Daily Current Affairs: 28-02-2026 | Prelims Focus

Correct answer: B.
Notes: The ‘BharatNet AI’ initiative, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, marks a significant stride in India’s digital transformation journey. Its core objective is to leverage Artificial Intelligence across various government sectors to streamline operations, enhance transparency, and deliver citizen-centric services more effectively. This ambitious project aims to create AI-powered solutions for areas like smart governance, e-health, intelligent agriculture, and predictive policing. By integrating advanced AI algorithms with the existing digital infrastructure, BharatNet AI seeks to improve decision-making processes, optimize resource allocation, and ultimately contribute to a more responsive and efficient public administration system, thereby boosting the nation’s digital capabilities and ensuring inclusive growth across all segments of society.

Correct answer: A.
Notes: In a significant development for regional cooperation, Maldives was officially admitted as the newest full member of BIMSTEC, expanding the bloc’s maritime reach and strategic importance. This move, finalized at the recent Ministerial Meeting held in Dhaka, brings the total membership to eight nations, further strengthening BIMSTEC’s position as a vital platform for economic, technical, and cultural collaboration in the Bay of Bengal region. Maldives’ inclusion is expected to enhance cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, connectivity, and maritime security, fostering greater stability and prosperity among member states. The expansion reflects a growing commitment towards regional integration and collective development amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes, reinforcing the spirit of partnership among South and Southeast Asian nations.

Correct answer: B.
Notes: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report emphasized ‘Tipping Point Cascades’ as a grave threat to global environmental stability. This term describes a perilous phenomenon where the crossing of one climate tipping point, such as the melting of Arctic permafrost or the collapse of major ice sheets, triggers a domino effect, leading to the destabilization and potential collapse of other interconnected Earth systems. For instance, permafrost melt releases greenhouse gases, accelerating warming, which further impacts ice sheets and ocean currents. Understanding these cascades is crucial because they represent irreversible changes with potentially catastrophic consequences for human societies and natural ecosystems, underscoring the urgency of drastic emission reductions and robust adaptation strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.

Correct answer: B.
Notes: The ‘Vajra Mk-II’, India’s latest indigenous fighter jet, represents a significant leap in the nation’s defence capabilities. Its most distinctive feature is the integration of advanced stealth technology, making it extremely difficult for enemy radar systems to detect. Complementing this, the Vajra Mk-II incorporates sophisticated AI-integrated autonomous flight capabilities, allowing for enhanced pilot assistance, real-time threat analysis, and semi-autonomous mission execution. This combination provides a substantial strategic advantage in modern aerial combat scenarios. The aircraft also boasts superior maneuverability, advanced sensor fusion, and multi-role combat abilities, firmly establishing India among the elite group of nations capable of designing and producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft, bolstering national security and self-reliance.

Correct answer: C.
Notes: The ‘Sarvottam Bio-fortified Wheat’, developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), marks a crucial advancement in addressing nutritional deficiencies across the nation. Its primary benefit lies in its significantly elevated levels of essential micronutrients, particularly Iron and Zinc. These two elements are vital for human health, and their deficiency leads to widespread issues like anemia and impaired immunity, especially among women and children. By naturally incorporating higher concentrations of these nutrients into the wheat grain, Sarvottam Bio-fortified Wheat offers an affordable and sustainable solution to combat malnutrition, enhancing food security not just in terms of quantity but also quality. This initiative aligns with India’s long-term goals for public health and agricultural sustainability.