Current Affairs 09 February 2026

Ashwini Vaishnaw Opens Zetwerk Electronics Plant in Bengaluru.

• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw opened Zetwerk's mega electronics plant in Bengaluru for defense, auto, and IT hardware.
• The government hiked manufacturing scheme funds to ₹40,000cr, targeting $500B production by 2031 under Silicon 2.0.
• India has trained 67,000 engineers for chip design, mapping a path from 28nm to 7nm for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

India-Netherlands Green Hydrogen Partnership Launched.

• India and Netherlands launched a Hydrogen Fellowship and an IIT-Groningen partnership to boost clean energy research.
• The initiatives focus on hydrogen technology innovation, capacity building, and system integration for green energy.
• These collaborations support India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the 2070 Net-Zero emissions target goals.

South Africa's Historic Local FMD Vaccine Rollout.

• South Africa’s ARC rolled out its first local FMD (foot-and-mouth disease) vaccine in 20 years to boost self-sufficiency and animal health.
• The strategy aims to scale production to 20,000 doses weekly to regain FMD-free status and secure global exports.
• This proactive, science-led approach protects cloven-hoofed livestock from the viral disease and stabilizes rural economies.

India, Seychelles Forge Closer Ties on Maritime Trade & Blue Economy.

• India and Seychelles emphasized maritime trade, the blue economy, and sustainable development at the Indo-Seychelles Business Roundtable in Mumbai, marking 50 years of relations.
• Talks centered on India’s MAHASAGAR vision for Indian Ocean cooperation & Mumbai’s emerging role as a maritime hub.
• Both nations seek deeper collaboration in ports, renewable energy, and new waterfront projects.

President Inaugurates Bastar Pandum Festival in Chhattisgarh.

• President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Bastar Pandum festival in Jagdalpur, spotlighting Bastar’s tribal culture.
• The festival features 700+ artists from 84 teams in 12 cultural disciplines, including tribal dances, crafts, cuisine, and music.
• The President noted improvements in security & hope after long periods of Maoist violence, & emphasized the fest as a window to Bastar’s traditions.