Current Affairs Quiz — 20 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 concluded on 20 February 2026 at which venue?
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Correct answer: D — Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
The Summit concluded at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw summarised its outcomes.
Which guiding principle underpins the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact adopted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya
The Declaration is guided by the principle 'Sarvajan Hitaya, Sarvajan Sukhaya' (welfare for all, happiness for all).
According to PIB, how many countries and international organisations had endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact as of 21 February 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 88
PIB's 24 February release said 88 had endorsed it as on 21 February 2026; three more (Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Guatemala) took the total to 91.
At the close of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, AI infrastructure-related investment pledges were said to have crossed what figure?
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Correct answer: B — $250 billion
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said infrastructure-related investment pledges crossed $250 billion, alongside about $20 billion in deep-tech venture commitments.
Consider the following statements about the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact: 1. It is structured around seven pillars, called 'Chakras'. 2. The Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI and the Trusted AI Commons were among the deliverables announced with it. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Declaration rests on seven pillars (Chakras), and deliverables included the Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI, the Global AI Impact Commons and the Trusted AI Commons.
Where did Amit Shah launch the Vibrant Villages Programme-II on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Nathanpur, Assam
VVP-II was launched at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam.
How many villages are covered under the Vibrant Villages Programme-II?
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Correct answer: B — 1,954
VVP-II covers 1,954 villages in 334 blocks abutting international land borders.
Consider the following statements about the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II): 1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with costs shared between the Centre and the states. 2. It covers villages along the northern border with China in addition to other land borders. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% Centre funding, and it excludes the northern border, which is covered by VVP-I.
From which navy did India take over the chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Royal Thai Navy
The Indian Navy assumed IONS chairmanship from the Royal Thai Navy at the 9th Conclave of Chiefs in Visakhapatnam.
At the 9th IONS Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026, which country was admitted as an Observer?
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Correct answer: A — Philippines
The Philippines was included as an Observer, while Oman joined the IONS Working Group on HADR.
Consider the following statements about the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): 1. India held the inaugural IONS chairmanship from 2008 to 2010. 2. The 9th Conclave of Chiefs in 2026 was held at Kochi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India was the first Chair (2008–2010); the 9th Conclave of Chiefs was held at Visakhapatnam on 20 February 2026.
Where was the Access Pass for fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone launched on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Veraval, Gujarat
Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the EEZ Access Pass at KCC Ground, Veraval, Gujarat.
Through which online portal is the EEZ fishing Access Pass issued free of cost?
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Correct answer: B — ReALCRaft
Access Passes are issued free via the ReALCRaft online portal.
Consider the following statements about fishing in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): 1. The Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the EEZ Rules, 2025 were notified under the Maritime Zones Act of 1976. 2. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep together account for about 49% of India's EEZ. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Rules were notified on 4 November 2025 under the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, EEZ and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976, and A&N plus Lakshadweep make up 49% of India's EEZ.
Where will NIELIT set up India's first dedicated Quantum and AI university campus under an MoU signed on 20 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Amaravati
NIELIT signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up the campus in Amaravati.
NIELIT, which signed the Quantum and AI campus MoU with Andhra Pradesh in February 2026, functions under which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
NIELIT is under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).
India formally joined which coalition with the United States on 20 February 2026 to secure the 'silicon stack'?
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Correct answer: D — Pax Silica
India formally joined the Pax Silica coalition on the fifth day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The Pax Silica coalition that India joined in February 2026 aims mainly to:
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Correct answer: A — Secure supply chains from critical minerals and chip fabrication to AI infrastructure among trusted nations
Pax Silica seeks to secure the 'silicon stack' — critical minerals, semiconductor fabrication, AI systems and deployment infrastructure — reduce over-concentration and prevent economic coercion.
With the launch of seven interventions on 20 February 2026, how many of the 11 proposed interventions under the Export Promotion Mission became operational?
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Correct answer: C — 10
Three interventions were already running; with seven more launched, 10 of the 11 proposed interventions under EPM are operational.
Under the Export Promotion Mission, what does the LIFT intervention launched on 20 February 2026 provide?
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Correct answer: D — Partial reimbursement of freight costs for exporters in low export-intensity districts
LIFT (Logistics Interventions for Freight & Transport) reimburses up to 30% of eligible freight expenditure for exporters in low export-intensity districts, capped at ₹20 lakh per IEC a year.
Consider the following statements about the Export Promotion Mission (EPM): 1. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2025 with an outlay of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31. 2. Niryat Disha is its financial sub-scheme covering interest subvention and credit guarantees. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Niryat Protsahan is the financial sub-scheme; Niryat Disha covers non-financial enablers such as compliance, branding, logistics and trade intelligence.
In February 2026, DGCI&S revised the base year of India's Merchandise Trade Indices to which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2022-23
The base year was revised from FY 2012-13 to FY 2022-23 (2022-23 = 100).
Vungzagin Valte, who died on 20 February 2026, was a BJP MLA from which state?
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Correct answer: D — Manipur
Vungzagin Valte was a BJP MLA from Manipur, injured during the May 2023 ethnic violence.
During PM Modi's meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka on 20 February 2026, the leaders welcomed the success of the exposition of which holy relics in Sri Lanka?
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Correct answer: A — Devnimori relics
The leaders welcomed the success of the recently concluded exposition of the Holy Devnimori relics in Sri Lanka.
CAQM's Statutory Direction No. 97 of 20 February 2026 takes note of the Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025. From when do these Rules come into force?
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Correct answer: B — 1 April 2026
The Environment (Construction and Demolition) Waste Management Rules, 2025 come into force from 1 April 2026.