In Current Affairs for 03 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.
Defence Current Affairs 03 March 2026
India Plans to Expand S-400 Air Defence Shield
India is preparing to significantly strengthen its air defence architecture by considering the acquisition of five more squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, known in India as Sudarshan. The proposal, submitted by the Indian Air Force, is expected to be reviewed by the Ministry of Defence in the coming weeks.
In 2018, India signed a landmark agreement with Russia for five S-400 units. Of these, three have already been deployed and are operational, while two are still awaited. The new plan aims not only to speed up pending deliveries but also to enlarge the overall fleet to enhance protection across sensitive eastern and western borders.
The S-400 system is regarded as a major strategic asset due to its ability to detect and neutralize aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at long ranges. Defence authorities are also discussing the procurement of additional interceptor missiles to further improve operational readiness.
At the same time, India continues to invest in indigenous defence technologies. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a long-range air defence system under Project Kusha to promote self-reliance in advanced missile defence capabilities.
INSV Kaundinya Completes Historic Voyage to Oman
The INSV Kaundinya was ceremonially welcomed into Mumbai Harbour on March 1 after successfully completing its first overseas voyage to the Sultanate of Oman. The flag-in ceremony was conducted in the presence of Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard.
The vessel sailed to Muscat and returned by retracing ancient maritime trade routes across the Arabian Sea. This journey symbolized India’s longstanding seafaring traditions and reinforced cultural and historical ties with Oman.
INSV Kaundinya is uniquely constructed using traditional stitched-shipbuilding techniques, where wooden planks are bound together with coir rope and sealed with natural resins. Inspired by a 5th-century ship depiction in the Ajanta Caves, the vessel was built under Indian Navy supervision with the support of skilled traditional artisans. It stands as a revival of India’s rich maritime craftsmanship blended with modern naval standards.
OpenAI Revises US Defence Agreement After Public Backlash
AI company OpenAI recently modified its agreement with the US Department of Defense after facing criticism over the timing and nature of the deal. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that the agreement could have been handled more carefully.
The deal announcement came shortly after AI firm Anthropic lost its Pentagon contract, reportedly due to its refusal to remove certain safeguards limiting unrestricted AI use. The situation led to public scrutiny, with Altman describing the rollout as “opportunistic and sloppy.”
Following the controversy, OpenAI clarified that its systems cannot be used for mass domestic surveillance of US citizens and emphasized protections under constitutional and federal laws. It also stated that intelligence agencies would require separate approvals for any future access.
Data from Sensor Tower indicated a sharp rise in ChatGPT uninstalls—nearly 295 percent in a single day—while Anthropic’s chatbot Claude saw a surge in downloads, briefly topping app store rankings in the United States.
Pakistan President Alleges India Preparing for Another War
Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has claimed that India is preparing for another military confrontation, months after tensions escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.
Addressing a joint parliamentary session, Zardari urged India to shift from conflict toward dialogue and negotiation, emphasizing regional peace and stability.
The previous escalation occurred after India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation followed the Pahalgam attack, for which India blamed The Resistant Front, an alleged offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The situation led to a brief but intense military standoff between the two nations.
India and Canada Launch New Defence Dialogue
India and Canada have announced the establishment of a formal Defence Dialogue mechanism following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in New Delhi.
The meeting resulted in multiple Memorandums of Understanding covering cooperation in critical minerals, renewable energy, cultural exchange, and education. Both sides emphasized strengthening defence industry collaboration, maritime domain awareness, and military exchanges.
Educational partnerships were also highlighted, particularly in artificial intelligence, healthcare, agriculture, and innovation. Canadian universities are expected to establish campuses in India to promote academic exchange.
Additionally, both leaders addressed global concerns including terrorism, extremism, and instability in West Asia. A long-term uranium supply arrangement and a shared goal of increasing bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030 reflect the growing economic and strategic partnership between the two nations.
Review Questions
- India is planning to procure five additional squadrons of which air defence
system?
A. Barak-8
B. Akash
C. S-400 Triumf
D. Patriot
ANSWER: C - The indigenous long-range air defence system under development by DRDO is
known as:
A. Project Astra
B. Project Kusha
C. Project Agni Shield
D. Project Suraksha
ANSWER: B - INSV Kaundinya recently completed its maiden overseas voyage to which
country?
A. Sri Lanka
B. Indonesia
C. Oman
D. UAE
ANSWER: C - Who is the CEO of OpenAI that acknowledged concerns regarding the
Pentagon deal?
A. Elon Musk
B. Sundar Pichai
C. Satya Nadella
D. Sam Altman
ANSWER: D - Operation Sindoor was launched by India in response to which incident?
A. Pulwama attack
B. Uri attack
C. Pahalgam terror attack
D. Pathankot attack
ANSWER: C - Dornier Do-228 Aircraft Manufactured By
A. DRDO
B. HAL
C. Boeing
D. None
ANSWER: B - Which Organisation has successfully carried out a flight trial of Autonomous
Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator?
A. DRDO
B. HAL
C. HSL
D. BEL
ANSWER: A - ‘SAMAR’ Stands For
A. Surface-to-Surface Missile For Assured Retaliation
B. Surface-to-Sea Missile For Assured Retaliation
C. Surface-to-air Missile For Assist Retaliation
D. Surface-to-air Missile For Assured Retaliation
ANSWER: D - Which Two Forces Signed MoU For National Maritime Heritage Complex?
A. Indian Coast Guard & Indian Navy
B. Indian Coast Guard & Indian Army
C. BSF & Indian Navy
D. None
ANSWER: A - Which Of The Following Is The Newly Member In The SCO?
A. Pakistan
B. Iran
C. Israel
D. China
ANSWER: B - __Edition of the Ex Shakti 2025 Hosted By France.
A. 6th
B. 7th
C. 8th
D. 9th
ANSWER: C - National Security Advisor Of India Is
A. Vikram Misri
B. Ajit Doval
C. Rakesh Singh
D. None
ANSWER: B - First Medium Range Surface to Air Missile Regiment Being Raised In
A. Western Theatre
B. Southern Theatre
C. Northern Theatre
D. Eastern Theatre
ANSWER: D - Which countries are part of the AUKUS program?
A. India, United States, and Australia
B. United Kingdom, Australia, and United States
C. United Kingdom, China, and Australia
D. India, China, and Australia
ANSWER: B - Brigadier Rank of Indian Army Is Equivalent to which rank of Indian Navy?
A. Commodore
B. Captain
C. Commander
D. Lieutenant
ANSWER: A - “Kashmiri Century: Portrait of a Society in Flux” Book Is Written By
A. Kavitha Rao
B. Bimal Jalan
C. Hew Strachan
D. Khemlata Wakhlu
ANSWER: D - AFV Stands For
A. Armoured Fighting Vehicle
B. Armoured Furious Vehicle
C. Army Fighting Vehicle
D. None
ANSWER: A - Where Is The Hq Of The Southern Command of The Indian Navy?
A. Kochi
B. Vishakhapatnam
C. Pune
D. Mumbai
ANSWER: A - Exercises B/w The India And Mongolia Is Called:
A. Nomadic Elephant
B. SLINEX
C. Indra
D. Yudha Abhyas
ANSWER: A - India Purchased Rafale Jet from
A. USA
B. Sweden
C. France
D. None of the above
ANSWER: C
