This is the current affairs 26 March 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. According to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2025, which Indian city is the world’s most air-polluted city based on PM2.5 levels?
a. New Delhi
b. Loni
c. Lahore
d. Byrnihat
Answer: b. Loni (a small town in Ghaziabad district)
– Report name: World Air Quality Report 2025
Released by: IQAir
– 9 Indian cities are among the top 20 most polluted cities in the world.
– These include Loni (Ghaziabad, UP), Byrnihat (Meghalaya), Delhi, Ghaziabad (UP), Faridabad (Haryana), Uluberia/Birnagar (West Bengal), Mullanpur Dakha (Ludhiana, Punjab), Gurugram, New Delhi, Noida, and Madhyamgram (North 24 Parganas, West Bengal).
Why is Loni polluted?
– The city recorded an annual PM2.5 average of 112.5, the highest in the world.
– Earlier in 2024, Byrnihat (Meghalaya) recorded an annual average of 198.2.
What is PM2.5?
– Considered the most dangerous air pollutant by WHO
PM2.5 (Particulate Matter ≤ 2.5 microns)
– About 30 times smaller than a human hair
– Can enter lungs and bloodstream
– Sources: vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, biomass burning, coal-based energy
– WHO recommends an annual average not exceeding 5 µg/m³, and 24-hour exposure not exceeding 15 µg/m³ for more than 3–4 days per year
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2. According to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2025, what is India’s rank in terms of air pollution based on PM2.5 levels?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 4
d. 6
Answer: d. 6 (India’s annual PM2.5 average was 48.9 µg/m³)
Top 10 most polluted countries:
1) Pakistan
2) Bangladesh
3) Tajikistan
4) Chad
5) DR Congo
6) India
7) Kuwait
8) Uganda
9) Egypt
10) Uzbekistan
– India saw a decline in PM2.5 concentration in 2025.
The annual average was 48.9 µg/m³.
– Still, India ranked 6th among the most polluted countries globally.
National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
– Launched by the Government of India in January 2019
– Aim: control rising air pollution
– Long-term, time-bound national strategy
– Target: reduce PM10 and PM2.5 levels
– Initial target: 20–30% reduction by 2024 (base year 2017)
– Revised target: up to 40% reduction by 2026
Note:
– India ranked 6th in 2025, 5th in 2024, and 3rd in 2023.
About IQAir:
– A Swiss-based technology company focused on clean air
– Provides air purifiers, air quality monitors, and real-time air quality data
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3. Which of the following is the most polluted capital city globally, according to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report 2025?
a. New Delhi
b. Islamabad
c. Dhaka
d. Jakarta
Answer: a. New Delhi
Top 10 polluted capital cities:
1) New Delhi (India)
2) Dhaka (Bangladesh)
3) Dushanbe (Tajikistan)
4) N’Djamena (Chad)
5) Kinshasa (DR Congo)
6) Islamabad (Pakistan)
7) Hanoi (Vietnam)
8) Kuwait City (Kuwait)
9) Baghdad (Iraq)
10) Kampala (Uganda)
Pollution in Delhi:
– The most polluted capital city globally
– Annual PM2.5 concentration reduced from 108.3 µg/m³ (2024) to 82.2 µg/m³ (2025)
– Still falls in the severe pollution category
– Pollution remains high year-round and worsens in winter
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4. In the context of the West Asia (Middle East) war, which of the following countries played the role of a mediator?
a. Pakistan
b. Egypt
c. Turkey
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey)
– Signs of talks emerged from the 24th day of the US–Israel and Iran conflict.
– Pakistan played a major role, while Egypt and Turkey also acted as mediators.
Iran rejected US conditions:
– The US proposed 15 conditions for a ceasefire; Iran rejected them and proposed 5 counter-conditions.
– The White House warned Iran against rejecting the agreement.
– Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected negotiations, stating that continuing resistance remains policy.
Iran’s 5 key conditions:
– Complete halt to attacks and targeted killings
– Guarantee of no future war
– Compensation for war damages
– Complete end to conflict on all fronts
– International recognition of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz
US conditions included:
– Halting nuclear weapons development
– Limiting uranium enrichment
– Controlling missile programs
– Ensuring open Strait of Hormuz
– Allowing full access to nuclear sites
– Reducing regional military activities
– Ceasefire implementation
– Gradual removal of sanctions
– Long-term stability roadmap
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5. To which country did the Indian External Affairs Minister travel to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting?
a. USA
b. Japan
c. France
d. Germany
Answer: c. France
– India is not a G7 member but was invited as a partner by France (current chair).
– External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited France on 26–27 March 2026.
– Discussions focused on the West Asia crisis and the Strait of Hormuz.
About G7:
– Group of developed economies
Informal organization
– Members: USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada
– Origin: 1975 (G6), Canada joined in 1976 → G7
Russia joined in 1998 (G8), removed in 2014 after Crimea annexation
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6. According to India’s updated NDCs, what is the new target for non-fossil fuel-based installed power capacity by 2035?
a. 50%
b. 55%
c. 60%
d. 65%
Answer: c. 60%
– India updated its NDCs under UNFCCC (Paris Agreement framework).
– New target: 60% installed power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2035
– Earlier target: 50% by 2030 (already achieved ~52%)
Other targets:
– Emission intensity reduction: 47% (from 2005 levels by 2035)
– Carbon sink: 3.5–4 billion tonnes
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7. What is India’s updated carbon sink target for 2035?
a. 2–3 billion tonnes
b. 3–3.5 billion tonnes
c. 3.5–4 billion tonnes
d. 4–5 billion tonnes
Answer: c. 3.5–4 billion tonnes
Carbon sink: systems that absorb CO₂
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8. When is World Meteorological Day celebrated?
a. 20 March
b. 21 March
c. 22 March
d. 23 March
Answer: d. 23 March
– Theme (2026): Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow
Celebrated to mark the establishment of WMO on 23 March 1950
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9. In which state is the Lipulekh Pass located, where border trade with China is set to resume after seven years?
a. Sikkim
b. Mizoram
c. Uttarakhand
d. West Bengal
Answer: c. Uttarakhand
– Located in Pithoragarh district
– Connects India with Tibet (China)
– Trade to resume after a 7-year halt (COVID-related restrictions)
– A strategic Himalayan pass
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10. Which Indian warship participated in Mauritius’s 58th National Day celebrations?
a. INS Trikand
b. INS Prachand
c. INS Kaveri
d. INS Vaijanti
Answer: a. INS Trikand
– Participated on 13 March
– Included marching contingent, naval band, and helicopter
– A stealth guided-missile frigate (Talwar class)
– Commissioned on 29 June 2013
– Built under India–Russia partnership
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