Daily GK Update- 9th March, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 138-Year-Old ‘Hatti Risala’ Festival Celebrated with Grandeur in Jalna During Dhulivandan: The ‘Hatti Risala’ procession, a historic cultural tradition of Jalna, celebrated 138 years of heritage during the festival of Dhulivandan.During the procession, a decorated elephant carries a symbolic king and prime minister, who distribute sweets (revdis) to the crowd while people dressed in traditional attire celebrate with drum beats and colors.The festival is considered a symbol of cultural heritage and communal harmony, with people from different religions participating together in the celebrations across Maharashtra.

 

2. Tamil Nadu Students Launch Mini Satellite to 22 km Height: 13 students of the Class XI batch of Ariyakudi Government Higher Secondary School in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu have successfully launched a 600-gram mini satellite named “Vikko Sat-1” using a helium balloon to collect real-time atmospheric data.The student-built device reached a height of about 22 km in the stratosphere before being safely recovered, demonstrating significant scientific and technical skills.The mission aimed to detect fungal spores in the upper atmosphere using five sensors, helping researchers understand their impact on crop health and environmental cycles.

 

3. Centre Sets 30.3 Million Tonnes Wheat Procurement Target for FY27 Rabi Marketing Season: The Government has set a wheat procurement target of 30.3 million tonnes for FY27 under the Central Pool for the 2026–27 rabi marketing season starting April 1, almost the same as the previous year.In the 2025–26 season, the Centre procured 30.03 million tonnes of wheat from about 2.6 million farmers, according to official data.The government also fixed targets of 7.6 million tonnes of rice procurement and 0.77 million tonnes of millets, while reviewing technology-driven initiatives to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain.

 

4. Union Agriculture Minister to Inaugurate National Stakeholders’ Meet on Coconut Promotion Scheme at IIT Madras: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri Sivaraj Singh Chouhan to inaugurate the National Stakeholders’ Meet on the Coconut Promotion Scheme at IIT Madras, Chennai.The Minister will provide policy guidance for effective implementation, interact with coconut farmer leaders, and deliberate with senior policymakers from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Southern States.The Meet will see participation of over 1,000 stakeholders, including coconut farmers, FPOs, researchers, entrepreneurs, and officials of the Coconut Development Board, aimed at revitalising India’s coconut sector supporting nearly 30 million people.

 

5. Karnataka Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16: The Karnataka government proposed banning social media use for children below 16 years, becoming the first Indian state to take concrete steps toward implementation.Andhra Pradesh announced plans to restrict social media for children under 13, while Karnataka is also considering regulations for the 13–16 age group based on wider consensus.The move follows global trends, including Australia’s ban for under-16s and discussions in several European countries, citing health and safety concerns.

 

6. Maharashtra Signs MoU with Finnish Firms to Modernise Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock: The Maharashtra government signed an MoU with three Finnish companies—Helvar, Mirasis, and River Recycle—to modernise Sassoon Dock in Mumbai and develop it into a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable fishing harbour.The agreement, signed through the Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation, aims to upgrade dock infrastructure, improve waste management, and introduce modern operational systems at one of India’s oldest fishing docks.The collaboration will promote plastic waste recycling, management of discarded fishing nets, modern net-repair systems, and provide training and capacity building for fishermen and dock workers.

 

7. Assam Woman Becomes First to Receive Indian Citizenship Under CAA: A 60-year-old woman, Dipali Das from Cachar district, Assam, became the first person in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), receiving her certificate on March 6.She migrated from Bangladesh to India in 1988 and settled in Assam, but due to lack of proper documents, the authorities in 2013 investigated her nationality and later declared her a foreigner.Dipali Das was detained in Silchar detention camp in 2019, but was released in April 2020 following a Supreme Court order during the COVID-19 pandemic; her citizenship was finally granted under the CAA, ending years of legal uncertainty.

 

8. Pondicherry University Signs MoU with CCPD to Promote Disability Inclusion and Accessibility: Pondicherry University signed an MoU with the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.The partnership aims to promote accessibility, inclusion, and rights of persons with disabilities through academic–policy collaboration, research, practical exposure, and capacity-building initiatives.The MoU will support joint research, conferences, seminars, workshops, and awareness programs on disability rights, inclusive education, employment opportunities, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Union Ministry Launches ASMITA: Nationwide Athletics League to Empower Women Athletes: The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry is organising ASMITA, a nationwide athletics league in New Delhi on International Women’s Day to empower female athletes.Competitions will be held in 100m, 200m, and 400m races for girls under 13, 13–18 years, and 18+ age categories, with events in states like Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.ASMITA (“Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action”) is part of Khelo India’s gender-neutral mission to promote sports among women at the grassroots level.Since 2021, over 2600 leagues have been conducted across 34 sports disciplines in more than 550 districts and 700 cities, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision to strengthen India’s sports culture.

 

2. Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 from March 2026: Indonesia has announced that children below 16 will not be allowed to create accounts on major social media platforms to protect them from harmful online content.The ban will be implemented from March 28, 2026, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live required to introduce stricter verification measures.Authorities cited risks such as cyberbullying, pornography exposure, online fraud, and social media addiction, highlighting the need to safeguard minors online.

 

3. Sabrina Wittmann Becomes Germany’s First Female Men’s Team Coach: Sabrina Wittmann has made history in German football as the first woman to manage a professional men’s football team in the country. The 34-year-old coach recently extended her contract with FC Ingolstadt 04, reinforcing the club’s trust in her leadership. Her appointment, first made in 2024, marked a landmark moment for gender representation in professional football and has since attracted global attention. Wittmann’s rise to the role of head coach at FC Ingolstadt placed her at the forefront of change within German football. Initially appointed as an interim coach in 2024, she soon secured the position permanently after demonstrating strong leadership and tactical understanding. Her continued tenure at the club reflects confidence in her ability to guide the team in Germany’s competitive professional football structure. Despite the historic nature of her appointment, Wittmann has repeatedly emphasised that she prefers to be recognised primarily for her coaching ability rather than her gender. Her focus remains on improving team performance and helping the club rebuild after challenging seasons.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh Appointed Next GOC-in-C of Western Command: Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh will take over as the next GOC-in-C of Western Command in Chandimandir at the end of the month, following the retirement of Lt Gen M K Katiyar.Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Lt Gen Singh is currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) and an alumnus of La Martiniere College.He has extensive military experience, including commanding Special Forces, Infantry Brigade, Mountain Division, and participating in operations like Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid, along with key staff roles at Army Headquarters.

 

2. RM Nachammai Becomes First Woman Chief Of Operational Nuclear Plant: RM Nachammai has created history by becoming the first woman to head the operations of a functional nuclear power plant in India under the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). She has been appointed Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 in Karnataka, with the role taking effect from 15 March 2026. Her appointment is being viewed as a significant milestone for gender representation in India’s highly specialised nuclear energy sector. As Chief Superintendent, Nachammai will oversee operations, maintenance and engineering support divisions of the nuclear reactor complex at Kaiga. The position involves continuous monitoring of reactor operations, safety systems and plant performance. It is regarded as one of the most technically demanding leadership roles within the nuclear power ecosystem.The appointment is particularly significant as India seeks to strengthen its nuclear energy capacity as part of its clean energy transition. The country aims to expand nuclear power generation to around 100 gigawatts by 2047, making experienced leadership in plant operations crucial for achieving this goal.

 

3. 1965 War Hero and Vir Chakra Awardee KG George Dies at 95: Lance Havildar K. G. George (retd), a decorated hero of the 1965 India-Pakistan War and recipient of the Vir Chakra, passed away at the age of 95 in Kerala. He died at his residence in Kottayam due to age-related health issues. George was widely respected for his courage and dedication during wartime service in the Indian Army, particularly for his role in maintaining vital communication lines during intense enemy attacks. K. G. George was born in February 1931 in Kerala. He later joined the Indian Army and served in the Corps of Signals, a specialised branch responsible for managing battlefield communications. Established in 1911, the Corps of Signals plays a crucial role in ensuring secure and uninterrupted communication between different military units during operations. George’s service in this unit placed him at the centre of critical communication tasks during wartime.

 

SPORTS

 

1. India Wins Third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Title: India national cricket team defeated New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.With this victory, India successfully defended the T20 World Cup title after previously winning the tournament in 2024.India became the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times and also the first host nation to win the tournament at home.The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the 10th edition of the tournament, was co-hosted by Board of Control for Cricket in India and Sri Lanka Cricket.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Scientists Convert Plastic Waste Into Vinegar Using Sunlight: Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada have developed an innovative method to convert plastic waste into acetic acid, the main component of vinegar, using only sunlight. The breakthrough offers a promising solution to tackle plastic pollution while producing a valuable industrial chemical. The technique relies on a light-driven chemical reaction that breaks down plastic materials into useful compounds without requiring extreme heat or toxic chemicals. The research team, led by Professor Yimin Wu, designed a system that uses photocatalysis to break plastic waste into smaller molecular components. In this process, sunlight acts as the primary energy source to trigger chemical reactions that transform plastic polymers into acetic acid.The reaction takes place at room temperature, making it more energy-efficient than traditional chemical recycling methods. This sunlight-driven approach also avoids the release of additional carbon dioxide, offering a cleaner alternative for managing plastic waste.

 

2. Two New Fruit Fly Species Discovered in Himalayan Foothills : Entomologists have discovered two previously unknown species of fruit flies and documented an insect group never before recorded in India during a research expedition in the Himalayan foothills. The study was conducted in the Solan region of Himachal Pradesh by Maneesh Pal Singh from the College of Horticulture and Forestry and British researcher David Lawrence Hancock. Their findings expand scientific knowledge of the fruit fly subfamily Trypetinae and highlight the rich but underexplored biodiversity of the Himalayan ecosystem. The discoveries were made during field surveys in the Solan region of northern India. Researchers used traditional sweep nets along with a specialised female attractant known as Solan Bait. This patented lure enabled scientists to attract and study fruit flies that are normally difficult to observe in natural habitats. Detailed laboratory examination followed the fieldwork, where microscopes were used to analyse wing patterns and microscopic reproductive structures, helping confirm that the collected insects represented species never formally recorded in India.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI to Conduct ₹1 Lakh Crore OMO Auctions to Manage Liquidity Ahead of Year-End: The Reserve Bank of India will conduct government securities (G-Secs) purchase auctions in two tranches of ₹50,000 crore each on March 9 and March 13 to manage liquidity pressures from GST and advance tax outflows.The auctions will aggregate ₹1 lakh crore and aim to prevent G-Sec yields from rising due to a potential liquidity crunch ahead of the financial year-end. The banking system currently has a surplus of ₹3,02,440 crore (as on March 5), which could turn into a deficit because of upcoming tax-related outflows.

 

2. NABARD Launches National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to Boost Rural Climate Resilience: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, has launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to strengthen India’s climate resilience for rural areas.The initiative aims to address intensifying climate hazards such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones, which increasingly affect agriculture and rural livelihoods.Despite improved climate data availability, forecasting remains fragmented across siloed datasets, highlighting the need for forward-looking, interoperable, and decision-ready climate solutions.

 

3. RBI Exempts AU Small Finance Bank Promoters from NOFHC Requirement for Universal Bank Transition: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has exempted the promoters/promoter group of AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) from the requirement to hold their stake in the transitioned Universal Bank through a Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC).Earlier, when RBI granted in-principle approval on August 7, 2025 for AU SFB’s transition from a Small Finance Bank to a Universal Bank, it had mandated that promoter shareholding be held through an NOFHC.

As per the revised condition, the NOFHC requirement will apply only if the bank or its promoter group establishes any new group entity in the future, such as in mutual funds or insurance.AU SFB, the first small finance bank to receive RBI’s in-principle approval to become a universal bank, will submit its application for the final universal banking licence, with the approval valid for 18 months.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Rashmika Mandanna Wins Best Actress For ‘The Girlfriend’ : Actor Rashmika Mandanna has received the Best Actress award for her performance in the romantic drama “The Girlfriend” at the Gaddar Telangana Film Awards 2025. The recognition highlights her growing prominence in Indian cinema and celebrates her impactful portrayal in the film. The award ceremony honoured several artists from the film industry for their achievements during the year. The Government of Telangana announced the winners of the Gaddar Awards for 2025, with Rashmika Mandanna being named Best Actress for “The Girlfriend”. The film received positive responses from audiences and performed well commercially. Rashmika’s performance was widely appreciated for its emotional depth and screen presence, strengthening her reputation as one of the leading actresses in contemporary Indian cinema.