TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ ‘PNB Soldierthon 2026’: Soldierthon announced ahead of 132nd Foundation Day celebrations
➤ From Puducherry to Washington DC! Doctors win Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Prize 2026
➤ ‘Stree Suraksha’ scheme launched: Over 10 lakh people in Kerala to benefit
➤ Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 begins at Bharat Mandapam
➤ Naga community bans pangolin hunting in Nagaland: a major boost to wildlife conservation
➤ The journey from South Block to Seva Teerth was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on this historic day
➤ BRICS Sherpa Meeting 2026 – First BRICS Sherpa Meeting begins in New Delhi
➤ AI Impact Summit 2026: India’s big role in indigenous AI models and data center funding
1. PNB Soldierthon 2026’: Soldierthon announced ahead of 132nd Foundation Day celebrations
Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched “PNB Soldierthon 2026” at its corporate office in Dwarka, New Delhi, marking the formal commencement of the bank’s 132nd Foundation Day celebrations. This is the second edition of PNB’s flagship marathon event, aligned with the bank’s social responsibility and nation-building efforts.
2. From Puducherry to Washington, DC! Doctors Win the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026
Dr. Haripriya Arvind and Dr. R. Venkatesh, two senior ophthalmologists from the Puducherry-based Aravind Eye Care System, have won the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for their outstanding humanitarian contributions to cataract treatment.
3. Launch of ‘Stree Suraksha’ Scheme: Over 1 million people in Kerala to benefit
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan officially launched the state government's Stree Suraksha Scheme, which aims to provide economic security to women and the transgender community. Under this scheme, unemployed women and transgender women will receive a social security pension of ₹1,000 per month.
4. Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 begins at Bharat Mandapam
The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, a symbol of India's strategic initiative in AI-enabled education, was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The conference marked the inauguration of the Bodhan AI Center of Excellence and the formal launch of the Bharat EduAI Stack to promote AI-based education across the country.
5. Naga community bans pangolin hunting in Nagaland: A major boost to wildlife conservation
The United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, the apex tribal body of the Sangtam Naga community in Nagaland, has decided to impose a complete ban on pangolin hunting and trade in its jurisdiction. This move is being considered an important community initiative towards conserving endangered wildlife in Northeast India.
6. Journey from South Block to Seva Tirtha, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated on historic day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new administrative complex, Seva Tirtha, in New Delhi on February 13, 2026, marking a significant change in India's administrative structure. Kartavya Bhawan 1 and 2 were also inaugurated on this occasion, integrating several key ministries.
7. BRICS Sherpa Meeting 2026 – First BRICS Sherpa Meeting Begins in New Delhi
India formally launched its BRICS Chairmanship 2026 by convening the first meeting of BRICS Sherpas and Su-Sherpas in New Delhi on February 9–10, 2026. This meeting marked the initial phase of India's year-long BRICS engagement.
8. AI Impact Summit 2026: India's Major Role in Indigenous AI Models and Data Center Funding
India's Indigenous AI Impact Summit 2026 is a five-day national summit where the Indian government will showcase indigenous artificial intelligence capabilities on a global platform. The summit is being organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, with active participation from startups, government institutions, and state agencies.
QUIZ – WITH EXPLANATION (EXACT)
1. The launch of "PNB Soldierthon 2026" coincides with which occasion?
A - The Bank's 75th Foundation Day
B - The Bank's 100th Foundation Day
C - The Bank's 132nd Foundation Day
D - Independence Day celebrations
Punjab National Bank launched "PNB Soldierthon 2026" at its corporate office in Dwarka, New Delhi, marking the beginning of the Bank's 132nd Foundation Day celebrations. The event, scheduled to be held on April 5, 2026.
2. The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 is given for contributions in which field?
A - Heart disease treatment
B - Cancer research
C - Cataract treatment
D - Child health
Dr. Haripriya Arvind and Dr. R. Venkatesh, two senior ophthalmologists at the Puducherry-based Aravind Eye Care System, have been honored with the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for their outstanding humanitarian contributions to cataract treatment.
3. Which state government has launched the Stree Suraksha Yojana?
A - Tamil Nadu
B - Karnataka
C - Kerala
D - Andhra Pradesh
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched the Stree Suraksha Yojana, under which unemployed women and transgender women will be provided a social security pension of ₹1,000 per month.
4. Where was the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 held?
A - Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
B - Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
C - Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
D - Hyderabad International Convention Centre
The Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, is a significant initiative by India in the field of AI-enabled education.
5. In which state has a ban been imposed on pangolin hunting and trade?
A - Manipur
B - Nagaland
C - Mizoram
D - Assam
The United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, the apex tribal body of the Sangtam Naga community in Nagaland, has imposed a complete ban on pangolin hunting and trade in its territory.
6. What is the motto inscribed on the Seva Tirtha complex?
A - Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas
B - Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
C - Citizens are Gods
D - Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
On February 13, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new administrative complex, Seva Tirtha, in New Delhi, symbolizing the modernization of India's administrative structure.
7. Where was the first meeting of the BRICS Sherpas and Su-Sherpas held in 2026?
A - Mumbai
B - New Delhi
C - Bengaluru
D - Hyderabad
India formally launched its BRICS Chairmanship 2026 by holding the first meeting of the BRICS Sherpas and Su-Sherpas in New Delhi on February 9–10, 2026.
8. Under the guidance of which ministry is the AI Impact Summit 2026 being organized?
A - Ministry of Education
B - Ministry of Science and Technology
C - Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
D - Ministry of Commerce and Industry
India's Indigenous AI Impact Summit 2026 is a five-day national summit aimed at showcasing indigenous artificial intelligence solutions developed in India on a global platform.
ONE LINER (EXACT)
Who was awarded the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 for their humanitarian contributions to cataract treatment? – Dr. Haripriya Arvind and Dr. R. Venkatesh
The theme "Run with Soldiers, Run for Soldiers" is associated with which event? – PNB Soldierthon 2026
How much monthly pension will be provided by the Kerala government under the Stree Suraksha Yojana? – ₹1,000 per month
Which tribal organization banned pangolin poaching in Nagaland? – United Sangtam Likhum Pumji (USLP)
The PNB Soldierthon 2026 marks the beginning of what occasion? – Punjab National Bank's 132nd Foundation Day celebrations.
What is the stated theme of India's BRICS presidency in 2026? – Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainability
Which list lists all pangolin species internationally? – CITES Appendix-I
On what date was Seva Tirtha, which also holds historical significance, inaugurated? – February 13, 2026
Where was the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026 held? – Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
What is the objective of the Bharat EduAI Stack? – Promoting AI-enabled education across the country