Daily Current Affairs: 6 February 2026

Soraya Aghaei elected as first female IOC member from Iran.

[Iran]

Key Updates:

• Soraya Aghaei became the first Iranian female member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• She was elected by a decisive 95-2 vote.
• Aghaei competed in badminton for Iran at the Tokyo Olympics.
• She is now the youngest representative in the IOC's 132-year history.
• The IOC currently has 45% female members and is led by President Kirsty Coventry.

Rouble Nagi won Global Teacher Prize 2026

[Dubai]

Key Updates:

• Rouble Nagi won the $1 million Global Teacher Prize at the World Governments Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• She set up more than 800 learning centres and painted educational murals across slum walls in India.
• Her non-profit organisation Rouble Nagi Art Foundation introduced low-cost and sustainable educational models for underprivileged children.
• Under her Misaal Mumbai initiative, over 1,50,000 houses were painted and repaired, and the group works in over 163 slums and villages across India.
• She plans to use the prize money to build an institute that offers free vocational training.
• She is an award-winning artist with over 800 murals and over 150 exhibitions worldwide.

Rajnath Singh flagged off joint NIM-JIM&WS expedition to Mount Aconcagua.

Key Updates:

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the joint expedition to Mount Aconcagua, Argentina, on 5 February 2026.
• The expedition is organised by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi, and Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam.
• Mount Aconcagua, at 6,961 metres, is the highest peak in South America and the tallest mountain outside Asia.
• The six-member instructor team includes Col Hem Chandra Singh, Capt G Santhosh Kumar, and Deep Bahadur Sahi.
• The expedition commenced on 6 February 2026 and is scheduled to conclude by the end of February 2026.

Adani Group and Leonardo tie up to build helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.

[Adani Group, Leonardo]

Key Updates:

• Adani Group and Leonardo signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi to establish an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.
• The partnership targets Indian Armed Forces' requirements for Leonardo's AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters.
• The collaboration will deliver phased indigenization, maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, and comprehensive pilot training.
• Indian Armed Forces project demand for over 1,000 helicopters in the coming decade.
• India has a helicopter penetration density of less than 250 helicopters for the country's population and will need around 100 helicopters annually for the next 10 years.
• The announcement follows Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer's strategic collaboration to set up a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India.

Indian Navy receives first weaponised unmanned fast interceptor crafts from Sagar Defence Engineering.

[Sagar Defence Engineering]

Key Updates:

• Indian Navy will receive the first batch of two autonomous weaponised unmanned fast interceptor crafts (FICs) from Pune-based Sagar Defence Engineering.
• India will join the league of countries possessing weaponised swarm (vessel) capability after induction of these crafts.
• Sagar Defence dispatched the first two FICs to the Navy on Friday for deployment somewhere on the west coast.
• Indian Navy placed orders for 12 weaponised boat swarms after signing a deal with Sagar Defence on 5 January 2022.
• FICs are designed, developed and manufactured entirely in India under the iDEX–DIO framework.
• Each craft is fitted with a 12.7 mm gun and can deploy short-range missiles and loitering ammunition.
• Multiple crafts can be controlled from a single control station and operate in a GPS-denied environment.
• Craft endurance exceeds two days at sea and operational range is over 400 nautical miles (approximately 800 km).

André Béteille, pioneering Indian sociologist, died at 91.

Key Updates:

• André Béteille died in New Delhi on Tuesday night after a prolonged age-related illness at the age of 91.
• He was born in West Bengal to a French father and an Indian mother and completed his MA at Calcutta University before joining the Delhi School of Economics (DSE) in 1959.
• Béteille taught at DSE from 1959 until his retirement in 1999 and was known for never missing classes except for a few visiting fellowships abroad.
• His major books include Caste, Class and Power (1965), Society and Politics in India (1991), and Equality and Universality: Essays in Social and Political Theory (2002).
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005 for his contribution to literature and education.
• After retirement, he was associated with the Indian Council of Social Science Research and served as Chancellor of Ashoka University from 2014 to 2017.

India to begin cross-border crypto data exchange under OECD CARF from April 2027

[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)]

Key Updates:

• India will start sharing and receiving cross-border cryptocurrency transaction data from April 1, 2027 under the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) led Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF).
• India is a signatory to the CARF which mandates automatic exchange of crypto transaction information between tax authorities.
• From April 1, 2026, non-submission of prescribed crypto transaction statements will attract a daily penalty of ₹200.
• Inaccurate reporting or failure to correct errors will draw a flat penalty of ₹50,000 per the budget documents.
• The government had introduced a 30% tax on gains and 1% tax deducted at source on crypto transactions in 2022.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) unveils modernised Consumer Price Index with food weight dropping to 36.8 percent.

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)]

Key Updates:

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) announced new CPI 2024 series to release on 12 February.
• Food and beverages weight declines from 45.9 percent in 2012 to 36.8 percent in 2024, a 9.1 percentage point reduction.
• Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category weight rises from 16.9 percent to 17.7 percent.
• House rent index compilation extended to rural areas for first time using Census 2011 dwelling type weights.
• Six rented dwellings selected per rural village versus 12 per urban market under revised Index.
• Transport category weight increases marginally to 8.8 percent.
• Health category weight rises to 6.1 percent.
• Education services weight declines to 3.3 percent from 4.5 percent.

Axis Bank launches Rooftop Solar Finance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)

[Axis Bank]

Key Updates:

• Axis Bank has launched Rooftop Solar Finance, a tailored financing solution to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in transitioning to solar energy.
• Under this programme, MSMEs can avail collateral-free loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore.
• The financing scheme offers flexible repayment tenures ranging from 4 to 7 years.
• The product is available nationwide through the branch network of Axis Bank.
• Axis Bank has partnered with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and a Technology Partner to provide transparency regarding system costs and projected savings.

NCDC rolls out Yuva Sahakar and Swayamshakti schemes with 2% interest subvention

[National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)]

Key Updates:

• National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) implements fully-funded Yuva Sahakar and Swayamshakti Sahakar schemes under Ministry of Cooperation.
• Yuva Sahakar offers start-up cooperatives of young entrepreneurs term credit up to five years with 2% interest subvention.
• NCDC has approved Rs 4,734.97 lakh under Yuva Sahakar benefitting 18,915 members by end-2024.
• Swayamshakti Sahakar Yojana provides low-cost bank credit to women-only Self-Help Groups for collective enterprises.

Karnataka Auto-Mutation System reduces citizen-officer contact for land ownership updates

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Karnataka revenue department is rolling out statewide automation of mutation to record change in land ownership.
• Mutation will be done automatically if there are no objections, as per directive from Revenue Commissioner Meena Nagaraj.
• Current notice period is 7 days for registrable instruments like sale deeds and gift deeds, and 15 days for non-registrable mutation.
• Under new system, approval granted automatically on 8th night for registrable mutation and on 16th night for non-registrable mutation without revenue inspector’s thumb impression.
• Auto-mutation system is being piloted in Mandya and Maddur taluks before statewide rollout.
• Deputy commissioners directed tahsildars to flag all government lands and restricted immovable assets within a week before rollout.
• Draft Karnataka Registration Amendment Rules require sub-registrars to refuse registration if power-of-attorney executor’s proof of life is not produced.
• Acceptable proof of life includes certificate from magistrate, gazetted officer, post master, police sub-inspector, tahsildar, panchayat development officer, municipal commissioner, or digital life certificate via Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology System.
• If power-of-attorney executor resides outside India, representative must produce life certificate from notary, court judge, magistrate, Indian consul, vice-consul, or central government representative.

PLASTINDIA 2026 exhibition features over 2,000 global exhibitors

[New Delhi]

Key Updates:

• PLASTINDIA 2026 commenced in New Delhi on 5 February 2026.
• The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers (MCF) stated that more than 2,000 international exhibitors will showcase innovations in machinery, raw materials, and circular economy solutions.
• The exhibition theme is BHARAT NEXT, aligned with the vision of Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• For the first time, PLASTINDIA is envisaged as a Zero Waste exhibition.
• A dedicated space for youth, innovators, and start-ups will showcase sustainable plastic solutions.
• The event will conclude on 10 February 2026.

Bharat Taxi offers zero-commission, surge-free rides with driver-ownership model

[Government of India]

Key Updates:

• Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi, India’s first government-backed ride-hailing cooperative.
• The platform operates on the ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’ model where drivers are cooperative members and owners.
• Bharat Taxi charges zero commission and applies no surge pricing, allowing drivers to retain full fare earnings.
• Fares can be up to 30% cheaper than rival services Ola and Uber according to the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
• Government provides ₹5 lakh personal accident insurance and ₹5 lakh family health insurance for every driver.
• Over 3 lakh drivers were onboarded during pilot runs in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat.
• The service is integrated with Digital Public Infrastructure tools such as DigiLocker and UMANG for verification and operations.
• Drivers face no exclusivity clauses and can simultaneously operate on other ride-hailing platforms.
• Nationwide expansion is planned over the next two years.

National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs) to build synergy in electoral processes

[National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs)]

Key Updates:

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host a National Conference of the State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24, 2026.
• The conference is being organised after a gap of over 25 years, with the previous meeting held in 1999.
• Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will chair the event, joined by Election Commissioners (ECs) Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
• The conference will be attended by all SECs and the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all States and Union Territories (UTs).
• The primary objective is to build synergy between the ECI and SECs regarding electoral processes and logistics within their respective legal frameworks.
• State Election Commissions (SECs) are created under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments for elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.
• Discussion topics include the recently launched ECINET digital platform, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and electoral laws on elector eligibility.

National School of Drama (NSD) to organise 25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 across 40 locations

[National School of Drama (NSD)]

Key Updates:

• The National School of Drama (NSD) will organise the 25th edition of Bharat Rang Mahotsav (BRM) 2026 from 27 January to 20 February.
• The festival will be held across 40 locations in India and will feature at least one production from a country in each of the seven continents.
• BRM 2026 will showcase 277 Indian productions and 12 international productions across 228 Indian and foreign languages and dialects.
• New festival centres include Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Aizawl in Mizoram, Tura in Meghalaya, Nagaon in Assam, Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, and Rohtak in Haryana.
• The event will feature curated segments including Adirang Mahotsav for tribal theatre, Jashne Bachpan for children’s theatre, and Poorvottar Natya Samaroh for North-Eastern theatre.
• For the first time, the festival will include productions by transgender communities, sex workers, and senior citizens.
• Under the Shruti initiative, 17 books will be launched during the festival, which will also showcase 33 productions directed by women.
• International collaborators for the event include the National Polish Theatre Academy, the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Madrid, and the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts – GITIS (Moscow).

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launches online portal for digital issuance of origin certificates for cultivated medicinal plants.

[National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)]

Key Updates:

• The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has operationalised a web-based portal enabling fully digital submission, review, and issuance of certificates of origin for cultivated medicinal plants.
• The portal replaces paper-based workflows with automated online verification and real-time data validation, cutting administrative effort for AYUSH practitioners, seed producers, and research institutions.
• Built under the Biological Diversity Act amendments approved by Parliament in 2023 and the Biological Diversity Rules notified in 2024 and amended in 2025, the system supports Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) compliance without physical document handling.
• Applications are processed through secure agency-managed logins, with instant cross-department updates and digital storage to strengthen traceability and regulatory oversight.

Alwar Becomes India’s First District to Achieve 100% Insurance Coverage

[Alwar]

Key Updates:

• Alwar has become the first district in India to achieve 100% insurance coverage under the central government's Insurance for All by 2047 roadmap.
• The roadmap is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Finance.
• The achievement is part of the national vision of Secure India–Insured India at the grassroots level.
• A total of 1,367 uninsured individuals over the age of 10 from nine villages were brought under coverage following systematic door-to-door surveys.
• The nine villages formally declared as fully insured are Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, Palankheda, Antapada, Hanumanta, Kalyanpura, Morodkhurd, Kodalka, and Lalpur.
• Insurance policies for the beneficiaries were issued by the government-owned United India Insurance Company Ltd.
• The insurance premiums for all eligible adults in the nine villages were funded by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to ensure coverage without financial burden.

United States Congress approves $200 million Baltic Security Initiative funding amid Russian activity

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The United States Congress approved $200 million in security assistance for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania under the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act.
• President Donald Trump signed the $838.7 billion defense package on 3 February 2026, securing continued US backing for the three Baltic states.
• An additional $10 million was allocated to Estonia through the Foreign Military Financing program, previously used by Tallinn to acquire HIMARS ammunition, Javelin missiles and large-caliber artillery shells.
• The House of Representatives passed the Defense Appropriations Act by 217–214 votes and the Senate cleared it with 71–29 votes.
• Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland in September and remained for approximately 12 minutes, prompting Tallinn to request an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting and activate Article 4 of the Atlantic Treaty.
• Congressman Don Bacon, Republican-Nebraska and co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus, stated that Congress is committed to a strong NATO alliance and emphasised the need for friends to counter China, Russia and Iran.

India pays $35.18 million to United Nations (UN) Regular Budget for 2026, joins honour roll

[United Nations (UN)]

Key Updates:

• India paid USD 35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget for 2026 on 3 February 2026.
• The UN Committee on Contributions listed 47 Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period.
• India is now part of the UN 'honour roll' of Member States that have paid their dues on time.

Russia launches nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk designed to carry Poseidon underwater drone

[Russia]

Key Updates:

• Russia launched its newest nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk on 1 November 2025 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.
• The submarine is designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone Poseidon, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed system capable of intercontinental underwater travel.
• Poseidon is intended to strengthen Russia’s strategic deterrence, bypass existing missile defence systems, and serve as a second-strike weapon.
• The launch ceremony was led by Andrei Belousov, Russia’s Defence Minister, and attended by Alexander Moiseyev, Chief of the Russian Navy.
• The Khabarovsk is part of Russia’s next-generation underwater systems programme aimed at modernising its nuclear forces amid rising global security tensions.

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie Arrives in India for First State Visit

[Seychelles]

Key Updates:

• Seychelles President Patrick Herminie arrived in Chennai for his first State visit to India, which is scheduled to continue until 10 February.
• The visit commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
• President Herminie will hold discussions with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
• The President is scheduled to visit Chennai and Mumbai to participate in various business events.
• Seychelles is designated as a key maritime neighbour under India's Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
• Patrick Herminie was sworn in as the sixth President of Seychelles in October 2025.
• Vice President (VP) CP Radhakrishnan represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of President Herminie in Victoria in October 2025.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the visit follows the previous visit of the Indian VP to Seychelles in October 2025.
• Historical records from 1770 indicate that a group of five Indians were among the first recorded inhabitants of the Seychelles islands.

India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ink terms of reference on 5 February for starting FTA talks

[Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)]

Key Updates:

• India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will sign terms of reference on 5 February to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement.
• Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will preside over the signing ceremony.
• GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
• India already implemented a free trade pact with the UAE in May 2022.
• India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 December 2025.
• Earlier negotiations between India and GCC were held in 2006 and 2008; third round deferred.
• India's exports to GCC rose 1% to USD 57 billion in 2024-25.
• India's imports from GCC rose 15.33% to USD 121.7 billion in 2024-25.
• Bilateral trade reached USD 178.7 billion in 2024-25.
• UAE was India's third-largest trading partner in 2024-25 with a trade deficit of USD 26.76 billion.
• Saudi Arabia was India's fifth-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 18.36 billion.
• Qatar was India's 22nd-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 10.78 billion.
• Oman was India's 28th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 2.48 billion.
• Kuwait was India's 29th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 6.35 billion.
• Bahrain was India's 65th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 45.97 million.

ISRO to Launch GISAT-1A Earth Observation Satellite via GSLV Mk II

[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]

Key Updates:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the GISAT-1A (EOS-05) earth observing satellite on 20 February 2026.
• The mission will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II), which is a fourth-generation three-stage vehicle.
• The GSLV Mk II rocket features four liquid strap-ons and an indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) as its third stage.
• The satellite is designed to operate from a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to facilitate continuous observation of the Indian sub-continent.
• The GISAT-1A mission aims to provide quick monitoring of natural hazards and disaster management.
• The launch will be conducted from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), formerly known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), in Andhra Pradesh.
• Since January 2014, the GSLV Mk II vehicle has achieved four consecutive successful launches.
• ISRO is headquartered in Bangalore and functions as the space agency of the Government of India.

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovers new flowering plant species Dicliptera pakhalica in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Telangana

[Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Telangana]

Key Updates:

• Botanical Survey of India (BSI) scientists identified the new species Dicliptera pakhalica in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahbubabad district, Telangana.
• The species belongs to the Acanthaceae family and was formally described in the journal Brittonia on 29 January.
• The plant was found along stream banks and rocky areas near waterfalls within the sanctuary.
• Dicliptera pakhalica differs from related Eastern Ghats species by adpressed deflexed stem hairiness, unkeeled bracts, absence of glandular hairs on floral parts and fruit, obovoid capsule, and echinate seeds.
• The genus Dicliptera contains over 220 species worldwide; 29 taxa are recorded in India.
• Flowering occurs from November to January and fruiting from December to March.
• The species is currently known only from its type locality and is classified as Data Deficient under IUCN guidelines.

BITS Pilani–Hyderabad and RMIT University develop low-cost biosensor for heart attack detection

[Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University)]

Key Updates:

• A joint doctoral researcher from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani–Hyderabad and RMIT University has developed a flexible, low-cost biosensor for early heart attack detection.
• The graphene-based sensor enables rapid detection of myoglobin, a protein released into the bloodstream shortly after cardiac muscle injury.
• The device is designed to be lightweight and economical, making it suitable for portable and point-of-care testing in rural hospitals and low-resource healthcare facilities.
• The research is a collaboration between the MMNE Laboratory at BITS Pilani–Hyderabad and the Centre for Opto-Electronic Materials and Sensors (COMAS) at RMIT University.
• An Indian patent has been filed for the technology, and the findings were published in the journal IEEE Sensors Letters.

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and The Boring Company to build Dubai Loop

[Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)]

Key Updates:

• Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed an agreement with The Boring Company during the World Governments Summit 2026 to develop the Dubai Loop underground transport system.
• The Dubai Loop is an express underground network using electric vehicles in dedicated tunnels to provide high-speed, point-to-point travel without intermediate stops.
• The pilot phase of the project covers a 6.4 km route with four stations, linking the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area with the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa zone.
• The full network is planned to expand to 22.5 km with 19 stations, stretching toward the Dubai World Trade Centre and Business Bay.
• The tunnels will have a diameter of 3.6 metres and are constructed using high-speed boring methods to minimise surface disruption and costs compared to traditional metro systems.
• The pilot route is estimated to cost 154 million US Dollars and handle 13,000 passengers daily, while the full system is priced at 545 million US Dollars with a capacity of 30,000 passengers daily.
• Dubai will become the second location globally, after California, to adopt this specific tunnel transport model.
• Safety features include 24-hour communication with an operations control centre, emergency exits, fire detection, ventilation systems, and camera coverage.

Indian Railways Deploys AI-Based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) for Elephant Protection

[Indian Railways]

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) have implemented technology-driven measures to prevent elephant-train collisions.
• The AI-enabled Intrusion Detection System (IDS) uses Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) and optical fibre to detect elephant locomotion signatures in real-time.
• The IDS is currently operational across 141 route kilometres at critical locations within the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
• Sanctioned IDS projects include NFR (403.42 km), East Coast Railway (ECOR) (368.70 km), Western Railway (WR) (115 km), and North Eastern Railway (NER) (99.18 km).
• Additional sanctioned IDS works cover Southern Railway (SR) (55.85 km), South Eastern Railway (SER) (55 km), Northern Railway (NR) (52 km), and East Central Railway (ECR) (20.3 km).
• Infrastructure measures include the construction of underpasses, ramps, fencing, and the installation of Honey Bee buzzer devices to act as a deterrent.
• The Railways is trialling thermal vision cameras for night-time detection and has installed solar-powered LED lighting in forest areas to improve visibility.
• Union Minister for Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, stated that an average of 16 elephant-train collision incidents have been reported annually over the past five years.

NASA's Juno spacecraft finds Jupiter smaller and flatter than earlier estimates

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]

Key Updates:

• NASA's Juno spacecraft revealed Jupiter is about 8 kilometres narrower at the equator and 24 kilometres flatter at the poles than previously believed.
• The measurements were derived from 13 close flybys of Jupiter using the radio occultation technique.
• Earlier size estimates relied on six radio occultation experiments by NASA's Pioneer and Voyager missions during the 1970s.
• The findings were published on February 2, 2026, in the journal Nature Astronomy.
• Jupiter's updated dimensions will improve models used to study giant exoplanets beyond our solar system.
• The Juno mission is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate sign MoU to integrate EMI/EMC testing for drone certification.

[ Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate]

Key Updates:

• National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate – Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (North) [ERTL (North)] signed an MoU on 2 February 2026.
• The collaboration enables Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing of drones and their subsystems at ERTL (North).
• EMI/EMC testing addresses regulatory requirements under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS), 2022.
• ERTL (North) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• NTH is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Quality Council of India (QCI) as a Certification Body (CB) / Authorised Testing Entity (ATE) under CSUAS.
• Testing will follow IEC 61000 / IS 14700 standards.
• Integrated certification pathway offers drone manufacturers, especially startups and MSMEs, government-backed testing without duplication of high-cost infrastructure.
• Drones certified through the collaboration will meet international benchmarks including IEC, ISO, MIL-STD, ASTM, and RTCA standards.
• Lower testing costs aim to accelerate innovation in agriculture, logistics, healthcare delivery, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and smart cities.
• National Test House (NTH), established in 1912, operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.

Airbus inaugurates Centre of Excellence for aerospace research at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Vadodara

[Airbus]

Key Updates:

• Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• The CoE will focus on Research and Development (R&D) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and supporting student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.
• A key objective of the centre is to develop groundbreaking technologies that transform Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
• The partnership includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third of these scholarships reserved for women.
• Airbus has established a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies at GSV to support undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term executive programmes.
• GSV was established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022 to cover the entire transportation sector, including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, and Maritime.
• The university is headed by Chancellor Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology.

Digantara partners with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to build space-debris protection tools

[Singapore]

Key Updates:

• Bengaluru-based Digantara Industries and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) signed an agreement to co-develop Space Situational Awareness (SSA) tools for protecting Singapore’s national satellites from space-debris collisions.
• The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the Space Summit 2026 in Singapore.
• Digantara will provide DSTA with flight-dynamics services and conjunction-screening alerts for Singapore satellites approaching orbiting debris.
• The collaboration includes integrating Digantara’s sensor data with AI-driven analytics to enhance satellite-tracking accuracy.
• Singapore’s government will participate in assembly, integration and testing of a space-based sensor on an upcoming Digantara mission as part of Singapore’s broader space strategy.
• Digantara views the Singapore deal as a gateway to expand into other Asia-Pacific markets such as South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

BEML, IISc Bengaluru and FSID sign tripartite research pact for aerospace, defence and green tech.

[BEML, IISc Bengaluru, FSID]

Key Updates:

• BEML Limited, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) signed a Tripartite Master Research Agreement (MRA) at IISc campus.
• The collaboration targets blue-sky, applied and translational research in aerospace and defence, rail and metro systems, mining and construction equipment, maritime technologies, next-generation mobility, green technologies and advanced manufacturing.
• The partnership will be anchored through BEML’s newly established Central Research Facility (CRF) for joint knowledge creation, simulation, prototyping, technology validation and intellectual property generation.
• BEML has committed significant R&D investments to sustain the collaborative programmes aligned with national priorities of indigenisation and self-reliance.

Milano Cortina 2026 hosts Winter Olympics from 6 February

Key Updates:

• The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will take place from 6 February to 22 February 2026.
• The opening ceremony of the Games is scheduled to be held in Milan.
• Ski mountaineering will make its debut as a new sport at this edition of the Winter Olympics.
• Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be making their first-ever appearances at the Winter Olympics.
• India will be represented by two athletes: Arif Mohammad Khan in Alpine Skiing and Stanzin Lundup in Cross-Country Skiing.
• Both Indian athletes are scheduled to begin their respective campaigns on 7 February 2026.
• Viacom18 holds the official broadcasting rights for the Games in India, with live streaming on JioCinema and television coverage on Sports18.
• Ice hockey will return in full form with the participation of National Hockey League (NHL) players.
• The 16 disciplines featured are Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.

Esha Singh wins 10m air pistol gold at Asian Shooting Championships

Key Updates:

• Esha Singh claimed the women’s 10m air pistol gold at the Asian Shooting Championships held at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi.
• She defeated silver medallist Ching-yen Chen by a commanding margin of 4.8 points, finishing with a score of 239.8.
• Singh had deliberately skipped four preceding domestic finals to undertake four days of mental preparation focused on visualising her finals routine.
• India’s women’s 10m air pistol final also featured double Paris Olympics medallist Manu Bhaker, former world record holder Rhythm Sangwan and three-time 2025 World Cup winner Suruchi Phogat.
• On the men’s side, 21-year-old Samrat Rana secured the Asian Championships bronze in 10m air pistol, adding to his 2025 World Championship gold and World Cup final medal.

Suruchi Phogat and Samrat Rana win silver in 10m air rifle mixed team at Asian Shooting Championship

Key Updates:

• Suruchi Phogat and Samrat Rana secured the silver medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Asian Shooting Championship held at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
• The pair topped the qualification stage but faced a new four-team final format with elimination stages, differing from the previous playoff system.
• Gold medallists were Kamalov Mukhammad and Nigina Saidkulova from Uzbekistan.
• Phogat, aged 19, had won three of the four ISSF World Cups in 2025 and a gold at the World Cup finals.
• Rana, aged 21, claimed a World Championship gold medal earlier, becoming only the third Indian to achieve this feat after Abhinav Bindra and Rudrankksh Patil.

QS Best Student Cities 2026 report

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

• Delhi has emerged as the world's most affordable city for international students, ranking first globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities 2026 report.
• The report titled India's 155 Million Student Mandate was released by Knight Frank, Deloitte India, and QS.
• Mumbai is ranked 11th and Bengaluru is ranked 15th globally in the affordability parameter for students.
• The rankings assessed 150 cities across six categories including affordability, employer activity, university ranking, city desirability, student voice, and student mix.
• India is home to the world's largest 18-23 age cohort, comprising nearly 155 million young adults.
• The report notes that India is transitioning from a traditional outbound student market to a core geography for offshore university campuses.