CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 February, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 February, 2026

1. INDIA’S LOW PUBLIC HEALTH SPENDING –

• India’s public health spending continues to fall critically short, as the Union government has failed to meet the spending targets set by the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017.

What is the Status of Public Health Spending in India?

• Missed National Targets: NHP 2017 target of raising public health spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025 remains unfulfilled. The Union government’s share, aimed at 40% of total public spending (1% of GDP), stands at a mere 0.29% of GDP (2025-26).
• Post-Covid-19, the Union government’s health spending declined drastically from 0.37% (2020-21) to 0.29% (2025-26).
• State vs. Centre Trend: While states have increased their health spending from 0.67% (2017-18) to 1.1% of GDP (2025-26), the Centre has reduced its share, leading to a trend of financial hyper-centralisation.
• Also, the Union’s share of health transfers to states for Centrally Sponsored Schemes has plummeted from 75.9% (2014-15) to 43% (2024-25), undermining state capacity to deliver healthcare.
• Cess Misallocation: Funds from the Health and Education Cess (HEC), intended to expand healthcare for the poor, are not supplementing but largely substituting the core health budget. In 2023-24, only one-fourth of HEC collection was allocated to health.
• Global Disparity: India’s per capita public health spending is among the world’s lowest, significantly less than neighbours like Bhutan (2.5 times more) and Sri Lanka (3 times more) in 2021, and far behind BRICS nations (14–15 times more) and Thailand/Malaysia (10 times more).

2. IN JANUARY 2026, THE US ANNOUNCED ITS WITHDRAWAL FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE (ISA), 5 YEARS AFTER JOINING IN 2021. THIS MOVE THREATENS TO WEAKEN GLOBAL CLIMATE EFFORTS AND IMPEDE THE ADVANCEMENT OF SOLAR ENERGY WORLDWID –

What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

• About: It is an action-oriented collaborative platform and the first international intergovernmental organisation headquartered in India (Gurugram, Haryana).
• It was launched jointly by India and France on the sidelines of COP21 (UNFCCC) in Paris in 2015, coinciding with the landmark Paris Agreement.
• The Assembly is the apex decision-making body, where each member country is represented.
• Membership: Initially focused on countries lying between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Following a 2020 amendment to its Framework Agreement, membership was opened to all UN member states. It currently has over 100 signatory countries, with over 90 having ratified to become full members.
• Objective: It aims to make solar power affordable and accessible in developing countries by facilitating finance, reducing investor risk, and accelerating adoption. It does not build solar plants itself.
• Core Strategy: ISA is guided by its ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, which targets by 2030:
• Mobilizing USD 1,000 billion in investments.
• Delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy.
• Installing 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity.
• Mitigating 1,000 million tonnes of CO₂ annually.

3. AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026: CARLOS ALCARAZ DEFEATS NOVAK DJOKOVIC TO COMPLETE CAREER GRAND SLAM –

• On February 1, 2026. In a gripping men’s singles final at the Australian Open 2026, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated Serbian legend Novak Djokovic to achieved feat and completed the Grand Slam series. At just 22 years of age, Alcaraz completed his career Grand Slam, becoming the youngest man in tennis history to do so. The match was more than a final it symbolized the passing of an era and the rise of a new one in global tennis.

The Final That Redefined Modern Tennis

• The Australian Open 2026 final lived up to its billing.
• Djokovic took the opening set 6–2, showcasing his trademark control and experience.
• However, Alcaraz responded with remarkable composure, taking the next three sets 6–2, 6–3, 7–5.
• His aggressive baseline play, physical endurance and tactical maturity stood out.
• The victory was not just about beating Djokovic, but about doing so on a stage where legends are tested. It reflected Alcaraz’s evolution from prodigy to dominant champion.

4. UNION BUDGET 2026: LIST OF NEW AND EXISTING SCHEMES & INITIATIVES –

Schemes Announced in Union Budget 2026-27

1. Manufacturing & Strategic Sectors

• The Budget places strong emphasis on scaling up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors to reduce import dependence and strengthen India’s global competitiveness.
• Biopharma SHAKTI (₹10,000 crore over five years) aims to develop India as a global hub for biologics and biosimilars, supported by new and upgraded NIPER institutions and over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites.
• Building on earlier progress, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 focuses on semiconductor equipment, materials, full-stack Indian intellectual property, and skilled workforce development.

2. Textile, Khadi and Handicrafts

• An Integrated Textile Programme has been announced with five components, including the National Fibre Scheme, Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme, National Handloom and Handicraft Programme, Tex-Eco Initiative, and Samarth 2.0 for skilling.
• To promote scale and value addition, Mega Textile Parks will be set up in challenge mode.
• Complementing this, the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative focuses on strengthening khadi, handloom and handicrafts through training, quality improvement and global branding.

3. MSMEs and Enterprise Support

• Recognizing MSMEs as engines of employment, the Budget introduces a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to create future “Champion MSMEs”.
• The Self-Reliant India Fund has been topped up by ₹2,000 crore to support micro enterprises.
• The Corporate Mitra Programme will create a cadre of trained para-professionals to help MSMEs meet compliance needs, especially in Tier-II and Tier-III towns.
• Major reforms have also been announced for the TReDS platform, including mandatory use by CPSEs, credit guarantee for invoice discounting, integration with GeM, and securitisation of receivables. Additionally, a Legacy Industrial Cluster Rejuvenation Scheme will revive 200 old clusters.

4. Infrastructure & Connectivity

• Public capital expenditure has been increased to ₹12.2 lakh crore, supported by new institutional mechanisms.
• An Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund will provide partial credit guarantees to reduce project risks.
• Key connectivity initiatives include new Dedicated Freight Corridors, expansion of National Waterways, a Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme, and incentives for seaplane manufacturing and operations.
• The Budget also proposes a ₹20,000 crore Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Programme, development of City Economic Regions, and seven high-speed rail corridors linking major growth centres.

5. Services, Education and Skill Development

• A High-Powered Education-to-Employment and Enterprise Standing Committee will guide India’s services-led growth strategy.
• The Budget announces expansion of Allied Health Professionals, training 1.5 lakh caregivers, and establishment of five Medical Value Tourism Hubs. The AYUSH sector will be strengthened through new institutes and upgraded labs.
• Other initiatives include AVGC content creator labs in schools and colleges, a new National Institute of Design in eastern India, University Townships, girls’ hostels in STEM institutions, and upgraded national telescope infrastructure.

6. Tourism, Culture and Heritage

• Tourism is positioned as a major employment generator.
• The Budget proposes a National Institute of Hospitality, a Tourist Guide Skill Pilot Scheme, and a National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid.
• Eco-tourism trails, development of 15 archaeological sites, and a Buddhist Circuit Development Scheme for the North-East further strengthen cultural tourism.

7. Sports Development

• To leverage India’s manufacturing potential, a Dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Initiative has been announced.
• In addition, the Khelo India Mission will transform the sports ecosystem over the next decade through talent pathways, sports science, coaching and infrastructure.

8. Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Economy

• Major schemes include Fisheries Development in reservoirs and coastal areas, Animal Husbandry Entrepreneurship Support, and promotion of high-value crops such as coconut, cocoa, cashew and sandalwood.
• The Coconut Promotion Scheme targets productivity enhancement, while Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI-based advisory system, will support farmers with customised information.
• SHE-Marts will help rural women transition from livelihoods to enterprise ownership.

9. Social Justice, Health and Welfare

• The Budget introduces Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana for skill-based employment and Divyang Sahara Yojana for assistive devices.
• Mental healthcare receives a boost with NIMHANS-2, upgraded institutes, and expansion of emergency and trauma care centres.

5. UNION BUDGET 2026: DEFENSE SPENDING RISES 15.3% TO ₹7.84 LAKH CRORE –

• The Union Budget 2026 has delivered one of the strongest signals yet of India’s changing security priorities. Just a year after a major military confrontation with Pakistan, the government has raised defense spending by 15.3% to ₹7.84 lakh crore. Presented in Parliament, the Budget reflects lessons from recent conflict, growing geopolitical uncertainty, and the push for self-reliant defense manufacturing. With higher capital outlay, customs duty relief and procurement reforms, defense has emerged as a central pillar of India’s strategic and economic planning.

Defense Budget at a Glance

• For FY 2026-27, the Ministry of Defense has been allocated ₹7.84 lakh crore, up from ₹6.81 lakh crore last year.
• This marks a 15.3% increase, one of the highest annual jumps in recent years.
• Of this, ₹3.65 lakh crore is for defence services revenue, ₹2.19 lakh crore for capital outlay, and ₹1.71 lakh crore for pensions.
• Capital expenditure alone rose by 21.8%, signalling a clear focus on modernisation, new platforms and equipment acquisition.
  

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   The Zapotec civilization, that was recently seen in news, primarily flourished in which country ?

1. a) Mexico
2. b) New Zealand
3. c) Indonesia
4. d) Malaysia

Q2.   Recently, the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducted Exercise Agni Pariksha in which state ?

1. a) Assam
2. b) Manipur
3. c) Nagaland
4. d) Arunachal Pradesh

Q3.   Tehri Lake, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state ?

1. a) Himachal Pradesh
2. b) Uttarakhand
3. c) Madhya Pradesh
4. d) Odisha

Q4.   With reference to Nipah virus (NiV), consider the following statements:

1. Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease with fruit bats as its natural reservoir.
2. The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is a positive-sense RNA virus.
3. Human-to-human transmission of Nipah virus has been documented.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are the natural reservoir of Nipah virus. Pigs can act as intermediate hosts, facilitating transmission to humans.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Nipah virus belongs to the Henipavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family and is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus, not a positive-sense RNA virus.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Unlike many zoonotic viruses, Nipah can spread directly from human to human, increasing its epidemic potential.

Q5.   With reference to civil aviation safety in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is responsible for investigating aircraft accidents and issuing safety recommendations.
2. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and regulates air safety, licensing, and certification.
3. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is the apex body responsible for aviation security in India.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: AAIB investigates aircraft accidents and serious incidents and issues safety recommendations to prevent recurrence.
• Statement 2 – Correct: DGCA, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), is the technical regulator for aviation safety, aircraft certification, pilot licensing, and Air Operator Certificates (AOC).
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: Aviation security is handled by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), not AAI.

          AAI manages airport infrastructure and Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Answer Key