The following is a curated summary of key news and current affairs for March 31, 2026, gathered from The Hindu, The Assam Tribune, and PIB for your GK and exam preparation.
## National News & Governance
* Maoist Leadership Eliminated: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the Lok Sabha that the top leadership of Maoists has been almost entirely wiped out. The government set a target for a Naxal-free India by March 31, 2026. This operation utilized advanced AI-based data analysis and drone surveillance.
* Noida International Airport (NIA) Phase I: PM Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase I of the NIA at Jewar, Uttar Pradesh. Built at a cost of ₹11,200 crore under the PPP model, it is set to be one of India’s largest transit hubs.
* India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0: Under the latest Union Budget, the government launched ISM 2.0 to focus on domestic manufacturing of equipment and materials. This includes a major Silicon Carbide fab project in Odisha with an investment of ₹1.6 lakh crore.
* Army Procurement via GeM: The Indian Army marked a reform by signing its first-ever capital procurement contract through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) with JCB India for 93 telescopic handlers.
## Assam & North East Special
* Decentralization via “Co-districts”: The Assam government is expanding its “Xama-Zilla” (co-district) model. There are currently 49 co-districts, with a long-term goal of reaching 78 to ensure “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
* Stability in the Region: During a recent address, the PM highlighted the transition of Assam from a long span of instability to a decade of development and peace.
* New Species Discovery: A new butterfly species has been discovered in the region and named after the iconic Assamese singer Zubeen Garg.
## International & Economy
* Strait of Hormuz Transit: Amid global tensions, two Indian-flagged LPG vessels (BW TYR and BW ELM) successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 94,000 tonnes of LPG to Mumbai and New Mangalore.
* World Buddhist Peace Conference: Held in Telangana, the conference saw the adoption of the “Telangana Peace Declaration.” The state government announced the development of Buddhavanam (274 acres) as a global World Peace Centre.
* Nuclear Treaty Tensions: The Iranian Parliament is reportedly debating a possible exit from the nuclear treaty following increased regional friction.
## Science & Sports
* Sheetal Devi’s Milestone: 19-year-old para-archer Sheetal Devi, India’s first female armless archer, continues to be a major GK highlight after her historic gold at the World Para Archery Championships.
* Para-Badminton Success: Pramod Bhagat secured one gold and two silver medals at the Spanish Para-Badminton International 2026.
* Helium Shortage: Global reports indicate a critical shortage of Helium, affecting medical (MRI) and industrial sectors.
