Current Affairs Quiz - March 2026

Notes:
India and New Zealand launched the Centenary Sports Cooperation Programme to celebrate 100 years of bilateral sporting relations. The centenary commemorates the 1926 Indian Army hockey tour to New Zealand, one of the earliest major sports engagements between the two countries. The programme focuses on six priority sports for collaborative development: rugby, rowing, canoeing, sailing, athletics, and cycling. New Zealand’s coach development framework will be integrated into the curriculum of the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. A Sports and Culture Week is proposed to showcase athletes, coaches, and indigenous sporting traditions from both nations.

Notes:
The Centre for Development of Telematics, an autonomous telecom research and development body under the Department of Telecommunications, organised a Demo Day for 18 startups under the Samarth Incubation Programme (Cohort-II) at NBCC Convention Hall. The Samarth incubation programme, launched in March 2025, by Centre for Development of Telematics. It aims to support startups in the telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors and strengthen India’s digital innovation ecosystem.

Notes:
Bull sharks have recently been reported in the Karun River near the city of Ahvaz, drawing attention because these sharks can survive in both saltwater and freshwater environments. The Karun River is the largest and only navigable river in Iran. The river originates in the Zagros Mountains and flows through south-western Iran. It eventually joins the Shatt al-Arab, which is created by the confluence of the Tigris River and the Euphrates River.

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Government of India launched Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) to fast-track removal of legacy waste dumpsites in urban areas. It is a year-long targeted programme to clear garbage mountains and reclaim land for parks, community facilities, and waste-management infrastructure. The programme was launched in November 2025 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It is implemented under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0). It aims to achieve 100% dumpsite clearance within one year, process legacy waste, and prevent creation of new dumpsites. It supports the Lakshya Zero Dumpsites target to eliminate dumpsites by September 2026.

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The Maharashtra Government has renamed the Divyang Welfare Department as the Divyang Empowerment Department. The change reflects a policy shift from welfare approach to empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan). As per a Government Resolution, the department has also been restructured administratively. The Office of the Commissioner of Divyang Welfare will now be called the Office of Divyang Empowerment. At the district level, a Divyang Empowerment Office (DEO) will be established.

Notes:
Odisha develop its first “smart village” at Kusunpur in Kendrapada district under a mission by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology. The project aligns with the vision of “Viksit Bharat@2047” to promote technology-driven and sustainable rural development. Kusunpur village has about 130 families and 700 people and will serve as a model for smart rural transformation. The initiative involves collaboration between CSIR labs, local administration, and implementation partners.

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World Social Work Day 2026 is observed on 17 March and is celebrated every year on the third Tuesday of March. The 2026 theme is “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.” The day recognises the important role and dedication of social workers in society. It is promoted by global social work organisations to support social justice, human rights, and social development.

Notes:
In alignment with the declaration of 2026 as the ‘International Year of the Woman Farmer’ by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the United Nations, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) has launched the Krishi Sakhi Initiative to empower women farmers and promote inclusive growth in agriculture. The initiative aims to create sustained awareness, increase participation of women in agriculture and crop insurance, and recognize their contribution to strengthening the agricultural sector in India. It is being implemented through structured month-wise activities across AIC’s Head Office and Regional Offices to ensure continuous engagement throughout the year.

Notes:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Minimum Support Price (MSP) funding to the Cotton Corporation of India for the cotton season 2023–24. The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) was established on 31 July 1970 and functions as a Public Sector Undertaking under the Companies Act, 1956. It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

Notes:
The Consumer Justice Report 2026 has been released by the India Justice Report to assess the capacity and performance of consumer dispute redressal commissions in India. The report highlights a significant rise in pendency of cases, with total pending cases increasing by 21% between 2020 and 2024, despite improvements in disposal rates. Although 88.5% of the 7.64 lakh cases were disposed of in the post-pandemic period, the backlog continues to grow, indicating systemic inefficiencies. The report notes a decline in women’s representation in consumer commissions, with the share of women among presidents and members in 14 State Commissions falling from 35% in 2021 to 29% in 2025.