Weekly Current Affairs Test : 22nd to 31st March 2026

The Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS) has been revised under Budget 2025–26 to improve credit support for MSME manufacturers and exporters. The scheme is implemented by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), which provides 60% guarantee coverage for loans up to ₹100 crore for machinery and equipment. The scheme is applicable to MSMEs with valid Udyam Registration, and its scope has now been expanded to include service sector MSMEs. The minimum project cost requirement for machinery has been reduced to 60% from the earlier 75%, making it easier for MSMEs to qualify.

PRARAMBH 2026 (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat) was launched by the Ministry of Finance as a nationwide awareness campaign on the Income Tax Act, 2025. The initiative aims to familiarise citizens with provisions of the new tax law, which will come into effect from 1 April 2026, through a multi-channel outreach including print, TV, radio, digital and social media. It offers taxpayer-centric resources such as guidance notes, brochures, tutorial videos, FAQs, and public engagement activities like the MyGov Quiz. The campaign adopts a multilingual approach, with materials released in 10 regional languages along with English and Hindi for wider accessibility.

World Water Day is observed annually on 22 March (since 1993) as a United Nations observance highlighting the importance of freshwater resources. The idea originated in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro), after which the UN officially designated the day. The day supports Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation for all by 2030). The theme for 2026 is “Water and Gender”, emphasizing the role of women and girls in water management. It raises awareness about water scarcity, pollution, and sanitation issues, encouraging global action for sustainable water use.

Sarhul is a major Adivasi festival centred on nature worship, symbolising the union of the Sun and Earth and the renewal of life. The festival involves worship of the Sal tree, believed to be the abode of Sama Maa, and is celebrated by tribes like Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia and Ho. It is mainly observed in Jharkhand and parts of Odisha, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. It is a three-day festival ending with a community feast, after which agricultural activities like sowing and ploughing begin, highlighting its link with livelihood and nature.

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.

Recently, Israeli airstrikes destroyed Qasmiyeh Bridge over Litani River in Lebanon’s southern coastal highway. Litani River is the longest and major river of Lebanon. It originates west of Baalbek and flows southwest through Bekaa Valley between Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountains. It finally drains into the Mediterranean Sea.

World Meteorological Day is observed every year on March 23 to highlight the importance of weather, climate and water science. It commemorates the establishment of World Meteorological Organization (WMO – World Meteorological Organization) in 1950. The 2026 theme “Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow” emphasizes accurate data and continuous monitoring. It promotes use of advanced technologies like satellites and radar for climate prediction and disaster management.

Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) has established 53 cells across 36 States and Union Territories and provides services in 20 languages. The helpline has handled more than 34.34 lakh calls, reflecting its wide reach and usage. The Tele-MANAS mobile application was launched on 10 October 2024 by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide comprehensive mental health support from well-being to disorders. The programme provides multiple referrals including counselling, clinical evaluation, Mental Health Professionals (MHPs – Mental Health Professionals), and emergency psychiatric care.

India’s largest pregnancy study under GARBH-INi (Group for Advanced Research in BirtH outcomes – Department of Biotechnology India Initiative) tracks 12,000 women. It was started in May 2015 to understand pregnancy outcomes in Indian women. The study focuses on preterm birth (PTB) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). It aims to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools to predict preterm births early. The initiative promotes Maternal and Child Health (MCH) across the country. It is implemented under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.

The Panama Canal is currently operating at full capacity (about 36–38 ships daily) due to rising global energy demand. The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the Isthmus of Panama. It is a highly strategic global trade route and is about 40 miles long. It was built by the United States and completed in August 1914. The United States controlled it until 1979, after which joint control began with Panama. Full control was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999. The canal is now owned and managed by Panama.

The Minor Planet Centre (MPC) recently announced discovery of 15 new moons, 4 around Jupiter and 11 around Saturn. It is the global centre for collecting and storing data on small solar system bodies. It operates under the International Astronomical Union (IAU) at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Astronomers send new findings to MPC, where data is verified and orbits are calculated. It assigns official names or designations to newly discovered objects. It tracks asteroids, comets, and outer planet moons.

A Kerala start-up has delivered the Akasha300 3D printer to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), boosting India’s self-reliance in advanced manufacturing. It is a high-temperature, multi-material extrusion 3D printer designed for industrial and research use. It is supported by the Space Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre at Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and Kerala Startup Mission. It uses dual-extrusion technology and can operate up to 350°C, with future upgrades to 500°C. It has a modular design allowing multiple extrusion systems and hybrid manufacturing.

National Biodiversity Authority launched a short-term internship programme (up to 3 months) for graduate and postgraduate students. NBA is a statutory body under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, established in 2003. Its headquarters is in Chennai. It performs facilitative, regulatory, and advisory roles for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. It ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from biological resources.

Researchers at the University of Utah discovered that freshwater saturates the rock and sediment beneath the Great Salt Lake to depths of up to 13,000 feet. The Great Salt Lake is a saline, endorheic lake located in northern Utah, United States, and it is the largest inland saltwater body in the Western Hemisphere. It is fed by the Bear River, Weber River, and Jordan River, but has no outlet, so water leaves primarily through evaporation. The lake’s salinity is higher than that of the oceans due to high evaporation rates and limited inflow, and it exists in an arid environment similar to the Dead Sea.

The Minister of State for Commerce & Industry informed the Lok Sabha about the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative, launched in August 2019 to promote balanced regional development across all districts of India. The initiative aims to identify, brand, and promote products from each district, facilitating their sale in domestic and international markets. The ‘Districts as Export Hubs Initiative’ is implemented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is run by the Department of Commerce (DoC) through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), focusing on increasing exports from every district.

The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Scheme from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031 with a budget of ₹1,800 crore. The scheme aims to modernize and integrate immigration, visa issuance, and foreigners registration to facilitate legitimate travellers while strengthening national security. The next phase focuses on emerging technology innovations, core infrastructure upgrades at Immigration Posts, FRROs, and Data Centres, and service optimization through unified digital platforms and improved application architecture.

Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K) entered the Top 100 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for the first time, marking a major global achievement. QS World University Rankings are published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education consultancy. Rankings assess universities using parameters like academic reputation, employer reputation, and employment outcomes. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIM Ahmedabad achieved India’s highest rank (21) globally.

Telangana Government has started rehabilitation and relocation of tribal families from Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR) to balance tribal development and wildlife conservation. Amrabad Tiger Reserve is located in the Nallamala Hills of Eastern Ghats in Telangana. It was earlier part of Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve before Andhra Pradesh–Telangana bifurcation (2014). The reserve has rugged terrain, deep valleys, and dense forests, supporting rich biodiversity. Krishna River and its streams flow through the reserve, feeding Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunasagar Dam. The Chenchu tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), is the main community residing inside the reserve.

Rajasthan Government launched Industrial Park Promotion Policy-2026 under CM Bhajanlal Sharma to boost investment, infrastructure, and employment. It aims to develop world-class industrial parks and make Rajasthan a future-ready industrial hub. Policy aligns with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting balanced regional development. Industrial parks will be developed through four models: private, hybrid land-sharing, and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) modes.

The Indian Navy has launched Operation Urja Suraksha to safeguard India-bound energy shipments in the Strait of Hormuz amid rising West Asia tensions. The operation is conducted carefully and discreetly to ensure safe transit of Indian-flagged cargo vessels carrying critical energy supplies. A total of 22 vessels have been identified for secure transit, including 20 high-priority ships carrying LNG, LPG, and crude oil.

The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve is being developed as India’s third cheetah habitat, with the foundation of a soft release enclosure (Boma) laid recently. The reserve was created by combining Nauradehi and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuaries and is located in the Bundelkhand region across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts, Madhya Pradesh. The initiative will help in the safe adaptation and release of cheetahs, strengthening wildlife conservation in India.

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (Zoological Survey of India) have discovered a new cockroach species named Neoloboptera peninsularis. The species was found in the Deccan Peninsula region of Pune, Maharashtra, near farmland in Nathachiwadi. It was observed living among palm shrubs and dry leaf litter in its natural habitat. The name “peninsularis” has been given to highlight its origin in Peninsular India. This discovery marks the first use of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) technology in India to identify a cockroach species. It is the third known species of the genus Neoloboptera recorded in India.

A new study documented 39 plants used by the Sonowal Kachari community to treat ailments like fever, cough, kidney stones, and skin diseases. The Sonowal Kacharis are an indigenous people living mainly in northeast India. Most of them live in Assam, where they are the third-largest plain tribe and one of the oldest tribes. Smaller groups of Sonowal Kacharis are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe (Plains) in Assam. The name “Sonowal” comes from the word for gold, reflecting their traditional occupation of gold panning during the Ahom kingdom.

The Indian Army has started fielding Shaurya Squadrons, which are dedicated drone sub-units within armoured regiments. Shaurya Squadrons provide tank commanders with real-time surveillance and precision-strike capability at the unit level. Each squadron has 20 to 30 personnel trained in drone and counter-drone operations. They operate surveillance drones, attack drones, swarm drones, first-person view (FPV) drones, and loitering munitions.

A new frog species named Nyctibatrachus kali (Kali Night Frog) has been discovered. It is found in Kali Tiger Reserve. The name comes from the nearby Kali River, after which the reserve is also named. It is a cryptic species, meaning it looks very similar to other frogs. It resembles the Kumbara Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara) discovered in 2014. Its sound is unique and similar to wood-chopping noise in forests. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka.

Earth Hour is a global grassroots movement to protect the environment and fight climate change. It is organized by World Wildlife Fund (WWF – World Wildlife Fund). In India, awareness activities were held with Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC – Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change). It started in Sydney in 2007 as a lights-off event. It is held at the end of March every year.

Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a strategic narrow waterway amid rising West Asia tensions. It is called the “Gate of Tears” due to frequent historical shipwrecks. It lies at the southern end of the Red Sea, between Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and further to the Indian Ocean. It separates Arabia (Asia) from Africa and links to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal.

Sheetal Devi has been named ‘Para Archer of the Year 2025’ by World Archery. She is a 19-year-old para archer from Jammu and Kashmir, known for competing without arms, making her achievements exceptional. She became the first and only female armless archer to win gold at the World Para Archery Championships. She won gold in the women’s compound individual event at Gwangju, South Korea. She also won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in the mixed team event.

In the 132nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi highlighted the Morung education system of the Naga tribes, bringing it into recent focus. The Morung is a traditional community-based indigenous education system that historically functioned as a youth dormitory and learning space where elders trained younger generations. It aims to preserve tribal heritage, oral traditions, and community values while promoting holistic development through a blend of traditional knowledge and modern education. The system follows elder-led learning, where knowledge is transmitted through storytelling, oral traditions, and lived experiences.

The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the “Energy Statistics India 2026”, providing a comprehensive dataset on India’s energy sector. The publication includes detailed information on reserves, capacity, production, consumption, and import-export of major energy resources such as coal, lignite, petroleum, natural gas, and renewable energy. It also presents energy balance tables, Sankey diagrams, and sustainable energy indicators aligned with international standards. The 33rd edition has expanded coverage by including credit flow to the energy sector, global energy statistics, and improved data on coal consumption, electricity usage patterns, and fuel distribution.