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Daily Current Affairs
13 February, 2026
1. What is the base year of the newly released Consumer Price Index (CPI) series?
A) 2022
B) 2011
C) 2024
D) 2012
E) 2020
Answer: C) 2024
Explanation: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released a new CPI series with 2024 as the base year, replacing the earlier 2012 base year. The revision reflects updated consumption patterns based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24.
2. What weight has been assigned to “Contribution to GDP” in horizontal devolution by the 16th Finance Commission?
A) 5%
B) 15%
C) 12.5%
D) 10%
E) 7.5%
Answer: D) 10%
Explanation: The 16th Finance Commission introduced a new horizontal devolution criterion giving 10% weight to a State’s contribution to GDP. This rewards economically productive States while maintaining overall tax devolution at 41%.
3. The Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement of 114 fighter jets of which aircraft?
A) Tejas Mk-1A
B) MiG-29
C) Mirage 2000
D) Sukhoi Su-30
E) Dassault Rafale
Answer: E) Dassault Rafale
Explanation: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 114 Dassault Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft to strengthen the Indian Air Force’s combat capability.
4. The National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be established at which location?
A) Udaipur
B) Hanle
C) Merak
D) Kodaikanal
E) Dehradun
Answer: B) Hanle
Explanation: The National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT), a 13.7-metre segmented mirror telescope, will be set up at Hanle in Ladakh. The high-altitude dry environment ensures superior astronomical observation.
5. The RBI’s draft guidelines on loan recovery agents primarily aim to address which issue?
A) Increasing bank profits
B) Promoting digital recovery
C) Preventing borrower harassment
D) Reducing repo rate
E) Expanding foreign banks
Answer: C) Preventing borrower harassment
Explanation: RBI’s draft norms aim to stop coercion, intimidation, repeated calls, public humiliation and other harsh recovery practices, thereby strengthening borrower protection.
6. The government plans to monetise CPSE-owned real estate through which financial instrument?
A) Infrastructure Bonds
B) Sovereign Gold Bonds
C) IPO
D) Municipal Bonds
E) Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Answer: E) Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Explanation: The Union Budget proposed monetising CPSE real estate via REITs, which pool investor funds into income-generating properties and distribute rental income as dividends.
7. As per IRDAI clarification, which funds cannot be invested abroad through Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs)?
A) Contingency reserves
B) Shareholder capital
C) Retained earnings
D) Policyholder funds
E) Bonus reserves
Answer: D) Policyholder funds
Explanation: IRDAI clarified that insurers cannot deploy policyholder funds abroad through AIFs to protect policyholders from overseas investment risks and ensure financial stability.
8. Under RBI’s proposed recovery norms, which of the following is considered a prohibited practice?
A) Issuing legal notice
B) Calling during permitted hours
C) Engaging registered recovery agents
D) Publicly shaming borrowers
E) Sending written reminders
Answer: D) Publicly shaming borrowers
Explanation: RBI prohibits harsh recovery practices such as threatening language, repeated calls, intimidation, and public humiliation of borrowers or their relatives.
9. RBI has proposed inclusion of which of the following under eligible farm loan expenses?
A) Foreign agricultural tours
B) Luxury farmhouses
C) Real estate purchase
D) Soil testing and weather tools
E) Vehicle imports
Answer: D) Soil testing and weather tools
Explanation: RBI proposed inclusion of agri-tech expenses such as soil testing, real-time weather forecasting tools, and organic certification under Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans to promote modern agriculture.
Q10. What is India’s approximate annual domestic pulses production?
A) 3.5 crore tonnes
B) 2 crore tonnes
C) 1.5 crore tonnes
D) 2.5 crore tonnes
E) 1 crore tonnes
Answer: D) 2.5 crore tonnes
Explanation: India produces around 2.5 crore tonnes of pulses annually, while demand is approximately 3 crore tonnes. The gap is met through imports, leading to farmer concerns.
