Latest Current Affairs 26 February 2026-Daily GK with FAQs
1️⃣ Ethanol Blended Petrol (E20) Mandate – India
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has mandated the sale of petrol with up to 20% ethanol (E20) and minimum RON 95 across all states and UTs from 1 April 2026.
🔹 This reform aligns with India’s Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), aimed at:
- Reducing crude oil imports
- Lowering carbon emissions
- Boosting farmer income & rural economy
📌 EBP Timeline
- Launched: January 2003
- Initial target: 5% ethanol blending
- Present target: 20% blending (E20)
📘 Exam Focus
- Ministry: MoPNG
- RON requirement: 95
- Ethanol cap: 20%
2️⃣ President of India Flies LCH Prachand
President Draupadi Murmu created history by flying the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand as co-pilot in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
🛩️ Key Highlights
- First Indian President to fly an indigenous combat helicopter
- Earlier sorties:
- Sukhoi-30 MKI – April 2023
- Rafale – October 2023
📌 LCH Prachand
- Designed for high-altitude warfare
- Inducted into IAF: October 2022 (Jodhpur)
3️⃣ NSE IX Opens Global Stock Markets for Indians
NSE International Exchange, based in GIFT City, enables Indian retail investors to directly invest in US stock markets like NYSE & NASDAQ.
💼 What Indians Can Buy
- Apple
- Amazon
- Tesla
📌 Regulatory Framework
- Under Reserve Bank of India’s Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS)
- Annual limit: $250,000
4️⃣ Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for Girls
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan on 28 February 2026.
🩺 Campaign Highlights
- Target group: Girls aged 14 years & above
- Beneficiaries: 1.15 crore girls annually
- Vaccine: Gardasil-4 (single dose)
- Prevents cervical cancer (2nd most common in Indian women)
📌 Virus Types Covered
- HPV-16
- HPV-18
5️⃣ Pakistan Launches Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on 27 February 2026, targeting Taliban infrastructure in Afghanistan.
🧭 Key Points
- Meaning: Wrath for Justice / Truth
- Described as “open war” by Pakistan’s Defence Minister
- Trigger: Border firing & death of Pakistani soldiers
6️⃣ Telangana Police – Operation Crackdown
The Telangana Police launched Operation Crackdown to dismantle organised cybercrime networks.
📊 Cybercrime Data
- 2025 cases: 28.15 lakh
- Growth: 24% YoY
- Top states:
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- Karnataka
📌 Coordinated with Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
7️⃣ RBI Approves SBI Mutual Fund Stake Purchase
The RBI approved SBI Mutual Fund to acquire up to 9.99% stake in:
- Bandhan Bank
- RBL Bank
⏳ Deadline: 1 year
📉 Below 5% → Fresh RBI approval required
8️⃣ AI-Based Real-Time Dashboard for PSU Banks
The Ministry of Finance launched an AI-powered real-time dashboard to monitor PSU banks.
🧠 Features
- Live NPA tracking
- Loan disbursement & recovery
- Instant alerts on liquidity risks
🏦 Connected Banks:
- SBI
- PNB
- BOI
(All 12 PSBs)
Managed by Department of Financial Services
Daily Current Affairs FAQs
Q1. What is E20 petrol and when is it mandatory?
👉 Petrol with 20% ethanol; mandatory from 1 April 2026.
Q2. Who is the first Indian President to fly a combat helicopter?
👉 President Draupadi Murmu.
Q3. Which vaccine is used in India’s HPV campaign?
👉 Gardasil-4.
Q4. What is Operation Crackdown?
👉 Telangana Police cybercrime operation.
Daily Current Affairs EXAM-ORIENTED QUIZ
Q1. E20 petrol mandates which minimum RON?
A. 91
B. 93
C. 95 ✅
D. 97
Q2. LCH Prachand was inducted in which year?
A. 2020
B. 2021
C. 2022 ✅
D. 2023
Q3. HPV types 16 & 18 cause how much % of cervical cancer?
A. 50%
B. 65%
C. 75%
D. 80%+ ✅