28 MARCH 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-1: Geography

⭐ Great Salt Lake

⭐ Why in News

Researchers from the University of Utah

have found that freshwater penetrates

deep beneath the Great Salt Lake,

saturating rocks and sediments

up to 13,000 feet.

⭐ Location and Nature

• A saline lake located in northern Utah, USA.

• It is the largest inland saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

• Among the most saline inland water bodies globally.

⭐ Hydrology

• Fed by the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers.

• It has no natural outlet, making it an endorheic basin.

⭐ Size Variation

• The lake’s size varies significantly over time.

• Changes depend on:

• Evaporation rates

• River inflow

⭐ Salinity

• Salt concentration is higher than ocean water.

• This is due to high evaporation exceeding water inflow.

GS Paper-1: Geography

⭐ Tonga

⭐ Why in News

A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.6 has recently been recorded near Tonga in the

South Pacific Ocean.

⭐ Location and Composition

• Tonga is a sovereign island country in Polynesia (South Pacific Ocean).

• It comprises an archipelago of about 169 islands.

⭐ Neighbouring Regions

• Fiji lies to the west.

• Cook Islands are located to the east.

• Samoa lies to the north.

⭐ Major Island Groups

• Tongatapu – Southern region

• Ha’apai – Central region

• Vava’u – Northern region

⭐ Capital

• The capital city is Nuku’alofa.

• It is situated on the northern coast of Tongatapu island.

GS Paper-3: Economy

⭐ Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) Initiative

⭐ Why in News

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry recently informed the Lok Sabha about the

progress of the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative.

⭐ Launch and Purpose

• Launched in August 2019.

• Aims to promote balanced regional development by strengthening exports from all

districts.

⭐ Core Objective

• To identify, brand, and promote district-specific products.

• To enhance their presence in domestic as well as global markets.

⭐ Implementing Authority

• Implemented by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the

Department of Commerce.

⭐ Key Features

➤ Decentralised Export Promotion

• Empowers districts as active export centres.

• Encourages local participation in boosting exports of goods and services.

➤ Identification of Export Potential

• Export potential identified in 734 districts across India.

• Covers sectors like:

• Agriculture

• Toys

• GI-tagged products