Current Affairs Quiz 20th February 2026 Quiz

Exp. National Consumer Helpline Facilitates ₹52 Crore Refunds Across 31 Sectors in Nine Months

National Consumer Helpline (NCH) facilitated refunds worth ₹52 crore across 31 sectors by resolving 79,521 refund-related grievances between 25 April and 31 January 2026.

The refunds were secured at the pre-litigation stage, providing consumers timely relief without approaching Consumer Commissions, under the framework of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

The E-commerce sector recorded the highest complaints (47,743 cases) with refunds exceeding ₹36 crore, followed by the Travel & Tourism sector, where refunds of over ₹4 crore were facilitated through the Helpline.

Exp. AI Impact Casebooks on Health & Education Launched at India AI Impact Summit 2026

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 witnessed the launch of AI Impact Casebooks – Health & Education, developed under the guidance of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and the IndiaAI Mission, with support from the World Health Organisation and Central Square Foundation.

These casebooks document real-world AI deployments that have successfully moved beyond pilot projects to full implementation in clinics, classrooms, and skill development ecosystems.

The initiative aims to provide a structured reference for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders to understand AI’s transformative impact in health and education sectors in India.

Exp. NHAI to Create India’s First ‘BeeCorridors’ to Boost Pollinator Conservation

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will develop India’s first-ever bee-friendly corridors along national highways to support pollinator conservation.

These corridors aim to enhance the habitat for bees and other pollinators, contributing to ecological balance and biodiversity along highway stretches.

NHAI plans to collaborate with environmentalists, ecologists, and research organisations to design and maintain these corridors effectively.

The initiative integrates environmental sustainability into national highway development, promoting eco-conscious infrastructure.

Exp. IOB Launches Online Death Claim Settlement Portal for Faster, Transparent Processing

Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) has launched an Online Death Claim Settlement Portal, enabling families and legal heirs to settle claims digitally in a simplified, time-bound manner.

Claimants can initiate and complete the entire process from home, entering their details along with the deceased customer’s account information and uploading required documents directly.

The portal includes a real-time tracking system, allowing claimants to monitor the progress of their application at every stage for transparency.

For claims up to ₹15 lakh, the bank has introduced a simplified procedure with no third-party surety and a strict 15-day processing timeline.

About Indian Overseas Bank

• Founded- 10 February 1937
• Headquarters- Chennai
• Founder- M. Ct. M. Chidambaram Chettyar
• MD & CEO – Ajay Kumar Srivastava

Exp. Paras Dogra Becomes Second Batter to Cross 10,000 Runs in Ranji Trophy

Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra became the second player to cross 10,000 runs in the Ranji Trophy during the 2025-26 semi-final against Bengal in Kalyani.

The 41-year-old right-handed batter has played 151 First Class matches, scoring over 10,000 runs at an average of 48.15, including 34 centuries and 35 fifties, with a highest score of 253.

Dogra made his debut in 2001/02 for Himachal Pradesh, moved to Jammu and Kashmir in 2024, and soon became the state team’s captain, joining the elite list alongside Wasim Jaffer.

Exp. Smriti Mandhana Named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025

Smriti Mandhana has been named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her outstanding performances.

As India’s vice-captain, she scored 434 runs in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, helping her team win the tournament.

Mandhana was chosen by a grand jury including Leander Paes, Deepa Malik, and Anju Bobby George, with other nominees like Harmanpreet Kaur and Divya Deshukh.

Making her debut at age 16, she has scored 17 international centuries across formats, sharing the record with Australia’s Meg Lanning.

Exp. Sanae Takaichi Resigns as Japan PM

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi resigned along with her cabinet, with all ministers submitting their resignation letters ahead of a new parliamentary session to elect the prime minister.

Despite the resignation, Takaichi is expected to be reinstated as prime minister, as her ruling Liberal Democratic Party holds over two-thirds majority in the lower house after winning the February 2026 general election.

About Japan

• Capital – Tokyo
• Currency – Yen
• Continent – Asia

Exp. DoP Unveils 8 Commemorative Stamps Celebrating ‘Puppets of India’ at India Habitat Centre

The Department of Posts released a set of 8 commemorative postage stamps titled “Puppets of India” at the India Habitat Centre, highlighting India’s rich puppetry heritage.

The stamps were formally released by Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), in the presence of artists and members of the cultural fraternity, celebrating one of India’s oldest storytelling traditions.

The issue showcases eight traditional puppetry forms—Kathputli (Rajasthan), Yakshagana Sutrada Gombeyatta (Karnataka), Daanger Putul & Benir Putul (West Bengal), Kathi Kundhei & Ravanachhaya (Odisha), Pavakathakali (Kerala), and Tolu Bommalatta (Andhra Pradesh)—covering string, glove, rod, and shadow puppets.

The stamp set, along with the First Day Cover, Miniature Sheet, and Special Cancellation, was designed by Shri Sankha Samanta, with artistic references and text support from Sangeet Natak Akademi, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Daricha Foundation, and The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.

Exp. FCI Signs MoU with WFP to Supply 2 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Rice for Global Hunger Relief

Food Corporation of India (FCI) and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed an MoU for the supply of rice to support global humanitarian operations aimed at combating hunger and food insecurity.

Under the agreement, FCI will supply 2 lakh metric tonnes of rice to WFP, as informed by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Department of Food and Public Distribution Secretary Sanjeev Chopra stated that the partnership reflects India’s strong commitment to global food security and its role as a responsible contributor in addressing malnutrition and humanitarian needs worldwide.

The agreement will remain valid for five years and can be extended by mutual consent. The price will be decided annually, with the current rate fixed at 2,800 per quintal until 31 March 2026.

Exp. India and Nepal Sign Mutual Legal Assistance Pact to Strengthen Cooperation in Criminal Matters

India and Nepal signed an agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters to strengthen cooperation in investigations, prosecutions, and judicial proceedings between the two countries.

The pact was signed by Naveen Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Nepal, and Binod Kumar Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

It provides a formal framework for the collection and exchange of evidence, assistance during investigations, prosecutions, and judicial proceedings, thereby enhancing rule of law and judicial coordination between both nations.

Recently India signed MoUs with others countries

• India and Nepal Sign Mutual Legal Assistance Pact to Strengthen Cooperation in Criminal Matters
• India and Liberia Sign MoU on Pharmacopoeia to Enhance Access to Safe and Affordable Medicines
• Hub71 and UAE–India CEPA Council Sign Pact to Boost Cross-Border Startup Expansion
• India and Saudi Arabia Sign MoU to Boost Cultural Cooperation and Heritage Exchange
• India and Ecuador Sign MoU on Diplomatic Training Cooperation
• India and Morocco Sign Defence Cooperation MoU to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

Exp. 19 February 2026 – World Anthropology Day

World Anthropology Day is observed every year on the third Thursday of February, and in 2026, it falls on 19 February, celebrating the discipline that studies humanity, cultures, societies, and human evolution.

The day was initiated by the American Anthropological Association in 2015 (originally called National Anthropology Day) and later renamed to highlight its global significance.

Exp. OpenAI Partners with Leading Indian Universities to Embed AI Across Campuses and Build Future-Ready Talent

OpenAI has partnered with leading Indian universities to embed Artificial Intelligence across management, healthcare, engineering, creative, and multidisciplinary education, aiming to build AI-ready talent for a tech-driven economy.

The first cohort includes the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and Pearl Academy, supporting over 1 lakh students, faculty, and staff in the coming year.

The collaboration includes enterprise-grade ChatGPT Edu access, structured onboarding, AI certifications, discipline-specific guidance, and responsible-use frameworks to integrate AI into core academic workflows such as coding, analytics, simulations, and AI-assisted research.

OpenAI will also support hackathons, Industry Days, and partnerships with ed-tech platforms like PhysicsWallah, upGrad, and HCL GUVI to expand structured AI learning for students and early-career professionals.

Exp. IIT Madras Global Research Foundation to Launch First Applied AI Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity

The IIT Madras Global Research Foundation will establish its first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity to accelerate applied AI innovation and promote technology-led economic growth, positioning Dubai as a global AI launchpad.

In its first phase, the Centre will host six applied AI startups with a combined valuation of around US$118 million and projected revenues of US$281 million over five years, reflecting strong global scalability potential.

The MoU was signed during WORLDEF Dubai 2026, inaugurated by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reinforcing international collaboration in digital commerce and AI innovation.

Exp. NPCI collaborates with NVIDIA to advance India’s sovereign AI infrastructure for digital payments

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has collaborated with NVIDIA to scale and enhance its sovereign AI model capabilities tailored for India’s payments ecosystem.

The initiative aims to strengthen large-scale, real-time payment systems by focusing on trust, resilience, security, and overall ecosystem enablement.

The partnership combines NPCI’s expertise in operating population-scale digital payment infrastructure with NVIDIA’s advanced AI and accelerated computing technologies.

Exp. EU Launches First European Legal Gateway Office in India to Boost Study and Work Opportunities in ICT Sector

The European Union has opened its first-ever European Legal Gateway Office in New Delhi, marking the first such initiative in any partner country.

The office will function as a one-stop help centre for Indian students and professionals seeking to study or work in EU countries, particularly in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.