UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 12 March 2026

Tephra

March 12, 2026

Tephra Latest News

Kīlauea has been erupting episodically within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park since December 23, 2024, and although lava flows remain confined to the caldera, tephra from lava fountains may impact downwind communities.

About Tephra

Tephra, a volcanology term for ash, is small rock fragments ejected from a volcano into the atmosphere, which is then deposited around and downwind of the volcano.
The size of particles that fall out is largest near the volcano and gets progressively smaller further from the volcano.
Tephra produces a wide range of hazards.
- When the ejected material is in the atmosphere, it is electrically charged and often produces lightning.
- Several people have been killed by lightning from volcanic eruption clouds.
- Other hazards are produced when the ash is deposited on the ground.
- Ash can disrupt electricity, television, radio, and telephone communication lines; bury roads and other manmade structures; damage machinery; start fires; and clog drainage and sewage systems.
- It kills crops, damages machinery, and is a hazard to aviators.
- Tephra is heavy - a significant accumulation on a rooftop could collapse a building.
- In addition, it often blocks out the sun, creating darkness and unnecessary panic.
- Ash can produce poor visibility and cause respiratory problems.

Source: USGS

Tephra FAQs

Q1: What is tephra in volcanology?

Ans: Small rock fragments or ash ejected from a volcano into the atmosphere.

Q2: How are tephra particles distributed around a volcano after eruption?

Ans: Larger particles fall near the volcano, while smaller particles travel farther away.

Q3: What electrical phenomenon is often produced by tephra in the atmosphere?

Ans: Lightning.

Q4: Why can volcanic eruption clouds produce lightning?

Ans: Because the ejected material becomes electrically charged in the atmosphere.

Fiscal Health Index

March 12, 2026

Fiscal Health Index Latest News

Recently, the NITI Aayog released the second annual edition of the “Fiscal Health Index 2026” in New Delhi.

About Fiscal Health Index

It was introduced by NITI Aayog, provides a systematic framework to evaluate the fiscal performance of 18 major Indian states, 10 North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
It provides a comprehensive and comparable assessment of the fiscal performance of Indian states.
The Index has been designed as a data-driven framework to evaluate fiscal soundness, guide reforms, and promote evidence-based fiscal policymaking across states.
It is built on five key pillars of fiscal health: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability.
The index classifies states into four tiers.
- Achievers: These are states with strong fiscal discipline, high own-tax revenues, low deficits, and manageable debt;
- Front Runners: These states maintain broadly sound finances but fall short of the top tier on one or more indicators;
- Performers: They occupy the middle ground, with mixed results across the five pillars.
- Aspirational: These states are those facing the most significant fiscal stress, characterised by persistent deficits, high debt, and limited revenue capacity.

Key Highlights of Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2026

Odisha, Goa and Jharkhand have been categorised as achievers.
Karnataka and Telangana moved from front runner to performer, and Kerala and Tamil Nadu slipped further to the aspirational group.
Among northeastern and Himalayan states, Arunachal Pradesh has topped in the index, followed by Uttarakhand, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram.

Source: PIB

Fiscal Health Index FAQs

Q1: Who launched the Fiscal Health Index?

Ans: NITI Aayog

Q2: Which states topped the Fiscal Health Index 2026?

Ans: Odisha, Goa and Jharkhand

Kamakhya Temple

March 12, 2026

Kamakhya Temple Latest News

The South Central Railway (SCR) will operate Amrut Bharat Express connecting Assam and two Telugu States facilitating devotees to visit Maa Kamakhya temple on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati in Assam.

About Kamakhya Temple

It is situated on Nilachal Hill and adjoins the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam.
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Sati, an incarnation of goddess Durga and the consort of Lord Shiva.
It is one of the most revered centres of Tantric practices.
It is regarded as one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas in India.
The former temple was destroyed by Kala Pahar, which was later reconstructed in 1565 by Chilarai, who was the reigning king of the Koch dynasty.
Ambubachi Mela is one of the major festivals of this temple. The festival is held every year to commemorate the yearly menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya.

Kamakhya Temple Architecture

It had been modelled out of a combination of two different styles, namely, the traditional Nagara, or North Indian, and Saracenic, or Mughal style of architecture.
This unusual combination has been named the Nilachala Style of Architecture.
It has a unique structural style that is shaped in the form of a beehive surrounded by different sculptures of different gods.
This is the only temple of Assam having a fully developed ground plan.
It consists of five chambers, garbhagriha or sanctuary, antarala or vestibule, Jagan Mohan or principal chamber, bhogmandir or ritual chamber and natmandir or opera hall for performing traditional dance and music associated with sukti temples.
It is interesting to note that the superstructure of each of the above chambers exhibits different architectural features.

Source: DC

Kamakhya Temple FAQs

Q1: Where is the Kamakhya Temple located?

Ans: It is located on Nilachal Hill near the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati.

Q2: The Kamakhya Temple is dedicated to which goddess?

Ans: It is dedicated to Goddess Sati, an incarnation of goddess Durga and the consort of Lord Shiva.

Q3: Who reconstructed the Kamakhya Temple in 1565?

Ans: Chilarai.

Q4: Which major festival is celebrated annually at the Kamakhya Temple?

Ans: Ambubachi Mela.

Asteroid 2024 YR4

March 12, 2026

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Latest News

Recently, NASA has officially ruled out the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with the moon in 2032.

About Asteroid 2024 YR4

It is classified as an Apollo-type asteroid, meaning its orbit crosses Earth's orbit but spends most of its time beyond it.
Origin: The study reveals YR4 is a solid, stony type that likely originated from an asteroid family in the central Main Belt between Mars and Jupiter,
It was discovered in 2024, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) telescope in Chile.
- The Y in the asteroid’s name indicates that it was discovered in the last half of December.
- The R4 indicates that it was the 117th asteroid found in that period.

Features of Asteroid 2024 YR4

It is a near Earth asteroid.
Size: It is somewhere between 174 to 220 feet (53 to 67 meters) in diameter.
It has an orbital period of 4.011 years, or 1,468 days.
The asteroid’s rotation period is 19.46 minutes.
Type: It is most likely an S-type asteroid, which means that it is probably made up primarily of silicates and nickel-iron.

Source: TH

Asteroid 2024 YR4 FAQs

Q1: What is Asteroid YR4 and when was it discovered?

Ans: It is a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) discovered in December 2024.

Q2: What are Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)?

Ans: NEOs are asteroids or comets whose orbits bring them close to Earth’s orbit and are monitored for impact risks.

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

March 12, 2026

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary, spanning over three districts of Madhya Pradesh, will receive cheetahs in two months.

About Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
It is spread over an area of 1187 sq.km. It is the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
Situated on a plateau in the upper Vindhyan range, it serves as an important ecological corridor connecting Panna, Satpura, and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves.
It is classified under the Deccan peninsula biogeographic region.
Drainage:
- Three-fourths of Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary falls in the Yamuna [Ganges] basin, and one-fourth of the sanctuary falls in the Narmada basin.
- The north-flowing Kopra River, Bamner River, and Bearma River, which are tributaries of the Ken River, are the major rivers of this sanctuary.
Vegetation: It is rich with lush green vegetation, small grasslands, and dense tropical dry and mixed deciduous forests.
Flora: Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Bhirra, Ber, Bel, Mahua, Tendu, Gunja, Amla, etc. Teak dominates the forested region.
Fauna:
- It supports diverse wildlife, including Indian wolves, Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, nilgai, chinkara, and various bird species.
- It has been selected for the Cheetah reintroduction Project in India.

Source: DC

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: In which state is Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary located?

Ans: Madhya Pradesh.

Q2: On which range is Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary situated?

Ans: Upper Vindhyan Range plateau.

Q3: Which two major river basins drain the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Yamuna (Ganga) basin and Narmada basin.

Q4: What type of vegetation is commonly found in Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Tropical dry and mixed deciduous forests with small grasslands.

Jhelum River

March 12, 2026

Jhelum River Latest News

The Kashmir Valley is witnessing one of its most unusual early springs in decades, with the river Jhelum, its lifeline, dropping below the zero-gauge level while temperatures surge to record highs.

About Jhelum River

It is an important river that flows through northwestern India and eastern Pakistan.
It is a tributary of the Indus River.
The river is also known as Vitasta in Sanskrit, Hydaspes in Greek, and Bidasp in Persian.
It is the lifeline of Kashmir, the region where it flows for most of its course.
It is the largest and most western of the five rivers of Punjab and passes through the Jhelum District in the North of Punjab province, Pakistan.
Course:
- It originates at the Verinag Spring at Anantnag, at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley.
- The river meanders northwestward from the northern slope of the Pir Panjal Range through the Vale of Kashmir to Wular Lake at Srinagar, which controls its flow.
- The river makes a deep, narrow gorge on its way to Pakistan.
- It joins the Chenab River near Trimmu, Pakistan.
Length: It has a total length of about 725 km.
The hydrology of the Jhelum River is largely controlled by snowmelt from the Karakoram and Himalaya ranges in the spring and the southwest monsoon on the Indian subcontinent that brings heavy rains from June to September.
Major Tributaries:

- The largest tributary of the Jhelum is the Kishenganga (Neelum) River, which joins near Muzaffarabad and enters the Punjab province, Pakistan.
- The Kunhar River is the second largest tributary of the river, which connects Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan on the Kohala Bridge of the Kanghan valley.
- Other tributaries include the Sandran River, Bringi River, Arapath River, Watlara River, Lidder River, and Veshaw River.

Source: DTE

Jhelum River FAQs

Q1: Through which two countries does the Jhelum River flow?

Ans: India and Pakistan.

Q2: The Jhelum River is a tributary of which major river?

Ans: Indus River.

Q3: From where does the Jhelum River originate?

Ans: It originates at the Verinag Spring at Anantnag, at the foot of the Pir Panjal range in the Kashmir Valley.

Q4: What is the approximate total length of the Jhelum River?

Ans: About 725 km.

Mozambique

March 12, 2026

Mozambique Latest News

Recently, India has shipped 500 metric tonnes (mt) of rice to Mozambique following severe flooding that has impacted several central and southern provinces.

About Mozambique

Location: It is a country in Southern Africa and is located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres of the Earth.
Bordering countries: Zimbabwe (west), Eswatini and South Africa (south and southwest), Zambia, Malawi (north west), and Tanzania (North).
Water Bodies: It has a coastline on the Indian Ocean to the east.
The island countries and territories of Madagascar, Comoros, and Mayotte are separated from Mozambique by the Mozambique Channel.
Capital City: Maputo

Geographical Features of Mozambique

Climate: The climate in most of Mozambique is tropical and warm.
Rivers: The River Zambezi being the largest and other rivers are Limpopo, Licungo, Lurio, Rovuma etc.
Major Lakes: Lake Malawi (Nyasa) is the country’s major lake.
Highest Peak: Mount Binga
Natural Resources: The country’s principal natural resources are natural gas, coal, mineral, sand, hydropower, and most likely oil.

Source: News On Air

Mozambique FAQs

Q1: What is the Capital city of Mozambique?

Ans: Maputo

Q2: Which Ocean Borders Mozambique?

Ans: Indian Ocean

INS Trikand

March 12, 2026

INS Trikand Latest News

Indian Naval Ship INS Trikand will participate in the 58th National Day celebrations of Mauritius.

About INS Trikand

It is a Talwar-class guided-missile frigate of the Indian Navy.
It is the third and final ship of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy.
It was built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 29 June 2013 at Kaliningrad, Russia.
It is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and operates under the Western Naval Command headquartered at Mumbai.
Features of INS Trikand
- Armory: It carries a supersonic BRAHMOS missile system, advanced surface-to-air missiles Shtil, an upgraded A190 medium-range gun, electro-optical 30 mm close-in weapon system, anti-submarine weapons such as torpedoes and rockets, and an advanced electronic warfare system.
- The weapons and sensors are integrated through a Combat Management System ‘Trebovanie-M’, which enables the ship to simultaneously neutralise multiple surface, sub-surface, and air threats.
- It is powered by four gas turbines.
- It is capable of speeds more than 30 knots and is configured to carry a Kamov 31 helicopter.

Source: News On Air

INS Trikand FAQs

Q1: What type of warship is INS Trikand?

Ans: Guided Missile Frigate

Q2: Where is INS Trikand is based?

Ans: Western Naval Command

European Free Trade Association

March 12, 2026

European Free Trade Association Latest News

Recently, the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has completed two years since its signing.
About European Free Trade Association
It is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1960 by the Stockholm Convention.
Objective: Promotes free trade and economic integration between its members within Europe and globally.
Member Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
The members of this organization are all open, competitive economies committed to the progressive liberalisation of trade in the multinational arena as well as in free trade agreements.
In contrast to the European Union (EU), it is not a customs union.
Headquarters: EFTA Secretariat is located in Geneva.
It assists the EFTA Council in the management of relations between the 4 EFTA States and deals with the negotiation and operation of EFTA’s FTAs.
Governance

- EFTA Council: Its highest governing body is the EFTA. It generally meets 8 times a year at the ambassadorial level and twice a year at the ministerial level.
- EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA): It monitors compliance with European Economic Area (EEA) rules in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
- EFTA Court: It is based in Luxembourg and has the competence and authority to settle internal and external disputes regarding the implementation, application or interpretation of the EEA agreement.

Source: PIB

European Free Trade Association FAQs

Q1: Which countries are part of European Free Trade Association?

Ans: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland

Q2: When was European Free Trade Association established?

Ans: 1960