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Daily Current Affairs: February 6, 2026

India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC): Under the guidance of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India officially joined the BCIC.
- Objective: Promote Industry 4.0 competencies, smart manufacturing, sustainability, and digitalization for MSMEs across BRICS nations.
- Agreement: DPIIT and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) signed a formal Trust Fund Agreement. The National Productivity Council (NPC) will spearhead the local execution.
India-GCC FTA Talks Resumed: India and the 6-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—comprising Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain—signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) in New Delhi to formally restart Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The pact focuses on boosting market access in food processing and petrochemicals.

Mount Aconcagua Expedition Flagged Off: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off a 6-member joint mountaineering expedition to Argentina's Mt. Aconcagua ($6,960\text{ m}$), the highest peak outside Asia. The mission is jointly organized by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM, Uttarkashi) and JIM & WS (J&K).
NBA Launches Medicinal Plants Portal: The National Biodiversity Authority launched an online single-window portal (absefiling.nbaindia.in) to electronically issue Certificates of Origin (CoO) for cultivated medicinal plants. This implements the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023, automating Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemption claims.
Drone Testing Infrastructure G2G MoU: The National Test House (NTH) signed a Government-to-Government pact with MeitY’s ERTL (North) to enable Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing for drones as per international (IEC) and Indian (IS) standards.
Airbus-GSV Centre of Excellence (Vadodara): Airbus inaugurated a CoE for aerospace research at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Gujarat. The center focuses on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) engineering (including Municipal Solid Waste-to-SAF conversion) and offers 45 scholarships, reserving one-third for women.

Delhi Ranks 1st Globally: According to a joint report titled "India’s 155 Million Student Mandate" by Knight Frank India, Deloitte India, and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), New Delhi emerged as the world's most affordable city for international students. The study evaluated 150 cities across six categories, including affordability, employer activity, and student voice.

Axis Bank 'Rooftop Solar Finance': Launched a new credit product specifically for MSMEs to deploy commercial rooftop solar configurations.
- Features: Collateral-free loans ranging from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores with flexible repayment tenures between 4 to 7 years.
Alwar Sets National Record: Alwar (Rajasthan) became the first district in India to achieve 100% insurance saturation under the "Insurance for All by 2047" framework by GoI and IRDAI.
- Full saturation was reached across 9 specialized villages (including Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, and Lalpur). Premium costs for eligible adults were funded entirely by an NGO, and policies were issued by the United India Insurance Company Limited (UIIC).

Adani Defence & Leonardo Pact: Adani Defence & Aerospace signed an MoU with Italy's Leonardo to establish an integrated helicopter manufacturing, assembly, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) ecosystem in India. The production lines will focus heavily on two specific helicopter models: the AgustaWestland (AW)169M and AW109 TrekkerM.

President's Rule Revoked: Following nearly a year of President's Rule (imposed on February 13, 2025, under Article 356), a new constitutional government was sworn in.
New CM: Yumnam Khemchand Singh (BJP) took oath as Chief Minister.
Historic Deputy CMs: Nemcha Kipgen (from the Kuki community) and Losii Dikho (Naga People’s Front) were sworn in as Deputy CMs. Kipgen is the first woman to hold the post of Deputy CM in Manipur's history.

Sagar Defence USVs Delivered: Sagar Defence Engineering delivered the first two Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) to the Indian Navy as part of an active 12-boat swarm contract.
- Specs & Combat: Features AI-driven autonomous navigation, low radar stealth profile, speeds exceeding 50 knots, and is weaponized with a $12.7\text{ mm}$ gun alongside provisions for short-range missiles and loitering munitions. Built with over 70% indigenous content.
Digantara Space Debris Alliance: Bengaluru-based Digantara Industries partnered with Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to co-develop advanced Space Situational Awareness (SSA) tools, tracking orbital traffic and generating real-time collision avoidance warnings for satellites.
BEML-IISc Master Research Agreement: Defense PSU BEML signed a tripartite MRA with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and its innovation arm, FSID. The collaboration drives translational R&D across advanced mobility, maritime tech, green technologies, and next-gen aerospace defense systems.

Paradip Port Wins First Prize: The Paradip Port Authority (Odisha) won the top honor at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025, presented by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. PPA was recognized for systemic excellence across the three core campaign pillars: Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, and Safai Mitra Suraksha.
The passing of Dr. Andre Beteille: Legendary Indian sociologist Professor Emeritus Dr. Andre Beteille passed away at 91. Conferred with the Padma Bhushan in 2005, his pioneering 1965 field study book, "Caste, Class and Power: Changing Patterns of Stratification in a Tanjore Village", fundamentally redefined how social hierarchies and agrarian class structures are analyzed in India.