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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC 09-02-2026: PLASTINDIA 2026, GPU Tech, and Environmental News

Spardha Daily Brief - 09/02/2026

Spardha Daily Brief

09 February 2026

ECONOMY

1. PLASTINDIA 2026 ♻️

Why in News: The 12th edition of the mega exhibition commenced in Feb 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Theme: "Bharat Next".

This triennial event is organized by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and MSME. It aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

Five Strategic Pillars:

  • Trade: Expanding exports & integrating into global value chains.
  • Technology: Innovation in polymer processing & advanced materials.
  • Talent: Skill development for workforce.
  • Tradition: Linking manufacturing heritage.
  • Tourism: Promoting India as a business hub.

Sustainability Focus: First-ever Zero Waste Exhibition (segregation, recycling, reuse).

ENV

2. Veerangana Durgavati TR 🐅

News: NBWL approved diversion of 272 ha forest land for Kopra irrigation project in the core area.
  • Location: Madhya Pradesh (7th Tiger Reserve). Merged Nauradehi & Durgavati WLS.
  • Landscape: Straddles Narmada & Yamuna basins. Includes Singorgarh Fort.
  • Flora: Dry Deciduous Forests (Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Ber, Amla).
  • Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Hyena. Critical habitat for the White-rumped Vulture.
  • Herbivores: Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambar, Blackbuck.
SPECIES

3. Eurasian Otter 🦦

Context: Rediscovered in Sindh River (Ganderbal, J&K) after disappearance.

Scientific: Lutra lutra. Family: Mustelidae.

Adaptations: Webbed feet, dense insulation fur, closes ears/nostrils underwater. Solitary & elusive.

Habitat: Cold hill streams/rivers. Bio-indicator of clean water.

Conservation Status:

  • 🔴 IUCN: Near Threatened
  • 📜 WPA 1972: Schedule II
  • 🌐 CITES: Appendix I
SCI-TECH

4. GPU Trade (India-US) 💻

News: India-US to increase trade in technology products, specifically GPUs used in data centers.

What is a GPU? A GPU accelerates 3D graphics rendering.

Difference: Unlike CPUs (serial processing), GPUs use parallel processing (multiple cores simultaneously), ideal for heavy computations.

Applications:
• High-performance computing (HPC) & AI
• Weather modeling & simulations
Cryptocurrency mining

GEOGRAPHY

5. Sharda River Corridor 🌊

News: Foundation stone laid at Tanakpur (Uttarakhand) for riverfront & border infra.

  • Origin: Kali River (Great Himalayas, Nanda Devi massif).
  • Course: Forms India-Nepal border. Enters plains at Barmdeo. Joins Ghaghara in UP. Length: 480 km.
  • Tributaries: Dhauliganga, Goriganga, Sarju.
  • Infrastructure: Sharda Barrage feeds the historic Sharda Canal (critical for UP).
MAPPING

6. Shipki La Pass 🏔️

News: Explored as route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

  • Location: Kinnaur, HP (Indo-China border). Near Khab.
  • Altitude: 3,930 m. High motorable pass.
  • Significance: The Sutlej River enters India here.
  • Strategic: Designated LAC post.
  • Trade: One of 3 border trade points (others: Nathu La, Lipulekh).
IR

7. Seychelles & India 🏝️

Cooperation: Maritime trade, Blue Economy, and sustainable development.

Geography: Archipelago of 115 islands in Western Indian Ocean (NE of Madagascar).

  • Capital: Victoria (Mahé island).
  • Geology: Mascarene Plateau. Granitic + Coralline islands.

Strategic: On critical Sea Lanes (SLOCs). Key partner in anti-piracy.

ENV

8. Dalma WLS (Jharkhand) 🐘

News: Jungle Safari launched near Jamshedpur.

  • Loc: Chotanagpur Plateau (Dalma Hills). Est 1975.
  • Flora: Dry Peninsular Sal & Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous.
  • Species: Indian Elephant. Vital Elephant Corridor.
  • Hydrology: Subarnarekha River catchment.
SPORTS

9. SAFF U-19 Women's ⚽

🏆 India Wins! (4-0 vs Bangladesh)

Venue: Pokhara Rangasala, Nepal.

  • Strategy: India fielded U-17 squad (prep for Asian Cup).
  • Scorers: Capt Julan Nongmaithem, Elizabeth Lakra, Pearl Fernandes, Anwita Raghuraman.
STATE

10. UP: e-KCC & Agri 🚜

DIGITAL GOVERNANCE: Loans in 5 mins via e-Kisan Credit Card (was 25-30 days).

Economy

  • Credit Target: ₹3L cr.
  • 96L MSMEs, 3cr families.
  • Exports: ₹1.86L cr (ODOP).
  • Per capita: ₹1.20L.
  • GSDP: ₹36L cr.

Agriculture

  • #1 Rank: Ethanol & Sugar.
  • 16L free tubewells.
  • 21% of India's foodgrains.
  • FPOs: Kasya Milk & Mathura Mustard.

"Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently."

— Maya Angelou

⚡ Quick Revision Cards

♻️

PLASTINDIA

Theme: "Bharat Next". Zero Waste. 5 Pillars: Trade, Tech, Talent, Tradition, Tourism.

🐅

Durgavati TR

7th in MP. Narmada-Yamuna basins. Singorgarh Fort. Vulture habitat.

💻

GPU Trade

Parallel processing for AI/Crypto. India-US focus. Semiconductor ecosystem.

🚜

UP e-KCC

Loans in 5 mins. 16L free tubewells. 96L MSMEs. #1 in Ethanol.

© 2026 Spardha IAS Daily Brief. Excellence Through Practice.
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