Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — March 21, 2026 (Saturday)

Verified sources used: PIB India, The Hindu, News on AIR, and UNESCO/UN Reports.
For exams: SSC CGL, Banking, UPSC, KPSC + State PSCs

🏛️ National & Governance

• "PRARAMBH 2026" Campaign launched by Ministry of Finance

  • What: A nationwide awareness drive for the implementation of the Income Tax Act, 2025, which comes into effect from April 1, 2026.
  • Exam angle: Key changes in the Income Tax Act 2025; Digital tax administration; Direct tax reforms.

• BPCL launches India’s first LPG ATM in Gurugram

  • What: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) introduced an automated 24/7 LPG cylinder dispensing machine for 5kg cylinders.
  • Exam angle: PM Ujjwala Yojana; energy accessibility initiatives in Urban India.

• RBI Central Board holds 622nd meeting; approves "Utkarsh 3.0"

  • What: Meeting in Patna, the board approved the budget for FY 2026-27 and the Medium Term Strategy Framework (Utkarsh 3.0) for 2026-29.
  • Exam angle: Structure of RBI Central Board; meaning of "Utkarsh" (RBI's roadmap for institutional strengthening).

• India’s first Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant inaugurated in Hyderabad

  • What: A pilot plant for manufacturing Nd-Fe-B rare earth permanent magnets was opened at ARCI, Hyderabad, reducing dependence on imports.
  • Exam angle: Strategic minerals; uses of Neodymium magnets (EVs, wind turbines); India's Rare Earth policy.

• Tamil Nadu emerges as India's leading Textile Exporting State for FY 2024–25

  • What: Recently released data confirmed TN's top position in textile and apparel exports, contributing significantly to the national goal of $100bn exports.
  • Exam angle: Textile clusters in India (Coimbatore, Tiruppur); PM MITRA Parks.

🌍 International & Awards

• Professor Kaveh Madani wins 2026 Stockholm Water Prize

  • What: Often called the "Nobel Prize for Water", the award recognizes Madani for transforming global approaches to water crises.
  • Exam angle: History of Stockholm Water Prize; global water governance.

• 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards held

  • What: Celebrated in New York, the awards honored Liza Minnelli, Quinta Brunson, and others for inclusive representation in media.
  • Exam angle: Global media trends; representation in international awards.

💰 Economy

• IEA Releases Historic 400 Million Barrels of Oil
  • What: To stabilize global markets amid the Middle East conflict, the IEA released a record amount of emergency oil reserves.
  • Exam angle: Role of IEA (International Energy Agency); membership criteria; India as an associate member.

🏆 Sports

• Caroline Harvey wins 2026 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award
  • What: Harvey (defenseman for Wisconsin) won the top award in NCAA Div I women's ice hockey.
  • Exam angle: Prominent women athletes in North American sports.

📅 Important Days

• International Day of Forests (March 21, 2026)

  • Theme: "Forests and Economies".
  • Highlights: Focus on forests' role in sustaining livelihoods and sustainable development.

• World Poetry Day (March 21, 2026)

  • Purpose: UNESCO approved day to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression.

• World Down Syndrome Day (March 21, 2026)

  • Theme: "End the Stereotypes".

⚡ Quick Revision Points (no Q&A)

• Tax Reform: "PRARAMBH 2026" drive for Income Tax Act 2025.
• Innovation: Rare Earth Permanent Magnet Plant open in Hyderabad.
• Banking: RBI approves "Utkarsh 3.0" strategy for 2026-29.
• Exports: TN is India's top textile exporting state.
• Energy: India's 1st LPG ATM launched in Gurugram.
• Forests: March 21 Theme: "Forests and Economies".
• Water Awards: Kaveh Madani wins Stockholm Water Prize.