Current Affairs Quiz 9th March 2026 Quiz

Exp. Centre Sets 30.3 Million Tonnes Wheat Procurement Target for FY27 Rabi Marketing Season

The Government has set a wheat procurement target of 30.3 million tonnes for FY27 under the Central Pool for the 2026–27 rabi marketing season starting April 1, almost the same as the previous year.

In the 2025–26 season, the Centre procured 30.03 million tonnes of wheat from about 2.6 million farmers, according to official data.

The government also fixed targets of 7.6 million tonnes of rice procurement and 0.77 million tonnes of millets, while reviewing technology-driven initiatives to strengthen the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain.

Exp. Union Agriculture Minister to Inaugurate National Stakeholders’ Meet on Coconut Promotion Scheme at IIT Madras

Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shri ShivrajSingh Chouhan to inaugurate the National Stakeholders’ Meet on the Coconut Promotion Scheme at IIT Madras, Chennai.

The Minister will provide policy guidance for effective implementation, interact with coconut farmer leaders, and deliberate with senior policymakers from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Southern States.

The Meet will see participation of over 1,000 stakeholders, including coconut farmers, FPOs, researchers, entrepreneurs, and officials of the Coconut Development Board, aimed at revitalising India’s coconut sector supporting nearly 30 million people.

Exp. Karnataka Proposes Social Media Ban for Children Under 16

The Karnataka government proposed banning social media use for children below 16 years, becoming the first Indian state to take concrete steps toward implementation.

Andhra Pradesh announced plans to restrict social media for children under 13, while Karnataka is also considering regulations for the 13–16 age group based on wider consensus.

The move follows global trends, including Australia’s ban for under-16s and discussions in several European countries, citing health and safety concerns.

About Karnataka

• Capital – Bengaluru
• Chief Minister –Siddaramaiah
• Deputy Chief Minister – DK Shivakumar
• Governor – Thawar Chand Gehlot

Exp. Union Ministry Launches ASMITA: Nationwide Athletics League to Empower Women Athletes

The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry is organising ASMITA, a nationwide athletics league in New Delhi on International Women’s Day to empower female athletes.

Competitions will be held in 100m, 200m, and 400m races for girls under 13, 13–18 years, and 18+ age categories, with events in states like Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

ASMITA (“Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action”) is part of Khelo India’s gender-neutral mission to promote sports among women at the grassroots level.

Since 2021, over 2600 leagues have been conducted across 34 sports disciplines in more than 550 districts and 700 cities, aligning with PM Narendra Modi’s vision to strengthen India’s sports culture.

Exp. Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh Appointed Next GOC-in-C of Western Command

Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh will take over as the next GOC-in-C of Western Command in Chandimandir at the end of the month, following the retirement of Lt Gen M K Katiyar.

Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Lt Gen Singh is currently the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) and an alumnus of La Martiniere College.

He has extensive military experience, including commanding Special Forces, Infantry Brigade, Mountain Division, and participating in operations like Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid, along with key staff roles at Army Headquarters.

Exp. Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16 from March 2026

Indonesia has announced that children below 16 will not be allowed to create accounts on major social media platforms to protect them from harmful online content.

The ban will be implemented from March 28, 2026, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live required to introduce stricter verification measures.

Authorities cited risks such as cyberbullying, pornography exposure, online fraud, and social media addiction, highlighting the need to safeguard minors online.

About Indonesia

• Capital – Jakarta
• Currency – Rupiah
• Official language – Indonesian
• President – Prabowo Subianto

Exp. RBI to Conduct ₹1 Lakh Crore OMO Auctions to Manage Liquidity Ahead of Year-End

The Reserve Bank of India will conduct government securities (G-Secs) purchase auctions in two tranches of ₹50,000 crore each on March 9 and March 13 to manage liquidity pressures from GST and advance tax outflows.

The auctions will aggregate ₹1 lakh crore and aim to prevent G-Sec yields from rising due to a potential liquidity crunch ahead of the financial year-end.

The banking system currently has a surplus of ₹3,02,440 crore (as on March 5), which could turn into a deficit because of upcoming tax-related outflows.

Exp. NABARD Launches National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to Boost Rural Climate Resilience

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), in collaboration with the Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors, has launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to strengthen India’s climate resilience for rural areas.

The initiative aims to address intensifying climate hazards such as heatwaves, floods, droughts, and cyclones, which increasingly affect agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Despite improved climate data availability, forecasting remains fragmented across siloed datasets, highlighting the need for forward-looking, interoperable, and decision-ready climate solutions.

About National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

• Founded – 12 July 1982
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman – K V Shaji
• NABARD established on the recommendations of B. Sivaramman Committee

Exp. RBI Exempts AU Small Finance Bank Promoters from NOFHC Requirement for Universal Bank Transition

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has exempted the promoters/promoter group of AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB) from the requirement to hold their stake in the transitioned Universal Bank through a Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC).

Earlier, when RBI granted in-principle approval on August 7, 2025 for AU SFB’s transition from a Small Finance Bank to a Universal Bank, it had mandated that promoter shareholding be held through an NOFHC.

As per the revised condition, the NOFHC requirement will apply only if the bank or its promoter group establishes any new group entity in the future, such as in mutual funds or insurance.

AU SFB, the first small finance bank to receive RBI’s in-principle approval to become a universal bank, will submit its application for the final universal banking licence, with the approval valid for 18 months.

Exp. Maharashtra Signs MoU with Finnish Firms to Modernise Mumbai’s Sassoon Dock

The Maharashtra government signed an MoU with three Finnish companies—Helvar, Mirasis, and River Recycle—to modernise Sassoon Dock in Mumbai and develop it into a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable fishing harbour.

The agreement, signed through the Maharashtra Fisheries Development Corporation, aims to upgrade dock infrastructure, improve waste management, and introduce modern operational systems at one of India’s oldest fishing docks.

The collaboration will promote plastic waste recycling, management of discarded fishing nets, modern net-repair systems, and provide training and capacity building for fishermen and dock workers.

Exp. Assam Woman Becomes First to Receive Indian Citizenship Under CAA

A 60-year-old woman, Dipali Das from Cachar district, Assam, became the first person in the state to receive Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), receiving her certificate on March 6.

She migrated from Bangladesh to India in 1988 and settled in Assam, but due to lack of proper documents, the authorities in 2013 investigated her nationality and later declared her a foreigner.

Dipali Das was detained in Silchar detention camp in 2019, but was released in April 2020 following a Supreme Court order during the COVID-19 pandemic; her citizenship was finally granted under the CAA, ending years of legal uncertainty.

About Assam

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Dispur
• Chief Minister –Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor – Lakshman Prasad Acharya

Exp. Pondicherry University Signs MoU with CCPD to Promote Disability Inclusion and Accessibility

Pondicherry University signed an MoU with the Office of the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The partnership aims to promote accessibility, inclusion, and rights of persons with disabilities through academic–policy collaboration, research, practical exposure, and capacity-building initiatives.

The MoU will support joint research, conferences, seminars, workshops, and awareness programs on disability rights, inclusive education, employment opportunities, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

Exp. Tamil Nadu Students Launch Mini Satellite to 22 km Height

13 students of the Class XI batch of Ariyakudi Government Higher Secondary School in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu have successfully launched a 600-gram mini satellite named “Vikko Sat-1” using a helium balloon to collect real-time atmospheric data.

The student-built device reached a height of about 22 km in the stratosphere before being safely recovered, demonstrating significant scientific and technical skills.

The mission aimed to detect fungal spores in the upper atmosphere using five sensors, helping researchers understand their impact on crop health and environmental cycles.

About Tamil Nadu

• Formation – 26 January 1950
• Capital – Chennai
• Chief Minister – M K Stalin
• Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

Exp. 138-Year-Old ‘Hatti Risala’ Festival Celebrated with Grandeur in Jalna During Dhulivandan

The ‘Hatti Risala’ procession, a historic cultural tradition of Jalna, celebrated 138 years of heritage during the festival of Dhulivandan.

During the procession, a decorated elephant carries a symbolic king and prime minister, who distribute sweets (revdis) to the crowd while people dressed in traditional attire celebrate with drum beats and colors.

The festival is considered a symbol of cultural heritage and communal harmony, with people from different religions participating together in the celebrations across Maharashtra

Exp. India Wins Third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Title

India national cricket team defeated New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final held at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

With this victory, India successfully defended the T20 World Cup title after previously winning the tournament in 2024.

India became the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times and also the first host nation to win the tournament at home.

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the 10th edition of the tournament, was co-hosted by Board of Control for Cricket in India and Sri Lanka Cricket.

Player of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah

Player of the Series: Sanju Samson

Most Runs: Sahibzada Farhan (383 runs)

Most Wickets: Jasprit Bumrah (14 wickets) and Varun Chakravarthy (14 wickets)