Daily Current Affairs 3 February 2026

Daily Current Affairs 3 February 2026: News Headlines, GK, MCQs & Quiz PDF

Stay ahead in your exam preparation with our comprehensive daily current affairs analysis for 3 February 2026. Whether you are targeting UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, or State PSCs, keeping up with the latest news is crucial. This post covers the most significant national and international events from the last 24 hours, providing you with high-quality current affairs mcq, downloadable current affairs pdf resources, and quiz questions to test your retention. We focus on bridging the gap between dynamic news and static general knowledge (GK) to ensure you are exam-ready.

In Short Summary Table – Today’s Key Events for GK

Category	Key Event / Headline	Exam Relevance
Polity (India)	SC declares Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right (Art 21)	Constitution, Social Justice
Budget 2026	Fiscal Deficit target set at 4.3% of GDP for FY27	Economy, Union Budget
Sports	Carlos Alcaraz wins Australian Open 2026 Men’s Title	Tennis, Grand Slams
International	Sheikh Hasina sentenced to 10 years in Bangladesh	International Relations
Awards	Veerabhadran Ramanathan wins Crafoord Prize	Science, Environment
Defence	Taiwan conducts trials for indigenous sub ‘Narwhal’	Defence Technology
Economy	World Bank approves $830 mn for India’s PM-SETU	Loans, Skilling Schemes
Banking	Govt considers raising FDI cap in PSBs to 49%	Banking Awareness
Science	Rare Red Aurora observed in Hanle, Ladakh	Space Science, Geography
Global	UK-India FTA termed “significant achievement” by House of Lords	Trade Agreements

Major Headlines – Daily Current Affairs

National (India)

1. Supreme Court rules Menstrual Health is a Fundamental Right under Article 21; mandates free sanitary pads in schools.
2. Union Budget 2026: Fiscal deficit target set at 4.3%; heavy focus on infrastructure and defence.
3. Centre proposes 40 km underground rail link to Northeast India to boost strategic connectivity.
4. Pennaiyar Water Dispute: Supreme Court directs Centre to constitute a tribunal for Tamil Nadu & Karnataka.

International

5. Bangladesh: Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in corruption cases.

6. Pakistan Government officially boycotts T20 World Cup match against India citing political tensions.

7. UK House of Lords committee report praises UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) progress.

Economy & Banking

8. Government in talks to hike Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Public Sector Banks to 49%.

9. World Bank approves $830 million loan for India’s PM-SETU skilling programme.

Sports

10. Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) and Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) win 2026 Australian Open Singles titles.

Deep-Dive Explanations (Top 5 Most Important News)

1. Supreme Court Declares Menstrual Health a Fundamental Right

• Background: The Supreme Court of India has ruled that menstrual hygiene management is a part of the “Right to Life and Personal Dignity” under Article 21 of the Constitution.
• Why it Matters: The court has directed the Centre and States to ensure the provision of free sanitary napkins in all government and government-aided schools for girls in classes 6–12.
• Static GK Linkage: Article 21 guarantees Protection of Life and Personal Liberty. This judgment expands its scope to include reproductive health and hygiene.

👉 [Deep Dive] Read our detailed analysis on the SC Menstrual Health Verdict & Article 21 here.

2. Union Budget 2026: Fiscal Deficit Targeted at 4.3%

• Background: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27, setting the fiscal deficit target at 4.3% of GDP, adhering to the fiscal consolidation glide path.
• Why it Matters: The budget prioritizes capital expenditure (Capex) in railways and defence. It also introduces the PM-SETU scheme for youth skilling, backed by World Bank funding.
• Static GK Linkage: Fiscal Deficit indicates the total borrowing requirements of the government. The FRBM Act, 2003 mandates fiscal discipline.

3. Carlos Alcaraz Wins Australian Open 2026

• Background: Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to clinch the Australian Open Men’s Singles title. In the women’s category, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan won the title.
• Why it Matters: This victory cements Alcaraz’s position as a dominant force in modern tennis. Grand Slam winners are a high-priority topic for sports current affairs questions.
• Static GK Linkage: The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year, played on Hard Courts in Melbourne.

4. Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to 10 Years in Jail

• Background: A court in Dhaka has sentenced former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years in prison on corruption charges following her ouster from power.
• Why it Matters: This marks a significant shift in South Asian geopolitics, potentially impacting India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.
• Static GK Linkage: Bangladesh shares the longest land border with India (4,096 km). The current currency is Taka.

5. Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins Crafoord Prize

• Background: Renowned Indian-origin climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the prestigious Crafoord Prize in Geosciences for his work on climate change and short-lived climate pollutants.
• Why it Matters: The Crafoord Prize is often considered a complement to the Nobel Prize (which has no category for Geosciences). It highlights Indian contributions to global science.
• Static GK Linkage: The prize is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the same body that awards the Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry.

Today’s Notable Days

• World Wetlands Day (Observed Feb 2, News Current for Feb 3)
  • Significance: Marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
  • 2026 Theme: “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge”.
  • Exam Relevance: India has 80+ Ramsar sites; questions often ask for the theme or total sites.

This Day in History (3 February)

• 1925: First Electric Train in India
  • The first electric train ran between Bombay VT (now CSMT) and Kurla on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. This marked the beginning of railway modernization in India.
• 1988: Induction of INS Chakra
  • The Indian Navy inducted its first nuclear-powered submarine, INS Chakra (leased from the Soviet Union), making India one of the few nations to operate nuclear subs.
• 1916: Foundation of Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
  • Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya founded BHU in Varanasi. It remains one of India’s most prestigious central universities.

Famous Birthdays (3 February)

• Raghuram Rajan (Born 1963): Renowned economist and the 23rd Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis.
• Waheeda Rehman (Born 1938): Legendary Indian actress and Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient, known for her contribution to Indian cinema.

Exam-Oriented Current Affairs MCQs

1. The Supreme Court recently declared “Menstrual Health” as a fundamental right under which Article of the Indian Constitution?

A. Article 14

B. Article 19

C. Article 21

D. Article 25

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The SC ruled that menstrual hygiene is integral to the Right to Life and Dignity under Article 21. It directed the government to provide free sanitary pads in schools.

2. Who won the Men’s Singles title at the Australian Open 2026?

A. Novak Djokovic

B. Jannik Sinner

C. Carlos Alcaraz

D. Daniil Medvedev

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) defeated Novak Djokovic to win the 2026 Australian Open title.

3. In the Union Budget 2026-27, the fiscal deficit target has been set at what percentage of GDP?

A. 4.1%

B. 4.3%

C. 4.5%

D. 5.1%

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Finance Minister announced a fiscal deficit target of 4.3% for FY 2026-27, continuing the path of fiscal consolidation.

4. Which Indian-origin scientist was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Crafoord Prize’ in Geosciences?

A. Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

B. Veerabhadran Ramanathan

C. Swati Mohan

D. Satyendra Nath Bose

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Veerabhadran Ramanathan received the prize for his pioneering work on climate change and short-lived climate pollutants.

5. Which neighbouring country’s former Prime Minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison on corruption charges on Feb 2, 2026?

A. Pakistan

B. Sri Lanka

C. Bangladesh

D. Nepal

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to 10 years in jail by a Dhaka court following her removal from power.

6. The World Bank has approved a $830 million loan for which Indian skilling programme?

A. PM-VIKAS

B. PM-SETU

C. PM-KAUSHAL

D. PM-DAKSH

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The loan is for the PM-SETU (Supporting Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation) program to upgrade ITIs and skill youth.

7. Which country’s government officially announced a boycott of their T20 World Cup match against India?

A. Bangladesh

B. Pakistan

C. Afghanistan

D. South Africa

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Pakistan government directed its cricket board to boycott the match against India due to ongoing political tensions.

8. Who won the Women’s Singles title at the Australian Open 2026?

A. Aryna Sabalenka

B. Iga Swiatek

C. Elena Rybakina

D. Coco Gauff

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) won the Women’s Singles title at the first Grand Slam of 2026.

9. The government is considering raising the FDI limit in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) from 20% to what percent?

A. 26%

B. 49%

C. 51%

D. 74%

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Centre is in talks to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in state-run banks to 49% to attract more global capital.

10. A rare “Red Aurora” was recently captured by the Indian Astronomical Observatory in which location?

A. Nainital

B. Kodaikanal

C. Hanle

D. Mount Abu

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The Red Aurora was observed from Hanle, Ladakh, which houses the Indian Astronomical Observatory.

11. Which country recently conducted sea trials for its first indigenous submarine named ‘Narwhal’?

A. South Korea

B. Taiwan

C. Indonesia

D. Vietnam

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Taiwan is conducting trials for its indigenous submarine ‘Narwhal’ (Hai Kun) to bolster its maritime defence capabilities.

12. The Supreme Court has directed the constitution of a tribunal for the water dispute regarding which river between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka?

A. Cauvery

B. Pennaiyar

C. Krishna

D. Palar

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The dispute concerns the Pennaiyar river. The SC directed the Centre to form a negotiation committee/tribunal to resolve the sharing issue.

13. Which album won the ‘Album of the Year’ at the 2026 Grammy Awards?

A. Midnights

B. SOS

C. Un Verano Sin Ti

D. Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana (Bad Bunny)

Correct Answer: D

Explanation: Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for his album Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana (or widely reported simply as the Bad Bunny album victory).

14. What was the theme of World Wetlands Day 2026?

A. Wetlands for a Sustainable Urban Future

B. Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge

C. Wetlands Action for People and Nature

D. Restore Degraded Wetlands

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The 2026 theme is “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge”, celebrating the cultural heritage linked to wetlands.

15. Which tech giant recently announced cutting 30,000 jobs to pivot resources towards AI infrastructure?

A. Google

B. Microsoft

C. Oracle

D. IBM

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: Oracle is reportedly cutting jobs to restructure and focus heavily on Artificial Intelligence infrastructure.

16. Who is the current Prime Minister of India mentioned in the context of the Union Budget 2026?

A. Amit Shah

B. Narendra Modi

C. Rajnath Singh

D. Nirmala Sitharaman

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister; the budget was presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman under his government.

17. The UK House of Lords committee report released on Feb 3 termed which agreement as a “significant achievement”?

A. UK-China Trade Pact

B. UK-India FTA

C. UK-US Defence Deal

D. UK-EU Brexit Accord

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The report praised the progress of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

18. Which state government announced a 25% syllabus reduction for Class 10 students due to academic stress?

A. Tamil Nadu

B. Kerala

C. Karnataka

D. Maharashtra

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: The Kerala government announced the reduction to alleviate pressure on students following complaints of excessive workload.

19. What is the proposed length of the underground rail link to the Northeast announced by the Centre?

A. 20 km

B. 40 km

C. 60 km

D. 100 km

Correct Answer: B

Explanation: A 40 km strategic underground rail link is proposed to ensure all-weather connectivity and security for the Northeast.

20. Which spiritual leader won the Grammy Award for ‘Best Audio Book’ in 2026?

A. Sadhguru

B. Pope Francis

C. Dalai Lama

D. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Correct Answer: C

Explanation: The Dalai Lama won the Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording.

Today’s Top 3 Most Important News for Competitive Exams

• Union Budget 2026: Key data point – Fiscal Deficit target 4.3%; Major Scheme – PM-SETU ($830m World Bank loan).
• Constitutional Rights: SC ruling on Menstrual Health adds a new dimension to Article 21 (Right to Life).
• Sports GK: Carlos Alcaraz & Elena Rybakina are the 2026 Australian Open Champions.

Download Section – Current Affairs PDF

📝 Save for Revision: You can download the complete current affairs pdf for 3 February 2026 by clicking the link below. This PDF contains detailed explanations and all 20 MCQs for quick offline revision.

Download Daily Current Affairs PDF – 3 Feb 2026

Quiz Questions Based on Daily Current Affairs

Test your memory immediately! We have updated our quiz questions section with today’s news. Taking a quiz right after reading strengthens active recall and helps you score higher in the actual exam.

👉 Take Today’s Current Affairs Quiz

General Knowledge & GK Linkage

Today’s news offers excellent opportunities to revise static general knowledge (GK) topics:

• Polity: Revisiting Article 21 reveals how the Constitution is a “living document” that evolves (e.g., adding Menstrual Health).
• Geography: The Pennaiyar River originates in the Nandi Hills (Karnataka) and flows into the Bay of Bengal (Tamil Nadu).
• Institutions: The World Bank (Headquarters: Washington D.C.) funds developmental projects like PM-SETU.

Conclusion

Consistency is the key to cracking competitive exams. By following our daily current affairs updates, solving the current affairs mcq, and reviewing the current affairs pdf, you are building a solid foundation for the General Awareness section. Make sure to attempt the quiz questions to track your progress. Keep revising your general knowledge to stay ahead of the competition.

Final Thought of the Day

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Motivation for Exam Aspirants

Don’t let the volume of news overwhelm you. Just 20 minutes of focused reading today puts you ahead of thousands of others tomorrow. Trust your process and keep learning!

FAQs

1. Where can I find the daily current affairs for 3 February 2026?

You can find the detailed daily current affairs analysis, headlines, and explanations right here on this page, updated every morning.

2. Are these current affairs helpful for UPSC and Banking exams?

Yes, our content is curated specifically for competitive exams like UPSC, Banking (IBPS/SBI), SSC, and Railways, focusing on exam-relevant facts.

3. How can I download the current affairs pdf?

Check the “Download Section” above to find the direct link for the current affairs pdf for today.

4. How many current affairs mcq are provided daily?

We provide exactly 20 high-quality current affairs mcq every day based on the latest news to help you practice.

5. Do you cover static general knowledge (GK) related to news?

Yes, each news item includes a “Static GK Linkage” section to help you connect current events with standard general knowledge.

6. Where can I take quiz questions for daily practice?

We have a dedicated quiz questions section linked in the post where you can test your knowledge on today’s topics.

7. What are the top news headlines for today?

Today’s top headlines include the Union Budget 2026 fiscal deficit target, SC ruling on menstrual health, and Carlos Alcaraz winning the Australian Open.

8. Is the current affairs content free to access?

Yes, all our daily current affairs, MCQs, and online quizzes are completely free for aspirants.

9. How often is the GK section updated?

Our gk and current affairs sections are updated daily to ensure you have the most recent and verifiable information.

10. Can I use this for State PSC exam preparation?

Absolutely. The national and international news covered here is highly relevant for State PSC exams like UPPSC, TNPSC, BPSC, and others.