Current Affairs 5 March 2026

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs March 5 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs March 2026 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2026 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Dear Aspirants,
With effect from 26 January 2026, the Exam Hint and In-Depth Content of articles (news) will be available exclusively in our Daily PDF (DailyScoop PDF).
To access the DailyScoop PDF, please subscribe to the Crack Current Course on the CareersCloud app or website.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course –Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert – English | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs 4 March 2026

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Overview of Canadian PM Mark Carney’s visit to India from February 27 – March 2, 2026
Mark Carney, Prime Minister (PM) of Canada, paid an official visit to India from 27th February to 2nd March 2026, at the invitation of PM Narendra Modi, marking his first official visit to India since his predecessor Justin Trudeau visited India in 2018 to attend the Group of Twenty (G-20) summit.
Highlights of the Visit:
Visit to Mumbai, New Delhi: On February 27, 2026, Canadian PM Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai(Maharashtra) to strengthen bilateral relations between India and Canada, with a focus on trade, energy, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• PM Narendra Modi and PM Mark Carney held delegation-level talks on 2 March 2026 at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, Delhi.
• The leaders launched negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the release of Terms of Reference (ToR).

Target: India set a bilateral trade goal of USD 50 billion by 2030, focusing on sectors such as pharmaceuticals, iron and steel, seafood, cotton garments, electronics, chemicals, pulses, coal, fertilizers, paper, and crude petroleum.
MoUs: Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged between India and Canada across sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), healthcare, agriculture, innovation, education, and culture.

Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs 239th meeting of CBT & EPF in New Delhi 
In March 2026, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoL&E), chaired the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The board has recommended to retain the interest rate of Provident Fund (PF) deposits at 8.25% for Financial Year 2025-26(FY26).

Highlights of 239th meeting of CBT & EPF:
Amnesty Scheme for Exempted Establishments: The Board approved a one-time Amnesty Scheme, designed to address compliance issues related to income tax–recognized trusts.
Alignment of existing Schemes: The CBT has also approved the notification of new social security schemes: EPF Scheme, 2026, Employees Pension Scheme (EPS, 2026); and Employees’s Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme, 2026.
Others: The Board has also approved a pilot project for auto-initiation of claim settlement in inoperative EPFO accounts with unclaimed balances of Rs 1,000 or less. 

• The Board approved the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to conduct direct recruitment and promotion examinations on behalf of EPFO.

CGA Launches Government Bank Dashboard & Government Bank Manual to Strengthen Government Transactions
In March 2026, the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) T.C.A. Kalyani launched two major initiatives the Government Bank Dashboard and the Government Bank Manual in New Delhi, Delhi to improve the governance and efficiency of banks handling government transactions.

• The initiatives aim to strengthen transparency, standardize procedures, and enhance monitoring of government banking operations across India.

Government Bank Dashboard:
The Government Bank Dashboard serves as a real-time monitoring tool to transition from reactive corrections to proactive oversight.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): It tracks transaction success rates, scroll compliance, and remittance timelines.
Government Bank Manual:
The Government Bank Manual establishes a standardized operational framework for all banks conducting government business.
Standardization: It defines uniform procedures for reporting obligations and reconciliation timelines.
Risk Management: The manual aims to mitigate operational risk and reduce ambiguity in transaction processing.

MoD Signs Rs 5,083 crore Contracts for ALH Mk-III (MR) and VL-Shtil Missiles
In March 2026, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed defence procurement contracts worth Rs.5,083 crore for the acquisition of Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch(VL) – Shtil missile systems for the Indian Navy (IN).

• The contracts were signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, MoD at South Block, New Delhi, Delhi.

Key Details of Contract:
ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) Helicopters: The MoD signed a contract worth Rs.2,901 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role), including operational role equipment, engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support, for the ICG.
Surface-to-Air VL– Shtil Missiles: The MoD also signed a contract worth Rs.2,182 crore with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation for the procurement of Surface-to-Air VL – Shtil missiles along with associated missile holding frames for the IN.

Indian Navy Signs Contract with Shoft Shipyard for 4 Self-Propelled Fuel Barges 
In March 2026, the Indian Navy (IN) signed a contract with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited,Thane, Maharashtra, for the construction of four 500-tonne Self-Propelled Fuel Barges to strengthen naval logistics and fuel supply operations.
About Fuel Barges:
Design: The fuel barges will be constructed in accordance with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, ensuring high standards of quality and safety.
Function: It will primarily support naval logistics operations by supplying fuel to  Indian Naval Ships(INS) and submarines in harbours and anchorage areas, ensuring continuous fuel availability for naval assets.
Alignment: The project supports the Government of India(GoI)’s initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, aimed at strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.

BANKING & FINANCE

IRDAI proposes Ind AS adoption for all insurers wef April 1, 2026
In March 2026, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) released an exposure draft of the IRDAI (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026, along with a detailed consultation paper proposing to implement Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS).
Key Highlights
Effective from: The proposed implementation will be effective from April 1, 2026.
Applies to: The proposed implementation shall apply to all categories of insurers, including Life Insurers, General Insurers, Health Insurers, and Reinsurers.
Purpose: The transition to Ind AS would enhance global comparability, introduce market-consistent measurement of liabilities, improve performance disclosures, and strengthen governance and risk management practices.
Existing Framework: Currently, the insurers prepare financial statements under Insurance Act, 1938 and IRDAI regulations.

• The existing framework lacks global comparability, market-consistent valuation, and transparency in financial reporting.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Jio Platforms Appoints Dan Bailey as President to Lead International Business
In March 2026, Jio Platforms Limited, the digital services arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), appointed Dan Bailey as President to lead its international business operations.

• In this role, he will be responsible for expanding Jio’s global footprint, driving international partnerships, and scaling digital services across global markets.

About Dan Bailey:
Experience: He brings over 35 years of experience in consulting and investment banking.
Leadership Roles: He has held senior leadership positions at Schroders/Citi, Morgan Stanley, and HSBC.
Recent Role: Most recently, he served as Chairman of Deutsche Bank’s Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) practice, where he advised on several major global telecom transactions.
Reporting Structure: He will report to Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, and will also join the Executive Committee of Jio Platforms Limited, contributing broadly to the company’s strategic and business operations.

ENVIRONMENT

Two New Earthworm Species Discovered in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala
In March 2026, researchers discovered two new species of moniligastrid earthworms named ‘Moniligaster girishi’ and ‘Drawida reynoldsi’ in Silent Valley National Park, located in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR) of the Western Ghats, Kerala. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Zootaxa.

• With these discoveries, the total number of recognised moniligastrid earthworm species in India has increased to 95, of which 70 species are found in the Western Ghats.

About Two New Earthworm Species:
Moniligaster girishi: Collected from the tropical wet evergreen forest near Chembotti. It belongs to the gravelyi species-group and is distinguished by a unique single undivided spermathecal atrial gland and a specific prostatic capsule.

• It is named in honor of P. Girish Kumar, a scientist at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).

Drawida reynoldsi: Collected from the montane grasslands between Sispara and Anginda. It belongs to the robusta species-group and is characterized by a sausage-like prostatic capsule and a large, erect spermathecal atrium.

• It is named in honour of John Warren Reynolds, a renowned Canadian earthworm specialist.

Significance: Kerala has the highest diversity of these earthworms, with 43 species (30 Drawida and 13 Moniligaster).

New Genus & Species of Blind Miniature Fish ‘Gitchak nakan’Discovered in Assam
In March 2026, a group of international researchers from Germany, India and Switzerland, discovered a new genus and species of blind, aquifer-dwelling (phreatobitic) fish named ‘Gitchak nakan’, living in a hand-dug well in a village in Assam.

• The discovery of new fish species was published in the Nature Portfolio journal Scientific Reports, one of the world’s leading scientific journals.

Key Details:
Significance: This discovery marks the 1st record of an aquifer-dwelling fish species from the North-East (NE) India and the eastern Himalayan region.
Name: The newly discovered fish species has been named ‘Gitchak nakan’, derived from Garo language to describe its physical appearance.

• The word ‘Gitchak’ means red, while ‘na-tok’ and ‘kana’ refer to the absence of eyes.

Genus Family: As per the researchers, the new species belongs to a new genus within the Cobitidae family.
Physical Features: This miniature fish which grows maximum of 2 centimeters (cm) in size, has a translucent body and lacks any skin pigment which gives it a striking, bright red color in appearance.

• The most unusual feature of this species is the complete absence of a skull roof , with the  brain covered only by skin rather than bone.

OBITUARY

Veteran Journalist & Former Diplomat H.K. Dua Passes Away
In March 2026, renowned journalist, former diplomat and parliamentarian, Hari Krishan (HK) Dua passed away at the age of 88 in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on July 01, 1937.

• He was honored by the Government of India (GoI) in 1998 with Padma Bhushan, India’s 3rd highest civilian honor in the ‘Literature and Education’(Journalism) category.

About HK Dua:
Journalism Career: During his illustrious journalistic career which spans more than 40 years, he has held senior editorial positions at some of the famous print media houses in India like: served as the Editor of The Hindustan Times (HTI) (1987-94); Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express (1994-96); and  The Tribune (2003-09); and Editorial Advisor, The Times of India (TOI) (1997-98).
Diplomat Career: He had also worked as the Media Advisor to two Prime Ministers (PMs): Atal Bihari Vajpayee and H.D. Deve Gowda.

• In addition, he also served as Ambassador of the GoI to Denmark (2001-2003).

Nominated to Rajya Sabha: He was also nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Parliament (from 2009 to 2015). During his term, he actively participated in debates on issues like foreign affairs and national security.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Wildlife Day 2026 – March 3 
The United Nations (UN’s) World Wildlife Day (WWD) is observed annually on 3rd March to honor and raise awareness about the world’s wild fauna (animals) and flora (plants). It highlights the importance of wildlife conservation and its vital role in sustaining ecosystems.

• 2026 Theme: “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”.

Background:
Declaration: On 20th December 2013, during its 68th session, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3rd March as WWD through Resolution 68/205.
First Observance: The first-ever WWD was celebrated globally on March 3, 2014.
Significance: March 3rd was selected to mark the adoption of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973.
Implementation: The CITES Secretariat, in collaboration with relevant UN organizations, coordinates and supports the implementation of WWD worldwide.

World Hearing Day 2026 – March 3
World Hearing Day (WHD), observed annually across the globe on March 3, raises awareness about hearing loss and promotes ear and hearing care, serving as a call to action to tackle related challenges.

• March 3, 2026 marks the observance of the 20th WHD.
• 2026 Theme: The World Health Organization (WHO) sets the official theme for WHD, which this year is “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children”.

Background:
Beijing Declaration : The First International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Loss in Beijing (China) adopted the Beijing Declaration, leading to the creation of International Ear Care Day to promote global hearing care.
First Observation: The inaugural International Ear Care Day was held on 3rd March 2007, with the date chosen because the numbers 3 and 3 resemble the shape of ears.
Renaming : In 2016, the day was renamed World Hearing Day to reflect its broader mission of raising awareness about hearing loss.

National Security Day 2026 – March 4 
National Security Day (NSD), also known as Rashtriya Suraksha Diwas, is observed across India every year on 4 March to honor and express gratitude to the Indian security forces including the Police, Military, Paramilitary forces, Guards, Commandos, and all personnel dedicated to safeguarding the nation and ensuring the safety of its citizens.

• The first NSD in India was observed on March 4, 1972.

About National Security Council (NSC) of India:
Establishment: The National Security Council (NSC) was established on 19 November 1998 by former Prime Minister (PM) Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a federal institutional and consultative body for national security decision-making.
Structure: The NSC is chaired by the PM with the National Security Advisor (NSA) serving as Secretary and operates as a three-tier system within the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

STATE NEWS

Telangana’s SERP Partners with TBIS, T-Hub & WE Hub to Launch Rs.12.66 Crore Challenge Fund
In March 2026, the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), Telangana in collaboration with the Technology Business Incubator Society (TBIS) at Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Hyderabad(Telangana), start-up incubator Telangana Hub (T-Hub), and Women Entrepreneurs Hub (WE Hub), launched a Rs 12.66 crore Challenge Fund to promote rural entrepreneurship in Telangana.
About Challenge Fund:
Target: The fund aims to provide institutional support, enterprise diagnostics, and customized growth roadmaps to over 300 women and young entrepreneurs.
Support: The initiative is backed by the Ministry of Rural Development(MoRD) under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) Incubator Programme.
Timeline: Applications for entrepreneurs in sectors such as manufacturing, food processing, handicrafts, and agri-allied services will open on March 8, 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
Coverage: The programme will be executed across all 33 districts of Telangana through the district and block-level networks of SERP.
Institutional Roles: TBIS will provide technical advisory and mentorship, while T-Hub will facilitate capital readiness and market linkages through its network of over 2,000 start-ups; Women Entrepreneurs Hub (WE Hub) will lead founder mobilisation and enterprise acceleration across Telangana.

UP Government Signs Rs.200 crore MoU with Germany’s RAILONE GmbH to Boost Rail Infrastructure
In February 2026, the Government of Uttar Pradesh (UP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 200 crore with RAILONE GmbH, a Germany-based railway infrastructure company, to strengthen and modernise rail infrastructure in the state.

• The agreement was signed by Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister(DyCM) of UP, during his visit to the company’s manufacturing facility in Germany.

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The partnership aims to strengthen modern railway infrastructure in UP by introducing advanced rail track technology and modern concrete sleeper manufacturing systems.
Technology Transfer: The agreement will also facilitate technology transfer, adoption of global best practices, and technical collaboration in railway components.

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)