07 Februray 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS–1 | WORLD PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

1. Mount Aconcagua

Subtopic: Mountain Systems, Continental Extremes

Value Addition:

• Location: Western Argentina, near the international border with Chile.

• Continental Significance:

  • Highest peak in South America.

  • Highest mountain outside Asia.

• Elevation: ~6,961 metres above sea level.

• Mountain System:

  • Part of the Andes Range, specifically the Principal Cordillera.

  • Forms a natural boundary between Argentina and central Chile.

• Global Recognition:

  • Included in the Seven Summits (highest peaks of each continent).

• Geological Origin:

  • Volcanic origin, but not an active volcano.

  • Formed due to subduction of the Nazca Plate beneath the South American Plate.

• Rock Composition:

  • Predominantly sedimentary and metamorphic rocks arranged as a folded mountain.

• Climatic Zones:

  • Lower slopes: Arid, desert-like conditions with sparse vegetation.

  • Middle zones: Alpine desert conditions.

  • Summit: Arctic conditions with extreme cold and strong winds.

• Glacial Features:

  • Several glaciers present.

  • Ventisquero Horcones Inferior is the largest glacier on the mountain.

• Recent Context:

  • Joint expedition flagged off by India’s Defence Minister, highlighting mountaineering diplomacy and military endurance training.

Subject Analysis:

• High-yield GS-1 topic for world geography, plate tectonics, and mapping-based prelims questions.

• Useful for mains answers on physiographic divisions and continental extremes.

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & INDUSTRIAL POLICY

2. BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies

Subtopic: South–South Cooperation, MSME & Industry 4.0

Value Addition:

• Institutional Framework:

  • Established under collaboration with United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

• Nature of Initiative:

  • A network-driven institutional platform supporting industrial modernisation across BRICS countries.

• Core Objective:

  • Provide integrated support services to manufacturing enterprises and MSMEs.

• Focus Area:

  • Building Industry 4.0 competencies (digital manufacturing, automation, smart systems).

• India’s Role:

  • India has formally joined the Centre.

  • National Productivity Council designated as the nodal implementing agency for India.

• Target Outcomes:

  • MSME competitiveness.

  • Digital transformation.

  • Skill upgradation and productivity enhancement.

About BRICS (Quick Value Add):

• Coined in 2001 by economist Jim O’Neill.

• First meeting: 2006 (G8 Outreach).

• First summit: 2009, Russia.

• Expanded to BRICS in 2010 with South Africa.

• Current Members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia.

• Core Aim: Strengthen South–South cooperation and reform global governance.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-2 relevance for multilateral institutions, industrial cooperation, and global south leadership.

• Useful for mains on India’s role in alternative global platforms beyond the West.

GS–2 | COOPERATIVE SECTOR & YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

3. Yuva Sahakar Scheme

Subtopic: Cooperative Entrepreneurship, Youth-Led Development

Value Addition:

• Full Name: Yuva Sahakar – Cooperative Enterprise Support and Innovation Scheme.

• Objective:

  • Promote new and innovative cooperative enterprises, especially youth-led.

• Eligibility:

  • Newly formed cooperatives operational for at least three months.

• Nature of Support:

  • Long-term loans with repayment period up to 5 years.

• Interest Incentive:

  • 2% interest subvention provided by National Cooperative Development Corporation.

• Dedicated Fund:

  • Backed by a flexible, liberal funding window under NCDC.

• Startup Linkage:

  • Integrated with ₹1,000 crore Cooperative Start-up and Innovation Fund.

• Regional & Social Incentives:

  • Additional benefits for North-Eastern states and aspirational districts.

  • Special focus on women, SC, and ST-led cooperatives.

• Mission Alignment:

  • Part of Sahakar 22, aimed at cooperative-led income enhancement.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-2 topic linking cooperative reforms, youth entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth.

• Strong example for mains on grassroots economic institutions.

GS–2 | UNITED NATIONS & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

4. United Nations Commission for Social Development

Subtopic: Global Social Policy, Inclusive Development

Value Addition:

• Institutional Status:

  • Functional commission of UN Economic and Social Council.

• Former Name: Social Commission.

• Historical Importance:

  • Exists since the founding of the United Nations.

• Core Mandate:

  • Promote social development and advise on social policy challenges.

• Thematic Focus:

  • Poverty eradication.

  • Social inclusion.

  • Equity and welfare-oriented public policy.

• Post-1995 Role:

  • Principal UN body monitoring implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

• Membership:

  • 46 member states, elected by ECOSOC.

  • Four-year tenure, based on equitable geographical representation.

• Meetings:

  • Held annually at UN Headquarters, New York (February).

• Current Context:

  • Indian delegation led by MoS, Women and Child Development, at the 64th Session.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-2 relevance for UN institutions, social justice, and global development governance.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT & BIODIVERSITY

5. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

Subtopic: Wetlands, Avifaunal Diversity

Value Addition:

• Location: ~64 km west of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

• Name Meaning: Nal Sarovar = “Tap Lake”.

• Physical Features:

  • Natural shallow freshwater lake with muddy lagoons.

  • Interspersed with 36 small islets.

• Area: 120.82 sq km.

• Historical Evolution:

  • Originated in the 15th century after construction of a check dam on the Sabarmati River.

  • Declared a Bird Sanctuary in 1969.

• International Status:

  • Ramsar Site since 2012.

• Floral Diversity:

  • 48 algae species, 72 flowering plants.

  • Rich aquatic vegetation (Typha, Vallisneria, Potamogeton).

• Faunal Diversity:

  • 250+ bird species, including migratory birds from Europe and Siberia.

  • Pelicans, ducks, herons, storks common.

  • Surrounding areas host wild ass, fox, jackal, wolf, hyena.

• Recent Census:

  • Over 5 lakh birds recorded.

Subject Analysis:

• High-probability GS-3 topic on wetlands, Ramsar Convention, and migratory birds.

GS–3 | DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY

6. Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Technology

Subtopic: Missile Propulsion, Indigenous Defence R&D

Value Addition:

• Developed By:

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDL, Hyderabad).

• Technology Type:

  • Advanced air-breathing propulsion system.

• Fuel System:

  • Uses solid fuel-based gas generator instead of liquid fuel.

• Key Advantages:

  • No onboard oxidiser → reduced weight.

  • Safer storage and handling.

• Performance Benefits:

  • Sustained thrust over longer duration.

  • Thrust modulation during flight.

  • Enables higher speed, longer range, and manoeuvrability.

Ramjet Basics (Value Add):

• Uses missile’s forward speed to compress incoming air.

• No mechanical compressor → efficient at supersonic speeds.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 relevance for defence modernisation, missile technology, and strategic autonomy.

GS–3 | PROTECTED AREAS & WILDLIFE

7. Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary

Subtopic: Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity

Value Addition:

• Location: Arunachal Pradesh.

• Named After: Mehao Lake, located in the core area.

• Topography:

  • Entirely hilly terrain.

  • Elevation range: 400 m to 3,560 m.

• Hydrology:

  • Perennial rivers and streams: Ashupani, Deopani, Enjopan, Diphu, Jowe.

• Forest Types:

  • Tropical evergreen.

  • Sub-tropical and temperate forests.

  • Temperate broad-leaved and conifer forests.

• Flora:

  • Hollock, Khokan, Mekai, Simul.

  • Abundant bamboo (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii).

  • Medicinal plants: Coptis teeta (endemic), Taxus baccata.

• Fauna:

  • Clouded leopard, marbled cat, wild dog, spotted linsang.

  • Himalayan black bear, red panda.

• Recent Context:

  • Human–wildlife conflict incident involving a tiger.

Subject Analysis:

• GS-3 topic for protected areas, Eastern Himalayan ecology, and human–wildlife conflict.