Current Affairs One - Liner : 1st & 2nd March 2026

National:

• On 25 February 2026, India and Germany launched a €20 million climate resilience initiative in New Delhi. It focuses on ecosystem‑based adaptation in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats, North‑East, islands, and Gangetic floodplains. The programme supports India’s National Adaptation Plan.

• On 27 February 2026, Tamil Nadu launched its first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Reserve Forest in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district to promote astro‑tourism and protect natural night skies from light pollution.
• On 27 February 2026, Jio Finance Platform & Services Ltd (subsidiary of Jio Financial Services) launched the AI‑backed mobile app ‘Finsider’. The app leverages Agentic AI and Neural Networks to deliver hyper‑personal, personalized financial services.
• On 28 February 2026, nine cheetahs (6 females, 3 males) from Botswana were flown by IAF C‑17 Globemaster to Gwalior and airlifted to Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. They were released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav into fenced quarantine enclosures for 15–30 days of acclimatisation. This marks the third batch under Project Cheetah after Namibia (2022) and South Africa (2023).
• On 1 March 2026, Uttar Pradesh set a new Guinness World Record in Varanasi by planting over 2.51 lakh trees within one hour, showcasing the state’s commitment to environmental sustainability and mass afforestation.

Banking:

• On 26 February 2026, Gnani.ai partnered with Razorpay to launch the world’s first agentic AI platform for in‑call UPI payments. It allows AI agents to initiate and complete UPI transactions during live customer calls. The system uses Razorpay’s MCP server for secure execution of standalone and mandate‑based payments.
• On 27 February 2026, Sri Lanka’s first Blue Bond worth LKR 3 billion by DFCC Bank was dually listed on NSE International Exchange (NSE IX) at GIFT City and Colombo Stock Exchange. It was enabled under an MoU between NSE IX and CSE to boost cross‑border capital market collaboration.
• On 26 February 2026, Sarvam partnered with SBI Life Insurance to deploy AI tools across its distribution network. The initiative covers 8 crore customers and 3.5 lakh distributors nationwide. It uses Sarvam’s platforms — Samvaad (conversational AI) and Arya (multi‑agent orchestration).

Economy:

• On 1 March 2026, India’s gross GST collections reached ₹1.83 lakh crore, up 8.1% year‑on‑year, with net revenue at ₹1.61 lakh crore after refunds—reflecting strong imports, improved compliance, and cumulative FY26 collections of ₹20.27 lakh crore.

Sports:

• On 28 February 2026, Jammu & Kashmir clinched their first‑ever Ranji Trophy title, defeating Karnataka at Hubballi. They won on the basis of a 291‑run first‑innings lead after the final ended in a draw. This historic triumph came after 67 years of participation, marking J&K’s maiden crown.

Defence:

• On 27 February 2026, DRDO successfully carried out three successive flight trials of the indigenously developed Very Short‑Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at Chandipur, Odisha, validating its capability to neutralize fast‑moving aerial threats like low‑flying aircraft and drones.

Committees:

• On 2 March 2026, Madhya Pradesh held its first Agriculture Cabinet meeting at Nagalwadi village, Barwani district, chaired by CM Dr. Mohan Yadav. The state declared 2026 as “Krishi Kalyan Varsh” (Agriculture Welfare Year). The Cabinet approved 16 schemes worth ₹27,746 crore for irrigation, fisheries, animal healthcare, and cooperatives.
• On 26 February 2026, Union Minister JP Nadda was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Hindi Advisory Committee in the Chemicals & Fertilizers Ministry. The panel, with Anupriya Patel as Vice‑Chairperson and six MPs as members, will promote the progressive use of Hindi in official work.

Apps & Portals:

• On 25 February 2026, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the upgraded RAJMARG PRAVESH (Road Asset and Junction Management for Access Regulation, Permission, and Road Entry System Hub – Portal for Road Access Verification, Entry, Sanction & Handling) web portal to streamline online NOC applications for highway access, fuel stations, and wayside amenities.

Military Exercises:

• Exercise Vayushakti-26: Held on 27 Feb 2026 at Pokhran, this mega firepower demonstration by the Indian Air Force featured 130+ aircraft including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas, and LCH Prachand, showcasing day-night combat readiness, humanitarian assistance capabilities, and indigenous defence strength under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Appointments:

• Deepak Gupta took charge as Chairman & Managing Director of GAIL (India) Limited on 1 March 2026. His tenure runs till 28 February 2029, marking a three‑year leadership period. A Mechanical Engineer from Delhi College of Engineering, he brings 35+ years of Oil & Gas expertise.
• On 2 March 2026, Saba Shawl became the first Kashmiri woman to head Central Jail Srinagar, a landmark in gender empowerment and prison administration, with her background as a JKPSC‑qualified officer (2012) and Master’s in Social Work symbolizing both professional merit and social reform leadership in J&K’s correctional system.

Obituaries:

• Padma Shri awardee and Ghoda Nacha artist Utsav Charan Das passed away on 26 February 2026 at age 80 in Cuttack, Odisha. He was renowned for promoting Chaiti Ghoda Nacha, a traditional folk dance of Odisha.

Questions:

Q.1 India and Germany launched a €20 million climate resilience initiative on 25 February 2026 in which city?
a) Berlin
b) New Delhi
c) Mumbai
d) Bengaluru

Answer: b) The initiative was launched in New Delhi to support ecosystem-based climate adaptation in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats, North-East, islands, and Gangetic floodplains.

Q.2 Which team won its first-ever Ranji Trophy title on 28 February 2026?
a) Karnataka
b) Saurashtra
c) Jammu & Kashmir
d) Delhi

Answer: c) Jammu & Kashmir cricket team defeated Karnataka cricket team on the basis of a 291-run first-innings lead after the final ended in a draw