Prelims Current Affairs includes Social Media Ban for Minors, Balendra Shah Set to Become Nepal Prime Minister, Exercise Lamitiye 2026, ‘Say No to Proxy Sarpanch’ Campaign, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, Mojtaba Khamenei & India’s First Ring Metro in Delhi

STATE IN NEWS

1. SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR MINORS

Current Context: The governments of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are planning to restrict social media access for minors. Karnataka proposes a ban for children below 16 years, while Andhra Pradesh plans a restriction for those below 13 years.

ABOUT THE PROPOSAL

• Objective: Protect children from harmful effects of excessive social media use
• Policy Context: The Economic Survey 2025–26 highlighted digital addiction among youth as a growing concern.
• Recommendation: Introduce age-based access limits and stronger age verification mechanisms on social media platforms.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AGE-BASED RESTRICTIONS

• Protecting Mental Health: Helps reduce risks of cyberbullying, digital addiction and exposure to harmful content.
• Reducing Excessive Screen Time: Excessive smartphone usage can negatively affect cognitive development, social interaction and academic performance of children.
• Promoting Healthy Activities: Encourages children to participate in reading, sports and offline learning activities.

GLOBAL EXAMPLES

• Australia: Became the first country to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 in 2025.
• Spain: Introduced mandatory age verification for users under 16 years on social media platforms.

APPOINTMENT

2. BALENDRA SHAH SET TO BECOME NEPAL PRIME MINISTER

Current Context: Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, is set to become the Prime Minister of Nepal after his party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), moved towards a landslide victory in the national elections.

• He defeated former Prime Minister P. Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5 constituency by a margin of 49,614 votes.

ABOUT BALENDRA SHAH

• Popularly known as Balen
• Profession: Rapper-turned-politician
• Party: Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)
• Rise to prominence after youth-driven political movements and reforms in Nepal.

POLITICAL CONTEXT

• The election was the first major national election after the Gen-Z protests of 2025.
• These protests led to the fall of the government led by K.P. Sharma Oli.
• The results reflect growing youth participation and demand for political reform in Nepal.

ABOUT NEPAL

• Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia, known for its mountainous terrain, cultural diversity, and federal democratic political system.

Borders:

• India (south, east and west)
• China (Tibet Autonomous Region) (north)
• Capital City: Kathmandu
• Nepal contains 8 of the world’s 10 highest mountains
• Includes Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) — the highest peak in the world.
• Official Language: Nepali

DEFENCE

3. EXERCISE LAMITIYE 2026

Current Context: A contingent of the Indian Armed Forces reached Seychelles to participate in the 11th edition of Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE 2026, held from 9–20 March 2026.

ABOUT EXERCISE LAMITIYE

• Participants: Indian Armed Forces and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF)
• Location: Seychelles Defence Academy, Seychelles
• Nature: Joint military exercise

KEY FEATURES

• Tri-Service Participation: Indian Army, Navy and Air Force participate together
• Frequency: Conducted biennially (once every two years)
• First Edition: 2001
• Meaning of LAMITIYE: “Friendship” in the Creole language

POLICY AND PROGRAMME

4. ‘SAY NO TO PROXY SARPANCH’ CAMPAIGN

Current Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ campaign to address the issue of male relatives exercising authority in place of elected women sarpanches.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

• Launched By: Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• Launch Date: International Women’s Day (8 March 2026)
• Duration: Till 18 March 2026

OBJECTIVE

• Promote independent leadership of elected women sarpanches
• Prevent proxy governance by male relatives.

‘SARPANCH PATI’ PRACTICE

• Refers to situations where husbands or male relatives of elected women sarpanches control decision-making
• Also known as Pradhan Pati or Mukhiya Pati.
• Significance: Strengthens grassroots democracy and women empowerment in Panchayati Raj Institutions.

SPORTS

5. ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP

Current Context: India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final held in Ahmedabad.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• India’s Score: 255/5 – highest total in a T20 World Cup final
• Sanju Samson: Scored 89 runs, highest individual score in a final
• Jasprit Bumrah: Took 4/15, awarded Player of the Match
• Player of the Tournament: Sanju Samson with 321 runs
• Significance: India became the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

APPOINTMENT

6. MOJTABA KHAMENEI

Current Context: Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

ABOUT MOJTABA KHAMENEI

• Age:56 years
• Relation: Second son of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

ABOUT IRAN

• Iran is a major country in West Asia, historically known as Persia, and plays an important role in regional geopolitics, energy markets and Middle Eastern politics.
• Area: Around 65 million square kilometres (17th largest country in the world)
• Neighbouring Countries: Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan.
• Water Bodies: Caspian Sea to the north, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south
• Major mountain ranges include Zagros and Alborz Mountains.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

• Official Name: Islamic Republic of Iran
• System: Theocratic republic
• Supreme Leader: Highest authority controlling military, judiciary and major policy decisions
• President: Head of government elected by the people

ECONOMY AND STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

• Iran has large oil and natural gas reserves, making it an important player in the global energy market.
• Its location near the Strait of Hormuz makes it strategically significant for global oil trade.

MISCELLANEOUS

7. INDIA’S FIRST RING METRO IN DELHI

Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Ring Metro corridor in Delhi, completing circular connectivity of the Pink Line.

ABOUT RING METRO

• Corridor: Majlis Park – Maujpur-Babarpur
• Metro Line: Pink Line of Delhi Metro

SIGNIFICANCE

• Provides circular connectivity across Delhi
• Improves urban mobility and reduces travel time
• Marks an important expansion of the Delhi Metro network.

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