Prelims Current Affairs includes World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day, India Hosts First BRICS Sherpas Meeting – 2026 Chairship, Dolphin Census in Odisha, Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, Dal Lake, Consumer Price Index (CPI) Base 2024=100) & BNP Claims Decisive Victory

IMPORTANT DAY

1. World Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day

Observed on 14 February.

Aim : to bring attention to and educate people about congenital heart defects.

• Congenital Heart Defects are structural problems of the heart that are present at birth.
• They affect how blood flows through the heart and to the rest of the body.

IMPORTANT DAY

2. India Hosts First BRICS Sherpas Meeting – 2026 Chairship

Current Context: India formally began its BRICS Chairship 2026 by hosting the first Sherpas and Sous Sherpas Meeting.

• Held in New Delhi from February 9–10, 2026.
• Marked the start of year-long engagements under India’s leadership.
• Chaired by Sudhakar Dalela, India’s BRICS Sherpa & Secretary (Economic Relations).
• Theme: “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

The theme reflects India’s vision of strengthening BRICS as a platform for,

• Economic stability
• Technological innovation
• Climate resilience
• Sustainable development
• Inclusive global governance

IMPORTANT DAY

3. Dolphin Census in Odisha

Current Context: Odisha has recorded its highest marine dolphin population in five years, with 765 individuals counted in the 2026 state-wide census.

About Dolphin Census in Odisha:

• The Dolphin Census is an annual scientific population estimation exercise in Odisha.
• Conducted By: It Organized by the Wildlife Wing of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Odisha.

Outcomes of 2026 Census:

• Total Population:765 dolphins (highest in 5 years).
• Key Conservation Zones:
• Chilika Lake – 159 Irrawaddy dolphins (largest single-area concentration globally).
• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary – 474 Humpback dolphins.
• Indicates stable to improving trends due to habitat protection and community participation.

HISTORY

4. Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati

Current Context: Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati on his 202nd birth anniversary, highlighting his lifelong role in social reform, education and cultural awakening.

About Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati (1824–1883):

• Born as Mool Shankar and he was a Hindu reformer and Vedic scholar.
• Founder of the Arya Samaj in 1875.
• Born in Tankara (present-day Gujarat).
• Key Ideas
• Back to the Vedas – Vedas as supreme authority.
• Opposed superstition and caste-by-birth.
• Supported women’s education and social reform.
• Promoted truth, discipline, and moral living.
• Major Work Satyarth Prakash – His most influential book.

ENVIRONMENT

5. Dal Lake

Current Context: The Jammu & Kashmir government has shelved the ₹416.72-crore Dal Lake restoration plan and proposed an in-situ conservation strategy allowing dwellers to remain within the lake ecosystem.

About:

• Dal Lake is a famous urban freshwater lake and wetland ecosystem, often called the Jewel in the crown of Kashmir. It is central to tourism, fisheries, floating agriculture, and the cultural identity of Kashmir.

Location:

• Located in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Surrounded by Mughal gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh.

Key Features:

• Covers about 18 sq km, forming part of a larger 21 sq km wetland system.
• Divided into four basins: Gagribal, Lokut Dal, Bod Dal, and Nagin.
• Known for floating gardens (Raad)used for vegetable cultivation.
• Famous for houseboats and shikaras, supporting tourism and livelihoods.
• Experiences freezing during severe winters.
• Ecologically important but faces pressures from sewage discharge, encroachment, eutrophication, and declining water circulation.

ECONOMICS

6. Consumer Price Index (CPI) Base 2024=100)

Current Context: MoSPI has released the first CPI (Base 2024=100) press note on 12 Feb 2026, reporting Jan 2026 retail inflation at 2.75%.

ABOUT CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) BASE 2024=100:

• Consumer Price Index measures the change in retail prices of a fixed basket of goods and services consumed by households, and is India’s headline retail inflation indicator (YoY % change in CPI).
• Published by:Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) through NSO (National Statistical Office). Price collection is done by the Field Operations Division (NSO).

Base year:

• New base:2024 = 100
• Earlier base:2012 = 100

APPOINTMENTS

7. BNP Claims Decisive Victory

Current Context: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed a “decisive victory” in the 2026 general elections.

• The 2026 election marks a turning point in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
• The victory positions Tarique Rahman as the likely next Prime Minister.

ABOUT TARIQUE RAHMAN

• Age: 60 years
• Eldest son of:
• Former PM Khaleda Zia
• Former President Ziaur Rahman (Founder of BNP)
• Khaleda Zia later became Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and served multiple terms.
• After Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment in 2018, Tarique became Acting Chairman of BNP.

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