Daily Current Affairs- 2nd February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 2nd February 2026

Adampur Airport Renamed Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Punjab to mark the 649th Birth Anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji. During the visit, PM Modi unveiled the new name of Adampur Airport in Jalandhar as 'Shri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport, Adampur,' honoring the revered saint and social reformer whose teachings of equality, compassion, and human dignity continue to inspire India's social ethos. It actually resumed on March 31, 2024.

Key Points:

• Airport Renaming Significance: Adampur Airport in Jalandhar has been renamed Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport, fulfilling a long-pending demand raised by multiple political parties and social groups in Punjab. A resolution seeking this renaming was passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in 2020 and reiterated by the current state government, carrying strong social and cultural significance for communities that deeply revere Guru Ravidas.
• About Sant Guru Ravidas Ji: Guru Ravidas was a prominent social reformer and Bhakti movement saint whose 649th Birth Anniversary was commemorated on this occasion. His teachings emphasized equality, compassion, and human dignity, making him a revered figure particularly in Punjab's Doaba region and among communities that follow his philosophy.
• Adampur Airport Infrastructure: Revamped at a cost of ₹125 crore under the UDAN 5.0 scheme, the airport serves Punjab's Doaba region. Spread over 40 acres, the civil terminal operates using the Adampur Air Force Station airstrip. It resumed operations on March 31, 2024, after a four-year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Halwara Airport Terminal Inauguration: PM Modi inaugurated the newly constructed civil terminal at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana district, built at a cost of ₹54 crore. The terminal has been developed by expanding the Halwara Air Force base and has the capacity to handle 300 passengers at a time, significantly improving civil aviation facilities in the industrial hub of Ludhiana.
• UDAN Scheme Integration: Both airport developments are part of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel affordable and accessible to common citizens while strengthening regional connectivity and boosting aviation growth in underserved areas of Punjab.

16th Finance Commission Keeps the 41% Share Devolution

In the News: While presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Government has accepted the recommendation of the 16th Finance Commission to retain the vertical share of devolution at 41 percent.

Key Points:

• 41% Vertical Devolution Retained: Despite demands from 18 states to raise their share to 50%, the Commission retained the 41% devolution rate (states' share in the divisible pool of Central taxes).
• Finance Commission Grants for FY 2026-27: The Government has provided ₹1.4 lakh crore to states for FY 2026-27 as Finance Commission Grants. These include Rural and Urban Local Body Grants and Disaster Management Grants, emphasizing purpose-linked functional support rather than general fiscal transfers.
• Introduction of GDP Contribution Criterion: A major innovation is the introduction of State GDP contribution as a new parameter in the horizontal devolution formula, carrying a 10% weight. This criterion recognizes and rewards states that contribute more to national economic growth, representing a directional change to balance efficiency with equity.
• Elimination of Revenue Deficit Grants (RDGs): For the first time, the Commission recommended zero Revenue Deficit Grants, arguing that RDGs weaken incentives for fiscal reform by encouraging dependency. The Commission stated that states have sufficient scope to increase revenues and rationalize expenditure, marking a major departure from earlier Finance Commissions and pushing towards self-reliance and fiscal responsibility.
• Local Bodies Funding: The Commission earmarked ₹7.91 trillion for rural and urban local bodies over five years, with a 60:40 rural-urban split. The funding focuses on water, sanitation, and urban infrastructure development, emphasizing grassroots-level governance and service delivery.
• Constitutional Mandate: As mandated under Article 281 of the Constitution, the Government will lay the Commission's report along with an explanatory memorandum on the action taken on its recommendations in Parliament. This ensures transparency and accountability in implementing Finance Commission recommendations.

Dalai Lama’s First Grammy at 90 More Than a Musical Milestone

In the News: At the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in 2026, the Dalai Lama made history by winning his first-ever Grammy Award at the age of 90. The Tibetan spiritual leader was honored in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album "Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama."

Key Points:

• Historic Grammy Win: The Dalai Lama, also known as Tenzin Gyatso, won his first Grammy at age 90 in the Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording category. This victory is historic because spiritual leaders rarely receive recognition at entertainment awards of this scale, representing a unique intersection of spirituality and mainstream popular culture.
• About the Album 'Meditations': The spoken-word album "Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama" focuses on themes of compassion, peace, mindfulness, and the interconnectedness of humanity. The album blends the Dalai Lama's calm narration with musical compositions rooted in Hindustani classical traditions, featuring contributions from multiple artists.
• Award Acceptance: Musician Rufus Wainwright, who collaborated on the project, accepted the Grammy Award on the Dalai Lama's behalf. Wainwright described working on the album as a privilege, emphasizing its spiritual and artistic depth, and expressed honor at being part of the project.
• Nobel Peace Prize Recognition: Although this is his first Grammy, the Dalai Lama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his lifelong commitment to nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet and his efforts to promote peace and human values around the world. This remains one of his most notable early-career honors.
• Other Prestigious Awards: The Dalai Lama's lifetime of honors includes the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion in 2012, recognizing his contributions to spiritual understanding and human flourishing. He has also received the Liberty Medal and several other international awards reflecting his influence on global peace, ethics, and education.
• Academic Honors: The spiritual leader has received numerous academic honors including Doctor Honoris Causa (honorary doctorate) degrees from institutions around the world, including universities in the United States, Italy, and India. These reflect his significant influence on global education and interfaith dialogue beyond his religious role.

Grammy Awards 2026 Full Winners List: Who Ruled Music's Biggest Night?

In the News: The 68th Grammy Awards held in 2026 celebrated the best in global music, honoring chart-toppers, genre-defining albums, and breakout artists across diverse musical categories. The ceremony turned the global spotlight on musical excellence, creativity, and cultural impact, with big names like Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, and Billie Eilish dominating the night.

Key Points:

• Album of the Year: Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for "Debí Tirar Más Fotos," defeating strong competitors including Justin Bieber (Swag), Sabrina Carpenter (Man's Best Friend), Lady Gaga (Mayhem), Kendrick Lamar (GNX), Leon Thomas (Mutt), and Tyler, the Creator (Chromakopia). This marked a significant win for Latin music on the global stage.
• Record of the Year: Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA won Record of the Year for "Luther," beating out Bad Bunny (DtMF), Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild), Billie Eilish (Wildflower), Lady Gaga (Abracadabra), and Rosé & Bruno Mars (APT.). This recognition highlighted the track's artistic impact and production excellence.
• Song of the Year: Billie Eilish won Song of the Year for "Wildflower," competing against Lady Gaga (Abracadabra), Kendrick Lamar with SZA (Luther), Bad Bunny (DtMF), Sabrina Carpenter (Manchild), and Rosé & Bruno Mars (APT.). This award recognizes songwriting excellence and lyrical composition.
• Best New Artist: Olivia Dean won the prestigious Best New Artist award, beating out competitors including Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, Sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young. This category traditionally launches careers and identifies emerging talent in the music industry.
• Lady Gaga's Multiple Wins: Lady Gaga had a dominant night, winning Best Pop Vocal Album for "Mayhem" (defeating Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, and Teddy Swims) and Best Dance-Pop Recording for "Abracadabra" (beating Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco, Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, and PinkPantheress).
• Country Music Winners: Chris Stapleton won Best Country Solo Performance for "Bad As I Used to Be," while Jelly Roll won Best Contemporary Country Album for "Beautifully Broken." Zach Top won Best Traditional Country Album for "Ain't In It for My Health," and Tyler Childers won Best Country Song for "Bitin' List."
• Pop Category Winners: Lola Young won Best Pop Solo Performance for "Messy," defeating Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, and Chappell Roan. Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Defying Gravity."
• Grammy Legacy: For nearly seven decades, the Grammy Awards have honored musical excellence, previously recognizing icons like Beyoncé, Eminem, and Stevie Wonder. The 2026 ceremony reflected diversity in music styles, global participation, and evolving listener tastes, reinforcing the Grammys' role as a mirror of the international music landscape.
• Special Performances and Tributes: The ceremony featured political statements from host Trevor Noah, who took advantage of hosting the show for the last time. Lauryn Hill's return after 27 years to perform and pay tribute to D'Angelo marked one of the evening's most emotional moments.

India–US Trade Deal Reaffirms What Had Started Looking Hazy: India's Role as US Ally & China Counter

In the News: India and the United States announced a major trade deal featuring a steep cut in US tariffs to 18 percent from 50 percent, reinforcing what was always believed in New Delhi but had begun looking hazy—that the US sees in India an ally and counterweight to China as it seeks to rewrite the norms of the global trade order. The deal, negotiated under US President Donald Trump's administration, addresses several sticky issues and positions India favorably in the global trade landscape alongside recent agreements with the UK and European Union.

Key Points:

• Tariff Reduction: The headline US tariff for Indian goods has been reduced to 18 percent from 50 percent under the reciprocal trade deal (Trump had imposed 25% reciprocal + 25% punitive = 50% total), though initially it was 25% before the additional punitive tariff. This places India in a reasonably competitive position against other economies in terms of accessing the American market, though the fine print of the deal will determine its true favorability given Trump's typically extractive negotiation strategy.
• Strategic Alliance Confirmation: The deal reaffirms India's role as a US ally and counterweight to China in the global trade order. This strategic positioning had started looking uncertain but has been reinforced through this agreement, demonstrating Washington's commitment to deepening economic ties with New Delhi as part of its broader China strategy.
• Commitment to Purchase American Goods: India has committed to stepping up purchases of American products, including an agreement to buy over $500 billion worth of American energy products (natural gas and coal), technology products, and nuclear equipment. For context, India's total goods imports in FY25 stood at $720.24 billion, making this a substantial commitment. The $500 billion commitment covers multiple categories: energy, technology, agricultural products, coal, and other products.
• China's Response and Warnings: China has warned of consequences if trade agreements are struck at its expense. China's chokehold on rare earth elements has not only hurt American companies but also impacted Indian industries, particularly the automobile sector, highlighting strategic vulnerabilities that need to be addressed.
• Prospects for China Thaw: While positioning itself as a US ally and China counter, prospects of a thaw in direct trade relations between India and China are also unfolding, suggesting New Delhi is pursuing a balanced approach to manage complex geopolitical and economic relationships.

Veerabhadran Ramanathan and the Nobel of Geosciences

In the News: Indian-origin climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan was awarded the prestigious 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Often described as the "Nobel of Geosciences," the prize recognizes Ramanathan's decades of groundbreaking research on super-pollutants and atmospheric brown clouds, which have fundamentally reshaped the understanding of global warming and influenced key international environmental treaties.

Key Points:

• Award Recognition: The 82-year-old scientist received the Crafoord Prize, one of the highest honors in Earth sciences, for his pioneering work on climate change. The prize carries a cash award of 8 million Swedish kronor (approximately $900,000) and a gold medal, to be presented during Crafoord Days in Stockholm and Lund in May 2026.
• Early Life and Career: Born in Madurai and raised in Chennai, Ramanathan began his career as an engineer in a refrigerator factory in Secunderabad, where he first handled chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). He later earned degrees from Annamalai University and the Indian Institute of Science before moving to the United States for higher education.
• Landmark 1975 Discovery: While working at NASA's Langley Research Center, Ramanathan made a groundbreaking discovery that CFCs, widely used in aerosols and refrigeration, trap heat in the atmosphere up to 10,000 times more effectively than carbon dioxide. His landmark paper in "Science" demonstrated that gases other than CO₂ could drive global warming, fundamentally changing climate science.
• Trace Gases Research: Ramanathan's research revealed that trace gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and CFCs could accelerate warming far faster than previously estimated. Until 1975, global warming was believed to be mainly from CO₂, making his discovery revolutionary in understanding climate change mechanisms.
• Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX): Ramanathan led pioneering research identifying atmospheric brown clouds over South Asia. The study linked air pollution to a weakened Indian Monsoon and accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers, demonstrating how pollution can temporarily mask warming while causing regional climate impacts and health damage.

World Wetlands Day 2026: Can Traditional Knowledge Save Disappearing Wetlands?

In the News: World Wetlands Day is being observed globally with the theme "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage." The observance highlights how indigenous peoples and local communities have protected wetlands for centuries through traditional practices, emphasizing that combining scientific approaches with age-old wisdom can help conserve these rapidly vanishing ecosystems that are essential for biodiversity, water security, and millions of livelihoods worldwide.

Key Points:

• What is World Wetlands Day: Celebrated annually on February 2 to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran. The day raises awareness about wetlands including lakes, marshes, mangroves, floodplains, and lagoons, which provide clean water, reduce floods, store carbon, and support rich biodiversity.
• 2026 Theme Explained: "Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage" recognizes the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in wetland conservation. For generations, fishing communities, pastoral groups, and forest dwellers have managed wetlands through sustainable harvesting, seasonal use, and cultural restrictions, ensuring ecological balance without modern technology.
• India's Wetland Leadership: India hosts 98 Ramsar sites, the highest number in South Asia, covering approximately 1.35 million hectares. Indian wetlands are deeply connected to culture, religion, and livelihoods, with examples including Chilika Lake (supporting traditional fishing communities) and Sundarbans Wetland (sustaining livelihoods through honey collection and fishing).
• Eight Categories of Indian Wetlands: Classified into Himalayan lakes, Gangetic floodplain marshes, Deccan plateau reservoirs, coastal lagoons, mangroves, saline wetlands, northeast swamps, and island ecosystems. Each category has evolved with local knowledge systems adapted to climate, terrain, and water availability.
• Legal Framework in India: The Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 provide the legal framework for wetland protection, requiring states to identify wetlands, restrict polluting activities, and prepare management plans. The rules encourage community participation, though implementation gaps remain due to weak enforcement and competing development interests.
• World Heritage-Wetland Connections: Almost 120 World Heritage properties overlap wholly or partially with more than 170 Ramsar wetlands, with around one-third inscribed for their cultural values. Examples include Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (Japan), Venice and its Lagoon (Italy), Budj Bim Cultural Landscape (Australia), and Saloum Delta (Senegal).