News of The Day – 5th March 2026

The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

• Discovery of a 16th-century bronze idol linked to the Chola bronze sculpture tradition.
• Chola bronzes use lost-wax casting (cire perdue technique)
• Famous for dynamic poses, devotional symbolism, and fine craftsmanship.
• Represents South Indian temple art heritage and is protected under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act 1972.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• NCERT textbook development process involves multi-stage review by subject experts, authors, and editorial committees.
• Final approval given by the National Council of Educational Research and Training.
• Based on the National Education Policy 2020, focusing on competency-based learning.
• Textbooks undergo review by the Curriculum Group and Executive Committee before publication.
• Debate highlights concerns about academic autonomy, transparency, and political neutrality in education content.

(GS 2: Polity and governance)

• Findings from World Obesity Atlas 2026 released by World Obesity Federation.
• India Rank and status
  • India has ~41 million children with high BMI and ~14 million with obesity.
• Major risk factors: low physical activity, unhealthy diet, sugary drinks, poor breastfeeding practices.
• Global prevalence among children rose from 4% (1975) to nearly 20% (2022).
• Raises risk of diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic liver disease.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• Alexander Stubb, President of Finland, on official visit to India.
• Focus areas: technology cooperation, renewable energy, education, and defence innovation.
• Finland is known for expertise in 5G, clean technologies, and Arctic research.
• Visit strengthens India-Nordic cooperation and EU strategic partnerships.

 (GS-3: Economy)

• Indian Accounting Standards are accounting norms aligned with International Financial Reporting Standards.
• Implemented by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under the Companies Act 2013.
• Objective: improve transparency, comparability, and global investor confidence.
• Important for financial reporting and corporate governance reforms.

• A Total Lunar Eclipse occurs when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
• The Moon may appear reddish (“Blood Moon”) due to Rayleigh scattering of sunlight through Earth’s atmosphere.
• Lunar eclipses are safe to view without protective equipment.

• Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest mobile technology event organised by the GSMA.
• Held annually in Barcelona, Spain.
• Focus areas: 5G, 6G research, AI integration, Internet of Things (IoT), and digital infrastructure.
• Important platform for global telecom innovation and industry partnerships.

(GS-3: Security )

• About Operation Sankalp.
  • Launched by the Indian Navy in 2019 to ensure safe passage of merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and Gulf of Aden.
• Protects Indian shipping and oil supply routes in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Demonstrates India’s role as a net security provider in maritime security.