4 February 2026 Current Affair

🔶 Governance, Heritage & Cultural Federalism

Koch Dynasty Heritage Grant (Assam)

• ₹50 crore grant for preserving Darrang kings’ heritage highlights state-led cultural conservation .

• Reflects recognition of regional history (Ahom–Koch era) and use of heritage for identity-building.

• Exam angle: Cultural federalism, heritage governance, decentralisation of historical narratives.

🔶 Population, Migration & Statistical Capacity

Nationwide Survey on Migration (2026–27)

• First large-scale migration survey in years → critical for urbanisation, labour mobility, welfare targeting .

• Useful for policymaking on housing, jobs, social security.

• GS relevance: Demography, internal migration, evidence-based governance.

New National Surveys (NHIS & ASISSE)

• Strengthens income, services-sector data → supports GDP rebasing, inequality analysis .

• Prelims + GS-III: Statistical reforms, data credibility.

CPI Base Year Revised to 2024

• Reduced food weight reflects changing consumption patterns.

• Improves inflation measurement accuracy.

• Exam angle: Inflation targeting, monetary policy transmission.

🔶 Digital Governance, AI & Cyber Security

Pilloo AI (Andhra Pradesh)

• Voice-based billing/accounting tool → boosts MSME formalisation & digital inclusion .

• GS-III: AI in governance, grassroots digitisation.

IHMCL–NFSU MoU

• Enhances cyber security for national highways (tolling, FASTag, traffic data).

• Exam focus: Critical infrastructure protection, cyber governance.

India–EU E-Signatures Arrangement

• Enables secure cross-border digital authentication.

• Supports paperless trade, digital trust, interoperability .

• IR + Economy: Digital trade facilitation.

🔶 Urbanisation & Global Trends

UN Urbanisation Report (2025)

• 45% global population urban (vs 20% in 1950).

• Intensifies challenges of housing, sanitation, transport, climate resilience .

• High-value topic: Urban governance, SDGs, migration pressures.

🔶 Trade, Customs & Economic Reforms

Baggage Rules, 2026

• Simplifies passenger clearance; improves ease of travel & compliance.

• Prelims-friendly: Customs rules, trade facilitation.

IBC (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (proposed)

• Signals continued insolvency reforms to improve credit discipline & resolution timelines .

• GS-III: Banking reforms, NPA resolution.

PSB Alliance Strategy Meet

• Shows PSBs moving towards tech-driven, data-backed collaboration .

• Exam angle: Banking modernisation, public sector reform.

🔶 Banking, Finance & Digital Assets

Central Bank of India–HSBC MF Tie-up

• Expands bancassurance/bancinvestment model.

• Banking exams: Distribution partnerships.

Matrixport – Bhutan Approval

• Highlights Gelephu Mindfulness City as emerging fintech hub.

• Global finance: Regulated digital asset ecosystems.

🔶 Defence, Security & Strategic Affairs

Miniratna Status to Yantra India Ltd (YIL)

• Enhances operational autonomy of defence PSU.

• GS-III: Defence manufacturing, Atmanirbhar Bharat.

New START Treaty Expiry (Feb 5, 2026)

• Raises concerns over global nuclear arms control vacuum .

• IR + Security: Strategic stability, great power rivalry.

Appointments (Railways & Navy)

• Continuity in operational leadership.

• Prelims: Service cadre & defence administration.

🔶 Science, Technology & Energy Security

Japan’s Deep-Sea Rare Earth Recovery

• Breakthrough in critical mineral security .

• Reduces dependence on land-based mining.

• Exam angle: Critical minerals, green transition geopolitics.

DST Solar Energy Storage Device

• Integrated capture + storage in one unit.

• Boosts decentralised renewable energy systems .

• GS-III: Clean tech innovation.

🔶 Sports & Soft Power

Devika Sihag – BWF Super 300 Title

• Reflects depth in India’s badminton pipeline.

• Prelims: Sports achievements.