This is the current affairs of 22 & 23 February 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Due to a problem in the brake system of which fighter jet, the Air Force grounded 30 aircraft in February 2026?
a. Rafale
b. Sukhoi SU-30MKI
c. Mirage 2000
d. Tejas
Answer: d. Tejas
– The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s light combat aircraft Tejas overshot the runway during landing.
– In the preliminary investigation, a malfunction in the brake system is being suspected.
– According to media reports (such as The Hindu), the incident is said to have occurred on 7 February 2026.
How the incident happened
– On 7 February, the aircraft was returning to the airbase after completing a training sortie.
– After landing on the runway, the pilot used the brakes to stop the aircraft.
– As the brakes were not effective, the aircraft went beyond the designated limit.
– Before the situation worsened, the pilot managed to eject safely.
– Due to overshooting the runway at the airfield, the airframe suffered heavy damage.
– Official confirmation of the airbase where the incident occurred has not yet been made public.
Around 30 aircraft grounded as a precaution
– The Air Force has temporarily grounded around 30 single-seat Tejas aircraft for technical inspection.
– These aircraft will not fly until the investigation is completed.
– This may impact Operational Readiness.
– However, if flights resume after the investigation is completed, the impact will remain limited.
– No formal statement has been issued by the IAF on this matter.
– A problem such as a brake system malfunction is considered serious, but if it turns out to be a maintenance issue or an isolated technical glitch rather than a design flaw, the long-term impact will be minimal.
– If a system-level defect is found, upgrades and retrofitting may be required.
– Tejas is a symbol of India’s self-reliant defence capability. With this being the third consecutive incident, criticism may increase, especially affecting export prospects.
Previous incidents
– This is considered the third major incident related to Tejas.
– The first incident occurred in March 2024 near the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan, where a Tejas aircraft crashed.
– The second incident occurred in November 2025 during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow, where a Tejas jet crashed and the Air Force confirmed the pilot’s death at that time.
The journey of Tejas
– In the 1980s, India decided to reduce dependence on foreign fighter aircraft.
– For this purpose, the LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) programme was launched in 1984.
– Its design and development were primarily carried out by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), and manufacturing responsibility was given to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
– Tejas made its first flight on 4 January 2001 — a historic moment for India’s aerospace capabilities.
– Its challenges: engine (American GE F404) remained imported, technical delays and cost escalation, changing requirements of the Air Force. Nevertheless, the project was continued and gradually improved.
– In 2016, Tejas was formally inducted into the Indian Air Force. Later, its upgraded version Tejas Mk1A was approved.
– Mk1A has better radar (AESA) and electronic warfare systems.
– Export prospects (Malaysia, etc.)
– Future projects such as Tejas Mk2 and AMCA
How many Tejas aircraft does the IAF have?
– The Indian Air Force already has around 38 Tejas jets inducted, and several aircraft (around 80+) are under production.
– The government has approved the purchase of 97 more LCA Tejas Mk-1A jets, after which the total order will be around 180 aircraft.
– How many squadrons does the Air Force have?
– The IAF currently has around 31 active fighter squadrons, while its sanctioned strength is 42 squadrons.
– Tejas squadron numbers are still in the initial phase, and as per expansion plans, squadrons are being re-raised or newly formed, such as the Cobra Squadron at Bikaner, which is being reactivated with Tejas Mk-1A.
HAL unable to supply fighter jets on time
– This latest accident occurred at a time when Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the company manufacturing Tejas aircraft, has missed several deadlines in supplying the Tejas Mark 1A variant to the Indian Air Force.
– In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹48,000 crore deal with HAL for the purchase of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF.
– The delay in delivery is mainly due to GE Aerospace failing to meet multiple deadlines for supplying the aero engines that power the jets.
– In September last year, the Ministry of Defence signed another ₹62,370 crore deal with HAL for the purchase of 97 Tejas Mk-1A light combat aircraft for the IAF.
India buying 114 Rafale
– India has approved a proposal to purchase 114 Rafale fighter aircraft to strengthen its combat capability.
– It is being described as the country’s largest-ever defence aircraft procurement plan.
– Under this, most of the aircraft will be manufactured in India under “Make in India,” while some will be directly imported from France.
– Additionally, India has already signed a deal to purchase 26 Rafale-M aircraft for the Navy.
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2. With what status did India participate in the meeting of the ‘Board of Peace’?
a. Member
b. Observer
c. Chairperson
d. None of the above
Answer: b. Observer
Trump’s Board of Peace to monitor the UN
– Trump said the Board of Peace will monitor the United Nations (UN).
– It will also determine whether it is functioning properly.
– Before the ‘Board of Peace’ meeting, a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was held.
– In it, attempts to expand Israel’s control in the West Bank were criticised.
India became an observer
– The ‘Board of Peace’ meeting was held in Washington DC on 19 February 2026.
– As an observer, India was represented by the Charge d’Affaires (senior official) Namgya C. Khampa posted at the Indian Embassy.
– India has not yet clarified whether it will become a full-time member of the Board.
– India did not participate in its launch event in Davos in January 2026.
– At the ‘Board of Peace’ meeting, a relief package of ₹1.5 lakh crore was announced for the reconstruction of Gaza.
– Nine member countries will contribute ₹63,000 crore (7 billion dollars) for the Gaza relief package.
– The US itself will contribute ₹90,000 crore (10 billion dollars).
– Officials from around 50 countries participated in the meeting.
– Of these, 27 countries are Board members, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
– India, the European Union (EU) and several other countries participated as observers.
– Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom are among the countries that did not join the Board but participated as observers.
This amount is very small compared to war expenditure
– Trump said that this amount is very small compared to the expenditure on war.
– He told member countries that if all nations come together, lasting peace can be brought to a region that has suffered war and violence for centuries.
– Trump said that every dollar spent on Gaza is an investment in bringing stability and building a better future in the region.
– However, he did not clarify how many troops would be sent.
– Nor when they would be deployed and how the allocated funds would be used.
What is the Board of Peace?
– Trump first proposed this Board in September 2025 while presenting a plan to end the Gaza war.
– The US has invited around 60 countries to join the Board.
– It was stated that the role of this Board would not be limited to Gaza but would also work to resolve conflicts at the global level.
– The circulated charter states that countries wishing to remain members for more than three years must contribute 1 billion dollars.
– Trump himself is the Chairperson of this Board.
– He wants the Board not to remain limited to the Gaza ceasefire but to work on other issues as well.
– However, some countries are concerned that this may weaken the UN’s role in global diplomacy.
– Trump said that once the Board is fully formed, it will be able to take major decisions, and whatever work is done will be in cooperation with the UN.
– Among the five permanent members of the UNSC, apart from the US, no other country has yet confirmed joining this Board.
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3. Which US friendly country refused permission to use its airbase for the attack on Iran?
a. Spain
b. Germany
c. France
d. United Kingdom
Answer: d. United Kingdom
– For a possible US attack on Iran, the United Kingdom (Britain) has refused permission to use its military airbases.
– British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that allowing the use of UK RAF airbases and other facilities for attacking Iran could amount to a violation of international law, therefore permission was not granted.
– The USA has long maintained a military presence in West Asia, while its relations with Iran have remained tense.
– Britain’s stance shows that although it is a traditional ally of the US, it wants to prioritise international law and regional stability.
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4. The United Kingdom decided to return the Chagos Islands to which country, which the US expressed displeasure over?
a. India
b. Maldives
c. Mauritius
d. Iran
Answer: c. Mauritius
Trump upset
– US President Donald Trump expressed displeasure over Britain’s decision.
– He withdrew support from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s agreement that involved handing over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
– The friendship between Britain and the US is very old.
– From the Second World War to NATO, from the Iraq-Afghanistan war to the intelligence network ‘Five Eyes,’ both countries have generally been aligned.
– However, in recent times, differences have been visible between the two countries on several issues. Especially after the tariff issue, a clear divide between European countries and the US has been observed.
Diego Garcia
– It is part of the Chagos Islands located in the Indian Ocean.
– Britain captured these islands in 1814 after defeating Napoleon.
– In 1965, they were separated from Mauritius and made the ‘British Indian Ocean Territory.’
– In 1968, when Mauritius gained independence, it was decided that once these islands were no longer needed for defence purposes, they would be returned to Mauritius.
– Later, the US and Britain established a joint military base on Diego Garcia.
Why is it important for the US?
– To keep an eye on Middle East countries such as Iran, Iraq and Syria.
– Helps in continuous monitoring in the Indian Ocean.
– To monitor China’s increasing presence in the Indo-Pacific.
– Essential for refuelling and supply of American jets/warships.
Diego Garcia important for an attack on Iran
– Diego Garcia is considered important for an attack on Iran because it is a major military base located in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
– From here, the US can conduct long-range and rapid military operations.
– It is about 3,800 kilometres from Tehran, the capital of Iran.
– The base has a large airfield where heavy bombers like B-2 and B-52 can operate.
– arge tanker aircraft (such as KC-135) and surveillance aircraft can also operate from here.
– It not only has air facilities but also a deep-water port.
– This base is jointly used by Britain and the US.
– For the US, it has become a major operational centre.
Mauritius has been demanding rights over these islands for 50 years
– Mauritius has been demanding sovereignty over these islands since the 1980s.
– It raised the matter in international courts.
– In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the process of decolonisation was not properly completed when Mauritius gained independence in 1968.
– Britain should end its administration of the Chagos Islands as soon as possible.
– In 2022, it was announced that Britain and Mauritius would begin talks regarding the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
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5. When is World Scout Day celebrated?
a. 22 February
b. 23 February
c. 24 February
d. 25 February
Answer: a. 22 February
– The Scout Movement was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell.
– World Scout Day is celebrated on 22 February on the occasion of his birthday.
– The Scouting Movement began in 1907 in the United Kingdom.
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6. India added its name to the list of 100 countries that signed a statement criticising which country’s West Bank plans?
a. Israel
b. Syria
c. Jordan
d. Egypt
Answer: a. Israel
What is the latest controversy regarding the West Bank?
– Israel has started the process of declaring large parts of the West Bank as “state land,” which is being criticised.
– The international community is viewing this as an “occupation” of Palestinian land.
– India has joined the list of countries that have criticised Israel over unilateral steps in the West Bank.
– Countries criticising Israel include the League of Arab States, the European Union, BRICS members Russia, China, Brazil and South Africa, as well as India’s QUAD partners Australia and Japan.
– Among India’s neighbouring countries, Bangladesh, Maldives, Mauritius and Pakistan are also included in this list.
– These countries criticised Israel’s unilateral actions in the West Bank ahead of the Board of Peace meeting scheduled in the US on 19 February 2026.
– The joint statement was issued on 17 February 2026.
– It was read out at the United Nations (UN) by the Palestinian Ambassador, accompanied by diplomats from dozens of countries who signed the document.
– Palestine’s Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said: “We strongly condemn unilateral Israeli decisions and actions aimed at expanding Israel’s illegal presence in the West Bank.”
Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
President: Isaac Herzog
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Population: 10 million
Currency: New Shekel
Language: Hebrew
Neighbouring countries: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt
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7. In which desert did scientists discover a new species of dinosaur ‘Spinosaurus mirabilis’?
a. Gobi Desert
b. Sahara Desert
c. Thar Desert
d. Great Basin
Answer: b. Sahara Desert
– Spinosaurus were among the most ferocious predators of the ancient world.
– The Sahara Desert is the world’s largest hot desert, located in North Africa.
– Fossils of a new species named ‘Spinosaurus mirabilis’ have been found in the Sahara region of Niger.
– Like its cousin ‘Spinosaurus aegyptiacus,’ it was a massive and aquatic predator.
– Its remains were found 1,000 km inland from the coast of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
– This discovery suggests that these creatures were not limited only to coastal areas.
– Rather, they also hunted in rivers and basins located deep inland.
– Members of the Spinosaurus family are considered the largest carnivorous dinosaurs in the world.
– They could grow up to 15 metres in length and weigh up to 8 tons.
– Much larger than the famous T. rex.
– Earlier, scientists believed these dinosaurs only walked on land.
– However, according to new research published in the journal ‘Science,’ they lived a semi-aquatic life like crocodiles.
– Their teeth were sharp and conical.
– Perfect for catching slippery fish.
– Their snouts had fine nerves.
– With the help of these nerves, they could sense movements in water.
– This new fossil found in Niger’s ‘Farak Formation’ is approximately 95 to 100 million years old.
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8. Who has been appointed as the new chairman of GIFT City?
a. Uday Kotak
b. Sanjay Kaul
c. Nirmala Sitharaman
d. Vijay Pratap
Answer: a. Uday Kotak
– The Gujarat government appointed Kotak Mahindra Bank founder Uday Kotak as the new chairman of GIFT City.
– He replaced Hasmukh Adhia in February 2026.
– GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) is India’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), developed near Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
Its objective is to make India a global financial hub like Dubai, Singapore or London.
– Gujarat cadre IAS officer Sanjay Kaul was appointed as the MD and CEO of GIFT City. GIFT City is continuously expanding as a major global financial services centre.
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9. Trump imposed a 10% tariff on countries worldwide after the US Supreme Court declared the tariff illegal, then increased it to how much the next day?
a. 15%
b. 20%
c. 30%
d. 50%
Answer: a. 15%
– US President Donald Trump said on 21 February 2026 that he was increasing the global tariff from 10% to 15%, which he had announced a day earlier.
– The Supreme Court held that Trump had misused the emergency powers granted to the US President by imposing excessive tariffs on various countries.
– Tariffs had become the hallmark of his administration, but the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had abused his authority.
– After the US Supreme Court’s decision, Trump imposed a 10% global tariff under another law. The next day, he increased it to 15%.
Tariff on India 15%
– Regarding the trade deal with India, Trump said there would be no change in the deal.
– A White House official stated that countries having trade agreements with the US, including the United Kingdom, India and the European Union, would now face a global 15% tariff under Section 122, instead of the tariff rates previously negotiated.
– This would reduce India’s total tariff from 18% to 15%.
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10. Politician Mukul Roy died on 23 February 2026, he had been the Railway Minister during the tenure of which Prime Minister?
a. Narendra Modi
b. Manmohan Singh
c. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
d. Inder Kumar Gujral
Answer: b. Manmohan Singh
– Mukul Roy was a leader of the Trinamool Congress. For some time, he had also joined the BJP.
– He served as Railway Minister for a few months in 2021.
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