Daily current affairs: 8 February 2026

Long Description : The India-US interim trade deal marks a significant reset in bilateral relations, with the US removing 25% punitive tariffs on various Indian products. In return, India has pledged to purchase US energy and has indicated a shift away from Russian oil imports to diversify its energy security. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that this agreement is a precursor to a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). The deal is expected to boost Indian exports in the aerospace, machinery, and textile sectors while securing long-term US investment in India's burgeoning infrastructure and semiconductor industries, strengthening the "Vikasit Bharat" vision.

Long Description : During his visit to Kuala Lumpur on February 7-8, PM Narendra Modi held extensive talks with Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim. The leaders reaffirmed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), focusing on defense cooperation and semiconductor supply chains. A key outcome was the agreement to enhance trade facilitation via the Malaysia-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (MICECA) and the use of local currencies for bilateral trade. PM Modi also met INA veteran Jeyaraj Raja Rao, highlighting civilizational links. The 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum also convened, emphasizing investments in AI, fintech, and green energy to deepen economic integration.

Long Description : India has once again demonstrated its commitment to multilateralism by becoming one of the early payers to the United Nations regular budget for 2026. By contributing USD 35.18 million, India secured its place on the prestigious 'Honour Roll.' The total assessed contribution for India stands at USD 38.223 million, with a portion offset against staff income taxes. India’s contribution represents 1.016% of the total UN regular budget of USD 3.45 billion. This timely payment reinforces India's role as a responsible global stakeholder at a time when the UN faces significant liquidity challenges and budget constraints.

Long Description : The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified a revised Startup Recognition Framework to bolster the Startup India Action Plan. Key changes include extending the eligibility age for startups from 10 to 20 years and increasing the turnover limit to ₹300 crore. Crucially, cooperative societies are now eligible for recognition, encouraging innovation in the grassroots cooperative sector. The framework also restricts the use of funds for non-core activities like residential real estate. Recognized deep-tech firms can now apply for income-tax exemptions under Section 80-IAC, aiming to foster a more inclusive and long-term entrepreneurial ecosystem across India.

Long Description : Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the signing of a landmark tripartite agreement between the Government of India, the Nagaland Government, and the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO). The agreement establishes the Frontier Naga Territorial Authority (FNTA), addressing long-standing grievances of six eastern districts. Under this pact, powers related to 46 subjects will be devolved to the FNTA to ensure regional autonomy and development. The Ministry of Home Affairs will provide the initial establishment funds. This move is seen as a major step toward resolving internal security issues and promoting equitable growth in the Northeast under the 'Act East' policy.

Long Description : India’s junior cricketers maintained their global dominance by winning the ICC Men’s U-19 World Cup 2026 for a record-extending sixth time. In the final held in Harare, Zimbabwe, India defeated England by 100 runs, fueled by a historic 175-run knock from 14-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Following the victory, the BCCI announced a cash reward of ₹7.5 crore for the players and support staff. President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi congratulated the team, highlighting the win as a testament to India's robust grassroots sports infrastructure and the bright future of Indian cricket on the world stage.

Long Description : In a dominant display of regional football prowess, the Indian Under-19 Women's team defeated Bangladesh 4-0 in the final of the SAFF U-19 Women's Championship held at the Pokhara Rangasala Stadium in Nepal. The victory underscores India's rising status in women's football in South Asia. The team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing tactical brilliance and physical fitness. This win is particularly significant for the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as it aligns with the 'Vision 2047' roadmap to make India a footballing powerhouse. The performance has been widely praised for its technical quality and goal-scoring efficiency.

Long Description : Strengthening their "Strategic Partnership on Water and Energy," India and the Netherlands launched the India-Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme. This initiative aims to foster joint research in clean energy, specifically focusing on the production and storage of green hydrogen. Additionally, a key academic agreement was signed between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). This collaboration is designed to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems and achieve net-zero targets. The partnership emphasizes the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" goal by integrating global research excellence with India's industrial manufacturing capabilities in the renewable energy sector.

Long Description : Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted the success of the IndiaAI Mission, noting that India's sovereign AI model strategy is yielding significant results. The government is focusing on building indigenous foundational models and compute capacity to ensure data sovereignty. A key milestone is the upcoming completion of the "Bharat GenAI" text models in all 22 scheduled Indian languages. This initiative aims to democratize AI benefits for citizens, particularly in rural areas, by providing services in vernacular languages. The strategy also includes stricter service quality monitoring and the expansion of 5G, which now covers 99.87% of Indian districts.

Long Description : Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Rajya Sabha that India’s electronics manufacturing sector has seen exponential growth, positioning the country as the world's second-largest mobile manufacturer. Production and exports have registered multi-fold growth since 2014, driven by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes and the "Make in India" initiative. This shift has reduced import dependency and turned India into a major export hub for global brands. The government's focus now shifts toward higher value addition through semiconductor manufacturing and component ecosystems, aiming to capture a larger share of the global electronics value chain by 2030.

Long Description : In a high-stakes final held in Vadodara, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) secured their second Women's Premier League (WPL) title by defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets. The tournament's fourth edition saw record viewership and emphasized the growing commercial viability of women's cricket in India. Tata Group served as the title sponsor for the 2026 season. RCB’s victory was marked by a balanced team performance, proving their consistency in the league. The win further consolidates WPL's position as the premier global domestic T20 league for women, providing a massive platform for domestic Indian talent to excel alongside international stars.

Long Description : During an interview regarding the India-US trade deal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asserted that India is negotiating global trade pacts from a position of unprecedented strength. He projected India to become a $35 trillion economy by 2047, making it an indispensable market for global trade partners. Goyal dismissed claims of excessive concessions in recent deals, emphasizing that India offers a stable, high-growth environment that major economies are keen to access. This "negotiating strength" is being leveraged to secure better terms for Indian MSMEs and service providers in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the US, EU, and UK.

Long Description : Bangladesh is preparing for its most significant democratic exercise in years, scheduled for February 12, 2026. These are the first national elections since the student-led uprising in 2024 that ousted the Awami League government. The Election Commission has introduced a major reform allowing 15 million expatriates to vote via post for the first time. Over 127 million people are eligible to vote in a first-past-the-post system. The interim government has also sought United Nations assistance to probe previous human rights violations, ensuring the upcoming polls are "fair and impartial." The results will be crucial for regional stability and India-Bangladesh relations.

Long Description : In a closely contested match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the Indian team defeated the United States by 29 runs. Playing at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India posted a competitive total and defended it successfully against a resilient US side. The victory helps India maintain its momentum in the group stages. The tournament has seen significant interest due to the growing competitiveness of "Associate" nations like the US and Nepal. India’s bowling attack was praised for its discipline in the death overs, securing a vital win for the hosts.

Long Description : Indian shooters Arjun Babuta and Elavenil Valarivan made history at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026 in New Delhi. The pair clinched the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team event, setting both a new World Record and a Championship Record. Their performance highlights India's continued dominance in international shooting disciplines. The championship serves as a crucial preparatory event for the upcoming global calendar. The record-breaking feat by Babuta and Valarivan underscores the success of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) in identifying and nurturing elite athletic talent for major international competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games.

Long Description : Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched the “India–Australia Business Case Studies Compendium” at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi. Titled “Pitch Perfect Australia-India: Perfect Conditions for a USD 100 Billion Partnership,” the document outlines strategies to expand trade beyond hydrocarbons. It focuses on resilient supply chains, critical minerals, and integrating Indian firms into global value chains. The compendium follows the success of the ECTA (Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement) and aims to facilitate deeper engagement in sectors like education, fintech, and renewable energy, aiming for a total trade value of $100 billion.