CURRENT AFFAIRS 22-23 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 22-23 February, 2026

1. CENTRE TARGETS ₹27,500 CRORE AVIATION MONETISATION UNDER NMP 2.0 –

• The Centre has set a monetisation target of ₹27,500 crore for the civil aviation sector under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) 2.0 for the period FY26 to FY30. The renewed framework seeks to accelerate private participation in operational, revenue-generating airports and select aviation public sector entities, while retaining government ownership of core assets.
• The move provides fresh momentum to the next phase of airport leasing as the government expands infrastructure monetisation to support capital expenditure and fiscal consolidation.

Eleven Airports Identified for Leasing

• A total of eleven airports have been identified for monetisation during the five-year period. These include Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, Amritsar, Indore, Raipur, Trichy, Calicut, Coimbatore, Ranchi, Jodhpur and Gaya.
• The proposal is currently under consideration by the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC). The airports will be offered to private players under structured concession agreements rather than outright sale.

2. PM MODI INAUGURATES FULL DELHI-MEERUT NAMO BHARAT CORRIDOR –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the remaining sections of the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), completing the 82-km Delhi–Meerut corridor. The newly opened stretches include the 5-km link between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21-km section between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. The RRTS has also been integrated with the Meerut Metro, marking a major milestone in high-speed regional connectivity.
• Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister described the corridor as a glimpse of connectivity in a developed India, combining metro systems for intra-city travel with Namo Bharat trains for rapid inter-city movement.

Seamless Multi-Modal Integration

• The Sarai Kale Khan station has emerged as a major multi-modal transport hub. It connects Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station, the Delhi Metro’s Pink Line, Veer Haqeeqat Rai ISBT and Ring Road. Similar integration has been ensured at Anand Vihar, Ghaziabad and Meerut, linking Indian Railways, Metro services and bus terminals.
• The Prime Minister noted that such integration would enable commuters to travel within cities or directly to Delhi, reducing the need for workers and students to reside in rented accommodation in the capital.

3. GOA HOSTS WORLD OCEAN SCIENCE CONGRESS 2026 –

• Goa is hosting the fourth edition of the World Ocean Science Congress 2026, bringing together scientists, policymakers, maritime industries and coastal communities at the National Institute of Oceanography in Panaji. The event runs until February 26 and focuses on ocean health, climate resilience and sustainable blue economy pathways. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that scientific temperament is deeply embedded in Goa’s ecosystem and emphasised the state’s maritime legacy.

Ocean Central to Economy and Livelihoods

• Addressing the gathering, Sawant underlined that nearly 75% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water and about 25% of India’s population lives in coastal regions. With a coastline of 193 km, Goa’s economy is closely tied to the sea through fisheries, tourism and maritime trade.
• He stressed that the ocean shapes climate systems, sustains livelihoods and demands responsible stewardship. Forums such as this congress aim to bridge science, policy and grassroots realities, ensuring research translates into practical solutions.

4. INDIA LAUNCHES PRAHAAR ANTI-TERROR POLICY FRAMEWORK –

• India has unveiled its first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy, titled “Prahaar”, aimed at strengthening national security against evolving threats. Released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the framework seeks to enhance prevention, coordination and response mechanisms across land, air and maritime domains. The policy comes amid rising concerns over cross-border terrorism, cyber warfare and the misuse of emerging technologies.
• Prahaar is positioned as an integrated legal, technological and community-driven strategy to counter both traditional and non-traditional security risks.

Addressing Persistent and Emerging Threats

• The policy identifies cross-border terrorism as a continuing challenge, particularly from networks operating across India’s western frontiers. It notes the increasing use of drones in regions such as Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir for arms and narcotics smuggling.
• Prahaar also flags cyber operations conducted by hostile states and criminal hacker groups targeting critical infrastructure. Key sectors identified as vulnerable include power grids, railways, aviation, ports, defence installations, space assets and atomic energy facilities. The document underlines that terrorism is not linked to any religion, ethnicity or nationality, but warns of sustained efforts by foreign-based extremist networks to incite violence.

5. SOUNDALA DECLARES ITSELF MAHARASHTRA’S FIRST CASTE-FREE VILLAGE –

• In a significant social reform initiative, Soundala village in Maharashtra has declared itself a “caste-free” village. The unanimous resolution, passed by the Gram Sabha on 5 February 2026, commits the community to rejecting caste-based distinctions and promoting equality under the motto “Aamchi jaat… manav” — meaning “my caste is humanity”. The move has drawn attention as a grassroots effort to redefine local identity around shared human values.

Unanimous Gram Sabha Resolution

• Soundala, located in the Ahilyanagar district of Maharashtra, adopted the resolution through a collective decision of villagers from diverse social backgrounds. The declaration formally renounces caste discrimination and social exclusion in all forms.
• Public spaces and facilities — including schools, temples, water bodies, community halls, cremation grounds and government services — are now committed to equal access for all residents, irrespective of caste, religion, creed or race. The village administration has also pledged to address caste-based grievances and monitor derogatory social media content to maintain communal harmony.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Where was the 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar conducted in India ?

1. a) Himachal Pradesh
2. b) Uttarakhand
3. c) Rajasthan
4. d) Gujarat

Q2.  Vaan Island, recently in the news for its artificial reef restoration, is located in which marine region?

1. a) Gulf of Mannar
2. b) Gulf of Kutch
3. c) Palk Bay
4. d) Andaman Sea

Q3.  World Ocean Science Congress 2026 was hosted by which Indian state ?

1. a) Kerala
2. b) Tamil Nadu
3. c) Goa
4. d) Maharashtra

Q4.  With reference to Naxalism in India, consider the following statements:

1. The movement originated in Naxalbari village of West Bengal in 1967.
2. It was initially led by leaders such as Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal.
3. The Communist Party of India (Maoist) was formed after the merger of the People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist Communist Centre (MCC).

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 2 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The movement began in 1967 at Naxalbari (Darjeeling district, West Bengal).
• Statement 2 – Correct: Leaders included Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal, and Jangal Santhal.
• Statement 3 – Correct: CPI (Maoist) was formed in 2004 after the merger of PWG and MCC, consolidating major Maoist factions.

Q5.  India and Brazil are jointly members of which of the following groupings ?

1. BRICS
2. G20
3. IBSA
4. BASIC

         Select the correct answer:

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1,3 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Both India and Brazil are members of:
• BRICS
• G20
• IBSA
• BASIC
• These platforms reflect their convergence on:
• South–South cooperation
• UNSC reforms
• Multipolar global order

Answer Key