Daily Current Affairs and GK | 31 March 2026

Topic: National News

1. Despite ongoing regional tensions, two Indian-flagged LPG carrier vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz.

• These vessels are carrying a combined cargo of 94,000 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
• The vessels are named BW TYR and BW ELM, and they are currently en route to India.
• The BW TYR is scheduled to arrive in Mumbai on March 31. The BW ELM is expected to reach New Mangalore.
• Its estimated date of arrival is April 1.
• Due to ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran, maritime traffic through this strait has been severely disrupted.
• The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for the global transportation of oil and gas, connecting energy supplies from the Gulf region to international markets.
• Prior to this, four other Indian LPG tankers had also safely transited the strait.
• The vessels named Pine Gas and Jag Vasant delivered over 92,000 tonnes of LPG between March 26 and March 28.
• Two other vessels, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, had arrived earlier in March, carrying approximately 92,700 tonnes of LPG.
• These consignments arrived at the port of Mundra in Gujarat on March 16 and at the port of Kandla on March 17.

Topic: Sports

2. Pramod Bhagat won gold and two silver medals at Spanish Para Badminton International 2026.

• Pramod Bhagat has won one gold and two silver medals at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2026 – Level 1 in Toledo.
• The gold medal has been secured in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category along with Manisha Ramdass.
• The match has been won against fellow Indians Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan with a score of 21-15, 24-22.
• A silver medal has been obtained in the men’s singles SL3 category after losing in the final.
• Another silver medal has been secured in the men’s doubles SL3-SU5 event with Sukant Kadam.
• The tournament witnessed strong performances by Indian players across multiple categories.
• Nitesh Kumar secured gold in men’s singles SL3 category during the competition.
• Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan won gold in women’s doubles SL3-SU5.
• Thulasimathi Murugesan also clinched gold in women’s singles SU5 category.

Topic: State News/Gujarat

3. New Projects and Initiatives launched during Prime Minister’s Gujarat Visit.

• On March 31, PM Narendra Modi made a day-long visit to Gujarat, during which he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of several major projects across different sectors.
• The Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar inaugurated on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, and it will be showcased as a centre preserving India’s civilizational heritage.
• Rare relics, Jain artefacts, manuscripts, paintings, and traditional collections are being displayed in seven galleries, highlighting rich cultural traditions.
• The Kaynes Semicon Plant at Sanand also inaugurated, and commercial production at the facility commenced, marking progress in semiconductor manufacturing.
• Indigenous semiconductor packaging capacity will be strengthened through this facility, addressing critical gaps in India’s chip ecosystem.
• Development projects worth over 20 thousand crore rupees inaugurated, dedicated, and their foundation stones laid in Vav-Tharad.
• The Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, built at a cost of over 5,100 crore rupees, inaugurated to improve connectivity and industrial growth.
• Road infrastructure will be enhanced through projects like the Idar-Badoli bypass and NH-754K upgradation to paved shoulder carriageways.
• Renewable energy transmission will be strengthened through projects like Khavda Pooling Station-2 for evacuation of 4.5 GW power.
• Rail projects including doubling and quadrupling of key sections will be dedicated to improve rail capacity, efficiency, and faster movement of passengers and goods.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. An MoU signed to strengthen aviation training and workforce development.

• An MoU between Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) has been signed to train youth in various aviation-related fields.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of key ministers, and it has been aimed at building a skilled aviation workforce for the future.
• Training in Aviation Engineering and Aviation Management will be provided to enhance professional capabilities in the sector.
• The initiative is being considered as a transformative step for strengthening the aviation ecosystem in the country.
• Significant growth in the aviation sector has been highlighted, especially under recent government initiatives.
• The importance of developing an aviation manufacturing ecosystem has been emphasised as a future priority.
• Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities have been increased significantly from around 160 to over 240 in recent years.
• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya has been recognised for building collaborations with industry partners to produce job-ready professionals.
• A proposal for establishing a centre of excellence for precision manufacturing engineering has been highlighted.

Topic: State News/Mizoram

5. A remarkable milestone of 100 voluntary blood donations achieved by Pu PC Lalchuangkima from Champhai in Mizoram.

• This achievement is being recognised as one of the highest numbers of blood donations by an individual in the state.
• His contribution has been acknowledged as a strong example of long-term dedication and commitment to community service.
• The milestone reflects sustained discipline and a deep sense of responsibility towards saving lives.
• Formal recognition has been given by the Champhai District Association for Voluntary Blood Donation.
• The role of local organisations in promoting voluntary blood donation has been highlighted through this recognition.
• Such achievements are being seen as inspirational for encouraging more individuals to participate in regular blood donation.

Topic: Space and IT

6. Final preparations complete for NASA's Artemis II mission.

• NASA has completed final preparations for the Artemis II mission, and it is planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center on April 1.
• The mission will be conducted as the first crewed flight under the Artemis programme, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
• A crewed journey around the Moon lasting approximately 10 days will be undertaken by four astronauts.
• This mission will mark the first human travel beyond low-Earth orbit since the Apollo missions.
• The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
• The mission will be launched using the Space Launch System rocket, along with testing of the Orion spacecraft.
• Life-support systems will be tested with humans onboard for the first time under this programme.
• Critical systems including emergency response, radiation protection, and communication technologies will be evaluated.
• Advanced communication such as laser-based data transmission will also be tested during the mission.
• The Artemis programme is aimed at establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon and preparing for future Mars missions.

Topic: National News

7. India will begin its 16th population census on April 1, 2027.

• It will be the 8th census conducted after Independence. The announcement was made in New Delhi by Registrar General and Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan.
• The census will take place in two phases. The first phase will include house listing. It will also include a self-enumeration option for citizens.
• People can fill in their details themselves using this facility. The self-enumeration window will last for 15 days.
• It will be scheduled between April 1 and August 31. The exact dates will vary by state and union territory.
• After this, house listing operations will begin. These will be carried out for 30 days.
• The process will continue until September 30. The self-enumeration portal will support 16 languages.
• Questions for the first phase are already finalized. Questions for the second phase will be released later.
• Caste data will be collected in the second phase. The census will use digital methods for data collection.
• Data will be gathered through a mobile application. A web-based portal will manage census activities.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. The CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research has signed a MoU with the Science City of Andhra Pradesh.

• The agreement focuses on improving science communication. It also aims to promote joint research activities.
• The collaboration covers science, technology, and innovation policy.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted the purpose of the MoU.
• It stated that the partnership will support evidence-based policymaking.
• It will also help spread scientific awareness among the public.
• Various outreach programs will be conducted for this purpose.
• The collaboration includes research-based initiatives. It also includes training programs.

Topic: Banking/Finance

9. The Government shared an update on banking access in villages and said 99.92% of villages have banking outlets nearby.

• These outlets are available within a 5-kilometre distance.
• Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary provided the details.
• He said full coverage has been achieved in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
• All villages there have access to banking outlets. These are within the 5-kilometre range.
• The Government aims to cover all inhabited villages. It wants banking services available within 5 kilometres everywhere.
• There are still challenges in expanding banking infrastructure.
• Poor connectivity is one major issue. Limited infrastructure also creates problems.
• There is also a shortage of suitable premises for outlets.

Topic: Sports

10. Sheetal Devi has been awarded the ‘Para Archer of the Year 2025’ title by World Archery.

• She is a 19-year-old athlete from Jammu and Kashmir.
• She made history as the first female armless archer to win a gold medal at the World Para Archery Championships.
• She secured the top position in the women’s compound individual event in Gwangju last year.
• At the same championship, she also earned a silver medal in the women’s team event.
• She won a bronze medal in the mixed team category as well.
• She also won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in the mixed team event.
• She has earned silver medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games.
• She also secured a silver at the 2023 Asian Championships held in Bangkok.
• The World Archery Awards were first introduced in 2011. These awards recognize exceptional performance and contributions in archery.
• They celebrate top athletes from the international archery season.
• In 2025, awards were given in eight different categories. Emircan Haney won the ‘Archer of the Year’ award.
• Baptiste Addis received the ‘Young Archer of the Year’ title. Korea’s recurve men’s team was named ‘Best Team of the Year’.