Daily Current Affairs- 2nd March 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 2nd March 2026

India to Host Bharat Steel 2026 Summit in New Delhi from April 16

In the News: India will host the Bharat Steel 2026 summit in New Delhi from 16 April 2026 as a two-day policy–industry platform focused on the next-generation steel ecosystem.

Key Points:

• Dates and Duration: Bharat Steel 2026 is scheduled for 16–17 April 2026 as a two-day summit.
• Venue: The summit is planned at Bharat Mandapam (ITPO), Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• Organising Framework: The summit is organised under the patronage of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India, as a flagship annual event for the steel sector.
• Participation Profile: The summit will bring together leaders from steel, technology, mining, and trading companies along with policymakers and other key stakeholders.
• Purpose and Focus: The summit is positioned as a policy–business dialogue to shape the future of the steel sector and highlight India’s steel ecosystem for global collaboration.
• Agenda Themes: The published programme highlights discussions on raw material security, trade, technology transfer, and greener and more sustainable steel production.

For 2nd Consecutive Year Mangaluru Airport Wins 2025 ASQ Best Arrivals Award

In the News: Airports Council International (ACI) World named Mangaluru International Airport as the winner of the 2025 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Award for “Best Airport at Arrivals – Globally,” marking its second consecutive win in the category.

Key Points:

• Awarding Body and Category: ACI World conferred the 2025 ASQ Award for “Best Airport at Arrivals – Globally” on Mangaluru International Airport.
• Passenger-Feedback Basis: The ASQ Awards are based on independently collected, real-time passenger feedback through ACI’s Airport Service Quality survey programme.
• What Arrivals Measures: The arrivals category evaluates the inbound journey, including processes like immigration and baggage delivery, along with cleanliness, wayfinding, terminal ambience, and overall comfort.
• Second Consecutive Year: The airport also won the same global arrivals award for 2024, making 2025 its second straight recognition in this category.
• Global Selectivity: In 2025, only a small group of airports worldwide were selected for the “Best Airport at Arrivals – Globally” category.
• Award Presentation: The award is scheduled to be presented at the ASQ Awards Ceremony in Istanbul, Türkiye, on 2 September 2026 during the ACI World Airport Experience Summit.

Micron Opens Large Single-Floor Semiconductor Assembly Cleanroom in Gujarat

In the News: Micron announced the opening of its semiconductor assembly and test facility in Sanand, Gujarat, with Phase 1 featuring more than 500,000 square feet of cleanroom space and the start of commercial production.

Key Points:

• Location and Facility Type: Micron inaugurated its semiconductor assembly and test facility in Sanand, Gujarat, focused on assembling and testing memory and storage products.
• Cleanroom Scale: Micron stated that once fully ramped, Phase 1 will have more than 500,000 sq ft of cleanroom space, making it one of the world’s largest single-floor assembly and test cleanrooms.
• Commercial Production Milestone: Official updates described the inauguration as marking the commencement of commercial production at the Sanand facility.
• Investment Size: Micron stated that the project involves a combined investment of about $2.75 billion by Micron and its government partners.
• Early Output Signal: Micron reported an initial shipment of made-in-India memory modules for laptops manufactured in India for the Indian market.
• Scale-Up Outlook: Micron indicated that the facility is expected to scale up production in stages as operations ramp up.

India, Canada Announce Strategic Energy Partnership, Revive CEPA Talks

In the News: India and Canada announced a reset in bilateral economic engagement on 2 March 2026 by advancing a Strategic Energy Partnership and finalising the Terms of Reference to relaunch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Key Points:

• Strategic Energy Partnership: The two sides agreed to advance a Strategic Energy Partnership to strengthen energy security and deepen cooperation across priority energy areas.
• Clean Energy and Critical Minerals: Official outcomes highlighted cooperation across clean energy and critical minerals, including mechanisms for information exchange and investment opportunities.
• Structured Energy Dialogue: The two sides welcomed the re-launch of the Canada–India Ministerial Energy Dialogue and a joint action plan under the dialogue framework.
• CEPA Restart: India and Canada finalised the Terms of Reference to relaunch CEPA negotiations covering trade in goods and services and other agreed areas.
• Trade Target: Both sides reiterated an ambition to raise bilateral trade to around USD 50 billion by 2030.
• Nuclear Energy Link: Official and media reports also highlighted commercial arrangements related to uranium supply to support India’s nuclear energy requirements.

Kuno National Park Records First Sighting of Endangered Forest Owlet

In the News: Reports from Madhya Pradesh noted that Kuno National Park recorded the Forest Owlet for the first time, adding an important biodiversity record in the landscape where cheetah conservation activities are ongoing.

Key Points:

• Species and Status: The Forest Owlet (also known as Blewitt’s Owl) is listed as ‘Endangered’ and is considered a rare and highly restricted-distribution species.
• First Authenticated Record in Kuno: Officials described it as the first authenticated record of the Forest Owlet from Kuno National Park.
• Sighting and Confirmation: The bird was first spotted by a local tourism operator in the Parond beat area, and the identification was confirmed by a wildlife expert on-site based on key features.
• Historical Context: The Forest Owlet was described in 1872, was long considered extinct after 1884, and was rediscovered in India in 1997.
• Significance for Conservation: Officials linked the sighting to stronger habitat protection and broader ecosystem recovery indicators in the protected area.
• Behavioural Note: Reports noted that the Forest Owlet is comparatively more active during morning hours than many other owl species.

India Welcomes 9 Cheetahs from Botswana to Kuno National Park

In the News: India received nine cheetahs from Botswana, which were released into quarantine enclosures at Kuno National Park, strengthening Project Cheetah’s population base.

Key Points:

• Batch Size and Composition: The Botswana batch comprised nine cheetahs, including six females and three males.
• Quarantine Protocol: The animals were placed in quarantine enclosures for acclimatisation and health monitoring before any phased movement into the wider landscape.
• Population Count: Official updates stated that India’s cheetah population under Project Cheetah reached 48, including 28 India-born cubs.
• Operational Logistics: Reports noted that the animals were transported via an Indian Air Force aircraft and then moved by helicopter for the final leg to reduce transit stress.
• Project Context: The transfer was described as part of India’s long-term cheetah reintroduction and conservation programme under government-to-government cooperation.
• Next Steps: The animals are to undergo health checks and behavioural monitoring before further management decisions are taken in line with the project’s protocols.