Current Affairs 18 February, 2026 Quiz
Indian Polity (Questions 1-5)
1. The Election Commission of India on 18 February 2026 announced biennial elections to fill how many Rajya Sabha seats falling vacant in April 2026 across 10 states?
(A) 27
(B) 37
(C) 47
(D) 57
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The vacancies arise as terms of 37 members end in April 2026; polling is scheduled for 16 March 2026 with notification on 26 February.
2. Polling for the 37 Rajya Sabha seats announced on 18 February 2026 is scheduled on:
(A) 5 March
(B) 10 March
(C) 16 March
(D) 26 February
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Voting will be held on 16 March with counting the same day; the process concludes by 20 March.
3. The last date for filing nominations for the Rajya Sabha biennial elections announced on 18 February 2026 is:
(A) 26 February
(B) 5 March
(C) 6 March
(D) 16 March
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Scrutiny is on 6 March as per the schedule released by ECI on 18 February.
4. Which of the following states is NOT among the 10 states for which 37 Rajya Sabha seats were announced for election on 18 February 2026?
(A) Bihar
(B) Telangana
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Gujarat
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The states are Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.
5. The Rajya Sabha election notification for the 37 seats will be issued on:
(A) 18 February
(B) 20 February
(C) 26 February
(D) 5 March
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Standard ECI schedule released on 18 February 2026.
Geopolitics (Questions 6-10)
6. On 18 February 2026, which country announced the complete withdrawal of all remaining military troops from Syria, formally ending its 12-year presence?
(A) Russia
(B) Turkey
(C) United States
(D) Iran
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This marks the end of US intervention in the Syrian conflict that began in 2014.
7. Who was re-appointed Prime Minister of Japan by the House of Representatives on 18 February 2026 following the legislative election?
(A) Sanae Takaichi
(B) Shigeru Ishiba
(C) Fumio Kishida
(D) Yoshihiko Noda
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Takaichi has expressed interest in cooperating with the US on rare earths development.
8. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Geneva on 18 February 2026 ended abruptly without resolution. Who accused Russia of delaying progress?
(A) US President
(B) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
(C) UN Secretary-General
(D) French President
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The talks were part of ongoing efforts amid geopolitical tensions.
9. Sanae Takaichi (re-appointed Japanese PM) has expressed desire to cooperate with the US in development of:
(A) Semiconductor chips
(B) Hypersonic missiles
(C) Quantum computing
(D) Rare earths
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Strategic move to reduce dependence on China.
10. The Epstein files on 18 February 2026 rattled the foundations of which country’s upper house of parliament?
(A) France
(B) Japan’s House of Councillors
(C) Britain’s House of Lords
(D) Australia’s Senate
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Ongoing impact of the files on British politics.
World News (Questions 11-15)
11. On 17-18 February 2026, India and France elevated their bilateral ties to:
(A) Special Global Strategic Partnership
(B) Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
(C) Indo-Pacific Strategic Alliance
(D) Global Innovation Partnership
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Announced during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit; includes renewal of defence cooperation for another 10 years.
12. During the India-France bilateral engagement (reported 18 February 2026), the two countries jointly inaugurated:
(A) India-France Year of Defence
(B) Climate Action Decade
(C) AI Defence Corridor
(D) 2026 India–France Year of Innovation
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Focus on collaborations in innovation, science, technology, startups and students.
13. India on 18 February 2026 began easing restrictions (imposed since 2020) on imports of Chinese equipment for which two sectors due to project delays?
(A) Defence and Electronics
(B) Railways and Ports
(C) Power and Coal
(D) Telecom and IT
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: A panel approved limited waivers for state-run companies.
14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (18 February) with the President of:
(A) France
(B) Serbia
(C) Japan
(D) Brazil
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i? met PM Modi in Delhi.
15. Over 20 countries were set to attend US President Trump’s “Board of Peace” meeting on Gaza (announced 18 February 2026) with pledges exceeding:
(A) $1 billion
(B) $5 billion
(C) $10 billion
(D) $2 billion
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: For reconstruction and humanitarian efforts plus stabilisation force.
Current Affairs (Questions 16-23)
16. A gas explosion at a lead mine in Bashar, Plateau State, Nigeria on 18 February 2026 killed at least:
(A) 12
(B) 27
(C) 38
(D) 50
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: 27 others were injured; one of the major disasters reported that day.
17. An explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in Xiangyang, Hubei, China on 18 February 2026 killed:
(A) 8
(B) 12
(C) 20
(D) 38
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The incident occurred during Lunar New Year preparations.
18. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 18 February highlighted the gap in AI adoption between Global North and Global South, noting that adoption in the Global North is roughly:
(A) Same
(B) Half
(C) Twice
(D) Three times
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Microsoft highlighted the widening gap during summit sessions.
19. Government officials cautioned exhibitors at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 (18 February) against displaying items that:
(A) Aren’t actually developed by them (to avoid plagiarism claims)
(B) Are imported without disclosure
(C) Cost more than ?10 lakh
(D) Are only software-based
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Direct response to the Galgotias University controversy.
20. On 18 February 2026, tech leaders at the India AI Impact Summit called for:
(A) Complete ban on AI in education
(B) Equitable, collaborative and responsible development of AI with focus on Global South
(C) Only private sector control of AI
(D) Restriction of AI to defence only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Key theme of the summit hosted by India as the first major AI gathering in the Global South.
21. Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on 18 February after a professor presented a robotic dog named ‘Orion’ as the university’s own innovation. The robot was actually manufactured by which Chinese company?
(A) Unitree Robotics (Go2 model)
(B) Xiaomi
(C) DJI
(D) Huawei
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The incident sparked backlash and the university issued a clarification that it never claimed ownership.
22. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 (ongoing on 18 February) was extended by one day till:
(A) 21 February
(B) 22 February
(C) 23 February
(D) 24 February
Correct Answer: A. 21 February
Explanation: Due to overwhelming response, as announced by IT Secretary on 18 February.
23. On 18 February 2026, the Research Symposium at the India AI Impact Summit focused on:
(A) Defence AI applications
(B) Space technology
(C) Only startup funding
(D) Cutting-edge AI research and evidence-based policy insights
Correct Answer: D. Cutting-edge AI research and evidence-based policy insights
Explanation: Organised with IIIT-Hyderabad as knowledge partner.
Sports (Questions 24-27)
24. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group A match on 18 February at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India defeated Netherlands by:
(A) 7 runs
(B) 17 runs
(C) 27 runs
(D) 5 wickets
Correct Answer: B. 17 runs
Explanation: India posted 193/6; Netherlands managed 176/7.
25. Who was named Player of the Match in India vs Netherlands T20 World Cup match on 18 February 2026?
(A) Suryakumar Yadav
(B) Varun Chakravarthy
(C) Shivam Dube
(D) Jasprit Bumrah
Correct Answer: C. Shivam Dube
Explanation: Dube scored 66 and took 2 wickets (part-time bowling).
26. India’s score in the T20 World Cup match against Netherlands on 18 February 2026 was:
(A) 176/7
(B) 193/6
(C) 210/5
(D) 183/8
Correct Answer: B. 193/6
Explanation: India elected to bat first and maintained their perfect 4-0 group record.
27. Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling figures in India’s T20 World Cup win over Netherlands on 18 February 2026 were:
(A) 3/14
(B) 2/19
(C) 4/22
(D) 1/17
Correct Answer: A. 3/14
Explanation: He was the most economical and effective bowler.