Daily Current Affairs March 16

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs March 16. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly current affairs pdf.

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March 16 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 16

1. Why is National Vaccination Day observed in India on 16 March every year?
A) To mark the launch of COVISHIELD
B) To celebrate WHO Foundation Day
C) To commemorate the launch of the Pulse Polio Programme
D) To mark the introduction of the MR Vaccine
E) To celebrate the launch of PCV nationwide
Answer: C) To commemorate the launch of the Pulse Polio Programme

Event and Location:

• Event: National Vaccination Day 2026 was observed to spread awareness about vaccination and to commemorate the launch of the Pulse Polio Programme in India.
• Location: India
• Date: 16 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The observance highlights the role of vaccination in disease prevention, recognizes the contribution of healthcare workers and policymakers, and recalls India’s immunization achievements through nationwide campaigns.
• Objectives: The day aims to promote public health awareness, encourage immunization, prevent infectious diseases, and strengthen protection for communities through vaccines.

Important Terms Explained:

• National Vaccination Day: An annual observance in India on 16 March to promote awareness about immunization and public health.
• Pulse Polio Programme: A nationwide immunization campaign launched in 1995 to eliminate polio by administering oral polio vaccine to children.
• Oral Polio Vaccine: A vaccine given by mouth to protect children against poliovirus infection.
• Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV): A polio vaccine introduced nationally in 2016 under the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
• Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV): A vaccine introduced in 2016 to protect children against severe diarrhoeal disease caused by rotavirus.
• Measles Rubella (MR) Vaccine: A vaccine introduced in 2017 to protect children against measles and rubella.
• Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV): A vaccine launched in 2017 to reduce pneumonia-related deaths among infants.
• Td Vaccine: The Tetanus and adult diphtheria vaccine given to adolescents and pregnant women.
• COVAXIN: An Indian COVID-19 vaccine used during the national vaccination campaign.
• COVISHIELD: A widely used COVID-19 vaccine administered during India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive.
• Herd Immunity: Community-level protection that develops when a large proportion of people become immune to a disease.

Tabular Summary:

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs March 16

2. India finished at the top of the medal table in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 held in New Delhi with how many total medals?
A) 175
B) 189
C) 196
D) 202
E) 208
Answer: E) 208

Event and Location:

• Event: India finished first at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 with a total of 208 medals, including 75 gold medals.
• Location: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, India
• Date: Reported on March 16, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 was held in New Delhi as a three-day international para athletics competition featuring 257 athletes from eight countries. Indian para athletes delivered strong performances across track and field events, winning 75 gold, 69 silver, and 64 bronze medals to top the standings.
• Objectives: The event aimed to provide international competitive exposure to para athletes, strengthen preparation for future global para athletics events, and promote the growth of para athletics in India and other participating countries.

Important Terms Explained:

• World Para Athletics Grand Prix: The World Para Athletics Grand Prix is an international para athletics competition in which athletes with disabilities participate in track and field events.
• Para athletics: Para athletics refers to track and field sports contested by athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments under classified categories.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi is a major sports venue in India that hosted the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026.
• T35-37 classification: The T35-37 classification refers to categories in para athletics for athletes with coordination impairments competing in track events.
• F57 classification: The F57 classification is a para athletics field event category generally used for seated throwing events involving athletes with lower limb impairments.
• Podium sweep: A podium sweep occurs when athletes from the same country secure first, second, and third positions in a single event.

Tabular Summary:

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3. At the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli became the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history while driving for which team?
A) Ferrari
B) McLaren
C) Red Bull
D) Haas
E) Mercedes
Answer: E) Mercedes

Event and Location:

• Event: Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history.
• Location: Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai, China
• Date: Reported on March 16, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The article reports that 19-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, finishing ahead of teammate George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Ferrari Grand Prix podium by finishing third.
• Objectives: The report aims to highlight Antonelli’s historic breakthrough in Formula 1, summarize the race results, and note key developments such as Mercedes’ one-two finish, Ferrari’s podium result, and the technical issues that affected several drivers before the race.

Important Terms Explained:

• Formula 1: Formula 1 is the highest class of international single-seater motor racing governed globally and contested through a season of Grand Prix races.
• Chinese Grand Prix: The Chinese Grand Prix is a Formula 1 race held in China, typically at the Shanghai International Circuit.
• Kimi Antonelli: Kimi Antonelli is an Italian racing driver who, according to the article, won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix.
• Mercedes: Mercedes is a leading Formula 1 team that achieved a one-two finish in the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix through Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.
• Ferrari: Ferrari is one of the most successful and historic teams in Formula 1, and the article notes that Lewis Hamilton secured his first Grand Prix podium for the team in China.
• Podium: A podium finish in motor racing refers to ending a race in the top three positions.
• Pole position: Pole position is the first starting place on the grid, awarded to the fastest driver in qualifying.

Tabular Summary:

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4. Who won India’s only gold medal at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 in Bangkok?
A) Gunjan
B) Joyshree Devi
C) Radhamani Longjam
D) Ambekar Meetei
E) Chandrika Pujari
Answer: E) Chandrika Pujari

Event and Location:

• Event: India won five medals at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026, led by Chandrika Pujari’s gold medal in the women’s 51kg category.
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Date: March 8 to March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India participated in the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026 and finished the tournament with one gold, three silver, and one bronze medal. Chandrika Pujari won gold in the women’s 51kg division, while Gunjan, Joyshree Devi, and Ambekar Meetei secured silver medals, and Radhamani Longjam won bronze.
• Objectives: The tournament served as an international platform for young boxers to gain competitive exposure, improve performance against global opponents, and strengthen preparation for future youth competitions including the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Important Terms Explained:

• World Boxing Futures Cup: The World Boxing Futures Cup is an international boxing competition featuring emerging and young boxing talents from different countries.
• Chandrika Pujari: Chandrika Pujari is an Indian boxer who won the gold medal in the women’s 51kg category at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026.
• Unanimous decision: A unanimous decision in boxing means that all judges agree on the same boxer as the winner of the bout.
• Youth Olympic Games: The Youth Olympic Games are an international multi-sport event for young athletes organized under the Olympic movement.
• Boxing weight category: A boxing weight category is a classification system in which athletes compete against opponents within a defined body-weight range.

Tabular Summary:

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Obituary – Daily Current Affairs March 16

5. Madhu Malhotra, who passed away in March 2026, was best known for her roles in which two Bollywood films?
A) Sholay and Don
B) Karz and Coolie
C) Satte Pe Satta and Hero
D) Mr India and Tezaab
E) Anand and Saudagar
Answer: C) Satte Pe Satta and Hero

Event and Location:

• Event: Veteran Bollywood actress Madhu Malhotra passed away at the age of 71
• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
• Date: March 13, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The news reports the demise of veteran Bollywood supporting actress Madhu Malhotra, who was known for appearing in more than 100 Hindi films and for memorable roles in films such as Satte Pe Satta and Hero.
• Objectives: The report aims to inform readers about her death and highlight her contribution to Hindi cinema during the late 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.

Important Terms Explained:

• Madhu Malhotra: A veteran Bollywood supporting actress who appeared in over 100 Hindi films and was known for roles in Hero, Satte Pe Satta, and other classic films.
• Bollywood: The Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, known for producing a large number of films and songs with wide cultural influence in India and abroad.
• Hero: A 1983 Hindi film directed by Subhash Ghai, starring Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri, remembered for the song Lambi Judaai.
• Satte Pe Satta: A 1982 Hindi comedy-drama film starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini, in which Madhu Malhotra played the love interest of Budh.
• Lambi Judaai: A popular emotional song from the film Hero, associated with one of Madhu Malhotra’s most remembered screen appearances.
• Ramsay Brothers: A filmmaker group known mainly for horror films in Indian cinema, who directed Andhera (1975), one of Madhu Malhotra’s early films.

Tabular Summary:

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6. Phil Campbell, who passed away in March 2026, was best known for being the guitarist of which band?
A) Metallica
B) Iron Maiden
C) Black Sabbath
D) Motorhead
E) Judas Priest
Answer: D) Motorhead

Event and Location:

• Event: Legendary Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell died at the age of 64 after a long health battle
• Location: Global heavy metal music community; Wales is his place of origin
• Date: March 14, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The news reports the death of Phil Campbell, the Welsh guitarist known for his long association with Motorhead and later with Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons after the band’s breakup.
• Objectives: The report aims to inform readers about his passing and highlight his contribution to heavy metal music through his decades-long career, international performances, and continued musical activity after Motorhead disbanded.

Important Terms Explained:

• Phil Campbell: A Welsh guitarist best known for serving as a key member of Motorhead for more than three decades and later performing with Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons.
• Motorhead: A highly influential heavy metal and rock band formed in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister, known for its loud, fast, and aggressive musical style blending heavy metal, punk rock, and hard rock.
• Heavy Metal: A genre of rock music characterized by powerful guitar riffs, amplified sound, energetic drumming, and intense stage performances.
• Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons: A band formed by Phil Campbell after the end of Motorhead, featuring his sons and continuing the energetic spirit of heavy metal music.
• Lemmy Kilmister: The founder and lead vocalist of Motorhead, whose death in 2015 led to the band’s disbandment.
• Persian Risk: A heavy metal band co-founded by Phil Campbell in 1979, representing one of his earliest major steps into the professional music world.

Tabular Summary:

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs March 16

7. Surya Midha, who entered the youngest billionaire list at the age of 22, is the co-founder of which AI startup?
A) OpenAI
B) Anthropic
C) Scale AI
D) Mercor
E) Perplexity
Answer: D) Mercor

Event and Location:

• Event: Surya Midha, a 22-year-old AI entrepreneur and co-founder of Mercor, entered the youngest billionaire list with a reported net worth of $2.2 billion.
• Location: United States; born in Mountain View, California, and raised in San Jose, California
• Date: Reported in March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The report states that Surya Midha was included in the Forbes 2026 World’s Billionaires List after the rapid rise of his AI hiring platform, Mercor, which he co-founded in 2023 with Brendan Foody and Adarsh Hiremath. The platform automates recruitment functions such as resume screening, candidate matching, AI-driven interviews, and payroll and workforce tools.
• Objectives: The main objective of Mercor is to simplify and speed up hiring by using artificial intelligence to analyze job requirements, identify suitable candidates, reduce recruitment time, and improve efficiency in hiring decisions.

Important Terms Explained:

• Surya Midha: Surya Midha is an Indian-origin entrepreneur and co-founder of Mercor, who, according to the article, became one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world at the age of 22.
• Mercor: Mercor is an AI hiring platform founded in 2023 that helps companies automate recruitment through candidate screening, interview scheduling, matching, and workforce tools.
• AI hiring platform: An AI hiring platform is a technology-based recruitment system that uses artificial intelligence to evaluate candidates, match profiles to job roles, and streamline hiring processes.
• Artificial Intelligence: Artificial Intelligence refers to computer systems designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as analysis, prediction, decision-making, and pattern recognition.
• Series C funding: Series C funding is a later-stage investment round in which a startup raises capital to expand its business, scale operations, or strengthen market position.
• Forbes World’s Billionaires List: The Forbes World’s Billionaires List is an annual ranking of the world’s wealthiest individuals based on estimated net worth.

Tabular Summary:

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs March 16

8. The FASTag Annual Pass fee for private non-commercial vehicles has been increased by NHAI to what amount from April 1, 2026?
A) ₹2,500
B) ₹2,850
C) ₹3,000
D) ₹3,075
E) ₹3,500
Answer: D) ₹3,075

Event and Location:

• Event: NHAI has revised the FASTag Annual Pass fee for private non-commercial vehicles from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075.
• Location: India across National Highways
• Date: April 1, 2026 (effective date); order issued on March 12, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has increased the fee of the FASTag Annual Pass for private non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans with valid FASTag accounts. The pass allows up to 200 toll crossings or one year of validity, whichever is earlier.
• Objectives: The revision is aimed at supporting simplified toll payments for frequent highway users and promoting wider adoption of digital toll collection systems across India’s National Highways.

Important Terms Explained:

• FASTag: FASTag is an electronic toll collection system that uses radio-frequency identification technology to enable automatic deduction of toll charges without stopping at toll plazas.
• FASTag Annual Pass: The FASTag Annual Pass is a toll payment facility for private non-commercial vehicles that permits up to 200 toll crossings or one year of use from activation, whichever comes first.
• NHAI: The National Highways Authority of India is the statutory body responsible for the development, maintenance, and management of national highways in India.
• Digital Toll Collection: Digital toll collection refers to electronically processed toll payments that reduce cash transactions, waiting time, and congestion at toll plazas.
• National Highways: National Highways are major road corridors managed by the Central Government that connect important cities, states, ports, and economic centers across India.

Tabular Summary:

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs March 16

9. Who has been appointed to chair the special committee to evaluate candidates for the next Adobe CEO?
A) Shantanu Narayen
B) Frank Calderoni
C) Satya Nadella
D) Jensen Huang
E) Sundar Pichai
Answer: B) Frank Calderoni

Event and Location:

• Event: Shantanu Narayen announced that he will step down as Adobe CEO after more than 18 years, while continuing until a successor is appointed and later serving as Chair of the Board.
• Location: Adobe, United States
• Date: March 16, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Adobe has initiated a leadership transition process, with the Board forming a special committee to identify the next CEO from internal and external candidates.
• Objectives: The transition aims to ensure leadership continuity, maintain innovation momentum, strengthen Adobe’s AI-driven growth strategy, and support the company’s long-term mission of empowering digital creativity.

Important Terms Explained:

• Adobe: A global software company known for digital media, creativity, document, and marketing solutions.
• Subscription-first model: A business model in which customers pay recurring fees for continued access to software and services instead of buying one-time boxed products.
• Creative Cloud: Adobe’s subscription-based platform that provides access to creative software and services.
• AI-first products: Adobe products designed with artificial intelligence capabilities to improve creativity, productivity, and user experience.
• Adjusted EPS: Adjusted earnings per share, a financial measure used to show company profitability after excluding certain one-time or non-core items.
• Lead independent director: A non-executive board member who helps provide oversight and leadership, especially when the chair or CEO role is changing.
• Figma acquisition: Adobe’s proposed $20 billion acquisition of Figma that was later canceled due to regulatory pressure.

Tabular Summary:

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs March 16

10. Which film won Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards 2026?
A) Sinners
B) Hamnet
C) One Battle After Another
D) Sentimental Value
E) F1
Answer: C) One Battle After Another

Event and Location:

• Event: The 98th Academy Awards honored the best films of 2025, with One Battle After Another emerging as the biggest winner of the ceremony.
• Location: Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, United States
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Academy Awards recognized achievements in cinema across 24 categories, including acting, direction, screenplay, documentary, animation, and technical excellence.
• Objectives: The awards aim to honor outstanding artistic and technical contributions in filmmaking and provide global recognition to films, actors, directors, and creators.

Major Award Winners at the 98th Academy Awards 2026

Important Terms Explained:

• Academy Awards: Annual film awards presented to recognize excellence in the global film industry.
• Best Picture: The highest Oscar category awarded to the best overall film of the year.
• Best Director: The category that honors the director for exceptional creative and technical direction of a film.
• Best Actor: The award given for the best performance by an actor in a leading role.
• Best Actress: The award given for the best performance by an actress in a leading role.
• Best Casting: A newly introduced Oscar category to recognize excellence in film casting.
• Best International Feature: The category awarded to an outstanding feature film produced outside the United States.
• Best Cinematography: The category that honors excellence in visual composition and camera work in a film.

Tabular Summary:

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11. Who won the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026?
A) Rahul Dravid
B) Roger Binny
C) Shubman Gill
D) Harshit Rana
E) Ayush Mhatre
Answer: C) Shubman Gill

Event and Location:

• Event: The BCCI Naman Awards 2026 honored outstanding performances and long-term contributions in Indian cricket across international, domestic, women’s, and junior categories.
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) presented annual awards to recognize excellence in international cricket, domestic tournaments, women’s cricket, junior cricket, umpiring, and lifetime service to the sport.
• Objectives: The awards aim to honor consistent performers, encourage emerging talent, acknowledge administrative and officiating excellence, and celebrate legendary contributions to Indian cricket.

Major Award Winners at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026:

Important Terms Explained:

• BCCI Naman Awards: The annual award ceremony of the BCCI that recognizes notable achievements and contributions in Indian cricket.
• Polly Umrigar Award: A major BCCI award presented to the best international cricketer in the men’s category.
• Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award: The highest individual honor presented by the BCCI for extraordinary long-term contribution to Indian cricket.
• BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award (Women): A special award given to a woman cricketer for exceptional service and contribution to the game.
• Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy: A BCCI award recognizing outstanding women cricketers in junior and senior domestic cricket.
• Ranji Trophy: India’s premier domestic first-class cricket tournament.
• Cooch Behar Trophy: A major under-19 domestic cricket tournament in India.
• Vijay Merchant Trophy: A prominent under-16 domestic cricket tournament in India.

Tabular Summary:

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12. Who won the Best Actor award at the Oscars 2026 for the film Sinners?
A) Ryan Coogler
B) Michael B. Jordan
C) Denzel Washington
D) Forest Whitaker
E) Will Smith
Answer: B) Michael B. Jordan

Event and Location:

• Event: Michael B. Jordan won the Best Actor award at the 98th Academy Awards for his performance in Sinners.
• Location: Los Angeles, United States
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Academy Awards recognized outstanding cinematic performances, with Michael B. Jordan being honored for his lead role in Sinners.
• Objectives: The award aims to acknowledge excellence in acting and celebrate performances that demonstrate exceptional range, character depth, and impact on audiences and critics.

Major Award Winners at the 98th Academy Awards 2026:

Important Terms Explained:

• Oscars: The popular name for the Academy Awards, which honor excellence in the film industry.
• Best Actor: An Academy Award category presented for the best performance by an actor in a leading role.
• Sinners: A film directed by Ryan Coogler in which Michael B. Jordan played dual twin roles with contrasting personalities.
• Academy Award: A prestigious annual recognition presented for artistic and technical merit in cinema.
• Dual role: A performance in which one actor portrays two separate characters in the same film.
• Oscar nomination: An official selection in an Academy Awards category recognizing a performance or film among the year’s best.

Tabular Summary:

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13. Who won the Best Actress award at the Oscars 2026 for the film Hamnet?
A) Emma Stone
B) Jessie Buckley
C) Smriti Mandhana
D) Chloé Zhao
E) Renate Reinsve
Answer: B) Jessie Buckley

Event and Location:

• Event: Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award at the 98th Academy Awards for her performance in Hamnet.
• Location: Los Angeles, United States
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Academy Awards recognized outstanding cinematic performances, with Jessie Buckley being honored for her lead role in Hamnet.
• Objectives: The award aims to acknowledge excellence in acting and celebrate powerful performances that make a significant impact on audiences and critics.

Major Award Details:

Important Terms Explained:

• Oscars: The popular name for the Academy Awards, which honor excellence in the film industry.
• Best Actress: An Academy Award category presented for the best performance by an actress in a leading role.
• Hamnet: A historical drama film directed by Chloé Zhao, noted for its emotional storytelling and themes of grief, family, and resilience.
• Academy Award: A prestigious recognition presented annually for artistic and technical merit in cinema.
• Oscar nomination: An official selection in an award category at the Academy Awards, indicating recognition among the year’s best performances or films.

Tabular Summary:

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14. Which film won the Best Picture award at the Oscars 2026?
A) Sinners
B) Hamnet
C) One Battle After Another
D) F1
E) Sentimental Value
Answer: C) One Battle After Another

Event and Location:

• Event: One Battle After Another won the Best Picture award at the 98th Academy Awards, emerging as the biggest winner of the ceremony.
• Location: Los Angeles, United States
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Academy Awards recognized outstanding cinematic achievements, with One Battle After Another receiving the top honor for overall excellence in filmmaking.
• Objectives: The award aims to honor the best overall film of the year and recognize excellence in storytelling, direction, production, and artistic impact.

Major Award Winners at the 98th Academy Awards 2026:

Important Terms Explained:

• Oscars: The popular name for the Academy Awards, which honor excellence in the film industry.
• Best Picture: The highest Academy Award presented to the best overall film of the year.
• One Battle After Another: A political thriller directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that explores themes of political conflict, historical cycles, and personal sacrifice.
• Academy Awards: Annual awards presented for outstanding artistic and technical achievements in cinema.
• Political thriller: A film genre centered on political conflict, suspense, and power struggles.
• Awards season: The period during which major film industry awards are announced and films compete for honors.

Tabular Summary:

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15. Who won the 2025 Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honour?
A) Vairamuthu
B) Gulzar
C) Javed Akhtar
D) Ilaiyaraaja
E) Perumal Murugan
Answer: A) Vairamuthu

Event and Location:

• Event: Vairamuthu was awarded the 2025 Jnanpith Award for his outstanding contribution to Tamil literature, poetry, and film lyrics.
• Location: India
• Date: 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Jnanpith Award is conferred annually to recognize an author for exceptional contribution to literature in an Indian language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• Objectives: The award aims to honour literary excellence, celebrate long-term contribution to Indian literature, and recognize writers whose work has had a lasting cultural and creative impact.

Important Terms Explained:

• Jnanpith Award: India’s highest literary honour presented annually to an author for outstanding contribution to literature in an Indian language.
• Tamil literature: The body of literary works written in the Tamil language, including poetry, novels, essays, and classical and modern writings.
• Bharatiya Jnanpith: The organization that instituted and presents the Jnanpith Award.
• Eighth Schedule: A schedule of the Indian Constitution that lists the officially recognized languages eligible for certain national considerations, including literary awards like the Jnanpith Award.
• Citation: An official statement or document presented along with an award to recognize achievement.
• Saraswati: The goddess of knowledge, whose bronze statue is part of the Jnanpith Award honour.

Tabular Summary:

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs March 16

16. A new plant species discovered in Manas National Park has been named Osbeckia zubeengargiana in honour of whom?
A) Bhupen Hazarika
B) Hima Das
C) Zubeen Garg
D) Papon
E) Jatin Bora
Answer: C) Zubeen Garg

Event and Location:

• Event: Researchers discovered a new plant species named Osbeckia zubeengargiana and named it after Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
• Location: Manas National Park, Baksa district, Assam, India
• Date: Discovery reported in March 2026; botanical surveys were conducted between 2021 and 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Botanists from Gauhati University, along with other researchers, identified a previously unknown flowering shrub in the grasslands of Manas National Park and confirmed it as a new species within the Osbeckia genus after scientific comparison with existing species.
• Objectives: The discovery aims to document plant diversity in a biodiversity-rich region, strengthen scientific understanding of the flora of Assam, and highlight the ecological importance of Manas National Park and the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot.

Important Terms Explained:

• Osbeckia zubeengargiana: Osbeckia zubeengargiana is a newly discovered perennial shrub species found in Manas National Park and named in honour of Zubeen Garg.
• Melastomataceae: Melastomataceae is a flowering plant family to which the newly discovered species belongs.
• Manas National Park: Manas National Park is a protected area in Assam known for its rich biodiversity, grasslands, forests, and river ecosystems.
• IUCN Red List: The IUCN Red List is a global system for assessing the conservation status of species based on available scientific data.
• Data Deficient: Data Deficient is an IUCN Red List category used when available information is insufficient to make a direct or complete assessment of a species’ risk of extinction.
• Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot: The Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot is one of the world’s richest ecological regions, known for high species diversity and endemism.

Tabular Summary:

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17. Gujarat’s first successfully tested sounding rocket near Dholera was developed by which company?
A) Skyroot Aerospace
B) Agnikul Cosmos
C) Bellatrix Aerospace
D) Pixxel Space
E) Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd
Answer: E) Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd

Event and Location:

• Event: Gujarat successfully tested its first sounding rocket near Dholera, marking a major step in the state’s private space technology journey.
• Location: Bavliyari village near Dholera, Gujarat, India
• Date: March 15, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The sounding rocket was launched by Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd from a temporary launch facility near Dholera. The single-stage sub-orbital rocket reached an altitude of around 3 km and tested key systems such as advanced propulsion technology, avionics and onboard control systems, and an autonomous recovery mechanism. It also carried a mini-satellite payload for weather-related atmospheric data collection.
• Objectives: The mission aimed to demonstrate the capability of Indian private startups in rocket design and launch, test critical aerospace technologies domestically, support atmospheric research, and strengthen India’s private space ecosystem under the Make in India push and Gujarat’s Spacetech Policy 2025–2030.

Important Terms Explained:

• Sounding Rocket: A sounding rocket is a sub-orbital rocket used for scientific experiments, atmospheric studies, and testing space technologies at relatively low altitudes.
• Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd: Omspace Rocket and Exploration Pvt Ltd is an Ahmedabad-based private space startup that developed and launched Gujarat’s first sounding rocket.
• Mini-satellite payload: A mini-satellite payload is a compact scientific or technical instrument carried onboard a rocket to collect specific data, such as weather and atmospheric information.
• Avionics: Avionics refers to the electronic systems used in rockets and aircraft for navigation, control, communication, and flight monitoring.
• Autonomous recovery mechanism: An autonomous recovery mechanism is a system designed to help recover rocket components safely after flight without manual intervention.
• IN-SPACe: Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is the regulatory body that promotes and authorises private sector participation in India’s space activities.
• Make in India: Make in India is a national initiative aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing, innovation, and indigenous technological development.
• Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025–2030: The Gujarat Spacetech Policy 2025–2030 is a state policy intended to support startups, innovation, and indigenous capability in the space technology sector.

Tabular Summary:

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs March 16

18. The SATHEE App has been launched by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with which institution?
A) IIT Delhi
B) IIT Bombay
C) IIT Kanpur
D) AIIMS Delhi
E) NIT Trichy
Answer: C) IIT Kanpur

Event and Location:

• Event: The Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Kanpur has launched the free SATHEE App for competitive exam preparation.
• Location: India
• Date: Reported in March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The SATHEE App has been developed as a free digital learning platform to provide students with video lectures, mock tests, study material, previous years’ question papers, and AI-enabled support for preparation for major competitive examinations such as JEE, NEET, CUET, CLAT, SSC, RRB, IBPS, and ICAR entrance exams.
• Objectives: The platform aims to make quality exam preparation accessible to all students, especially those from economically weaker sections, by reducing dependence on costly coaching and promoting inclusive digital learning.

Important Terms Explained:

• SATHEE: SATHEE stands for Self Assessment Test and Help for Entrance Exams and is a free digital learning platform for competitive exam preparation.
• Ministry of Education: The Ministry of Education is the central government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to education in India.
• IIT Kanpur: IIT Kanpur is a premier engineering and research institution in India that collaborated in developing the SATHEE App.
• JEE: Joint Entrance Examination is a national-level entrance examination for admission to engineering institutions in India.
• NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national-level entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses in India.
• CUET: Common University Entrance Test is an entrance examination for admission to central and other participating universities in India.
• AI-enabled learning: AI-enabled learning uses artificial intelligence tools to support personalized study plans, performance tracking, and adaptive learning experiences.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 16

19. Under the revised UPSC process for appointing State DGPs, what must states do if they delay sending empanelment proposals?
A) Send the file to the Governor
B) Take approval from the Home Ministry
C) Appoint an acting DGP
D) Seek approval from the High Court
E) Seek approval from the Supreme Court
Answer: E) Seek approval from the Supreme Court

Event and Location:

• Event: UPSC has revised the process for appointment of State Director General of Police (DGP) following directions of the Supreme Court.
• Location: India; applicable to all States
• Date: Reported in March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The revised process requires state governments to send proposals for DGP empanelment at least three months before the retirement of the incumbent DGP. If a state delays sending the names of eligible DGP-rank officers, it must first obtain approval from the Supreme Court. The court has also clarified that there is no legal concept of an acting DGP.
• Objectives: The revised rules aim to ensure timely and lawful appointment of state police chiefs, maintain transparency in police leadership selection, prevent irregularities and political interference, and enforce compliance with earlier judicial directions on police reforms.

Important Terms Explained:

• UPSC: The Union Public Service Commission is a constitutional body that, in this context, prepares a panel of eligible senior police officers for appointment as State DGP.
• DGP: The Director General of Police is the head of the police force in a state.
• Empanelment: Empanelment is the process of shortlisting eligible officers for consideration and final selection to a senior post.
• Acting DGP: An acting DGP refers to a temporary arrangement for the post of police chief, but the article states that the Supreme Court has clarified that such a concept is not legally valid under the applicable guidelines.
• Prakash Singh case: The Prakash Singh case refers to the landmark police reforms case in which the Supreme Court laid down important guidelines for police administration and leadership appointments.
• Attorney General of India: The Attorney General of India is the chief legal advisor to the Government of India, whose opinion was sought by UPSC on delays in DGP empanelment proposals.

Tabular Summary:

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20. The newly discovered medieval inscription at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur is associated with which Gajapathi ruler?
A) Kapilendra Deva
B) Narasimha Deva
C) Prataparudra Deva
D) Purushottama Deva
E) Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
Answer: D) Purushottama Deva

Event and Location:

• Event: A rare medieval Gajapathi inscription linked to King Purushottama Deva has been discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
• Location: Ramachandrapura Agraharam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
• Date: Reported in March 2026; inscription believed to date to the 15th century CE

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The discovery concerns a Telugu inscription engraved on both sides of a stone pillar inside the temple mandapa. Historians and epigraphists believe it is associated with Gajapathi King Purushottama Deva and mentions Kumaraguru Mahapatra, a steward officer under the king. The inscription also records details related to temple administration, worship practices, and ritual offerings.
• Objectives: The finding helps document the political, administrative, and cultural influence of the Gajapathi dynasty in coastal Andhra and provides historical evidence of medieval linkages between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Important Terms Explained:

• Gajapathi inscription: A Gajapathi inscription is a historical engraved record associated with the Gajapathi dynasty, used to document administration, religion, land, and royal authority.
• Purushottama Deva: Purushottama Deva was a prominent ruler of the Gajapathi dynasty of Odisha during the 15th century CE.
• Gajapathi dynasty: The Gajapathi dynasty was a powerful ruling dynasty of eastern India that controlled large parts of present-day Odisha and sections of Andhra Pradesh during the medieval period.
• Telugu inscription: A Telugu inscription is an engraved historical record written in the Telugu language, often found in temples, pillars, and monuments in South India.
• Kumaraguru Mahapatra: Kumaraguru Mahapatra is named in the inscription as a steward officer serving under Purushottama Deva, indicating an organized administrative structure.
• Mandapa: A mandapa is a pillared hall or pavilion in a Hindu temple used for religious and ceremonial purposes.
• Kondaveedu Fort: Kondaveedu Fort is a historic fort in Andhra Pradesh, locally linked by tradition to the temple’s idol and architectural elements.

Tabular Summary:

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21. The missing upper fragment of a 3,200-year-old statue discovered at Hermopolis Magna in Egypt belongs to which ancient ruler?
A) Tutankhamun
B) Akhenaten
C) Khufu
D) Ramesses II
E) Amenhotep III
Answer: D) Ramesses II

Event and Location:

• Event: Archaeologists in Egypt discovered the missing upper fragment of a 3,200-year-old limestone statue of Pharaoh Ramesses II, completing a long-unsolved archaeological puzzle.
• Location: Hermopolis Magna at modern El Ashmunein, Minya Governorate, Egypt
• Date: Reported in March 2026; breakthrough excavation mentioned for 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: A joint archaeological team from the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Colorado Boulder unearthed a massive limestone fragment representing the upper part of a seated statue of Ramesses II. The newly found piece measured about 3.8 metres and matched the lower half of the statue that had been discovered in 1930 by Gunther Roeder.
• Objectives: The discovery aims to improve historical understanding of Ramesses II, recover missing parts of major ancient monuments, and deepen knowledge of Hermopolis Magna as an important religious and political centre in ancient Egypt.

Important Terms Explained:

• Ramesses II: Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was one of the most powerful pharaohs of ancient Egypt and ruled from 1279 BCE to 1213 BCE during the 19th Dynasty.
• Hermopolis Magna: Hermopolis Magna was an important ancient Egyptian city, known earlier as Khemnu, and was a major religious centre dedicated to Thoth.
• Thoth: Thoth was the ancient Egyptian god associated with wisdom, writing, knowledge, and learning, often depicted with the head of an ibis.
• Limestone statue: A limestone statue is a sculptural monument carved from limestone, a commonly used material in ancient Egyptian architecture and art.
• Double Crown: The Double Crown symbolized the unity of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt and was worn by pharaohs to represent rule over both lands.
• 19th Dynasty: The 19th Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom, known for powerful rulers such as Ramesses II.

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