{"id":65928,"date":"2026-02-04T18:17:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:47:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=65928"},"modified":"2026-02-04T18:22:32","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:52:32","slug":"news-in-short-04-02-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-02-2026\/news-in-short-04-02-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 04-02-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>New START Treaty<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/IR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Experts caution that the expiry of the<strong> New START Treaty <\/strong>would eliminate the last remaining legally binding constraint on the nuclear arsenals of the world\u2019s two largest nuclear powers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Background&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The term START originates from the <strong>\u201cStrategic Arms Reduction Treaty,\u201d<\/strong> with the first agreement, START-I, signed between the <strong>US and the former USSR in 1991 and coming into force in 1994.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>START-I limited each side to 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) but expired in 2009.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0It was succeeded by the<strong> Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT, also called the Treaty of Moscow)<\/strong> and later by the <strong>New START treaty<\/strong> (signed in 2010 &amp; entered into force in 2011)<strong>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The<strong> New START treaty <\/strong>caps the number of deployed strategic warheads at 1,550 on each side, with no more than 700 deployed ground- or submarine-launched missiles and bomber planes, and 800 launchers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Implications of Expiration&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Without a treaty, Russia and the US could freely expand their arsenals, risking a renewed nuclear arms race amid global tensions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The absence of a framework heightens nuclear risks and removes the transparency and stability that arms control agreements provide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/defence\/international\/us-russia-nuclear-treaty-nears-expiry-kremlin-warns-of-dangerous-moment-why-new-start-matters-for-global-security\/articleshow\/127897834.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>\u00a0Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance\/GS3(Economy)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>PM VIKAS has allocated targets to train about 1.51 lakh beneficiaries through Project Implementing Agencies across States and UTs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a Central Sector Scheme which is being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u00a0 focusing on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities through the following:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>minority groups\u2014Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background has-fixed-layout\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><br>Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jain and Zoroastrians (Parsis) have been notified as minority communities under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Features&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The implementing agencies must ensure candidate placement in accordance with the scheme guidelines, as stipulated in the MoUs signed with the Ministry.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For non-traditional (modern) skilling, Project Implementing Agencies are required to place at least 75% of trained beneficiaries in employment (wage, self-employment, or apprenticeship), with a minimum of 50% placed in the organized sector as defined under NSQF\/Common Cost Norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222788&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>What is Suborbital Tourism?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blue Origin has suspended its<strong> New Shepard suborbital space tourism programme<\/strong> for at least two years to prioritise development of <strong>NASA\u2019s Artemis lunar lander.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Suborbital Tourism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Suborbital tourism refers to<strong> short-duration spaceflights that cross the 100 km K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line<\/strong>, widely accepted as the <strong>boundary of outer space<\/strong>, but do not place the spacecraft into Earth orbit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These flights follow a <strong>parabolic trajectory<\/strong>, where the vehicle ascends steeply and then <strong>descends back to Earth<\/strong>. Unlike orbital missions, suborbital vehicles do not achieve the high horizontal velocity required to remain in orbit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The flight duration is brief, usually <strong>around 10\u201315 minutes, making suborbital tourism significantly cheaper <\/strong>and technologically less complex than orbital space travel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>During the coasting phase, passengers <strong>experience microgravity (weightlessness) for a few minutes <\/strong>and can observe the curvature of the Earth against the blackness of space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India has Entered an Elite Group of Possessing SFDR Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>DRDO successfully demonstrated <strong>Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology <\/strong>from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, advancing <strong>India&#8217;s long-range air-to-air missile capabilities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SFDR is a missile propulsion system that uses a ramjet engine to provide sustained thrust. Unlike traditional rockets, it is an air-breathing system, meaning it does not carry an onboard oxidizer, using atmospheric oxygen instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since ramjets only function at high speeds, the missile is first launched using a nozzle-less solid booster to reach supersonic speeds (Mach 2+).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eef1d9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"529\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-25.png\" alt=\"solid fuel ducted ramjet\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-65929\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eef1d9; aspect-ratio:1.916718564230312;width:459px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-25.png 529w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-25-300x157.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 529px) 100vw, 529px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic Significance for India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Long-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (LRAAM): <\/strong>SFDR will power the Astra Mark-3, enabling it to intercept high-speed, maneuvering enemy aircraft at ranges exceeding 150\u2013300 km.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Expanded &#8220;No-Escape Zone&#8221;:<\/strong> Because the missile stays &#8220;powered&#8221; until the very end, it can perform high-G turns near the target, making it nearly impossible for an enemy jet to out-maneuver it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surface-to-Air Application: <\/strong>It can be adapted for futuristic SAM systems (like the proposed SAM-X) to defend against hypersonic or highly agile cruise missiles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) <\/strong>has sanctioned \u20b980,224.15 crore in loans for over 1.5 lakh projects, mobilising investments of \u20b91.27 lakh crore since 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a <strong>central sector scheme<\/strong> to mobilize <strong>medium and long-term debt financing<\/strong> for the development of post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It<strong> focuses on strengthening agri-logistics, reducing post-harvest losses, promoting modern storage<\/strong>, processing and value-addition facilities and improving farm-gate level infrastructure for efficient supply chains.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under the scheme, banks and financial institutions provide loans<strong> with 3% per annum interest subvention <\/strong>by Government of India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Loan tenure is up to 7 years with a moratorium of up to 2 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Credit guarantee coverage for loans up to \u20b92 crore is also supported under <strong>Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Components B and C of Pradhan Mantri \u2013 Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) for solarisation of grid-connected agriculture pumps and standalone solar pumping systems were included as eligible assets for availing AIF benefits in convergent mode in September 2020.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2222807&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>VOPPA Order, 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Government of India has strengthened regulatory oversight of the <strong>edible oil value chain<\/strong> through the <strong>VOPPA Order, 2025<\/strong>, issued under the <strong>Essential Commodities Act, 1955.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The amended Order mandates compulsory registration of all manufacturers, processors, blenders and re-packers of edible oils on the <strong>National Single Window System (NSWS) and the VOPPA portal<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Registered entities must submit monthly returns on production, stocks, imports, sales and consumption of edible oils, including vanaspati and blended oils.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Impacts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India imports nearly <strong>60% of edible oil needs<\/strong>; VOPPA counters hoarding\/pricing volatility, supporting food security amid Budget 2026 fiscal goals.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Debt-to-GDP Ratio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the Union Budget 2026\u201327, the Finance Minister signalled a strategic shift in fiscal policy focus from short-term fiscal deficit targets to a <strong>medium-term debt-to-GDP ratio.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government has set a target to bring <strong>India\u2019s debt-to-GDP ratio down to 50%<\/strong> by FY 2030\u201331, with a flexibility band of \u00b11%.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Debt-to-GDP Ratio<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It measures to<strong>tal public debt as a percentage of GDP.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It indicates a <strong>country\u2019s capacity to service and repay its debt.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lower ratio means better fiscal sustainability and investor confidence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why is this Shift Important?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Fiscal Sustainability Perspective:<\/strong> High debt limits government\u2019s ability to spend during crises, invest in infrastructure and social sectors &amp; debt-based targeting ensures intergenerational equity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Post-COVID Context:<\/strong> India\u2019s debt increased sharply after pandemic stimulus &amp; higher welfare spending.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Best Practice: <\/strong>Many countries use debt anchors instead of only fiscal deficit limits. This aligns India with international fiscal responsibility norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: PIB<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Waste-pickers Enumeration Under NAMASTE Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Social Justice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For the first time, the Union government has released <strong>nationwide enumeration data of waste-pickers under the NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The data highlights deep caste-based social stratification in i<strong>nformal urban sanitation work.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over 52 lakh waste-pickers were enumerated across 35 States\/UTs, with 84.5% from SC, ST, and OBC communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Delhi and Goa, the majority of waste-pickers are from the General category.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About NAMASTE Scheme<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Launched as a <strong>Central Sector initiative<\/strong> by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Scheme integrates waste-pickers into formal solid waste management from FY 2024-25. It provides ID cards via a mobile app, safety gear, skill training, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, e-Shram registration, and capital subsidies for waste vehicles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/845-of-152-lakh-waste-pickers-profiled-so-far-come-from-sc-st-and-obc-communities\/article70587503.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> In News <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Experts caution that the expiry of the New START Treaty would eliminate the last remaining legally binding constraint on the nuclear arsenals of the world\u2019s two largest nuclear powers. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Background\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The term START originates from the \u201cStrategic Arms Reduction Treaty,\u201d with the first agreement, START-I, signed between the US and the former USSR in 1991 and coming into force in 1994.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> START-I limited each side to 6,000 nuclear warheads and 1,600 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) but expired in 2009. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> \u00a0It was succeeded by the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT, also called the Treaty of Moscow) and later by the New START treaty (signed in 2010 &#038; entered into force in 2011).\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/04-02-2026\/news-in-short-04-02-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-65928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65928"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":65933,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/65928\/revisions\/65933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=65928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}