Current Affairs (EXAMIVERSE) — March 22, 2026 (Sunday)

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

🏛️ National & Governance

• World Water Day 2026 observed with theme "Water and Gender"

  • What: A special focus on how women and girls represent 70% of the world’s water-carrying population, emphasizing their role in water governance.
  • Exam angle: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality); Jal Jeevan Mission targets.

• Finance Minister launches "PRARAMBH 2026" for Income Tax Act 2025

  • What: Preparation for the new law starting April 1, 2026. The campaign aims for 100% digital tax compliance.
  • Exam angle: Direct tax reforms in India; features of the new Income Tax Act, 2025.

• India submits first National Report on Nagoya Protocol Implementation

  • What: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change submitted the report detailing Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of biological resources.
  • Exam angle: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); Nagoya Protocol principles; biodiversity conservation.

• PM reviews Energy Preparedness amid West Asia Conflict

  • What: High-level meeting held to discuss oil supply alternatives as the Strait of Hormuz faces closure threats.
  • Exam angle: Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR); India's dependence on Middle East crude (approx. 60-70%).

🌍 International & Awards

• London wins 2026 Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize

  • What: Recognized for its urban development, innovation, and strategic leadership in transforming as a "living city."
  • Exam angle: Sustainable urban development awards; history of Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize.

• Palladium Global Science Award 2nd Edition launched

  • What: A prize fund of $350,000 announced for breakthrough research in Palladium applications.
  • Exam angle: Critical minerals; chemical research awards.

• US-Iran-Israel Tensions escalate; Strait of Hormuz under threat

  • What: Escalating military strikes in the region caused major global energy disruptions, leading to alerts in energy-importing nations.

💰 Economy

• HSBC India Composite PMI slows to 56.5 in March

  • What: Dipped from 58.9 in February due to supply chain disruptions and higher input costs linked to global conflicts.
  • Exam angle: Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) as a lead indicator for GDP; comparison between manufacturing and services PMI.

• Fitch Ratings projects India’s GDP growth at 7.5% for FY26

  • What: Growth forecast remains strong due to robust domestic demand and infrastructure spending.
  • Exam angle: Major rating agencies (Fitch, Moody's, S&P); GDP estimation methods by NSO.

🏆 Sports

• Thomas & Uber Cup 2026: PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen to lead Indian Squad

  • What: Badminton Association of India (BAI) announced the teams for the prestigious championship.
  • Exam angle: Format of Thomas Cup (Men) and Uber Cup (Women); India's 2022 historic Thomas Cup win.

• Para Athletics: Kipa Mero wins Gold in Javelin

  • What: Representing Arunachal Pradesh, Mero clinched the F12 category gold at the National Para Athletics Championships.
  • Exam angle: Major para-athletes of India; recognition in state sports.

📅 Important Days

• World Water Day (March 22, 2026)
  • Theme: "Water and Gender".
  • History: Proclaimed by UN General Assembly in 1993.

⚡ Quick Revision Points (no Q&A)

• Water Day: 2026 theme is "Water and Gender".
• Tax Reform: "PRARAMBH 2026" launched for new tax law.
• Urban Award: London wins Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2026.
• Growth: Fitch projects 7.5% GDP growth for India in FY26.
• PMI: HSBC Composite PMI falls to 56.5 but remains in expansion.
• Sports: PV Sindhu to lead Uber Cup team; Lakhsya Sen for Thomas Cup.
• Environment: India submits Nagoya Protocol implementation report.
• Global Crisis: Strait of Hormuz closure threat spikes oil prices.