Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 16 March 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 16 March 2026
On March 16, 2026, global attention focused on the escalating Iran War and its economic impact, while India witnessed major election announcements and energy security measures.
National
• Assembly Elections 2026: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced election dates for five assemblies. Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will vote in one phase, while West Bengal will vote in two phases (April 23 & 29). Counting will take place on May 4.
• Rajya Sabha Elections: Voting was held for 37 seats across 10 states. The BJP shifted Odisha MLAs to Paradip to prevent cross-voting, while Bihar witnessed missing INDIA bloc MLAs.
• Passive Euthanasia Ruling: The Supreme Court allowed passive euthanasia for a man in a vegetative state for 13 years, reaffirming the right to die with dignity.
• GDP Growth Projection: The RBI raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7.2% for FY 2025-26, citing strong manufacturing and consumer demand.
• Sujal Gaon ID: The Ministry of Jal Shakti launched Sujal Gaon ID under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 to digitally map rural water supply schemes across 31 states and UTs.
• Gyan Bharatam Mission: A three-month nationwide survey was launched to document India’s manuscript heritage, estimated at around one crore manuscripts.
International Affairs
• Jaishankar in Brussels: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met EU leaders to discuss the Iran conflict and a “Black Sea-type corridor” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
• Sangita Kalanidhi Award: Veena maestro Jayanthi Kumaresh was selected for the Sangita Kalanidhi award at the Music Academy’s 100th conference.
• Iranian Missile Deployment: Iran reportedly used the Sejjil ballistic missile for the first time in active combat.
Global Geopolitical Crisis
• Iran War Escalation: The conflict entered its third week. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed strikes destroyed Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil hub.
• Hormuz Blockade: Iran’s leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed, while the UN and EU proposed a safe corridor for global energy transit.
• Casualty Reports: Human rights groups reported over 3,000 deaths, including 1,351 civilians, since the strikes began.
Defence
• Indian Navy Escort: Satellite images confirmed the Indian Navy escorting LPG tankers in the Arabian Sea to secure energy supply.
• Agni-3 Missile Test: The Strategic Forces Command successfully tested the Agni-3 ballistic missile (3,000 km range) from Odisha.
• Indigenous TAVR System: S3V Vascular launched India’s first balloon-expandable TAVR system, reducing cardiac treatment costs.
Science & Technology
• NavIC Satellite Issue: ISRO reported failure of one IRNSS (NavIC) satellite, affecting India’s indigenous navigation system.
• Proton Accelerator Facility: The government approved a proton accelerator research facility in Visakhapatnam.
• Glacier Flash Flood Risk: ISRO scientists warned that melting glacier ice patches increase flash-flood risks, based on studies of the Srikanta Glacier (Uttarakhand).
• New Species Discovery: Scientists discovered a new earthworm species (Drawida vazhania) in Kerala and a new catfish (Amblyceps vayavy) in the Western Ghats.
Sports
• BCCI Naman Awards: Shubman Gill and Smriti Mandhana were named Best International Cricketers (Men & Women). Gill won the Polly Umrigar Award.
• World Para Athletics Grand Prix: India topped the medal tally in New Delhi with 208 medals (75 gold).
• Mountaineering Achievement: Prof. Arpita Patra (IISc) became the second Indian woman to climb Ojos del Salado, the world’s highest volcano.
Global Observance
• National Vaccination Day (India): Observed to promote immunisation awareness.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
• Rajasthan: Passed the Disturbed Areas Bill regulating property sales in riot-prone areas.
• Andhra Pradesh: Seafood panic selling due to the collapse of West Asian export routes.
• Andaman & Nicobar: India issued NOTAM for a 650-km missile test in the Bay of Bengal.
• Electricity Rules 2026: The government notified rules to boost captive power generation.
• EdTech: upGrad announced the acquisition of Unacademy in an all-stock deal.
