Current Affairs – February 05, 2026

{GS1 – Geo} India’s Denotified Tribes Recognition **

Context (TH): Denotified, nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes (DNTs) are demanding a separate Census column in 2027 and constitutional recognition through a distinct Schedule.

About Denotified Tribes

Tribes that, during the British regime, were ‘notified’ as being ‘born criminals’ under several versions of the Criminal Tribes Acts between 1871 and 1947.
After independence, this Act was repealed in 1952 (Recommendations of the Ayyangar Committee), and the communities were ‘de-notified’. However, it was replaced with the Habitual Offenders Act.

Need for Separate Recognition of DNT

Historical Stigmatisation: Communities were branded “criminal tribes” under the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871, and continue facing social and police prejudice despite repeal in 1952.
Uncovered Communities: Around 267 DNT groups remain outside SC/ST/OBC classifications, excluding them from reservation benefits (Idate Commission, 2017).
Underutilised Schemes: Only ₹69.3 crore of the planned ₹200 crore was spent under the SEED scheme over five years due to identification failures.

Significance of Separate Recognition of DNT

Targeted Policy Design: A distinct constitutional Schedule would enable focused quotas, schemes and development planning for DNT communities.
Accurate Enumeration: A separate Census column would generate reliable population data to guide funding and representation.
Social Justice Correction: Recognition would address colonial-era injustice and continued exclusion from mainstream welfare systems.

Way Forward

Separate Schedule: Create a constitutional Schedule for DNTs to ensure dedicated quotas and welfare focus; E.g., recognition structure parallel to SC and ST categories.
Sub-Classification: Implement graded backwardness within the DNT to prioritise the most deprived groups; E.g., SC sub-categorisation framework upheld in State of Punjab v. Davinder Singh (2024).
Certificate Issuance: Mandate States to issue DNT community certificates with strict timelines; E.g., Aadhaar-linked social category verification systems.
Scheme Delivery: Strengthen utilisation of targeted schemes through direct beneficiary identification; E.g., revamp of SEED scheme with real-time beneficiary tracking.

{GS2 – Governance} Waste-Pickers Enumeration under NAMASTE Scheme **

Context (TH): The Union government released nationwide enumeration data on 1.52 lakh waste pickers under the NAMASTE scheme.

The enumeration was conducted using the Waste Picker Enumeration App, launched in 2025.

Key Demographic Trends

Caste Composition: About 84.5% of the workforce belongs to SC, ST, and OBC communities, highlighting the historical link between caste and sanitation work.
General Category: The General category constitutes 10.7% (16,329 workers) of the total and is a majority in regions such as Delhi and Goa.
Gender Parity: The data shows a near-equal distribution, with 48.7% women, highlighting the significant feminisation of informal waste work.

About NAMASTE Scheme

The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2023.
It replaced the Self-Employment Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
Objective: Ensure the safety and dignity of sanitation workers by replacing hazardous manual cleaning with mechanised methods.
Nodal Ministries: It is a joint venture between the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Nodal Agency: The National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC) serves as the primary implementing body.
Expansion (2024-25): Initially for Sewer and Septic Tank Workers (SSWs), the scheme was expanded to include waste-pickers, integrating them into the formal Circular Economy.
Enumeration Target: It aims to profile 2.5 lakh waste pickers and connect them to social security.

Read More > NAMASTE Scheme

{GS2 – MoMA} PM-Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)

Context (PIB): The Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated fresh funding to the PM-Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.

PM VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme, officially launched in 2025, for the skill development and upliftment of minority communities.
Nodal Ministry: The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs through the Skill India Mission framework.
Key Components: It comprises four components – Skilling, Entrepreneurship, Education, and Infrastructure Development.
Scheme Convergence: It subsumes five schemes – Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil.
Target Groups: The scheme covers six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis.
Inclusion Mandate: A minimum of 33% reservation for women in skilling components and 3% for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) across all scheme activities.
Financial Linkages: The scheme facilitates credit access by linking beneficiaries with loan programmes of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
Key Goal: To train approximately 1.51 lakh beneficiaries across States and Union Territories.

Read More > Other Minority Welfare Schemes

{GS2 – MoC} Bharat Taxi *

Context (PIB | TH): The Union Home and Cooperation Minister launched Bharat Taxi in New Delhi.

Bharat Taxi is India’s first cooperative-sector taxi service, offering a “swadeshi” alternative to private aggregators like Uber and Ola.
It is also the world’s first and largest cooperative-based ride-hailing platform and the largest driver-owned mobility platform.
It aims to expand nationwide in two years and develop a sustainable, inclusive mobility ecosystem.
Institutional Support: The Ministry of Cooperation promoted the initiative under the “Sahkar se Samriddhi” vision with technical support from the National e-Governance Division (NeGD).
Legal Framework: Bharat Taxi is operated by the Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MASCS) Act, 2002.
Key Philosophy: It is based on the ‘Sarathi Hi Malik’ principle, designating drivers as shareholders and co-owners with decision-making and profit-sharing rights.
Revenue Model: The platform uses a zero-commission model, under which drivers retain 100% of the fare and pay only a nominal daily fee (approximately ₹30).
Consumer Benefits: The initiative eliminates surge pricing and offers fixed fares, estimated to be 30% cheaper than those of private competitors.
Social Security: Every registered driver receives ₹5 lakh of personal accident insurance and ₹5 lakh of family health insurance.
Digital Integration: It leverages Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) by utilising DigiLocker for instant driver verification and UMANG for service delivery.
Gender Inclusion: It features the “Bike Didi” initiative, providing safe, dignified employment for women drivers within the cooperative ecosystem.

{GS2 – IR} US–Russia Nuclear Arms Control Crisis

Context (TOI): The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) between the US and Russia is set to expire, raising fears of an unregulated nuclear arms race.

About the New START Treaty

Full Name: The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last remaining nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia.
Treaty Succession: Replaced the 1991 START I Treaty and superseded the 2002 Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT).
Signing and Enforcement: Signed in Prague in 2010 by Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev, and entered into force in February 2011.
Core Objective: Caps deployed strategic nuclear warheads well below Cold War levels to prevent unchecked nuclear stockpiling.
Strategic Scope: Covers long-range weapons designed to strike power centres & critical infrastructure.
Extension Clause: Extended once in 2021 for five years, keeping treaty in force until February 4, 2026.

Key Risks from Treaty Expiry

Unrestricted Build-Up: With no binding ceilings, both the US and Russia would be free to expand nuclear warheads and delivery systems over time, reversing decades of arms control restraint.
Transparency Breakdown: The end of inspections, notifications and data exchanges would increase uncertainty, forcing militaries to plan based on worst-case threat perceptions.
Renewed Arms Race: Absence of formal limits could trigger accelerated nuclear modernisation and stockpiling, similar to Cold War-style competitive escalation dynamics.

Why Replacement Talks are Stalled?

Ukraine War Fallout: The conflict has severely damaged diplomatic trust and cooperation, making sustained arms control negotiations politically unviable.
China Inclusion Dispute: The US insists on including China in future treaties, but Beijing rejects parity, citing its much smaller nuclear stockpile.
Expanded Actor Demands: Russia argues that British and French nuclear forces must also be counted, a condition strongly opposed by both countries.

{GS2 – IR} India Joins BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)

Context (PIB): India joined the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC) to support its manufacturing sector and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed a Trust Fund Agreement with UNIDO to provide technical support.
The National Productivity Council (NPC) has been designated as the nodal ‘India Centre’ to spearhead engagement and capacity-building.
Significance: This participation facilitates cross-country knowledge exchange and integrates Indian businesses into resilient BRICS supply chains.

UNIDO: The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation is a specialised UN agency headquartered in Vienna, Austria, that promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

About BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies (BCIC)

The BCIC is a multilateral platform that accelerates industrial modernisation and digital transformation across BRICS member countries.
It was established in 2025 as a collaborative initiative by BRICS countries and UNIDO, with headquarters in Vienna.
Objective: To strengthen Industry 4.0 competencies by promoting the adoption of AI, IoT, and advanced analytics in manufacturing.
Operational Role: BCIC serves as a “one-stop shop” for manufacturing firms and MSMEs to enhance global competitiveness.
Capacity Building: It bridges the technological gap faced by small enterprises by providing access to advanced manufacturing practices.
Geopolitical Significance: It reinforces BRICS’s leadership in South-South Cooperation, focusing on sustainable industrial development.

Read More > BRICS

{GS2 – IR} Formal Negotiation Begins for an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) *

Context (BS): India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are signing the Terms of Reference (ToR) to formally resume negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Bilateral Pacts: India has already signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with the UAE in 2022 and with Oman in 2025.

About Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Regional Union: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional intergovernmental political and economic union of six Arab states, headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Objective: The council was formed in 1981 to foster unity rooted in shared political and cultural identities grounded in Islamic beliefs.
Members: It comprises six oil-rich monarchies: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
- Exception: Iraq is the only Arab state bordering the Persian Gulf excluded from membership.
Oil Reserves: The GCC countries collectively control roughly 30% of the world’s proven oil reserves.
Market Integration: The bloc established a Customs Union (2003) and a Common Market (2008) to facilitate the free movement of citizens and goods.
- Residency Rights: The Common Market grants GCC citizens the right to work, reside, and own property in any member state.
Joint Defence: The “Peninsula Shield Force” is the bloc’s joint military arm, tasked with deterring external aggression and internal instability.
Unified Travel: A new “Schengen-style” visa system, GCC Grand Tours, was approved in 2023 to simplify travel across member states.
Apex Authority: The Supreme Council holds the highest authority and comprises heads of state; the presidency rotates annually.
Geopolitical Balance: The alliance serves as a strategic Sunni-led counterweight to Iranian influence and helps secure the energy-critical Strait of Hormuz.

About India-GCC Relations

Commercial Ties: The GCC is India’s largest regional trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $178 billion in 2024-25.
- Leading Markets: The UAE is India’s largest partner in the bloc, followed by Saudi Arabia.
Import Reliance: It remains the principal pillar of India’s energy security, supplying 35% of crude oil and 70% of natural gas imports.
Diaspora Size: About 9 million Indians reside across member states, constituting 66% of all Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
- Remittance: The Indian diaspora contributes nearly 38% of India’s total inward remittances.
Strategic Defence: Security ties have evolved into strategic partnerships, as evidenced by joint exercises like “Naseem Al Bahr” (Oman), “Al Mohed Al Hindi” (Saudi Arabia) and “Desert Flag” (UAE).
Corridor Project: The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aims to position the Gulf as a transit hub linking Indian markets to Europe.

Read More > Gulf region’s importance for India

{GS3 – IE} India’s Industrial Transition from Molecules to Electrons

Context (TH): India’s industrial sector remains largely powered by fossil fuel “molecules”, while China has shifted nearly half of its industrial energy use to electricity, strengthening competitiveness.

Electrification of Industry

Shift In Energy Source: Replacement of direct fossil fuel combustion in factories with grid-based electricity for heat, motion and production processes.
Process Electrification: Use of electric motors, induction furnaces, electric boilers and digital controls across steel, cement and manufacturing units.
Automation Ready: Supports advanced manufacturing, precision control & smart factory operations.

China’s Industrial Edge through Electrification

Grid First Strategy: Massive investment in ultra-high-voltage transmission, storage and flexible substations ensured reliable industrial power.
Policy-Driven EAF Steel: Electric-arc furnace (EAF) steel rose from 44 million tonnes (2010) to 106 million tonnes (2024) via incentives and scrap systems.
Industrial Digitalisation: Automation and digital controls improved efficiency and enabled electricity-based manufacturing optimisation.
Green Electron Push: High renewable integration reduced carbon intensity, aligning exports with emerging global climate standards.

Significance of Electrification for India

Export Competitiveness: China runs nearly 50% of industrial energy on electricity, while India is near 25%, directly impacting carbon-sensitive global supply chains like steel and cement.
Energy Security: India imports nearly 85% of crude oil and over 45% of natural gas, making electrification crucial to reduce fuel price shock exposure.
Efficiency Gains: Electric motors operate at over 90% efficiency compared to below 35% for combustion engines, sharply lowering energy cost per unit of output.
Decarbonisation Enabler: Industry contributes about 25% of India’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making electrification a key decarbonisation lever.

Key Issues in India’s Industrial Electrification Shift

Legacy Combustion Lock-In: Most factories rely on coal boilers, diesel generators and fossil furnaces, making process redesign towards electric systems slow and capital-intensive.
Low Green Share: Only about 7–8% of India’s final industrial energy comes from green electrons, compared to China’s much higher clean electricity penetration.
Generation-Centric Policy: Focus remains on adding renewable capacity rather than ensuring electricity flows directly into industrial processes.
Process Emission Barriers: Sectors such as cement still require high-temperature calcination, where full electrification remains technologically challenging.

Industrial Electrification Pathways for India

National Electrification Mission: Launch a dedicated mission shifting policy focus from capacity addition to industrial electricity usage; E.g., mandatory electrified processes in new industrial parks.
Grid Investment Surge: Expand transmission, storage and reliability infrastructure for continuous industrial power; E.g., China-style ultra-high-voltage corridors.
Steel Transition Support: Scale renewable-linked EAF incentives and scrap markets; E.g., align with EU CBAM low-carbon steel requirements.
MSME Green Finance: Provide concessional loans and pooled renewable Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for electric equipment upgrades; E.g., SIDBI-led green credit lines.

{GS3 – DM} NDMA Released India’s First Guideline for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) **

Context (IE): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) released India’s first-ever Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Guidelines for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI).

Commemorative Release: The guidelines were released on the 25^th anniversary of the 2001 Bhuj earthquake to standardise responses to Mass Fatality Incidents (MFIs).
Scientific Alignment: The framework replaces ad hoc body disposal with a scientific DVI protocol aligned with Interpol standards.

NDMA is India’s apex statutory body for disaster management, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, established by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Key Guidelines for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

Identification Workflow: The identification process follows a mandatory four-stage workflow:
1. Systematic Recovery: Organised retrieval of remains to prevent commingling or loss of evidence.
2. Post-Mortem (PM) Data: Gathering biometric data like DNA and fingerprints from the deceased.
3. Ante-Mortem (AM) Data: Collecting medical records and personal details from the victims’ families.
4. Reconciliation: Scientifically matching PM and AM data to establish positive identification before releasing the remains.
Humanitarian Focus: The guidelines emphasise Humanitarian Forensics, treating the dignified management of the dead as a fundamental human right.
Psychosocial Support: Psychosocial support for families is integrated into the official protocol to minimise trauma during the waiting period.
Dental Registry: It proposes creating a National Dental Data Registry, since dental evidence is often the main surviving identifier in high-impact disasters.
Forensic Archaeology: Forensic Archaeology is recognised as a standard method for the systematic recovery of buried remains.
Specialised Teams: States are mandated to establish DVI Teams comprising police, pathologists, and archaeologists to ensure coordinated action.
Disposal Mandate: Mass burials or unscientific disposal of unidentified bodies are prohibited to preserve the possibility of identification.

{GS3 – S&T} Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund Launched *

Context (PIB): The Technology Development Board (TDB) officially launched the first open call for the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Fund.

Rolling Application: Project proposals are accepted 24/7, 365 days a year through the TDB RDI Portal to ensure continuous innovation support.
Operational Role: The TDB serves as a Second-Level Fund Manager (SLFM), deploying a designated portion of the total RDI corpus.

Technology Development Board (TDB) is a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), mandated to commercialise indigenous research.

About Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund

Legal Status: The RDI Fund operates as a Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Act, 2023.
Financial Corpus: A corpus of ₹1 lakh crore is allocated for deployment over a 5 to 6-year horizon.
Primary Objective: It aims to facilitate the transition from academic research to industrial application by catalysing private investment.
Nodal Authority: The Department of Science & Technology (DST) serves as the implementing agency.
Target Stage: Projects at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above are prioritised for scaling and commercialisation rather than for basic research.
Fund Management: A two-tiered mechanism separates high-level policy and capital allocation (Tier 1) from project-level evaluation and disbursement (Tier 2).
1. Primary Custodianship: The Special Purpose Fund (SPF) under ANRF manages the corpus and policy framework.
2. Intermediary Distribution: Funds are channelled through Second-Level Fund Managers (SLFMs), such as AIFs, NBFCs, TDB, and BIRAC.
Concessional Financing: Support is provided through equity infusions or collateral-free long-term concessional loans; grants are strictly excluded to ensure commercial accountability.
Cost Sharing: Up to 50% of the assessed project cost is financed by the fund, with a matching contribution required from the private sector.
Strategic Sectors: Investments are prioritised in “sunrise sectors” like deep-tech, quantum computing, clean energy, and AI.
Deep-Tech Focus: A significant portion of the corpus will serve as a ‘Fund of Funds’ to support deep-tech startups with long gestation periods.

{Prelims – PAN} Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (DKTR)

Context (TOI): The Rajasthan Government assured local communities that residents of the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (DKTR) will not be displaced without their consent.

About Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve (DKTR)

Reserve Status: Spanning 1,111 sq. km in eastern Rajasthan, the forest was officially notified in 2023 as India’s 54^th and Rajasthan’s 5^thtiger reserve.
Geological Setting: The terrain lies at the geological junction of the Vindhyan and Aravalli hill ranges.
Topography: Its landscape is uniquely characterised by the rugged and extensive ravines of the Chambal River basin.
Hydrology: The perennial Chambal River flows along the eastern boundary and serves as the primary water source.
Vegetation Type: The forest is classified as a tropical dry deciduous forest, dominated by Dhok, Khair, Tendu, and Babool trees.
Faunal Diversity: Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, striped hyenas, sloth bears, golden jackals, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, etc.
Ecological Role: It serves as a vital sink area to accommodate the spillover tiger population from the overcrowded Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Wildlife Corridor: Dholpur-Karauli is a critical corridor connecting Ranthambore (Rajasthan) to Kuno and Madhav National Parks (Madhya Pradesh).

{Prelims – Exercise} Exercise KHANJAR

Context (PIB): The 13^th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has begun at Missamari, Assam.

KHANJAR is an annual bilateral training exercise to exchange best practices in counter-terrorism and Special Forces operations, especially in urban and mountainous terrain.
Participants: The Indian Army’s Parachute Regiment and Kyrgyzstan’s ILBRIS Special Forces (Scorpion Brigade), each with 20 members.

Key Focus: Includes specialised training in sniping, complex building interventions, mountain craft, and operations under a United Nations mandate.
Significance: This engagement strengthens bilateral defence ties and deepens the strategic partnership centred on regional stability.
Inception: The exercise was initiated in 2011 and has been held since then, with the venue alternating between the two countries.

{Prelims – In News} PLASTINDIA 2026

Context (PIB): The 12^th edition of PLASTINDIA 2026, one of the world’s largest plastics exhibitions, is taking place at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

It is a triennial international exhibition that connects India’s expanding manufacturing capabilities with global demand for sustainable polymer solutions.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The theme, “Bharat Next”, highlights India’s trajectory toward becoming a self-reliant industrial hub and a global leader in high-value manufacturing.
Participation: Over 2,000 exhibitors from over 80 countries have converged to showcase innovations.
Key Feature: The event is being held as a Zero Waste exhibition for the first time, where all solid waste is segregated, recycled, and reused.
Significance: The exhibition aligns with the visions of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat, highlighting domestic capacity and environmental responsibility.

{Prelims – In News} Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)

Context (PIB): The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reduced the feature film certification time to 18 working days, from the statutory 48 working days limit.

The CBFC is a statutory body established under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Mandate: It regulates the public exhibition of films, requiring a certificate for legal screenings in cinemas or on television.
Structure: The board comprises the Chairperson and 12 to 25 members appointed by the Central Government for a three-year term.
Institutional Presence: It is headquartered in Mumbai and operates through nine regional offices, supported by Advisory Panels.
Constitutional Basis: Certification is governed by the Cinematograph Act, reflecting “reasonable restrictions” under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
Appellate Mechanism: The Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) was abolished in 2021, requiring filmmakers to approach the High Courts for grievances.