Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

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 21 & 22. 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 21 & 22 | Daily Current Affairs 2026

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

1. World Poetry Day is observed every year on which date to promote poetry, linguistic diversity, and creative expression across the world?
A) March 8
B) March 21
C) April 21
D) October 15
E) February 21
Answer: B) March 21

Event and Location:

• Event: World Poetry Day 2026 was observed to celebrate poetry as a medium of expression, cultural connection, and creativity.
• Location: Global observance across the world
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: UNESCO observes World Poetry Day annually on March 21 to honor poets, encourage the reading, writing, and sharing of poems, and promote activities such as poetry readings, writing competitions, and cultural events.
• Objectives: The observance aims to promote poetry as a cultural and artistic expression, preserve linguistic diversity, support endangered languages, encourage creative expression and critical thinking, and strengthen cultural exchange through literature.

Important Terms Explained:

• UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized UN agency that promotes international cooperation in education, science, and culture. It declared March 21 as World Poetry Day in 1999.
• World Poetry Day: It is an international observance dedicated to honoring poets and recognizing poetry as a powerful form of artistic and cultural expression.
• Linguistic Diversity: It refers to the presence and preservation of multiple languages within societies and across the world, including efforts to protect endangered languages.
• Endangered Languages: These are languages at risk of falling out of use, and poetry helps preserve them through literary and oral traditions.
• Cultural Exchange: It is the sharing of ideas, values, literature, and traditions among different societies, helping build dialogue and mutual understanding.

Tabular Summary:

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2. World Puppetry Day 2026 is celebrated every year on which date to promote puppetry arts, cultural heritage, and educational storytelling?
A) March 18
B) March 20
C) March 21
D) April 21
E) October 15
Answer: C) March 21

Event and Location:

• Event: World Puppetry Day 2026 was celebrated to promote puppetry arts globally and highlight its role in culture, education, and social awareness.
• Location: Global observance with a special initiative linked to Charleville-Mézières, France
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: UNIMA observes World Puppetry Day every year on March 21 to preserve traditional puppetry, encourage innovation in puppet theatre, organize performances, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural programmes, and create international discussion platforms on puppetry.
• Objectives: The observance aims to safeguard puppetry as a cultural heritage art form, use puppetry as a tool for education and storytelling, promote ethical and social awareness, encourage global cultural exchange, and support creative development in modern puppetry arts.

Important Terms Explained:

• UNIMA: Union Internationale de la Marionnette is the international puppetry organization that launched World Puppetry Day in 2003 to promote puppetry at the global level.
• World Puppetry Day: It is an annual international observance celebrated on March 21 to recognize puppetry as a performing art, educational medium, and cultural tradition.
• Puppetry: It is a theatrical art form in which puppets are used for storytelling, entertainment, education, and communication with audiences.
• Cultural Heritage: It refers to traditions, practices, and art forms passed down through generations, including traditional puppetry styles preserved by communities.
• Cultural Exchange: It means the sharing of artistic ideas, traditions, and performances across countries to strengthen international cooperation and understanding.
• Keynote Lecture: It is a featured address delivered by a distinguished expert or artist, introduced in 2026 as a new global initiative related to World Puppetry Day.

Tabular Summary:

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3. The International Day of Forests 2026 was observed on March 21 with which theme?
A) Forests and Climate
B) Forests and Water
C) Forests and Economies
D) Forests and Biodiversity
E) Forests and People
Answer: C) Forests and Economies

Event and Location:

• Event: International Day of Forests 2026 was observed to highlight the importance of forests in sustaining life, livelihoods, and economic development.
• Location: Worldwide
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The United Nations General Assembly observes the International Day of Forests every year on March 21 to encourage countries to undertake forest conservation activities such as tree plantation drives, awareness campaigns, exhibitions, debates, workshops, and educational programmes.
• Objectives: The observance aims to promote forest conservation, encourage the sustainable use of forest resources, raise awareness about the role of forests in livelihoods and environmental balance, and highlight their contribution to economies, biodiversity, water security, and soil health.

Important Terms Explained:

• International Day of Forests: It is an annual international observance marked on March 21 to raise awareness about the importance of forests and the need for their conservation and sustainable management.
• Forests and Economies: This is the 2026 theme, emphasizing the strong connection between forests and economic development through income generation, employment, raw materials, and support to industries and communities.
• Forest Conservation: It refers to the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of forests to maintain biodiversity, climate balance, and ecological health.
• Sustainability: It means using natural resources in a way that meets present needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• Biodiversity: It refers to the variety of plant and animal life supported by forests, which are essential for ecological balance and human survival.

Tabular Summary:

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4. International Nowruz Day 2026 is observed on which date to mark the Persian New Year and the arrival of spring?
A) March 8
B) March 20
C) March 21
D) April 1
E) April 14
Answer: C) March 21

Event and Location:

• Event: International Nowruz Day 2026 was observed to mark the Persian New Year and celebrate the arrival of spring, renewal, and cultural unity.
• Location: Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and other regions observing Nowruz
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: International Nowruz Day is observed annually on March 21 to celebrate the Persian New Year, the vernal equinox, and long-standing cultural traditions such as spring cleaning, festive gatherings, special foods, and the Haft Sin table.
• Objectives: The observance aims to promote renewal, hope, peace, harmony, cultural continuity, and global unity by recognising a festival that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years across multiple regions.

Important Terms Explained:

• Nowruz: It means “new day” in Persian and marks the beginning of the new year along with the arrival of spring. It symbolizes renewal, hope, and new beginnings.
• Vernal Equinox: It is the time when day and night are nearly equal in length and marks the transition from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Haft Sin: It is a traditional table arrangement associated with Nowruz that includes seven symbolic items beginning with the Persian letter “S,” representing prosperity, balance, life, and hope.
• Zoroastrian Tradition: It refers to the ancient religious and cultural tradition of Persia from which Nowruz traces its historical roots.
• UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization included Nowruz in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
• International Day of Nowruz: It is the UN-recognised observance declared in 2010 to acknowledge the cultural significance of Nowruz and encourage worldwide celebration.

Tabular Summary:

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5. The World Day for Glaciers 2026 was observed on which date to raise awareness about glacier conservation and climate change?
A) March 20
B) March 21
C) April 22
D) June 5
E) December 11
Answer: B) March 21

Event and Location:

• Event: World Day for Glaciers 2026 was observed to highlight the importance of glaciers as major freshwater sources and indicators of climate change.
• Location: Global
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The World Day for Glaciers is observed to raise awareness about the critical role of glaciers in sustaining ecosystems, supporting livelihoods, regulating water cycles, and indicating changes in the global climate.
• Objectives: The observance aims to promote glacier conservation, encourage climate action, support scientific research on frozen regions, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and protect freshwater security and ecological stability for future generations.

Important Terms Explained:

• World Day for Glaciers: It is an international observance dedicated to creating awareness about the importance of glaciers and the urgent need to protect them from rapid melting.
• Glaciers: These are large masses of ice formed over many years that store a major share of the world’s freshwater and supply water to rivers, ecosystems, agriculture, and communities.
• Climate Change: It refers to long-term changes in temperature and weather patterns, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions, which are causing glaciers to melt rapidly.
• Cryospheric Sciences: It is the scientific study of Earth’s frozen water systems, including glaciers, snow, ice sheets, sea ice, and permafrost.
• Decade of Action for Cryospheric Sciences (2025–2034): It is a global initiative focused on research, cooperation, and action to protect Earth’s frozen regions and address the impacts of climate change.
• Freshwater Security: It refers to the reliable availability of safe freshwater for human use, agriculture, ecosystems, and economic activities.

Tabular Summary:

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6. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed every year on which date?
A) March 8
B) March 15
C) March 21
D) April 7
E) December 10
Answer: C) March 21

Event and Location:

• Event: International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2026 was observed to promote equality and strengthen the global fight against racism and discrimination.
• Location: Global
• Date: March 21, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The United Nations observes this day every year on March 21 to commemorate the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960, raise awareness about racial discrimination, and encourage countries to adopt laws, policies, and institutional measures against racism.
• Objectives: The observance aims to promote equality, eliminate racial discrimination, protect human rights, support social justice, and strengthen international cooperation against racism, xenophobia, and intolerance.

Important Terms Explained:

• Sharpeville Massacre: It refers to the incident on March 21, 1960, when South African police opened fire on peaceful protesters opposing apartheid pass laws, killing 69 people. It became a major symbol in the struggle against racism.
• Apartheid: It was a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination in South Africa that denied basic rights to the non-white population.
• ICERD: The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination is a key UN convention adopted in 1965 to provide a legal framework for combating racial discrimination.
• Durban Declaration and Programme of Action: It is a global anti-racism framework adopted in 2001 to address racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance, while also recognizing historical injustices such as slavery and colonialism.
• Racial Discrimination: It means unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on race, colour, descent, or ethnic origin in public or private life.

Tabular Summary:

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7. The theme of World Water Day 2026 is which of the following?
A) Water and Climate
B) Water and Agriculture
C) Water and Gender
D) Water and Energy
E) Water and Health
Answer: C) Water and Gender

Event and Location:

• Event: World Water Day 2026 was observed to raise awareness about water conservation, safe drinking water access, and the link between water challenges and gender equality.
• Location: Global
• Date: March 22, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The United Nations observes World Water Day every year on March 22 to highlight the importance of freshwater, promote sustainable water resource management, and encourage action on water scarcity, pollution, sanitation, and unequal access to water.
• Objectives: The observance aims to improve awareness about the global water crisis, ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation, promote inclusive water governance, empower women in water-related decision-making, and support sustainable development through better water management.

Important Terms Explained:

• World Water Day: It is an annual UN observance focused on the importance of freshwater and the need for sustainable management of water resources.
• Water and Gender: This is the theme of World Water Day 2026, highlighting how water access and gender equality are closely linked, especially because women and girls are often most affected by water scarcity.
• Water Scarcity: It refers to the lack of sufficient available water resources to meet the needs of people, agriculture, and ecosystems.
• Water Governance: It means the systems, policies, institutions, and decision-making processes used to manage water resources fairly and sustainably.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): These are the global goals adopted by the United Nations to achieve sustainable development, including access to clean water and sanitation.
• SDG 6: It is the Sustainable Development Goal that aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Tabular Summary:

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

8. The New Income Tax Rules 2026 notified under the Income-tax Act, 2025 will come into effect from which date?
A) January 1 2026
B) March 21 2026
C) April 1 2026
D) July 1 2026
E) April 1 2025
Answer: C) April 1 2026

Event and Location:

• Event: The Government notified the New Income Tax Rules 2026 under the Income-tax Act, 2025 to introduce a modern tax compliance and reporting framework.
• Location: India
• Date: March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The new rules will take effect from April 1, 2026 and introduce updated compliance procedures, stricter reporting standards, digital taxation norms, stock exchange reporting requirements, and simplified provisions for capital gains and dividend-related compliance.
• Objectives: The rules aim to improve transparency, modernize taxation for digital and cross-border businesses, strengthen reporting standards, reduce procedural complexity, ensure uniform compliance, and make taxation more efficient and accountable.

Important Terms Explained:

• Income-tax Act, 2025: It is the new legal framework under which the New Income Tax Rules 2026 have been notified to replace older tax procedures and update India’s compliance structure.
• Significant Economic Presence (SEP): It is a taxation concept used to determine tax liability for digital and remote businesses based on their economic interaction in India, such as transaction value or user base.
• Digital Taxation: It refers to tax rules applicable to businesses operating digitally or remotely, especially global companies earning from Indian users without a physical presence.
• Audit Trail: It is a detailed and traceable record of financial or transactional activities maintained for verification, accountability, and compliance purposes.
• Capital Gains: It refers to the profit arising from the sale or transfer of capital assets such as securities, debentures, or other investments.
• Zero Coupon Bond: It is a bond issued at a discount and redeemed at face value on maturity without periodic interest payments.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

9. India’s Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded what growth rate in February 2026?
A) 1.8%
B) 2.3%
C) 3.1%
D) 4.7%
E) 5.2%
Answer: B) 2.3%

Event and Location:

• Event: India’s Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a growth of 2.3% in February 2026, led by steel, cement, fertilizers, coal, and electricity.
• Location: India
• Date: February 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The release of ICI data tracks the monthly performance of India’s eight core sectors, namely coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity, to assess the trend in industrial activity.
• Objectives: The index aims to serve as an early indicator of industrial growth, help policymakers and analysts understand sector-wise performance, and measure how core industries contribute to the broader economy and the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

Important Terms Explained:

• Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI): It is a measure of the performance of eight key infrastructure sectors that form the backbone of India’s industrial economy.
• Index of Industrial Production (IIP): It is an index that measures changes in the volume of production across industrial sectors, and the eight core industries together carry a weight of 40.27% in it.
• Core Industries: These are the eight major sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilizers, steel, cement, and electricity that significantly influence industrial growth.
• Industrial Growth: It refers to the increase in output of industrial sectors over a period of time and is an important indicator of economic activity.
• Cumulative Growth: It shows the overall growth recorded over a longer period, and from April to February 2025-26, the core sector growth stood at 2.9%.

Tabular Summary:

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

10. Who assumed charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited in March 2026?
A) Sanjay Kumar
B) Krishna Kumar Thakur
C) Anil Kumar Jain
D) Rajesh Verma
E) Manoj Sinha
Answer: B) Krishna Kumar Thakur

Event and Location:

• Event: Krishna Kumar Thakur assumed charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited to strengthen human resource leadership and workforce management.
• Location: India
• Date: March 20, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Krishna Kumar Thakur has taken charge as Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited and is expected to lead human resource administration, employee engagement, recruitment planning, policy implementation, and workforce productivity initiatives within the company.
• Objectives: The appointment aims to strengthen HR leadership, build a more efficient and people-centric system, improve workforce management, and support organizational productivity through experienced public sector HR administration.

Important Terms Explained:

• NMDC Limited: It is India’s largest iron ore producer and a major public sector mining company.
• Director (Personnel): This is a senior management position responsible for human resource policies, employee welfare, recruitment strategy, industrial relations, and workforce development.
• Indian Railway Personnel Service: It is a Group A civil service responsible for personnel and human resource management in the Indian Railways.
• CPSUs: Central Public Sector Undertakings are government-owned corporations under the administrative control of the central government.
• HR Management: It refers to the planning and management of recruitment, employee relations, training, performance, and organizational development.

Tabular Summary:

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11. Who assumed charge as Director (Commercial) of SAIL in March 2026?
A) T.V. Narendran
B) T.N. Natarajan
C) Amarendu Prakash
D) Soma Mondal
E) R. Srinivasan
Answer: B) T.N. Natarajan

Event and Location:

• Event: T.N. Natarajan assumed charge as Director (Commercial) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), bringing over 32 years of experience in production, logistics, sales, and strategy.
• Location: India
• Date: March 19, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: T.N. Natarajan has taken charge as Director (Commercial) of SAIL and will oversee the company’s commercial operations, marketing strategy, sales, logistics, supply chain coordination, and customer-focused business growth.
• Objectives: The appointment aims to strengthen SAIL’s market presence, improve commercial performance, drive solution-oriented selling, enhance customer engagement, and support the company’s growth in domestic and global markets.

Important Terms Explained:

• SAIL: Steel Authority of India Limited is one of India’s largest public sector steel companies and plays a major role in infrastructure and industrial development.
• Director (Commercial): This is a senior management position responsible for commercial strategy, marketing, sales, business development, and strengthening the company’s market position.
• Management Trainee: It is an entry-level executive position through which professionals are trained and prepared for future leadership roles within an organization.
• Supply Chain Management: It refers to the planning and coordination of production, storage, transportation, and delivery of goods efficiently across the business network.
• Solution-Oriented Approach: It is a business strategy that focuses on understanding customer needs and offering customized products and services instead of only selling standard commodities.

Tabular Summary:

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

12. Indian actress Rituparna Sengupta was honoured with which award at the UK House of Commons in 2026?
A) Women Empowerment Award
B) Global Cinema Award
C) Cultural Excellence Medal
D) International Art Honour
E) Women Leadership Prize
Answer: A) Women Empowerment Award

Event and Location:

• Event: Indian actress Rituparna Sengupta was honoured with the Women Empowerment Award for her contribution to art and culture.
• Location: House of Commons, London, United Kingdom
• Date: March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The award was presented during a special event held on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026 to recognise women achievers from different fields, including art, culture, leadership, and social work.
• Objectives: The event aimed to celebrate women’s achievements, promote women empowerment and leadership, and recognise impactful contributions in art and culture on an international platform.

Important Terms Explained:

• Women Empowerment Award: It is an honour given to recognise notable contributions by women or individuals working toward empowerment, leadership, and social impact.
• International Women’s Day: It is observed annually on March 8 to celebrate women’s achievements and promote gender equality and women’s rights.
• House of Commons: It is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom and an important venue for public and political events.
• GloWomen CiC: It is the organisation that arranged the event to bring together global voices in support of women empowerment and leadership.
• Art and Culture: This refers to creative and cultural contributions through fields such as cinema, performance, literature, and heritage promotion.

Tabular Summary:

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13. Who received the Vagdevi Samaradhanam Puraskaram in Vizianagaram in March 2026?
A) Swapna Hyndavi
B) Karrothu Satyam
C) G. Priyanka
D) T.S. Divakara
E) Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka
Answer: B) Karrothu Satyam

Event and Location:

• Event: Karrothu Satyam, president of Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi in Vizianagaram city, was felicitated on receiving the Vagdevi Samaradhanam Puraskaram for promoting Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology among youngsters.
• Location: Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
• Date: March 22, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Members of Vagdevi Samaradhanam, along with writers and poets, felicitated Karrothu Satyam in Vizianagaram for his efforts in conducting workshops in colleges and schools on Mahatma Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom struggle.
• Objectives: The recognition aims to honour work related to Gandhian values, encourage youth awareness about India’s independence movement, and promote academic and cultural activities such as essay-writing competitions and elocution contests.

Important Terms Explained:

• Vagdevi Samaradhanam Puraskaram: It is an award given in recognition of contributions in literary, cultural, or social fields.
• Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi: It is an organization associated with preserving and promoting the ideals and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Mahatma Gandhi’s Ideology: It refers to the principles of truth, non-violence, simplicity, moral leadership, and social harmony associated with Mahatma Gandhi.
• Elocution Contest: It is a speech competition in which participants speak on a topic to develop public speaking and communication skills.
• Essay-Writing Competition: It is an academic activity that encourages students to express ideas in written form on selected themes or subjects.

Tabular Summary:

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

14. Which U.S. President is set to feature on a 24-karat gold coin to commemorate 250 years of U.S. Independence?
A) Joe Biden
B) Barack Obama
C) Donald Trump
D) George W. Bush
E) Bill Clinton
Answer: C) Donald Trump

Event and Location:

• Event: Donald Trump is set to feature on a 24-karat gold coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. Independence.
• Location: United States
• Date: March 22, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: A commemorative gold coin portraying Donald Trump leaning on the Resolute Desk with clenched fists is planned as part of the celebration of 250 years of U.S. Independence.
• Objectives: The move aims to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence through a symbolic commemorative issue and highlight the national milestone with a special collectible coin.

Important Terms Explained:

• 24-karat Gold Coin: It is a coin made from pure gold and generally issued as a commemorative or collectible item of special significance.
• U.S. Independence: It refers to the independence of the United States from British rule, historically associated with the Declaration of Independence of 1776.
• Resolute Desk: It is the well-known desk used by U.S. Presidents in the Oval Office and is a symbol of the American presidency.
• Commemorative Coin: It is a specially issued coin created to honour an important event, person, or national milestone.
• 250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence: It marks 250 years since the United States declared independence in 1776, making 2026 a major national commemorative year.

Tabular Summary:

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs March 21

15. The Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme announced in the Telangana Budget 2026 provides insurance coverage of how much for each family?
A) ₹2 lakh
B) ₹3 lakh
C) ₹5 lakh
D) ₹10 lakh
E) ₹15 lakh
Answer: C) ₹5 lakh

Event and Location:

• Event: The Telangana Government announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme and a new cashless health scheme in the Telangana Budget 2026 to provide financial and health security.
• Location: Telangana
• Date: March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme will be launched on June 2, 2026, with insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh for each family across the state. Along with this, a new cashless health scheme for government employees and pensioners will be implemented through the Rajiv Aarogyasri Trust. The state has also announced an accident insurance plan for government employees and pensioners.
• Objectives: The schemes aim to provide financial protection to families in case of the sudden death of the primary earning member, ensure universal social security without discrimination, expand cashless healthcare access, and strengthen welfare support for employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

Important Terms Explained:

• Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme: It is a welfare scheme announced by the Telangana Government that will provide ₹5 lakh life insurance coverage to each family in the state.
• Cashless Health Scheme: It is a healthcare support scheme under which eligible beneficiaries can receive treatment without making direct payment at the point of service in empanelled hospitals.
• Rajiv Aarogyasri Trust: It is the state health trust through which the new cashless health scheme for government employees and pensioners will be implemented.
• Term Life Insurance: It is a life insurance cover that provides a fixed sum assured in case of death during the policy period.
• Accident Insurance Coverage: It refers to financial compensation provided in case of accidental death or specified accident-related risks.

Tabular Summary:

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16. Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under which initiative earned ₹3.09 crore profit at the recent Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara?
A) Aarogyasri Shakti
B) Indira Mahila Shakti
C) Stree Nidhi Yojana
D) Telangana Mahila Nidhi
E) Gruha Lakshmi
Answer: B) Indira Mahila Shakti

Event and Location:

• Event: Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the Indira Mahila Shakti initiative earned a profit of ₹3.09 crore by operating income-generating units during the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara.
• Location: Mulugu district, Telangana
• Date: March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Women SHGs linked to the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) and the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) operated 565 income-generating units during the Medaram Maha Jatara, investing ₹6.03 crore and generating total income of ₹9.12 crore.
• Objectives: The initiative aimed to promote women’s economic participation, create livelihood opportunities through self-help groups, and strengthen rural income generation during a major tribal congregation.

Important Terms Explained:

• Self-Help Groups (SHGs): These are small community-based groups, usually of women, formed to promote savings, credit access, entrepreneurship, and livelihood generation.
• Indira Mahila Shakti: It is a women empowerment initiative through which women self-help groups are supported for livelihood generation and economic activities.
• Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP): It is an institution that works for poverty reduction, rural livelihoods, and empowerment of self-help groups in rural areas.
• District Rural Development Agency (DRDA): It is a district-level agency that implements rural development programmes and supports livelihood and poverty alleviation activities.
• Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara: It is a major biennial tribal festival held in Telangana and is among the largest tribal congregations in the country.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs March 21 & 22

17. The National Productivity Council signed an agreement with MoEF&CC to act as which agency under the Environment Audit Rules 2025?
A) Climate Review Authority
B) Green Tribunal Cell
C) Environment Audit Designated Agency
D) National Emission Board
E) Pollution Control Secretariat
Answer: C) Environment Audit Designated Agency

Event and Location:

• Event: National Productivity Council (NPC) signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to act as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) under the Environment Audit Rules 2025.
• Location: India
• Date: March 20, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Under the agreement, NPC will manage India’s environmental audit system, frame eligibility criteria for auditors, conduct certification examinations, and maintain a transparent registration mechanism under the Environment Audit Rules 2025.
• Objectives: The agreement aims to standardize environmental audit procedures, improve transparency in reporting, strengthen regulatory enforcement, enhance compliance with environmental laws, and promote sustainable industrial development in India.

Important Terms Explained:

• National Productivity Council (NPC): It is an autonomous organization under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that works on productivity improvement, sustainability, training, consultancy, and capacity building.
• MoEF&CC: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the central ministry responsible for environmental policy, forest conservation, climate-related matters, and ecological regulation in India.
• Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA): It is the designated body responsible for administering the environmental audit framework, including auditor standards, certification, and registration systems.
• Environment Audit Rules 2025: These rules provide a formal framework to standardize environmental audits, improve reporting transparency, and strengthen environmental compliance monitoring.
• Environmental Governance: It refers to the laws, institutions, rules, and processes through which environmental protection, compliance, and sustainability are managed.
• Sustainable Industrial Development: It means industrial growth that balances economic progress with environmental protection and long-term resource sustainability.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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