Current Affairs Quiz 16th February 2026 Quiz

Exp. NPCI International Partners with Malaysia’s PayNet to Enable UPI–DuitNow QR Cross-Border Payments

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the global arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to enable QR-based cross-border merchant payments between India and Malaysia.

In the first phase, Indian travellers in Malaysia can use UPI apps to pay at DuitNow QR merchant outlets, integrating India’s UPI system with Malaysia’s national QR standard.

In the next phase, Malaysian travellers visiting India will be able to scan UPI QR codes and make payments using their DuitNow apps at millions of UPI-enabled merchant locations.

The partnership aims to expand UPI’s global footprint, promote interoperable real-time payment systems, and strengthen digital and economic connectivity between India and Malaysia under the guidance of the Government of India and RBI.

Exp. NTT DATA Business Solutions Partners with NPCI Bharat Connect to Simplify B2B Payments for SAP Enterprises

NTT DATA Business Solutions partnered with NPCI Bharat Connect to streamline and digitise B2B payments for SAP-based enterprises through a unified payment interface.

The collaboration, announced at Transformation NOW! 2026, aims to simplify complex payment processes within SAP ERP systems and reduce inefficiencies caused by multiple banking relationships and fragmented platforms.

Exp. India Post Partners with NSE to Distribute Mutual Funds Nationwide, Boosting Financial Inclusion

The Department of Posts signed an MoU with National Stock Exchange of India Limited to distribute mutual fund products through India Post’s extensive network of over 1.64 lakh post offices.

Under the partnership, NSE will provide its digital mutual fund platform, handling order placement, processing, and settlement in compliance with SEBI regulations.

The initiative aims to boost financial inclusion, increase investor awareness, ensure transparency, and encourage greater participation in India’s capital markets.

Exp. Russia Blocks WhatsApp

Russia has blocked WhatsApp for not complying with local laws, urging users to switch to domestic alternatives.

Around 100 million Russian users are encouraged to use the homegrown messaging app Max.

About Russia

• Capital – Moscow
• Currency – Rubel
• President – Vladimir Putin (5^th time)
• Prime Minister – Mikhail Mishustin

Exp. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Appoints First Woman TTE in 145 Years

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) has appointed its first woman Train Ticket Examiner (TTE), Sarita Yolmo, nearly 145 years after its establishment in 1881.

Sarita Yolmo, who shifted from the Railway Press to the Commercial Department, made history by being assigned ‘tour duty’ on the iconic 88-km mountain railway route from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling.

Operated by the Northeast Frontier Railway, the DHR is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1999) and Asia’s oldest two-foot narrow-gauge system, symbolizing progress in women’s representation in Indian Railways.

Exp. WWF India Develops Goa’s First Biodiversity and Cultural Features Map for School Students

WWF India has developed Goa’s first Biodiversity and Cultural Features Map, combining ecological and cultural education for students.

The map showcases 48 commonly found species along with traditional art forms of Goa, focusing on biodiversity visible in everyday surroundings.

It will be unveiled at the Goa Art and Literature Festival and distributed free of cost to schools in both print and digital formats.

About Goa

• Formation – 30 May 1987
• Capital – Panaji
• Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant
• Governor – Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju  

Exp. Defence Acquisition Council Clears ₹3.60 Lakh Crore Defence Procurement, Including 114 Rafale Jets

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, marking one of the largest defence clearances in recent years.

For the Indian Air Force and Navy, approvals include 114 Rafale fighter jets under the MRFA programme from France’s Dassault Aviation, six P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft from the U.S., combat missiles, and an Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), significantly boosting air dominance, ISR, and maritime strike capabilities.

The clearances also cover Army modernisation (Vibhav anti-tank mines and overhaul of T-72, BMP-II and ARVs), a 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine generator under the Make-I category, and EO/IR systems for Coast Guard Dornier aircraft, reinforcing indigenisation and force modernisation across services.

Exp. Ministry of Defence Signs ₹2,312 Crore Deal with HAL for 8 Dornier 228 Aircraft for Indian Coast Guard

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the procurement of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard, under the Buy (Indian) category to boost indigenous defence manufacturing.

The Dornier 228 aircraft, equipped with operational role equipment, will enhance coastal surveillance, maritime reconnaissance, search-and-rescue operations, and strengthen monitoring of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Exp. Brazilian MMA Fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa Dies in Electrocution Accident at 31

Brazilian mixed martial artist Pablo Oliveira Costa died at the age of 31 after suffering a fatal electrocution accident in São José, when a metal ladder he was moving came into contact with a high-voltage power line.

Despite emergency responders performing CPR for nearly 40 minutes, he succumbed to severe burns and cardiac arrest.

Exp. RBI Approves Third-Term Reappointment of Sanjay Agarwal as MD of AU Small Finance Bank

The Reserve Bank of India has approved the re-appointment of Sanjay Agarwal as Managing Director of AU Small Finance Bank, marking his third term at the helm of the bank.

Agarwal’s fresh term will be for three years, effective from April 19, ensuring leadership continuity at the Jaipur-based small finance bank.

About AU Small Finance Bank Limited

• Founded – 1996
• Founder – Sanjay Agarwal
• Headquarters – Jaipur, Rajasthan
• MD & CEO – Sanjay Agarwal
• Tagline – Chalo Aage Badhein

Exp. Uday Kotak Appointed Chairman of GIFT City Developer Company

The Gujarat government has appointed Uday Kotak as Chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company Ltd, the state-promoted entity responsible for developing and managing GIFT City.

Uday Kotak replaces Hasmukh Adhia, who had been serving as non-executive chairman since June 19, 2023; the new appointment takes immediate effect as per the Gujarat government’s resolution.

Exp. Barbados PM Mia Mottley Secures Third Consecutive Election Victory

Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, secured her third consecutive election victory, with the Barbados Labour Party winning all seats in the House of Assembly.

About Barbados

• Barbados is an eastern Caribbean island and an independent British Commonwealth nation
• Capital- Bridgetown
• Currency- Barbados Dollar
• Continent- North America
• President- Sandra Mason
• Prime minister- Mia Mottley
• Official language- English

Exp. India, UK sign Social Security Agreement for Temporary Employees

India signed an Agreement on Social Security with the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in New Delhi, aimed at avoiding double social security contributions for employees on temporary assignments of up to 36 months.

The agreement was signed by Vikram Misri and Lindy Cameron, and forms part of India’s broader trade engagement with the UK, coming into force alongside the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement.

Separately, Vikram Misri held the India–China Strategic Dialogue with Ma Zhaoxu, Executive Vice Foreign Minister of China, on the sidelines of the BRICS Sherpa Meeting, reviewing bilateral ties and discussing regional and global issues.

Exp. PM Modi Inaugurates Seva Teerth and Kartavya Bhavan Complexes

Narendra Modi inaugurated the Seva Teerth Complex, which now houses the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council Secretariat, and Cabinet Secretariat, along with Kartavya Bhavan-1 and Kartavya Bhavan-2, accommodating several key Union ministries.

The new complexes aim to replace fragmented and ageing infrastructure in the Central Vista area by consolidating ministries into modern, digitally integrated, citizen-centric facilities, enhancing coordination, efficiency, security, and governance processes.

Built to 4-Star GRIHA standards, the buildings incorporate renewable energy, water conservation, waste management, and advanced safety systems, reflecting the government’s broader administrative reforms and renaming initiatives such as Rajpath to Kartavya Path and Race Course Road to Lok Kalyan Marg.

Exp. C-DOT and Rashtriya Raksha University Sign MoU to Boost Telecom and Cybersecurity Innovation

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar, signed an MoU to collaborate on telecom and cybersecurity products, strengthening research and innovation in critical technology domains.

Under the agreement, an Innovation-cum-Experience Centre will be set up at RRU’s campus to advance work in Cybersecurity, Quantum Technologies, AI & ML, IoT, M2M solutions, 5G networks, and Mission Critical Services.

The initiative will also focus on training, capacity-building, and skilling programmes to create an industry-ready workforce, supporting India’s push for self-reliant innovation in telecom and cybersecurity.