11 MARCH 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

UPSC GS Paper-1: Geography (World Geography)

⭐ Qeshm Island

⭐ Why in the News

Iran’s Foreign Minister recently accused the United States of attacking a desalination facility located on Qeshm Island, raising concerns about regional tensions.

⭐ Location

Qeshm Island lies in the Persian Gulf, close to the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

⭐ Political Control

The island forms an integral part of the territory of Iran.

⭐ Meaning of the Name

The Arabic term “Qeshm” translates to “long island.”

⭐ Geographic Position

• The island lies parallel to the southern coast of mainland Iran.

• It is separated from the mainland by the Clarence Strait.

⭐ Nearby Mainland Areas

• Qeshm Island is located near the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.

• It also lies close to Hormozgan Province in southern Iran.

⭐ Area

• The island covers approximately 1,491 square kilometres.

• It is about 2.5 times larger than Bahrain, making it the second-largest island in the Persian Gulf.

⭐ Physical Features

• Qeshm Island has an irregular geographical outline.

• Much of its coastline is rocky in nature.

• Sandy bays and mudflats are mainly found along the north-western parts of the island.

⭐ Relief

Large portions of the island consist of irregular flat-topped hills and elevated terrains.

⭐ Climate

The island experiences a hot and arid climate typical of the Persian Gulf region.

⭐ Human Settlement

• Qeshm Island has around 59 towns and villages.

• The island’s population is estimated to be approximately 120,000 people.

UPSC GS Paper-2: Governance / Social Development

⭐ ASMITA Programme

(Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action)

⭐ Why in the News

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recently organised a nationwide athletics league under the ASMITA programme.

⭐ Nature of the Programme

The ASMITA initiative is part of the Khelo India programme, aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in sports through organised leagues and competitions.

⭐ Year of Launch

The programme was launched in 2021.

⭐ Nodal Ministry

The initiative is implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

⭐ Objectives of the Programme

• Promoting Women’s Participation:

The ASMITA leagues aim to increase the participation of women and girls in sports activities.

• Talent Identification:

The programme also acts as a platform to discover and nurture emerging sporting talent from different regions of India.

⭐ Participation and Reach

• Nearly three lakh women athletes have participated in the leagues since the programme began.

• Participants have competed across 33 different sports disciplines.

• More than 2,600 leagues have been organised across the country.

UPSC GS Paper-3: Environment & Biodiversity / Science & Technology

⭐ Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea sunrise

⭐ Why in the News

Entomologists conducting a research expedition in the Himalayan foothills have recently discovered two new species of fruit flies, named Acidoxantha paratotoflava and Hemilea sunrise.

⭐ Location of Discovery

These newly identified species were recorded from the Solan region of Himachal Pradesh.

⭐ Nature of the Species

Both organisms are newly documented fruit fly species belonging to a group of insects commonly referred to as fruit flies.

⭐ Acidoxantha paratotoflava

⭐ Key Characteristics

• The species is described as a medium-sized fruit fly with a greenish-yellow body colour.

• It can be identified by four distinct black stripes on its thorax.

• The abdomen shows relatively large black spots.

• Male individuals possess unique hook-shaped anatomical structures, which help distinguish the species.

⭐ Hemilea sunrise

⭐ Key Characteristics

• This species has a reddish-brown body covered with prominent black spots.

• Its wings display a distinct pattern featuring a single transparent window-like area, known as a hyaline indentation.

• This feature helps differentiate it from closely related species, which usually possess two such clear patches on their wings.

⭐ Additional Findings from the Study

⭐ First Record of Rhagoletis in India

The research also documented the genus Rhagoletis in India for the first time.

• Species belonging to this genus are globally recognised fruit flies that affect fruit crops.

• However, they had not been previously reported in India.