LEGAL NEWS
Supreme Court Directs Formation of Tribunal for Pennaiyar River Water Dispute
• The Supreme Court ordered the Central Government to establish a tribunal to settle the Pennaiyar river water-sharing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• The direction was issued by a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice N. V. Anjaria, asking the Centre to notify the tribunal within one month.
• The Court observed that the matter has remained pending for a long period and requires immediate resolution.
• Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court in 2018, opposing Karnataka’s construction of check dams and diversion projects on the river.
• Tamil Nadu argued that inter-state rivers are national resources, and no single state can claim exclusive control over shared water.
• The Pennaiyar River, also known as South Pennar or Dakshina Pinakini, flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• The river originates from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka’s Chikkaballapura district and is the second-longest river in Tamil Nadu.
• Important tributaries of the river include Chinnar, Markanda, Vaniar, and Pamban.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Cancer Day 2026 observed on 4 february
• World Cancer Day is observed annually on 4 February to spread awareness about prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
• The day highlights the importance of supporting cancer patients and survivors, while promoting community awareness.
• Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda emphasised the need for regular health screenings to reduce cancer risks.
• The government plans to establish Cancer Day Care Centres in every district to improve accessibility to treatment.
• Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are contributing by conducting mass cancer screening and early detection programmes.
• The theme for 2026 is “United by Unique,” focusing on personalised cancer care and individual patient needs.
• The theme forms part of a three-year global campaign launched in 2025 to highlight diverse cancer experiences.
• The campaign promotes a patient-centred healthcare approach, giving importance to individual stories, treatment needs and emotional support.
APPOINTMENTS
Nivedita Dubey Becomes First Woman Board Member of AAI
• Nivedita Dubey created history by becoming the first woman officer inducted into the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Board.
• She assumed charge as Member (Human Resources), which is considered the second-highest position in the AAI hierarchy.
• Originally from Prayagraj, she completed her schooling at St. Mary’s Convent School.
• She studied science at Allahabad University and later earned a postgraduate management degree from MONIRBA.
• Dubey began her professional career with AAI in 1995 as a Management Trainee.
• Her appointment reflects growing gender representation and leadership inclusion in the aviation sector.
• The Airports Authority of India was established on 1 April 1995 through legislation by Parliament.
• AAI was formed after the merger of the National Airports Authority and the International Airports Authority of India.
Yumnam Khemchand Singh Takes Oath as Manipur Chief Minister
• BJP leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh assumed office as Chief Minister of Manipur on 4 February.
• The President’s Rule in the state was withdrawn after the formation of a BJP-led NDA government.
• Central rule had been imposed on 13 February 2025 following the resignation of former CM N. Biren Singh.
• During President’s Rule, the State Legislative Assembly remained under suspended animation, with its tenure valid till March 2027.
• The oath-taking ceremony was conducted at Lok Bhavan, Imphal, by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
• Nemcha Kipgen (BJP) and Losii Dikho (NPF) were sworn in as Deputy Chief Ministers.
• Govindas Konthoujam (BJP) and Khuraijam Loken (NPP) also joined the cabinet as ministers.
• Khemchand Singh represents the Singjamei constituency and previously served as Speaker and cabinet minister in the earlier state government.
AWARDS
Veerabhadran Ramanathan Wins Crafoord Prize 2026 in Geosciences
• Indian-origin climate scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan has been awarded the 2026 Crafoord Prize in Geosciences by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
• The award is regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in Earth sciences, recognising lifetime achievements in geoscience research.
• He has been honoured for his pioneering studies on climate change and atmospheric science, especially the impact of super-pollutants.
• In 1975, while working at NASA, he discovered that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) trap heat far more effectively than carbon dioxide.
• His research highlighted how human technological activities significantly influence global warming.
• He played a major role in the Indian Ocean Experiment, which identified harmful atmospheric brown clouds over South Asia.
• The research linked air pollution with weakening monsoon patterns and accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers.
• Ramanathan was born in Madurai, raised in Chennai, studied at Annamalai University and IISc, and currently serves as Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego.
DEFENCE
Joint Counter-Terror Operations Strengthen Security in Jammu and Kashmir
• Security forces eliminated one terrorist in Operation ‘Trashi-I’ conducted in Kishtwar district on 4 February.
• The encounter occurred during search operations in the forest region of Dichhar.
• The mission involved coordinated action by the Army’s White Knight Corps, J&K Police and CRPF.
• The incident marked the fifth anti-terror operation in the Chatroo sector within 18 days.
• In another mission named Operation ‘Kiya’, two Pakistani terrorists were killed in Udhampur district.
• One of the terrorists was identified as Rubani alias Abu Mavia, a senior commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad.
• The Udhampur operation continued for more than 20 hours, ending with full control over the area.
• Security forces seized heavy weapons and ammunition, including an M4 carbine and an AK-series rifle.
ECONOMY NEWS
NSO to Conduct Nationwide Migration Survey (2026–27)
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) will conduct a nationwide migration survey from July 2026 to June 2027.
• The survey aims to produce updated data on the scale, nature, and trends of migration across India.
• It will analyse migrant characteristics, employment patterns, return migration, and seasonal movement.
• The study will include both rural-to-urban and inter-state migration trends.
• NSO functions under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), which periodically conducts migration-related studies.
• Previous migration insights were derived from PLFS 2020–21 and Multiple Indicator Survey 2020–21.
• According to PLFS 2020–21, India’s overall migration rate stood at 28.9%, reflecting significant population mobility.
• The data revealed a strong gender difference, with marriage being the dominant reason for female migration, while employment opportunities mainly drove male migration.
