Daily Current Affairs MCQs 14 February 2026
Date: 14 February 2026
Level: UPSC / State PSC / SSC / Banking
Source: Today’s National and International News
In Short: Today’s Current Affairs MCQs 14 February 2026
- POLITY & GOVERNANCE: Emergency Landing Facilities (ELF) infrastructure; PM RAHAT Scheme expansion; 16th Finance Commission (Horizontal Devolution).
- ECONOMY & FINANCE: RBI’s Amendment Directions 2026 (Acquisition Financing); Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) doubling; Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0; Negotiable Instruments Act (Bank Holidays).
- INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: India–AI Impact Summit 2026 (Participants & Sutras); India’s position in the Network Readiness Index (NRI).
- SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: ISRO’s IMEx-2026 (Microgravity Experiments); Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) updates; National Data Centre for North-Eastern Region.
- ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY: Saving India’s Wetlands (World Wetlands Day context); Bio-safety concerns in GM pulses imports.
- DEFENCE & SECURITY: Commissioning of ELF on Moran Bypass; Aerial Display protocols; Strategic connectivity in North-East.
- CULTURE & SOCIETY: Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu (Historical naming); Padma Shri 2026 (Sports & Traditional Arts); Sant Ravidas Jayanti.
- SPORTS: Padma Shri awardees in Sports (Rohit Sharma, Savita Punia, etc.); Silambam (Traditional Martial Arts).
- AWARDS & APPOINTMENTS: 131 Padma Awards (Analysis of the 2026 list).
Daily Current Affairs MCQs 14 February 2026: Best For Competitive Exams
Q1. With reference to the ‘Emergency Landing Facility (ELF)’ inaugurated in February 2026 on the Moran Bypass, consider the following statements:
- It is the first facility of its kind in Northeast India.
- It is designed to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
- These facilities are exclusively for military use during external aggression.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation: * Statement 1 is correct: The ELF on Moran Bypass (Assam) is indeed the first of its kind in the North-Eastern region.
- Statement 2 is correct: It is engineered to support fighter aircraft (up to 40t) and heavy transport aircraft (up to 74t).
- Statement 3 is incorrect: These are dual-use infrastructure assets. While they support strategic military requirements, they are also used for civil aircraft during emergencies and for quick deployment of rescue/relief during natural disasters.
- Static Linkage: ELFs are developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Q2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently issued ‘Amendment Directions, 2026‘ regarding acquisition financing. What is the minimum net worth required for a company to be eligible for such funding?
A) ₹100 crore
B) ₹250 crore
C) ₹500 crore
D) ₹1,000 crore
Answer: C
Explanation: * Under the new RBI guidelines effective from April 1, 2026, the central bank has set a minimum net worth of ₹500 crore for a company to be eligible for acquisition financing.
- Notably, the framework now includes both listed and unlisted borrowers, provided the unlisted ones have an investment-grade rating of BBB- or higher.
- Static Linkage: This marks a shift in Indian banking, where acquisition financing (funding the buyout of another company) was previously restricted to prevent high-leverage risks, a domain formerly dominated by MNC banks.
Q3. India is hosting the ‘India–AI Impact Summit 2026’ in New Delhi. The summit is anchored in which of the following three ‘Sutras’?
A) Innovation, Integration, Impact
B) People, Planet, Progress
C) Data, Delivery, Development
D) Safety, Security, Sovereignty
Answer: B
Explanation: * The India–AI Impact Summit 2026 (Feb 16–20) is anchored in three Sutras: People, Planet, and Progress.
- These define India’s approach to global cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, focusing on inclusive growth and sustainable development.
- Static Linkage: India currently chairs the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and promotes the “AI for All” philosophy.
Q4. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)’, which saw a major expansion in February 2026:
- It is a Central Sector Scheme providing medium-long term debt financing.
- The fund has been doubled to a total corpus of ₹2 lakh crore.
- It provides an interest subvention of 3% per annum for all loans under the scheme.
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 AIF was launched to provide debt financing for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.
- As of Feb 2026, the corpus has been doubled to ₹2 lakh crore.
- Static Linkage: The scheme provides a 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee support through CGTMSE for loans up to ₹2 crore.
Q5. The ‘Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu’, inaugurated on February 14, 2026, is built across which river?
A) Ganga
B) Brahmaputra
C) Teesta
D) Barak
Answer: B
Explanation: * The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu is a 6-lane extradosed bridge built across the River Brahmaputra, connecting Guwahati with North Guwahati.
- It is named after the most illustrious king of the Varman dynasty of the Kamarupa Kingdom.
- Static Linkage: An extradosed bridge combines the main elements of both a prestressed box girder bridge and a cable-stayed bridge.
Q6. With reference to ISRO’s ‘IMEx-2026’ (Indian Microgravity Experiments), consider the following statements:
- It is an initiative to conduct experiments aboard the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
- Only government-recognised academic institutions are eligible to participate.
- It focuses on fields such as Space Agriculture and In-space Manufacturing.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: * Statement 1 is correct: IMEx-2026 is an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for experiments to be validated on terrestrial platforms and eventually flown to the BAS.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Applications are open to academic institutions, National research laboratories, and Indian start-ups/industry.
- Statement 3 is correct: Key disciplines include Materials Science, Space Biology, Space Agriculture, and Pharmacology.
- Static Linkage: Microgravity allows for the study of physical and biological processes without the interference of Earth’s gravity, leading to breakthroughs in protein crystallization and alloy formation.
Q7. The ‘Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025’ report (discussed in Feb 2026 reviews) highlights India’s jump in global rankings. Which organization publishes this index?
A) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
B) Portulans Institute
C) World Economic Forum (WEF)
D) NITI Aayog
Answer: B
Explanation: * The Network Readiness Index (NRI) is published by the Portulans Institute.
- India improved its rank to 45th in the latest report, reflecting massive telecom investments and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) success.
- Static Linkage: The NRI measures how economies use information and communication technologies (ICT) based on four pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.
Q8. Which Indian athlete, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 2026, is associated with the traditional martial art ‘Silambam’?
A) Bhagwandas Raikwar
B) K Pajanivel
C) Savita Punia
D) Praveen Kumar
Answer: B
Explanation: * K Pajanivel from Puducherry was awarded the Padma Shri 2026 for his contribution to Silambam, an ancient Tamil weapon-based martial art.
- Bhagwandas Raikwar (MP) was recognized for Bundeli folk and Akhara culture.
- Static Linkage: Silambam is one of the oldest martial arts in the world, traditionally using a bamboo staff (lathi). It is now part of the Khelo India Youth Games.
Q9. With reference to the 16th Finance Commission (XVIFC) whose recommendations are active for the period 2026–31, what is the assigned share of States in the divisible pool of central taxes?
A) 32%
B) 41%
C) 42%
D) 50%
Answer: B
Explanation: * The 16th Finance Commission has retained the vertical devolution (States’ share) at 41%, the same as the 15th Finance Commission.
- Static Linkage: The Finance Commission is a constitutional body under Article 280, constituted every five years to define the financial relations between the Centre and the States.
Q10. On February 14, 2026, the Prime Minister announced the ‘Startup India Fund of Funds (FFS) 2.0’. What is the primary objective of this fund?
A) To provide direct grants to students for tech projects.
B) To support early-stage innovation and advanced manufacturing through SEBI-registered AIFs.
C) To fund the acquisition of foreign startups by Indian companies.
D) To provide collateral-free loans to street vendors.
Answer: B
Explanation: * The Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 (with a ₹10,000 crore outlay) is designed to catalyze domestic capital for Indian startups. It does not invest directly in startups but provides capital to Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
- Static Linkage: Managed by SIDBI, the FFS aims to reduce the dependence of Indian startups on foreign venture capital.
Q11. The ‘Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu’ is described as an ‘extradosed bridge’. Which of the following best describes this engineering design?
A) A bridge where the deck is supported entirely by vertical suspension cables.
B) A hybrid of a concrete box girder and a cable-stayed bridge with lower pylon heights.
C) A bridge that uses only horizontal arches to support the weight.
D) A floating bridge used specifically for emergency military transport.
Answer: B
Explanation: * An extradosed bridge uses stay cables but has pylons that are much shorter than a traditional cable-stayed bridge. The deck is stiffer and thicker, acting partly as a continuous beam.
- It is more cost-effective for medium spans (100–200m) than pure cable-stayed designs.
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Sant Ravidas Jayanti’ celebrated in February 2026:
- Sant Ravidas was a prominent saint of the Bhakti Movement.
- He was a contemporary of Saint Kabir and the disciple of Ramananda.
- His devotional songs are included in the Guru Granth Sahib.
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. Sant Ravidas (Raidas) was a 15th-16th century poet-saint who advocated for a casteless society and “Begampura” (a city without sorrow).
- Around 41 of his hymns are included in the Adi Granth (Guru Granth Sahib).
Q13. In the context of India’s current pulse trade (Feb 2026), why are farmer groups raising concerns regarding imports from the US?
A) Fear of high export duties imposed by India.
B) Possible ‘backdoor entry’ of Genetically Modified (GM) products via Distiller’s Dried Grains (DDGs).
C) The US has become India’s largest supplier of pulses, leading to a monopoly.
D) The US pulses are not compatible with Indian soil for replanting.
Answer: B
Explanation: * Indian farmers are concerned about the lack of transparency in trade and the risk of GM products entering the food/feed chain via DDGs (a byproduct of ethanol production used as animal feed).
- Static Linkage: India is the world’s largest producer, consumer, and importer of pulses. Major suppliers include Canada, Russia, and Myanmar; the US is currently a minor supplier.
Q14. The ‘PM RAHAT Scheme’, which was expanded on February 14, 2026, is primarily focused on:
A) Providing relief to drought-hit farmers in Central India.
B) Cashless treatment for road accident victims during the ‘Golden Hour’.
C) Housing subsidies for urban slum dwellers.
D) Interest-free loans for MSMEs in the North-East.
Answer: B
Explanation: * The PM RAHAT (Relief and Assistance for Health and Trauma) Scheme expansion focuses on providing cashless, immediate medical treatment to accident victims within the ‘Golden Hour’ (the first hour after a traumatic injury).
- Static Linkage: The ‘Golden Hour’ concept is recognized globally as the critical window where prompt medical intervention has the highest likelihood of preventing death.
Q15. Under the RBI’s Negotiable Instruments Act, why are banks closed across India today (14 February 2026)?
A) It is Valentine’s Day.
B) It is the second Saturday of the month.
C) It is the anniversary of the RBI’s nationalization.
D) It is a gazetted holiday for Sant Ravidas Jayanti.
Answer: B
Explanation: * According to RBI rules, banks are closed on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. 14 February 2026 falls on a second Saturday.
- Static Linkage: Bank holidays in India are governed by the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Q16. Praveen Kumar, who was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2026, is a champion in which sporting event?
A) Hockey Goalkeeping
B) Para High Jump
C) Cricket (Captaincy)
D) Boxing
Answer: B
Explanation: * Praveen Kumar is a Para-athlete who won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics and Gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the Men’s High Jump T64 event.
- Static Linkage: The ‘T64’ classification is for athletes with a movement affected at a low level in one leg, or the absence of one or both legs below the knee.
Q17. The ‘National Data Centre for the North-Eastern Region’ was inaugurated on February 14, 2026. Where is it located?
A) Shillong
B) Guwahati
C) Itanagar
D) Imphal
Answer: B
Explanation: * The PM inaugurated the National Data Centre (NDC) at Guwahati to boost digital governance and IT infrastructure in the North-East.
- Static Linkage: NDCs are managed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and serve as the backbone for hosting government e-services and data.
Q18. With reference to the ‘Atal Pension Yojana (APY)’, which of the following is an eligibility criterion for enrollment?
A) Age must be between 18 and 50 years.
B) The person must be an income tax payer.
C) Age must be between 18 and 40 years.
D) Only those below the poverty line (BPL) are eligible.
Answer: C
Explanation: * Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is open to all bank account holders between 18 and 40 years.
- Income tax payers have been barred from joining the scheme since October 2022 to keep it focused on the unorganized sector.
- Static Linkage: APY provides a guaranteed minimum pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after the age of 60.
Q19. Which city hosted the ‘Aerial Display of Fighters, Transports and Helicopters’ witnessed by the PM on 14 February 2026?
A) Jorhat
B) Dibrugarh (Moran)
C) Tezpur
D) Chabua
Answer: B
Explanation: * The display took place at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, Assam.
- Static Linkage: Dibrugarh is often referred to as the ‘Tea City of India’ and is a strategic hub for the IAF’s Eastern Air Command.
Q20. In the 2026 Padma Awards list, Vladimer Mestvirishvili was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian sports. What is his role?
A) He is a foreign cricketer playing for an IPL team.
B) He is a renowned wrestling coach who trained Indian Olympians.
C) He is a sports doctor specializing in ACL injuries.
D) He is the President of the International Olympic Committee.
Answer: B
Explanation: * Vladimer Mestvirishvili (from Georgia) is a legendary wrestling coach who has been instrumental in India’s wrestling success at the Olympics for over a decade.
- Static Linkage: Foreign nationals are eligible for Padma Awards if they have rendered distinguished service to India.
Q21. The ‘Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)’ scheme has been updated in 2026 to include which new demographic group regardless of income?
A) All children under the age of 5.
B) All senior citizens aged 70 and above.
C) All gig workers in urban areas.
D) All residents of Himalayan states.
Answer: B
Explanation: * A major update to Ayushman Bharat now provides coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
- Static Linkage: PM-JAY is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, providing ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary/tertiary care.
Q22. Consider the following statements regarding ‘Silambam’:
- It is a traditional martial art originating from Kerala.
- It primarily involves the use of a bamboo staff.
- It was historically patronized by the Chola, Chera, and Pandya kings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: * Statement 1 is incorrect: Silambam originates from Tamil Nadu (Kalaripayattu is from Kerala).
- Statements 2 and 3 are correct. It is a staff-fencing art that dates back to the Sangam period.
- Static Linkage: The word ‘Silam’ means hill and ‘Bambu’ means bamboo.
Q23. What is the theme of the ‘ISRO START 2026’ programme announced for academic institutions?
A) Moon to Mars: India’s Vision
B) Observation from Space
C) AI in Satellite Technology
D) Deep Space Exploration
Answer: B
Explanation: * The fourth edition of the Space science and Technology AwaReness Training (START) 2026 has the theme ‘Observation from Space’.
- Static Linkage: START is an introductory-level online training program for PG and final-year UG students.
Q24. With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)’, how much financial benefit is provided to eligible farmer families annually?
A) ₹2,000
B) ₹6,000
C) ₹10,000
D) ₹12,000
Answer: B
Explanation: * PM-KISAN provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments of ₹2,000 directly into the bank accounts of farmers.
- Static Linkage: It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
Q25. Which of the following constitutional articles empowers the President of India to confer Padma Awards?
A) Article 18
B) Article 72
C) Article 80
D) Article 123
Answer: A
Explanation: * Article 18 (Abolition of Titles) prohibits the state from conferring titles. However, the Supreme Court in 1995 ruled that Padma Awards are “National Honours” and not “titles,” hence they do not violate Article 18.
- They are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Q26. The ‘Lachit Ghat’ in Guwahati, where several projects were flagged off today, is named after which historical figure?
A) A general of the Ahom Kingdom.
B) A Mughal emperor who conquered Assam.
C) A spiritual leader of the Neo-Vaishnavite movement.
D) The first Chief Minister of Assam.
Answer: A
Explanation: * Lachit Borphukan was the legendary General of the Ahom Kingdom who defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat (1671).
- Static Linkage: 24th November is celebrated as Lachit Divas in Assam.
Q27. ‘World Sound Healing Day’, observed on February 14, 2026, emphasizes the therapeutic use of sound. Which frequency is often cited in this context for its calming effects?
A) 50 Hz
B) 432 Hz
C) 1000 Hz
D) 20 Hz
Answer: B
Explanation: * While largely a wellness concept, 432 Hz is frequently promoted by sound healers as being in “mathematical resonance” with nature, though scientific consensus on specific medical benefits varies.
- Static Linkage: Sound therapy uses vibrational frequencies to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
Q28. The ‘Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)’ offers collateral-free loans. In the latest budget updates (Feb 2026), what is the maximum loan limit?
A) ₹5 lakh
B) ₹10 lakh
C) ₹20 lakh
D) ₹50 lakh
Answer: C
Explanation: * The limit for MUDRA loans has been increased to ₹20 lakh (under the ‘Tarun’ category) for entrepreneurs who have successfully repaid previous loans.
- Static Linkage: The three categories are Shishu (up to ₹50k), Kishore (₹50k–₹5L), and Tarun (₹5L–₹20L).
Q29. ‘International Book Giving Day’ is observed on February 14. In India, which initiative aims to build a culture of reading among children and youth?
A) Vidyanjali
B) National Digital Library (NDL)
C) Rashtriya Reading Mission
D) Padhe Bharat
Answer: D
Explanation: * Padhe Bharat is a nationwide reading campaign focused on children from Balvatika to Grade 8.
- Static Linkage: It aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing foundational literacy and numeracy.
Q30. Which ministry is the nodal agency for the ‘e-Shram’ portal, which reached a new milestone in registration today?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Labour and Employment
C) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
D) Ministry of MSME
Answer: B
Explanation: * The Ministry of Labour and Employment manages the e-Shram portal, the first-ever national database of unorganized workers.
- Static Linkage: Registered workers get a Universal Account Number (UAN) and access to various social security schemes like PMSBY.
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