09th-10th February 2026

1. India Pays USD 35.18 Million to UN Regular Budget 2026; Joins ‘Honour Roll’
2. MoC&I Secretary Rajesh Agarwal Launches India-Australia Business Case Studies Compendium
3. Indian Teacher Rouble Nagi Wins Global Teacher Prize 2026
4. USA’s New York City Joins WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network
5. Toyota Motors Appoints Kenta Kon as its New President and CEO
6. MCA Approves Merger of 17 POWERGRID Subsidiaries into Two Entities
7. RBI Approves Blackstone to Acquire 9.99% Stake in Federal Bank
8. International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 2026 – February 6
9. FLO Bengaluru Unveils First-of-its-kind Women-led Industrial Park
10. HP Govt Signs MoU for Geothermal Energy Exploration; Launches ‘Padhai with AI’ Initiative
11. VOC Port Becomes 1st Port in India to Deploy Advanced ‘Anti-Drone System’
12. IIT Madras & UIV Launches ‘IITM-Unicorn Frontier Fund I’ worth Rs.600 crores
13. Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-3’ Successfully Test-Fired in Odisha
14. Goa Becomes 2nd State in India to Publish State-level Bird Atlas
15. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Launched NeVA at Bihar Assembly
16. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates Zetwerk Electronics’ new manufacturing facility in Bengaluru
17. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurates key rail projects and flags off new train services in West Bengal
18. The world’s first doctor-led, AI-powered home healthcare ecosystem, iLive Connect, is launched
19. Transcorp International receives in-principle approval from RBI for a cross-border payment service
20. Anutin Charnvirakul wins Thailand’s general election
21. India defeats Bangladesh to clinch the SAFF U-19 Women’s Football Championship in Nepal
22. Odisha Governor releases two books authored by a former Andhra Pradesh Governor
23. International Day of the Arabian Leopard
24. A live tracker highlights leaders in the medal tally at the Milan Winter Olympics
25. World Pulses Day
26. Bharat Taxi partners with the Airports Authority of India to offer surge-free airport services
27. Meghana Sajjanar earns recognition for a medal-winning performance at the Asian Championships
28. A former Consumer Affairs Secretary is appointed to a key role in the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum
29. Services edge past Kerala in extra time to win the Santosh Trophy once again
30. Global data shows China overtaking the US in R&D spending, with India among the top ten
31. South Africa launches a homegrown foot-and-mouth disease vaccine after a two-decade wait

National News

1. India Joins Honour Roll After Paying United Nations Regular Budget Dues for 2026

• What:
  • India paid USD 35.18 million to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2026, earning a place on the “honour roll” of 47 Member States that paid full dues on time.
• Tell me more:
  • The United Nations Committee on Contributions stated that Member States paying full regular budget assessments within the 30-day period prescribed under United Nations financial regulations qualify for the honour roll.

Source: ET

2. India–Australia Business Case Studies Compendium Launched to Support Bilateral Trade under ECTA

• What:
  • The India–Australia Business Case Studies Compendium was launched at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Delhi Campus, to support businesses and policymakers by documenting evidence-based outcomes of the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement.
• Tell me more:
  • Name – ‘Pitch Perfect Australia–India’ Business Case Studies Compendium
  • Jointly developed by IIFT and Newland Global Group, the compendium documents market entry, growth strategies, and lessons from 30 organisations operating across India and Australia.

3. V.O. Chidambaranar Port Becomes First in India to Implement Anti-Drone System

• What:
  • V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority became India’s first port to start implementing an advanced Anti-Drone System to strengthen maritime and coastal security.
• Tell me more:
  • The project is executed with Central Electronics Limited and is scheduled for completion within three months.
  • The initiative strengthens port security by enabling real-time detection, tracking, and neutralisation of unauthorised drones. It uses radio frequency and radar systems with jamming, provides 360-degree coverage, and works up to 5 km.

4. IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures Launch ₹600-Crore Deeptech Fund

• What:
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Unicorn India Ventures launched a ₹600-crore deeptech fund with a ₹400-crore greenshoe option.
• Tell me more:
  • The IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I will invest ₹8–10 crore each in over 25 startups across robotics, space technology, defence technology, semiconductors, and medical technology.
  • The fund aims to support early-stage, intellectual property-led startups in strategic technology sectors to strengthen indigenous technological capabilities.
  • The fund will mainly invest in early-stage deeptech startups at Technology Readiness Levels 3–4, while also supporting select later-stage startups at Levels 7–9.
  • It is structured as a 10-year fund with a two-year extension, using 60% of the corpus for new investments and 40% for follow-on funding.

5. AAI Partners with Bharat Taxi to Launch Cooperative Cab Services at Airports

• What:
  • Airports Authority of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bharat Taxi to introduce regulated, passenger-friendly cab services at select airports.
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership aims to make travel from airports easier by offering clear prices, dependable cab services, and driver-owned taxis.
  • It supports fair earnings for drivers and better travel experience for passengers, while matching national goals for self-reliance, cooperation, and long-term development.

Source: ET

State News

1. Women-Led FLO Bangalore Industrial Park Inaugurated in Karnataka

• What:
  • A first-of-its-kind women-led industrial park was inaugurated at Gowribidanur in Karnataka by FICCI Ladies Organisation Bangalore.
• Tell me more:
  • The park is exclusively for FLO Bengaluru members and is supported by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board and Karnataka Udyog Mitra.
  • It provides single-window approvals, consultant help, financial access, and shared facilities like skill centres and creche support.

Source: DD

2. Himachal Pradesh Launches ‘Padhai with AI’ and Signs Geothermal Energy MoU

• What:
  • Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the ‘Padhai with AI’ digital learning initiative in Bilaspur for competitive exam students and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote geothermal energy in the state.
• Tell me more:
  • ‘Padhai with AI’ is an AI-based digital learning platform providing continuous academic counselling for Bilaspur students, implemented by the district administration with support from NTPC.
  • A geothermal energy MoU was signed with M/s Geotropy India Pvt. Ltd. and Iceland-based GEOTROPY ehf. to explore round-the-clock clean energy potential in Himachal Pradesh.

Source: ANI

3. Goa Releases State-Level Bird Atlas at Ninth Bird Festival

• What:
  • The Bird Atlas of Goa was released at the ninth Bird Festival of Goa, making Goa the second Indian state after Kerala to publish a comprehensive state-level bird atlas.
• Tell me more:
  • The festival also saw the release of “Birds of Goa: Konkani Nomenclature – Olakh Suknayanchi” to document bird species using local Konkani names.
  • The ninth Bird Festival of Goa, themed Majestic Mhadei, was inaugurated at Valpoi.
  • An MoU was signed between the Goa Forest Department and ResQ Charitable Trust to strengthen wildlife rescue and rehabilitation in Goa.

Source: TOI

4. Lok Sabha Speaker Attends Bihar Assembly Foundation Day, Inaugurates NeVA Digital House

• Om Birla arrived in Patna to attend the Bihar Assembly Foundation Day function, address legislators on “Empowered Legislators, Stronger Democracy”, and inaugurate the NeVA Digital House at the Bihar Legislature.

Source: IE

5. Railway Infrastructure Boost in West Bengal with New Bridges and Train Service

• What:
  • Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated the Siuri Road Over Bridge, dedicated the Kumarpur Road Over Bridge, and flagged off the Asansol–Bokaro train service.
• Tell me more:
  • West Bengal received a railway budget allocation of ₹14,205 crore this year, over three times the average during 2009–2014.
  • Railway projects worth about ₹92,000 crore are ongoing, including a Bullet Train from Siliguri, an East–West freight corridor, and an underground corridor in North Bengal.

Source: PIB

6. Odisha Governor Releases Two Books by Biswabhusan Harichandan

• What:
  • Hari Babu Kambhampati released two books authored by Biswabhusan Harichandan, emphasising leadership through ideas, values, and public service.
• Tell me more:
  • The books released were E Mati Katha Kahe in Odia and Buxi Jagabandhu: The Great Commander in English.
  • The latter documents the Paika resistance against colonial rule, while the former reflects on democracy, Odia identity, leadership, and spiritual traditions.

Source: ANI

International News

1. New York City Joins WHO Global Outbreak Network After US Exit

• What:
  • The New York City Health Department joined the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network after the United States withdrew from WHO.
• Tell me more:
  • This step keeps the city linked to global disease response systems. California and Illinois also joined the network, which includes over 360 institutions handling pandemics and outbreaks worldwide.

Source: RT

2. South Africa Launches First Foot-and-Mouth Vaccine in Two Decades

• South Africa announced its first foot-and-mouth disease vaccine in 20 years to tackle the country’s worst outbreak in many years and strengthen local vaccine production.
• The vaccine was developed by the Agricultural Research Council.
• The move aims to reduce dependence on imported vaccines and support livestock productivity amid criticism over outbreak management.

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

1. Power Grid Gets MCA Approval to Merge 17 Subsidiaries into Two Entities

• What:
  • Power Grid Corporation of India Limited received final approval from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to merge 17 wholly owned subsidiaries into two subsidiaries to improve efficiency, governance, and resource management.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved two composite merger schemes dated January 27, 2026, effective from April 1, 2024, covering Khavda and Vataman transmission project subsidiaries.

2. Reserve Bank of India Approves Blackstone Investment in Federal Bank

• What:
  • Reserve Bank of India approved private equity firm Blackstone to acquire up to 9.99% stake in Federal Bank.
• Tell me more:
  • The approval highlights rising foreign investment interest in India’s private banking sector.
  • Blackstone will invest ₹6,196.51 crore in Federal Bank through its affiliate by buying warrants that can convert into shares.
  • Since Federal Bank has no promoter, Blackstone will become its largest shareholder.
  • At present, foreign ownership in public sector banks is limited to 20%, compared with 74% in private banks and 100% foreign direct investment in domestic insurers.

Source: BS

3. Zetwerk Electronics Inaugurates New Electronics Manufacturing Facility in Bengaluru

• What:
  • Ashwini Vaishnaw and M. B. Patil inaugurated Zetwerk Electronics’ manufacturing facility in Bengaluru for defence, automotive, and information technology hardware.
• Tell me more:
  • The new facility helps India grow its electronics manufacturing sector and supports the goal of producing $500 billion worth of goods by 2030–2031.
  • Electronics manufacturing is expanding fast, with 46 approvals granted and Karnataka expecting over ₹10,000 crore in investments.
  • Government support increased as the electronics scheme budget rose from ₹22,000 crore to ₹40,000 crore, and chip production is set to begin this year.

Source: PIB

4. RBI Grants In-Principle CPS Approval to Transcorp International Limited

• What:
  • Transcorp International Limited received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to participate in Centralized Payment Systems.
• Tell me more:
  • The approval lets Transcorp build its own payment system with Real Time Gross Settlement and National Electronic Funds Transfer facilities under Reserve Bank of India rules.
  • It can open an account with the Reserve Bank of India and get its own Indian Financial System Code.
  • The Board reviewed the approval and confirmed focus on regulation-compliant platforms, strong governance, and technology-based payment services.

Source: BWI

Reports and Indices

1. Global Innovation Index 2025 by World Intellectual Property Organisation

• What:
  • Global research and development spending reached $2.87 trillion in 2024, showing nearly 3% annual growth and almost threefold expansion since 2000.
• Tell me more:
  • China became the largest R&D spender with $785.9 billion, while the United States ranked second with $781.8 billion.
  • Asia accounted for about 45% of global R&D spending in 2024.

Source: IE

Defence News

1. Agni-3 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Successfully Test-Fired

• What:
  • The Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Agni-3 was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.
• Tell me more:
  • Conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, the test confirmed missile performance, operational readiness, and technical reliability, with all planned objectives achieved.

Source: PIB

Science and Technology

1. iLive Connect Launched as Doctor-Led AI Platform

• What:
  • iLive Connect was launched as a doctor-led, artificial intelligence-enabled healthcare ecosystem to provide round-the-clock patient monitoring beyond hospitals.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform aims to detect early medical deterioration, reduce avoidable hospitalisations, and shift healthcare from episodic treatment to continuous preventive care.
  • It monitors parameters like electrocardiogram, heart rate, respiration, oxygen saturation, temperature, blood pressure trends, activity, sleep, fatigue, and fall detection.
  • iLive Connect was developed by Dr Rahul Chandola, Founder, along with Dr Viveka Kumar, Co-founder.

Source: IT

Awards

1. Indian Teacher Rouble Nagi Wins Global Teacher Prize 2026

• What:
  • Indian teacher Rouble Nagi won the Global Teacher Prize 2026 and received a $1 million award at the World Government Summit in Dubai.
• Tell me more:
  • The award recognises her use of art-based learning to help over one million children enter formal education across India.
  • The prize was presented by GEMS Education and awarded by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
  • Nagi was selected from over 5,000 nominations from 139 countries for creating ‘living walls of learning’ across communities.

Source: NOA

Important Days

1. International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 2026 – February 6

• Theme: Towards 2030: No End To FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment

Source: UN

2. International Day of the Arabian Leopard – February 10

Source: UN

3. World Pulses Day – February 10

• Theme: “Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence”
• FAO and the Kingdom of Spain are collaborating in the organization of this year’s observance, which is scheduled for 10 February 2026 at the Miguel Delibes Cultural Centre in Valladolid, Spain.

Source: FAO FAO

Sports

1. India Wins SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship with 4–0 Victory over Bangladesh

• India defeated Bangladesh 4–0 in the final to win the SAFF Under-19 Women’s Championship at Pokhara Rangasala Stadium, Nepal.
• India’s captain was Julan Nongmaithem.

Source: NOA

2. 2026 Winter Olympics Begin in Milan–Cortina with Global Medal Race

• What:
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held from February 6 to February 22 across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy.
• Tell me more:
  • Athletes from 92 countries are competing in 16 winter sports, while Russia and Belarus are excluded from official medal standings.
  • Events are spread across northern Italy, combining Milan’s urban venues with Cortina d’Ampezzo’s alpine locations.
  • Athletes from Russia and Belarus are allowed to compete only as neutral individuals, and their results do not count in medal totals.

3. Meghana Sajjanar won her first medal in Asian Championships

• Indian shooter Meghana Sajjanar won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air rifle event at the Asian Championship.
• She also secured a gold medal in the women’s team event.

Source: TH

4. Services Win 79th Santosh Trophy with Extra-Time Victory over Kerala

• Services won the Santosh Trophy for the eighth time, defeating Kerala 1–0 in the final at Dhakuakhana Stadium in Assam.
• This victory marked Services’ eighth Santosh Trophy title.

Source: NOA

Appointments

1. Toyota Appoints Finance Chief Kenta Kon as CEO

• Toyota Motor Corp. appointed Chief Financial Officer Kenta Kon as Chief Executive Officer from April 1.

Source: BB

2. Anutin Charnvirakul wins Thailand’s general election as PM

Source: NOA

3. Rohit Kumar Singh Appointed Chair of Global Value Chains Committee at USISPF

• What:
  • Former Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh was appointed Chair of the Global Value Chains Committee and Advisor to the Board at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.
• Tell me more:
  • The role focuses on promoting smooth, resilient, and diversified supply chains through regulatory alignment, infrastructure readiness, and public–private collaboration.
  • As Committee Chair, Rohit Kumar Singh will work with USISPF’s global members and government stakeholders to strengthen supply chains.

Source: IE

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