Preparing for the UPSC exam requires not just reading the news, but understanding its IAS syllabus-relevant dimensions. UPSC Daily Current Affairs 27 February 2026 covers the Principle of Just Deserts, India’s Blockchain Challenge, and recent Epstein-Barr Virus research.
Key details of the MILAN 2026 maritime exercise and TERI’s World Sustainable Development Summit are also discussed. UPSC Daily Current Affairs 27 February 2026 connects Ethics (GS4), Science & Tech (GS3), Environment (GS3), and International Relations (GS2), making it highly relevant for both UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains 2026.
UPSC Daily Current Affairs – 27 February 2026
Today’s topics are important because they directly connect to UPSC syllabus topics:
- Just Deserts Principle: GS4 (Ethics), criminal justice reforms
- Blockchain India Challenge: GS3 (Science & Tech, Governance)
- Epstein-Barr Virus Research: GS3 (Biotechnology, Health)
- MILAN 2026 Exercise: GS2 (IR, Maritime Security)
- World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS): GS3 (Environment, Climate Diplomacy)
Let’s analyse each topic exam-oriented.
Principle of Just Deserts – Retributive Theory of Punishment (GS4 Ethics)
The Principle of Just Deserts is a theory of justice asserting that punishment for a crime should be proportional to its severity. The fundamental idea is that an individual who has committed a wrongful act deserves to be punished.
The central tenet of this principle is proportionality:
- A minor crime, such as theft, should receive a lesser punishment.
- A major crime, like murder or large-scale fraud, should receive a more severe punishment.
This principle is a form of Retributive Justice, a concept also supported by the philosopher Immanuel Kant. It is considered a backward-looking approach because its justification for punishment is based on the offender’s past actions, holding them morally responsible for what they have done.
Theories of Punishment
The Principle of Just Deserts is distinct from other theories of punishment that are “future-looking”:
| Theory |
Primary Focus |
Approach |
| Just Deserts (Retributive) |
The offender deserves punishment for a past act. |
Backward-looking |
| Deterrence |
To prevent future crimes by creating a fear of punishment. |
Future-looking |
| Reformative |
To rehabilitate the criminal and reintegrate them into society. |
Future-looking |
UPSC Mains Angle
- Link with criminal justice reforms in India
- Debate: Should India shift towards reformative justice?
- Ethical keywords: proportionality, accountability, fairness, moral responsibility
Blockchain India Challenge – MeitY Initiative for Digital Governance (GS3 Science & Tech)
Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger technology. It functions as a digital record of transactions shared across a network of multiple computers.
- Mechanism: Transactions are grouped into “blocks.” Each new block is cryptographically linked to the previous one, forming a “chain.”
- Security & Immutability: This chain structure ensures high security. Altering information in one block would necessitate altering all subsequent blocks, which is computationally infeasible and would be rejected by the network.
- Key Features:
- Decentralized: No single central authority controls the ledger.
- Distributed: The ledger is copied and spread across multiple computers on the network.
- Transparent & Accountable: All participants can see the transactions.
- Applications: Beyond cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, blockchain is utilized in banking systems, supply chain management, voting systems, and various other sectors.
The Blockchain India Challenge
This is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
- Objective: To encourage and support Indian startups in developing blockchain-based solutions for government departments and public services.
- Process: Startups are selected by MeitY and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and provided with funding and support.
- Goal: To enhance digital governance and improve the efficiency and transparency of public service delivery by leveraging innovative solutions from the startup ecosystem.
Prelims Focus
- MeitY: Ministry under Government of India
- C-DAC: Autonomous scientific society under MeitY
- DPIIT role in startup selection
Mains Angle
- Blockchain in Digital India
- Challenges: scalability, regulation, cybersecurity, energy consumption
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) – Recent Breakthrough in Vaccine Research (GS3 Biotechnology)
The Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) is a common type of herpes virus that infects humans.
- Key Facts for Prelims:
- Once a person is infected, the virus remains dormant in their body for life.
- It is extremely widespread, with estimates suggesting that up to 95% of the global population is infected at some point.
- In most cases, the infection is asymptomatic or causes only mild symptoms like fever, sore throat, and fatigue.
- It can pose a serious risk to individuals with compromised immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients.
- Treatment: There is currently no vaccine available for EBV.
Recent Scientific Development
Recent research conducted in the US has identified a potential pathway to prevent EBV infection.
- Discovery: Scientists found that monoclonal antibodies developed in mice can effectively target and neutralize the virus.
- What are Monoclonal Antibodies?: These are laboratory-produced proteins designed to function like natural antibodies. They are engineered to target specific antigens (like proteins on a virus).
- Mechanism of Action: The newly identified antibodies target two specific proteins on the surface of EBV:
- GP350: The protein the virus uses to attach to human cells.
- GP42: The protein the virus uses to enter human cells.
- Significance: By blocking these two critical proteins, the antibodies can prevent the virus from infecting cells. This discovery shows a protective effect and is a promising step toward the future development of an effective EBV vaccine.
UPSC Mains Relevance
- Biotechnology in disease prevention
- Monoclonal antibodies in vaccine development
- India’s role in vaccine research ecosystem
MILAN 2026 Maritime Exercise – India’s Multilateral Naval Diplomacy (GS2 IR)
MILAN is a premier biennial (held every two years) multilateral maritime exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
- History and Growth:
- The exercise was launched in 1995 under the Andaman and Nicobar Command.
- The inaugural exercise involved four navies: Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
- It has since grown significantly, with over 50 countries participating in recent editions.
- Current Edition (13th Edition):
- The 2026 edition is being held off the coast of Visakhapatnam, featuring India’s aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
- This edition sees participation from over 70 countries.
- Strategic Alignment: The MILAN exercise aligns with India’s key maritime foreign policy doctrines:
- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
- MAHASAGAR (Maritime Association for Holistic Advancement and Security for All in the Region)
UPSC Mains Angle
- Indo-Pacific strategy
- Maritime diplomacy
- Naval capacity building
World Sustainable Development Summit 2026 (WSDS) – Climate Leadership from Global South (GS3 Environment)
The WSDS is an annual flagship event that serves as a major international platform for discussing global issues related to sustainable development and climate action.
- Purpose: It brings together world leaders, policymakers, scientists, business representatives, and civil society to collaborate on solutions for a sustainable future.
- History:
- It was initiated in 2001 under the name “Delhi Sustainable Development Summit.”
- The 2026 summit marks its 25th edition.
- It is considered one of the most important international summits on sustainability hosted in the Global South.
The Organizer: TERI
- Full Name: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
- Mandate: TERI is a leading research institute established in 1974 with its headquarters in New Delhi. It focuses on research, policy, consultancy, and implementation in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development.
- Areas of Work: Its expertise covers renewable energy, climate policy, sustainable agriculture, green buildings, and water resource management.
UPSC Mains Relevance
- India’s climate diplomacy
- Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
- Renewable energy transition
UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz – 27 February 2026
Q1. The Principle of Just Deserts is associated with which theory of punishment?
A) Preventive
B) Reformative
C) Retributive
D) Deterrent
Answer: C
Q2. Blockchain India Challenge is launched by which Ministry?
A) Ministry of Finance
B) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
C) Ministry of Home Affairs
D) Ministry of Commerce
Answer: B
Q3. With reference to the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), consider the following statements:
- It remains dormant in the body after infection.
- A fully approved vaccine against EBV is currently available.
- It can pose higher risks to immunocompromised individuals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Q4. MILAN Exercise is related to:
- A) Air Force
B) Army
C) Naval Cooperation
D) Cyber Security
Answer: C
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding Blockchain technology:
- It is a centralized ledger controlled by a single authority.
- Transactions are recorded in cryptographically linked blocks.
- Altering a block requires altering all subsequent blocks.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
27 Feb 2026
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