Current Affairs Quiz — 18 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Off which city was the International Fleet Review 2026 held on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Visakhapatnam
President Droupadi Murmu reviewed IFR 2026 off Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 18 February 2026.
What was the theme of the International Fleet Review 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — United Through Oceans
The President noted that the spirit of togetherness is captured in the review's theme, 'United Through Oceans'.
Which ship served as the Presidential Yacht at the International Fleet Review 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — INS Sumedha
President Murmu reviewed the fleet from INS Sumedha, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel, which flew the President's Standard.
Consider the following statements about International Fleet Reviews hosted by India: 1. IFR 2026 was the third International Fleet Review hosted by India. 2. The earlier two International Fleet Reviews hosted by India were both held at Visakhapatnam. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. IFR 2026 was the third hosted by India; the earlier editions were at Mumbai (2001) and Visakhapatnam (2016).
Which cheetah gave birth to three cubs at Kuno National Park, as announced on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Gamini
Gamini, a South African cheetah and a second-time mother, gave birth to three cubs.
After the birth of Gamini's three cubs in February 2026, what was India's total cheetah population?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 38
The total cheetah population reached 38, with 27 surviving India-born cubs.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. It involved the world's first inter-continental translocation of a large carnivore, with 20 cheetahs brought from Namibia and South Africa in 2022-23. 2. The first eight cheetahs were released into Kuno by the Prime Minister on 17 September 2022. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as stated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Under the MoU signed on 18 February 2026, how much rice will the Food Corporation of India supply to the World Food Programme?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 2,00,000 metric tonnes
FCI will supply 200,000 metric tonnes of rice (up to 25% broken) to WFP.
Consider the following statements about the FCI–WFP rice MoU of February 2026: 1. It is valid for five years from the date of signing and may be extended by mutual consent. 2. The price is fixed for the entire five-year period. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The price is to be agreed annually; the current price is ₹2,800 per quintal up to 31 March 2026.
How many Rajya Sabha seats were covered by the biennial elections announced by the Election Commission on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 37
The ECI announced biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats from 10 states, with polling on 16 March 2026.
In the Rajya Sabha biennial elections of March 2026, which state had the largest number of seats falling vacant?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Maharashtra
Maharashtra had seven seats, followed by Tamil Nadu (six) and West Bengal and Bihar (five each).
Consider the following statements about the Rajya Sabha: 1. Under Article 83(1) of the Constitution, one-third of its members retire on the expiration of every second year. 2. In Rajya Sabha elections, electors may mark preferences with any pen of their choice. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Article 83(1) makes the Rajya Sabha a permanent House with one-third of members retiring every second year. The ECI directs that only the integrated violet sketch pen provided by the Returning Officer be used.
Andrej Plenković, who met PM Modi on 18 February 2026 on what was the first-ever visit to India by a Prime Minister of his country, is the Prime Minister of:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Croatia
Andrej Plenković is the Prime Minister of Croatia; his 18–21 February 2026 visit was the first ever by a Croatian PM to India.
At their meeting on 18 February 2026, PM Modi and Finnish PM Petteri Orpo looked forward to meeting again at which forum later in the year?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 3rd India–Nordic Summit
The leaders looked forward to enhancing engagement, including meeting again at the 3rd India–Nordic Summit later in the year.
Where was the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) inaugurated on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — AIIMS New Delhi
J. P. Nadda and Emmanuel Macron inaugurated IF-CAIH at AIIMS, New Delhi.
The Indo-French Centre for AI in Health was set up under a joint MoU between AIIMS New Delhi and which French institutions?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Sorbonne University and Paris Brain Institute
IF-CAIH was established under a joint MoU between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute.
Under the contract signed on 18 February 2026, Cochin Shipyard Limited will build six LNG-fuelled container vessels for which shipping company?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — CMA CGM
French shipping major CMA CGM signed the contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited for six 1,700 TEU LNG-fuelled feeder container vessels.
Consider the following statements about the CMA CGM–Cochin Shipyard contract of February 2026: 1. The vessels will be 1,700 TEU LNG-fuelled feeder container ships. 2. The vessels will be registered under the French flag. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The six vessels will be built in Kochi and registered under the Indian flag.
At which facility did DRDO conduct the qualification level load test of the Gaganyaan drogue parachute on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rail Track Rocket Sled facility, TBRL Chandigarh
The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.
Consider the following statements about the Gaganyaan drogue parachute test of 18 February 2026: 1. It simulated loads higher than the maximum flight loads. 2. It was carried out with the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The test simulated qualification level loads higher than maximum flight loads and involved VSSC (ISRO) and ADRDE (DRDO) alongside TBRL.
India and Spain are marking 2026 as a Dual Year of which themes?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence
2026 is the India–Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations.
During their talks on 18 February 2026, PM Modi and Pedro Sánchez welcomed progress in the Tata–Airbus Final Assembly Line for which aircraft at Vadodara?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — C-295 transport aircraft
The leaders welcomed progress in the Tata–Airbus C-295 transport aircraft Final Assembly Line at Vadodara, which they jointly inaugurated in October 2024.
Amit Shah addressed the 152nd birth anniversary celebrations of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur on 18 February 2026 in which district of West Bengal?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Nadia
The celebrations were held in Nadia, West Bengal, home to Mayapur, where ISKCON is developing a spiritual centre.
VoicERA, launched at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 18 February 2026, is:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — An open-source end-to-end voice AI stack on BHASHINI
VoicERA is an open-source, end-to-end voice AI stack deployed on the BHASHINI National Language Infrastructure by the Digital India BHASHINI Division.
Since when had GRAP Stage-II been in force in Delhi-NCR before CAQM revoked it on 18 February 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 19 October 2025
Stage-II of GRAP had been invoked on 19 October 2025, when Delhi's average AQI began rising.
The Guinness World Record announced by India on 18 February 2026 at the India AI Impact Summit was for:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Most pledges received for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours
India received 250,946 valid pledges in 24 hours over 16–17 February under the IndiaAI Mission campaign with Intel India.
The India–UK Offshore Wind Taskforce, launched on 18 February 2026, was constituted under which framework?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue
Pralhad Joshi said the taskforce was constituted under Vision 2035 and the Fourth Energy Dialogue.