Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs February 3 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of Wings India 2026 Held in Hyderabad, TelanganaIn January 2026, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), inaugurated Asia’s largest civil aviation event ‘Wings India 2026’, held from 28 to 31 January 2026, at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, Telangana.
About Wings India 2026:
Theme: The theme of Wings India 2026 was “Indian Aviation: Paving the Future- From Design to Deployment, Manufacturing to Maintenance, Inclusivity to Innovation and Safety to Sustainability”.
Organised by: The 4-day biennial event was organised by the MoCA in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
PM Modi Addressed Event: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi virtually addressed the Wings India 2026. While addressing the event, he highlighted that India has emerged as the world’s 3rd-largest domestic aviation market.
Wings India 2026 Awards:  These awards were formally presented by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and MoCA Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha.

• Delhi International Airport Limited was awarded with the Best Airport of the Year.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was named the Best Contributor to Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Gujarat were awarded with the ‘Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem’ award at the event, while Andhra Pradesh (AP) won the Best State with a Dedicated Outlook for the aviation sector.

Key Announcements by Air India: Air India placed an order for additional 30 fuel-efficient Boeing narrowbody aircrafts, comprising 20 Boeing 737-8 and 10 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, bringing its total orders with Boeing to 250 planes.

• In addition to that, Air India has revamped its existing partnership with Airbus, converting 15 A321neo orders into the more advanced A321XLR (Extra Long Range)variant.

Key MoUs Signed by HAL: The Indian Public Sector aerospace manufacturer, HAL signed an agreement with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC)for cooperation in the production of Superjet 100 (SJ-100), a twin-engine regional commercial aircraft designed to carry a maximum 100 passengers,  in India.

• It also secured a contract worth over Rs 1,800 crore from domestic entity Pawan Hans Limited, for the supply of 10 Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopters, including associated spares, and accessories.

Gujarat Becomes India’s Largest Contributor to Renewable Energy Capacity
As of December 31, 2025, Gujarat emerged as the largest contributor to India’s Renewable Energy(RE) capacity, with cumulative installations of 42.583 Gigawatt (GW), accounting for 16.50% of the country’s total RE capacity.
About RE Leadership:
Overall Rank: It ranks first in total installed RE capacity (42.583 Gigawatt(GW)), first in wind power capacity (14,820.94 Megawatt(MW)), second in solar power capacity (25,529.40 MW), and first in rooftop solar installations.
Rooftop Scale: It crossed 11 lakh rooftop solar installations with a cumulative capacity of 6,412.80 MW.
Solar Pumps: Gujarat installed 12,700 standalone off-grid solar water pumps under Component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surakshaevam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme, generating 89.54 MW.
Wind Policy: Gujarat pioneered wind energy development in India by launching the country’s first Wind Power Policy and has an installed wind capacity of 14,820.94 MW.
National Goals: Gujarat is contributing significantly to achieving India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070 and the goal of sourcing 50% of electricity from RE by 2030.

MHA Mandates Two-Year Central Deputation for IPS Officers’ IGP Posting
In January 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revised its promotion guidelines by making a minimum two-year Central Deputation experience mandatory for Indian Police Service (IPS) officers at the ranks of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) to become eligible for posting as Inspector General of Police (IGP) with the Union Government.
Key Details:
Objective: The measure aims to improve the availability of experienced officers at the Centre and strengthen leadership in Central Police Organisations (CPOs) and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
Applicability:  The directive applies to IPS officers of the 2011 batch onwards.
Earlier Norm:  A similar mandatory Central deputation requirement was already applicable to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers.

CCRAS Signs MoU with Berhampur University to Digitize Rare Ayurvedic Manuscripts
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), under the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January 2026, with Berhampur University, Berhampur (Odisha), at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) for a period of 2 years in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
Signitaries: The MoU was signed by Geetanjali Das, Vice Chancellor, Berhampur University; Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS; in the presence of B.S. Prasad, Former President, National Council for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM).
Key Details of the MoU:
Purpose: The MoU aims to digitize, catalogue, and publish rare Ayurvedic manuscripts and palm-leaf documents preserved at the South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC).
Implementing Agency: The collaboration will be led by the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad (Telangana), which functions as a peripheral unit of CCRAS.
Manuscript Collection: Berhampur University houses over 2,000 palm-leaf manuscripts, which contain unpublished and rare Ayurvedic knowledge, which require careful scientific preservation.
Areas of Collaboration: It includes digitization of Ayurvedic manuscripts, cataloguing and documentation, academic and research collaboration, and promoting traditional knowledge systems using modern technology.

SAIL Launches ‘SAIL-e-BRATION’ to Celebrate Steel-to-Soul Connection
The Steel Authority of India (SAIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under the Ministry of Steel (MoS), launched “सेल-e-BRATION (SAIL-e-BRATION): Steel Built India, SAIL Built Trust”, a national creative challenge, in collaboration with MyGov, a citizen engagement platform of the Government of India (GoI) in January 2026,.

Key Details of SAIL-e-BRATION Challenge:
Overview: The SAIL-e-BRATION invites Indians to showcase their storytelling skills through short videos, reels, or digital advertisements. Format of MP4 videos (≤120 sec, 1080pixels) and need to submit via MyGov by Feb 16, 2026.
Purpose: The campaign aims to show SAIL’s role in everyday life and its contribution to building the nation, creating an emotional “Steel-to-Soul” connection.
Themes: The challenge includes themes across sectors, including:

• Building India’s Big Dreams – Railways, bridges, highways
• Shield & Star – Defense (tanks, ships) and space exploration
• A Little Bit of SAIL in Everyone’s Life – Schools, hospitals, sports programs
• Products Everywhere – SAIL’s presence in homes, offices, and cities.

Prizes: The top 5 creators will receive Rs.10,000 each, a Certificate and Letter of Appreciation from SAIL, and their work will be featured on the social media handle of SAIL.

GoI Withdraws 18% Excise Duty on Unmanufactured Tobacco
On January 31, 2026, Government of India (GoI) withdrew the 18% Central Excise Duty levied on unmanufactured tobacco or tobacco refuse when it was cleared without a brand name and not packed for retail sale, effective February 1, 2026.
Key Details:
Background: Previously, all unmanufactured tobacco cleared from factories or warehouses was subject to 18% excise duty.
New Amendment: Under the new amendment, unbranded and non-retail packed unmanufactured tobacco will now attract nil excise duty, providing relief, especially to farmers, small suppliers, and businesses in the unorganized segment.

• Other forms of unmanufactured tobacco such as those that are branded or packaged for retail sale will attract the 18% excise duty.

Cigarette Duty: It has been clarified that excise duty on cigarettes continues to remain unchanged regardless of stick length.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI Launches ‘CHAKRA’ to Invest Rs 100 Trillion in Sun Rise Sectors over Next 5 YearsIn January 2026, the State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest Public Sector Bank (PSB), launched CHAKRA, a dedicated Centre of Excellence (CoE) for financing sunrise sectors that are crucial to India’s economic development.

• This new CoE was formally inaugurated by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Key Details of CHAKRA:
Priority Sectors: As per the SBI, the newly launched CoE will primarily focus on 08 sunrise sectors such as: Renewable Energy (RE), Advanced Cell Chemistry & Battery Storage Electric Mobility, Green Hydrogen, Semiconductors, Decarbonisation, Smart Infrastructure, and Data Centre Infrastructure.
Investment Potential: Together, these eight sunrise sectors  are expected to attract investments(including debt and equity) worth around Rs 100 trillion over the next 5 years (i.e. by 2030).
MoUs with 21 Financial Institutions: SBI has also signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with 21 financial institutions, including Japanese lenders Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
About State Bank of India (SBI):
Chairman- Challa Sreenivasulu (C.S.) Setty
Tagline- The Banker to Every Indian
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 1955

Matrixport Receives In-Principle Approval for Regulated Financial Services in GMC, Bhutan
In February 2026, Matrixport, a leading digital asset financial services platform, announced that its Bhutan-based entity, Matrix Bhutan Pte Ltd, received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Gelephu Financial Services Office (GFSO) to operate regulated financial services within or from Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan.
Key Details:
Permitted Activities: Matrixport’s licence will allow it to offer regulated money services, deal in investments as a matched principal, and provide custody services for assets.
Regulatory Status: No regulated services will be offered until all licensing requirements are satisfied and final approval is granted by the GFSO.
Framework: Matrixport’s proposed operations in GMC will be supported by Supervision, Compliance, and Governance.

Central Bank of India Partners with HSBC Asset Management to Offer MF Solutions
In January 2026, the Central Bank of India (CBI), one of India’s leading Public Sector Banks (PSBs) , has signed a distribution agreement with HSBC Asset Management (India)Private Limited to offer the Asset Management Company (AMC)’s Mutual Fund(MF) products to its customers.

• With this agreement, the bank aims to expand its wealth management offerings.

Key Details of Partnership:
MF Distribution: The partnership enables CBI to offer HSBC AMC MF schemes, equity, debt, and hybrid, through its branches and digital platforms.
Investment Solutions: Under the agreement, HSBC Asset Management (India) will provide professionally managed MF solutions to CBI customers.
Benefits: The collaboration aims to help clients potentially unlock the value of their savings via diversified investment products tailored for long‑term financial goals.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

68th Grammy Awards 2026: Dalai Lama, K-Pop Win First Grammys, Bad Bunny Wins Album of the YearOn February 1, 2026, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, won his first Grammy Award in the Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording category for “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, a project blending his spoken reflections with music and cultural elements, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA).

• Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright accepted the award on behalf of Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso.
• The track “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters won Best Song Written for Visual Media, marking the first Grammy win for a Korean Pop (K-Pop).

Highlights of the Grammy Awards 2026:
Major Four Categories:
Best Music Film: Steven Spielberg earned his first Grammy for Best Music Film as a producer on Music for John Williams, a documentary honoring John Williams’ career.
Album of the Year: Bad Bunny won the Album of the Year (AOTY) award for Debi Tirar Mas Fotos, marking the first win for a Spanish language album.
Record of the Year: The song “Luther”, a collaborative track by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, won the Record of the Year award.
Song of the Year: The song “Wildflower”, written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’ Connell, won the Song of the Year award.
Best New Artist: Olivia Dean, singer-songwriter, won the Best New Artist award.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sunetra Pawar Becomes First Woman Deputy CM of  MaharashtraOn January 31, 2026, Sunetra Pawar, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP), was sworn in as Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister(DyCM), becoming the first woman to assume the post in the state’s history.

• The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai(Maharashtra), in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and other cabinet ministers.

Background:
Vacancy: The Deputy CM post became vacant after a tragic plane crash killed Ajit Pawar, leader of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and late husband of Sunetra Pawar, on January 29, 2026.
Legislative Requirement: Currently Sunetra Pawar is not a member of the Maharashtra legislature. As per constitutional provisions, She will need to become a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) within six months to continue holding the Deputy CM post.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM) – Devendra Fadnavis
Governor – Acharya Devvrat
Capital – Mumbai
Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) – Radhanagari WLS, Rehekuri Blackbuck WLS

SPORTS

Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz & Elena Rybakina Win Men’s and Women’s Singles Title Carlos Alcaraz from Spain won the Men’s Singles title while Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan won the Women’s Singles title at the Australian Open (AO) 2026, the first Grand Slam of the year, was held at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, from January 18 to February 1, 2026.

• It was the 114th edition of the tournament, the 58th in the Open Era.

Highlights of Australian Open 2026:
Men’s Singles: Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 to win his first Australian Open title. At 22 years and 272 days, he became the youngest man in the Open Era to complete a career Grand Slam, surpassing Don Budge’s record from 1938.
Women’s Singles : Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 6–4, 4–6, 6–4 to claim her second Grand Slam singles title and became the first Kazakh woman to win the Australian Open singles crown.
Men’s Doubles: Christian Harrison (the United States of America, USA) and Neal Skupski (the United Kingdom, UK) defeated Australia’s Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7–6(7–4), 6–4 to win the title.
Women’s Doubles:Elise Mertens (Belgium) and Zhang Shuai (China) defeated Anna Danilina(Kazakhstan) and Aleksandra Krunić(Serbia) 7–6(7–4), 6–4 to win the title.
Mixed Doubles: Australia’s Olivia Gadecki & John Peers defeated France’s Kristina Mladenovic & Manuel Guinard 4–6, 6–3, [10–8], becoming the first team since 1989 to defend the Australian Open mixed doubles title.
Australian Open Deaf Championships 2026: Italian player Marco Carretta won both Men’s Singles and Doubles titles at the 2026 Australian Open Deaf Tennis Slam in Melbourne Park, marking a historic double victory in the Deaf tennis category.

Devika Sihag Claimed Maiden Super 300 Title at Thailand Masters 2026
In February 2026, Indian Shuttler Devika Sihag (from Haryana) won her maiden Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 title after Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei retired midway through the women’s singles final of the Thailand Masters 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand.

• In the Men’s Singles category, Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah(Indonesia) clinched the title in the final match of Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters which carries a cash prize of USD 250,000.

About Thailand Masters 2026:
3rd Indian Women: With this victory, she became only the third Indian woman to win a BWF Super 300 title, following two-time Olympic medallist P.V. Sindhu and Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal.
Other Key Accomplishments: She won her 1st BWF International Title at the Malaysia International in August 2025.

• She finished runner-up at the Indonesia Masters Super 100 and competed for 4 BWF titles in 2024, winning trophies at the Swedish Open and Portugal International.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Indian Coast Guard Day 2026 – February 1Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Day is observed annually on 1 February to commemorate the establishment of the ICG under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and to honour its crucial role in safeguarding India’s coastlines and enforcing maritime laws.

• 1 February 2026 marks the 50th Raising Day of the ICG.

Background:
Declaration: The Indian Parliament declared ICG Day on 18 August 1978.
First Observance: The first ICG day was observed on 1 February, 1979.
History of Indian Coast Guard(ICG):
Establishment: In 1977, the Union Cabinet approved the creation of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), with 2 frigates and 5 patrol boats transferred from the Indian Navy (IN).
Legal Formation: The ICG was officially formed on 1 February 1977 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978.

•  The ICG was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister(PM) Morarji Desai on 19 August 1978.

First Coast Guard Vessel: In 1978, the first Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS), Kuthar (Pennant No. 31), was transferred from the Indian Navy(IN) to the ICG.
Key Responsibilities: It is responsible for maritime security and surveillance, search and rescue operations, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy actions, protection of fishermen, and disaster relief support during cyclones, floods, and other emergencies.

World Wetlands Day 2026 – February 2The United Nations (UN’s) World Wetlands Day (WWD) is observed annually across the globe on 2 February to raise global awareness about the importance of wetlands for environmental sustainability and human well-being.

• The day commemorated the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention), signed on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2026.
• 2026 Theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage”

Background:
Origins: WWD was first observed in 1997, organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Wetlands and celebrated by its Contracting Parties.
UN Status: The day was declared a UN International Day by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) through Resolution A/RES/75/317, adopted on 30 August 2021.
UN Observance: The first UN-recognized World Wetlands Day was observed on 2 February 2022.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
Total Ramsar sites: As of January 2026, the Ramsar List remained the world’s largest network of protected wetlands, with over 2,520 sites across 172 countries, covering nearly 2.5 million sq km.
World’s First: The world’s first Ramsar Site, Cobourg Peninsula in Australia, was designated in 1974.

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