Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (3rd March 2026)

National News

Central Warehousing Corporation Celebrates The 70th Foundation Day

• The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) celebrated its 70th Foundation Day on 2 March 2026 in New Delhi, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi praising its role in strengthening India’s food security and logistics.
• CWC recorded its highest-ever turnover of ₹2,776.88 crore and PBT of ₹711.60 crore in FY 2024-25, reflecting robust growth.
• The corporation, a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, provides scientific storage, integrated logistics, and supply chain services nationwide.
• Future plans include digital transformation, expansion, and a proposal to restructure CWC into a company with broader operational scope, aiming for Maharatna status.

BEE Turns 25! Power Minister Unveils BEE@25 Logo, Star Label App & RCO Portal

• The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, marking milestones in India’s energy conservation journey.
• Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled the BEE@25 logo, launched the BEE Star Label Mobile App, and introduced the RCO Portal to strengthen compliance and transparency.
• Key achievements highlighted include India’s 36% reduction in emissions intensity, 52% non-fossil fuel capacity, and efficiency focus in emerging sectors.
• The event also showcased flagship programmes like PAT, CCTS, CAFE standards, and ECSBC, reaffirming BEE’s pivotal role in promoting sustainable energy efficiency nationwide.

Debrigarh Sanctuary To Showcases Rich Wildlife in Second Indian Bison Fest

• The second edition of the Indian Bison Fest will be held on March 8, 2026, at Zeropoint, Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, celebrating the Indian bison (gaur) and promoting conservation awareness.
• The two-day festival features guided gaur safaris, night camping, stargazing, trekking, and wildlife films, offering an immersive eco-tourism experience.
• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, with a rising gaur population of 848 and strong breeding success, is emerging as a key conservation hub.
• The event highlights ongoing habitat management, grassland and wetland restoration, and population monitoring, reinforcing the sanctuary’s role in preserving gaurs and supporting sustainable wildlife tourism.

State News

Haryana Unveils ₹2.23 Lakh Crore Budget for 2026-27

• Nayab Singh Saini presented the Haryana Budget 2026–27 with an outlay of ₹2,23,658 crore, a 10.28% rise over the previous year.
• The fiscal deficit is projected at ₹40,293 crore (2.65% of GSDP), with strong emphasis on capital expenditure and long-term growth.
• Key highlights include ₹474 crore for the Haryana AI Mission to train 1 lakh youth, ₹5,715 crore for the Water Secure Haryana Project, women-focused health and employment schemes, and major agricultural incentives.
• Reforms such as the creation of Haryana Agri Discom and a ₹500 crore industrial empowerment fund aim to boost sustainability, rural development, and economic expansion.

Project HANUMAN Launched to Address Growing Human Wildlife Conflict

• Pawan Kalyan, Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has launched Project HANUMAN to address rising human-wildlife conflict across vulnerable districts.
• The initiative aims to protect rural communities while ensuring wildlife safety through a structured, long-term response system.
• Project HANUMAN focuses on rapid response teams, early warning systems, forest boundary strengthening, and data-driven wildlife monitoring.
• It also promotes coordination between forest officials and local communities, along with awareness campaigns to reduce risky behavior near forest areas.
• The move comes amid increasing incidents of elephants, leopards, and wild boars entering settlements due to habitat loss, urban expansion, climate change, and forest-edge farming pressures.

International News

India, Canada Announce Strategic Energy Partnership, Revive CEPA Talks

• During Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to India, he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a roadmap to reset ties, marking 79 years of diplomatic relations.
• The Joint Leaders’ Statement adopted “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam One Earth, One Family, One Future” as the framework for a renewed Strategic Partnership.
• Key outcomes include launching a Strategic Energy Partnership, a CAD 2.6 billion uranium supply deal between Cameco and India’s Department of Atomic Energy, and new MoUs on critical minerals and clean energy.
• Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aim to raise trade to CAD 70 billion by 2030. Cooperation also expanded across AI, space, defense, Indo-Pacific security, education, and technology.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 Outcomes: Declaration, AI Investments & Guinness Record

• The India AI Impact Summit 2026, held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16–21, brought together delegates from 100+ countries, with 6 lakh in-person attendees and 9 lakh virtual views.
• India secured a Guinness World Records title for the most AI responsibility pledges in 24 hours (2.5 lakh+ pledges) and expanded the IndiaAI Mission with over 38,000 GPUs provisioned and 20,000 more planned.
• The summit saw endorsement of the India AI Impact Declaration by 92 countries, launch of global AI governance frameworks, and announcements exceeding
• USD 200 billion in AI investments positioning India at the forefront of responsible, inclusive artificial intelligence development.

Economy News

RBI Reports Sharp Fall in India’s Current Account Deficit in 2025

• India’s external sector strengthened in 2025 as the current account deficit (CAD) fell to $30.1 billion (1% of GDP) from $36.6 billion last year, signaling improved balance of payments stability.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) surged to $3 billion, boosting investor confidence and supporting the narrowing CAD, while Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) saw net outflows of $4.3 billion amid global uncertainties.
• Foreign exchange reserves declined by $30.8 billion, reflecting RBI interventions and capital flow movements, yet remained sufficient to manage external shocks.
• Overall, trade performance, services export growth, and stable FDI inflows contributed to India’s stronger external sector in 2025.

Business News

Jio Platforms Appoints Dan Bailey as President for International Expansion

• Jio Platforms Limited has appointed telecom veteran Dan Bailey as President to lead its global expansion, signaling a strong push beyond India.
• Based in London, Bailey will report to Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, and join the Executive Committee.
• With over 35 years in consulting and investment banking, he held senior roles at Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Schroders/Citi, and chaired Deutsche Bank’s TMT practice.
• His appointment aligns with Jio’s 2026 vision to leverage its 1-billion-user digital platforms and scalable telecom infrastructure for international growth.

Appointments News

Meet Saba Shawl: The First Kashmiri Woman to Head Central Jail Srinagar

• Saba Shawl, from Peerbagh, Srinagar, is the first Kashmiri woman appointed to head Central Jail Srinagar, a high‑security facility, under the J&K Home Department’s March 2, 2026 order.
• A Master’s in Social Work, she cleared the JKPSC in 2012, earning the lone open merit post for Superintendent of Police (Prisons).
• Before joining the Prisons Department, she worked as a senior community development consultant with the Indo Global Social Service Society, gaining experience in social reform and administration.
• In the Prisons Department, she served in key roles including PRO and training coordination, and her appointment marks a breakthrough for women in uniformed services.

Defense News

B.P. Singh Assumes Charge as DG Naval Armament at Naval Headquarters

• Shri B.P. Singh assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, on March 1, 2026, succeeding Divakar Jayant.
• A 1994-batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS), he brings over 30 years of experience in armament management, procurement, logistics, and guided weapon systems support.
• An alumnus of the National Defence College (NDC-60) and a Mechanical Engineering graduate from NIT Patna, he has served in key roles at Naval Armament Depots in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Trombay, and Aluva.
• His appointment strengthens strategic leadership in ensuring operational readiness of the Indian Navy’s weapon systems.

Ranks & Reports News

Top 10 Most Popular Websites of 2026: Google & YouTube Ruled

• In 2026, global internet traffic reflects rapid digital evolution, with over 6 billion users online.
• Google leads with 94.8 billion visits, followed by YouTube, while AI-powered ChatGPT enters the top five with 5.5 billion visits.
• Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram remain strong, highlighting continued engagement.
• These trends show search, video, and AI platforms dominating usage, signaling deeper digital reliance and a growing integration of AI tools in daily life, work, education, and content creation.

Science & Technology News

Kolli Hills Gets Tamil Nadu’s First Dark Sky Park

• The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has inaugurated the state’s first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Forest, developed at ₹1 crore to protect natural night skies from light pollution.
• The park features solar-powered facilities, three advanced telescopes, eco-huts, and monthly stargazing camps, promoting scientific awareness and sustainable tourism.
• Kolli Hills elevated terrain and dense forests provide ideal conditions for clear celestial observation, making it both environmentally and scientifically significant.
• The initiative combines conservation, education, and eco-tourism, generating local livelihoods while positioning Tamil Nadu as a responsible astro-tourism destination.

Summits & Conferences News

India to Host Bharat Steel Summit in New Delhi from April 16

• India will host Bharat Steel 2026 in New Delhi on April 16–17, 2026, bringing together global leaders from steel, mining, technology, and trading sectors to shape the next-generation steel ecosystem.
• The summit aims to strengthen policy–industry collaboration and position India as a key global steel hub.
• Key focus areas include promoting green and low-carbon steel production, encouraging technological innovation, boosting international partnerships, and enhancing supply chain resilience.
• Officials have described the event as a major platform for policy-business dialogue, supporting sustainable industrial growth while reinforcing India’s ambition to expand its footprint in the global steel market.

Sports News

Raksha Khadse Announces Special Edition ASMITA Women’s Sports League 2026

• Raksha Nikhil Khadse announced a special edition of the ASMITA Women’s Sports League in New Delhi to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
• The league promotes grassroots sports participation, empowers female athletes, and identifies young talent across India.
• Competitions are organized in three age categories: under 13, 13–18, and 18+, featuring athletics events like 100m, 200m, and 400m races.
• The initiative aims to strengthen India’s sports culture, enhance confidence and leadership among girls, and provide a pathway from school-level participation to national-level competitions, reflecting the government’s commitment to gender equality in sports.

Important Days News

World Wildlife Day 2026: Why Medicinal Plants Are at the Heart of Global Conservation

• World Wildlife Day will be celebrated on March 3, 2026, highlighting global efforts to protect wild animals, plants, and biodiversity.
• The day marks the 1973 signing of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in endangered species.
• The 2026 theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” emphasizes the vital role plant species play in healthcare, cultural traditions, and rural economies.
• With up to 95% of people in developing nations relying on plant-based medicine, the campaign urges sustainable harvesting, stronger conservation policies, and action against habitat loss, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade.

Obituaries News

Six-Time MP KP Unnikrishnan Passes Away at 89: A Political Era Ends

• Veteran Congress leader K. P. Unnikrishnan passed away at 89 in Kozhikode, Kerala, while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments. A six-time Lok Sabha MP from Vadakara (1971–1991), he was a prominent national figure during the 1980s and 1990s.
• He served as Union Minister for Surface Transport and Communications in the V. P. Singh Cabinet (1989–90), notably overseeing the evacuation of Indians during the Gulf War crisis.
• Beginning as a journalist, Unnikrishnan was associated with socialist movements before joining the Indian National Congress, earning respect for his parliamentary leadership and grassroots connect in Kerala politics.

Current Affairs Today | 03 March 2026 Current Affairs | Daily Current Affairs By Ashish Gautam