Daily Current Affairs March 18

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March 18 | Daily Current Affairs 2026

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 18

1. Ordnance Factory Day 2026 is observed in India on which date?
A) 15 January
B) 26 January
C) 18 March
D) 15 August
E) 2 October
Answer: C) 18 March

Event and Location:

• Event: Ordnance Factory Day 2026 is observed to celebrate India’s defense manufacturing legacy and the beginning of production at the first ordnance facility in Cossipore in 1802.
• Location: India, with historical roots in Cossipore, Kolkata, West Bengal
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The observance marks India’s defense production heritage, recognizes the contribution of ordnance factories in supplying weapons, ammunition, and military equipment, and showcases defense technology and industrial capacity.
• Objectives: The aim is to promote awareness about India’s defense manufacturing sector, honour engineers and workers, highlight the evolution of defense production, and reinforce the vision of self-reliance under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Important Terms Explained:

• Ordnance Factory Day: An annual observance marking the legacy of India’s ordnance factories and their contribution to national defense manufacturing.
• Ordnance Factory Board: The central administrative body that managed India’s ordnance factories before its restructuring in 2021.
• DPSUs: Defence Public Sector Undertakings are government-owned defense companies created after the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board in 2021.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: A national initiative focused on making India self-reliant across key sectors, including defense manufacturing.
• Cossipore Ordnance Factory: The first ordnance production facility in India where production began in 1802, forming the historical basis of Ordnance Factory Day.
• Ayudh Ratna: An award associated with excellence and recognition during ordnance factory celebrations and defense-related events.

Tabular Summary:

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs March 18

2. The National Para Athletics Championship 2026 will be hosted at which venue?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
B) Kalinga Stadium
C) Eden Gardens
D) Indira Gandhi Stadium
E) DY Patil Stadium
Answer: B) Kalinga Stadium

Event and Location:

• Event: The National Para Athletics Championship 2026 will be held with participation from over 1,460 para athletes and will serve as an important national competition and selection platform.
• Location: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Date: 19 to 21 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The championship will bring together para athletes from 28 states along with teams from BSF and SSCB, conduct 145 medal events, and provide a competitive platform for top national para athletes.
• Objectives: The event aims to promote para sports, identify top performers for the Asian Para Games 2026, support national coaching pathways, and strengthen inclusive sporting excellence in India.

Important Terms Explained:

• National Para Athletics Championship 2026: A major national-level para sports event in India featuring athletes competing across multiple track and field disciplines.
• Paralympic Committee of India: The national body responsible for promotion and governance of para sports in India and for organizing major para sporting events.
• Asian Para Games 2026: A major continental multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, for which this championship will act as a selection platform.
• BSF: The Border Security Force is one of India’s central armed police forces, and its sports team is participating in the championship.
• SSCB: The Services Sports Control Board is the sports control body representing the Indian Armed Forces in national sporting events.
• F55 Javelin Throw: A para athletics classification event in which athletes with specific physical impairments compete in javelin throw under category F55.

Tabular Summary:

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3. FIFA has partnered with YouTube for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to allow fans to watch how much of each match live on the platform?
A) First 5 minutes
B) First 10 minutes
C) First 15 minutes
D) First half
E) Full match
Answer: B) First 10 minutes

Event and Location:

• Event: FIFA has partnered with YouTube to introduce a new digital streaming format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, allowing fans to watch the first 10 minutes of matches live before shifting to official broadcasters.
• Location: Global, related to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The partnership allows selected World Cup 2026 match content to be streamed on YouTube, with the opening 10 minutes shown live and viewers then redirected to official broadcast platforms for full coverage.
• Objectives: The move aims to expand FIFA’s digital reach, attract younger audiences, adapt to changing viewing habits, improve accessibility, and create a hybrid viewing experience combining digital and traditional broadcasting.

Important Terms Explained:

• FIFA: The international governing body of association football that organizes major tournaments including the FIFA World Cup.
• YouTube: A global digital video platform that is being used by FIFA to expand online audience engagement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• 2026 FIFA World Cup: The upcoming edition of the men’s football world championship, set to be the biggest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches.
• Official Broadcasters: Authorized television or digital media partners that hold the rights to show the full live matches of the tournament.
• Digital Streaming: The online delivery of video content through internet platforms, allowing mobile-first and internet-based audience access.

Tabular Summary:

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs March 18

4. According to recent DPIIT data, how many recognised startups in India have at least one woman director or partner?
A) Over 25,000
B) Over 50,000
C) Over 75,000
D) Over 1 lakh
E) Over 2 lakh
Answer: D) Over 1 lakh

Event and Location:

• Event: India’s startup ecosystem has crossed 2.12 lakh recognised startups, with more than 1 lakh startups having at least one woman director or partner.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The government, through the Startup India initiative and schemes such as FFS, SISFS, and CGSS, is supporting startups with funding, seed assistance, and credit guarantees to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Objectives: The objective is to strengthen the startup ecosystem, encourage innovation, improve access to finance, support women entrepreneurship, and create a supportive business environment across states.

Important Terms Explained:

• DPIIT: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is the government department that grants official recognition to eligible startups in India.
• Startup India: A flagship initiative launched on 16 January 2016 to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and ease of doing business in the startup ecosystem.
• FFS: The Fund of Funds for Startups is managed by SIDBI and provides capital to SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Funds that invest in startups.
• SISFS: The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme provides financial assistance to early-stage startups through incubators to help them develop and scale.
• CGSS: The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups helps startups access debt funding by providing credit guarantees to lending institutions.
• Women-led startups: These are startups that have at least one woman director or partner and reflect rising participation of women in entrepreneurship.

Tabular Summary:

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5. India has become the world’s third-largest metro network with operational lines of more than how many kilometres?
A) 850 km
B) 950 km
C) 1,143 km
D) 1,300 km
E) 1,500 km
Answer: C) 1,143 km

Event and Location:

• Event: India has become the world’s third-largest metro network with more than 1,143 km of operational metro lines and nearly 936 km under construction.
• Location: India across 29 cities
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The government is expanding metro rail infrastructure across Indian cities to improve urban transport, reduce congestion, enhance public connectivity, and strengthen sustainable mobility systems.
• Objectives: The objective is to provide efficient mass transit, reduce dependence on road transport, support modern urban infrastructure, and improve daily mobility for millions of passengers.

Important Terms Explained:

• Metro Network: An urban mass rapid transit system designed to provide fast, high-capacity, and efficient public transportation within cities.
• Urban Mobility: The movement of people within urban areas through transport systems such as metro rail, buses, roads, and non-motorised transport.
• Sustainable Development: A development approach that meets present needs while reducing environmental impact and supporting long-term economic and social balance.
• Delhi Metro: India’s pioneering metro rail system that began operations on 24 December 2002 and became a model for efficiency, safety, and punctuality.

Tabular Summary:

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6. According to the Hurun Global Rich List 2026, who remains the richest person in Asia?
A) Gautam Adani
B) Mukesh Ambani
C) Shiv Nadar
D) Ratan Tata
E) Kumar Mangalam Birla
Answer: B) Mukesh Ambani

Event and Location:

• Event: The Hurun Global Rich List 2026 reported Elon Musk as the world’s richest person, while Mukesh Ambani remained Asia’s richest person and Shah Rukh Khan re-entered the billionaire list.
• Location: Global, with key India-related highlights
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Hurun Global Rich List 2026 ranks billionaires worldwide based on estimated wealth and highlights annual changes in net worth, rankings, and new entries.
• Objectives: The list aims to track global wealth trends, identify leading billionaires, show changes in regional wealth distribution, and reflect the rise of sectors such as technology, retail, energy, and entertainment.

Important Terms Explained:

• Hurun Global Rich List: An annual global ranking that estimates and publishes the net worth of the world’s billionaires.
• Net Worth: The total value of a person’s assets after subtracting liabilities and debts.
• Billionaire: A person whose net worth is at least one billion dollars.
• Reliance Industries: A major Indian conglomerate led by Mukesh Ambani, with strong presence in energy, telecom, and retail.
• Valuation: The estimated monetary worth of a company or asset, often used to assess its market standing.

Tabular Summary:

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs March 18

7. The RBI injected ₹48,014 crore into the banking system through which liquidity management tool?
A) Cash Reserve Ratio
B) Open Market Sale
C) Variable Rate Repo auction
D) Statutory Liquidity Ratio
E) Marginal Standing Facility
Answer: C) Variable Rate Repo auction

Event and Location:

• Event: The Reserve Bank of India injected ₹48,014 crore into the banking system through a 7-day Variable Rate Repo auction to manage short-term liquidity conditions.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The RBI conducted a VRR auction to provide short-term funds to banks amid tightening liquidity conditions caused by advance tax outflows and expected GST-related cash drain.
• Objectives: The move aims to ease temporary liquidity shortages, maintain stability in the banking system, support orderly money market conditions, and ensure adequate fund availability for banks.

Important Terms Explained:

• RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is the central bank of the country responsible for monetary policy, banking regulation, and liquidity management.
• VRR Auction: A Variable Rate Repo auction is a short-term liquidity tool through which banks borrow funds from the RBI for a fixed period at variable interest rates.
• Liquidity: In banking, liquidity refers to the availability of cash and easily accessible funds in the financial system to meet short-term obligations.
• Advance Tax: Tax paid in installments during the financial year by taxpayers, especially corporates, which can temporarily reduce cash available with banks.
• GST: Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax on the supply of goods and services, and related payments can affect liquidity conditions in the banking system.
• OMO: Open Market Operations are purchases or sales of government securities by the RBI to inject or absorb durable liquidity from the financial system.

Tabular Summary:

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs March 18

8. OpenAI launched GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano mainly to support which type of applications?
A) Low-speed offline systems
B) High-volume and real-time applications
C) Only academic research
D) Satellite communication systems
E) Manual record keeping
Answer: B) High-volume and real-time applications

Event and Location:

• Event: OpenAI introduced GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano as smaller AI models designed for faster performance, lower costs, and scalable deployment.
• Location: Global
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The launch brings compact AI models that are optimized for speed, efficiency, lower operational cost, and high-volume deployment while retaining strong capabilities in language tasks.
• Objectives: The aim is to expand AI adoption, support real-time applications, reduce deployment costs, and provide scalable AI solutions for businesses, developers, and digital platforms.

Important Terms Explained:

• OpenAI: An artificial intelligence company that develops advanced language and multimodal models for consumer and enterprise use.
• GPT-5.4 mini: A smaller AI model designed to deliver strong performance with faster response time and reduced cost compared with larger models.
• GPT-5.4 nano: A more compact AI model aimed at highly efficient, low-latency, and high-scale AI workloads.
• High-volume AI workloads: AI use cases in which a system must process a very large number of requests efficiently and consistently.
• Real-time applications: Digital systems such as virtual assistants, live chat, moderation, and recommendation tools that require quick responses with minimal delay.

Tabular Summary:

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs March 18

9. India participated in the Sea Dragon 2026 naval exercise near Guam along with which group of countries?
A) Australia Japan New Zealand
B) France Germany Italy
C) Sri Lanka Maldives Bangladesh
D) Indonesia Vietnam Philippines
E) South Korea Thailand Singapore
Answer: A) Australia Japan New Zealand

Event and Location:

• Event: India participated in the Sea Dragon 2026 multinational naval exercise led by the United States Navy with a focus on anti-submarine warfare.
• Location: Near Guam in the Indo-Pacific region
• Date: March 18, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The exercise involves coordinated naval drills for detecting, tracking, and engaging simulated and live submarine targets in complex maritime environments.
• Objectives: The main objective is to improve anti-submarine warfare capability, strengthen interoperability among partner navies, enhance combat readiness, and support maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.

Important Terms Explained:

• Sea Dragon 2026: A U.S.-led multinational naval exercise focused on anti-submarine warfare operations and maritime coordination among partner countries.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare: A form of naval warfare that involves detecting, monitoring, and neutralizing hostile submarines using ships, aircraft, sensors, and weapons systems.
• Guam: A strategically important island territory in the western Pacific that serves as a key military and logistical hub for operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Interoperability: The ability of military forces from different countries to operate together effectively using compatible procedures, communication systems, and tactics.
• P-8A Poseidon: A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft used for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and intelligence missions.

Tabular Summary:

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10. Which aircraft carrier uses the EMALS launch system for aircraft operations?
A) INS Vikrant
B) INS Arihant
C) USS Gerald R Ford
D) INS Chennai
E) USS Nimitz
Answer: C) USS Gerald R Ford

Event and Location:

• Event: A comparison of USS Gerald R Ford and INS Vikrant highlights major differences in size, propulsion, aircraft capacity, technology, cost, and strategic role.
• Location: United States and India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The comparison explains the specifications and operational differences between the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford and India’s indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• Objectives: The purpose is to understand how both carriers differ in power projection, naval capability, aircraft operations, cost structure, and their role in national maritime strategy.

Important Terms Explained:

• Aircraft Carrier: A large naval warship that serves as a floating airbase and carries, launches, and recovers military aircraft for maritime operations.
• USS Gerald R Ford: The lead ship of the Gerald R Ford-class of the United States Navy and one of the world’s most advanced aircraft carriers with nuclear propulsion and modern launch systems.
• INS Vikrant: India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, designed to strengthen India’s naval capability and maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
• EMALS: The Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System is an advanced launch technology used on USS Gerald R Ford to launch aircraft more efficiently than traditional steam catapults.
• STOBAR: Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery is a carrier operation system in which aircraft take off using a ski jump and land using arrestor wires, as used on INS Vikrant.
• Nuclear Propulsion: A propulsion system that uses nuclear reactors to power a ship, giving very long endurance and reducing the need for refueling.
• Make in India: A government initiative aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing, under which INS Vikrant represents a major achievement in indigenous defence production.

Tabular Summary:

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs March 18

11. The BHAVYA Scheme 2026 approved by the Union Cabinet aims to develop how many plug-and-play industrial parks across India?
A) 50
B) 75
C) 100
D) 125
E) 150
Answer: C) 100

Event and Location:

• Event: The Union Cabinet approved the BHAVYA Scheme 2026 to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks for strengthening industrial infrastructure and manufacturing growth.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The scheme provides for the development of 100 plug-and-play industrial parks with ready infrastructure such as roads, drainage, underground utilities, digital connectivity, factory sheds, testing labs, and warehousing units.
• Objectives: The initiative aims to boost manufacturing, attract investment, reduce setup time for industries, create jobs, improve industrial connectivity, and build world-class industrial infrastructure across the country.

Important Terms Explained:

• BHAVYA Scheme: Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna is a central scheme approved to create plug-and-play industrial parks across India for faster industrial setup and manufacturing expansion.
• Plug-and-Play Industrial Parks: These are pre-approved industrial zones with ready-to-use infrastructure that allow businesses to start operations quickly without major setup delays.
• NICDC: The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation is the implementing agency for the scheme and works on industrial corridor and smart city projects.
• DPIIT: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade is the central department under which industrial promotion and implementation support for such schemes are coordinated.
• Industrial Infrastructure: Basic and advanced facilities such as roads, utilities, digital links, sheds, labs, and warehouses that support industrial production and logistics.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 18

12. The Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee in Gujarat submitted its final report on the Uniform Civil Code to propose a common legal framework for which matters?
A) Taxation banking and trade
B) Marriage divorce inheritance and adoption
C) Elections policing and citizenship
D) Education health and employment
E) Agriculture irrigation and land records
Answer: B) Marriage divorce inheritance and adoption

Event and Location:

• Event: The Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee submitted its final report on the proposed Uniform Civil Code to the Gujarat government.
• Location: Gujarat, India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The committee presented a three-volume report proposing a common legal framework for civil matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption across communities in Gujarat.
• Objectives: The proposal aims to ensure equal legal rights, reduce disparities in personal laws, promote gender justice, strengthen women’s rights, and create a more consistent civil law framework while balancing cultural diversity.

Important Terms Explained:

• Uniform Civil Code: A common set of civil laws applicable to all citizens irrespective of religion in matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
• Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai Committee: A committee constituted to study and prepare a framework for implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Gujarat.
• Personal Laws: Religion-based legal provisions governing family and civil matters such as marriage, divorce, succession, and adoption.
• Article 44: A Directive Principle of State Policy in the Constitution of India that encourages the state to work towards securing a Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
• Gender Justice: The principle of ensuring fairness, equality, and equal legal protection for all genders in laws and institutions.

Tabular Summary:

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13. Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 is being organized in New Delhi by which organization along with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs?
A) NITI Aayog
B) TRIFED
C) NABARD
D) FICCI
E) SIDBI
Answer: B) TRIFED

Event and Location:

• Event: Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 is a national festival showcasing tribal art, culture, cuisine, handicrafts, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development initiatives.
• Location: Sunder Nursery, New Delhi
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The festival is being organized to exhibit tribal products, traditional crafts, performances, cuisine, and enterprise models through stalls, live demonstrations, cultural programmes, and conclaves.
• Objectives: The event aims to promote tribal entrepreneurship, provide market exposure to tribal artisans, encourage sustainable development, strengthen tribal businesses, and connect traditional tribal knowledge with modern markets and design innovation.

Important Terms Explained:

• TRIFED: The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. is an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs that works to support tribal livelihoods through marketing, value addition, and enterprise development.
• Van Dhan Vikas Kendra: A cluster-based initiative that supports tribal gatherers and producers by promoting value addition, processing, and marketing of forest produce.
• Forest-to-Plate: A concept that promotes tribal cuisine and food traditions based on forest and natural produce, linking indigenous food systems with wider consumer awareness.
• Bharat Tribes Business Conclave: A conclave held as part of the festival to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and tribal entrepreneurs for business promotion and innovation.
• CSR Conclave: A platform related to Corporate Social Responsibility that encourages collaboration for supporting tribal enterprises and development initiatives.
• RISA Initiative: An initiative that connects tribal textiles and traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design and global fashion through collaboration between designers and tribal artisans.

Tabular Summary:

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14. India has become the world’s largest producer of coconut with a global production share of more than which percentage?
A) 15 percent
B) 20 percent
C) 25 percent
D) 30 percent
E) 40 percent
Answer: D) 30 percent

Event and Location:

• Event: India has emerged as the world leader in coconut production with a share of over 30 percent of global output, and Budget 2026-27 has introduced a Coconut Promotion Scheme to boost productivity and farmer income.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The government has announced the Coconut Promotion Scheme under Budget 2026-27 to improve coconut productivity, replace old and unproductive trees with high-yielding varieties, and support sustainable farming practices.
• Objectives: The scheme aims to raise coconut yield, improve farm efficiency, increase farmer income, strengthen India’s competitiveness in high-value agriculture, and support livelihoods dependent on coconut cultivation.

Important Terms Explained:

• Coconut Promotion Scheme: A government scheme announced in Budget 2026-27 to improve coconut production, enhance productivity, and promote sustainable farming through better planting material and modernization.
• High Value Agriculture: A category of agriculture focused on crops that offer higher market value, stronger income potential, and export opportunities, such as coconut, cashew, and cocoa.
• Productivity: In agriculture, productivity refers to output per unit area of land, such as the number of coconut nuts produced per hectare.
• High-yielding varieties: Improved plant varieties that produce more output and are used to replace old or less productive trees in order to raise farm efficiency.

Tabular Summary:

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15. The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 was passed to curb religious conversions carried out through which of the following means?
A) Education and counselling
B) Coercion fraud inducement and marriage
C) Public meetings and debates
D) Charity and legal aid
E) Cultural exchange and migration
Answer: B) Coercion fraud inducement and marriage

Event and Location:

• Event: The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 to prevent forced religious conversions and regulate unlawful conversion practices.
• Location: Maharashtra, India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The bill introduces penalties for religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage, and provides stricter punishment in cases involving vulnerable groups and repeat offenders.
• Objectives: The law aims to ensure that religious conversions are voluntary, prevent misuse of influence or manipulation, promote transparency, and protect constitutional rights and freedom of religion.

Important Terms Explained:

• Freedom of Religion Bill 2026: A state law passed by the Maharashtra Assembly to regulate religious conversions and penalise conversions carried out through unlawful means.
• Religious Conversion: The act of changing one’s religion from one faith to another, which under this bill is subject to scrutiny if it occurs through illegal means.
• Coercion: The use of force, threat, pressure, or intimidation to make a person act against their free will.
• Inducement: Offering benefits, rewards, or material gain to persuade a person to convert religion.
• Mass Conversion: A situation in which multiple persons are converted together, for which the bill prescribes enhanced punishment.
• Constitutional Rights: Rights guaranteed under the Constitution of India, including freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to law.

Tabular Summary:

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16. The Supreme Court of India ruled that adoptive mothers are entitled to how many weeks of maternity leave regardless of the child’s age?
A) 6 weeks
B) 8 weeks
C) 10 weeks
D) 12 weeks
E) 26 weeks
Answer: D) 12 weeks

Event and Location:

• Event: The Supreme Court of India removed the age limit on maternity leave for adoptive mothers and held that they are entitled to 12 weeks of leave regardless of the child’s age at adoption.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Court struck down the age-based restriction under Section 60(4) of the Social Security Code 2020 and directed that adoptive and commission mothers receive 12 weeks of maternity leave from the date the child is handed over.
• Objectives: The ruling aims to ensure equality, remove discrimination against adoptive mothers, protect child welfare, strengthen family bonding, and promote a more inclusive understanding of parenthood and caregiving.

Important Terms Explained:

• Maternity Leave: A period of paid or protected leave granted to a mother for childcare, bonding, and family adjustment after childbirth or adoption.
• Adoptive Mothers: Women who legally become mothers through adoption and are entitled to parental rights and benefits under the law.
• Commission Mothers: Women who become mothers through surrogacy arrangements and are recognized for maternity-related benefits.
• Social Security Code 2020: A labour and welfare law that consolidated various social security provisions, including maternity benefit-related rules.
• Article 14: A provision of the Constitution of India that guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.
• Article 21: A provision of the Constitution of India that protects life and personal liberty and has been interpreted broadly to include dignity and welfare.
• Paternity Leave: Leave granted to fathers to support childcare and shared parenting responsibilities after the birth or adoption of a child.

Tabular Summary:

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17. The Transgender Rights Amendment Bill 2026 proposes which major change in the recognition of transgender identity in India?
A) Expansion of self-identification rights
B) Automatic citizenship benefits
C) Removal of self-identification and medical certification
D) Reservation in Parliament
E) Free education for all adults
Answer: C) Removal of self-identification and medical certification

Event and Location:

• Event: The Transgender Rights Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced in Parliament proposing major changes to transgender identity recognition, including removal of self-identification and introduction of medical certification.
• Location: India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The bill seeks to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 by introducing medical board-based verification, narrowing the definition of transgender persons, creating a category for forced identity, and prescribing stricter punishments for related crimes.
• Objectives: The proposed amendments aim to redefine the legal process for recognition of transgender identity, regulate certification, address cases of coercion and abuse, and strengthen penal provisions under the law.

Important Terms Explained:

• Transgender Rights Amendment Bill 2026: A proposed bill introduced in Parliament to amend the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and change the legal framework governing transgender identity and rights in India.
• Self-identification: The principle that a person has the right to identify their own gender without mandatory medical examination or external certification.
• Medical Certification: A proposed system under which a medical board would verify transgender identity and recommend certification to the District Magistrate.
• NALSA v. Union of India: A landmark Supreme Court judgment of 2014 that recognized transgender persons as the third gender and upheld the right to self-identify gender.
• Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019: The existing law that provides legal recognition, protection against discrimination, and access to welfare measures for transgender persons.
• District Magistrate: A district-level administrative authority who, under the proposed framework, would issue identity certification based on recommendation of the medical board.

Tabular Summary:

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18. The Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026 passed by the Punjab Assembly aims to establish a university at Anandpur Sahib with focus on which fields?
A) Agriculture mining and fisheries
B) Defence aerospace cyber security and quantum computing
C) Banking insurance and taxation
D) Tourism hospitality and fashion design
E) Journalism law and public policy
Answer: B) Defence aerospace cyber security and quantum computing

Event and Location:

• Event: The Punjab Assembly passed the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026 to establish a high-tech university focused on advanced and emerging fields.
• Location: Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The bill provides for the establishment of a world-class university at Sri Anandpur Sahib with academic programmes in defence, aerospace, cyber security, and quantum computing, supported by phased financial allocation and infrastructure development.
• Objectives: The initiative aims to promote advanced education, research, and skill development in strategic sectors while combining Punjab’s cultural heritage with modern technological learning.

Important Terms Explained:

• Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur World-Class University Bill 2026: A bill passed by the Punjab Assembly to create a modern university at Sri Anandpur Sahib with focus on globally relevant and strategic academic fields.
• Quantum Computing: A branch of computing that uses principles of quantum mechanics to process information and solve complex problems faster than classical computers in certain cases.
• Cyber Security: The protection of digital systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks, unauthorized access, and digital threats.
• Aerospace Engineering: A field of engineering related to the design, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems.
• Defence Studies: An academic and strategic field dealing with military systems, national security, defence technology, and strategic affairs.

Tabular Summary:

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19. The MXene-based material developed by IIT Guwahati is designed for which two major applications?
A) Crop insurance and weather tracking
B) Hydrogen production and seawater desalination
C) Vaccine storage and disease testing
D) Satellite imaging and drone delivery
E) Waste recycling and road construction
Answer: B) Hydrogen production and seawater desalination

Event and Location:

• Event: IIT Guwahati has developed a MXene-based material that can support clean hydrogen fuel production and solar-powered seawater desalination.
• Location: Guwahati, Assam, India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The research developed a dual-purpose MXene-based catalyst for efficient hydrogen generation through electrolysis and for seawater desalination using solar-powered technology.
• Objectives: The innovation aims to address clean energy needs, improve safe water access, enhance efficiency in hydrogen production, and support sustainable technology solutions for energy and water security.

Important Terms Explained:

• MXene: A class of two-dimensional materials known for high electrical conductivity and strong surface properties, useful in energy storage, catalysis, and water treatment applications.
• Electrolysis: A process in which electricity is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for clean fuel production.
• Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: A key electrochemical reaction in water splitting in which hydrogen gas is produced at the electrode surface.
• Desalination: The process of removing salts and impurities from seawater to make it suitable for drinking and other uses.
• Janus Evaporator: A floating solar-driven structure designed to heat only the water surface, improving evaporation efficiency during desalination.
• Photothermal Conversion: The conversion of sunlight into heat energy for applications such as water purification and solar-assisted material systems.

Tabular Summary:

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20. The Tribal Homestay Capacity Building Program 2026 has been launched by ITDC in collaboration with which ministry?
A) Ministry of Culture
B) Ministry of Rural Development
C) Ministry of Tribal Affairs
D) Ministry of Home Affairs
E) Ministry of Skill Development
Answer: C) Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Event and Location:

• Event: India Tourism Development Corporation launched the Tribal Homestay Capacity Building Program 2026 to strengthen tribal homestay services and promote community-based tourism.
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date: 18 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The programme provides training, manuals, and hospitality skill development for tribal homestay owners through IHM Ashok in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• Objectives: The initiative aims to improve hospitality standards, enhance tourist experience, promote sustainable tourism, and create livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.

Important Terms Explained:

• India Tourism Development Corporation: A public sector undertaking that works to develop tourism infrastructure, services, and hospitality-related initiatives in India.
• Tribal Homestay Capacity Building Program 2026: A training and skill development programme launched to empower tribal homestay owners and integrate tribal tourism into the mainstream tourism ecosystem.
• IHM Ashok: The hospitality education and training arm of ITDC that is implementing the training component of the programme.
• Community-based tourism: A tourism model in which local communities directly participate in and benefit from tourism activities.
• Sustainable tourism: Tourism that promotes economic development while preserving local culture, environment, and community interests.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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