NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
World Buddhist Peace Conference 2026
- The World Buddhist Peace Conference 2026 was held in Begumpet, Hyderabad, Telangana. It was organised by Buddhavanam and Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) in partnership with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
- Participants: The two-day inaugural conference brought together ministers, monks, scholars and delegates from over 20 countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Bhutan, to discuss peace, reconciliation and ethical leadership.
- Objective: The summit emphasised Buddhist approaches to conflict resolution, inner transformation, ethical values and dialogue for global harmony. It also aimed to promote Buddhavanam Buddhist Heritage Theme Park, located on Krishna River banks, as a hub for Buddhist heritage diplomacy and peace-building.
- About International Buddhist Confederation (IBC): It was founded in 2012 after the Global Buddhist Congregation in New Delhi. It is a global body uniting Buddhist organisations across 39 countries with over 320 member institutions to promote unity, compassion and spiritual dialogue.
BANKING | ECONOMY CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s Fiscal Deficit Narrows to ₹12.5 Trillion (Apr–Feb FY26)
- India’s fiscal deficit: As per Ministry of Finance’s data, for April–February FY2026 narrowed to ₹12.5 lakh crore (80.4% of FY26 target) from ₹13.5 lakh crore (86%) in 2025, despite 15% year-on-year growth in capital expenditure.
- Expenditure & Interest Payment: Total government expenditure reached ₹40.44 lakh crore (81.5% of target), including ₹31.15 lakh crore revenue expenditure and ₹9.29 lakh crore capital expenditure. Interest payments formed largest share of revenue spending at ₹10.65 lakh crore (over 26%), followed by subsidies of about ₹3.9 lakh crore mainly food subsidy ₹1.93 lakh crore, fertiliser subsidies near targets, and petroleum subsidy ₹8,823 crore.
- Revenue Deficit: was at ₹3.89 lakh crore (73.8% of estimate) and primary deficit at ₹1.87 lakh crore (65.9%).
- Net Tax Revenue: reached ₹21.45 lakh crore (6.4% growth), while total receipts were ₹27.92 lakh crore (82% of RE), including ₹5.81 lakh crore non-tax revenue supported partly by transfers from RBI.
- The Centre also transferred ₹12.66 lakh crore to states as their tax share, ₹85,837 crore higher than 2025.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES CURRENT AFFAIRS
India’s New Waste Segregation Rules (SWM Rules, 2026)
- Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, replacing 2016 rules, effective 1 April 2026, under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The framework strengthens waste management using circular economy principles, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and environmental compensation based on polluter pays principle (PPP).
- Waste Segregation At Source: The rules mandate four-stream waste segregation at source- wet, sanitary, dry, and special care waste. Wet waste must be locally composted, dry waste sent to Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), while sanitary and hazardous household waste require authorised disposal.
- Bulk Waste Generators: must adopt on-site processing through Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR). A centralised digital portal by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will track waste lifecycle, registrations and audits.
- Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF): Provisions include biomining and bioremediation of legacy dumpsites, faster land allocation for processing units, and increasing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) usage in industries from 5% to 15% within 6 years.
- Special measures for hilly and island regions include tourist user fees and decentralised waste management by hotels and establishments.
INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS
ESA Launches First Celeste Satellites to Test LEO Navigation
- European Space Agency (ESA) launched first two satellites of Celeste In‑Orbit Demonstration Mission from New Zealand aboard Rocket Lab Electron rocket to test a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) navigation layer complementing Europe’s Galileo system.
- What is Celeste? It is ESA’s LEO-PNT (Positioning, Navigation and Timing) initiative designed to improve accuracy, resilience and security of navigation services alongside EGNOS.
- Builders: The satellites, built by GMV and Thales Alenia Space, will validate new navigation technologies, signals and services using L- and S-band frequencies under International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations.
- The demonstration constellation: will include 11 satellites, with additional launches planned for 2027. Approved at ESA ministerial councils 2022 and 2025, it also supports European Resilience from Space initiative for strategic space capabilities.
DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS
Indian Navy Conducts IMEX TTX 2026 at Maritime Warfare Centre, Kochi
- Indian Navy conducted IMEX TTX 2026 at Maritime Warfare Centre in Kochi, kerela bringing together naval officers and maritime experts from several Indian Ocean region (IOR) countries to address evolving maritime security challenges.
- Participants: Representatives from Bangladesh, Mauritius, France,Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Tanzania, and Timor-Leste.
- Conducted in: a simulated operational environment, table-top exercise focused on maritime security coordination, information sharing, and decision-making mechanisms to tackle complex threats in IOR.
- The exercise coincides with India assuming the chairmanship of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for 2026–2028 after 16 years, highlighting India’s growing leadership in regional maritime security and cooperative naval engagement.
Indian Army Executes First Capital Procurement via GeM Portal
- Indian Army signed its first-ever capital procurement contract through Government e-Marketplace (GeM), marking a major milestone in defence acquisition reform.
- Separately, in February 2025, Defence Ministry signed contracts with ACE Limited and JCB India Ltd to procure 1,868 Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks (RTFLT) worth ₹697.35 crore.
- Procurement: The contract involves procurement of 93 Telescopic Handlers under the Buy (Indian) category from JCB India Ltd at a cost of ₹25.90 crore, aimed at enhancing logistics and material-handling capabilities in difficult terrain and reducing manual labour.
- The move leverages the GeM digital procurement platform to compress procurement timelines, improve transparency, and ensure procedural integrity, opening a pathway for faster acquisition of critical defence equipment.
- Make in India Initiative: It supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat push by promoting greater participation of Indian industry in defence manufacturing.
ENVIRONMENT CURRENT AFFAIRS
MoEFCC & WWF-India Mark 20 Years of Earth Hour
- World Wide Fund for Nature India (WWF) in collaboration with Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised awareness programmes in Gwalior to mark 20 years of Earth Hour, promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable living under the theme “Give an Hour for Earth.”
- Campaign Conducted Through: WWF-India’s Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building & Livelihood Programme (EIACP) with participation from trainees of Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) representing 15+ states and UTs.
- Participants pledged support to Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
- What is Earth Hour? Launched in 2007, Earth Hour now spans 190+ countries, involving activities like tree plantation, clean-up drives, biodiversity walks, and sustainability workshops, emphasising collective climate action.
SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
Sheetal Devi Wins Para Archer of the Year 2025
- Sheetal Devi, a 19-year-old para archer from Jammu and Kashmir, was named ‘Para Archer of the Year 2025’ at World Archery Awards 2025 by World Archery. She became first female armless archer to win gold at World Para Archery Championships, securing women’s compound individual title in Gwangju, South Korea (2025). There she also won team silver and mixed team bronze, completing a full medal set.
- Her Achievements: Won mixed team bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and individual silvers at the 2022 Asian Para Games and 2023 Asian Championships (Bangkok).
- Other Awards: Born without arms, she shoots using feet, legs and shoulder. She received the Arjuna Award (2024) and earlier honours such as World Archery Para Woman of the Year and Asian Paralympic Committee Best Youth Athlete (2023).
Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest Formula 1 Championship Leader
- Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team won Japanese Grand Prix (Suzuka Circuit), becoming youngest driver in history to lead the Formula One World Championship standings. The 19-year-old Italian now leads the championship with 72 points, ahead of teammate George Russell (63 points).
- Starting from pole position at Suzuka, Antonelli briefly dropped to sixth but capitalised on a mid-race safety car to regain the lead and finish 13.7 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, while Charles Leclerc finished third.
- Other finishers: Lando Norris (5th), Lewis Hamilton (6th), Pierre Gasly (7th) and Max Verstappen (8th).
- About Formula One: It is governed by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, is the highest class of global single-seater motorsport, with a championship series of Grands Prix races determining annual drivers’ and constructors’ titles.
AWARDS & EVENTS CURRENT AFFAIRS
International Day of Zero Waste 2026: 20 March
- The International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on 30 March, established by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 14 December 2022 and jointly facilitated by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
- 2026 Theme: focuses on “food waste”, highlighting its impact on climate, food security and resource sustainability, and promoting a shift from a linear “use-and-dispose” economy to a circular economy based on prevention and efficient resource use.
- Global Food Waste: In 2022, about 1.05 billion tonnes of food (≈19% of consumer-available food) was wasted globally while 783 million people faced chronic hunger. Food waste contributes up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and about 14% of methane emissions.
- Waste distribution: households 60% (631 million tonnes), food services 28% (290 million tonnes), and retail 12% (131 million tonnes).
- UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024: notes similar household waste levels across income groups, with higher temperatures and weak cold-chain infrastructure increasing food waste.