Welcome to the 16 March 2026 Current Affairs Quiz by Cosmo Classes. This daily quiz brings you the top 10 most important current affairs questions in English with the correct answer and a detailed, in-depth explanation for each. Click the SHOW ANSWER button below every question to reveal the answer along with a complete explanation. These questions are highly useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, State PCS and all other competitive examinations.
Monday, 16 March 2026 – Current Affairs Quiz (English)
1
Which recently developed Indian drone is capable of operating in both air and water using advanced sonar technology?
(A) Toloka
(B) Netra
(C) Avatar
(D) Rustom
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Avatar
Explanation: The recently developed Indian drone capable of operating in both air and water using advanced sonar technology is Avatar. This dual-medium drone can transition between aerial and underwater operations, making it useful for surveillance, reconnaissance and defence applications across different environments. Indigenous development of advanced unmanned systems strengthens India's defence and technological self-reliance. Drone technology and indigenous defence innovations are commonly featured in the science, technology and defence sections of current affairs.
2
Which company signed an MoU with NSTFDC to strengthen healthcare facilities in Madhya Pradesh?
(A) Bharat Petroleum
(B) Oil India Limited
(C) ONGC
(D) Indian Oil Corporation
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) ONGC
Explanation: ONGC signed an MoU with NSTFDC (National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation) to strengthen healthcare facilities in Madhya Pradesh. Such corporate social responsibility (CSR) collaborations by public-sector undertakings support social-welfare goals, particularly for tribal and underserved communities. ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) is India's largest oil and gas exploration company. CSR initiatives and partnerships by major PSUs are relevant for the economy and current-affairs sections of competitive exams.
3
Which city of India has been assigned to host the second phase of the 2027 Archery Asia Cup?
(A) Delhi
(B) Ahmedabad
(C) Kolkata
(D) Bengaluru
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Kolkata
Explanation: Kolkata has been assigned to host the second phase of the 2027 Archery Asia Cup. Hosting international archery events reflects India's growing infrastructure and stature in the sport, where Indian archers have achieved notable success. The Archery Asia Cup is an important continental competition. Hosting of major sporting events, their venues and host cities is a frequently asked topic in the sports section of competitive examinations, so candidates should track such allocations.
4
As of March 2026, what is India's global rank in terms of operational metro network?
(A) First
(B) Second
(C) Third
(D) Fourth
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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Third
Explanation: As of March 2026, India's global rank in terms of operational metro network is third, after China and the United States. India's metro rail network has expanded rapidly across cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, improving urban mobility and reducing pollution and congestion. The growth of metro systems is a key indicator of urban infrastructure development. Rankings related to infrastructure and transport are important for the economy and current-affairs sections of exams.
5
Which engine of ISRO recently completed a successful sea-level test at 22-tonne thrust?
(A) CE20 Cryogenic Engine
(B) Vikas Engine
(C) SCE-200
(D) L110 Engine
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✔ Correct Answer: (A) CE20 Cryogenic Engine
Explanation: ISRO's CE20 Cryogenic Engine recently completed a successful sea-level test at 22-tonne thrust. The CE20 is an indigenously developed cryogenic engine that powers the upper stage of the LVM3 (GSLV Mk III) launch vehicle, used for heavy payload and crewed missions like Gaganyaan. Enhancing its thrust capacity boosts ISRO's launch capabilities. Developments in indigenous engine technology and ISRO's space programme are key topics in the science and technology section of current affairs.
6
Which ministry introduced the 'Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026' in the Lok Sabha?
(A) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(B) Ministry of Women and Child Development
(C) Ministry of Home Affairs
(D) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
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✔ Correct Answer: (D) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Explanation: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment introduced the 'Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill, 2026' in the Lok Sabha. This ministry is the nodal authority for the welfare of marginalised and disadvantaged groups, including transgender persons, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and persons with disabilities. Legislative developments concerning the rights of transgender persons are an important polity and social-justice topic frequently covered in current affairs for competitive exams.
7
On which date is Pi Day, celebrated worldwide in honour of the mathematical constant π (pi), observed every year?
(A) 16 March
(B) 12 March
(C) 15 March
(D) 14 March
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✔ Correct Answer: (D) 14 March
Explanation: Pi Day is observed worldwide on 14 March (3/14) every year, honouring the mathematical constant π (pi), whose value is approximately 3.14. The date corresponds to the first three digits of pi in the month/day format. Pi Day celebrates mathematics and its importance, and interestingly, it also coincides with the birthday of Albert Einstein. Observance days related to science and mathematics are a recurring category in current affairs and general-awareness sections of exams.
8
On what is 'Araku Kauni', launched by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, focused?
(A) Promoting millet-based tribal cuisine
(B) Establishing a new IT hub in Araku
(C) Launching a modern fast-food chain
(D) Setting up dairy farms in tribal areas
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✔ Correct Answer: (A) Promoting millet-based tribal cuisine
Explanation: 'Araku Kauni', launched by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is focused on promoting millet-based tribal cuisine. The initiative highlights the nutritional value of millets (declared by the UN as the International Year of Millets in 2023) and supports tribal communities and traditional food culture. Promotion of millets and nutrition-focused initiatives is a relevant theme in current affairs, linking agriculture, health and tribal welfare for competitive exam preparation.
9
Which country recently enacted a law promoting 'ethnic unity and progress' to integrate ethnic groups such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols, Hui and Manchu?
(A) India
(B) China
(C) Russia
(D) Japan
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✔ Correct Answer: (B) China
Explanation: China recently enacted a law promoting 'ethnic unity and progress' to integrate ethnic groups such as Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongols, Hui and Manchu. The law has drawn international attention amid concerns over the assimilation of minority cultures. China is a vast multi-ethnic country, and its policies toward ethnic minorities are closely watched globally. Developments in international affairs, including significant legislation in major countries, are important for the international-relations section of competitive exams.
10
Which bill has the Goa government proposed in 2026 to protect lawyers from violence, threats and harassment?
(A) Goa Legal Services Bill
(B) Goa Advocates Protection Bill
(C) Goa Judicial Security Bill
(D) Goa Lawyers Safety Act
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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Goa Advocates Protection Bill
Explanation: The Goa government proposed the Goa Advocates Protection Bill in 2026 to protect lawyers from violence, threats and harassment. Such legislation aims to ensure a safe working environment for legal professionals and uphold the rule of law. Protection laws for advocates have been demanded in several states. Bills and laws related to the legal profession, governance and protection of specific groups are recurring polity topics in the current-affairs section of competitive examinations.
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