03 Februray 2026 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC INSTITUTIONS

1. New Country Partnership Framework (NCPF)

Subtopic: India–World Bank Cooperation, Development Financing

Value Addition:

• Framework Nature:

  • A strategic medium-term engagement framework between India and the World Bank Group.

• Time Period:

  • 2026–2031, aligned with India’s long-term development roadmap.

• Strategic Alignment:

  • Explicitly linked to India’s national vision of Viksit Bharat.

• Financial Commitment:

  • Annual financing of USD 8–10 billion over five years.

  • Uses the full spectrum of World Bank instruments (IBRD, IFC, MIGA).

• Global Jobs Strategy Application:

  • Focus on:

    • Physical infrastructure expansion.

    • Human capital development.

    • Regulatory certainty.

    • Risk-mitigation tools.

• Priority Sectors:

  • Infrastructure and energy.

  • Agribusiness and value-added manufacturing.

  • Healthcare and tourism.

• Employment Focus:

  • Emphasis on private-sector-led job creation.

  • Skill upgradation, MSME support, and improved access for youth and women.

• Targeted Outcomes:

  • Rural prosperity and resilience.

  • Urban transformation.

  • Energy security and climate resilience.

  • Higher investment in people.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-2 topic linking multilateral finance, development strategy, and India’s growth vision.

• Useful for mains on India’s engagement with IFIs and development diplomacy.

GS–3 | ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCES

2. Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)

Subtopic: Hydrocarbon Exploration, Energy Reforms

Value Addition:

• Policy Origin:

  • Introduced in 2016 under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP).

• Reform Significance:

  • Replaced the New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP).

  • Shifted India from a government-driven block allocation to an investor-driven exploration model.

• Core Principle:

  • Companies can identify and propose exploration blocks at any time, without waiting for government tenders.

• Prospecting Defined:

  • Drilling and geological assessment to evaluate hydrocarbon potential.

• Technical Feasibility Basis:

  • Proposals supported by feasibility studies indicating likely hydrocarbon presence.

• Approval Mechanism:

  • Clearance by Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.

  • Competitive auction if multiple bidders apply for the same block.

• Data Backbone:

  • Access to National Data Repository (NDR).

  • Contains seismic data, geological maps, well logs, and historical exploration records.

• Strategic Impact:

  • Encourages private investment.

  • Improves exploration efficiency.

  • Supports India’s energy security objectives.

Subject Analysis:

• Core GS-3 topic for energy policy, sectoral reforms, and ease of doing business.

• Frequently asked in prelims and mains on hydrocarbon governance.

GS–3 | INTERNAL SECURITY

3. Exercise Agni Pariksha

Subtopic: Inter-Force Coordination, Border Security

Value Addition:

• Nature of Exercise:

  • First-of-its-kind joint combat training initiative.

• Participating Forces:

  • Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

• Location:

  • Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically sensitive frontier region.

• Operational Objective:

  • Enhance inter-force combat synergy.

  • Improve operational coordination in border areas.

• Army Participation:

  • Spear Corps units.

  • Artillery regiments and infantry battalions.

• Strategic Relevance:

  • Strengthens preparedness for high-altitude and border contingencies.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 relevance for border management, jointness in security forces, and internal security preparedness.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY & BOTANY

4. Diplocentrum papillosum

Subtopic: New Species Discovery, Western Ghats Endemism

Value Addition:

• Taxonomic Status:

  • Newly identified orchid species.

• Discovery Location:

  • Kanthalloor–Marayoor region, Idukki district, Kerala.

• Genus Characteristics:

  • Diplocentrum genus is endemic to the southern Western Ghats.

• Growth Habit:

  • Epiphytic and lithophytic.

  • Grows on tree branches and rocks.

• Adaptive Feature:

  • Strong, well-developed roots enabling survival in wind-exposed habitats.

• Distinctive Traits:

  • Papillose (small protuberance-like) floral surface.

  • Unbranched inflorescence.

  • Pink and white fragrant flowers.

• Scientific Importance:

  • Expands understanding of orchid diversity in the Western Ghats hotspot.

Subject Analysis:

• High-yield GS-3 topic on species discovery, endemism, and biodiversity documentation.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT & WETLAND CONSERVATION

5. New Ramsar Sites in India

Subtopic: Wetland Protection, International Conventions

Value Addition:

(a) Patna Bird Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh):

• Ecosystem Type:

  • Freshwater marshes, grasslands, woodland patches, surrounded by agriculture.

• Biodiversity Value:

  • ~178 bird species.

  • ~252 plant species.

• Global Recognition:

  • Designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

(b) Chhari-Dhand Wetland (Gujarat):

• Location: Kutch region, between Banni grasslands and salt flats.

• Wetland Type: Seasonal saline wetland.

• Ecological Role:

  • Key wintering ground for migratory waterfowl.

• Flagship Species:

  • Critically endangered sociable lapwing.

  • Vulnerable common pochard.

  • Large congregations of common cranes (Grus grus).

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 relevance for wetland ecology, Ramsar Convention, and migratory bird conservation.

• Frequently tested in prelims through site–state matching.

GS–3 | SCIENCE, ASTRONOMY & ENVIRONMENT

6. Hanle Dark Sky Reserve

Subtopic: Astronomy Infrastructure, Light Pollution

Value Addition:

• Location: Changthang region, Ladakh.

• Altitude: ~4,500 m above sea level.

• Ecological Setting:

  • Within Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Sky Quality:

  • Bortle-1 class skies (darkest natural night skies).

• Status:

  • India’s first International Dark Sky Reserve (notified December 2022).

• Institutional Management:

  • Managed by Indian Institute of Astrophysics under DST.

• Core Objectives:

  • Reduce light pollution.

  • Promote astronomical research and observations.

• Development Model:

  • Science-led development with astro-tourism for local livelihoods.

• Recent Event:

  • Rare blood-red auroral display recorded, highlighting scientific value.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 topic linking space science, environmental management, and sustainable tourism.

GS–3 | ECONOMY & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

7. ‘CHAKRA’ – Centre of Excellence (SBI)

Subtopic: Sunrise Sectors, Project Finance

Value Addition:

• Launching Institution: State Bank of India.

• Core Purpose:

  • Knowledge-driven financing platform for sunrise and technology-intensive sectors.

• Key Focus Areas (8):

  • Renewables.

  • Data centres.

  • E-mobility and charging infrastructure.

  • Advanced battery and cell chemistry.

  • Semiconductors.

  • Green hydrogen and ammonia.

  • Decarbonisation initiatives.

  • Smart infrastructure.

• Investment Outlook:

  • Expected cumulative capex of ₹100 lakh crore by 2030.

• Strategic Role:

  • Strengthen India’s integration into global value chains.

• Advisory Function:

  • Supports SBI’s project finance teams.

  • Promotes AI-driven financial assessment.

• Ecosystem Engagement:

  • Works with regulators, DFIs, multilateral agencies, start-ups, academia, and think tanks.

Subject Analysis:

• High-value GS-3 topic linking industrial policy, sustainable finance, and banking-led growth.