Saturday, 28 March 2026
Kerala PSC Current Affairs — March 2026 Monthly Compilation
Comprehensive monthly roundup of current affairs for March 2026, curated for Kerala PSC aspirants. Covers national policy, Kerala election developments, India-China relations, space missions, economic data, sports, and important days.
National News
1. FY2025-26 Year-End Economic Review
- India’s GDP growth for FY2025-26 estimated at 6.5% by the Reserve Bank of India (Second Advance Estimate).
- GST collections for March 2026 crossed ₹1.95 lakh crore (highest monthly collection).
- Fiscal deficit on track to meet the 4.4% target set in the Budget.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| GDP Growth (FY26 estimate) | 6.5% |
| GST Collection (March 2026) | ₹1.95 lakh crore+ |
| Fiscal Deficit Target | 4.4% of GDP |
| Repo Rate (RBI) | 6.0% (after 25 bps cut in Feb) |
2. RBI Monetary Policy — February Review Impact
- RBI cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.0% in February 2026, effective through March.
- First rate cut in the cycle; aimed at supporting growth amid moderating inflation.
- CPI inflation at 4.2% — within the RBI’s 2-6% target band.
3. India-China Relations — Border Talks Progress
- India and China held the 22nd round of Corps Commander-level talks at Chushul-Moldo border meeting point.
- Both sides agreed to complete disengagement at remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh.
- MEA spokesperson confirmed “constructive and forward-looking” discussions.
- Background: India-China standoff began in May 2020 at Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, and other LAC points.
4. National Education Policy — Implementation Update
- UGC notified new 4-year undergraduate degree framework aligned with NEP 2020.
- Multiple entry-exit options now available in affiliated universities from academic year 2026-27.
- Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) registrations crossed 15 crore students.
5. PM Vishwakarma Scheme — One-Year Review
- PM Vishwakarma scheme completed one year (launched Feb 2023, expanded in Budget 2024).
- Over 80 lakh artisans registered on the portal.
- Scheme provides: skill training, modern tool kits, digital payments onboarding, and credit up to ₹3 lakh.
Kerala News
6. Kerala Assembly Election 2026 — Notification
- Election Commission of India issued the gazette notification for Kerala Legislative Assembly elections.
- Polling date: 9 April 2026 (single phase).
- Model Code of Conduct in effect from the notification date.
- Key contestants: LDF (CPI-M led, incumbent CM Pinarayi Vijayan), UDF (Congress-led), and NDA (BJP-led).
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Constituencies | 140 |
| Polling Date | 9 April 2026 |
| Incumbent CM | Pinarayi Vijayan (CPI-M / LDF) |
| Key Opposition | UDF (INC-led), NDA (BJP-led) |
| Voter Registration | Approx. 2.76 crore electors |
7. Kerala — Wayanad Landslide Rehabilitation
- State government advanced Wayanad landslide rehabilitation township project at Nedumbala.
- 300+ families to be relocated to permanent housing by mid-2026.
- Total cost: ₹230 crore, co-funded by Centre and State.
8. Kannur International Airport — Expansion Plan
- Kannur International Airport Ltd (KIAL) approved the Phase-II terminal expansion.
- Capacity to increase from 15 lakh to 30 lakh passengers per annum.
- New terminal design incorporates net-zero energy standards.
9. Kerala — SCERT Syllabus Revision
- Kerala SCERT completed the revision of Plus One and Plus Two textbooks aligned with the National Curriculum Framework 2023.
- New textbooks effective from June 2026 academic year.
- Emphasis on competency-based learning, reduced content load, and skill integration.
International Affairs
10. China — NPC Annual Session
- China held the annual National People’s Congress (NPC) session in March 2026 in Beijing.
- GDP target for 2026: around 5%.
- Defence budget increased by 7.2%.
- Premier presented the Government Work Report.
11. India at UN Human Rights Council
- India participated in the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
- India highlighted its digital public infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker) as a model for inclusive development.
12. Japan — Shinkansen Extension
- Japan inaugurated the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Tsuruga in March 2026.
- Japan’s bullet train network now covers over 3,200 km.
Science and Technology
13. ISRO — NISAR Satellite Data Release
- NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellite began releasing earth observation data.
- Applications: land surface deformation, ice sheet dynamics, vegetation mapping, disaster monitoring.
- Joint mission between NASA and ISRO; launched in 2024.
14. India — National Quantum Mission Update
- Department of Science and Technology reported progress on the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
- Four thematic hubs operational: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing, and quantum materials.
- Budget allocation: ₹6,003 crore over 8 years (2023-2031).
15. Deep Ocean Mission — Samudrayaan Update
- Samudrayaan (deep-ocean submersible MATSYA 6000) completed 500m depth trials off the coast of Chennai.
- Target: 6,000m depth capability for deep-sea mineral exploration in the Central Indian Ocean.
Sports
16. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 — Season Begins
- IPL 2026 season commenced in the last week of March.
- 10 franchises competing in the 19th edition.
- Matches held across multiple venues in India.
17. Indian Women’s Cricket
- Indian women’s cricket team participated in international series during March.
- BCCI continued investment in women’s cricket infrastructure and contracts.
Festivals
18. Holi 2026
- Holi celebrated on 14 March 2026 (Purnima, Phalguna month).
- Holika Dahan on 13 March evening.
- Government offices observed holiday on 14 March.
Important Days — March 2026
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| 1 Mar | Zero Discrimination Day |
| 3 Mar | World Wildlife Day |
| 8 Mar | International Women’s Day |
| 14 Mar | Holi; Pi Day |
| 15 Mar | World Consumer Rights Day |
| 20 Mar | International Day of Happiness; World Sparrow Day |
| 21 Mar | World Forestry Day; World Down Syndrome Day; World Poetry Day |
| 22 Mar | World Water Day |
| 23 Mar | World Meteorological Day; Shaheed Diwas (Bhagat Singh) |
| 24 Mar | World TB Day |
| 27 Mar | World Theatre Day |
Appointments and Awards
| Person / Entity | Role / Recognition |
|---|---|
| Kerala Election Notification | Gazette notification for 9 April polling |
| NISAR Satellite | Data release commenced (NASA-ISRO joint) |
| SCERT Kerala | Revised Plus One/Plus Two textbooks |
MCQs for Practice
Q1. India’s GDP growth for FY2025-26 was estimated at __ by RBI’s Second Advance Estimate. (A) 5.8% (B) 6.2% (C) 6.5% ✅ (D) 7.0%
Q2. RBI cut the repo rate in February 2026 to: (A) 5.75% (B) 6.0% ✅ (C) 6.25% (D) 6.5%
Q3. India-China Corps Commander-level talks are held at which border point? (A) Nathu La (B) Lipulekh (C) Chushul-Moldo ✅ (D) Wagah
Q4. Kerala Assembly Election 2026 polling was scheduled for: (A) 2 April (B) 5 April (C) 9 April ✅ (D) 15 April
Q5. Total Assembly constituencies in Kerala are: (A) 120 (B) 130 (C) 140 ✅ (D) 150
Q6. NISAR satellite is a joint mission between ISRO and: (A) ESA (B) JAXA (C) NASA ✅ (D) Roscosmos
Q7. Samudrayaan’s submersible MATSYA 6000 targets a depth of: (A) 3,000m (B) 4,000m (C) 5,000m (D) 6,000m ✅
Q8. Holi 2026 was celebrated on: (A) 10 March (B) 12 March (C) 14 March ✅ (D) 16 March
Q9. International Women’s Day is observed on: (A) 1 March (B) 8 March ✅ (C) 15 March (D) 21 March
Q10. World Water Day is observed on: (A) 20 March (B) 21 March (C) 22 March ✅ (D) 23 March
Q11. Shaheed Diwas on 23 March honours Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and: (A) Chandrasekhar Azad (B) Rajguru ✅ (C) Udham Singh (D) Ashfaqullah Khan
Q12. The National Quantum Mission has a total budget of: (A) ₹3,000 crore (B) ₹6,003 crore ✅ (C) ₹8,000 crore (D) ₹10,000 crore
Q13. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) is linked to which policy? (A) RTI Act (B) FDI Policy (C) NEP 2020 ✅ (D) GST Act
Q14. PM Vishwakarma scheme primarily targets: (A) IT professionals (B) Artisans and craftspeople ✅ (C) Farmers (D) Doctors
Q15. Kannur International Airport Phase-II targets capacity of: (A) 20 lakh (B) 25 lakh (C) 30 lakh ✅ (D) 40 lakh passengers per annum
Q16. World Wildlife Day is observed on: (A) 1 March (B) 3 March ✅ (C) 5 March (D) 8 March
Q17. IPL 2026 is the ___ edition of the tournament. (A) 17th (B) 18th (C) 19th ✅ (D) 20th
Q18. Wayanad landslide rehabilitation township is at: (A) Meppadi (B) Nedumbala ✅ (C) Vythiri (D) Sulthan Bathery
Q19. The India-China LAC standoff began in which year? (A) 2018 (B) 2019 (C) 2020 ✅ (D) 2021
Q20. World TB Day is observed on: (A) 22 March (B) 23 March (C) 24 March ✅ (D) 27 March
Exam Relevance
This March 2026 compilation is critical for:
- All Kerala PSC exams — Election notification details (polling date, constituencies) are guaranteed questions. Economic data (GDP, GST, repo rate) is high-frequency.
- Secretariat Assistant / University Assistant — India-China talks, NEP implementation, NISAR satellite.
- LDC / LGS — Kerala-specific (SCERT revision, Wayanad rehabilitation, Kannur airport) and important days.
- Degree-level Prelims — Science (Samudrayaan, NQM, NISAR) and international affairs.
- Interviews — Kerala election dynamics, fiscal federalism, India-China border status.
Sources
- RBI — Monetary Policy — Repo rate, GDP estimates
- ECI — Election Schedule — Kerala election notification
- PIB — PM Vishwakarma, NEP updates, economic data
- ISRO — NISAR data release, Samudrayaan
- Ministry of Finance — Fiscal deficit, GST collections
- Kerala SCERT — Syllabus revision details
- MEA — India-China talks statements
Monthly compilation. Bookmark for revision before exams.
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