped in the system to ensure clarity and faster resolution. Citizens can file complaints through four modes: the portal, mobile app, call centre (1902), and offline submission at the Chief Minister’s Office. A three-tier grievance redressal system has been introduced, comprising a Grievance Redressal Officer, an Appellate Authority, and a Final Appellate Authority.

Scientists from the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research have discovered a new species of blossom midge named Contarinia icardiflores. Contarinia icardiflores is a newly identified species belonging to the genus Contarinia, whose members are small insects recognized as serious pests of ornamental and food crops worldwide. The larvae of this species feed inside flower buds or blossoms, often leading to severe yield losses in agricultural and horticultural crops. The species has been named in honour of ICAR-DFR to acknowledge the institute’s significant contributions to floriculture research.

Reports indicate that Iran is close to finalising a defence deal with China to procure CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles to strengthen its naval strike capability. The CM-302 is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by China and is the export variant of the YJ-12 missile deployed by the Chinese Navy. The missile is specifically designed to target and destroy large naval vessels and other high-value maritime assets. It is powered by a liquid direct-flow air-breathing jet engine with four air intakes, enabling sustained high-speed flight. The missile can travel at speeds of around Mach 2.5 to Mach 3, making it extremely difficult for enemy air defence systems to intercept.

More than 2,700 tourists were recently rescued after being stranded due to heavy snowfall near Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim. Tsomgo Lake, also known as Tsongmo or Changu Lake, is a glacial lake located in Sikkim. It is formed by melting snow from the surrounding mountains. The lake receives its water mainly from seasonal snowmelt in the high-altitude region. After winter ends around mid-May, the lake’s surroundings bloom with rhododendrons, primulas, blue and yellow poppies, and irises. Rhododendron is the state tree of Sikkim. The area supports rich biodiversity, including Brahminy ducks and the rare red panda.

The Madhya Pradesh government, under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, has recently re-implemented the Bhavantar Bhugtan Yojana (Price Difference Scheme) for the 2025-26 season to protect farmers from falling market prices. The government is extending this scheme to mustard and offering bonuses for urad, aiming to cover price deficits below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The scheme was reintroduced in September 2025 for soybean and is being expanded in early 2026 to help farmers manage lower market rates

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.

In February 2026, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the implementation of the “Rah-Veer” scheme in Delhi to promote timely help for road accident victims. The Rah-Veer scheme is a Central Government initiative launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to encourage citizens to assist seriously injured accident victims. The scheme focuses on saving lives during the “golden hour,” which is the first critical hour after a serious road accident. The helper will receive a cash incentive of ₹25,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. A maximum reward of ₹25,000 will be given per accident incident, even if multiple victims are rescued.

Botanists discovered a new flowering plant species named Impatiens nagorum from Northeast India. It was found in Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagaland. The name “nagorum” honours the Naga tribes of the state. Impatiens, commonly called balsams or “touch-me-nots,” are known for bright flowers and seed pods that burst when touched. The Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India are global hotspots for this plant group. It grows in moist temperate broadleaf forests and is known only from its original discovery site. It has purple flowers, serrated leaves, slightly hairy lateral sepals, and a deep lower sepal forming a hooked spur.

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.”

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), Government of India, held the fifth National MSME Council meeting in New Delhi to review the World Bank–supported RAMP Programme. The RAMP Programme, Raising & Accelerating MSME Performance, was launched in 2022. It is implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises over 2022–23 to 2026–27 with assistance from the World Bank. It aims to improve access to market and credit for MSMEs. It strengthens institutions and governance at the central and state levels.

Researchers found that Mai Ndombe and Tumba lakes in the Democratic Republic of Congo are releasing carbon stored for thousands of years in surrounding peatlands. Peatlands are terrestrial wetland ecosystems with waterlogged conditions that prevent full decomposition of plant material. Lake Mai Ndombe is Africa’s largest blackwater lake, part of the Congo River Basin, located in western Democratic Republic of Congo. Lake Tumba is located in northwestern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Integrated Fire and Manoeuvre Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted at Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, by the Southern Command of the Indian Army. The exercise highlighted combat effectiveness of mechanised forces operating across multiple domains. Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise, observing speed, accuracy, and synchronisation of Combined Arms formations in the Thar Desert. Agni Varsha incorporated modern battlefield technologies: unmanned aerial systems, counter-drone measures, precision strike rockets, artillery platforms, and networked surveillance assets.

Prime Minister’s second state visit to Israel focuses on defence cooperation and acquiring Sky Sting missile for Indian Air Force (IAF). Sky Sting is a 6th-generation Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). It is developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited, an Israeli defence technology company. It is lightweight and can be fitted on Tejas Mk1A and Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. It has a strike range of about 250 kilometres. It uses a three-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor and can reach speeds above Mach 5.

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.

Class Eleven students of Ariyakudi Government Higher Secondary School in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu launched a 600 gram mini satellite named Vikko Sat-1. Vikko Sat-1 is designed to detect fungal spores in the stratosphere using five specialised sensors. Fungal spores affect agricultural health and environmental cycles, and can damage crops if they descend. The mini satellite was sent into the stratosphere using a helium balloon to collect real-time data beyond ground observation. Students developed it in six months with adhesive surfaces to capture air samples. It reached 22 kilometre height in the stratosphere, the second atmospheric layer. Sensors studied spore behaviour in thin air and low temperature.

Union Minister for Railways launched e-Railway Claims Tribunal as reform number four under Indian Railways initiative “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks”. It ensures full computerisation and digitisation of Railway Claims Tribunal functioning. Objective is to make claim filing, processing and judgement faster, transparent and accessible across India. Passengers can file claims online from any location, even during travel or after reaching destination. Entire system from electronic filing to case tracking is digitised and Artificial Intelligence-enabled. E-Filing allows 24×7 online submission of claims, petitions, affidavits and supporting documents. Case Information System is centralised database for auto-allocation and real-time case tracking.

Atal Innovation Mission under NITI Aayog launched India’s first State Innovation Mission in Tripura. It is part of Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 under State Support Mission framework. It is a long-term institutional system to help States and Union Territories build strong, inclusive and region-specific innovation ecosystems. It aligns national priorities with local strengths and development needs. It will design long-term innovation strategy and improve policy and regulatory support. It promotes partnerships among government, academia, industry and civil society.