Current Affairs 16 March 2026

Government Intensifies Drive for Child-Marriage-Free India with "Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat" Campaign.

• Government launched Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign on 27 November 2024 to eliminate child marriage.
• Aims to achieve a child-marriage-free India through a whole-of-government and society approach.
• Focuses on awareness, community mobilisation, and strengthening Child Marriage Prohibition Officers.
• Promotes reporting of cases and supports at-risk girls through education, skilling, and empowerment.
• A 100-day special drive (from 4 December 2025) boosts outreach via schools, religious leaders, and local bodies.

India Sweeps World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 with Record 208 Medals.

• India topped the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 (New Delhi leg).
• Won a record 208 medals: 75 Gold, 69 Silver, 64 Bronze.
• Russia finished 2nd (35 medals); Bosnia & Herzegovina 3rd (3 medals).
• Around 257 athletes from 8 countries participated.
• India fielded its largest-ever contingent with 219 athletes.

Amit Shah Launches Advanced Healthcare and Proton Cancer Therapy in Guwahati.

• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated multiple development projects in Guwahati.
• Assam became the first state in India to offer Proton Cancer Therapy in a government hospital.
• Number of medical colleges in Assam grew from 6 to 24, and MBBS seats increased from 726 to 1,825.
• Golaghat and Tinsukia Cancer Centres (₹135 Crore each) were inaugurated; total cancer hospitals rose from 2 to 17.
• Pragjyotishpur Medical College & Hospital (₹675 Crore) and new medical colleges in Diphu, Barpeta, and Jorhat were launched.

National Highways Authority of India Revises FASTag Annual Pass Fee for FY 2026-27.

• NHAI revises FASTag Annual Pass fee to ₹3,075 for FY 2026-27 (effective 1 April 2026).
• Applicable to non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag at ~1,150 toll plazas.
• Annual Pass offers one-year validity or up to 200 toll crossings, reducing the need for frequent recharges.

Union Ministers Groundbreaking Ceremony for Multi-Purpose Indoor Sports Complex in Mandya, Karnataka.

• Union Ministers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy performed Bhoomi Pooja for a ₹14-Crore indoor sports complex in Mandya, Karnataka.
• Located at the University of Agricultural Sciences, VC Farm, under the Khelo India Scheme.
• Project aims to promote sports culture and nurture national-level athletes in the region (Khelo India! Vibrant Mandya!).
• Ceremony attended by MLAs and senior district officials.