Current Affairs 24 March 2026

EconomyHighquizQuiz

India to fortify LPG buffer amid Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions

•India currently maintains a minimal LPG buffer, typically sufficient for 2-3 days of consumption.
•Recent geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East affecting the Strait of Hormuz, have highlighted vulnerabilities in India's energy supply chain.
•The Indian government is considering new regulations to mandate oil marketing companies to increase their strategic LPG reserves.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

Global Oil Prices Surge Amid West Asia Tensions and Strait of Hormuz Concerns

•Global crude oil prices increased by over 4% following Iran's denial of talks with the US.
•The development has revived fears of escalating geopolitical tensions in the West Asia region.
•Concerns have resurfaced regarding potential disruptions to critical oil supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

Delhi Budget 2026: Record Outlay Focuses on Health, Education, Urban Development

•Delhi's 2026 budget announced with a record outlay of ₹1,03,700 crore.
•Key focus areas include health, education, and urban development.
•Significant allocations are made for infrastructure improvements, connectivity, and climate resilience.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

India Forms Seven Empowered Groups to Counter West Asia Conflict's Economic Impact

•India has established seven empowered groups of senior officials to address economic disruptions.
•The groups' primary focus is to safeguard oil and gas supplies amidst the West Asia conflict.
•They are tasked with ensuring supply chain stability and mitigating potential inflationary pressures.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

India's Summer Crop Acreage Dips: Rice, Maize Down; Pulses Show Gain

•India's total summer crop acreage has declined to 4.27 million hectares as of March 24, 2024, compared to 4.37 million hectares a year ago.
•Sowing for the summer season is still in progress, with last year's total summer crop acreage reaching 8.4 million hectares.
•Key cereal crops like rice and maize have recorded a reduction in their sown area.

UPSCSSCBankingRailway

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

Goldman Sachs Lowers India's 2026 Growth Forecast Amid Global Oil Price Volatility

•Goldman Sachs has revised India's economic growth forecast for 2026 downwards to 5.9%.
•The primary reason cited for this revision is the anticipated disruption in oil flows through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
•Brent crude oil prices are projected to average $105 in March and $115 in April, before moderating to $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter.

UPSCSSCBankingRailway

Read Analysisarrow_forward

Science & TechHighquizQuiz

IIT-PRL Study Decodes Moon's Titanium Rocks for Chandrayaan-4 Landing Site Selection

•A joint study by IIT-Roorkee and Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) has decoded the composition of titanium-rich rocks on the Moon.
•These findings are crucial for selecting the optimal landing site for ISRO's upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission.
•Chandrayaan-4, planned for 2028, aims to collect lunar rock samples and return them to Earth.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

MiscellaneousHighquizQuiz

Heart Disease Claims 2.86 Million Lives Annually in India Amidst Healthcare Gaps

•Heart disease is responsible for approximately 2.86 million deaths in India every year.
•Key barriers to effective treatment include geographical distance to healthcare facilities, scarcity of specialized equipment, and a shortage of medical specialists.
•High costs associated with cardiac care further exacerbate the problem, leading to delayed or inaccessible treatment.

UPSCSSCBankingRailway

Read Analysisarrow_forward

Science & TechHighquizQuiz

BioPharma SHAKTI: Transforming Biologics Development with Non-Animal Models

•Biologics, a growing class of drugs for chronic diseases, are increasingly popular globally.
•Traditional animal models often fail to reliably predict the safety and efficacy of biologics in humans.
•Scientists are shifting towards advanced human-relevant bioengineered systems like organoids and organ-on-a-chip.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

Science & TechHighquizQuiz

CERN Achieves First-Ever Transportation of Antimatter for Gravity Research

•Scientists at CERN successfully transported antiprotons over a distance of 27 meters, marking a significant milestone in antimatter research.
•This is the first instance of antimatter being moved from its production site to a separate experimental setup, specifically the ALPHA-g apparatus.
•The breakthrough enables more precise studies on the fundamental properties of antimatter, particularly its interaction with gravity.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EconomyHighquizQuiz

India-Tibet Shipki La Pass Reopens for Border Trade Season

•The Shipki La Pass, a vital India-Tibet border trade route, has officially reopened for the current trading season.
•Located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, this pass facilitates cross-border commerce between India and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
•It is one of the three officially designated land border trading points between India and China.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward

EnvironmentHighquizQuiz

Rajasthan's Traditional Water Systems: Khadin and Baori for Climate Resilience

•Rajasthan's ancient water management systems, Khadin and Baori, are gaining renewed attention as sustainable solutions for extreme summers.
•Khadin is a unique rainwater harvesting system primarily for agriculture, collecting runoff water in enclosed lowlands.
•Baoris, or stepwells, are multi-storied structures providing access to groundwater, also serving as community cooling spaces.

UPSCSSCBankingRailwayDefence

Read Analysisarrow_forward