04th February 2026

1. India hosts the second India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi to strengthen diplomatic and strategic ties
2. IHMCL signs an MoU with NFSU to enhance cybersecurity frameworks for national highway operations
3. Tripura Gramin Bank rolls out India’s first RRB co-branded RuPay credit card in partnership with PNB
4. World Cancer Day observed to raise awareness and promote global action against cancer
5. International Day of Human Fraternity observed to encourage dialogue, unity and mutual understanding
6. India–China bilateral trade reaches a historic $155 billion amid signs of diplomatic recalibration
7. Elon Musk becomes the world’s first individual to attain a net worth of $800 billion
8. Divakar Jayant assumes charge as Director General of Naval Armament
9. RBI approves the appointment of a former SBI Managing Director as MD & CEO of Yes Bank
10. India becomes a member of the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies
11. DRDO successfully demonstrates solid fuel ducted ramjet technology, marking a key defence milestone
12. India moves closer to a new era in space exploration with the first private space station planned for launch in 2027
13. The 13th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan joint military exercise KHANJAR-XIII scheduled to be held in Assam
14. Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championships commence

National News

1. 2nd India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi

• What:
  • The 2nd India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed strategic cooperation covering energy security, trade, technology, connectivity, peace, counter-terrorism, and Global South coordination.
• Tell me more:
  • Ministers agreed on the following:
    • Adoption of the Executive Program for 2026–2028 to deepen structured cooperation.
    • Strong push to expand trade (over US$240 billion) and investments, especially in renewables, infrastructure, startups, and emerging technologies.
    • Global Initiatives: Arab participation encouraged in India-led platforms (International Solar Alliance, Global Biofuel Alliance, CDRI, etc.).
    • Next Ministerial: 3rd India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2028 (in an Arab State).
  • Joint events to be organised
    • 5th India–Arab Senior Officials Meeting in one of the Arab States in 2027
    • 2nd Arab–India University Presidents’ Conference in Ajman, UAE, in February 2026
    • 7th Arab–India Partnership Conference in one of the Arab States in 2026
    • 1st India–Arab Startup Conclave in India in 2027
    • 3rd India–Arab Cultural Festival in India in 2026
    • 3rd Arab–India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in one of the Arab States in 2028
    • 1st Arab–India Health Partnership Conference in one of the Arab States in 2026
    • 1st Meeting of the India–Arab Space Cooperation Working Group in India in 2027
    • 3rd Arab–India Energy Forum in one of the Arab States in 2027
    • 1st India–Arab Agriculture & Food Security Partnership Conference in India in 2027
    • 1st India–Arab Tourism Working Group Meeting in India in 2026
    • 1st India–Arab Counter Terrorism Working Group Meeting in India in 2026

Source: MEA

2. India joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

• What:
  • India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade to support manufacturing companies and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
• Tell me more:
  • BCIC was launched in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) as a one-stop centre for integrated industrial support services.
  • A Trust Fund Agreement was signed between DPIIT and UNIDO to formalise India’s participation.
  • The National Productivity Council will act as the India Centre under DPIIT guidance and UNIDO technical support.
  • The centre, launched with United Nations Industrial Development Organization support, focuses on Industry 4.0 skills, productivity improvement, and advanced manufacturing, with National Productivity Council acting as India’s centre.

Source: PIB

International News

1. Elon Musk becomes first person to cross USD 800 billion net worth after SpaceX–xAI merger

• Elon Musk became the first person to cross USD 800 billion net worth after SpaceX merged with xAI. The combined company was valued at USD 1.25 trillion, raising Musk’s wealth to USD 852 billion and making SpaceX his most valuable asset.

Source: TOI

Banking and Economy

1. Tripura Gramin Bank launches first Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card

• What:
  • Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) launched its first Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card with Punjab National Bank (PNB), making it the first Regional Rural Bank in India to introduce such a card.
• Tell me more:
  • Tripura Gramin Bank became the first among eight Punjab National Bank-sponsored Regional Rural Banks to introduce a Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card.
  • The Golden Jubilee launch of the Co-Branded RuPay Credit Card by Tripura Gramin Bank, with Punjab National Bank and Punjab National Bank Cards and Services Limited, aims to modern credit facilities for rural and semi-urban customers.

2. India–China bilateral trade touches record high in 2025

• What:
  • India–China bilateral trade reached a record high of USD 155.6 billion in 2025 with over 12% year-on-year growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong stated that India’s exports to China grew by 9.7% in 2025.
  • India and China initiated measures to reset relations after tensions from the Galwan Valley clashes in June 2020.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. DRDO successfully demonstrates Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
• The technology supports development of long-range air-to-air missiles.
• This test places India among select nations.
• DRDO Chairman – Dr Samir V Kamat

Source: PIB

2. 13th India–Kyrgyzstan Exercise KHANJAR begins in Assam

• What:
  • The 13th edition of the joint military Exercise KHANJAR between India and Kyrgyzstan began at Misamari in Sonitpur district of Assam
• Tell me more:
  • India is represented by the Parachute Regiment, while Kyrgyzstan is represented by the Scorpion Brigade.
  • Exercise KHANJAR is conducted annually since 2011, with venues alternating between India and Kyrgyzstan.

Source: NOA

Science and Technology

1. Vast Space plans world’s first commercial private space station Haven-1

• What:
  • Vast Space is building Haven-1, a space station planned for 2027 launch. It is designed for low Earth orbit as NASA plans to deorbit the International Space Station around 2030.
• Tell me more:
  • Vast Space is a private space company working on commercial orbital stations.
  • Haven-1 will launch in one piece on Falcon 9, using Crew Dragon for support, and is under assembly and testing.
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 and Crew Dragon are existing launch and crew systems used for orbital missions.

Source: TOI

Important Days

1. World Cancer Day – February 4

• Theme: United by Unique

Source: TOI

2. International Day of Human Fraternity – February 4

• Theme: Dialogue Over Division

Source: UN

Sports

1. Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championships 2026 in New Delhi

• Asian Rifle and Pistol Shooting Championships 2026 have begun at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in New Delhi.

Source: NOA

Memorandum of Understanding

1. IHMCL and NFSU sign MoU to strengthen cyber security in national highways

• What:
  • Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) to strengthen cyber security and data protection in National Highway operations.
• Tell me more:
  • Indian Highways Management Company Limited is a company promoted by National Highways Authority of India for managing digital highway operations.
  • National Forensic Sciences University is a Government of India Institution of National Importance headquartered in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Divakar Jayant takes charge as Director General of Naval Armament

• Shri Divakar Jayant assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament at Naval Headquarters under the Ministry of Defence.
• The Director General of Naval Armament is the senior officer responsible for weapons and ammunition of the Indian Navy.

Source: PIB

2. Reserve Bank of India approves Vinay Tonse as Yes Bank MD and CEO

• Reserve Bank of India approved Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Yes Bank for a three-year term from charge date.

Source: ET

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