Spardha Daily Brief
Excellence Through Practice
Mastering Current Affairs:
Beyond the Headlines.
From India’s Energy Week 2026 to the rare blood-red auroras in Ladakh, we condense thousands of data points into actionable insights for your exams.
Energy Week
India and Canada sign Energy Statement at IEW 2026 in Goa.
PFRDA Pilot
NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme integrates health financial benefits.
Defence Up
Indigenous upgrade for Pechora Missile System completed.
AI University
MSDE & Google Cloud partner with CCSU Meerut for AI pilot.
Jan 31 News Pulse
Rare red aurora observed at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.
Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary declared Maoist-free.
Sunetra Pawar appointed Maharashtra's 1st Woman DCM.
History Made
SPORTS RECORDNovak Djokovic becomes the first man with **100+ match wins on all three Grand Slam surfaces** (Hard, Grass, Clay).
Canada Geography & Energy
India and Canada signed a Joint Statement on Energy Cooperation on the sidelines of **India Energy Week (IEW) 2026** in Goa.
Borders & Maritime
Shares longest bi-national land border with USA. Bounded by Arctic (North), Atlantic (East), Pacific (West). Maritime boundaries with Greenland and French islands Saint Pierre & Miquelon.
Physiography
Ranges: **Rocky, St. Elias, Laurentian**. Important Rivers: **Mackenzie, Yukon, Saint Lawrence**. 4 Great Lakes form the boundary with USA (Superior, Huron, Ontario, Erie); **Lake Michigan** is entirely in USA.
7 Major Climatic Regions
Tehri Dam & Lake
UttarakhandAn artificial reservoir formed on the Bhagirathi River. In news due to SDRF rescue of paraglider pilots during the **Acro Festival 2026**.
Dam Stats
Height: 260m (India's Tallest)
Lake Stats
Depth: 262m | Length: 42km
Hydro Cap.
1000MW + 1000MW (Pumped)
Managed by THDC India Limited, a subsidiary of NTPC.
NPS Swasthya Pilot
A Proof of Concept initiative by **PFRDA** under the Regulatory Sandbox framework. Integrates medical benefits with NPS.
Coverage
Out-patient and in-patient medical expenses.
Eligibility
Any Indian citizen with NPS account. Those >40 years can transfer 30% corpus.
Sunetra Pawar: Historic Move
Appointed **Maharashtra's First Woman Deputy Chief Minister** on 31 January 2026, following the demise of Ajit Pawar.
- Excise & Sports Portfolio
- Rajya Sabha Member (NCP)
- Ceremony at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai
Hanle Dark Sky Reserve
Blood-red auroral activity captured by Indian Astronomical Observatory.
Solar Storm
Triggered by an **X-class radiation storm**, most intense since 2003.
Altitudes
Red auroras occur above 200km where the atmosphere is thin.
Sunabeda Sanctuary
From Maoist Hotbed to Leopard Haven (Odisha).
Terrain
Plateaus, canyons, and **11 waterfalls**. Catchment area for Jonk River.
Fauna
Ideal habitat for **Barasingha (Swamp Deer)** and over 70 leopards.
Pechora Missile Upgrade
Indigenous upgrade of the **S-125 Pechora** SAM system for the IAF by Bengaluru's Alpha Design.
| Radar | 4R90 Yatagan |
| Firing Range | 30 - 35.4 km |
| Engage Alt. | 20m - 25km |
| Kill Prob. | 92% |
Global IR: IRGC Designation
The EU designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran's most powerful force created after the 1979 revolution.
Core Power
Oversees strategic weapons and the **Basij Resistance Force**. Reports directly to Iran's Supreme Leader.
Tennis Milestone: 400 Grand Slam Wins
"First man with 100+ match wins on Hard, Grass, and Clay."
AO 2026 Record
Landmark win against **Botic van de Zandschulp**. Equalled Federer's 102 match wins at the Australian Open.
The 400 Club Status
Djokovic (400) > Federer (369) > Nadal (314). Continues to extend Open Era records at age 38.
AI Enabled State University
Meerut, UPAnnounced at Google AI for Learning Forum, New Delhi.
Pilot Center
Chaudhary Charan Singh Univ (CCSU)
Concept
National "Living Laboratory" for AI
Tech Partner
Google Cloud Platform
Goal
Inclusive adaptive learning tutors
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