02 February 2026 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–1 | GEOPHYSICAL PHENOMENA

1. Shiveluch Volcano (Russia)

Subtopic: Volcanism, Pacific Ring of Fire

Value Addition:

• Location: Kamchatka Peninsula, far-eastern Russia.

• Global Context:

  • Kamchatka lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically and volcanically active belts.

• Volcano Type:

  • Stratovolcano with steep slopes formed by alternating layers of lava, ash, and pyroclastic material.

• Elevation:

  • ~3,283 m above sea level.

• Activity Profile:

  • Among the largest and most active volcanoes in Kamchatka.

  • Known for explosive eruptions producing ash plumes, pyroclastic flows, and lahars.

• Recent Event:

  • Multiple eruptions sending ash plumes up to 8 km high, posing risks to aviation routes over the North Pacific.

• Hazard Dimension:

  • Volcanic ash can disrupt jet engines, reduce visibility, and impact climate temporarily.

Subject Analysis:

• High-yield GS-1 topic linking plate tectonics, volcanic hazards, and disaster preparedness.

• Useful for prelims on stratovolcano characteristics and Ring of Fire mapping.

GS–2 | ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE & COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

2. JALAJ Livelihood Centres

Subtopic: River Conservation, Community-Based Livelihoods

Value Addition:

• Institutional Framework:

  • Joint initiative of Namami Gange Mission and Wildlife Institute of India.

• Core Philosophy:

  • Integrates river biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihood generation.

• Conceptual Model:

  • Based on circular economy principles.

  • Conservation activities generate livelihoods, and livelihoods incentivise conservation.

• Geographical Focus:

  • Ganga river basin communities, especially river-dependent households.

• Key Objectives:

  • Mobilise local communities as stakeholders in river health.

  • Reduce pressure on river ecosystems through alternative incomes.

• Salient Features:

  • Strong emphasis on women’s participation.

  • Centres reflect local culture, traditions, and indigenous identity.

  • Act as community hubs for training, awareness, and product marketing.

• Functional Role:

  • Capacity building in biodiversity protection.

  • Skill development and sale of locally produced goods.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-2 relevance for participatory governance, environmental federalism, and sustainable development.

• Strong case study for mains on people-centric conservation models.

GS–3 | SOCIAL SECURITY & FINANCIAL INCLUSION

3. NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme (NSPS)

Subtopic: Pension Reforms, Health–Finance Integration

Value Addition:

• Regulator: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.

• Nature:

  • Launched as a Proof of Concept under the Regulatory Sandbox Framework.

• Objective:

  • Integrate health expense coverage with long-term pension savings.

• Scheme Architecture:

  • Operates within the National Pension System under the Multiple Scheme Framework.

• Coverage:

  • Financial support for out-patient and in-patient medical expenses.

• Participation:

  • Voluntary, open to all Indian citizens with an NPS Common Scheme Account.

• Contribution Flexibility:

  • No fixed amount; follows existing NPS non-government norms.

• Age-Linked Feature:

  • Subscribers above 40 years (non-government) may transfer up to 30% of corpus into NSPS.

• Withdrawal Provisions:

  • Up to 25% withdrawal for medical expenses without frequency limits.

  • Up to 100% premature withdrawal for critical treatment exceeding 70% of corpus.

• Safeguards:

  • Payments made directly to hospitals or health administrators.

  • Unused amount returned to the main NPS account.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 topic linking social security, healthcare financing, and pension innovation.

• Useful for mains on ageing population and integrated welfare design.

GS–2 | E-GOVERNANCE & INFRASTRUCTURE MONITORING

4. PAIMANA Portal

Subtopic: Digital Project Monitoring, Public Investment Management

Value Addition:

• Full Form: Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring and Analytics for Nation-building.

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

• Core Purpose:

  • Centralised monitoring of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects.

• Mandatory Scope:

  • Projects costing ₹150 crore and above.

• System Features:

  • National repository of infrastructure data.

  • Real-time dashboards with sector- and state-wise drill-down.

  • Advanced analytics to flag delays and data inconsistencies.

• System Integration:

  • Linked with DPIIT’s Integrated Project Monitoring Portal through APIs.

• Governance Impact:

  • Improves transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-2 topic on digital governance, infrastructure efficiency, and outcome monitoring.

GS–3 | MARINE BIODIVERSITY

5. Indo-Pacific Leopard Shark (Zebra Shark)

Subtopic: Marine Species Conservation, Rewilding

Value Addition:

• Alternate Name: Zebra shark (juveniles striped; adults spotted).

• Habitat:

  • Shallow tropical coastal and reef-associated waters of the Indo-Pacific.

• Behaviour:

  • Slow-moving, bottom-dwelling reef shark.

• Reproduction:

  • Oviparous (egg-laying).

• Diet:

  • Molluscs, crustaceans, small bony fishes.

• Lifespan:

  • ~18–24 years in the wild.

• Conservation Status:

  • Endangered (IUCN).

• Recent Development:

  • Thailand’s first shark rewilding initiative, reflecting shift from protection to active restoration.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 relevance for marine conservation, species recovery, and rewilding strategies.

GS–3 | WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

6. Rusty-Spotted Cat

Subtopic: Small Carnivores, Indian Endemism

Value Addition:

• Scientific Name: Prionailurus rubiginosus.

• Distinct Identity:

  • World’s smallest and lightest wild cat.

• Distribution:

  • Dry deciduous and semi-deciduous forests of India, Western Ghats, Kachchh, Rajasthan.

  • Also found in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

• India’s Role:

  • Hosts ~80% of global population.

• Physical Traits:

  • Weight < 1.5 kg.

  • Rust-coloured spots, large eyes adapted for nocturnal life.

• Behaviour:

  • Nocturnal, agile, highly active hunter.

• Conservation Status:

  • Near Threatened (IUCN).

• Recent Record:

  • Sighted in Shergarh forest, Rajasthan, expanding known range.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 topic highlighting lesser-known fauna, habitat connectivity, and conservation outside protected areas.

GS–3 | PUBLIC HEALTH & EPIDEMIOLOGY

7. Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

Subtopic: Zoonotic Diseases, Vector-Borne Infections

Value Addition:

• Nature:

  • Tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever.

• Discovery:

  • First identified in 1957 in Kyasanur Forest, Karnataka.

• Causative Agent:

  • Kyasanur Forest Disease virus (Flaviviridae family).

• Common Name: Monkey fever.

• Vector:

  • Hard tick Hemaphysalis spinigera.

• Transmission:

  • Tick bites.

  • Handling infected or dead monkeys.

  • No human-to-human transmission.

• Seasonality:

  • Peaks between January and April.

• Clinical Management:

  • No specific antiviral treatment.

  • Supportive care critical for recovery.

• Public Health Concern:

  • Forest-dependent livelihoods increase exposure risk.

Subject Analysis:

• High-relevance GS-3 topic linking One Health approach, zoonoses, and surveillance gaps.