In Current Affairs for 13 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 13 March 2026
Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026)
Droupadi Murmu addressed the inaugural session of the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) held in New Delhi on March 12, 2026.
The conference emphasized the importance of strengthening the role of women in agriculture and ensuring gender-inclusive development across the agri-food sector.
Women play a vital role in farming, food processing, and agricultural supply chains. However, they often face challenges such as limited access to land ownership, credit, technology, and training. The conference aimed to highlight these challenges and explore solutions to empower women farmers and entrepreneurs.
GCWAS-2026 brought together policymakers, agricultural scientists, researchers, and representatives from international organizations. Discussions focused on building policy frameworks, improving institutional support, and creating opportunities that can increase women’s participation throughout the agri-food value chain.
The event also stressed that empowering women in agriculture is essential for achieving sustainable farming systems, improving rural livelihoods, and ensuring food security.
India’s First Digital Twin Platform in the Maritime Sector
V. O. Chidambaranar Port has launched India’s first Digital Twin platform for port operations, marking a major technological advancement in the country’s maritime sector.
A Digital Twin is a real-time digital replica of physical infrastructure and operational systems. By creating a virtual model of the port, authorities can monitor and manage operations more efficiently.
The platform digitally represents several elements of the port ecosystem, including:
- Port infrastructure
- Operational equipment and assets
- Vessel movements
- Cargo handling operations
- The broader maritime logistics network
Technologies Used in the System
The Digital Twin platform integrates multiple advanced technologies:
- Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for monitoring infrastructure and equipment
- GPS tracking to track ships and cargo movement
- LiDAR technology for accurate spatial mapping
- Drone imaging for aerial inspection and surveillance
- CCTV networks for security and operational oversight
This initiative supports national maritime development strategies such as Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to modernize Indian ports and enhance their global competitiveness.
India Plans to Boost Semiconductor Manufacturing
India is preparing to launch a new ₹1 trillion (around $11 billion) semiconductor fund to strengthen domestic chip production and support its ambition to become a global semiconductor hub.
The fund will support several areas of the semiconductor ecosystem, including chip design, manufacturing equipment, and supply chain development. This initiative expands on the government’s earlier $10 billion semiconductor incentive program launched in 2021 under the India Semiconductor Mission.
Under this scheme, companies can receive financial assistance covering up to 50% of project costs for semiconductor manufacturing facilities.
Major Semiconductor Projects in India
Several major investments have already been announced:
- Micron Technology setting up a semiconductor assembly facility in Gujarat
- Tata Group developing a semiconductor fabrication plant in Gujarat
- Tata establishing a chip packaging and testing unit
- Foxconn Technology Group planning a semiconductor testing and assembly facility
These initiatives are expected to expand India’s semiconductor ecosystem and attract further international investments.
KSRTC Wins National Award for Dhwani Spandana Innovation
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has received the Governance Now 12th PSU National Award in the Excellence in Innovation category for its project “Dhwani Spandana.”
This system is designed to assist visually impaired passengers in identifying buses and navigating public transportation independently.
About Dhwani Spandana
Dhwani Spandana is an onboard bus identification and navigation system that enables visually challenged individuals to recognize buses easily and travel more safely.
Key objectives include:
- Promoting independent mobility for visually impaired passengers
- Enhancing accessibility in public transport
- Making urban transportation more inclusive
The system has already been implemented in around 200 buses of the Mysuru City Transport network.
The project was developed with technical assistance from GIZ, which collaborated with KSRTC to improve accessibility solutions.
Rapid Growth of Data Centre Capacity in India
India’s data centre sector has witnessed significant expansion over the past few years. Total data centre capacity increased from around 375 MW in 2020 to nearly 1500 MW by 2025, reflecting the growing demand for digital infrastructure.
To support artificial intelligence research and development, around 38,231 GPUs have been deployed through 14 empanelled service providers and data centres under the national AI compute framework.
These computing resources are made available to startups, researchers, and academic institutions at a subsidized rate of approximately ₹65 per hour, which is roughly one-third of the global average cost.
According to projections from the Ministry of Power, electricity demand from data centres may rise to 13.56 GW by 2031–32 as the sector continues to expand.
SHANTI Act and Regulation of Data Centres
India has also introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Act to strengthen the country’s nuclear energy ecosystem and support future energy needs.
Water consumption in data centres depends on the cooling technologies used. Regulation of groundwater extraction for industrial purposes is governed by guidelines issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, including notifications released in 2020 and updated in 2023.
These measures aim to ensure sustainable use of resources while supporting the rapid growth of digital infrastructure in India.
Review Questions
1. Who inaugurated the Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026)?
A. Narendra Modi
B. Droupadi Murmu
C. Nirmala Sitharaman
D. Jagdeep Dhankhar
Answer: B
Explanation: The conference was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on March 12, 2026 to promote women’s participation in agriculture and agri-food systems.
2. The Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) was held in which city?
A. Mumbai
B. Hyderabad
C. New Delhi
D. Bengaluru
Answer: C
Explanation: The international conference was organised in New Delhi to highlight the role of women in sustainable agricultural development.
3. Which port became the first in India to launch a Digital Twin platform for port management?
A. Jawaharlal Nehru Port
B. Paradip Port
C. Visakhapatnam Port
D. V. O. Chidambaranar Port
Answer: D
Explanation: V. O. Chidambaranar Port launched India’s first Digital Twin initiative, enabling real-time monitoring of port infrastructure, vessels, and cargo operations.
4. Which of the following technologies is used in the Digital Twin platform at V.O. Chidambaranar Port?
- IoT Sensors
- LiDAR Mapping
- Drone Imaging
- GPS Tracking
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 Digital Twin system integrates multiple technologies including IoT sensors, GPS tracking, LiDAR mapping, and drone imaging to monitor port operations efficiently.
5. India plans to launch a semiconductor fund worth approximately:
A. ₹50,000 crore
B. ₹5 lakh crore
C. ₹1 trillion
D. ₹10 trillion
Answer: C
Explanation: India is planning to launch a ₹1 trillion ($11 billion) semiconductor fund to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing.
6. The semiconductor incentive program launched in 2021 operates under which initiative?
A. Digital India Mission
B. Make in India
C. India Semiconductor Mission
D. Startup India
Answer: C
Explanation: The semiconductor incentive program is part of the India Semiconductor Mission, which supports semiconductor manufacturing and design.
7. Which company is establishing a semiconductor assembly facility in Gujarat?
A. Intel
B. Qualcomm
C. Micron Technology
D. Nvidia
Answer: C
Explanation: Micron Technology announced plans to build a semiconductor assembly and testing facility in Gujarat.
8. The “Dhwani Spandana” innovation is associated with which organisation?
A. Indian Railways
B. Delhi Transport Corporation
C. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
D. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation
Answer: C
Explanation: KSRTC developed Dhwani Spandana, an assistive technology to help visually impaired passengers identify buses.
9. The Dhwani Spandana system has been implemented in approximately how many Mysuru city buses?
A. 50
B. 100
C. 150
D. 200
Answer: D
Explanation: The system has been implemented in around 200 buses in the Mysuru City Transport network.
10. India’s data centre capacity increased from about 375 MW in 2020 to approximately how much by 2025?
A. 800 MW
B. 1000 MW
C. 1500 MW
D. 2000 MW
Answer: C
Explanation: India’s data centre capacity grew significantly from 375 MW in 2020 to around 1500 MW by 2025, reflecting rapid expansion of digital infrastructure.
