CURRENT AFFAIRS 03 March, 2026

CURRENT AFFAIRS 03 March, 2026 

1. SCOTLAND BECOMES FIRST NATION TO APPROVE WATER CREMATION IN UK –

• Scotland has become the first nation in the United Kingdom to legalise water cremation, formally known as alkaline hydrolysis. The move marks a significant reform in funeral legislation, representing the most substantial change since cremation was introduced in Scotland in 1902. The new rules were approved by the Scottish Parliament amid growing demand for environmentally sustainable end-of-life options.
• Water cremation is widely regarded as a greener alternative to traditional burial or flame-based cremation. The decision reflects shifting public attitudes towards sustainable practices, including in the funeral sector.

How Hydrolysis Works

• Alkaline hydrolysis involves placing the body in a sealed chamber filled with water and potassium hydroxide, an alkaline solution. The chamber is heated to around 150°C for approximately 90 minutes. The combination of heat, water and chemicals accelerates the natural decomposition process.
• Soft tissues dissolve during the procedure, leaving only the bones. These are then rinsed at high temperatures, dried, and processed in a cremulator to produce ashes, similar to conventional cremation. The remaining liquid by-product is treated safely before disposal, in accordance with environmental regulations.

2. MICRON OPENS WORLD’S LARGEST SEMICONDUCTOR CLEAN ROOM IN GUJARAT –

• India took a major step in its semiconductor ambitions as Micron Technology commenced operations at its advanced memory ATMP facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The plant shipped its first finished DRAM module to Dell Technologies, marking the country’s entry into high-end semiconductor assembly and testing.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the facility, which represents India’s first advanced memory Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) site.

Largest Raised-Floor Clean Room Globally

• The Sanand unit houses a 500,000 square foot raised-floor clean room — the largest single semiconductor assembly clean room of its kind worldwide. Engineered specifically for Gujarat’s soil and climate conditions, the structure mitigates moisture-related risks.
• The clean room is rated Class 1000, allowing no more than 1,000 particles per cubic metre. Air is circulated 120 times per hour, significantly higher than pharmaceutical standards. This ensures protection of delicate integrated circuits and gold bonding wires that are thinner than fractions of a human hair.

3. PROJECT HANUMAN LAUNCHED TO ADDRESS GROWING HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT –

• Astep toward wildlife conservation and public safety. The Deputy CM of Andhra Pradesh Pawan Kalyan has launched Project HANUMAN. This Project to tackle the growing issue of human-wildlife conflict in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to reduce incidents of man animal clashes, protect rural communities and ensure the safety of wildlife. The launch comes amid increasing reports of wildlife entering human settlements. And also leading to crop damage, property loss and threats to human life.

What Is Project HANUMAN?

• Key Features of Project HANUMAN
• Focus on reducing human wildlife conflict in vulnerable districts
• Deployment of rapid response teams for emergency situations
• Use of technology and monitoring systems
• Strengthening coordination between forest officials and local communities
• Awareness campaigns to prevent risky human behavior near forest zones
• Project HANUMAN aims to create a structured response system instead of ad-hoc crisis management.

Why Human-Wildlife Conflict Is Rising

• Human-wildlife conflict has become a serious concern in many Indian states due to,
• Rapid urban expansion near forest areas
• Shrinking natural habitats
• Climate change impacts
• Increased dependence on forest-edge agriculture
• Animals such as elephants, leopards and wild boars often stray into villages in search of food and water. While doing this they resulting in dangerous encounters. The need for sustainable solutions has made Project HANUMAN a timely intervention.

4. HARYANA UNVEILS ₹2.23 LAKH CRORE BUDGET FOR 2026-27 –

• Haryana Chief Minister and Finance Minister Nayab Singh Saini presented the Haryana Budget 2026-27 with an outlay of ₹2,23,658 crore. Which is also marking a 10.28% increase over the revised estimate of ₹2,02,816 crore for 2025-26. The budget projects a fiscal deficit of ₹40,293 crore (2.65% of GSDP). Also lays out an ambitious roadmap focused on AI, agriculture, women empowerment, industrial growth and environmental sustainability.

Haryana Budget 2026-27: Key Fiscal Numbers

• Key Numbers of The Budget
• Total Budget Outlay: ₹2,23,658 crore
• Increase over 2025-26: 10.28%
• Fiscal Deficit: ₹40,293 crore (2.65% of GSDP)
• Revenue Deficit: 0.87%
• Effective Revenue Deficit: 0.41%
• Capital Expenditure: 1.86%
• Effective Capital Expenditure: 2.32%

5. FPI INFLOWS SURGE TO 17 MONTH HIGH AT ₹22,615 CRORE IN FEB 2026 –

• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) pumped ₹22,615 crore into Indian equities in February 2026 which is marking the highest monthly inflow in 17 months. The surge comes after three consecutive months of heavy selling and reflects renewed foreign confidence driven by the interim India-US trade deal, improved corporate earnings, and corrected market valuations. The inflow signals a potential shift in sentiment after a turbulent start to 2025 for foreign investments.

FPI Inflow February 2026: ₹22,615 Crore Boost

• The latest data shows that FPI inflow February 2026 stood at ₹22,615 crore the strongest monthly inflow since September 2024.
• This follows significant outflows,
• January 2026: ₹35,962 crore withdrawn
• December 2025: ₹22,611 crore withdrawn
• November 2025: ₹3,765 crore withdrawn
• Overall, FPIs had pulled out ₹1.66 trillion (USD 18.9 billion) in 2025 before February’s rebound.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Tamil Nadu’s first Dark Sky Park has been established at which place ?

1. a) Coonoor
2. b) Kolli Hills
3. c) Kodaikanal
4. d) Yercaud

Q2.   The Eligible Manufacturer Importers (EMI) Scheme has been launched by which organization ?

1. a) Reserve Bank of India
2. b) Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
3. c) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
4. d) Securities and Exchange Board of India

Q3.   India Meteorological Department (IMD) functions under which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
2. b) Ministry of Science and Technology
3. c) Ministry of Earth Sciences
4. d) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

Q4.   With reference to the recent escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, consider the following statements:

1. The tensions are primarily centered around disputes related to the Durand Line.
2. Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.
3. The Taliban government has formally recognized the Durand Line as the international border.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Durand Line has been a long-standing source of tension between the two countries. Recent clashes and cross-border firing are linked to this contested boundary.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Pakistan has accused the Taliban regime of allowing the TTP to operate from Afghan territory.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Taliban government has historically not formally recognized the Durand Line as a legitimate international border.

Q5.   What is the primary advantage of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) over conventional air-to-air missiles ?

1. a) It is equipped with a nuclear warhead option, enhancing deterrence capabilities.
2. b) It can engage both aerial and ground targets using an advanced multi-mode seeker.
3. c) It has a longer range and higher speed, reducing the risk to the launching aircraft.
4. d) It has an unlimited range due to satellite-based guidance.

Explanation-

• Option a is incorrect – Astra is not a nuclear-capable missile; it carries a high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
• Option b is incorrect – Astra is strictly an air-to-air missile, and cannot engage ground targets.
• Option c is correct – Astra BVRAAM provides a stand-off capability, allowing the launching aircraft to engage targets from a safe distance beyond visual range.
• Option d is incorrect – The Astra missile has a range of 100+ km, but it is not unlimited; it relies on radar and inertial navigation systems, not satellites.

Answer Key