Daily GK Update- 3rd March, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Tamil Nadu Launches First Dark Sky Park in Kolli Hills: Tamil Nadu has inaugurated its first Dark Sky Park at the Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district, marking a significant step towards promoting astro-tourism in the State. The facility was launched by Forest Minister R. S. Rajakannappan from Chennai. The initiative positions the State as an emerging destination for night-sky observation and scientific tourism.Located in an ecologically sensitive forest landscape, the park offers clear views of celestial bodies including stars, planets, the Milky Way galaxy and the moon. The site was selected after detailed ecological and sky visibility assessments.Kolli Hills was identified as an ideal site due to its elevated terrain, dense forest cover and minimal urban light pollution. Nearly a 1.5 km radius around the park remains free from artificial light, ensuring optimal dark-sky conditions. The higher altitude and natural terrain further reduce external light interference.Established at a cost of ₹1 crore, the park is equipped with three advanced telescopes and solar-powered infrastructure to ensure sustainable operations. The centre will function both at night for stargazing and during the day to promote scientific literacy among students, researchers and visitors.

 

2. Saba Shawl Becomes First Woman to Head Central Jail Srinagar : In a landmark development for Jammu and Kashmir’s prison administration, Saba Shawl has been appointed as Superintendent of Central Jail Srinagar, becoming the first Kashmiri woman to head the high-security correctional facility. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for women in uniformed services in the Union Territory. The transfer was formalised under Government Order No. 145-Home of 2026 dated March 2, 2026, with immediate effect. Saba Shawl hails from Peerbagh in Srinagar. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work, reflecting her grounding in community welfare and reform-oriented approaches. Before joining government service, she worked as a senior community development consultant and was associated with the Indo Global Social Service Society, where she focused on grassroots initiatives and capacity-building programmes.Her academic and field experience provided her with a strong foundation in social justice and institutional management.

 

3. Debrigarh to Host Second Indian Bison Fest: The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary will host the second edition of the two-day ‘Indian Bison Fest’ on March 8 at Zeropoint, highlighting conservation of the Indian bison, locally known as ‘Gayala’. Organised by the Hirakud Wildlife Division, the festival aims to bring together students, researchers, volunteers and nature enthusiasts to celebrate the growing gaur population in the Debrigarh-Hirakud landscape. This year’s edition introduces night camping, transforming the event into a more immersive experience within the sanctuary. The programme will begin with expert talks on gaur behaviour, habitat ecology and conservation strategies, followed by a wildlife film screening and guided gaur safari.Evening activities include a stargazing session, with clear views of constellations such as Saptarishi Mandal and Orion over the sanctuary and the Hirakud wetland. The second day will feature trekking, a cruise ride and a visit to Bat Island, home to more than 1,000 fruit bats or flying foxes, which visitors can observe from a safe distance.

 

4. BEE Marks 25 Years of Energy Efficiency Leadership: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, with senior policymakers, State representatives and sectoral stakeholders in attendance. Shri Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, while Shri Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary (Power), delivered the keynote address. Addressing the gathering, the Minister described BEE as a “preventive institution” for the power sector, emphasising that conserving each unit of electricity reduces the need for additional generation capacity and lowers emissions. He noted that India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36 per cent from 2005 levels and achieved 52 per cent non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target.He highlighted flagship initiatives including the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO), Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms, ADEETIE for MSMEs, the Standards & Labelling Programme, and the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC). He underscored energy efficiency as central to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, particularly in emerging sectors such as data centres and Artificial Intelligence.

 

5. Tamil Nadu Leads India in Deceased Organ Donation: Tamil Nadu has reaffirmed its position as India’s leading state in deceased organ donation, recording 57 deceased donors in the first two months of 2026 — nearly one donation a day. The programme is overseen by the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (Transtan), which has built a structured and transparent system over nearly two decades. Officials attribute the sustained rise to coordinated governance, public trust, and technological integration. Tamil Nadu began formalising its deceased organ donation system as early as 2008, at a time when awareness across India remained limited. The model integrates policymakers, healthcare administrators, technocrats, law enforcement agencies, media, and civil society groups. Although the programme slowed during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has since rebounded with renewed vigour.The framework ensures scientific allocation of organs, ethical counselling of families, and real-time coordination between transplant centres. Over the past two years, government hospitals have matched or exceeded private institutions in deceased organ retrieval, reflecting wider institutional participation.

 

6. K P Unnikrishnan, Former Union Minister, Dies at 89: K P Unnikrishnan, former Union Minister and six-time Member of Parliament from Vadakara, died in Kozhikode, Kerala, in the early hours of Tuesday. He was 89. He was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital. Unnikrishnan was widely regarded as a prominent figure in national politics during the 1980s and 1990s, known for his parliamentary experience and administrative responsibilities at the Centre. Unnikrishnan was first elected to the Lok Sabha in 1971 from Vadakara as a Congress candidate. He went on to represent the constituency six consecutive times — in 1971, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991. His repeated electoral success reflected strong grassroots support in northern Kerala. Between 1980 and 1982, he served as a member of the Public Accounts Committee, contributing to parliamentary oversight of government expenditure. From 1981 to 1984, he was the leader of Congress (Secular) in Parliament.

 

7. Gitchak nakana: New Subterranean Fish Found in Assam: In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers have identified a new genus and species of subterranean fish, “Gitchak nakana”, from a dug-out well in western Assam. The discovery marks the first aquifer-dwelling, or phreatobitic, fish recorded from Northeast India. The findings were published in the journal “Scientific Reports”, a Nature Portfolio publication, underscoring the global importance of the discovery. The research was led by Ralf Britz of the Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden, in collaboration with Wimarithy K. Marak of Assam Don Bosco University and other national and international scientists.The fish was collected on three separate occasions from the same well in a village at the foothills of the Shillong Plateau near the Brahmaputra Valley. Its habitat within a groundwater aquifer makes it exceptionally rare, as fewer than 10 per cent of the world’s known subterranean fishes inhabit such environments.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Cassava Brown Streak Disease Threatens Africa’s Staple Crop: A viral disease causing rot in cassava roots is raising alarm across sub-Saharan Africa, threatening a staple crop relied upon by millions for food security and income. Cassava, prized for its tolerance to drought and poor soils, serves as a critical safety net for vulnerable households. However, scientists warn that the spread of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) could severely undermine this resilience. CBSD causes necrosis in cassava roots, often leading to total crop loss. The disease can remain hidden until harvest, when farmers discover discoloured, inedible roots. This delayed visibility worsens economic losses and food shortages.Although confined to Africa, CBSD remained largely endemic for over 70 years along coastal regions of Tanzania and Mozambique. It has since spread to Uganda and parts of East and Central Africa. Researchers now caution that West Africa — home to major cassava producers such as Nigeria and Ghana — could face significant risk if preventive measures are not strengthened.

 

2. Amondawa Tribe Lives Without Concept of Time: Deep within Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, the Amondawa tribe lives without a conventional understanding of time as defined by modern civilisation. Researchers have found that the indigenous community has no linguistic or cultural equivalent for words such as “time”, “week”, “month” or “year”. Their daily lives are structured around natural cycles rather than clocks or calendars.A study by scholars from the University of Portsmouth, published in the journal “Language and Cognition”, examined how the tribe conceptualises events and existence.The Amondawa language contains no terms referring to measurable units of time. While members can describe sequences of events, they do not treat time as an abstract, independent dimension.Professor Chris Sinha of the University of Portsmouth clarified that the tribe is not “without time”. Instead, it does not conceptualise time in the linear and quantified manner typical of industrial societies. Sunrise, sunset and seasonal rhythms guide daily routines.

 

3. Yuan Dynasty Porcelain Shipwreck Found off Singapore: A 14th-century shipwreck discovered in the waters off Singapore has revealed a vast cargo of blue-and-white Yuan Dynasty porcelain, offering fresh insights into maritime trade during the Mongol Empire. The vessel, believed to have been sailing from China to Temasek, the historic settlement located on the site of modern-day Singapore, dates back roughly 650 years. The findings were published in the “Journal of International Ceramic Studies” in June 2025. The investigation was led by marine archaeologist Michael Flecker of Heritage SG, a subsidiary of the Singapore National Heritage Board. Over four years, divers recovered around 3.5 metric tonnes of ceramic shards from the shallow but hazardous site. Strong currents and extremely poor visibility limited dives to roughly once every four weeks.About 136 kilograms of the recovered material comprised Yuan Dynasty porcelain, including several intact or nearly intact pieces. The vessel itself had largely disintegrated, though it is believed to have been a Chinese junk, a common sailing ship of the period.

 

4. Varanasi Sets Guinness Record With 2.5 Lakh Saplings: Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has entered the Guinness World Records by planting over 2.5 lakh saplings within a single hour. The large-scale environmental initiative was undertaken by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation on March 1, drawing participation from more than 20,000 residents. The drive marks one of the most extensive coordinated urban afforestation efforts in recent years. The plantation was conducted in the Domari area along the Ganga riverfront, where authorities are developing a major urban forest project named “Namo Van”. A total of approximately 2.51 lakh saplings were planted within 60 minutes using the Miyawaki plantation method. This surpassed China’s previous record of 1.53 lakh saplings planted in an hour.The Guinness World Records officially recognised the achievement, highlighting the scale and speed of the coordinated effort. The project spans nearly 350 bighas of land and aims to significantly expand green cover in the historic city.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. US-Israel Strikes Raise Iran Regime Change Question: The United States and Israel have launched coordinated strikes against Iran, targeting key political and military leadership. Among the reported targets were Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. The operation has sharply escalated tensions in West Asia and triggered retaliation from Tehran, raising questions over whether regime change is the ultimate objective. US President Donald Trump defended the operation as necessary to eliminate imminent threats and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He accused Tehran of decades of hostility, support for militant groups and backing attacks against American and Israeli interests.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, stating that joint action would create conditions for the Iranian people to “take their destiny into their own hands”. Both leaders publicly urged Iranians to challenge their leadership, signalling that the objective may extend beyond military deterrence.

 

2. INS Anjadip Commissioned into Indian Navy Fleet: INS Anjadip, the fourth vessel under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Chennai Port on 27 February 2026. The ceremony was presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and hosted by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Senior naval officers, shipbuilders and civilian dignitaries attended the event.Named after the historic Anjadip Island off Karwar, the vessel strengthens India’s coastal defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.INS Anjadip reflects India’s push towards self-reliance in defence production, with over 80 per cent indigenous content. The ship has been built under the ASW-SWC programme involving Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding, Kattupalli.The induction marks a significant milestone in the Navy’s capability expansion and aligns with the broader objective of strengthening maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

3. Israel’s Multi-Layered Air Defence Against Ballistic Threats: Israel maintains one of the world’s most sophisticated multi-layered air defence networks, designed primarily to counter ballistic missile and aerial threats, including those posed by Iran and its regional proxies. The system integrates long-range, mid-range and short-range interceptors, alongside emerging laser-based technology and U.S.-backed assets, creating a comprehensive defensive umbrella. The Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems form the upper tier of Israel’s missile defence architecture. Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in cooperation with Boeing, these interceptors are specifically designed to counter long-range ballistic missiles.Arrow-2 engages threats within the atmosphere, while Arrow-3 is capable of exo-atmospheric interception. This high-altitude engagement allows for safer dispersal of potential non-conventional warheads. The system is tailored to neutralise advanced ballistic missile threats before they reach Israeli airspace.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Jammu & Kashmir Clinch Maiden Ranji Trophy Title: Jammu & Kashmir scripted history by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title, defeating eight-time champion Karnataka at the KSCA Rajnagar Stadium. On the fifth day, the visitors asserted complete dominance, sealing the championship in emphatic fashion and marking a transformative moment in Indian domestic cricket.Entering the final day with a massive 477-run lead and six wickets in hand, Jammu & Kashmir left no room for doubt. Their disciplined approach reflected authority built from the very first session of the match.Resuming with a commanding advantage, Jammu & Kashmir batted 56 overs on the final day, adding 156 runs without losing a wicket before the match was drawn and the title confirmed.Karnataka’s resistance faded gradually despite their reputation as a powerhouse of Indian cricket. The home side, chasing shadows throughout the contest, endured a comprehensive defeat in their own backyard.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Scientists Trace Earth’s First Animals to 541 Million Years: Scientists have identified evidence of Earth’s earliest animals in rocks more than 541 million years old, pushing back the timeline of complex life. The discovery suggests that soft-bodied sea sponges were among the first animals to inhabit the planet’s oceans, long before the Cambrian explosion. The findings indicate that some biological traits seen in modern sponges were already present in these ancient organisms. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analysed Precambrian rock samples and detected unique “chemical fossils” known as steranes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, focused on molecular traces derived from sterols — essential components of eukaryotic cell membranes. These compounds provide strong evidence of early complex, nucleus-bearing life forms existing well before the widely recognised burst of animal diversity during the Cambrian period.The rocks examined date to just before the Cambrian boundary, around 541 million years ago. The presence of these biomarkers suggests that early animals lived in ancient oceans under low-oxygen conditions.

 

2. Tripura Launches First State Innovation Mission Under AIM 2.0: The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog has launched the first State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura, marking a major step towards embedding innovation and entrepreneurship into the State’s long-term development strategy. The initiative falls under AIM 2.0 and operates within NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission (SSM), aiming to build robust and context-specific innovation ecosystems aligned with national priorities.
The launch event was held at the Hapania International Exhibition Centre in Agartala in the presence of Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh, and NITI Aayog Member Dr V.K. Saraswat. Under the SIM framework, the mission will be institutionalised through the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT). A dedicated incubation facility named T-NEST (Tripura – Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups) has been inaugurated to promote startups and encourage “Make from Tripura” solutions.Innovation Centres will be established across all eight districts, linked to T-NEST, to promote entrepreneurship among women and tribal communities, ensuring inclusive regional participation.

 

3. RailTech Policy and e-RCT Digitisation Announced: In a major step towards technology-driven governance, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the RailTech Policy and the complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT). These form Reform Number Three and Reform Number Four under Indian Railways’ “52 Reforms in 52 Weeks” initiative, aimed at modernising operations and enhancing citizen services. The RailTech Policy seeks to systematically induct advanced technologies into Indian Railways by engaging startups, innovators, industry and research institutions. A dedicated RailTech Portal will enable a simplified, single-stage submission process for innovation challenges.The policy significantly enhances financial support, increasing scale-up grants more than threefold and doubling the maximum grant for prototype development and trials. Successful innovations will receive long-term orders to facilitate large-scale implementation.Key focus areas include AI-based Elephant Intrusion Detection Systems, AI-enabled fire detection in coaches, drone-based broken rail detection, rail stress monitoring, sensor-based load calculation devices, solar panels on coaches, AI-driven coach cleaning monitoring, fog obstruction detection, and digital pension and dispute resolution systems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. CBIC Launches EMI Scheme for Deferred Customs Duty: In line with the Union Budget 2026–27 announcement by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced a new facilitation measure for trusted manufacturers. The initiative enables deferred payment of Customs duty for a newly defined category of importers termed Eligible Manufacturer Importers (EMIs). Detailed guidelines have been issued through Circular No. 08/2026-Customs dated 28 February 2026. Under the scheme, EMIs can clear imported goods without paying Customs duty at the time of clearance. Instead, the applicable duty may be paid on a monthly basis in accordance with the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016. This move is expected to ease cash flow pressures and improve working capital management for manufacturers dependent on imported inputs.The facility will be operational from 1 April 2026 and remain valid until 31 March 2028. It is positioned as a time-bound reform aimed at boosting manufacturing competitiveness.

 

2. Assam Launches Mission Basundhara 3.0 Land Pattas: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the distribution of land pattas to over one lakh indigenous landless families and public institutions under Mission Basundhara 3.0, reinforcing the government’s commitment to resolving long-pending land disputes through a transparent framework.The state-level programme was inaugurated at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji district, where digital land pattas and allotment letters were handed over to beneficiaries.A total of 1,06,905 beneficiaries across Assam received land pattas, including 44,700 from Dhemaji alone. The district was chosen due to the high number of pending land settlements.Land settlement was also initiated in previously unsurveyed villages where surveys were completed under the SVAMITVA scheme. Additionally, forest land rights were granted to 538 residents of Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Mangaluru Airport Wins ACI ASQ Arrivals Award 2025: Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) has been selected among six airports globally for the Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award 2025 in the ‘Best Airport at Arrivals’ category by the Airports Council International (ACI) World. This marks the second consecutive year that the airport has secured the global distinction, having also won the arrivals award in 2024.The airport is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), which highlighted the recognition as a reflection of sustained service and infrastructure improvements.The ASQ Awards are regarded as one of the aviation industry’s most credible benchmarks of customer satisfaction. The rankings are based on real-time passenger feedback collected through ACI World’s independently administered survey programme.The ‘Best Airport at Arrivals’ category evaluates the complete inbound passenger journey. Key parameters include immigration efficiency, baggage delivery timelines, terminal ambience, cleanliness, signage and wayfinding, and overall comfort.