In Current Affairs for 09 March 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 09 March 2026
1. ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ Campaign
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has introduced the “Say No To Proxy Sarpanch” campaign to address the long-standing issue of male relatives exercising power on behalf of elected women leaders in rural governance.
In many villages, women are elected as sarpanches due to constitutional reservations. However, in practice, their husbands or other male family members often take control of decision-making and administrative responsibilities. These individuals are commonly referred to as “Sarpanch Pati”, “Pradhan Pati”, or “Mukhiya Pati.”
The campaign aims to promote genuine participation of elected women representatives and strengthen democratic functioning at the grassroots level.
India’s Panchayati Raj system provides decentralized governance in rural areas and operates through a three-tier structure:
- Gram Panchayat at the village level
- Panchayat Samiti at the block level
- Zila Parishad at the district level
The system gained constitutional status through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which introduced reservations for women and marginalized communities in local self-governments.
2. Mojtaba Khamenei Named Iran’s New Supreme Leader
Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly been chosen as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the 2026 US-Israel strikes.
Mojtaba Khamenei, aged 56, is the second son of the late leader. Despite belonging to one of Iran’s most influential political families, he has maintained a relatively low public profile in national politics.
His selection was made by the Assembly of Experts, the constitutional body responsible for appointing Iran’s Supreme Leader. The leadership transition comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
3. Indonesia to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16
Indonesia has announced that children below the age of 16 will not be allowed to use social media platforms, with the regulation scheduled to take effect from March 28, 2026.
The government plans to implement the policy gradually while technology companies update their systems to comply with the law. Platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live will need to introduce stronger identity verification mechanisms to prevent underage access.
Indonesia joins several countries attempting to regulate minors’ online exposure. Australia implemented similar restrictions in December 2025, leading to the removal of millions of accounts. Nations including France, Spain, and the United Kingdom are also considering comparable measures to enhance online safety for children.
4. Balen Shah Likely to Become Nepal’s Prime Minister
Nepal’s political landscape has witnessed a major shift following the 2026 parliamentary elections, with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) emerging as a dominant political force.
The party, founded only a few years ago, secured significant support across many constituencies and gained an early lead during vote counting. If the trend continues, Balen Shah could become the next Prime Minister of Nepal.
Nepal’s federal parliament consists of the House of Representatives with 275 members, elected through a mixed electoral system:
- 165 members are elected through the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system.
- 110 members are chosen through proportional representation, where parties receive seats based on their share of votes.
This system aims to balance direct constituency representation with proportional political representation.
5. Government Suspends TRP Ratings for TV News Channels
The Government of India has temporarily suspended the publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels due to concerns about sensational reporting related to the ongoing West Asia conflict involving Israel and Iran.
The directive was issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on March 7, 2026, instructing the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to halt TRP reporting for four weeks or until further notice.
BARC is the official agency responsible for measuring television viewership in India. Established in 2010, it collects and analyzes data about audience engagement, program popularity, and advertising reach.
TRP data plays a crucial role in determining advertising revenues and evaluating the performance of television channels. The government invoked Clause 24.2 of BARC policy guidelines, which allows the ministry to issue directives that the organization must follow.
6. Operation Sankalp Gains Renewed Importance
Operation Sankalp, a maritime security mission conducted by the Indian Navy, has again become significant amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Indian naval warships deployed under the operation have been placed on standby to conduct Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations if required.
The mission was originally launched on June 19, 2019, after attacks on commercial oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz raised serious security concerns.
Operation Sankalp focuses on protecting Indian merchant ships and ensuring safe trade routes in sensitive maritime regions. This mission is particularly important because around 62% of India’s crude oil imports come from the Persian Gulf, making the security of these sea routes crucial for the country’s energy supply and economic stability.
7. Hurun Rich List 2026
The Hurun Rich List 2026 shows a remarkable rise in India’s wealth creators. The report reveals that India now has 308 billionaires, placing the country third globally after the United States and China.
During the past year, 57 new billionaires joined the list, although 27 individuals dropped out, resulting in a net increase of 24 billionaires compared with the previous year.
The combined wealth of Indian billionaires increased by 10% year-on-year, reaching approximately ₹112.6 trillion.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, retained his position as India’s and Asia’s richest person, with a net worth of about ₹9.8 trillion, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year.
Major global cities with the highest number of billionaires include:
- New York – 146 billionaires
- Shanghai – 120 billionaires
- Beijing – 107 billionaires
- London – 102 billionaires
The report also highlights demographic patterns. The average age of Indian billionaires is 67 years, slightly higher than the global average of 65 years. The youngest billionaire in India is Ritesh Agarwal, founder of OYO, aged 32, with a net worth of about ₹14,440 crore.
8. George Russell Wins Australian Grand Prix 2026
Mercedes driver George Russell won the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026, securing the first victory of the new season at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit.
The race featured an exciting battle between Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the early laps, with several lead changes. Mercedes executed a strong race strategy, ultimately finishing with a one-two result, as rookie driver Kimi Antonelli secured second place.
The season opener also witnessed dramatic incidents. Australian driver Oscar Piastri crashed on his way to the starting grid during his home race. Meanwhile, reigning champion Max Verstappen made an impressive recovery from 20th place after a qualifying crash and finished sixth.
9. Lakshya Sen Finishes Runner-Up at All England Open 2026
Indian badminton star Lakshya Sen finished as the runner-up in the All England Open Badminton Championship 2026 after losing the men’s singles final to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi in Birmingham.
The closely contested match ended 15–21, 20–22, with Sen narrowly missing the prestigious title despite a strong performance throughout the tournament.
The final showcased intense rallies and high-quality attacking play. Lin Chun-Yi gained an early advantage and maintained control with consistent offensive strokes.
This defeat marked Lakshya Sen’s fifth consecutive loss to Lin Chun-Yi in international competitions. The Taiwanese player’s left-handed attacking style has proven challenging for the Indian shuttler.
Review Questions
1. The “Say No To Proxy Sarpanch” campaign launched by the Government of India aims to address which issue?
A. Corruption in rural development funds
B. Dominance of male relatives in the functioning of elected women sarpanches
C. Lack of financial resources for Panchayats
D. Low voter turnout in Panchayat elections
Answer: B
Explanation:
The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to tackle the practice where husbands or male relatives of elected women sarpanches exercise power on their behalf. This practice is popularly known as “Sarpanch Pati.”
2. The Panchayati Raj system in India was given constitutional status through which amendment?
A. 42nd Constitutional Amendment
B. 44th Constitutional Amendment
C. 73rd Constitutional Amendment
D. 86th Constitutional Amendment
Answer: C
Explanation:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) established the Panchayati Raj system as a constitutional body and introduced reservations for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes in local governance.
3. In Iran’s political system, the Supreme Leader is selected by which body?
A. Guardian Council
B. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
C. Assembly of Experts
D. Parliament (Majlis)
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Assembly of Experts, an elected clerical body, is responsible for selecting and supervising the Supreme Leader of Iran.
4. Indonesia’s new regulation banning social media access for children under 16 will affect which of the following platforms?
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Roblox
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 3 only
C. 2, 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Explanation:
The regulation will apply to several major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Threads, X, Roblox, and Bigo Live.
5. Consider the following statements about Nepal’s House of Representatives:
- It has 275 members.
- All members are elected through proportional representation.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation:
Nepal’s House of Representatives has 275 members, but elections are conducted through a mixed electoral system:
- 165 through First-Past-the-Post
- 110 through Proportional Representation
6. The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is responsible for measuring which of the following in India?
A. Radio popularity ratings
B. Television viewership ratings
C. Newspaper circulation data
D. Digital news subscriptions
Answer: B
Explanation:
BARC measures Television Rating Points (TRPs) which indicate viewership levels and help advertisers and broadcasters evaluate program popularity.
7. Operation Sankalp is related to:
A. Border security along the India-China border
B. Maritime security for Indian merchant vessels
C. Counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir
D. Cyber security operations
Answer: B
Explanation:
Operation Sankalp, launched in 2019, is an Indian Navy mission aimed at protecting Indian merchant ships and ensuring safe maritime trade routes, particularly near the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz.
8. According to the Hurun Rich List 2026, India ranks which position globally in terms of number of billionaires?
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
Answer: C
Explanation:
India ranks third globally, after the United States and China, with 308 billionaires.
9. Who won the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026?
A. Max Verstappen
B. Charles Leclerc
C. George Russell
D. Lewis Hamilton
Answer: C
Explanation:
George Russell of Mercedes won the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, marking the first victory of the season.
10. Lakshya Sen finished runner-up in the All England Open Badminton Championship 2026 after losing to:
A. Viktor Axelsen
B. Lin Chun-Yi
C. Kento Momota
D. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
Answer: B
Explanation:
India’s Lakshya Sen lost the men’s singles final to Taiwan’s Lin Chun-Yi at the All England Open 2026 in Birmingham.
