Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 5th March 2026

Daily Current Affairs Digest for UPSC & Competitive Exams | 5th March 2026

1. Rising Geopolitical Tensions in the Indian Ocean

A major development unfolded in the Indian Ocean as IRIS Dena, an Iranian warship, was reportedly sunk by a US submarine near Galle, Sri Lanka. The incident occurred while the Iranian warship was returning from India’s International Fleet Review and the MILAN naval exercise held in Visakhapatnam. This event has sparked concerns about escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. Both Iran and the United States are yet to comment on the exact circumstances of the incident, but the incident underscores the growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

2. India’s Indigenous Drone Technology: Sheshnaag-150

In a notable advancement for India’s defense technology, NewSpace Research Technologies, a Bengaluru-based firm, has unveiled the Sheshnaag-150, an indigenous long-range swarming attack drone. The drone boasts a 1,000-km range and a 5-hour endurance—designed for autonomous precision strikes and coordinated drone swarm warfare. This marks a significant step for India’s capabilities in autonomous aerial warfare and positions the country as a key player in drone technology on the global stage.

3. Raisina Dialogue 2026: India Hosts Global Geopolitical Leaders

The Raisina Dialogue 2026, India’s premier geopolitics and geo-economics conference, kicked off in New Delhi. Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation, the conference brings together global leaders, policymakers, and intellectuals to discuss pressing global issues such as technology, security, and global governance. With the rapidly changing global dynamics, this conference plays a crucial role in shaping India’s foreign policy and strengthening its position in international diplomacy.

4. Return of 16th-Century Alvar Bronze: A Historic Cultural Exchange

In an exciting development for cultural diplomacy, the Ashmolean Museum in the UK will return a 16th-century Tirumankai Alvar bronze statue to India. The bronze, originally from the Soundararajaperumal Temple in Thadikombu, Tamil Nadu, was built during the reign of the Madurai Nayak ruler Viswanatha Nayak. The return follows extensive provenance research and ASI verification, confirming the statue’s temple origin. This marks an important moment in the repatriation of cultural artifacts, strengthening India’s cultural heritage.

5. Mars Holds Secrets of an Ancient Ocean

In a groundbreaking discovery, China’s Zhurong rover, part of the Tianwen-1 mission, has detected buried shoreline-like sediments on Mars. Using ground-penetrating radar in the Utopia Planitia region, the rover has found evidence suggesting that Mars once hosted an ancient ocean, with wave-formed beaches. This discovery adds to our understanding of Mars’ ancient environment and hints at the possibility that the Red Planet may have supported life billions of years ago.

6. Yellowstone’s Echinus Geyser Erupts After Six Years

In an extraordinary natural event, the Echinus Geyser, the world’s largest acidic geyser, has resumed its eruptions after a six-year hiatus. Located in Yellowstone’s Norris Basin, USA, this geyser’s activity draws significant attention from both scientists and tourists. In India, geothermal activity continues in regions like Manikaran (Himachal Pradesh) and Bakreswar (West Bengal), which are known for their geothermal springs.

7. Dark Oxygen Discovery in the Pacific Ocean

In an exciting development for oceanography, scientists have discovered “dark oxygen” in the Clarion–Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon, found at a depth of around 4,000 meters, challenges the traditional understanding of oxygen production, which has always been associated with photosynthesis. In this zone, polymetallic nodules are believed to generate oxygen through electrochemical reactions without the need for sunlight. This discovery could have profound implications for understanding oxygen production in extreme oceanic environments.

8. Bureau of Energy Efficiency Marks 25th Foundation Day

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under India’s Ministry of Power, celebrated its 25th Foundation Day yesterday. Established by the Energy Conservation Act of 2001, BEE has been instrumental in promoting energy efficiency across India. The bureau has implemented various schemes, including Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), and the Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO). These initiatives are essential in helping India meet its energy efficiency targets while contributing to sustainable development.

Conclusion

The last 24 hours have been full of significant global and national developments, ranging from military incidents to technological innovations, cultural exchanges, and environmental discoveries. As India continues to rise on the global stage in various sectors, these updates reflect the country’s growing influence in international geopolitics, technological innovation, and cultural heritage. Stay tuned for more updates and analyses as these events unfold.