Daily Current Affairs and GK | 5 February 2026

Topic: Defence

1. The 13^th edition of exercise KHANJAR has begun on 4 February 2026 at Misamari in Sonitpur district of Assam.

• KHANJAR is a joint India–Kyrgyzstan military exercise. It will continue for fourteen days.
• It aims to improve coordination and interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations.
• The focus is on joint operations in urban warfare and counter-terrorism scenarios under the United Nations mandate.
• The exercise will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan.
• While India is represented by its Parachute Regiment, Kyrgyzstan has deployed personnel from its Scorpion Brigade.
• Joint military exercises are being organised by India and Kyrgyzstan annually since 2011.
• The venues alternate between the two countries to reflect growing defence ties.
• The 12th edition was held in Kyrgyzstan in March 2025.
• It included exercises in sniping, complex building intervention, mountain craft and specialised counter‑terrorism drills.
• It also included high‑altitude operations and cultural exchanges that reinforced camaraderie between the contingents.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

2. Paradip Port Authority won the First Prize at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025.

• This prize recognises its outstanding performance in cleanliness, sustainability, and community participation.
• The awards are instituted by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• The award ceremony was held in New Delhi on 3 February 2026.
• The award was received by P. L. Haranadh, Chairman of Paradip Port Authority.
• Several MoPSW organisations were also recognised at the Swachhata Pakhwada Awards 2025.
• These organisations were evaluated for their performance during Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 and Swachhata Hi Sewa 2025.
• The initiatives focused on cleanliness drives, citizen participation and Safai Mitra welfare.
• Three core pillars of Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 were successfully implented by the Paradip Port Authority.
• These pillars were Jan Bhagidari, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and Safai Mitra Suraksha.
• As part of Jan Bhagidari, large-scale cleanliness drives were organised.
• The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative focused on plantation and greening efforts.
• Forty thousand saplings were planted at Paradip Sea Beach  to mark the birthday of PM Modi, under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0” campaign.
• Safai Mitra Suraksha focused on the dignity and safety of sanitation workers.
• Innovative programmes such as Scrap to Structure were showcased.
• The Swachhata Pakhwada Awards are organised annually by MoPSW and assess ports on cleanliness, waste management and green initiatives.