Current Affairs March 2026: Top 60 Questions for Competitive Exams

Current affairs questions contribute anywhere from 15 to 40 marks in most competitive examinations, whether you are appearing for banking exams (IBPS, SBI, RBI), SSC exams, railway exams, or UPSC. Yet, this is the section where the majority of aspirants leave marks on the table simply because they did not maintain consistent revision. This compilation covers the most important current affairs themes and question patterns from the first quarter of 2026 that are highly likely to appear in upcoming competitive exams.

Note: The following questions are structured around recurring themes and the types of events that competitive exams typically test. We have organized them by category for easy revision.

National Affairs and Government Initiatives

Questions 1-10: Government Schemes and Policy

1. Which ministry launched the next phase of the Digital India Programme in early 2026, and what are its primary focus areas?
2. What is the revised target for renewable energy capacity under India's updated National Solar Mission?
3. Name the new initiative launched by the Government of India to promote semiconductor manufacturing domestically.
4. What are the key highlights of the Union Budget 2026-27 related to education and skill development?
5. Which state became the first to implement the new National Education Policy reforms at the primary school level in 2026?
6. What is the updated target year for India achieving net-zero carbon emissions as stated in recent government communications?
7. Name the recently launched government portal for centralized tracking of all scholarship schemes for students.
8. What are the latest amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) introduced in 2026?
9. Which infrastructure corridor project received Cabinet approval in the first quarter of 2026?
10. What is the name of the new national health insurance scheme expansion covering gig workers and freelancers?

How to prepare: Government schemes are a guaranteed section in banking and SSC exams. Maintain a table with scheme name, launch year, ministry responsible, key features, and recent updates. Revise this table weekly.

International Affairs

Questions 11-20: Global Events and Diplomacy

1. Which country held the G20 presidency in 2026, and what were its key focus themes?
2. Name the new member nations that joined BRICS in 2025-2026 and the updated total membership count.
3. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2026?
4. Which international organization released its Global Economic Prospects report for 2026, and what is India's projected GDP growth?
5. Name the country that hosted the COP climate summit most recently and its key outcomes.
6. What are the major outcomes of the recent India-EU Trade Agreement negotiations?
7. Which country launched its first manned space mission in 2025-2026?
8. Name the new Secretary-General or head of any major international organization appointed in 2025-2026.
9. What significant trade policy changes did India implement regarding import duties on electronic goods in early 2026?
10. Which countries signed new bilateral defence cooperation agreements with India in the first quarter of 2026?

How to prepare: Focus on summits (G20, G7, BRICS, SCO, ASEAN), international organization heads, and India's bilateral relations. These appear in every competitive exam.

Banking and Financial Updates

Questions 21-30: RBI and Banking Sector

1. What is the current repo rate as decided in the latest RBI Monetary Policy Committee meeting?
2. Name any new guidelines issued by the RBI regarding digital lending platforms in 2025-2026.
3. Which banks received approval for opening new branches in underserved areas under RBI's financial inclusion drive?
4. What is the updated deposit insurance coverage amount under DICGC?
5. Name the new payment system or digital banking feature launched by NPCI in 2025-2026.
6. What regulatory action did SEBI take regarding retail investor protection in early 2026?
7. Which public sector bank reported the highest quarterly profit in Q3 FY2025-26?
8. What are the latest RBI guidelines on credit card billing and interest rate transparency?
9. Name the new fintech regulations introduced by the Government or RBI in the first quarter of 2026.
10. What is the current status of the Digital Rupee (CBDC) pilot project and its expansion plans?

How to prepare: Banking current affairs are critical for IBPS, SBI, and RBI exams. Follow RBI press releases and the monthly bulletins available on the RBI website. Jobsafal also publishes monthly banking awareness updates.

Science, Technology, and Defence

Questions 31-40: Innovation and Defence

1. Name the latest satellite launched by ISRO in 2026 and its purpose.
2. What is the name of India's upcoming human spaceflight mission under the Gaganyaan programme and its current timeline?
3. Which Indian defence missile system successfully completed its latest test in early 2026?
4. Name the new supercomputer commissioned in India and the institution hosting it.
5. What are the key features of the 6G technology research initiative launched by the Department of Telecommunications?
6. Which Indian institution was named among the world's top research universities in the latest global rankings?
7. Name the recent joint military exercise between India and the United States and where it was conducted.
8. What is the name of India's indigenously developed naval aircraft carrier or warship commissioned or launched recently?
9. Which AI-related policy or regulation did the Indian government introduce in early 2026?
10. Name the Indian scientist or technologist who received a major international award in 2025-2026.

How to prepare: ISRO missions, defence exercises (always know the name, participating countries, and location), and major technology announcements are favourite topics. Create a dedicated "Science and Tech" section in your notes.

Awards, Appointments, and Sports

Questions 41-50: People and Achievements

1. Name the recipients of the Bharat Ratna award in 2025-2026.
2. Who received the Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards in the fields of science and public affairs in 2026?
3. Who was appointed as the new Chief Justice of India most recently?
4. Name the new heads of RBI, SEBI, NITI Aayog, or any other major regulatory body appointed in 2025-2026.
5. Who won the latest edition of the Cricket World Cup or IPL? Name the player of the tournament.
6. Name the Indian athletes who won medals at the most recent major international sporting event.
7. Who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2025?
8. Name the latest winner of the Booker Prize and the Sahitya Akademi Awards.
9. Which Indian state's Chief Minister changed due to elections or political developments in 2025-2026?
10. Who was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, or Chief of Air Staff in 2025-2026?

How to prepare: Create a running list of appointments and awards. This is entirely fact-based and rewards those who revise regularly. Test yourself with flashcards.

Environment, Reports, and Indices

Questions 51-60: Rankings and Data

1. What is India's rank in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) report?
2. Name the top three countries in the latest Global Innovation Index and India's position.
3. What is India's ranking in the World Happiness Report 2026?
4. Which Indian city was named among the world's most polluted cities in the latest WHO/IQAir report?
5. What is the latest GDP growth forecast for India by the IMF and World Bank?
6. Name the Indian state that topped the latest NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Goals index.
7. Which country topped the latest Global Hunger Index and what is India's position?
8. What are the key findings of the latest Economic Survey of India?
9. Name the new UNESCO World Heritage Sites from India added in 2025-2026.
10. What is the latest data on India's foreign exchange reserves and its global ranking?

How to prepare: Reports and indices are extremely high-frequency topics. Maintain a table with: Report Name, Publishing Organization, India's Rank, Top Country, Key Parameters. This single table can fetch you 5-8 marks in any exam.

Study Strategy for Current Affairs

Daily Routine (30 minutes)

• Read one national newspaper (The Hindu or Indian Express) and note down 5 key facts
• Use a current affairs app or Jobsafal's daily updates for quick summaries
• Spend 10 minutes on banking and economy news specifically

Weekly Routine (2 hours)

• Compile the week's important events into your notebook or digital document
• Solve 20-30 current affairs MCQs from the past week
• Review and update your appointments/awards running list

Monthly Routine (3-4 hours)

• Read a comprehensive monthly current affairs magazine or PDF compilation
• Attempt a 50-question current affairs test covering the entire month
• Revise static GK topics that connect to current events (for example, if a new national park is in the news, revise all national parks)

Pre-Exam Routine (Last 15 days)

• Revise the last 6-8 months of current affairs compilations
• Focus on banking awareness and economic data for banking exams
• Revise reports and indices table thoroughly
• Take daily current affairs quizzes to maintain recall

Conclusion

Current affairs is not a section you can cram overnight. It is built over months of consistent reading and revision. The 60 question themes covered in this article represent the high-probability topics for any competitive exam in 2026 -- from IBPS PO and SBI Clerk to SSC CGL and RRB NTPC.

Jobsafal publishes daily current affairs digests and monthly compilations specifically designed for competitive exam aspirants. Bookmark Jobsafal and make it a part of your daily preparation routine. The marks you gain from current affairs could be the marks that make the difference between success and another attempt.