Daily current affairs: 4 February 2026

Long Description : The finalized India-U.S. trade agreement marks a strategic pivot in bilateral economic relations. By slashing tariffs to 18%, the U.S. has provided Indian exporters with a major advantage in the American market, particularly over competitors like China and Bangladesh. The deal focuses on market access for labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, auto components, and engineering goods. While the rollback is a massive win for Indian industry, discussions remain ongoing regarding India’s commitments on Russian oil imports and specific agricultural market access. This agreement is expected to pave the way toward a $500 billion bilateral trade target, strengthening the Indo-Pacific strategic partnership.

Long Description : The Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 introduce a transformative framework to handle India's annual waste of 620 lakh tonnes. Key changes include the mandatory registration of "Bulk Waste Generators" (entities with 20,000 sq m built-up area) on a centralized digital portal. The rules mandate that waste with a calorific value of 1,500 kcal/kg or more must be used for energy recovery. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are now legally required to map all legacy landfills by October 31, 2026. Higher landfill fees will be imposed on unsegregated waste to financially disincentivize dumping and promote a circular economy.

Long Description : In a significant political development, the President's Rule in Manipur was revoked on February 4, 2026, making way for a new elected government. BJP Legislature Party leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in by the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Imphal. The new administration is a coalition featuring Deputy Chief Ministers from the BJP and the Naga People’s Front (NPF), aimed at restoring administrative stability in the region. This transition marks the end of a period of direct central rule and shifts the focus toward local governance and ethnic reconciliation in the state.

Long Description : The RBI’s $10 billion swap auction is a strategic liquidity management tool where the central bank buys US dollars from banks now and agrees to sell them back in 2029. This "buy/sell" swap injects rupee liquidity into the system in the near term (settlement on Feb 6, 2026) while providing a hedge for the long term. Conducted on a multiple price-based format, the auction required banks to quote premiums in paisa terms. This move comes as the RBI prepares for its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, where it is expected to maintain status quo on interest rates due to a stable economic outlook.

Long Description : Under the National Geospatial Mission, the Survey of India has established 1,145 CORS stations to revolutionize mapping and navigation in India. This infrastructure enables real-time positioning with centimeter-level accuracy, critical for drones, autonomous vehicles, and precision farming. Additionally, a single authoritative Administrative Boundary Data Base (ABDB) has been developed. The mission aligns India’s geospatial data with ISO and BIS standards. This foundational infrastructure is part of a broader push in the 2025-26 Union Budget to modernize land records and urban planning through high-resolution digital twin technology.

Long Description : Criticizing the "inordinate delay" by central agencies, the Supreme Court ordered an SIT probe into the Anil Ambani-led ADAG group regarding alleged financial irregularities and bank fraud. The court emphasized the need to investigate the potential nexus between bank officials and the accused. The SIT is mandated to provide a status report within four weeks. The Bench noted that the investigation must be "fair and dispassionate," highlighting that further delays by the CBI or ED would not be tolerated. This case is being closely monitored by the apex court to ensure accountability in high-value corporate defaults.

Long Description : The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) concluded in New Delhi, marking a decade since the last high-level engagement with the Arab League. The "New Delhi Declaration" focuses on deepening ties in West Asia amid changing global geopolitics. Key areas of agreement include counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea, and establishing a robust framework for food and energy security. India’s "Link West" policy was a central theme, emphasizing that the Arab world remains India’s largest trading bloc and a critical source of energy and diaspora remittances.

Long Description : The Pradhan Mantri – Skilling and Employability Transformation Through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) program received a major boost with an $830 million funding commitment from the World Bank. The initiative aims to revamp the curriculum and infrastructure of ITIs across India to align them with Industry 4.0 standards. The program focuses on increasing the employability of graduates in sectors like green energy, digital technology, and advanced manufacturing. By integrating private sector partnerships, PM-SETU seeks to bridge the skill gap and ensure that India’s "demographic dividend" is equipped with globally competitive technical skills.

Long Description : India and Russia have intensified discussions on nuclear energy cooperation, focusing on the emerging field of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Unlike traditional large-scale plants, SMRs are easier to deploy and suitable for decentralized power needs. The discussions also involve expanding the capacity of existing nuclear projects like Kudankulam. The DAE emphasized that all future projects will strictly adhere to the safety standards of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). This collaboration is pivotal for India’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions, as it looks to diversify its energy mix beyond coal and solar.

Long Description : The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a milestone in missile propulsion with the successful flight test of the SFDR technology. The test, conducted off the Odisha coast, validated the ramjet engine’s performance at supersonic speeds. SFDR technology allows missiles to maintain high speeds throughout their flight path, significantly increasing their "no-escape zone" compared to conventional solid-motor missiles. This indigenous development is a core component for future versions of the Astra air-to-air missile, reducing India’s dependence on foreign propulsion systems and enhancing its aerial combat capabilities.

Long Description : In a repeat of the 2024 final, India and South Africa met for their final dress rehearsal at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team used the match to finalize their playing XI and test bowling combinations under floodlights. With the T20 World Cup starting on February 7, India enters the tournament as favorites, having won 11 consecutive T20I series. Key focus remains on the form of openers and the integration of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan and the USA.

Long Description : Observed globally on February 4, World Cancer Day 2026 enters the second year of its three-year "Close the Care Gap" campaign. The 2026 theme, "United by Unique," emphasizes that every patient's journey is different and calls for personalized treatment approaches. In India, the Ministry of Health highlighted its progress in expanding tertiary cancer care centers and the success of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in funding oncology treatments. The day serves as a call to action for governments to invest in early screening and palliative care to reduce the global burden of cancer.

Long Description : Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh announced that the NSO, under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), is preparing for a dedicated migration survey. The study aims to update data from the PLFS 2020–21, focusing on the drivers of migration. Current data suggests marriage accounts for 86.8% of female migration, while employment drives nearly 23% of male migration. The upcoming survey will be crucial for policy formulation regarding urban planning, social security for migrant workers, and addressing the "brain drain" and "rural-to-urban" shifts observed in the last five years.

Long Description : The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has entered into a technical arrangement with the European Union to recognize each other’s digital signatures and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This move will allow Indian businesses to sign legally binding documents digitally that are valid across the EU, and vice-versa. The framework is compliant with India’s IT Act, 2000, and the EU’s eIDAS regulations. This pact is expected to drastically reduce the time and cost of international contracts, boosting digital exports and strengthening the "Digital India" global footprint.

Long Description : This partnership aims to fortify India’s highway infrastructure against digital threats. The MoU focuses on Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) and Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling. NFSU will provide expertise in cybersecurity audits, encrypted data storage, and forensic validation of camera-based imaging. With the transition to GPS-based tolling, ensuring the integrity of vehicle data and preventing "spoofing" of number plates has become a priority. The collaboration includes setting up Security Operations Centres (SOC) to monitor highway data in real-time, ensuring a secure and transparent tolling ecosystem.

Long Description : Yantra India Limited (YIL), one of the seven new defence PSUs carved out of the former Ordnance Factory Board, has been elevated to Miniratna Category-I. This status allows the YIL board to approve capital expenditure up to ₹500 crore without prior government approval. The promotion follows YIL's impressive financial performance, with exports rising to over ₹321 crore in FY25. This autonomy is intended to speed up modernization and help the company compete in the global arms market, supporting India’s goal of reaching ₹50,000 crore in annual defence exports.