Current Affairs 02 March 2026

India’s first amorphous metal manufacturing unit in Andhra Pradesh

• Japan-based Proterial will invest about $80 million (~₹720 crore) to set up India’s first amorphous metal manufacturing unit in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.
• Amorphous metal is an electrical-grade steel used in power transformers; demand is rising with power-sector expansion and efficiency-focused initiatives.
• The plant’s Phase-1 capacity is 30,000 tonnes, and the A.P. unit will raise Proterial’s total amorphous metal capacity to about 1 lakh tonnes.
• Using amorphous metal can improve transformer efficiency by up to ~60%, helping reduce power losses.

New Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court

• The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended Justice Lisa Gill for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
• The Collegium also adopted a policy to transfer a judge proposed as Chief Justice two months before the vacancy arises to ensure a smooth transition.

A.P. Agriculture & Housing Roadmap 2026

• Andhra Pradesh government targets completion of 10.63 lakh houses in 2026 and housing for all eligible poor by 2029.
• Free house sites to be provided to 2.2 lakh families (2 cents in urban & 3 cents in rural areas).

Agriculture Reforms:

• Promotion of AI-based agronomist services and large-scale farm mechanisation.
• ₹14,230 crore investments mobilised in the food processing sector.
• A.P. contributes ~10% to India’s agricultural GDP.

Jammu & Kashmir wins first-ever Ranji Trophy title

• Jammu & Kashmir created history by winning the Ranji Trophy for the first time.
• It marks a landmark moment for cricket in the Union Territory, highlighting the rise of new regional teams in India’s domestic cricket structure.
• The Ranji Trophy is India’s premier domestic first-class cricket championship, organised by the BCCI.
• The championship was first organised in 1934-35.

National Science Day 2026 – 28 February

National Science Day is celebrated every year on 28 February to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman, for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. Theme for 2026: “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”.

PM inaugurates and lays foundation for projects worth ₹2,700 crore in Puducherry

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹2,700 crore in Puducherry.
• The projects cover infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, mobility, water management and tourism.
• Puducherry has been included in the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ scheme, ensuring more funds for development works.
• Puducherry’s development vision is guided by the unique “BEST” mantra given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism.

U.S.- Israel – Iran war

• The United States and Israel carried out major coordinated air strikes on Iran, targeting key military and leadership locations in Tehran and other areas.
• Iran retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at Israel and U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) reportedly announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route.

Centre temporarily suspends rice fortification under PMGKAY

• The Union Food Ministry has temporarily discontinued rice fortification under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes.
• The decision was taken after a review based on an IIT Kharagpur study, which found that:
  • Moisture, temperature, humidity, storage and packaging affect the stability of fortified rice.
  • There is reduction in micronutrient content over time, shortening shelf life.
• The government clarified that the move will not reduce food grain entitlements under the PDS.
• Activists welcomed the decision, arguing that anaemia is not always caused by iron deficiency and fortification alone is not a scientific solution.
• The Centre stated that the scheme is paused until a more effective nutrient delivery mechanism is identified.

Adulterated milk tragedy in Rajamahendravaram

• A major public health incident was reported in Rajamahendravaram (Andhra Pradesh) after the consumption of suspected adulterated milk supplied to 106 families between February 16–18, 2026.
• Five people died and 15 others (including infants) were put on ventilator support, suffering from acute renal failure and anuria.

Acute Renal Failure: Acute renal failure is a sudden loss of the kidneys’ ability to filter waste products from the blood. It develops within hours to a few days and is a medical emergency.

Anuria: Anuria means complete or near-complete absence of urine production.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.

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