Prelims Current Affairs includes International Day of Happiness, World Sparrow Day, World Oral Health Day, World Happiness Report 2026, Autonomous District Council (ADC), Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme, Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar & Stockholm Water Prize

Important Day

1. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS

Observed every year on 20 March

Aim : to highlight the importance of happiness and well-being in people’s lives.

• Celebrated by the United Nations since 2013.
• Emphasises that happiness and well-being are universal goals of humanity.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Linked with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) launched in 2015.
• Focuses on: Ending poverty, Reducing inequality, Protecting the planet

Important Day

2. WORLD SPARROW DAY

Celebrated on 20 March

Aim : to raise awareness about sparrow conservation.

Important Day

3. WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY

Observed every year on 20 March

• Aim : to promote awareness about oral hygiene.
• Theme: “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”

REPORT

4. WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2026

Current Context: Finland ranked as the happiest country in the World Happiness Report 2026 for the ninth consecutive year.

ABOUT REPORT

• Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre.
• Measures global happiness and life satisfaction levels.

TOP 10 HAPPIEST COUNTRIES (2026)

1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Costa Rica
5. Sweden
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Switzerland

INDIA’S POSITION

• Rank: 116
• Score: ~4.536

KEY FINDINGS

• High social media use reduces happiness, especially among youth.
• Teenagers, particularly girls, are more affected.
• Nordic countries show high levels of well-being.

GOVERNANCE

5. AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT COUNCIL (ADC)

Current Context: The Meghalaya Government extended the term of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) by six months.

ABOUT ADC

• Autonomous bodies under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
• Present in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

COMPOSITION

• Maximum 30 members
• 26 elected
• 4 nominated by Governor
• Tenure: 5 years

POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

• Make laws on:
• Land and forest management (except reserved forests)
• Marriage, inheritance and social customs
• Establish: Schools, markets, roads, dispensaries
• Regulate: Money lending and trade by non-tribals

REVENUE SOURCES

• Taxes on:
• Trade, profession, vehicles
• Entry of goods and market activities

SCHEME

6. SMALL HYDRO POWER (SHP) DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

Current Context: The Union Cabinet approved the Small Hydro Power (SHP) Development Scheme for the period FY 2026–27 to 2030–31.

ABOUT SCHEME

• Supports small hydro projects (1–25 MW)
• Total targeted capacity: 1,500 MW

TIME PERIOD

• FY 2026–27 to 2030–31

KEY FEATURES

• Higher support for North-East & border areas: ₹3.6 crore per MW (or 30% cost)
• General states support: ₹2.4 crore per MW (or 20% cost)
• ₹30 crore allocated for Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)
• Mandatory 100% domestic sourcing of equipment
• EMPLOYMENT: Around 51 lakh person-days employment during construction
• TECHNOLOGY: Based on run-of-the-river technology (no large dams)

DEFENCE

7. INDIAN OCEAN SHIP (IOS) SAGAR

Current Context: The second edition of Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR has commenced, strengthening maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.

ABOUT IOS SAGAR

• A maritime security cooperation initiative in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• Designed to enable naval personnel from friendly countries to train together onboard Indian naval ships.

PARTICIPATION

• Includes 16 member nations of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

OBJECTIVE

• Promote regional maritime cooperation and capacity building.
• Strengthen India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• Aligned with MAHASAGAR framework.

ACTIVITIES

• Training at Indian Naval establishments in Kochi
• Joint sailing and operational exercises at sea

PRIZE

8. STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE

Current Context: Kaveh Madani has been awarded the Stockholm Water Prize 2026.

ABOUT STOCKHOLM WATER PRIZE

• Known as the most prestigious award in the field of water.
• Instituted in 1991.

AWARDING BODY

• Stockholm Water Foundation in collaboration with the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

ELIGIBILITY

• Awarded to individuals or organisations for exceptional contributions in water conservation and management.

AWARD PRESENTATION

• Presented by the King of Sweden (Carl XVI Gustaf)
• Award ceremony held during World Water Week (August)

SIGNIFICANCE

• Recognises efforts towards sustainable water management and global environmental protection.

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