Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (25th February 2026)

National News

India Launches First Compliance-Based Carbon Credit Trading Scheme

• India is in the final stage of launching its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme to regulate industrial emissions

• Around 490 industrial units across seven sectors have been assigned emission targets

• Units emitting below targets can earn and trade carbon credits, while violators must purchase credits

• The first phase excludes steel and fertiliser sectors despite their high emission contribution

• The scheme aims to promote cleaner production, energy efficiency and climate compliance

Union Cabinet Approves Renaming Kerala as Keralam

• Union Cabinet approved the proposal to change the State’s name from Kerala to Keralam

• The move follows a resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in June 2024

• Article 3 of the Constitution empowers Parliament to alter the name of a State

• The proposal requires amendment to the First Schedule of the Constitution

• The change reflects the State’s linguistic and cultural identity in Malayalam

National Arogya Fair 2026 to be Held in Shegaon

• Ministry of Ayush will organise National Arogya Fair 2026 from 25–28 February in Shegaon, Maharashtra

• President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the event at Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan

• Free consultations, check-ups and medicines will be provided under Ayush systems

• A special session on Ayurvedic farming will guide farmers on medicinal plant cultivation

• The fair aims to promote preventive healthcare and strengthen rural livelihoods

MSP for Raw Jute Fixed at ₹5,925 per Quintal for 2026-27

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved MSP of ₹5,925 per quintal for Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) for 2026-27

• The MSP ensures a return of 61.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production

• The support price has been increased by ₹275 per quintal compared to the previous season

• The Jute Corporation of India will act as the nodal agency for procurement operations

• The decision aims to strengthen farmer income and support jute-producing states like West Bengal and Assam

MeitY Launches Blockchain India Challenge 2026

• The Ministry of Electronics and IT launched the Blockchain India Challenge to promote digital governance solutions

• The initiative encourages startups to develop permissioned blockchain-based public service systems

• It is being implemented by C-DAC with support from DPIIT-recognised startups

• Target sectors include PDS, healthcare, land records and agriculture

• Selected startups will develop 10 scalable blockchain use cases for governance

ESIC Celebrates 75th Foundation Year at Bharat Mandapam

• Employees’ State Insurance Corporation celebrated its 75th Foundation Day in New Delhi

• ESIC now serves over 15 crore beneficiaries through hospitals and dispensaries nationwide

• A commemorative coin and coffee table book were released during the event

• MoUs were signed with the National Health Authority and NABL for healthcare integration

• A Special Services Fortnight was announced to expand outreach and awareness

DBT Launches SUJVIKA AI Biotech Data Portal

• Department of Biotechnology launched SUJVIKA, an AI-driven biotech import data portal

• The platform provides structured analytics on biochemical and industrial enzyme imports

• It aims to reduce import dependency and promote domestic biomanufacturing

• India targets a $1 trillion bioeconomy by 2047 under Viksit Bharat vision

• The portal was developed in collaboration with industry body ABLE

State News

Gujarat CM Releases “Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada” Biography

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel released the Gujarati biography “Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada” in Gandhinagar, highlighting the global spiritual legacy of Srila Prabhupada

• The book is based on the life of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acharya of ISKCON, who spread Vedic wisdom and Krishna consciousness worldwide

• At the age of 70, he travelled to the United States with just 40 rupees and established over 108 Krishna temples globally

• On his 150th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin and postal stamp in his honour

• The event also highlighted Akshaya Patra Foundation’s role in serving 23.5 lakh children daily across India

Delhi to Implement Rah-Veer Scheme for Road Accident Victims

• Delhi government announced implementation of the Centre’s Rah-Veer scheme to encourage timely assistance to seriously injured road accident victims

• Citizens who help victims reach hospitals within the golden hour will receive ₹25,000 and a certificate of appreciation

• The scheme provides legal protection under the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019, safeguarding Good Samaritans from legal harassment

• The maximum reward remains ₹25,000 per accident, even if multiple lives are saved

• Ten outstanding Rah-Veers will receive a national award of ₹1 lakh annually

IBM AI GovTech Innovation Centre Inaugurated in Lucknow

• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated IBM’s AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow to strengthen technology-driven governance

• The centre will develop scalable AI-based solutions to enhance transparency, efficiency and public service delivery

• IBM signed MoUs with the Department of IT and Electronics and the Directorate of School Education for AI literacy programmes

• Focus areas include Artificial Intelligence, robotics, drone technology, MedTech and quantum computing

• The initiative aims to transform Lucknow into an emerging “AI City” and boost digital innovation

Economy News

ICRA Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.2% in Q3 FY26

• Rating agency ICRA projected India’s GDP growth at 7.2% for Q3 FY2025-26, lower than 8.2% recorded in Q2

• Services sector growth moderated to 7.8%, while agriculture slowed to 3% during the quarter

• Industrial sector recorded a six-quarter high growth of 8.3%, providing partial support to the economy

• Central government capex contracted by 23.4% YoY, impacting overall momentum

• Weak exports, base effect and subdued government spending contributed to the slowdown

International News

Jose Maria Balcazar Elected Interim President of Peru

• Peru’s Congress elected Jose Maria Balcazar as interim President after impeachment of former leader Jose Jeri

• He becomes Peru’s eighth President since 2016, reflecting continued political instability

• Jose Jeri was removed from office over graft and corruption allegations

• Balcazar assured a peaceful, transparent and democratic transition ahead of elections

• The 83-year-old leader previously served as a lawyer and judge

South African Cheetah Gamini Gives Birth to Three Cubs at Kuno

• South African cheetah Gamini gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, increasing India’s total cheetah population to 38

• The number of surviving Indian-born cheetah cubs has now reached 27, marking the ninth successful litter in India

• The birth coincides with three years of Project Cheetah, launched to reintroduce the species declared extinct in India in 1952

• In 2022–23, 20 cheetahs were translocated from Namibia and South Africa under the world’s first inter-continental carnivore relocation

• The development strengthens India’s long-term wildlife conservation and ecological restoration efforts

Appointments News

Rajan Bajaj Appointed MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank

• Rajan Bajaj, founder of Slice, has been appointed MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank with RBI approval

• Slice merged with North East Small Finance Bank in 2024, transforming into a regulated banking entity

• The bank has raised over $250 million from global investors like Tiger Global and Insight Partners

• Slice SFB offers digital-first services including savings accounts, UPI, fixed deposits and lending solutions

• The leadership aims to leverage AI for personalised banking and deeper financial inclusion

Defence News

Indian Army Successfully Tests Strela-10 VSHORADS at Pokhran

• Indian Army conducted a successful test firing of the Strela-10 Very Short Range Air Defence System at Pokhran

• The missile system achieved direct hits on simulated low-flying aerial targets

• Strela-10 has an effective engagement range of approximately 6–10 kilometres

• The drill validated operational readiness under extreme desert conditions

• India is simultaneously developing indigenous VSHORADS to strengthen air defence capabilities

Agreements News

India and GCC Formally Launch Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

• India and the Gulf Cooperation Council signed a Joint Statement to formally begin FTA negotiations in New Delhi

• Bilateral trade reached USD 178.56 billion in FY 2024-25, making GCC India’s largest trading partner bloc

• Key Indian exports include engineering goods, rice and textiles, while crude oil dominates imports

• Nearly 10 million Indians reside in GCC countries, strengthening economic and social ties

• The FTA aims to enhance trade diversification, investment flows and supply chain integration

India and Israel Begin First Round of FTA Talks

• India and Israel commenced the first round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations in New Delhi

• Bilateral merchandise trade stood at USD 3.62 billion in FY 2024-25

• Discussions cover trade in goods, services, IPR, customs procedures and SPS measures

• The Terms of Reference were signed in November 2025 to structure negotiations

• The agreement is expected to boost innovation, technology cooperation and supply chain resilience

Summits and Conferences News

Him-CONNECT 2026 to Showcase Climate Innovations for the Himalayas

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change will organise Him-CONNECT 2026 alongside WSDS in New Delhi

• Over 24 innovations developed under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies will be showcased

• Focus areas include water security, climate adaptation, waste management and renewable energy

• More than 100 startups, investors and policymakers are expected to participate

• The initiative aims to align research, finance and policy for sustainable Himalayan development

IGSTC Strategic Conclave 2026 Focuses on Integrated Water Management

• The Indo-German Science & Technology Centre organised its Strategic Conclave 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

• The theme centred on Integrated Water Resource Management and sustainable water governance

• Discussions highlighted wastewater treatment, pollution control and climate resilience

• The 2+2 model promotes collaboration between academia and industry of both countries

• The conclave strengthened Indo-German scientific and technological cooperation

Indian Mountaineering Team Successfully Summits Mount Aconcagua

• A joint team from NIM Uttarkashi and JIM&WS Pahalgam successfully summited Mount Aconcagua on 22 February 2026

• Mount Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America and second-highest outside Asia

• The expedition was led by Col Hem Chandra Singh and flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

• The team endured extreme weather conditions with temperatures as low as -30°C

• The achievement highlights India’s growing excellence in high-altitude mountaineering

7th All India GRP Chiefs Conference Concludes in New Delhi

• The 7th All India Conference of Government Railway Police Chiefs concluded at Vigyan Bhawan

• The conference was organised by the Railway Protection Force

• Key focus areas included railway security, organised crime and drug trafficking

• Emphasis was laid on AI-enabled CCTV surveillance and drone monitoring

• The event strengthened coordination between RPF and State Police forces