Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 6th March 2026

Broadcast Audience Research Council:

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently asked the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to suspend publication of Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks or until further direction.

• It is a joint industry company founded by stakeholder bodies that represent Broadcasters, Advertisers and Advertising & Advertising Agencies.
• It owns and manages a transparent, accurate, and inclusive TV audience measurement system.
• Established in 2010, the BARC has since been the sole body which can measure and publish television audience data in the country.
• It is based in Mumbai, India.
• Television Rating Point (TRP) is a metric used to measure the popularity and viewership of television programs
• The more viewers a program has, the higher its TRP rating.
• It is calculated by measuring the viewership of a particular program over a period of time, usually a week.
• TRP ratings are used by broadcasters and advertisers to determine the popularity of different TV programs.
• According to the TRP of a TV channel or programme, advertisers decide where to display their advertisements, and investors will decide about the investment of the money.

What is Dark Oxygen?

Scientists exploring the Pacific Ocean seafloor have reported the presence of what they describe as “dark oxygen” in an environment where sunlight does not reach.

• It is the oxygen that is being produced thousands of feet below the ocean surface, without any light or photosynthesis.
• The phenomenon was first observed in 2013 while studying the Clarion-Clipperton Zone, an area in the Pacific Ocean between Mexico and Hawaii.
• Until now, it was thought that oxygen was created only through photosynthesis, a process that requires sunlight.
• Oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria are the primary elements attributed to the production of oxygen in the ocean. All these organisms are capable of photosynthesis.
• The production of oxygen at such depths is thought to be impossible because there isn’t enough sunlight for plants to do photosynthesis.
  However, in this case, oxygen is not being produced by plants.
• The oxygen comes out of polymetallic nodules that are similar in resemblance to lumps of coal.
• These nodules, made up of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, produce oxygen without the process of photosynthesis.
• These nodules generate enough electricity to drive electrolysis, which splits water molecules apart and releases oxygen.
• The researchers think the same process-battery-powered oxygen production that requires no light and no biological process – could be happening on other moons and planets, creating oxygen-rich environments where life could thrive.

Precision Strike Missile:

The United States used Precision Strike Missiles (PrSMs) for the first time during its ongoing war with Iran, US Central Command (CENTCOM) said recently.

• It is a surface-to-surface guided ballistic missile to strike targets at long distances with high precision.
• It is being developed and manufactured primarily for the US Army by Lockheed Martin (a US aerospace and defence company).
• It features an open system architecture and a modular design.
• It is launched from existing artillery platforms, including the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the M270A2 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
• The missile uses solid rocket propellant and advanced navigation systems, including GPS and inertial guidance, to hit targets accurately over long distances, even in challenging weather conditions.
• It has a range of at least 500 km.
• It has a hypersonic-class ballistic trajectory that can even be integrated with satellites, drones and radar systems.
• It is equipped with an Insensitive Munitions (IM) energetic payload, designed to reduce the risk of accidental detonation.

Sambar Deer : Presence Recorded

The Wildlife Wing of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department recently recorded the presence of sambar deer (Rusa unicolor) in high-altitude protected areas of Chamba district through camera traps for the first time.

• Sambar Deer is a large deer native to the Indian Subcontinent, southern China and Southeast Asia.
• Scientific Name: Rusa unicolor
• Several races of sambar are recognized, among them the large Indian sambar and the smaller Malayan sambar.
• They are native to India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Sri Lanka, Burma, the Philippines, southern China, Taiwan, Borneo, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Java.
• Sambars inhabit both gently sloping and steep forested hillsides.
• They reside preferably near cultivated areas, such as gardens and plantations, in order to acquire food, but are also found in thick forests, swamp forests, and open scrub.
• It is the largest oriental deer.
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.

Thirumangai Alvar Idol Returned to India:

The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford returned a 16th-century bronze statue of Saint Thirumangai Alvar to the Government of India after research established that it originated from the Soundararaja Perumal temple in Tamil Nadu.The identification was made by the India Pride Project, a cultural advocacy group, by matching the Ashmolean bronze with the 1957 French Institute of Pondicherry archival photographs. Thirumangai Alvar was the 12th and last of the Alvar saints. The Alvars were Tamil poet-saints who devoted their lives to Lord Vishnu in the Vaishnava tradition during the 8th century CE.
Early Life as a Warrior: Originally named Kaliyan, he was born into the Kallar community (a warrior caste) and served as a military commander and chieftain (earning the title Thirumangai Mannan) under the Chola empire. He was a skilled archer.He is renowned as “Narkavi Perumal” (excellent poet) and authored over 1,000 verses, including major works like Periya Thirumozhi, Thirunedunthandakam, and Thirukkuruthandakam, which are part of the sacred Nalayira Divya Prabandham.He contributed to the enrichment of the Srirangam temple and is said to have visited all 108 Divya Desams (sacred Vishnu temples).He has built one of the walls of Srirangam Sri Renganathaswamy Temple (Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu) and composed poems on Lord Sri Ranganathan.He is considered an incarnation of Vishnu’s Sharanga bow, and his life story highlights the theme of transformation from worldly materialism to ultimate devotion through bhakti.

Striped Hyena : In News

The Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have urged the inclusion of the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Appendix I and II of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) at the upcoming Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP15).

• Striped Hyena is one of four species belonging to the family Hyaenidae.
• Other three are the Spotted Hyena, the Brown Hyena and the Aardwolf.
• It is a bit smaller than the spotted hyenas and has stripes all over their bodies.
• It inhabits savannas, grasslands, semi-deserts, open woodlands, and mountainous regions.
• It is mainly found in South Asia (India, Nepal, Afghanistan), North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Western Asia, and Central Asia.
• They are territorial creatures and scent-mark their territorial boundaries as a warning to their rivals.
• Diet: Striped hyenas are primarily scavengers and eat mainly carrion and human refuse
• Adult Striped hyena females are dominant over males and aggressive toward other females.
• The striped hyena is generally considered solitary, but has some social organization.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Near Threatened.
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across several states and union territories:

The President of India President Droupadi Murmu recently announced a major reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across several states and union territories.Former Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi has been appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal. The Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was given the additional charge of Tamil Nadu. Taranjit Singh Sandhu, has been appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi. Article 153 (Governors of States): It mandates that there must be a Governor for every state. The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 facilitated the appointment of a single Governor for multiple states simultaneously.Article 154 (Executive Power of State): The executive power of the state is officially vested in the Governor.Article 155 (Appointment of Governor): The Governor is appointed directly by the President of India. The appointment is formalized by a warrant under the hand and seal of the President, establishing the Governor as a nominee of the Union Government.
Article 156 (Term of Office): The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President of India.The Constitution does not specify any grounds for the removal of a Governor. They can be removed or transferred by the President at any time.A Governor will continue to hold office even after the five years expire, until a successor formally takes over.The Governor can resign at any time by writing a resignation letter addressed directly to the President.

Denmark Eliminates Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Syphilis:

Denmark has been certified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the first country in the European Union to eliminate mother-to-child transmission (EMTCT) of HIV and syphilis.Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) is the spread of infections like HIV and syphilis from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, which without intervention can lead to infant infections, stillbirths, neonatal deaths, or congenital diseases.WHO’s criteria for EMTCT include reducing mother-to-child transmission rates to below 50 per 100,000 live births and ensuring over 95% of pregnant women receive testing and treatment.Denmark joins over 20 countries and territories worldwide validated by WHO for EMTCT or progressing toward certification. These include nations in the Caribbean (e.g., Anguilla, Antigua), South America (e.g., Brazil), Africa (e.g., Botswana), and Asia (Malaysia, Maldives).

India-Japan CEPA Meeting:

The 7th Joint Committee Meeting under the India–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was held in Tokyo to review implementation issues and discuss enhancing bilateral economic engagement.Discussions covered a wide range of issues, including bilateral trade and investment, improving the business environment, and preparations for the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference (March 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon) of the WTO.The India-Japan CEPA, which came into effect in August 2011, is a landmark bilateral trade pact that covers trade in goods, services, movement of natural persons, investments, intellectual property rights (IPR), customs procedures, and other trade-related issues.The agreement envisages the abolition of tariffs on over 94% of items traded between the two countries over a period of 10 years.

Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG):

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports announced that the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held in Chhattisgarh from 25 March to 6 April 2026.The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) is a national-level multi-sport event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes across India.It is organised under the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote sports culture and excellence.Host State: Chhattisgarh,Host Cities: Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja.

Karnataka’s Proposal to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16:

Karnataka Chief Minister announced in the 2026–27 Karnataka State Budget that the state plans to ban social media use for children below 16 years.The Karnataka government has proposed a policy restriction on access to social media platforms for children below the age of 16. The initiative seeks to protect minors from digital addiction, cyberbullying, misinformation exposure, and mental health issues linked to excessive online engagement.Children below 16 years will be prohibited from accessing social media platforms under the proposed regulation.The policy is intended to mitigate psychological harm, online harassment, and screen addiction among minors.The move may involve age-verification mechanisms and regulatory guidelines for digital platforms operating in the state.The proposal accompanies broader initiatives to strengthen technology governance and responsible digital use.