Current Affairs Terms in News This Week: This weekly explainer will cherry-pick important 'terms in news' from the current affairs between 1 and 7 March 2026 and break them down into simple, quick capsules.
This week's developments reflected on major trends across global geopolitics, economy, space, and technology. With the rising West Asian tensions that spiked oil prices, India's Current Account Deficit (CAD) could see a rise in its import bills.
Environment initiatives such as the Miyawaki method also gained prominent attention as an urban afforestation technique. Meanwhile, advances in the space tech sector saw Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite systems making the rounds.
In this article, we will cover important terms that were noted in this week's current affairs (1 to 7 March 2026). You will get to learn the basic 5W1H of these current affairs-based terms, which include double deflation, G-SPIDER robot, CAD, the Miyawaki method, and VLEO satellite systems.
Current Affairs Terms in News This Week (1-7 March 2026)
1. Double Deflation
Why in news?
- India introduced the Double Deflation Method in the new GDP series with base year 2022-23. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the New Series of Annual and Quartely National Accounts Estimates with base year 2023 replacing the earlier 2011-12.
What is it?
- The double deflation method is a statistical technique used to calculate real Gross Value Added (GVA) by adjusting both output prices and input costs separately for inflation, instead of using a single price deflator.
Key Points
- The Double Deflation method provides more accurate estimates of real economic growth, especially for manufacturing, services, and agriculture.
- It aligns with India's GDP measurement with international statistical practices used by many advanced economies.
- It reflects post-COVID economic structure and reduces statistical discrepancies.
- It impacts fiscal metrics by lowering nominal GDP calcuations by 3 to 4 per cent, which mechanically increases debt-to-GDP and deficit-to-GDP ratios.
2. G-SPIDER Robot
Why in news?
- In March 2026, the Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation deployed an AI-powered robot system to clean canals in the city under the Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban 2.0.
What is it?
- G-SPIDER Robot is an autonomous cleaning machine that uses artificial intelligence to detect, collect, and remove waste from canals and water channels without human labour.
Key Points
- This initiative is a collaboration between the municipal corporation and Genrobotic Innovations.
- The G-SPIDER robot is based on a cable-driven parallel robotics architecture and uses AI-powered vision systems and sensors to identify and remove accumulated waste.
- The robot aids in reducing manual labour, health risks, and operational risks associated with conventional canal cleaning.
3. Current Accounts Deficit (CAD)
Why in news?
- Rising global oil prices amid the Iran-U.S. strike are threatening to widen India's Current Account Deficit (CAD). A research by Nomura suggests a 10 per cent rise in oil prices can increase India's CAD by 0.4 percentage points. Currently, the share of imported crude in India's GDP is about 3.7 per cent.
What is it?
- Current Account Deficit (CAD) is an economic indicator that shows whether a nation's total imports of goods, services, and transfers exceed its exports. It shows if a country is consuming more than it produces.
Key Points
- CAD is a major component of the Balance of Payments (BoP) and reflects a country's external trade position.
- A high CAD means the nation must rely on foreign investments or borrowing to finance the deficit.
- Since India imports 90 per cent of its crude oil, rising oil prices pose a threat to increasing the import bill and thus widening the CAD.
4. Miyawaki Method
Why in news?
- The Varanasi Municipal Corporation, on 1 March 2026, entered the Guinness World Records by planting over 2.5 lakh saplings within one hour using the Miyawaki method. The massive drive, with over 20,000 volunteers, took place in the Sujabad-Domari area along the Ganga riverfront.
What is it?
- The Miyawaki method invovles high-density planting of 27 different native species to create dense, fast-growing ecosystems.
Key Points
- This feat by Varanasi has surpassed China's previous record of 1.53 lakh saplings planted in an hour.
- The Miyawaki method is a technique developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
- This method creates dense, native forests in just 20-30 years.
5. VLEO Satellite Systems
Why in news?
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bengaluru based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace, on 5 March 2026, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite system.
What is it?
- Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites refers to satellites operating at altitudes of about 150 km to 450 km above Earth, much lower than traditional Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Key Points
- VLEO satellites operate closer to Earth which enables higher-resolution imaging and reduced launch costs as well less fuel.
- VLEO satellites offer ultra-low latency, therefore, signals have a shorter distance to travel. This makes them ideal for high-speed internet and real-time strategic communication.
- With VLEO satellites in orbit, the lower orbital altitude can aid in reducing space debris risk as defunct satellites experience natural atmospheric drag and get burned up.
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