Current Affairs Quiz 24th February 2026 Quiz

Exp. Manipuri film Boong wins BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London

The Manipuri film Boong, produced by Farhan Akhtar’s Excel Entertainment, won the BAFTA Award for Best Children’s & Family Film in London, with debutant director Lakshmipriya Devi making an emotional plea for peace during her acceptance speech.

The film stars Gugun Kipgen and Bala Hijam, and beat international competitors including Lilo and Stitch, Arco, and Zootropolis 2, marking a historic win for Manipuri cinema on the global stage.

The 79th BAFTA Awards also celebrated films like One Battle After Another, winning six awards including Best Film and Best Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), while Hamnet, Sinners, and Frankenstein earned multiple honours, with the ceremony attended by Hollywood and British stars, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.

Exp. Vasai Cathedral Wins UNESCO Award for Conservation

The 475-year-old Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Papdy village, Vasai, received the Award of Merit at the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation for its community-led restoration, highlighting the successful revival of a sixteenth-century Portuguese-era structure.

Built without cement or bricks using traditional mud-based construction, the cathedral faced structural weakening over centuries; the Rs 4.5 crore restoration project addressed roof, façade, corridors, colonnade, and intricate interior liturgical elements while preserving its architectural and religious integrity.

The conservation was executed by architect Ainsley Lewis in collaboration with parish members and church authorities, with the local community funding the restoration through donations, exemplifying strong stakeholder engagement and traditional craftsmanship.

Exp. RBI Removes New India Co-operative Bank Ltd. from Second Schedule Following Merger with Saraswat Co-operative Bank

The Reserve Bank of India has excluded New India Co-operative Bank Ltd. from the Second Schedule of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, thereby removing its “scheduled bank” status.

Earlier, in August 2025, RBI approved the amalgamation of New India Co-operative Bank with Saraswat Co-operative Bank following a ₹300 crore embezzlement scam, to stabilise the bank and safeguard depositors’ interests.

Effective August 4, 2025, all branches, assets, and liabilities of New India Co-operative Bank were transferred to Saraswat Bank under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, ensuring full protection to depositors.

Exp. RBI Imposes ₹38.60 Lakh Penalty on UCO Bank for Regulatory Non-Compliance

The Reserve Bank of India imposed a monetary penalty of ₹38.60 lakh on UCO Bank for non-compliance with certain regulatory directions.

The penalty was imposed under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005.

RBI identified violations including non-payment of interest on some savings accounts, failure to report SHG members’ credit data to Credit Information Companies, and non-refund of proportionate locker rent upon early surrender.

Recent Penalties imposed on Financial Institution

• UCO Bank (₹38.60 lakh) by RBI – for non-compliance with certain regulatory directions
• Bank of Maharashtra (₹32.50 lakh) by RBI – for non-compliance with regulatory directions.
• DCB Bank (₹29.60 lakh) by RBI – for non-compliance with regulatory directions.
• CSB Bank (₹63.60 lakh) by RBI – for non-compliance with regulatory directions.
• Navi Finserv (₹3.80 lakh) by RBI – for regulatory lapses related to customer communication, asset classification, and recovery practices

Exp. India and Brazil Sign Key Agreements, Set $30 Billion Trade Target by 2030

India and Brazil signed key agreements to enhance cooperation in rare earth and critical minerals, steel and mining, renewable energy, and digital partnership during talks in New Delhi.

The discussions were held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to deepen strategic and economic ties.

Both nations set a target to boost bilateral trade to $30 billion annually by 2030, aiming to significantly expand economic engagement beyond current levels.

Exp. 24 February – Central Excise Day

Central Excise Day is observed annually on 24 February to commemorate the enactment of the Central Excise and Salt Act, 1944.

The day recognises the contribution of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and excise officials in administering indirect taxes and ensuring revenue collection for the nation.

Exp. J. P. Nadda and Emmanuel Macron Inaugurate Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS New Delhi

Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS New Delhi.

The centre aims to advance AI-based research, medical education, and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges through Indo-French collaboration.

IF-CAIH has been established under a joint MoU between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with academic support from IIT Delhi and other French institutions.

Exp. 23 February – World Peace and Understanding Day

World Peace and Understanding Day is observed annually on 23 February to promote global harmony, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among nations.

The day highlights the importance of dialogue, tolerance, and international cooperation in resolving conflicts and strengthening global unity.

It also commemorates the founding of Rotary International in 1905, recognising its contributions toward peacebuilding and humanitarian service worldwide.

Exp. 3rd International AYUSH Conference Concludes at Dubai World Trade Centre

The 3rd International AYUSH Conference & Expo concluded at the Dubai World Trade Centre, attracting over 1,500 delegates and nearly 20,000 visitors from 30 countries under the theme “Evidence-based AYUSH interventions for mind-body health,” with support from India’s Ministry of AYUSH.

The conference featured 62 scientific sessions, 16 plenary discussions, and the release of a white paper on AYUSH interventions by 100 experts from 20 countries, while the next edition of the biennial event is scheduled for 2028.

Exp. India Sets Guinness World Records Record for Most AI Responsibility Pledges in 24 Hours

India has set a Guinness World Records record for receiving the “Most pledges for an AI responsibility campaign in 24 hours,” as announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

A total of 2,50,946 valid pledges were recorded between 16 and 17 February 2026, with the announcement made at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held at Bharat Mandapam.

The nationwide AI Responsibility Pledge campaign was launched under the IndiaAI Mission in collaboration with Intel India to promote responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence.

Exp. Bihar Approves New International Airport at Sonepur with 4,200-Metre Runway

The Bihar Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, has approved the construction of a new international airport at Sonepur, targeted for completion by 2030 to boost air connectivity in north Bihar.

The airport will have a 4,200-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380, and will support both passenger and cargo operations at an international level.

Spread across 4,228 acres between Hajipur and Dumaria, it will be the largest airport in Bihar by land area, with site clearance and in-principle approval granted by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Centre.

Exp. Bela Gram Becomes India’s First Net-Zero Panchayat

Bela Gram, a village in Bhandara district in Maharashtra, has become India’s first net-zero panchayat (net-zero village) and was honoured during Mumbai Climate Week 2026.

A net-zero village reduces its greenhouse gas emissions and balances any remaining emissions through eco-friendly measures like tree plantation and renewable energy adoption.

In simple terms, a net-zero status means: Pollution produced = Pollution reduced or absorbed, ensuring environmental sustainability.

About Maharashtra

• Capital – Mumbai
• Chief Minister – Devendra Fadnavis (3^rd time)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Eknath Sindhe & Sunetra Pawar
• Governor – Acharya Devvrat (additional charge)

Exp. C. P. Radhakrishnan Releases Gujarati and Tamil Versions of Constitution of India on International Mother Language Day

On the occasion of International Mother Language Day (21 February), C. P. Radhakrishnan released the updated versions of the Constitution of India in Gujarati and Tamil languages.

The Santali version of the Constitution was earlier released on 25 December 2025, further promoting linguistic inclusivity and constitutional awareness.

Exp. Ministry of Power Forms High-Level Committee to Oversee Proposed Merger of Power Finance Corporation and REC Limited

The Ministry of Power has set up a three-member High-Level Committee and a three-member Working Group to oversee the proposed merger of Power Finance Corporation and REC Limited.

Both PFC and REC function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power, and the merger aims to strengthen the power sector financing framework.

The High-Level Committee includes Parminder Chopra (CMD, PFC), Jitendra Srivastava (CMD, REC), and Shashank Mishra, Joint Secretary (Distribution), Ministry of Power.

Exp. Peru Appoints Jose Maria Balcazar as Interim President After Impeachment of Jose Jeri

Peru has appointed Jose Maria Balcazar as the interim (temporary) President following a political transition.

He assumed office after former President Jose Jeri was impeached and removed from power over graft/corruption allegations.

Newly Appointed Prime Ministers  & Presidents

• PM of Barbados- Mia Mottley
• Interim PM of Bulgaria – Andrey Gyurov
• President of Uganda – Yoweri Museveni (7th Term)
• PM of Yemen – Shaya Mohsen Zindani
• Prime Minister of the Czech Republic – Andrej Babis