5 March 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs cover all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exams.

India–Canada Formally Resume CEPA Negotiations Amid Diplomatic Reset

During his state visit to India, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signalled a reset in bilateral ties, with both sides formally resuming negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and expanding cooperation across trade, energy, climate, and technology.

Key Outcomes of the Visit

1. Fuel Security:

• Uranium Supply Deal
• Canada’s Cameco will supply uranium ore concentrates from 2027 to 2035.
• Supports India’s civilian nuclear energy expansion and clean energy goals.

2. CEPA Trade Talks Resumed:

• Negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) formally restarted.
• Target: Conclude agreement by end-2026.
• Bilateral trade target set at $50 billion by 2030.

3. Climate and Energy Cooperation:

• Canada announced intent to join the International Solar Alliance.
• Upgrade to full membership in the Global Biofuels Alliance.

4. Technology & Innovation:

• Launch of Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.
• Focus: Emerging technologies, digital innovation, and advanced manufacturing.

5. Agriculture Cooperation:

• Establishment of the India–Canada Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence at
  National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management.
• Focus: Fortified pulse products and food innovation.

6. Student Mobility & Research:

• Canada to offer fully funded research internships to 300 Indian students annually.
• India remains the largest source of international students to Canada (~4 lakh students).

7. Critical Minerals Cooperation:

• MoU signed to build secure and resilient supply chains in critical minerals.
• Important for EV batteries, semiconductors, and clean energy technologies.

Overview of India–Canada Bilateral Relations

India and Canada are marking 79 years of diplomatic relations (2026) under a Renewed Strategic Partnership, following recent diplomatic strains.

1. Trade Snapshot (FY 2024–25):

• Total Merchandise Trade: ~$9 billion
• Trade Balance: In Canada’s favour (both goods and services)

2. India’s Exports to Canada:

• Pharmaceuticals, Iron & steel, Jewellery, Textiles, Organic chemicals

3. India’s Imports from Canada:

• Pulses (lentils), Coal, Fertilisers, Wood pulp, Newsprint

4. Defence and Strategic Engagement:

• Formalisation of India–Canada Defence Dialogue during PM Carney’s visit.
• Expanding cooperation in security and Indo-Pacific engagement.

5. Diaspora & People-to-People Ties:

• Persons of Indian origin constitute ~5% of Canada’s population (~2 million).
• Strong educational and cultural links form a core pillar of relations.

U.S.–Israel Launch Joint Offensive Against Iran Under ‘Epic Fury’ and ‘Lion’s Roar’

The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran under Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Lion’s Roar (Israel), marking a major escalation in West Asia.

Strikes in Tehran allegedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Around 50 senior Iranian officials were reportedly eliminated.

Immediate Regional Escalation

1. Iranian Retaliation:

• Iran launched missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. and Israeli interests in Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE

2. Proxy Activation:

• Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel.
• Israel responded with intensive airstrikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon.

Factors Behind the U.S.–Israel Joint Attack

• Nuclear Talks Breakdown: Negotiations in Geneva collapsed over U.S. demands that Iran dismantle Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities & Permanently halt uranium enrichment
•  “Shia Crescent” Concerns: Iran’s attempt to create a Tehran–Iraq–Syria–Lebanon land corridor alarmed U.S.-backed allies over shifting regional power balance.
• Proxy Warfare Strategy: Iran’s support to Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Created multiple pressure fronts against Israel and challenged U.S.-protected Red Sea routes.
• Strategic Alignment with Russia and China: Iran’s deepening ties with Russia and China raised Western concerns over a potential nuclear-backed geopolitical bloc.
• Sectarian Divide: Shia-majority Iran and U.S.-aligned Sunni Arab bloc remain locked in long-standing rivalry for dominance in West Asia.
• Existential Security Doctrine: Iran’s rejection of Israel’s legitimacy leads Tel Aviv to treat Iranian military buildup as an immediate survival threat.

Strategic Implications

1. Energy Shock Risk:

Iran could blockade the Strait of Hormuz

 Impact:

• Brent crude prices likely to surge, Global energy crisis possible

 India highly vulnerable:

• ~40% crude oil imports and ~50% natural gas imports via Hormuz

2. Multi-Front Proxy War:

• Mobilisation of Iranian-backed groups could widen conflict across The Levant, Red Sea, Gulf region

3. Humanitarian Fallout:

• Economic collapse in affected states & Refugee outflows into neighbouring West Asian countries

4. of Containment Doctrine:

• Targeted elimination of state leadership signals erosion of the post-Cold War model that restrained direct inter-state conflict.

5. sStrain on Abraham Accords:

• The conflict pressures countries that signed the Abraham Accords to balance Western security alignment and Domestic anti-war sentiment

Pakistan Declares Open War on Afghanistan’s Taliban Government

Pakistan and Afghanistan have entered a state of open war following escalating border tensions.

Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab Lil Haq targeted Afghan military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia.

Afghan Retaliation

1. Afghanistan conducted airstrikes on:

• Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi)
• 12th Division Headquarters (Quetta)

2. India’s Position:

• India condemned Pakistan’s actions and reaffirmed support for Afghan sovereignty, Territorial integrity, Independence

Factors Behind the Afghanistan–Pakistan Open War

1. TTP Sanctuary Allegations:

• Afghan Taliban allegedly sheltering Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
• TTP accused of launching cross-border attacks inside Pakistan.

2. Durand Line Dispute:

• ~2,640 km boundary
• Named after Sir Mortimer Durand
• Signed in 1893 with Amir Abdur Rahman Khan
• Pakistan recognises it as a permanent international border
• Afghan governments have historically disputed its legitimacy

3. Border Fencing Clashes:

• Pakistan’s fencing of the border has been resisted by Afghan forces.
• Clashes at disputed checkpoints escalated into direct military confrontations.

4. Strategic Realignment:

• Taliban’s post-2021 outreach to India reduced Pakistan’s leverage over Kabul.
• Erosion of Pakistan’s traditional “strategic depth” doctrine.

5. Torkham Crossing Disputes:

• Repeated closures of the Torkham border crossing hurt Afghan trade, Pushed Kabul toward Iranian routes, Deepened mistrust

Key Implications for India

1. Possible LoC Relief:

• Pakistan may divert military focus westward.
• Reduced infiltration pressure along the Line of Control (LoC) possible.

2. Terror Spillover Risk:

• Instability could enable Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) to regroup and expand in South Asia.

3. Connectivity Concerns:

• Conflict threatens India’s access to Central Asia and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
• This may affect India’s Eurasian trade outreach.

4. Refugee & Security Pressure:

• Large-scale Afghan refugee flows possible.
• Could complicate India’s regional diplomacy and internal security planning.

PM Inaugurates Semiconductor ATMP Plant in Gujarat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facility at Sanand, Gujarat, marking a major milestone in India’s semiconductor ambitions.

Project Details

• Location: Sanand, Gujarat
• Collaboration: Micron Technology (United States) and Tata Projects
• Type: ATMP (Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging) facility
• Status: First large-scale project under the India Semiconductor Mission

Operations

• Will assemble, test, and package advanced memory and storage chips
• Uses wafers sourced from Micron’s global manufacturing network

Strategic Significance

• Semiconductor Ecosystem Target: Supports India’s ambition of building a $100 billion semiconductor ecosystem by 2030.
• Import Substitution: Reduces dependence on imported chips and Strengthens domestic electronics manufacturing.
• India–U.S. Strategic Ties: Deepens technology and supply chain cooperation between India and the United States. reinforces trusted semiconductor partnerships amid global chip geopolitics.

India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

1. Launched:

• 2021

2. Nodal Ministry:

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)

3. Objective:

• Establish foundational infrastructure for semiconductor design and manufacturing in India.

ISM 2.0

• Announced in Union Budget 2026–27
• Focus shift: From foundational infrastructure to high-value semiconductor ecosystem
• Target: 70–75% domestic chip self-sufficiency by 2029

Nine Cheetahs from Botswana Translocated Under Project Cheetah

Nine cheetahs from Botswana have arrived at Kuno National Park under Project Cheetah, marking the third African batch introduced into India.

Translocation Timeline

• 2022 – 8 cheetahs from Namibia
• 2023 – 12 cheetahs from South Africa
• 2026 – 9 cheetahs from Botswana

This makes it the third African translocation phase.

Current Cheetah Population in India

• Total Population: 48
• Latest addition: 6 females + 3 males

Distribution

• Kuno National Park (Madhya Pradesh): 45 cheetahs includes 28 India-born cubs
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary: 3 translocated adult cheetahs

About Project Cheetah

Project Cheetah is India’s flagship wildlife conservation initiative aimed at reintroducing cheetahs after their official extinction in 1952.

1. Key Features:

• First-ever intercontinental translocation of a large wild carnivore
• Aims to restore Grassland ecosystems, Prey-predator balance, Biodiversity

2. Historical Context:

• Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
• The Asiatic cheetah once ranged across Indian grasslands before overhunting and habitat loss led to extinction.

Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA)

Astronomers recently captured a detailed image of the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) using ALMA, offering deeper insights into star formation processes at the centre of our galaxy.

Central Molecular Zone (CMZ)

• A dense region of gas and dust located at the centre of the Milky Way
• Contains nearly 10% of the galaxy’s molecular gas
• Plays a crucial role in: Star formation, Galactic dynamics, Black hole environment studies

About ALMA

ALMA is a state-of-the-art radio telescope designed to detect electromagnetic radiation at millimetre and submillimetre wavelengths — positioned between infrared and radio waves in the spectrum.

1. Why millimetre/submillimetre waves matter:

• They can penetrate cosmic dust clouds.
• Ideal for studying: Cold gas, Molecular clouds, Early star formation, Planet-forming discs

2. Location Advantage:

• Situated at 5,050 metres above sea level
• Located on the Chajnantor Plateau, Atacama Desert, Chile

3. Why this location?:

• Extreme dryness, Very low atmospheric water vapour, High altitude
• These factors reduce signal interference and allow clearer astronomical observations.

4. Global Partnership:

• ALMA is an international collaboration involving Europe, North America, East Asia (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea), Chile
• India is not a direct partner in ALMA.

HAL Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter – LCH)

Prachand Sortie by President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a sortie in the indigenous Prachand at Air Force Station Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, highlighting India’s growing defence indigenisation.

1. Type:

• Multi-role Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)

2. Developer:

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

3. Significance:

• India’s first indigenous attack helicopter

Purpose & Strategic Role

• Engineered specifically for high-altitude warfare
• Optimised for thin-air operations in Himalayan terrain
• Designed to support Anti-armour missions, Close air support, Air defence roles

Unique High-Altitude Capability

Only attack helicopter globally capable of Landing and taking off at 5,000 metres with a full combat load

1. Engines:

• Powered by twin Shakti turboshaft engines
• Co-developed by: HAL and Safran (France)

2. Performance Parameters:

• Maximum Speed: 268 km/h
• Combat Range: 550 km

Chungthang–Lachen Axis and Taram Chu Bridge (North Sikkim)

The Government of India recently inaugurated the restored Chungthang–Lachen Axis and the 400-ft Taram Chu Bailey Suspension Bridge in North Sikkim, strengthening strategic and disaster-resilient infrastructure in the Himalayas.

Chungthang–Lachen Axis

• Situated in North Sikkim, a strategically sensitive Himalayan district bordering China.
• 28 km critical road stretch restores access between Chungthang and Lachen
• Strategic Significance: Re-establishes a key border logistics corridor & Enables Rapid troop mobilisation, Supply movement to forward posts, Civilian evacuation during disasters

Taram Chu Bridge

• 400-foot Bailey Suspension Bridge
• Built across the Taram Chu

Bailey Bridge

• A portable, modular steel truss bridge designed for rapid assembly and deployment.
• Developed by the United Kingdom during World War II for military logistics.

Nyoma Air Force Station – World’s Highest Fighter-Capable Airfield

India’s upgraded Mudh–Nyoma Air Force Station in Eastern Ladakh is now the world’s highest operational fighter-capable airfield.

Location & Geography

• Situated in the Changthang region, Eastern Ladakh
• Elevation: 13,700 feet above sea level
• Approximately 23–35 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China
• Upgraded by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) under Project Himank

About Project Himank

• A strategic initiative of BRO
• Focuses on building and maintaining border infrastructure across Ladakh’s extreme terrain
• Enhances military logistics and civilian connectivity

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