INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
Balendra Shah: Nepal’s Youngest Prime Minister
Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old structural engineer and former rapper popularly known as Balen, is set to become the youngest Prime Minister of Nepal. His party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), secured a decisive victory by winning 125 out of 165 directly elected seats in the House of Representatives, positioning it to command a two-thirds majority in the 275-member parliament.
- In a major upset termed the “Balen Wave,” Shah defeated veteran leader and four-time Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency by nearly 50,000 votes.
- His rise is historic as he becomes the first Prime Minister from the Madhesi community and the first non-traditional political figure to lead Nepal.
Indonesia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16
The Indonesia government has announced a policy to ban social media access for children under 16 years of age to protect young users from online harms. This move makes Indonesia the first non-Western country to delay children’s access to digital spaces based on age.
- The regulation will prevent minors from creating accounts on “high-risk” digital platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
- The decision reflects Indonesia’s strong regulatory stance toward major technology companies, following earlier measures requiring digital platforms to pay media outlets for content and restricting social-commerce activities on social media platforms.
Chile Eliminates Leprosy: Verified by WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified that Chile has eliminated Leprosy, making it the first country in the Americas and the second globally to achieve this milestone after Jordan.
- Chile has reported no locally acquired leprosy cases for more than 30 years. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae.
- Historically, cases in Chile were mainly recorded in Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the late 19th century and were controlled through isolation and treatment measures.
- Globally, leprosy remains a neglected tropical disease, with over 200,000 new cases annually across more than 120 countries, though it is fully curable with multidrug therapy (MDT).
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Exercise LAMITIYE-2026: India–Seychelles Joint Military Exercise
The 11th edition of Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE–2026 between India and Seychelles is being conducted from 9–20 March 2026 at the Seychelles Defence Academy. LAMITIYE,” meaning “Friendship” in the Creole language, is a biennial military training exercise that has been held in Seychelles since 2001.
- Participants: The exercise involves the Indian Armed Forces and the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF). “ The 2026 edition is significant as it includes participation from all three services of India.
- The Indian contingent includes personnel from the Assam Regiment, along with INS Trikand from the Indian Navy and a C-130 aircraft from the Indian Air Force.
ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s First Integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant
India is establishing its first integrated Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant on Kavaratti Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. This pilot project will simultaneously generate renewable electricity and produce drinking water from seawater.
- The facility is expected to produce around 60 kilowatts of electricity and supply about one lakh litres of potable water per day to the island community.
- The project uses OTEC-based desalination, which harnesses the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep-sea water to generate energy that powers desalination systems.
- The initiative aims to enhance freshwater availability, energy security, and sustainable development in island territories, showcasing the potential of ocean-based renewable energy technologies.
Indigenous Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’ Successfully Tested
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted four in-flight release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’ from the Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft off the coast of Goa. The trials were carried out under extreme release conditions to validate the system’s operational capability.
- The ADC-150 is designed to strengthen naval logistics support, allowing the Indian Navy to deliver essential spares, medical supplies, and other critical stores to ships operating far from the coastline.
- The system can support vessels over 2,000 km away at sea, ensuring sustained naval operations and improving India’s maritime operational reach and self-reliance in defence logistics.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kerala Launches Cyber Safety Protocol 2026
The Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE), the technology wing of the Kerala General Education Department, has launched the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 to strengthen digital safety in schools amid emerging Artificial Intelligence-driven cyber risks.
- The protocol provides a comprehensive framework to ensure a secure digital learning environment and stronger cyber defences for students in Kerala’s public school system. Developed after analysing AI-related cyber threats, cybercrimes, and legal frameworks, it offers guidelines for school heads, teachers, parents, and students.
- The protocol aligns with the Information Technology Act 2000, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, while incorporating 2026 IT Rules amendments on Synthetically Generated Information (SGI). It identifies 20 major cyber threats, including deepfakes, AI grooming, and “digital arrest.”
BEL–Bellatrix Aerospace Collaboration for VLEO Satellite Systems
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace to collaborate on the design, development, and manufacturing of satellite systems and payloads.
- The partnership aims to advance India’s indigenous capabilities in satellite platforms designed for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) operations.
- BEL brings decades of experience in advanced electronics and mission-critical payloads for defence and strategic applications, while Bellatrix Aerospace contributes expertise in satellite propulsion and satellite subsystems.
- By combining these complementary strengths, the collaboration seeks to accelerate innovation and strengthen India’s ability to develop next-generation VLEO satellite systems, supporting the country’s expanding space and strategic technology ecosystem.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Chhattisgarh to host Khelo India Tribal Games 2026
Chhattisgarh will host the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 from 25 March to 6 April, marking the first national multi-sport event exclusively for tribal athletes in India. Competitions will be held across Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja Division. The initiative aims to strengthen the tribal sporting ecosystem and talent pipeline in India.
- Organiser: The event will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, national sports federations, and the state organising committee.
- The Games will feature seven medal sports- athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling- while mallakhamb and kabaddi will be demonstration sports.
Jasprit Bumrah joins 500-wicket club
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah achieved a major milestone by completing 500 wickets in international cricket, becoming the 8th Indian bowler to reach this landmark. Since his debut against Australia in January 2016, he has taken 500 wickets in 235 matches, including 234 in Tests, 149 in ODIs, and 117 in T20Is. He was also the Player of the Tournament in the 2024 T20 World Cup with 15 wickets in eight matches.
- He achieved the feat after dismissing Harry Brook during the second semifinal of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 against England at Wankhede Stadium.
- Bumrah also became the fourth Indian fast bowler to reach the 500-wicket mark in international cricket.
World’s First Franchise-Based Road Cycling League
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has unveiled the logo of the Cycling League of India, the world’s first franchise-based road cycling league. The initiative aims to transform professional cycling in India by creating a structured sporting ecosystem that nurtures talent and attracts global attention.
- The league is designed to promote competitive road cycling while encouraging greater participation among youth.
- By introducing a franchise-based model similar to other professional sports leagues, the government intends to strengthen sports infrastructure, develop athletes, and promote a fit and active India.
- The initiative builds on the momentum of recent professional cycling events and is expected to inspire young Indians to pursue cycling as a competitive sport.
STATES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Kerala Launches MeHEALTH App for Easy Access to Healthcare
The Kerala Health Department has launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to improve public access to healthcare information and services. The app allows users to easily locate nearby government health facilities within a 10-kilometre radius and obtain detailed information about available services.
- Through the platform, users can check hospital departments, medical specialties, laboratory tests and their rates, along with details of blood banks, radiology units, pharmacies, and pay wards.
- The application also enables online doctor appointment booking, helping patients plan visits efficiently.
- By centralising healthcare information on a digital platform, the initiative aims to strengthen transparency, improve service accessibility, and support Kerala’s broader digital health governance efforts.
Andhra Pradesh Unveils India’s First Draft Population Policy
The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled India’s first draft population management policy, aiming to encourage childbirth through financial and social incentives.
- The policy proposes ₹25,000 financial assistance for families at the birth of a second or third child, along with monthly support of ₹1,000 for the third child for five years.
- Additional measures include free education for the third child up to 18 years, subsidised IVF services, special leave provisions for couples having a third child, and the development of working women hostels and childcare centres.
- The government intends to finalise the policy by March-end and implement it from April 1, reflecting concerns about declining fertility rates and the need for balanced demographic growth.
REPORTS AND INDICES CURRENT AFFAIRS
Top 10 Richest Persons in the World – 2026 (Forbes Billionaires List)
The 40th edition of the Forbes World’s Billionaires List highlights a sharp rise in global wealth concentration in 2026. The report records 3,428 billionaires worldwide, about 400 more than the previous year, marking the highest number since the ranking began in 1987.
- Collectively, billionaires now hold $20.1 trillion in wealth, up from $16.1 trillion in 2025.
- Elon Musk remains the world’s richest person with an estimated $839 billion fortune.
- The list also shows the rise of ultra-rich individuals, with 20 people globally possessing wealth exceeding $100 billion.
- In terms of billionaire population, India ranks third globally, reflecting the rapid growth of wealth in emerging economies.
PERSONS IN NEWS CURRENT AFFAIRS
K. V. Subramanian: First Indian Economist to Win Chicago Alumni Award
Krishnamurthy V. Subramanian has been honoured with the Alumni Award for Professional Achievement by the University of Chicago, becoming the first Indian economist to receive this recognition in the award’s 85-year history. The award, instituted in 1941, recognises alumni who have made exceptional contributions in their professional fields.
- Subramanian served as the 17th Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Government of India from 2018–2021 and later as an Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund.
- The honour places him among a distinguished group of global thinkers that includes Paul Samuelson, Gary Becker, Claudia Goldin, Carl Sagan, and Philip Kotler, many of whom are Nobel laureates.