Prelims Current Affairs includes World Water Day, World Meteorological Day, Martyr’s Day (Shaheed Diwas), Chapchar Kut Festival, National Productivity Council (NPC), Diego Garcia, Global Terrorism Index 2026, 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) & Navroz (Parsi New Year)

Important Day

1. WORLD WATER DAY

Observed every year on 22 March

• Aim : to raise awareness about the importance of freshwater and its sustainable management.
• Theme : Water and Gender.
• Recommended by: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, 1992
• First Celebrated: 1993

Important Day

2. WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY

Celebrated on 23 March

• Aim : to highlight the importance of weather and climate for human safety and well-being.
• Theme : Observing Today, Protecting Tomorrow.

Important Day

3. MARTYR’S DAY (SHAHEED DIWAS)

Observed on 23 March

• Aim : to honour Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, who were executed by the British.
• Associated Personalities: Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar
• Historical Event: Executed by British on 23 March 1931

HISTORY

4. CHAPCHAR KUT FESTIVAL

Current Context: Mizoram’s largest spring festival Chapchar Kut recently concluded after a week-long celebration of cultural festivities.

ABOUT CHAPCHAR KUT

• Location: Mizoram
• Type: Spring festival
• Historical Background: Originated between 1450–1700 A.D. in Suaipui village. Celebrated in March after completion of jhum cultivation (jungle clearing)

Key Features:

• People wear traditional attire with headgear and jewellery
• Community celebrations with music and dance using flute, drums, cymbals and gongs

Major Highlight:

• Bamboo dance called Cheraw
• Men tap bamboo sticks rhythmically while women perform dance movements
• Dance movements are inspired by nature
• Other Festivals of Mizoram: Pawl Kut, Lyuva Khutla, Anthurium Festival

ORGANISATION

5. NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (NPC)

Current Context: National Productivity Council has been designated as the Environment Audit Designated Agency by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

ABOUT NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL

• Established: 1958
• Type: Autonomous, non-profit organisation
• Administrative Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (DPIIT)
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• International Link: Constituent of Asian Productivity Organisation (Tokyo)

PLACE IN NEWS

6. DIEGO GARCIA

Current Context: Iran reportedly fired missiles toward the US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

ABOUT DIEGO GARCIA

• Location: Central Indian Ocean
• Type: Coral atoll
• Geographical Feature: Largest island of Chagos Archipelago
• Political Status: Part of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)

Historical Background:

• Discovered by Portuguese in 16th century
• Separated from Mauritius in 1965

Strategic Importance:

• Major US military base (air and naval)
• Key geostrategic and logistics hub

Controversy:

• Indigenous population forcibly removed
• UN General Assembly (2019) asked UK to return it to Mauritius

REPORT

7. GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX 2026

Current Context: Global Terrorism Index 2026 has been released by the Institute for Economics and Peace.

ABOUT GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX

• Published by: Institute for Economics and Peace (Sydney)
• Type: Annual global report on terrorism impact

Key Findings:

• Pakistan ranked most affected country
• Around 70% deaths occurred in 5 countries (Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, DRC)
• Terrorism deaths declined by 28%
• Attacks reduced by about 22%

Deadliest Organisations (2025):

• Islamic State (IS)
• JNIM
• Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
• Al-Shabaab
• India’s Rank: 13th

AWARDS

8. 98TH ACADEMY AWARDS (OSCARS 2026)

Current Context: The 98th Academy Awards were held on 15 March 2026 in Los Angeles, with One Battle After Another emerging as the top winner.

ABOUT OSCARS

• Organised by: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Purpose: To honour excellence in global cinema

Venue & Host:

• Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles
• Hosted by Conan O’Brien

Major Winners:

• Best Picture: One Battle After Another
• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
• Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan (Sinners)
• Best Actress: Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)

Supporting Awards:

• Supporting Actor: Sean Penn
• Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan

Other Key Awards:

• International Film: Sentimental Value (Norway)
• Animated Film: KPop Demon Hunters
• Documentary: Mr Nobody Against Putin

Special Highlights:

• New award category for Best Casting introduced
• Rare tie in Best Live Action Short Film
• First K-Pop song “Golden” won Best Original Song

Overall Performance:

• One Battle After Another – 6 awards
• Sinners – 4 awards
• Frankenstein – 3 awards

MISCELLANEOUS 

9. NAVROZ (PARSI NEW YEAR)

Current Context: The Prime Minister extended greetings on the occasion of Navroz, the Parsi New Year.

ABOUT NAVROZ

• Origin: Persian / Iranian New Year
• Meaning: ‘New Day’ (Nov = New, Roz = Day)

Significance:

• Marks beginning of spring season
• Celebrated by Parsi community worldwide

Historical Background:

• Originated in ancient Persian Empire and Zoroastrian calendar
• Associated with King Jamshed
• Introduced in India by Nusservanji Kohyaji (Surat trader)
• Recognition: Listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

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