Daily GK Update- 1st Feb, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. IMMA to Host 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit 2026: The Indian agri-input sector will be in focus as the Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) hosts its 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit & B2B Expo on 5–6 February 2026 at the National Stock Exchange, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. The two-day event will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, scientists, startups, and global experts to deliberate on policy reforms, innovation, and India’s role as a global agri-input manufacturing hub. The summit will be inaugurated by Shri Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, Minister of Marketing & Protocol, Government of Maharashtra. The Guest of Honour, Dr P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India, will outline the government’s vision for agri-input reforms, including ease of doing business, export competitiveness, and faster approval pathways for specialty inputs. Senior officials from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, State Agriculture Departments, and Commissioners from progressive states will participate alongside CEOs and founders of leading agri-input companies.

 

2. Paathara Grain Storage Tradition Fades in Uddanam Region: On a fog-laden morning ahead of Sankranti, a 52-year-old farmer in Jalantara Saasanam village of Srikakulam district prepared a ritual that once defined agrarian life in Uddanam. Marla Dillemma gathered clay, wildflowers, and freshly harvested paddy to consecrate her Paathara, a traditional underground grain storage system practised by farming communities along the Mahendratanaya River near the Andhra Pradesh–Odisha border. The ritual blends agriculture, faith, and household food security. In Jalantara Saasanam, a village of nearly 200 households, only two Paatharas were built this year. Cement roads, concrete houses, and shrinking living spaces have pushed the tradition to the margins. Farmers like Ms. Dillemma and Juttu Moinamma now dig pits outside cattle sheds or in relatives’ yards due to lack of space. Elderly villagers, once custodians of straw-rope making and pit preparation skills, say the practice has nearly vanished in the past two decades.

 

3. Punjab’s Folk and Sufi Traditions at Bharat Parv 2026: punjab/">Punjab’s rich musical and spiritual legacy will take centre stage at Bharat Parv 2026, to be held at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi. On 31 January 2026, audiences will witness a vibrant cultural showcase through performances by the Punjabi Folk Orchestra and the spiritually charged Qalandri Dhamal. Together, these presentations will reflect the depth, diversity, and continuity of Punjab’s folk and Sufi traditions. The Punjabi Folk Orchestra is a distinctive musical ensemble developed around traditional folk instruments of Punjab. Instruments such as dhol, dholki, taal-koze, tansari, flute, nagara, chimta, sap, kara, vanjli, and others are brought together in a single, coordinated performance format. Folk melodies, traditionally performed solo or in small groups, have been carefully composed and arranged to suit an orchestral setting while retaining their authentic sound and rhythm. The orchestra is performed by twelve students, each assigned a specific instrumental role. Their performance reflects discipline, teamwork, and a deep understanding of Punjabi folk idioms. Beyond performance, the initiative serves as an educational platform, offering hands-on exposure to ensemble coordination and folk orchestration.

 

4. New Diplozentrum Orchid Species Found in Idukki: Researchers have identified a new orchid species in the high ranges of Kerala, adding to the botanical richness of the Western Ghats. The species was discovered in Kanthalloor near Marayoor in Idukki district and belongs to the Diplozentrum genus, which is endemic to the southern Western Ghats. The newly identified orchid has been scientifically named “Diplozentrum papillosum”. The genus Diplozentrum is known for its limited geographical distribution, making the discovery significant from both taxonomic and conservation perspectives. The species has been formally documented in the latest issue of the scientific journal “Species”. “Diplozentrum papillosum” is distinguished by its unbranched flower clusters and striking pink-and-white blooms. The petals show a distinctive structure that clearly differentiates it from other known species within the genus. The flowers are noted for their fragrance as well as their visual appeal, enhancing the ornamental and ecological value of the plant.

 

5. Karnataka Governor Reserves Hate Speech Bill for Presidential Assent: Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has reserved the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 for the consideration and assent of the President, citing serious constitutional, legal and procedural concerns. The move pauses the enactment of the legislation passed by the state legislature during its winter session in Belagavi in December 2025. Under provisions aligned with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 196(1) and 196(2), imprisonment may extend up to seven years even for first-time offences. Financial penalties include a fine of ₹50,000 for a first offence and up to ₹1 lakh for repeat offences. The Bill also introduces collective and organisational liability, making office-bearers and leaders of registered and unregistered organisations accountable for hate speech linked to events or activities conducted under their banner.

 

6. Budget 2026 Unveils Mega Infrastructure Push Across Transport and Industry: The Union Budget 2026–27 has placed infrastructure-led growth at the centre of India’s economic strategy, with a sharp rise in public investment and a wide-ranging set of announcements spanning railways, urban regions, logistics, waterways and manufacturing. Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said capital expenditure will be increased to ₹12.2 lakh crore, reaffirming the government’s focus on public investment as a growth catalyst. A major highlight of the Budget is the announcement of seven new high-speed rail corridors to act as “growth connectors” between key economic centres. These include Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri. In parallel, new Dedicated Freight Corridors have been proposed to connect Dankuni in the east with Surat in the west, aimed at easing logistics bottlenecks and lowering freight costs for industry.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India Adds Two New Ramsar Wetlands Ahead of World Wetlands Day: India has expanded its global wetland footprint with the addition of two new sites to the Ramsar list, reinforcing its commitment to environmental conservation ahead of World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2026. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav through a post on social media platform X. The Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s Ramsar network has expanded by over 276 per cent, growing from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present. This growth reflects sustained policy focus on biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability. The international recognition under the Ramsar framework underscores India’s proactive role in protecting fragile wetland ecosystems. The newly designated wetlands are the Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat. With their inclusion, India’s total number of Ramsar sites has increased further, strengthening the country’s standing among leading nations in wetland conservation.

 

2. Zapotec Owl Tomb Discovery in Oaxaca: Archaeologists in southern Mexico have uncovered a remarkably preserved 1,400-year-old tomb belonging to the Zapotec civilisation, offering rare insight into Indigenous funerary traditions and social organisation. The discovery was made in 2025 at San Pablo Huitzo in Oaxaca after authorities investigated an anonymous report of looting at the site. The tomb dates to around A.D. 600, a period when the Zapotecs, also known as the “Cloud People,” flourished in the Oaxaca Valley. The Zapotec civilisation emerged around 700 B.C. and endured until the Spanish conquest in 1521. Today, Zapotec-speaking communities continue to form a significant part of Mexico’s Indigenous population. Inside, a stone doorway separates two chambers. The lintel is engraved with calendrical names, reflecting a Zapotec system in which individuals were identified by symbols linked to their birth dates. Carved figures of a man and a woman flank the doorway, possibly depicting ancestors or guardians. The burial chamber walls preserve vivid murals in white, green, red, and blue, showing a funeral procession carrying bags of copal incense used in ritual ceremonies.

 

3. UAE Signs $20 Million WFP Agreement for Sudan Aid: The United Arab Emirates has strengthened its humanitarian engagement in Sudan by signing a new cooperation agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme, committing US$20 million to support emergency food assistance amid the country’s prolonged conflict. The move comes as millions face acute hunger, displacement, and disruption of basic livelihoods. Under the agreement, the UAE will provide a US$20 million grant to the World Food Programme to accelerate emergency response efforts in Sudan. The funding will focus on delivering food assistance to communities most affected by the conflict, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as internally displaced persons and families living in host communities. The support aims to address urgent food security gaps as fighting continues to disrupt supply chains and agricultural activity. The cooperation agreement was signed between the UAE Aid Agency and the World Food Programme in the presence of senior officials. The UAE was represented by Rashid Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Director of Logistics Support at the agency, while Bashar Al Hammami, Head of the WFP Partnership Office in the UAE, signed on behalf of the organisation. 

 

4. India to Host First Global Big Cats Summit: India will organise the world’s first international summit dedicated to the conservation of big cats in 2026, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced while presenting the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament. The announcement underlines India’s growing leadership in global wildlife conservation and environmental diplomacy. During her Budget speech, Sitharaman said the International Big Cat Alliance will organise the inaugural Big Cats Summit this year. The summit is expected to bring together Heads of State, ministers, and senior officials from 95 big cat range countries. The focus will be on collective conservation strategies, habitat protection, and coordinated action to address threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. The term ‘big cat’ commonly refers to large members of the family Felidae, particularly those belonging to the genus Panthera. These include the tiger, lion, leopard, jaguar, and snow leopard, all of which are capable of roaring. While puma and cheetah do not belong to Panthera, they are often included in broader classifications of big cats due to their size and ecological role. Big cats are considered flagship and umbrella species, meaning their conservation also protects entire ecosystems and numerous other species.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Agni Pariksha Joint Exercise in Arunachal Pradesh: The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have conducted a joint training exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, marking a significant step towards deeper inter-force operational integration. The six-day exercise, named “Agni Pariksha”, was held from January 19 to 24 at Sigar in the East Siang district and focused on enhancing combat synergy and jointmanship between the two forces. The primary aim of “Agni Pariksha” was to familiarise non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions. According to the defence spokesperson, the exercise sought to break traditional role-based silos by exposing infantry and ITBP personnel to realistic artillery employment in dynamic combat situations. The exercise involved spearhead gunners from the Spear Corps training alongside infantry regiments and ITBP units. This marked the first collaborative firepower training initiative of its kind between the Indian Army’s artillery elements and ITBP personnel. Non-artillery troops were systematically trained to independently conduct multiple artillery firing drills under the close supervision of experienced gunners.

 

2. Adampur Airport Renamed After Guru Ravidas, PM Modi Hails Legacy: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the renaming of Adampur Airport in punjab/">Punjab after Sri Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, describing the move as a tribute to the saint’s enduring ideals of equality, dignity and selfless service. The announcement was made during an event in Jalandhar to mark Guru Ravidas’ birth anniversary. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the teachings of Guru Ravidas continue to inspire and energise society. He noted that the saint consistently spoke about equality and equal opportunity, values that remain deeply relevant in contemporary India. The airport will now be officially known as Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj Ji Airport. PM Modi expressed happiness over the renaming of the airport, calling it a symbolic recognition of Guru Ravidas’ contribution to social harmony and inclusive thinking. He said the path of selfless service shown by the saint remains a guiding force for the nation and a source of moral strength for future generations.

 

3. Defence Budget Rises to ₹7.85 Lakh Crore in FY27: The Union Budget 2026–27 has placed defence at the centre of India’s strategic priorities, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing a sharply higher allocation of ₹7.85 lakh crore. The enhanced outlay reflects the government’s emphasis on military preparedness, modernisation, and indigenisation amid a challenging regional security environment. A key highlight of the Budget is the allocation of ₹2,19,306 crore for capital expenditure, aimed at modernising the armed forces. This is a significant increase over last year and signals faster procurement of platforms, weapons, and technology. Within this, ₹63,733 crore has been earmarked for aircraft and aero engines, while ₹25,023 crore has been allocated for strengthening the naval fleet. Revenue expenditure has been pegged at ₹5,53,668 crore, including ₹1,71,338 crore for defence pensions.

 

4. Budget 2026 Boosts Intelligence and Border Security: The Union Budget 2026–27 marks one of the largest-ever investments in India’s internal security architecture, with a sharp focus on intelligence gathering, border infrastructure, and police modernisation. Presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Budget underlines the government’s intent to strengthen national security capabilities amid evolving internal and external threats. Under the Union Budget 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs has received a net allocation of ₹1,73,802.53 crore for police and internal security for FY27. This represents a 7.1 per cent increase over the revised estimates of the previous year. Capital expenditure has seen a dramatic jump of 84 per cent to ₹21,272.47 crore, signalling a decisive shift towards long-term infrastructure creation, technology upgrades, and modern equipment for security forces. The allocation for the Intelligence Bureau has risen sharply to ₹6,782.43 crore, compared to ₹4,013.19 crore in FY25. A major highlight is capital expenditure, which has surged more than eight-fold to ₹2,549.54 crore.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Devika Sihag Wins Maiden Super 300 Title at Thailand Masters: Young Indian shuttler Devika Sihag clinched the biggest title of her career by winning her maiden BWF Super 300 crown at the Thailand Masters, marking a major breakthrough on the international circuit. The 20-year-old from Haryana lifted the women’s singles title after her opponent was forced to retire during the final. Devika sealed the title after Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei retired midway through the women’s singles final of the USD 250,000 tournament. The Indian shuttler was firmly in control of the match, leading 21-8, 6-3 when the world No. 68 Goh, a two-time world junior champion, withdrew due to a hamstring injury. The result handed Devika her first Super 300 title on the BWF World Tour. Devika trains under Umendra Rana at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru and has also benefited from sessions alongside two-time Olympic medallist P. V. Sindhu under Indonesian coach Irwansyah Adi Pratama. Her rise has been gradual but steady, reflecting sustained improvement rather than sudden spikes in form.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. SpaceX to Launch Falcon 9 With 25 Starlink Satellites: US space company SpaceX is set to conduct another Starlink deployment mission with the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from California on February 2. The mission marks a further step in the rapid expansion of SpaceX’s satellite-based internet constellation, aimed at improving global broadband coverage. The Falcon 9 rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base, a facility frequently used for polar and sun-synchronous orbit missions. The rocket will carry 25 Starlink satellites to low Earth orbit. The launch window opens at 12:17 pm EST on February 2 and extends until 4:15 pm EST, corresponding to 8:47 pm IST on February 2 to 12:47 am IST on February 3. The mission will use a highly flight-proven first-stage booster, which will be making its 31st flight. After stage separation, the booster is expected to return for a controlled landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This continued reuse highlights SpaceX’s focus on lowering launch costs and increasing mission frequency through rapid turnaround of hardware.

 

2. Perseverance Completes First AI-Planned Drive on Mars: NASA has achieved a landmark in space exploration as its Perseverance rover successfully completed the first autonomous, artificial intelligence–planned drives on another planet. The breakthrough demonstrates how advanced AI systems can independently analyse terrain and plan safe routes on Mars, reducing reliance on human controllers on Earth and paving the way for more autonomous deep-space missions. The AI used a vision-language model trained on mission datasets similar to those used by human planners. It evaluated slopes, surface hazards, and geological features using high-resolution imagery and elevation models from the HiRISE camera aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Based on this analysis, the system generated a continuous route with precise waypoints, allowing the rover to navigate rocky terrain, boulder fields, and sand waves autonomously.

 

3. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 Launched: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 in the Union Budget 2026, signalling a decisive shift in India’s electronics and semiconductor strategy. The new phase aims to move the country beyond assembly-led manufacturing towards high-value semiconductor intellectual property, materials, and equipment, while deepening domestic supply chains and skills. The Finance Minister announced the launch of ISM 2.0 to build on the gains of the first phase. The mission will focus on producing semiconductor equipment and materials, developing full-stack Indian intellectual property, and strengthening resilient supply chains. Alongside this, customs duty on video game manufacturing parts will be removed from April 1, and customs duty on TV equipment, cameras, and other instruments imported by foreign film and television crews for shooting in India will also be waived from the same date. These measures are expected to support both electronics manufacturing and India’s creative economy.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Budget 2026 Introduces SHE Marts to Boost Women Entrepreneurs : The Union Budget 2026-27 has announced the establishment of Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts as community-owned retail outlets to strengthen women-led enterprises and deepen the self-help group ecosystem across states. The initiative is expected to provide a structured market platform for products made by women entrepreneurs, with Jharkhand emerging as a key beneficiary due to its strong SHG base. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the SHE Marts initiative builds on the success of the Lakhpati Didi Programme and aims to help women transition from credit-based livelihoods to ownership of enterprises. The proposed marts will be set up within cluster-level federations of self-help groups and supported through enhanced and innovative financing instruments. The focus is on enabling women to move up the value chain by accessing organised retail and stable demand. SHE Marts are envisaged as community-owned retail outlets, allowing women-led SHGs to collectively market and sell their products. By aggregating production and linking it to assured retail spaces, the model seeks to reduce dependence on intermediaries and improve income realisation. 

 

2. Budget 2026 Cuts DoT Allocation, Boosts BSNL Capital Support: The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated ₹73,990.94 crore to the Department of Telecommunications, reflecting a moderation in headline spending even as capital support for the state-owned telecom operator BSNL has been significantly strengthened. The revised allocation highlights the government’s focus on telecom infrastructure revival, particularly through public sector-led expansion. The Department of Telecommunications allocation for FY27 is 8.65 per cent lower than the Budget Estimate of ₹81,005.24 crore in FY26. However, it represents a sharp 38.56 per cent increase over the Revised Estimate of ₹53,398.17 crore in FY26. The rise over the revised figure is largely driven by higher capital infusion into Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited to support network expansion and financial recovery. According to Budget documents, the total net allocation for the Department of Telecommunications in FY27 stands at ₹80,927.94 crore. This includes an additional ₹6,937 crore drawn from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. The additional provision will be used for compensation to telecom service providers, the BharatNet rural broadband programme, and research and development initiatives in the telecom sector.

 

3. Budget 2026 Boosts Biogas Blending Through Excise Exemption: The Union Budget 2026-27 has proposed an excise-duty exemption on the biogas or compressed biogas (CBG) component in blended compressed natural gas, signalling a stronger policy push to scale up renewable gas use and reduce India’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. The move aims to correct a long-standing issue of double taxation that had dampened incentives for biogas blending. Under the new provision, central excise duty will not be levied on the biogas portion of blended CNG. Until now, both pure CNG and blended CNG attracted a 14 per cent central excise duty, in addition to 5 per cent GST and state-level VAT. By excluding the biogas component from excise calculations, the Budget lowers the effective tax burden and improves the cost competitiveness of blended gas for city gas distribution companies.