CURRENT AFFAIRS 26-27 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 26-27 February, 2026

1. PRESIDENT MURMU FLIES ‘PRACHAND’ IN HISTORIC SORTIE IN INDIA’S INDIGENOUS COMBAT HELICOPTER –

• President Murmu LCH Prachand Sortie 2026: What Happened in Jaisalmer?
• The historic sortie took off from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station after a detailed briefing by the Indian Air Force.
• Before departure, President Murmu waved from the cockpit, symbolizing confidence and pride in India’s air power.
• During the flight, she delivered a message from the cockpit, calling LCH Prachand a “powerful symbol of self-reliance.”
• She extended greetings to soldiers guarding the nation and saluted their dedication near the sensitive India–Pakistan border region.
• LCH Prachand: India’s First Indigenous Combat Helicopter
• The LCH Prachand is the India’s first indigenously designed and developed combat helicopter. It has been built by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Key features of LCH Prachand include,

• Advanced avionics and stealth characteristics
• Night attack capability
• Air to air and air to ground missiles
• 20 mm turret gun and rockets
• High altitude operational capabilities

2. INDIA-ISRAEL ELEVATE TIES TO ‘SPECIAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP’ DURING PM MODI’S 2026 VISIT –

India-Israel Special Strategic Partnership 2026: A New Era Begins

• The leaders recalled earlier landmark visits in 2017 and 2018, which is laid the foundation for modern India and Israel ties.
• Now, in 2026 both countries have formally upgraded their relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership.
• This partnership focuses on peace, security and technological innovation.
• Israel will brings cutting-edge innovation and startup strength and while India offers scale, talent and manufacturing power.
• The aim is to combine these strengths in areas like AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, defense platforms and space technology.
• The partnership also supports India’s long-term development vision and Israel’s innovation-driven economy.

3. OPERATION GHAZAB LIL-HAQ: PAKISTAN DECLARES ‘OPEN WAR’ AFTER STRIKES ON AFGHANISTAN –

What Is Operation Ghazab lil-Haq?

• Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which loosely translates to “Wrath for Justice,” is a large-scale military campaign launched by Pakistan against alleged Afghan Taliban positions. According to Pakistan’s information ministry, the operation was initiated after cross-border firing targeted multiple locations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors.
• Pakistan’s state broadcaster reported that the armed forces carried out coordinated airstrikes on what it described as key Taliban military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. An ammunition depot in Nangarhar province was also reportedly destroyed during the strikes.
• Officials stated that two Pakistani security personnel were killed in the clashes, while 133 Afghan Taliban operatives were claimed to have been neutralized. Independent verification of these figures remains pending.

What Triggered the Latest Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict?

• The latest escalation follows days of cross-border hostilities,
• Pakistan earlier conducted air strikes inside Afghanistan.
• Islamabad claimed the targets were militant camps linked to recent suicide bombings on Pakistani soil.
• Afghan authorities said civilian homes and a religious school were hit, alleging women and children were killed.
• The Taliban announced a “large-scale” retaliatory operation late Thursday (26th February, 2026) night.

4. 95TH MARTYRDOM DAY OF CHANDRA SHEKHAR AZAD: THE REVOLUTIONARY WHO CHOSE DEATH OVER SURRENDER –

• On 27 February 2025 India observed the 95th martyrdom day of Chandra Shekhar Azad, one of the most fearless revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle. Political leaders across parties paid tribute to his courage and sacrifice. Azad, who vowed never to be captured alive by the British, kept his promise till his last breath in 1931. His life remains a symbol of uncompromising patriotism and revolutionary spirit in India’s struggle for independence.

Who Was Chandra Shekhar Azad?

• Chandra Shekhar Azad was born as Chandrashekhar Tiwari on 23 July 1906 in Bhabra (now in Madhya Pradesh). He became one of the most prominent revolutionary leaders during India’s independence movement.
• He earned the name “Azad” (meaning Free) at the age of 15 when arrested during the Non-Cooperation Movement. When presented before a magistrate, he declared,
• His name was “Azad.”
• His father’s name was “Swatantra.”
• His address was “Jail.”
• This bold act defined his identity for life.

5. ARMY CHIEF GEN DWIVEDI FLAGS OFF BHARAT RANBHOOMI DARSHAN AT NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL –

Army Chief Flags In Bharat RanBhoomi Darshan Expedition

• Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), flagged in the expedition at the National War Memorial in the presence of senior civil and defence dignitaries.
• The expedition was led by the Regiment of Artillery and promoted the RanBhoomi Darshan initiative, which focuses on highlighting historically significant battlefields and border regions linked to India’s security narrative.
• The Army Chief praised the expedition for preserving military heritage and inspiring future generations to uphold the ideals of national service.

3,400 Km Route Across Strategic Border Areas

• The Bharat RanBhoomi Darshan Expedition was flagged off on February 3, 2026 from Dwarka, Gujarat. It covered nearly 3,400 kilometres across key locations including,

1. Dwarka
2. Bhuj
3. Rann of Kutch
4. Munabao
5. Gadra
6. Longewala
7. Jaisalmer
8. Bikaner
9. Ambala
10. New Delhi

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  National Science Day is celebrated every year on which day ?

1. a) February 25
2. b) February 26
3. c) February 27
4. d) February 28

Q2.  Where was Exercise Agni Varsha 2026 conducted by the Indian Army ?

1. a) Punjab
2. b) Rajasthan
3. c) Gujarat
4. d) Jammu and Kashmir

Q3.  The “Cikai Korran” name, recently discovered in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, provides evidence for which of the following ?

1. a) The spread of Buddhism to North Africa during the Ashokan period.
2. b) The diplomatic missions sent by the Chola Empire to the Mediterranean.
3. c) The presence of Tamil traders or visitors in the Nile Valley during the Roman era
4. d) The migration of Indus Valley people to the Egyptian civilization.

Q4.  Consider the following statements regarding Project Tiger:

1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented through the core–buffer strategy.
2. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
3. The buffer area of a tiger reserve is an inviolate space with the legal status of a National Park or Sanctuary.

         How many of the above statements are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) All three
4. d) None

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct. Project Tiger, launched in 1973, is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at tiger conservation. It utilizes a core–buffer strategy, where the core area is kept as an undisturbed habitat and the buffer area allows for human-wildlife coexistence.
• Statement 2 is incorrect. While the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body, it functions under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, not the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Its primary role is to provide statutory backing to tiger conservation and oversee the implementation of Project Tiger.
• Statement 3 is incorrect. According to the core–buffer strategy, it is the Core area that has the legal status of a National Park or Sanctuary and is intended to be kept inviolate (free from human disturbance). The Buffer area, on the other hand, consists of multiple-use landscapes where people-oriented development and livelihood activities are permitted alongside conservation goals.

Q5.  Which of the following statements correctly describes the India–Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) ?

1. It provides for an open border between the two countries.
2. Citizens of both countries can reside and work in each other’s territory.
3. It mandates a common currency arrangement.

         Select the correct answer:

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 is correct: The treaty establishes an open border of approximately 1,850 km, allowing for the free movement of people and goods without the requirement of a visa or passport.
• Statement 2 is correct: Under Articles 6 and 7, the two governments agree to grant reciprocal treatment to each other’s citizens. This includes the right to reside, work, own property, and participate in trade and commerce in either territory.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The 1950 Treaty does not mandate a common currency. While the Nepali Rupee is pegged to the Indian Rupee (at a fixed exchange rate of 1.6:1), this is a monetary policy decision by Nepal rather than a requirement of the 1950 treaty.

Answer Key