Daily Current Affairs- 29th March 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 29th March 2026

Balendra Shah Sworn In As Nepal’s Youngest PM After Historic election Mandate

In the News: Balendra Shah — a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician popularly known as "Balen" — was sworn in as Nepal's new Prime Minister, becoming the country's youngest ever prime minister. His Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) won a landslide in the March 5 general elections, the first held since the deadly 2025 Gen Z-led protests that toppled the previous government of KP Sharma Oli.

Key Points:

• Historic Election Result: Total Seats Won: 182 out of 275. Direct Seats (FPTP), the RSP won 125 of the 165 first-past-the-post seats in parliament, with a near two-thirds majority — a result that even the party itself described as "beyond expectations." Shah personally defeated former PM KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa 5, a constituency that had been Oli's stronghold for decades. It was the first time in decades that a single party garnered a majority in Nepal, which has an electoral format that makes dominance by one party extremely difficult.
• Who is Balendra Shah? Born in 27 April 1990 in Naradevi, Kathmandu, Shah graduated with engineering degrees from Kathmandu and later from Karnataka, India. In 2013, he gained fame after winning a popular rap battle in Nepal with verses that carried the frustration of a suppressed generation. His songs criticised corruption, social inequality and political nepotism and became cultural touchstones for Nepal's youth. In 2022, he won Kathmandu's mayoral race as an independent candidate in a landslide, triumphing over parties that had dominated elections for decades.
• Rise to Power: Shah's message resonated deeply during the September 2025 Gen Z protests, in which 77 people died. His song "Nepal Haseko" (Smiling Nepal) became one of the protest anthems. He joined the RSP just weeks before the 2026 election as its prime ministerial candidate, bringing enormous popular appeal to the young party.
• Key Priorities — First 100 Days: The RSP has planned to prioritise anti-corruption measures, including investigations into the wealth of senior officials and politicians since 1990, forming a commission to investigate assets of high-level officials, and reopening high-profile corruption cases that were previously paused. Shah has also pledged judiciary reforms and the creation of 1.2 million new jobs.
• Karki Commission Report: One of Shah's immediate tests is implementing the findings of the Karki Commission, set up to investigate the killings and property damage during the 2025 Gen Z movement. The commission submitted its report on March 8, 2026, and there is strong public demand that it be made public and implemented quickly.
• India Relations: Indian PM Narendra Modi congratulated Shah after the election and expressed hopes for stronger bilateral ties. Shah responded by emphasising the importance of "historical, close and multifaceted relations" between Nepal and India.

K.P. Oli arrested

In the News: Nepal's former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, 74, was arrested from his Bhaktapur residence over his alleged involvement in the deadly crackdown on the September 2025 Gen-Z protests, in which more than 70 people were killed. Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak was also arrested on the same day, following recommendations by a government-appointed inquiry commission.

Key Points:

• The Arrests: Oli was arrested early Saturday morning and subsequently admitted to a clinic in Kathmandu as part of routine police procedure, given his age and medical history of two kidney transplants. Former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, 62, was also arrested in Kathmandu. Neither has been formally charged so far, with officials stating the process will move forward "according to the law."
• Background — The 2025 Gen-Z Protests: The protests erupted on September 8, 2025, when youth took to the streets over a government-imposed social media ban. Fuelled by anger over high unemployment, a stagnant economy, corruption and nepotism in politics, the crackdown triggered broader nationwide rallies in which more than 70 people died, and parliament, police stations and shops were set on fire. Families of 76 people who died have been calling for accountability in the months since.
• Inquiry Commission Findings: A government-appointed panel investigated the unrest and recommended that Oli, Lekhak and former police chief Chandra Kuber Khapung be prosecuted for criminal negligence. While the commission could not establish a direct order to use lethal force, it noted a significant failure to prevent or control the violence.
• Oli's Response: Oli has rejected the commission's findings, calling them "character assassination and hate politics." His lawyers argued that the detention was "illegal and improper" as there was no risk of him fleeing or avoiding questioning, and no formal charges had been presented.
• New Government's Action: The arrests came just one day after Nepal's new Prime Minister Balendra Shah — a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician popularly known as "Balen" — was sworn in. His party, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), won in a landslide in elections held on March 5, the first time in decades a single party garnered a majority in Nepal. New Home Minister Sudan Gurung, himself a key figure in the protests, stated "No one is above the law... This is not revenge against anyone, just the beginning of justice."

Earth Hour 2026

In the News: The world celebrated the 20th ever Earth Hour — a landmark milestone for WWF's iconic global environmental movement. Millions of people around the world were invited to switch off their lights and "Give an Hour for Earth" by dedicating 60 minutes to doing something positive for the planet.

Key Points:

• What is Earth Hour? Earth Hour is WWF's annual global event where individuals, communities, businesses and organizations switch off their lights for one hour as a symbolic act of concern for the planet. It has grown into the world's largest grassroots environmental movement.
• Origin: Earth Hour began on March 31, 2007, when WWF-Australia and co-founders organized a symbolic light switch-off over Sydney's Harbour Bridge. On that first night, 2.2 million people and over 2,000 businesses participated, making headlines around the world.
• Global Spread: Just one year after its launch, the movement had spread to 35 countries and major cities including Bangkok, Chicago, Copenhagen and Toronto. It has since grown into a truly global tradition celebrated across all continents.
• Earth Hour 2026 Significance: Saturday, March 28, 2026, marked the 20th ever Earth Hour — a historic milestone celebrating two decades of global environmental impact.
• 'Give an Hour for Earth' Campaign: Since 2023, Earth Hour introduced a new campaign called "The Biggest Hour for Earth," encouraging people not only to switch off lights but also to dedicate 60 minutes to positive action for the planet — such as reconnecting with nature, restoring the environment, learning about the planet, or inspiring others to care for it.
• Record-Breaking 2025: Earth Hour 2025 saw a record-breaking three million hours pledged by participants worldwide under the "Give an Hour for Earth" initiative.
• Key Conservation Achievements: In 2009, Earth Hour helped encourage over one million pledges for climate action. In 2013 in Argentina, Earth Hour support helped secure a 3.4-million-hectare marine protected area. In 2018, Earth Hour drove public momentum in French Polynesia, leading to the creation of a 5 million km² Managed Marine Area — a major win for ocean conservation.

Pakistan to host talks on West Asia War

In the News: Pakistan announced it is ready to "host and facilitate meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran to bring an end to the month-long US-Israel war on Iran. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with the Foreign Ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye in Islamabad, marking a significant diplomatic push to de-escalate the rapidly widening conflict in West Asia.

Key Points:

• Islamabad Talks: Two-day talks began on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Islamabad, led by Pakistani Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, with diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye. The talks covered possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war and explored potential US-Iran direct negotiations in Islamabad.
• Pakistan's Role as Mediator: Pakistan has been acting as a key interlocutor between the US and Iran, passing messages between the two sides. Islamabad has longstanding links with Tehran and close contacts in the Gulf, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, have struck up a personal rapport with US President Donald Trump.
• Broad International Support: Pakistan's peace efforts have received growing support from the United Nations, China, and its Middle Eastern allies. The visiting foreign ministers "expressed their full support" for potential US-Iran talks in Islamabad. Both Iran and the US have "expressed their confidence" in Islamabad to facilitate the talks.
• Iran-Pakistan Engagement: Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif held a detailed telephone conversation of over one hour with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as part of preparations for the talks. Pezeshkian "thanked Pakistan for its mediation efforts to stop the aggression against the Islamic Republic."
• Hormuz Breakthrough: Ahead of the talks, Pakistan secured a deal allowing 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran had closed — a meaningful step towards easing one of the worst energy crises in modern history.
• Germany's Signal: Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said he expected a direct US-Iran meeting in Pakistan "very soon," adding international credibility to Pakistan's mediation push.

Yemen’s Houthis join Iran war

In the News: Yemen's Houthis attacked Israel for the first time, a month after US and Israeli forces began striking Iran, opening a new front in the conflict. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, entered the fray with two missile and drone attacks on Israel in the space of fewer than 24 hours. This development has raised fresh fears over global energy supplies and maritime trade disruptions.

Key Points:

• Entry into the Conflict: Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis launched ballistic missiles at Israel — their first such attack since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. The group said it targeted "sensitive Israeli military sites" after Israel said it had intercepted a missile from Yemen.
• Who are the Houthis? The Houthis are an armed political and religious group which champions Yemen's Shia Muslim minority, the Zaidis. They are part of Iran's network of allies across West Asia — also called the "axis of resistance" — along with groups such as Gaza's Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah. In 2014, the Houthis seized Sana'a, the capital of the civil war-torn Yemen, and overthrew new president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
• Focus on Bab el-Mandeb Strait: Their involvement comes just as Iran has throttled traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears that the Yemeni group will again disrupt Red Sea traffic by blocking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Yemen is located close to the narrow Bab el-Mandeb strait, which leads into the Red Sea. At the other end of the 2,000-km Red Sea are the Suez Canal and the SUMED pipeline.
• Previous Red Sea Disruption (2023–25): In just the first two months after the Houthis began attacking ships in December 2023, trade volume going through the Suez Canal decreased by more than 40%. The attacks forced vessels to go all the way around the Cape of Good Hope, driving up insurance premiums. In 2025, US President Trump launched a bombing campaign alongside the UK to prevent these attacks, striking thousands of targets, but it ultimately ended in a negotiated ceasefire.
• Impact on Global Trade: A disruption in maritime transport is a crucial concern for the world economy, as more than 80% of global goods trade volume is carried by sea. The share of trade via sea is much higher for developing countries such as India.
• Impact on India: While the Strait of Hormuz is critical for India's energy imports, the Red Sea route is vital for its exports, particularly to Europe. Nearly 80% of India's merchandise trade with Europe passes through this corridor, with the EU alone accounting for India's total goods exports, valued at around $437 billion annually during FY 2024-25 (April-March).
• Freight Cost Concerns: The threat of fresh attacks will push global shipping lines to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope — a detour adding 4,000 to 6,000 nautical miles and delaying journeys by 14 to 20 days, sharply raising freight costs and disproportionately affecting developing economies like India.

Union Cabinet Approved India's Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)

In the News: The Union Cabinet, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the period 2031 to 2035. The updated NDC enhances India's climate ambition under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, while reinforcing its commitment to sustainable development, climate justice, and the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Key Points:

• What is an NDC? A Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a country's climate action plan submitted to the UNFCCC under the Paris Agreement, outlining its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. India is required to update and communicate its NDC every five years.
• Key Quantitative Targets for 2031–35: India has committed to reduce Emissions Intensity of its GDP by 47% by 2035 from 2005 levels; achieve 60% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2035; and create a carbon sink of 3.5 to 4.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent through forest and tree cover by 2035 from 2005 levels.
• Track Record of Early Achievement: India's original 2015 NDC targets of 33–35% reduction in emissions intensity and 40% non-fossil power capacity were both met well ahead of schedule — 11 years and 9 years early respectively. India's emissions intensity has already reduced by 36% during 2005–2020, and the country achieved 52.57% non-fossil capacity as of February 2026, five years ahead of the 2030 target.
• Forest and Carbon Sink Progress: India has already created 2.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent carbon sink by 2021. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has ranked India third in terms of net gain in forest area and ninth in terms of area under forest, acknowledging India's afforestation efforts globally.
• Clean Energy and Green Growth Measures: India's climate strategy is being implemented through large-scale renewable energy expansion, battery storage systems, green energy corridors, and cleaner manufacturing. Key schemes include the Green Hydrogen Mission, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, PM-KUSUM, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), and nuclear energy.
• People-Centric Approach: India's climate efforts are centred around the principle of "Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)," transforming sustainable living into a mass movement. Initiatives like 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' have been used to convert tree plantation into people-driven climate action.
• International Partnerships: India is pursuing climate action globally through initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Global Bio-fuel Alliance (GBA) and Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT).
• Long-Term Vision: India's NDC for 2031–35 is guided by the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and India's long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.