Weekly Current Affairs (March 2026 – Week 3) – Exam Revision Notes
1) International Current Affairs
Kharg Island (Persian Gulf)
Became focal point in U.S.-Iran escalation. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed strikes on military targets at Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export terminal.
• Air defence facilities
• Missile storage bunkers
• Naval bases
• Helicopter hangars
• Oil infrastructure avoided
2) National Current Affairs
Sutlej River – National Waterway 98
Declared NW-98. Stretches from Bridge at Sunni (Mandi, HP) to Harike Barrage (Punjab), passing through Rupnagar. Feasibility study: ₹2.82 cr, report by May 2026.
India’s Metro Rail Network Expansion
Expanded from 248 km (2014) to 1,095 km (2025). India now has third-largest operational metro network globally.
• Cities: 5 (2014) → 26 (2025)
• Annual budget: ₹5,798 cr (2013-14) → ₹29,550 cr (2025-26)
Key Innovations:
• Namo Bharat RRTS – First semi-high-speed regional (Delhi-Meerut, 2023)
• Kochi Water Metro – First water metro (2023)
• Kolkata Underwater Metro – First underwater tunnel (2024)
Assembly Elections 2026 Schedule
ECI announced schedule for 4 States + 1 UT. 824 constituencies, ~17.4 crore voters.
• April 9: Assam, Kerala, Puducherry (single phase)
• April 23: Tamil Nadu (single phase)
• April 23 & 29: West Bengal (2 phases)
RISA Timeless Tribal Brand
Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched 18 March 2026, New Delhi. Premium tribal brand inspired by RISA (traditional handwoven stole, Tripura). Implemented through TRIFED.
Objective: Promote tribal weaves/embroidery/handicrafts, global brand identity, fair profit-sharing for artisans.
National Dental Commission Constituted
Established 19 March 2026. Replaces Dental Council of India (DCI). Repeals Dentists Act, 1948.
• Undergraduate & Postgraduate Dental Education Board
• Dental Assessment and Rating Board
• Ethics and Dental Registration Board
Chairperson: Dr. Sanjay Tewari
3) Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs
Multi-Village Schemes & Sakhi Nivas Hostels
₹9,355 cr for 7 Multi-Village Schemes (MVS) – safe drinking water, 55L per person/day, 65+ lakh people, 76 mandals.
₹1,814.71 cr – 3,000 localised water projects (water-stressed areas) under JJM with NABARD support.
Sakhi Nivas: 30 hostels for single working women, widows, women living away from families, creche facilities. Under Mission Shakti.
• 100% subsidy – Drip irrigation
• 90% subsidy – Sprinkler irrigation
• 8 districts, rain-fed tribal lands
Seven Greenfield Airports in AP
Total cost: ~₹7,472 crore. Boost civil aviation connectivity & regional development.
1. Dagadarthi (Nellore)
2. Kuppam
3. Amaravati (PPP/DBFOT, 4,500 acres LPS-2, Phase-I ~₹4,700 cr, TEFR by RITES)
4. Srikakulam
5. Nagarjuna Sagar (NSP)
6. Ongole
7. Anantapur
Also planned: Tuni-Annavaram, Tadepalligudem
Bhogapuram: Alluri Sitharama Raju International Airport – operational by June 2026
AP – First State to Receive ‘Pramaan’ Certification
First in India. Awarded to AP Forest Development Corporation for eucalyptus cultivation outside forest areas.
Pramaan: Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of Sustainable Management Practices. Launched 2023, MoEFCC, promotes sustainable forest/agroforestry.
AP Tops World Hypertension Day Campaigns
National recognition (May 17). Secured first position jointly with Karnataka. Conducted under MoHFW guidelines (May 17 – June 16).
“Statue of Sacrifice” – Potti Sriramulu (Amaravati)
58-foot bronze statue unveiled at Sakhamuru Park, Amaravati by CM Chandrababu Naidu on 125th birth anniversary.
Commemorates 58-day fast unto death → Andhra State formation (1953). Part of Memorial Park Project (6.8 acres). Linguistic states sacrifice.
Fertiliser Consumption in AP (Rabi 2025-26)
• SPSR Nellore – 69,005 MT (highest in State)
• Tirupati – 46,948 MT
• Palnadu – 47,024 MT
DAP National Rankings (2025):
• Nandyal – 1st in India
• Palnadu – 8th
• Bapatla – 49th
AP Ranks 1st in Consumer Justice 2026
Among large/mid-sized states. India Justice Report 2026. Minimal staff shortage in District Consumer Commissions.
4) Economy Current Affairs
Economic Stabilisation Fund
₹57,381 crore allocated to address global uncertainties: energy price shocks, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical crises.
Approved via Supplementary Demands for Grants (2025-26). LS approved additional spending: net cash outgo ~₹2.01 lakh cr.
Fiscal deficit target 2025-26: Remains at 4.4% GDP (as per Union Budget).
5) Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
Launched 8 April 2015. Collateral-free loans to small entrepreneurs/micro enterprises. Implemented through SCBs, NBFCs, MFIs. Jan Samarth Portal for digital applications.
• Shishu: Up to ₹50,000
• Kishor: ₹50,000 – ₹5 lakh
• Tarun: ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh
• Tarun Plus: ₹10 lakh – ₹20 lakh (introduced 2024-25, for successful Tarun repayers)
Community Hub Mobile Skill Vans
NSDC deployed 7 solar-powered mobile vans (April 2025) under CSR. Skill development & digital inclusion in remote areas.
Locations: Rajasthan (Sawai Madhopur), MP (Ujjain), Sikkim (West/East), Jharkhand (Hazaribagh), AP (East Godavari), Karnataka (Kalaburagi), Maharashtra (Nagpur).
Small Hydro Power Development Scheme
Cabinet approved for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31. Total: ₹2,584.60 cr. Target: ~1500 MW (1 MW – 25 MW projects).
NE & Border Areas: ₹3.6 cr/MW or 30% cost, max ₹30 cr/project
Other States: ₹2.4 cr/MW or 20% cost, max ₹20 cr/project
Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA)
Cabinet approved. ₹33,660 crore to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks (100-1000 acres). Partnership with States/private sector.
• Up to ₹1 cr/acre: core infrastructure (roads, utilities, drainage, ICT), value-added (factory sheds, warehouses, labs), social (worker housing)
• Additional 25% for external infrastructure
Features:
• Plug-and-play: Ready land, approvals, infrastructure
• Single-window clearances
• Aligned with PM GatiShakti
• Green energy focus
Implementation: National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, MoCI
RELIEF Scheme (Export Promotion Mission)
Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation. Support exporters amid West Asia crisis (Strait of Hormuz). Outlay: ₹497 crore.
Benefits:
• 100% additional risk coverage (Feb 14-Mar 15, 2026)
• 95% coverage upcoming exports (Mar 16-Jun 15, 2026)
• 50% reimbursement (max ₹50L) for MSME exporters without insurance
PM-KISAN 22nd Instalment
Released 13 March 2026. ₹18,640 cr to 9.32 crore farmers (2.15 cr women). ₹6,000/year in 3 instalments via DBT. Since 2019: ₹4.27 lakh cr disbursed.
6) Science & Technology
NavIC Satellite Atomic Clock Failure
Atomic clock on IRNSS-1F stopped 13 March 2026. Operational satellites: 4→3 (minimum 4 needed). Swiss-made SpectraTime clock.
NavIC: India’s indigenous satellite navigation (within India + 1,500 km). ISRO plans indigenous rubidium clocks (NVS-01 already has domestic clock).
HALEU-Thorium Fuel Study
Current Science journal (BARC scientists): HALEU-thorium may not suit India’s PHWRs – reduces shutdown system effectiveness.
HALEU: High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (higher U-235), combined with thorium (fertile, breeds fissile fuel).
ISRO: Exposed Ice Patches Cause Flash Floods
Study on Dharali village flash flood (Uttarakhand, 5 Aug 2025). Exposed ice patch collapse on Srikanta Glacier (Bhagirathi basin, Uttarkashi) triggered flood.
Nivation: Erosion under snow patch by repeated freeze-melt. Forms nivation hollow over time.
Space Debris Management Initiatives
As of March 2026: India has 129 trackable debris. Defunct satellites LEO (23), GEO (26). Rocket bodies: PSLV (40), GSLV (4), LVM3 (3). PSLV-C3 breakup debris (33).
• ISSAR: Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (annual)
• DFSM (2024): Debris Free Space Mission – Zero debris by 2030
• NETRA: NEtwork for space object TRacking & Analysis, ₹509.01 cr, SSA control centre, collision prediction
• IS4OM (2022): ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations, supports debris mitigation/startups
7) Environment
First National Report on Nagoya Protocol
India submitted NR1 to Convention on Biological Diversity. MoEFCC + National Biodiversity Authority. Period: 2017-2025.
• ABS framework: Biological Diversity Act 2002
• 2.76 lakh Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)
• 12,830 ABS approvals (2017-2025)
• 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) – 60%+ global total
8.2 ka Cooling Event
Birbal Sahni Institute (DST): Sudden cooling in Greenland ~8,200 years ago weakened Indian Summer Monsoon. One of largest climate disturbances of Holocene.
8) Polity & Governance
Motion to Remove Chief Election Commissioner
First-ever notice submitted in Parliament for CEC removal (Gyanesh Kumar). INDIA bloc allegations: partisan conduct, obstruction, mass disenfranchisement.
• Same manner as SC Judge removal
• Minimum signatures: 100 LS MPs or 50 RS MPs
• Notice had 130 LS, 63 RS signatures
• Speaker/Chairman admits motion
• 3-member inquiry committee (Judges Inquiry Act, 1968)
• Special majority both Houses (majority of total + 2/3 present)
• President issues removal order
Essential Commodities Act 1955 Invoked (LPG Crisis)
Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Govt directed refineries: divert propane/butane to LPG (vs petrochemical). Applies IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance, Nayara.
Priority allocation: Household PNG, CNG transport, Gas for LPG production.
ECI Special Observer for Assam
Manjeet Singh appointed. Article 324 powers. Special Observer: neither constitutional nor statutory (ECI’s supervisory powers).
SC: Adoptive Mothers Get 12 Weeks Paid Leave
Supreme Court ruled: All adoptive mothers entitled 12 weeks paid maternity leave regardless of child’s age. Struck down Code of Social Security 2020 (restricted to below 3 months). Maternity leave = basic human right.
LS Passes ₹53 Lakh Cr Demands via Guillotine
FY 2026-27. Guillotine procedure: Remaining demands passed without discussion when time allotted expires. Parliamentary procedure (LS Rules), not constitutional.
9) Awards & Honours
Jnanpith Award 2026 – Vairamuthu
Tamil lyricist/author Vairamuthu selected. Highest literary award India. Third Tamil writer to receive.
Sangita Kalanidhi 2026 – Jayanthi Kumaresh
Saraswati veena exponent. Music Academy Chennai 100th Conference (15 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027). Nritya Kalanidhi: Narendra G. (Bharatanatyam).
BCCI Naman Awards 2026
• Shubman Gill: Polly Umrigar Award (2nd time)
• Smriti Mandhana: Best International (Women) – 5th time
Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement:
• Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj
Debut: Harshit Rana (Men), Shree Charani (Women)
Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025
24 languages, 24 works. Ceremony: 31 March 2026, New Delhi. Prize: Copper plaque, shawl, ₹1,00,000.
Notable: Telugu (Animesha – Nandini), Tamil (Thamiz Sirukathaiyin Thadangal – Sa. Tamilselvan), Marathi (Kalyanilya Resha – Raju Baviskar), Hindi (Jeete Jee Allahabad – Mamta Kalia).
98th Academy Awards (Oscars)
One Battle After Another won Best Picture (6 Oscars total). Paul Thomas Anderson: Best Director (first Oscar), Best Adapted Screenplay. Michael B. Jordan: Best Actor. Jessie Buckley: Best Actress (Hamnet). Autumn Durald Arkapaw: First female Director of Photography to win Best Cinematography.
Dr. Jitendra Singh – Lifetime Achievement (Medicine & Diabetes)
MVCON 2026, Chennai. Second lifetime achievement (first: July 2024). Medical professional, author, diabetes care advocate.
10) Ranks & Reports
SDG Bulletins: Planet & Prosperity
MoSPI released 18 March 2026, Patna. Based on SDG NIF Progress Report 2025. 5 pillars: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnerships.
Prosperity: SDGs 7,8,9,10,11. 4th largest wind energy, 100% household electrification, 99% mobile network, tourism 2.6% GDP
UNIGME Report 2025 (Child Mortality)
India’s U5MR: 127 (1990) → 27/1,000 (2024). NMR: 57 (1990) → 17 (2024). Global: 4.9M children under 5 died 2024 (2.3M newborns). Major causes: preterm complications, infections, malnutrition.
India Bioeconomy Report 2026
$10 billion (2014) → $195 billion (2025). Target: $300 billion by 2030. Growth: 17-18% annually. Contributes 4.8-5% GDP. 11,800+ biotech startups. BioE3 Policy, ₹1 lakh cr RDI Fund.
NITI Aayog: Sports Equipment Export Report
Current exports: $275M (0.5% global share). Global market: $140B (2024) → $283B (2036). India: 90% MSME-driven (Jalandhar, Meerut). Recommends: ₹7,500 cr investment (2027-31). Potential: $8.1B by 2036 (11% global share).
11) Person in News
Mahad Satyagraha Centenary (1927-2027)
B.R. Ambedkar led 20 March 1927, Mahad, Maharashtra. Asserted Dalits’ right to Chavdar Tank public water. Challenged untouchability. Influenced Articles 15 (non-discrimination), 17 (abolition untouchability). Centenary: 20 March 2027.
Rani Avantibai Lodhi – Martyrdom Day
Queen of Ramgarh (MP). Revolt of 1857. Opposed British annexation (Doctrine of Lapse). Martyrdom: 20 March 1858. Symbol of patriotism & women empowerment.
Vikram K. Doraiswami – Ambassador to China
Appointed India’s Ambassador to China. Currently High Commissioner to UK. Succeeds Pradeep Kumar Rawat. MEA announced.
Anutin Charnvirakul – Thailand PM
Re-elected PM Thailand. Assumed office 19-20 March 2026. Bhumjaithai Party leader. Capital: Bangkok. Currency: Thai Baht.
12) Important Days
World Consumer Rights Day – 15 March
Observed globally every year on 15 March to raise awareness about consumer rights and protection.
Theme 2026: “Fair and Responsible AI for Consumers”
Day marks anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s speech to U.S. Congress in 1962, where he formally addressed consumer rights.
World Sleep Day – 21 March 2026
Observed annually on the Friday before Spring Equinox (Northern Hemisphere). Organised by World Sleep Society to raise awareness about sleep health.
Theme 2026: “Sleep Equity for Global Health”
Aims to reduce burden of sleep problems through prevention and management.
International Day of Happiness – 20 March
UN observes International Day of Happiness every year on 20 March. Established by UN General Assembly in 2012 (Resolution 66/281).
Theme 2026: “Happiness for All, Together”
Recognises importance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in lives of people around the world.
International Day of Forests – 21 March
Observed on 21 March annually. Proclaimed by UN General Assembly in 2012 to celebrate and raise awareness of importance of all types of forests.
Theme 2026: “Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World”
Day encourages countries to organize local, national and international activities involving forests and trees.
World Down Syndrome Day – 21 March
Observed globally on 21 March (21/3 signifies triplication – trisomy – of 21st chromosome causing Down Syndrome).
Theme 2026: “End the Stereotypes”
Officially recognized by UN General Assembly in 2011. Raises awareness and advocates for rights, inclusion and well-being of people with Down syndrome.
World Poetry Day – 21 March
Declared by UNESCO in 1999. Observed on 21 March to recognize unique ability of poetry to capture creative spirit of human mind.
Celebrates linguistic diversity through poetic expression and opportunities for endangered languages to be heard.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – 21 March
UN observes this day on 21 March annually. Commemorates Sharpeville massacre in South Africa (1960) where 69 people were killed during peaceful demonstration against apartheid pass laws.
Theme 2026: “Voices for Action Against Racism”
Proclaimed by UN General Assembly in 1966.
Ordnance Factories Day (India) – 18 March
Observed in India on 18 March to commemorate establishment of first ordnance factory at Cossipore, Kolkata in 1802.
Celebrates contribution of Ordnance Factory Board and defence production establishments to India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
13) Sports
Mayank Chakraborty – India’s 94th Grandmaster
16-year-old. First GM from Assam. Achieved at Chess Talents Tournament, Stockholm.
Kimi Antonelli – First F1 Victory
Italian Mercedes driver won Chinese Grand Prix. 19-year-old. Second-youngest F1 GP winner (after Max Verstappen).
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Keyword / Fact |
|---|---|
| Kharg Island | Persian Gulf US-Iran • Iran primary oil export terminal • Trump claimed strikes military targets air defence missile bunkers naval helicopter • Oil infrastructure avoided |
| NW-98 Sutlej | Bridge Sunni Mandi HP to Harike Barrage Punjab via Rupnagar • Feasibility ₹2.82cr May 2026 report |
| Metro Network India | 248 km in 2014 to 1,095 km in 2025 third-largest global • 5 to 26 cities • Budget ₹5,798cr to ₹29,550cr • Namo Bharat RRTS Delhi-Meerut 2023 • Kochi Water Metro 2023 • Kolkata Underwater Metro 2024 |
| Assembly Elections 2026 | 824 constituencies 17.4cr voters • Starts from Apr 9: Assam Kerala Puducherry • Apr 23: Tamilnadu • Apr 23 29: West Bengal 2 phases |
| RISA Timeless Tribal | 18 Mar 2026 Delhi Tribal Affairs • Premium brand Tripura handwoven stole • TRIFED weaves embroidery handicrafts global fair profit artisans |
| National Dental Commission | NDC replaces DCI repeals 1948 Act • 3 boards UG/PG Assessment, Ethics/Registration • Dr Sanjay Tewari chairperson of NDC |
| AP MVS & Sakhi Nivas | ₹9,355cr 7 schemes 55L/person/day 65L+ people 76 mandals • ₹1,814.71cr 3,000 water projects for JJM from NABARD • 30 hostels single women widows creche Mission Shakti • 100% subsidy for drip irrigation and 90% subsidy for sprinkler system |
| AP 7 Greenfield Airports | ₹7,472cr • Dagadarthi, Kuppam, Amaravati, Srikakulam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Ongole, Anantapur • Amaravati Airport in 4,500 acres LPS-2 ₹4,700cr RITES TEFR • Bhogapuram will be completed by June 2026 |
| AP Pramaan First | First state India • Forest Development Corp eucalyptus outside forest • Programme Recognition Accreditation Sustainable 2023 MoEFCC agroforestry |
| Potti Sriramulu Statue | 58-foot bronze Statue Sacrifice inaugurated in Amaravati on his 125th anniversary |
| AP Fertiliser Consumption | Urea Consumption: SPSR Nellore top in Andhra • DAP consumption: Nandyal 1st India |
| Economic Stabilisation Fund | ₹57,381cr Economic Stabilisation Fund due to energy price shocks supply chain geopolitical issues |
| PMMY | 8 Apr 2015 collateral-free SCBs NBFCs MFIs Jan Samarth Portal • Shishu ₹50,000 • Kishor ₹5L • Tarun ₹10L • Tarun Plus ₹20L (Tarun Plus was launched 2024-25) |
| BHAVYA | ₹33,660cr 100 plug-and-play industrial parks 100-1000 acres • ₹1cr/acre core value-added social infrastructure 25% external • Nodal Agency NICDC |
| RELIEF Scheme | ₹497cr • Due to West Asia issues on Strait Hormuz • This scheme is to support Exporters |
| PM-KISAN 22nd | 13 Mar 2026 • ₹18,640cr • Since 2019 ₹4.27L cr |
| NavIC IRNSS-1F | Atomic clock stopped since 13 Mar 2026 in NavIC IRNSS 1F satellite |
| Space Debris India | 129 trackable as on Mar 2026 • Debris Free Space Mission target – 2030 • Major Initiatives • NETRA (NEtwork for space object TRacking & Analysis) • IS4OM 2022 mitigation startups |
| Nagoya Protocol NR1 | First National Report 2017-2025 CBD MoEFCC NBA • 2.76L BMCs 12,830 ABS approvals 3,556 IRCCs 60%+ global |
| CEC Removal Motion | First-ever in history of Parliament • Article 324(5) SC Judge manner • 100 LS 50 RS needed • 3-member inquiry special majority President order |
| Jnanpith 2026 | Vairamuthu Tamil lyricist author • Highest literary India • Third Tamil writer |
| BCCI Naman Awards 2026 | Shubman Gill Polly Umrigar 2nd time • Smriti Mandhana 5th time women • CK Nayudu Lifetime Award: Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj |
| 98th Oscars | One Battle After Another Best Picture 6 total • Paul Thomas Anderson Director first Oscar • Michael B Jordan Actor Jessie Buckley Actress • Autumn Durald Arkapaw first female Cinematography |
| India Bioeconomy 2026 | from $10B 2014 to $195B 2025 • target $300B 2030 |
| Mayank Chakraborty Grand Master | India’s 94th Grandmaster first Assam • 16-year-old Stockholm Chess Talents Tournament |
🔗 Related Daily Current Affairs
Open any day current affairs for full explanations.
🔗 Practice This Week Current Affairs Quiz
Practice Daily, Progress Surely.
