Current Affairs 27/02/2026
1. What is the new MSP for Raw Jute for the 2026-27 season?
Answer : ₹5,925
The Government of India has approved a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹5,925 per quintal for Raw Jute for the 2026–27 marketing season, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the interests of jute farmers and strengthening the natural fibre economy.
The decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister, following recommendations made after careful assessment of production costs, market trends, and the need to ensure remunerative returns to cultivators. The revised MSP reflects an upward adjustment aimed at encouraging higher acreage and improved productivity in jute-growing regions.
Raw jute, often referred to as the “golden fibre,” holds significant economic importance, particularly in eastern states such as West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Meghalaya, and Tripura. The MSP mechanism ensures that farmers receive a guaranteed price for their produce, thereby protecting them from market volatility and distress sales.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the enhanced MSP is designed to provide a reasonable margin over the all-India weighted average cost of production, in line with the government’s broader policy of ensuring fair and profitable returns to agricultural producers.
The move is expected to strengthen the jute sector, promote sustainable and eco-friendly fibre production, and contribute to rural employment and income stability. By maintaining consistent support for strategic crops like jute, the government continues to emphasize balanced agricultural growth alongside environmental sustainability.
2. Which ministry has announced free cervical cancer (HPV) vaccination for 14-year-old girls?
Answer : Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the launch of a nationwide free cervical cancer (HPV) vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls, marking a significant step in India’s public health strategy to combat preventable cancers.
The initiative aims to protect adolescent girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women in India, accounting for a substantial share of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. By introducing free vaccination at the age of 14, the ministry seeks to ensure early immunization before potential exposure to the virus.
The programme is being implemented through the existing public health infrastructure, including government hospitals, primary health centres, and school-based outreach campaigns. It is expected to complement ongoing screening and awareness efforts under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).
Health experts have welcomed the move, noting that HPV vaccination has demonstrated high efficacy in preventing infections caused by high-risk HPV strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases. The government’s decision to provide the vaccine free of cost is anticipated to significantly improve accessibility, particularly among economically weaker sections.
With this initiative, the Ministry reinforces its broader commitment to women’s health, preventive care, and the reduction of cancer burden in the country through early intervention and immunization-driven strategies.
3. At what cost has the development of a Civil Enclave at Srinagar Airport been approved?
Answer : ₹1,677
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the development of a Civil Enclave at Srinagar International Airport at an estimated cost of ₹1,677 crore, marking a significant investment in aviation infrastructure in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The proposed Civil Enclave aims to enhance passenger handling capacity, modernize terminal facilities, and improve overall operational efficiency at the airport. The project is expected to accommodate the steady rise in domestic and international passenger traffic, particularly during peak tourism seasons. Srinagar serves as a crucial gateway to the Kashmir Valley, and improved airport infrastructure is anticipated to boost tourism, trade, and economic development in the region.
The development plan includes expansion of terminal buildings, upgraded passenger amenities, improved security infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity features. By separating civil aviation operations from other operational requirements, the enclave will streamline passenger movement and ensure smoother airport management.
This approval underscores the government’s broader strategy of strengthening regional air connectivity under its infrastructure expansion agenda. The initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases, while also contributing to long-term economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
4. Which Indian runner has been banned for 3 years by the Athletics Integrity Unit for evading a dope test?
Answer : Pooja Atmaram
Indian middle-distance runner Pooja Atmaram has been handed a three-year suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for evading a dope test, in violation of international anti-doping regulations.
The AIU, which functions under the global framework established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), determined that the athlete committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) by deliberately avoiding sample collection. Under WADA’s code, evading, refusing, or failing to submit to doping control without compelling justification is treated as a serious offense, carrying significant sanctions.
The three-year ban renders Atmaram ineligible to participate in national and international competitions during the period of suspension. Such disciplinary action underscores the strict enforcement of anti-doping measures in athletics, where transparency, accountability, and adherence to testing protocols are fundamental to maintaining the sport’s integrity.
The decision serves as a reminder of the zero-tolerance policy adopted by international governing bodies toward doping-related violations. Authorities continue to emphasize athlete education, regular testing, and rigorous monitoring to safeguard fair play and uphold the credibility of competitive athletics both in India and globally.
5. Where was the 7th All India Conference of State Railway Police Chiefs held?
Answer : New Delhi
The 7th All India Conference of State Railway Police Chiefs was held in New Delhi, bringing together senior officials from across the country to deliberate on critical issues concerning railway security and passenger safety.
The conference served as an important platform for Directors General and senior officers of the Government Railway Police (GRP) from various states to review existing security frameworks and strengthen coordination mechanisms. Discussions focused on enhancing intelligence sharing, improving crime prevention strategies, tackling organized theft and trafficking, and addressing emerging security challenges across the vast railway network.
Senior representatives from the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Home Affairs also participated, emphasizing the need for closer collaboration between the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and state police units. The deliberations highlighted the importance of technology-driven surveillance systems, real-time monitoring, and data-based policing to ensure safer rail travel.
The conference underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening railway security infrastructure and improving inter-agency coordination. With Indian Railways serving millions of passengers daily, such high-level consultations play a crucial role in maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of one of the world’s largest rail networks.
6. What is ‘WOH G64’, which was recently in the news for its potential to become a supernova?
Answer : Massive Star
WOH G64 is a highly luminous and massive star located in the Large Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way situated approximately 160,000 light-years from Earth. The star has recently drawn significant scientific attention due to observations suggesting that it may be approaching the final stages of its stellar evolution, potentially culminating in a supernova explosion.
Classified as an extreme red supergiant, WOH G64 is among the largest stars known to astronomers. Estimates indicate that its radius extends more than a thousand times that of the Sun, and its luminosity is hundreds of thousands of times greater. Such enormous stars possess relatively short lifespans in cosmic terms, burning through their nuclear fuel rapidly compared to smaller stars.
Recent spectroscopic studies have revealed notable changes in the star’s temperature, brightness, and surrounding dust envelope. These variations have led scientists to speculate that WOH G64 may be undergoing a transitional evolutionary phase. Massive stars of this category eventually experience core collapse once nuclear fusion ceases in their cores, leading to a catastrophic supernova event.
If WOH G64 does explode as a supernova, it would provide astronomers with a rare opportunity to study the final evolutionary stages of massive stars and the mechanisms behind stellar explosions. Although such an event would occur far beyond any threat to Earth, it would represent a landmark moment for observational astronomy and deepen scientific understanding of stellar life cycles and cosmic chemical enrichment.
7. Where has President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026?
Answer : Buldhana
President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Buldhana, Maharashtra, underscoring the nation’s growing emphasis on preventive healthcare and holistic well-being.
The National Arogya Fair serves as a major platform for promoting public health awareness, early disease detection, and access to quality healthcare services. The event brought together medical professionals, traditional medicine practitioners, health administrators, and community stakeholders to showcase advancements in healthcare delivery, wellness initiatives, and government health schemes.
In her address, the President emphasized the importance of preventive care, balanced nutrition, physical fitness, and regular medical screening in building a healthier society. She highlighted the role of community participation and awareness campaigns in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases and improving overall health indicators.
The fair featured health check-up camps, exhibitions on medical innovations, awareness sessions, and outreach programmes aimed at educating citizens about sanitation, maternal and child health, immunization, and lifestyle management. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision of strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure and ensuring affordable, accessible healthcare for all.
The inauguration of the National Arogya Fair 2026 at Buldhana reflects continued efforts to promote health literacy and foster a culture of preventive healthcare across the country.
8. What is ‘Anjdeep’, which was recently inducted into the Indian Navy?
Answer : ASW Craft
`Anjdeep’ is an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Craft recently inducted into the Indian Navy, marking a significant addition to India’s coastal defence and undersea warfare capabilities.
Designed for operations in shallow coastal waters, ASW crafts such as Anjdeep are equipped with advanced sonar systems, underwater surveillance equipment, and lightweight torpedoes to detect, track, and neutralize submarine threats. These vessels are particularly crucial in safeguarding strategic maritime zones, ports, and naval bases against underwater intrusions.
The induction of Anjdeep forms part of the Navy’s broader modernization programme aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. With increasing submarine activity in regional waters, the deployment of specialized ASW platforms enhances the Navy’s ability to maintain situational awareness and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
In addition to anti-submarine roles, ASW crafts contribute to coastal surveillance, search and rescue operations, and joint maritime exercises. Their induction reflects India’s continued focus on indigenization, operational readiness, and the development of a technologically advanced naval force capable of addressing evolving security challenges.
Through platforms like Anjdeep, the Indian Navy reinforces its commitment to ensuring maritime stability, protecting sea lanes of communication, and safeguarding national interests at sea.