In Current Affairs for 16 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 16 March 2026
National Vaccination Day 2026
India observes National Vaccination Day every year on 16 March to spread awareness about the importance of immunization and to appreciate the contributions of healthcare workers, scientists, and policymakers who work to protect public health.
The day marks the anniversary of the Pulse Polio Immunization Programme, which was launched in 1995. On 16 March 1995, the first nationwide dose of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) was administered to children across the country. This campaign became a major step in India’s fight against polio and eventually helped the country achieve polio-free status in 2014.
The idea of vaccination itself dates back to the work of Edward Jenner, a British physician who made a revolutionary discovery in 1798. Jenner observed that people exposed to cowpox developed immunity against smallpox, one of the most deadly diseases in human history. His work laid the foundation for modern immunization and preventive medicine.
Today, vaccination continues to play a crucial role in protecting communities from infectious diseases and improving global health outcomes.
Vairamuthu Wins 2025 Jnanpith Award
Renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu has been honored with the prestigious Jnanpith Award for 2025, one of the highest literary recognitions in India. The award acknowledges his remarkable contribution to Tamil literature and poetry over several decades.
Vairamuthu is widely admired for his distinctive poetic style, deep philosophical themes, and ability to connect literature with social issues. His works have played a significant role in bringing Tamil poetry and literary culture to a broader audience.
The Jnanpith Award, established in 1961, recognizes outstanding literary achievements in Indian languages. Receiving this award is considered a landmark accomplishment for writers and poets in India’s literary world.
José Antonio Kast Becomes President of Chile
José Antonio Kast has officially taken the oath of office as the President of Chile, marking a notable political shift in the country. His victory represents a significant move toward conservative leadership in Chile’s recent political landscape.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Kast addressed a large gathering of supporters outside the La Moneda Presidential Palace in Santiago. In his speech, he highlighted key national challenges including organized crime, economic instability, and rising insecurity.
The new administration has announced plans to introduce a tax reform proposal in April. The plan aims to reduce corporate tax rates from 27% to 23% over four years in order to encourage investment and boost economic growth.
Kast has succeeded former president Gabriel Boric, taking charge at a time when Chile is facing economic uncertainties and growing concerns about public safety.
Chandrika Pujari Wins Gold at World Boxing Futures Cup 2026
India delivered a strong performance at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026, finishing the tournament with a total of five medals.
The highlight of the event for India was the impressive performance of Chandrika Pujari, who won the gold medal in the women’s 51 kg category. In the final bout, she defeated Mardonova Nazokat of Uzbekistan to secure the top podium finish.
India’s Medal Winners at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026
- Gold: Chandrika Pujari – Women’s 51 kg
- Silver: Gunjan – Women’s 48 kg
- Silver: Joyshree Devi – Women’s 54 kg
- Silver: Ambekar Meetei – Men’s 50 kg
- Bronze: Radhamani Longjam – Women’s 57 kg
India’s performance in the tournament highlights the country’s growing strength in international boxing competitions.
National Mission for Manuscripts – Gyan Bharatam Mission
The Government of India has launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission under the Ministry of Culture to safeguard and preserve the country’s vast manuscript heritage.
The mission aims to survey, document, conserve, digitize, and provide access to manuscripts stored in universities, museums, libraries, and private collections across India.
To support this initiative, the Standing Finance Committee (SFC) has approved a budget of ₹491.66 crore for the period 2025–2031.
Under this program, a nationwide network of Cluster Centers (CCs) and Independent Centers (ICs) is being established to carry out preservation and documentation work. So far, more than 40 centers have been brought into the network. Additionally, 28 States and Union Territories have joined the mission as nodal coordinating authorities for its implementation.
The mission follows a technology-driven approach to preserve manuscripts. This includes scientific conservation methods, high-quality digitization, centralized access to digital records through the National Digital Repository (NDR), and secure storage using LTO-9 tapes and cloud-based backup systems with disaster-recovery mechanisms.
Review Questions
1. National Vaccination Day is observed in India every year on which date?
A. 10 March
B. 12 March
C. 16 March
D. 20 March
Answer: C. 16 March
2. National Vaccination Day commemorates the launch of which programme in India?
A. Universal Immunization Programme
B. Pulse Polio Programme
C. Mission Indradhanush
D. National Health Mission
Answer: B. Pulse Polio Programme
3. In which year was the Pulse Polio Programme launched in India?
A. 1992
B. 1995
C. 2000
D. 2005
Answer: B. 1995
4. Who is known as the pioneer of vaccination after discovering the smallpox vaccine?
A. Louis Pasteur
B. Robert Koch
C. Edward Jenner
D. Alexander Fleming
Answer: C. Edward Jenner
5. The Jnanpith Award for 2025 has been conferred on which Tamil poet and lyricist?
A. Gulzar
B. Vairamuthu
C. Javed Akhtar
D. Vikram Seth
Answer: B. Vairamuthu
6. The Jnanpith Award was first instituted in which year?
A. 1955
B. 1961
C. 1970
D. 1985
Answer: B. 1961
7. José Antonio Kast has taken oath as the President of which country?
A. Argentina
B. Brazil
C. Chile
D. Peru
Answer: C. Chile
8. Chandrika Pujari won the gold medal in which category at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026?
A. Women’s 48 kg
B. Women’s 51 kg
C. Women’s 54 kg
D. Women’s 57 kg
Answer: B. Women’s 51 kg
9. How many total medals did India win at the World Boxing Futures Cup 2026?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
Answer: C. 5
10. The Gyan Bharatam Mission launched by the Government of India aims to preserve what?
A. Ancient temples
B. Historical monuments
C. Manuscripts and written heritage
D. Traditional art forms
Answer: C. Manuscripts and written heritage
