Daily Current Affairs Quiz08 & 09 February, 2026 International Affairs 1. Mount Aconcagua Source: News on Air Context: Indian mountaineer Kabak Yano from Arunachal Pradesh successfully summited Mount Aconcagua in Argentina as part of her Seven Summits expedition. What is Mount Aconcagua? Location National Affairs 1. Agni-3 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Source: News on Air Context: India successfully test-fired the Agni-3 Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, validating its operational readiness and reliability, according to PIB What is Agni-3? Agni-3 is an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) with a strike range of about 3,000 km, forming a critical component of India’s land-based nuclear deterrent under the Agni missile family. It strengthens India’s ability to deter long-range strategic threats and contributes to credible minimum deterrence. Developed and Operated By Key Features of Agni-3 Feature Details Range ~3,000 km Category Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Propulsion Two-stage, solid-fuel Launch Platform Road-mobile launcher (canisterised variants tested earlier) Payload Conventional or nuclear warhead Guidance Advanced inertial navigation system with high accuracy Operational Status Successfully validated in 2026 test 2. Dal Lake Source: TH What is the news? The Jammu and Kashmir government has officially abandoned the ₹416.72-crore Dal Lake resettlement project after 17 years, citing only 27% progress since its approval in 2009. The information was shared in the J&K Assembly in response to a question by Tanvir Sadiq. Dal Lake 3. India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme Source: PIB Context: On 6 February 2026, Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the India–Netherlands Hydrogen Fellowship Programme in New Delhi. The launch was led by DST Secretary Abhay Karandikar, under the Ministry of Science & Technology. DST also hosted the signing of an MoU between the University of Groningen and 19 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to establish an academic cooperation framework in green energy and hydrogen (H₂) research. About the Fellowship Programme A bilateral research fellowship programme aimed at building human capital and advanced research capacity to support the scale-up of green hydrogen technologies in India through collaboration with the Netherlands. Scheme Launch Details Who can apply? The programme is open to: 3. VOC Port becomes India’s first port to deploy an advanced Anti-Drone System Source: TH Context: In February 2026, V.O. Chidambaranar Port at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, became the first port in India to initiate installation of an advanced Anti-Drone System, significantly strengthening maritime and coastal security. Key Features of the Anti-Drone Project Technology & System Design Capabilities 4. NSO launches beta version of ‘MCP Server’ on eSankhyiki Portal Source: PIB Context: In February 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server on the eSankhyiki portal. This initiative allows users to directly connect official government datasets with their own Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and applications. What is the MCP Server? The Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server is a data-access interface that enables: It represents a shift from static data downloads to API-driven, AI-ready statistical infrastructure. What is eSankhyiki? eSankhyiki is the official digital data dissemination portal of the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). It provides open, standardised, and machine-readable access to India’s official statistics. Datasets Available in the Beta Version The MCP Server currently hosts seven key datasets: 5. Cybersecurity biggest risk for enterprises: Ficci–EY Report Source: BS Context: A joint report by FICCI and EY finds that cybersecurity has emerged as the single biggest risk shaping organisational performance in India’s corporate sector. The findings are based on a survey of senior executives across sectors and reflect how risk perception in enterprises is rapidly evolving. Key risks identified: Banking/Finance 1. Why borrowings are now biting govts despite RBI rate cuts Source: IE Context: Even as the Reserve Bank of India has cut policy rates, borrowing costs for the Centre and States have risen. Government bond yields are climbing, making debt servicing more expensive. This shows that fiscal and liquidity dynamics are now overpowering monetary easing. What is driving higher borrowing costs? 1. Debt overhang effect A large stock of debt itself pushes yields up, regardless of repo rate cuts. 2. Liquidity withdrawal Earlier: Now: Less liquidity + large government borrowing = higher bond yields. 3. Weak monetary transmission Monetary easing loses traction in the bond market. 4. Crowding-out pressure This can raise economy-wide interest rates and dampen growth. Why does this matter? Fiscal stress Growth risk Policy lesson Way forward 2. India Signs DPI Cooperation MoUs with 23 Countries Context: In February 2026, the Government of India (GoI) signed MoUs/agreements with 23 countries to share and promote India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and components of the India Stack.This was informed to Parliament by Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. What is the initiative about? India is exporting its DPI model—open, interoperable, population-scale digital systems—to partner countries to strengthen digital governance, financial inclusion, and service delivery. Key Areas of Cooperation The MoUs focus on: Countries that signed DPI MoUs (23) Global Expansion of UPI India’s flagship digital payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), is now operational in 8 countries: 3. Kotak Mahindra Bank issues India’s first fully digital FPI licence Source: BS Context: In February 2026, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited (KMBL) became the first custodian in India to issue a Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) licence and complete the entire onboarding process digitally using e-signatures. What is the significance? This marks a major step in: It reflects India’s shift towards end-to-end digital financial infrastructure. Key Details of the Digital FPI Process 1. SEBI’s Unified Digital Workflow 2. Legal Compliance 3. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Milestone 4. India shifts to Risk-Based Deposit Insurance Premiums Source: ET Context: From 1 April, India will overhaul its deposit insurance premium framework, moving from a flat-rate system to a risk-based pricing model.The reform was announced by the Reserve Bank of India and will be implemented by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). What was the earlier system? What is