5 February 2026 Current Affairs

🔶 Polity, Federalism & Constitutional Governance

Pennaiyar (Thenpennai) River Water Dispute Tribunal

• Supreme Court directed the Union Government to constitute a tribunal for the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka river dispute .

• Reinforces Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 .

• Exam relevance:

  • Centre–State relations

  • Judicial intervention in federal water disputes

  • Cooperative vs adjudicatory federalism

National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) 2.0 Portal

• Upgraded digital platform to expand youth participation in parliamentary democracy .

• Strengthens civic engagement, constitutional literacy, and democratic values.

• GS-II relevance: Democratic institutions, political education.

🔶 Women Empowerment & Inclusive Growth

Women-Only Industrial Park (Andhra Pradesh)

• Exclusive industrial park for women entrepreneurs.

• Promotes:

  • Gender-responsive industrial policy

  • Women’s economic participation

  • Inclusive manufacturing growth

• GS-III linkage: MSMEs, gender budgeting, entrepreneurship.

🔶 International Relations & Global Governance

India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)

• Enhances skill development, industrial training, and workforce mobility among BRICS nations.

• Supports South–South cooperation and industrial capacity building.

• Exam angle:

  • BRICS institutional architecture

  • Skill diplomacy & workforce cooperation

World Government Summit 2026 (Dubai)

• Theme: “Shaping Future Governments” .

• Focus on governance innovation, digital states, and future public administration.

• Useful for essays on governance reforms and future state capacity.

India–China Trade at USD 155.6 Billion (2025)

• Highest-ever bilateral trade despite geopolitical tensions.

• Highlights economic interdependence amid strategic rivalry.

• GS-II / GS-III relevance: Trade diplomacy, strategic economics.

🔶 Economy, Banking & Financial Sector

PM-SETU Programme – World Bank Loan (USD 830 Million)

• Revamps ITIs to improve youth employability.

• Links skilling with industry demand.

• GS-III relevance: Human capital, demographic dividend.

Credit Card & Banking Developments

• TGB–PNB: Co-branded RuPay Credit Card → rural & regional banking inclusion.

• PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card → premiumisation of PSU banking.

• Yes Bank: Vinay M. Tonse appointed MD & CEO → governance stability.

• Exam focus:

  • Banking reforms

  • Digital payments

  • Financial inclusion vs premium banking

🔶 Science, Technology & Defence

SFDR Technology Test (DRDO)

• Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet successfully demonstrated.

• Enhances long-range, high-speed missile capability.

• High exam relevance:

  • Advanced propulsion systems

  • Defence indigenisation

  • Hypersonic and beyond-visual-range weapons

Indian Navy Training Deployment (1TS)

• Training Squadron visited Thailand (Phuket).

• Strengthens maritime diplomacy and naval outreach in Southeast Asia.

• Linked to Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific engagement.

BRO High-Altitude Rescue (Project Sampark)

• Conducted at Chatergala Pass (10,500 ft) , J&K.

• Highlights strategic infrastructure resilience in border areas.

• GS-III: Border infrastructure, disaster response.

🔶 Environment, Climate & Natural Hazards

Paradip Port – Cleanest Major Port

• Won Swachhata Pakhwada Award 2025.

• Reflects green port initiatives and sustainable logistics.

• Exam angle: Blue economy, port-led development.

US $12-Billion Rare Minerals Stockpile

• Aimed at reducing dependence on China.

• Highlights geopolitics of critical minerals (lithium, REEs).

• GS-III relevance: Energy transition, supply-chain security.

Guatemala’s Volcán de Fuego Eruption

• One of Central America’s most active volcanoes.

• Useful for prelims: