Daily Current Affairs and GK | 4 and 5 March 2026

Topic: National News

1. Pralhad Joshi stated that the government plans to reduce India's logistics costs to 10 percent by 2030 to support the country's development.

• Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi made this statement while addressing the 70th Foundation Day celebrations of the Central Warehousing Corporation in New Delhi.
• Joshi emphasized that the warehousing and logistics sector is a key driver of the country's economic progress.
• He emphasized that the Indian warehousing market will grow at an annual growth rate of approximately 15 percent.
• The sector is expected to reach a valuation of approximately US$35 billion by 2027.
• He attributed this projected growth to the rapid growth of e-commerce and the expansion of organized retail.
• He praised the CWC for its contribution to the logistics ecosystem.
• The Corporation currently operates 953 warehouses across the country.
• These facilities together offer a storage capacity of 16.1 million metric tons.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

2. An international team of ichthyologists from Europe, the United States, and India has discovered a new fish species, the Gitchak nakana, in Northeast India.

• This species lives in underground aquifers. It is the first phreatobitic fish reported from this region of Asia.
• It is also the first previously unknown underground creature identified in Northeast India.
• The discovery was published in Scientific Reports on February 26.
• This species is unique. The fish lacks a skull roof. Its brain is covered only by skin.
• Many underground species are found in caves. Some species have adapted to other hidden habitats, such as aquifers.
• Aquifers are underground water systems. They host many invertebrates and some fish species.
• More than 300 underground fish species are known worldwide.
• Less than 10 percent of them are found in aquifers.
• The blind loach was discovered in a dug well in Assam, India.
• It shows special adaptations for underground life. These adaptations are known as troglomorphic traits.
• The genus name comes from the Garo word "gitchak," meaning red. This refers to the fish's bright red color.
• The species name is derived from the Garo words "na tok," meaning fish, and "kana," meaning blind.
• The name refers to the species' lack of eyes.

Topic: Important Days

3. The Geological Survey of India celebrated its 176th Foundation Day on March 4, 2026.

• This anniversary reflects the Institution's long-standing contribution to India's geological and scientific development.
• The commemorative event was held in Hyderabad.
• Additional Director General and Southern Region Head Vijay V. Mughal praised the Organization's achievements in mineral exploration.
• Former Director General M. Sridhar spoke about the Institution's historical evolution.
• The Organization is considered the second oldest geological institution in the world.
• It continues to play a vital role in strengthening geoscientific research and resource development in India.
• The Geological Survey of India was established in 1851 and falls under the Ministry of Mines. Its headquarters are in Kolkata.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) has signed an MoU with the University of Saskatchewan.

• The agreement aims to promote academic collaboration.
• It also focuses on strengthening joint research in food science and related areas.
• The MoU was formally signed by NIFTEM-K Director Harinder Singh Oberoi.
• It was also signed by Baljit Singh, Vice President of the University of Saskatchewan.
• NIFTEM-K operates under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
• The University of Saskatchewan is located in Saskatoon, Canada.
• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries emphasized the role of this agreement in strengthening agri-food cooperation between India and Canada.
• The agreement will be valid for five years. The two institutions will jointly design online teaching programs.
• They will also develop training courses related to food science and technology.
• This collaboration will include work in food systems economics. It will also support programs related to business and entrepreneurship development.
• The agreement promotes short-term academic exchange programs.
• These exchanges will involve faculty members, researchers, and students.
• The initiative aims to share and showcase global best practices in food processing and innovation.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

5. The Unique Identification Authority of India has conducted biometric update activities in over 103,000 schools across India.

• This initiative involved schools in various regions of the country.
• This helped approximately 12 million students complete their required biometric updates.
• This update is mandatory for children enrolled under Aadhaar.
• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology provided details about the program.
• The ministry stated that the process was conducted on school campuses.
• This arrangement simplified the update process for students.
• Students did not need to visit Aadhaar enrollment centers.
• Currently, approximately 4,000 biometric devices are being used for this purpose.
• These machines are helping authorities carry out updates on a large scale.
• UIDAI launched this mission-mode biometric update campaign in September last year. This program specifically targets school children.

Topic: Defence

6. The Ministry of Defense has signed defense procurement contracts worth ₹5,083 crore.

• These agreements include the purchase of helicopters and missile systems for India's maritime forces.
• The contracts were signed in New Delhi in the presence of Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• One contract involves the purchase of six HAL Advanced Light Helicopter Mk III helicopters.
• These helicopters are designed for maritime operations and will be inducted into the Indian Coast Guard.
• The helicopter contract is valued at ₹2,901 crore and includes operational mission equipment for the aircraft.
• The agreement was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• The helicopters are powered by twin engines and feature modern avionics and advanced operational features.
• The helicopters can operate from shore airfields and can also operate from ships deployed at sea.
• Their induction will strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard.
• Another contract involves the purchase of the Shtil surface-to-air missile system. These missiles will be used by the Indian Navy. The value of this missile contract is ₹2,182 crore.
• This agreement was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. The Indian Army and the Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department of Ladakh signed an MoU.

• The agreement aims to strengthen wildlife conservation in the region. The MoU was signed on World Wildlife Day.
• This initiative focuses on protecting Ladakh's fragile ecology.
• It aims to conserve high-altitude wildlife species and their habitats.
• These species include the snow leopard, Himalayan wolf, Bharal, ibex, marmot, black-necked crane, and their habitats under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Forum.
• The Ministry of Defence stated that this MoU promotes environmental protection.
• It also supports sustainable development in Ladakh's high-altitude ecosystems.
• This initiative emphasizes balancing defense responsibilities with the protection of local flora and fauna.
• A Joint Snow Leopard Conservation Cell will be set up to oversee conservation activities.

Topic: Personality in News

8. Narendra Modi has surpassed 30 million subscribers on YouTube.

• He is currently the most followed world leader on the platform.
• Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is second with over 6 million subscribers.
• PM Modi has more than seven times the number of YouTube subscribers as US President Donald Trump.
• PM Modi has also become the most followed world leader on Instagram with 100 million followers.
• He is the first world leader and politician to reach this milestone on Instagram.
• His Instagram followers are more than double those of US President Donald Trump.
• The next five top world leaders have fewer followers combined than PM Modi alone.
• On Instagram, US President Donald Trump is second with 43.2 million followers.
• Among Indian leaders, Yogi Adityanath is second with approximately 16.1 million followers.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

9. The Indian women's cricket team has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award.

• This nomination comes after their first ICC Women's World Cup win.
• Laureus Sport has confirmed the nomination. They are the first women's cricket team to be selected for this award.
• This recognition highlights their outstanding performance at the 2025 Women's World Cup.
• The team achieved the highest successful run chase in women's ODI history.
• This record was set during their semi-final win against the Australia women's cricket team.
• The team is captained by Harmanpreet Kaur.
• The Indian women's team has been nominated alongside other top international teams.
• These include the England women's football team, Paris Saint-Germain of the French Football League, and McLaren Formula One.
• This nomination adds the women's team to the list of renowned Indian athletes nominated for the main Laureus categories.
• These include Vinesh Phogat, Neeraj Chopra and Rishabh Pant.

Topic: Important Days

10. National Safety Day: 4 March

• National Safety Day is celebrated every year on March 4th.
• This day is celebrated to promote safety in industries and create a culture of accident prevention.
• This day was first celebrated in 1972 on the foundation day of the National Safety Council.
• This year, India is celebrating the 55th National Safety Week under the theme “Engage, Educate, and Empower People to Enhance Safety.”
• The National Safety Council of India organizes the National Safety Day Campaign. This campaign celebrates its foundation day on March 4, 1966.
• National Safety Council (NSC):
  • It was established on March 4, 1966, by the Ministry of Labor and Employment as a self-financing non-governing body.
  • In 2000, the NSC was established as a public trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950.
  • It is headquartered in Navi Mumbai. It was established to create and implement a voluntary routine in the areas of safety, health and environment.