Daily Current Affairs

According to a report titled “India’s 155 Million Student Mandate” jointly released by Knight Frank India, Deloitte India and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), New Delhi has emerged as the world’s most affordable student city, ranked first globally.

In February 2026, India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) at an event organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

Focus: BCIC promotes Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, sustainability, productivity improvement, technology transfer, and knowledge exchange.

DPIIT and UNIDO signed a Trust Fund Agreement to formalize India’s participation, aimed at strengthening manufacturing capabilities and supporting MSMEs across BRICS nations.

In February 2026, India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) in New Delhi to formally restart negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), presided over by Union Minister Piyush Goyal and GCC Chief Negotiator Raja Al Marzoqi.

Focus: The pact aims to ensure stable trade policies while boosting market access in the food processing and petrochemical sectors.

On February 5, 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence, flagged off a joint mountaineering expedition to Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in South America and the tallest mountain outside Asia with an elevation of about 6,960 metres.

• Organisers: Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi in collaboration with Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam
• Team Leader: Colonel Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of NIM

On 5 February 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), under MoEFCC, launched a digital portal for electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) for cultivated medicinal plants to support Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemption applications.

• Legal Basis: Implements the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023
• Portal URL: https://absefiling.nbaindia.in/

In February 2026, Airbus inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat to strengthen India’s aerospace ecosystem through research, innovation, and skill development.

• R&D Focus: Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and future aerospace technologies including Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)-to-SAF conversion
• Scholarships: 45 full scholarships to meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third reserved for women

Paradip Port Authority (PPA), Odisha, won the first prize at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025, instituted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• Presented By: Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal
• Award Received By: P.L. Haranadh, Chairman, PPA

At the 17th Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship 2026 being held at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi (February 4-13), Esha Singh won two gold medals in the women’s 10m air pistol individual (239.8 points) and team events.

Participation: 311 athletes from 20 countries; India fielded 118 athletes.

On February 6, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced the decision after the policy meeting held from February 4-6.

On February 5, 2026, Axis Bank launched ‘Rooftop Solar Finance’, a new financing product to help MSMEs adopt solar energy systems on commercial rooftops.

• Loan Amount: ₹10 lakhs to ₹2 crores (collateral-free)
• Repayment Tenure: 4-7 years

On February 3, 2026, Alwar (Rajasthan) became the first district in India to achieve 100% insurance coverage under the ‘Insurance for All by 2047’ initiative by GoI and IRDAI.

• Insurer: United India Insurance Company Limited (UIIC)
• Villages Covered: Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, Palankheda, Antapada, Hanumanta, Kalyanpura, Morodkhurd, Kodalka, and Lalpur

Adani Defence & Aerospace signed an MoU with Leonardo (Italian aerospace, defence and security company) to develop a fully integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.

• Helicopter Models: AugustaWestland (AW)169M and AW109 TrekkerM
• Alignment: Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives

The Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 officially began with a grand Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026 at the historic San Siro Olympic Stadium in Milan, Italy. The Games will run from February 6 to 22, 2026.

• Theme: ‘Armonia’ (Harmony)
• Performers: Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Pierfrancesco Favino, Sabrina Impacciatore

On February 4, 2026, BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh took oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur, nearly one year after President’s rule was imposed under Article 356.

• Deputy CMs: Nemcha Kipgen (first woman Deputy CM in Manipur) and Losii Dikho (Naga community)
• President’s Rule: Imposed on February 13, 2025 after resignation of N. Biren Singh

Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd (Mumbai) delivered the first two Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to the Indian Navy, marking its maiden batch delivery.

• Features: AI-driven navigation, real-time communication, exceeds 50 knots, stealth features
• Armament: 12.7mm gun with provisions for short-range missiles and loitering munitions
• Indigenous Content: Over 70%

BEML Limited signed a Tripartite Master Research Agreement (MRA) with Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID).

Focus Areas:

• Aerospace and defence technologies
• Rail and metro systems
• Mining equipment
• Maritime technologies
• Green technologies

The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is observed annually on February 6 to raise awareness and promote the elimination of FGM worldwide.

• First Observed: February 6, 2003
• Key Statistic: Over 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM

Renowned Indian sociologist Dr. Andre Beteille passed away at age 91 in New Delhi. Born on September 30, 1934 in Chandannagar, West Bengal.

• Recognition: Padma Bhushan (2005) for contributions to literature and education
• Position: Professor Emeritus of Sociology at University of Delhi
• Notable Work: ‘Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village’ (1965)