This is the current affairs 31 March & 1 April 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Which European countries closed their airspace or blocked overflights for U.S. military aircraft heading to Israel for the war with Iran?
a. Spain and France
b. Spain and New Zealand
c. France and Poland
d. None of these
Answer: a. Spain and France
– France, Spain, and Italy have imposed strict restrictions on U.S. military operations, making the rift among NATO allies clearly visible.
Spain: Airspace completely closed
– Update (March 30, 2026): Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced that Spanish airspace will remain completely closed to those U.S. aircraft involved in the war or attacks against Iran.
– Reason: Spain has termed this war as “illegal and unjust.”
– Additional Restrictions: Spain has also refused to allow the U.S. to use its ‘Rota’ and ‘Morón’ military bases for this war.
– Trump has threatened to cut trade ties with Madrid (Spain) following this decision by Spain.
France: Halted weapons supply
– Update (March 31, 2026): France has refused to allow those Israeli and American aircraft to pass through its airspace that were carrying military logistics (Weapons & Supplies) for Israel.
– French President Emmanuel Macron said that France does not want to contribute to further escalation of tension in the region. He clarified that France’s airspace will not be used for the “trade of death.”
– According to reports, France specifically refused passage to U.S. cargo planes (C-17 Globemaster) that were carrying weapons to Israel from U.S. bases located in Germany.
– Trump’s Reaction: U.S. President Donald Trump criticized France on ‘Truth Social,’ calling it “Unhelpful” and warned that Washington would remember this behavior.
Italy: Ban on the use of military bases
– Update (Last week of March): Italy refused permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at the Sigonella Air Base in Sicily.
– Reason: Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said that existing bilateral treaties do not allow the U.S. to use the base for such war operations without permission. Italy stated that parliamentary approval is mandatory for any such operation.
What will be the impact?
– US Power Projection: The U.S. will now have to divert its aircraft (such as via Britain or other routes), which will consume more fuel and time.
– Rift in NATO: This is the first time that major European allies, instead of standing with the U.S. regarding the Iran war, are using their sovereignty to stop it.
– Challenge for Israel: The “Supply Line” of weapons for Israel has become longer and more difficult.
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2. The first country in Asia to impose a ban on social media for children under the age of 16?
a. India
b. Australia
c. China
d. Indonesia
Answer: d. Indonesia (The first country in the world is Australia, but the first country in Asia is Indonesia)*
– Indonesia banned social media platforms for children under 16 from March 28, 2026.
– This includes YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
Indonesia’s Social Media Ban: Key Points
– Age Limit: Children under 16 years of age will no longer be able to create social media accounts or use these platforms.
– Prohibited Platforms: This includes popular platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), Threads, Bigo Live, and Roblox.
– Objective: The government’s main goal is to protect children from cyberbullying, digital addiction, online fraud, and obscene content.
– Impact: Approximately 70 million children in Indonesia will be affected by this decision.
– Social media companies will now have to make changes to their systems to identify and block users under 16. There is also a provision for heavy fines on companies for non-compliance.
Global Context
– Indonesia has taken this step following in the footsteps of Australia.
– Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16 in December 2025.
– Indonesia has now become the first in Asia and Southeast Asia to do so.
– Other countries like Spain, France, and the United Kingdom are also taking or considering measures to restrict children’s access to social media, as concerns grow that exposure to unregulated social media content is harming them.
Indonesia
– President: Prabowo Subianto
– Capital: Jakarta
– Language: Bahasa Indonesia
– Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
– Population: 28.5 Crore
– Neighboring Countries: Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.
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3. Whom has the Central Government appointed as the new head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)?
a. Amrit Lal Meena
b. Rajiv Bansal
c. Veer Vikram Yadav
d. Rajendra Raghuvanshi
Answer: c. Veer Vikram Yadav
– The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed Veer Vikram Yadav as the new Chief of DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) on March 31, 2026.
– He has been appointed in place of Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.
– During Kidwai’s tenure in December 2025, thousands of IndiGo flights were halted. Following this, first the CEO of IndiGo was changed, and then Kidwai was transferred.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
– It is the premier regulatory body of India under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
– Statutory Status: It was granted statutory status under the Aircraft (Amendment) Bill, 2020. It now functions under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 (Indian Aircraft Act, 2024).
Functions of DGCA
– Registration of aircraft and certification of airports.
– Issuing licenses to pilots, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME), and Air Traffic Controllers.
– Formulating and enforcing aviation safety standards.
– Investigating aircraft accidents (for aircraft weighing less than 2250 kg; for heavier aircraft, the investigation is conducted by AAIB {Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau}).
– Coordinating with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
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4. Who has become the new CEO of the airline company ‘IndiGo’?
a. Pieter Elbers
b. Vinod Kannan
c. William Walsh
d. Campbell Wilson
Answer: c. William Walsh
– The board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited, the parent company of IndiGo, announced the name of William Walsh on March 31, 2026.
– William Walsh is also the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA – corrected from IAG).
– This decision was taken just a few weeks after the resignation of the previous CEO Pieter Elbers.
– Walsh has previously served as the CEO of British Airways and IAG.
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5. The former President of which country—who was of Indian origin—passed away on April 30, 2026?
a. Suriname
b. Guyana
c. Brazil
d. Nepal
Answer: a. Suriname
– Current President of the South American country Suriname, Jennifer Simons, confirmed the passing of Chandrikapersad Santokhi.
– Santokhi belonged to an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family.
– His ancestors had settled there from Bihar during the 19th century.
– He also took the oath of the President’s office in Sanskrit.
– He was also honored with the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’.
– 67-year-old Santokhi was the President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025.
– He was the Chairman of the ‘Progressive Reform Party’.
– During his tenure, he implemented several tough economic reforms supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
– Before becoming President, he had served as the Police Commissioner and Justice Minister.
– In 1982, he investigated the case of the murder of 15 major critics of the government and insisted on pursuing it.
– In this same case, former President Desi Bouterse was convicted in 2019.
Suriname
– Capital: Paramaribo
– Language: Dutch
– Currency: Surinamese Dollar
– Population: 6.5 Lakh (2026)
– Neighboring Countries: Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil.
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6. The military chief of which neighboring country—who led a coup in 2021—has resigned to contest the presidential election?
a. Pakistan
b. Myanmar
c. Bangladesh
d. Sri Lanka
Answer: b. Myanmar
– Min Aung Hlaing resigned from his post on March 30, 2026, to stand for the presidential election.
– This step has been taken after the first election in Myanmar since the 2021 coup.
– Hlaing had overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, since which a fierce civil war has been going on in Myanmar. He had formed the Junta government, which he was leading himself.
– After the parliamentary elections, he is now contesting the presidential election.
– The 69-year-old General had held command of Myanmar’s armed forces since 2011.
– General Ye Win Oo was appointed as the new army chief.
Myanmar
– President: Win Myint (Note: Context suggests transition)
– Capital: Naypyidaw
– Language: Burmese
– Currency: Burmese Kyat
– Population: 5.51 Crore
– Neighboring Countries: People’s Republic of China, Laos, Thailand (Note: corrected from Tanzania), Bangladesh, and India.
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7. When was Rajasthan Foundation Day celebrated in the year 2026?
a. March 19
b. March 30
c. March 29
d. March 28
Answer: a. March 19 (Before 2026, this day was celebrated on March 30, but the state government decided to celebrate the day on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada based on the Hindu calendar, hence March 19)
Theme of 2026
– Celebration of Heritage, Pride, and New Resolve
Why March 19 instead of March 30?
– The official ceremony this year (2026) was organized on March 19 because the state government decided to celebrate it according to the Hindu calendar (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada). However, historically it remains March 30.
– Rajasthan was established on March 30, 1949.
– On this day, large princely states like Jodhpur, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner merged to form the ‘Greater Rajasthan Union’. This day is primarily celebrated as the Foundation Day of Rajasthan.
– The integration of Rajasthan was completed in a total of 7 stages. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a key role in the merger of the princely states.
– The state is famous for its grand forts, royal heritage, and colorful culture. It is also the largest state in India in terms of area.
– Before independence, Rajasthan was called ‘Rajputana’, which means ‘Land of Rajputs’.
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8. The Foundation Day of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is celebrated on April 1st; when was it established?
a. 1934
b. 1935
c. 1937
d. 1949
Answer: b. 1935
– Foundation Day of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
– RBI was established on April 1, 1935.
– It was established on the recommendations of the Hilton Young Commission.
– It was created under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
– Initially, its headquarters was in Kolkata, which was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937.
– It was nationalized on January 1, 1949, after which it came fully under the ownership of the Government of India.
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9. When is Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) celebrated?
a. 1st April
b. 2nd May
c. 3rd January
d. 4th June
Answer: a. 1st April
– On April 1, 1936, Orissa (now Odisha) was made a separate province on a linguistic basis.
– It was formed by separating from the Bihar and Orissa province.
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10. ‘New Financial Year’ in India
– In India, the financial year runs from April 1 to March 31.
– India adopted April 1 as the financial year in 1867 according to the British government. Prior to this, India’s financial year used to be from May 1 to April 30.
– L.K. Jha Committee (1984): This committee suggested changing the financial year to January 1 (calendar year), but it was not implemented.
– The allocation of the budget and the implementation of government schemes become effective from this day.
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11. Which player won the men’s singles title at the 2026 Miami Open?
a. Alexander Zverev
b. Taylor Fritz
c. Jiri Lehecka
d. Jannik Sinner
Answer: d. Jannik Sinner
– The match was played on March 29, 2026, at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida (US).
– Italy’s star tennis player Jannik Sinner defeated Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-4.
– With this victory, the 24-year-old Sinner also completed the ‘Sunshine Double’.
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12. Which player won the Miami Open 2026 women’s singles title for the second time?
a. Aryna Sabalenka
b. Coco Gauff
c. Iga Swiatek
d. Jessica Pegula
Answer: a. Aryna Sabalenka
– World number one female tennis player Aryna Sabalenka achieved this victory in the final match held on March 29, 2026.
– Belarus’ Aryna defeated America’s Coco Gauff 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
– After Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka has become the first player to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’.
– This is her second consecutive Miami Open title.
– Before this, only Ashleigh Barty (2019 and 2021) and Serena Williams (2013 to 2015) were able to win this tournament consecutively.
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