Daily Current Affairs March 28, 2026: Operation Urja Suraksha, Noida International Airport & KP Sharma Oli Arrested

Current Affairs & GK Brief: March 28, 2026 | Indian Navy Launches Operation Urja Suraksha & IAF Project Vayu Baan

Here is the comprehensive Current Affairs and GK brief for March 28, 2026. Today’s news is highlighted by major defense launches, a shifting economic outlook due to global tensions, and the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

National

• Indian Navy Launches 'Operation Urja Suraksha': The Indian Navy (IN) officially launched 'Operation Urja Suraksha' (Energy Protection) to safeguard India-bound energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. The mission involves more than five frontline warships to escort high-priority vessels carrying LNG, LPG, and crude oil.
• IAF Launches Project 'Vayu Baan': The Indian Air Force (IAF) initiated 'Vayu Baan', India's first project to develop a helicopter-launched Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This move reduces reliance on foreign air-launched drone technologies and puts India in an elite group of nations like the USA and China.
• PRISM-SG Portal Launched: Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Ashwini Vaishnaw jointly launched the PRISM-SG (Portal for Rail-Road Innovation & Seamless Management). This digital platform aims to provide a single-window interface for streamlining infrastructure fabrication and rail-road project management.
• MoU for Folk Music Promotion: The Ministry of Culture signed an MoU with YouTube in New Delhi to globally promote India's folk and tribal music. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
• Gruh Sugam Portal: The National Housing Bank (NHB) launched the 'Gruh Sugam Portal' to digitize and simplify housing loan applications specifically for defense personnel, paramilitary forces, and government employees.
• Govt Extends Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 Till April 5 Amid Strong Public Response:The Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 is a major cultural and entrepreneurial event showcasing India's tribal heritage at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, running from March 18 to April 5, 2026. Organised by TRIFED and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, it features over 200 stalls with 300+ artisans, 120 food exhibitors, and daily cultural performances from across India.
• Govt Invites Nominations for 2026 Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar:The government has invited nominations for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026. The award is a prestigious national initiative to recognize outstanding contributions in the fields of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
• PM Modi inaugurates Noida International Airport Phase I at Jewar:Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the first phase of Noida International Airport at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. He also laid the foundation stone of 40 acres of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

International & Geopolitics

• Former Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli arrested over Gen Z protest crackdown:Nepal’s Former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli was arrested today over Gen Z protest crackdown last year. The move comes a day after the newly formed government of Balendra Shah implemented the probe commission report on the Gen Z protest that rocked the nation last year.
• Canada-India Trade Ties: Canadian Minister Maninder Sidhu met with India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the WTO conference. They reviewed progress on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and discussed a planned trade mission to Canada.

Economy & Business

• Monthly Economic Review (March 2026): The Finance Ministry released its report noting a "moderation in economic momentum" due to the crisis in West Asia.

• Risks: High import dependence for oil/LPG and disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz (where ship transits fell from ~200/week to just 1/week) are key risks.
• PMI & E-way Bills: The Flash PMI for March showed softening, and E-way bill generation declined by 5.3% month-on-month.
• Inflation: Retail inflation rose to a 10-month high of 3.21% in February 2026, driven by food prices.

Sports

• IPL 2026 Opener (RCB vs SRH): The 2026 IPL season kicked off at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 6 wickets.

Important Days observed

• Earth Hour 2026: Observed on March 28 (the last Saturday of March), where people globally switch off non-essential lights for one hour (8:30 PM to 9:30 PM local time).

Daily Current Affairs & GK Update - March 22, 2026

Top Daily Current Affairs & GK Updates for Competitive Exams: March 22, 2026

Welcome to your comprehensive Daily Current Affairs and General Knowledge update for March 22, 2026. Today’s news cycle is a heavy hitter, defined by rapid geopolitical escalations and monumental milestones at home.

On the national front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has etched his name in history as India's longest-serving elected head of government, while the government accelerates its push for clean energy and grassroots financial inclusion with the launch of CGSMFI-2.0. Internationally, the world is watching West Asia closely as tensions boil over with Iran's alarming strike attempt on Diego Garcia, a move that is sending shockwaves through global energy and diplomatic corridors. We also look at the newly released Global Terrorism Index, which sees a surprising shift in regional rankings.

From deep-tech summits to Lionel Messi joining the elite 900-goal club, today’s briefing is meticulously curated to give UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC aspirants the exact insights needed to stay ahead. Let's dive into today's top stories.

This detailed briefing is  structured to help aspirants preparing for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and State PSC examinations.

National News & Polity

• PM Modi Becomes India's Longest-Serving Head of Government:Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the longest-serving head of an elected government in India.He surpassed the 8,930-day record previously held by former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.This milestone calculates his combined continuous tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Prime Minister of India.
• High-Level CCS Meeting on West Asia Crisis:Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia and the looming threat to the Strait of Hormuz, PM Modi chaired a critical meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The meeting reviewed India's energy preparedness, specifically focusing on the petroleum, crude, gas, power, and fertilizer sectors.
• Bihar Diwas 2026:Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Bihar Diwas (March 22), commemorating the formation of the state of Bihar when it was carved out of the Bengal Presidency in 1912.
• Union Minister for Jal Shakti Releases Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Guidelines digitally at Jal Mahotsav 2026 Culmination on World Water Day-The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, today released the Operational Guidelines of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0. The culmination event was honoured by the presence of the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna.
• Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 Concludes with Strong Global Participation, Actionable Outcomes, and Roadmap for a Resilient, Future-ready Power Sector-The maiden edition of the Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concluded successfully today, bringing together policymakers, global experts, industry leaders, investors, and innovators to deliberate on the future of the power sector and accelerate the global clean energy transition.The Summit witnessed an exceptional response, with over 35,000 exhibition attendees, 28 States / Union Territories, 200+ exhibiting companies including 80+ Start-ups, 6,000+ delegates, 300+ speakers, and 100+ conference sessions, reflecting its scale and global significance.
• Coal Gasification Key to India’s Energy Security and Industrial Growth: Union Minister G.Kishan Reddy-Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, today highlighted that coal gasification will be pivotal in strengthening India’s energy security, reducing import dependence, and supporting industrial growth, while addressing the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.
• Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts coal into synthesis gas (syngas)—a mixture of carbon monoxide ,hydrogen ,carbon dioxide,methane—by reacting it with limited oxygen and steam at high temperatures and pressures. This cleaner alternative to combustion allows coal to produce electricity, chemical feedstocks (methanol, ammonia, urea), and liquid fuel.

International Affairs

• Severe Escalation in West Asia & Diego Garcia Strike Attempt:The geopolitical landscape in West Asia took a drastic turn today, heavily impacting global markets.Long-Range Strike: Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles (identified as Khorramshahr-4) targeting the US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean (approx. 4,000 km from Iran). Though intercepted/failed, it demonstrates Iran's expanded strike radius, alarming NATO and regional allies.
• India-Africa Strategic Partnership Meet:Held during the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New Delhi, this meet was chaired by Union Power Minister Manohar Lal.
• Key Agenda: Deepening engagement in renewable energy expansion, interconnected grid systems, and advancing the vision of "One Sun, One World, One Grid".
• New Ambassador to China:Senior diplomat Vikram K. Doraiswami has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to China, a critical posting given the current geopolitical climate.
• Global Terrorism index:The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), indicates that global deaths from terrorism fell by 28% in 2025 to 5,582, the lowest level since 2007. Despite this overall decline, the report highlights a significant resurgence in specific regions, with Pakistan topping the index for the first time.
• Inaugural Sikkim International Film Festival concludes in Gangtok:The inaugural Sikkim International Film Festival concluded in Gangtok this evening. A total of 40 films and documentaries were showcased during the four-day-long festival, which saw the presence of prominent personalities from the Bollywood and regional film industries.

Economy & Banking

• AI-Powered Tax Governance Yields Results:A new government report highlighted the massive success of Artificial Intelligence in tax compliance. AI-driven "NUDGE campaigns" generated over ₹11,000 crore in revenue. Furthermore, AI systems successfully detected approximately ₹8.86 lakh crore in GST evasion and Input Tax Credit (ITC) fraud between FY21 and FY25.
• Launch of CGSMFI-2.0:The Government of India introduced the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0) to boost credit access for micro-borrowers and support financial inclusion at the grassroots level.The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions 2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0), launched in March 2026, provides guarantee coverage to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for loans extended to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs. It facilitates increased credit flow for on-lending to small borrowers, covering up to 80% for small MFIs.
• National Highways Fee Rules, 2026:The government notified new toll enforcement rules, mandating the seamless integration of National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) with the VAHAN database to recover unpaid user fees through an automated e-notice system.

Science, Technology & Environment

• New Estuarine Fish Species Discovered:Scientists have discovered a new species of estuarine fish named Butis bargabhimae. It was found in the Rupnarayan River near Tamluk in West Bengal.
• IMD Nationwide Weather Alert:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for East and Central India due to severe thunderstorms and hailstorms. Meanwhile, a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to bring heavy snowfall to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Defence & Security

• INS Taragiri Commissioned:The Indian Navy strengthened its maritime capabilities with the commissioning of the indigenous stealth frigate 'Taragiri' (Project 17A).
• Exercise Amogh Jwala:The Indian Army successfully concluded Exercise Amogh Jwala at the Babina field firing ranges in Uttar Pradesh. The exercise validated the integration of mechanized forces with newly inducted drone and counter-drone systems.

Sports

• Lionel Messi Hits 900 Goals:Legendary Argentine footballer Lionel Messi made history by becoming only the second footballer in the history of the sport to score 900 career goals for club and country. Cristiano Ronaldo was the first to reach this milestone, doing so in September 2024.

Important Days

• World Water Day (March 22)-Significance: An annual UN observance to highlight the importance of freshwater and advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates March 16, 2026

Daily Current Affairs March 16, 2026: FASTag Rate Hike, Project GANGA, and 98th Oscar Winners 

Welcome to your daily briefing at gkdailyindia.com. Today’s national and international landscape is marked by significant policy shifts and historic milestones. From the NHAI’s revised FASTag annual pass rates and the launch of Project GANGA for rural digital connectivity in Uttar Pradesh to India's strategic defense leap with a new submarine testing facility in Karwar, we cover the essential updates for competitive exam aspirants. Additionally, we dive into the 98th Academy Awards highlights, where Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the night. Read on for a comprehensive breakdown of economy, trade, and sports news.

India- National Affairs

• New FASTag Annual Pass Rates: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced a price hike for the FASTag Annual Pass effective from April 1, 2026.

  • New Rate: ₹3,075 (increased by ₹75 from the previous ₹3,000).

  • Validity: Valid for 1 year or 200 toll crossings, whichever comes first.

  • Applicability: Exclusively for non-commercial private vehicles (Cars/Jeeps/Vans).

• PM Modi's "Project GANGA": Aimed at providing high-speed digital connectivity to 20 lakh rural households in Uttar Pradesh.In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Transformation Commission (STC) and One OTT Entertainment Limited (OIL), a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group.

• Submarine Testing Facility at Karwar: India commissioned its first-ever Pneumatic RAM Test Facility at the Naval Group India workshop in Karwar, Karnataka.
• Significance: This facility is dedicated to the maintenance and testing of the "Pneumatic Mast Raising System" for Kalvari-class (Scorpène) submarines.With this, India joins France and Brazil as the only nations with this specific capability, furthering the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing dependence on overseas testing in France. Commissioned by Vice Admiral B. Sivakumar, Chief of Materiel(COM).
• AIIMS Delhi & Passive Euthanasia: AIIMS Delhi has initiated the medical protocol for passive euthanasia for Harish Rana, following a landmark Supreme Court verdict. A specialized team led by Dr. Seema Mishra will gradually withdraw life-sustaining treatment (nutrition and hydration) over 2-3 weeks, shifting focus to palliative care to ensure "death with dignity."

• Mule Account Racket Busted: Karnataka Police (Gadag CEN) arrested five individuals for running a cybercrime racket

• Modus Operandi: The gang lured students with fake "scholarships" to open bank accounts (mule accounts), then used these accounts for illegal gaming and cyber fraud transactions.

• SATHEE App:The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, launched the SATHEE (Self-Assessment, Test and Help for Entrance Exams) app, a free, AI-enabled digital platform providing, high-quality, multilingual, and self-paced learning for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, CUET, SSC, and banking. The platform offers IIT and AIIMS-curated study material, live and recorded lectures, doubt-clearing sessions, and 60,000+ quiz questions.

Economy & Trade

• India-US Trade Deal on Hold: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal announced that the signing of the bilateral trade agreement with the US is paused.

  • Reason: India is seeking clarity on the new "tariff architecture" being developed by the US.

  • Context: This follows Malaysia’s recent exit from its trade deal with the US, signaling a period of global trade uncertainty.

• Trade Deficit: India’s merchandise trade deficit narrowed (on a month-on-month basis) to $27.1 billion in February 2026. However, concerns remain due to rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

• WPI Inflation: Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation rose to an 11-month high of 2.13% in February 2026 (data released March 16). Driven by Increased prices in manufactured products and primary articles. Fuel and power segments continue to show deflation but are narrowing as global crude prices cross the $100/barrel mark.

• NTT DATA has officially announced the launch of its GCC Innovation Acceleration Program (launched in October 2025 and announced on March 16, 2026), designed to support global companies in rapidly establishing and scaling their Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and offshore innovation hubs in India

Sports

Indian Wells Open 2026 (BNP Paribas Open):

• Men’s Singles Winner: Jannik Sinner (defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final).
• Women’s Singles Winner: Aryna Sabalenka (defeated Elena Rybakina).

Important Days (March 16)

• National Vaccination Day, observed annually in India on March 16, highlights the crucial role of vaccines in preventing life-threatening diseases, particularly through the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). Originally marking the 1995 oral polio vaccine initiative, it emphasizes immunization importance for all, targeting the protection of millions of children and pregnant women annually.

International Affairs

98th Academy Awards (Oscars)

The 2026 Oscars concluded with significant wins for both veterans and first-timers:

• Best Picture: One Battle After Another (Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson)

• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another)

• Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) — This is his first career Oscar.

• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)

• Best Supporting Actor: Sean Penn (One Battle After Another) — His 3rd Oscar win.

• Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan (Weapons) — Won at the age of 75.

• Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters

Static GK & Exam Snippets

• Polly Umrigar: The award is named after the legendary Indian cricketer who was the first to score a double century in Tests for India.

• FASTag: Uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for making toll payments directly from the linked account.

• OSCAR Venue:The Academy Awards (Oscars) are held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Located within the Ovation Hollywood complex (formerly Hollywood & Highland Center), it has been the permanent home of the ceremony since 2002. The venue is famous for its grand stage and hosting major entertainment events.

• Mule account:A mule account is a bank account used by criminals to receive, transfer, or launder illicit funds, often by exploiting unsuspecting individuals (money mules) via job scams or phishing. These accounts mask the origin of stolen money, allowing fraudsters to bypass detection. Account holders risk having their accounts frozen and facing criminal investigation