Current Affairs 18/02/2026
1. Which scheme has been launched by the Delhi government for digital land records with a 14-digit unique land ID?
Answer : Bhu-Aadhaar Scheme
The Bhu-Aadhaar Scheme was launched by the Government of Delhi as an important measure directed towards the systematic reorganization and modernization of land record administration within the National Capital Territory. The scheme was conceived in recognition of the long-standing need to establish accuracy, uniformity, and transparency in matters relating to land ownership and documentation.
For several decades, land records had been maintained in traditional forms through manual registers, revenue maps, and localized documentation procedures. Although these arrangements had served administrative purposes in earlier times, the rapid growth of urban settlements, expansion of infrastructure, and increasing complexity of property transactions had rendered the existing system inadequate. Discrepancies in boundary demarcation, delays in mutation entries, and instances of overlapping claims had necessitated comprehensive reform.
In order to address these deficiencies, the Government introduced the Bhu-Aadhaar Scheme, under which each parcel of land was to be assigned a 14-digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN). This numerical code, generated on the basis of geo-spatial coordinates and scientific survey methods, was designed to function as a permanent and exclusive identity for every land parcel. The identification number was intended to remain constant irrespective of changes in ownership, thereby ensuring continuity and clarity in official records.
The implementation of the scheme involved systematic surveying operations conducted with the assistance of modern technological instruments, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and digital cadastral mapping techniques. Existing revenue records were examined and verified, and necessary corrections were incorporated prior to the allotment of the unique identification number. Upon completion of verification, the land parcel was formally integrated into a centralized digital database.
The objectives underlying the scheme were manifold. It sought to consolidate fragmented records into a unified digital repository, reduce the incidence of disputes arising from inaccurate documentation, and expedite the processes of registration and mutation. Furthermore, it aimed to enhance administrative efficiency and promote public confidence in land governance mechanisms.
From an economic and developmental standpoint, the reform was regarded as beneficial in facilitating urban planning, infrastructure expansion, and investment activity. The availability of authenticated land data was expected to support financial institutions in collateral verification and contribute to improved ease of doing business.
In conclusion, the Bhu-Aadhaar Scheme represented a measured and deliberate step towards the modernization of land administration in Delhi. By instituting a scientifically validated 14-digit identification number for every land parcel, the Government endeavoured to establish a framework characterized by order, precision, and transparency. The initiative stood as an illustration of progressive administrative reform undertaken in the interest of systematic and accountable public record management.
2. Who has become the first athlete to win 9 gold medals in the Winter Olympics?
Answer : Johannes Klaebo
The distinction of becoming the first athlete to secure nine gold medals in the Winter Olympic Games was attained by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the eminent Norwegian cross-country skier whose performances were regarded as exemplary in the annals of winter sport.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was born on 22 October 1996 in Trondheim, Norway, a region long associated with Nordic skiing traditions. From his early years, he exhibited marked aptitude in cross-country skiing, a discipline deeply ingrained in the sporting culture of Norway. His rise through junior competitions was steady and distinguished, and he soon emerged as one of the most promising talents of his generation.
His Olympic career commenced with remarkable success at the Winter Olympics, where he secured multiple gold medals at a notably young age. His victories in sprint and relay events were characterized by tactical acumen, exceptional endurance, and a decisive finishing speed. In subsequent Olympic appearances, he continued to demonstrate consistency and superior athletic capacity across various cross-country disciplines.
Through sustained excellence over successive Winter Games, Klæbo accumulated a total of nine Olympic gold medals, thereby achieving a milestone unprecedented in the history of the Winter Olympics. This accomplishment was not merely a reflection of individual brilliance but also the result of rigorous preparation, disciplined training, and the structured support of Norway’s national sporting institutions.
Representing the Kingdom of Norway, Klæbo contributed significantly to the nation’s longstanding pre-eminence in Nordic skiing. His victories enhanced Norway’s medal standing and reinforced its reputation as a dominant force in winter sport. Observers and sporting authorities alike regarded his achievements as emblematic of modern athletic professionalism combined with traditional Nordic resilience.
In summation, the attainment of nine gold medals at the Winter Olympic Games by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo constituted a landmark in Olympic history. His career was distinguished by consistency, composure under pressure, and a sustained commitment to excellence. The record thus established secured his place among the most decorated and respected athletes in the chronicles of international winter sport.
3. Which new sport has been included for the first time in the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics 2026?
Answer : Ski Mountaineering
The inclusion of Ski Mountaineering in the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics marked a significant development in the evolution of the Winter Olympic programme. For the first time in Olympic history, this high-endurance alpine discipline was formally recognized as a medal sport, reflecting the growing international popularity of mountain-based competitive events.
Ski Mountaineering, commonly known as “SkiMo,” combines elements of alpine skiing, mountaineering, and endurance racing. Athletes ascend steep snow-covered slopes using lightweight skis equipped with specialized climbing skins that prevent backward sliding. Upon reaching designated checkpoints or summits, competitors remove the skins and execute technically demanding downhill descents. The sport requires exceptional cardiovascular endurance, technical proficiency, and adaptability to variable terrain and weather conditions.
The sport has long been practiced in mountainous regions of Europe, particularly in the Alps, where it evolved both as a method of winter travel and as a competitive pursuit. Its governance at the international level is overseen by the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF), which has worked over the years to standardize competition formats and promote global participation.
At the Milan–Cortina Games, Ski Mountaineering events are scheduled to be conducted in the Italian alpine region, a setting well suited to the sport’s demanding topography. The Olympic programme is expected to feature sprint and mixed relay formats, designed to ensure spectator engagement while maintaining the sport’s traditional competitive integrity.
The introduction of Ski Mountaineering aligns with the broader objectives of the International Olympic Committee to modernize the Winter Games, attract younger audiences, and diversify the range of disciplines represented. By incorporating this dynamic and physically demanding sport, the 2026 Winter Olympics aim to blend tradition with innovation while celebrating the enduring relationship between sport and mountainous environments.
In conclusion, the debut of Ski Mountaineering at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics represents both recognition of the sport’s growing global stature and a strategic expansion of the Olympic winter sports portfolio.
4. In which country was the debris of ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-3 found?
Answer : Maldives
The debris of ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) was reportedly discovered in the Maldives, drawing attention to the wide geographical trajectory of modern space launch operations conducted over oceanic regions.
The Launch Vehicle Mark-3, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is India’s most powerful operational rocket. It is designed to carry heavy communication satellites, deep-space mission payloads, and modules for human spaceflight programmes. Following liftoff from India’s spaceport, certain components of the rocket—such as strap-on boosters or protective casings—separate at various stages of the flight as part of the normal launch sequence.
These discarded components typically fall into designated oceanic zones. However, due to ocean currents and wind patterns, remnants may occasionally drift toward coastal areas or island nations. In this instance, fragments believed to be associated with the LVM3 were found along the shores of the Maldives.
Space agencies generally coordinate with maritime authorities and neighboring countries to ensure public safety and environmental protection. Recovered debris is usually examined to confirm its origin and ensure that it poses no hazard. Such occurrences, while rare, are not uncommon in global space activities and are managed through established international protocols.
The incident underscored both the technological reach of India’s expanding space programme and the importance of international cooperation in ensuring safe and responsible space operations.
5. Taman Port is a major port of which country and on the coast of which sea is it located?
Answer : Russia – Black Sea
Taman Port was recognized as one of the principal maritime outlets of Russia, situated upon the northeastern littoral of the Black Sea. Positioned on the Taman Peninsula within the Krasnodar region, the port assumed considerable importance in the commercial and strategic maritime framework of the Russian Federation.
In earlier administrative assessments, the port was regarded as a significant instrument for the expansion of Russia’s southern trade routes. Its proximity to the Kerch Strait, which forms the maritime passage between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, conferred upon it notable geographic advantage. This advantageous situation facilitated maritime communication with European, Mediterranean, and adjacent markets.
The development of Taman Port was undertaken with the objective of strengthening export capabilities and alleviating pressure upon other established ports along the Black Sea coast. Constructed as a deep-water harbor, it was designed to accommodate large ocean-going vessels engaged in the transport of bulk commodities. The principal cargo handled at the port included coal, grain, fertilizers, sulfur, and petroleum derivatives—commodities central to the nation’s industrial and agricultural economy.
Considerable attention was directed towards the integration of the port with inland railway networks, thereby ensuring the efficient conveyance of goods from interior production centers to maritime terminals. Such coordination between rail and sea transport was viewed as essential for the orderly conduct of trade and the promotion of economic stability in the southern regions.
In economic deliberations, Taman Port was often described as a vital adjunct to Russia’s export infrastructure, contributing materially to the nation’s presence within the Black Sea basin. Its expansion was interpreted as reflective of broader efforts to modernize maritime facilities and enhance logistical capacity.
In conclusion, Taman Port, located on the shores of the Black Sea, was esteemed as a significant maritime establishment of Russia. Through its strategic placement and sustained development, it played an important role in the facilitation of commerce and the advancement of regional economic interests.
6. Where is the International Shivratri Festival being organized?
Answer : Mandi
The International Shivratri Festival was celebrated with great solemnity and traditional grandeur in Mandi, a historic town of Himachal Pradesh distinguished for its numerous ancient temples and long association with Shaivite worship. The town, often styled as the “Chhoti Kashi” of the region, occupied a place of religious prominence owing to the concentration of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The origin of the festival was traced to the sixteenth century, during the reign of Raja Ajbar Sen, the founder of Mandi as a princely capital. It was recorded that the ruler, being a devout adherent of Lord Shiva, instituted the observance of Maha Shivratri with ceremonial dignity. In the course of time, the celebration assumed the character of a grand congregational event, drawing together not only the inhabitants of the town but also representatives from distant valleys and hill regions.
A distinctive feature of the festival consisted in the ceremonial arrival of numerous local deities, reverentially carried in decorated palanquins from surrounding villages. These deities were assembled in the vicinity of the historic Madhorai Temple, where traditional rites and offerings were performed. The gathering of so many village deities at a single venue was regarded as a rare and sacred spectacle, emblematic of communal harmony and shared devotion.
The observances extended over several days and were accompanied by folk music, devotional singing, and traditional dances characteristic of the Himalayan region. Fairs and exhibitions were organized, affording opportunities for artisans and traders to display their wares, thereby imparting to the occasion both religious and socio-economic importance.
In subsequent years, the festival came to be recognized beyond regional confines and was accorded the designation of an International Shivratri Festival, reflecting its widened cultural appeal and the attendance of visitors from diverse parts of the country and abroad.
In conclusion, the celebration of the International Shivratri Festival at Mandi was esteemed not merely as a religious observance but as a manifestation of the enduring spiritual and cultural traditions of Himachal Pradesh. Its continuance over centuries bore testimony to the steadfast devotion of the people and to the preservation of ancient ceremonial customs.