Daily Current Affairs March 20
Table of Contents
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March 20 | Daily Current Affairs 2026
Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 20
1. What is the theme of World Oral Health Day 2026?
A) Healthy Teeth for All
B) A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life
C) Smile for a Better Tomorrow
D) Oral Care for Every Home
E) Prevent Decay Prevent Disease
Answer: B) A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life
Event and Location:
- Event: World Oral Health Day 2026 was observed to promote awareness about oral hygiene, preventive dental care and the link between oral health and overall well-being.
- Location: Global
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: World Oral Health Day encourages people to follow simple daily oral care habits such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, cleaning the tongue, using mouthwash appropriately and maintaining proper night-time dental care.
- Objectives: The observance aims to spread awareness about preventing oral diseases, protecting enamel, reducing infections and improving overall health through better dental hygiene practices.
Important Terms Explained:
- World Oral Health Day: It is an annual global observance held on March 20 to promote oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental care.
- FDI World Dental Federation: It is the international body that leads World Oral Health Day campaigns and works to improve oral health worldwide.
- Fluoride toothpaste: It is toothpaste containing fluoride that helps strengthen tooth enamel and protects teeth against decay.
- Plaque: It is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth and gums and can lead to cavities and gum disease if not removed properly.
- Enamel: It is the hard outer protective layer of the tooth that shields it from decay and damage.
- Flossing: It is the process of cleaning between teeth where a toothbrush may not reach, helping reduce plaque and gum problems.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | World Oral Health Day 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Global |
| Issuing authority | FDI World Dental Federation |
| Key figures | Theme for 2026 is “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life” |
| Feature details | The campaign highlighted brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, correct mouthwash use and proper night-time oral care as simple preventive habits |
| Strategic/significant value | The observance underlines the connection between oral hygiene and overall health, including the prevention of infections, inflammation and long-term dental problems |
2. World Sparrow Day is observed every year on which date?
A) March 10
B) March 15
C) March 20
D) April 5
E) April 22
Answer: C) March 20
Event and Location:
- Event: World Sparrow Day 2026 was observed to raise awareness about the declining habitat of house sparrows and the need for their conservation.
- Location: Global, with the article specifically highlighting Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: World Sparrow Day is observed annually to spread awareness about the shrinking habitat of house sparrows and to encourage attention toward their conservation in urban spaces.
- Objectives: The observance aims to highlight the decline of sparrows in cities, promote better understanding of the species, and encourage conservation of their natural and urban habitats.
Important Terms Explained:
- World Sparrow Day: It is an annual awareness day observed on March 20 to draw attention to the conservation of sparrows and other common birds living near human settlements.
- House sparrow: It is a small bird once commonly seen in urban and semi-urban areas, but its habitat and visibility have declined in many cities.
- Habitat: It refers to the natural environment where a species lives, feeds, breeds and survives.
- Stomata: These are tiny pores on plant leaves that help in gas exchange, and the article mentions research suggesting sparrow chirping may help trigger their opening.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | World Sparrow Day 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Global observance with article focus on Ahmedabad, Gujarat |
| Issuing authority | Annual public awareness observance |
| Key figures | Jagat Kinkhabwala, known as “Sparrow Man” |
| Feature details | The article notes that house sparrows, once common in urban open spaces, have increasingly retreated to the outskirts of Ahmedabad |
| Strategic/significant value | The day highlights the need to conserve sparrow habitats and improve public awareness about the species’ ecological importance |
3. The International Day of Happiness is observed every year on which date?
A) March 8
B) March 15
C) March 20
D) April 7
E) April 22
Answer: C) March 20
Event and Location:
- Event: International Day of Happiness 2026 was observed to promote happiness, well-being, equality and sustainable development as universal global goals.
- Location: Global
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The United Nations observes the International Day of Happiness to encourage governments and societies to give importance to well-being, quality of life, equality, human rights, social justice and sustainable growth alongside economic progress.
- Objectives: The observance aims to promote happiness as a development goal, support inclusive and balanced growth, and highlight the role of governance, public policy, healthcare, education and institutional trust in improving life satisfaction.
Important Terms Explained:
- International Day of Happiness: It is a global observance marked every year on March 20 to recognise happiness and well-being as important universal human goals.
- United Nations General Assembly Resolution 66/281: It is the 2012 UN resolution through which March 20 was officially declared the International Day of Happiness.
- World Happiness Report 2026: It is the annual report released on the day to assess global happiness levels and country rankings based on life satisfaction and related factors.
- Gross National Happiness: It is a development approach promoted by Bhutan that measures progress using well-being, sustainability, cultural values and governance instead of focusing only on economic output.
- Sustainable growth: It refers to economic development that is socially inclusive, environmentally responsible and capable of improving long-term well-being.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | International Day of Happiness 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Global |
| Issuing authority | United Nations |
| Key figures | The observance is linked to UN Resolution 66/281 and the release of the World Happiness Report 2026 |
| Feature details | The 2026 report focused on well-being in the digital age and examined the impact of technology, social support, trust, freedom and governance on happiness |
| Strategic/significant value | The day promotes happiness and well-being as global development goals connected to equality, sustainable growth, good governance and quality of life |
Sports – Daily Current Affairs March 20
4. India will host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships for the first time in which city?
A) Ahmedabad
B) Torun
C) Bhubaneswar
D) New Delhi
E) Mumbai
Answer: C) Bhubaneswar
Event and Location:
- Event: India has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships for the first time.
- Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: World Athletics has awarded India the right to host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships, and the event will be conducted at the indoor facility of Kalinga Stadium Complex in Bhubaneswar.
- Objectives: The event aims to strengthen India’s global sporting profile, promote athletics infrastructure, and support the country’s larger ambition of hosting major international sporting events including the 2036 Olympics.
Important Terms Explained:
- World Indoor Athletics Championships: It is a biennial international indoor track and field competition conducted by World Athletics featuring events for men and women.
- World Athletics: It is the international governing body for athletics that regulates global track and field competitions and awards hosting rights for world championships.
- Athletics Federation of India (AFI): It is the national body responsible for the administration and promotion of athletics in India.
- Kalinga Stadium Complex: It is a major sports complex in Bhubaneswar with a state-of-the-art indoor athletics facility inaugurated in 2024.
- 4x400m mixed relay: It is a relay race in which male and female athletes compete together in the same team event.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Issuing authority | World Athletics |
| Key figures | Adille Sumariwalla, Bahadur Singh Sagoo, Ravinder Chaudhry |
| Feature details | India will host the event for the first time at the Kalinga Stadium indoor facility, which has world-class infrastructure for indoor athletics |
| Strategic/significant value | The decision reflects the rising stature of Indian athletics and supports India’s long-term ambition to host the 2036 Olympics |
Ranking – Daily Current Affairs March 20
5. Which state ranked first among large and mid-sized states in the Consumer Justice Report 2026?
A) Telangana
B) Karnataka
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Maharashtra
E) Tamil Nadu
Answer: C) Andhra Pradesh
Event and Location:
- Event: The Consumer Justice Report 2026 ranked Andhra Pradesh first and Telangana last among 19 large and mid-sized states in consumer dispute redressal.
- Location: India, with specific focus on Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
- Date: March 18, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Consumer Justice Report 2026 assessed the performance of consumer dispute redressal commissions under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 using indicators such as staffing, infrastructure, budget utilisation, case disposal efficiency, long-pending cases and diversity.
- Objectives: The report aims to evaluate the readiness, accessibility, transparency and efficiency of consumer justice systems across states and to identify structural gaps affecting timely redressal of consumer disputes.
Important Terms Explained:
- Consumer Justice Report 2026: It is a national assessment of consumer dispute redressal systems that evaluates states on institutional strength, disposal performance, pendency and transparency.
- India Justice Report: It is an initiative that studies the capacity of justice delivery institutions in India and publishes data-based comparative assessments.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019: It is the law governing consumer rights and dispute redressal in India through district, state and national consumer commissions.
- Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission: It is a quasi-judicial body established to resolve consumer complaints related to defective goods, deficient services, unfair trade practices and similar grievances.
- Lok Adalat: It is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for settling cases through compromise, reducing the burden on regular forums and courts.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Consumer Justice Report 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 18, 2026 |
| Location | India, with Andhra Pradesh ranked first and Telangana ranked last among 19 large and mid-sized states |
| Issuing authority | India Justice Report initiative backed by Tata Trusts |
| Key figures | Andhra Pradesh scored 6.28 out of 10, Telangana scored 2.20 out of 10, and the report studied over 28.57 lakh cases filed between 2010 and 2024 |
| Feature details | The report assessed consumer commissions on 11 indicators including staffing, infrastructure, budget utilisation, disposal efficiency, long-pending cases and diversity |
| Strategic/significant value | The findings highlight major interstate disparities in consumer justice delivery and underline the need for stronger institutional capacity and transparency |
Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs March 20
6. The Central Board of Directors of the RBI approved which framework for the period 2026-29?
A) Digital Rupee Roadmap
B) Utkarsh 3.0
C) Vision 2047
D) Bharat Banking Plan
E) Monetary Stability Code
Answer: B) Utkarsh 3.0
Event and Location:
- Event: The Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India reviewed the emerging global and domestic economic scenario and approved the RBI’s budget for 2026-27 and Utkarsh 3.0 for 2026-29.
- Location: Patna, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The RBI Central Board assessed global and domestic economic conditions, evolving geopolitical developments, and their impact on financial markets. It also approved the RBI budget for 2026-27 and the Medium Term Strategy Framework, Utkarsh 3.0, for the period 2026-29.
- Objectives: The meeting aimed to review economic risks arising from higher crude oil prices, rupee depreciation, inflationary pressures, and external vulnerabilities, while preparing institutional strategy and budget planning for the coming years.
Important Terms Explained:
- Reserve Bank of India: It is India’s central bank responsible for monetary policy, currency management, financial stability and regulation of the banking system.
- Central Board of Directors: It is the top decision-making body of the RBI that oversees policy, administration, strategy and budget-related matters.
- Utkarsh 3.0: It is the Medium Term Strategy Framework of the RBI for the period 2026-29, intended to guide the institution’s strategic priorities.
- Imported inflation: It refers to inflation caused by rising prices of imported goods, especially crude oil and energy products.
- Current account deficit: It is the gap that arises when a country’s total imports of goods, services and transfers exceed its exports and inflows.
- Fiscal deficit: It is the shortfall between a government’s total expenditure and its total revenue excluding borrowings.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | RBI Central Board review of global and domestic economic scenario |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Patna, India |
| Issuing authority | Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India |
| Key figures | Brent crude rose above $100 per barrel and peaked at about $119 on March 19, 2026, while the rupee moved beyond 93 per US dollar |
| Feature details | The Board reviewed geopolitical and financial market developments and approved the RBI budget for 2026-27 and Utkarsh 3.0 for 2026-29 |
| Strategic/significant value | The meeting highlighted risks of imported inflation, widening current account deficit and rising fiscal deficit for the Indian economy |
7. Under the Income Tax Rules, 2026, what threshold has been fixed for significant economic presence for digital and remote businesses?
A) ₹1 crore transaction or 1 lakh users
B) ₹2 crore transaction or 3 lakh users
C) ₹5 crore transaction or 5 lakh users
D) ₹10 crore transaction or 2 lakh users
E) ₹3 crore transaction or 4 lakh users
Answer: B) ₹2 crore transaction or 3 lakh users
Event and Location:
- Event: The Government notified the Income Tax Rules, 2026, introducing a new direct tax compliance regime and updated procedural framework.
- Location: India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Income Tax Rules, 2026 will come into effect from April 1, 2026 and implement the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 2025. The rules introduce updated definitions, tighter dividend distribution rules, stronger stock exchange compliance requirements, clearer capital gains classification, a framework for zero coupon bonds, revised cross-border taxation methods, and thresholds for significant economic presence in digital taxation.
- Objectives: The rules aim to improve transparency, digitisation, standardisation, data reporting, cross-border tax clarity and regulatory oversight while reducing ambiguity and disputes in direct taxation.
Important Terms Explained:
- Income Tax Rules, 2026: These are the newly notified procedural and compliance rules under India’s direct tax system that will operate from April 1, 2026.
- Income-tax Act, 2025: It is the underlying direct tax law whose provisions are implemented through the Income Tax Rules, 2026.
- Significant economic presence: It is a tax concept used to determine the taxable nexus of digital and remote businesses in India based on transaction value or user base.
- Zero coupon bond: It is a bond issued at a discount and redeemed at face value at maturity, without periodic interest payments.
- Fair market value: It refers to the standardised valuation used for taxation purposes for assets such as listed shares, unlisted shares, foreign entities and partnership interests.
- Audit trail: It is a detailed and secure record of transactions and changes maintained for verification, transparency and regulatory compliance.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Notification of Income Tax Rules, 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | India |
| Issuing authority | Government of India |
| Key figures | Significant economic presence threshold fixed at ₹2 crore transaction or 3 lakh users, and stock exchanges must maintain audit trails for 7 years |
| Feature details | The rules tighten dividend compliance, strengthen stock exchange reporting, clarify capital gains treatment, introduce a zero coupon bond framework, and standardise valuation and cross-border taxation methods |
| Strategic/significant value | The new regime seeks to improve transparency, digitisation, tax enforcement, cross-border clarity and dispute reduction from April 1, 2026 |
Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs March 20
8. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) increased by what percentage in February 2026 compared to February 2025?
A) 1.0%
B) 2.3%
C) 4.7%
D) 5.2%
E) 9.3%
Answer: B) 2.3%
Event and Location:
- Event: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a 2.3% growth in February 2026 on a year-on-year basis.
- Location: India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Index of Eight Core Industries tracks production performance across eight key sectors of the economy, namely coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity. The latest release reported growth in cement, steel, fertilizers, coal and electricity, while crude oil, natural gas and refinery products declined.
- Objectives: The index aims to measure the performance of core industrial sectors that have a major weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) and provide an early indication of industrial activity and infrastructure-related economic trends.
Important Terms Explained:
- Index of Eight Core Industries: It is an index that measures the production performance of eight infrastructure-related industries that are crucial to India’s industrial economy.
- Index of Industrial Production: It is a measure of industrial output in sectors such as mining, manufacturing and electricity, and the ICI forms an important component of it.
- Core industries: These are key sectors that form the base of industrial and economic activity, especially in energy, infrastructure and basic manufacturing.
- Provisional data: It refers to initial estimates released before final revision based on updated or complete information.
- Cumulative growth: It refers to the overall growth recorded during a longer period, in this case from April to February 2025-26, compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Index of Eight Core Industries growth in February 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | India |
| Issuing authority | Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
| Key figures | ICI rose 2.3% in February 2026, January 2026 final growth was 4.7%, and cumulative growth during April to February 2025-26 stood at 2.9% |
| Feature details | Cement grew 9.3%, steel 7.2%, fertilizers 3.4%, coal 2.3% and electricity 0.5%, while crude oil fell 5.2%, natural gas 5.0% and refinery products 1.0% |
| Strategic/significant value | The index provides an important signal on industrial momentum because the eight core industries account for 40.27% of the weight in the IIP |
Appointments – Daily Current Affairs March 20
9. Vikram Doraiswami, appointed as India’s new ambassador to China in 2026, was serving in which position before this appointment?
A) Ambassador to Uzbekistan
B) Envoy to South Korea
C) High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
D) Permanent Representative to the UN
E) Foreign Secretary of India
Answer: C) High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Event and Location:
- Event: India appointed Vikram Doraiswami as its new ambassador to China in 2026.
- Location: India and China
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Ministry of External Affairs appointed Vikram Doraiswami, a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, as India’s new ambassador to China as part of its diplomatic engagement with Beijing.
- Objectives: The appointment aims to strengthen diplomatic communication, rebuild trust after the Galwan Valley clash, and support the gradual stabilisation of India-China bilateral relations following prolonged border tensions.
Important Terms Explained:
- Vikram Doraiswami: He is a senior Indian diplomat of the 1992 batch of the Indian Foreign Service who has served in several important diplomatic assignments, including as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
- Indian Foreign Service: It is India’s premier diplomatic service responsible for managing the country’s foreign relations, embassies, consulates and international negotiations.
- Ministry of External Affairs: It is the central ministry of the Government of India responsible for foreign policy, diplomacy and international relations.
- Galwan Valley clash: It refers to the violent military confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh in June 2020 that significantly strained bilateral relations.
- High Commissioner: It is the title used for the head of a diplomatic mission between Commonwealth countries, equivalent in rank to an ambassador.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Appointment of Vikram Doraiswami as India’s Ambassador to China |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | India and China |
| Issuing authority | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Key figures | Vikram Doraiswami, Ministry of External Affairs |
| Feature details | Vikram Doraiswami is a 1992-batch IFS officer, currently serving as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and has earlier worked in Hong Kong, Beijing, Uzbekistan, South Korea, New York and Johannesburg |
| Strategic/significant value | The appointment reflects India’s effort to rebuild and manage ties with China after the Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged eastern Ladakh border tensions |
Awards – Daily Current Affairs March 20
10. Why was N Chandrasekaran awarded the KBE honour by the United Kingdom?
A) For contributions to sports diplomacy
B) For contributions to India-UK business relations
C) For services in medical research
D) For achievements in literature
E) For work in environmental activism
Answer: B) For contributions to India-UK business relations
Event and Location:
- Event: Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran received the honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) for strengthening India-UK business relations.
- Location: New Delhi, India, with relevance to India and the United Kingdom
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The United Kingdom conferred the honorary KBE on N Chandrasekaran in recognition of his leadership in expanding Tata Group’s business presence in the UK and deepening bilateral trade and investment ties.
- Objectives: The honour aims to acknowledge exceptional contributions to international business leadership, economic cooperation, investment flows and industrial partnership between India and the United Kingdom.
Important Terms Explained:
- KBE: Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is one of the United Kingdom’s highest honours awarded for distinguished contributions in areas such as business, public service, arts, sciences and international relations.
- Order of the British Empire: It is a British order of chivalry established in 1917 to recognise significant contributions to public life and national or international service.
- Tata Group: It is one of India’s largest business conglomerates with major global operations across sectors such as automobiles, steel, information technology and consumer products.
- India-UK business relations: This refers to the trade, investment and industrial cooperation between India and the United Kingdom, including the role of companies in employment and economic development.
- Jaguar Land Rover: It is a major automotive subsidiary of Tata Group and one of the key contributors to the group’s industrial and employment footprint in the United Kingdom.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Honorary KBE awarded to N Chandrasekaran |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | New Delhi, with significance for India-UK relations |
| Issuing authority | United Kingdom on behalf of King Charles III |
| Key figures | N Chandrasekaran, King Charles III, Tata Group |
| Feature details | The honour recognised his role in strengthening trade, investment and industrial ties, while Tata Group expanded its UK presence across automotive, steel, IT services and consumer brands |
| Strategic/significant value | The award highlights the importance of India-UK economic relations and Tata Group’s role as a major Indian investor and employer in the UK |
International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 20
11. India and Vietnam held a high-level meeting in 2026 mainly to strengthen cooperation in which area?
A) Space exploration
B) Tribal and ethnic development
C) Nuclear energy trade
D) Maritime tourism
E) Sports diplomacy
Answer: B) Tribal and ethnic development
Event and Location:
- Event: India and Vietnam strengthened cooperation on tribal and ethnic development through a high-level ministerial meeting.
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The high-level meeting between India and Vietnam focused on deepening cooperation in tribal welfare, livelihood promotion, skill development, sustainable agriculture, value addition to forest-based products, research partnerships, cultural preservation and community development.
- Objectives: The engagement aims to expand bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, promote inclusive growth, share best practices in tribal and ethnic development, and strengthen people-to-people and cultural ties between the two countries.
Important Terms Explained:
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: It is a broad bilateral framework under which two countries cooperate closely in multiple areas such as politics, economy, culture, development and strategic affairs.
- Act East Policy: It is India’s foreign policy approach to strengthen economic, strategic and cultural relations with countries in Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.
- Indo-Pacific: It is a strategic and geographic concept covering the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, often used in discussions on trade, connectivity, security and regional cooperation.
- Tribal and ethnic development: It refers to policies and programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods, social inclusion, cultural preservation and sustainable development of tribal and ethnic communities.
- Value addition to forest-based products: It refers to improving the economic value of products derived from forests through processing, packaging, branding or better market access.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | India-Vietnam high-level meeting on tribal and ethnic development |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Issuing authority | High-level ministerial engagement between India and Vietnam |
| Key figures | Jual Oram and Dao Ngoc Dung |
| Feature details | The meeting focused on livelihoods, skill development, sustainable agriculture, forest-based products, research cooperation, cultural preservation and inclusive development of tribal and ethnic communities |
| Strategic/significant value | The engagement strengthens bilateral ties under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and supports India’s Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific outreach |
12. Japan and the United States announced an action plan mainly to develop alternatives to China in which sector?
A) Textile exports
B) Critical minerals and rare earths
C) Tourism cooperation
D) Agricultural subsidies
E) Space exploration
Answer: B) Critical minerals and rare earths
Event and Location:
- Event: Japan and the United States announced new energy projects and a joint action plan on critical minerals and rare earths cooperation.
- Location: Washington, D.C., United States
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: Japan and the United States announced expanded cooperation involving Japanese investment of up to $73 billion in US energy projects, including small modular reactors, natural gas generation facilities, and a joint action plan to develop alternatives to China in critical minerals and rare earths supply chains.
- Objectives: The cooperation aims to strengthen energy security, stabilise electricity prices, support power needs for data centres, improve supply chain resilience, and reduce dependence on China for strategically important minerals and rare earth materials.
Important Terms Explained:
- Small modular reactors: These are advanced nuclear reactors that are smaller in size than conventional reactors and are designed for flexible deployment, lower construction risk and scalable power generation.
- Critical minerals: These are minerals essential for strategic industries such as clean energy, electronics, defence and advanced manufacturing, and are considered vital for economic and national security.
- Rare earths: These are a group of minerals used in electronics, batteries, magnets, defence systems and renewable energy technologies.
- GE Vernova Hitachi: It is a joint venture between General Electric and Hitachi involved in the development of advanced energy technologies including small modular reactors.
- Border-adjusted price floor mechanism: It is a coordinated trade policy concept intended to set minimum price levels for selected minerals in order to support resilient and non-distorted supply chains.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Japan-US announcement on energy projects and critical minerals action plan |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Issuing authority | Governments of Japan and the United States |
| Key figures | Up to $73 billion in Japanese investment, up to $40 billion for small modular reactors, up to $17 billion for Pennsylvania gas facilities, and up to $16 billion for Texas gas facilities |
| Feature details | The two countries announced energy investments, a critical minerals and rare earths action plan, and a memorandum of understanding on deep-sea mineral resource development |
| Strategic/significant value | The cooperation is intended to strengthen energy security, support data-centre power needs, and build alternatives to China-dominated critical mineral and rare earth supply chains |
Schemes – Daily Current Affairs March 20
13. The RELIEF Scheme 2026 was launched by India mainly to support exporters affected by disruptions in which region?
A) East Asia
B) West Asia
C) Europe
D) Central Asia
E) North America
Answer: B) West Asia
Event and Location:
- Event: India launched the RELIEF Scheme 2026 under the Export Promotion Mission to support exporters facing higher freight, insurance and logistics risks.
- Location: India, with export coverage focused on West Asia and Gulf region countries
- Date: March 19, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The government introduced the RELIEF Scheme 2026 as a time-bound export support measure to provide risk coverage, reimbursement support and logistical relief to exporters affected by the West Asia crisis and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz.
- Objectives: The scheme aims to protect Indian exporters from rising freight charges, higher insurance premiums, shipping delays and supply chain disruptions, while maintaining export stability during geopolitical uncertainty.
Important Terms Explained:
- RELIEF Scheme 2026: It is an emergency export support scheme launched by India to provide financial and risk protection to exporters affected by disruptions linked to the West Asia crisis.
- Export Promotion Mission: It is a government initiative aimed at boosting India’s exports by improving competitiveness, offering policy support and strengthening supply chain resilience.
- ECGC: Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd. is the agency responsible for export credit risk coverage, claim processing and implementation support under the scheme.
- Strait of Hormuz: It is a strategically important maritime route through which a large share of global oil and trade shipments passes, making disruptions there highly significant for shipping costs and supply chains.
- MSME exporters: These are Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise exporters that often face greater vulnerability to sudden freight and insurance cost increases.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | RELIEF Scheme 2026 |
| Announcement date | March 19, 2026 |
| Location | India, with coverage focused on West Asia and Gulf export destinations |
| Issuing authority | Government of India under the Export Promotion Mission |
| Key figures | 100% risk coverage for certain insured shipments, up to 95% coverage for upcoming exports, up to 50% reimbursement for eligible MSME exporters, and ₹50 lakh maximum reimbursement per exporter |
| Feature details | The scheme supports exporters affected by freight hikes, insurance surcharges, supply chain delays and war-related risks, with ECGC acting as the nodal implementing agency |
| Strategic/significant value | The scheme seeks to protect India’s export sector during geopolitical disruptions and improve resilience against external trade shocks |
14. The Krishi Sakhi Initiative was launched by which organisation in 2026?
A) NABARD
B) Agriculture Insurance Company of India
C) Food Corporation of India
D) NITI Aayog
E) Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium
Answer: B) Agriculture Insurance Company of India
Event and Location:
- Event: The Krishi Sakhi Initiative was launched to empower women farmers through crop insurance awareness, financial inclusion and rural development.
- Location: India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Agriculture Insurance Company of India launched the Krishi Sakhi Initiative to improve awareness among women farmers about crop insurance, financial protection, agricultural risk management and formal participation in the agricultural system.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to strengthen women farmers’ empowerment, build resilience in agriculture, improve access to insurance and financial tools, and support sustainable rural development in line with the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Important Terms Explained:
- Krishi Sakhi Initiative: It is an initiative launched to empower women farmers by spreading awareness about crop insurance, financial security and agricultural risk management.
- Agriculture Insurance Company of India: It is a public sector insurance company that provides crop insurance and related risk protection services to the agricultural sector.
- Crop insurance: It is an insurance mechanism that provides financial protection to farmers against losses arising from crop failure, natural calamities or other agricultural risks.
- Financial inclusion: It refers to providing access to formal financial services such as insurance, banking and credit to individuals who are otherwise underserved.
- International Year of the Woman Farmer: It refers to the United Nations-backed recognition of 2026 to highlight the role and contribution of women in agriculture and farming systems.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Krishi Sakhi Initiative |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | India |
| Issuing authority | Agriculture Insurance Company of India |
| Key figures | The initiative aligns with the UN declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer |
| Feature details | The programme includes a digital awareness campaign in January, a walkathon in February under #AICforHer, and grassroots workshops in March |
| Strategic/significant value | The initiative promotes women farmers’ empowerment, crop insurance awareness, financial inclusion and sustainable rural development |
National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 20
15. What did Defence Minister Rajnath Singh say India must become in the next few years?
A) Global hub for semiconductor exports
B) Global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing
C) Global hub for space tourism
D) Global hub for crude oil refining
E) Global hub for commercial shipping
Answer: B) Global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing
Event and Location:
- Event: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India must work in mission mode to become a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing in the coming years.
- Location: New Delhi, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Defence Minister called for the creation of a strong drone production ecosystem to boost strategic autonomy, improve defence preparedness and strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing amid geopolitical uncertainties. He also launched the 14th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenge and the 4th edition of ADITI challenges under the iDEX framework.
- Objectives: The initiative aims to promote Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, expand indigenous manufacturing capacity, and enable MSMEs, start-ups and young innovators to contribute to future defence technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, automation and robotics.
Important Terms Explained:
- Indigenous drone manufacturing: It refers to the domestic design, development and production of drones within India to reduce import dependence and strengthen defence capability.
- Aatmanirbhar: It means self-reliance and is used in the policy context to promote domestic production, innovation and reduced dependence on foreign suppliers.
- MSMEs: Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises are small business units that play an important role in manufacturing, innovation, employment generation and supply chains.
- Defence India Start-up Challenge: It is an initiative that encourages start-ups to develop innovative defence technologies and solutions for the armed forces.
- ADITI challenges: These are innovation-focused defence challenges launched to promote advanced technological solutions within the defence ecosystem.
- iDEX: Innovations for Defence Excellence is a government framework that supports start-ups, innovators and MSMEs in developing modern defence technologies.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Call to make India a global hub for indigenous drone manufacturing |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | New Delhi, India |
| Issuing authority | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the National Defence Industries Conclave |
| Key figures | Rajnath Singh, MSMEs, start-ups, young innovators |
| Feature details | The minister stressed building a drone production ecosystem and launched the 14th Defence India Start-up Challenge and the 4th ADITI challenges under the iDEX framework |
| Strategic/significant value | The announcement supports strategic autonomy, defence preparedness and self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar vision |
16. What is the total outlay of the Telangana Budget 2026-27 presented by the State government?
A) ₹2.41 lakh crore
B) ₹2.34 lakh crore
C) ₹3.24 lakh crore
D) ₹4.18 lakh crore
E) ₹5.62 lakh crore
Answer: C) ₹3.24 lakh crore
Event and Location:
- Event: The Telangana Government presented the Budget 2026-27 with a total outlay of ₹3.24 lakh crore and announced major welfare, infrastructure and development measures.
- Location: Telangana, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The State government presented a budget with ₹2.34 lakh crore as revenue expenditure and ₹47,267 crore as capital expenditure, while announcing new measures such as the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme, a breakfast scheme for students, and sectoral allocations for rural development, health, agriculture, energy and transport.
- Objectives: The budget aims to balance welfare and development, improve public infrastructure, strengthen social protection, support women, farmers and students, and promote economic growth while maintaining the government’s focus on employment, nutrition, rural development and public services.
Important Terms Explained:
- Telangana Budget 2026-27: It is the annual financial statement of the Telangana Government for the financial year 2026-27, outlining expected receipts, expenditure and sector-wise allocations.
- Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme: It is a newly announced Telangana scheme that will provide ₹5 lakh life insurance coverage to 1.15 crore families in the State from June 2, 2026.
- Capital expenditure: It refers to government spending on the creation of assets such as infrastructure, buildings, transport facilities and long-term development projects.
- Revenue expenditure: It refers to recurring expenditure incurred by the government for administration, salaries, subsidies, welfare and daily functioning.
- GSDP: Gross State Domestic Product is the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a state during a specific period.
- Public debt outstanding: It refers to the total debt liability of the government that remains unpaid at a given point in time.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Telangana Budget 2026-27 |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Telangana |
| Issuing authority | Telangana Government presented by Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka |
| Key figures | Total outlay ₹3.24 lakh crore, revenue expenditure ₹2.34 lakh crore, capital expenditure ₹47,267 crore, revenue receipts ₹2.41 lakh crore |
| Feature details | The budget announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme, breakfast scheme for students, major allocations for rural development, health, agriculture, energy and transport, and projected higher capital expenditure |
| Strategic/significant value | The budget reflects the government’s attempt to combine welfare and development while public debt is projected to rise to ₹5.62 lakh crore, inching toward ₹6 lakh crore |
17. Wipro launched its new AI Hub at GIFT City to deliver advanced services mainly for which sector?
A) Agriculture and food processing
B) BFSI services
C) Defence manufacturing
D) Healthcare logistics
E) Space research
Answer: B) BFSI services
Event and Location:
- Event: Wipro launched a new AI Hub at GIFT City to deliver AI-powered services to global BFSI clients.
- Location: GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: Wipro has set up the new hub to provide advanced AI-driven solutions for global Banking, Financial Services and Insurance clients, with services covering digital banking, capital markets technology, risk and compliance systems, RegTech, and core platform modernisation.
- Objectives: The hub aims to strengthen India’s position as a global fintech and digital innovation centre, expand Wipro’s AI capabilities in financial services, support smarter decision-making, and promote high-skill employment in the technology sector.
Important Terms Explained:
- BFSI: It stands for Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, a major sector that includes banks, insurers, investment firms and related financial institutions.
- GIFT City: Gujarat International Finance Tec-City is India’s first international financial services centre located in Gandhinagar and developed as a global financial and fintech hub.
- RegTech: It refers to regulatory technology used by financial institutions to improve compliance, risk monitoring and adherence to regulations through digital systems.
- Wipro Intelligence: It is Wipro’s unified AI-powered platform designed to integrate artificial intelligence into workflows, improve decision-making and support responsible AI practices.
- Core platform modernisation: It refers to upgrading legacy banking and financial technology systems to more efficient, scalable and digital platforms.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Wipro AI Hub at GIFT City |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat |
| Issuing authority | Wipro |
| Key figures | Initial capacity of 150 employees with scalability up to 500 seats |
| Feature details | The hub will deliver AI-powered services for global BFSI clients in digital banking, capital markets, risk and compliance, RegTech and core platform modernisation using Wipro Intelligence |
| Strategic/significant value | The launch strengthens India’s fintech ecosystem, boosts AI-led financial innovation and increases India’s profile as a global digital services hub |
18. The Geological Survey of India declared Kalinjar Fort hill a National Geo-Heritage Site in which district of Uttar Pradesh?
A) Jhansi
B) Banda
C) Prayagraj
D) Chitrakoot
E) Varanasi
Answer: B) Banda
Event and Location:
- Event: Kalinjar Fort hill was declared a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India for its rare geological significance.
- Location: Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Date: March 20, 2026
Mandates and Objectives:
- Mandates: The Geological Survey of India conferred the National Geo-Heritage Site status on Kalinjar Fort hill to recognise and preserve its rare geological formations, especially the Eparchaean Unconformity.
- Objectives: The declaration aims to protect an important geological landmark, promote scientific research, increase public awareness of Earth’s history, and boost tourism and local economic development in the region.
Important Terms Explained:
- Geological Survey of India: It is the premier government organisation responsible for geological mapping, mineral exploration, and identification of important geological sites in India.
- National Geo-Heritage Site: It is a location officially recognised for its unique geological features, scientific importance, and value in understanding Earth’s history and natural processes.
- Eparchaean Unconformity: It is a rare geological feature representing a major time gap in Earth’s history, where very old rock formations are overlain by much younger rocks.
- Bundelkhand granite: It is an ancient rock formation in central India, estimated to be about 2.5 billion years old, forming the lower geological layer at the site.
- Kaimur sandstone: It is a younger sedimentary rock formation, about 1.2 billion years old, lying above the Bundelkhand granite at Kalinjar Fort hill.
Tabular Summary:
| Parameter | Details |
| Event name | Kalinjar Fort hill declared a National Geo-Heritage Site |
| Announcement date | March 20, 2026 |
| Location | Banda district, Uttar Pradesh |
| Issuing authority | Geological Survey of India |
| Key figures | The site displays about 2.5 billion-year-old Bundelkhand granite beneath about 1.2 billion-year-old Kaimur sandstone |
| Feature details | The site is known for the rare Eparchaean Unconformity, a major geological time gap visible in rock layering |
| Strategic/significant value | The tag will support geological conservation, research, tourism growth, and local economic development |
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