Daily Current Affairs

On February 27, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu flew in the indigenously developed HAL Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand from the Jaisalmer Air Force Station, Rajasthan, becoming the first President of India to co-pilot the advanced combat helicopter.

The 25-minute sortie was accompanied by Group Captain N.S. Bahua, during which the President took an aerial view of border areas and the Pokhran Field Firing Range, and addressed the nation via radio from the cockpit.

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, flew alongside in a second LCH during the formation sortie, which soared over Gadisar Lake and Jaisalmer Fort before executing a precision strike on a designated target.

The LCH Prachand, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), was inducted into the IAF fleet in 2023 and is designed for high-altitude combat operations, reinforcing India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in defence manufacturing.

The Indian Air Force conducted its mega firepower demonstration Exercise Vayu Shakti-2026 at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on February 27, 2026.

The exercise was witnessed by President Droupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, showcasing the IAF’s combat capabilities from day-to-dusk-to-night operations.

A Chinook helicopter demonstrated underslung transport of an M777 Ultra-Light Howitzer, highlighting rapid battlefield logistics.

Defence Minister Singh described the exercise as a reflection of Aatmanirbhar Bharat’s growing multi-domain capabilities, guided by the ethos of ‘Achook, Abhedya aur Sateek’ (Accurate, Impenetrable and Precise).

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai on February 28, 2026, on a four-day official visit aimed at deepening trade, strategic, and economic ties between India and Canada.

The visit signals a reset in India-Canada bilateral relations, which had faced significant strain in recent years over diplomatic disputes.

Discussions are expected to cover trade facilitation, technology partnerships, investment flows, and cooperation in sectors of mutual interest including clean energy and digital infrastructure.

The Supreme Court of India imposed a complete ban on an NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook, ordering seizure of all physical and digital copies.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant initiated suo motu contempt proceedings, describing the content as a calculated attempt to malign the judiciary.

The Court held that selective references to corruption in the judiciary could instil institutional distrust in impressionable minds, affecting public confidence in constitutional governance.

The Indian Rupee surged to a six-month high against the US Dollar on February 28, 2026, driven by improving economic indicators and strengthened investor confidence.

Factors supporting the rally include strong foreign portfolio inflows, favourable GDP data, and a weakening dollar globally, boosting sentiment across emerging markets.

Pakistan bombed Taliban government positions in major Afghan cities, including Kabul and Kandahar, in an unprecedented escalation on February 27, 2026.

Pakistani Defence Minister stated that the ‘cup of patience has overflowed’, marking the first time Islamabad has directly attacked Taliban forces rather than allegedly Taliban-backed militants.

The strikes came in retaliation after Afghan troops attacked Pakistani border positions, escalating the Durand Line dispute into an active military confrontation.

The 4th World Ocean Science Congress 2026 was held at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Panaji, Goa, inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.

The congress was co-organised by NIO, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and Goa University under the theme ‘Ocean Health and Sustainable Future’.

Discussions focused on:

• Marine biodiversity and deep-sea mining
• Blue economy and climate change impacts on oceans
• India’s expanding role in polar and ocean research

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has entered its Super 8 phase, with matches being played across venues in India and Sri Lanka.

In a key result, South Africa defeated India by 76 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, with David Miller scoring 63 off 35 balls.

India is set to face West Indies in their next Super 8 encounter, with the tournament’s knockout phase drawing closer.

Indian chess prodigy D. Gukesh is competing at the Prague Chess Festival 2026 in the Czech Republic, one of the premier classical chess events on the calendar.

In recent rounds, Gukesh faced stiff competition but continued to demonstrate his elite-level preparation and tactical strength, drawing attention as one of the world’s most promising young grandmasters.

National Science Day is observed on February 28 every year to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928.

The day promotes scientific awareness and encourages young minds to pursue careers in science and research.

R. Nallakannu, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), passed away in February 2026 after dedicating over eight decades to public life.

He was known for his relentless efforts in organising farmers, agricultural labourers, and workers in Tamil Nadu, advocating agrarian reforms, environmental protection, and social justice.