Find the Weekly Current Affairs for the 1st week of february 2026. Stay informed with the most important news and events from around the world. Our curated updates provide a comprehensive summary of the week’s key happenings, covering politics, economics, science, technology, sports, and international affairs.
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Highlights of February 1st Week Current Affairs
- The Supreme Court of India held that menstrual health is an inseparable part of the right to life under Article 21 and directed pan-India implementation of the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for schoolgirls in Classes 6–12, linking dignity, equality, and education with access to menstrual health facilities.
- The judgment emphasized that denial of menstrual hygiene measures amounts to structural discrimination, affecting the right to equality under Article 14 and the right to education under Article 21A, and mandated sensitisation, gender-segregated toilets, and free sanitary napkins in schools.
- India and the World Bank launched the New Country Partnership Framework 2026–2031 with a funding provision of $8–10 billion, focusing on inclusive growth, private sector–led job creation, and sustainable development.
- The framework prioritises rural prosperity, urban transformation, investment in health and education, and strengthening energy security through renewables, green hydrogen, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
- The Economic Survey 2025–26 reported a sharp rise in female labour force participation from 23.3% in 2017–18 to 41.7% in 2023–24, highlighting women’s growing role in entrepreneurship and the economy.
- The Survey also flagged persistent barriers to women’s workforce participation, including unpaid care burden, mobility constraints, high education costs, and limited access to flexible work arrangements, calling for targeted policy action.
- The Central Electricity Authority outlined a roadmap to achieve 100 GW of hydro pumped storage projects by 2035–36, positioning PSPs as critical for grid stability and long-duration energy storage in India’s clean energy transition.
- Indian Railways is accelerating the nationwide rollout of Kavach 4.0, an indigenous automatic train protection system with SIL-4 global safety standards to prevent collisions, signal violations, and overspeeding.
- The Finance Ministry directed Regional Rural Banks to diversify their loan portfolios while maintaining at least 75% priority sector lending, to improve rural credit flow and strengthen agriculture, MSMEs, and financial inclusion.
- India strengthened engagement with the Arab League and added two new Ramsar wetlands—Patna Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh and Chhari-Dhand Wetland Reserve in Gujarat—raising the country’s total Ramsar sites to 98 and reinforcing its environmental diplomacy.
- Union Budget 2026–27 introduced targeted measures to promote India’s Orange Economy, covering AVGC, design, fashion, live entertainment, and digital creative industries as key drivers of jobs, exports, and cultural influence.
- The budget proposed support to the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies, Mumbai, and the setting up of AVGC Content Creator Labs in 15,000 secondary schools and 500 colleges to build an early talent pipeline.
- A new National Institute of Design is proposed in the eastern region through the challenge route, expanding India’s design education ecosystem beyond the existing seven NIDs.
- The 16th Finance Commission Report retained states’ share in the divisible pool at 41% and revised horizontal devolution criteria, likely benefiting southern states through inclusion of contribution to GDP.
- To promote fiscal discipline, the 16th Finance Commission recommended a 3% GSDP cap on states’ fiscal deficits, while excluding borrowings under the SASCI scheme from this limit.
- The Union Budget announced a three-pronged strategy to create “Champion MSMEs” through equity support, liquidity enhancement via TReDS reforms, and professional assistance through Corporate Mitras.
- Biopharma SHAKTI was launched with a ₹10,000 crore outlay to position India as a global biopharmaceutical manufacturing hub, focusing on biologics, biosimilars, research capacity, and regulatory strengthening.
- An Integrated Programme for the Textile Sector was unveiled, covering the entire value chain from fibre to fashion, with components such as the National Fibre Scheme, Tex-Eco Initiative, and Samarth 2.0.
- Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI-based agricultural platform, was proposed to integrate AgriStack and ICAR knowledge systems to provide real-time, data-driven advisories to farmers and policymakers.
- In science and global affairs, new evidence from NASA’s MESSENGER mission suggested ongoing geological activity on Mercury, while geopolitically, developments included partial reopening of the Rafah crossing and Donetsk’s centrality in Russia–Ukraine negotiations.
- The India–US Trade Agreement (2026) reduced US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18% and withdrew the additional 25% duty imposed in 2025, easing bilateral trade tensions.
- India committed to increasing imports of US energy, technology, and nuclear equipment worth over US$ 500 billion while gradually lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
- The agreement is expected to strengthen MSMEs, farmers, and skilled workers, and boost access to advanced technologies in defence, energy, and manufacturing.
- The National Statistics Office will conduct an all-India Migration Survey from July 2026 to June 2027 to generate detailed data on internal migration patterns.
- Recent data shows high female migration (around 47.9%), mainly due to marriage, while male migration is driven largely by employment opportunities.
- India and the League of Arab States adopted the Delhi Declaration to enhance cooperation on security, trade, connectivity, and multilateral governance.
- The declaration reaffirmed support for Palestine, condemned attacks in Yemen, and highlighted the STREAM initiative for maritime and logistics connectivity.
- The Union Budget 2026–27 announced Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in four states to strengthen domestic production of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets.
- The 16th Finance Commission recommended including heatwaves and lightning strikes as nationally notified disasters to improve relief and preparedness.
- India aims to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to about 50% by 2030–31, while rising 10-year bond yields at around 6.77% reflect tighter financial conditions and higher borrowing costs.
- The Supreme Court questioned Meta and WhatsApp over their 2021 privacy policy, with concerns that forced data sharing within the Meta group amounts to abuse of dominant market position and undermines informed user consent
- The case highlights tensions between competition law, digital market dominance, and privacy rights, alongside gaps in India’s DPDP Act regarding users’ share in the economic value of their data
- The Union Budget 2026–27 positions the capital goods sector as a driver of investment-led growth through higher public capex, indigenous manufacturing of precision tools, and support for infrastructure equipment like tunnel boring machines
- A ₹10,000 crore push for container manufacturing and customs duty relief for clean energy and critical mineral equipment aim to reduce import dependence and strengthen supply chains
- The government plans to transform PACS into multipurpose rural service hubs, expanding their role beyond credit into storage, processing, digital services, and agricultural input distribution
- Cooperative sector reforms, including PACS computerisation, model bye-laws, and greater representation of women and SC/ST members, seek to modernise and democratise rural cooperative institutions
- MPLADS continues as a ₹5 crore per MP annual scheme for creating durable community assets, but faces criticism over fund utilisation, monitoring weaknesses, and calls for structural reforms
- The possible expiry of the New START Treaty threatens to remove the last binding cap on U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear arsenals, raising risks of renewed arms racing and reduced global nuclear transparency
- Agriculture and allied sectors recorded strong GVA growth of 10.4 percent in 2024–25, reinforcing the sector’s rising contribution to the economy and prompting higher budget allocation for farm welfare
- A 75 percent budget increase for the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme signals a deeper push to build a self-reliant electronics ecosystem, boost exports, and cut dependence on imported components
- The Supreme Court questioned Meta and WhatsApp’s 2021 privacy policy, citing concerns over forced data sharing within the Meta group. The case raises issues of market dominance, user consent, and privacy protection.
- The legal debate highlights gaps in India’s DPDP Act, particularly regarding users’ share in the economic value generated from their personal data and growing concerns over digital competition and privacy rights.
- The Union Budget 2026–27 promotes the capital goods sector to drive investment-led growth. It focuses on higher public capex and boosting indigenous manufacturing of infrastructure and precision equipment.
- A ₹10,000 crore initiative aims to strengthen container manufacturing and reduce import dependence. Customs duty relief for clean energy and critical mineral equipment is expected to support domestic supply chains.
- The government plans to transform PACS into multipurpose rural hubs offering credit, storage, processing, digital services, and agricultural input distribution to strengthen rural infrastructure and services.
- Cooperative sector reforms include PACS computerisation, model bye-laws, and increased representation of women and SC/ST members. These measures aim to modernise and improve inclusivity in cooperative institutions.
- The MPLADS scheme continues with ₹5 crore annually per MP for community asset creation. However, concerns remain regarding fund utilisation, transparency, and monitoring inefficiencies.
- The possible expiry of the New START Treaty threatens global nuclear stability. It could remove limits on U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, raising risks of arms racing and reduced transparency.
- Agriculture and allied sectors recorded 10.4% GVA growth in 2024–25, strengthening their contribution to the economy. This growth has encouraged higher government spending on farm welfare and rural development.
- The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme received a 75% budget increase to build a self-reliant electronics ecosystem, boost exports, and reduce dependence on imported electronic components.
- Supreme Court Raises Concerns Over Meta–WhatsApp Privacy Policy Questions Forced Data Sharing and Its Impact on User Consent and Market Fairness
- DPDP Act Faces Scrutiny Amid Growing Data Economy Debate Experts Highlight Lack of Provisions on Users’ Share in Data-Generated Value
- Budget 2026–27 Positions Capital Goods Sector as Growth Engine Government Pushes Public Capex and Indigenous Infrastructure Manufacturing
- ₹10,000 Crore Container Manufacturing Push Announce Customs Relief Aims to Strengthen Clean Energy and Critical Mineral Supply Chains
- PACS Set to Become Multipurpose Rural Service Centres Expansion to Include Storage, Digital Services, and Agricultural Input Distribution
- Cooperative Sector Reforms Focus on Transparency and Inclusivity Computerisation and Greater Representation of Women and SC/ST Members Planned
- MPLADS Scheme Continues with ₹5 Crore Annual Allocation Concerns Rise Over Fund Monitoring and Efficiency of Asset Creation
- Expiry of New START Treaty May Trigger Global Arms Race Threatens Nuclear Stability and Reduces Strategic Transparency
- Agriculture Sector Records Strong 10.4% GVA Growth Higher Budget Allocation Signals Increased Focus on Rural and Farm Welfare
- Electronics Manufacturing Scheme Gets Major Budget Boost Government Aims to Strengthen Domestic Production and Expand Export Capacity.
- Supreme Court questions Meta–WhatsApp privacy policy, raising concerns over forced data sharing. The issue highlights risks to user consent and fair competition in the digital market.
- Experts raise concerns over gaps in the DPDP Act amid growing data economy debates. The law lacks clarity on users’ rights over value generated from their personal data.
- Budget 2026–27 identifies the capital goods sector as a key growth driver. The government aims to boost infrastructure and domestic manufacturing through higher public investment.
- Government announces ₹10,000 crore push for container manufacturing with customs relief. The move aims to strengthen clean energy supply chains and critical mineral availability.
- PACS to be expanded as multipurpose rural service centres across the country. The expansion will include storage facilities, digital services, and agricultural input distribution.
- Cooperative sector reforms focus on improving transparency and inclusivity. Plans include computerisation and increasing participation of women and SC/ST communities.
- MPLADS scheme continues with ₹5 crore annual allocation for each MP. However, concerns remain regarding monitoring mechanisms and effectiveness of asset creation.
- Expiry of the New START Treaty may trigger a global nuclear arms race. It could weaken strategic transparency and threaten international nuclear stability.
- Agriculture sector records strong 10.4% GVA growth in recent data. Higher budget allocation reflects government focus on rural development and farm welfare.
- Electronics manufacturing sector receives major budgetary support. The initiative aims to boost domestic production and enhance India’s global export competitiveness.
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