Current Affairs 14 March 2026

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution on “Iran attacks over GCC”

India co-sponsored a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution along with 134 countries condemning attacks by Iran on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The resolution demanded the immediate cessation of all attacks by Iran on GCC member states including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, and also warned against interference with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The region is also crucial for India’s energy security, as it supplies nearly 50% of India’s crude oil and about 90% of LPG imports.

Supreme Court Statement on Creamy Layer Status

The Supreme Court stated that parental income alone cannot determine the “creamy layer” status for Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation. The Court clarified that the creamy layer exclusion is status-based rather than purely income-based.

A bench of Justice P. S. Narasimha and Justice R. Mahadevan stated that income from parental salaries and agricultural land should not be included while applying the income/wealth test for determining creamy layer status.

The judgment resolved confusion in cases involving children of employees in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Public Sector Banks (PSBs) who were previously excluded from OBC reservation benefits due to their parents’ salaries exceeding the ₹8 lakh income threshold. The Court emphasized that creamy layer determination must consider social status and position in service hierarchy rather than salary alone, to avoid unequal treatment among similarly placed candidates.

Peptide therapy

Peptide therapy is gaining global attention in modern medicine due to its role in precision medicine. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, that act as biological messengers regulating processes such as hormone release, metabolism, immune responses, and tissue repair.

These therapies are being explored in fields such as oncology (cancer treatment), endocrinology, metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, regenerative medicine, dermatology, and cardiovascular diseases.

Women’s participation in electoral politics

Women’s participation in electoral politics in India has significantly improved over the decades, especially in terms of voter turnout. In recent Lok Sabha elections (2019 and 2024), women voted at nearly the same rate as men, and in several State Assembly elections, women’s turnout has even surpassed that of men.

However, this increase in participation as voters has not translated into proportional representation in legislatures. In the 1952 Lok Sabha, only 22 women MPs were elected. The number gradually increased, reaching a historic high of 78 women MPs in 2019, before slightly declining to 74 women MPs in 2024, which is still around 14% of the total Lok Sabha membership.

Andhra Pradesh Tourism signed a MoU with Modern Masti Private Limited

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Modern Masti Private Limited to develop a ₹100 crore amusement park and resort in Visakhapatnam. The agreement was signed during the Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) Expo-2026 held in Mumbai.

Under the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Policy 2024–2029, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority (APTA) will provide incentives such as up to 25% fixed capital investment subsidy, electricity at industrial tariff rates, and 100% reimbursement of net SGST to promote tourism investments.

Jose Antonio Kast assumed office as the President of Chile

Jose Antonio Kast assumed office as the President of Chile, marking a significant political development in the country. José Antonio Kast, a prominent conservative political leader, is known for his positions on economic liberalism, law and order, and national security.

Bharat ‑ VISTAAR Platform

The Government of India has launched Bharat‑VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources), an AI-powered multilingual Digital Public Infrastructure platform for farmers. The initiative was announced in the Union Budget 2026–27 with an allocation of ₹150 crore.

The platform aims to provide real-time, location-specific and personalised agricultural advisories to farmers using AI and voice-based technology.

The Phase-I version launched on 17 February 2026 is available in Hindi and English and can be accessed through:

• A dedicated helpline 155261
• Voice-based AI chatbot
• Web portal of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
• Mobile application

First Export of GI-Tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority facilitated the first export consignment of 25 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Joha Rice from Assam to the United Kingdom and Italy on 12 March 2026.

Joha Rice is an indigenous aromatic rice variety from Assam that received the Geographical Indication in 2017. Known for its distinctive fragrance, fine grain texture and rich taste, Joha rice is increasingly gaining recognition in premium domestic and international markets.

The Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Project Inaugurated in Umri Village

The Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot was launched by the Department of Telecommunications to demonstrate integrated phygital (physical + digital) service delivery in rural areas.

Under this initiative, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia will inaugurate a Samriddhi Kendra in Umri village, Guna district, Madhya Pradesh on 14 March 2026. The centre will function as a one-stop hub for multiple citizen services, including education and skill development, agriculture advisory, telemedicine, e-governance services, financial inclusion, e-commerce, digital connectivity, and safety services.

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