Current Affairs MCQs 16 February 2026
Add as a preferred Source on GoogleCurrent Affairs MCQs 16 February 2026 are provided here with detailed answers and explanations. These questions are designed to help students preparing for APPSC and other competitive exams. Practice these daily current affairs quizzes to strengthen your exam preparation.
Q1. With reference to the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF), recently approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following statements:
1. It provides 100% Central funding for selected urban infrastructure projects.
2. Central assistance will cover 25% of the project cost.
3. The scheme aims to leverage market finance such as municipal bonds and PPPs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Under the Urban Challenge Fund, Central assistance will cover only 25% of the project cost, not 100%. The scheme promotes market-linked financing by mandating that at least 50% of the funding be raised through sources such as municipal bonds, bank loans and public-private partnerships.
Q2. In the Andhra Pradesh Budget 2026–27, which sector received the highest allocation?
A. Health
B. Backward Classes Welfare
C. School Education
D. Housing
Show Answer
Answer: C. School Education
Explanation: In the A.P. Budget 2026–27, school education received the highest allocation of over ₹32,300 crore, reflecting the State government’s emphasis on human capital development and long-term socio-economic growth.
Q3. The A.K. Ramanujan Prize, recently in the news, was awarded to two West Bengal academics for translating the works of which Dalit poet into English?
A. Bama
B. Kalyani Thakur Charal
C. Meena Kandasamy
D. Sukirtharani
Show Answer
Answer: B. Kalyani Thakur Charal
Explanation: Sipra Mukherjee and Mrinmoy Pramanick won the A.K. Ramanujan Prize for translating into English the poems of Dalit poet Kalyani Thakur Charal in the anthology “I Belong to Nowhere.” They became the first Bengalis to receive this honour.
Q4. According to a recent IIT Gandhinagar study, what is the primary reason for the decline in streamflow in the Ganga basin between 1980 and 2021?
A. Increased glacier melt
B. Intensive groundwater extraction for irrigation
C. Construction of large dams
D. Reduced snowmelt from the Himalayas
Show Answer
Answer: B. Intensive groundwater extraction for irrigation
Explanation: The study found that 60–80% of the decline in streamflow in major Ganga sub-basins is due to excessive groundwater pumping, which reduces the base flow that normally feeds rivers, especially during dry periods.
Q5. In the Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Budget 2026–27, the highest allocation of ₹14,277 crore was made for which of the following sectors?
A. Crop insurance scheme
B. Electricity subsidy for farmers
C. Irrigation projects
D. Horticulture development
Show Answer
Answer: C. Irrigation projects
Explanation: The Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Budget 2026–27 earmarked ₹14,277 crore for irrigation projects, aimed at completing pending works, desilting canals, and ensuring water security for the agricultural sector.
Q6. Kathputli, a traditional puppetry form, is associated with which of the following States?
A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh
Show Answer
Answer: B. Rajasthan
Explanation: Kathputli is the famous traditional string puppetry form of Rajasthan. It is one of the oldest forms of puppetry in India and is performed by the Bhatt community, narrating stories from folklore, history, and legends.
Q7. The recently rejuvenated Tamsa River, seen in the news, is a tributary of which river?
A. Yamuna
B. Godavari
C. Ganga
D. Narmada
Show Answer
Answer: C. Ganga
Explanation: The Tamsa River flows through eastern Uttar Pradesh and is an important tributary of the Ganga. Its rejuvenation in Azamgarh district under the Namami Gange Programme has become a model for community-led tributary conservation.
Q8. Under the PM RAHAT Scheme, road accident victims are entitled to cashless treatment up to what amount?
A. ₹50,000
B. ₹1 lakh
C. ₹1.5 lakh
D. ₹2 lakh
Show Answer
Answer: C. ₹1.5 lakh
Explanation: The PM RAHAT Scheme provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for each eligible road accident victim for a period of seven days to ensure timely medical care and reduce preventable deaths.
Q9. The first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel in India, recently approved by the CCEA, will be constructed under which river?
A. Ganga
B. Brahmaputra
C. Godavari
D. Narmada
Show Answer
Answer: B. Brahmaputra
Explanation: The approved greenfield corridor between Gohpur and Numaligarh in Assam includes a 15.79 km underwater road-cum-rail tunnel beneath the Brahmaputra River, which will be India’s first such tunnel.
Q10. The recently launched pilot Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gujarat uses which technology to ensure transparency in food grain distribution?
A. Blockchain Technology
B. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
C. Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
D. Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS)
Show Answer
Answer: B. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)
Explanation: The Government launched a modern Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, based on Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to ensure transparent and corruption-free distribution of food grains to beneficiaries.
In this set of Current Affairs MCQs 16 February 2026, we have compiled questions from the most reliable and exam-focused sources. The content is carefully prepared from trusted newspapers and official government releases. At Readingroomz Current Affairs, we ensure that every important update is simplified, explained, and transformed into exam-ready questions and notes. This approach saves aspirants valuable time while making sure they never miss any crucial topic for APPSC Exams.


