# 2026 Major Events and Current Affairs: Nepal & International (2026)I. National Affairs: Nepal (2026)**1. Political Milestones** * **2026 General Election:** A pivotal national election is scheduled for **March 5, 2026**. This follows a period of interim governance after significant "Gen-Z" led protests in September 2025 that demanded better accountability and job opportunities. * **Security Deployment:** For the March elections, approximately **80,000 Nepal Army** personnel have been deployed to secure 165 constituencies and vital installations like the Nepal Rastra Bank. * **Youth in Politics:** The 2026 elections are expected to see a surge of newcomer candidates, with prominent youth-backed leaders and outsiders like Kathmandu Mayor **Balendra Shah** playing influential roles. **2. Economic & Development Transitions** * **LDC Graduation:** On **November 24, 2026**, Nepal is officially scheduled to graduate from [Least Developed Country (LDC)](https://www.un.org/ldcportal/content/nepal-graduation-status) status to a "developing nation". * **Smooth Transition Strategy (STS):** The government has implemented an STS to mitigate the loss of international support measures, such as duty-free quota-free market access, which may cause a projected **4.3% drop in exports** by late 2026. * **GDP & Growth:** Nepal's GDP is projected to reach approximately **$44.71 billion** by the end of 2026. The Nepal Rastra Bank aims to manage inflation at **5.0%** and achieve **6.0% economic growth** for the 2025/26 fiscal year. * **National Economic Census:** The second National Economic Census is set to take place from mid-March to mid-July 2026 to provide fresh data for future policymaking. **3. Infrastructure & Digital Economy** * **National Pride Projects:** Work continues on major projects like the **Madan Bhandari Highway**, though challenges in relocating families and managing forest land persist into early 2026. * **Creator's Mela 2026:** Sponsored by the **US Embassy**, this multi-city event (concluding in Kathmandu on Jan 30-31) aims to transition digital content creation into sustainable professional businesses. II. International Affairs (2026)**1. Global Sporting Events** * **Milano Cortina 2026 (Winter Olympics):** The 25th Winter Olympic Games are being held in **Italy** (Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo) from **February 6–22, 2026**. * **FIFA World Cup 2026:** The largest-ever edition, featuring **48 teams** and 104 matches, will be co-hosted by the **USA, Canada, and Mexico** from June 11 to July 19, 2026. * **Cricket World Cups:** * **Men's T20 World Cup:** Scheduled for February–March 2026 in **India and Sri Lanka**. * **Women's T20 World Cup:** To be held in **England and Wales** in June/July 2026. * **Asian Games 2026:** Taking place in **Aichi-Nagoya, Japan** from September 19 to October 4. **2. Major Diplomatic & Security Events** * **US 250th Anniversary:** On **July 4, 2026**, the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial (250 years) with nationwide events coordinated by the America250 Commission. * **Nuclear Stability:** The **New START Treaty** between the US and Russia is scheduled to expire on **February 5, 2026**, potentially leaving the two largest nuclear powers without a bilateral arms control agreement. * **India-EU Trade Deal:** A major free trade agreement between India and the European Union was signed in January 2026 after nearly 20 years of negotiation. * **US Midterm Elections:** Crucial elections for the US House and Senate are set for **November 3, 2026**. **3. Science, Environment & Technology** * **UN International Year:** The UN has designated 2026 as the **International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists**. * **Climate Change (COP31):** The next major climate summit, **COP31**, is expected to be co-hosted by **Australia and Turkey** (in Antalya) in November 2026. * **Total Solar Eclipse:** Europe's first total solar eclipse in over 20 years will occur on **August 12, 2026**, visible primarily in Northern Spain, Iceland, and Greenland. *** Key Exam Terms to Remember * **Donroe Doctrine:** A term coined for the Trump administration's version of the Monroe Doctrine, impacting Caribbean and Latin American security in 2026. * **Smooth Transition Strategy (STS):** Nepal's specific policy roadmap for its 2026 LDC graduation. * **Milano Cortina 2026:** The official name for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Would you like to focus on a specific sector, such as **economic data for Nepal** or a **full list of 2026 international summits**?