Current Affairs — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Thu, 05 Mar 2026
Sonowal lays foundation of India's first riverine lighthouses on the Brahmaputra (NW-2)
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stones of four lighthouses on the Brahmaputra at Lachit Ghat, Guwahati, on 5 March 2026, the first lighthouses on an inland waterway in India.
Nadda at WHO briefing: 86 million women screened for cervical cancer; WHO chief hails HPV drive
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda virtually addressed a press briefing at WHO headquarters on 5 March 2026, reaffirming India's commitment to eliminating cervical cancer.
8th Central Pay Commission invites memorandums from employees and pensioners till 30 April 2026
The 8th Central Pay Commission invited memorandums and representations from central government employees, pensioners and their associations on 5 March 2026, with online submissions open until 30 April 2026.
First Khelo India Tribal Games to be held in Chhattisgarh from 25 March to 6 April
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on 5 March 2026 that the first Khelo India Tribal Games will be held from 25 March to 6 April in Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh.
Ministry of Culture launches Version 2.0 of the Indian Culture Portal
Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal launched Version 2.0 of the Indian Culture Portal (indianculture.gov.in) on 5 March 2026, a major technical upgrade of the national digital heritage platform.
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India sign Statement of Intent on nutrition in Aspirational Districts and Blocks
NITI Aayog and UNICEF India signed a Statement of Intent on 5 March 2026 to improve maternal and child nutrition and health outcomes in Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks.
Mandaviya unveils logo of Cycling League of India, the world's first franchise-based road cycling league
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the logo of the Cycling League of India, described as the world's first franchise-based road cycling league, on 5 March 2026.
C.R. Paatil and CM Mohan Yadav review Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 2.0 with Madhya Pradesh collectors
Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav reviewed Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0 with all district collectors and divisional commissioners of the state on 5 March 2026.
Wed, 04 Mar 2026
Indian Navy joins Sri Lanka-led search and rescue after Iranian warship IRIS Dena sinks off Galle
The Indian Navy launched search-and-rescue efforts on 4 March 2026 after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sent a distress call about 20 nautical miles west of Galle, Sri Lanka, in Sri Lanka's search-and-rescue region.
Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma launches FOCUS+ Phase II in North Garo Hills and doubles Green Meghalaya coverage
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma launched the second phase of the FOCUS+ scheme at Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, on 4 March 2026 and announced that Green Meghalaya will expand by another 50,000 hectares.
HSBC India Services PMI eases to 58.1 in February 2026 as new orders grow at a 13-month low
The HSBC India Services PMI, released by S&P Global on 4 March 2026, eased to 58.1 in February from 58.5 in January, while input costs rose at the fastest pace in about two and a half years.
India observes the 55th National Safety Day on 4 March 2026 with the theme 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'
National Safety Day was observed across India on 4 March 2026, launching the 55th National Safety Week/Month with the theme 'Engage, Educate & Empower People to Enhance Safety'.
Assam CM inaugurates Saraighat Rana Smritisaudh, a memorial to 132 warriors of the 1671 Battle of Saraighat
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Saraighat Rana Smritisaudh, a war memorial to the 1671 Battle of Saraighat, at Panbazar, Guwahati, on 4 March 2026.
MEA sets up special control room for Indians affected by the West Asia and Gulf crisis
The Ministry of External Affairs set up a special control room on 4 March 2026 to assist Indian nationals affected by the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf region, with a toll-free number 1800118797.
Finn Allen's record century takes New Zealand past South Africa into the T20 World Cup 2026 final
New Zealand beat South Africa by nine wickets in the first semi-final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 4 March 2026, with Finn Allen scoring the fastest century in men's T20 World Cup history.
Assam CM opens ₹99-crore Dinesh Goswami Flyover at Bharalumukh, Guwahati, finished in 15 months
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the 1.2-km Dinesh Goswami Flyover at Bharalumukh, Guwahati, on 4 March 2026, completed in 15 months against a 24-month target.
Janaushadhi Saptah 2026: free health check-up camps continue on Day 4 despite Holi
The Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India held free health check-up camps across states on 4 March 2026, the fourth day of Janaushadhi Saptah 2026, ahead of the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas on 7 March.
Holi celebrated on 4 March 2026; Braj festivities draw over 44 lakh devotees to Mathura-Vrindavan
Holi, the festival of colours, was celebrated across India on 4 March 2026, as the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh reported over 44 lakh devotees during its Holi festivities.
Tue, 03 Mar 2026
Defence Ministry signs ₹5,083 crore contracts for six ALH Mk-III helicopters and VL-Shtil missiles
The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹5,083 crore at South Block, New Delhi, on 3 March 2026 for six ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) helicopters for the Indian Coast Guard and Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.
Scindia opens Bharat Pavilion and delivers keynotes at MWC 2026 in Barcelona
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the Bharat Pavilion and delivered two keynote addresses at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain, on 3 March 2026.
Shipping Ministry steps up monitoring of Indian vessels and seafarers in the Persian Gulf
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a review on 3 March 2026 of the security of Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers in the Persian Gulf, and the ministry set up a Quick Response Team.
Total lunar eclipse on 3 March 2026: most of India sees only the ending at moonrise
A total lunar eclipse occurred on 3 March 2026 from 15:20 to 18:48 IST; most of India saw only its ending at moonrise, while parts of the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could also see the end of totality.
NHAI awards HAM contracts for 111-km six-lane Capital Region Ring Road around Bhubaneswar
NHAI issued Letters of Award on 3 March 2026 for the 111-km six-lane access-controlled Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar Bypass) in Odisha, from Rameshwar to Tangi, in three packages under the Hybrid Annuity Mode.
PM Modi addresses second post-Budget webinar on 'Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the second post-Budget webinar, on 'Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth', on 3 March 2026, urging industry to 'build more, produce more, connect more, export more'.
World Wildlife Day 2026 observed on the theme 'Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods'
World Wildlife Day was observed on 3 March 2026 with the theme 'Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods'; the day marks the adoption of CITES.
Attukal Pongala draws lakhs of women devotees to Thiruvananthapuram on 3 March 2026
Attukal Pongala, the ritual offering by women devotees to the deity of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, was held across Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on 3 March 2026, with the main hearth lit at 9.45 am.
TRAI report: India's internet subscribers reach 1,028.61 million at end of December 2025
TRAI released its Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for October–December 2025 on 3 March 2026, showing internet subscribers rising to 1,028.61 million and broadband to 1,007.35 million.
India well stocked on crude and fuels amid Middle East hostilities, says Petroleum Minister Puri
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told the media on 3 March 2026 that India is well stocked with crude oil, petrol, diesel and ATF, and has supplies not routed through the Strait of Hormuz, as a 24×7 control room monitors stocks.
Assam CM inaugurates Kaziranga Orchid Park at Kohora
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the Kaziranga Orchid Park at Kohora in Kaziranga National Park, Golaghat district, on 3 March 2026.
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin opens Mudhalvar Padaippagam library-cum-creative centres in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a Mudhalvar Padaippagam (Chief Minister's Creative Centre) with a modern library at Ashok Nagar, Chennai, on 3 March 2026 and virtually opened nine more built by CMDA.