Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 12 March 2026, Daily Roundup
12 March 2026
On March 12, 2026, India managed an intensifying domestic energy crisis triggered by the ongoing West Asian conflict
Current Affairs
National
- LPG Crisis Management: PM Modi addressed the nation regarding the cooking gas shortage, urging citizens not to panic and asking states to crack down on black-marketers and hoarders. The government extended the mandatory booking interval for LPG cylinders to 45 days for rural areas (25 days for urban).
- Kerosene as Alternative: To mitigate the LPG crunch, the Centre allocated 48,000 kilolitres of additional kerosene to states for use as an alternative cooking fuel.
- Cabinet Infrastructure Push: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹3,839 crore project for a 4-lane corridor in Madhya Pradesh (Badnawar-Petlawad-Thandla-Timarwani) to boost logistics and connectivity for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
- Railway Multi-tracking: Two major rail projects worth ₹4,474 crore were cleared in West Bengal and Jharkhand (Sainthia–Pakur and Santragachi–Kharagpur 4th lines) to enhance coal and freight transport.
- Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved amendments to India’s Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) framework governing investments from countries that share a Land Border Countries (LBCs).
International Relations & Security
- Nepal Strategic Outreach: Following the victory of Balen Shah in Nepal’s elections, India initiated high-level diplomatic outreach to strengthen ties with the new Himalayan leadership.
- India-EFTA Anniversary: India celebrated the second anniversary of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA countries (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), highlighting a $100 billion investment commitment.
- Chilean Inauguration: Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh represented India at the presidential inauguration in Chile, signaling deepening ties with Latin American partners.
- Donald Trump, President of the United States of America (USA), announced that the USA would build its first new oil refinery in nearly 50 years with investment from Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), led by Indian industrialist Mukesh Ambani.
Global Geopolitical Crisis
- Strait of Hormuz Fallout: Reports emerged of a US submarine sinking an Iranian vessel in waters near Sri Lanka, heightening fears of the West Asian war spilling into the Indian Ocean.
- Emergency Oil Release: The IEA officially authorized the release of 400 million barrels of emergency oil to stabilize global prices that have been volatile due to strikes in Tehran and the Persian Gulf blockade.
- “Black Rain” in Tehran: Toxic “black rain” was reported in the Iranian capital, attributed to the fallout from recent Israeli airstrikes on fuel and chemical depots.
Defence
- South Block Conversion: The Ministry of Defence began preparations to relocate from the historic South Block to make way for its conversion into a part of the new National Museum.
- Kavach 4.0 Success: The indigenous train protection system Kavach 4.0 was successfully commissioned across 1,452 route km, significantly enhancing rail safety.
- Precision Firing Exchange: The Indian and French armies conducted a specialized joint exchange focusing on precision firing and tactical maneuvers in desert terrain.
- DRDO & Navy Test: Successful release trials of the indigenous Air Droppable Container ‘ADC-150’ were conducted
Sports
- World Para Athletics Grand Prix: India dominated Day 1 in New Delhi with a clean sweep in the Men’s High Jump (T42)—Shailesh Kumar won gold (1.84m). Preeti Pal also secured gold in the Women’s 100m (T35/T37).
- IPL 2026 Schedule: The BCCI officially announced the first phase of the IPL 2026 schedule (March 28 – April 12). Defending champions RCB will host SRH in the season opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
- Anant Rana completed the full Ironman New Zealand
Global Observance
- World Kidney Day: Observed with the theme “Kidney Health for All,” emphasizing equitable access to care and optimal medication practice.
- Mauritius Day: India extended greetings to Mauritius on its National Day, celebrating the strong cultural and strategic bond between the two nations.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- National: The Supreme Court ruled that parental income cannot be the sole factor for determining the “creamy layer” among OBCs.
- Telangana: Shiv Pratap Shukla was appointed as the 5th Governor of Telangana.
- Maharashtra: CM Devendra Fadnavis stated the state is on track to become India’s first $1 trillion sub-national economy.
- Rajasthan: Archaeologists in Jhunjhunu uncovered ancient artifacts at Ridh Ka Tila, dating back to the 10th century.
- Karnataka: Mandya authorities launched a toll-free number (1967) to report LPG supply issues and black marketing.
- Health: A new study revealed India ranks second globally in childhood obesity, trailing only China.
- Tamilnadu– Airport Upgradation: Madurai Airport (Tamil Nadu) has been granted international airport status.
- Jal Jeevan Mission: The Cabinet approved the extension of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to December 2028 and the launch of JJM 2.0.
- Passive Euthanasia: The Supreme Court of India permitted passive euthanasia for a patient in a long-term coma, setting a legal precedent.
