NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Oxford’s Museum Returns 16th Century Saint Thirumangai Alvar Idol to India
The Ashmolean Museum, part of the University of Oxford, has returned a 16th-century bronze idol of Saint Thirumangai Alvar to India. The idol will now be repatriated to its original shrine, the Shri Soundararaja Perumal Temple located in Thadikombu.
- The bronze sculpture had been acquired by the Ashmolean Museum during a Sotheby’s auction in 1967.
- The identification of the idol was made by the India Pride Project, a cultural advocacy group dedicated to recovering stolen Indian artifacts.
About Saint Thirumangai Alvar
- Thirumangai Alvar was the twelfth and last of the Alvar saints, a group of Tamil poet-saints devoted to Lord Vishnu in the Vaishnava Bhakti tradition.
- The Alvars were active mainly between the 6th and 9th centuries CE, and their devotional poetry played a major role in the Bhakti movement in South India
Bharti Airtel–Google Partnership to Launch Secure RCS Messaging in India
Bharti Airtel has partnered with Google to strengthen digital communication security in India by expanding AI-powered spam filtering to Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging.
The collaboration integrates Airtel’s telecom-grade spam detection intelligence with Google’s RCS messaging platform, enabling real-time message verification and improved protection against spam, fraud and malicious links.
What is RCS Messaging?
- Rich Communication Services (RCS) is an advanced messaging protocol designed to replace traditional SMS and MMS.
- On Android devices, RCS messaging is primarily accessed through the Google Messages app.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Maharashtra Introduces Offline e-Crop Registration for Farmers
The Maharashtra Government has introduced an offline photo upload facility for the e-crop sowing registration system to help farmers complete crop registration even in areas with poor internet connectivity.
Under the new system, farmers can capture crop photographs on their mobile phones without an internet connection, and the images will be automatically uploaded once connectivity becomes available.
e-Crop Sowing Registration System
- It is a digital mechanism through which farmers register details of the crops they cultivate. It helps the government maintain accurate crop data, which is essential for policy planning, crop insurance, disaster relief, and agricultural schemes.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Scotland: First UK Country to Legalise Water Cremation
Scotland has become the first country in the United Kingdom to legalise water cremation, introducing an alternative method for handling human remains. The process, known as alkaline hydrolysis, provides families with a third option besides traditional burial and flame-based cremation.
What is Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)?
- Alkaline hydrolysis, often referred to as water cremation or green cremation, is a method that uses water, heat, pressure and alkaline chemicals to accelerate the natural decomposition process.
- Unlike traditional cremation, which burns the body at very high temperatures, this method breaks down the body chemically in a controlled environment.
Cassava Virus Threatens Africa’s Food Security
A viral disease known as Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) is posing a serious threat to cassava cultivation across Sub-Saharan Africa, raising concerns about food security for millions of people who depend on the crop for both nutrition and income.
- The disease causes necrosis (rot) in cassava roots, often leading to complete crop loss. In many cases, symptoms appear only when the crop is harvested, meaning farmers may not detect the infection until it is too late.
- Cassava is widely cultivated in Africa because it is highly adaptable to harsh environmental conditions.
Cassava serves as:
- a staple food for millions of households
- a source of income for smallholder farmers
- a drought-resilient crop during periods of food shortage.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Navy Signs Contract for 04 × 500T Self-Propelled Fuel Barges
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, an MSME shipyard based in Thane, for the construction of 04 × 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges for the Indian Navy. These vessels will strengthen the Navy’s logistics support and fuel replenishment capability, ensuring operational readiness of naval assets
Primary Role of Fuel Barges: To support naval logistics by supplying fuel to ships and submarines.
Key Design Characteristics
- Self-propelled vessels
- 500-tonne fuel carrying capacity
- Designed for harbour and anchorage operations
- Built under Indian shipbuilding standards.
ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
Project HANUMAN: Andhra Pradesh Initiative to Address Human–Wildlife Conflict
The Government of Andhra Pradesh launched Project HANUMAN (Healing and Nurturing Units for Monitoring, Aid and Nurturing) on World Wildlife Day 2026 (3 March) to tackle the growing problem of human–wildlife conflict in the state. The initiative aims to improve wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, monitoring, and conflict mitigation, while ensuring the safety of communities living near forests.
Key Features of Project HANUMAN
- Rapid Response Infrastructure
- Wildlife Rescue and Treatment Centres
- Village-Level Volunteer Teams
- AI-Based Wildlife Monitoring
- HANUMAN Digital App
- Compensation Support
- Use of Kumki Elephants
Indian Army, Ladakh sign MoU for Snow Leopard Conservation
The Indian Army and the Ladakh Forest Ecology and Environment Department signed a MoU to strengthen wildlife conservation and protect the fragile high-altitude ecosystem of Ladakh. The MoU was signed by the Fire and Fury Corps, the 14 Corps of the Indian Army headquartered in Leh, which is responsible for operations in the Ladakh sector along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Objective of MoU
- The agreement focuses on balancing environmental protection with security responsibilities in the sensitive Himalayan border region.
- The MoU aims to conserve several important species of the cold desert ecosystem of Ladakh.
Key Species Covered
- Snow Leopard
- Himalayan Wolf
- Bharal
- Himalayan Ibex
- Himalayan Marmot
- Black-necked Crane
ISA, IIT Delhi Formalise Framework for Action to Advance Solar Skills
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) have formalised a Framework for Action (FFA) to strengthen global cooperation in renewable energy.
Objective:
- The partnership aims to train renewable energy engineers, Solar Technology Application Resource-Centre (STAR-C) trainers, and research professionals.
- The initiative focuses on capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development in the solar energy sector across ISA member countries.
About International Solar Alliance (ISA)
- It is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation focused on promoting solar energy deployment globally.
- Launched in 2015 by India and France
- Announced at the COP21 Paris Climate Conference
- Headquarters: Located at the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) in Gurugram. It is the first international organisation headquartered in India.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary Hosts Second Indian Bison Fest
The second edition of the Indian Bison Fest was organised at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, celebrating the conservation success of the Indian bison (gaur), locally known as “Gayala.” The event was organised by the Hirakud Wildlife Division to promote awareness about wildlife conservation and the increasing population of gaur in the Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape.
Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary
- Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the important wildlife habitats in Odisha, located in the Bargarh district.
- The sanctuary lies close to the Hirakud Dam, which is the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world, constructed across the Mahanadi River.
- The sanctuary consists mainly of mixed and dry deciduous forests and supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors Inaugurated in Kerala
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology inaugurated a state-of-the-art “Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors” at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors
- Objective: It aims to strengthen drug discovery, medical research, and agricultural genomics in India by providing advanced infrastructure for biotechnology research.
- The newly inaugurated facility contains engineered recombinant cells and advanced screening systems designed to accelerate research and innovation in biotechnology.
- The facility has been developed by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) with an investment of approximately ₹60 crore.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
India Women’s Cricket Team Shortlisted for 2026 Laureus World Team of Year Award
The India women’s national cricket team has been shortlisted for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award, one of the most prestigious honours in global sport. The nomination was confirmed by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation following the team’s historic maiden victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.
- This marks the first time a women’s cricket team has been shortlisted for the Laureus World Team of the Year category, highlighting the growing global recognition of women’s cricket.
The team’s nomination follows their historic victory in the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which marked:
- India’s first-ever Women’s ODI World Cup title
- A defining moment for women’s cricket in India
- The culmination of years of progress and development in the women’s game.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Gujarat Launches herSTART 5.0
The Government of Gujarat launched the fifth edition of the herSTART programme (herSTART 5.0) to strengthen opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
The programme aims to support women-led startups by providing incubation facilities, mentorship, and market access, thereby encouraging greater participation of women in India’s startup ecosystem.
herSTART 5.0 Programme
- The herSTART programme is implemented by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC).
- Its primary objective is to support women founders in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable businesses by offering structured startup support.
PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Saba Shawl: First Kashmiri Woman to Head Central Jail Srinagar
Saba Shawl has been appointed as the Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, becoming the first Kashmiri woman to lead the high-security prison. Her appointment marks a historic milestone for women’s representation in uniformed and correctional services in the Jammu and Kashmir.
- The appointment was made through an official order issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department, and she assumed charge of the position with immediate effect.
Appointment and Background
- Saba Shawl belongs to the Jammu and Kashmir Prisons Department and was selected through the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) in 2012 for the post of Superintendent of Police (Prisons).
PLACES IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Maharashtra’s Hatti Risala Festival Marks 138 Years of Tradition
The historic ‘Hatti Risala’ procession in Jalna, Maharashtra, celebrated its 138th year during Dhulivandan, continuing a long-standing cultural tradition associated with the Holi festival.
Hatti Risala Festival
- The Hatti Risala procession is organised annually on Dhulivandan, which is the day following Holi celebrations. The event features a grand procession passing through the main streets of the city.