Current Affairs 24 February 2026

Current Affairs 24 February 2026

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the last parts of the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which finished the 82-kilometer Delhi–Meerut corridor. The new stretches include the 5-kilometer link between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and the 21-kilometer link between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. The RRTS has also been linked to the Meerut Metro, which is a big step forward in connecting regions quickly.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the final sections of the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), completing the 82-km Delhi-Meerut corridor. The new routes include a 5-km link between Sarai Kale Khan and New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and a 21-km link between Meerut South and Modipuram in Uttar Pradesh. The RRTS has also been linked to the Meerut Metro, a major step towards faster connectivity of the regions.

2. The Union Cabinet has agreed to a plan to change the name of the state of Kerala to “Keralam.” This is a big step in the right direction for the upcoming State Assembly elections. The decision clears a big step in the process of changing the state’s name according to the Constitution. The move comes after the Kerala Legislative Assembly voted unanimously in 2024 to ask that the Constitution recognize the Malayalam name.

The Union Cabinet has approved a plan to rename the state of Kerala as “Kerala”. This is a big step in the right direction for the upcoming state assembly elections. This decision marks a major step forward in the process of changing the name of the state as per the constitution. The move comes after the Kerala Legislative Assembly voted unanimously to demand recognition of the Malayalam name in 2024.

3. Under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) 2.0, the government wants to make ₹27,500 crore from the civil aviation sector between FY26 and FY30. The new framework aims to speed up private investment in operational, revenue-generating airports and some public sector aviation companies, while keeping the government in charge of key assets. The government’s decision to expand infrastructure monetization to help pay for capital projects and balance the budget gives the next phase of airport leasing a new boost.

Under the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP) 2.0, the government wants to generate ₹27,500 crore from the civil aviation sector between FY26 and FY30. The new framework aims to accelerate private investment in operational, revenue-generating airports and some public sector airlines, while retaining responsibility for key assets with the government. The government’s decision to expand infrastructure monetization to pay for capital projects and balance the budget gives a new impetus to the next phase of airport leasing.

4. The All India Ayurvedic Congress and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, are putting on the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon, Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, from February 25 to 28, 2026. The big event’s goals are to promote Ayush systems of medicine, make traditional healthcare more available to the public, and give farmers long-term job opportunities through growing medicinal plants and agroforestry.

All India Ayurvedic Congress and Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India are organizing National Health Mela 2026 at Shegaon, Buldhana District, Maharashtra from 25th to 28th February 2026. The major program aims to promote Ayush systems of medicine, make traditional healthcare more accessible to the public and provide long-term employment opportunities to farmers through medicinal plants and agroforestry.

5. South Korea has strongly criticized Japan for honoring a group of disputed islets, calling the move an unfair claim of sovereignty over its land. After Japan’s Shimane prefecture held its annual “Takeshima Day” ceremony, which was attended by a high-ranking Japanese government official, Seoul made a formal diplomatic protest. The development has made things worse between the two neighbors, who have been in a territorial dispute for a long time.

South Korea has strongly criticized Japan for honoring the disputed island group, calling the move an unfair claim of sovereignty over its territory. Seoul issued a formal diplomatic protest after Japan’s Shimane prefecture held an annual “Takeshima Day” ceremony attended by a high-ranking Japanese government official. The development has worsened the situation between the two neighboring countries, which have been locked in a territorial dispute for a long time.

6. The restoration of Vaan Island’s artificial reef in the Gulf of Mannar over ten years has brought in social and environmental benefits worth ₹61.67 crore, which is more than twice the project’s cost when adjusted for inflation. The Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission, the Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Foundation, and IIT Madras all did a technical study that found a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 2.34. This shows that nature-based coastal restoration is a good idea from an economic point of view.

South Korea has strongly criticized Japan for honoring the disputed island group, calling the move an unfair claim of sovereignty over its territory. Seoul issued a formal diplomatic protest after Japan’s Shimane prefecture held an annual “Takeshima Day” ceremony attended by a high-ranking Japanese government official. The development has worsened the situation between the two neighboring countries, which have been locked in a territorial dispute for a long time.

7. India’s fight against Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) has entered a new phase. Security forces are now going after not only armed groups but also ideological symbols connected to Naxal groups. The government has taken down memorials and monuments that Naxal operatives are said to have built to honor leaders and get people to support them. This is part of an effort called “Operation Demolishment.

India’s fight against Left Wing Extremism (LWE) has entered a new phase. Security forces are now targeting not only armed groups but also ideological symbols associated with Naxalite groups. The government has demolished monuments and memorials built by Naxalites to honor the leaders and support the people. This is part of an effort called “Operation Demolition”.

8. During his two-day visit to Israel starting on February 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to speak to the Israeli Knesset plenum. This is his second trip to the country since 2017, and it shows how the two countries are becoming more strategic partners. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, called the visit “historic,” which shows how the two countries are working together more closely on defense, innovation, and regional issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Knesset Plenum during his two-day visit to Israel starting on February 25. This is his second visit to the country since 2017 and shows how the two countries are becoming more strategic partners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the visit “historic,” showing how the two countries are working more closely together on defense, innovation and regional issues.