UPPSC Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 05 Feb 2026
National Biodiversity Authority launches portal for Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants
The Environment Ministry announced on 5 February 2026 that the National Biodiversity Authority has operationalised a digital portal to issue Certificates of Origin for cultivated medicinal plants seeking Access and Benefit Sharing exemptions.
Government revises startup recognition rules: turnover cap doubled to ₹200 crore, new Deep Tech category
The Commerce and Industry Ministry announced on 5 February 2026 a revised startup recognition framework that raises the turnover limit from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore, creates a Deep Tech Startup category and makes cooperative societies eligible.
Centre withdraws wheat stock limit order as private stocks and acreage rise
The Department of Food and Public Distribution withdrew the wheat stock limit order of 27 May 2025 on 5 February 2026, citing improved availability, though stockists must still declare stocks every Friday.
Wed, 04 Feb 2026
India rises four places to 45th in the Network Readiness Index 2025
India rose four places to 45th among 127 economies in the Network Readiness Index 2025, released on 4 February 2026 by the Washington DC-based Portulans Institute.
Technology Development Board launches its first open call under the RDI Fund
Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched the Technology Development Board's first open call under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund of ANRF on 4 February 2026.
Sri Lankan President inaugurates exposition of the Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha in Colombo
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake inaugurated the exposition of the Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha in Colombo on 4 February 2026, with the relics flown from India by an Indian Air Force aircraft.
NMDC reports record iron ore production and sales up to January in FY26
NMDC, India's largest iron ore producer, reported on 4 February 2026 its highest-ever production of 42.65 million tonnes up to January in FY 2025-26, a 19% rise.
Tue, 03 Feb 2026
India and Tanzania hold 4th Joint Defence Cooperation Committee meeting in Zanzibar
India and Tanzania held the fourth Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Zanzibar on 2–3 February 2026 and agreed to start cooperation between their Air Forces.
MoU signed to set up Bharat Container Shipping Line; ₹15,000-crore VOC Outer Harbour financing tied up
Six public entities signed an MoU on 3 February 2026 to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL), in the presence of Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal and Ashwini Vaishnaw.
India and Bhutan discuss Punatsangchhu projects, Sankosh and cross-border transmission till 2040
Bhutan's Energy Minister Lyonpo Gem Tshering met Union Power Minister Manohar Lal in New Delhi on 3 February 2026 to discuss Punatsangchhu-I and II, the Sankosh project and cross-border transmission links till 2040.
Health Minister Nadda releases India's first nationally developed evidence-based cancer guidelines, on lung cancer
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda released the 'Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines' at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi, on 3 February 2026, the eve of World Cancer Day.
SAIL posts record April–January sales of 16.6 million tonnes in FY26
Steel Authority of India Limited reported on 3 February 2026 its highest-ever April–January sales of 16.6 million tonnes in FY 2025-26, up 16%, and its best-ever January sales of 1.84 MT.
Mandaviya lays foundation for six Khelo India sports projects, opens two facilities at NIS Patiala
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually laid foundation stones for six sports infrastructure projects and inaugurated two athlete facilities at NS NIS Patiala on 3 February 2026, involving ₹120 crore in all.
Mon, 02 Feb 2026
Government notifies Baggage Rules, 2026, raising duty-free allowance to ₹75,000
The Central Government notified the Baggage Rules, 2026 on 2 February 2026, raising the general duty-free allowance for residents to ₹75,000 and adding a weight-based jewellery allowance.
Trump cuts US tariff on Indian goods to 18% after call with PM Modi
US President Donald Trump announced on 2 February 2026 that the US tariff on Indian goods would fall to 18% from 25%, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked him in a phone call the same day.
Yantra India Limited granted Miniratna Category-I status
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved Miniratna Category-I status for the defence PSU Yantra India Limited (YIL) on 2 February 2026.
MoSPI seeks feedback on draft questionnaire for Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on 2 February 2026 sought feedback on the draft questionnaire for its Rapid Survey on Functional Cooperatives (RSFC), proposed to start in April 2026.
Hari Shankar Verma takes charge as Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board
Hari Shankar Verma, a 1987-batch IRTS officer, took charge as Member (Operations and Business Development), Railway Board, on 2 February 2026.
SAIL and RITES sign MoU for diesel locomotive leasing and maintenance
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) signed an MoU with RITES on 2 February 2026 for leasing and maintenance of diesel locomotives at its plants and mines.
Mansukh Mandaviya launches MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026
Youth Affairs Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched MY Bharat Budget Quest 2026, a national quiz and essay competition on the Union Budget for youth, on 2 February 2026.
Sun, 01 Feb 2026
Defence gets record ₹7.85 lakh crore in Budget 2026-27, 15.19% above last year's BE
The Ministry of Defence was allocated a record ₹7.85 lakh crore in the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February 2026, 15.19% higher than the 2025-26 Budget estimate.
Budget 2026-27: Income Tax Act 2025 from April 2026, TCS cut to 2%, IT safe harbour widened
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, confirmed that the new Income Tax Act, 2025 takes effect from April 2026 and cut TCS on overseas tour packages and on LRS remittances for education and medical treatment to 2%.
Budget 2026-27 launches Biopharma SHAKTI, ISM 2.0, Rare Earth Corridors and container scheme
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, announced Biopharma SHAKTI with ₹10,000 crore over five years, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in four states and a ₹10,000 crore container manufacturing scheme.
Government accepts 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to keep states' share at 41%
Presenting the Union Budget 2026-27 on 1 February 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government had accepted the 16th Finance Commission's recommendation to retain the states' vertical share of devolution at 41%.
Budget 2026-27 raises public capex to ₹12.2 lakh crore, sets up Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, raised public capital expenditure to ₹12.2 lakh crore and announced an Infrastructure Risk Guarantee Fund and CPSE REITs.
Budget 2026-27: record ₹2.93 lakh crore rail capex, seven high-speed corridors, Dankuni–Surat freight corridor
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, gave Indian Railways a record capital expenditure of ₹2,93,030 crore and announced seven high-speed rail corridors and a new Dankuni–Surat dedicated freight corridor.
Budget 2026-27 halves duty on personal imports to 10%, exempts 17 cancer drugs from customs duty
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, proposed cutting the tariff on all dutiable goods imported for personal use from 20% to 10% and exempting 17 drugs, mainly for cancer, from basic customs duty.
Union Budget 2026-27 sets fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP; debt-to-GDP at 55.6%
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 in Parliament on 1 February 2026, estimating the fiscal deficit at 4.3% of GDP and total expenditure at ₹53.5 lakh crore.
Carlos Alcaraz beats Djokovic to win Australian Open 2026, becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the Australian Open men's singles final in Melbourne on 1 February 2026, becoming the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam.
Budget 2026-27 proposes Bharat-VISTAAR AI tool for farmers and a Coconut Promotion Scheme
The Union Budget 2026-27, presented on 1 February 2026, proposed Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool integrating AgriStack and ICAR advisories, and a Coconut Promotion Scheme.