This is the current affairs 22 & 23 March 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Which state’s Kalinjar Fort was accorded the status of a National Geo-Heritage Site by the Geological Survey of India?
a. Uttar Pradesh
b. Madhya Pradesh
c. Bihar
d. Chhattisgarh
Answer: a. Uttar Pradesh
– Kalinjar Fort, located in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, has now become the state’s first National Geo-Heritage Site.
– The fort is considered highly important not only historically but also scientifically.
– It is famous for a rare geological structure called the “Eparchaean Unconformity.”
– This structure represents a gap of not millions but billions of years in Earth’s history.
– Below lies Bundelkhand granite rock about 2.5 billion years old.
– Above it is a layer of Kaimur sandstone about 1.2 billion years old.
– The natural rock formations provided strong defense to ancient rulers, making the fort nearly impregnable.
– Situated on a hill, the fort has witnessed several dynasties and historical battles.
Geo-Heritage Site?
– A place recognized for its unique geological structure and scientific importance
– Such sites are important for studying Earth’s history, structure, and natural processes
—————-
2. Which country was awarded the hosting rights for the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships?
a. USA
b. India
c. Poland
d. China
Answer: b. India
– The event will be held at the indoor stadium of Kalinga Stadium Complex in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha.
– This is the first time India will host the World Indoor Athletics Championships.
– India will become the fourth Asian country to host this championship.
– Japan, Qatar, and China have hosted it earlier.
The tournament is held every two years.
– It started in 1985 in Paris.
– The 2028 edition will be its 22nd edition.
2026 Edition in Poland
– The 2026 edition will be held in Torun (Poland).
– No Indian athlete will participate in it.
– India has not won a single medal in this competition so far.
– The USA is the most successful country with 270 medals.
—————-
3. Who was awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2026?
a. Sandra Postel
b. Andrea Rinaldo
c. Kaveh Madani
d. Dr. Jacqueline King
Answer: c. Kaveh Madani
– This award is known as the “Nobel Prize of Water.”
– Kaveh Madani is the Director of UNU-INWEH (United Nations University).
– He is an Iranian-origin environmental scientist and a UN official.
– The announcement was made on 18 March 2026 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, before World Water Day.
– At 44, he is the youngest recipient of this award.
– He is also the first UN official and the first former politician to receive this award.
—————-
4. Who won the prestigious Mark Lynton History Prize 2026?
a. Jane Rogoyska
b. K.N. Panikkar
c. De Tassy
d. William Dalrymple
Answer: d. William Dalrymple (for the book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World)
– William Dalrymple is a renowned Scottish (British) historian and author.
– He received the award for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.
– This award honors outstanding historical writing that combines research with engaging and impactful presentation.
– The book highlights India’s central role in ancient global exchanges.
– The award is given annually and carries a prize of $10,000.
Mark Lynton History Prize
– It is part of the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize Project.
– It is administered by the Nieman Foundation and Columbia University.
—————-
5. When is World Poetry Day celebrated?
a. 24 March
b. 23 March
c. 22 March
d. 21 March
Answer: d. 21 March
– UNESCO declared this day in 1999 during its 30th session held in Paris.
– The objective is to honor poets and the creative excellence of poetry.
—————-
6. When is World Down Syndrome Day observed?
a. 22 March
b. 21 March
c. 23 March
d. 20 March
Answer: b. 21 March
Theme 2026
– Together Against Loneliness
– This day was first observed by the United Nations in 2012.
– The 21st day of March (third month) was chosen to signify the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down syndrome.
– The condition is named after British physician John Langdon Down, who first described it in 1866.
Down Syndrome
– It is a genetic disorder.
– It also leads to developmental disability.
– Children born with this condition may face thyroid or heart-related issues.
– Physical, mental, and psychological symptoms are observed.
– Physical features include hypotonia (low muscle tone), upward-slanting eyes, flat nose, thick tongue, flat head, short neck, small ears, short and broad hands, and a very small little finger.
– Mentally, children with Down syndrome generally have a lower IQ.
—————-
7. NITI Aayog released the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026 on March 11, 2026; which state topped the rankings in terms of excellent debt management and fiscal discipline?
a. Odisha
b. Goa
c. Jharkhand
d. Kerala
Answer: a. Odisha
– This is the second edition of the FHI released by NITI Aayog.
– It analyzes state finances from 2014–15 to 2023–24.
– Odisha ranked first due to efficient debt management.
– This is the second time Odisha has secured the top position.
– Key reasons include low fiscal deficit (1.7–2% of GSDP) and strong own-tax revenue.
– Goa and Jharkhand follow next.
– Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh are in the top 10.
– Chhattisgarh slipped to sixth place in the “front runners” category due to weaker financial conditions.
– Arunachal Pradesh (top among smaller states) and Uttarakhand performed well.
– Haryana improved from 14th to 11th position.
– Bihar ranked 12th with slight improvement due to better expenditure quality and revenue surplus.
– Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala are in the “aspirational” category at the bottom due to persistent deficits.
Evaluation Criteria
– Revenue mobilization
– Quality of expenditure
– Fiscal prudence
– Debt management
– Debt sustainability
– Bihar moved from “aspirational” to “performer” category.
– Karnataka and Telangana slipped from “front runners” to “performers.”
– Tamil Nadu has been placed in the “aspirational” group.
—————-
8. Which state ranked first in terms of textile exports?
a. Jaipur
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Surat
d. Nagpur
Answer: b. Tamil Nadu
– Tamil Nadu recorded garment exports worth $7,997.17 million in FY 2024–25.
– This is a 29.12% increase compared to the past four years.
– In 2020–21, exports were $6,193 million.
– Tamil Nadu’s share in India’s exports is 21.84%.
– Total textile exports from India were valued at $36,610 million.
– Out of this, Tamil Nadu contributed $7,997.17 million.
– Gujarat ranked second with $5,646.01 million.
– Maharashtra ranked third with $3,831.29 million.
—————-
9. In which state was a new species of earthworm, Drawida wajania, discovered?
a. Bihar
b. Telangana
c. Assam
d. Kerala
Answer: d. Kerala
– The species was identified in the Vazhani dam area of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary in Thrissur district, Kerala.
– It belongs to the genus Drawida and the family Moniligastridae, found in South, Southeast, and East Asia.
– The research involved scientists from Christ College, Irinjalakuda, and Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.
– The species is part of the barwelli group, which now has seven species.
– Kerala has the highest number of Drawida species in the Western Ghats.
– A total of 31 species have been recorded, with 16 found in Kerala alone.
Earthworm Diversity in India
– India is among the countries with the highest diversity of earthworms.
– About 71% of genera and 89% of species are endemic.
– The highest diversity is found in the Western Ghats and western coastal plains, accounting for about 58.4% of all species.
—————-
10. Which Oscar and BAFTA-nominated film was rejected by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for release in India?
a. The Voice of Hind Rajab
b. Bong
c. Sinners
d. Marty Supreme
Answer: a. The Voice of Hind Rajab
– The information was shared by Indian distributor Manoj Nandwana on 19 March 2026.
– The film depicts the true story of a 5-year-old girl, Hind Rajab.
– Her car was attacked while fleeing Gaza City in January 2024.
– Her body was found after 12 days along with her family and two volunteers.
– The film uses Hind Rajab’s real voice.
– It is a 23-minute documentary-drama.
– Directed by Oscar-nominated Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania.
– CBFC rejected it citing potential negative impact on India-Israel relations.
– The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2025, where it won the Grand Jury Prize.
– It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
—————-
11. When was World Sleep Day celebrated in 2026?
a. 12 March
b. 13 March
c. 14 March
d. 20 March
Answer: d. 20 March
– It is observed every year on the third Friday of March.
– The day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of sleep worldwide.
Theme 2026
– Sleep Well, Live Better
—————-
12. When is International Day of Forests celebrated?
a. 23 March
b. 22 March
c. 21 March
d. 20 March
Answer: c. 21 March
Theme 2026
– Forests and economies
– The United Nations General Assembly declared 21 March as International Day of Forests on 28 November 2012.
– The day aims to raise awareness about forests globally.
– More than 13 million hectares of forest are lost every year.
– Deforestation increases human contact with viruses from animals.
– According to the UN, 60% of infectious diseases worldwide spread through contact with animals.
PDF Download: Click here
