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Daily Current Affairs Analysis – 26 February 2026 | The Hindu & Indian Express UPSC Prelims Notes

 

UPSC Prelims Current Affairs Notes 

Date: 26 February 2026



Sources Covered: The Hindu + Indian Express
Focus: Prelims-relevant facts, concepts, keywords, and revision value

1. PM Modi Israel Visit – Complete Prelims Notes



A. Basic Facts

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Israel in February 2026.

  • Addressed Israel’s Parliament called Knesset.

  • Second visit to Israel after 2017.

Exam Trap

Knesset = Parliament of Israel (UPSC Prelims favourite static fact).

B. Key Statements Made

  • India supports Zero Tolerance for Terrorism policy.

  • Condemned Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.

  • India stands firmly with Israel during crisis.

  • Expressed condolences for civilian deaths.

Keywords

  • Zero tolerance policy

  • Counter-terrorism cooperation

  • Strategic partnership

C. India–Israel Relations (Prelims Static + Current Mix)

https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-3/30G90Lf3bcH3Hw1bzIt5hpwpw2MyWJ4f4CBS1Cf-kKWlyVI3GtRez0evNQHYukYR-mRMfoJ4AT97FqshYkKPztjWeaDBdds5XWIG8A_5Fiw?purpose=fullsize&v=1

1. Diplomatic Relations

  • Formal diplomatic relations established in 1992.

  • Before 1992 → India supported Palestine strongly.

2. Major Areas of Cooperation

  1. Defence and Security

    • Missiles, drones, surveillance systems.

    • Israel among top defence suppliers to India.

  2. Agriculture

    • Drip irrigation technology.

    • Centres of Excellence in Indian states.

  3. Water Management

    • Desalination technology.

    • Wastewater recycling.

  4. Innovation & Startups

    • AI, cybersecurity, fintech.

  5. Intelligence Sharing

    • Counter-terrorism cooperation.

D. IMEC Corridor

Importance

  • Reduce shipping time.

  • Counter China’s BRI.

  • Improve supply chains.

Challenges

  • West Asia instability.

  • Israel–Hamas conflict delays.

E. India’s West Asia Policy

India follows Strategic Autonomy + Balance Approach.

India maintains relations with:

  • Israel

  • Iran

  • Saudi Arabia

  • UAE

  • Qatar

  • Palestine

India’s Palestine Position

2. Hexagonal Alliance – Complete Concept



A. What is Hexagonal Alliance

  • Proposed security grouping discussed during Israel visit.

Possible Members

  • Israel

  • India

  • Greece

  • Cyprus

  • Some Arab/African countries (not confirmed)

B. Purpose

  • Counter extremist networks.

  • Strategic security cooperation.

  • Regional intelligence sharing.

C. Why Important for India

India has strong relations with:

  • Iran

  • Saudi Arabia

  • Qatar

  • Turkey

Joining alliance may:

  • Affect energy security.

  • Impact diplomacy.

  • Create geopolitical pressure.

D. Exam Angle

 New alliances often appear in UPSC questions.

Remember:

  • Quad

  • AUKUS

  • I2U2

  • Hexagonal Alliance (possible future grouping)

3. Kerala → Keralam Name Change – Complete Notes





A. News

Proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam.

Reason:

  • Malayalam speakers call state “Keralam”.

  • Linguistic identity demand.

B. Constitutional Process for Renaming State

Under Article 3 of Constitution.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. State Assembly passes resolution.

  2. Union Govt examines proposal.

  3. President refers Bill to State Legislature.

  4. Bill introduced in Parliament.

  5. Passed by Simple Majority.

  6. Amendment made in First Schedule.

  7. President assent → Official name change.

C. Important Prelims Facts

  • Article 3 powers Parliament to:

    • Form new states

    • Alter boundaries

    • Change names

  • State opinion → Not binding on Parliament.

D. Linguistic States in India

  • States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

  • Based on language identity.

Examples:

  • Andhra Pradesh

  • Maharashtra

  • Gujarat

  • Kerala

E. Similar Name Change Demands

  • West Bengal → Bangla (not approved).

  • Orissa → Odisha (approved earlier).

F. Possible Questions

 Which schedule lists states and UTs? → First Schedule
 Which article deals with state reorganisation? → Article 3

4. Lapis Lazuli – Blue Gemstone


A. What is Lapis Lazuli

  • Deep blue metamorphic rock.

  • Semi-precious gemstone.

  • Used in jewellery and pigments.

https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-3/ZlkbF5eP-iRVSofMa9fJxFSuMx-5bYVAJFI_LPqcMWqqfxVcz7QL3xdNtRAcmUeIRV1iv2FIJl2V7i8qyuFX3OaTuAokKZzAPM-o95eRtvk?purpose=fullsize&v=1

B. Composition

  1. Lazurite → Blue colour.

  2. Calcite → White streaks.

  3. Pyrite → Golden sparkles.

Exam Trap

Blue colour due to Lazurite.

C. Major Locations

  • Best quality → Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan

  • Other countries:

    • Chile

    • Russia

    • USA

D. Historical Importance

Used in Indus Valley Civilization ornaments.

Shows trade links between:

  • Harappans and Afghanistan.

Other imported items in Harappan trade:

  • Gold

  • Silver

  • Copper

  • Tin

  • Turquoise

  • Steatite

  • Carnelian

E. UPSC Relevance

Questions from:

  • Ancient trade networks.

  • Mineral composition.

  • Geography sources.

5. Sabarimala Case – Complete Prelims Notes





A. Background

Temple: Sabarimala Temple
Deity: Lord Ayyappa

Earlier rule → Women aged 10–50 not allowed.

B. Case

Indian Young Lawyers Association vs State of Kerala (2018).

Bench size: 5 judges.
Decision: 4:1 majority.

C. Supreme Court Judgment

https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-3/6Wi-_VUuPY1EVmMBZBfSUlUPkRyEHB9EwAz6KzpDRlOcg5CUCZ2L0NUyDaBaFWztJudmjoLBhCnZ0jCGUTuk2_csheoW4JwlNyhmApPkGZg?purpose=fullsize&v=1

Allowed entry of women of all ages.

Reason → Violation of Fundamental Rights:

  • Article 14 → Equality

  • Article 15 → Non-discrimination

  • Article 25 → Freedom of religion

  • Article 21 → Dignity

D. Important Doctrines

1. Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Test

Court checks:

  • Is practice essential to religion?

If essential → Protected.
If not → Can be regulated.

Also called Doctrine of Essentiality.

2. Anti-Exclusion Test

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81bvV6tBcfL._AC_UF894%2C1000_QL80_.jpg

Proposed by Justice D. Y. Chandrachud.

Court should check:

  • Does practice harm dignity or equality?

Focus on constitutional morality instead of tradition.

E. Current Update

Some related issues to be reviewed again in future hearings.

F. Prelims Keywords

  • ERP Test

  • Anti-Exclusion Test

  • Fundamental Rights vs Religious Freedom

  • Constitutional Morality

6. Quick Revision One-Look Facts

TopicKey Fact
Israel ParliamentKnesset
India–Israel relations start1992
IMEC CorridorIndia–Middle East–Europe
Kerala rename articleArticle 3
Schedule listing statesFirst Schedule
Lapis Lazuli blue colourLazurite
Best Lapis sourceBadakhshan, Afghanistan
Sabarimala deityLord Ayyappa
ERP TestEssential Religious Practice doctrine

7. Likely Prelims Questions

Q1. Which mineral gives Lapis Lazuli its blue colour?

Answer → Lazurite.

Q2. Parliament can change state names under which Article?

Answer → Article 3.

Q3. Knesset is Parliament of which country?

Answer → Israel.

Q4. Sabarimala temple is dedicated to which deity?

Answer → Lord Ayyappa.


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