Current Affairs - March 15, 2026 Current Affairs

Perplexity launched the ‘Personal Computer’ AI agent, an advanced digital assistant designed to automate everyday productivity tasks. The system operates on a Mac mini and functions as a digital proxy that can research topics, draft emails, prepare daily briefings, and manage files across different applications and devices. It combines local system operations with cloud-based reasoning to handle complex user requests efficiently. The platform also integrates multiple large language models such as Claude, Gemini, and Grok, allowing them to collaborate during task execution. With built-in security safeguards and continuous operation, the AI agent aims to improve productivity by automating routine digital activities.

Pi Day is celebrated annually on March 14 to recognise the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. The date 3/14 corresponds to the first three digits of pi, which are 3.14. The day is widely observed by students, mathematicians and science enthusiasts through activities such as math quizzes, puzzles, and pi recitation competitions. Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 by physicist Larry Shaw at the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco. Later, in 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives officially recognised the day to encourage interest in mathematics and science education worldwide.

Shailesh Kumar, an Indian para athlete and reigning world champion, won the gold medal in the men’s high jump T63 category at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 in New Delhi. He secured the top position with a jump of 1.84 metres, marking a strong start to his competitive season despite recovering from a left knee injury. Although the height was lower than his personal best of 1.91 metres, the performance demonstrated a steady return to competition. His training plan currently focuses on refining his take-off technique and preparing for the Asian Para Games, which is considered one of the major upcoming competitions for para athletes in the region.

CISF Raising Day is observed every year on March 10 to commemorate the establishment of the Central Industrial Security Force in 1969 under the CISF Act, 1968. The day recognises the dedication, bravery and service of CISF personnel who protect India’s critical infrastructure. Initially formed with just three battalions and about 2,800 personnel, the force has grown significantly over the decades to more than 1,88,000 members. CISF plays a crucial role in safeguarding airports, metro networks, nuclear power plants, seaports and major government establishments. Various events such as ceremonial parades, awards and community programs are organized across the country to honour the contributions of the force.

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia is observed every year on March 15 to raise awareness about discrimination, prejudice, and hatred faced by Muslims around the world. The day encourages governments, organisations, and communities to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence among people of different religions and cultures. The United Nations General Assembly declared this observance in 2022 through Resolution A/RES/76/254. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, where 51 people lost their lives. The observance highlights the importance of combating religious intolerance and promoting human rights, equality, and interfaith dialogue globally.

Kerala introduced the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026 to ensure a secure digital learning environment for students in the age of artificial intelligence. Developed by Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) under the state’s General Education Department, the framework addresses emerging cyber risks such as deepfakes, AI-generated misinformation, cyber fraud and digital grooming. The protocol provides guidelines for teachers, students and parents while assigning responsibilities to school authorities to maintain cyber safety standards. It also emphasizes protecting student data through “Privacy by Design” principles and aligns with major Indian legal frameworks such as the Information Technology Act 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 to encourage safe and responsible digital practices among students.

India’s first microalgae-based PureAir Tower has been installed in New Delhi along the Aerocity highway corridor to address rising vehicular pollution. The innovative biotechnology system uses photosynthetic microalgae to capture pollutants such as carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from the surrounding air. These pollutants are then converted into oxygen and algal biomass through natural biological processes. The project was developed through collaboration between C P Arora Private Limited and Carbelim Pvt Ltd, a climate-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras. The tower is designed to provide an air purification effect comparable to more than 15 mature trees, helping improve urban air quality sustainably.

The ‘Say No To Proxy Sarpanch’ campaign was launched to address the issue of proxy leadership in village governance, commonly referred to as the “Sarpanch Pati” practice. In many villages, women are elected as sarpanches due to reservation policies, but their husbands or male relatives often take over decision-making authority. The campaign aims to promote genuine leadership by elected women representatives and encourage communities to respect their authority. It also raises awareness through public participation and social media engagement. Additional measures include advisory recommendations such as penalties for proxy governance, helplines for complaints, and capacity-building programs to strengthen women’s leadership in Panchayati Raj institutions.