📘 Introduction

The Daily Current Affairs – 14th February 2026 brings important updates from Banking, Economy, National Affairs, Defence, Science & Technology, and International Relations. These developments are highly relevant for aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, SBI, RBI, Railways, Defence, State PSC, and other competitive exams.

Staying updated daily helps improve General Awareness, Essay, Interview, and Objective Sections. Candidates can also revise from our Daily Current Affairs and attempt Daily Current Affairs Free Quizzes for better retention.

🏦 Banking, Finance & Business

1️⃣ Punjab National Bank Launches “Soldierathon 2026”

Why in News?
Punjab National Bank announced PNB Soldierathon 2026, a themed half marathon ahead of its 132nd Foundation Day.

Key Highlights:

• Theme: “Run with Soldiers, Run for Soldiers”
• Purpose: Honour Indian Armed Forces & promote fitness
• Part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Foundation Year: 1894

2️⃣ EximPe Gets RBI PA-CB License

Reserve Bank of India granted Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) license to EximPe.

Importance:

• Enables cross-border digital payments via UPI, cards, wallets
• Supports import & export transactions
• Target: $1 billion UPI payments in 24 months

3️⃣ Financial Inclusion 2.0 Roadmap

Shri M. Nagaraju chaired a meeting to design Financial Inclusion 2.0.

Objectives:

• Universal banking access
• Insurance & pension coverage by 2047
• Digital literacy & fraud awareness
• Credit access to women & vulnerable groups

Institutions involved: RBI, SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority), NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).

🌍 International Affairs

🇮🇳 India–UK Social Security Agreement (SSA)

United Kingdom signed SSA with India.

Key Benefits:

• No double social security contribution for 36 months
• 75,000 Indian professionals to benefit
• Certificate of Coverage (CoC) via EPFO

📊 Employment Data – PLFS Q3 FY 2025–26

Unemployment declined to 4.8%, as per National Statistics Office.

Key Data:

Exam Insight: PLFS uses Current Weekly Status (CWS).

🛡️ Defence Updates

1️⃣ DAC Approves ₹3.60 Lakh Crore Defence Procurement

Defence Acquisition Council approved major defence purchases.

Highlights:

• MRFA (Multi Role Fighter Aircraft – Rafale)
• Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav)
• P8I Maritime Aircraft
• Marine Gas Turbine Generator

2️⃣ HAL–MoD Contract for Dornier 228

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited signed ₹2,312 crore contract for 8 Dornier 228 aircraft.

Purpose:

• Coastal surveillance
• Maritime reconnaissance
• Search & Rescue

3️⃣ Indian Navy Assumes CTF-154 Command

Indian Navy took command of Combined Task Force 154 under CMF (Combined Maritime Forces).

Focus Areas:

• Maritime Domain Awareness
• Counter Piracy
• Leadership Development

🧬 Science & Technology

₹2,000 Crore BIRAC–RDI Fund Launched

Under ANRF (Anusandhan National Research Foundation), ₹1 lakh crore RDI programme launched.

Focus Areas:

• Biopharma
• Bioenergy
• Blue Economy
• Biocomputation

IN-SPACe Selects 3 Startups

IN-SPACe selected:

• Astrome Technologies
• Azista Industries
• Dhruva Space

Grant: ₹5 crore each

Purpose: Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS)

🚆 Infrastructure & Governance

Indian Railways Expansion Projects

• UP: Aunrihar–Varanasi Third Line
• Rajasthan: Ringas–Sikar Doubling
• MP: Ujjain Bypass

Total Investment: ₹1,150+ crore

XV Finance Commission Grants Released

States: Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal

Purpose:

• Strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions
• Drinking Water & Sanitation

📌 Key Highlights for Exams

1. Unemployment fell to 4.8% in Q3 FY26.
2. DAC approved ₹3.60 lakh crore defence procurement.
3. India–UK signed Social Security Agreement.
4. PNB launched Soldierathon 2026.
5. ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund operational.
6. IN-SPACe selected 3 startups under SBaaS.
7. HAL signed ₹2,312 crore Dornier contract.
8. Financial Inclusion 2.0 roadmap discussed.

📝 One-Liner Revision Points

• India’s unemployment rate: 4.8% (Q3 FY26)
• DAC approval value: ₹3.60 lakh crore
• India–UK SSA duration: 36 months exemption
• BIRAC RDI fund: ₹2,000 crore
• HAL Dornier deal: ₹2,312 crore
• PNB Foundation Year: 1894
• IN-SPACe SBaaS grant: ₹5 crore per startup
• Financial Inclusion target: Insurance & pension for all by 2047

📚 Preparation Note

Preparing for competitive exams requires consistent revision. Platforms like JobsMe simplify preparation through:

• Daily Current Affairs
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• Static GK for Competitive Exams
• Latest Government Jobs Notifications

Stay updated, revise regularly, and attempt quizzes for better accuracy in UPSC, SSC CGL, IBPS PO/Clerk, SBI, RBI Grade B, RRB NTPC, Defence, and State PSC exams.