NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Karnataka
Approves Ballot Papers For Panchayat Elections: The Karnataka Cabinet has
approved the use of ballot papers and ballot boxes for forthcoming panchayat elections,
marking a significant shift away from Electronic
Voting Machines. The decision reflects
growing concerns within the state government about the credibility and public
trust in electronic voting systems at the grassroots level. The approval clears
the path for amending the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj framework to
enable traditional voting methods. State Minister “HK Patil” confirmed that the
existing law does not explicitly permit ballot papers and ballot boxes. The
proposed Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, will
introduce the required legal provisions. Once enacted, it will formally allow
panchayat elections to be conducted through paper ballots. The decision follows
an earlier policy stance taken in September last year, when the government
resolved to recommend the use of ballot papers for panchayat and urban local
body elections.
2. India,
GCC Formalise Start of Free Trade Talks: India has moved closer to a comprehensive free trade
agreement with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) by signing the
Terms of Reference for negotiations, marking a renewed push to deepen economic
ties with one of its most critical trading partners amid global uncertainty.
The signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) formally outlines the scope,
structure and modalities of negotiations for a proposed India–GCC free trade
agreement. This step enables both sides to begin structured discussions on
tariff reduction, market access and regulatory cooperation. The GCC
comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, collectively forming India’s largest
regional trading bloc. The GCC is a key trade and investment partner for India,
accounting for over 15% of India’s total global trade. India’s exports to the
bloc are valued at nearly $57 billion, while imports, largely driven by crude
oil, gas and petrochemicals, stand at around $122 billion. Bilateral trade with
the GCC has grown at an average annual rate of about 15% over the past five
years, highlighting the region’s strategic economic importance.
3. Manipur
Deputy CM Appointment Triggers Delhi Protests: The appointment of Nemcha
Kipgen as Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur has triggered sharp protests in New
Delhi, exposing deep fractures within the Kuki-Zo community amid the state’s
unresolved ethnic conflict. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has
projected the move as inclusive governance, sections of the Kuki-Zo population
view it as a political betrayal at a time when demands for justice and separate
administration remain unaddressed. Nemcha Kipgen, 60, became the first woman
Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur and the first leader from the Kuki-Zo tribal
community to hold the post. She took oath virtually from Manipur Bhawan in New
Delhi, administered by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, shortly after Yumnam
Khemchand Singh was sworn in as Chief Minister at Lok Bhavan, Imphal. The new
government includes three Deputy Chief Ministers, representing the Kuki-Zo,
Naga and Meitei communities, in what the BJP has termed a “popular government”.
4. Indian
Researchers Develop Low-Cost Biosensor For Early Heart Attack Detection: Researchers have
developed a flexible and economical biosensor capable of rapidly detecting
myoglobin, a critical cardiac biomarker linked to the early stages of a heart
attack. The innovation is expected to significantly improve early diagnosis,
particularly in resource-limited healthcare settings, by enabling faster and
more accessible cardiac screening. The newly developed sensor is graphene-based
and detects myoglobin, a protein released into the bloodstream soon after
cardiac muscle injury. Early identification of myoglobin is clinically
important, as it allows physicians to diagnose cardiac events much earlier than
many conventional diagnostic methods. Rapid detection can be crucial for timely
medical intervention and improved patient outcomes. Unlike traditional
laboratory-based cardiac tests that are costly, time-consuming, and
infrastructure-dependent, the new biosensor is lightweight, flexible, and
low-cost. Its design makes it suitable for portable and point-of-care testing.
An Indian patent has been filed for the technology, highlighting its potential
for real-world deployment. Lead investigator Sanket Goel noted that the focus
is on translating advanced sensing technology into affordable cardiac
diagnostics.
5. India
Develops Lead-Free Self-Powered Photodetector: Researchers in India have
developed a novel, lead-free and environmentally friendly photodetector that
operates without external power and offers stable long-term performance. The
innovation opens new possibilities for applications in consumer electronics,
industrial monitoring, security systems, and biomedical imaging, while
addressing key environmental and durability concerns linked to existing
technologies. The research has been carried out by scientists at the
International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials
(ARCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology
Hyderabad. ARCI is an autonomous institute under the Department
of Science and Technology. The
findings have been published in the international journal “Solar Energy” by Elsevier. Photodetectors convert
light into electrical signals and are critical components in cameras,
environmental sensors, smart wearables, and imaging systems. Many
high-performance devices currently rely on lead-based perovskites, which raise
environmental and health concerns due to lead toxicity and also suffer from
performance degradation under real-world conditions. The Indian team addressed
these issues by developing a device based on the lead-free double perovskite
material Cs₂AgBiBr₆.
6. Indian
Railways Deploys AI System To Prevent Elephant Deaths: Indian Railways has
introduced an artificial
intelligence-enabled Intrusion Detection
System to prevent accidents involving elephants on railway tracks, addressing a
long-standing wildlife safety concern. The initiative aims to reduce elephant
fatalities in forested and wildlife-sensitive regions where railway lines
intersect traditional elephant corridors. The system has been developed by the
Indian Railways in coordination with the Ministry of Environment Forest and
Climate Change. It uses Distributed Acoustic Sensors installed along optical
fibre cables laid near railway tracks. These sensors are pre-fed with acoustic
signatures of elephant movement, enabling the system to detect elephant
locomotion close to tracks with high precision. Once elephant movement is
detected, the system generates real-time alerts for loco pilots, station
masters, and railway control rooms, allowing trains to slow down or halt in
time. The Intrusion Detection System is currently operational over 141 route
kilometres in critical locations under the Northeast Frontier Railway. Further
expansion has been sanctioned across multiple railway zones, including East
Coast, Southern, Northern, South Eastern, North Eastern, Western, and East
Central Railways, covering several hundred additional route kilometres.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Iran’s
First Female Member Elected To IOC: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected
its first female member from Iran, marking a historic milestone for both the
country and the global Olympic movement. Soraya Aghaei was elected on February
4, 2026, becoming not only the first Iranian woman to join the IOC but also its
youngest current member. Soraya Aghaei was elected as the 107th member of the
“International Olympic Committee” by an overwhelming 95–2 vote. She is only the
third-ever Iranian representative to be part of the IOC and the first since
2004. Her election reflects the IOC’s continued push towards inclusivity,
generational renewal, and broader geographic representation within its ranks.
At 30 years of age, Aghaei is a member of the Iranian Olympic Committee’s
Athletes’ Commission. She made history earlier as Iran’s first female badminton
Olympian, competing at the “Tokyo Summer Olympics”. Her sporting background and
athlete-centric experience position her as a key voice in deliberations
concerning athlete welfare and governance reforms within the Olympic system.
2. Trump
Unveils Project Vault to Secure US Mineral Supplies: US President Donald Trump
has announced a $12 billion initiative aimed at building a strategic stockpile
of critical minerals, seeking to shield American industries from supply
disruptions and reduce dependence on China. The programme, named Project Vault,
reflects growing concern in Washington over vulnerabilities in defence,
technology and manufacturing supply chains. Project Vault is designed as a
public–private partnership to purchase and store critical minerals and rare
earth elements essential for modern industry. Announced by Donald Trump at the
White House, the initiative will combine $1.67 billion in private seed funding
with up to $10 billion backed by the US Export-Import Bank. Minerals targeted
include cobalt and gallium, which are vital for batteries,
semiconductors, defence electronics and jet engines. Under the scheme,
participating companies will commit in advance to buying minerals at a fixed
inventory price and pay upfront fees. Based on these commitments, Project Vault
will procure and store the required materials.
3. Visa
Expiry Leaves Hakki Pikki Tribe Members Stranded in Africa: Eight members of Karnataka’s Hakki Pikki tribal community are
facing a grave crisis in Central Africa after their visas expired, leaving them
at risk of arrest and unable to return home. The incident has triggered appeals
for urgent intervention by the Indian government, reviving memories of earlier
overseas distress faced by the community. The Hakki Pikki community, largely
based in Davanagere, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts of Karnataka, traditionally travels abroad to sell
herbal medicines and indigenous products. As part of this long-standing
practice, eight members travelled to Central Africa in 2025. However, their
visas expired on December 22, pushing them into legal trouble with local
authorities. In a video message released from abroad, the stranded individuals
appealed directly to the Ministry of External Affairs, urging immediate
diplomatic intervention. They said they lacked the money to pay fines and
requested help for the return of their passports and safe repatriation to
India.
4. Dubai
To Launch Underground Dubai Loop Transport: Dubai is set to become the second city in the world
after Las Vegas to introduce the Dubai Loop, an underground high-speed
transport system developed by The Boring Company. The project, announced at the
World Government Summit, marks a major step in Dubai’s efforts to modernise
urban mobility and reduce congestion in high-density corridors. The Dubai Loop
was unveiled by the Roads and Transport Authority at the World Government
Summit. RTA Director General Matar Al Tayer described the project as an iconic
initiative designed to connect densely populated and high-traffic areas through
one-directional underground tunnels, enabling faster and more efficient city
travel. The full Dubai Loop network will span 22.2 kilometres and include 19
stations, with an estimated total cost of around $681 million. The first phase
will connect the Dubai International Financial Centre and Dubai Mall, covering
6.4 kilometres with four stations. This phase is expected to cost about $163
million and is projected to be completed within one to two years.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Exercise
Khanjar Begins At Missamari In Assam: The annual India–Kyrgyzstan joint special forces exercise
‘Khanjar’ commenced on February 4 at Missamari in Assam, reinforcing defence cooperation
between the two countries. The bilateral drill underscores the shared
commitment of India and Kyrgyzstan towards enhancing
counter-terrorism capabilities and promoting regional peace and stability. The
exercise will be conducted from February 4 to February 17 and involves a
20-member contingent from the Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)
and an equal-strength team from the ILBRIS Special Forces Brigade of
Kyrgyzstan. The training is being held at Missamari, a key military station
in Assam, known for hosting joint exercises and
operational readiness activities. According to the Ministry of Defence, the
primary aim of Exercise Khanjar is to exchange best practices and operational
experiences in counter-terrorism and special forces missions. The training
focuses on urban and mountainous terrain, reflecting real-world operational
environments. Key skill areas include sniping, complex building intervention,
and advanced mountain craft, enhancing the tactical proficiency of
participating troops.
2. DRDO
Successfully Demonstrates SFDR Missile Technology: India has achieved a
major milestone in advanced missile propulsion with the successful
demonstration of Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology by the Defence
Research & Development Organisation. The test marks a critical step towards
strengthening India’s long-range air-to-air missile capabilities and enhancing
its aerial combat edge. All critical subsystems, including the nozzle-less
booster, solid fuel ducted ramjet motor, and fuel flow controller, performed as
per expectations. The system’s performance was validated using comprehensive
flight data captured by multiple tracking instruments deployed along the Odisha coast over the Bay of Bengal. The test was monitored by senior
scientists from key DRDO laboratories such as the Defence Research &
Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Research
Centre Imarat, and ITR.
SPORTS
1. Esha
Singh Wins Gold At Asian Shooting Championship: Olympian Esha Singh
clinched the gold medal in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event on the
opening day of the Asian Rifle and Pistol Championship in New Delhi. Competing
at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, the 21-year-old produced a strong
comeback in the final to reaffirm India’s dominance in the discipline. Esha
Singh scored 239.8 in the final to secure her second individual senior Asian
Championship gold medal. She finished ahead of shooters from Chinese Taipei,
overcoming a stiff challenge from Cheng Yen-Ching, who won silver with 235.4,
and Yu Ai-Wen, who took bronze with 217.7. Esha’s composed shooting under
pressure proved decisive in the later stages of the final. In the women’s team
10m air pistol event, India struck gold with a combined score of 1,726. The
Indian trio comprised Esha Singh, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, and Suruchi
Singh. Vietnam finished second to claim silver,
while Chinese Taipei secured the bronze medal, completing a strong team showing
for India on the opening day.
2. Suruchi
Singh, Samrat Rana Win Silver At Asian Championship: Indian shooters Suruchi
Singh and Samrat Rana clinched the silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed
team event at the Asian Championship on Thursday, continuing India’s strong
showing at the continental meet. The pair delivered a record-breaking
performance but narrowly missed gold against a dominant Uzbek team. Suruchi
Singh and Samrat Rana finished with a score of 479.6 in the final, setting a
new world and Asian junior record. However, Uzbekistan’s duo of Nigina Saidkulova and
Mukhammad Kamalov secured gold with 481.3. The Indian team began strongly,
leading after the first series with 100.5, but the Uzbek shooters overtook them
by the third series and maintained the advantage through the elimination
rounds. In the qualification round, Suruchi Singh and Samrat Rana posted a
combined score of 583, identical to the Vietnamese pair of Vinh Thu Trinh and
Minh Cong Lai. India advanced to the final due to a higher count of Inner 10s.
The second Indian team, featuring Manu Bhaker and Sharvan Kumar, scored 571 to
finish ninth and missed out on the final.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Chichón
Volcano Shows Fresh Signs of Hydrothermal Activity: Unusual physical and
chemical changes inside the crater of Mexico’s Chichón volcano have drawn renewed
scientific attention, raising concerns about a dynamic hydrothermal system
beneath its crater lake. While no imminent eruption is expected, researchers
say the volcano is no longer geochemically stable and requires closer monitoring.
Scientists monitoring the crater lake detected a series of anomalies between
June and December 2025. Surface temperatures in the lake repeatedly reached up
to 118°C, well above typical geothermal levels. Field teams also observed
visible gas bubbling, with increased emissions of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. These gases, though common in volcanic
systems, can accumulate to dangerous levels in confined crater environments.
Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico reported the appearance of
floating hollow sulfur spheres, formed when volcanic gases rise through pools
of molten sulfur beneath the lakebed.
2. Isro
Readies Gisat-1A Launch After Past Setbacks: More than four years after a failed mission derailed
India’s geo-imaging ambitions, the Indian
Space Research Organisation (Isro)
is preparing to launch Gisat-1A, also designated EOS-05, as a replacement for
the lost Gisat-1 satellite. The spacecraft is
expected to reach India’s spaceport shortly, marking a critical step in
restoring near real-time Earth observation capability. Gisat-1A follows the
unsuccessful GSLV-F10 mission of August 12, 2021, when a cryogenic upper stage
anomaly prevented the original Gisat-1 (EOS-03) from reaching orbit. That
failure came after two earlier launch postponements in 2020 and early 2021 due
to technical issues. Since then, Isro has undertaken multiple design reviews
and validation exercises to ensure mission readiness. The 2.2-tonne class
Gisat-1A satellite is designed to provide frequent, near real-time imaging of
large regions of interest. While primarily a civilian Earth observation
satellite, it holds strategic value by enabling all-weather, cloud-free
monitoring of the Indian subcontinent. Its data will support agriculture,
forestry, mineral exploration, disaster management, oceanography, snow and
glacier studies, and cloud property analysis, while also aiding operational
planning by India’s armed forces.
3. New
Flowering Plant Species Discovered In Pakhal Sanctuary: Scientists from the Botanical Survey of
India have identified a new species of flowering plant in Pakhal Wildlife
Sanctuary in Telangana’s Mahbubabad district, highlighting the
region’s rich and still-unfolding plant diversity. The species has been named
“Dicliptera pakhalica” and was formally described in the international
botanical journal “Brittonia” on January 29. The discovery was made during
systematic floristic surveys conducted by scientists of the Botanical Survey of
India in the Pandem East Beat of the Gangaram Range inside Pakhal Wildlife
Sanctuary. The research team comprised BSI scientist L. Rasingam, botanist P.
Harikrishna, research scholar A. Parthiban, and forest divisional officer V.
Chandra Sekhara Rao. The plant was found along stream banks and rocky areas
near waterfalls, habitats known for supporting diverse native flora.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI
Holds Repo Rate At 5.25% After Union Budget: The Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) on Thursday kept
the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its first monetary policy decision after
the Union Budget 2026, signalling confidence in growth while remaining cautious
on inflation amid global uncertainty. Announcing the decision after the
three-day meeting of the Monetary
Policy Committee, RBI Governor Sanjay
Malhotra said the decision was unanimous. The central bank also retained its
monetary policy stance at “neutral”, indicating that interest rates are likely
to remain stable in the near term unless macroeconomic conditions change
sharply. The RBI assessed the Indian economy to be on a firm footing despite
global volatility. Real GDP growth for the current financial year has been
pegged at 7.4%. For the next financial year, growth is projected at 6.9% in the
first quarter and 7% in the second quarter. The central bank noted that
underlying data suggests growth momentum could be sustained over a longer
period.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Bhutan
Queen Mother Receives Upendra Nath Brahma Award: Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo
Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, was conferred the 22nd Upendra Nath
Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award, 2025, at a special ceremony held at
Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, western Assam. The award recognises her lifelong
commitment to humanitarian service, social development, and inclusive growth,
reinforcing cross-border bonds rooted in compassion and community welfare. The
Queen Mother is the founder-president of the “Tarayana Foundation”, which has spearheaded
comprehensive rural development initiatives across Bhutan. The foundation works
in areas such as poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, education,
healthcare delivery, and preservation of cultural heritage. Its
community-centric model emphasises self-reliance, sustainability, and respect
for indigenous traditions, making it a flagship institution in Bhutan’s social
sector.
2. Rouble
Nagi Wins Global Teacher Prize In Dubai: Indian
teacher and social activist Rouble Nagi has won the prestigious Global Teacher
Prize, earning international recognition for transforming education access
among children living in urban slums. The award was presented in Dubai on
February 5, honouring her efforts to bring structured learning to children who
had never attended school and to support those at risk of dropping out. Rouble
Nagi has pioneered an unconventional yet impactful approach to education by
setting up over 800 learning centres across India. Alongside these centres, she
has painted educational murals in slum settlements, turning walls into
classrooms. These murals cover literacy, mathematics, science, and history,
making learning visually engaging and accessible to children from underserved
communities. Nagi travels extensively to work directly with children at these
centres and mentors the teachers who manage daily instruction. She has
recruited and trained more than 600 volunteer and paid educators. Her teaching
model adapts to the realities of poverty, child labour, early marriage, and
irregular attendance by offering flexible schedules, practical lessons using
recycled materials, and skill-based learning relevant to family livelihoods.
