Daily Current Affairs

The SATHEE App, developed by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, is a free digital learning platform for major competitive examinations. It was highlighted at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 for its AI-enabled personalised learning features.

• Full Form: Self Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams
• Exams Covered: JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT, SSC, RRB, IBPS, ICAR entrance exams
• Features: Video lectures, mock tests, study materials, previous year papers, multilingual support, AI-enabled personalized learning
• Target: Students from economically weaker sections; free of cost
• Ministry: Ministry of Education; developed with IIT Kanpur

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced a revision in the FASTag Annual Pass fee, effective 1 April 2026. The cost for private non-commercial vehicles increases from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075.

• FASTag Annual Pass Launched: Independence Day 2025 (15 August 2025); valid for private vehicles (cars, jeeps, vans)
• Validity: Up to 200 toll crossings or one year from activation, whichever comes first
• FASTag: Introduced nationwide since 2016; currently ~11.86 crore tags issued; ~50 lakh users on annual pass
• NHAI: Under Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

The Supreme Court of India reinforced guidelines on the appointment of State Directors General of Police (DGPs), clarifying that states cannot delay sending names of eligible officers to the UPSC without prior court approval.

• Timeline: States must submit proposals at least three months before the incumbent DGP’s retirement
• UPSC Role: Prepares a panel of three senior officers, from which the state must select one
• Key Ruling: No legal concept of an ‘acting DGP’; states cannot appoint temporary DGPs in lieu of regular appointments
• Landmark Case: Prakash Singh v. Union of India — established procedures for transparency, stability, and independence in police appointments

A medieval inscription linked to the Gajapati dynasty was discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. The stone pillar inscription, written in Telugu and dating to the 15th century CE, is associated with King Purushottama Deva.

• Mentions: Kumaraguru Mahapatra (a steward under the king); records temple management practices and ritual instructions
• Gajapati Dynasty: Medieval Hindu dynasty from Odisha; reigned c. 1434–1541; founded by Kapilendra Deva; succeeded the Eastern Gangas
• Significance: Confirms Gajapati administrative reach into present-day Andhra Pradesh; provides insight into medieval temple governance and Indo-Odisha cultural ties

Gujarat made history on 15 March 2026 with the successful launch of its first sounding rocket near Dholera, at Bavliyari village, by Ahmedabad-based startup Omspace Rocket and Exploration Private Limited. This marks Gujarat’s entry into India’s growing private space technology sector.

• Rocket: Single-stage suborbital sounding rocket; reached ~3 km altitude
• Technologies Tested: Advanced propulsion systems, avionics, onboard control systems, autonomous recovery mechanism
• Payload: Mini satellite carrying atmospheric and weather data instruments
• Material: Lightweight carbon fibre and advanced composites under Make in India
• Approvals: AAI, DGCA, Indian Coast Guard, and IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
• Policy: Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025–2030

India finished the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 held in Bangkok, Thailand (8–15 March 2026) with 5 medals: 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze.

Scientists from Gauhati University discovered a new plant species — Osbeckia zubeengargiana — in the grasslands of Manas National Park, Assam, during botanical surveys (2021–2025). The species was named after Assamese singer Zubeen Garg to honour his cultural contribution to Assam’s identity.

• Family: Melastomataceae; tall perennial shrub; grows 2.5–3.5 metres high; produces bright pink flower clusters (2.5–3 cm)
• Manas National Park: UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985); located in Assam; habitats include tiger, elephant, one-horned rhino, golden langur
• Conservation Status: ‘Data Deficient’ category (IUCN Red List) due to limited distribution data

Archaeologists at Hermopolis Magna (El Ashmunein), Egypt discovered the missing upper portion of a massive limestone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II. The fragment (3.8 metres tall) joins the lower half found in 1930, completing a seated statue that will stand nearly 7 metres high. Joint team: Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and University of Colorado Boulder.

• Ramesses II: ‘Ramesses the Great’; ruled Egypt 1279–1213 BCE (one of longest reigns); known for Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum
• Hermopolis Magna: Ancient city of Upper Egypt; devoted to Thoth (ibis-headed god of wisdom and writing); also called Khmun (‘City of the Eight’, referring to the Ogdoad)
• Significance: Resolves a century-old mystery; reveals pharaoh wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt

Kimi Antonelli (19 years old, Mercedes-AMG Petronas) won the Chinese Grand Prix 2026 at Shanghai International Circuit, securing his first Formula 1 victory. He also became the youngest polesitter in Formula 1 history. Mercedes achieved a 1-2 finish.

• Non-starters: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Gabriel Bortoleto, Alex Albon — all withdrew due to technical issues
• 2026 F1 Regulations: 50-50 split between Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and electrical power
• Lewis Hamilton: First podium since joining Ferrari

India delivered a dominant performance at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 (11–13 March 2026, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi), finishing 1st on the medal table with a historic 208 medals: 75 Gold, 69 Silver, 64 Bronze.

• Standout Performers: Preeti Pal (Women’s 200m T35–37 Gold); Shubham Juyal (Men’s Shot Put F57 Gold); Manojkumar Sabapathi (Men’s 800m T53-T54 Gold)
• India fielded: 219 para-athletes out of 257 total athletes across 8 nations
• PCI President: Devendra Jhajharia

St. Patrick’s Day is observed on 17 March every year to commemorate the death of Saint Patrick (c. 385–461 CE), the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. It is a public holiday in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

• Significance for India: Observed by the Irish community in Indian cities; India has a growing Irish diaspora connection
• Symbol: The shamrock — a three-leaved plant — associated with St. Patrick, who reportedly used it to explain the Holy Trinity

Phil Campbell, the longtime lead guitarist of heavy metal band Motörhead, passed away on 14 March 2026 at the age of 64 after a prolonged health battle.

• Born: 7 May 1961, Pontypridd, Wales
• Joined Motörhead: 1984; remained for over three decades
• Band disbanded: 2015, following the death of founder Lemmy Kilmister
• Later work: Formed Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons

Veteran Bollywood actress Madhu Malhotra passed away on 13 March 2026 in Mumbai at the age of 71. A well-known supporting actress in Hindi cinema during the late 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, she appeared in over 100 films.

• Notable Films: Hero, Satte Pe Satta, Karz, Vidhaata, The Great Gambler