Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (24th March 2026)

International News

Inside the Global Terrorism Index 2026: Key Changes Explained

• The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025 highlights a complex global picture where terrorism persists as a serious threat despite a 28% decline in deaths (5,582) and a 22% drop in incidents (2,944), indicating both progress and continuing risks worldwide.
• The report, based on four key indicators—incidents, deaths, injuries, and hostages—shows improvements in 81 countries, but also reveals that terrorism is becoming more concentrated, with the Sahel region emerging as the global hotspot.
• Countries like Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are among the most affected, together accounting for nearly 70% of global terrorism deaths, with groups like the Islamic State and Al-Shabaab remaining major threats.
• The report also highlights concerns such as youth radicalization, cross-border terrorism, and the shift of activity from the Middle East to Africa, with India ranking 13th, reflecting both regional challenges and relative stability compared to heavily affected nations.

WMO Warns Earth’s Climate Is “Flashing Red” in 2026

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that Earth’s climate system is “flashing red” in 2026 due to accelerating global warming, with a record-high energy imbalance indicating more heat is being trapped than released, driving extreme weather and environmental damage.
• This energy imbalance—caused by rising greenhouse gases—has reached a 65-year high, with over 90% of excess heat absorbed by oceans, leading to rapid warming, climate instability, and long-term impacts even if emissions are reduced.
• Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are at historic levels, intensifying global warming, while melting ice in Greenland and Antarctica is accelerating sea-level rise, increasing risks of flooding and coastal damage.

State News

Musi River Rejuvenation Project Explained: Key Plans and Impact

• The Musi River Rejuvenation Project has been announced by the Telangana Government, with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy confirming the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee to oversee the project and transform Hyderabad’s urban landscape.
• The committee, led by Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka along with ministers like Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar, will focus on river restoration, environmental protection, and sustainable urban development.
• The government has assured proper rehabilitation and resettlement for families affected by the project, emphasizing that no one will be left homeless and encouraging inputs from stakeholders for inclusive planning.
• Alongside river rejuvenation, plans include expansion of the Hyderabad Metro Rail and infrastructure projects like the Begumpet underpass to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity across the city.

Gujarat Digitises 20 Citizen Services Under Sugam Digital Initiative

• The Sugam Digital Gujarat Initiative, launched on March 23, 2026 by the Gujarat Government under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, aims to deliver faceless, cashless, and paperless governance through the Digital Gujarat portal.
• The initiative digitizes 20 high-demand services across departments like Social Justice, Food and Civil Supplies, Revenue, Tribal Development, and Legal, enabling citizens to access services such as certificates, ration card updates, and affidavits online.
• It integrates technologies like Aadhaar authentication, DigiLocker, eSign, UPI payments, API verification, QR-based certificates, and WhatsApp services to ensure transparency, efficiency, and ease of access.

GHADC Amendment 2026 Explained: Only ST Can Contest Garo Hills Council Elections?

• The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya has passed an amendment making a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate mandatory to contest council elections, as announced on March 24, 2026 by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
• This amendment requires candidates to belong to recognized Scheduled Tribes of Meghalaya, thereby restricting non-tribal residents from contesting elections and reinforcing the tribal character of the council.
• The move follows tensions triggered by a non-tribal candidate’s nomination attempt, earlier struck down by the Meghalaya High Court due to procedural issues, prompting the government to bring a proper legislative amendment.

Rekha Gupta Unveils Delhi’s Green Budget 2026 to Tackle Rising Pollution

• The Delhi Budget 2026-27 was presented by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on March 24, 2026, with a total outlay of ₹1,03,700 crore, marking a 3.7% increase and positioning it as a “Green Budget” focused on sustainability and pollution control.
• A key highlight is the strong environmental push, with 21% of the budget allocated to green initiatives aimed at tackling air pollution and promoting eco-friendly development across sectors.
• Major allocations include ₹19,148 crore for education, ₹12,645 crore for healthcare, ₹11,666 crore to Municipal Corporation of Delhi, ₹9,000 crore to the Delhi Jal Board, and ₹5,921 crore for infrastructure via the Public Works Department.

International News

Why Donald Trump Paused Iran Strikes: Key Developments Explained

• Donald Trump announced on March 23, 2026 that the United States will postpone certain military strikes against Iran as both nations engage in negotiations, signaling a possible shift toward de-escalation after weeks of conflict.
• The tensions, involving U.S.-Israeli military actions and Iranian responses, had raised global concerns, especially over potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy supply.
• Trump described the ongoing discussions as “productive,” with talks continuing, indicating a strategic move to prioritize diplomacy over further military escalation.
• Following the announcement, global markets responded positively, with falling oil prices and renewed optimism, highlighting the broader geopolitical importance of peaceful negotiations in stabilizing the Middle East and global economy.

Banking News

How Karnataka Grameena Bank Won National Award for SHG Linkage

• Karnataka Grameena Bank has been awarded the National Award for Outstanding Performance in SHG Bank Linkage 2024–25 by the Ministry of Rural Development, announced on March 23, 2026 during a national conference in Hyderabad.
• This prestigious recognition highlights the bank’s significant contribution to financial inclusion and rural development through the SHG-Bank Linkage Programme, supporting thousands of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), especially women, with access to credit and banking services.
• The bank has extended around ₹2,835 crore in credit to over 80,000 SHGs, empowering rural communities through livelihood opportunities, small businesses, and agricultural activities.
• Aligned with schemes like Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission and initiatives by NABARD, this achievement reinforces its role in strengthening grassroots economic growth and financial literacy in rural India.

Economy News

India Growth Forecast Cut to 5.9% in 2026: Goldman Sachs Warns of Inflation

• Goldman Sachs has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 down to 5.9%, citing global risks such as rising oil prices, supply disruptions, and geopolitical tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
• The downgrade reflects India’s vulnerability as a net oil importer, with higher crude prices increasing costs across sectors and putting pressure on consumption, investment, and overall economic growth.
• Inflation is also projected to rise to 4.6%, prompting expectations that the Reserve Bank of India may raise the repo rate by 50 basis points to control price pressures, though this could slow growth.
• Additionally, rupee depreciation around 4% in 2026 further adds to inflation and import costs, making macroeconomic stability a key challenge for policymakers in the coming year.

Awards News

Jharkhand Leader Kalpana Soren Gets International Honour – Here’s Why

• Kalpana Soren was honored with the Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award 2026 at the BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, recognizing her efforts in promoting grassroots women-led development.
• The award highlights her work in empowering women in rural and tribal areas of Jharkhand, helping them become entrepreneurs and active contributors to economic and social progress.
• She emphasized inclusive growth, stating that women are key drivers of development and must be given equal opportunities, especially those from marginalized communities.
• The summit, attended by leaders like Meenakshi Lekhi and Shabana Azmi, served as a global platform to promote women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.

Defense News

CAPF Bill 2026 Explained: How Government Plans to Strengthen IPS Control in Paramilitary Forces

• The proposed Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 aims to formalize leadership and administrative control in India’s paramilitary forces, ensuring that Indian Police Service (IPS) officers continue to hold top positions in forces like Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Sashastra Seema Bal.
• The bill seeks to strengthen the existing deputation system by giving it a clear legal framework, reversing earlier efforts and court directions that encouraged greater promotion of internal CAPF cadre officers to leadership roles.
• While the government argues that IPS officers bring coordination, administrative experience, and stronger internal security management, the proposal has sparked debate over career growth, promotion opportunities, and morale within CAPFs.

Ranks & Reports News

Top 10 Self-Made Women Billionaires 2026: Powerful Women Redefining Global Business

• The Hurun Global Rich List 2026 highlights a sharp rise in self-made women billionaires, with their number reaching 150 globally and combined wealth touching $470 billion, reflecting growing leadership and entrepreneurship among women.
• Top names include Diane Hendricks leading with $24 billion, followed by China’s Zhong Huijuan and Zhou Qunfei, with China dominating the list by contributing over half of the global self-made women billionaires.
• India also made a strong mark with entrepreneurs like Radha Vembu, Falguni Nayar, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw gaining global recognition for their success in technology, retail, and biotech sectors.
• Overall, the report shows that women-led wealth has grown significantly, driven by sectors like tech, healthcare, and retail, signaling a powerful shift toward inclusive global economic growth.

Science & Technology News

IVRI Produces Sahiwal Calves Using Advanced OPU-IVF-ET Technology

• The Indian Veterinary Research Institute achieved a major milestone by producing Sahiwal cattle calves using advanced OPU–IVF–ET technology, marking its first successful use and highlighting India’s progress in livestock science.
• Scientists at IVRI, under Indian Council of Agricultural Research, used Ovum Pick-Up, In Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Transfer to rapidly produce five healthy calves within days, showcasing faster and more efficient breeding compared to traditional methods.
• This breakthrough enables multiplication of superior genetic traits like higher milk yield, disease resistance, and adaptability, while also helping conserve indigenous breeds such as Sahiwal.
• The achievement strengthens India’s livestock sector by improving productivity, supporting farmers, and promoting sustainable dairy development through advanced reproductive technologies.

Sports News

India Open 2026 Final: Anahat Singh Defeats Hana Moataz 3-1

• Anahat Singh won the JSW Indian Open 2026, securing her second consecutive title by defeating Hana Moataz in the final on March 22, 2026.
• She delivered a dominant performance with a scoreline of 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6, showcasing sharp skills, strong mental resilience, and the ability to overcome a higher-ranked opponent.
• This back-to-back victory highlights her consistency and rising stature in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) circuit, marking her as one of India’s brightest young talents.
• Along with Abhay Singh winning the men’s title, the tournament reflects India’s growing presence in global squash, with Anahat emerging as a strong contender for future top-10 rankings.

Important Days News

World TB Day 2026: Date, Theme, History, Significance & Challenges

• World TB Day is observed on March 24, 2026 with the theme “Yes! We Can End TB”, highlighting the urgent global effort to eliminate tuberculosis, a disease that affected 10.7 million people and caused 1.23 million deaths in 2024 despite being preventable and treatable.
• The day commemorates Robert Koch’s 1882 discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which laid the foundation for TB diagnosis and treatment, while raising awareness about its ongoing health and economic impact worldwide.
• The 2026 theme emphasizes strong leadership, public participation, early detection, and innovation, aiming to eliminate TB by 2030 through better healthcare systems and global cooperation.

International Day for the Right to Truth 2026: Why Justice, Memory and Human Dignity Matter Globally

• The International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is observed on March 24 to highlight the importance of justice, transparency, and human dignity, emphasizing the right of victims and their families to know the truth about serious human rights violations.
• This right includes access to accurate information about events such as enforced disappearances, torture, killings, and abductions, helping societies achieve accountability, healing, and justice.
• The day commemorates Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was assassinated on March 24, 1980 for speaking against injustice, and was declared an international symbol of truth and human rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.

Current Affairs Today | 24 March 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam