Weekly Current Affairs (March 2026 – Week 1) – Exam Revision Notes

U.S.-Israel-Iran War & Missile Defence

U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated air strikes on Iran targeting military/leadership in Tehran. Iran retaliated with missiles/drones at Israel and U.S. bases (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar). IRGC announced Strait of Hormuz closure.

India-Canada CEPA & Major Agreements

CEPA Terms Finalised – Target: USD 50 billion by 2030

• India-Canada-Australia Trilateral (ACITI Partnership)
• Joint Pulse Protein Centre at NIFTEM-K
• Uranium Supply (Cameco)
• AICTE-Mitacs: 300 students/year, 12-week internships from 2027
• 24 institutional partnerships (AI, healthcare, agriculture)
• Canada joins Global Biofuels Alliance, ISA
• India supports Canada IORA entry
• Defence Dialogue, Parliament Friendship, CEO Forum, Bharat Tribes Fest 2026

Israel Recognises Somaliland

Israel becomes first country to formally recognise Somaliland independence (declared 1991). Berbera Port (Gulf of Aden) strategically important, modernised by DP World (UAE).

Other International

IAEA Emergency Meeting – Vienna (March 2), Russia-Iran requested, discuss strikes on Iran nuclear facilities

MWC 2026 – Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated Bharat Pavilion, Barcelona

IRIS Dena Sinks – Iranian frigate, U.S. torpedo near Galle Sri Lanka, first since WWII, had attended Vizag Fleet Review 2026

India-Finland Partnership – Alexander Stubb visit March 4-7, “Strategic Partnership in Digitalization & Sustainability”, 6G Task Force (Oulu + Bharat 6G), Indo-Finland Startup Corridor, World Circular Economy Forum 2026 India

PM Projects ₹2,700 cr in Puducherry

PM Modi inaugurated/laid foundation for projects worth ₹2,700+ crore covering infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, mobility, water, tourism. Puducherry included in ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’. BEST mantra: Business, Education, Spirituality, Tourism.

Rice Fortification Suspended (PMGKAY)

Union Food Ministry discontinued rice fortification after IIT Kharagpur study: moisture/temp/humidity affect stability, micronutrient reduction over time. Activists: anaemia not always iron deficiency. Paused until better mechanism identified.

NITI-JICA Sign SDG Cooperation Phase II

Record of Discussions for Japan-India Cooperative Actions towards SDGs Phase II. Focus: Aspirational Districts (ADs) and Aspirational Blocks (ABs).

Attukal Pongala Festival Kerala

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Largest gathering of women for religious event (Guinness World Records). Women cook offering, city becomes open-air temple. Goddess Bhadrakali form.

2,000-Year Megalithic Chamber Kerala

Laterite rock-cut circular burial chamber at Panayal, Kasaragod. Megalithic period (~2,000 years). Sealed entrance, circular aperture 5cm top, 3-ft shaft. Local names: Muniyara, Pandava Cave, Peeranki, Nidhikuzhi, Kalppathayam.

Census 2027 Digital Tools & Mascots

Amit Shah launched: Mascots Pragati (female) & Vikas (male). World’s largest, first digital census, self-enumeration option. Reference date: 1 March 2027. 2 phases: Houselisting & Population Enumeration.

Korea District 5% Water Model (Chhattisgarh)

“Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari” initiative. Farmers dedicate 5% land for recharge ponds/terraced pits. Aawa Paani Jhoki movement. Improves groundwater, soil moisture, sustainability. Community-led via Gram Sabha.

India’s First Riverine Lighthouses (Brahmaputra)

National Waterway-2, Brahmaputra River. Foundation at Lachit Ghat, Guwahati by Sarbananda Sonowal. DGLL + IWAI, ₹84 crore investment.

NITI-UNICEF Nutrition SoI

Statement of Intent for maternal/child nutrition in Aspirational Districts & Blocks.

First Amorphous Metal Unit (Japan Proterial)

$80M (~₹720 cr) investment, Sri City AP. India’s first amorphous metal manufacturing. Electrical-grade steel for transformers. Phase-1: 30,000 tonnes. Total capacity: 1 lakh tonnes. Efficiency improves ~60%, reduces power losses.

AP Agriculture & Housing Roadmap 2026

Housing: 10.63 lakh houses in 2026, housing for all eligible poor by 2029. Free sites to 2.2L families (2 cents urban, 3 cents rural).

Agriculture: AI-based agronomist, mechanisation. ₹14,230 cr food processing investments. AP contributes ~10% India’s agricultural GDP.

Adulterated Milk Tragedy Rajamahendravaram

106 families Feb 16-18, 2026. 5 deaths, 15 ventilator (infants included). Acute renal failure, anuria. Suspected adulterated milk supply.

HANUMAN Project Wildlife Conservation

Healing & Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid & Nursing of Wildlife. Launched by Pawan Kalyan, Vijayawada. Reduce human-wildlife conflict.

• 100+ rapid response vehicles
• 7 wildlife ambulances
• 4 Rescue Centres: Vizag, Rajamahendravaram, Tirupati, Byrluti
• 19 rapid response teams
• Vajra village teams with rescue kits

Indra Dhanassu Initiative

PwD welfare & social inclusion. APSRTC free bus travel statewide for Persons with Disabilities. Improve mobility, accessibility, participation in education/employment.

Telugu Inscriptions Vijayanagara Period

Sri Chennakesava Temple, Somapalayam, Annamayya district. Monolithic pillar. “Subhamastu Swasti Sri Jayabhyudaya”, “Jaya Samvatsaram”. Dated 1534 CE, Achyuta Deva Raya (after Krishnadevaraya). 50-ft pillar: Keerthi Mukhas, Garuda, musicians, Yali, florals.

Poshana-Shiksha-Suraksha (AP Population Policy)

Draft Population Management Policy to increase TFR from 1.5 to 2.1. CM Chandrababu Naidu. Effective April 1, 2026. Prevent 23% elderly population by 2047.

SWAYATT Initiative (GeM 7 Years)

Celebrated March 6, 2026. Launched Feb 19, 2019. Startups, Women, Youth Advantage through e-Transactions. Enables startups, women, MSEs, SHGs in government procurement. Addresses: market access, finance access, value addition.

Breast Cancer Cases Rise 500% (1990-2023)

The Lancet Oncology study: 477% increase cases, 352% increase deaths. Factors: lifestyle, urbanisation, delayed childbirth, reduced breastfeeding, lack of screening.

Inconsistent Website Blocking India

Study “Poisoned Wells: Examining DNS Censorship in India”. DNS filtering primary method, easily bypassed, no uniform legal requirement. Methods (strong→weak): Internet Shutdown, DPI, BGP Routing, IP Blocking, SNI Filtering, URL Filtering, DNS Filtering, Platform-Level.

OTEC Project Lakshadweep

Jitendra Singh reviewed at Kavaratti. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion desalination. Uses temp difference (warm surface, cold deep-sea) to generate energy, power desalination. First of its kind globally.

AP Jan Vishwas Bill 2026

Passed by AP Assembly. Decriminalise minor offences, trust-based governance. Replace imprisonment with monetary penalties under 12 State Acts. Graded penalties, compounding provision. Aligns with Central Jan Vishwas Act 2023.

Repeals: AP Drainage Cess Act 1985, AP Non-Delta Area Drainage Act 1986.

Operation Sankalp

Launched June 2019. Indian Navy: 2 ships (frigate, destroyer) deployed Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman. Anti-piracy, merchant vessel safety, maritime security. On standby for HADR operations amid West Asia tensions.

India 2nd in Childhood Obesity

World Obesity Atlas 2026 (World Obesity Federation, March 4). India ranks second globally in children with obesity/high BMI. 2025: ~15M children (5-9 yrs), ~26M children (10-19 yrs) overweight/obese.

Justice Lisa Gill – AP High Court Chief Justice

Supreme Court Collegium recommended. Policy: Transfer judge 2 months before vacancy for smooth transition.

New Governors / Lieutenant Governors

(List of new appointments – refer to daily CA for complete details)

World Wildlife Day – March 3, 2026

Marks CITES adoption. Theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”

CISF 57th Raising Day – March 6

Mundali, Odisha. Amit Shah Chief Guest. Established 1969. Premier industrial security force for critical infrastructure.

J&K Wins First Ranji Trophy

Jammu & Kashmir created history winning Ranji Trophy for first time. Landmark for UT cricket. Ranji Trophy: India’s premier domestic first-class championship, BCCI, started 1934-35.

Indian Women Cricket – Laureus Award Nomination

Team led by Harmanpreet Kaur nominated for 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award after maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup victory. “Oscars of Sports”.

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

First-ever KITG March 25 – April 6, Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur, Sarguja). Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced. Identify/promote tribal talent. Mascot: Morveer (Mor=mine/our in Chhattisgarhi, Veer=courage).