17 March 2026 Current Affairs – Daily GK and Mock Test

17 March – Important History Events (Exam Oriented Notes)

• 1959 – The Dalai Lama fled Tibet and took refuge in India following the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
• 1861 – The Kingdom of Italy was officially proclaimed, marking the unification of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II.
• 1992 – A referendum in South Africa resulted in the end of apartheid, supporting democratic reforms.

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17 March 2026 Current Affairs – Daily GK and Mock Test

Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project in Assam

Q1. What is the total installed capacity of the Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project?
(a) 100 MW
(b) 110 MW
(c) 120 MW
(d) 150 MW
Answer: 120 MW
Explanation: The Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project has an installed capacity of 120 MW, contributing to clean energy generation in Northeast India.

Q2. The Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project is located in which state?
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Assam
(c) Arunachal Pradesh
(d) Nagaland
Answer: Assam
Explanation: The project is situated in Assam, specifically across the West Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.

Q3. Which organization is responsible for developing the Lower Kopili Hydroelectric Project?
(a) NTPC Limited
(b) NHPC Limited
(c) Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL)
(d) Power Grid Corporation of India
Answer: Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGCL)
Explanation: APGCL, a state-owned power utility, is responsible for the development and ownership of the project.

Q4. Financial support for the Lower Kopili Project has been provided by which organization?
(a) World Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) Asian Development Bank
(d) New Development Bank
Answer: Asian Development Bank
Explanation: The Asian Development Bank funded the project under the Assam Power Sector Investment Program to strengthen the region’s power infrastructure.

Q5. The Kopili River is a tributary of which major river?
(a) Ganga
(b) Yamuna
(c) Brahmaputra
(d) Teesta
Answer: Brahmaputra
Explanation: The Kopili River is the largest south bank tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Assam, making it important for hydropower development.

98th Academy Awards – Key Winners and Highlights

Q1. Who won the Best Actress award at the 98th Academy Awards?
(a) Emma Stone
(b) Cate Blanchett
(c) Jessie Buckley
(d) Saoirse Ronan
Answer: Jessie Buckley
Explanation: Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award for her performance in Hamnet, marking her first Oscar win in a leading category.

Q2. Jessie Buckley played which character in the film Hamnet?
(a) Anne Hathaway
(b) Agnes Shakespeare
(c) Ophelia
(d) Lady Macbeth
Answer: Agnes Shakespeare
Explanation: In Hamnet, Jessie Buckley portrayed Agnes Shakespeare, the wife of William Shakespeare, focusing on her emotional journey after personal tragedy.

Q3. The film Hamnet is based on a novel written by which author?
(a) Hilary Mantel
(b) Margaret Atwood
(c) Maggie O’Farrell
(d) Zadie Smith
Answer: Maggie O’Farrell
Explanation: The film Hamnet is adapted from the acclaimed novel by Maggie O’Farrell, which explores the personal life of William Shakespeare and his family.

Q4. Who won the Best Actor award at the 98th Academy Awards?
(a) Leonardo DiCaprio
(b) Cillian Murphy
(c) Michael B. Jordan
(d) Joaquin Phoenix
Answer: Michael B. Jordan
Explanation: Michael B. Jordan won the Best Actor award for his role in Sinners, marking his first Academy Award win.

Q5. Where was the 98th Academy Awards ceremony held?
(a) Madison Square Garden, New York
(b) Royal Albert Hall, London
(c) Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
(d) Sydney Opera House
Answer: Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Explanation: The 98th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, a regular venue for the Oscars.

Indian Animated Film CHYIMI Wins Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026

Q1. Which Indian animated short film won the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026?
(a) The Banyan Tree
(b) CHYIMI
(c) Little Krishna
(d) Ghatotkach
Answer: CHYIMI
Explanation: The animated short film CHYIMI won the Best Director Award at NYSAF 2026, bringing global recognition to Indian animation.

Q2. Who directed the award-winning animated film CHYIMI?
(a) Anurag Kashyap
(b) S. S. Rajamouli
(c) Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta
(d) Aamir Khan
Answer: Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta
Explanation: The film was directed by Dr. Partha Sarathi Mahanta, a senior Assam Police officer serving as IGP and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati.

Q3. The New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) is primarily known for promoting which type of films?
(a) Documentary films
(b) Feature films
(c) Animated short films
(d) Biographical films
Answer: Animated short films
Explanation: NYSAF is an international platform that showcases innovative and creative animated short films from around the world.

Q4. The success of CHYIMI highlights the growing global recognition of stories from which region of India?
(a) South India
(b) Western India
(c) North-East India
(d) Central India
Answer: North-East India
Explanation: The film reflects the increasing global visibility of regional storytelling, especially from India’s North-East region.

Q5. NYSAF collaborates with which institution to expand international screening opportunities?
(a) British Film Institute
(b) Cine Universitario UACJ
(c) Cannes Film Festival
(d) National Film Board of Canada
Answer: Cine Universitario UACJ
Explanation: NYSAF collaborates with Cine Universitario UACJ in Mexico, allowing selected films to reach wider international audiences.

World Bank Approves Loan for Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program

Q1. The World Bank approved a loan of approximately how much amount for the Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program?
(a) USD 200 million
(b) USD 250 million
(c) USD 299.66 million
(d) USD 350 million
Answer: USD 299.66 million
Explanation: The World Bank approved a loan of about USD 299.66 million (around USD 300 million) to support Uttar Pradesh’s clean air initiatives.

Q2. The Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program primarily focuses on improving air quality in which sectors?
(a) Education and healthcare
(b) Transport, agriculture, and industry
(c) Banking and finance
(d) Tourism and culture
Answer: Transport, agriculture, and industry
Explanation: The programme adopts a multi-sectoral approach, targeting pollution from transport, agriculture, and industrial activities.

Q3. Approximately how many new air quality monitoring stations will be installed under this program?
(a) 100
(b) 150
(c) 200
(d) 300
Answer: 200
Explanation: Around 200 new air quality monitoring stations will be set up to improve pollution tracking and policy decisions.

Q4. The Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program is part of which larger initiative?
(a) National Clean Energy Mission
(b) Smart Cities Mission
(c) Regional Air Quality Management Program for Indo-Gangetic Plains
(d) National Electric Mobility Mission
Answer: Regional Air Quality Management Program for Indo-Gangetic Plains
Explanation: The programme is linked to the World Bank’s broader Regional Air Quality Management Program covering the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills.

Q5. Under the programme, approximately how many households are expected to receive clean cooking solutions?
(a) 1 million
(b) 2.5 million
(c) 3.9 million
(d) 5 million
Answer: 3.9 million
Explanation: About 3.9 million households will gain access to clean cooking solutions, helping reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Alexandre Singh Wins Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film at 98th Academy Awards

Q1. Who won the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards?
(a) Sam A. Davis
(b) Alexandre Singh
(c) Jack Piatt
(d) Natalie Musteata
Answer: Alexandre Singh
Explanation: Indian-origin filmmaker Alexandre Singh won the Oscar for Best Live-Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva.

Q2. The film Two People Exchanging Saliva shared the Oscar award with which film?
(a) The Artists
(b) The Performers
(c) The Singers
(d) The Voices
Answer: The Singers
Explanation: The award was shared with The Singers, making it a rare tie in the history of the Academy Awards.

Q3. How many ties have occurred in the history of the Academy Awards (including this one)?
(a) Five
(b) Six
(c) Seven
(d) Eight
Answer: Seven
Explanation: This was only the seventh tie in Oscar history, which happens when two nominees receive an equal number of votes.

Q4. Alexandre Singh studied fine art at which university?
(a) University of Cambridge
(b) Harvard University
(c) University of Oxford
(d) University of London
Answer: University of Oxford
Explanation: Alexandre Singh studied fine art at the University of Oxford, which contributed to his artistic and cinematic development.

Q5. According to the Academy, a short film must have a running time of less than how many minutes?
(a) 30 minutes
(b) 35 minutes
(c) 40 minutes
(d) 45 minutes
Answer: 40 minutes
Explanation: The Academy defines short films as motion pictures with a running time of 40 minutes or less.

Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 – Key Highlights

Q1. Sahitya Akademi Awards are given for literary works in how many recognised Indian languages?
(a) 18
(b) 22
(c) 24
(d) 26
Answer: 24
Explanation: Sahitya Akademi Awards are presented annually for outstanding literary works in 24 Indian languages recognised by the institution.

Q2. Which genre had the highest number of awards in the Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025?
(a) Novels
(b) Short stories
(c) Poetry
(d) Essays
Answer: Poetry
Explanation: Poetry dominated the 2025 awards with eight winning titles, the highest among all literary categories.

Q3. “Crimson Spring” by Navtej Sarna, which won the Sahitya Akademi Award 2025, belongs to which genre?
(a) Poetry
(b) Novel
(c) Memoir
(d) Essay
Answer: Novel
Explanation: “Crimson Spring” is a novel written by Navtej Sarna and was awarded in the English language category.

Q4. Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, was established in which year?
(a) 1947
(b) 1950
(c) 1954
(d) 1960
Answer: 1954
Explanation: Sahitya Akademi was established in 1954 to promote literature and literary excellence across Indian languages.

Q5. What is the prize money given under the Sahitya Akademi Award?
(a) ₹50,000
(b) ₹75,000
(c) ₹1,00,000
(d) ₹2,00,000
Answer: ₹1,00,000
Explanation: Each awardee receives ₹1,00,000 along with a copper plaque and a shawl as part of the Sahitya Akademi Award.

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