TODAY NEWS HIGHLIGHT
➤ Nivedita Dubey becomes the first woman member of the Airport Authority Board
➤ Indian-origin scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan wins Crafoord Prize 2026
➤ India and the European Union sign a landmark agreement to promote cross-border digital trade
➤ UPI sets new benchmark: records highest ever transactions
➤ Responsible Nation Index 2026: Complete Ranking and Analysis
➤ ‘Pilloo AI’ launched in Andhra Pradesh
➤ US reduces tariffs on India from 50% to 18%
➤ Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh scales the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere
1. Nivedita Dubey becomes the first woman member of the Airports Authority Board
Nivedita Dubey has achieved a historic milestone by assuming the position of Member (Human Resources) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on January 30, becoming the first woman to hold this position on the AAI Board. Her appointment is considered a significant step towards gender equality and inclusive leadership in the public sector.
2. Indian-origin scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan wins the Crafoord Prize 2026
Indian-origin scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the Crafoord Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Earth Sciences.” This honor recognizes his exceptional and long-standing contributions to the field of earth sciences and climate research. In a career spanning more than five decades, Ramanathan has revolutionized the scientific understanding of global warming.
3. India and the European Union Sign Landmark Agreement to Boost Cross-Border Digital Trade
India and the European Union have taken a significant step towards paperless global trade. An administrative arrangement was signed on January 27, 2026, between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the European Commission’s DG CONNECT, aiming to strengthen India-EU digital trust and economic cooperation.
4. UPI Sets a New Benchmark: Record High Transactions
In January 2026, India’s digital payment system achieved a historic milestone, with over 21.7 billion transactions conducted through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), totaling ₹28.33 lakh crore. This represents the highest level ever recorded, both in terms of volume and value. These figures demonstrate that UPI is no longer limited to small retail payments but has become a major medium for high-value transactions as well.
5. Responsible Nations Index 2026: Complete Rankings and Analysis
Released by the World Intellectual Foundation on January 19, 2026, the Responsible Nations Index 2026 presents a new approach to assessing global leadership. This index measures countries’ power not solely based on GDP, military capability, or geopolitical influence, but rather on responsible and ethical conduct.
6. ‘Pilloo AI’ Launched in Andhra Pradesh
On February 2, 2026, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched Pilloo AI, an innovative voice-based billing and accounting app, a significant initiative towards the digitization of small businesses and MSMEs. The app allows users to create invoices, record sales and payments, prepare balance sheets, and manage payables and receivables by speaking in their native language.
7. US Reduces Tariffs on India from 50% to 18%
On February 2, 2026, US President Donald Trump claimed that a trade agreement had been reached between India and the United States, under which US tariffs would be immediately reduced. This announcement followed direct talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is considered a potentially significant turning point in India-US economic relations.
8. Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh Conquers the Highest Peak in the Western Hemisphere
Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano has achieved a significant milestone in India’s adventure sports history by successfully summiting Mount Aconcagua in Argentina. This 22,831-foot-high peak is considered the highest mountain outside of South America, the Western Hemisphere, and Asia. This achievement reflects Kabak Yano’s determination, courage, and physical and mental endurance.
QUIZ – WITH EXPLANATION (EXACT)
1. In which organization has Nivedita Dubey assumed the position of Member (Human Resources)?
A - Directorate General of Civil Aviation
B - Airports Authority of India
C - Air India
D - Ministry of Civil Aviation
Nivedita Dubey has made history by assuming the position of Member (Human Resources) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI) since January 30, becoming the first woman to hold this position on the AAI Board. Her appointment symbolizes gender equality and inclusive leadership in the public sector.
2. Which award has Veerabhadran Ramanathan been honored with?
A - Nobel Prize
B - Turing Award
C - Crafoord Prize
D - Ramon Magsaysay Award
Indian-origin atmospheric scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the Crafoord Prize, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Earth Sciences.” This honor recognizes his more than five decades of contributions to climate science.
3. When was the administrative agreement between India and the European Union on paperless global trade signed?
A - January 15, 2026
B - January 20, 2026
C - January 27, 2026
D - February 2, 2026
India and the European Union signed an administrative agreement on January 27, 2026, to promote paperless global trade. This agreement will provide legal recognition to the cross-border use of electronic signatures and electronic seals.
4. How many transactions were recorded through UPI in January 2026?
A - 15.2 billion
B - 18.6 billion
C - 21.7 billion
D - 25.0 billion
In January 2026, UPI recorded over 21.7 billion transactions and a record value of ₹28.33 lakh crore, marking the highest level yet in India’s digital payments revolution.
5. How many countries were evaluated in the Responsible Nations Index 2026?
A - 120
B - 140
C - 154
D - 165
The Responsible Nations Index 2026 evaluates countries based on ethical governance, social welfare, environmental responsibility, and global cooperation.
6. In which state was the Pilloo AI app launched?
A - Telangana
B - Tamil Nadu
C - Andhra Pradesh
D - Karnataka
Launched by the Andhra Pradesh government on February 2, 2026, Pilloo AI is a voice-based accounting app that allows small businesses and MSMEs to manage financial transactions by speaking in their native language.
7. Who made the announcement regarding the India-US trade agreement?
A - Joe Biden
B - Donald Trump
C - Antony Blinken
D - Jake Sullivan
On February 2, 2026, US President Donald Trump announced that US tariffs on Indian goods would be reduced from 50 percent to 18 percent.
8. Which mountain peak did Kabak Yano successfully climb?
A - Mount Everest
B - Mount Kilimanjaro
C - Mount Aconcagua
D - Mount Elbrus
Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere.
ONE LINER (EXACT)
What was the approximate value of the total transactions recorded through UPI in January 2026? – ₹28.33 lakh crore
Which country secured the top position in the Responsible Nations Index 2026? – Singapore
Veerabhadran Ramanathan made a major contribution in proving which gas to be an extremely powerful greenhouse gas? – Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
What position did Nivedita Dubey start her career with at AAI? – Airport Manager
Who is the Indian mountaineer who climbed Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere? – Kabak Yano
Which Indian-origin scientist was awarded the Crafoord Prize 2026, also known as the “Nobel Prize of Geosciences”? – Veerabhadran Ramanathan
Who became the first woman to be appointed as a Member (Human Resources) on the Airports Authority of India Board? – Nivedita Dubey
On what date was the administrative arrangement between India and the European Union regarding cross-border digital trade finalized? – January 27, 2026
What rank did India secure in the Responsible Nations Index 2026? – 16th position
In which state was the voice-based accounting app for small businesses, ‘Pilloo AI’, launched? – Andhra Pradesh