Current Affairs Quiz — 18 March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
What is the outlay of the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme (FY 2026-27 to 2030-31) approved in March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹2,584.60 crore
The Cabinet approved the SHP Development Scheme with an outlay of ₹2,584.60 crore for about 1,500 MW.
The Small Hydro Power Development Scheme (2026-31) supports projects of what capacity range?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1–25 MW
The scheme supports small hydro projects of between 1 and 25 MW capacity.
Consider the following about the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme (2026-31): 1. In North Eastern states and international border districts, central assistance is ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30% of project cost, whichever is lower, capped at ₹30 crore per project. 2. The scheme aims at about 1,500 MW of small hydro capacity. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Cabinet decision of 18 March 2026.
BHAVYA, approved by the Union Cabinet on 18 March 2026, stands for:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna
BHAVYA is the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna, approved with ₹33,660 crore for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks.
What allocation has been approved for the BHAVYA scheme for 100 plug-and-play industrial parks?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹33,660 crore
The Cabinet approved BHAVYA with an allocation of ₹33,660 crore.
Under BHAVYA, financial support for core, value-added and social infrastructure is available up to:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — ₹1 crore per acre
Financial support of up to ₹1 crore per acre will be provided for core, value-added and social infrastructure.
Consider the following about the BHAVYA scheme: 1. Industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres will be taken up. 2. Projects will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: projects will be selected through a challenge mode.
For the 2026 Assembly elections in five States/UTs, the ECI deployed roughly one election official for every how many electors?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 70
Over 25 lakh officials for over 17.4 crore electors amounts to nearly one official for every 70 electors.
Consider the following about the ECI's deployment for the 2026 Assembly elections: 1. Expenditure Observers outnumber General Observers among the Central Observers. 2. Deployed personnel are deemed to be on deputation to the ECI under Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: there are 557 General Observers and 366 Expenditure Observers. Statement 2 is correct.
In its tariff order of 18 March 2026, the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission rejected the DISCOMs' proposal to raise energy charges by how much per unit?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 35 paise
BERC rejected the proposal of both DISCOMs for a 35-paise-per-unit hike and kept tariffs unchanged for 2026-27.
Consider the following about Bihar's electricity tariff order for 2026-27: 1. BERC allowed a 35-paise hike for urban consumers only. 2. Separate tariffs for urban and rural domestic consumers were retained. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: there is no hike for any category, and a uniform tariff now applies to urban and rural domestic consumers.
ALMM List-III, announced by MNRE in March 2026, covers which solar products?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Ingots and wafers
MNRE expanded the ALMM Order to introduce List-III for ingots and wafers; modules and cells were already covered.
From which date must all solar projects use ALMM List-III compliant wafers?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1 June 2028
The effective date is 1 June 2028, from which all projects, including net-metering and open-access projects, must use ALMM-listed wafers.
In March 2026 the CCEA approved MSP funding of ₹1,718.56 crore for the 2023-24 cotton season to:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Cotton Corporation of India
The MSP funding of ₹1,718.56 crore was approved for the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), the central nodal agency for cotton MSP operations.
Consider the following about MSP operations in cotton: 1. CCI procures Fair Average Quality cotton subject to a quantity ceiling per farmer. 2. The MSP for seed cotton (kapas) is fixed on the recommendations of the CACP. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: CCI procures all FAQ cotton without any quantitative ceiling when prices fall below MSP. Statement 2 is correct.
Andhra Pradesh's Divyang Shakti scheme, launched on 18 March 2026, provides:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Free travel in APSRTC buses for persons with disabilities
Divyang Shakti gives persons with disabilities free travel in five categories of APSRTC buses.
About how many people are expected to benefit from Andhra Pradesh's Divyang Shakti free bus travel scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 12.76 lakh
The scheme is expected to benefit about 12.76 lakh people, at an annual cost of ₹207 crore to the State.
Maharashtra's Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Policy (notified March 2026) aims for renewables to meet what share of electricity demand by FY 2035-36?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 65%
The State will strive to procure 65% renewable energy as a share of electricity demand by FY 2035-36.
Consider the following about Maharashtra's Renewable Energy & Energy Storage Policy (2026): 1. Distribution companies must procure energy storage equal to at least 10% of their demand by FY 2035-36. 2. The policy remains in force only till 31 March 2030. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the policy is effective till 31 March 2036.
The Barabanki–Bahraich section of NH-927, approved by CCEA in March 2026, will be built on which mode?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The 101.515-km 4-lane access-controlled highway will be built on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) at ₹6,969.04 crore.
The upgraded Barabanki–Bahraich NH-927 corridor will improve access to which land port on the India–Nepal border?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Rupaidiha
The project will establish a cross-border trade corridor with Nepal via the Nepalganj border, improving access to Rupaidiha Land Port.
Who assumed charge as Chairperson of the National Commission for Backward Classes on 18 March 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as NCBC Chairperson with effect from 18 March 2026; Kiran Umesh Mahalle joined as Member on 20 March.
Kiran Umesh Mahalle, who joined the NCBC as a Member in March 2026, was earlier Mayor of which Municipal Corporation?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Amravati
Kiran Umesh Mahalle has served as Mayor of the Municipal Corporation, Amravati.
Consider the following about the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC), whose Chairperson took charge in March 2026: 1. The NCBC is a constitutional body under Article 338B, inserted by the Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act, 2018. 2. Before 2018, the NCBC functioned as a statutory body under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018 inserted Article 338B and gave the NCBC constitutional status; it was earlier constituted under the NCBC Act, 1993, which was repealed in 2018.
On 18 March 2026, PM Modi condemned attacks on the sovereignty of which country during a call with its Crown Prince?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Kuwait
PM Modi spoke with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and condemned attacks on Kuwait's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
'RISA: Timeless Tribal', launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on 18 March 2026, is:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — A premium signature brand for tribal weaves, embroidery and crafts
RISA: Timeless Tribal is a premium signature brand centred on tribal weaves, embroidery and crafts.
Which State signed a reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 on 18 March 2026 in the presence of its Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh signed the reform-linked MoU under JJM 2.0 on 18 March 2026; CM Yogi Adityanath joined by video conference.