Current Affairs 08 February 2026

‘Deep Tech’ Start-ups in India

The Central government has formally defined what constitutes a “deep tech” start-up in India through a gazette notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Until now a buzzword, deep tech is now officially described as a start-up that develops solutions based on new scientific or engineering knowledge rather than incremental or purely digital innovations.

Highlights of the Definition:

• A deep tech start-up must be primarily focused on research and development (R&D).
• It should own or be creating novel intellectual property (IP) and actively work towards its commercialisation.
• Such firms typically face long gestation periods, high capital and infrastructure needs, and significant scientific or technical uncertainty.
• Unlike regular start-ups (valid up to 10 years with ₹200 crore turnover), deep tech start-ups can retain start-up status for up to 20 years with a turnover ceiling of ₹300 crore.
• Companies must apply to DPIIT for certification as a deep tech start-up.
• deep tech firms are expected to benefit from funding under the ₹1 lakh crore Research and Development Innovation (RDI) Fund, managed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.

Avian Flu (H5N1) Detected in Chennai Crow Samples

The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Tamil Nadu, has issued a public advisory after the H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in samples collected from a dead crow in Chennai.

Key Points:

• Avian influenza (bird flu) is a viral disease that mainly spreads from infected birds to other birds.
• Human transmission is rare, but people handling sick or dead birds and those working in slaughterhouses face higher risk.

Cyberchondria

Cyberchondria is a term used to describe excessive or repeated online searching for health-related information that leads to increased anxiety, fear, or distress about one’s health, often without proper medical basis.

Recently, A tragic incident from Bhilwara district, Rajasthan, has brought national attention to the growing danger of cyberchondria, an anxiety disorder caused by excessive online health searches and social media misinformation. A 30-year-old woman allegedly killed her two children after becoming convinced, through social media videos and reels, that her minor health issues (mouth ulcers and abdominal pain) meant she had incurable cancer.

Paruveta Utsavam of Ahobilam

Paruveta Utsavam, a 600 year old socio-religious tradition held at Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh, continues to stand as a powerful symbol of social equality, communal harmony, and living heritage. The festival involves a 40-day procession in which the idol of Lord Narasimha is taken from Ahobilam through 33 surrounding villages, blessing every household irrespective of caste, creed, or religion.

• Deeply rooted in local folklore, the ritual reflects the mythological bond between Lord Narasimha and Chenchu Lakshmi, linking the deity with the indigenous Chenchu tribal community.
• The mock hunting ritual (Paruveta) begins during Kanuma, part of the Sankranti festivities, and culminates in the Kalyanotsavam (celestial wedding) on the Lord’s return.
• The Union Ministry of Culture, through Sangeet Natak Akademi, is processing a proposal to present Paruveta Utsavam to UNESCO for inclusion in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

First humanoid robot in Indian Railways – ASC Arjun

Indian Railways has taken a significant step in AI-driven railway security with the successful deployment of Rail Robocop ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station. Billed as the first humanoid robot of its kind in Indian Railways, the robocop assisted the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in apprehending two habitual offenders within two weeks of its launch. ASC Arjun uses AI-powered facial recognition technology to match live visuals with a pre-loaded database of known criminals.

India-US Interim Trade Agreement Framework

The United States and India announced a framework for an Interim Agreement on reciprocal and mutually beneficial trade.

Key Highlights of the Agreement

Tariff Reductions:

• India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of US food and agricultural products including dried distillers’ grains (DDGs), red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits
• The US will apply a reciprocal tariff rate of 18% on originating goods from India including textile, apparel, leather, footwear, plastic, rubber, organic chemicals, home décor, artisanal products and certain machinery
• The US will remove reciprocal tariffs on generic pharmaceuticals, gems and diamonds, and aircraft parts

Products that are not importing from USA

• India’s major grains like maize, wheat, rice, soybean, poultry products, milk, paneer, ethanol, tobacco and many vegetables have been completely safeguarded
• These products will not be imported from the US, protecting Indian farmers’ interests

Export Benefits for India:

• Basmati rice and spices will gain special benefits with new opportunities in the 18% tariff markets
• Reduced duties on textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, plastics, rubber products, organic chemicals, home décor and handicrafts
• Zero duties on generic medicines, gems, jewelry and aircraft parts

Products that are importing from USA

• India intends to purchase $500 billion of US energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products and coking coal over the next 5 years
• Significant increase in trade in technology products including Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and other goods used in data centers

National Pulses Revolution

Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Pulses Revolution from the Food Legumes Research Centre (FLRP) in Amlaha, Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh.

Key Announcements

• 1,000 Pulse Mills: To be established across the country with Government of India providing up to ₹25 lakh subsidy per mill. Of these, 55 will be established in different clusters of Madhya Pradesh.
• Cluster Model: Farming will be strengthened through cluster model organized by farmers.
• Seed Reforms: No seed will be released from Delhi; seeds will be released directly in different states among farmers
• Financial Support: Farmers joining clusters will receive seed kits and ₹10,000 assistance per hectare for model farming

Mission Objectives

• Make India self-reliant in pulses production
• Transform India from a pulses importer to a pulses exporter
• Increase productivity of masoor, chickpeas, urad, pigeon pea, moong through improved varieties
• Ensure farmers get fair prices through entire value chain support from seed to market
• Create local employment opportunities through pulse processing mills

Current Status of Pulses in India

• Madhya Pradesh is on top pulses producing State in the country
• Area under pulses cultivation is declining and needs to be increased

ICMR Advances Kyasanur Forest Disease Vaccine Development

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is making steady progress in developing an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD). This initiative was undertaken at the request of the Karnataka government.

About Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD)

• Also Known As: Monkey Fever
• Type: Tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever
• Causative Agent: Virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae
• Transmission: Through the bite of infected hard ticks (Haemaphysalis spinigera)
• Endemic Region: Western Ghats region, particularly in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa and Maharashtra
• Symptoms: Abnormally low blood pressure, low platelet count, reduced red blood cell and white blood cell count, haemorrhagic manifestations
• Prevention: Vaccination, protective clothing and tick population control

PM Modi’s Malaysia Visit: Thiruvalluvar Centre Announcement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Indian diaspora in Kuala Lumpur during his two-day visit to Malaysia, his first foreign visit in 2026. Vice-President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan highlighted the address and welcomed the announcement of establishing a Thiruvalluvar Centre in Malaysia.

Key Announcements

• Thiruvalluvar Centre: A new centre to be established in Malaysia to further strengthen shared cultural heritage, building on the existing Thiruvalluvar Chair at the University of Malaya
• Thiruvalluvar Scholarships: Announced to facilitate academic exchanges between India and Malaysia
• New Indian Consulate: India will open its first consulate in Malaysia soon
• UPI Integration: Plans to link India’s UPI payment system with Malaysia

India-Malaysia Relations

• Strategic Partnership: Relations were elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to New Delhi in 2024
• Partnership Theme: IMPACT (India-Malaysia Partnership for Advancing Collective Transformation)
• Diaspora: Malaysia hosts the world’s second-largest Indian-origin community with nearly 3 million people
• Cultural Connections: Over 500 schools in Malaysia teach children in Indian languages
• Historical Links: Connection to Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army) under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

About Thiruvalluvar

• Ancient Tamil poet and philosopher
• Author of Thirukkural, a classical Tamil text consisting of 1,330 couplets organized into 133 chapters
• Thirukkural covers three main themes: Aram (virtue/ethics), Porul (wealth/politics) and Inbam (love)
• Considered one of the greatest works in Tamil literature and has been translated into numerous languages

Tamil Nadu Urban Greening Policy 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister launched the Tamil Nadu Urban Greening Policy 2026, a comprehensive state policy framework to systematically expand and manage green spaces in urban areas, integrating climate action, biodiversity conservation and urban livability.

Key Features of the Policy

• Green Cover Target: Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to maintain at least 15% green cover, contributing to the state’s long-term 33% greening goal
• Institutional Structure: Creation of dedicated Urban Forest Wing under Municipal Administration & Water Supply Department and a state-level coordination committee
• Green Spaces: Promotion of urban forests (kurunkadugal), micro-forests, biodiversity parks, mangroves and agroforestry within urban and peri-urban areas

10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) Scheme Completed

The Government of India has successfully completed the formation of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under a central sector scheme. The initiative includes 21.96 lakh women farmers and aims to build a sustainable, income-oriented farming ecosystem.

About the Central Sector Scheme

• Objective: Form and nurture 10,000 new FPOs across India
• Target Beneficiaries: Small and marginal farmers
• Financial Support: Each FPO receives financial assistance for capacity building, infrastructure development and working capital
• Women Participation: 21.96 lakh women farmers included

Benefits of FPOs

• Enable small and marginal farmers to collectivize production, processing and marketing
• Better access to inputs, credit, technology and markets
• Enhanced bargaining power in market
• Economies of scale in production and procurement
• Direct market linkages reducing middlemen
• Better income realization for farmers

What is a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)?

An FPO is a legal entity formed by primary producers (farmers, milk producers, fishermen, weavers, etc.) to improve their income through collective strength. FPOs are registered under the Companies Act and can be formed as Producer Companies, Cooperative Societies or other legal forms.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.