Daily GK Update- 31st March, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Education & Home Ministries Launch Nationwide School Drive Under Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan to Create Drug-Free Zones: The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued a joint advisory to implement the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in schools nationwide.The advisory has been sent to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs for mission-mode implementation over a 3-year period to ensure effective execution.The initiative aims to create a drug-free India by preventing substance abuse among students, mandating schools to declare a 500-metre radius as drug-free zones and promote awareness.

 

2. Culture Ministry Signs MoU with YouTube to Promote Indian Folk and Tribal Music Globally: The Ministry of Culture has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with YouTube to promote India’s folk and tribal music on a global platform.The MoU was signed in the presence of Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Vivek Aggarwal (Culture Secretary), and Gunjan Soni (MD, YouTube India).

 

3. NCW Partners with Truecaller to Launch ‘TrueCyberSakhi’ Digital Safety Initiative for Women: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has partnered with Truecaller to launch a digital safety initiative for women.The initiative aims to raise awareness about online risks and enhance access to support systems, including the NCW 24×7 helpline.A special toolkit named “TrueCyberSakhi: A Digital Safety Toolkit, Created for Her” has been launched to empower women with online safety knowledge.

 

4. India Pharma 2026 to Boost Life Sciences Innovation: The Department of Pharmaceuticals, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India, will host the 9th edition of India Pharma 2026 on 13–14 April in New Delhi. Organised in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), the event aims to strengthen India’s position as a global leader in pharmaceuticals and life sciences. It reflects the country’s strategic shift towards innovation-driven growth in healthcare. India Pharma 2026 will bring together policymakers, global industry leaders, researchers and innovators. Discussions will focus on emerging opportunities in drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars. The platform will also highlight India’s growing capabilities in research and development, as well as its strength in pharmaceutical manufacturing. These areas are critical for strengthening India’s role in the global pharmaceutical value chain.

 

5. Pride of Hills Scheme Allocates ₹3,880 Crore to Nagaland: The Central Government has allocated ₹3,880 crore to Nagaland under the “Pride of Hills: Special Development Assistance for the Hill States” scheme for the financial year 2026–27. The initiative is designed to address structural challenges faced by hill states, including difficult terrain, limited connectivity, sparse populations and constrained revenue bases. It forms part of the broader Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), aimed at strengthening infrastructure and economic capacity. The “Pride of Hills” scheme focuses on enhancing capital expenditure and promoting balanced regional development. Hill states often face higher costs of infrastructure development due to geographical constraints. The scheme seeks to bridge these gaps by providing targeted financial assistance, thereby improving connectivity, public services and economic opportunities in these regions.

 

6. PM Modi Praises Tripura’s Water Conservation Success: In the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Tripura’s success in community-led water conservation and sustainable development. He praised the transformation of Vanghmun village in the Jampui Hills, which has emerged as a model for tackling water scarcity through local participation and innovative practices. Located at an altitude of around 3,000 feet, Vanghmun village once faced acute water shortages, particularly during the summer months. The difficult terrain and limited water sources made daily life challenging for residents. However, the village has now successfully addressed the issue through widespread adoption of rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Adani Ports Operationalises India’s First Port of Refuge to Assist Ships in Distress: Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd has operationalised India’s first Port of Refuge to assist ships in distress, strengthening maritime safety infrastructure.The initiative establishes a structured system to provide emergency support to vessels, addressing a major gap in India’s maritime ecosystem.Two ports identified are Dighi Port (West Coast – Arabian Sea & Persian Gulf routes) and Gopalpur Port (East Coast – Bay of Bengal & Malacca Strait routes).

 

2. 31 March – Eiffel Tower Day: 31 March is observed as Eiffel Tower Day, marking the inauguration of the iconic Eiffel Tower in 1889.The tower was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Exposition Universelle 1889 held in Paris.It is one of the most famous landmarks in the world and a symbol of Paris and French cultural heritage.

 

3. 30 March –   International Day of Zero Waste: The International Day of Zero Waste is observed globally on March 30 to raise awareness about reducing waste and promoting sustainable living practices.Theme 2026 – Tackling Food Waste Through Circular Economy PracticesThis year’s focus is on reducing food waste and encouraging sustainable consumption habits.Nearly 1 billion tonnes of food is wasted every year worldwide, accounting for about one-fifth of all food available to consumers.

 

4. Census 2027 to be India’s First Fully Digital Enumeration: India is set to conduct its first fully digital population census, with the initial phase beginning on 1 April 2026. Announced by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, the exercise will mark the 16th census since inception and the eighth after Independence. It is expected to be the world’s largest enumeration exercise, involving over 3 million officials, including enumerators and supervisors, across the country. For the first time, the census will be conducted using mobile applications for data collection. A major innovation is the introduction of self-enumeration, allowing citizens to submit their details through a secure online portal available in 16 languages. Households can generate a unique Self-Enumeration ID after submission, which will be verified during the enumerator’s visit. This hybrid model combines traditional field surveys with digital convenience and aims to improve data accuracy and participation.

 

5. BA.3.2 Cicada COVID Variant Shows Rising Global Presence: A newly observed COVID-19 variant, BA.3.2—commonly referred to as “Cicada”—is gradually increasing in detection across several regions worldwide. Health authorities indicate that the variant had been circulating at low levels for an extended period before its recent rise in visibility. Its name reflects this prolonged hidden presence, similar to cicadas that remain underground for years before emerging. The earliest known case of BA.3.2 was recorded in South Africa in November 2024. The variant began showing a noticeable increase in spread from September 2025. In the United States, it was initially identified in a traveller in mid-2025, with broader reporting beginning in early 2026. It has now been detected in over 20 countries, with higher concentrations observed in certain European regions.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. IAF Launches ‘Vayu Baan’: India’s First Helicopter-Launched Drone System for Long-Range Stand-off Strikes: The Indian Air Force launched ‘Vayu Baan’ in March 2026, marking India’s first helicopter-launched drone project, strengthening indigenous defence innovation.With this development, India joins elite nations like the USA and China in advanced aerial drone-launch capabilities.The system allows drones to be released mid-air from helicopters and conduct stand-off strikes beyond 50 km, enhancing operational safety against enemy air defence systems.

 

2. Defence Ministry Signs ₹858 Crore Deals for Air Defence Systems and P-8I Aircraft Maintenance: The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹858 crore for procurement of the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System and maintenance of P-8I aircraft, boosting India’s defence capabilities.A ₹445 crore deal with JSC Rosoboronexport will supply Tunguska systems to the Indian Army, strengthening multi-layered air defence against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles while enhancing India-Russia defence ties. Another ₹413 crore contract with Boeing India Defense Private Ltd covers depot-level maintenance of P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the Indian Navy under the Buy Indian category, supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat and in-country MRO facilities.

 

3. Dweep Shakti Showcases India’s Joint Military Readiness: India recently conducted Exercise Dweep Shakti, a high-intensity Tri-Service drill from 24 to 28 March 2026 aimed at strengthening coastal and island defence capabilities. The Army, Navy and Air Force participated in a coordinated manner, reflecting growing emphasis on joint operations. The exercise comes amid increasing strategic focus on maritime security and the need for rapid response across India’s island territories. The exercise featured amphibious assaults, maritime dominance missions and complex beach landing drills. These operations tested the ability of forces to land troops on hostile shores and establish control. Advanced platforms, including drones and next-generation equipment, were deployed to enhance surveillance, targeting and coordination. The drill highlighted precision, interoperability and real-time integration among the three services.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Gurjant Singh Announces Retirement from International Hockey After Decorated Career: Gurjant Singh has announced his retirement from international hockey at the Hockey India Awards, ending a distinguished career of nearly a decade with 130 caps and 33 goals.He played a key role in India’s success, including the 2016 Junior World Cup victory, and was part of the Olympic bronze medal-winning teams at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Gurjant also contributed to major wins like the 2022 Asian Games (gold) and 2017 Asia Cup (gold), and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2021 for his achievements.

 

2. Carolina Marín Announces Retirement from Badminton After Historic Career: Carolina Marín announced her retirement from professional badminton at the age of 32 due to a serious knee injury. She was an Spanish Olympic and World Champion, and one of the greatest badminton players. – She won the Olympic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming the first non-Asian woman to win women’s singles badminton. – She won the World Championships three times in 2014, 2015, and 2018, becoming the first woman to achieve this record.

 

3. Jannik Sinner Wins Miami Open, Completes Sunshine Double: Italy’s Jannik Sinner secured a landmark victory at the Miami Open 2026, defeating Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4 in the final. With this triumph, Sinner completed the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double’, winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same season. The achievement places him among an elite group of tennis players and highlights his growing dominance on the ATP Tour. Sinner became the first player since Roger Federer in 2017 to win both tournaments in a single season. Notably, he is the first ever to accomplish this feat without dropping a single set across both events. This marks a significant milestone in his career, as he also claimed his maiden Indian Wells title en route to the double.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. IIM Ahmedabad Launches Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence: Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad launched the Krishnamurthy Tandon School of Artificial Intelligence. The initiative is backed by a 100 crore endowment. The funding is provided by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon and Ranjan Tandon.

 

2. NASA Launches Artemis II Crewed Mission to Moon: NASA has successfully launched its historic Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed journey towards the Moon in more than 50 years. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, carrying four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. The mission represents a major milestone in humanity’s renewed push for deep space exploration and long-term lunar presence. Artemis II is a 10-day mission designed as a test flight to validate systems required for future lunar landings. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission is the first crewed flight of the Artemis programme and aims to take humans farther into space than any mission in recent decades.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. SEBI Launches ‘Verified App Label’ Initiative to Protect Investors from Fraudulent Apps: Tuhin Kanta Pandey, Chairperson of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), launched the ‘Verified App Label’ initiative to enhance investor safety in digital platforms.The initiative aims to protect investors from fraudulent mobile apps by promoting the principle “First verify, then invest” and ensuring safe digital investing. Apps of SEBI-registered intermediaries, starting with stockbrokers, will display a verified badge on the Google Play Store, helping users easily identify genuine apps and prevent impersonation.

 

2. Lakshya Asset Management Company Gets SEBI Approval to Launch Mutual Fund Business: Lakshya Asset Management Company has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India to launch its mutual fund business in India. Sponsored by Wealth First Portfolio Managers (listed on NSE and BSE), it will become the first Asset Management Company headquartered in Ahmedabad.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay’s Hara Parbati Katha Selected for Saraswati Samman 2025: Bengali novel Hara Parbati Katha by Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay has been selected for the 35th Saraswati Samman for 2025. The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation and is awarded annually for outstanding literary works in any Indian language published in the last 10 years. The award carries a cash prize of ₹15 lakh along with a citation and a plaque.

 

2. Nandamuri Balakrishna Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFD 2026: Nandamuri Balakrishna was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Film Festival of Delhi 2026 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema over five decades. The award ceremony was held at Bharat Mandapam, recognising his 50-year-long film career and significant impact on Telugu cinema. His film Bhagavanth Kesari, directed by Anil Ravipudi, was screened at the festival and had earlier won the Best Telugu Film award at the 71st National Film Awards.