24 February 2026 Current Affairs: Daily Analysis
Read the most comprehensive 24 February 2026 Current Affairs analysis for UPSC, SSC, Bank & State Exams. Stay updated with the latest headlines covering National and International events.
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TOP ANALYSIS: 24 FEBRUARY 2026 CURRENT AFFAIRS
Below are the top questions and detailed explanations for 24 February 2026 Current Affairs.
Q1. Recently, where has the India-US joint military exercise ‘Vajra Prahar 2026’ begun?
Answer: Himachal Pradesh
- Edition: The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026.
- Participants: A joint Special Forces drill between the Indian Army and the United States Army.
- Location: Held at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh Cantonment, Himachal Pradesh (Feb 23 to March 15).
Q2. Recently, who has been sworn in as the youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister of the Netherlands?
Answer: Rob Jetten
- Record: Rob Jetten (38) became the youngest and first openly gay PM of the Netherlands.
- Political Party: He leads the Democrats 66 party (D66) minority government.
- Context: Claimed victory after narrowly beating anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders in the election.
Q3. What position did India secure in the ‘Global AI Brain Race 2026’?
Answer: Sixth
- Rank & Score: India is at 6th place with a score of 32 out of 100.
- Strengths: Driven by extremely strong AI talent (9.12 out of 16.67).
- Weaknesses: Impacted by weaker scores in infrastructure (0.65) and governance (0.11).
Q4. On the occasion of ‘Rajaji Utsav’ on 23 February 2026, whose statue will be unveiled in the Central Courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan?
Answer: C. Rajagopalachari
- Event: PM Modi announced the unveiling during ‘Rajaji Utsav’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This statue replaces that of Edwin Lutyens as part of the de-colonisation campaign.
- About Personality: C. Rajagopalachari became the first and only Indian-born Governor-General of independent India (June 21, 1948). He succeeded Lord Mountbatten.
Q5. When is ‘Central Excise Day’ observed every year?
Answer: 24 February
- Observance: Observed on February 24 every year in India.
- Significance: Honors the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and the dedication of its officers in nation-building.
Q6. Recently, which Tiger Reserve has launched the ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ initiative?
Answer: Palamu Tiger Reserve
- Location: Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) is situated in Jharkhand.
- Initiative: ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ is a community-driven conservation programme empowering women to protect forests and wildlife.
- Goal: Builds grassroots awareness and strengthens local participation in biodiversity safeguarding.
Q7. Recently, India has been appointed as the Chair of which organization?
Answer: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
- Leadership: India assumed the chairmanship, returning to leadership after 16 years (India previously chaired from 2008 to 2010).
- Event: The 9th conclave of the Chiefs of IONS was held in Visakhapatnam.
- Participants: Included Navy chiefs of 33 countries and maritime security heads.
Q8. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the Metro and Namo Bharat train in which city of Uttar Pradesh?
Answer: Meerut
- Inauguration: PM Modi flagged off the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat Train at Shatabdi Nagar Namo Bharat Station.
- Engagement: The PM undertook a Metro ride till Meerut South Station, interacting with students and local passengers.
Q9. Padma awardee Pankaj Advani, who won the first ‘Liber Win Champions Cup 2026’ title, is associated with which sport?
Answer: Billiards & Snooker
- Victory: India’s most decorated cueist, Pankaj Advani, clinched the inaugural Liber Win Champions Cup 2026.
- Finals: He defeated Kamal Chawla 6-3 in a best-of-11 final at the Karnataka State Billiards Association (KSBA), Bengaluru.
WORLD & INDIA UPDATES: 24 FEBRUARY 2026
Govt Initiatives & Tech
- PM Rahat Yojana: Announced for accident victims from “Seva Tirth” (formerly PMO).
- Education: NIELIT will establish India’s 1st Quantum & AI University in Amaravati, AP.
- Constitution: VP CP Radhakrishnan released Tamil & Gujarati versions.
- Skill India: Launched “Badhna Hai To Yahan Judna Hai” campaign.
Global Affairs
- India-Brazil: PM Modi awarded Brazil’s highest civilian honour. 18th BRICS proposed in India.
- USA: Trump (47th Pres), JD Vance (50th VP). Renamed Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America”. Developing “Haven-1” private space station.
- Social Media Bans: Australia (1st globally) and Spain (1st in Europe) banned social media for < 16.
Appointments & Honours
- Shashi Tharoor: Awarded honorary D.Litt. by St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata.
- Rubal Nagi: Awarded the Global Teacher Prize 2026.
- IndiGo: Appointed Rohit Rekhi as head of Operations Control.
- Nivedita Dubey: Became 1st female member of Airports Authority Board.
- Police: Piyush Pandey (DGP WB), Sadanand Date (DGP Maha).
Sports & Defence
- Vajra Prahar: India-US joint military exercise commenced in Bakloh, HP.
- Ellyse Perry (AUS): 1st female cricketer to play 350 international matches.
- Alyssa Healy (AUS): Announced retirement from international cricket.
- Haryana: Won 72nd Women’s Senior National Kabaddi Tournament.
- Smriti Mandhana: Won BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year.
STATE-WISE DEVELOPMENTS
Explore regional updates covered in the 24 February 2026 Current Affairs breakdown.
Sikkim & Punjab
- Sikkim: Army launched Operation Him Rahat to rescue tourists from snow. It is India’s 1st 100% organic state.
- Punjab: Launched “Meri Rasoi Yojana” (free ration to 40 lakh families). Adampur airport renamed to Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport.
Assam & Kerala
- Assam: Amit Shah laid foundation for 10th Battalion HQ. Approved 1st submerged road-rail tunnel & 3% reservation for tea tribes.
- Kerala: Presented India’s first “Elderly Budget”. It is the 1st fully digital literate state.
Andhra Pradesh & Fast Facts
- AP: CM Chandrababu Naidu launched Pilloo AI (1st voice-based billing agent for SMEs).
- Chandigarh: Became India’s first slum-free city.
- Delhi: Govt announced “Bhu-Aadhaar” for properties.
UP, WB & Name Changes
- West Bengal: Launched the “Bangla Yuva Sathi Yojana”.
- Uttar Pradesh: 1st National Cow Culture Museum set up in Mathura.
- Name Changes: PMO is now “Seva Tirth”, 7 Race Course is “Lok Kalyan Marg”, Raj Bhavan is “Lok Bhavan”.
IMPORTANT DATES (FEB & REVISION)
| Date | Occasion | Context / Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 24 | Central Excise Day | Honors CBIC officers |
| Feb 23 | Rajaji Utsav | Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrations |
| Feb 23 | World Peace and Understanding Day | – |
| Feb 21 | International Mother Language Day | Theme: Youth voices… |
| Feb 20 | World Day of Social Justice | – |
| Feb 19 | World Anthropology Day | – |
| Feb 17 | World Human Spirit Day | – |
| Feb 13 | World Radio Day | Also National Women’s Day |
| Feb 10 | World Pulses Day | – |
| Feb 09 | International Epilepsy Day | Celebrated on 2nd Monday of February |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
What is Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026?
Who is Rob Jetten?
What is the Vanjeevi Didi initiative?
When is Central Excise Day celebrated in India?
Trending Search Topics: Ensure your competitive exam preparation is unmatched with our 24 February 2026 Current Affairs breakdown. Major defense updates feature the Vajra Prahar 2026 Himachal Pradesh military drill, while global leadership shifts note the rise of Rob Jetten Netherlands PM. Explore tech advancements with India ranking 6th in the Global AI Brain Race India and massive infrastructural boosts like the Meerut Metro Namo Bharat launch by PM Modi.
Keep track of crucial heritage events like the Rajaji Utsav Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrating C. Rajagopalachari. Learn about the Vanjeevi Didi Palamu Tiger Reserve conservation initiative and remember that today is Central Excise Day 24 Feb. Other highlights include India taking the chair at the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium IONS and snooker champion Pankaj Advani Liber Win Cup victory. Utilize the Daily Current Affairs PDF Download link to master your 24 February 2026 Current Affairs notes. This is the ultimate study hub for Daily GK for UPSC SSC Banking.