NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Shri Health Suraksha 2.0 Launched
Shriram General Insurance Company introduced Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an enhanced health insurance product aimed at providing comprehensive medical coverage.
Key features include:
- No cap on room rent, reducing out-of-pocket expenses
- Unlimited restoration of sum insured, ensuring continuous coverage
- Coverage of ambulance and air ambulance expenses
- Higher cumulative bonus for policyholders
Being an indemnity-based plan, it reimburses actual treatment costs rather than providing fixed benefits.
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s Exports Rise 5.79% to $790.86 Billion (April–February FY26)
India’s total exports (merchandise + services) reached $790.86 billion during April–February FY 2025–26, registering a 5.79% growth over $747.58 billion in the previous year, as per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Growth was driven by sectors like engineering goods, electronics, chemicals, gems & jewellery, and agri-products.
- Merchandise exports rose modestly by 1.84% to $402.93 billion, while non-petroleum exports increased by 5.03% to $354.12 billion.
- However, imports surged to $713.53 billion, widening the trade deficit to $310.60 billion (from $261.80 billion last year). This reflects strong domestic demand but rising external imbalances.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Asia–Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) Launched
The Asia–Africa Agri Alliance (AAAA) has been launched as a not-for-profit institutional platform to strengthen agricultural trade, investment, and technology cooperation between Asia and Africa.
- Established as a Section 8 company, the alliance aims to create structured frameworks for trade partnerships, policy alignment, and knowledge exchange across the agri-food value chain.
- The initiative focuses on accelerating agricultural development through technology transfer, investment mobilisation, and capacity building, helping both regions enhance food security and sustainable farming practices.
- By promoting collaboration between governments, businesses, and stakeholders, the alliance seeks to unlock the agricultural potential of Asia and Africa and boost global agri-trade integration.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Exercise Sea Dragon 2026: USA-Led Multinational ASW Exercise
India is participating in Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a United States Navy-led multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise held near Guam in the Western Pacific. The exercise involves participation from United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and India.
- The Indian Navy is participating alongside forces such as the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which has deployed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel.
- The exercise focuses on enhancing undersea warfare capabilities, coordination, and interoperability among partner nations, strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Bank Approves $300 Million Loan to Uttar Pradesh for Clean Air Transition
The World Bank has approved a loan of about $300 million to Uttar Pradesh for a Clean Air Transition Project. The funding will support the state’s Clean Air Plan through the UP Clean Air Management Program (USD 299.66 million).
- The programme focuses on reducing air pollution across key sectors such as transport, agriculture, and industry, while also generating employment opportunities for youth and women.
- It includes installation of around 200 new air quality monitoring stations, with data managed by the UP Pollution Control Board. The initiative aims to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, contributing to Uttar Pradesh’s long-term development goals.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kusunpur to Become Odisha’s First Smart Village
Kusunpur village in Kendrapada is set to become Odisha’s first smart village under a mission-mode initiative launched by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The project aims to promote technology-driven and sustainable rural development, aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
- The initiative focuses on bringing scientific innovations and practical solutions to rural communities through collaboration between CSIR institutions, local administration, and implementation partners.
- It seeks to improve quality of life, infrastructure, and resilience in villages by integrating modern technology into agriculture, healthcare, education, and governance systems.
Himachal Pradesh Signs MoU with NDDB to Boost Dairy Sector
The Himachal Pradesh Government signed an MoU with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to modernise and strengthen its dairy ecosystem. The MoU also aims to introduce modern technologies and bio-product processing, ensuring better productivity and value addition.
The agreement focuses on:
- Setting up milk processing plants and chilling centres
- Formation of Kangra Milk Union
- Adoption of digital systems in dairy cooperatives
- Introduction of advanced dairy technologies and bio-products
This initiative aims to improve productivity, farmer income, and employment generation, while strengthening the cooperative dairy structure in the state.
Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden Inaugurated in Srinagar
Asia’s largest tulip garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, has been opened to visitors in Srinagar. Located at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range overlooking Dal Lake, the garden is a major attraction during the spring season.
- The Tulip Show 2026 was inaugurated by Omar Abdullah, featuring around 18 lakh tulips across 70+ varieties, along with nearly 1 lakh other flowers like daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissus.
- The event aims to boost tourism in Kashmir, building on last year’s record footfall of over 8.55 lakh visitors, and promoting new offbeat tourist destinations in the region.
Gujarat Leads Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccination Drive
The Gujarat Government has launched a statewide Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive from March 1 to April 15 under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP). The campaign aims to control the spread of FMD, protect livestock health, and prevent economic losses for farmers.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
- FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats.
- It causes fever, mouth ulcers, excessive salivation, and leads to reduced milk production.
- The vaccination drive is crucial for strengthening animal health management, dairy productivity, and rural livelihoods, especially in a livestock-dependent economy.
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Animated Film ‘CHYIMI’ Wins Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026
Indian animated short film CHYIMI, directed by Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, has won the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival 2026 (NYSAF). The film’s recognition marks a significant milestone for Indian and Assamese storytelling on global animation platforms.
NYSAF
- It is known for celebrating creativity, originality, and craftsmanship in animation, bringing together filmmakers worldwide.
- The award acknowledges the film’s artistic direction and powerful narrative delivery through animation.
- This achievement reflects the growing global presence of India’s animation industry and highlights the increasing international appreciation for regional storytelling and creative excellence.