Current Affairs - February 4, 2026 Current Affairs

India’s first indigenous Green Urea plant is planned at the Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub in Andhra Pradesh through a collaboration between NTPC Green Energy Ltd and Assago. The project will use renewable hydrogen and green ammonia, marking a major step toward sustainable fertilizer production. By supplying green ammonia, carbon dioxide, and renewable energy, the initiative aims to significantly reduce India’s dependence on urea imports, which currently range between 8–10 million tonnes annually. Locating the project in Andhra Pradesh strengthens the state’s role in green energy infrastructure while supporting national goals of lowering carbon emissions and enhancing self-reliance.

The Cities of Care Conference 2026 was jointly hosted by IIT Madras, along with the University of Toronto India Foundation and the University of Toronto in Chennai. The conference aimed to translate climate ambitions into actionable outcomes for urban India. A key focus of the event was the Water-Food-Waste Nexus, which is critical for building urban resilience as India’s population is projected to double by 2050. The conference also witnessed the launch of the “Sustainable India 2025” report, highlighting practical strategies to address environmental and sustainability challenges in rapidly growing cities.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is set to host the MAHE Global Health Summit 2026 in Manipal, reinforcing its position as a leading centre for global health discussions. The summit focuses on evidence-based global health policy and academic responsibility, bringing together key international initiatives such as the World Health Summit Academic Alliance and the Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility. By hosting this major event in Manipal, MAHE aims to influence global health dialogue, promote research-driven policymaking, and strengthen the role of academic institutions in shaping responsible and impactful global health strategies.

The Central Bank of India entered into a partnership with HSBC Asset Management (India) Private Limited to offer mutual fund products to its customers. Through this collaboration, customers of the public sector bank can access professionally managed mutual fund schemes, expanding their investment choices beyond traditional savings products. The initiative is designed to help customers generate better long-term wealth by leveraging expert fund management and diversified portfolios. By associating with HSBC, a globally recognized financial institution, the Central Bank of India aims to strengthen its investment offerings and support customers in achieving improved financial planning and savings outcomes.

Celestor 2.0 is a newly launched dual-band GPS smartwatch aimed at users who prioritize fitness, accuracy, and modern design. The product supports L1 and L5 GPS bands, offline maps, and ABC sensors, making it suitable for high-precision activity tracking. Titan Smart introduced this smartwatch to cater to an active and goal-oriented generation that values both performance and style. To strengthen its brand presence and connect with sports enthusiasts, the company also appointed India’s top men’s doubles badminton duo, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, as brand ambassadors, aligning the product with excellence and athletic achievement.

The Indian senior women’s football team achieved a notable 1–0 victory against Hertha BSC Frauen during an international friendly held in Antalya. This match took place in Turkiye, where the Indian team is conducting an overseas training and preparation camp. The friendly forms part of India’s build-up to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. While in Turkiye, the team is also scheduled to play additional practice matches against clubs from Russia and Romania, using the exposure to strengthen performance, tactics, and match readiness at the international level.

Tentative approval was granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a generic version of Erdafitinib in multiple strengths, expanding access to an important cancer treatment in the US market. Natco Pharma secured this approval for the drug equivalent to Janssen’s Balversa. Erdafitinib is prescribed for adults with unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma that carries specific FGFR3 genetic alterations. This development highlights Natco Pharma’s growing presence in the oncology segment and reflects its focus on making advanced cancer therapies more affordable and accessible to patients through high-quality generic medicines.

India’s first live National UAV Test and Innovation Corridor is planned to be launched at Rangeilunda, a repurposed commercial airport designed for real-world drone testing. This major initiative is being undertaken by the state of Odisha to support advanced and dynamic airspace testing for unmanned aerial vehicles. The corridor will facilitate testing of drone technologies such as swarm operations, artificial intelligence-based navigation, and other next-generation UAV capabilities. Developed in collaboration with BonV Aero and aligned with the B-MAAN scheme, the project is expected to play a crucial role in shaping India’s national UAV policy and innovation ecosystem.

The LUXURA Metal Credit Card was introduced as a premium offering designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking global acceptance and exclusive lifestyle benefits. Punjab National Bank launched this card on the VISA Infinite platform to strengthen its premium banking portfolio. The card comes with several high-end features such as accelerated reward points, zero foreign exchange markup, complimentary access to global airport lounges, and round-the-clock VISA concierge services. By launching this metal credit card, the bank aims to combine luxury, convenience, and personalised services, enhancing its appeal among affluent customers and expanding its presence in the premium credit card segment.

The Mega Health Camp, organised by DRVA Charitable Trust and Doctor 365, achieved international recognition for its scale and impact. The event was held in Mumbai, where it received acknowledgement from the IEA and ACE Book of World Records as the world’s largest health camp of 2026. The camp delivered extensive free healthcare services, including health checkups, distribution of medicines worth ₹2.5 crore, and issuance of nearly 5 lakh health cards. Hosting such a large-scale public health initiative in Mumbai highlights the city’s role as a major hub for social, medical, and charitable activities in India.

World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 with the objective of increasing global awareness about cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment. The day brings together individuals, organisations, and governments to address the growing burden of cancer and work toward equitable access to care for all. The theme “United by Unique” emphasizes people-centered cancer care and recognises that every individual’s experience with cancer is different. Established in 2000 by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the observance plays a key role in mobilising global action to reduce cancer-related deaths worldwide.