7th FEBRUARY 2026 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Tamil Nadu's first sea turtle conservation centre - Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone
- Every year, thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles lay eggs on the Tamil Nadu coast. However, due to various threats including mishandling of fishing activities, habitat destruction, and marine pollution, only one or two out of a thousand hatchlings survive to reach maturity.
- Consequently, Tamil Nadu has been making efforts for sea turtle conservation for many years through an integrated, scientific, and multi-disciplinary approach.
- In this regard, the number of sea turtle eggs collected in 2019-2020 was 70,700. Due to the continuous efforts of the Tamil Nadu government, this number has increased to a historic high of 3.20 lakhs in 2024-2025.
- To address the growing scientific and operational challenges in sea turtle conservation, a sea turtle conservation centre is to be established in Guindy, Chennai, at a cost of Rs. 14.50 crore under the 'Tamil Nadu Neithal Restoration Mission' project, in collaboration with the World Bank.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone for the construction of this centre on Friday. This centre will provide specialized infrastructure for scientific research, telemetry, monitoring, and centralized data management.
- With the aim of transforming Tamil Nadu into climate-resilient, livable, and sustainable cities, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released the 'Tamil Nadu State Urban Greening Policy 2026' on Friday.
- This will provide a comprehensive and pioneering framework for integrating trees and urban forests into urban planning and development across the state.
- Amidst global trade uncertainties and financial market volatility caused by Trump's tariffs, and expressing confidence in the sustained strength of domestic demand, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country's central bank, which did not announce any changes to the interest rates on short-term loans it provides to banks (repo rate), has raised its previously projected real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025-26 from 7.3 percent to 7.4 percent.
- This revised forecast is a modest increase from the 7.3 percent growth estimate announced in December. This underscores that Asia's third-largest economy remains relatively insulated from global challenges and continues to be robust.
- India successfully tested the Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.
- The Agni-3 missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was tested in Chandipur, Odisha. The Agni-3 missile has a range of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 kilometers.
- The test, conducted from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, successfully validated all operational and technical aspects of the missile. The missile is a two-stage, solid-fueled system.
- Once the first stage fuel is exhausted, the second stage fuel ignites, propelling the missile further along its trajectory towards the designated target and ensuring precise targeting.
- The final match of the Under-19 50-over World Cup cricket tournament was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. India and England competed in the match. Winning the toss, India elected to bat.
- Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who played brilliantly, scored 175 runs off 80 balls before being dismissed. India posted a massive target of 411 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 50 overs.
- Subsequently, England scored 311 runs in 40.2 overs, losing all their wickets. As a result, India secured a resounding victory by 100 runs. With this victory, India has won the Under-19 World Cup title for the 6th time.
