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Key takeaways from today’s quiz to strengthen your preparation
Infrastructure
Shillong-Silchar Corridor
The 166 km Shillong-Silchar Corridor on NH-06 is North-East India’s first access-controlled Greenfield four-lane High-Speed Corridor (investment: Rs 22,860 crore). It connects Mawlyngkhung (Meghalaya) to Panchgram (Assam), cutting GuwahatiβSilchar travel time from 8.5 hours to ~5 hours. Implementing agency: NHIDCL. Bhoomi Poojan performed by PM Modi on 14 March 2026.
Agriculture & Welfare
PM-KISAN 22nd Installment
PM Modi released the 22nd installment of PM-KISAN from Guwahati on 13 March 2026, transferring Rs 18,640 crore to 9.32 crore farmer families via DBT. Cumulative transfers since 2019 launch crossed Rs 4.27 lakh crore. The scheme gives Rs 6,000/year in three installments of Rs 2,000. 2.15 crore women farmers benefited in this installment. AI chatbot Kisan-eMitra supports queries in 11 languages.
Technology
India Semiconductor Mission
The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is overseen by MeitY. India plans a Rs 1 trillion semiconductor fund covering chip design, fabrication, equipment manufacturing, and supply chain. It builds on India’s $10 billion incentive programme (2021). Micron Technology, Tata Group, and Foxconn have announced semiconductor projects in India. Aim: reduce import dependency and become a global semiconductor hub.
Economy
CPI Retail Inflation β February 2026
India’s CPI-based retail inflation rose to 3.21% in February 2026, up from 2.74% in January 2026. Rural inflation: 3.37%; Urban inflation: 3.02%. Remains below the RBI’s 4% medium-term target. CPI data is published monthly by MoSPI. RBI’s tolerance band is 2β6% with 4% as the target.
Digital Governance
V.O. Chidambaranar Port β Digital Twin
V.O. Chidambaranar Port (formerly Tuticorin Port, Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu) became India’s first port to launch a Digital Twin platform for smart port management. Uses IoT sensors, LiDAR mapping, GPS tracking, drone imaging, and CCTV. Expected to reduce vessel turnaround time by up to 25%. It is India’s 3rd largest container port. Inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
Governance
R.N. Ravi β 22nd Governor of West Bengal
R.N. Ravi (former IPS officer) took oath as the 22nd Governor of West Bengal on 12 March 2026. Oath administered by Chief Justice of Calcutta HC, Justice Sujoy Paul. Succeeded C.V. Ananda Bose (resigned 5 March 2026, citing health). Ravi previously served as Governor of Nagaland (2021β23) and Tamil Nadu (2021β24). Governors are appointed by the President under Article 155 of the Constitution.
Environment
International Day of Action for Rivers
14 March is the International Day of Action for Rivers, declared in 1997 at the First International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams in Curitiba, Brazil. Organised annually by International Rivers (international NGO). 2026 marks its 29th year of observance. The day focuses on celebrating, protecting, and raising awareness about freshwater rivers and ecosystems.
Sports
BCCI NAMAN Awards 2026
BCCI NAMAN Awards 2026 (15 March, New Delhi) celebrate India’s ‘Golden Year’ β five ICC trophies. Shubman Gill (Test & ODI captain) receives the Polly Umrigar Award (Best International Cricketer 2025) β 1,764 international runs in 2025 at avg 49.00. Rahul Dravid: Lifetime Achievement Award. Ayush Mhatre: Lala Amarnath Award (youngest to score centuries in all 3 pro formats). BCCI Secretary: Devajit Saikia.
Inclusive Mobility
KSRTC’s Dhwani Spandana
KSRTC’s Dhwani Spandana uses audio-based guidance technology to help visually impaired passengers independently identify buses and travel safely. Implemented in 200 Mysuru City Transport buses. Developed with support from GIZ Germany. Won the Governance Now 12th PSU National Award. Supports the goal of inclusive and accessible urban mobility systems.
Science
Pi Day & International Day of Mathematics
Pi (Ο) = ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter β 3.14159265… (irrational & transcendental). Pi Day: 14 March (3/14). UNESCO designated 14 March as the International Day of Mathematics in 2019. First informally celebrated by physicist Larry Shaw (1988); recognised by US Congress in 2009. Albert Einstein was born on 14 March 1879. The date also coincides with the International Day of Action for Rivers.
π΄ Revision Flashcards
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What is the length and investment of the Shillong-Silchar Corridor?
166 km | Rs 22,860 crore
On NH-06; first Greenfield 4-lane HSC in North-East India
Tap to Reveal
What is the cumulative PM-KISAN transfer as of the 22nd installment?
More than Rs 4.27 lakh crore
Rs 18,640 crore transferred to 9.32 crore farmers in this installment
Tap to Reveal
Which ministry oversees the India Semiconductor Mission?
MeitY
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Rs 1 trillion fund planned
Tap to Reveal
Which port became India’s first to launch a Digital Twin platform?
V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Thoothukudi
Formerly Tuticorin Port; India’s 3rd largest container port
Tap to Reveal
Who is the 22nd Governor of West Bengal and who administered his oath?
R.N. Ravi | CJ Sujoy Paul (Calcutta HC)
Oath on 12 March 2026; succeeded C.V. Ananda Bose
Tap to Reveal
In which city was the International Day of Action for Rivers declared in 1997?
Curitiba, Brazil
First International Meeting of People Impacted by Dams; 20 countries participated
Tap to Reveal
Who receives the Polly Umrigar Award at BCCI NAMAN Awards 2026?
Shubman Gill
1,764 international runs in 2025; India’s Test & ODI captain
Tap to Reveal
When did UNESCO designate 14 March as International Day of Mathematics?
2019
Pi Day (3/14); Albert Einstein’s birthday also 14 March 1879
Think & Discuss
India’s Semiconductor Ambition: Can We Build What We Cannot Yet Design?
Context from today’s quiz: India plans a Rs 1 trillion semiconductor fund under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), overseen by MeitY. While Micron, Tata, and Foxconn have announced fabrication projects, India’s chip design ecosystem and skilled workforce remain nascent. Semiconductors underpin every strategic technology β from defence electronics to AI data centres β and global supply chains have shown dangerous vulnerability (COVID-era chip shortages, geopolitical tensions around Taiwan).
π€ Your Perspective Matters
India is betting heavily on becoming a global semiconductor manufacturing hub β but the gap between assembling chips and designing them is enormous. Taiwan’s TSMC took decades to build its dominance. South Korea poured state resources into Samsung and SK Hynix for generations. Can a late-mover strategy centred on financial incentives and foreign partnerships realistically build India into a semiconductor power within a decade?
Should India prioritise semiconductor fabrication (manufacturing) or chip design (IP creation) β and can it realistically pursue both simultaneously?
Should India prioritise semiconductor fabrication (manufacturing) or chip design (IP creation) β and can it realistically pursue both simultaneously?
- India’s semiconductor push relies heavily on attracting foreign companies like Micron and Foxconn. Does this build genuine technological capability, or does it risk creating an assembly-dependent economy without strategic autonomy in chip design?
- The VLSI/chip design talent pipeline (IITs, NIT, IISc) is growing but remains small relative to the scale needed. What structural reforms in engineering education and R&D funding are needed to support a self-sustaining semiconductor ecosystem?
- Given that semiconductors are now classified as a strategic and national security asset globally, how should India balance openness to foreign investment with protecting sensitive fabrication technologies from adversarial access?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
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