Current Affairs Quiz — March 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Which airport did the Union Cabinet approve for declaration as an international airport on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Madurai
The Cabinet approved declaring Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu an international airport.
The Madurai Airport, declared international by the Cabinet in March 2026, is described as a crucial gateway to which region?
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Correct answer: D — Southern Tamil Nadu
The government described Madurai Airport as a crucial gateway to southern Tamil Nadu, promoting tourism and pilgrimage.
What is the length of the greenfield corridor linking Jewar International Airport with the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway spur, whose revised cost was approved on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 31.42 km
The corridor is 31.42 km long, of which about 11 km will be elevated; 80.45 km is the NH-752D project approved the same day.
On which mode will the Jewar Airport greenfield connectivity project be built?
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Correct answer: B — Hybrid Annuity Mode
The CCEA approved the project on Hybrid Annuity Mode in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
Dr Partha Biswas assumed charge on 10 March 2026 as a Member of which body?
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Correct answer: C — National Commission for Scheduled Castes
Dr Partha Biswas took charge as a Member of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).
Consider the following statements about the National Commission for Scheduled Castes: 1. It is a constitutional body under Article 338. 2. The Constitution (Eighty-ninth Amendment) Act, 2003 created a separate National Commission for Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the NCSC functions under Article 338, and the 89th Amendment Act, 2003 bifurcated the earlier joint commission, inserting Article 338A for the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
How much textile waste does India generate annually, according to the report released by the Textiles Ministry on 10 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 70.73 lakh tonnes
The report 'Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India' estimates about 70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste a year.
The world-first surgery performed at Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi on 10 March 2026, implanting a Hydrus Microstent under aqueous angiography guidance, treats which eye disease?
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Correct answer: B — Glaucoma
The minimally invasive glaucoma surgery placed the Hydrus Microstent in Schlemm's canal to improve aqueous drainage, alongside cataract surgery.
With the birth of five cubs to Jwala announced on 9 March 2026, what is India's total cheetah population?
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Correct answer: C — 53
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav said the total cheetah population in India had reached 53 with the arrival of Jwala's five cubs.
Jwala, the cheetah that gave birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in March 2026, was originally brought from which country?
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Correct answer: A — Namibia
Jwala is a Namibian cheetah and a third-time mother.
How many Indian-born cheetah cubs were surviving after Jwala's litter, according to the Environment Ministry on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 33
The number of Indian-born thriving cubs rose to 33; the litter was the 10th successful one on Indian soil.
On 28 February 2026, nine cheetahs were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park. From which country were they received?
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Correct answer: D — Botswana
Bhupender Yadav released nine cheetahs (six females and three males) received from Botswana into quarantine enclosures at Kuno on 28 February 2026.
Consider the following statements about Project Cheetah: 1. It began on 17 September 2022 with the release of eight cheetahs from Namibia at Kuno National Park. 2. The cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the Prime Minister released eight Namibian cheetahs (five females, three males) at Kuno on 17 September 2022 under Project Cheetah, the world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation; the cheetah had been declared extinct in India in 1952.
According to Piyush Goyal at the National IP Awards on 9 March 2026, India's Global Innovation Index ranking has improved from 81 to what?
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Correct answer: B — 38
Goyal said India's GII ranking improved from 81 to 38.
By how much did Piyush Goyal say patent filings in India have grown in a decade?
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Correct answer: C — 215%
He said India registered 215% growth in patent filings in a decade.
How many new innovation labs in schools, announced in the Union Budget, did Piyush Goyal refer to at the National IP Awards 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 50,000
Goyal referred to the government's initiative to establish 50,000 new innovation labs in schools, announced in the Union Budget.
Where did the Election Commission of India review poll preparedness for the West Bengal Assembly elections on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kolkata
The Commission held the review in Kolkata, meeting political parties and enforcement and district officials.
Which forms did the CEC say could still be filed for inclusion, deletion or correction in the West Bengal electoral rolls after the SIR?
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Correct answer: B — Forms 6, 7 and 8
CEC Gyanesh Kumar said Forms 6/7/8 can still be filed for any inclusions, deletions or changes.
Consider the following statements about Article 324 of the Constitution: 1. It vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to the offices of President and Vice-President in the Election Commission. 2. The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Article 324(1) covers elections to Parliament, state legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President, and the proviso to Article 324(5) protects the CEC with Supreme Court-judge-like removal.
With which organisation did NHAI prepare the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) report released on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO)
The report was prepared in coordination with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO.
The National Highways Green Cover Index is derived from which measurement made by high-resolution satellite sensors?
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Correct answer: A — Chlorophyll content
The assessment is derived from chlorophyll content detected through high-resolution satellite sensors.
Consider the following statements about the first NH-GCI assessment: 1. It covered about 30,000 km of national highways in 24 states. 2. It assessed green cover for the period July–December 2024. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the first cycle covered about 30,000 km of national highways across 24 states for July–December 2024.
Who chairs the committee set up by Rajasthan on 9 March 2026 to draft a law protecting the Khejri tree?
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Correct answer: B — Jogaram Patel
The six-member committee is chaired by Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel.
The Khejri, for whose protection Rajasthan is drafting a special law, holds which status in the state?
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Correct answer: D — State tree
Khejri is the state tree of Rajasthan.
Within what time was Rajasthan's Khejri committee asked to submit its draft law?
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Correct answer: A — One month
The committee is to submit the proposed draft within one month.
Who is the Chairman of Nepal's Rastriya Swatantra Party, whom PM Modi congratulated by phone on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Rabi Lamichhane
PM Modi spoke to RSP Chairman Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balendra Shah.
Nepal's House of Representatives, elected on 5 March 2026, has how many members?
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Correct answer: C — 275
The House of Representatives has 275 members: 165 directly elected and 110 through proportional representation.
The centenary of India–New Zealand sporting ties in 2026 traces back to which event of 1926?
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Correct answer: D — The Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand
The ties trace back to the historic 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand.
Who led the New Zealand sports delegation that met Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Chris Bishop
The delegation was led by Chris Bishop, Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation; Ross Taylor and Raelene Castle were members, and Patrick John Rata is New Zealand's High Commissioner to India.
Who released the Ministry of Defence's Manual of Security Instructions 2026 on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh released the manual at South Block, New Delhi.
What was the result of India's FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers women's Pool B match against Scotland in Hyderabad on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 2–2 draw
India drew 2–2 with Scotland, with goals from Navneet Kaur and Sunelita Toppo, and stayed top of Pool B on goal difference.
Which institute organised the International Malaria Conference 2026 held in New Delhi from 7 to 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research
IMC 2026 was organised by ICMR–NIMR under the Indian Council of Medical Research.
Where did NITI Aayog hold the Regional Best Practices Seminar (South) under the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programmes on 9 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Visakhapatnam
The seminar was held in Visakhapatnam, with officials from five southern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
DiaCue, the rapid diagnostic kit supported by the Technology Development Board in March 2026, is meant to distinguish between which conditions?
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Correct answer: A — Bacterial and non-bacterial childhood diarrhoea
DiaCue, by BabyCue Pvt Ltd of Cuttack, differentiates bacterial from non-bacterial diarrhoea in children.
At the post-Budget webinar on health on 9 March 2026, J.P. Nadda said the government targets how many skilled allied healthcare professionals?
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Correct answer: A — One lakh
Nadda said the government targets one lakh skilled allied healthcare professionals to boost diagnostics and public health.
India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final on 8 March 2026 by defeating which team?
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Correct answer: D — New Zealand
India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Where was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final played?
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Correct answer: A — Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
The final was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026.
Who was named Player of the Match in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final?
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Correct answer: B — Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah took 4 for 15 and was Player of the Match; Sanju Samson, who scored 89, was Player of the Tournament.
What total did India post in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand?
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Correct answer: C — 255/5
India scored 255 for 5 in 20 overs and bowled New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs.
Consider the following statements about India's ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 win: 1. India became the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title. 2. India became the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the ICC said India became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup, the first to win it at home and the first to win three titles.
Which Delhi Metro line became India's first fully operational ring metro after the corridor inaugurated on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pink Line
The 12.3-km Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur stretch completed the Pink Line loop, taking it to about 71.56 km and making it India's first fully operational ring metro.
What was the approximate total value of the projects the Prime Minister inaugurated and began in Delhi on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — ₹33,500 crore
The projects were worth about ₹33,500 crore, of which Metro projects were about ₹18,300 crore and GPRA projects ₹15,200 crore.
The Magenta Line corridor inaugurated in Delhi on 8 March 2026 runs between which two points?
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Correct answer: B — Deepali Chowk and Majlis Park
The 9.9-km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park corridor is on the Magenta Line; Majlis Park–Maujpur Babarpur is the Pink Line stretch.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three Delhi Metro Phase V-A corridors whose foundation stone was laid on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rithala–Narela
The three Phase V-A corridors (about 16.1 km) are R.K. Ashram Marg–Indraprastha, Aerocity–IGI Terminal-1 and Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj.
Who was chosen as Iran's new Supreme Leader in March 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Mojtaba Khamenei
The Assembly of Experts chose Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ali Khamenei, on 8 March 2026.
Which Iranian body chose the new Supreme Leader in March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Assembly of Experts
The Assembly of Experts, a body of 88 clerics, chose Mojtaba Khamenei as Supreme Leader.
How many members does Iran's Assembly of Experts, which chose the Supreme Leader in March 2026, have?
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Correct answer: C — 88
Reuters and Al Jazeera describe the Assembly of Experts as an 88-member body of clerics.
Consider the following statements about Iran's leadership change in March 2026: 1. The Assembly of Experts described Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 2. Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen by Iran's Guardian Council. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Assembly's statement called him 'the third Leader'; he was chosen by the Assembly of Experts, not the Guardian Council.
Which initiative of the Union Budget 2026–27, mentioned by President Murmu on Women's Day 2026, aims to give better markets to products of self-help groups and rural women?
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Correct answer: B — SHE-Mart
The President said the SHE-Mart initiative launched in the Union Budget 2026–27 will provide better markets for SHG and rural women's products.
According to President Murmu on 8 March 2026, how many women-owned MSMEs are active on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?
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Correct answer: D — Over two lakh
She said more than two lakh women-owned MSMEs are active on GeM.
According to PM Modi on 8 March 2026, the national resolve to create how many 'Lakhpati Didis' has been fulfilled?
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Correct answer: C — 3 crore
The PM said the resolve to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis had been fulfilled and set a new goal of 3 crore more.
How many women did PM Modi say are now empowered through Self-Help Groups, in his Women's Day address of 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Over 10 crore
He said over 10 crore women are now empowered through Self-Help Groups.
Under Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana announced in the Budget 2026–27, how much will Scheduled Caste women receive per month?
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Correct answer: A — ₹1,500
SC women will get ₹1,500 a month, while other eligible adult women will get ₹1,000.
What outlay has Punjab earmarked for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satikar Yojana in 2026–27?
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Correct answer: B — ₹9,300 crore
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema earmarked ₹9,300 crore for the scheme in 2026–27.
Who presented the Punjab Budget 2026–27 in the state Assembly on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Harpal Singh Cheema
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Budget on International Women's Day.
Which of the following Autonomous District Councils of Assam received Fifteenth Finance Commission grants announced on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Bodoland Territorial Council
The three ADCs were the Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous Council; the others listed are in Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura.
How much was released to Assam's rural local bodies as the second instalment of XV-FC untied grants for 2025–26?
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Correct answer: A — ₹256.60 crore
₹256.60 crore was the second untied instalment; another ₹42.70 crore of the withheld first instalment went to three ADCs, taking the total over ₹299 crore.
Consider the following statements: 1. Article 243G of the Constitution allows a State Legislature to endow Panchayats with powers for schemes, including those on matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule. 2. Fifteenth Finance Commission untied grants to rural local bodies can be used for salaries and other establishment costs. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. Article 243G covers devolution to Panchayats including Eleventh Schedule matters, but XV-FC untied grants are for location-specific needs under the 29 Eleventh Schedule subjects and exclude salaries and establishment costs.
From which district did C.R. Paatil launch Jal Mahotsav 2026 on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Navsari, Gujarat
Paatil marked the Shubharambh from Rahej village in Gandevi block of Navsari district, Gujarat; the two Ministers of State joined from Sindhudurg and Muzaffarpur.
Jal Mahotsav, the campaign of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, is to be observed every year during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 8–22 March
Jal Mahotsav will be observed annually from 8 to 22 March, beginning with Jal Arpan Diwas on International Women's Day.
What is the name of the campaign launched by the Income Tax Department in March 2026 to guide restaurants to correct their returns?
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Correct answer: B — SAKSHAM NUDGE
The department started the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign; in phase one, messages go to 63,000 identified restaurants.
The Income Tax Department's survey of restaurants on 8 March 2026 revealed preliminary sales suppression of about how much?
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Correct answer: C — ₹408 crore
The survey of 62 restaurants in 46 cities across 22 states revealed suppression of sales of about ₹408 crore.
Under which provision of the Income Tax Act were restaurants encouraged to file updated returns in the SAKSHAM NUDGE campaign?
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Correct answer: D — Section 139(8A)
Taxpayers were encouraged to file updated returns under Section 139(8A) of the Income Tax Act before 31 March 2026.
What target of Lakhpati Didis has Tripura set, as noted by the Vice-President on 8 March 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 1.35 lakh
The Vice-President noted that Tripura has set a target of creating 1.35 lakh Lakhpati Didis.
India's women's hockey team opened their FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers campaign in Hyderabad on 8 March 2026 with a 4–0 win over which team?
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Correct answer: B — Uruguay
India beat Uruguay 4–0 in their first Pool B match at the G.M.C. Balayogi Hockey Ground.
The 'Shakti Walk #SheLeadsBharat' held on 8 March 2026 to mark International Women's Day took place on which route?
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Correct answer: C — India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path
Over 3,000 women walked about 2 km from India Gate to Vijay Chowk along Kartavya Path.