TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Sarvesh Ranjan is the new Chief General Manager of Union Bank of India
➤ Grammy Awards 2026: Dalai Lama wins first Grammy Award
➤ Adampur Airport renamed as Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport
➤ New orchid species discovered in Kanthalloor, Kerala
➤ Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, who took command of the Eastern Air Command
➤ Which state became India's renewable energy powerhouse with a 16.5% share
➤ Why did the 16th Finance Commission retain the 41% share allocation?
➤ World Cancer Day
1. Sarvesh Ranjan Appointed as the New Chief General Manager of Union Bank of India
Union Bank of India has made a significant administrative change at the leadership level, promoting Sarvesh Ranjan to the position of Chief General Manager. This appointment became effective from February 1, 2026, following the retirement of Bhaskar Rao Kare on January 31, 2026.
2. Grammy Awards 2026: Dalai Lama Wins First Grammy Award
At the 68th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, achieved a historic milestone by winning his first Grammy Award at the age of 90. He received this honor for the spoken-word album “Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”
3. Adampur Airport Renamed as Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport
February 2, 2026, marked a significant development in Punjab's civil aviation sector when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the renaming of Adampur Airport in Jalandhar after Saint Guru Ravidas and also inaugurated a new civil terminal at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana district. Adampur Airport was renamed Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport, honoring the legacy of Guru Ravidas, a great saint of the Bhakti movement and a symbol of social harmony.
4. New Orchid Species Discovered in Kanthalloor, Kerala
The discovery of a new orchid species by scientists in the Kanthalloor region of Kerala in January 2026 highlights India's rich biodiversity. This discovery demonstrates that India's forests and semi-human-modified areas still harbor many undiscovered plant species. The new orchid species was found in the Kanthalloor region of the Idukki district in Kerala, a high-altitude area located near the Western Ghats.
5. Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Takes Command of Eastern Air Command
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has assumed charge as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command. He took over the responsibility after Air Marshal Surat Singh retired on January 31, after serving the Indian Air Force for nearly 39 years. The Eastern Air Command plays a crucial role in securing India's eastern air frontier.
6. Which state became India's renewable energy powerhouse with a 16.5% share?
As of December 31, 2025, Gujarat has emerged as the largest contributor to India's total renewable energy capacity, accounting for 16.5 percent. With an installed renewable capacity of 42.583 gigawatts, Gujarat ranks first nationally, making its role crucial in India's clean energy and net-zero goals.
7. Why did the 16th Finance Commission retain the 41% share?
The 16th Finance Commission has presented its crucial recommendations regarding the sharing of tax revenues between the Centre and the states for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31. The Commission has retained the states' share in the divisible tax pool at 41 percent, maintaining continuity with the 15th Finance Commission.
8. World Cancer Day
World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4th, with the primary objective of raising awareness about cancer and drawing the attention of society and governments to this issue. This day underscores the importance of cancer prevention, early detection, and effective treatment. World Cancer Day originated after the World Summit Against Cancer held in Paris in 2000.
QUIZ – WITH EXPLANATION (EXACT)
1. To what position has Sarvesh Ranjan been promoted at Union Bank of India?
A - General Manager
B - Executive Director
C - Chief General Manager
D - Deputy Managing Director
Union Bank of India has promoted Sarvesh Ranjan to the position of Chief General Manager, effective February 1, 2026. This appointment follows the retirement of Bhaskar Rao Kare on January 31, 2026. Sarvesh Ranjan is an officer with nearly 30 years of banking experience and previously held the position of General Manager, overseeing critical areas such as Anti-Money Laundering, Transaction Monitoring, and Central Reconciliation.
2. In which category did the Dalai Lama receive his first Grammy Award?
A - Best Music Album
B - Best World Music Performance
C - Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording
D - Best Instrumental Album
At the 68th Grammy Awards, the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, made history by winning his first Grammy Award at the age of 90. He received this honor in the Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording category for his spoken-word album “Meditations”.
3. What is the new name of Adampur Airport?
A - Sant Kabir Maharaj Airport
B - Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Airport
C - Shri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji Airport
D - Shaheed Bhagat Singh Airport
On February 2, 2026, a significant change occurred in Punjab's civil aviation sector when Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed Adampur Airport in Jalandhar after Sant Guru Ravidas and inaugurated a new civil terminal at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana.
4. In which state was a new species of orchid discovered?
A - Tamil Nadu
B - Karnataka
C - Kerala
D - Andhra Pradesh
In January 2026, a new species of orchid was discovered in the Kanthalloor region of Kerala, highlighting India's rich biodiversity and the ecological significance of the Western Ghats.
5. To which position has Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia been appointed?
A - Air Defence Commander
B - Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command
C - Vice Chief of Air Staff
D - Air Officer Commanding, Western Air Command
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has assumed charge as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force's Eastern Air Command. He took over the responsibility after the retirement of Air Marshal Surat Singh.
6. What is Gujarat's approximate share in India's total renewable energy capacity by December 31, 2025?
A - 12.50%
B - 14.00%
C - 16.50%
D - 18.00%
By December 31, 2025, Gujarat has emerged as the largest contributor to India's total renewable energy capacity, accounting for 16.5 percent. Due to the rapid expansion of solar and wind energy.
7. For which period will the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission be applicable?
A - 2025–26 to 2029–30
B - 2026–27 to 2030–31
C - 2027–28 to 2031–32
D - 2024–25 to 2028–29
The 16th Finance Commission has released its recommendations for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31 regarding the sharing of taxes between the central and state governments, maintaining the states' share at 41 percent.
8. Which organization leads World Cancer Day?
A - WHO
B - UNICEF
C - Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)
D - World Bank
World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4th, aiming to raise awareness about cancer and highlight the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment.
ONE LINER (EXACT)
Who has been promoted as the new Chief General Manager of Union Bank of India? – Sarvesh Ranjan
In which category did the Dalai Lama win his first Grammy Award? – Best Audiobook, Narration and Storytelling Recording
Which state accounts for a 16.5% share of India's total renewable energy capacity by December 31, 2025? – Gujarat
The Adampur Airport has been renamed after which saint? – Sant Guru Ravidas
On which date is World Cancer Day celebrated every year? – February 4
In which city were the 68th Grammy Awards held? – Los Angeles
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been given charge of which Air Command? – Eastern Air Command
A new species of which plant has been discovered in the Kanthalloor region of Kerala? – Orchid
The 16th Finance Commission has retained the states' share in the divisible tax pool at what percentage? – 41 percent
Under which scheme was the Adampur Airport redeveloped? – UDAN 5.0 scheme