Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 1-2, 2026

Notes:
Archaeologists in Mexico found a 1,400-year-old tomb of the Zapotec culture with an owl sculpture holding a man, colorful murals, and calendar carvings. The Zapotec civilization lived in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, using irrigation from the Atoyac River. They shifted from hunting to farming and developed weaving, pottery, and stone building skills. By 200 Before Common Era to 100 Common Era, they formed a centralized state with Monte Albán as capital. Society had nobles, commoners, priests, rituals, human sacrifice, writing, and calendars. Decline began around 900 Common Era, but Zapotec culture still survives today.

Notes:
The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police conducted Exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh. It was a joint training exercise to improve coordination and combat teamwork between the two forces. This was the first exercise of its kind focusing on inter-force operational integration. Personnel from Spear Corps, artillery regiments, infantry battalions, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police took part. Non-artillery soldiers were trained in artillery procedures and firing missions.

Notes:
A new orchid species named Diplocentrum papillosum was discovered in Kanthalloor, Marayoor, in the Idukki district of Kerala. It belongs to the Diplocentrum genus, which is found only in the southern part of the Western Ghats. The orchid grows on rocks and tree branches and has strong roots to survive high winds. The name papillosum refers to the papillose, or small bump-like, texture of its flowers. It has unbranched flower clusters with pink and white, fragrant, and eye-catching blooms.

Notes:
World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day is observed every year on 30 January by the World Health Organization. It highlights the impact of Neglected Tropical Diseases on poor and underserved communities. Neglected Tropical Diseases affect about one billion people worldwide but are preventable and treatable. In 2024, around 1.4 billion people needed interventions, showing a 36 percent decline since 2010. By early 2026, 58 countries eliminated at least one Neglected Tropical Disease.

Notes:
The Indian Micro-Fertilizers Manufacturers Association will host the 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit and Business-to-Business Expo on 5–6 February 2026 in Mumbai. The event will be held at the National Stock Exchange, Bandra Kurla Complex, Maharashtra. It will bring together policymakers, scientists, startups, industry leaders, and global experts. The theme is “Converge, Collaborate and Co-create” to strengthen India’s agri-input sector.