Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 2 March 2026, Daily Roundup
2 March 2026
The global landscape on 2 March 2026 is dominated by the fallout from the unprecedented strikes in Iran, while India balances domestic reforms with a major push for advanced air defence and strategic diplomacy.
Current Affairs for Competitive Exams
National
- India’s First Amorphous Metal Plant: The government announced the establishment of India’s first amorphous metal plant. This “Atmanirbhar Bharat” milestone is set to revolutionise energy efficiency in the power sector by significantly reducing transformer energy losses.
- Rajasthan Repeals Two-Child Norm: In a significant policy shift, the Rajasthan government scrapped the “two-child norm” for local body elections. Candidates with more than two children are now eligible to contest, marking a major change in the state’s Panchayati Raj regulations.
- AI and Gender Empowerment: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with UN Women, launched the “AI and Gender Empowerment Case Book” at the India AI Impact Summit, focusing on inclusive AI frameworks.
- Celestial Event: India prepared for a rare Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) occurring between March 2 and 3, coinciding with the week of Holi—a rare alignment not seen in nearly 100 years.
International Relations & Security
- India-Canada Defence Dialogue: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Canadian PM Mark Carney launched the first-ever “India-Canada Defence Dialogue.” Key agreements include long-term uranium supply and a target to reach $50 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
- Aviation Crisis in the Gulf: Indian airlines (IndiGo, Air India) cancelled over 350 flights to the Gulf region on March 2 due to the escalating conflict. Air India has begun rerouting North American and European flights to avoid Middle Eastern airspace, leading to longer flight times.
- Evacuation Planning: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reportedly begun reviewing contingency plans for the evacuation of over 9 million Indians currently in the Gulf and Israel as the regional war intensifies.
Global Geopolitical Crisis
- Post-Khamenei Iran: Following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, the U.S. and Israel have intensified their “Decapitation Campaign,” reportedly targeting 49 senior Iranian leaders.
- Energy Shock: Brent crude prices surged by nearly 10% on Monday, reaching roughly $79–$80 per barrel, with analysts warning of a spike to $100 if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
- Strategic Vulnerability: India’s high dependency on the Gulf for 80–85% of its LPG needs has become a top security concern, as the country lacks significant strategic reserves for gas compared to crude oil.
Sports
- T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Lineup: Following India’s victory over West Indies on March 1, the ICC officially confirmed the semifinal schedule:
- Semi-Final 1: South Africa vs. New Zealand (March 4, Eden Gardens).
- Semi-Final 2: India vs. England (March 5, Wankhede Stadium).
Defence
- S-400 “Sudarshan” Expansion: India is fast-tracking the procurement of five additional squadrons of the Russian S-400 Sudarshan air defence system. This follows the system’s success in “Operation Sindoor”
- Project Kusha: The DRDO has ramped up work on Project Kusha, India’s indigenous long-range air defence system, intended to provide a three-layered shield similar to Israel’s multi-layered defence.
- Strategic Strikes: Satellite imagery from March 2 confirmed damage to Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Site following fresh strikes, with Tehran vowing to rebuild.
Global Observance
- World Wildlife Day (observed March 2/3): Focused on digital innovation in wildlife conservation.
- International Day for Disarmament Awareness: Highlighting the need for non-proliferation amidst the escalating West Asian conflict.
- World Teen Mental Wellness Day: A global focus on adolescent mental health challenges.
Miscellaneous– Current Affairs
Current Affairs-National
- Health: The Union Government rolled out a nationwide HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls to combat cervical cancer.
- Environment: Varanasi set a Guinness World Record by planting 2.5 lakh saplings in one hour using the Miyawaki method.
- Law: The Supreme Court passed a landmark verdict classifying digital privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
- Economy: The RBI upgraded India’s FY 2025-26 GDP growth forecast to 7.2% due to robust manufacturing and rural demand.
- Connectivity: India and the Philippines held their 2nd Maritime Dialogue in Delhi to boost Indo-Pacific security cooperation.
Current Affairs-State-Specific
- Delhi: President Murmu launched the “Saheli Pink Smart Card” and “Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana” for women’s welfare.
- Bihar: The Home Ministry officially declared Bihar “Naxal-Free” following the final surrender of armed insurgents.
- Rajasthan: The state government repealed the “two-child norm” for candidates contesting local body elections.
- Tamil Nadu: PM Modi inaugurated major industrial and transport infrastructure projects in Madurai to boost regional logistics.
