Current Affairs Quiz — 24 February 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Who signed the Joint Statement on the India–GCC FTA with Piyush Goyal on 24 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
The Joint Statement was signed by Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in New Delhi.
When were the Terms of Reference for the India–GCC FTA signed?
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Correct answer: B — 5 February 2026
The Terms of Reference were signed on 5 February 2026; the Joint Statement launching negotiations followed on 24 February.
What was India's total trade with the GCC in FY 2024-25?
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Correct answer: D — USD 178.56 billion
India–GCC trade was USD 178.56 billion in FY 2024-25 (exports USD 56.87 billion and imports USD 121.68 billion).
Consider the following statements about India–GCC trade in FY 2024-25: 1. The GCC accounted for about 15.42% of India's global trade, making it India's largest trading partner bloc. 2. India ran a trade surplus with the GCC. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. India's imports (USD 121.68 billion) far exceeded its exports (USD 56.87 billion), so India ran a deficit.
On 24 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved altering the name of which State to 'Keralam'?
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Correct answer: D — Kerala
The Cabinet approved the proposal to alter the name of Kerala to 'Keralam'.
Under which Article of the Constitution can Parliament by law alter the name of a State, as cited for Kerala's renaming?
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Correct answer: B — Article 3
Article 3 provides that Parliament may by law alter the name of any State.
When did the Kerala Legislative Assembly pass the resolution seeking to rename the State as 'Keralam'?
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Correct answer: B — 24 June 2024
The Assembly passed the resolution on 24 June 2024; the Union Cabinet approved the proposal on 24 February 2026.
Kerala Piravi Day, cited in the Kerala Assembly's 'Keralam' resolution, is observed on:
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Correct answer: C — 1 November
States were formed on a linguistic basis on 1 November 1956, which is also Kerala Piravi Day.
Consider the following statements regarding the renaming of a State: 1. A Bill under Article 3 to alter a State's name can be introduced in Parliament only on the recommendation of the President, after it has been referred to the State Legislature for its views. 2. The names of the States are recorded in the First Schedule to the Constitution. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The proviso to Article 3 requires the President's recommendation and a reference to the State Legislature; the Kerala resolution notes the name is recorded as 'Kerala' in the First Schedule.
What MSP was fixed for raw jute (TD-3 grade) for the 2026-27 season?
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Correct answer: A — ₹5,925 per quintal
The CCEA fixed the MSP of raw jute (TD-3) at ₹5,925 per quintal, ₹275 more than in 2025-26.
Which agency acts as the Central Government's nodal agency for price support operations for raw jute?
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Correct answer: B — Jute Corporation of India
The Jute Corporation of India continues as the nodal agency, with losses fully reimbursed by the Centre.
Consider the following statements about the raw jute MSP for 2026-27: 1. It ensures a return of 61.8% over the all-India weighted average cost of production. 2. The principle of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production was announced in the Union Budget 2018-19. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the CCEA decision of 24 February 2026.
Where is the 16th edition of the India–US Special Forces exercise Vajra Prahar being held?
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Correct answer: B — Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh
Vajra Prahar 2026 is at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from 24 February to 16 March.
Where was the previous (15th) edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar held in November 2024?
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Correct answer: D — Orchard Combat Training Centre, Idaho
The previous edition was held at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA, in November 2024.
What is the estimated cost of the Srinagar International Airport Civil Enclave project approved on 24 February 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ₹1,677 crore
The CCEA approved the Civil Enclave at an estimated cost of ₹1,677 crore.
Srinagar International Airport operates within which Indian Air Force airbase?
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Correct answer: A — Budgam
The airport is operated by AAI within the Budgam Airbase of the IAF.
What annual passenger capacity is planned for the new Srinagar airport Civil Enclave?
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Correct answer: C — 10 million
The terminal is designed for 2,900 peak-hour passengers and 10 million passengers per annum.
The metro extension approved by the Union Cabinet on 24 February 2026 runs from GIFT City to:
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Correct answer: B — Shahpur
The 3.33-km extension of the North-South corridor runs from GIFT City to Shahpur.
Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation (GMRC), which will build the GIFT City–Shahpur extension, is:
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Correct answer: D — A 50:50 joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat
GMRC is a 50:50 joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat.
The National Round Table Conference of the ECI and State Election Commissioners held on 24 February 2026 took place after a gap of how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 27 years
The SECs noted that the conference was held after a gap of 27 years; it is now to be held annually.
Which document was adopted by the ECI and State Election Commissioners at the round table on 24 February 2026?
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Correct answer: B — National Declaration 2026
The SECs adopted the National Declaration 2026, affirming that pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy.
Consider the following statements about State Election Commissions: 1. Under Articles 243K and 243ZA, they superintend the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections to Panchayats and Municipalities. 2. The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Chief Election Commissioner of India. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Under Article 243K, the State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor and can be removed only like a High Court judge.
Exercise Dharma Guardian, which began on 24 February 2026, is held between India and which country?
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Correct answer: D — Japan
Dharma Guardian is the India–Japan joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the JGSDF.
Where was the 7th edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian held in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chaubattia, Uttarakhand
It was held at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, from 24 February to 9 March 2026.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Dharma Guardian 2026: 1. The Indian Army contingent was drawn from the Ladakh Scouts. 2. The exercise is held every year in India only. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The annual exercise is held alternately in India and Japan.
Which of the following was NOT among the railway multitracking projects approved by the CCEA on 24 February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bhopal–Itarsi 4th line
The three approved projects were Gondia–Jabalpur doubling, Punarakh–Kiul and Gamharia–Chandil 3rd and 4th lines.
By about how many km will the three multitracking projects approved on 24 February 2026 increase the Indian Railways network?
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Correct answer: C — 307 km
The three projects, costing about ₹9,072 crore, will add about 307 km.
Under the Labour Codes, as highlighted at ESIC's 75th year launch in February 2026, free annual health check-ups through ESIC are provided for workers aged:
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Correct answer: C — 40 years and above
Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the provision for free annual health check-ups through ESIC for workers aged 40 and above.
Under which provision did the DoT seek TRAI's recommendations on the IMT spectrum auction released in February 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997
DoT sought the recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997.
SUJVIKA, launched on the Department of Biotechnology's 40th Foundation Day in February 2026, is:
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Correct answer: B — An AI-driven biotech product (import) data portal
SUJVIKA is an AI-driven trade statistics platform presenting authenticated biotechnology product import data.