Current Affairs 05/02/2026
1. Which PSU has recently been granted Mini-Ratna Category–I status?
Answer : Yantra India Limited
Yantra India Limited Granted Mini-Ratna Category-I Status
Yantra India Limited (YIL), a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has recently been conferred Mini-Ratna Category-I status by the Government of India. This recognition reflects the company’s strong financial performance, operational efficiency, and growing strategic importance in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Established in 2021 following the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board, Yantra India Limited plays a crucial role in the production of defence equipment such as artillery guns, small arms, ammunition, and other critical systems for the Indian Armed Forces. The company has also been expanding its footprint in exports, aligning with the government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence production.
With the Mini-Ratna Category-I status, Yantra India Limited gains enhanced operational and financial autonomy. It can now make investments of up to ₹500 crore or an amount equal to its net worth, whichever is lower, without seeking prior government approval. This autonomy is expected to accelerate decision-making, foster innovation, and strengthen the company’s competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
The upgradation underscores the government’s confidence in Yantra India Limited’s management capabilities and future growth prospects. It also marks an important milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize and reform its defence public sector enterprises.
2. Between which two states is the Pennaiyar river water dispute?
Answer : Tamil Nadu – Karnataka
Pennaiyar River Water Dispute Between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
The Pennaiyar (also known as the South Pennar) river water dispute is a long-standing inter-state issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The river originates in the Nandi Hills of Karnataka and flows southeast through Tamil Nadu before draining into the Bay of Bengal. As a result, both states have significant interests in its waters for irrigation, drinking water supply, and regional development.
The core of the dispute lies in Karnataka’s construction of check dams and diversion structures in the upper reaches of the river basin. Tamil Nadu has raised concerns that these upstream interventions reduce downstream water flow, adversely affecting agriculture and water availability in its drought-prone districts, particularly in northern Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu has approached judicial and constitutional forums, including the Supreme Court, seeking regulation of upstream projects and protection of its riparian rights. Karnataka, on the other hand, maintains that it is entitled to utilize river waters within its territory for local development, especially since parts of the basin face acute water stress.
The Pennaiyar river dispute highlights broader challenges in inter-state river water management in India, where balancing equitable distribution, developmental needs, and ecological sustainability remains complex. Effective resolution requires cooperative federalism, scientific water assessment, and mutually agreed mechanisms to ensure fair and sustainable use of shared water resources.
3. Who has been awarded the Crafoord Prize for climate change studies?
Answer : Veerabhadran Ramanathan
Veerabhadran Ramanathan and the Crafoord Prize for Climate Change Studies
Veerabhadran Ramanathan, a globally renowned climate scientist, has been awarded the Crafoord Prize in Geosciences for his outstanding contributions to climate change research. The prize is conferred by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and is regarded as one of the most prestigious international recognitions in fields not covered by the Nobel Prizes.
Ramanathan’s work has been fundamental in transforming scientific understanding of the Earth’s climate system. In the 1970s, he was among the first scientists to demonstrate that trace gases, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), play a significant role in global warming despite their low concentrations in the atmosphere. This discovery broadened the scope of climate science beyond carbon dioxide and highlighted the importance of multiple human-made pollutants in driving climate change.
Over the decades, his research expanded to include aerosols and short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon and methane. His studies revealed how these particles influence atmospheric heating, monsoon behavior, glacier melt, and air quality, particularly in densely populated regions such as South Asia. Ramanathan also led major international experiments that linked pollution with both climate change and public health impacts.
Beyond academia, Ramanathan has played a key role in shaping global environmental policy. His scientific findings contributed to the success of international agreements such as the Montreal Protocol, which is widely regarded as one of the most effective environmental treaties in history. He has also actively engaged with policymakers, global institutions, and ethical forums to promote science-based climate action.
The award of the Crafoord Prize recognizes Ramanathan’s lifelong dedication to climate science and his influence in connecting rigorous research with real-world solutions. His work continues to guide global efforts to understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
4. Who became the first woman Director (HR) of AAI?
Answer : Nivedita Dubey
Nivedita Dubey: First Woman Director (HR) of Airports Authority of India
Nivedita Dubey has created history by becoming the first woman Director (Human Resources) and Member (HR) of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the governance and leadership structure of one of India’s most important public sector organizations in the civil aviation domain.
With a professional career spanning over three decades, Nivedita Dubey has extensive experience in airport operations, administration, and human resource management. Prior to her elevation as Director (HR), she served in several senior leadership roles within AAI, including Regional Executive Director, where she was responsible for overseeing airport management, infrastructure development, and operational efficiency across multiple airports.
As Director (HR), she plays a crucial role in shaping AAI’s human resource policies, industrial relations framework, talent development strategies, and organizational reforms. Her responsibilities include workforce planning, employee welfare, training and capacity building, and aligning human capital initiatives with AAI’s long-term strategic objectives.
Her appointment is widely seen as a step forward for gender inclusion and diversity in leadership within India’s public sector undertakings. It reflects AAI’s commitment to recognizing merit-based leadership and strengthening institutional governance at the board level.
Nivedita Dubey’s leadership is expected to contribute significantly to modernizing AAI’s human resource practices and supporting the authority’s mission of providing safe, efficient, and world-class airport infrastructure across the country.
5. Where will the 13th India–Kyrgyzstan joint military exercise Khanjar-XIII be held?
Answer : Assam
India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise Khanjar-XIII to Be Held in Assam
The 13th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan joint military exercise, Khanjar-XIII, is scheduled to be held in Assam, marking another important step in strengthening bilateral defence cooperation between the two countries. The exercise reflects the growing strategic partnership and shared commitment to regional and global security.
Exercise Khanjar is an annual joint training event conducted alternately in India and Kyrgyzstan. It primarily focuses on counter-terrorism operations, special forces training, and joint tactical drills under simulated combat conditions. The choice of Assam as the venue provides a realistic terrain for jungle and semi-urban warfare training, enhancing operational preparedness.
Khanjar-XIII aims to improve interoperability, coordination, and mutual understanding between the armed forces of India and Kyrgyzstan. Troops from both sides will engage in joint planning exercises, combat simulations, and exchange of best practices in modern military operations, particularly in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism scenarios.
Beyond military training, the exercise also serves as a platform to deepen defence diplomacy, foster trust, and promote long-term cooperation between the two nations. The successful conduct of Khanjar-XIII in Assam underscores India’s continued focus on strengthening defence ties with Central Asian countries and enhancing collective security capabilities.
6. The world’s first private space station Haven-1 is being developed in which country?
Answer : USA
Haven-1: World’s First Private Space Station Developed by the United States
The world’s first private space station, Haven-1, is being developed in the United States of America, marking a major milestone in the commercialization of space. The project is led by Vast, a US-based aerospace company focused on building human-rated space habitats for low Earth orbit.
Haven-1 is designed as a commercial space station that will support astronaut missions, scientific research, and technology demonstrations. Unlike government-owned platforms such as the International Space Station (ISS), Haven-1 represents a new model of privately developed and operated orbital infrastructure, aligned with NASA’s long-term strategy of encouraging private sector participation in space.
The station is planned to be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will operate in low Earth orbit. It is expected to feature advanced life-support systems, modern crew accommodations, and modular architecture that can be expanded in future phases. Haven-1 is also being developed to meet NASA safety and operational standards, enabling potential collaboration with national space agencies.
The development of Haven-1 reflects the United States’ leadership in the commercial space ecosystem, driven by innovation from private companies and public-private partnerships. As the ISS approaches the end of its operational life, projects like Haven-1 are seen as crucial for ensuring continuity in human spaceflight, microgravity research, and orbital services.
Overall, Haven-1 symbolizes a significant shift in global space exploration, where private enterprise plays a central role in shaping the future of human activity in space.
7. Which state secured first rank in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0?
Answer : Tripura
Tripura Secures First Rank in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0
The state of Tripura has secured the first rank in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0, a national-level assessment released by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. This achievement highlights Tripura’s strong performance in strengthening grassroots governance and effective functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The PAI 2.0 is a comprehensive index designed to measure the overall development and performance of Gram Panchayats across India. It evaluates governance outcomes across multiple themes, including institutional capacity, financial management, delivery of basic services, social inclusion, transparency, and local development planning. The index aims to promote data-driven governance and encourage healthy competition among states.
Tripura’s top ranking reflects its consistent efforts in ensuring 100 percent participation and data validation by all Gram Panchayats in the state. This demonstrates strong administrative coordination, digital adoption, and effective implementation of Panchayati Raj reforms at the grassroots level. Several Panchayats from Tripura also achieved high individual scores, reinforcing the state’s overall performance.
The recognition under PAI 2.0 underscores Tripura’s commitment to decentralised governance, community participation, and inclusive rural development. The state’s achievement serves as a model for other states in strengthening local self-government institutions and improving the quality of governance at the village level.
Overall, Tripura’s first position in the Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward empowered and accountable grassroots democracy.