Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 10th March 2026

Government Launches ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ Campaign:

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has launched the ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ campaign. This campaign will to address the issue of the ‘Sarpanch Pati’ practice in village governance.

• This initiative was launched on International Women’s Day and it will run until March 18, 2026.
• This campaign will aims to raise awareness about situations where elected women sarpanches are sidelined and male relatives exercise authority on their behalf.
• The ‘Sarpanch Pati’ practice refers to that a situation where male relatives of elected women sarpanches take over decision making authority in local governance.
• In many villages women are elected as sarpanches due to reservation policies. But in practice their husbands or other male family members control official decisions.
• These men are commonly referred to as “Sarpanch Pati” “Pradhan Pati” or “Mukhiya Pati”
• The ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ campaign highlights this issue and encourages citizens to recognize and support authentic women leadership in Panchayati Raj institutions.
• One of the main key objective is to encourage communities to respect the authority of elected women leaders. And also to ensure they are able to perform their duties independently.
• This campaign also aims to identify and discourage proxy leadership practices in rural governance structures.
• Through public participation and social media engagement the campaign invites citizens to share their views about the Sarpanch Pati culture. And also highlight examples of genuine women leadership in villages.

Telangana Gaddar Awards:

Rashmika Mandanna has won the Best Actress award at the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards.

• This Award she won for her performance in the Telugu romantic drama “The Girlfriend”. This recognition celebrates her powerful portrayal in the film.
• This award was announced as part of the state backed awards that recognize outstanding achievements in Telugu cinema.
• Rashmika Mandanna received the Best Actress award for her role in the film “The Girlfriend.”
• Her portrayal of the character Bhooma Devi impressed both critics and audiences due to its emotional depth and authenticity.
• In the film Rashmika plays a postgraduate student whose romantic relationship gradually turns emotionally complicated and controlling. This story explores themes such as toxic relationships, emotional manipulation and self-realization
• The Telangana Gaddar Film Awards are prestigious honours introduced by the Government of Telangana.
• This introduced to recognize excellence in Telugu cinema and contributions to the film industry.
• These awards were instituted in 2025 and are presented by the Telangana Film Development Corporation.
• They celebrate films, actors, directors and technicians who have delivered outstanding work in Telugu cinema over the years.
• This awards are named after the revolutionary Telugu poet Gaddar.
• Whose cultural influence inspired the creation of this recognition platform. Through these awards the state government aims to highlight cinematic achievements and promote the growth of regional cinema.

Grand Prix 2026:

Mercedes driver George Russell won the Formula 1 2026 Australian Grand Prix. As they securing the first victory of the new F1 season at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit.

• This race featured an intense early fight between Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
• And with multiple lead changes in the opening laps.
• Mercedes eventually dominated the race strategy and finished with a one two result And as a Kimi Antonelli finished second.
• The Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured third and fourth positions respectively.
• The Australian Grand Prix 2026 began with dramatic action as Ferrari drivers gained positions quickly at the start of the race.
• Charles Leclerc overtook George Russell at Turn One, taking an early lead while Lewis Hamilton also moved up the order.
• However the lead changed was several times during the opening laps as Russell and Leclerc engaged in an intense battle.
• The drivers inter change the positions seven times within the first nine laps and also showcasing the competitiveness of the new Formula 1 2026 cars and energy deployment systems.
• Eventually the Mercedes regained control of the race.
• Russell maintained strong pace throughout the race and successfully defended his position to claim the victory and this win marking his sixth career Formula 1 win.

Grand Prix :

• It motor racing, a form of motorsport competition, has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as early as 1894.
• It quickly evolved from simple road races from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver. Innovation and the drive of competition soon saw speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour (160 km/h)

SBI Launches Major Social Loan for Women Empowerment:

The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the launch of a $500 million syndicated social loan facility. Which is aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment and promoting gender equality.

• This initiative was unveiled ahead of International Women’s Day.
• The funding programme focuses on supporting projects and opportunities that empower women financially and socially.
• According to SBI this initiative will also contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
• The SDG 5 which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women globally.
• The newly launched SBI $500 million social loan is designed as a syndicated social term loan facility.
• It involves multiple financial institutions collaborating to provide funding for a common social objective.
• This financing initiative aims to accelerate women’s economic empowerment. And this empowerment done by supporting projects, enterprises and financial opportunities that help reduce gender inequality.
• SBI described the transaction as a significant step toward strengthening inclusive economic growth and sustainable finance.

RBI Approves Ketan Merchant as Interim CEO of Fino Payments Bank:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the appointment of Ketan Merchant as interim CEO of Fino Payments Bank.

• This appointment approval for a temporary period of three months.
• The decision was announced on March 6 2026. The decision comes following the arrest of the bank’s Managing Director and CEO Rishi Gupta in a GST related case.
• Merchant currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Fino Payments Bank.
• The RBI approval for Ketan Merchant interim CEO appointment will ensures leadership continuity at Fino Payments Bank.
• The central bank will allowed Merchant to be serve as interim CEO for three months starting February 27 2026 or until further decisions are made regarding the position of Rishi Gupta.
• This approval came through an official communication from the RBI to the bank’s board.
• The appointment was made after the bank’s board requested Merchant to take charge of day to day operations following Gupta’s arrest.
• The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) and the board will review Gupta’s eligibility before a final decision will be taken by the regulator.

India’s First Ring Metro:

Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first Ring Metro in Delhi. And this is the marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the Delhi Metro network.

• This new Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur corridor completes the circular connectivity of the Delhi Metro Pink Line.
• And that has transforming it into a fully operational ring route around the national capital.
• Also the Prime Minister also launched the Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park extension of the Magenta Line.
• He laid the foundation for new metro corridors under Delhi Metro Phase-V.
• The launch of the Delhi Metro Pink Line Ring Metro represents the landmark development in India’s urban transport system.
• With the completion of the Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur corridor the Pink Line now forms a complete circular route connecting major parts of the city.
• This newly operational line measures about 12.3 km.
• They includes several elevated stations designed to improve connectivity across north and northeast Delhi.
• The expansion increases the total length of the Delhi Metro Pink Line to approximately 71.56 km. And officially making it India’s first fully operational Ring Metro corridor.
• The Delhi Ring Metro system allows passengers to travel across different parts of the city without entering the central interchange hubs.

Mojtaba Khamenei Becomes Iran’s New Supreme Leader:

Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as the new Supreme Leader of Iran After the death of his father. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was dead in US-Israel strikes in 2026.

• This decision marks one of the most significant leadership transitions in the Islamic Republic of Iran since 1989.
• Mojtaba’s appointment is expected to lead Iran’s political direction, regional strategy and relations with Western countries.
• Mojtaba Khamenei his aged 56and he is the second son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Despite he coming from the background he has largely remained a low profile figure in Countrys politics.
• Unlike many political leaders in Iran Mojtaba has Never held the formal government position and also Rarely given public speeches or interviews.
• He also Maintained limited public visibility in the country.

India Ranked Second in Global Arms Imports:

India has emerged as the world’s second largest arms importer during the period 2021-2025. This are the accounting for 8.2% of total global arms imports. According to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report highlights a gradual shift in India’s defense procurement strategy with the country increasingly sourcing weapons from Western suppliers such as France, Israel and the United States. However Russia still remains an important defense partner for India.According to the SIPRI arms transfer report India has been ranked as the second largest importer of major arms globally between 2021 and 2025.The country accounted for the 8.2 percent of total global arms imports placing it behind only one other major arms importing nation during the period.The report noted that India’s defense purchases continue to be driven by the need to modernize its armed forces and maintain strategic readiness in a complex security environment.

Shah Rukh Khan Debuts in Hurun Global Rich List 2026:

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has make his debut in the Hurun Global Rich List 2026. This is marking a major milestone in his career and financial success.

• According to the report the Shahrukh Khan has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. And it also placing him among the world’s billionaire celebrities.
• The list was released on March 5, 2026 and it measures wealth up to January 15, 2026.
• The Hurun Global Rich List 2026 includes Shah Rukh Khan among the world’s wealthiest individuals with a net worth of $1.3 billion.
• His inclusion reflects his decades long success in Bollywood But also the financial strength of his business ventures and brand investments.
• The list evaluates the wealth of US dollar billionaires worldwide and highlighting influential figures from industries such as entertainment, technology, sports and business.
• The Hurun Report 2026 highlighted a record year for celebrity wealth creation, where ownership of brands, companies and intellectual property played a major role.
• According to Rupert Hoogewerf Chairman and Chief Researcher of the Hurun Report celebrities increasingly earn wealth through business ventures and technology partnerships rather than only performance fees.
• Some of the major celebrity billionaires on the Hurun Global Rich List 2026 includes
  • Michael Jordan – $3.6 billion
  • Jay-Z – $2.8 billion
  • Tiger Woods – $1.9 billion
  • Taylor Swift – $1.6 billion
  • Rihanna – $1.5 billion
  • Shah Rukh Khan – $1.3 billion

India Sends Military Contingent for Exercise LAMITIYE 2026:

Indian Armed Forces team has reached Seychelles to participate in the 11th edition of Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE 2026. this exercise has been conducted with the Seychelles Defense Forces (SDF). The exercise is being held at the Seychelles Defense Academy from 9 to 20 March 2026. This year’s exercise marks an important milestone and it is special as all three services of the Indian Armed Forces Army, Navy and Air Force are participating together. The joint training programme aims to strengthen defense cooperation, enhance interoperability between forces and other areas.The India-Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE 2026 is a key defense engagement between the two countries designed to strengthen military ties and strategic cooperation.The exercise is conducted biennially that means it takes place every two years and has been hosted in Seychelles since 2001.
The word “LAMITIYE” means “Friendship” in the Creole language. Which is symbolizing the close defense relationship between India and the island nation in the Indian Ocean region.

Guinness World Record Lezim Dance in Dombivli:

International Women’s Day 2026 was celebrated across Maharashtra with various events like the rallies, sports events, awareness campaigns, and cultural performances under the theme “Give to Gain.” Various districts organized activities highlighting women’s empowerment, health awareness and community participation. This celebrations included marathons, bike rallies, sports competitions and vaccination drives.One of the main highlights of International Women’s Day Maharashtra celebrations was the Guinness World Record Lezim dance performance in Dombivli.The total of 9,111 women and girls from Dombivli and Kalyan performed the traditional Lezim dance simultaneously at the Savalaram Maharaj Sports Complex.This performance broken the previous world record of 7,338 participants.The record setting event demonstrated the strength of collective participation by women and girls while celebrating Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.