Daily current affairs: 2 March 2026

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney oversaw the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the India-Canada CEPA in New Delhi. This landmark move marks the official restart of ambitious trade negotiations aimed at doubling two-way trade from the current $30 billion to $50 billion by 2030. The agreement is designed to cover trade in goods, services, and investment, focusing on critical minerals and high-tech cooperation. Both leaders emphasized that the CEPA would provide a structured framework for frequent negotiations, ensuring a balanced and mutually beneficial economic partnership while reinforcing the "One Family" bond between the two nations.

Long Description : During the high-level bilateral summit in New Delhi, India and Canada signed a significant deal ensuring a steady supply of Uranium to fuel India’s growing nuclear energy sector. The agreement also includes cooperation in the extraction and processing of critical minerals like lithium and potash, which are essential for India's green energy transition. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit finalized this strategic partnership, highlighting Canada’s role as a reliable energy partner for India. This deal is expected to reduce India’s dependence on volatile energy markets while supporting its net-zero goals by facilitating cleaner energy production through expanded nuclear capacity and mineral-based technology.

Long Description : In a significant diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the King of Bahrain to express India's firm solidarity following recent security incidents in the Gulf state. The Prime Minister strongly condemned the attacks and thanked His Majesty for the continuous protection provided to the 3.5 lakh-strong Indian community in Bahrain. The conversation also touched upon the broader security situation in West Asia, with both leaders calling for regional stability. This interaction underscores India’s proactive "Link West" policy and its commitment to protecting its citizens and strategic interests in the Middle East during periods of geopolitical volatility.

Long Description : The Indian government has revised the GDP growth estimate for the fiscal year 2025-26 to 7.6% from the earlier projection of 7.2%. This revision comes on the back of a newly introduced data series that better captures the value-added growth in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Robust domestic demand, increased infrastructure spending, and a recovery in private investment have been cited as the primary drivers. Analysts suggest that this "Goldilocks" growth phase—low inflation and high growth—positions India as the fastest-growing major economy. The update also adjusted the fiscal deficit ratios slightly, reflecting the larger base of the expanded economy.

Long Description : To protect retail investors from fraudulent schemes and "pump-and-dump" tactics, SEBI has officially deployed 'AI Sudarshan.' This advanced artificial intelligence engine is designed to scan thousands of hours of video and text content across social media platforms daily. It identifies misleading financial claims, unauthorized investment advice, and undisclosed paid promotions by "finfluencers." The system flags suspicious patterns for human oversight, allowing SEBI to issue notices and penalties more efficiently. This initiative is part of a broader regulatory push to ensure transparency in the digital financial ecosystem and to curb the influence of unregistered entities on the stock market.

Long Description : The Gujarat government has introduced a comprehensive Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Policy to transform the state into a global tech hub. The policy provides specialized incentives for startups in high-growth sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, and Biotechnology. A major highlight is the dedicated fund for semiconductor Research and Development (R&D) to support the growing "Silicon Valley of India" in Sanand and Dholera. By offering capital subsidies and intellectual property (IP) registration support, the state aims to attract global researchers and venture capital. This policy aligns with the national 'Viksit Bharat' vision to make India a self-reliant technological superpower.

Long Description : In a historic display of community participation, the city of Varanasi planted 2,51,446 saplings in just sixty minutes, surpassing previous world records. The campaign, themed "Green Kashi, Clean Kashi," involved thousands of volunteers, students, and local authorities across multiple sites in the district. The initiative aims to increase the city's green cover and combat rising urban temperatures. Guinness World Record officials monitored the event, certifying the achievement on the spot. This mass plantation drive is part of a larger state government initiative to plant 35 crore saplings across Uttar Pradesh to enhance forest density and ecological balance in the Gangetic plains.

Long Description : Marking a pivotal moment for India's semiconductor mission, PM Modi inaugurated the first phase of Micron's semiconductor facility in Sanand. The plant, established with an investment of over $2.7 billion, is designed to package and test memory and storage products for global markets. This facility is expected to create 5,000 direct jobs and significantly reduce India's dependence on imported semiconductor components. During the inauguration, the PM emphasized that "Made in India" chips would soon power global electronics. The project highlights India's emergence as a key player in the global electronics supply chain, supported by the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (M-SIPS).

Long Description : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde launched the 'Divyang Sahayak' portal to streamline the delivery of welfare services to the differently-abled community. The portal integrates over 40 state and central government schemes, allowing users to apply for UDID cards, scholarships, and pension benefits through a single window. It uses Aadhaar-based authentication to ensure that benefits reach the genuine beneficiaries directly. The initiative is designed to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and improve transparency. Maharashtra is the first state to create such a comprehensive digital ecosystem, setting a benchmark for other states in disability-inclusive governance and digital empowerment for marginalized sections of society.

Long Description : The Government of West Bengal has partnered with the German development agency GIZ to address long-term water management and flood control. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on creating scientific masterplans for the Ichhamati and Jalangi river basins, which are prone to seasonal flooding and siltation. The project will utilize advanced satellite mapping and hydrologic modeling to design embankments and drainage systems. This collaboration aims to protect millions of farmers in the border districts from crop loss and displacement. The masterplan will also include sustainable riverfront development and measures to check water pollution, ensuring the ecological health of the state's internal river systems.

Long Description : Senior officials from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have expressed confidence in the current economic trajectory, describing it as a "Goldilocks phase." This economic state implies that the economy is neither too hot (leading to high inflation) nor too cold (leading to recession). The central bank noted that despite global geopolitical tensions, India’s core sectors are showing resilience, with inflation remaining within the target band of 4% (+/-2%). The RBI highlighted that increased capital expenditure and healthy corporate balance sheets are sustaining the growth momentum. This positive outlook suggests that interest rates may remain stable in the near term, further encouraging private investment and consumer spending.

Long Description : A Bench of the Supreme Court has initiated an inquiry after a trial court judgment was found to be based on "fake" case laws generated by Artificial Intelligence. The Court observed that using AI to hallucinate non-existent verdicts is not a simple error but a serious threat to the integrity of the judicial system. It issued notices to the Attorney General and the Bar Council of India to frame guidelines for the use of AI in legal proceedings. This case highlights the "hallucination" risk associated with Large Language Models (LLMs) and the urgent need for a regulatory framework to prevent the misuse of technology in Indian courtrooms.

Long Description : Strengthening India's cheetah reintroduction program, a special cargo flight carrying nine cheetahs from Botswana landed at Gwalior before being shifted to Kuno National Park. This batch includes five females and four males, selected for their genetic diversity to ensure a healthy breeding population in India. The cheetahs have been placed in specialized quarantine enclosures for 30 days of observation before being released into larger hunting bomas. This arrival marks a significant milestone in Project Cheetah, which aims to establish a self-sustaining population of the big cat in India after it was declared extinct in the country in 1952.

Long Description : Following the escalation of conflict in West Asia, the CBSE issued an emergency notice postponing board examinations for schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The decision was taken in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safety of over 50,000 Indian students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools in the region. The Board stated that the situation would be reviewed on March 3rd to decide on new dates. This move follows reports of airspace closures and military strikes in the region, which have disrupted normal life and created significant security concerns for the Indian diaspora living in the Gulf.

Long Description : Astronomy enthusiasts across India witnessed a spectacular total lunar eclipse, often referred to as a 'Blood Moon.' The event occurred as the Earth passed directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a deep shadow. Due to Rayleigh scattering in the Earth's atmosphere, the moon appeared reddish-brown during the total phase. This celestial event coincided with the auspicious week of Holi, a rare alignment occurring once in a century. The eclipse was best viewed in the early evening between 6:33 PM and 6:40 PM IST. Scientific organizations held public viewing sessions, while astrologers noted the event's cultural significance, which aligns with the Purnima (full moon) of the month.

Long Description : In a high-stakes encounter, the Indian cricket team marched into the semifinals of the international T20 series by defeating the West Indies. Chasing a formidable total, Sanju Samson played a stellar, calculated innings, scoring a crucial half-century under pressure. The bowling department, led by Jasprit Bumrah, restricted the Caribbean hitters in the death overs, ensuring a comfortable victory in the end. This win cements India’s position as a top contender for the title. The performance was lauded for its tactical execution and the depth of the batting order. India will now face the winner of the Group B clash in the upcoming semifinal match scheduled later this week.