Daily Current Affairs – 03-02-2026

Sports News

AIFF Sells Media Rights to FanCode for ₹8.6 Crore

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sold the media rights for the truncated 2025/26 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) to FanCode, a digital streaming service owned by Dream Sports, for ₹8.6 crore. This was confirmed by the AIFF after FanCode emerged as the strongest bidder among seven parties vying for the media rights to broadcast and stream the league. In the bid process, KPS Studios secured the rights to produce the world feed of the league, despite being the lowest bidder among two contenders. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the media rights was issued on January 18, 2026, and a pre-bid conference took place on January 24, 2026, with Sony and Zee Media participating. The last date for submitting technical bids was on February 1, 2026. Companies were evaluated based on technical capabilities (70%) and financial strength (30%). The companies with a minimum worth of ₹10 crore and experience in broadcasting top-tier leagues for three consecutive years were eligible to bid. This year, the media rights have significantly reduced in value, with the 2024/25 season fetching ₹275 crore for 163 matches, whereas the current season’s rights were awarded for only ₹8.6 crore for 91 matches.

Anahat Singh Wins Fayer Open Squash Championship

Anahat Singh from India became the champion in the women's category at the Squash On Fayer Open tournament held in Washington, USA, on February 2, 2026. In the final, she defeated Georgina Kennedy, the world number 10 from England, with scores of 12-10, 11-5, 11-7. This victory marks Anahat Singh's first PSA Pro-level championship title and her 15th PSA Tour title overall, with wins in 26 tournaments. As a result of this triumph, she advanced to the 19th position in the world rankings for the first time, becoming the youngest player at the age of 17 to break into the top 20 rankings.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov Wins Tata Steel Masters Chess Tournament

In the Tata Steel Masters Chess Tournament held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, Nodirbek Abdusattorov from Uzbekistan won the championship by securing 9 points after defeating Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi in the final and 13th round. Abdusattorov clinched first place and emerged as the champion. India's Gukesh D., the World Champion, drew his final round match with Germany's Vincent Keymer, finishing in a tie for 8th place with 6.5 points, alongside Anish Giri of the Netherlands and Pentala Harikrishna of Slovenia. Abrahmand finished in 11th place with 5.5 points, while Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram finished in 12th and 13th places respectively, with 4.5 points each. As a result of his underperformance, Gukesh lost 5.8 points in the live rating and dropped to 10th place with 2748.2 points. Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi dropped 7 places to 12th with 2745.1 points, and Praggnanandhaa dropped 6 places to 14th with 2741.2 points.

AIFF Sells Media Rights to FanCode for ₹8.6 Crore

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has sold the media rights for the 2025/26 Indian Super League to FanCode, an online digital streaming service owned by Dream Sports, for ₹8.6 crore. The Request for Proposal (RFP) for this season’s media rights was issued on January 18, 2026, and the final bids were submitted by seven companies. FanCode emerged as the highest bidder, surpassing competitors such as Sony and Zee Media. The total media rights value for this season has significantly decreased compared to last year, with Jio/Viacom paying ₹275 crore for 163 matches in the 2024/25 season, while FanCode paid ₹8.6 crore for 91 matches this year. The media rights have been divided into five packages, including TV broadcasts and digital streaming, with different bidders winning each package. The AIFF has successfully secured a broadcaster for the season, despite the reduced value of its media rights.

International News

US President Donald Trump Approves Trade Deal with India

On February 2, 2026, US President Donald Trump granted preliminary approval to a trade agreement with India. The deal includes a reduction in the tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. This announcement follows a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump, confirming the deal. The approval is significant as it coincides with the visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to the United States. The trade agreement aims to enhance US-India relations by focusing on areas like trade, politics, economy, and investment. India is set to prioritize its relations with the United States in sectors like trade, education, sports, and communication. The reduction in tariffs is expected to benefit 140 crore Indian people. The trade relationship between the two countries is expected to grow, with a target of reaching $500 billion in trade this year.

Costa Rica Presidential Election: Ruling Party Candidate Wins

In the presidential election held in Costa Rica on February 2, 2026, the ruling party candidate, Laura Fernández, won by securing 48.9% of the votes. According to the country’s electoral law, a candidate needs 40% of the votes to win in the first round, thus avoiding the second round of voting that was scheduled for April 2026. Fernández's opponent, Pontsantrà Pruini, received 33% of the votes and conceded defeat, stating that he would function as a constructive opposition to the new government. Laura Fernández, 39, is a strong supporter of President Rodrigo Chaves and has previously served as the Minister of Planning and Presidential Affairs. She has pledged to continue advancing President Chaves' pro-people policies and has declared that the old political system of Costa Rica is over. Along with the presidential election, a parliamentary election was held for the 57-seat parliament, where Fernández’s party won 30 seats, securing a majority. However, to implement the changes she aims for, including amending the country's basic legal structure and creating the ‘third republic’, she needs 38 seats (an absolute majority) in parliament.

Tamil Nadu News

CM M.K. Stalin Announces World-Class Infrastructure at Mamallapuram

During the inaugural session of the Global Tourism Summit in Mamallapuram, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the establishment of a Special Area Development Authority to develop world-class tourism infrastructure in the region, with an investment of ₹100 Crores. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Department has set a target for 2026 and is working on expanding various categories like marine tourism, adventure tourism, archaeological tourism, pilgrimage tourism, rural tourism, leisure tourism, and sports tourism. The sector's development includes projects like the Neethi Museum, Porunai Museum, and the Glass Bridge at the Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari. Over the past five years, ₹612.18 Crores has been allocated for tourism development, and over 128.97 crore domestic tourists and 45 lakh international tourists have visited Tamil Nadu. The state is also focusing on improving tourist infrastructure in districts such as Kanyakumari, Kallakurichi, Erode, and Thoothukudi, with a budget allocation for hill stations, water bodies, and forest areas. Additionally, 31 locations across Tamil Nadu have been selected for the next phase, including urban tourism and special centers, with plans for water parks, cable sites, and nature-experience locations. 127 MoUs worth ₹22,794 Crores were signed at the summit, promising employment for 65,937 people. The chief minister also inaugurated completed tourism development projects in Mayiladuthurai, Chidambaram, and Mamallapuram and laid the foundation stone for a new Hotel Tamil Nadu in Mayiladuthurai.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Tamil Nadu Scientist Veerabhadran Ramanathan Receives Crafoord Prize

Veerabhadran Ramanathan, a renowned climate scientist from Tamil Nadu, has been awarded the prestigious Crafoord Prize in Earth Sciences on February 2, 2026, for his significant contributions to climate science. The award, presented by the Milton and Stevens Foundation, is considered the Nobel Prize for Earth Sciences. Ramanathan's research has been instrumental in understanding the impact of clouds and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) on global warming, particularly their role in heating the Earth far more than carbon dioxide. Since 1975, he has worked with the Vincent Scientific Foundation in the United States, where he discovered that CFCs are 10,000 times more effective than carbon dioxide at warming the atmosphere. His groundbreaking research reshaped our understanding of global warming and its environmental impacts. Ramanathan also helped in understanding the timing of the monsoon by studying aerosols in the South Asian atmosphere. He was born in Sri Lanka and grew up in Chennai, India, after his family migrated to Madurai. He studied at Annamalai University and the Indian Institute of Science, beginning his career as an engineer. Currently, he is a professor at University of California, San Francisco, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego. He was awarded 8 million Swedish Kroner (approximately ₹8.25 Crores) as part of the Crafoord Prize.

Dalai Lama Wins Grammy Award for Best Audiobook

Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, was awarded the Grammy Award in the Best Audiobook category for his work, "Meditation: The Reflection of the Dalai Lama". The award, presented at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, USA, marked the Dalai Lama's first Grammy win. Despite criticism from China, which accused the award of having political motives, the Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude and humility, stating that the recognition was for humanity's self-control. The Dalai Lama's victory in the fiercely competitive category surpassed works by other notable figures, including US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. He accepted the award, emphasizing that it was not a personal achievement but a recognition of values such as peace, love, compassion, and the oneness of humanity. The Dalai Lama has been living in Dharamsala, India, since 1959, after fleeing Tibet due to China's military actions. The selection of his successor remains a matter of contention, with China asserting that the next Dalai Lama will be born in Tibet, while the Dalai Lama states that his successor's birthplace is irrelevant.

National News

Bullet Train to Connect Chennai and Bengaluru in 1 Hour 13 Minutes

In the Union Budget of 2026, ₹7,611 Crores have been allocated for Tamil Nadu's railway projects, as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The budget also outlines that the bullet train project will enable travel between Chennai and Bengaluru in 1 hour and 13 minutes. Two bullet train projects are planned: the Chennai-Bengaluru and Chennai-Hyderabad corridors, designed to run at speeds of 350 kmph. The travel time between Chennai and Hyderabad will be 2 hours and 55 minutes. These high-speed trains are expected to boost the overall economic growth in southern India by improving transport, tourism, and education sectors. Additionally, the Tamil Nadu government is progressing with various railway works including track laying and station upgrades worth ₹35,701 Crores. 77 stations are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, and electrification work in the state has reached 97% completion. To support these projects, 4,346 hectares of land are required, with 1,052 hectares already acquired. Southern Railway officials confirmed the completion of Tambaram railway station and the ongoing renovation of Egmore station, expected to be completed by next year.

Underground Railway Line to Connect Siliguri and North Eastern States

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that an underground railway line will be constructed in Siliguri, West Bengal, to connect the North Eastern states with mainland India. The underground railway will stretch over 40 km in the Siliguri corridor, a narrow region that is 60 km long and 22 km wide. This area is strategically important as it borders Nepal and Bangladesh on either side, with additional security concerns arising from the Bhutan border, as well as threats from China and Bangladesh. To enhance security and improve connectivity, this underground railway project has been approved. In addition, the current railway track in this corridor will be upgraded to a four-lane track. The project is viewed as a significant development for both security and regional connectivity.