UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 February 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 22 February 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 February 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Merchandise Trade Indices

February 22, 2026
Merchandise Trade Indices

Merchandise Trade Indices Latest News

Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics revised base year of Merchandise Trade Indices to FY 2022–23 to reflect current trade structure and global patterns.

About Merchandise Trade Indices

  • It is compiled and published by the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
  • Purpose: It measures changes in the unit values (prices) of India’s exports and imports over time.
  • Base Year: It was revised from FY 2012–13 to FY 2022–23.
  • The revised series includes
    • Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Indices (Export Unit Value Index,Import Unit Value Index).
    • Principal Commodity (PC) Classification wise Trade Indices (Export/Import).
    • Standard International Trade Classification-wise (SITC) Trade Indices.
    • Broad economic categories-wise (BEC) Trade Indices.
    • Bilateral and Region-wise Trade Indices of Top 20 Export and Import partner nations of India.
    • Terms of Trade (Gross terms of trade, Net terms of trade and Income terms of trade).
  • Significance: These indices serve as important indicators of external sector price movements and are widely used for economic analysis, including national accounts compilation and assessment of terms of trade.

Source: PIB

Merchandise Trade Indices FAQs

Q1: What is the primary purpose of Merchandise Trade Indices?

Ans: To measure changes in unit values (prices) of exports and imports

Q2: Which organization compiles and publishes Merchandise Trade Indices in India?

Ans: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S)

Floreana Island

February 22, 2026
Key Facts about Floreana Island

Floreana Island Latest News

More than 150 giant tortoises have been recently reintroduced to Floreana Island in Ecuador's famed Galapagos archipelago, where they disappeared more than a century ago.

About Floreana Island

  • Floreana, officially "Santa Maria," is located on the southern end of the Galápagos Archipelago off the west coast of continental Ecuador. 
  • Spanning approximately 173 sq.km., it is a volcanic landmass.
  • Situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean — roughly 1,000 kilometers from the mainland coast — it remains a remote and vital ecological site.
  • It supports a range of habitats, including coastal lagoons, volcanic highlands, and offshore reefs.
  • It was the first island to be colonized by Ecuadorians in 1832. It was a penal colony that didn’t last long because of the lack of fresh water. 
  • Today, only around 150 people live here, most in the small coastal settlement of Puerto Velasco Ibarra, one of the smallest and most isolated communities in the Galapagos.
  • The majority of the inhabitants of Floreana Island still make a living through farming. 
  • The main water source for the entire island is one natural pond that only fills up during the rainy season.
  • It is known for the historic Post Office Bay, where a barrel mail system (dating to the 18th century) is still used by visitors.
  • Of all the Galápagos Islands, Floreana is the one most affected by the presence of humans and their introduction of goats, which ended up roaming loose on the island for many years. 
  • The goats and some other non-native species were completely removed by the Galápagos National Park in 2007.
  • It has the highest concentration of species threatened by invasive mammals of any Galápagos Island, with 54 IUCN Red-Listed species present.

Source: ETVB

Floreana Island FAQs

Q1: Where is Floreana Island located?

Ans: At the southern end of the Galápagos Archipelago, off the west coast of Ecuador.

Q2: What is the official name of Floreana Island?

Ans: Santa Maria.

Q3: What types of habitats are found on Floreana Island?

Ans: Coastal lagoons, volcanic highlands, and offshore reefs.

Q4: When was Floreana Island first colonized by Ecuadorians?

Ans: In 1832.

Q5: Why is Floreana Island ecologically significant among the Galápagos Islands?

Ans: It has the highest concentration of species threatened by invasive mammals, with 54 IUCN Red-listed species.

Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026

February 22, 2026
Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026

Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 Latest News

The Indian and US armies will hold the 16th edition of joint Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar, at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

About Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026

  • It is the joint Special Forces exercise between the Indian Army and US Army.
  • The exercise is designed to deepen defence cooperation, enhance interoperability and joint operational readiness, and enable the exchange of advanced special operations tactics, techniques, and procedures.
  • The year 2026 marks the 16th edition of the exercise.
    • It will be held at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
    • The focus this year will be on the exchange of advanced special operations tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), honed through rigorous training in realistic combat scenarios.
    • It will place strong emphasis on counter-terror operations, precision strikes, intelligence-based missions, and joint planning under simulated battlefield conditions.

Source: RW

 

Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 FAQs

Q1: Exercise Vajra Prahar is conducted between the armed forces of which two countries?

Ans: India and the United States.

Q2: What is the primary objective of Exercise Vajra Prahar?

Ans: To enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and joint operational readiness.

Q3: Where will the 2026 edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar be held?

Ans: At the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.

Q4: Which edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar is being conducted in 2026?

Ans: The 16th edition.

Taftan Volcano

February 22, 2026
Taftan Volcano

Taftan Volcano Latest News

Taftan Volcano in southeastern Iran has nudged upward by about 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) in 10 months.

About Taftan Volcano

  • It is a stratovolcano located in southeastern Iran, close to the border with Pakistan.
  • It rises approximately 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) above sea level, making it the tallest mountain in southeastern Iran. 
  • The volcano contains two summits (Narkuh and Matherkuh).
  • It hosts an active hydrothermal system and smelly, sulfur-emitting vents called fumaroles.
  • It is the only active volcano in the Makran continental volcanic arc formed by the subduction of the Arabian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate.
  • It isn't known to have erupted in human history.
  • Geologists estimate that its last major eruption occurred around 700,000 years ago, long before the emergence of Homo sapiens.
  • Today, it still vents heat and gas through fumaroles near its summit, evidence that geothermal activity persists below.

Source: EARTH

 

Taftan Volcano FAQs

Q1: Where is Taftan Volcano located?

Ans: In southeastern Iran, near the border with Pakistan.

Q2: What type of volcano is Taftan?

Ans: A stratovolcano.

Q3: What is the significance of Taftan’s elevation in southeastern Iran?

Ans: It is the tallest mountain in southeastern Iran.

Q4: What are fumaroles?

Ans: Vents that release hot gases and sulfur from beneath the Earth’s surface.

Red Sanders

February 22, 2026
Red Sanders

Red Sanders Latest News

Recently, forest officials said that the busy Tirupati pilgrimage route makes Red Sanders smuggling easy in south Andhra Pradesh.

About Red Sanders

  • Red Sanders Pterocarpus santalinus, or Red Sandalwood, is an endemic tree species with distribution restricted to the Eastern Ghats of India.
  • Required Climatic Conditions: It usually grows in rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and a hot and dry climate.
  • Characteristics of  Red Sanders
    • The species is also fire-hardy and resistant to droughts. 
    • Maturity: It takes 25-40 years to reach maturity being a slow-growing species.
    • The Red Sanders wood is a bit brittle when compared to other timber such as teak.
  • Applications
    • 'Santalin' is a natural dye obtained from its heartwood and is used in pharmaceutical preparations, food articles, leather, and textile industries.
    • Wood can be used for the perfume industry, medicinal purposes.
  • Threats: It has been under heavy threat due to its high commercial value, leading to rampant smuggling.

Conservation Status of  Red Sanders

  • IUCN: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix II
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule IV

Source: DTE

Red Sanders FAQs

Q1: Where is Red Sandalwood primarily found in India?

Ans: Eastern Ghats

Q2: What is Red Sandalwood also known as?

Ans: Pterocarpus santalinus

Rwanda

February 22, 2026
Key Facts about Rwanda

Rwanda Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology said India is ready to deepen its engagement with Rwanda in emerging technologies, innovation ecosystems and next-generation sectors including AI, biotechnology, and nuclear energy.

About Rwanda

  • Location: It is a landlocked country located south of the equator in east-central Africa.
  • It is part of the Great Rift Valley region of Africa.
  • It is often referred to as the “land of a thousand hills”, Rwanda’s landscape is mostly hilly and mountainous. 
  • Borders: It shares a border with the four nations of Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
  • Capital: Kigali
  • Population: The Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups make up most of the country’s population. 

Geographical Features of Rwanda

  • Major Moutain Ranges: Albertine Rift and Virunga.
  • Highest Peak: Mount Karisimbi which is 4,507 m tall. 
  • Major Rivers: Two major African rivers, the Nile and the Congo, flow through Rwanda. 
  • Other major rivers are Kagera, Nyabarongo, Ruzizi, Luhwa, and Akanyaru.
  • Lake: Lake Kivu which is located on the western border of the country with DRC.
  • Natural Resources: Rwanda has a few deposits of gold, tin ore, tungsten ore, and methane.

Source: PIB

Rwanda FAQs

Q1: What is the capital of Rwanda?

Ans: Kigali

Q2: Which ethnic group is the majority in Rwanda?

Ans: Hutu and Tutsi

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