NATIONAL AFFAIRS

India Pays USD 35.18 Million to UN Regular Budget 2026, Joins ‘Honour Roll’
In February 2026, the Government of India paid USD 35.18 million towards the United Nations Regular Budget for 2026. With this timely payment, India has joined the UN’s ‘Honour Roll’ along with 51 other member states that have paid their dues in full and on time.

• India’s total assessed contribution: USD 38.223 million (USD 3.091 million offset against staff income taxes).
• India’s share in UN Regular Budget: 1.016%.
• The UNGA had approved a USD 3.45 billion regular budget for 2026 in December 2025, focusing on peace & security, sustainable development, and human rights.

GoI, Nagaland Government & ENPO Sign Agreement to Form Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA)
The Government of India signed a historic tripartite agreement with the Nagaland Government and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).

Key Highlights:

• The FNTA will cover 6 districts: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamtor.
• 46 subjects related to state powers will be devolved to the FNTA.
• It will have a dedicated financial outlay proportional to population and area.
• A mini-secretariat will be established, chaired by an Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary.
• The agreement does not alter Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio.

Amit Shah Launches India’s First Cooperative-Sector Taxi Service ‘Bharat Taxi’
On 5 February 2026, Union Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi — India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi.

Key Features:

• Registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
• Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited with major cooperatives including IFFCO, AMUL, NCDC, NABARD, NDDB, KRIBHCO, NAFED, and NCEL.
• Follows the principle ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’ (Driver is the Owner).
• Platform retains only 20% of earnings; 80% goes directly to the driver’s account.
• Special initiatives: Bike Didi and Sarathi Didi (women-only rides).
• Pilot operations started in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat in December 2025. Plans to expand across India in 2–3 years.

DPIIT Notifies Revised Startup Recognition Framework
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released a revised startup recognition framework under the Startup India Action Plan.

Major Changes:

• Turnover threshold increased from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore.
• Cooperative Societies (both Multi-State and State/UT registered) are now eligible.
• New sub-category introduced: ‘Deep Tech Startup’.
• For Deep Tech Startups: Age limit increased to 20 years and turnover limit raised to ₹300 crore.
• Recognised startups can avail income-tax exemption under Section 80-IAC.

MoC&I Secretary Launches India-Australia Business Case Studies Compendium
Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, launched the “India–Australia Business Case Studies Compendium” titled “Pitch Perfect Australia-India: Perfect Conditions for a USD 100 Billion Partnership” at IIFT, New Delhi.

The compendium focuses on key sectors including critical minerals, education, technology, agriculture, food processing, and clean energy.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Visits USA (2–4 February 2026)
Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Washington D.C. to attend the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting.

Key Highlights:

• Held bilateral meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
• India announced support for the FORGE Initiative (Forum on Resource, Geostrategic Engagement), chaired by South Korea till June 2026.
• US President Donald Trump launched Project Vault — a strategic minerals reserve worth USD 12 billion.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Apogee Aerospace Places ₹3,500 Crore Order for 15 Seaplanes from Australia’s AAI
Apogee Aerospace Private Limited signed a ₹3,500 crore order with Australia’s Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) for 15 amphibian aircraft (Albatross 2.0).

• Apogee will also invest ₹500 crore to set up manufacturing, MRO, training, and simulation facilities in India.
• Albatross 2.0 is the world’s first transport-category amphibious aircraft certified by both FAA and EASA.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Indian Teacher Rouble Nagi Wins Global Teacher Prize 2026
Rouble Nagi from Mumbai won the prestigious Global Teacher Prize 2026, often called the “Nobel Prize for Teaching”. The award was presented at the World Government Summit in Dubai. She received a cash prize of USD 1 million.

She is known for founding the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation (RNAF) and establishing 800+ learning centres using art-integrated education.

New York City Joins WHO’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN)
On 5 February 2026, New York City joined WHO’s GOARN. Illinois had joined two days earlier.

APPOINTMENTS

Toyota Motor Appoints Kenta Kon as New President & CEO
Toyota Motor Corporation appointed Kenta Kon (former CFO) as its new President and CEO, effective 1 April 2026. He will replace Koji Sato.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

MCA Approves Merger of 17 POWERGRID Subsidiaries
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs approved the merger of 17 wholly-owned subsidiaries of POWERGRID into two entities — POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited (12 subsidiaries) and POWERGRID Vataman Transmission Limited (5 subsidiaries). The merger will be effective from 1 April 2024 retrospectively.

RBI Approves Blackstone’s 9.99% Stake in Federal Bank
The Reserve Bank of India approved American private equity giant Blackstone to acquire up to 9.99% stake in Federal Bank for approximately ₹6,196.51 crore.

SPORTS

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Wins Second WPL 2026 Title
RCB Women defeated Delhi Capitals Women by 6 wickets in the final of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Vadodara to win their second title.

• Smriti Mandhana scored 87 off 41 balls and was the tournament’s highest run-scorer (377 runs).
• RCB chased down 204 — the highest successful run chase in a WPL final.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation – 6 February 2026
Observed annually on 6 February.
2026 Theme: “Towards 2030: No End To FGM Without Sustained Commitment and Investment”.

STATE NEWS

FLO Bengaluru Inaugurates Women-led Industrial Park
FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Bangalore inaugurated a first-of-its-kind 50-acre women-led industrial park at Gowribidanur, Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka, in partnership with KIADB.

Himachal Pradesh Signs MoU for Geothermal Energy; Launches ‘Padhai with AI’
The Himachal Pradesh Government signed an MoU with Geotropy India Private Limited for geothermal energy exploration. CM Sukvinder Singh Sukhu also launched ‘Padhai with AI’ — an AI-based digital learning platform for students in Bilaspur district, supported by NTPC.