Current Affairs 24 February 2026- National, International, Appointments, days, Banking and Economy etc
Daily Current Affairs: 24 February 2026
Target Exams: IBPS/SBI PO, SSC CGL/CHSL, State PSCs
1. National & Governance
PRASHAD Scheme Expansion: The Ministry of Tourism is set to develop major temple sites in Andhra Pradesh under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive. Launched in 2014-15, this central sector scheme provides 100% funding for heritage infrastructure.
Namo Bharat RRTS: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the final section of the 82 km Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS). This project uses "Ring Topology" and "IP-MPLS" technology for redundant connectivity, marking a shift toward high-speed regional commuting.
'Vanjeevi Didi' Initiative: Palamu Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand) launched this program to train educated women from 17 villages as conservation ambassadors. They will act as a bridge between the forest department and local communities to curb illegal activities.
National SEC Conference: For the first time in over 25 years, the National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs) was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to enhance coordination between the ECI and state bodies.
2. Banking & Economy
RBI Data Center: The Reserve Bank of India established its second state-of-the-art Green Data Center in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, to bolster the security of India's payment systems.
ICICI Swasthya Pension: ICICI launched a unique product blending retirement planning with healthcare security, targeting the aging population's medical inflation concerns.
RBI Digital Payments Index (DPI): The index soared to 516.76, reflecting a significant win for India’s cashless economy and digital penetration in rural areas.
RRB Innovation: Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) launched India’s first fully solar-powered mobile ATM van, named "TGB on Wheels," to improve financial inclusion in remote hilly terrains.
3. International Affairs
Lenacapavir Rollout in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe has become one of the first nations to start the distribution of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection administered only twice a year.
IOM Global Appeal 2026: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) requested $4.7 billion to support 41 million displaced people globally, noting that 2025 was the deadliest year for migrants.
Sayyad-3G Missile: Iran successfully tested the Sayyad-3G, a naval surface-to-air missile designed to provide medium-range air defence for its warships.
4. Science, Technology & Environment
Vaan Island Restoration: A 10-year artificial reef project at Vaan Island (Gulf of Mannar) has yielded socio-ecological benefits worth ₹61.67 crore, successfully reversing coastal erosion.
AI Impact Summit 2026: The summit concluded with the adoption of the "New Delhi Declaration," endorsed by 87 countries to ensure ethical AI deployment in governance.
Wooden Satellite 'LignoSat': Japan successfully launched the world’s first wooden satellite to test the durability of timber in space, aiming to reduce space debris.
Important Data Highlights (For Quick Revision)
Category | Key Highlight | Related Fact |
Important Day | Central Excise Day | Celebrated on 24th February annually |
New Appointment | Justice Surya Kant Sharma | Appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India |
Awards | 79th BAFTA Awards | Best Film: One Battle After Another |
Sports | Delhi Open 2026 | Winner: Stefanos Sakellaridis (Greece) |
Heritage | Vasai Cathedral | Won UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award 2025 |
Practice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Which Tiger Reserve launched the 'Vanjeevi Didi' initiative in February 2026?
(a) Sariska (b) Palamu (c) Kanha (d) Jim Corbett
Answer: (b) Palamu Tiger Reserve, Jharkhand
Q2. The long-acting HIV prevention drug 'Lenacapavir' is developed by which company?
(a) Pfizer (b) Gilead Sciences (c) Moderna (d) AstraZeneca
Answer: (b) Gilead Sciences
Q3. In which city has RBI established its new high-security Data Center?
(a) Mumbai (b) Hyderabad (c) Bhubaneswar (d) Gandhinagar
Answer: (c) Bhubaneswar
Q4. PRASHAD scheme, recently in news, is a initiative of which Ministry?
(a) Culture (b) Civil Aviation (c) Tourism (d) Urban Affairs
Answer: (c) Ministry of Tourism
Q5. What is the operational speed of the newly inaugurated Namo Bharat RRTS?
(a) 120 km/h (b) 180 km/h (c) 160 km/h (d) 200 km/h
Answer: (c) 160 km/h
## 1. Important Appointments (February 2026)
· Banking exams focus heavily on leadership changes in PSBs and regulatory bodies.
Designation | Person Appointed | Key Fact / Previous Role |
Chief Justice of India (51st) | Justice Surya Kant Sharma | Succeeded Justice Sanjiv Khanna |
MD & CEO, Canara Bank | Shri Brajesh Kumar Singh | Former Executive Director, Indian Bank |
MD & CEO, Union Bank of India | Shri Asheesh Pandey | Former ED, Bank of Maharashtra |
MD & CEO, Central Bank of India | Shri Kalyan Kumar | Succeeded M.V. Rao |
Deputy Governor, RBI | Shri Shirish Chandra Murmu | Oversees Banking Regulation & Supervision |
Whole-time Member, SEBI | Sandip Pradhan | Focus on Investor Protection |
Chief Information Commissioner | Raj Kumar Goel | Heads the apex RTI body in India |
Executive Director, RBL Bank | Jaideep Iyer | Appointed for a 3-year term |
Executive Chairman, NALSA | Justice Vikram Nath | Focus on free legal aid services |
## 2. Important Days & Themes (February 2026)
Themes are crucial for IBPS/SBI PO and SSC exams.
Date | Day | Theme / Significance |
1 Feb | Indian Coast Guard Day | 50th Raising Day (Golden Jubilee) |
2 Feb | World Wetlands Day | "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge" |
4 Feb | World Cancer Day | "United by Unique" |
10 Feb | World Pulses Day | Importance of pulses in sustainable food systems |
11 Feb | Intl. Day of Women in Science | Closing the Gender Gap in Science |
12 Feb | National Productivity Day | Observed by National Productivity Council (NPC) |
13 Feb | World Radio Day | Promoting information accessibility |
13 Feb | National Women’s Day | Birth Anniversary of Sarojini Naidu |
20 Feb | World Day of Social Justice | Addressing global inequality |
21 Feb | Intl. Mother Language Day | Promoting multilingualism |
24 Feb | Central Excise Day | Commemorates Central Excise & Salt Act, 1944 |
28 Feb | National Science Day | In memory of the Raman Effect discovery |
## 3. Important Summits & Conferences (2026)
Summits often appear in the General Awareness section of mains exams.
Summit/Conference | Venue / Host | Main Objective |
Bharat Fintech Summit 2026 | Mumbai, India | Digital Identity & Embedded MSME Credit |
AI Impact Summit 2026 | New Delhi, India | Adopted the "New Delhi Declaration" on AI |
25th Connected Banking Summit | Accra, Ghana | Digital transformation in West Africa |
Global Spillovers Conference | Basel, Switzerland | Shifting financial policies (BoE, BIS, IMF) |
National Conference of SECs | New Delhi | Coordination between Election Commissions |
## Banking Exam Special Point: RBI Guidelines
Draft Guidelines on Mis-selling: RBI has proposed that banks must refund the entire amount plus compensation for losses if a product is found to be mis-sold. This rule is expected to be active from July 2026.
RBI Digital Payments Index (DPI): The index has reached a new high of 516.76, indicating rapid growth in digital transactions.