Current Affairs 26/02/2026
1. What is the name of India’s first National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy?
Answer : PRAHAAR
PRAHAAR – India’s National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy
In the contemporary era, when the menace of terrorism has assumed complex and multidimensional forms, the Government of India felt the urgent necessity of adopting a comprehensive and well-coordinated national policy. In this context, India’s first National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy was introduced under the title PRAHAAR (Policy for Response, Action, Holistic Approach and Resilience).
The formulation of PRAHAAR marks a significant development in the country’s internal security framework. For decades, India has confronted various forms of terrorism, including cross-border infiltration, organized extremist networks, and emerging cyber-based threats. The absence of a unified doctrinal framework often resulted in fragmented responses. PRAHAAR was therefore conceived to integrate preventive, defensive, and responsive measures into a single coherent strategy.
Under this policy, special emphasis is laid upon coordinated intelligence gathering and dissemination. Agencies such as the National Investigation Agency, along with central intelligence organizations and state police forces, are expected to function in close cooperation. The policy stresses the elimination of inter-agency gaps and encourages timely exchange of information to avert potential threats.
Another notable feature of PRAHAAR is its focus on modernization and capacity building. It advocates the adoption of advanced surveillance systems, improved forensic techniques, and specialized training for security personnel. In addition, the policy seeks to strengthen legal mechanisms so that the investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases may be conducted efficiently and without undue delay.
The strategy also recognizes the importance of public participation and national resilience. By promoting awareness and vigilance among citizens, PRAHAAR endeavors to create a society that is both alert and united against extremist ideologies.
In conclusion, PRAHAAR represents a landmark initiative in India’s fight against terrorism. By combining preparedness, prompt action, and long-term resilience, it seeks to safeguard national integrity and maintain internal peace in the face of evolving security challenges.
2. Who is the director of the BAFTA-winning Indian film “Boong”?
Answer : Lakshmipriya Devi
In the annals of contemporary Indian cinema, the distinguished film Boong occupies a place of honour for having secured recognition at the esteemed awards of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The motion picture was directed by the accomplished filmmaker Lakshmipriya Devi, whose artistry and vision have been widely commended.
Miss Lakshmipriya Devi, through her thoughtful direction, endowed Boong with a rare depth of sentiment and sincerity of purpose. Her manner of storytelling, marked by restraint and sensitivity, reflects a careful observation of human character and circumstance. The film, under her guidance, presents its narrative with dignity and emotional resonance, thereby appealing not only to domestic audiences but also to discerning viewers abroad.
The conferment of a BAFTA distinction upon Boong stands as a testament to the growing esteem in which Indian cinema is held upon the international stage. It further signifies the recognition of refined craftsmanship and meaningful storytelling emerging from the subcontinent.
Thus, through the success of Boong, Lakshmipriya Devi has secured for herself a respected position among the notable directors of her generation, contributing honourably to the advancement of Indian motion pictures.
3. Which scheme has the Delhi Government launched to reward helpers of accident victims?
Answer : Rah Veer Scheme
In a noteworthy measure designed to promote civic responsibility and humane conduct upon public roads, the Government of Delhi has instituted the Rah Veer Scheme, an initiative intended to reward citizens who render timely assistance to victims of road accidents within the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
The scheme has been conceived in recognition of the critical importance of the “golden hour” — that brief and decisive period immediately following a serious accident, during which prompt medical attention may determine the survival of the injured. Under the provisions of this programme, any individual who ensures that a road accident victim is swiftly transported to a hospital or trauma centre is eligible to receive a monetary reward of ₹25,000, accompanied by a certificate of commendation.
The measure also aligns itself with the established Good Samaritan protections, thereby safeguarding helpers from unnecessary legal or procedural inconvenience. By offering both financial incentive and formal recognition, the administration seeks to dispel the hesitation often observed among bystanders who fear entanglement in official inquiries.
Furthermore, the scheme provides for the annual honouring of select individuals who have displayed exceptional courage and public spirit, with special awards carrying higher distinctions.
Thus, through the Rah Veer Scheme, the Government of Delhi has endeavoured to cultivate a culture of compassion and civic duty, reinforcing the principle that timely human intervention may prove as vital as medical expertise in the preservation of life.
4. Who became the first Indian woman after Sania Mirza to reach a W100 ITF final?
Answer : Vaishnavi Adkar
In a development of marked significance to Indian lawn tennis, Vaishnavi Adkar has distinguished herself by becoming the first Indian woman since the celebrated Sania Mirza to advance to the final of a W100 tournament on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s Circuit.
The W100 category, being among the more elevated grades of ITF competition, attracts players of notable international standing and offers substantial merit in ranking advancement. Miss Adkar’s progression to the championship round was marked by commendable steadiness of play, tactical intelligence, and admirable fortitude under pressure. Her achievement thus restores to Indian women’s singles tennis a distinction that had remained unattained for many years.
For a considerable period, the repute of Indian women’s tennis upon the world stage has been chiefly associated with excellence in doubles competition. The recent accomplishment of Miss Adkar in the singles discipline, therefore, assumes added importance, suggesting the revival of competitive strength in the individual format and reflecting favourably upon the nation’s developing sporting institutions.
It may be observed that such success is seldom accidental, but rather the fruit of sustained discipline, sound training, and perseverance. The attainment of a W100 final not only augments the player’s professional standing but also serves as an encouragement to aspiring sportswomen across the country.
In this manner, Vaishnavi Adkar’s notable performance may be regarded as both a personal triumph and a promising indication of renewed vitality within Indian women’s tennis.
5. Which edition of the Vajra Prahar exercise will be held in February-March 2026?
Answer : 16th
The forthcoming 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar, appointed to be held during the months of February and March in the year 2026, stands as another chapter in the steadily advancing military cooperation between India and the United States of America. This joint exercise, conducted between the Special Forces of the Indian Armed Forces and the United States Armed Forces, has, over the years, assumed considerable importance in the sphere of bilateral defence relations.
Exercise Vajra Prahar is designed principally to promote closer understanding, coordination, and efficiency in special operations. It affords an opportunity for the exchange of tactical knowledge, refinement of joint operational procedures, and cultivation of mutual confidence between the participating forces. The programme of instruction commonly includes counter-terrorism manoeuvres, urban warfare exercises, intelligence-based missions, and field operations conducted under conditions approximating those of actual conflict.
Held alternately in the territories of the two friendly nations, the exercise reflects not merely a practical arrangement for training, but also the broader spirit of strategic partnership that characterises contemporary Indo–American relations. Each successive edition has served to strengthen professional bonds and to enhance the preparedness of the participating units in addressing modern security challenges.
Thus, the sixteenth observance of Vajra Prahar in 2026 may be regarded as both a continuation of established military cooperation and a reaffirmation of shared commitment to collective security and operational excellence.
6. Which district topped the My Bharat Budget Competition?
Answer : Rajouri
In a matter of commendable distinction, the district of Rajouri has secured the foremost position in the My Bharat Budget Competition, thereby earning recognition for its exemplary participation and public spiritedness.
The My Bharat Budget Competition was instituted with the laudable objective of fostering financial awareness and encouraging informed discourse among the youth regarding the provisions and implications of the Union Budget. Conceived as a platform for civic engagement, the competition sought to cultivate analytical thought and responsible citizenship among participants drawn from diverse educational institutions and community bodies.
Rajouri district, through the active involvement of its young citizens and the effective coordination of local authorities, distinguished itself above other competing districts. The achievement reflects not merely numerical participation, but also a demonstrable enthusiasm for public affairs and economic understanding.
Such recognition brings honour to the district and serves as an encouraging example to others, illustrating how informed engagement with matters of national finance may strengthen democratic awareness at the grassroots level. The accomplishment of Rajouri in this competition stands as a testament to the growing intellectual vitality and civic consciousness within the region.
7. Which state is hosting the World Ocean Science Congress 2026?
Answer : Goa
In the year 2026, the maritime state of Goa has been entrusted with the honour of hosting the distinguished World Ocean Science Congress, an assembly of eminent scholars, marine scientists, and policy authorities drawn from various quarters of the globe.
The Congress, convened for the advancement of oceanographic knowledge and the deliberation of matters pertaining to marine welfare, serves as a notable forum wherein scientific inquiry and practical governance are brought into harmonious consultation. Subjects of pressing importance — including the preservation of marine biodiversity, the mitigation of climate influence upon coastal regions, and the judicious management of oceanic resources — are set forth for earnest examination.
That Goa has been selected as the seat of this international gathering is not without significance. Long associated with India’s maritime traditions and possessing institutions devoted to oceanic research, the state offers both geographical aptness and scholarly capacity for such a convocation. The event further reflects India’s growing stature in the councils of global marine science and its declared commitment to sustainable stewardship of the seas.
Thus, the hosting of the World Ocean Science Congress in Goa may be regarded as both an honour conferred and a responsibility undertaken — an occasion wherein scientific wisdom and international cooperation are united in the common cause of safeguarding the world’s oceans.
8. Recently, CSIR signed an agreement for TKDL with the INPI of which country?
Answer : Brazil
In a measure of considerable import to the guardianship of indigenous wisdom, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has concluded an agreement respecting the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) with the National Institute of Industrial Property of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
The object of this arrangement is to extend to the Brazilian patent authority regulated access to the TKDL for purposes of examination and scrutiny. The Library, conceived as a repository of India’s ancient medicinal lore, comprises carefully translated and systematized records drawn from authoritative treatises of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, and Siddha. By such means, knowledge long preserved in classical tongues has been rendered into modern languages suitable for reference in contemporary patent offices.
It has been observed in former years that certain applications for patents abroad were founded upon remedies and formulations long known within India’s traditional systems. The establishment of the TKDL, and the entering into of agreements such as the present one, are therefore directed toward preventing the inadvertent or improper grant of exclusive rights over knowledge that is already part of the common heritage.
The understanding reached between CSIR and the Brazilian institute further signifies the cordial relations subsisting between the two nations in matters of science, innovation, and lawful protection of intellectual property. It affirms a shared recognition that the treasures of traditional knowledge must be preserved with due respect, even as the modern world advances in invention and industry.
Thus, the agreement stands not merely as a technical arrangement, but as a prudent and dignified step toward safeguarding cultural inheritance within the established frameworks of international law.