Science & Technology
1. NASA’s Artemis II Mission
- Field: Space Exploration / Lunar Mission.
- Organization: NASA (USA) in collaboration with CSA (Canada).
- Launch Date: April 1, 2026 (Countdown began March 30, 2026).
- Purpose / Use: First crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years; a 10-day flight to test the Orion spacecraft’s life-support systems.
- Key Crew Members: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch (NASA), and Jeremy Hansen (CSA).
- Impact / Significance: This is a “test flight” that paves the way for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface.
2. Discovery of the ‘Xi-cc-plus’ Baryon
- Field: Particle Physics.
- Organization / Lab: CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) – LHCb experiment.
- Year of Discovery: March 19, 2026.
- Key Features: A new subatomic particle containing two “heavy” charm quarks and one “up” quark.
- Impact / Significance: Helps scientists understand the “strong force” that binds the centers of atoms together, providing deeper insights into quantum chromodynamics.
3. Suzetrigine (Opioid-Free Pain Relief)
- Field: Medicine / Pharmacology.
- Purpose / Use: Non-addictive treatment for acute and chronic pain.
- Working Principle: Selectively blocks NaV1.8 sodium channels in peripheral nerves.
- Impact / Significance: The first major innovation in pain management in over 20 years that provides relief without the risks of addiction or respiratory depression associated with opioids.
- Recent Developments: Clinical success confirmed in March 2026; targeting the global opioid crisis.
4. Akasha300: 3D Space Printer
- Field: Indigenous Space Technology.
- Organization: ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
- Year / Date: Unveiled March 25, 2026.
- Purpose / Use: Manufacturing rocket components and spare parts directly in space.
- Key Features: Specialized for zero-gravity environments to support long-duration missions.
- Impact / Significance: Critical for the Gaganyaan mission and the proposed Indian Space Station (Bharatiya Antariksha Station) to reduce reliance on Earth-based logistics.
5. LHS 1903 Four-Planet System
- Field: Astronomy / Exoplanets.
- Equipment Used: Cheops Space Telescope (European Space Agency).
- Year of Discovery: March 2026.
- Key Features: A unique four-planet system notable for its perfectly rhythmic orbital configuration (orbital resonance).
- Impact / Significance: Provides a “pristine” look at how multi-planet systems evolve over billions of years without major gravitational disruptions.
6. India’s First Quantum Computer (Amaravati)
- Field: Quantum Computing / High-Performance Computing.
- Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh.
- Project Name: National Quantum Mission (NQM).
- Year of Announcement: April 1, 2026 (Finalized March 2026).
- Purpose / Use: To solve complex problems in cryptography, drug discovery, and climate modeling that are impossible for classical computers.
- Impact / Significance: Establishes India as a global leader in next-generation computing technology.
7. Hybrid Perovskite-Silicon Solar Cells
- Field: Renewable Energy / Materials Science.
- Year of Milestone: March 2026.
- Working Principle: Combining perovskite and silicon layers to capture a broader spectrum of sunlight (Tandem configuration).
- Key Achievement: Reached a record efficiency of 34% (compared to ~24% for standard panels).
- Impact / Significance: Expected to revolutionize the commercial solar market by significantly lowering the cost per watt of solar power.
8. Sahiwal Calves via OPU-IVF-ET
- Field: Agri-Tech / Animal Husbandry.
- Organization: IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute).
- Date: March 24, 2026.
- Technology Used: Ovum Pick-Up, In-Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Transfer (OPU-IVF-ET).
- Purpose / Use: Propagation of high-yield Sahiwal (indigenous) cattle breeds.
- Impact / Significance: Ensures the conservation of indigenous genetic resources and boosts milk productivity in India.
9. LIGO-India (Hingoli Milestone)
- Field: Gravitational-Wave Astronomy.
- Location: Hingoli, Maharashtra.
- Organization: DRDO, DAE, and international LIGO collaboration.
- Year of Recent Update: March 2026.
- Purpose / Use: Detecting ripples in space-time caused by massive cosmic events like black hole mergers.
- Impact / Significance: Will be the world’s fifth and India’s first gravitational-wave observatory, completing the global network for precise cosmic localization.
10. Personalized CRISPR Gene Therapy
- Field: Biotechnology / Genetics.
- Year of Success: March 2026.
- Purpose / Use: Treating rare genetic disorders by editing a patient’s specific DNA sequence.
- Impact / Significance: Marks the transition from generic treatments to hyper-personalized medicine, successfully curing a pediatric patient in a landmark clinical trial.
Quick Revision: Science & Tech 2026
| Invention / Project | Location / Org | Key Technology |
| Artemis II | NASA | Orion Spacecraft (Crewed Lunar) |
| Xi-cc-plus | CERN | Charm Quarks (Strong Force) |
| Akasha300 | ISRO | 3D Space Printing |
| Suzetrigine | Medicine | NaV1.8 Sodium Channel Block |
| LIGO-India | Hingoli | Gravitational Waves |
Exam Tip: For Artemis II, remember the name of Christina Koch—she will be the first woman to ever leave low-Earth orbit for a lunar mission. For LIGO-India, the district name Hingoli is a frequently tested fact in state and national exams.
Organizations & Committees
1. High-Level Committee on “One Nation, One Election”
- Name: High-Level Committee (HLC) on Synchronized Elections
- Formed By: Government of India (Ministry of Law and Justice)
- Purpose/Objective: To examine and make recommendations for holding simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities, and Panchayats.
- Head/Chairperson: Shri Ram Nath Kovind (Former President of India)
- Type: National (High-level Advisory Committee)
- Key Functions/Roles: Reviewing constitutional frameworks and logistical requirements for a unified electoral cycle.
- Important Reports: Recommendations include amendments to Article 83 (Duration of Houses) and Article 172 (Duration of State Legislatures).
- Recent Updates: Held a decisive review meeting in March 2026 to finalize the two-step implementation roadmap (Step 1: Lok Sabha/Assembly; Step 2: Local bodies within 100 days).
2. National AI Ethics Council (NAIEC)
- Name: National AI Ethics Council
- Formed By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
- Purpose/Objective: To provide ethical oversight and regulatory frameworks for Artificial Intelligence in India.
- Members: 11 members (including tech experts, legal scholars, and ethicists).
- Type: National (Regulatory/Advisory Body)
- Key Functions/Roles: Overseeing the IndiaAI Mission; regulating deepfakes; addressing algorithmic bias; ensuring privacy standards.
- Recent Updates: Officially notified by MeitY in March 2026 as a response to the rapid rise of Generative AI.
3. WHO Pandemic Treaty Committee
- Full Form: Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) of the World Health Organization
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Formed By: World Health Assembly
- Purpose/Objective: To draft and negotiate a global instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
- Type: International
- Key Functions/Roles: Establishing the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system; ensuring “Equity in Access” for vaccines.
- Recent Updates: Met in March 2026 to finalize the draft treaty, with India pushing for equitable diagnostic access for developing nations.
4. SEBI Committee on “Instant Settlement”
- Name: SEBI Technical Committee on T+0
- Full Form: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- Headquarters: Mumbai (SEBI HQ)
- Formed By: SEBI
- Purpose/Objective: To transition the Indian stock market from T+1 to T+0 (Same Day) settlement.
- Type: National (Technical Committee)
- Key Functions/Roles: Assessing technical feasibility, liquidity impact, and risk management for instant trade settlement.
- Recent Updates: Submitted its report in March 2026 recommending a phased nationwide rollout of T+0.
5. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- Name: International Solar Alliance
- Established Year: 2015 (Launched at COP21)
- Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana, India
- Founder: India and France
- Purpose/Objective: To facilitate the massive deployment of solar energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
- Members: 100+ signatory countries (including many “Sunshine Countries”).
- Head/Director-General: Dr. Ajay Mathur (Current tenure)
- Type: International (Intergovernmental)
- Recent Updates: Held the 5th Regional Committee meeting for Asia-Pacific in New Delhi (March 2026), focusing on the Global Solar Facility.
6. Committee for the Revision of the National Minimum Wage
- Name: Expert Committee on Statutory Floor Wage
- Formed By: Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Purpose/Objective: To determine a scientific and evidence-based national floor level for wages.
- Head/Chairperson: Prof. S.P. Mukherjee
- Type: National (Expert Committee)
- Key Functions/Roles: Utilizing the “Nutritional Requirement” and “Consumption Expenditure” models to fix wages across different geographical zones.
- Recent Updates: Presented updated data in March 2026 to revise the floor wage based on current inflation and consumption patterns.
7. WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) Reform Committee
- Full Form: World Trade Organization – Dispute Settlement Body
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
- Purpose/Objective: To resolve trade conflicts between member nations and restore the functionality of the Appellate Body.
- Type: International
- Key Functions/Roles: Overseeing the “Appellate Body” which has been dysfunctional since 2019 due to member appointment blocks.
- Recent Updates: Convened in March 2026 with the goal of achieving a fully functional dispute resolution system by the end of the year.
8. NCST Review Panel on Forest Rights
- Full Form: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
- Established Year: 2004 (via 89th Constitutional Amendment Act)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Purpose/Objective: To safeguard the interests of Scheduled Tribes under Article 338A of the Constitution.
- Type: National (Constitutional Body)
- Recent Updates: Formed a panel in March 2026 to investigate the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) regarding the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes in Great Nicobar.
9. BIMSTEC Business Commissioners’ Forum
- Full Form: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation
- Established Year: 1997 (Bangkok Declaration)
- Headquarters: Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Purpose/Objective: To promote economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal.
- Members: 7 Countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand).
- Type: International (Regional)
- Recent Updates: Inaugural Business Commissioners’ Forum hosted by FICCI in March 2026 to discuss a Regional Coastal Shipping Agreement.
Important Festivals
1. Holi & Holika Dahan
- Type: Religious / Spring Festival.
- Date: Holika Dahan (March 3), Rangwali Holi (March 4, 2026).
- Religion / Community: Hindu.
- Purpose / Significance: Marks the victory of good (Prahlad) over evil (Holika) and the official arrival of the spring season.
- Historical / Mythological Background: Associated with the legend of King Hiranyakashipu and his son Prahlad’s devotion to Lord Vishnu.
- Key Rituals: Lighting a bonfire (Holika Dahan), playing with colors (Gulal), and singing folk songs.
- Special Facts: Celebrated on the Phalguna Purnima (Full Moon). Regional variants include Lathmar Holi (UP) and Hola Mohalla (Punjab).
2. Eid al-Fitr
- Type: Religious (Islamic).
- Date: March 19–20, 2026 (Subject to moon sighting).
- Religion / Community: Muslim.
- Purpose / Significance: Known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” it marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
- Key Rituals: Offering special prayers (Salat al-Eid), distributing charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and visiting relatives.
- Special Food: Preparation of ‘Sheer Khurma’ or ‘Sewaiyan’.
- Duration: Usually 1 to 3 days.
3. Gudi Padwa & Ugadi (Hindu New Year)
- Type: Religious / Harvest / New Year.
- Date: March 19, 2026.
- States / Regions: * Gudi Padwa: Maharashtra and Goa.
- Ugadi: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka (called Yugadi).
- Significance: Marks the first day of the Chaitra month (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada) and the start of the Luni-Solar calendar.
- Key Rituals:
- Gudi Padwa: Hoisting a “Gudi” flag (silk cloth, neem leaves, and a garland of sugar crystals topped with a copper/silver pot).
- Ugadi: Preparation of Ugadi Pachadi (a dish with six tastes representing six emotions of life).
4. Attukal Pongala
- Type: Religious / Cultural.
- Date: March 3, 2026 (Reached peak).
- State / City: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Community Associated: Women (devotees of Goddess Kannaki/Attukal Amma).
- Key Rituals: Millions of women gather to cook a sweet offering of rice, jaggery, and coconut (Pongala) in earthen pots on the streets.
- Special Facts: Holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual gathering of women in the world.
5. Chapchar Kut
- Type: Harvest / Cultural Festival.
- Date: March 6, 2026 (First Friday of March).
- State: Mizoram.
- Community Associated: Mizo people.
- Purpose / Significance: Celebrated after the arduous task of Jhum cutting (clearing forests for cultivation).
- Key Rituals: Performance of the Cheraw (the famous Bamboo Dance).
- Special Dress: Participants wear traditional Mizo costumes like Puanchei.
6. Ram Navami
- Type: Religious.
- Date: March 27, 2026.
- Religion / Community: Hindu.
- Purpose / Significance: Celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Lord Vishnu.
- Historical Background: Falls on the 9th day (Navami) of the Chaitra month.
- Famous Places: Celebrated with immense grandeur in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Bhadrachalam (Telangana), and Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu).
7. Mahavir Jayanti
- Type: Religious.
- Date: March 31, 2026.
- Religion / Community: Jain.
- Purpose / Significance: Birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
- Key Rituals: “Abhishek” (ceremonial bath) of Mahavir idols, processions (Rath Yatra), and lectures on the path of Ahimsa (non-violence).
- Special Facts: Focuses on the five vows of Jainism: Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha.
Quick Revision: Festive Names for Hindu New Year (March 19, 2026)
| Region | Festival Name | Key Feature |
| Maharashtra | Gudi Padwa | Hoisting the Gudi flag. |
| Andhra/Telangana | Ugadi | Consumption of Ugadi Pachadi. |
| Karnataka | Yugadi | Bevu Bella (Neem and Jaggery). |
| Kashmir | Navreh | Viewing the ‘Thali’ in the morning. |
| Manipur | Sajibu Cheiraoba | Offerings to the local deity. |
Exam Tip: For North-East culture, memorize Chapchar Kut alongside the Cheraw dance. For Kerala-based questions, Attukal Pongala is often asked in the context of “Women-centric festivals” or “Guinness World Records.” Finally, remember that Holi in 2026 occurred very early in the month (March 4).
March 2026 Current Affairs – 100 Practice MCQs
1. The 16th India-European Union (EU) Summit, held in New Delhi in March 2026, primarily focused on which landmark agreement?
A) Strategic Solar Alliance
B) Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
C) Space Cooperation Treaty
D) Digital Currency Exchange
Answer: B
2. Which country’s Chancellor visited India in March 2026 as part of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC)?
A) France
B) Germany (Friedrich Merz)
C) Italy
D) Austria
Answer: B
3. Which nation officially took over the Presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of March 2026?
A) Somalia
B) India
C) Switzerland
D) Japan
Answer: A
4. The 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in early 2026 concluded with a focus on which theme?
A) Cooperation in a Contested World
B) Rebuilding Trust
C) The Fourth Industrial Revolution
D) Sustainable Digital Growth
Answer: A
5. Which international organization released the ‘World Happiness Report 2026’ in March?
A) World Bank
B) Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN)
C) IMF
D) WEF
Answer: B
6. Who was confirmed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran in March 2026?
A) Ebrahim Raisi
B) Mojtaba Khamenei
C) Hassan Rouhani
D) Mohammad Javad Zarif
Answer: B
7. In March 2026, which country hosted the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?
A) Thailand
B) Vietnam
C) Laos
D) Indonesia
Answer: C
8. The ‘Prakriti 2026’ International Conference, focused on Carbon Markets, was held in which city?
A) Mumbai
B) New Delhi
C) Bengaluru
D) Hyderabad
Answer: B
9. Which report, released in March 2026, highlighted global trends in international arms transfers?
A) World Bank Trade Report
B) SIPRI Report 2026
C) IMF Stability Report
D) WTO Annual Review
Answer: B
10. India signed a ‘Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap’ in March 2026 with which European power?
A) United Kingdom
B) Germany
C) Spain
D) Poland
Answer: B
11. Which mission was fast-tracked in March 2026 to ensure 100% saturation of basic infrastructure in rural villages?
A) Mission Shakti
B) Mission PoWaR (Power, Water, and Roads)
C) PM-Kisan
D) Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0
Answer: B
12. The Government of India announced the “Seven Sutras” framework in March 2026 for which sector?
A) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance
B) Space Exploration
C) Marine Fisheries
D) Renewable Energy
Answer: A
13. Which state government launched the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ expansion scheme in March 2026?
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Maharashtra
C) Uttarakhand
D) Rajasthan
Answer: C
14. The ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ aims to provide free electricity to how many households by the end of 2026?
A) 50 Lakh
B) 1 Crore
C) 2 Crore
D) 5 Crore
Answer: B
15. In March 2026, the high-level committee on “One Nation, One Election” submitted its final review. Who headed this committee?
A) Ram Nath Kovind
B) Amit Shah
C) Narendra Modi
D) D.Y. Chandrachud
Answer: A
16. Which Indian city inaugurated the country’s first “Quantum Computing Hub” in March 2026?
A) Hyderabad
B) Amaravati
C) Bengaluru
D) Pune
Answer: B
17. The “Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue” was a key part of which festival held in March 2026?
A) National Youth Festival
B) Bharat Parv
C) Surajkund Mela
D) Pushkar Fair
Answer: A
18. The ‘Ayushman Bharat: PM-JAY’ scheme was expanded in March 2026 to include which new category?
A) All citizens above 60 years
B) Gig workers
C) Students in higher education
D) Farmers with less than 2 acres
Answer: A
19. Which ministry launched the ‘Bharat Electricity Summit 2026’?
A) Ministry of Power
B) Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
C) Ministry of Commerce
D) Ministry of Electronics
Answer: A
20. The ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ reached a milestone of 1 million certified artisans in March 2026. This scheme primarily supports:
A) Traditional Craftspeople
B) IT Professionals
C) Startup Founders
D) Agricultural Scientists
Answer: A
