Daily Current Affairs Quiz 24th March 2026 Check Important Questions Here

Practice Current Affairs Quiz to stay updated with national, international, economic, and banking news. This quiz is based on the previous day’s current affairs and is designed to boost your exam readiness, improve speed and accuracy, strengthen memory, and build confidence for competitive exams and interviews.

Daily Current Affairs: 24 March 2026

Q1. As per the provisional data released for February 2026, the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a growth rate of __________ per cent compared to the same month in the previous year.

(a) 4.7%

(b) 2.9%

(c) 2.3%

(d) 3.5%

(e) 4.1%

Answer: c

Solution:

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a growth of 2.3% (provisional) in February 2026 compared to February 2025.

The sectors that showed positive growth in February 2026 include Cement, Steel, Fertilizers, Coal, and Electricity.

The ICI tracks the performance of eight core industries, namely Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, and Electricity.

These eight industries together account for 40.27% weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).

The final growth rate for January 2026 was recorded at 4.7%.

The cumulative growth of ICI during April to February 2025–26 stood at 2.9% (provisional) compared to the same period of the previous year.

The ICI serves as a key indicator of industrial performance and overall economic activity in the country.

Q2. The Government of India has introduced Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 to enhance credit flow to small borrowers through NBFC-MFIs and MFIs. What is the maximum guarantee coverage provided for small NBFC-MFIs?

(a) 70%

(b) 75%

(c) 90%

(d) 85%

(e) 80%

Answer: e

Solution:

• The Government of India has launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0).
• The scheme aims to provide credit guarantee cover to Banks and Financial Institutions (FIs) through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
• It covers expected losses on loans extended to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs, which further lend to small borrowers.
• Eligible borrowers include existing and new small borrowers as per the RBI’s definition of microfinance.
• Guarantee coverage under the scheme is:
  • 80% for small NBFC-MFIs/MFIs
  • 75% for medium NBFC-MFIs/MFIs
  • 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs
• The guarantee fee is 0.50% per annum, charged on the sanctioned amount in the first year and on the outstanding amount thereafter.
• The interest rate on loans provided by member lending institutions (MLIs) to NBFC-MFIs/MFIs is capped at EBLR or MCLR + 2% per annum.
• For on-lending to small borrowers, MFIs must keep the interest rate at least 1% below their average lending rate of the previous six months.
• The scheme will remain valid till 30 June 2026 or until guarantees worth ₹20,000 crore are issued, whichever is earlier.
• The initiative aims to enhance credit flow to the microfinance sector, support financial inclusion, and strengthen access to affordable credit for small borrowers.

Q3. Under the recently notified Environment Audit Rules, 2025, which autonomous organization has been designated as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) to manage the national audit framework in March, 2026?

(a) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

(b) National Productivity Council (NPC)

(c) Quality Council of India (QCI)

(d) National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI)

(e) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Answer: b

Solution:

• The National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous body under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Under this agreement, NPC has been designated as the Environment Audit Designated Agency (EADA) in accordance with the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, notified on 29 August 2025.
• NPC will be responsible for the overall management of the environmental audit framework in the country.
• Its responsibilities include developing eligibility criteria, conducting certification examinations, registering auditors, monitoring their performance, and undertaking capacity-building initiatives.
• It will also support compliance with regulatory approvals like Environmental Clearance (EC), Consent to Establish (CTE), and Consent to Operate (CTO).
• As the designated agency, NPC will carry out certification and registration of Certified Environmental Auditors (CEA) and Registered Environmental Auditors (REA).
• NPC will also develop and manage digital systems for environmental audit processes.
• Additionally, it will organise training programmes, workshops, and awareness initiatives to support effective implementation.
• The initiative aims to enhance environmental compliance, improve transparency, and institutionalise standardised environmental auditing practices across India.

Q4. In March, 2026, in a historic achievement in competitive swimming, an Australian swimmer broke a long-standing world record in the men’s 50m freestyle event during an international meet in China. Who achieved this feat?

(a) Kyle Chalmers

(b) Cameron McEvoy

(c) Adam Peaty

(d) Caeleb Dressel

(e) Sun Yang

Answer: b

Solution:

• Australian swimmer Cameron McEvoy, an Olympic and world champion, has broken the men’s 50-metre freestyle world record.
• He clocked a time of 20.88 seconds at the China Open in Shenzhen.
• This performance surpassed the previous record of 20.91 seconds, set by Brazil’s César Cielo in 2009.
• McEvoy improved the record by 0.03 seconds, ending a 17-year-long record.
• The earlier record was achieved during the “super suit era”, when high-tech swimsuits enhanced performance.
• These suits increased buoyancy and reduced drag, leading to a surge in world records.
• Due to their performance-enhancing effects, super suits were banned in 2010.
• McEvoy’s achievement is significant as it sets a new benchmark in the post–super suit era.

Q5. The International Conference on Carbon Markets, titled “Prakriti 2026,” was recently inaugurated in New Delhi. Which statutory body under the Ministry of Power is the primary organizer of this flagship event?

(a) Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

(b) Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

(c) Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)

(d) Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL)

(e) National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)

Answer: a

Solution:

• The International Conference on Carbon Markets – Prakriti 2026 is being held on 21–22 March 2026 in New Delhi.
• It is a flagship event of the Government of India, organised by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the patronage of the Ministry of Power and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• The conference is organised as part of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026.
• It serves as a high-level platform for policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and international experts to discuss the evolving carbon markets and their role in climate action.
• The conference focuses on opportunities for India’s green growth and sustainable development.
• The theme for Prakriti 2026 is: “Unlocking Carbon Finance for NDC Implementation through Global Partnerships and Digital Pathways.”
• During the event, the Indian Carbon Market Portal (www.indiancarbonmarket.gov.in) was launched.
• The portal will act as a central platform for implementing and managing the Indian Carbon Market.
• It was launched by Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal, along with Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik and other dignitaries.