Daily Current Affairs- 6th February 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 6th February 2026

Centre, Nagaland & ENPO Just Made a Historic Pact – But What Is FNTA?

In the News: Central Government, the Nagaland Government, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) signed a historic tripartite agreement in New Delhi to establish the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA). The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. This unique administrative arrangement aims to address long-standing demands for autonomy in eastern Nagaland while maintaining the state's territorial integrity and constitutional protections.

Key Points:

• What Is FNTA: The Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority is an autonomous administrative body within Nagaland, designed to provide greater local governance and decision-making powers to six eastern districts. It is a unique model that balances regional aspirations with national unity, offering an alternative to the demand for a separate state.
• Districts Covered: FNTA will govern six eastern districts of Nagaland – Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator. These districts share strategic borders with Myanmar and have historically faced underdevelopment and neglect.
• About ENPO: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation is an apex body representing eight recognized Naga tribes from the six eastern districts. ENPO had been demanding a separate state since 2010, citing decades of developmental neglect and lack of political attention.
• Powers Devolved: Under the agreement, 46 subjects will be transferred to FNTA, enabling greater local decision-making, faster administrative approvals, and focused infrastructure planning. A mini-secretariat headed by an Additional Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary will be established for effective governance.
• Financial Autonomy: The agreement provides for enhanced financial powers for FNTA, with development funding allocated proportional to population and area. The Ministry of Home Affairs will support initial establishment costs, ensuring economic empowerment and optimal resource utilization.
• Article 371(A) Protection: A crucial assurance is that the FNTA agreement does not affect Article 371(A) of the Constitution in any manner. Article 371(A) provides special protections to Nagaland regarding customary laws, land ownership, religious and social practices, ensuring these constitutional safeguards remain intact.

India-GCC FTA Terms of Reference Signed: Building Bridges Across the Arabian Sea

In the News: India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi. The ToR was signed by Ajay Bhadoo (Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Commerce) and Dr. Raja Al Marzouqi (Chief Negotiator, Secretariat General of the GCC) in the presence of Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State Jitin Prasada, and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. This milestone marks the formal beginning of FTA negotiations between India and the six GCC nations, aiming to strengthen trade, energy security, and investment cooperation.

Key Points:

• What Are Terms of Reference: The ToR acts as a roadmap for the India-GCC FTA negotiations, defining the scope, structure, negotiation modalities, and goals of the agreement. It provides clarity and predictability for businesses and investors, ensuring systematic progress in reducing trade barriers and avoiding confusion during discussions.
• India's Trade with GCC: India's trade with GCC stood at USD 178.56 billion in FY 2024-25, accounting for 15.42% of India's total global trade. Exports totaled USD 56.87 billion while imports were USD 121.68 billion. Over the last five years, India-GCC trade has grown at an annual average rate of 15.3%, making GCC one of India's largest trading partners.
• Key Export Sectors: India's major exports to GCC include engineering goods, rice, textiles, machinery, gems and jewelry. These sectors are expected to benefit significantly from reduced tariffs and improved market access under the FTA.
• Key Import Sectors: India primarily imports crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and precious metals such as gold from GCC nations. The FTA is crucial for India's energy security, ensuring stable supplies and supporting diversification of energy sources.
• About Gulf Cooperation Council: The GCC was established in 1981 as a regional political and economic alliance with headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Its six member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The council was formed due to regional tensions including the Iranian Revolution (1979) and Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988).

In CIA's Decision to Shutter World Factbook, Information Becomes Collateral Damage

In the News: The United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) announced the shutdown of its popular reference manual, the CIA World Factbook, after more than 60 years of continuous publication. The foreign intelligence service stated that "The World Factbook served the Intelligence Community and the general public as a longstanding, one-stop basic reference about countries and communities around the globe."

Key Points:

• Historical Origins: The Factbook's roots trace back to World War II when the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the CIA's precursor, was created in June 1942 under General William Donovan following the Pearl Harbor intelligence failure. The OSS established the Joint Army Navy Intelligence Studies (JANIS) programme.
• Evolution of Publication: First launched in 1962 as "The National Basic Intelligence Factbook," it was initially a classified publication for intelligence officers. The CIA released an unclassified version in 1971, made it available to the public in 1975, and renamed it "The World Factbook" in 1981. The major milestone came in 1997 when it went online, becoming a widely accessible public resource.
• Public Impact and Usage: After going online in 1997, the Factbook became an essential resource for the U.S. Government, educational institutions, journalists, researchers, trivia enthusiasts, and countless private citizens, racking up millions of visits per year. As the CIA noted: "Before there was a Wikipedia to search on, before there was a Bing to consult, and most certainly before 'Google' became a verb, there was CIA's World Factbook."
• Reason for Shutdown: While the CIA offered no official explanation in its announcement, the decision likely stems from CIA Director John Ratcliffe's pledge to end programmes that don't advance the agency's core missions. In May 2025, reports indicated the Trump administration planned to reduce the CIA workforce by 1,200 over several years, forcing the agency to "do more with less."

ICC U-19 World Cup 2026 Final: India Outclass England and Lift The Trophy

In the News: India claimed their record-extending 6th ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup title by defeating England by 100 runs in the final on Friday, February 6, 2026. India posted a record-breaking total of 411/9, the highest ever in an Under-19 World Cup final, powered by 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's sensational 175 off 80 balls. England were bowled out for 311 despite a fighting century from Caleb Falconer. The victory further cemented India's dominance at the youth level and showcased the country's unmatched depth in producing world-class cricket talent.

Key Points:

• Record-Breaking Total: India posted 411/9 in 50 overs, setting the highest team total in Under-19 World Cup final history. This mammoth score surpassed all previous records and put England under immense pressure from the start of their chase.
• Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Historic Innings: The 14-year-old prodigy played arguably the greatest knock in Under-19 World Cup history, smashing 175 runs off just 80 balls. His innings included 13 sixes and 13 fours (some reports mention 15 sixes), making it a display of fearless and destructive batting that drew comparisons with Kapil Dev's immortal 175 against Zimbabwe at the 1983 World Cup.
• Fastest Century in Final: Sooryavanshi reached his fifty in 32 balls and converted it to a century in just 55 deliveries, showcasing exceptional stroke-play and temperament. He became the highest individual scorer in an Under-19 World Cup final, missing a potential double century by just 25 runs.
• Captain's Contribution: India's captain Ayush Mhatre scored a valuable 53 off 51 balls before Sooryavanshi's fireworks. The duo added 142 runs for the second wicket, laying the foundation for India's record total despite Aaron George's early dismissal for 9.
• England's Collapse: Chasing 412, England imploded spectacularly, collapsing from 93/1 to 177/7, losing six wickets for just 84 runs. Despite early promise from Ben Dawkins and Ben Mayes (45), regular wickets derailed their chase completely.
• India's U-19 Legacy: This victory marks India's 6th Under-19 World Cup title, extending their record as the most successful nation in the tournament's history. The triumph showcases India's continued dominance in youth cricket and their ability to consistently produce exceptional talent for international cricket.

Sooryavanshi Smashes Record 175 in U-19 World Cup Final Against England

In the News: 14-year-old Indian prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi delivered one of the most explosive knocks in cricket history, smashing a sensational 175 runs off just 80 balls in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup final against England in Harare. His innings, which included 15 fours and 15 sixes at a strike rate of 218.75, became the highest individual score ever in an Under-19 World Cup final and in any ICC tournament final (senior or U-19 level). The record-breaking performance helped India post 411/9 and ultimately claim their 6th U-19 World Cup title by defeating England by 100 runs.

Key Points:

• Highest Score in U-19 WC Final: Sooryavanshi's 175 is the highest individual score in a final or knockout game in Youth ODIs, surpassing Sameer Minhas' 172 against India in the 2026 Asia Cup final. It also became the highest score by any batter in an ICC tournament final at any level, breaking Alyssa Healy's record of 170 in the 2022 women's ODI World Cup final.
• Record-Breaking Innings Construction: The young opener reached his half-century in just 32 balls, followed by a second fifty in only 23 balls, completing his century in 55 deliveries. This was the second-fastest century at an Under-19 World Cup (behind Will Malajczuk's 51-ball ton against Japan) and the fifth-fastest hundred in Youth ODIs overall.
• India's U-19 WC Highest Score: With 175 runs, Sooryavanshi became the highest individual scorer for India in Under-19 World Cup history, surpassing Raj Bawa's 162 not out against Uganda in 2022. Overall, it is the second-highest score for India in Youth ODIs, behind only Ambati Rayudu's 177 not out from 2002 (also against England).
• Six-Hitting Records: Sooryavanshi hit 15 sixes during his 175, the most by any batter in a single Youth ODI innings, breaking his own previous record of 14 sixes against UAE in December. He finished the tournament with 30 sixes, shattering Dewald Brevis' record of 18 sixes (set in 2022) for most sixes in a single U-19 World Cup edition and becoming the all-time leading six-hitter in U-19 World Cup history.
• Boundary Runs Record: Sooryavanshi scored 150 runs from boundaries alone (15 fours and 15 sixes), setting another record at Youth ODI level. The previous highest was 124 boundary runs by Hasitha Boyagoda during his 191 against Kenya in 2018. He hit 30 boundaries in total, joint-most in an innings alongside Boyagoda.
• Career Six-Hitting Dominance: Sooryavanshi has hit 110 total sixes from 25 innings in Youth ODIs, twice more than the second-best (Zawad Abrar with 55 sixes), establishing complete dominance in power-hitting at this level. He has hit ten or more sixes in an innings on five occasions, while all other batters combined have done it only three times.

2026 Winter Olympics: Host Country, Location, Schedule, Results & India

In the News: The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will be held in Italy from February 6-22, 2026. This marks the 25th edition of the Winter Olympics and Italy's third time hosting the Winter Games after Cortina d'Ampezzo (1956) and Turin (2006). The Opening Ceremony will take place on February 6, 2026, at the Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium, with a unique format featuring simultaneous ceremonies at multiple Olympic venues including Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina. The Games will feature 16 winter sports with 93 participating nations, organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Key Points:

• Host Country and Cities: Italy will host the 2026 Winter Olympics following a multi-city model. Events will be held across Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Bormio, and Val di Fiemme, highlighting Italy's modern cities and alpine regions. This distributed approach showcases both urban infrastructure and traditional mountain sports venues.
• Official Dates: The official 2026 Winter Olympics dates are February 6-22, 2026. Early events in curling and women's ice hockey will begin on February 4-5, 2026. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for February 6, while the Closing Ceremony will take place on February 22, 2026. Main competitions will run from February 7-21, 2026.
• Sports and Events: The Games will feature 16 winter sports including Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowboarding, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, Curling, Bobsleigh, Skeleton, Luge, and Nordic Combined. The schedule includes early curling mixed doubles (Feb 4), figure skating team finals (Feb 9), and ice hockey finals (Feb 19-21).
• Unique Opening Ceremony Format: Unlike previous Opening Ceremonies where all delegations enter at one venue, Milano Cortina 2026 will see most athletes parade at the sites closest to where they will compete during the Games. Ceremonies will occur simultaneously at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium, Livigno, Predazzo, and Cortina, creating a historic distributed celebration.
• India's Participation: India will participate in the 2026 Winter Olympics with a small contingent competing in Alpine Skiing and Cross-Country Skiing. The confirmed Indian athletes are Arif Mohammad Khan (Alpine Skiing) and Stanzin Lundup (Cross-Country Skiing). While medal chances are limited, India's participation promotes winter sports in Himalayan regions and provides international exposure.