CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 February, 2026

1. INDIA ADDS TWO NEW RAMSAR WETLANDS AHEAD OF WORLD WETLANDS DAY –

• India has expanded its global wetland footprint with the addition of two new sites to the Ramsar list, reinforcing its commitment to environmental conservation ahead of World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2026. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav through a post on social media platform X.

New Ramsar Sites in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat

• The newly designated wetlands are the Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district of Gujarat. With their inclusion, India’s total number of Ramsar sites has increased further, strengthening the country’s standing among leading nations in wetland conservation.

Expansion of India’s Ramsar Network

• The Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s Ramsar network has expanded by over 276 per cent, growing from 26 sites in 2014 to 98 sites at present. This growth reflects sustained policy focus on biodiversity conservation and ecological sustainability. The international recognition under the Ramsar framework underscores India’s proactive role in protecting fragile wetland ecosystems.

2. NEW TOBACCO EXCISE DUTY PUSHES CIGARETTE PRICES UP TO ₹55 PER PACK –

• Cigarette prices are set to rise sharply from February 2026 following the introduction of a new excise duty and cess regime on tobacco products, marking India’s first tax hike on cigarettes in nearly seven years. Distributors say the increases have already started reflecting in trade billing, with a pack of 10 sticks costing at least ₹22–25 more in many segments, and premium variants seeing hikes of up to ₹50–55 per pack.

New Tax Regime Replaces GST Compensation Cess

• The new levies, approved by Parliament in December, will replace the GST compensation cess framework that has been in place since the rollout of GST in July 2017. Under the revised structure, cigarettes and tobacco products will attract additional excise duty and cess over and above the highest 40% GST slab, replacing the earlier 28% GST plus compensation cess model.

3. ADAMPUR AIRPORT RENAMED AFTER GURU RAVIDAS, PM MODI HAILS LEGACY –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the renaming of Adampur Airport in punjab/”>Punjab after Sri Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, describing the move as a tribute to the saint’s enduring ideals of equality, dignity and selfless service. The announcement was made during an event in Jalandhar to mark Guru Ravidas’ birth anniversary.

Tribute to a Social Reformer

• Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the teachings of Guru Ravidas continue to inspire and energise society. He noted that the saint consistently spoke about equality and equal opportunity, values that remain deeply relevant in contemporary India. The airport will now be officially known as Guru Ravidas Ji Maharaj Ji Airport.

4. ORANGE ECONOMY GETS BOOST WITH CREATOR LABS –

• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a major push for India’s creative industries, described as the “orange economy”, in the Union Budget 2026. The proposals focus on building future-ready creative skills and jobs, especially in fast-growing digital and design-led sectors, as part of India’s broader employment and innovation strategy.

AVGC Sector and Jobs Potential

• Sitharaman highlighted that India’s Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics sector is expanding rapidly and is projected to require around 2 million professionals by 2030. The AVGC industry is increasingly seen as a key source of high-quality creative employment, driven by growth in digital media, gaming, streaming platforms, and global demand for content production services.

5. DISINVESTMENT TARGET SET AT ₹80,000 CRORE –

• The Centre has set an ambitious target of ₹80,000 crore from disinvestment and asset monetisation in FY27, signalling a renewed push to shore up non-tax revenues under the Union Budget 2026. The sharp increase reflects optimism on market conditions and a stronger pipeline of stake sales, even as fiscal consolidation remains a stated priority of the government led by Nirmala Sitharaman.

Sharp Jump in Miscellaneous Capital Receipts

• The ₹80,000 crore target has been budgeted under miscellaneous capital receipts for 2026–27. This is a significant jump from the revised estimate of about ₹34,000 crore for the current fiscal year. In FY26, the government had originally budgeted ₹47,000 crore, but muted execution led to a downward revision. Actual receipts in FY25 were even lower at ₹20,214 crore, highlighting persistent challenges in meeting disinvestment goals.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   India has nominated Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges (Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai Cultural Landscape) for UNESCO World Heritage status. Which of the following statements about Living Root Bridges is correct ?

1. a) They are stone bridges built during the Ahom period
2. b) They are grown from the aerial roots of living trees by Khasi and Jaintia communities
3. c) They are temporary bamboo structures replaced every monsoon
4. d) They are found mainly in the Western Ghats of India

Q2.   Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change declared Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone to conserve biodiversity. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which Indian state ?

1. a) Gujarat b) Madhya Pradesh
2. c) Rajasthan d) Maharashtra

Q3.   On 23rd January 2026, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan, which houses a rich collection of manuscripts and books in 11 classical Indian languages. What does Granth Kutir primarily showcase ?

1. a) India’s rich and diverse cultural, philosophical, literary, and intellectual heritage
2. b) An important centre for the preservation of Indian languages and manuscripts
3. c) A collection of ancient and medieval literary and philosophical knowledge
4. d) A centre for the study and promotion of India’s historical and intellectual heritage

Q4.   With reference to India’s macroeconomic performance as presented in the Economic Survey 2025–26, consider the following statements:

1. India is projected to be the fastest-growing major economy for the fourth consecutive year.
2. Real GDP growth for FY26 is estimated to be higher than Gross Value Added (GVA) growth.
3. Growth in FY26 was primarily export-led due to strong global demand.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only b) 1 and 3 only
2. c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Survey notes that India remains the fastest-growing major economy for the fourth consecutive year, despite global uncertainty.
• Statement 2 – Correct: FY26 estimates show real GDP growth at 7.4%, while GVA growth is slightly lower at 7.3%.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Growth was demand-driven and broad-based, led mainly by private consumption and investment, not exports.

Q5.   Which of the following are the core objectives of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development ?

1. Promotion of international peace and nuclear disarmament.
2. Expanding human freedom, dignity, and social justice.
3. Enhancing South-South cooperation for equitable global development.

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. a) 1 and 2 only                                  b) 1 and 3 only
2. c) 2 and 3 only                                  d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation-

• The Indira Gandhi Prize is rooted in the humanitarian and diplomatic values championed by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• Statement 1 is correct; the prize was specifically named for peace and disarmament, reflecting her role in the global arena.
• Statements 2 and 3 are correct. The award recognizes contributions toward human freedom, dignity, and social justice, which aligns with the work of its 2026 recipient, Graça Machel. Furthermore, it emphasizes equitable global development with a strong focus on South–South cooperation. This focus stems from India’s historical leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), where it advocated for the rights and development of post-colonial nations. The prize serves as a reminder of the “global vision” required to bridge the gap between the North and the South, using India’s soft power to promote a more just international relations framework.

Answer Key