Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 February 2026

Topic: Sports

1. Greece’s Stefanos Sakellaridis won the Delhi Open 2026 men's singles title in tennis.

• He defeated Britain’s Oliver Crawford in a closely contested final.
• The 21-year-old won his maiden ATP Challenger Tour singles crown.
• In doubles, India’s Siddhant Banthia and Bulgaria’s Alexander Donski secured the title.
• They defeated India’s Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro in the final.
• This victory marks the third time an Indian player has been part of a doubles title-winning team at the tournament.
• Saketh Myneni and Sanam Singh first won the doubles title in 2015.
• Yuki Bhambri and Mahesh Bhupathi lifted the trophy in 2016.
• Somdev Devvarman remains the only Indian to win the singles title.
• He claimed back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

2. Zimbabwe has started distributing the long-acting HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir.

• The medicine is administered twice a year. Each dose provides protection for six months.
• Zimbabwe is among the first nations to introduce this extended-action preventive shot.
• HIV/AIDS has caused tens of thousands of deaths in the country over the past two decades.
• The first phase of the rollout targets around 46,500 people at high risk of infection.
• A second dose will be given to beneficiaries after six months.
• The injection is being offered free of cost to vulnerable groups.
• These include young women as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
• Officials expect the drug to help reduce the number of new HIV infections.
• Lenacapavir was developed by the California-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences.
• It is supported through the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in partnership with The Global Fund.

Topic: International Appointments

3. New Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten assumed office.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rob Zetten on assuming office as Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
• The new Dutch minority government sworn in at Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague after the October 29 general elections.
• Following the removal of the previous cabinet, 18 ministers and 10 state secretaries were sworn in.
• The new cabinet is a coalition of Democrats 66 (D66), the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), and the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), which was formed on January 30.
• Together, the three parties hold 66 seats in the 150-member House of Representatives.
• The Indian Prime Minister expressed confidence that the growing partnership between India and the Netherlands will become stronger under the new Dutch leadership.
• India and the Netherlands have completed over 75 years of diplomatic relations covering trade, technology, agriculture, defence and health cooperation.
• The Netherlands continues to remain one of India’s leading European investors and important trade partners.
• A Strategic Partnership on Water is being implemented between the two countries focusing on flood management and clean water technologies.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. India and France signed amending protocol to revise DTAC.

• The Amending Protocol to revise the India–France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India.
• The protocol was inked by CBDT Chairperson Ravi Agrawal and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou.
• Under the amended provisions, full taxing rights on capital gains from the sale of shares have been granted to the country where the company is resident.
• The Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause was deleted from the protocol, thereby resolving all related issues.
• The definition of ‘Fees for Technical Services’ was modified by aligning it with the India US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement provisions.
• The Amending Protocol also updated the rules for the exchange of information and introduced a new article on assistance in tax collection in accordance with international standards.
• The revised framework is expected to facilitate seamless exchange of tax information between the two countries.
• The changes will further strengthen mutual tax cooperation and transparency between India and France.
• The amended protocol will come into force after completion of internal legal procedures in both countries.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

5. World Ocean Science Congress 2026 inaugurated in Goa.

• On 22 February, the World Ocean Science Congress 2026 was inaugurated at Dona Paula by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
• The congress was organised under the theme “Ocean Health and Sustainable Future,” focusing ocean health, climate resilience, marine ecosystems and a sustainable Blue Economy.
• The importance of such discussions was highlighted considering that nearly 25% of India’s population lives in coastal regions.
• The event was emphasised as vital for strengthening fisheries, tourism, maritime economy and coastal resilience.
• The Chief Minister stressed the need to boost research through institutions like CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
• He stated that India is blending its maritime heritage with modern innovation to deliver practical ocean solutions.
• The congress aims to promote a sustainable Blue Economy and strengthen ocean governance.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

6. Port Projects Worth ₹1,500 crore inaugurated at VOC Port in Tuticorin.

• Port infrastructure projects worth more than ₹1,500 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones were laid by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at VOC Port in Tuticorin.
• The projects were launched to expand infrastructure, integrate renewable energy and modernise digital systems at the port.
• The VOC Maritime Heritage Museum was inaugurated as a major highlight dedicated to the legacy of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaranar.
• The museum has been conceived as a cultural and educational landmark for southern Tamil Nadu.
• Multiple projects covering rail and road connectivity, power systems and advanced safety infrastructure were also initiated.
• Renewable initiatives including solar, wind, battery storage and green hydrogen production are being integrated at the port.
• The port has become the first in India to produce and utilise green hydrogen on-site through a pilot project.
• India’s first comprehensive Digital Twin platform has been deployed at the port for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance.
• Cargo handling at the port increased by 6% to 35.97 million tonnes between April 2025 and January 2026.
• The projects are expected to reduce logistics costs, attract investments and generate employment across the Tuticorin region.

Topic: National News

7. Om Birla has established Parliamentary Friendship Groups with over 60 countries.

• The aim is to enhance India's legislature-led global engagement.
• This initiative strengthens traditional diplomacy.
• It promotes direct dialogue between India's Parliament and foreign legislatures.
• These groups will facilitate dialogue on lawmaking methods.
• They will also focus on trade, technology, social policy, and culture.
• Common global challenges will be discussed through structured conversations.
• Members from various political parties are part of these groups.
• This demonstrates a cohesive and multi-party approach to international outreach.
• Senior parliamentarians from diverse backgrounds will lead the groups.
• The first phase covers countries in several regions of the world.
• During Birla's tenure, Parliament has taken a more active role in foreign policy.
• Parliamentary diplomacy is being presented as a key pillar of India's global outreach.
• The Lok Sabha Secretariat stated that these groups will conduct structured dialogue.
• They will conduct study visits and joint discussions. The aim is to build long-term cooperation based on democratic values.
• More friendship groups are expected to be formed in the future phases.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

8. The seventh edition of the Asia Economic Dialogue 2026 will be held in Pune.

• The event will run from February 26th to 28th. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs.
• The Pune International Centre is its co-organizer.
• This year's theme is "Geoeconomics Beyond Globalization: Tariffs, Technology, and Strategic Alignment."
• This international conference will span three days.
• It will feature 12 structured sessions. More than 45 speakers are expected to take part.
• Participants include academics, policymakers, and industry experts from nine countries.
• These nine countries include India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Singapore, Kenya, Australia, Israel and Norway.
• The discussions aim to address the changes taking place in the global geo-economic environment.
• They are expected to foster the exchange of new ideas and policy perspectives.

Topic: National News

9. Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Arogya Fair 2026 in Shegaon.

• The fair will begin on February 25 and continue until February 28.
• The venue of the fair is in Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
• The fair is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the All India Ayurvedic Congress.
• The inauguration will take place at Visava Maidan  of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan.
• The fair aims to promote the AYUSH medicine system and spread awareness among the public.
• Integrated healthcare services will be provided at the fair. It also aims to create livelihood opportunities for farmers.
• It focuses on medicinal plant cultivation and agroforestry.
• Visitors will receive free health check-ups and free consultations. Free medicines will also be distributed.
• Services will be available under various streams of AYUSH, which include Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy.
• AYUSH pharmaceutical and wellness companies will participate, showcasing their research and quality standards.
• On February 27th, a special program titled "Ayurvedic Farming, Production, and Marketing" will be held.

Topic: Indian Economy

10. Giriraj Singh announced a target of US$10 billion in handloom exports by 2031.

• He made this statement at the 43rd Foundation Day event of the National Handloom Development Corporation.
• The event was held in New Delhi. He emphasized the important role of the handloom sector in earning livelihoods.
• He said that this industry sustains traditional and indigenous production systems.
• He appealed to citizens to support Swadeshi textiles.
• He inaugurated a special handloom expo during the event. This expo will run until March 2.
• He outlined the future roadmap for NHDC's initiatives. He praised the corporation's continued efforts to strengthen the weaving community.
• The National Handloom Development Corporation was established by the Government of India on February 22, 1983.
• Its purpose was to create a national-level agency to support the rapid development of the handloom sector.
• On 27 September 2010, NHDC Limited was upgraded from a Schedule 'C' to a Schedule 'B' Central Public Sector Enterprise.