Daily Current Affairs MCQs 15 February 2026
Date: 15 February 2026
Level: UPSC / State PSC / SSC / Banking
Source: Today’s National and International News
Daily Current Affairs MCQs 15 February 2026
CATEGORY & SUB-TOPIC
POLITY & GOVERNANCE
Parliamentary Procedures: Ethics Committee vs. Privileges Committee (News: Motion for unethical conduct in Lok Sabha).
Governance: PM RAHAT Scheme (News: Launch of cashless treatment initiative).
ECONOMY & FINANCE
Macroeconomic Indicators: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Q3 FY 2025–26 (News: Unemployment rate falls to 4.8%).
Banking: RBI Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) licenses (News: EximPe approval).
Budget & Infrastructure: Capacity addition data (News: Record 52,537 MW added in FY 2025-26).
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
India & Neighborhood: Bangladesh Elections (News: BNP victory; Lok Sabha Speaker to attend Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in).
Global Summits: Munich Security Conference 2026 (News: Strategic autonomy debate; EU on “civilisational erasure”).
Nuclear Diplomacy: Iran-US Nuclear Deal (News: Iran expresses readiness for talks on sanctions relief).
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
AI & IT: India-AI Impact Summit 2026 (News: 20 nations to attend; “People, Planet, Progress” pillars).
Exams/Institutions: GATE DA 2026 (News: Data Science & AI paper conducted by IIT Guwahati).
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Natural Disasters: Cyclone Gezani (News: Strikes Madagascar/Toamasina).
Climate Policy: Differentiated responsibilities debate at Munich.
DEFENCE & SECURITY
Procurement: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) AoN (News: ₹3.60 lakh crore for MRFA/Rafale).
Armed Forces: 116th Raising Day of Corps of Signals.
CULTURE & SOCIETY
Festivals: Mahashivratri celebrations across India.
Social Reformers: Shri Sant Sevalal Maharaj (News: PM pays homage).
SPORTS
Cricket: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 (News: India defeats Pakistan by 61 runs; enters Super 8).
AWARDS & APPOINTMENTS
Corporate: Uday Kotak (News: Appointed Chairman of GIFT City).
Daily Current Affairs MCQs 15 February 2026
Q1. The India-AI Impact Summit 2026, which is being hosted in New Delhi, is guided by three foundational pillars or “Sutras”. Which of the following is NOT one of them?
A) People
B) Planet
C) Policy
D) Progress
Answer: C
Explanation: The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is guided by the three pillars of People, Planet, and Progress. These sutras articulate the core principles for global cooperation on AI, focusing on the Global South.
STATIC LINKAGE: India’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence is themed “AI for All,” emphasizing inclusive growth, which aligns with these summit pillars.
Q2. With reference to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for Q3 FY 2025–26 released on February 15, 2026, consider the following statements:
- The unemployment rate in India has declined to 4.8%.
- The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has increased to over 55%.
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) is the nodal agency for conducting this survey.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All statements are correct. The latest PLFS data shows the unemployment rate dropped to 4.8%. The LFPR rose to 55.8%, driven by rural women. The NSO, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), conducts the survey.
STATIC LINKAGE: PLFS was launched in 2017 to provide more frequent labor market data (quarterly for urban areas and annually for both rural and urban).
Q3. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently accorded ‘Acceptance of Necessity’ (AoN) for the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). Who chairs the DAC?
A) Prime Minister
B) Union Minister of Defence
C) Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
D) National Security Advisor (NSA)
Answer: B
Explanation: The Union Minister of Defence is the Chairman of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The DAC is the highest decision-making body in the Ministry of Defence for capital acquisitions.
STATIC LINKAGE: The DAC was formed in 2001 following the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on ‘Reforming the National Security System’ after the Kargil War.
Q4. On February 15, 2026, the government announced the launch of the ‘PM RAHAT Scheme’. What is the primary objective of this scheme?
A) Cashless treatment for trauma and road accident victims.
B) Relief to farmers during post-harvest losses.
C) Housing subsidies for urban slum dwellers.
D) Skill development for traditional artisans.
Answer: A
Explanation: The PM RAHAT (Relief and Assistance for Health and Trauma) Scheme provides cashless treatment up to ₹1 Lakh for victims of road accidents and trauma during the “Golden Hour.”
STATIC LINKAGE: The scheme is aligned with Section 162 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which mandates free medical treatment for victims of road accidents.
Q5. Tropical Cyclone ‘Gezani’, which caused significant destruction on February 15, 2026, primarily affected which island nation?
A) Mauritius
B) Seychelles
C) Madagascar
D) Sri Lanka
Answer: C
Explanation: Cyclone Gezani made landfall near Toamasina in Madagascar, destroying nearly 75% of the port city’s infrastructure. It is part of an increasingly severe cyclone season in the South-West Indian Ocean.
STATIC LINKAGE: Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island. Cyclones in this region are monitored by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) in La Réunion.
Q6. Regarding the 16th Finance Commission (FC) currently in deliberation in 2026, which of the following is a “Horizontal Devolution” criterion likely to be debated for rewarding performance?
A) Income Distance
B) Forest and Ecology
C) Demographic Performance
D) Population (1971 Census)
Answer: C
Explanation: While Income Distance and Population are standard criteria, Demographic Performance is used to reward states that have successfully controlled their population growth.
STATIC LINKAGE: Article 280 of the Constitution mandates the President to constitute a Finance Commission every five years to define the financial relations between the Centre and the States.
Q7. On February 15, 2026, the Indian government confirmed that the Lok Sabha Speaker would represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Tarique Rahman. Tarique Rahman is the newly elected leader of which country?
A) Maldives
B) Bangladesh
C) Sri Lanka
D) Nepal
Answer: B
Explanation: Tarique Rahman is the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which won a landslide victory in the 2026 Bangladesh General Elections.
STATIC LINKAGE: India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km border, the longest India shares with any neighbor, governed by the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
Q8. Who was appointed as the Chairman of the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) on February 15, 2026?
A) N.S. Vishwanathan
B) Uday Kotak
C) Madhabi Puri Buch
D) Shaktikanta Das
Answer: B
Explanation: Veteran banker Uday Kotak was appointed Chairman of GIFT City to boost its status as a global financial hub. He was also honored with the Padma Bhushan in early 2026.
STATIC LINKAGE: GIFT City is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), regulated by the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), a statutory body.
Q9. The “Corps of Signals,” which celebrated its 116th Raising Day on February 15, 2026, is a combat support arm of the Indian Army responsible for:
A) Providing logistical support and ration.
B) Military communications and electronic warfare.
C) Construction of border roads and bridges.
D) Intelligence gathering through human assets.
Answer: B
Explanation: The Corps of Signals is responsible for military communications, cyber security, and electronic warfare for the Indian Army. It was formed on February 15, 1911.
STATIC LINKAGE: The motto of the Corps of Signals is “Teevra Chagas” (Swift and Secure).
Q10. Sant Sevalal Maharaj, whom the Prime Minister paid homage to on February 15, 2026, is a revered social reformer and spiritual leader of which community?
A) Santhal
B) Banjara
C) Gond
D) Bhil
Answer: B
Explanation: Shri Sant Sevalal Maharaj is the spiritual guru and social reformer of the Banjara community. He fought against superstition and worked for the welfare of forest-dwelling tribes.
STATIC LINKAGE: The Banjara are a nomadic community found across several Indian states, often referred to as the “Gypsies of India.”
Q11. In the context of the “Munich Security Conference 2026,” the term “Strategic Autonomy” was frequently mentioned by Indian representatives. What does this term primarily signify in Indian foreign policy?
A) Aligning completely with a superpower for security guarantees.
B) The ability to make independent decisions without being coerced by external powers.
C) Withdrawing from all multilateral organizations.
D) Focus only on neighborhood first policy.
Answer: B
Explanation: Strategic Autonomy refers to the state’s ability to pursue its national interests and adopt its own foreign policy without being constrained by other states or alliances.
STATIC LINKAGE: This doctrine evolved from the policy of Non-Alignment but is more pragmatic, focusing on “multi-alignment” in a multipolar world.
Q12. According to data released by the Ministry of Power on February 15, 2026, India added a record generation capacity in FY 2025-26. What was the total capacity added up to January 31, 2026?
A) 34,054 MW
B) 39,657 MW
C) 52,537 MW
D) 65,000 MW
Answer: C
Explanation: A record 52,537 MW of generation capacity was added in FY 2025-26 till Jan 31, 2026, surpassing the previous record. Of this, nearly 40,000 MW came from renewable sources.
STATIC LINKAGE: India’s target is to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030, as pledged at COP26 (Panchamrit).
Q13. On February 15, 2026, IIT Guwahati successfully conducted the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) for the ‘DA’ paper. What does ‘DA’ stand for in this context?
A) Digital Automation
B) Defence Analytics
C) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
D) Distributed Architecture
Answer: C
Explanation: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (DA) is a specialized paper in GATE, reflecting the growing importance of AI in higher technical education and research.
STATIC LINKAGE: GATE is an All-India examination that tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in engineering and science.
Q14. In the ICC T20 World Cup match on February 15, 2026, India defeated Pakistan. Who was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for his score of 77 runs?
A) Suryakumar Yadav
B) Ishan Kishan
C) Hardik Pandya
D) Jasprit Bumrah
Answer: B
Explanation: Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match for his blistering 77 off 40 balls, helping India post 175 and eventually winning by 61 runs.
STATIC LINKAGE: India holds a dominant record against Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cups, now standing at 8-1.
Q15. The ‘e-Shram’ portal, managed by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, reached a registration milestone today. Which of the following statements about the portal is correct?
A) It is only for agricultural workers.
B) It provides a 12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN) to unorganized workers.
C) It offers a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹3,000.
D) Registration is mandatory for all government employees.
Answer: B
Explanation: The e-Shram portal is a national database of unorganized workers (including migrants, gig workers, etc.) who receive a 12-digit UAN for social security benefit delivery.
STATIC LINKAGE: It was launched following a Supreme Court directive to register and provide benefits to the unorganized workforce.
Q16. During the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, EU official Kaja Kallas rejected the prospect of “civilisational erasure.” Which country’s national security strategy had recently used this term to criticize Europe?
A) Russia
B) China
C) United States
D) United Kingdom
Answer: C
Explanation: The U.S. national security strategy released in December (under the Trump administration) asserted that Europe faces “civilisational erasure” due to stagnation and immigration policies, which the EU official rejected.
STATIC LINKAGE: Kaja Kallas is the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (EU’s foreign policy chief).
Q17. The “RISE Conclave 2026,” which concluded in Chennai on February 15, 2026, focuses on which four pillars?
A) Rural, Industrial, Social, Economic
B) Research, Industry, Startup, Entrepreneurship
C) Robotics, Intelligence, Space, Energy
D) Reform, Infrastructure, Sustainability, Empowerment
Answer: B
Explanation: RISE stands for Research, Industry, Startup, and Entrepreneurship. The conclave aims to integrate laboratory research with market needs and grassroots entrepreneurship.
STATIC LINKAGE: The Conclave is aligned with the “Whole-of-Government” approach to achieve the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Mahashivratri’ celebrated on February 15, 2026:
- It is celebrated in the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar.
- It commemorates the wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
- The day marks the “tandava” dance of Shiva.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: All statements are correct. Mahashivratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day of the Phalguna month. It marks both the cosmic dance (tandava) and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati.
STATIC LINKAGE: Unlike most Hindu festivals celebrated during the day, Mahashivratri is celebrated at night through vigils and fasting.
Q19. The ‘Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu’, which was in the news on February 15, 2026, following its recent inauguration, is located in which state?
A) Tripura
B) Assam
C) Arunachal Pradesh
D) Manipur
Answer: B
Explanation: The bridge is located in Assam (Guwahati), connecting the city to North Guwahati across the Brahmaputra river. It is an extradosed bridge.
STATIC LINKAGE: Kumar Bhaskar Varma was the most illustrious king of the Varman dynasty of the Kamarupa Kingdom (7th century AD).
Q20. On February 15, 2026, EximPe received the ‘PA-CB’ license from the RBI. What does ‘PA-CB’ stand for?
A) Payment Agency for Corporate Banking
B) Payment Aggregator – Cross Border
C) Public Asset for Consumer Benefit
D) Personal Account for Cashless Business
Answer: B
Explanation: Payment Aggregator – Cross Border (PA-CB) allows companies to facilitate payments for import and export of goods and services online.
STATIC LINKAGE: The RBI issued the PA-CB guidelines to regulate entities facilitating cross-border payment transactions, ensuring compliance with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act).
Q21. The ‘Global Cancer Summit 2026’ commenced on February 15 in which Indian city?
A) Mumbai
B) Varanasi
C) Hyderabad
D) New Delhi
Answer: B
Explanation: The 7th Global Cancer Summit – 2026 commenced in Varanasi, focusing on advanced oncology treatments and affordable care.
STATIC LINKAGE: Cancer is a non-communicable disease. The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) is India’s flagship program in this domain.
Q22. In the context of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, what are “Chakras”?
A) Indigenous AI processors developed by ISRO.
B) Working groups structured around thematic areas of AI.
C) Spiritual sessions for delegates attending the summit.
D) Cyber-security firewalls for government data.
Answer: B
Explanation: The summit’s deliberations are organized through Chakras or Working Groups structure around seven interconnected thematic areas such as Human Capital, Inclusion, and Safe AI.
STATIC LINKAGE: This naming convention (Chakras/Sutras) reflects India’s effort to blend traditional cultural terminology with modern technology governance.
Q23. Which of the following organizations announced the finalists for the “AI for ALL” and “AI by HER” challenges on February 15, 2026?
A) NITI Aayog
B) Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY)
C) UNESCO
D) World Economic Forum
Answer: B
Explanation: MeitY announced these finalists as part of the India-AI Impact Summit to promote scalable AI solutions and gender inclusivity in technology.
STATIC LINKAGE: MeitY is the nodal ministry for the India AI Mission, which has an outlay of over ₹10,000 crore.
Q24. As per the current geopolitical news of February 15, 2026, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi stated that nuclear talks with the US must address which critical issue?
A) Territory disputes in the Middle East.
B) Sanctions relief.
C) Permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
D) Reduction in oil production.
Answer: B
Explanation: Iran insisted that talks about its nuclear program must occur simultaneously with discussions on sanctions relief imposed by Washington.
STATIC LINKAGE: The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the 2015 agreement between Iran and the P5+1 powers regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Q25. Which Indian city hosts the country’s second Tulip Garden, which was featured in news for boosting floriculture on February 15, 2026?
A) Srinagar
B) Palampur
C) Munnar
D) Ooty
Answer: B
Explanation: Palampur in Himachal Pradesh hosts the country’s second-largest Tulip Garden. (The largest is the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar).
STATIC LINKAGE: Floriculture in India is part of the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
Q26. The 116th Raising Day of the Corps of Signals falls on February 15. Which of the following is the motto of this arm of the Indian Army?
A) Sarvatra Vijay
B) Teevra Chagas
C) Valour and Wisdom
D) Service Before Self
Answer: B
Explanation: The motto is “Teevra Chagas,” which means “Swift and Secure,” highlighting their role in communications.
STATIC LINKAGE: “Sarvatra” is associated with the Corps of Engineers; “Service Before Self” is the motto of the Indian Army as a whole.
Q27. With reference to the ‘GATE 2026’ exam conducted today, which IIT is the organizing authority for the year 2026?
A) IIT Bombay
B) IIT Madras
C) IIT Delhi
D) IIT Guwahati
Answer: D
Explanation: IIT Guwahati is the organizing institute for GATE 2026.
STATIC LINKAGE: The GATE organizing authority rotates among the seven oldest IITs and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
Q28. The ‘Sagar Samman Award 2026’ nominations, open as of today, are managed by which Union Ministry?
A) Ministry of Earth Sciences
B) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
C) Ministry of Defence
D) Ministry of External Affairs
Answer: B
Explanation: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confers the Sagar Samman Awards to recognize excellence in the maritime sector.
STATIC LINKAGE: These awards are typically part of the National Maritime Day celebrations (April 5).
Q29. What is the theme of the ‘Nationwide Digital Campaign’ being launched on February 16 (previewed today) by MeitY?
A) Har Ghar Digital
B) Ethical, Inclusive, and Responsible AI Use
C) Cyber Safe India
D) 5G for Farmers
Answer: B
Explanation: The campaign aims to promote Ethical, Inclusive, and Responsible AI Use as a precursor to the global summit.
STATIC LINKAGE: This aligns with the “Responsible AI for Social Empowerment” (RAISE) vision previously discussed by the government.
Q30. The ‘GIFT City‘ in Gujarat, which saw a leadership change today, is unique in India because:
A) It is the only place where cryptocurrency is legal tender.
B) It functions as a foreign territory for the purpose of financial regulations.
C) It has no taxes for its residents.
D) It is governed directly by the UN.
Answer: B
Explanation: GIFT-IFSC is treated as a “person resident outside India” under FEMA, allowing it to offer financial services in foreign currencies with distinct regulations.
STATIC LINKAGE: It was established to bring back financial transactions related to India that were happening in hubs like Singapore and Dubai.
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