Current Affairs Quiz 14th and 15th February 2026 Quiz

Exp. Indian National Science Academy and CSIR-NIScPR Sign MoU to Strengthen Science Communication and Evidence-Based Policy Research

Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed an MoU in New Delhi to enhance science communication and evidence-based policy research.

The agreement promotes collaborative policy research, joint publications, pilot projects, capacity-building programmes, outreach initiatives, and stakeholder consultations to strengthen India’s science and technology ecosystem.

The partnership aims to advance robust, inclusive, and forward-looking Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies through research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and national and global dialogue.

Exp. Gujarat’s Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary Records Over 6.42 Lakh Birds of 270 Species in Bird Census 2026

A bird census by the Gujarat Forest Department recorded 6,42,232 birds of 270 species at the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, located near Ahmedabad.

The sanctuary was divided into 50 survey zones, and teams conducted two systematic counts (morning and evening) to ensure accurate estimation of bird populations.

The exercise saw participation from 220 bird experts and wildlife enthusiasts, 12 forest officials, and 99 local boatmen and guides, reflecting strong community involvement.

Recognised as a Ramsar site in 2012, Nalsarovar is Gujarat’s largest wetland and is protected under the international framework of the Ramsar Convention for conservation and sustainable use.

Exp. PB Fintech Subsidiary PB Pay Secures Payment Aggregator Licence from Reserve Bank of India

PB Fintech, the parent company of Policybazaar and Paisabazaar, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, PB Pay, has received a Payment Aggregator licence from the Reserve Bank of India.

The authorisation was granted under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and became effective on 6 February 2026, following an in-principle approval received in April 2025.

As a licensed payment aggregator, PB Pay can now onboard merchants and facilitate digital payments such as UPI, cards, and wallets, enabling greater vertical integration and streamlined digital transactions for the company.

Exp. Agneevasthraa Signs MoU with Indian Army to Supply Advanced Carbon & Composite Materials

Agneevasthraa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army to supply advanced carbon fabrics and high-performance composite materials.

The collaboration focuses on the custom design and manufacturing of specialised carbon and allied materials tailored for critical, high-stakes defence applications.

The MoU strengthens access to cutting-edge, locally developed carbon technologies for the Indian Army, ensuring compliance with the most stringent global quality and performance standards.

Exp. Competition Commission of India Approves Innomotics India’s Acquisition of Low Voltage Motor Business of Siemens Limited

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of the low-voltage motor business of Siemens Limited by Innomotics India Private Limited through a slump sale arrangement.

The approved combination strengthens Innomotics India’s presence in the industrial motors segment by expanding its portfolio to include low voltage motors, complementing its existing high and medium voltage motor and large drive systems business.

Innomotics India, part of KPS Capital Partners LP, supplies industrial motors and drive systems to key sectors such as oil & gas, metals, cement, power, and marine industries.

Exp. Competition Commission of India Approves Fidelity Funds’ 6.63% Minority Stake Acquisition in Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of around 6.63% minority shareholding in Valuedrive Technologies Private Limited by the Fidelity Funds.

The approved combination involves the acquisition of shares on a fully diluted basis through primary subscription and secondary acquisition of compulsory convertible preference shares (CCPS) of Valuedrive Technologies.

Valuedrive Technologies is the operating-cum-holding company of the Spinny Group, while Fidelity Funds operate as global investment vehicles under the Fidelity Group with a diversified international portfolio.

Exp. CCI Imposes ₹27.38 Crore Penalty on Intel Corporation for Anti-Competitive Practices

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has imposed a penalty of ₹27.38 crore on Intel Corporation for engaging in anti-competitive practices related to its India-specific warranty policy.

The Commission found that Intel abused its dominant position in the market for Boxed Micro Processors (BMPs) for desktops in India by enforcing unfair business practices.

The ruling reinforces CCI’s commitment to ensuring fair competition and preventing misuse of market dominance in India’s technology and semiconductor sector.

About Competition Commission of India (CCI)

• CCI was set up under the Competition Act, 2002. It comes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
• It promotes healthy market competition and prevents activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India.
• CCI also approves merger and acquisitions of companies in India so that the two merging entities do not dominate the market unfairly.
• Founded – 14 Oct 2003
• Headquarter – New Delhi
• Chairperson – Ravneet Kaur
• Secretary – Inder Pal Singh Bindra

Exp. Indian Navy Assumes First-Ever Command of Combined Task Force 154

The Indian Navy has assumed command of Combined Task Force 154 for the first time, marking a significant milestone in India’s role in collaborative maritime security under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

The change of command ceremony was held at CMF Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, where Cmde Milind M. Mokashi of the Indian Navy took over command from the Italian Navy, in the presence of senior naval leaders from member nations.

Established in May 2023, CTF 154 focuses on multinational training and capacity building across five key pillars — Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), Law of the Sea, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Maritime Rescue and Assistance, and Leadership Development — strengthening maritime security across the Middle East and beyond.

Exp. IN-SPACe selects Astrome, Azista and Dhruva Space for satellite bus plan

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has selected three Indian start-ups—Astrome Technologies, Azista Industries, and Dhruva Space—to develop and test indigenous small satellite bus platforms under its Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS) initiative.

The SBaaS initiative, announced in April 2025, invited proposals from Indian Non-Governmental Entities to create modular satellite buses capable of hosting diverse customer payloads; out of 15 proposals received by July 2025, these three firms were selected after a rigorous multi-stage evaluation.

Each selected company will receive a ₹5 crore grant to build robust, scalable satellite buses that can support multiple hosted payloads, providing cost-effective solutions for both domestic and global space

Exp. RBI Proposes Strict Rules to Curb Harsh and Coercive Debt Recovery Practices

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued draft guidelines to curb harsh and coercive debt recovery practices, explicitly banning abusive language, threats, harassment, public humiliation, misleading claims, and excessive or anonymous calls by banks or recovery agents.

Under the proposed norms, recovery calls and visits will be permitted only between 8 am and 7 pm, agents must avoid sensitive occasions (such as bereavement or festivals), and recovery agents can interact only with borrowers or guarantors, not relatives or associates.

Banks are required to establish a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism, document and record all recovery calls, notify borrowers in writing when a case is assigned to or changed between recovery agents, and pause recovery if a genuine grievance is pending.

For microfinance loans, collections must take place at a mutually agreed location, with home or workplace visits allowed only after repeated failure by the borrower to appear at the designated place.

RBI has mandated training and certification of recovery agents through the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, enforcement of a code of conduct, public disclosure of empanelled agents, safeguards for borrower data, and has invited public feedback on the draft guidelines by March 4, with implementation proposed from July 1.

Exp. Andrey Gyurov Takes Charge as Interim PM Amid Repeated Elections in Bulgaria

Iliana Yotova, President of Bulgaria, has appointed central bank deputy governor Andrey Gyurov as interim prime minister to lead a caretaker government ahead of national elections scheduled for April 19.

The caretaker government’s primary mandate is to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections amid prolonged political instability, as Bulgaria prepares for its eighth election in five years following repeated failures to form a stable parliamentary coalition.

About Bulgaria

• Capital- Sofia
• Currency – Euro
• Official language- Bulgarian

Exp. Reserve Bank of India Digital Payments Index Rises to 516.76 in September 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Digital Payments Index (DPI) increased to 516.76 in September 2025, up from 465.33 in September 2024, indicating rapid growth and adoption of digital payments across India.

The RBI-DPI had earlier stood at 493.22 in March 2025, showing a consistent upward trend in digital payment usage over successive reporting periods.

According to the RBI, the rise in the index was mainly driven by strong growth in payment performance and payment enablers, reflecting improvements in both transaction efficiency and enabling infrastructure.

Constituted with March 2018 as the base year (index value 100), the RBI-DPI has been published on a semi-annual basis since 1 Jan 2021 and is based on five parameters: payment enablers, payment infrastructure (demand-side and supply-side), payment performance, and consumer centricity.

Exp. 14 February – World Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day

14 February is observed as World Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day to spread awareness about heart defects that are present at birth.

The day highlights the importance of early detection, proper medical treatment, and lifelong care for individuals affected by congenital heart defects.

It also aims to support patients and families, promote research, and improve access to quality cardiac healthcare worldwide.

Exp.  India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 2.75% in January Under Revised CPI Series

India’s retail inflation stood at 2.75% in January under the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI) series, with the base year updated from 2012 to 2024 — marking the first major revision in over a decade.

Inflation remained within the tolerance limit of the Reserve Bank of India, despite rising from 1.33% (old series) in December.

Rural inflation rose to 2.73% and urban inflation to 2.77%, while food inflation stood at 2.13%, reversing the deflation recorded in December.

The increase in inflation was mainly driven by higher prices in personal care, education services, clothing & footwear, restaurants & accommodation, and tobacco, with the revised CPI reducing the weight of food in the index.

Previous Months CPI-based Retail inflation (Base Year 2012)

• August 2025 – 2.07%
• September 2025 – 1.44%
• October 2025 – 0.25%
• November 2025 – 0.71%
• December 2025 – 1.33%