Asia Current Affairs — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Tue, 31 Mar 2026
CBIC removes ₹10 lakh cap on courier export consignments from 1 April 2026
Following a Union Budget 2026-27 announcement, CBIC removed the ₹10 lakh per-consignment cap on courier exports with effect from 1 April 2026.
Andhra Pradesh rolls out free electricity for handloom and powerloom weavers from 1 April 2026
Andhra Pradesh announced on 31 March 2026 that handloom weaver households get up to 200 units and powerloom units up to 500 units of free power a month from 1 April 2026.
Defence Ministry signs ₹1,950 crore contract with BEL for two Mountain Radars for IAF
On 31 March 2026 the Ministry of Defence signed a contract of about ₹1,950 crore with BEL for two DRDO-designed Mountain Radars for the Indian Air Force.
India tops the world in Nagoya Protocol compliance certificates with over 56% share
As of March 2026, India had issued 3,561 of the world's 6,311 Internationally Recognized Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol – over 56%.
MP-UP Sahyog Sammelan in Varanasi: Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temple trusts sign MoU
At the MP-UP Sahyog Sammelan in Varanasi on 31 March 2026, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and the Mahakaleshwar temple (Ujjain) signed an MoU, and the two states signed an MoU on ODOP products.
PM inaugurates Samrat Samprati Jain Heritage Museum at Koba Tirth on Mahavir Jayanti
On Mahavir Jayanti, 31 March 2026, PM Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Sangrahalay, a Jain Heritage Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
President Droupadi Murmu addresses Nalanda University convocation at Rajgir
On 31 March 2026 President Droupadi Murmu addressed the convocation of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar, where over half the graduates were international students.
India beat Hong Kong 2-1 in Kochi in final AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier
India beat Hong Kong 2-1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on 31 March 2026 in their last AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifier; Singapore topped Group C and qualified.
Mon, 30 Mar 2026
Census 2027: first digital census with self-enumeration; Phase I begins 1 April 2026
The Registrar General announced on 30 March 2026 that Census 2027 – India's first digital census with a self-enumeration option – would begin its first phase (House Listing) from 1 April 2026.
WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) concludes in Yaoundé, Cameroon
The 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO concluded in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 30 March 2026; India, led by Piyush Goyal, did not agree to incorporating the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement.
CMLRE Kochi's 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre designated National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna
The Environment Ministry designated the 'Bhavasagara' Referral Centre of CMLRE, Kochi, as India's National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (announced 30 March 2026).
Industrial output (IIP) grows 5.2% in February 2026; manufacturing up 6.0%
According to the Quick Estimate released on 30 March 2026, India's Index of Industrial Production grew 5.2% year-on-year in February 2026, led by 6.0% growth in manufacturing.
Former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi dies at 67
Chandrikapersad Santokhi, President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025 and a leader of Indian origin who took his oath in Sanskrit, died suddenly on 30 March 2026 aged 67.
Fourth and last Survey Vessel (Large) 'Sanshodhak' delivered to Navy, completing the project
Sanshodhak (Yard 3028), the fourth and last Survey Vessel (Large) built by GRSE, Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 March 2026.
Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2026 notified for faster operationalisation of mines
The Ministry of Mines on 30 March 2026 notified the Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2026, allowing exclusion of non-feasible portions of blocks and introducing a unified mining portal.
Mineral Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 allow contiguous area and associated minerals in leases
The Ministry of Mines on 30 March 2026 notified the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, allowing one-time addition of contiguous area to deep-seated mineral leases and inclusion of associated minerals.
MeitY approves 29 more ECMS proposals worth ₹7,104 crore, incl. India's first rare earth magnet plant
On 30 March 2026 MeitY approved 29 more proposals under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme with projected investment of ₹7,104 crore and 14,246 direct jobs.
Over 2.37 lakh electors in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry approved for home voting
ECI said on 30 March 2026 that over 2.37 lakh elderly (85+) and PwD electors in Kerala, Assam and Puducherry had been approved for home voting for the 9 April 2026 polls.
Stealth frigate 'Dunagiri', fifth Project 17A ship, delivered to Navy at GRSE Kolkata
Dunagiri (Yard 3023), the fifth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) stealth frigate and the second built by GRSE, was delivered to the Indian Navy at Kolkata on 30 March 2026.
Green ammonia purchase and supply agreements exchanged for fertiliser sector under Green Hydrogen Mission
On 30 March 2026 SECI, industry and fertiliser companies exchanged 10-year Green Ammonia Purchase and Supply Agreements under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, covering about 7.24 lakh tonnes per annum.
Telangana Assembly passes Platform Based Gig Workers Bill, 2026
On 30 March 2026 the Telangana Assembly passed the Telangana Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2026, requiring aggregators to pay 1–2% of transaction value into a welfare fund.
CSIR transfers indigenous bio-bitumen technology that turns crop residue into road binder
On 30 March 2026 Dr Jitendra Singh said bio-bitumen from crop residue, using technology by CSIR-CRRI and CSIR-IIP, could save India about ₹40,000 crore of imports a year.
GRSE delivers 'Agray', fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, to Navy
Agray, the fourth of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft designed and built by GRSE, Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 March 2026.
Record 30 mineral blocks operationalised in FY 2025-26
The Ministry of Mines said on 30 March 2026 that a record 30 mineral blocks were operationalised in FY 2025-26, the highest ever in a single year.
Rajasthan CM transfers ₹1,000 each to 1.22 lakh Anganwadi workers; 10% honorarium hike from 1 April
On 30 March 2026 Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma transferred ₹1,000 each through DBT to 1.22 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers for two uniforms, and announced a 10% honorarium increase from 1 April 2026.
Sun, 29 Mar 2026
Mann Ki Baat 132nd episode: Gyan Bharatam manuscript survey, water conservation, sports achievers
In the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat on 29 March 2026, PM Modi urged people to join the Gyan Bharatam Survey of manuscripts and highlighted water conservation, sports achievers and community seed banks.
Punjab Cabinet approves Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana: ₹1,000 a month for women, ₹1,500 for SC women
On 29 March 2026 the Punjab Cabinet approved the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, giving ₹1,000 a month to women and ₹1,500 to Scheduled Caste women through DBT.
Piyush Goyal meets EU, UK, Canada and New Zealand trade ministers at WTO MC14
On 29 March 2026, on the sidelines of WTO MC14 in Yaoundé, Piyush Goyal met trade ministers of the EU, UK, Canada and New Zealand to review India's FTAs and trade talks.
IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26 opens in Greater Noida with 650+ youth in 63 skills
The IndiaSkills National Competition 2025–26 began in Greater Noida on 29 March 2026, with over 650 skilled youth competing in 63 skill categories.
PM greets people on Madhavpur Mela in Porbandar, symbol of Gujarat–Northeast bond
On 29 March 2026 PM Modi greeted people on the ongoing Madhavpur Mela in Porbandar, Gujarat, saying it reinforces the cultural bond between Gujarat and the Northeast.