Daily Current Affairs Quiz 18th February 2026 Check Important Questions Here

Practice Current Affairs Quiz to stay updated with national, international, economic, and banking news. This quiz is based on the previous day’s current affairs and is designed to boost your exam readiness, improve speed and accuracy, strengthen memory, and build confidence for competitive exams and interviews.

Daily Current Affairs:18 February, 2026

Q1. Yard 18003 (Krishna), the first of three Cadet Training Ships (CTS), was launched on 16 February 2026. The ship is being constructed by which company?
(a) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(b) Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers
(c) Cochin Shipyard Limited
(d) Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilding
(e) Goa Shipyard Limited

Answer: d

Solution:

• On 16 February 2026, Yard 18003 (Krishna), the first of three Cadet Training Ships (CTS), was launched.
• The ship is being constructed at M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli (Chennai).
• The ship was launched by Mrs. Anupama Chauhan in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan.
• The vessel has been indigenously designed and built by M/s L&T.
• The formal delivery of the ship to the Indian Navy is planned by the end of 2026.
• The launch marks another milestone in the Indian Navy’s push for indigenous shipbuilding.
• The project aligns with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

Q2. India’s total exports (merchandise and services combined) in January 2026 were estimated at US$ 80.45 billion. What was the year-on-year growth rate compared to January 2025?
(a) 9.25%
(b) 10.87%
(c) 13.17%
(d) 12.04%
(e) 15.32%

Answer: c

Solution:

• India’s total exports (merchandise and services combined) in January 2026 were estimated at US$ 80.45 billion, registering a year-on-year growth of 13.17% compared to January 2025.
• Total imports during the same period were estimated at US$ 90.83 billion, showing a growth of 18.76% over January 2025.
• Overall exports increased from US$ 71.09 billion in January 2025 to US$ 80.45 billion in January 2026.
• Overall imports rose from US$ 76.48 billion in January 2025 to US$ 90.83 billion in January 2026.
• Due to faster import growth, India’s overall trade deficit (merchandise and services combined) widened to US$ 10.38 billion in January 2026.
• This deficit was nearly double the US$ 5.39 billion recorded in January 2025.

Merchandise and Services Performance

• Merchandise exports increased slightly from US$ 36.34 billion to US$ 36.56 billion.
• Services exports recorded strong growth, rising from US$ 34.75 billion to US$ 43.90 billion.
• Both merchandise and services imports and exports witnessed growth during January 2026.

Q3. In February 2026, which Indian cricketer was awarded the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025 following India’s Women’s World Cup victory?

(a) Harmanpreet Kaur
(b) Smriti Mandhana
(c) Mithali Raj
(d) Jemimah Rodrigues
(e) Shafali Verma

Answer: b

Solution:

• In February 2026, Smriti Mandhana was honoured with the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award for 2025.
• The recognition followed India’s historic victory in the 2025 Women’s World Cup.
• Divya Deshmukh received the Emerging Player Award.
• Preethi Pal was honoured as the Para-Sportswoman of the Year.
• Former shooter Anjali Bhagwat received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• The Indian Women’s Cricket Team was also honoured for their World Cup triumph.

Q4. On 16 February 2026, the RBI released final guidelines rationalising the External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) framework. Under the revised rules, what is the new upper limit for ECB borrowing?

(a) US$500 million
(b) US$750 million
(c) US$1 billion
(d) US$1.25 billion
(e) US$2 billion

Answer: c

Solution:

• On 16 February 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the final guidelines on External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) to rationalise overseas fundraising.
• The revised framework expands the eligible borrower categories and the recognised lender base.
• It also rationalises borrowing limits and restrictions related to average maturity periods.
• The new rules remove earlier restrictions on the cost of borrowing for ECBs.
• The RBI has also reviewed end-use restrictions and simplified reporting requirements.
• The draft guidelines for these changes were issued on 3 October 2025.
• Under the revised norms, companies can raise ECBs of up to $1 billion or 300% of their net worth, whichever is higher.
• Earlier, the annual borrowing cap was $750 million.
• The RBI has prescribed a minimum average maturity period of three years for eligible borrowers.
• Borrowers in the manufacturing sector are allowed to raise ECBs with a 1–3 year average maturity, provided the outstanding amount does not exceed $150 million.

Q5. In February 2026, who was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to victory in the general elections?
(a) Tarique Rahman
(b) Khaleda Zia
(c) Mohammad Yunus
(d) Obaidul Quader
(e) Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Answer: a

Solution:

• On 17 February 2026, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
• He assumed office after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a decisive victory in the general elections.
• The BNP returned to power after nearly two decades, following the landslide parliamentary election win on 13 February 2026.
• The oath of office was administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
• The ceremony took place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad instead of the traditional venue, Bangabhaban.
• This marked a departure from long-standing tradition regarding the swearing-in location.