UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 22 March 2026

Sarhul Festival

March 22, 2026

Sarhul Festival Latest News

Recently, the President of India extended greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of the Sarhul festival.

About Sarhul Festival

Sarhul, literally “worship of the Sal tree”, is among the most revered Adivasi festivals.
It is rooted in nature worship and celebrates the symbolic union of the Sun and the Earth.
The Sal tree is revered as the abode of Sama Maa, the village-protecting deity.
Rituals: A pahan (male priest) represents the Sun, while his wife (pahen) symbolizes the Earth, signifying the essential connection between sunlight and soil for sustaining life.
Sarhul marks the renewal of life.
It is celebrated by various tribes, including the Oraon, Munda, Santal, Khadia, and Ho, each with unique names and traditions associated with the festival.
Sarhul is celebrated in Jharkhand and parts of Odisha, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.
Three-Day Festival

- Day 1 – Preparations begin, with homes and Sarna Sthals cleaned, Sal flowers gathered, and the village priest (pahan) observing a strict fast.
- Day 2 – Main rituals are performed at Sarna Sthals (Sacred Groves), including sacrifices, prayers for prosperity, and cultural performances.
- Day 3 – Concludes with a community feast, featuring Handia (rice beer), ceremonial fishing, and traditional Adivasi cuisine.

Only after its rituals are completed do Adivasis begin agricultural activities like ploughing, sowing, and forest gathering, emphasizing the festival’s deep ties to nature and sustenance.

Source: News On AIR

Sarhul Festival FAQs

Q1: When is the Sarhul Festival celebrated?

Ans: Chaitra Shukla Tritiya

Q2: Where is the Sarhul Festival primarily celebrated?

Ans: Jharkhand

PRARAMBH 2026

March 22, 2026

PRARAMBH 2026 Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister for Finance launched ‘PRARAMBH 2026’ initiative.

About PRARAMBH 2026

PRARAMBH (Policy Reform and Responsible Action for Mission Viksit Bharat) is a nationwide awareness campaign on Income Tax Act, 2025.
It has been designed as an extensive, multi-channel initiative spanning print, television, radio, outdoor advertising, digital platforms, and social media.
It is aimed at familiarising citizens with the provisions of the Income Tax Act, 2025, set to come into effect from April 1, 2026.

Key Features of PRARAMBH 2026

Comprehensive Outreach: It includes a wide range of taxpayer-centric resources such as, guidance notes and brochures, tutorial videos, FAQs and educational content and Public engagement initiatives like the MyGov Quiz.
Multilingual Approach: Brochures containing detailed information were also launched in 10 regional languages beside English and Hindi for wider outreach and awareness
AI-Driven Support : AI-enabled chatbot ‘Kar Saathi’, designed to assist taxpayers with queries related to the new Act, rules, and procedures.
Income Tax Website 2.0: The upgraded platform is designed to offer improved usability, simpler navigation, and more efficient service delivery for taxpayers.

Source: PIB

PRARAMBH 2026 FAQs

Q1: Which ministry is involved in PRARAMBH 2026?

Ans: Ministry of Finance

Q2: What is PRARAMBH 2026?

Ans: A nationwide awareness campaign for Income Tax Act, 2025

Mangroves

March 22, 2026

Mangroves Latest News

Recently, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the Bombay High Court order allowing the removal of 45,675 mangrove trees for the proposed Versova-Bhayandar coastal road.

About Mangroves

Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in coastal intertidal zones, primarily in tropical and subtropical regions.
It thrives in saline or brackish waters, withstanding harsh environmental conditions such as tidal fluctuations, high salinity, and low oxygen levels in the soil.

Mangroves Characteristics

Salt Tolerance: They possess specialised root structures, such as salt-filtering roots and salt-excreting leaves, to manage high salinity levels.
Aerial Roots (Pneumatophores): These roots help in respiration by obtaining oxygen from the air in waterlogged soils.
Prop Roots: Provide stability against tidal waves and storm surges.
Vivipary (Seed Germination): Seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree to overcome the challenge of germination in saline water.
Efficient Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems, playing a vital role in mitigating climate change..
Mangrove forests act as a crucial buffer between land and sea, providing habitat for various marine and terrestrial species
In India this ecosystem is found in Sundarbans (West Bengal), Mahanadi, Godavari, and Krishna Deltas (Odisha & Andhra Pradesh), Pichavaram Mangroves (Tamil Nadu), Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha), Gulf of Kutch (Gujarat), Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep regions.

Source: IE

Mangroves FAQs

Q1: Where are mangroves typically found?

Ans: Tropical and subtropical coastal areas

Q2: What are mangroves?

Ans: A type of coastal ecosystem

Global Terrorism Index

March 22, 2026

Global Terrorism Index Latest News

Recently, the Global Terrorism Index, 2026 was published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

About Global Terrorism Index

It is published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney-based independent, non-profit think tank.
It is a comprehensive study analysing the impact of terrorism for 163 countries covering 99.7 per cent of the world’s population.
Methodology
- The GTI scores each country on a scale from 0 to 10; where 0 represents no impact from terrorism and 10 represents the highest measurable impact of terrorism.
- This produces a composite score so as to provide an ordinal ranking of countries on the impact of terrorism.

Key Highlights of Global Terrorism Index 2026

Deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent and incidents decreased by 22 per cent
Six of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism are in sub-Saharan Africa, maintaining its position as the epicenter.
For the first time, Pakistan leads the Index as the country most impacted by terrorism.
India is placed 13th on the list.
Deadliest terror outfits (2025): IS, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and alShabaab.

Source: LM

Global Terrorism Index FAQs

Q1: Which region is the epicentre of terrorism according to the Global Terrorism Index 2026?

Ans: Sub-Saharan Africa

Q2: What is India's ranking in the Global Terrorism Index 2026?

Ans: 13th

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme

March 22, 2026

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme Latest News

The Government has modified the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS) to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Manufacturers and Exporters in line with Budget 2025-26.

About Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme

It provides 60 % guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions for credit facilities up to 100 crore rupees sanctioned to eligible MSMEs under MCGS-MSME for purchase of equipment and machinery.

Salient Features of Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme

Target: Borrower should be an MSME with valid Udyam Registration Number;
The eligibility criteria have also been expanded to service sector MSMEs.
The minimum project cost requirement towards machinery and equipment has been reduced to 60 per cent from the earlier 75 per cent.
The 5% upfront contribution has been made refundable, with one per cent returned each year from the fourth year onwards, subject to satisfactory loan performance.
The credit guarantee would expire after 10 years, as compared to the unspecified period in the earlier scheme.
It is applicable to all loans sanctioned under MCGS-MSME during the period of 4 years or till cumulative guarantee of Rs. 7 lakh crore are issued, whichever is earlier.
Eligible exporters
- Profitable units having exported at least 25% of their sales turnover in each of previous 3 financial years
- Guaranteed loan amount is pegged at ₹20 crore, and upfront contribution is 2% of the loan amount, a maximum of ₹40 lakh, with 1% each refundable in the 4th and 5th year of the guarantee period.

Source: News On Air

Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the maximum loan amount eligible for guarantee under MCGS-MSME?

Ans: ₹100 crore

Q2: What is the primary objective of the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS-MSME)?

Ans: To guarantee loans for MSMEs

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0

March 22, 2026

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 Latest News

Recently, the Government of India has introduced Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0).

About Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0

It aims to provide guarantee cover to Banks/ FIs through National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC).
It provides guarantee against expected losses on the financial assistance extended by them to Non-Banking Financial Company-Microfinance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs) and MFIs for on lending to small borrowers.

Features of the scheme

Eligible borrowers: Existing or new small borrowers within the regulatory definition of micro finance as prescribed by RBI from time to time.
Guarantee coverage: 80% of amount in default for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs.
Guarantee Fee: 0.50% p.a., on sanctioned amount (1st year) & outstanding amount (thereafter).
Valid till 30.06.2026 or loans till Rs. 20,000 crores are guaranteed, whichever is earlier.

Impact of the scheme

The scheme will facilitate increased credit flow to the MFI sector.
It is estimated that the scheme will facilitate on-lending by NBFC-MFIs/ MFIs to approximately 36 lakh small borrowers.

Source: PIB

Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 FAQs

Q1: What is the primary objective of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0?

Ans: To guarantee loans extended to microfinance institutions by banks and financial institutions

Q2: What is the guarantee coverage for small NBFC-MFIs/MFIs under the scheme?

Ans: 80%

Actinidia Indica

March 22, 2026

Actinidia Indica Latest News

Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) have identified a new species of wild kiwi, Actinidia indica (Actinidiaceae), in Arunachal Pradesh.

About Actinidia Indica

It is a new species of wild kiwi.
The species has been recorded only from a narrow stretch near Ziro Valley at an elevation of around 1,725 metres.
Habitat: It thrives in a biologically rich transition zone between temperate and subtropical forests.

Features of Actinidia Indica

Actinidia indica is a perennial climbing shrub reaching 2–4 meters in height.
It features densely hairy young branches, large ovate leaves, and white to creamy flowers measuring 4–6 cm.
The plant bears globose, olive-green fruits of 2.5–4 cm with a distinctive reticulate lenticel pattern, a key identifying trait.
The discovery increases the global count of Actinidia species to 56, only a few of which occur in India.

Source: NET

Actinidia Indica FAQs

Q1: What is Actinidia Indica commonly known as?

Ans: Kiwi

Q2: What is a characteristic of Actinidia Indica?

Ans: It is a evergreen climber

INS Taragiri

March 22, 2026

INS Taragiri Latest News

The Indian Navy is preparing to commission its latest stealth Frigate, Taragiri (F41), on 03 Apr 2026.

About INS Taragiri

It is the fourth ship of Nilgiri Class (Project 17A) built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Ltd (MDL).
It is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Taragiri, a Leander-class frigate that was part of the Indian Naval fleet.
It is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB).

Features of INS Taragiri

It is fitted with an advanced weapon and sensor suite compared to the P17 (Shivalik) class.
It is designed for ‘High-Speed – High Endurance’ versatility and multi-dimensional maritime operations.
The ship’s weapon suite is featuring supersonic Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, and a specialised Anti-Submarine Warfare suite.
Propulsion: It is configured with Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion plants, comprising a diesel engine and a gas turbine that drive a Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) on each shaft, and state-of-the-art Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS).
Weapon suit: The potent weapon and sensors suite comprises BrahMos SSM, MFSTAR and MRSAM complex, 76mm SRGM, and a combination of 30 mm and 12.7 mm close-in weapon systems, along with rockets and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare.

Source: PIB

INS Taragiri FAQs

Q1: What is the propulsion system used by INS Taragiri?

Ans: Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG)

Q2: What is the name of the class of frigates that INS Taragiri belongs to?

Ans: Nilgiri-class

Shaheen Falcon

March 22, 2026

Shaheen Falcon Latest News

Recently, a pair of Shaheen falcons found nesting in a multi-storey residential complex under construction in Kochi.

About Shaheen Falcon

The Shaheen falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinator) is a non-migratory subspecies of the Peregrine falcon.
Appearance
- The face is characterised by a dark vertical stripe from the eye to the side of the face, which often gives the bird a severe appearance.
- The bird has a muscular body — with the female being larger than the male.
Habitat: It is found on rocky and hilly regions on cliffs and rock pinnacles.
Distribution: This small but powerful-looking falcon is found mainly in the Indian subcontinent.
These birds have also been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
Food Habits: It eats chiefly birds; occasionally mammals, including bats, rats, rabbits and voles; also insects, reptiles and exceptionally fish.
Peregrines are masters of the stoop (their hunting dives that can even exceed 300 kilometres per hour).
Their bodies are shaped to generate high speeds and turn into a weapon when they go into hunt mode.

Source: TH

Shaheen Falcon FAQs

Q1: What is the Shaheen Falcon known for?

Ans: Its speed during dives.

Q2: Where is the Shaheen Falcon primarily found?

Ans: Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions.

World Water Day

March 22, 2026

World Water Day Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India conveyed his greetings to the people on the occasion of World Water Day.

About World Water Day

World Water Day has been held on March 22 every year since 1993.
It is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water.
History
- The idea of World Water Day was first introduced in 1992 during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro.
- Following the conference, the United Nations declared March 22 as the official day to focus on water-related issues worldwide.
A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Theme (2026): Water and Gender.
- This theme highlights the important role of women and girls in water management.
Significance of the World Water Day: World Water Day raises awareness about serious water challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and lack of sanitation facilities.

Source: TH

World Water Day FAQs

Q1: When is World Water Day celebrated?

Ans: March 22

Q2: Why is World Water Day celebrated?

Ans: To advocate for sustainable water management