Daily Current Affairs- 24th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 24th February 2026

PM Modi’s Historic Israel Visit: First Indian Leader to Address the Knesset Plenum

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to Israel, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Israeli Knesset plenum. Modi held high-level talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, marking a major milestone in India-Israel relations. The visit comes nine years after his historic 2017 trip and amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Key Points:

• Historic Knesset Address: Modi addressed the Knesset plenum at 5:00 PM local time on February 25, 2026 — the first Indian PM ever to do so. The special parliamentary session was attended by Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, PM Netanyahu, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, and their respective spouses.
• Official Programme at the Knesset: The visit began at 16:30 with a welcome ceremony in the Weil Courtyard, followed by signing the guestbook in the Chagall State Hall at 16:35, a joint photograph session, and the special plenary session at 17:00 in Modi's honour.
• India-Israel Relations Background: India formally established diplomatic ties with Israel in January 1992. Since then, cooperation has expanded across defence, agriculture, water technology, and trade. India is currently Israel's second-largest Asian trading partner, with bilateral trade rising from $200 million in 1992 to $6.5 billion in 2024.
• Domestic Political Controversy in Israel: The visit became entangled in Israel's internal politics. Opposition leader Yair Lapid threatened to boycott the special session unless Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit was invited per parliamentary convention. The dispute is linked to the ongoing judicial reform controversy deeply polarising Israeli politics.
• India's Evolving Stance on Palestine: India's position on Palestine has shifted considerably — from Gandhi and Nehru's strong pro-Palestinian stance (voting against Israel's UN membership in 1949) to the current Modi era of open strategic partnership with Israel. India joined over 100 nations in condemning Israel's expansion in the occupied West Bank just days before Modi's visit.
• Second Visit to Israel: This is Modi's second visit to Israel, following his landmark 2017 trip which was itself historic as the first ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. Netanyahu also visited New Delhi in January 2018.

Nidhi Chhibber Takes Charge as NITI Aayog CEO After BVR Subrahmanyam’s Term Ends

In the News: Senior IAS officer Nidhi Chhibber took additional charge as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog following the completion of BVR Subrahmanyam's extended three-year tenure on February 24, 2026. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued the order, appointing Chhibber on an interim basis till a regular incumbent is appointed.

Key Points:

• Nidhi Chhibber – New NITI Aayog CEO: Nidhi Chhibber has been assigned additional charge as CEO of NITI Aayog. She is a 1994-batch IAS officer of the Chhattisgarh cadre and currently serves as Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under NITI Aayog. She will hold the charge until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders.
• Previous Role & Experience: As DG of DMEO, Chhibber has been responsible for outcome-based monitoring and evaluation of flagship government programmes. She previously served as Chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), bringing expertise in education sector reforms and data-driven policy evaluation.
• BVR Subrahmanyam's Tenure Ends: BVR Subrahmanyam, a 1987-batch IAS officer (Retired) of the Chhattisgarh cadre, was appointed NITI Aayog CEO on February 20, 2023. His initial two-year term ending February 24, 2025, was extended by one year and finally concluded on February 24, 2026. During his tenure, he focused on policy coordination, reform implementation, and served earlier as Chief Secretary of J&K, Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, and had a stint at the World Bank.
• About NITI Aayog: NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) was established on January 1, 2015 by the Modi government, replacing the erstwhile Planning Commission. It serves as the Government of India's premier policy think tank, promoting cooperative federalism by involving state governments in economic policy-making. Prime Minister Narendra Modi serves as its Chairperson, with Suman K Bery as Vice Chairman.
• Key Members of NITI Aayog: Full-time members include Dr V K Saraswat, Dr V K Paul, Dr Rajiv Gauba, Ramesh Chand, and Arvind Virmani. The CEO heads the executive operations of the institution.

India Drops Most Favoured Nation Status in France In Tax Pact

In the News: India has removed the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause from its tax treaty with France. The revised India-France Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) was announced in February 2026, days after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India, during which the two nations elevated their relationship to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership". The updated treaty changes dividend tax rates, redefines capital gains taxation, and incorporates global anti-tax avoidance (BEPS) standards.

Key Points:

• What is the MFN Clause? The Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in a tax treaty automatically extends lower tax rates or better terms that India grants to any other country to the treaty partner — without fresh negotiations. Under the old India-France DTAC (signed in 1992), France could automatically claim the benefit of any lower tax rate India offered to another OECD member country.
• Why Was the MFN Clause Removed? India's Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that MFN benefits cannot be applied automatically and require a formal government notification. The MFN removal aligns the treaty with this ruling and with India's current treaty policy. It reduces long-running tax disputes, prevents automatic application of future treaty benefits, brings legal clarity, and protects India's taxation rights.
• Revised Dividend Tax Rates: Under the new treaty, French companies holding at least 10% stake in an Indian company will pay 5% tax on dividends — reduced from the earlier 10%. However, French investors holding less than 10% stake will now face a higher dividend tax of 15%, up from the earlier 10%. Major French companies like Sanofi, Renault, and L'Oreal with significant India investments could benefit from the lower rate.
• BEPS Provisions Added: The revised treaty incorporates global anti-tax avoidance standards under BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting), including prevention of profit shifting, stronger permanent establishment rules, clear definition of fees for technical services, and better exchange of tax information between India and France.
• India-France Bilateral Context: The treaty revision was welcomed in a joint statement on February 17, 2026, during Macron's India visit. Bilateral trade between India and France stood at $15 billion in 2025. As of January 2026, France-based foreign portfolio investors held shares worth $21 billion in Indian companies. The two nations also deepened cooperation in defence and space technology during the visit.

Delhi Airport Ranked 5th in Apac Busiest Airports 2025

In the News: According to the latest OAG (Official Aviation Guide) data for 2025, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has been ranked the 5th-busiest airport in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, recording 46.18 million one-way departing seats. This marks a dramatic rise from its 9th position in 2019, overtaking major global aviation hubs including Singapore Changi, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, and Seoul Incheon. The surge reflects India's booming domestic air travel demand and aggressive capacity expansion by carriers like IndiGo.

Key Points:

• Delhi Airport's 2025 Ranking: Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has been ranked 5th among the busiest airports in the Asia Pacific region in 2025, according to OAG data. The airport recorded 46.18 million one-way departing seats, a sharp rise from its 9th position in 2019 — before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• About OAG Data & Methodology: OAG (Official Aviation Guide) is a leading global aviation data and analytics provider. The rankings are based on scheduled airline seat supply (one-way departing seat capacity), not actual passenger footfall. This measures the total capacity offered by airlines operating from each airport.
• Airports Overtaken by Delhi in 2025: Delhi airport surpassed three major established APAC aviation hubs — Seoul Incheon International Airport (43.40 million seats), Singapore Changi Airport (42.57 million seats), and Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (39.49 million seats). In 2019, all three airports were significantly busier than Delhi.
• Key Drivers of Growth: The dramatic ranking improvement is attributed to India's rapidly expanding middle class, affordable airfares driven by low-cost carriers, improved airport infrastructure, and aggressive capacity expansion by IndiGo — India's largest airline. Both domestic and international routes contributed to seat capacity growth.
• India's Post-Pandemic Aviation Boom: The jump from 9th in 2019 to 5th in 2025 reflects a structural transformation in India's aviation sector. India's air travel market has grown faster than most APAC peers post-pandemic, driven by rising aspirational travel demand, government infrastructure push, and airline fleet expansion.
• About Indira Gandhi International Airport: Located in New Delhi, IGIA is India's busiest and one of South Asia's largest airports. It is operated by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Group-led consortium. The airport serves as a major hub for both domestic and international air travel in India.

‘Boong’ Puts India on the Map with First-Ever BAFTA Children’s Film Award

In the News: At the 79th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA 2026) held in London, the Manipuri-language film Boong made history by winning the Best Children's and Family Film award — becoming the first Indian film ever to win in this category. Directed by Lakshmipriya Devi in her feature debut and produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani's Excel Entertainment, the film beat major Hollywood titles including Disney's Lilo & Stitch and Zootopia 2.

Key Points:

• Historic BAFTA Win: Boong won the Best Children's and Family Film award at the 79th BAFTA Awards 2026. It is the first Indian film ever to win in this category at the British Academy Film Awards. It was also the only Indian film nominated at BAFTA 2026. Farhan Akhtar attended the ceremony and collected the award on behalf of the team.
• About BAFTA: BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards are among the most prestigious film honours globally, often described as the UK equivalent of the Oscars. Winning a BAFTA significantly boosts a film's global visibility and credibility.
• Director – Lakshmipriya Devi: Boong marks the feature film debut of writer-director Lakshmipriya Devi. Her direction has been widely praised for capturing Manipur's landscape, culture, and emotional depth, bringing Northeast India's stories to the international stage. She also received a nomination for Best Debut Director at the 55th International Film Festival of India.
• Production & Cast: The film is produced by Farhan Akhtar, Ritesh Sidhwani, Alan McAlex, Vikesh Bhutani, and Shujaat Saudagar under the banners of Excel Entertainment, Chalkboard Entertainment, and Suitable Pictures. Newcomer Gugun Kipgen plays the lead role of Boong (Brojendro), with Bala Hijam as his mother Mandakini. The film runs for 94 minutes.
• Global Film Festival Journey: Before its BAFTA win, Boong premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in the Discovery section. It was subsequently screened at Warsaw International Film Festival, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Adelaide Film Festival, MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, 55th International Film Festival of India, and Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025.
• Previous Awards & Recognition: Prior to BAFTA, Boong won the Best Youth Film award at the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards in Australia and received honours at the International South Asian Film Festival in Canada. The film's global festival run built significant momentum leading to its historic BAFTA triumph.

Sachin Tendulkar Named UN Global Road Safety Champion

In the News: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has been designated a 'Global Champion for Road Safety' by the United Nations, joining a group of prominent international figures advocating for safer roads worldwide. The announcement was marked by the release of a video message in which Tendulkar urged citizens to adopt responsible driving habits and prioritise road safety. The initiative is part of broader UN efforts to reduce road traffic fatalities globally, including in India.

Key Points:

• UN Designation: Sachin Tendulkar has been officially designated as a 'Global Champion for Road Safety' by the United Nations. He joins a group of prominent international figures who advocate for safer roads as part of the UN's global road safety campaign. The core message of his advocacy is 'Every life matters.'
• Tendulkar's Appeal: In a video message released on the occasion, Tendulkar emphasised that discipline and awareness are essential not just in sport but also on roads. He urged citizens to wear seat belts, use helmets, stay alert, and respect traffic rules — stressing that such everyday actions can prevent fatalities. He highlighted that road crash fatality rates remain disproportionately high compared to vehicle volumes.
• UN Decade of Action for Road Safety: Tendulkar's designation is part of the UN's broader Decade of Action for Road Safety initiative, which aims to halve global road traffic deaths through improved enforcement, infrastructure development, and public awareness campaigns. Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death globally, especially among young people.
• UN Support for Indian States: UN entities in India, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have launched a programme providing financial and technical assistance to four states — Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam. These states have been selected for establishing institutional mechanisms to systematically address road safety challenges.
• Focus Areas of the State Programme: The UN-backed programme focuses on improving accident blackspots (high-risk road locations with frequent accidents), creating safer school zones, enhancing pedestrian and cycling facilities, and strengthening post-crash emergency care systems in the four selected states.

Mumbai Airport Wins Asia-Pacific Best Departure Award

In the News: Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) has been recognised as Asia-Pacific's Best Airport for Departures in the over 40-million passengers category at the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Customer Experience Awards. The award was presented by Airports Council International (ACI) and is based entirely on passenger feedback collected under ACI's globally benchmarked and independently audited ASQ programme.

Key Points:

• The Award & Awarding Body: CSMIA won the Asia-Pacific Best Airport for Departures award in the over 40-million passengers category at the 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards. The award is presented by Airports Council International (ACI) — the global trade representative of the world's airports. The recognition is based entirely on passenger feedback, making it a direct reflection of traveller satisfaction.
• About the ASQ Programme: The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) programme by ACI is a globally benchmarked and independently audited framework that evaluates the complete outbound passenger experience. It assesses terminal access, check-in efficiency, security processes, boarding, ambience, retail and dining offerings, cleanliness, and staff responsiveness.
• About CSMIA: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai is the world's busiest single-runway airport by annual passenger traffic. It is operated by Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL), a joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings Limited and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), with the Adani Group holding a majority stake.
• International Passenger Facilities: For international travellers, the Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) facilitates expedited immigration clearance, further enhancing the departure experience for frequent international flyers.
• Art & Cultural Integration – Terminal 2: Beyond operational upgrades, CSMIA integrates culture into its infrastructure. Terminal 2 houses the 3.2-kilometre 'Artbeat of New India' museum corridor, featuring over 5,500 artefacts and more than 100 installations. This cultural dimension distinguishes the airport's departure experience and enhances its identity as a gateway to India.

Proponent of temple entry, critic of Hindi policy: Story of C. Rajagopalachari

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu unveiled a statue of C. Rajagopalachari (popularly known as Rajaji or CR) in the central courtyard of Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the bust of British architect Edwin Lutyens. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the change, honouring Rajaji as a statesman who saw power as service. The unveiling has renewed attention to Rajaji's remarkable life — from freedom fighter and social reformer to founder of the Swatantra Party and recipient of the Bharat Ratna.

Key Points:

• Early Life & Political Beginnings: C. Rajagopalachari was born in December 1878 in Thorapalli village, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu (then Madras Presidency). He studied law in Madras and became politically active early — attending the 1906 and 1907 Congress sessions, being elected Chairman of Salem Municipal Council in 1917, and joining Annie Besant's Home Rule League in 1916.
• Role in the Independence Movement: Rajaji was one of Mahatma Gandhi's closest associates, whom Gandhi called his 'conscience keeper.' He supported the Rowlatt Satyagraha (1919), led the Non-Cooperation Movement in Tamil Nadu (1920), gave up his legal practice, and led the Salt Satyagraha in the South in April 1930 — marching from Trichy to Vedaranyam. He was imprisoned multiple times for his activism.
• The Rajaji Formula (1942): During the Quit India Movement of 1942, Rajaji publicly disagreed with Gandhi, arguing that a Congress–Muslim League understanding was essential. He proposed what came to be known as the Rajaji Formula — a plan for Congress-League cooperation in forming a provisional government, with a plebiscite on Pakistan to be held after the transfer of power.
• Stance on Hindi Imposition: In 1938, as Premier of Madras, Rajaji introduced compulsory Hindi in classes 6–8, drawing intense protests. In later years, especially during the 1965 anti-Hindi agitations in Tamil Nadu, he strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi as the sole official language.
• Champion of Temple Entry: Rajaji was a leading advocate for Dalit rights and temple entry. As Premier of Madras (1938), he backed legislation making discrimination in employment, education, and public spaces a punishable offence. He supported the Temple Entry Bill and directly encouraged the opening of temples to Dalits — including the famed Meenakshi Temple in Madura in 1939. The Temple Entry Authorisation and Indemnity Bill (1939) was drafted under his leadership, resulting in temples across Tanjore and other regions being opened to Dalits.
• Key Constitutional & Administrative Roles: Rajaji served as Premier of Madras after Congress won under the Government of India Act, 1935. In 1948, he succeeded Lord Mountbatten as Governor-General — becoming the only Indian to hold the post before India became a republic. He proclaimed the Republic of India on January 26, 1950, and later served as Chief Minister of Madras state (1952–54) and Home Minister under Jawaharlal Nehru (1950–51).
• Founder of the Swatantra Party (1959): Disillusioned with the Congress party's statist and centralising policies, Rajaji founded the Swatantra Party in August 1959 as a democratic 'brake' to oppose Nehruvian socialism.
• Legacy & Honours: Rajaji was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954 — India's highest civilian honour.