IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Forests 2026 (21 March)

• International Day of Forests is observed every year on 21 March worldwide.

• The day highlights the importance of forests in supporting life on Earth.

• It aims to spread awareness about the role forests play in maintaining ecological balance.

• The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared 21 March as this day in 2012.

• UNGA encouraged governments to work with citizens for forest protection activities.

• Public actions like tree plantation drives are promoted to conserve forest resources.

• The theme for International Day of Forests 2026 is “Forests and Economies.”

• Forests are essential as they provide food, water, and shelter to humans and wildlife.

NATIONAL NEWS

Narendra Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Head of Government

• Narendra Modi has become India’s longest-serving elected Head of Government, completing over 8,931 days in top executive roles.

• This total includes his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and as Prime Minister of India.

• He surpassed the previous record of Pawan Kumar Chamling, who served 8,930 days in office.

• Modi served as Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001 to May 2014, making him the state’s longest-serving CM.

• He took oath as India’s 14th Prime Minister in May 2014.

• He became the first non-Congress leader to win a full majority in Parliament.

• He has won three consecutive Lok Sabha elections (2014, 2019, 2024) and completed two full terms, now serving a third.

• Modi is also the first Indian PM born after Independence, and has a massive social media presence with 30+ million YouTube subscribers, 100+ million Instagram followers, and 106+ million followers on X.

Crude Oil and LPG Cargo Handling Successfully Conducted at New Mangalore Port

• Cargo transfer operations at New Mangalore Port were carried out smoothly and efficiently.

• Crude oil was transferred from the vessel Aqua Titan to the MRPL (Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited) refinery.

• The crude oil unloading process was completed by 23 March.

• The vessel carried nearly 96,000 metric tonnes of crude oil imported from Russia for refining purposes.

• This consignment will help ensure a steady crude supply to support ongoing petroleum production operations.

• In parallel, unloading has also started for the LPG cargo vessel Pyxis Pioneer, which arrived on March 22.

• The ship is transporting around 16,714 metric tonnes of LPG sourced from Texas, USA.

• LPG unloading is being carried out under strict safety rules and operational procedures at the port.

STATE NEWS

Bihar Celebrates 114th Foundation Day (Bihar Diwas) on 22 March

• Bihar marked its 114th Foundation Day on 22 March, commemorating its formation as a separate state from Bengal in 1912.

• A three-day state-level celebration is being held at Gandhi Maidan, Patna.

• The theme of Bihar Diwas 2026 is “Unnat Bihar, Ujjwal Bihar”, focusing on development and progress.

• The programme was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, while the concluding event on 24 March will be addressed by Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.

• Various cultural performances and programmes by renowned artists from across India are part of the celebrations.

• Bihar is located in eastern India and shares borders with Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

• The Ganga River divides Bihar into two major regions, and it is the 3rd largest state by population and 12th by area.

• Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats, 16 Rajya Sabha seats, and 243 Assembly seats, is famous for Madhubani painting, and has the second-lowest urban population in India.

DEFENCE

Indian Navy to Commission Stealth Frigate Taragiri (F41)

• The Indian Navy will commission the stealth frigate Taragiri (F41) on 3 April.

• The commissioning ceremony will be held in Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presiding.

• The Ministry of Defence has termed Taragiri a major upgrade over earlier frigate designs.

• The ship has a streamlined structure and a reduced radar signature to enhance stealth performance.

• It has been built with over 75% indigenous components, supporting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

• The frigate is powered by a CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system for speed and endurance.

• It is capable of performing multi-role maritime operations across different operational zones.

• Taragiri is armed with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and strong anti-submarine warfare systems.

SPORTS

Lionel Messi Enters 900-Goal Club in Historic Football Milestone

• Lionel Messi has become the second male footballer to score 900 official career goals.

• He achieved this record while playing for Inter Miami CF in a match against Nashville SC.

• The match ended in a 1–1 draw and was held in Florida.

• It was part of the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and Inter Miami qualified for the next round on aggregate score.

• Messi has now joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the exclusive 900-goal club.

• Ronaldo became the first player to reach 900 goals in September 2024 and currently has around 965 goals.

• Messi reached 900 goals in 1,142 matches, while Ronaldo took 1,236 matches to achieve the same milestone.

• Pelé stands third in the official scoring list with 765 career goals.