February 7, 2026 - Current Affairs

India Develops Lead-Free Self-Powered Photodetector

February 7, 2026

The Department of Science and Technology of India has verified that scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre of Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, have invented a new photodetector that is self-powered and lead-free. It operates on a perovskite (Cs₂AgBiBr₆) material that does not contain toxic lead, and its simplified design, which includes a cheap carbon anode, is produced at room temperature. It is highly sensitive to visible light, does not need an external power source, and has long life cycles of use, making it a greener substitute for electronics, industrial sensors, imaging systems, and security systems.

Advantages of Lead-Free Materials in Photodetector Design

The use of lead-free materials will help to avoid toxic lead, which predisposes health and the environment to hazards in the production, operation and disposal of devices. Replacing lead facilitates safer production, and it is in tandem with the world's aim to be eco-friendly.
The problem of lead poisoning in the past has been solved by using non-toxic elements like magnesium or bismuth in the perovskite structures.
Perspective Lead-free perovskites and other alloys demonstrate their intrinsic stability and eco-friendliness, thereby contributing to the devices and increasing their functionality and efficiency.
Lead-free materials also show good optical characteristics and have been shown to have good light absorption and charge carrier generation and transport that make them good for high photoresponsivity and detectivity in photodetectors.
It removes the requirement to use the expensive encapsulation format and other safety controls necessary when working with a lead-based technology, since less costly fabrication processes can be used, and costs are perhaps lower as well because expensive encapsulation and safety requirements when using lead technologies are done or removed.
Designs that are free of lead allow large-scale application to consumer, industry and environmental sensing markets where the toxicity issue has posed a hindrance to usage before.

Conclusion

The invention of a lead-free, self-powered photodetector by India is a notable achievement towards a cleaner and greener electronic world. The innovation will impact the enduring environmental and energy issues in the design of photodetectors by removing noxious lead present, and will eliminate the necessity of outside power sources. The technology is also ready to be used in real-world implementation, as it is made of durable materials that are cheap and fabricated in an easy process. This development enhances India's leadership in the field of green photonics and provides possibilities of safer applications in imaging, sensing, security and optoelectronics and brings scientific activities in resonance with the environment.

Yumnam Khemchand Set To Be Manipur Chief Minister After President’s Rule Ends

February 7, 2026

Yumnam Khemchand Singh has become the Chief Minister of Manipur, where the President signs an ordinance repealing the President's Rules in the state, and the presidency of Manipur comes under the formal control of the administration of the State. On 4 February 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs made a notification rescinding President-Rule in Art.356 of the Constitution, allowing a government to be elected democratically. After its revocation, the BJP Legislature Party elected as its leader Yumnam Khemchand Singh, who was allowed to take the oath and introduce the oath as the new Chief Minister of Manipur. The end of the central control is the reinstatement of state governance upon his appointment.

President’s Rule in India: Definition, Constitutional Basis & Effects

The President's Rule is the suspension of a state government and that of direct rule by the Union government in accordance with Article 356 of the Constitution of India in cases where a state is not able to operate in conformity with the provisions of the Constitution. The President, at this time, governs the state with the Governor until normality in governance is restored.

President’s Rule and Constitutional Basis & Effects

President's Rule is created according to Article 356 of the Constitution of India when a state government is not functioning in the specified way in accordance with the regulations in the Constitution.
It can be suspended by the report of a Governor or other reliable data on the inefficiency of the constitutional apparatus.
The President makes a proclamation that presupposes the executive powers of the state government.
Both Houses of Parliament are required to approve this proclamation within two months, or else it will stop functioning.
After approval, the President's Rule will be in force for six months at a time.
It may be renewed after every six months (maximum of three years), with parliamentary consent.
The possibility to extend further than a year needs special terms of an emergency in the country or approval that it is impossible to hold elections.

Effects of President’s Rule

The Council of Ministers is replaced, and the chief minister stops being a holder of office.
The State Legislative Assembly can be suspended or dissolved.
The state is governed by the President via the Governor, who has the capacity to be the executive head.
Parliament takes up legislative roles of the state, including budgetary control.
Parliament or the President, through ordinances, makes laws on behalf of the state.
President Rule is rather designed as a provisional solution before democracy is returned to power.

Recently Asked PYQs on the President and Articles

Exam	Year	Question	Options	Correct Answer
UPSC Prelims	2017	Which of the following are not necessarily consequences of the imposition of President’s Rule in a State?	(a) Dissolution of State Assembly (b) Dismissal of Council of Ministers (c) Dissolution of Local Bodies (d) Suspension of Legislature	(a) and (c)
UPSC Prelims	2018	When President’s Rule is imposed in a State, who exercises the powers of the State Legislature?	(a) Governor (b) President (c) Parliament (d) Supreme Court	(c) Parliament
SSC CGL	2022	Under which Article of the Constitution can President’s Rule be imposed in a State?	(a) Article 352 (b) Article 355 (c) Article 356 (d) Article 360	(c) Article 356
SSC CHSL	2020	President’s Rule means the State is governed by:	(a) Chief Minister (b) Governor (c) Parliament through the President (d) Supreme Court	(c) Parliament through the President
RRB NTPC	2021	President’s Rule in a State can continue initially for a maximum period of:	(a) 3 months (b) 6 months (c) 1 year (d) 2 years	(b) 6 months
RRB Group D	2019	Which authority recommends the imposition of President’s Rule in a State?	(a) Supreme Court (b) Election Commission (c) Governor (d) Prime Minister	(c) Governor
UPPSC	2016	President’s Rule was imposed for the first time in India in which State?	(a) Punjab (b) PEPSU (c) Kerala (d) Assam	(b) PEPSU
SSC GD	2018	Approval of the President’s Rule by Parliament must be obtained within:	(a) 1 month (b) 2 months (c) 3 months (d) 6 months	(b) 2 months
MPSC	2020	Which Article empowers Parliament to exercise legislative powers of a State during President’s Rule?	(a) Article 356 (b) Article 357 (c) Article 352 (d) Article 360	(b) Article 357
Railway JE	2019	The maximum duration of President’s Rule in a State is:	(a) 1 year (b) 2 years (c) 3 years (d) 5 years	(c) 3 years

Conclusion (Yumnam Khemchand Becomes Chief Minister of Manipur)

The democratic rule in Manipur is signaled by the appointment of Yumnam Khemchand Singh as Chief Minister of the state and thus the end of the President Rule in the state. His leadership is imperative to a new emphasis on stability, growth, and reconciliation, which promises successful management and political sanity in Manipur.

Elon Musk Becomes First Person in History Worth $800 Billion

February 7, 2026

The net worth of over 800 billion dollars has been the first in the world, held by Elon Musk, making a world record. This was his second milestone following a big company acquisition where his rocket company SpaceX acquired his artificial intelligence firm xAI, putting the combined company with an estimated valuation of approximately 1.25 trillion and making Musk extremely wealthy. The Forbes article reported about the addition of about 84 billion to his fortune, because of the deal, and his total net worth is estimated at 852 billion, by far surpassing the personal fortunes any single person has ever had. The rise of Musk as an impressive financial star indicates the increase in the role of privatized technology and space businesses in the 21st century

World’s First $800 Billion Individual: Elon Musk

Elon Musk is the first person in the world ever who reaches the net worth of more than eight hundred billion dollars.
This is the milestone that was achieved following a significant company restructuring of his company.
His artificial intelligence venture xAI was taken over by SpaceX.
The joint venture was worth a value of about 1.25 trillion.
The acquisition boosted the personal wealth of Musk to a considerable extent.
He increased his estimated net worth to about $850 billion.
The most valuable thing to him was SpaceX.
Musk holds a significant share in the formed firm.
He has become richer in history than any other country in the world.
The success shows the increasing significance of commercial technology and space ventures.

SpaceX’s Dominant Role in Elon Musk’s Record-Breaking Fortune

As xAI is now owned by SpaceX, the rockets and satellites company is by far the most valuable asset of Musk, even compared to Tesla. The existence of SpaceX as the largest part of the wealth foundation of Musk indicates:
Space Leadership: SpaceX has dominated commercial spaceflight due to unmatched competency in the reusable rockets technology, satellite delivery, and space-based services.
Starlink Growth: The Starlink satellite Internet constellation is a multi-hundred-billion-dollar market that offers the internet on a global scale and competes with established telecommunications.
Future Prospects: The long-term growth optionality is due to the continuous creation of Starship to serve lunar and Mars missions.

Conclusion (Elon Musk Becomes First Person Worth $800 Billion)

Elon Musk in becoming the first billionaire with a valuation of 800 billion dollars is a milestone in wealth generation in the world. This milestone indicates the increased strength of the emerging economy of consumers of technologies and space enterprises, largely due to the increased valuation of SpaceX, emerging initiatives such as Starlink, and strategic consolidation, among others.

Renowned Sociologist Andre Beteille Dies In Delhi at 91

February 7, 2026

Andre Beteille was a renowned Indian sociologist and academician who passed away in Delhi in an advanced age of 91 due to illness, family members confirmed. He died on Tuesday evening, and his last wishes were fulfilled on Wednesday. Among other topics, Beteille was an early thinker on caste, social inequality, social class, and politics in India, and was a Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Delhi. Through a long and illustrious career, he wrote influential books and inspired the direction of sociological thinking. He got Padma Bhushan in 2005 owing to his works in literature and education, and was hailed as a moral and intellectual anchor by both his colleagues and students.

Andre Beteille: Early Life and Education

Andre Beteille was born in September 1934 in Chandannagar, which was at the time under French rule.
He was born into a family of a French father and an Indian mother, which made him experience a kind of multicultural background.
He received a multicultural upbringing, and he was brought up in his early life.
His first schooling was done in Chandannagar and Patna.
In 1946, he transferred to Calcutta, where he received higher education.
Firstly, he studied physics at St. Xavier college Calcutta.
He later changed his academic interest to anthropology.
He graduated with his honours and master's in anthropology at the University of Calcutta.
His scholastic training was the basis of his lifelong contribution to sociology.

Professional Journey of Andre Beteille

Andre Beteille graduated from the Delhi School of economics where he started teaching sociology.
He was a Professor of Sociology at the University of Delhi and Professor Emeritus subsequently.
He was a professor and a visiting professor at major universities around the world, such as Oxford, Cambridge, the University of Chicago and the London School of Economics.
The Government of India, in 2007, made him the National Research Professor.
He was the Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University and then Ashoka University.
Andre Beteille wrote powerful books on caste, class, inequality and social theory that developed Indian sociology today.
This earned him the Padma Bhushan on account of his contribution to the academic field.

Biography and Awards of Andre Beteille

In 2005, he was given the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in India, for his work in sociology and literature.
Elected Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) on social sciences.
Jurist on the Infosys Prize in the Social Sciences group in 2010.

Famous Biography of Andre Beteille

Andre Beteille was an Indian sociologist and a renowned Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Delhi.
He, a son of a French father and an Indian mother, was the one to get his MA at Calcutta University and then relocated to Delhi.
Beteille has written many impactful books on Indian society, caste, class and inequality.
His standout publications are Caste, Class and Power, Society and Politics in India, and The Idea of Natural Inequality and Other Essays.
Other famous works are the Studies in Agrarian Social Structure and Chronicles of Our Time.
His career as a sociologist saw him make great contributions to sociological theory as well as teaching.

Conclusion (Renowned Sociologist Andre Beteille)

The death of Andre Beteille signifies the conclusion of the Indian sociological period. His strict studies, teachings and his powerful writings shaped the perception of caste, class and inequality in India. Students, researchers and policymakers in all fields are still guided by his intellectual heritage.