3 february 2026 Current Affairs

1️⃣ Infrastructure, Regional Development & Social Inclusion

✈️ Renaming & Expansion of Airports (Punjab)

• Adampur Airport renamed Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport → symbolic recognition of social reformers and inclusive governance.

• New civil terminal at Halwara Airport (Ludhiana) → boosts regional air connectivity, economic activity, and defence–civil aviation synergy.
  📌 Exam angle: Regional infrastructure, social justice symbolism, UDAN-style connectivity.

2️⃣ Defence, Security & Future Warfare

🛡️ Future Warfare Course (3rd Edition)

• Conducted in New Delhi (Feb 2–25, 2026) .

• Focus: hybrid warfare, AI, cyber, space, drones, information warfare .
  📌 Relevance: Modern warfare doctrines, military training reforms, GS-III (Security).

🔥 “Agni Pariksha” Exercise (Army + ITBP)

• Location: East Siang, Arunachal Pradesh .

• Enhances inter-force coordination, border preparedness, operational synergy .
  📌 Exam angle: Internal security, border management, civil–CAPF–Army cooperation.

3️⃣ Energy, Climate & Sustainability

🌞 Gujarat – Renewable Energy Leader

• Contributes 16.50% of India’s total renewable capacity (as of Dec 31, 2025).
  📌 Relevance: Renewable leadership, federal role in energy transition, GS-III.

🌱 Budget Push for Green Energy

• Excise duty exemption on biogas/CBG component in blended CNG .

• Promotes clean mobility, circular economy, reduced fossil fuel imports .
  📌 Exam focus: Bioenergy, energy security, climate commitments.

✈️ SAF Initiative

• IOCL–Akasa Air LoI for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) .
  📌 Angle: Decarbonising aviation, green fuels, industry–PSU collaboration.

4️⃣ Economy, Budget & Sectoral Priorities

📊 Union Budget 2026–27 Highlights

• Nirmala Sitharaman’s 9th consecutive Budget → institutional continuity.

• ₹73,990.94 crore for DoT → telecom revival, BSNL strengthening.

• SHE Marts → women-led SHGs, grassroots entrepreneurship, gender budgeting.
  📌 GS relevance: Inclusive growth, digital infrastructure, women empowerment.

🏦 SBI Global Trade Finance Centre (Kolkata)

• Enhances trade finance, forex services, global banking operations .
  📌 Exam angle: India’s export ecosystem, banking modernisation.

5️⃣ Science, Technology & Research Infrastructure

🔭 Expansion of Astronomy Infrastructure

• Budget proposal to establish/upgrade 4 ground-based observatories in Ladakh & southern India .
  📌 Relevance: Scientific capacity building, space sciences, GS-III.

🌊 CSIR–NIO Shore-Based Laboratory (Vizag)

• Strengthens oceanography, coastal research, Blue Economy studies .
  📌 Exam focus: Marine science, coastal resilience.

6️⃣ Global Reports, Environment & Governance

🌍 UNEP – State of Finance for Nature 2026

• Highlights massive funding gap : investment in nature protection far lower than spending that degrades ecosystems.
  📌 High-value topic: Climate finance, biodiversity loss, SDGs (Essay + GS-III).

🏙️ UN Urbanisation Report

• 45% of world population urban (2025) vs 20% in 1950 .
  📌 Angle: Urban governance, sustainability, migration pressures.

🌐 Global Soft Power Index 2026

• Measures influence via culture, values, governance, ideas .
  📌 Relevance: India’s soft power, cultural diplomacy, GS-II/IR.

7️⃣ Sports, Culture & Soft Power

🏸 Devika Sihag – BWF Super 300 Title

• Thailand Masters 2026 → rising Indian presence in global badminton.

🎾 Carlos Alcaraz – Australian Open 2026

• Youngest male to complete Career Grand Slam (age 22) .
  📌 Prelims-friendly sports facts.

🎶 Grammy Awards 2026

• Global excellence across music genres → cultural soft power.

8️⃣ Archaeology, History & Knowledge Systems

🏺 Zapotec Tomb Discovery (Mexico)

• 1,400-year-old tomb → insights into Indigenous funerary traditions.
  📌 Relevance: Archaeology, ancient civilisations (World history prelims).

9️⃣ Personalities & Obituaries

🕊️ Father Thomas V. Kunnunkal (99)

• Jesuit priest, major contributor to post-Independence Indian education .
  📌 Theme: Education reform, social service legacy.