Current Affairs 07 February 2026
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India’s first cooperative-based taxi service, ‘Bharat Taxi’
Country’s first cooperative-based taxi service, ‘Bharat Taxi’, was launched by the Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah. The initiative is a flagship effort of the Ministry of Cooperation, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of empowering workers in the unorganised and gig economy through an ownership-rights model.
‘Bharat Taxi’ is built on a cooperative structure, where drivers (“Sarathis”) are the real owners of the platform rather than external corporations. Unlike private app-based taxi aggregators, Bharat Taxi does not charge commissions on drivers’ earnings. Instead, profits are equitably distributed among Sarathis, reinforcing economic self-reliance, dignity, and financial security.
Bharat Taxi offers ₹5 lakh health insurance, accident cover, access to loans, subsidies, and gig-worker schemes via the e-Shram portal.
Himachal Pradesh becomes first State to Ban Mobile Phones in Schools
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a statewide ban on the use of mobile phones by students in schools, effective March 1, 2026. The decision applies to both government and private schools across the State and aims to improve the academic environment, discipline, and overall well-being of students.
ad-hoc Director General Police
The Supreme Court of India has flagged a growing trend among States of appointing ‘Acting’ Directors-General of Police (DGPs) instead of regular DGPs with a fixed tenure, calling it a violation of its landmark 2006 judgment in the Prakash Singh case. In the Prakash Singh case (2006), the Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure meaningful police reforms across the country.
Article 142 empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order or direction necessary to do “complete justice” in a matter, even if such directions go beyond existing laws or fill gaps where legislation is absent or inadequate.
Supreme Court Directions on Appointment of DGPs
- The Supreme Court rejected the practice of appointing “Acting” or ad-hoc Directors-General of Police by State governments.
- It directed that every regular DGP must be given a minimum fixed tenure of two years to ensure police from political pressures.
- The Court mandated that States must appoint DGPs only from a panel of senior and meritorious officers empanelled by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
- States are required to send proposals to the UPSC at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent DGP.
- After the UPSC prepares the panel, the State must immediately appoint one of the empanelled officers as the regular DGP.
- The Supreme Court directed the UPSC to write to States reminding them to send proposals in time for appointing regular DGPs.
- If States continue to ignore or delay the mandated process, the UPSC has been given liberty to approach the Supreme Court, which may then fix accountability and impose consequences.
Article 142 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass any order or decree necessary to ensure complete justice in a case pending before it. This means that when existing laws are insufficient or silent, the Court can step in to deliver a fair and effective outcome.
Orders passed under Article 142 are enforceable across the entire country, even if Parliament has not yet laid down a specific procedure. Until such a law is made, the President of India can prescribe how these orders will be enforced.
Additionally, Article 142 gives the Supreme Court wide authority to summon individuals, demand documents, and punish contempt, ensuring that its decisions are respected and implemented. This Article acts as a powerful constitutional tool to uphold justice beyond procedural limitations.
US – Russia New START Treaty
- New START (New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) — the last remaining bilateral nuclear arms-control treaty between the U.S. and Russia expired on 05 February 2026, ending its legally binding ceilings and verification regime.
- Under New START, each side was limited to 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads, 700 deployed delivery systems, and 800 total deployed + non-deployed launchers, with on-site inspections and data exchanges to maintain transparency.
- With the treaty now lapsed, this can increase to an unconstrained nuclear rivalry.
India wins ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup
India won the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup title for the sixth time, defeating England by 100 runs in the final. India is the most successful team in U19 World Cup history. Vaibhav Suryavanshi won the Man of the Match in the final and Man of the Series Awards. This U-19 World Cup 2026 was hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Agni-III Missile Test
India successfully test-fired the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-III on February 6, 2026, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha. Agni-III is a two-stage, solid-fuelled, indigenously developed ballistic missile with a strike range of 3,000–3,500 km. It is capable of carrying a payload of up to 1,500 kg, making it a crucial component of India’s credible minimum nuclear deterrence.
The missile has been in service since 2011. Key specifications include a length of 16.7 metres, diameter of 2 metres, and a launch weight of 48,300 kg.
| Missile | Range | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Agni-I | 700-1,200 km | Short-Range Ballistic Missile |
| Agni-II | 2,000-3,000 km | Medium-Range Ballistic Missile |
| Agni-III | 3,000-3,500 km | Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile |
| Agni-IV | 3,500-4,000 km | Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile |
| Agni-V | 5,000+ km | Intercontinental Ballistic Missile |
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