Daily GK Update- 17th March, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Rashtrapati Bhavan Hosts Purple Fest to Celebrate Talent and Aspirations of Divyangjan: Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted the Purple Fest to celebrate the talent, achievements, and aspirations of Divyangjan (persons with disabilities).The event was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to promote inclusion, awareness, and respect for persons with disabilities.More than 8,000 Divyangjan visited the Amrit Udyan, which was opened exclusively for them during the event.

 

2. NHAI Revises FASTag Annual Pass Fee to ₹3,075 for FY 2026–27: National Highways Authority of India has revised the FASTag Annual Pass fee from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075 for the financial year 2026–27, effective from 1 April 2026.The revision has been made under the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, which governs toll fee determination and collection on national highways.The FASTag Annual Pass is available for eligible non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans with a valid FASTag, and it can be used on National Highways and National Expressways.The pass, launched on 15 August 2025, remains valid for one year or up to 200 toll plaza crossings (whichever is earlier) and can be purchased via the Rajmarg Yatra App or the National Highways Authority of India.

 

3. Centre Renames Tuticorin Airport as Thoothukudi Airport in Tamil Nadu: The Central Government has approved the renaming of Tuticorin Airport as Thoothukudi Airport in Tamil Nadu.The renaming ceremony was formally inaugurated by Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu at the airport.The airport is operated by the Airports Authority of India under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.Chapchar Kut Celebrated with Traditional Fervour in Aizawl: The spring festival Chapchar Kut was celebrated with traditional fervour in Aizawl. It is the largest traditional spring festival of the Mizo people, celebrated after clearing forests for jhum (shifting) cultivation, marking the arrival of spring.

 

4. The week-long festival concluded with the theme “Zo Nun Ze Mawi: Inremna” (Mizo Ethics: Reconciliation) and witnessed a large gathering, including V. K. Singh and C. Lalsawivunga.Syed Ata Hasnain Takes Oath as 43rd Governor of Bihar: Syed Ata Hasnain, a retired Lieutenant General of the Indian Army, took oath as the Governor of Bihar.The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Sangam Kumar Sahoo at the Patna High Court.He became the 43rd Governor of Bihar since India’s Independence, succeeding Arif Mohammad Khan.

 

5. Kusunpur Set to Become Odisha’s First Smart Village: Kusunpur village in Odisha’s Kendrapada district is set to become the state’s first “smart village” under a technology-driven rural development initiative led by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The project aims to integrate modern technologies into everyday life and agriculture, creating a sustainable and self-reliant rural ecosystem. The village, located in Rajnagar block, has around 130 families and a population of nearly 700 people. The smart village initiative has been launched as a mission-mode project by the Ministry of Science and Technology through CSIR. The programme aligns with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat@2047,” which aims to transform India into a developed nation by the centenary of independence. The project seeks to demonstrate how scientific innovations can improve rural infrastructure, livelihoods, and resilience through coordinated efforts between research institutions and local authorities.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Arpita Patra Becomes Second Indian Woman to Scale Nevado Ojos del Salado: Arpita Patra, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, successfully climbed Nevado Ojos del Salado.She reached the 6,893-metre summit, becoming the second Indian woman to scale the peak.Nevado Ojos del Salado is located in the Atacama Desert in the Andes Mountains on the Chile–Argentina border and is the highest mountain in Chile.Earlier, she had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe), Mount Giluwe (Oceania), and Pico de Orizaba (North America).

 

2. 15 March – International Day to Combat Islamophobia: The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed every year on 15 March to raise awareness about discrimination, intolerance, and violence against Muslims around the world.The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to promote religious tolerance, dialogue, and respect for cultural diversity.The observance encourages governments, organisations, and communities to combat Islamophobia and promote peace, inclusiveness, and mutual understanding.

 

3. 13 March – World Sleep Day: World Sleep Day is observed every year on 13 March to raise awareness about the importance of healthy sleep and sleep-related issues.Theme 2026 – Sleep Well, Live BetterThe day aims to highlight the impact of sleep on physical, mental, and emotional well-being, encouraging people to adopt better sleep habits.Observance of World Sleep Day promotes research, education, and public campaigns to address sleep disorders and improve overall quality of life.

 

4. India Eases FDI Norms for Firms with 10% Chinese Stake: The Government of India has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) rules to allow overseas companies with up to 10 per cent Chinese shareholding to invest in India through the automatic route. The change was notified by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and aims to ease investment flows while retaining safeguards against strategic risks. The relaxation follows approval from the Union Cabinet and modifies restrictions introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under the revised policy, foreign companies with Chinese shareholding of up to 10 per cent will be permitted to invest in India without seeking prior government approval. These investments will continue to be subject to sectoral caps and existing regulatory conditions. However, the relaxation does not apply to entities incorporated in China, Hong Kong, or any country that shares a land border with India.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Navy Joins Sea Dragon 2026 ASW Exercise: The Indian Navy is participating in Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a United States-led multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drill being conducted at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. The exercise, held annually in the Indo-Pacific, gains added significance amid evolving geopolitical tensions, particularly due to the ongoing instability in West Asia. India’s participation reflects its growing role in regional maritime security and cooperation. Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 is a two-week high-intensity drill focusing on anti-submarine warfare operations. It involves advanced maritime patrol aircraft, including the P-8A Poseidon and India’s P-8I aircraft. These platforms are deployed to conduct coordinated missions aimed at detecting, tracking, and neutralising submarine threats. The exercise progresses from simulated scenarios to real-time tracking of live submarines, enhancing operational realism.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Mayank Chakraborty Becomes India’s 94th Chess Grandmaster, First from Assam: Mayank Chakraborty became India’s 94th Grandmaster (GM) in chess. He is the first chess Grandmaster from Assam, marking a historic milestone for the state.The Grandmaster (GM) title is awarded by the world chess governing body FIDE.

 

2. Armand Duplantis Sets New Pole Vault World Record of 6.31m at Mondo Classic: Armand Duplantis set a new pole vault world record of 6.31 metres at the Mondo Classic held in Uppsala.

This achievement marks the 15th time Duplantis has broken the pole vault world record, further strengthening his dominance in the sport.He had earlier set the record at 6.28 metres in Stockholm in 2025, and the 6.31m jump is his fourth world record of the year.

 

3. Kimi Antonelli Wins Chinese Grand Prix, Becomes Second-Youngest F1 Race Winner: Kimi Antonelli, aged 19, won his first Formula One race at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second-youngest race winner in F1 history.The youngest F1 race winner remains Max Verstappen, who won a Grand Prix at the age of 18 in 2016.Kimi Antonelli currently drives for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.

 

4. Sarfaraz Ahmed Announces Retirement from International Cricket: Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter and captain, announced his retirement from international cricket after a notable career.He led Pakistan to victory in the 2006 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, becoming one of the few players to win an ICC title at the junior level as captain.Under his captaincy, Pakistan also won the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, making him the only captain to win ICC trophies at both junior and senior levels organised by the International Cricket Council.

 

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. CSIR-NCL Scales Up Dimethyl Ether Fuel Technology: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) has announced plans to scale up Dimethyl Ether (DME) technology to an industrial-scale demonstration in collaboration with a processing engineering partner. The initiative aims to promote cleaner alternative fuels in India and reduce dependence on conventional diesel. The development is considered significant for sectors such as agriculture and transportation, which rely heavily on diesel-powered engines. Dimethyl Ether (DME) is a synthetically produced fuel that can serve as an alternative to diesel in specially designed compression ignition engines. It is considered a promising clean fuel because it can be produced from various feedstocks such as natural gas, coal, biomass and waste materials. Due to its favourable combustion characteristics, DME is being explored globally as a sustainable fuel option for heavy-duty vehicles and industrial applications.

 

2. Scientists Discover New Molten Liquid Planet Class: Scientists have identified a new category of exoplanets that exist in a permanent molten, liquid-like state. The discovery, based on observations from the James Webb Space Telescope, challenges traditional classifications of small planets. These worlds are neither rocky nor water-rich but instead consist of vast, global oceans of magma, offering fresh insights into planetary diversity beyond the solar system. The newly identified class represents “liquid planets” that remain in a molten, mushy condition. Traditionally, small exoplanets were classified as rocky planets with thin atmospheres or water worlds with deep oceans. However, this finding introduces a third category—planets dominated by molten silicate material. The discovery was detailed in a recent study published in “Nature Astronomy”, highlighting the complexity of planetary evolution.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority to Organise ‘Niveshak Shivir’ in Bhubaneswar: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, in collaboration with Securities and Exchange Board of India, will organise a ‘Niveshak Shivir’ in Bhubaneswar on 27 March 2026.The initiative aims to provide a one-stop facilitation platform to help investors resolve issues related to unclaimed dividends and shares, along with on-ground grievance redressal and investor services.The camp will offer recovery assistance for unclaimed dividends and shares, on-the-spot KYC updation, nomination services, and resolution of pending IEPFA claims, promoting direct interaction between investors, companies, and RTAs.

 

2. Fitch Ratings Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7.5% for FY26: Fitch Ratings has raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7.5% for FY2025–26 and 6.7% for FY2026–27.The revised projections were released in the Global Economic Outlook – March 2026.

 

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Vairamuthu Selected for the 60th Jnanpith Award for 2025: Vairamuthu has been selected for the prestigious Jnanpith Award. cHe will receive the 60th Jnanpith Award for the year 2025, one of India’s highest literary honours.With this recognition, Vairamuthu becomes the third Tamil writer to receive the award after Akilan (1975) and Jayakanthan (2002).59th Jnanpith Award (for 2024) – Hindi author and poet Vinod Kumar Shukla  58th Jnanpith Award (for 2023) – Urdu poet and lyricist Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.