Current Affairs 08/03/2026
1. Who has been appointed as the new Governor of Bihar?
Answer : Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain
Appointment of Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain as Governor of Bihar
Syed Ata Hasnain, a distinguished former officer of the Indian Army, has been appointed as the new Governor of the state of Bihar. His appointment was made by the President of India, marking an important development in the administrative leadership of the state.
Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.) served in the Indian Army for nearly four decades and earned recognition for his leadership, strategic insight, and extensive experience in national security affairs. During his military career, he held several important positions and played a significant role in maintaining peace and security in sensitive regions. One of his most notable assignments was serving as the Commander of the Chinar Corps in Jammu and Kashmir, where he oversaw counter-insurgency operations and initiatives aimed at strengthening civil-military relations.
Known for promoting the concept of “winning hearts and minds,” Lt. Gen. Hasnain emphasized cooperation between security forces and local communities. His efforts contributed to improving communication and trust in conflict-affected areas.
After retiring from active military service, he continued to contribute to strategic and security discussions through academic and policy platforms. His experience in governance, defense, and public affairs has been widely acknowledged.
With his appointment as the Governor of Bihar, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain is expected to bring his administrative experience and leadership skills to the constitutional role. The Governor plays a crucial part in ensuring the smooth functioning of the state government and upholding the provisions of the Constitution.
Thus, the appointment of Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain as the Governor of Bihar represents the inclusion of an experienced military leader in a significant constitutional position, reflecting the government’s confidence in his ability to serve the state with dedication and integrity.
2. Who has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi?
Answer : Taranjit Singh Sandhu
Appointment of Taranjit Singh Sandhu as Lieutenant Governor of Delhi
Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of the Delhi. The appointment was made by the President of India, placing an experienced diplomat in one of the country’s important constitutional positions.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu is a distinguished former officer of the Indian Foreign Service. During his long diplomatic career, he held several key assignments in India and abroad. He served as the Ambassador of India to the United States, where he played a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations. Earlier, he also served as India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and held important diplomatic responsibilities in various international missions.
Known for his extensive experience in diplomacy and international relations, Sandhu contributed significantly to promoting India’s strategic partnerships and economic cooperation with other countries. His diplomatic expertise and administrative experience have been widely acknowledged in policy and governance circles.
As the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, he will act as the constitutional head of the National Capital Territory and represent the Central Government in the administration of the region. The Lieutenant Governor plays a vital role in ensuring coordination between the Union Government and the elected government of Delhi while safeguarding the provisions of the Constitution.
3. R. N. Ravi has been transferred from which state and appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal?
Answer : Tamil Nadu
Transfer of R. N. Ravi as Governor of West Bengal
R. N. Ravi has been transferred and appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal by the President of India. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Governor of Tamil Nadu.
R. N. Ravi is a former officer of the Indian Police Service and has extensive experience in security, administration, and public affairs. Before becoming the Governor of Tamil Nadu in 2021, he also served as the Governor of Nagaland and played a key role as the Government of India’s interlocutor in the Naga peace talks.
During his tenure in Tamil Nadu, he was involved in various administrative and constitutional responsibilities associated with the office of the Governor. His experience in governance and national security matters has been widely recognized.
Following a recent gubernatorial reshuffle, R. N. Ravi has now been transferred from Tamil Nadu and appointed as the Governor of West Bengal. The Governor serves as the constitutional head of the state and ensures that the administration functions according to the provisions of the Constitution.
4. Who has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh?
Answer : Vinay Kumar Saxena
Appointment of Vinay Kumar Saxena as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh
Vinai Kumar Saxena has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. The appointment was made by the President of India as part of a broader administrative reshuffle involving several governors and lieutenant governors across the country.
Vinai Kumar Saxena is an experienced administrator who previously served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Delhi. Before assuming that role in 2022, he was the Chairman of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, where he played an important role in promoting rural industries, khadi production, and employment generation across India.
As the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Saxena will act as the administrative head of the Union Territory. The Lieutenant Governor oversees governance and administration in coordination with the Central Government, ensuring the effective implementation of policies and development initiatives in the region.
His appointment is expected to contribute to strengthening governance and development in Ladakh, which holds strategic and administrative importance for the country.
5. Which two official mascots have been unveiled for India’s first digital Census 2027?
Answer : Pragati and Vikas
Unveiling of Mascots for India’s First Digital Census 2027
The Government of India has unveiled two official mascots, Pragati and Vikas, for the upcoming Census 2027. This census will be significant as it will be the first fully digital population census conducted in the country.
The mascots Pragati and Vikas symbolize progress, development, and modernization, reflecting the transformation of the census process through the use of advanced digital technology. They have been introduced to create awareness among citizens and to encourage public participation in the nationwide data collection exercise.
The Census 2027 will be conducted by the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Unlike previous censuses that relied primarily on paper-based surveys, the digital census will allow enumerators to collect and upload data through mobile applications and digital devices, improving efficiency, transparency, and accuracy.
The introduction of mascots is part of the government’s public outreach strategy to make the census campaign more engaging and easily recognizable among citizens across the country.
Thus, the unveiling of Pragati and Vikas as the official mascots highlights India’s move toward a technology-driven and modern census system.
6. Which state government has introduced the ‘Draft Population Management Policy’ to curb declining TFR?
Answer : Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Introduces Draft Population Management Policy
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has introduced the Draft Population Management Policy to address the issue of the declining Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the state. The policy aims to encourage population growth in a balanced and sustainable manner to maintain demographic stability in the coming decades.
According to demographic trends, the fertility rate in Andhra Pradesh has been falling steadily and is now below the replacement level. A continuously declining fertility rate can lead to long-term challenges such as an aging population, shrinking workforce, and increased pressure on social security systems. To tackle these concerns, the state government has proposed this draft policy to promote higher birth rates.
The policy includes several incentives and supportive measures for families, particularly encouraging couples to have more children. It also focuses on improving healthcare services, maternal and child welfare, and social awareness regarding population balance. By implementing these initiatives, the government aims to maintain a healthy demographic structure and ensure sustained economic growth in the future.
Thus, the introduction of the Draft Population Management Policy reflects the proactive approach of the Andhra Pradesh government in addressing demographic challenges and planning for long-term population stability.
7. India defeated whom in the semi-finals of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to enter the final?
Answer : England
India Defeats England to Reach Final of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
India national cricket team defeated England cricket team in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to secure a place in the final of the tournament.
The thrilling semi-final match was played at the Wankhede Stadium. In a high-scoring encounter, India posted a massive total, powered by an outstanding innings from Sanju Samson. England fought back strongly, with a brilliant century from Jacob Bethell, but the Indian bowlers managed to defend the total in the final overs.
With this victory, India advanced to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, continuing their impressive performance in the tournament. The win highlighted India’s strong batting lineup and disciplined bowling under pressure.
8. Recently, which country’s warship ‘IRIS Dena’ sank off the coast of Sri Lanka?
Answer : Iran
Sinking of Iran’s Warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka
Recently, the warship IRIS Dena, belonging to the navy of Iran, reportedly sank off the coast of Sri Lanka. The incident attracted international attention due to the strategic importance of naval movements in the Indian Ocean region.
IRIS Dena was part of the naval fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. The ship was involved in maritime activities in the Indian Ocean region when it encountered difficulties near the Sri Lankan coast, leading to its sinking.
Naval authorities and maritime agencies closely monitored the situation following the incident. Efforts were made to ensure the safety of the crew members and to assess the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the vessel. Such incidents are of considerable concern in international maritime affairs because they can affect regional security and naval cooperation.
The sinking of IRIS Dena highlights the strategic significance of the Indian Ocean region and the increasing presence of naval forces from different countries in these waters.
Thus, the warship IRIS Dena, which sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, belonged to Iran.