Daily Current Affairs Today 16 March 2026 for SSC And Railway Exams

Daily Current Affairs for 16 March 2026 provides important updates that are useful for students preparing for SSC GD, SSC CGL, CHSL, RRB Group D, NTPC, ALP and Railway exams. These updates cover major national and international events, government initiatives, awards, defence exercises, and important geographical facts. Reading daily current affairs helps candidates improve their general knowledge and stay aware of recent developments that are frequently asked in competitive exams. 

Daily Current Affairs Today 16 March 2026 for SSC And Railway Exams

Below is the Daily Current Affairs Today 16 March 2026 for SSC and Railway Exams. It includes important national and international news, government initiatives, awards, defence exercises, and other key updates that are useful for competitive exam preparation. 

Iran Allows Indian Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

Amidst ongoing Middle East conflicts, Iran has permitted two Indian cargo ships, carrying LPG gas, to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz: Key Details

• Control: Primarily controlled by Iran.

• Location: Situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

• Bordering Countries: Iran and Oman.

• Strategic Importance: Approximately 80-85% of India's crude oil imports, along with significant LPG, transit through this strait. This reliance makes the route crucial for India's energy security and impacts domestic petroleum and LPG prices.

• Previous Incidents: Reportedly, 19 cargo ships have been impacted or hit by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

• Indian Ships Involved: The two newly permitted cargo ships are named Shivalik and Nanda Devi. They are carrying LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) to Kandla Port (Gujarat) or Mumbai Port (Maharashtra).

• Diplomatic Context: Iranian officials have stated that India is a friendly nation and will not face harm.

Indian Response: Operation Sankalp

• Initiative: India has launched Operation Sankalp in the region.

• Objective: To provide security to all Indian cargo ships transiting the route.

• Method: Deployment of Indian Naval Ships (INS).

• The term "blocking" in this context does not refer to physical barriers. Instead, it typically involves GPS jamming or blocking, which disrupts ship navigation and makes safe passage impossible.

• India's Crude Oil Sources: Major sources for India include Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Oman.

North Korea's Ballistic Missile Launches

Kim Jong Un, the Head of North Korea, launched 10 ballistic missiles into the Japan Sea (also known as the East Sea). This action caused concern in Japan and South Korea and was a reaction to ongoing military exercises by the USA and South Korea.

General Knowledge & Policy Updates

Constitutional & Administrative Questions

• Vice President as President: A Vice President can serve as President for a maximum of 6 months. Within this period, a new President must be elected.

• Highest Police Rank: The highest rank in a police department (e.g., in India) is DGP (Director General of Police).

Freedom Shield Military Exercise

• Exercise Name: Freedom Shield.

• Participants: USA and South Korea.

• Host Nation: South Korea, at Osan Airbase.

• Key Details of South Korea:

• Capital: Seoul.

• Currency: Won.

• Scale: Approximately 18,000 soldiers participated.

• Duration: The exercise concluded on March 19th.

• Purpose: To enhance South Korea's preparedness for potential future attacks.

• Geographical Context (Korean Peninsula): The Korean Peninsula is divided into North Korea and South Korea by the 38th Parallel.

Comparative Structure: US-India Military Exercises

• Yudh Abhyas

• Red Flag

• Vajra Prahar

• Cope India

• Tiger Triumph

• Malabar Exercise (a multinational exercise involving four countries)

Civil Services & Biology Questions

• Civil Services Exam Stages: The All India Civil Service Exams (UPSC) comprise three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

• Human Fertilization Site: Fertilization in human females occurs in the Fallopian tube.

Jnanpith Award

• Recipient: Vairamuthu, a prominent Tamil writer, has been awarded the Jnanpith Award. He is the third Tamil writer to receive this honor.

Jnanpith Award: Background & Details

• Field: Presented for outstanding contributions to Literature.

• Significance: It is considered the highest literary award in India.

• Initiation: The award was instituted in 1961.

• First Recipient: Awarded for the first time in 1965 to G. Sankara Kurup.

• Current Edition: Vairamuthu received the 60th Edition of the award for 2025.

• Prize: Includes ₹11 Lakhs and a statue.

• Languages: Awarded for works in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, and also for English.

• First English Recipient: Amitav Ghosh.

Vairamuthu's Previous Awards

• Padma Shri (2003)

• Sahitya Akademi Award (2003)

• Padma Bhushan (2014)

Recent Jnanpith Award Recipients

• 59th Edition: Vinod Kumar.

• 58th Edition: Gulzar and Rambhadracharya.

Foreign Currency Settlement System

• Initiative: The Foreign Currency Settlement System.

• Launch Date: October 2025.

• Implementing Authority: Finance Ministry.

Ascent of Ojos del Salado (World's Highest Active Volcano)

• Volcano: Ojos del Salado.

• Distinction: It is the world's highest active volcano.

• Location: Situated on the border of Chile and Argentina.

• Height: Measures 6,893 meters.

• Nearby Geographical Features: The Atacama Desert (known as the driest desert) and Aconcagua (the highest peak of the Andes Mountains).

Arpita Patra's Achievement

• Climber: Arpita Patra, a Professor at the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru.

• Significance: She is the second Indian female to successfully climb Ojos del Salado.

• First Indian Female Climber: Arunima Sinha was the first Indian female to achieve this feat in 2019.

Kurumba Painting: An Endangered Art Form

• Art Form: Kurumba Painting.

• Creators: Made by the Alu Kurumba tribe.

• Technique: Uses natural colors (e.g., green from grass, red from rose petals). Characterized by the use of dots, lines, shapes (like circles), and geometrical patterns to depict normal life.

• Location: Historically found as cave paintings in the Nilgiri area.

• Geographical Spread: These paintings are found in areas spanning Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

• Age: Estimated to be 3,000 years old.

• Current Status: The art form is currently diminishing and requires efforts for its revival.

• Associated Artist: Krishna Raghavan (pen name: Kitna), honored with the Padma Shri Award.

• Tribe Status: The Kurumba Tribe is recognized as a PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group).

Legal & Constitutional Questions

• Witness Protection: Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (2023), Section 398 pertains to ensuring the protection of witnesses.

• Separation of Powers: The division of legislative powers and the concept of separation of powers (as enshrined in Article 50 of the DPSP - Directive Principles of State Policy) implies a clear distinction and independent functioning of the Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary to prevent overlapping of responsibilities.

International Yoga Day 2026

• Event: International Yoga Day 2026.

• Edition: This will mark the 12th Edition.

International Yoga Day: Details

• Date: Celebrated annually on June 21.

• Approval: Approved by the United Nations (UN).

• First Celebration: Observed for the first time in 2015.

• Previous Host (2023): Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Preparatory Campaign

• A 100-day campaign is underway to establish a Yoga Protocol that standardizes the practice.

• Current Focus/Title: "Yoga for Air Travel".

• Organizing Body: Ministry of Ayush.

Components of AYUSH

• **A**yurveda

• **Y**oga

• **U**nani

• **S**iddha

• **H**omoeopathy

Sagar Kavach Coastal Security Exercise

• Exercise Name: Sagar Kavach.

• Type: A coastal security exercise.

• Location: Conducted in coastal areas, specifically covering Kerala and Mahe (Puducherry), on the Malabar Coast.

• Participants: Involves the Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Police, and Local Police.

• Duration: A two-day exercise, held from March 12th to 13th.

• Objectives: To enhance coastal security, control smuggling activities, and ensure the protection of fishermen.

Digital India Campaign & IT Act

• Digital India Campaign: Launched in 2015.

• IT Act, Section 69A: This section of the Information Technology Act grants the power to block public access to information/assets of the nation in certain circumstances.

Digital Twin Initiative at Indian Ports

• Initiative: Digital Twin Initiative.

• First Implementation in India: Launched at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu.

• Other Major Indian Ports:

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port: Maharashtra

• Deendayal Port: Gujarat

• Paradip Port: Odisha

• Functionality: Creates a comprehensive digital format for all cargo-related data, including placement, origin, destination, offloading, and ship's route. This ensures digital security and streamlines port operations, with data shared between vessels and port authorities.

• Related Safety Measure: Drone deployment has also been implemented at the port to enhance safety.

Also Read:

• SSC Monthly Current Affairs
• SSC Weekly Current Affairs

Karuki Kavaani: Millet-Based Tribal Food Menu

Karuki Kavaani is a recently inaugurated millet-based tribal food menu. Millets are coarse grains, including types such as Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi. This initiative was launched by Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The menu was introduced in Arakku Valley, a region known for its production of both coffee and bauxite. The dishes are prepared from millets by the local Arakku Koni Tribe, and the menu is named after the tribe. Examples include Ragi bread, Tur dal, and corn-based vadas.

Comparative Structure: Millet Production & Benefits

• Highest Millet Production in India: Rajasthan leads.

• Health Benefits: Ragi bread is consumed for sugar-related health conditions, and Jowar bread is also known for its health benefits.

New President of Chile

José Antonio Kast recently took the oath as the new President of Chile, succeeding Gabriel Boric. Chile is located in South America, with its capital city Santiago and currency the Peso. Geographically, Chile is home to the Atacama Desert and features the Andes Mountains, which include Aconcagua.

Child Marriage Free India Campaign

The Child Marriage Free India campaign was revamped in November 2025 and is actively promoted to eliminate child marriage across India.

Mayank Chakraborty: 94th Grandmaster

Mayank Chakraborty has achieved the title of 94th Grandmaster in Chess. He holds the distinction of being the first Grandmaster from Northeast India and belongs to the state of Assam. Tamil Nadu has produced the maximum number of Grandmasters in India.