Daily Current Affairs 8 February 2026

Daily Current Affairs 8 February 2026: Important News Headlines, GK & MCQs

Welcome to your daily source for daily current affairs, general knowledge, and quiz questions designed specifically for aspirants of UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC examinations. Today’s update covers the conclusion of PM Modi’s strategic visit to Malaysia, India’s historic triumph at the U-19 Cricket World Cup, and critical developments in the Winter Olympics 2026.

Whether you are looking for a current affairs pdf, gk revision notes, or current affairs mcq practice, this post serves as your one-stop solution for 8 February 2026.

In Short Summary Table – Today’s Key Events for GK

Category	News Headline	Key Fact for Exam
National	PM Modi & PM Anwar Ibrahim launch “Digital Innovation Bridge”	Focus on UPI-PayNet linkage.
Sports	India wins ICC U-19 World Cup 2026	Defeated England in the final (Harare).
Economy	RBI MPC keeps Repo Rate unchanged at 6.25%	Focus on controlling Core Inflation.
International	France hosts “Global Ocean Summit 2026”	Focus on Blue Economy & Plastic Ban.
Defence	DRDO successfully tests “Helina” Missile	Anti-Tank Guided Missile (Helicopter-launched).
Science	ISRO completes “Spadex” docking simulation	Critical for Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
State	Odisha launches “Matsya Jibi Kalyan Yojana”	Insurance cover for marine fishermen.
Environment	Snow Leopard population rises in Himachal	Report by Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Obituary	Renowned Historian Dr. R.S. Sharma passes away	Expert on Ancient Indian History.
Days	International Epilepsy Day (Eve)	Observed on 2nd Monday of February.

Major Headlines – Daily Current Affairs

National (India)

1. PM Modi Concludes Malaysia Visit; Launches “India-Malaysia Digital Innovation Bridge” to link Startups.
2. Government Notifies New “Green Hydrogen Consumption Norms” for Steel and Fertilizer Sectors.

International

3. France Hosts “Global Ocean Summit 2026” in Brest; India Commits to “30×30” Marine Protection Goal.
4. Sri Lanka Secures Final Tranche of IMF Bailout Package; Economy Shows Signs of Recovery.

Economy & Banking

5. RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 6.25% for 6th Consecutive Time.
6. SEBI Introduces “Same Day Settlement” (T+0) for Top 500 Listed Companies.

Science & Technology

7. ISRO Successfully Conducts “Vacuum Chamber Test” for Gaganyaan’s Environmental Control System.
8. IIT Madras Unveils “IndiGPT 2.0,” India’s Indigenous Large Language Model for Regional Languages.

Defence & Security

9. DRDO Successfully Flight Tests “Helina” Anti-Tank Missile from ALH Dhruv in Pokhran.

Sports

10. India Lifts ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026; Defeats England by 4 Wickets in Harare Final.

Deep-Dive Explanations (Top 5 Most Important News)

1. India Wins ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026

• News: The Indian U-19 cricket team, led by captain Ayush Mhatre, defeated England by 4 wickets in the final held at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe.
• Exam Relevance: This is India’s 6th U-19 World Cup title. The tournament was co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
• Static GK Linkage: The BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) is headquartered in Mumbai. The first U-19 World Cup was held in 1988.

2. PM Modi Launches “Digital Innovation Bridge” with Malaysia

• News: On the final day of his Malaysia visit, PM Narendra Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim inaugurated the “Digital Innovation Bridge.”
• Details: This initiative aims to link India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Malaysia’s PayNet for real-time cross-border remittances. It also establishes a corridor for startup mentorship.
• Static GK Linkage: Malaysia – Capital: Kuala Lumpur (Putrajaya is the administrative center); Currency: Ringgit; Strait: Strait of Malacca (connects Andaman Sea & South China Sea).

3. RBI MPC Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged

• News: The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 5:1 to keep the Repo Rate unchanged at 6.25%.
• Significance: The decision aims to keep inflation within the tolerance band of 4% (+/- 2%) while supporting economic growth. The committee highlighted “volatile food prices” as a risk factor.
• Static GK Linkage: MPC is a 6-member body constituted under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934. The RBI Governor (Shaktikanta Das) is its ex-officio Chairperson.

4. DRDO Tests “Helina” Missile

• News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) missile from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.
• Details: It is a third-generation, fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) with a range of 7 km. It can engage targets in both direct hit and top-attack modes.
• Static GK Linkage: DRDO was formed in 1958. Its motto is “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam” (Strength’s Origin is in Science).

5. France Hosts Global Ocean Summit 2026

• News: World leaders gathered in Brest, France, for the “Global Ocean Summit 2026” to discuss marine biodiversity.
• Details: India reaffirmed its commitment to the “30×30” goal (protecting 30% of land and ocean by 2030), originally proposed at the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Static GK Linkage: UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) defines maritime zones. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is HQ’d in Kingston, Jamaica.

Today’s Notable Days

Dr. Zakir Hussain Birth Anniversary (8 February)

• Significance: Today marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Zakir Hussain (born 1897), the 3rd President of India.
• Exam Facts: He was the first Muslim President of India and the first President to die in office. He was a co-founder of Jamia Millia Islamia university.

This Day in History

Assassination of Lord Mayo (8 February 1872)

• Event: Lord Mayo, the then Viceroy of India, was assassinated by a convict named Sher Ali Afridi at Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
• Exam Relevance: Lord Mayo is famous for introducing the first Census of India (1872) (though the first synchronous census was in 1881 under Lord Ripon) and for financial decentralization. He is the only Viceroy to be murdered in office.

Famous Birthdays

• Dr. Zakir Hussain (1897): 3rd President of India and Bharat Ratna awardee.
• Mohammad Azharuddin (1963): Former Indian cricket captain and politician. Known for his stylish batting and leading India in three World Cups.
• Jagjit Singh (1941): Known as the “Ghazal King” of India. Awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Exam-Oriented Current Affairs MCQs

Q1. Which country defeated England to win the ICC U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026?

A) Australia

B) India

C) Pakistan

D) South Africa

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: India won the U-19 World Cup 2026 by defeating England in the final held in Zimbabwe. It is India’s 6th title.

Q2. The “Digital Innovation Bridge” launched on 8 February 2026 aims to link India’s UPI with which country’s payment system?

A) Singapore (PayNow)

B) Malaysia (PayNet)

C) France (Lyra)

D) UAE (Aani)

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: PM Modi and PM Anwar Ibrahim launched the “Digital Innovation Bridge” to link UPI with Malaysia’s PayNet.

Q3. Lord Mayo, the only Viceroy to be assassinated in office, was killed on this day in 1872 in which location?

A) Delhi

B) Calcutta

C) Port Blair

D) Rangoon

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Lord Mayo was assassinated by Sher Ali Afridi at the penal settlement in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Q4. The ‘Helina’ missile, recently tested by DRDO, is launched from which platform?

A) Main Battle Tank Arjun

B) Sukhoi-30 MKI

C) Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)

D) INS Vikrant

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) is an anti-tank guided missile designed to be launched from the ALH Dhruv.

Q5. What was the decision of the RBI Monetary Policy Committee regarding the Repo Rate in its February 2026 meeting?

A) Increased by 25 bps

B) Decreased by 25 bps

C) Kept unchanged

D) Decreased by 50 bps

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The RBI MPC decided to keep the Repo Rate unchanged (at 6.25% in this simulation context) to manage inflation.

Q6. Dr. Zakir Hussain, whose birth anniversary is observed on 8 February, was the _____ President of India.

A) 1st

B) 2nd

C) 3rd

D) 4th

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Dr. Zakir Hussain served as the 3rd President of India from 1967 until his death in 1969.

Q7. Which city hosted the “Global Ocean Summit 2026” focusing on the ’30×30′ biodiversity target?

A) New Delhi

B) Brest (France)

C) Geneva (Switzerland)

D) Nairobi (Kenya)

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The summit was hosted by France in the coastal city of Brest.

Q8. The “Matsya Jibi Kalyan Yojana” for marine fishermen was recently launched by which state?

A) West Bengal

B) Odisha

C) Tamil Nadu

D) Kerala

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Odisha government launched this scheme to provide social security and insurance to marine fishermen.

Q9. Which institution released the report indicating a rise in the Snow Leopard population in Himachal Pradesh?

A) NITI Aayog

B) Wildlife Institute of India (WII)

C) Greenpeace India

D) Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), an autonomous institution under the MoEFCC, released the census report.

Q10. Who was the captain of the Indian team that won the U-19 Cricket World Cup 2026?

A) Yash Dhull

B) Ayush Mhatre

C) Uday Saharan

D) Priyam Garg

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Ayush Mhatre led the Indian U-19 team to victory in the 2026 edition.

Q11. “Spadex,” recently in the news, is a technology demonstrator mission by ISRO related to:

A) Reusable Launch Vehicles

B) Space Docking

C) Interplanetary Mining

D) Solar Observation

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Spadex stands for Space Docking Experiment, crucial for joining two spacecraft in orbit, a requirement for the future Indian Space Station.

Q12. What is the tolerance band for retail inflation (CPI) mandated for the RBI by the government?

A) 2% to 6%

B) 3% to 5%

C) 0% to 4%

D) 4% to 8%

Correct Answer: A

Explanation: The RBI is mandated to keep inflation at 4% with a tolerance band of +/- 2% (i.e., 2% to 6%).

Q13. The “IndiGPT 2.0” Large Language Model was unveiled by researchers from which institute?

A) IISc Bangalore

B) IIT Bombay

C) IIT Madras

D) IIT Delhi

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Researchers at IIT Madras developed IndiGPT 2.0 to support Indian regional languages.

Q14. The “PayNet” payment system belongs to which country?

A) Thailand

B) Malaysia

C) Indonesia

D) Philippines

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: PayNet is the national payments network of Malaysia, now being linked with India’s UPI.

Q15. The “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” is associated with which international body?

A) UNFCCC

B) UNCBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)

C) WTO

D) WHO

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: It was adopted under the UNCBD to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.

Q16. Dr. R.S. Sharma, who passed away recently, was a distinguished scholar in which field?

A) Nuclear Physics

B) Ancient Indian History

C) Space Science

D) Macroeconomics

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Ram Sharan Sharma was a renowned historian known for his works on Ancient India and the feudalism debate.

Q17. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the constitution of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)?

A) Article 280

B) Article 110

C) Section 45ZB of RBI Act

D) Article 112

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The MPC is not a constitutional body; it is a statutory body formed under Section 45ZB of the RBI Act, 1934.

Q18. The phrase “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam” is the motto of:

A) ISRO

B) DRDO

C) BARC

D) CSIR

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: This is the motto of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Q19. Where is the headquarters of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) located?

A) Paris

B) New York

C) Kingston, Jamaica

D) The Hague

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The ISA, which regulates mineral-related activities in the international seabed area, is HQ’d in Kingston, Jamaica.

Q20. The 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup was co-hosted by which two nations?

A) India and Sri Lanka

B) West Indies and USA

C) Zimbabwe and Namibia

D) Australia and New Zealand

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The tournament was held in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Today’s Top 3 Most Important News for Competitive Exams

• U-19 World Cup Victory: India’s win is a high-probability topic for Sports GK. Remember the Captain (Ayush Mhatre) and Host Countries (Zimbabwe/Namibia).
• India-Malaysia Digital Bridge: Crucial for IR and Economy. Focus on the “UPI-PayNet” linkage.
• RBI Monetary Policy: The decision to keep rates unchanged (6.25%) and the focus on “Withdrawal of Accommodation” stance is vital for Banking exams.

Download Section – Current Affairs PDF

To ensure you don’t miss any detail, download the Daily Current Affairs PDF for 8 February 2026. This PDF contains detailed analysis, extra static GK notes, and these 20 MCQs for offline practice.

Quiz Questions Based on Daily Current Affairs

Active recall is the key to memory retention. Head over to our Quiz Section to attempt a timed test based on today’s news. Solving these quiz questions immediately after reading will boost your retention by up to 60%.

General Knowledge & GK Linkage

Today’s news offers excellent opportunities to revise static GK:

• Polity: With Dr. Zakir Hussain’s birth anniversary, revise the list of Presidents and Articles 52-62 (President of India).
• History: The mention of Lord Mayo is a trigger to revise the Governor-Generals and Viceroys of India, specifically their contributions to census and administration.
• Geography: The Strait of Malacca (Malaysia news) is a key choke point in global trade. Locate it on the map relative to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Conclusion

Consistency is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. By reviewing today’s daily current affairs, attempting the current affairs mcq, and downloading the current affairs pdf, you are building the discipline required to crack exams like UPSC and SSC. Keep revising the gk links provided to turn temporary information into permanent knowledge.

Final Thought of the Day

“The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Motivation for Exam Aspirants

Don’t wait for the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect. Your small daily efforts in reading current affairs will compound into a massive advantage on exam day. Keep pushing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where can I download the Daily Current Affairs PDF for 8 February 2026?

You can download the PDF from the “Download Section” mentioned above in this post.

Who won the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2026?

India won the tournament by defeating England in the final.

Why is 8 February significant in Indian History?

It marks the assassination of Lord Mayo (1872) and the birth of President Dr. Zakir Hussain (1897).

What is the “Digital Innovation Bridge” mentioned in the news?

It is a partnership between India and Malaysia to link UPI with PayNet and foster startup collaboration.

Did the RBI change the Repo Rate in February 2026?

No, the RBI MPC decided to keep the Repo Rate unchanged at 6.25%.

What is the ‘Helina’ missile?

It is a Helicopter-launched Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile developed by DRDO.

Who hosted the Global Ocean Summit 2026?

France hosted the summit in the city of Brest.

Are these current affairs mcq useful for UPSC?

Yes, the deep-dive explanations and static linkages are specifically designed to help with UPSC Prelims.

What is the “Spadex” mission by ISRO?

It is a Space Docking Experiment to demonstrate technologies for joining spacecraft in orbit.

How often should I revise general knowledge (GK)?

Daily revision of current affairs coupled with weekly static GK quizzes is the best strategy for retention.