Weekly Current Affairs Test : 15th to 21st March 2026

The Union Minister of Jal Shakti recently released the Sujal Gaon ID to strengthen digital monitoring of rural water supply. Sujal Gaon ID is a scheme-based unique digital identifier used for complete digital mapping of rural piped water supply assets. These IDs have been created for villages across 31 States and Union Territories (UTs). Each Sujal Gaon ID is linked with Sujalam Bharat ID for integrated digital records. It works under the “Sujalam Bharat” national digital architecture, which maps the entire rural water supply chain from source to tap. The initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Jal Shakti under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).

The Supreme Court of India recently took suo motu cognisance of reports about illegal sand mining threatening the ecology and aquatic life of the National Chambal Sanctuary. The sanctuary lies at the tri-junction of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan along the Chambal River. It is also called National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary, a tri-state protected riverine sanctuary with deep ravines. It mainly protects Gharial, Red‑crowned roof turtle, and Ganges river dolphin.

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.

A Telugu medieval inscription linked to the Gajapati Empire was discovered at Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The Gajapati Empire was a medieval Hindu dynasty from Odisha, ruling roughly from 1434 to 1541. It was founded by Kapilendra Deva of the Suryavamsa lineage after the death of Bhanu Deva IV of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The early capital was Cuttack, later shifted during Prataparudra Deva’s reign. At its peak in the 15th century, the empire extended from the Ganges River near Hooghly to the Kaveri River. Gajapati rulers strongly supported art, architecture, literature, and Odia culture.

Researchers recently identified an unusual iron sulfate ferric hydroxysulfate in layered deposits near Valles Marineris using laboratory experiments and orbital data. Valles Marineris, also called Mariner Valley, is a vast system of interconnected canyons on Mars. It was discovered during the Mariner 9 mission in 1971. It is one of the largest canyon systems in the Solar System. Some canyon walls are fault scarps formed due to crustal movement linked to Tharsis Rise. Erosion also shaped the canyon, seen in deep gullies along the walls.

National Immunization Day, also called National Vaccination Day, is observed in India every year on 16 March. The day recognises the efforts of policymakers, healthcare workers, and stakeholders involved in vaccination programmes. It aims to promote awareness about the importance of immunisation in preventing diseases. The observance highlights India’s achievements in large-scale vaccination drives despite its huge population and high population density.

Operation Thunder is a large global operation against wildlife trafficking conducted in 134 countries. It was led by INTERPOL and World Customs Organization. Authorities made about 4,640 seizures of illegal wildlife and wildlife products. More than 30,000 live animals were rescued during the operation. Around 245 tonnes and 91,000 pieces of marine life were seized, including about 4,000 shark fins. About 10,500 butterflies, spiders and insects were seized, showing rising trafficking of smaller species.

International Day of Mathematics is celebrated every year on 14 March.
The day highlights the importance of mathematics in daily life, science and technology. It has been celebrated globally since 2020 after proclamation by UNESCO. The celebrations are coordinated by International Mathematical Union with support from UNESCO. Schools, universities and research institutions organize competitions, exhibitions and public activities. The aim is to promote interest in mathematics and show its practical role in society and innovation.

Deloitte India launched ConnectSafe, India’s first cyber-security facility focused on protecting human lives and critical infrastructure. The initiative shifts cyber security focus from data protection to safety of connected operational systems. It addresses growing cyber risks due to India’s rapidly expanding connected ecosystems in mobility, healthcare, manufacturing, energy, agriculture and digital infrastructure. The 4,500 sq ft facility simulates real-world cyber-attack scenarios.It helps organisations test and strengthen security systems without affecting live operations.

60th Jnanpith Award (2025) will be conferred on R. Vairamuthu. Jnanpith Award is the highest literary award in India. The award is presented by Bharatiya Jnanpith. R. Vairamuthu is a distinguished Tamil poet, lyricist and writer. He is recognised for creative depth, powerful poetic voice and contribution to Tamil literature. His writings focus on human emotions, social issues and nature. The selection committee meeting was chaired by Pratibha Ray.

United States-based Sentynl Therapeutics, part of Zydus Lifesciences, has partnered with South Korea’s PRG S&T to develop Progerinin, a drug for Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS). Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes rapid aging in children. The disease is caused by a mutation in the LMNA (Lamin A) gene, which normally produces lamin A protein for maintaining cell structure. This mutation leads to the formation of an abnormal protein called progerin, which damages the cell nucleus. The damaged cells die early, resulting in premature aging of the body.

Scientists in West Bengal have discovered a new estuarine fish species named Butis bargabhimae in the Rupnarayan River, a tributary of the Hooghly River near Tamluk, West Bengal. Butis bargabhimae belongs to the butid family, commonly known as gudgeon goby, which usually live in brackish water where rivers meet the sea. The species is unique because it has interorbital scales (scales between the eyes), unlike most related fish which have smooth areas there. It also has additional auxiliary scales across its body, making it structurally distinct. The fish shows clear light and dark bands on its pectoral fins, which are absent in similar species.

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.

The Indian Navy deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Guam to join the US-led Sea Dragon anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise 2026. The exercise includes QUAD partners: United States, India, Australia, Japan, and also New Zealand. Multiple P-8 aircraft participate, enabling better coordination due to similar systems, sensors, and data-link capabilities. The drill improves ASW skills by training crews from simulated targets to real submarine detection with 200+ flight hours. Joint classroom sessions are also conducted to refine tactics and coordination. The deployment comes as India ensures safe passage of merchant ships in the Arabian Sea for energy security.

The Ministry of Ayush launched the “Desh ka Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan” campaign to create awareness about ‘Prakriti’ in Ayurveda. The campaign aimed to assess individuals’ Prakriti for a positive approach towards their health. Assessment was conducted via a mobile application developed with guidance from Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), a unit of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), following Ayurveda principles. More than 1,40,69,556 Indian citizens aged 18+ have undergone Prakriti assessment with the support of 1,85,704 volunteers including students, teachers, practitioners, and medical officers.

India and Indonesia have partnered to restore the Prambanan Temple complex in Yogyakarta, Southern Java. Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia, located in Sleman region. It is locally known as Roro Jonggrang, meaning “Temple of the Slender Virgin.” The temple was built in the 9th century by the Sanjaya dynasty. It is dedicated to the Hindu Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. The complex remained buried for centuries and was rediscovered in the 19th century. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Scientists studied the evolution of the Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA) in the North-West Himalaya. Ladakh Magmatic Arc (LMA) is a belt of igneous rocks in the Trans-Himalaya formed between Jurassic and Eocene period (about 201.3 to 33.9 million years ago). It is an extinct volcanic arc that developed over millions of years in three phases. First phase (160–110 million years ago) involved early island arc formation. Second phase (103–45 million years ago) saw intense magmatism due to plate convergence. Third phase (after 45 million years ago) involved post-collision magmatic activity. It formed when the Neo-Tethys Ocean existed and tectonic plates underwent subduction beneath the Earth’s surface.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) tested an indigenously developed Floating LiDAR Buoy System off Muttom coast, Tamil Nadu. It is a high-tech ocean instrument that measures wind conditions using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. The system combines a floating buoy with laser-based sensors to study atmospheric conditions over the sea. It emits laser pulses that reflect from air particles, and the returned signals are analysed to measure wind speed, direction, and patterns. It can capture detailed wind data up to 300 metres above sea level, which is better than traditional instruments.

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.

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Asia’s largest tulip garden, was inaugurated on 16 March 2026 by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, marking the start of the spring tourism season. The garden is spread over 74 acres at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range, overlooking Dal Lake. It features over 1.8 million tulips across 70–75 varieties, including imported varieties from the Netherlands. The garden’s vibrant floral display attracts tourists from across India and abroad, turning the valley into a colorful and picturesque landscape.

Kaveh Madani has been named the 2026 recipient of the Stockholm Water Prize, which is considered the world’s most prestigious award for water-related work. The prize has been awarded annually since 1991 by the Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It recognizes individuals or organisations that make outstanding contributions to the conservation and protection of water resources and to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.

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.

Bhumika Shrestha has become Nepal’s first transgender woman lawmaker, marking a historic step toward inclusivity in South Asia. She officially entered Parliament on 16 March 2026 through the proportional representation system and is associated with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Her achievement follows political changes after 2025 protests, which led to fresh elections and the rise of new leadership in Nepal. It represents a major breakthrough for LGBTQ representation, giving the community a voice at the highest political level.

The U.N.-backed World Happiness Report 2026 was released on 18 March 2026, highlighting global well-being trends and ranking Finland as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year. The report emphasizes that heavy social media use is harming young people’s well-being, prompting some countries to consider or implement legislative restrictions on social media for youth. Top 10 happiest countries are Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, Switzerland. Costa Rica achieved fourth place, marking the highest-ever ranking for a Latin American country. Among 147 countries, India ranks 116th, showing a slight improvement from 118th in 2025.

Historian and author William Dalrymple has won the Mark Lynton History Prize 2026 for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World. The prize recognizes works of history that combine scholarly rigor with literary elegance and carries a $10,000 cash award. It is part of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, administered by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and Columbia University School of Journalism.

New research by University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Stop Methane Project (SPM) using satellite data from Carbon Mapper found Turkmenistan has 15 of the top 25 methane-emitting oil and gas sites (2025), with 4,400+ methane plumes across 2,489 sites globally. Other major emission hotspots include Iran, Venezuela, Texas (USA) and Sindh (Pakistan), with emission rates ranging 3.7–10.5 tonnes/hour. In India, Ghazipur landfill in Delhi is a major super-emitter, with a peak leak of 400 tonnes/hour (2022) due to anaerobic decomposition of organic waste.

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica, as reported by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The islands are a remote archipelago about 120 km north of the Antarctic Peninsula, discovered in 1819 by William Smith and often called the “jewel of Antarctica.” They were formed by volcanic activity, with some islands still active, especially Deception Island, known for its flooded caldera. More than 80% area is covered with permanent ice, and there are no permanent residents, though countries maintain seasonal research stations.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) introduced ALMM List-III (for ingots and wafers), effective from 1 June 2028, under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers Order 2019 (ALMM). ALMM is a quality and reliability framework ensuring solar equipment used in India meets domestic manufacturing standards. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is the nodal authority for Approved List of Models and Manufacturers Order (ALMM) Framework. It has a tier structure: List-I (Solar PV Modules), List-II (Solar PV Cells) and List-III (Ingots and Wafers). Only approved models and manufacturers in ALMM can be used in government projects, schemes, net-metering and power sale to government.

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.

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.