Daily Current Affairs- 3rd April 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 3rd April 2026

NCERT Gets ‘Deemed University’ Status: What It Means for India’s Education System

In the News: The Ministry of Education issued a notification formally declaring the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) as an Institution Deemed to be University under a distinct category, under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, on the advice of the University Grants Commission (UGC). This marks a landmark structural shift in the role of India's apex school education body.

Key Points:

• Official Notification: The Ministry of Education declared NCERT, along with its six constituent units, as an institution deemed to be university under a distinct category under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. The distinct category recognises NCERT's specialised role in educational research and policy support.
• Six Constituent Units: The declaration covers Regional Institutes of Education located in Ajmer, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru, and Shillong, along with the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal.
• Approval Process: NCERT applied through the UGC portal, following which a Letter of Intent was issued in August 2023. NCERT submitted a compliance report in November 2025, which was accepted by the UGC's expert committee and approved during its 595th meeting on January 30, 2026.
• Mandatory Compliance Requirements: NCERT must participate in annual rankings under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), seek accreditation from bodies such as NAAC and NBA, and compulsorily create an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) with digital locker integration.
• About NCERT: Established in 1961 as an autonomous organisation under the Government of India, NCERT assists both Central and State governments in formulating education policies and implementing programmes for qualitative improvement. It develops the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), model textbooks, supplementary learning materials, and disseminates resources through journals and newsletters.
• Alignment with NEP 2020: The development is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises research-driven education, institutional autonomy, and bridging the gap between school education and higher academic research. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had in 2023 stated the move would help NCERT evolve into a research-driven institution with expanded global academic engagement.

Sand Artist Sudarshan Pattnaik Appointed Brand Ambassador for India Census 2027

In the News: The Government of India has appointed internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik as the Brand Ambassador for Census 2027, as announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs. He will use his signature sand art to educate and mobilise citizens across India about the importance of the upcoming census — the country's first-ever digital census.

Key Points:

• Appointment & Role: The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the official notification appointing Sudarsan Pattnaik as Brand Ambassador for Census 2027. He will leverage his unique sand art to raise public awareness and encourage broader citizen participation in the nationwide census exercise.
• Who is Sudarsan Pattnaik: He is an internationally acclaimed sand artist from Odisha, widely recognised for blending art with social awareness. Sudarsan Pattnaik was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 for his outstanding contribution to art and social awareness. Over the years, his artwork has highlighted critical issues such as climate change, COVID-19 awareness, and children's rights, making him an ideal choice to represent Census 2027.
• Guinness World Record: He helds a Guinness World Record for building the world's tallest sand castle — 48 feet and 8 inches — at Puri Beach, Odisha in 2017.
• About Census 2027: Census 2027 will be the 16th National Census of India and the 8th Census after Independence, conducted under the Census Act, 1948 by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. It will be India's first-ever Census by digital means. The official mascots are "Pragati" (female) and "Vikas" (male).
• Digital Features — A Historic First: For the first time, enumerators will use smartphone-based mobile applications instead of traditional paperwork. Citizens will also have the option to participate via a self-enumeration portal, available in 16 languages — a feature never introduced before in India's census history.
• Phase I — Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO): To be conducted from April to September 2026, covering housing conditions, availability of amenities, and household assets. A 15-day self-enumeration window will be provided before enumerators begin house visits.
• Phase II — Population Enumeration: Scheduled for February 2027, this phase will collect individual-level data on demographics, education, migration patterns, and fertility details.

Myanmar Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing Becomes President After Parliament Vote

In the News: Myanmar's coup leader and military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was elected president by the country's pro-military parliament, receiving 429 out of 584 votes cast. This formally consolidated his grip on political power, five years after he orchestrated the February 1, 2021 coup that ousted Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government.

Key Points:

• Parliamentary Vote & Result: Min Aung Hlaing won 429 out of the 584 votes cast by MPs in Myanmar's pro-military parliament. The result was confirmed by Aung Lin Dwe, the speaker of the combined upper and lower house of parliament. He was among three candidates nominated for the post, and the two runners-up became vice presidents.
• Background — The 2021 Coup: Min Aung Hlaing seized power on February 1, 2021, after accusing Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD party of widespread voter fraud — without evidence — following their landslide victory in the 2020 election. The coup triggered mass protests that spiralled into a civil war.
• The 'Sham' Elections: The transition to the presidency followed a lopsided election in December and January, won in a landslide by the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which secured more than 80 percent of parliamentary seats contested. Critics and Western governments derided the elections as a sham to perpetuate military rule behind a veneer of democracy.
• Who is Min Aung Hlaing: The 69-year-old was born in Dawei in south-east Myanmar, studied law at university in Yangon, and on his third attempt was admitted to the Defence Services Academy. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief in 2011, and has led Myanmar's armed forces ever since.
• ICC & Human Rights Accusations: Min Aung Hlaing is wanted by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Since the coup, UN investigators have accused his regime of indiscriminate airstrikes killing civilians, mass killings of detainees, rape, and the deliberate burning of entire villages.
• Aung San Suu Kyi's Status: The 80-year-old former de facto leader has been detained since the 2021 coup, and her party was banned from contesting the recent elections.

India Ranks 3rd Globally in Renewable Energy Capacity, Says IRENA

In the News: According to IRENA's annual Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 report, India emerged as the third-largest renewable energy market globally in 2025, after China and the United States, driven by rapid expansion in solar and wind capacity. India's installed renewable energy capacity in 2025 reached 250.5 GW, up from 175.9 GW in 2023.

Key Points:

• IRENA Report & India's Ranking: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in its Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 report, placed India as the 3rd largest renewable energy market globally — behind only China and the United States. This marks a significant milestone in India's clean energy journey.
• Overall Capacity Addition: India sustained strong momentum even amid global energy market turbulence, adding around 45 GW of renewable capacity in 2025. This growth reflects India's sustained commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Solar Energy — Biggest Driver: The capacity increase was driven by about 37 GW of solar energy addition in 2025. While China contributed the most to global solar capacity addition, India was the second-highest contributor, followed by South Korea.
• Asia's Solar Surge: Asia more than doubled its installed solar power capacity since 2022, adding 317 GW in 2024 and 371 GW in 2025 — with India being a key driver of this regional growth.
• Wind Energy Growth: Wind energy additions globally reached a record high of over 158 GW in 2025, 14% more than the previous year. China led the expansion, while India recorded an increase of 6.3 GW — its highest-ever annual wind energy addition.
• Hydropower & Pumped Hydro Expansion: Hydropower installed capacity in India grew from 52 GW in 2024 to 56 GW in 2025, and pumped hydro storage increased from 4.7 GW to 7.2 GW in 2025.
• IRENA's Statement on Resilience: IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera noted that renewable energy remains consistent in its expansion even amid uncertain times, adding that countries investing in the energy transition are weathering economic crises with less damage while boosting energy security and competitiveness.

Earthquake Lights Phenomenon Observed Near Turkey-Greece Tremors

In the News: Glowing vertical beams and luminous pillars were observed in the skies over the Aegean Sea region near Turkey and Greece, coinciding with a series of minor earthquakes that lasted until April 1, 2026. Experts identified these striking visuals as Earthquake Lights — a rare but scientifically documented natural phenomenon — sparking widespread interest and research attention globally.

Key Points:

• What Are Earthquake Lights: Earthquake lights are rare luminous phenomena — appearing as flashes, glowing orbs, streaks, or vertical pillars of light — observed in the sky before, during, or shortly after an earthquake. They are not caused by fire or heat but are linked to electrical processes triggered within the Earth's crust. Documentation of such lights dates back centuries.
• Trigger Mechanism — Tectonic Stress: The phenomenon originates deep within the Earth's crust. As tectonic plates collide and grind, immense stress builds up in subsurface rocks — particularly those rich in quartz and similar minerals — causing them to generate electric charges, similar to activating a large natural battery.
• How the Lights Form — Ionisation & Plasma: The electric charges generated travel upward through fractures and fault lines in the crust until they reach the surface. There, they interact with air molecules, causing ionisation (stripping electrons from air molecules). This produces glowing plasma — visible as luminous lights in the sky — similar to the illumination seen in neon signs, but without heat or flames.
• Role of Geological Structures: Earthquake lights are more commonly observed in regions with straight, vertical fault lines, such as rift zones. These geological structures act as efficient channels, allowing electric charges to travel more easily to the surface. This explains why not all earthquakes produce such lights — the phenomenon depends on both mineral composition and fault geometry.
• Recent Aegean Sea Event: During the late March 2026 tremors near Turkey and Greece, witnesses reported stunning glowing beams above coastal regions, leading to viral social media posts. Speculations ranged from sightings of angels to theories about simulated realities, before experts confirmed the scientific explanation.

What Is Mission Mitra? ISRO’s New Experiment for Gaganyaan Explained

In the News: ISRO launched Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Response Assessment) in Leh, Ladakh — a first-of-its-kind behavioral and physiological study designed to test astronaut endurance, teamwork, and psychological resilience under space-analog conditions, in support of India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

Key Points:

• Mission Overview: Mission MITRA is a joint initiative by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) and the IAF-Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), conducted at Leh, Ladakh (≈3,500 m altitude) from April 2–9, 2026. It is the first study of its kind focused on team behavioral dynamics in a high-altitude space-analog environment.
• Full Form & Objective: MITRA stands for Mapping of Interoperable Traits & Response Assessment. It is designed to examine the physiological, psychological, and operational dynamics of crew (Gaganyatris) and ground control teams functioning under environmental and operational stress.
• Why Ladakh: Leh's high altitude offers natural space-analog conditions — hypoxia, low temperatures, and isolation — closely mimicking challenges faced during long-duration spaceflight. These conditions help researchers study how astronauts react, coordinate, and maintain performance under stress.
• Inauguration: Mission MITRA was inaugurated on April 2, 2026 via a virtual address by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/Secretary DOS, in the presence of senior officials including Air Commodore N. K. Tripathy (Director, IAM), Shri D. K. Singh (Director, HSFC), and others.
• Participating Crew: Four selected astronaut candidates (Gaganyatris) are participating in the mission following an acclimatization period at Leh. They are being closely monitored by researchers and experts throughout the study.
• About Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan is India's first human spaceflight programme, aimed at sending Indian astronauts to space and returning them safely to Earth, while demonstrating advanced crew safety systems and strengthening India's position in global space exploration.