Current Affairs Quiz - March 2026

Notes:
New research confirmed that the Silverpit Crater was formed by a massive asteroid impact millions of years ago. It lies about 700 metres beneath the seabed in the North Sea, nearly 80 miles off the coast of Yorkshire. The crater was buried under thick sediment layers and was discovered only in 2002. It formed when a high-velocity space rock struck the seabed around 43–46 million years ago. Scientists found “shocked” quartz and feldspar crystals, which form only under extreme pressure during asteroid impacts. The crater is about 3 km wide and surrounded by circular faults extending nearly 20 km.

Notes:
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovered nine new species during a faunal survey in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot with rich wildlife diversity. The area supports many plants and animals, from shrubs and trees to mammals, birds, and insects.

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In March 2026, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched the Gaudham Yojana at Bilaspur to manage stray and abandoned cattle. The scheme aims to set up 1,460 Gaudhams (cattle shelters) across the state with about 10 shelters in each development block. Each shelter will have a capacity of around 200 cattle and all will be named Surabhi Gaudham. In the first phase, 29 Gaudhams across 11 districts were virtually inaugurated. These centres will also provide training in animal husbandry, green fodder cultivation, and value-added products (VAP) from cow dung.

Notes:
Iranian drone strikes on Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have raised concerns over disruption of global energy supply routes. Fujairah is the only UAE emirate located on the eastern coast along the Gulf of Oman and has no coastline on the Persian Gulf. It is separated from the rest of the UAE by the Hajar Mountains. The Port of Fujairah is the world’s fourth-largest bunkering (marine fuel supply) hub after Singapore, Rotterdam, and Zhoushan.

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Researchers discovered two ancient petroglyphs near Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula, Telangana, inside a rock shelter. Petroglyphs are rock engravings made by removing surface material using techniques like pecking, incising, drilling, and polishing. They differ from petrographs, which are painted or drawn images on rocks. The term comes from Greek words “petros” (stone) and “glyphein” (to carve). Petroglyphs appear as scratches or deep carvings and are linked to prehistoric human activity. They are found worldwide except Antarctica, with major presence in Africa, Americas, Europe, Siberia, and Australia. In India, Edakkal Caves in Kerala is a famous example.

Notes:
Morocco national football team have been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title after the Confederation of African Football overturned the original final result. The decision followed a ruling that stripped Senegal of the title, granting Morocco a 3-0 administrative victory after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest during the final. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final match following a review of a walk-off protest by Senegal’s players, which occurred in stoppage time. Morocco were crowned champions, winning their first major tournament title on home soil, while Senegal was officially listed as forfeiting the final.

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.

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The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released a report titled “Planet in Focus: Advancing Environmental Sustainability under the SDGs”. The report focuses on SDGs related to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), responsible consumption (SDG 12), climate action (SDG 13), life below water (SDG 14), and life on land (SDG 15). It highlights India’s progress in climate mitigation and adaptation, sustainable water management, biodiversity conservation, and responsible consumption practices. India achieved universal Open Defecation Free (ODF) status across all districts through the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Notes:
The NATO is deploying the U.S. Patriot Missile Defence System to the southern province of Adana to strengthen regional air defence capabilities. PATRIOT stands for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. It is a ground-based, mobile missile defence system developed by the United States. The system is designed to detect, track, and intercept aerial threats with high precision.

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The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education recommended adding breakfast under PM POSHAN to reduce undernourishment and stunting among children. The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) suggests nutritious breakfast before cognitively demanding morning classes to improve learning outcomes. Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka have already launched breakfast programmes using their own resources. PM POSHAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Education, replacing the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy. It provides one hot cooked meal daily to Classes 1–8 and Bal Vatikas in government and government-aided schools.