Daily Current Affairs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded a landmark official visit to India (February 27 – March 2, 2026), marking the first bilateral visit by a Canadian PM in eight years and signalling a decisive end to the diplomatic freeze that began in 2023.

Key agreements signed during the visit:

• Strategic Energy Partnership – Covering LNG, LPG, uranium, solar, and hydrogen.
• USD 2.6 billion uranium supply deal – Signed between India’s Department of Atomic Energy and Saskatchewan-based Cameco Corporation; covers supply of nearly 22 million pounds of uranium for India’s nuclear plants from 2027 to 2035.
• MoU on Critical Minerals – Between India’s Ministry of Mines and Canada’s Department of Natural Resources, covering exploration, mining, processing, and investment.
• MoU on Renewable Energy – Promoting cooperation in solar, wind, biomass, and small hydropower.
• India-Canada CEO Forum reconstituted; ISRO and the Canadian Space Agency agreed to cooperate on Earth observation and space technologies.

PM Modi announced the launch of the India-Canada Defence Dialogue and the creation of an India-Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence in India. India also expressed support for Canada’s interest in joining the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as a Dialogue Partner.

President Droupadi Murmu launched four major women-centric schemes of the Delhi government at the ‘Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi’ programme held at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, on March 2, 2026. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and LG V.K. Saxena were present.

The National Arogya Fair 2026 was held from February 25–28 at Shegaon, Buldhana district, Maharashtra, inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu at the Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan.

• Organised by the Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with the All India Ayurvedic Congress (AIAC); the fair brought together practitioners across Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
• President Murmu conferred the Jeevan Gaurav award on Vaidya Devendra Triguna, and the Ayurveda Gaurav Samman on five senior Vaidyas including PM Warrier of Arya Vaidya Sala and Rakesh Amarnath Sharma.
• Free healthcare services, diagnostics, and medicines were provided to the public during the Fair.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) announced three flagship cultural and commerce festivals in New Delhi during March 2026 to showcase India’s tribal heritage and strengthen livelihoods.

Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 (March 1–7) was launched nationwide by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, as a week-long outreach to promote affordable generic medicines.

• Health check-up camps, free blood tests, blood pressure and thyroid screening, and free distribution of Janaushadhi medicines at over 250 locations across India.
• The week culminates in the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas on March 7. Theme: ‘Jan Aushadhi — Sasti Bhi, Bharosemand Bhi, Sehat Ki Baat, Bachat Ke Saath’.
• More than 18,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) currently operate nationwide; government targets expansion to 25,000 kendras by March 31, 2027.
• Citizens can locate the nearest kendra via the ‘Jan Aushadhi Sugam’ mobile application.

Union MoS Dr Jitendra Singh (Ministry of Science and Technology) inaugurated the Central Facility for Recombinant Cells and Sensors at BRIC-RGCB’s Akkulam campus, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on March 1, 2026, as part of National Science Day celebrations.

• Developed with a Rs 60 crore capital outlay by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT); aims to accelerate drug discovery, Medical Genomics, and Agri-Genomics research.
• Foundation stone laid for a cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) facility at the same campus with a total outlay of Rs 80 crore in two phases.
• Dr Singh released the book ‘Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years’ authored by V. P. N. Nampoori.

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and IIT Delhi formalised a Framework for Action (FFA) to strengthen renewable energy cooperation across ISA’s global membership.

• Signed by Ashish Khanna (Director General, ISA) and Prof. Rangan Banerjee (Director, IIT Delhi).
• Focuses on capacity building, academic collaboration, and human resource development in solar energy across ISA Member Countries.

The Meghalaya government issued a public health advisory following the deaths of two Agniveer trainees from suspected meningococcal bacterial infection at the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC).

• Meningococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis and can cause meningitis (brain/spinal cord infection) and septicaemia. It spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact.
• The advisory urged residents to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms: sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.
• State health department activated surveillance and containment protocols at the ARC and surrounding areas.

Shri B.P. Singh officially assumed charge as the new Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) of the Indian Navy.

• The DGONA oversees the procurement, quality assurance, maintenance, and life-cycle management of weapons, armaments, and combat systems for the Indian Navy.
• This appointment is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen India’s defence indigenisation and naval modernisation programme.

Jammu & Kashmir etched their name in Indian cricket history by defeating eight-time champions Karnataka in the final of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 at KSCA Rajnagar Stadium.

• The 91st season of the Ranji Trophy (October 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026) was sponsored by IDFC First Bank. J&K became the 20th team in history to win the title.
• J&K’s Nabi and Sahil shone in the final. Vidarbha were the defending champions.
• Prize money: Winners receive Rs 5 crore; runners-up receive Rs 3 crore.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 11.50 lakh on Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) for regulatory non-compliance observed during its annual inspection.

• Violation 1: MMFSL revised foreclosure fees on certain loan accounts without incorporating the revised terms in the original loan agreements — a breach of the Fair Practices Code.
• Violation 2: Complaints were not escalated to the Internal Ombudsman within mandated timelines; final decisions were communicated to some complainants beyond prescribed dates.

Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes (February 28 – March 1), Iran’s three-member transitional council continues to govern the country.

• Iran launched retaliatory strikes against 27 US military bases in the region and fired missiles at Israel and Gulf states. Iran declared 40 days of national mourning.
• The Assembly of Experts (88 senior clerics) will elect a new Supreme Leader. Possible successors: Khamenei’s son Mojtaba and cleric Alireza Arafi.
• International reactions: EU called for maximum restraint; Russia condemned the strikes as a “cynical murder”; China strongly condemned the action. The US Congress debated a war powers resolution.

World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3, the date on which CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) was signed in 1973. It was proclaimed as a UN observance by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013.

• Around 50,000 medicinal plant species are used in traditional medicine globally; overharvesting and habitat loss threaten many of them.
• India is a global biodiversity hotspot with over 17,000 species of flowering plants, the world’s largest population of wild tigers (~3,600), one-horned rhinos, and Asiatic lions.