Daily Current Affairs 27 February 2026: Key Updates for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams
Daily Current Affairs 27 February 2026: Comprehensive Updates for UPSC, SSC & Banking Exams
Staying updated with the latest events is a non-negotiable aspect of competitive exam preparation. Whether you are appearing for UPSC Civil Services, SSC CGL, Banking (IBPS/SBI), State PSCs, or Defence exams, a strong grip on daily current affairs forms the bedrock of your General Awareness section. Reading daily updates helps in building a conceptual understanding over time, preventing the last-minute burden of memorizing yearly compilations.
To assist aspirants in their preparation, we present a structured and exam-oriented analysis of today’s news. You can utilize this resource to solve Daily current affairs MCQs or participate in a Daily current affairs Quiz to test your retention. Many students prefer compiling these notes into their Monthly current affairs revisions or downloading a Daily current affairs pdf for offline reading. Below, you will find the most important Todays gk questions and Todays Current Affairs categorized systematically to streamline your study process.
Daily Current Affairs 27 February 2026
1. National Affairs
Government Releases New GDP Series with 2022-23 as Base Year
Why in News: The Government of India released the new series of national accounts data on February 27, 2026, updating the base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23 to better reflect structural changes in the economy.
Key Details:
- According to the new series, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 7.8% during the October-December quarter (Q3) of the fiscal year 2025-26.
- The GDP is estimated to grow at 7.6% during the current fiscal year, up from the 7.4% advance estimates.
- The new series incorporates expanded Goods and Services Tax (GST) data to accurately measure regional output and corporate value addition.
- It improves the estimation of the private corporate sector by shifting from a dominant-sector allocation approach to an activity-wise revenue share approach.Exam Relevance (UPSC/Banking): Crucial for Indian Economy sections. Aspirants must note the new base year (2022-23) and its impact on the formalization measurement.
Ministry of Home Affairs Releases ‘PRAHAAR’ Strategy Document
Why in News: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially released PRAHAAR, India’s first publicly articulated national counter-terrorism strategy document.
Key Details:
- The eight-page framework outlines India’s comprehensive approach to tackling terrorism, bringing coherence to the national counter-terrorism architecture.
- It explicitly details the integration of existing mechanisms such as the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), National Security Guard (NSG), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- The strategy emphasizes proactive surveillance, intelligence sharing, and community outreach programs to neutralize terror modules.Exam Relevance (UPSC/Defence): Highly relevant for Internal Security (UPSC Mains GS Paper 3) and CAPF/CDS exams.
Launch of RailTech Portal under Railways Reform Plan 2026
Why in News: As part of the Railways Reform Plan 2026, the Ministry of Railways has launched the ‘RailTech Portal’ to modernize operations and passenger grievance redressal.
Key Details:
- Simultaneously, the Railway Claims Tribunal has been completely transitioned online to streamline compensation and dispute services.
- The government also announced new aviation rules under which passengers canceling air tickets within 48 hours of booking will not be charged extra cancellation fees.Exam Relevance (SSC/Railways): Important for RRB NTPC and SSC General Awareness sections.
2. State Affairs
Rajasthan Renames Mount Abu to ‘Abu Raj’
Why in News: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced the renaming of three cities in the state, including the popular hill station Mount Abu, which will now be officially known as “Abu Raj”.
Key Details:
- The decision is part of a broader cultural and historical reclamation initiative by the state government.
- Administrative updates to maps, tourism portals, and official records will be implemented immediately.Exam Relevance (State PSC/SSC): Highly relevant for RPSC exams and static GK sections of national exams.Static GK Link: Abu Raj (formerly Mount Abu) is located in the Aravalli Range in the Sirohi district of Rajasthan. It is famous for the Dilwara Jain Temples, built between the 11th and 13th centuries.
Puducherry Launches First CBDC-Based Food Subsidy Pilot
Why in News: The Government of India initiated its first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) enabled food subsidy distribution pilot under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry.
Key Details:
- Beneficiaries receive their food subsidy as programmable e₹ (Digital Rupee) tokens directly in their CBDC wallets.
- These digital tokens are restricted and can only be redeemed for entitled foodgrains at authorized Fair Price Shops (FPS).
- The initiative integrates the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) CBDC into the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) framework to ensure leak-proof and purpose-bound delivery.
- The pilot is executed in collaboration with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Canara Bank.Exam Relevance (Banking/UPSC): Critical for Banking Awareness, RBI Grade B, and UPSC Economy.
IBM Inaugurates AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Uttar Pradesh
Why in News: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated IBM’s AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow.
Key Details:
- The center aims to strengthen technology-driven governance in the state using Artificial Intelligence.
- IBM signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the UP Government to deploy AI solutions across various civic and administrative departments.Exam Relevance (UPPSC/SSC): Important for state-specific current affairs and S&T sections.
3. International Affairs
India and Israel Elevate Ties to ‘Special Strategic Partnership’
Why in News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2026 visit to Israel concluded with the signing of 17 pacts and the elevation of bilateral ties to a “Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity.”
Key Details:
- A major outcome includes the establishment of an Indo-Israel Cyber Centre of Excellence in India.
- The Joint Commission on Science and Technology between the two nations has been elevated to the ministerial level.
- Both nations agreed on a comprehensive roadmap for joint defense development, production, and transfer of technology.Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC): Important for International Relations (UPSC GS Paper 2) and bilateral agreements in SSC/Banking.
India and Sweden Launch SITAC for AI Collaboration
Why in News: The IndiaAI Mission and Business Sweden signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Key Details:
- The agreement establishes the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC).
- SITAC will serve as the flagship program to drive structured, outcome-oriented AI cooperation, focusing on real-world industrial applications, sustainable development, and responsible AI.Exam Relevance (UPSC/Banking): Crucial for Science & Technology and international MoU questions.
Pakistan Declares ‘Open War’ with Afghanistan
Why in News: Escalating geopolitical tensions in South Asia saw Pakistan declare “open war” with Afghanistan following fresh airstrikes and cross-border attacks between the two neighbors.
Key Details:
- The conflict stems from border disputes and allegations of cross-border terrorism, leading to military engagement.Exam Relevance (UPSC/Defence): Important context for geopolitics and international security paradigms.
4. Economy & Finance
Nationwide Mandate for E20 Petrol with Minimum RON 95 from April 2026
Why in News: The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG) issued a notification mandating the sale of E20 petrol across all states and Union Territories starting April 1, 2026.
Key Details:
- The mandate requires petrol to have a maximum of 20% ethanol blending and a minimum Research Octane Number (RON) of 95.
- This move is aimed at reducing fuel imports, cutting vehicular emissions, and boosting the agricultural economy by incentivizing ethanol production.Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC): Important for Environment and Economy segments.
CCEA Enhances Investment Limits for POWERGRID
Why in News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved an enhanced financial delegation to POWERGRID.
Key Details:
- The permissible equity investment per subsidiary for POWERGRID has been increased from Rs. 5,000 crore to Rs. 7,500 crore.
- This aligns with the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) guidelines for Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).Exam Relevance (Banking/SSC): Relevant for corporate governance and PSU-related financial limits.
5. Banking & Financial Awareness
Slice Small Finance Bank Appoints Rajan Bajaj as MD & CEO
Why in News: Slice Small Finance Bank announced the appointment of its founder, Rajan Bajaj, as the new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Key Details:
- The appointment marks a significant transition for the entity as it consolidates its operations as a Small Finance Bank following regulatory approvals.Exam Relevance (Banking): Direct question for IBPS PO, SBI PO, and RBI Assistant exams.Static GK Link: Small Finance Banks are registered as public limited companies under the Companies Act, 2013, and are licensed under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
6. Science & Technology
Institutes Across India Begin National Science Day 2026 Celebrations
Why in News: Ahead of National Science Day (February 28), premier research institutes like the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune, Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), and IISER Pune held Open Days and exhibitions.
Key Details:
- The official theme for National Science Day 2026, designated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”.
- The events featured interactive sessions on the Raman Effect, climate science, and demonstrations on bioenergy and green hydrogen.Exam Relevance (All Exams): Themes of important days are frequently asked in objective exams.
TEC Signs MoU with IIT Kharagpur for Advanced Telecom Research
Why in News: The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed an MoU with IIT Kharagpur.
Key Details:
- The collaboration focuses on developing India-specific standards for 6th Generation (6G) technologies.
- Research will also cover optical networks, Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), and Passive Optical Networks.Exam Relevance (UPSC/SSC): Important for S&T developments and institutional collaborations.
7. Defence & Security
President Droupadi Murmu Witnesses ‘Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026’
Why in News: The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, witnessed the Indian Air Force’s massive firepower demonstration, ‘Vayu Shakti-2026’, at the Pokhran Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Key Details:
- The exercise simulated a live, integrated combat theater demonstrating swift and precise strike capabilities.
- Advanced aircraft including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, Mirage 2000, Boeing Apache, and Chinook participated.
- Earlier in the day, President Murmu undertook a 25-minute sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) ‘Prachand’, making her the first President to fly in this specific helicopter.Exam Relevance (Defence/SSC): Highly relevant for AFCAT, NDA, CDS, and SSC general awareness.
Armed Forces Conduct Dual Exercises: Kalari Leap and Agni Varsha
Why in News: The Indian Armed Forces executed two high-impact, concurrent exercises across different terrains to validate combat readiness.
Key Details:
- Exercise Kalari Leap: Conducted by the Southern Air Command (SAC) and Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago, focusing on maritime force projection.
- Exercise Agni Varsha: Executed by the Indian Army’s Southern Command at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges, focusing on integrated desert warfare and network-centric operations.Exam Relevance (Defence): Crucial for matching military exercises with their locations and participating commands.
8. Environment & Ecology
India and Nepal Sign MoU for Environmental Cooperation
Why in News: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) signed an MoU with the Government of Nepal to strengthen environmental cooperation.
Key Details:
- The agreement focuses on protecting transboundary ecosystems, particularly in the Himalayan and Terai regions.
- It emphasizes collaborative efforts in tackling climate change impacts and conserving shared biodiversity.Exam Relevance (UPSC/State PSC): Important for Environment and Bilateral Relations segments.
9. Government Schemes & Initiatives
ESIC Commences 75th Foundation Year Celebrations
Why in News: The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) kicked off its Platinum Jubilee (75th Foundation Year) celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Key Details:
- The Government of India issued a Rs. 75 commemorative coin to mark the occasion.
- A coffee table book titled “ESIC@75” was released.
- ESIC signed MoUs with the National Health Authority (to align with Ayushman Bharat) and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).Exam Relevance (EPFO/SSC/Banking): Important for social security schemes and statutory body milestones.Static GK Link: ESIC is a statutory social security body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, established in 1952.
10. Appointments & Resignations
- Arvind KC: Appointed as the new Chief People Officer at OpenAI, stepping in to lead global HR operations amid the company’s rapid expansion.
- Rajan Bajaj: Appointed as the MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank.
Daily Current Affairs: Important One-Liners
- The Government of India revised the base year for calculating the GDP new series to 2022-23.
- India’s first publicly articulated national counter-terror strategy document released by the MHA is named PRAHAAR.
- The city of Mount Abu in Rajasthan has been officially renamed to Abu Raj.
- The first CBDC-enabled food subsidy distribution pilot under PMGKAY was launched in Puducherry.
- India and Israel have elevated their diplomatic relations to a Special Strategic Partnership for Peace, Innovation and Prosperity.
- The SITAC (Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor) initiative was launched to boost AI bilateral collaboration.
- The nationwide mandate for E20 Petrol with a minimum RON of 95 will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
- The theme for National Science Day 2026 is “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”.
- President Droupadi Murmu recently undertook a historic sortie in the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter named Prachand.
- The Indian Air Force’s massive firepower demonstration, Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026, was held at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
- The joint maritime operation conducted in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands by the Southern Air Command is named Exercise Kalari Leap.
- ESIC commenced its 75th Foundation Year celebrations, releasing a Rs. 75 commemorative coin.
- Rajan Bajaj was appointed as the MD & CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank.
- An AI GovTech Innovation Centre by IBM was recently inaugurated in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- TEC signed an MoU with IIT Kharagpur to develop India-specific standards for 6G telecom technologies.
Daily Current Affairs MCQs
Q1. What is the new base year adopted by the Government of India for the calculation of the new GDP series released in February 2026?
A) 2018-19
B) 2020-21
C) 2021-22
D) 2022-23
Answer: D) 2022-23
Explanation: The government has updated the base year for national accounts from 2011-12 to 2022-23 to accurately reflect structural economic changes, including digitalization and formalization via GST.
Q2. The MHA recently released India’s first publicly articulated national counter-terrorism strategy document. What is its name?
A) RAKSHAK
B) PRAHAAR
C) TRISHUL
D) KAVACH
Answer: B) PRAHAAR
Explanation: PRAHAAR is an eight-page framework detailing India’s approach to tackling terrorism, integrating existing mechanisms like the NSG, NIA, and MAC.
Q3. Which state or Union Territory recently launched the first CBDC-enabled food subsidy distribution pilot under PMGKAY?
A) Gujarat
B) Puducherry
C) Kerala
D) New Delhi
Answer: B) Puducherry
Explanation: Puducherry launched the pilot where beneficiaries receive programmable e₹ tokens in their CBDC wallets, redeemable only at designated Fair Price Shops.
Q4. India and which country have recently launched the SITAC initiative to boost collaboration in Artificial Intelligence?
A) Switzerland
B) Israel
C) Sweden
D) Singapore
Answer: C) Sweden
Explanation: IndiaAI Mission and Business Sweden signed an agreement to establish the Sweden–India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC).
Q5. Mount Abu, a famous hill station, has recently been renamed to “Abu Raj”. In which state is it located?
A) Gujarat
B) Madhya Pradesh
C) Maharashtra
D) Rajasthan
Answer: D) Rajasthan
Explanation: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced the renaming of Mount Abu to Abu Raj, alongside two other cities.
Q6. What is the theme for National Science Day 2026?
A) Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat
B) Global Science for Global Wellbeing
C) Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat
D) Future of Science, Technology and Innovation
Answer: C) Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat
Explanation: The Department of Science and Technology announced this theme to underscore the critical role of women scientists in national development.
Q7. In which indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter did President Droupadi Murmu undertake a sortie in February 2026?
A) Dhruv
B) Rudra
C) Prachand
D) Chetak
Answer: C) Prachand
Explanation: President Murmu undertook a 25-minute sortie in the LCH ‘Prachand’ at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, ahead of witnessing Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026.
Q8. The Indian Army recently executed ‘Exercise Agni Varsha’. Where was it conducted?
A) Lakshadweep
B) Pokhran Field Firing Ranges
C) Babina Field Firing Ranges
D) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Answer: B) Pokhran Field Firing Ranges
Explanation: Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted by the Southern Command at Pokhran, focusing on integrated combat capabilities in desert terrain.
Q9. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of Slice Small Finance Bank?
A) Arvind KC
B) Rajan Bajaj
C) Sandeep Bakhshi
D) Sashidhar Jagdishan
Answer: B) Rajan Bajaj
Explanation: Slice Small Finance Bank appointed its founder, Rajan Bajaj, as the new MD and CEO to lead the entity’s banking operations.
Q10. The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has mandated the nationwide sale of E20 petrol with a minimum RON of 95. From which date will this mandate be effective?
A) April 1, 2026
B) January 1, 2027
C) October 1, 2026
D) April 1, 2027
Answer: A) April 1, 2026
Explanation: The government mandated the sale of petrol with a maximum 20% ethanol blend and minimum RON 95 across all states starting April 1, 2026.
Conclusion
Consistency is the key to mastering the general awareness section. The updates provided in this Todays Current Affairs module are specifically curated to align with the changing patterns of competitive examinations. By actively revising these points, practicing the Daily current affairs MCQs, and linking the news to static GK concepts, you solidify your foundational knowledge.
We highly encourage you to revisit these updates at the end of the week or compile them into your Monthly current affairs notes for a seamless pre-exam revision experience. For an offline reading experience, ensure you download our Daily current affairs pdf. Stay focused, keep practicing, and make your daily reading a non-negotiable habit.
FAQs
1. Where can I download Daily current affairs pdf?
You can download the Daily current affairs pdf directly from the ‘Downloads’ or ‘Current Affairs’ section of our portal. We upload the high-quality, exam-oriented PDF daily by 8:00 PM for offline study.
2. How to prepare Daily current affairs for UPSC/SSC?
For UPSC/SSC, align the daily news with your exam syllabus. Focus on the “Why in News” and “Key Details” sections, map locations on an atlas, and link the event with static GK topics like polity, geography, or economy.
3. Are Daily current affairs MCQs enough for exam preparation?
While Daily current affairs MCQs are excellent for testing your retention and understanding of facts, they must be supplemented with detailed reading of the news context to handle analytical questions effectively.
4. How are Monthly current affairs different from daily updates?
Monthly current affairs act as a consolidated revision tool that filters out overlapping daily news and categorizes major events of the month in a broader context, whereas daily updates provide immediate, granular details.
5. How to practice with Daily current affairs Quiz?
Attempt the Daily current affairs Quiz after reading the day’s notes thoroughly. Review the explanations for any incorrect answers, and maintain a separate notebook to jot down the facts you struggle to remember.
6. What are the best sources for Todays Current Affairs?
The best primary sources include The Hindu, The Indian Express, and the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Our updates curate and summarize the most exam-relevant information from these verified sources.
7. Why is Static GK important with current affairs?
Examiners frequently frame questions on static topics (like national parks, organization headquarters, or constitutional articles) that have recently been highlighted in the news. Linking both ensures comprehensive preparation.
8. Can I rely solely on Todays gk questions for banking exams?
Banking exams focus heavily on financial, economic, and banking awareness. Practicing Todays gk questions specifically tailored to these fields, alongside reading detailed banking news, is a winning strategy.
9. How much time should I dedicate to current affairs daily?
Ideally, an aspirant should spend 45 to 60 minutes reading the daily news updates and an additional 15 minutes attempting MCQs or quizzes for optimal retention.
10. Do I need to make separate notes if I download the daily PDF?
If you download the PDF, you do not need to rewrite everything. However, making micro-notes or highlighting key figures, constitutional articles, and scheme names in the PDF will dramatically speed up your final revision.
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