World Wetlands Day: 02 February 2026
Theme: “Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage“
World Cancer Day: 04 February 2026
Theme: United Unique
2026 Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
- Hosts: Zimbabwe and Namibia
- Winners: India (6th title)
- Runners-up: England
- Player of the tournament: Vaibhav Suryavanshi
- Rajasthan ranked first among India’s wool-producing states in 2026, producing about 16,013.50 thousand kilograms of wool, which accounts for nearly 47.53 per cent of the nation’s total output. The state’s arid climate and vast grasslands provide ideal conditions for large-scale sheep rearing. Indigenous breeds such as Marwari and Chokla are well suited to these conditions and mainly yield coarse wool used in carpets, rugs, and blankets.
- 45th is the position secured India in the Network Readiness Index 2025 after climbing four places globally among 127 economies. The improvement reflects steady progress in digital infrastructure, technology adoption, and innovation-driven growth. India’s overall score also increased compared to the previous year, indicating stronger digital foundations.
- In the Henley Passport Index 2026, India secured the 75th position, marking a significant improvement from its 85th rank in 2025. This 10-place jump represents one of the country’s strongest performances in recent years. The ranking reflects the number of destinations Indian passport holders can access without a prior visa, including visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa options. Indian citizens now have access to 56 countries, up from 52 the previous year, enhancing global mobility for tourism and business travel while improving India’s standing in international travel freedom.
- Sanae Takaichi was formally reappointed as Japan’s Prime Minister after achieving a historic two-thirds majority in the snap lower house elections. Her victory provided a strong political mandate to advance constitutional reforms, strengthen national defence, and expand intelligence capabilities. As Japan’s first woman Prime Minister, she has emphasized proactive fiscal policies, suspension of food consumption tax to manage inflation, and the creation of a National Intelligence Agency.
2026 Women’s Premier League (cricket)
- Winners: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Runners-up: Delhi Capitals
- Player of the series: Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants)
- Most Runs: Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)
- Most Wickets: Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants)
79th British Academy Film Awards 2026
- Best Film: One Battle After Another directed Paul Thomas Anderson
- Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another
- Best Actor: Robert Aramayo for I Swear
- Best Actress: Jessie Buckley for Hamnet
- Best Children’s and Family Film: Manipuri film Boong directed Lakshmipriya Devi
BBC Sportswomen Awards 2026
- BBC Indian Sportswomen of the Year 2025 Award: Smriti Mandhana (cricket)
- BBC Emerging Indian Player of the Year 2025 Award: Divya Deshmukh (chess)
- BBC Para Sportswomen of the Year 2025 Award: Preeti Pal
- BBC ISWOTY Lifetime Achievement award 2025 Award: Anjali Bhagwat (shooting)
Australian Open 2026
| Title | Winner | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Singles | Carlos Alcaraz (Spain) | Novak Djokovic (Serbia) |
| Women’s Singles | Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan) | Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) |
Banking affairs
- R Vijay Anandh has been approved the Reserve Bank of India as the new Managing Director and CEO of City Union Bank for a three-year term beginning May 1, 2026. His appointment is subject to shareholder approval and comes with a fixed annual remuneration of ₹2.50 crore.
- Indian Overseas Bank introduced an Online Death Claim Settlement Portal to provide a simplified, transparent, and time-bound solution for families and legal heirs. The digital platform enables online submission of claimant details, document uploads, and real-time tracking of claim status, eliminating the need for repeated branch visits. For claims up to ₹15 lakh, the bank has removed the requirement of third-party surety and reduced documentation, ensuring settlement within 15 days. Alongside this initiative, the bank also launched a new corporate website, reinforcing its commitment to digital transformation while maintaining a compassionate, customer-centric approach.