Current Affairs Quiz - March 2026

Notes:
Researchers at the U.S. National Institutes of Health discovered that cholesterol present in the membrane around the cell nucleus plays a role in promoting the spread of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Melanoma originates in melanocytes, which are specialized cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin. This type of cancer typically develops on areas of the skin that are frequently exposed to the sun, such as the arms, back, face, and legs, although it can occasionally appear inside the body, including in the nose or throat. Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, whether from sunlight or artificial sources like tanning lamps and beds, is the main cause of most melanomas, although other factors may also contribute.

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 International Day of Happiness 2026 is observed on March 20 to promote kindness, generosity, and community well-being. The theme for 2026 is “Caring and Sharing”, emphasizing the importance of compassion and collective support in improving happiness. The observance specifically explores the impact of social media and technology on mental health, examining how these factors influence global happiness trends. The day aims to raise awareness about the role of positive social interactions and mindful technology use in enhancing personal and community well-being worldwide.

Notes:
Masi Magam is an important festival in the Tamil calendar, holding deep cultural and identity significance for the Irular community. The Irulars are a Dravidian ethnic group, mainly living in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. They are considered one of India’s oldest indigenous communities and are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu. They also identify as Erlar or Poosari, while others call them Irulas, Shikari, Pujari or Eralollu.

Notes:
Recent Legionnaires’ disease cases in London and New York have raised global concern. Public health experts warn that densely populated cities, including those in India, could face similar outbreaks if preventive measures are not strengthened. Legionnaires’ disease (LD) is a severe pneumonia caused by the bacterium Legionella, first identified in 1976 at an American Legion convention. Transmission occurs when people breathe in water or soil containing Legionella; it is not contagious and generally cannot spread through drinking water unless aspirated. High-risk groups include older adults, smokers, and people with weakened immune systems.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The Global Terrorism Index 2026 is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney-based think tank, covering 163 countries (99.7% of global population). It ranks countries using a score from 0 to 10 based on the impact of terrorism, creating a comparative global index. Terrorism-related deaths fell by 28% and incidents declined by 22%, indicating an overall improvement. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicentre, with 6 of the 10 most affected countries located there. Pakistan ranked 1st (most affected) for the first time, while India ranked 13th.

Notes:
The Assam Government is planning to create a new Reserved Forest adjacent to Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district, Assam, to strengthen conservation efforts. Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River, Assam and is part of the Laokhowa–Burhachapori ecosystem. It lies strategically between Kaziranga National Park (east), Orang National Park (west), and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary (south). The region experiences a sub-tropical monsoon climate, supporting rich biodiversity.

Notes:
Zoological Survey of India recently discovered a new marine crab species named Chhapgarus ngankeeae from the mangroves of Goa. The species is named in honour of the late Ngan Kee Ng, a noted marine biologist from the National University of Singapore. It is found in muddy intertidal mangrove forests along the west coast of India. Mangrove crabs, including Chhapgarus ngankeeae, play an important ecological role by recycling nutrients and supporting coastal food chains.