Latest Current Affairs 26 February 2026-Daily GK with FAQs

1. India Launches First Compliance-Based Carbon Market (CCTS)

India is in the final phase of launching its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) — the country’s first compliance-based carbon market, marking a critical milestone in India’s Climate Action Framework.

Key Highlights

• Mandatory emission targets for industries
• Low emitters earn tradable carbon credits
• High emitters must purchase credits or pay penalties
• Aligns India with global carbon pricing mechanisms
• Supports India’s Net Zero 2070 goal

Why It Matters for Exams

• Environment + Economy linkage
• Global climate commitments
• Industrial regulation reform

2. RBI Greenfield Data Centre & Cybersecurity Institute – Bhubaneswar

The Reserve Bank of India has established its second major data center (after Navi Mumbai) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Core Objectives

• Secure handling of UPI, NEFT, RTGS data
• Cybersecurity training for banking professionals
• Business continuity & disaster recovery
• Strengthening India’s digital payment backbone

Exam Angle

• Financial infrastructure
• Digital economy
• Cyber security preparedness

3. Sachin Tendulkar Appointed UN Global Road Safety Champion

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been named UN Global Road Safety Champion.

Campaign Details

• Linked to UN’s #MakeASafetyStatement campaign
• Targets halving road accident deaths by 2030
• Covers 80 countries & 1,000 cities

Why Important

• Social sector + UN initiatives
• Celebrity diplomacy
• SDG-3 (Good Health & Well-Being)

4. President Inaugurates National Health Fair 2026 (AYUSH)

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Health Fair 2026 in Shegaon, Maharashtra.

Key Takeaways

• Organized by Ministry of AYUSH
• Promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy
• Encourages medicinal plant farming
• Message: “Arogyam Param Sukham”

5. First International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD 2026)

Delhi will host its first-ever International Film Festival from 25–31 March 2026.

Why It Matters

• Cultural diplomacy
• Creative economy
• Tourism & global branding of Delhi

6. Hexagon of Alliance: India–Israel Strategic Bloc

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu proposed the Hexagon of Alliance, finalized during Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel.

Focus Areas

• Counter-terror security framework
• Intelligence sharing
• AI & Quantum cooperation
• Economic & tech collaboration

7. Indian Army Test-Fires Strela-10 Missile

The Indian Army successfully test-fired Strela-10 VSHORADS at Pokhran.

Technical Highlights

• Infrared heat-seeking missile
• Range: 6–10 km
• BMP-based mobile platform
• Effective in desert terrain

8. Clean Energy Transition: IEEFA–Ember Report

A joint report by Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis and Ember evaluates state-wise clean energy progress.

State Leaders

• Uttar Pradesh: EV registrations
• Rajasthan: Solar power production
• Andhra Pradesh: Renewable + EV infrastructure

Q1. What is India’s first compliance-based carbon market?
→ Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

Q2. RBI’s second major data center is located where?
→ Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Q3. Who is UN Global Road Safety Champion from India?
→ Sachin Tendulkar

Q4. Where was National Health Fair 2026 held?
→ Shegaon, Buldhana district, Maharashtra

Q5. Strela-10 missile belongs to which category?
→ VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System)

Q6. Which state leads EV registrations in India?
→ Uttar Pradesh

1. CCTS is regulated under which framework?
A) Energy Conservation Act
B) Climate Action Framework ✅
C) Paris Agreement
D) NAPCC

2. Strela-10 missile uses which guidance system?
A) Radar
B) Laser
C) Infrared ✅
D) GPS

3. IEEFA headquarters is located in:
A) New York
B) Washington DC
C) Lakewood, Ohio ✅
D) San Francisco