Daily Current Affairs: 5 February 2026

Divakar Jayant assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Key Updates:

• Divakar Jayant, a 1991-batch Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) officer, took over as DGONA on 2 February 2026.
• He succeeded P. Upadhyay, who superannuated on 31 January 2026.
• Jayant joined the Naval Armament Organisation of the Indian Navy on 28 December 1992.
• He is an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi and specialises in torpedo life-cycle management.
• He has served as Chief General Manager and General Manager/Principal Director at Naval Armament Depots in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Alwaye.

Bhutan’s queen mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck received 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award 2025.

[Bhutan]

Key Updates:

• Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, queen mother of Bhutan and first wife of former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck, was conferred the 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award 2025 at Kokrajhar in Assam’s Bodoland Territorial Region.
• The award was presented on Tuesday at Jwhwlao Nileswar Brahma Auditorium, Bodoland University, Kokrajhar.
• Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya stated the award recognises her exemplary humanitarian services and compassionate leadership in social welfare, cultural preservation and women empowerment.
• The honour symbolises deep, historic and enduring India-Bhutan ties with Assam at the centre.
• The ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award is dedicated to the ideals of Upendra Nath Brahma, social reformer and guardian of the Bodos, and is organised by the Upendra Nath Brahma Trust established in 1999.

Hugh Gantzer, Renowned Travel Writer and Padma Shri Recipient, Passes Away at 95

Key Updates:

• Hugh Gantzer, a veteran travel writer and former Commander in the Indian Navy, passed away at the age of 95 in Mussoorie.
• Hugh and his late wife Colleen Gantzer were jointly awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 for their extensive contributions to travel literature.
• The duo authored approximately 3,000 articles and a dozen books, including a 1974 work on Kerala commissioned by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
• They hosted the popular 1980s television series titled Looking Beyond With Hugh & Colleen Gantzer on Doordarshan.
• The couple wrote a series of mystery thrillers under the pseudonym Shyam Dave, which are considered among the first English-language thrillers written in India.
• Hugh Gantzer was the founder of the Save Mussoorie Society and the Surahit Himalaya, through which he campaigned against limestone quarrying and unregulated development.
• His notable literary works include Mussoorie’s Mythhistory, a book containing 12 stories that blended the history of the hill station with fiction.
• Hugh Gantzer was laid to rest at the Camel’s Back Cemetery in Mussoorie.

Elon Musk Surpasses $800 Billion Net Worth Following SpaceX-xAI Merger

[SpaceX, xAI]

Key Updates:

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the first person in history to surpass a net worth of $800 billion, reaching a total of $852 billion.
• The wealth surge followed the merger of his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence company xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.
• Musk holds a 43% stake in the newly combined SpaceX-xAI entity, which is estimated to be worth $542 billion.
• Prior to the merger, Musk held a 42% stake in SpaceX valued at $336 billion and a 49% stake in xAI worth $122 billion.
• Musk owns approximately 12% stake in Tesla valued at $178 billion, along with stock options worth $124 billion.
• A previous merger in March 2025 combined xAI and social media platform X, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion.
• Musk reached the $500 billion milestone in October 2025, $600 billion on 15 December 2025, and $700 billion on 19 December 2025.
• India link not mentioned in the article.

Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong announces India-China bilateral trade hit record USD 155.6 billion in 2025

[China]

Key Updates:

• India-China bilateral trade reached USD 155.6 billion in 2025, marking a year-on-year growth of over 12 per cent.
• India’s exports to China grew by 9.7 per cent during the same period.
• The meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin last August led to improved ties and increased people-to-people exchanges.
• China supports India’s BRICS presidency and is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with New Delhi for Global South development.
• The military stand-off that began after the June 2020 Galwan Valley clashes effectively ended in October 2024.

Bharti AXA Life Insurance partners with Equitas Small Finance Bank to distribute life insurance products across 1,042 outlets.

[Bharti AXA Life Insurance, Equitas Small Finance Bank]

Key Updates:

• Bharti AXA Life Insurance has entered into a bancassurance partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank.
• The partnership will offer protection, savings, and retirement plans to Equitas Small Finance Bank customers.
• The collaboration targets deeper life insurance penetration in semi-urban and rural markets.
• Equitas Small Finance Bank operates 1,042 banking outlets across 18 states and Union Territories.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Imposes ₹18.76 Lakh Compounding Fee on Paytm

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), One 97 Communications]

Key Updates:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a compounding order to One 97 Communications (Paytm) for contraventions under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
• The RBI imposed a compounding fee of ₹18.76 lakh regarding investments made in Little Internet Private Limited by Little Internet Singapore.
• The underlying transactions involved an aggregate value of approximately ₹33 crore and pertained to the period between March 2016 and June 2017.
• The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) terminated FEMA proceedings against Nearbuy India on 19 December after the company paid a penalty of ₹4.28 lakh following an RBI compounding order.
• Paytm had previously received a show cause notice from the ED for alleged FEMA violations involving transactions worth ₹611 crore linked to the company and its subsidiaries.
• The parent firm of Paytm was allegedly involved in transactions worth ₹245 crore, while Little Internet and Nearbuy India were linked to contraventions involving ₹345 crore and ₹20.9 crore, respectively.
• Paytm acquired the hyperlocal discovery and deals platforms Little Internet and Nearbuy in 2017 and subsequently merged the two brands.

Goldman Sachs raises India CY26 Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth Forecast to 6.9%

[Goldman Sachs]

Key Updates:

• Goldman Sachs has raised India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for calendar year 2026 by 20 basis points to 6.9 per cent.
• The upward revision follows the United States (US) reducing reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from the previous 25 per cent.
• The revised 18 per cent tariff rate aligns India with other Asian economies that face US tariff rates ranging between 15 per cent and 19 per cent.
• India’s bilateral goods trade surplus with the US doubled from approximately $20 billion in CY2015 to about $40 billion in CY2025 year-to-date.
• The expansion in trade surplus was primarily driven by higher surpluses in electronics, pharmaceutical products, and textiles.
• American crude oil accounted for 7 per cent of India’s crude imports by volume in Financial Year 2026 (FY26) up to November 2025, compared to 4 per cent in FY25.

CPI 2024 series modernised with food weight cut to 36.8% and rural rent tracking introduced

Key Updates:

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024 series to be released on 12 February 2026.
• Food and beverages weight in CPI basket lowered from 45.9% in 2012 to 36.8% in 2024, a reduction of 9.1 percentage points.
• Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category weight rose from 16.9% to 17.7%, becoming the second-largest gainer.
• House rent index compilation extended to rural areas for the first time, selecting six rented dwellings per rural village versus 12 per urban market.
• Census 2011 data now used for dwelling type weights, replacing the earlier Housing Condition Survey.
• Transport weight increased marginally to 8.8% and health weight rose to 6.1%.
• Education services weight declined to 3.3% from 4.5%.

Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines released to standardise cancer care

Key Updates:

• Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda released India’s first national, evidence-based guidelines for lung cancer treatment and palliation at Kartavya Bhavan.
• The document, titled Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines, outlines 15 recommendations covering diagnosis, treatment pathways, and palliative care.
• The guidelines were developed by experts under the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
• The framework is applicable to both public and private healthcare systems to address regional variations and reduce treatment gaps in lung cancer management.
• The guidelines are tailored to India’s specific disease burden and healthcare realities rather than relying solely on Western clinical models.
• The initiative aims to improve early diagnosis, standardise care across states, and reduce disparities between public and private hospitals.
• A plain-language summary will be issued alongside the technical document to help patients and caregivers understand treatment options.

Bharat Container Shipping Line MoU signed with ₹15,000 crore joint funding for port capacity expansion

[Bharat Container Shipping Line]

Key Updates:

• The Union Government signed an MoU on 4 February 2026 to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• The MoU was signed among Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Chennai Port Authority, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL).
• A separate tripartite MoU was signed between VOCPA, Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC), and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) to finance the Outer Harbour Project at Tuticorin.
• The agreements provide for joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for eligible projects to expand port capacity under the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
• The financing framework will use a Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) focusing on debt funding for breakwater construction and allied onshore-offshore facilities.
• The initiatives align with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Union Budget 2026-27 and support the Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047 vision.

16th Finance Commission retains states’ tax share at 41%

Key Updates:

• The sixteenth Finance Commission recommended retaining the state’s share in the divisible tax pool at 41% for the five-year period beginning April 1, 2026.
• The commission recommended ending revenue deficit grants for the states.
• The commission added states’ contribution to GDP among its horizontal devolution criteria.
• The commission recommended stricter fiscal discipline for states and annual disclosure of net proceeds of Union taxes certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General.
• States are required to disclose their off-budget borrowings.
• The commission enhanced disaster grants and enforced stricter timelines for fund transfers to local governments with higher penalties for failure.
• For horizontal devolution, the commission will give 15.5% weightage to population based on 2011 census, 10% to demographic performance, 10% each to area and forest cover, 42.5% on per-capita income distance, and the rest on states’ contribution to GDP.
• Of total grants of Rs 7.91 lakh crore to rural and urban local bodies, 60% is earmarked for rural local bodies and 40% for urban local bodies, with 20% grant to be performance-linked.
• Half of the basic grant is tied to sanitation, solid waste management, and water management.
• The commission proposed an urbanisation premium of ₹10,000 crore to incentivise merger of peri-urban villages into larger urban local bodies.
• A ₹56,100-crore special infrastructure window is proposed for comprehensive wastewater management in select urban growth centres.
• States must transfer funds to local bodies within 10 working days of receipt from the centre, failing which interest will be payable.
• The commission recommended a combined ₹2.04 lakh crore corpus for State Disaster Response and Mitigation Funds over five years with an 80:20 split between response and mitigation.
• The centre’s share is capped at ₹1.56 lakh crore for disaster management.
• The commission proposed separate allocations of ₹79,406 crore for the National Disaster Response and Mitigation Funds.
• From 2027-28 onwards, states must fully upload and validate data on the National Disaster Management Information System portal to access disaster grants.
• The commission called for strict enforcement of a 3% gross state domestic product (GSDP) cap on states’ fiscal deficits and discontinuation of off-budget borrowings.
• The centre accepted the borrowing cap for states in principle and will examine other fiscal recommendations separately.

India joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies to promote manufacturing sector

Key Updates:

• India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) on 4 February 2026.
• BCIC was launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in 2025.
• The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the India Centre for BCIC.
• A trust fund agreement formalising India’s participation was signed between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and UNIDO.
• The agreement was signed by Economic Adviser, DPIIT, Agrim Kaushal, and Director, UNIDO, Cristiano Pasini.
• NPC will operate under DPIIT’s policy direction to support capacity building and manufacturing-related initiatives for MSMEs within the BRICS framework.
• The launch event was presided over by Secretary, DPIIT, Amardeep Singh Bhatia.
• Attendees included senior officials from DPIIT, the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of External Affairs, UNIDO representatives, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 to 7 February 2026

[United Nations (UN)]

Key Updates:

• The World Interfaith Harmony Week is observed globally every year from 1 February to 7 February.
• The week was designated by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate cooperation, understanding, and goodwill among people of all faiths and belief systems.
• The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) organised an Interfaith Conclave in India as part of its initiatives to foster understanding and social cohesion.
• The GPF conducted interfaith dialogues and service projects in Nigeria to promote the philosophy of One Family Under God.
• The observance encourages activities that foster dialogue, collaborative action, and mutual respect among individuals of different traditions.
• The initiative aims to build bridges of understanding across families, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods to create resilient societies.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology

[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]

Key Updates:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
• The SFDR technology was developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.
• The SFDR is an advanced air-breathing propulsion system where a solid fuel gas generator produces fuel-rich gases that mix with incoming air and burn in a ramjet combustor.
• The system relies on high forward speed to compress incoming air, eliminating the need for a compressor and enabling efficient high-speed flight at supersonic speeds.
• Unlike conventional rockets, the SFDR does not carry an oxidiser, which makes the propulsion system lighter and more efficient for long-range air-to-air missiles.
• The flight test validated several subsystems including a nozzle-less booster, the SFDR motor, and a fuel flow controller after being initially propelled by a ground booster motor.
• The technology provides sustained thrust over a longer duration and allows for thrust modulation during flight to intercept aerial threats at very long ranges.
• The use of solid fuel instead of liquid fuel in the SFDR system makes it simpler, safer, and easier to store and transport.

Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur (IIMU) Hosts Third Edition of D'Future India Digital Conclave 2026

[Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur (IIMU)]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur (IIMU) successfully hosted the third edition of the D'Future: India Digital Conclave at the T-Hub in Hyderabad.
• The conclave focused on technology-led growth, resilient systems, and building an inclusive nation through digital technologies.
• Shri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of the Government of Telangana, highlighted the state's commitment to digitising governance, including providing optical fibre connectivity to households.
• Prof. Ramayya Krishnan from Carnegie Mellon University discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare applications and the importance of AI governance.
• Kamlesh Gosai, Executive Director at the Ministry of Railways, shared insights into the GatiShakti programme and the Tech Vision 2035 roadmap for integrated infrastructure planning.
• The event featured student-led innovations from the IIMU 1-Year MBA (GSCM) programme, including AI-powered inventory management and demand forecasting tools.
• Start-up companies presented pitches in advanced fields such as quantum computing, high-speed devices, low-cost sustained energy systems, and rocket launching.
• Viren Rasquinha, CEO of Olympic Gold Quest, discussed the increasing role of data analytics and wearable devices in enhancing sports performance.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train achieves second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar using NATM

Key Updates:

• The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project achieved its second mountain tunnel breakthrough with completion of tunnel MT-6 in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
• Tunnel MT-6 is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, designed to accommodate both up and down tracks.
• The breakthrough follows the first mountain tunnel breakthrough of MT-5 near Saphale on January 2, both completed within one month.
• The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a drill-and-controlled blast technique, was used to excavate MT-6 from both ends.
• Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that seven new high-speed rail corridors have been announced in the Union Budget.
• Rs 16,000 crores worth of work is underway for the Mumbai suburban network and the budget for Maharashtra railway is Rs 23,926 crore.

NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago Industries sign MoU for India’s first large-scale green urea ecosystem at Pudimadaka hub

[NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL), Assago Industries]

Key Updates:

• NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Assago Industries Pvt. Ltd. signed an MoU to develop India’s first large-scale green urea production ecosystem at the upcoming Green Hydrogen Hub in Pudimadaka.
• NGEL will supply green ammonia, captured CO₂, renewable power and utilities to Assago for producing green urea using clean feedstock.
• The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub is planned with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per annum of green chemicals, including green methanol, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuel and green urea.
• India consumes about 35–40 million tonnes of urea annually and imports 8–10 million tonnes each year.
• The collaboration targets import substitution and low-carbon fertiliser production to support the Atmanirbhar Bharat objective.

India announces squads for 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships

Key Updates:

• The 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) will be held in Qingdao, China, from 4 February to 8 February 2026.
• Lakshya Sen, the World number 13, will lead the Indian men's team which includes HS Prannoy, Kidambi Srikanth, Ayush Shetty, and Tharun Mannepalli.
• The Indian men's doubles contingent features Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, Chirag Shetty, Pruthvi Krishnamurthy Roy, Sai Pratheek K, and Hariharan Amsakarunan.
• The Indian women's team will defend their title without PV Sindhu, who withdrew due to medical concerns as confirmed by the Badminton Association of India (BAI).
• The women's singles squad consists of Unnati Hooda, Tanvi Sharma, Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj, Malvika Bansod, and Surya Charisma Tamiri.
• The women's doubles team includes Treesa Jolly, Gayatri Gopichand, Priya Konjengbam, Shruti Mishra, and Tanisha Crasto.
• The Indian men's team is placed in Group C alongside Singapore and Japan, while the women's team is in Group Y with Myanmar and Thailand.
• The tournament format allows the top two teams from each group to progress to the quarterfinals of the biennial continental event.
• The event will be live-streamed on the Sony Sports Network and the official YouTube channel of Badminton Asia.

Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025 presented on Feb 3

Key Updates:

• Paradip Port Authority (PPA) won the First Prize at Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025 instituted by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• The awards evaluate ports and maritime institutions nationwide on cleanliness drives, waste management, green initiatives, and public involvement.
• PPA implemented three core pillars of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025: Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Safai Mitra Suraksha.
• Under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0, 40,000 saplings were planted at Paradip Sea Beach to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur presented the award in New Delhi.
• P. L. Haranadh, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority, received the honour on behalf of the port team.

HMG Stones becomes India’s first natural stone company to achieve dual ISO 9001:2015 and 5S Gold Grade certifications

[HMG Stones]

Key Updates:

• HMG Stone LLP (HMG Stones) has become the first company in India’s natural stone industry to simultaneously secure ISO 9001:2015 and 5S Gold Grade certifications.
• The ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management System was awarded by M/s TUV India Private Limited, a subsidiary of TUV NORD Germany.
• The 5S Gold Grade certification for workplace organisation and operational discipline was conferred by ABK-AOTS DOSOKAI, headquartered in Japan.
• The certifications cover the primary manufacturing units of HMG Stones in Attibele and Yadavanahalli, the Wilson Garden flagship showroom, and the Sankey Road Experience Centre.
• The Japanese 5S framework implemented by the firm includes the principles of Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain.
• Operational improvements reported following the certifications include an 80% reduction in tool search time, a 50% reduction in machine downtime, and a 75% reduction in defect rates.
• Anand Reddy serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bengaluru-based natural stone company.