Current Affairs Quiz - March 2026

Notes:
A new parasitic wasp species Chelonus (Carinichelonus) mahadeb has been recently recorded from Nahortoli Tea Estate in Assam. It belongs to the genus Chelonus, whose members are very tiny parasitic wasps but play an important ecological role in insect population control. The discovery is significant because the subgenus Carinichelonus is extremely rare and poorly documented worldwide. This species is only the second newly described species of the subgenus Carinichelonus from India in recent times, making the finding scientifically important.

Notes:
Researchers discovered a rare new catfish species Amblyceps vayavy in the Western Ghats. It was found in the northern Western Ghats across Goa and Maharashtra. The fish lives in shallow hill streams where the streambed has sand, pebbles, and stones. These streambed conditions create small microhabitats that help the fish hide and search for food. The name “vayavy” means “northwest” in Marathi and Konkani, referring to its location in the northwestern Western Ghats. The species has been recorded only from a few scattered locations, showing its rare distribution.

Notes:
The Western Tragopan has drawn attention due to declining populations in the western Himalayas. It is a rare pheasant species endemic to the Western Himalayas. It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh and locally called Jujurana meaning “King of Birds.” The bird lives in temperate and subalpine forests with dense undergrowth. It usually occurs at elevations of about 2,400–3,600 metres. Its range includes Uttarakhand, Kashmir, and parts of Pakistan.

Notes:
India hosted the BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9–15 March 2026. The programme was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to promote knowledge exchange, cooperation and innovation exposure. It brought together 30 young innovators, technology developers, entrepreneurs and professionals from BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) member countries. The programme provided exposure to India’s start-up, research and technology model and encouraged collaboration.

Notes:
Uttarakhand government has made special health arrangements for this year’s Char Dham Yatra through real-time monitoring on the ‘e-Swasthya Dham’ portal for immediate medical assistance. e-Swasthya Dham portal was launched by Uttarakhand government. Experienced doctors and paramedical staff will be deployed at permanent and temporary medical units along pilgrimage routes, major halting points, and all four Dhams. A total of 177 ambulances, including 108 emergency, advanced life support, and cardiac ambulances, will be stationed along the routes.

Notes:
The United States and South Korea conducted the joint military exercise “Freedom Shield” involving thousands of troops. Around 18,000 South Korean troops are participating, while the number of United States troops is not officially confirmed. The exercise continued till 19 March 2026 and focuses on defence preparedness and coordination. North Korea strongly opposes such exercises, viewing them as a rehearsal for invasion. These drills often trigger reactions from North Korea, including missile tests and military demonstrations.

Notes:
The Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is held from 19–22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, serving as a flagship global conference-cum-exhibition for the power and electricity sector. The Summit is expected to host over 100 conference sessions, 300+ speakers, participants from 80+ countries, 500+ exhibitors (including 100+ startups), and over 25,000 visitors, making it one of the largest global electricity platforms. The theme of the Summit is “Electrifying Growth. Empowering Sustainability. Connecting Globally.”, focusing on growth, sustainability, and global collaboration in the energy sector.

Notes:
India is the world’s largest producer of coconuts, contributing around 30.37% of global coconut production. Coconut is a perennial plantation crop and a monocotyledonous palm belonging to the Arecaceae family. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, with its origin commonly traced to Southeast Asia. Coconut requires a warm and humid tropical climate for optimal growth. It grows best in temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C and needs high, evenly distributed rainfall.

Notes:
The Indian Army’s Southern Command conducted Exercise Amogh Jwala at the Babina Field Firing Ranges, Uttar Pradesh, to demonstrate high-tempo mechanised warfare capabilities. The exercise showcased the integrated use of advanced military assets, including attack helicopters, fighter aircraft, drones, counter-drone systems, and modern battlefield technologies. It was conducted in a multi-domain operational environment, combining land, air, cyber, and space elements to reflect modern warfare requirements. The drill emphasized synchronisation of fire and manoeuvre, along with real-time drone-enabled surveillance and target acquisition.

Notes:
Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu (Ministry of Civil Aviation – MoCA) and Mohan Yadav (Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh) launched the Fare Se Fursat – One Route One Fare Scheme on 18 March 2026 with the first Rewa–Raipur flight. The scheme aims to provide fixed and affordable airfares on selected regional routes, ensuring passengers pay the same ticket price regardless of booking time, making travel predictable and budget-friendly. It is implemented by Alliance Air, a government-owned regional airline, and currently covers six selected routes to promote regional connectivity.