Daily Current Affairs

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), launched the Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme to support Indian exporters impacted by the ongoing West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruptions.

• Purpose – Time-bound, targeted measure to mitigate rising logistics costs, higher insurance premiums, and war-related risks affecting export consignments to/through the Gulf region.
• Financial Outlay – Rs 497 crore under the Export Promotion Mission (EPM).
• Monitoring – Dashboard-based real-time tracking of claims and fund utilisation.
• DGFT – Under MoC&I; responsible for India’s import-export policies, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), and Import Export Code (IEC).
• Context – Ongoing US-Israel strikes on Iran; Brent crude at ~USD 115/barrel; India importing Russian oil via ‘dark fleet’ tankers to New Mangalore Port.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, released NIRYAT (National-Import-Export Record for Yearly Analysis of Trade) data for FY 2024-25. Tamil Nadu emerged as India’s top state for textile exports.

• India’s total textile exports FY25 – USD 36,610 million
• NIRYAT – Launched by PM Modi in 2022; provides real-time, comprehensive foreign trade data.

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) — apex power planning body under the Ministry of Power — released the midterm review of the 20th Electric Power Survey (EPS) titled ‘National Generation Adequacy Plan (2026-27 to 2035-36)’ at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.

• CEA – Statutory body; provides technical & policy advice to Ministry of Power; releases National Electricity Plan.

The Ministry of Ayush introduced a specially curated 5-minute in-flight yoga routine to promote health and wellness among air travellers, launched during Yoga Mahotsav 2026. The routine can be performed in-seat and addresses deep vein thrombosis risk, stiffness, and travel fatigue.

• Yoga Mahotsav 2026 – Annual nationwide yoga awareness event by Ministry of Ayush; held in lead-up to International Day of Yoga (21 June).
• Ministry of Ayush – Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy; established 2014; promotes traditional Indian medicine.

Pondicherry University launched a mobile application named ‘Blue Voice’ to improve safety and disaster preparedness among coastal fishing communities, providing real-time weather alerts, sea condition forecasts, emergency SOS features, and communication tools for fishermen at sea.

• Significance – India has ~1.4 million marine fishermen; high vulnerability to cyclones, rough seas, and communication blackouts.
• Features – Accessible in regional languages; supports offline functionality for low-connectivity zones.

The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) — a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Finance — launched ‘Krishi Sakhi’, a year-long programme aimed at empowering women farmers and enhancing their participation in agriculture and crop insurance.

• Global alignment – Aligns with UN/FAO’s designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
• AIC – Established 2002; implements PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) and other crop insurance schemes.
• Activities – Month-wise structured awareness campaigns at head office and regional offices across India.

Chapchar Kut, Mizoram’s most vibrant spring festival, was celebrated with traditional dances, music, and cultural events. Observed annually on the 2nd Friday of March, it marks the completion of the most arduous stage of the Jhum cultivation cycle (shifting cultivation — burning of felled trees and bamboo).

• Dance – Traditional Cheraw (bamboo dance) and other Mizo folk dances performed.
• Three major Mizo festivals:
  • Chapchar Kut – Spring; jungle clearing for Jhum cultivation (March)
  • Mim Kut – Maize harvest
  • Pawl Kut – Year-end harvest

The ongoing US-Israel military strikes on Iran continued to escalate in March 2026, driving Brent crude oil prices to approximately USD 115/barrel. Key developments impacting India’s energy security:

• Strait of Hormuz – Iran’s IRGC threatened to impose a toll on ships passing through — a critical chokepoint carrying ~20% of global oil supply.
• US waivers – Trump administration lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil at sea to ease the Hormuz crisis; indicated being ‘very close’ to winding down the conflict.
• Aqua Titan – Russia-origin oil tanker carrying 7.7 lakh barrels diverted mid-route; headed to New Mangalore Port (arrival 21 March 2026); underscores India’s use of the ‘dark fleet‘ for oil procurement.
• India’s LPG response – Domestic LPG production up 40%; Essential Commodities Act (ECA) invoked; refineries directed to maximise LPG output.

The World Happiness Report 2026 was published by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Published annually since 2012, the report ranks countries based on social trust, safety, inequality, freedom, and generosity indices.

• Nordic dominance – Top 5 include Finland, other Nordic countries, and Iceland/Denmark.
• 2026 theme – Link between social media use and youth well-being.
• SDSN – UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; publishes WHR annually since 2012.

Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 (Id-ul-Fitr) is being celebrated on Saturday, 21 March 2026 across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and most of South and Southeast Asia. It marks the end of 30 days of Ramadan — the Islamic month of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

• Moon sighting – Crescent not sighted on 19 March in Hyderabad or Lucknow; Maulana Khalid Rasheed (Lucknow Islamic Center) confirmed Eid on 21 March for India.
• Kerala exception – Kerala celebrated Eid on 20 March, aligning with Gulf countries’ earlier sighting.
• Gulf nations – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar celebrated Eid on 20 March (astronomical calculations / earlier sighting).
• RBI/Bank holiday – 21 March 2026 is a Gazetted Holiday (Central Government); all central offices and banks closed.
• Celebration – Begins with Salat ul-Eid (special prayers); followed by Zakat al-Fitr (obligatory charity), family gatherings, and festive meals.
• Islamic calendar – 1st of Shawwal, 1447 AH; Ramadan in India began 18 February 2026.

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed globally on 21 March every year. The date 21/3 was selected to signify the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome. Formally recognised by the United Nations in 2012 (Resolution A/RES/66/149).

• Down Syndrome – Genetic condition with an extra copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21); characterised by intellectual disability of varying degrees and distinctive facial features.
• 2026 theme – ‘Break Barriers, Open Doors’ — advocates for inclusive education, employment, and full social participation.
• 21/3 symbolism – 21st chromosome × 3 copies → 21st day of the 3rd month.
• Established by – Down Syndrome International (DSI); UN-recognised 2012.

World Poetry Day is observed every year on 21 March, proclaimed by UNESCO at its 30th General Conference in Paris in 1999. The day celebrates poetry as one of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression.

• Objectives – Promotes linguistic diversity through poetry; encourages support for endangered languages through poetry; revives oral traditions of poetry recital.
• 2026 focus – Celebrating multilingual and digital poetry; encouraging youth to engage with traditional and contemporary forms.
• UNESCO – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; HQ: Paris.

The International Day of Forests (IDF), also known as World Forestry Day, is observed globally on 21 March every year. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 (Resolution A/RES/67/200). Facilitated by the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat.

• 2026 theme – ‘Forests and Sustainable Production and Consumption’ — highlighting forests as sources of food, medicines, clean water, energy, and livelihoods.
• India context:
  • Total forest & tree cover: 25.17% of geographical area (827,357 sq km) — India State of Forest Report 2023.
  • NDC commitment: Create additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through forest/tree cover by 2030.
• UNFF – UN Forum on Forests; established 2000; promotes sustainable forest management.

World Water Day is formally observed on 22 March annually. Related pre-events and the conclusion of Jal Mahotsav 2026 coincide with this period. Jal Mahotsav ran from 8–22 March 2026, launched by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in Navsari, Gujarat.

• Jal Mahotsav tagline – ‘गाँव का उत्सव, देश का महोत्सव’ (Village festival, Nation’s celebration).
• 2026 World Water Day theme – ‘Glacier Preservation’ — focusing on shrinking glaciers as a critical freshwater challenge for billions globally.

The World Happiness Report 2026, published by UN SDSN, provides detailed country-level happiness rankings. Key data points for competitive exam preparation:

Chuck Norris, the iconic American martial artist, actor, and Walker, Texas Ranger star, passed away on 20 March 2026 at the age of 86. Widely regarded as the father of competitive full-contact karate in the United States, Norris became a global cultural icon through his action films and long-running TV series.

• Martial arts – Practitioner of Tang Soo Do; 8th degree black belt in Tang Soo Do; 9th degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do (his own system); undefeated in full-contact karate competitions; inducted into the Black Belt Hall of Fame.
• Notable films – Missing in Action, Code of Silence, Delta Force, The Expendables 2.
• TV – Walker, Texas Ranger (1993–2001).
• Cultural legacy – The humorous internet meme series ‘Chuck Norris Facts’, celebrating his legendary toughness.