Current Affairs 22/03/2026
1. Which Indian city will host the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships?
Answer : Bhubaneswar
The selection of Bhubaneswar as the host city for the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships marks a significant milestone in India’s growing prominence in global sports infrastructure and event management. This will be the first time that India hosts this prestigious indoor athletics event, organized under the aegis of World Athletics.
Bhubaneswar, often referred to as India’s “sports capital,” has emerged as a preferred destination for international sporting events due to its state-of-the-art facilities and efficient administrative support. The championships are expected to be held at the renowned Kalinga Stadium complex, which has previously hosted major global tournaments, including the Men’s Hockey World Cup.
The awarding of this event underscores India’s capability to meet international standards in hosting large-scale competitions. It also reflects the strategic efforts of the Government of Odisha to position the state as a global sporting hub. The event is anticipated to attract top athletes from across the world, thereby boosting tourism, infrastructure development, and international visibility for the region.
Furthermore, hosting the championships is expected to inspire grassroots participation in athletics across India, while also providing local athletes an opportunity to compete at the highest level on home soil. Overall, the 2028 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar will represent a landmark achievement in India’s sporting journey and reinforce its status on the global athletics stage.
2. Who has been appointed as the new Indian Ambassador to China?
Answer : Vikram Doraiswami
The appointment of Vikram Doraiswami as the new Indian Ambassador to China represents a significant step in strengthening India’s diplomatic engagement with one of its most important neighbors. This development comes at a time when bilateral relations between India and China remain strategically sensitive, requiring experienced and nuanced diplomatic leadership.
A senior officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Vikram Doraiswami has built a distinguished career through various high-profile assignments. Prior to this role, he served as India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, where he played a key role in enhancing bilateral cooperation across trade, technology, and strategic sectors. His extensive experience also includes diplomatic postings in multiple regions, equipping him with a deep understanding of global geopolitical dynamics.
His appointment to Beijing is particularly important in the context of ongoing efforts to stabilize and improve India-China relations, especially following border tensions and shifting regional alignments. As ambassador, Doraiswami will be responsible for facilitating diplomatic dialogue, promoting economic engagement, and addressing key strategic concerns between the two countries.
Overall, the selection of Vikram Doraiswami underscores India’s emphasis on deploying seasoned diplomats to manage complex international relationships and advance its foreign policy objectives effectively.
3. Where was the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 recently inaugurated?
Answer : New Delhi
The inauguration of the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 in New Delhi marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernize and strengthen its power sector. The summit serves as a premier platform for bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, energy experts, and international stakeholders to deliberate on the future of electricity and sustainable energy solutions.
Organized with the support of the Ministry of Power, the event focuses on key themes such as energy transition, renewable integration, grid modernization, and advancements in power distribution systems. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss policy frameworks, technological innovations, and investment strategies aimed at ensuring reliable and affordable electricity access.
The summit highlights India’s growing commitment to clean energy and its ambition to become a global leader in sustainable power generation. Discussions at the event emphasize the importance of renewable energy sources, smart grid technologies, and digital transformation in enhancing efficiency and resilience within the electricity sector.
Furthermore, the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 facilitates international collaboration by encouraging partnerships between Indian and global energy companies. It also serves as a platform to showcase India’s achievements in electrification and infrastructure development, reinforcing its position as a key player in the global energy landscape.
Overall, the hosting of this summit in New Delhi underscores the country’s proactive approach toward energy security, sustainability, and innovation in the power sector.
4. Which country will host the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2027?
Answer : Malta
The selection of Malta as the host of the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games marks a significant milestone for the small Mediterranean nation. This will be the first time that Malta hosts a major multi-sport event of the Commonwealth Games Federation, highlighting its growing capabilities in organizing international sporting events.
The Commonwealth Youth Games are an important platform for young athletes aged 14 to 18 from across the Commonwealth nations, promoting sporting excellence, cultural exchange, and youth development. Hosting the event will provide Malta with an opportunity to showcase its infrastructure, hospitality, and commitment to sports development on a global stage.
The decision reflects the Commonwealth Games Federation’s intent to expand the geographical footprint of the Games by bringing them to smaller nations. It is also expected to boost tourism, enhance sports facilities, and create a lasting legacy for youth engagement in Malta.
Overall, the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta will play a vital role in fostering international cooperation, nurturing young talent, and strengthening the global sporting community.
5. Who has been appointed as the Sports Commissioner of the WPS league?
Answer : Saurav Ghosal
The appointment of Saurav Ghosal as the Sports Commissioner of the World Premier Squash League marks a significant step in the evolution of professional squash at the global level. This development highlights the growing recognition of experienced athletes in shaping the administrative and competitive frameworks of emerging sports leagues.
Saurav Ghosal, one of India’s most accomplished squash players, brings with him a wealth of international experience and a deep understanding of the sport. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the first Indian male player to break into the top ranks of global squash. His exposure to international competitions and professional circuits makes him well-suited for this leadership role.
As Sports Commissioner, Ghosal will be responsible for overseeing the sporting structure of the league, including rules and regulations, competition format, player participation standards, and overall integrity of the game. His role will be crucial in ensuring that the league maintains high professional standards while also promoting innovation and global appeal.
The World Premier Squash League aims to revolutionize the sport by introducing a dynamic and engaging format designed to attract wider audiences and enhance player visibility. Ghosal’s appointment is expected to lend credibility and strategic direction to the league, helping it establish itself as a premier platform in international squash.
Overall, this development reflects a broader trend of former and active athletes taking on leadership roles in sports governance, thereby contributing to the growth and modernization of their respective disciplines.
6. India has extended the Tur and Urad dal import agreement with which country for 5 years?
Answer : Myanmar
The decision of India to extend the import agreement for Tur and Urad dal with Myanmar for an additional five years reflects a strategic move to ensure food security and price stability in the domestic pulses market. Myanmar has long been a key supplier of pulses to India, particularly Tur (pigeon pea) and Urad (black gram), which are staple components of the Indian diet.
This extension is part of a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement aimed at maintaining a steady and reliable supply of essential pulses. Given the fluctuations in domestic production due to factors such as monsoon variability and changing agricultural patterns, imports from Myanmar play a crucial role in bridging demand-supply gaps.
The agreement also strengthens bilateral trade relations between India and Myanmar, fostering economic cooperation and agricultural exchange. It provides assurance to Indian importers while offering Myanmar’s farmers a stable export market.
Furthermore, this move aligns with India’s broader strategy to manage inflation in essential food commodities and ensure affordability for consumers. By securing long-term import arrangements, the government aims to mitigate market volatility and support the overall stability of the agricultural sector.
Overall, the extension of the pulses import agreement underscores the importance of regional partnerships in sustaining India’s food supply chain and meeting the nutritional needs of its population.
7. Which Indian states share a boundary with the India-Myanmar border?
Answer : AP, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram
The international boundary between India and Myanmar extends across the northeastern region of India and plays a crucial role in shaping the geopolitical, cultural, and economic dynamics of the area. This border, stretching over approximately 1,600 kilometers, connects India with Southeast Asia and forms an important component of India’s “Act East Policy.”
Four Indian states share this international boundary with Myanmar: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. These states are characterized by diverse ethnic communities, many of which have historical and cultural ties that extend across the border into Myanmar. As a result, the region has long been a zone of cross-border interaction and shared heritage.
The India–Myanmar border holds significant strategic importance. It serves as a gateway for trade and connectivity initiatives between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Border infrastructure projects, including roads and integrated check posts, have been developed to enhance economic cooperation and facilitate the movement of goods and people. At the same time, the border presents security challenges, necessitating coordinated efforts to manage issues such as insurgency, illegal trade, and migration.
In addition, the region plays a vital role in promoting regional integration through initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. These efforts aim to strengthen connectivity, boost economic growth, and foster closer ties between neighboring countries.
Overall, the states sharing the India–Myanmar border are not only geographically significant but also central to India’s broader strategic vision of enhancing engagement with Southeast Asia while ensuring regional stability and development.
8. Which countries will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Answer : USA, Canada, Mexico
The decision to award the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a joint bid by United States, Canada, and Mexico marks a historic evolution in the organization of international sporting events. It is the first time in the history of the tournament that three nations will collectively host the prestigious competition, reflecting a new model of shared responsibility and regional cooperation.
Organized by FIFA, the 2026 edition will also introduce a major structural change by expanding the tournament to 48 teams. This expansion aims to increase global representation and provide more nations the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage, thereby enhancing the inclusivity and reach of the sport.
The United States is set to host the majority of the matches, including the final, owing to its advanced infrastructure, large stadiums, and extensive experience in organizing global sporting events. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico will host several matches across key cities, contributing to a geographically diverse tournament that spans the breadth of North America.
This tri-nation hosting arrangement is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits, including increased tourism, infrastructure development, and job creation. It also symbolizes strong diplomatic and sporting ties among the three countries, showcasing their ability to collaborate on a global platform.
Overall, the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a landmark moment in the history of international football, combining innovation, inclusivity, and cooperation to create what is anticipated to be the largest and most impactful edition of the tournament to date.