Daily Current Affairs- 5th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 5th February 2026

Amit Shah Launches Bharat Taxi, India’s First Cooperative-Based Ride-Hailing Platform

In the News: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah officially launched Bharat Taxi on February 5, 2026, India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing platform, at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, though the pilot began in December 2025 and official launch was February 2026. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Sahkar se Samriddhi' (prosperity through cooperation), this launch marks a significant milestone in strengthening the cooperative sector and promoting inclusive, citizen-centric mobility solutions in India.

Key Points:

• Platform Registration and Establishment: Bharat Taxi is India's first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002, and was formally established on June 6, 2025. It has emerged as the world's first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and the world's largest driver-owned mobility platform.
• Zero-Commission Model: The platform operates on a zero-commission and surge-free pricing model with direct distribution of profits to drivers. Unlike conventional platforms where drivers pay 20-25% commission per ride, Bharat Taxi ensures drivers receive the full fare, presenting an indigenous alternative to foreign investment-based aggregator platforms.
• 'Sarathi Hi Malik' Principle: Drivers, referred to as Sarathis (not just drivers), are placed at the centre of ownership, operations, and value creation. This core principle means "the driver is the owner," making them true stakeholders in the platform and freeing them from exploitative aggregator-based models.
• Strategic Partnerships: Nine Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with key public and private stakeholders to strengthen operational integration, digital empowerment, safety, and service delivery, ensuring enhanced platform efficiency and user experience.
• Social Security Benefits: Bharat Taxi prioritises comprehensive social security for Sarathis through health insurance, accident insurance, retirement savings, and a dedicated driver support system. Support centres are currently operational at seven key locations in Delhi, providing rapid emergency assistance, verified ride data, and grievance redressal.
• Women Empowerment Initiative: To promote gender inclusion and women's safety, the "Bike Didi" (also referred to as "Sarathi Didi") initiative has been implemented, under which more than 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi so far, marking a strong step towards women's empowerment in the mobility sector.

US Congress Approves $200 Million Security Aid for Baltic States Amid Rising Russia Tensions

In the News: The United States Congress approved a $200 million security assistance package for the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—as concerns grow over increased Russian military activity along NATO's eastern flank. The funding, cleared under the Fiscal Year 2026 Defence Appropriations Act, was signed into law by US President Donald Trump, reinforcing Washington's commitment to NATO allies in Eastern Europe and strengthening regional deterrence.

Key Points:

• Legislative Approval: The $200 million allocation forms part of the $838.7 billion US defence budget for FY2026 and ensures continuity of the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI). The approval signals bipartisan support in the US Congress for maintaining a strong security posture in Eastern Europe, despite earlier internal discussions within the Pentagon about discontinuing the programme.
• Baltic Security Initiative: The funding is aimed at enhancing military preparedness, improving interoperability with NATO forces, and supporting defence modernisation in the Baltic region. The initiative reinforces deterrence capabilities for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, which are located on NATO's easternmost frontier, bordering Russia and Belarus.
• Strategic Geographic Significance: The Baltic States are considered frontline NATO allies due to their geography and historical experience. The region has seen increased Russian military exercises, airspace violations including Russian fighter jets entering Estonian airspace, and hybrid threats such as cyber operations and disinformation campaigns.
• Additional Financing for Estonia: Beyond the core $200 million allocation, the US Congress approved an additional $10 million for Estonia under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) programme. Estonia has previously used FMF funds to procure US-made defence equipment including HIMARS ammunition, Javelin anti-tank missile systems, and large-calibre artillery shells.
• Article 4 Invocation Context: The move aligns with Article 4 of the NATO Treaty, which allows member states to request consultations when they feel their security is under threat—a provision the Baltic States have previously invoked amid regional tensions and security concerns.

India Pays $35.18 Million to UN Regular Budget for 2026, Joins Honour Roll

In the News: India paid $35.18 million to the United Nations Regular Budget for 2026, earning a place on the UN's "honour roll" of countries that have paid their assessed contributions in full and on time. The payment was made within the 30-day due period prescribed under UN financial regulations, reflecting India's continued commitment to multilateralism and its responsibilities as a key member of the United Nations.

Key Points:

• Honour Roll Recognition: India joined the honour roll of 47 UN Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period specified in UN financial regulations. The honour roll recognizes countries that demonstrate financial responsibility and timely compliance with UN obligations.
• Payment Details: India contributed $35.18 million to the 2026 United Nations Regular Budget, representing its assessed share of 1.016% of the UN's regular budget. India's total contribution to the UN budget is $38.223 million, with $3.091 million offset for staff income taxes.
• UN Regular Budget Purpose: The UN Regular Budget funds the organization's core activities, including peace and security initiatives, development work, human rights programmes, and administrative functions. The budget covers UN operations except peacekeeping, with the 2026 regular budget totaling $3.45 billion.
• Official Announcement: The development was highlighted during the daily press briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres. In a light-hearted moment, Dujarric posed a quiz-style question to journalists, referring to India as the country home to the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue at 182 metres, dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and located in Gujarat.
• Assessment Methodology: Each UN Member State is assessed a mandatory contribution based on its economic capacity, as decided by the UN Committee on Contributions. Timely payment of these dues is crucial for the smooth functioning of the UN, as delays can affect programme implementation and cash flow.

Bhutan Queen Mother Honoured with 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma ‘Soldier of Humanity’ Award 2025

In the News: Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, was conferred the 22nd Upendra Nath Brahma 'Soldier of Humanity' Award 2025 at a special ceremony held at Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, Assam. The award recognizes her lifelong humanitarian service, compassionate leadership, and exceptional contributions to social development and cultural preservation, particularly through her work with the Tarayana Foundation.

Key Points:

• Award Institution and Legacy: The Upendra Nath Brahma 'Soldier of Humanity' Award was instituted in 2004 by the Upendra Nath Brahma Trust (UNBT). The Trust was established in 1999. It is named after Upendra Nath Brahma, popularly known as Bodofa (meaning guardian of the Bodo ethnic community), a revered Bodo leader and social reformer who championed sacrifice, courage, social justice, and service to humanity.
• Award Components: The award presented to the Queen Mother included a citation, a statuette/memento of Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma, traditional Bodo artefacts including Aronai (decorative scarf), Dokhna/Dokhona (women's attire), Gwmgra, Endi Sadar, Sereja (a musical instrument), and a cash prize of ₹2 lakh, symbolizing respect for Bodo culture and humanitarian values.
• Ceremony Details: The 22nd edition of the award ceremony took place at Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, a region closely associated with the legacy of Upendra Nath Brahma. Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya attended as the chief guest and highlighted the relevance of Bodofa's philosophy in contemporary society.
• Tarayana Foundation Leadership: Gyalyum Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck is the founder-president of the Tarayana Foundation, through which she has led comprehensive rural development initiatives across remote regions of Bhutan. The foundation's work focuses on poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, education, healthcare, and the preservation of Bhutan's cultural heritage.
• Humanitarian Impact: Under the Queen Mother's visionary leadership, the Tarayana Foundation has significantly improved the lives of vulnerable communities, especially women and children, in Bhutan's remote and rural regions through sustainable development programs and inclusive growth initiatives.

Walmart Becomes World’s First Retail Company to Reach USD 1 Trillion Market Value

In the News: Walmart Inc. became the world's first retail company to achieve a market capitalisation of USD 1 trillion, marking a historic milestone for the global retail industry. This landmark achievement followed a strong and sustained rally in Walmart's share price and reflects how traditional retail companies can leverage technology, scale, and innovation to compete with global technology giants.

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone: Walmart became the first traditional brick-and-mortar retailer to reach a $1 trillion market valuation, joining an elite group of companies that have crossed this threshold. This achievement places Walmart among the world's most valuable corporations, distinguishing it as the only pure retail company at this valuation level.
• Strong Stock Performance: Walmart's shares increased by nearly 26% over the last 12 months and surged by approximately 468% over the past 10 years. This performance significantly outpaced the S&P 500 index, which gained about 264% during the same decade, reflecting strong investor confidence in the company's long-term business model.
• Elite Corporate Group: With its $1 trillion valuation, Walmart joined a select group of global corporations including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Meta, Nvidia, Tesla, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, and Broadcom. Investment firm Berkshire Hathaway and drug-maker Eli Lilly had also previously reached this milestone.
• Nasdaq-100 Inclusion: In December 2025, Walmart was included in the Nasdaq-100 index, which tracks the world's most valuable non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. The company also moved its stock from the New York Stock Exchange to the tech-heavy Nasdaq, reinforcing its push to be seen as a digital and technology-enabled enterprise.
• Artificial Intelligence Investments: Walmart invested billions of dollars in AI-powered supply chains to improve inventory planning, enhance fresh produce delivery, and increase delivery speed and efficiency. These efforts helped Walmart exceed same-store sales estimates for 15 consecutive quarters, strengthening revenue growth and investor confidence.
• Company Background: Founded in 1962, Walmart is the world's largest retailer by revenue and operates thousands of stores across multiple countries. The company has transformed from a traditional brick-and-mortar retailer into a technology-driven, omnichannel giant combining physical stores with e-commerce, data analytics, and advanced logistics.

IOC Elects First Female Member from Iran, Marking a Historic Moment in Olympic Governance

In the News: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected Iranian badminton player Soraya Aghaei Hajiagha as its first-ever female member from Iran during the 145th IOC Session held in Milan, Italy. This historic election marks a significant milestone for gender representation, inclusivity, and Iran's engagement with the global Olympic movement.

Key Points:

• Historic Election: Soraya Aghaei was elected as the 107th member of the IOC through a decisive 95–2 vote. She became the first woman from Iran to join the IOC in its 132-year history and only the third Iranian member overall, making her the first Iranian representative since 2004.
• Youngest IOC Member: At 30 years old, Aghaei became the youngest current member of the IOC at the time of her election. She joins an exclusive body that includes former Olympic athletes, leaders of international sports bodies, members of royal families, former political leaders, diplomats, and industrialists.
• About the International Olympic Committee: The IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement, responsible for organizing the Olympic Games, promoting Olympic values, and overseeing global sports governance. Membership is highly selective, making it one of the most exclusive international sports bodies in the world.
• Aghaei's Athletic Background: Soraya Aghaei competed in badminton at the Tokyo Summer Games held in 2021, becoming Iran's first female Olympian in the sport. She is a member of the Iranian Olympic body's athletes commission and represents a new generation of athletic leadership.
• Eight-Year Term: Aghaei's eight-year term on the IOC will include significant responsibilities such as voting to choose a host for the 2036 Summer Games and participating in key decisions regarding global sports governance and Olympic policy-making.

Rouble Nagi Wins Global Teacher Prize In Dubai

In the News:  Indian teacher and social activist Rouble Nagi was awarded the prestigious Global Teacher Prize in Dubai, earning $1 million and international recognition for her transformative work in providing education to children in urban slums across India. The award was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at the World Governments Summit.

Key Points:

• Award Recognition: Rouble Nagi became the 10th recipient of the Global Teacher Prize, often called the "Nobel of Teaching," which has been awarded since 2015 to recognize exceptional educators worldwide. The prize carries $1 million in prize money, funded by GEMS Education.
• Educational Impact: Nagi has reached over 1 million children through her initiatives, establishing more than 800 learning centres across India in slums and villages. She has recruited and trained over 600 volunteer and paid educators to manage daily instruction.
• Misaal Mumbai Initiative: Under this slum transformation project, Nagi has painted and repaired more than 1,50,000 homes and is currently working in over 163 slums and villages across India. The initiative combined education with community development, improving sanitation, waterproofing, and conducting hygiene workshops.
• Rouble Nagi Art Foundation: Her non-profit organization provides low-cost, art-based education to underprivileged children, focusing on sustainable educational models. The foundation's programs aim to reduce dropout rates and provide skill-based learning relevant to family livelihoods.
• Professional Background: Rouble Nagi is an award-winning artist from Jammu and Kashmir with a studio in Mumbai. She holds a BA in Political Science and studied Fine Art at Slade School of Fine Art and European Art at Sotheby's London. She is a member of the India Design Council and has created over 800 murals with more than 150 exhibitions worldwide.